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Silence Is Not Always Golden
Disclaimer: Harry Potter is owned by J.K. Rowling, and I thank her for the wonderful inspiration. I hope that I don't disgrace her creation too greatly.
Chapter one
Thirteen-year-old Epona rose early, determined not to be late again. Her teacher warned her that another tardy would necessitate a parent-teacher conference. That was to be avoided at all costs since she hadn't seen her mother in nearly three years.
She knew something bad had happened to her mother. And she knew it was her fault. If she hadn't been messing around with a potion that was clearly beyond her capabilities, the accident would never have happened.
Epona dressed quickly and then sat at the window, looking at the withered picnic table leaning drunkenly between the sycamore and Corsican pine trees, and thought back on that terrible morning.
After her mother had left for work that fateful morning, Epona had retrieved the next potion textbook, a companion to the Book of Spells-Grade Six, from the footlocker in her mother's room. She hadn't quite finished "grade five" but, while thumbing through grade six, had noticed a potion for killing Slyther-ivy, a particularly invasive and noxious plant that entangled itself around other plants, strangling them.
Mother had complained that the ivy climbing the house was choking the beautiful flowers along the front of the cottage. Epona had simply wanted to surprise her by ridding the house of the ivy. She'd calculated that if she weakened the potion, it would work as well for common ivy as for Slyther-ivy.
Things had started out well. She had collected all the ingredients except for one, three petals from a pink rose. She was sure that reducing this one element to just one petal would reduce the strength as the text clearly warned of adding too many petals.
Her first problem was that she couldn't find a pink rose, so she'd gotten a petal from a white rose and a petal from a red one. Then she added just half of each to the potion. It had immediately begun to smoke.
When Epona had added a quelling potion (a potion she learned from the Book of Spells-fifth grade to vanquish incorrect potions), it had started foaming. Within minutes, the potion had overflowed the cauldron and had begun covering the table. Then it had dripped down the edges and onto Epona's leg before she could react.
The pain had been instantaneous and unbearable. Epona had tried washing it off but to no avail. Slowly the skin had turned red and blistered. She tried many remedies but all were unsuccessful. Epona had finally slipped into a bath and stayed under the cold water in an attempt to reduce the pain. And fearing that someone might hear the screams of pain, which she could no longer suppress, Epona used her wand to silence her voice.
Her mother had returned several hours later, and upon seeing the picnic table and rushed in calling her name. She had taken one look at Epona's leg and begun crying. Epona would always remember the way her mother had whimpered, "I'm just a squib! I can't help her. What must I do?"
Epona had tried to tell her mother that everything would be fine, but the silencing spell had made that impossible and her mother had not been in any shape to listen. Suddenly she had looked at Epona and said, "Dumbledore! He will help." She had grabbed a wax jacket and then was gone.
Epona had heard of Dumbledore. He was headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Mother had spoken of him when she reminisced about her brother's days at school, with Harry Potter. She had spoken of him when she talked about Epona's father, Neville Longbottom.
Epona knew that her father didn't even know she had been born. Her mother had married Neville believing he was a muggle; he believed her to be the same. On the morning she had planned to tell him she was pregnant, she had arrived just in time to see Neville use magic to save an injured co-worker's life. While she had been proud that Neville had saved the man, Epona's mother simply hadn't been able to face having Neville find out that she was actually a squib; she had left that same night. She had divorced Epona's father without ever seeing him or telling him about Epona's impending birth.
She had repeatedly told her that when Epona had been accepted at Hogwart's, and everyone could see what a strong witch she was, then her mother could contact Neville and her own family with pride.
Only, her mother had not returned from going to get Dumbledore, Epona's leg had withered like the table, and she had never received her letter to Hogwarts. Instead, she was still going to the local school.
School!
Epona returned to the present with a start, cursing when she saw how little time she now had to make it before the bell. She raced along the path in her lopsided gait, her withered leg causing her to lean, much like the table. While she had regained the use of it, it was slightly shorter and thinner, weathered looking like an old woman's skin.
She knew she was late before she reached the school's fence gate, the final bong of the bell still echoing faintly. Epona stepped quietly into the classroom. Mr. O' Shea motioned for her to go to the principal's office. Epona wondered what she could possibly say to stave off the inevitable.
Her need to say anything was moot. Inside the office were three strangers, an officer in uniform and two soberly dressed women. The elder, a stocky woman, spoke first. She had a high, shrill voice of which any soprano would be proud.
"Well, so you're Epona. I'm Ms. Munson and I work for child welfare. We'd like to speak with your mother. We have tried to telephone your home. The number isn't valid. We tried to telephone her at work, but her employer said she hasn't been there for nearly three years, just quit coming. We tried Government office roles and she isn't listed there either. In fact, we can't seem to find where she existed before arriving here thirteen years ago and can't find any proof that she has existed for the last two years. This needs explaining."
Epona waited quietly. She knew she couldn't explain.
"Well, answer me!" demanded Ms Munson.
"I'm sorry. I wasn't aware that you had asked me a question." Epona wrote on the notepad she always carried. And in truth, Ms Munson hadn't actually asked anything yet.
"Hello, Epona. My name is Ms. Lightly. We're simply a little confused. We tried to go to your house this morning, but we couldn't seem to find it. Perhaps you could show us the way and we could speak to your mother. This could all be cleared up very quickly." The younger, pretty, black woman said.
Epona knew this was impossible. First, her mother was gone. Second, they'd never be able to see the cottage, no muggle could.
While her mother had said she was a squib, Epona had often wondered if this was entirely true, wondered because the cottage was invisible to muggles, and Epona had not been the one to enchant it. Her mother was just grateful that no one seemed to bother them at home, not realizing it was invisible.
However, Epona had once tried to bring home a friend, who had been angry when asked how he had liked the cottage, claiming there was no cottage. Epona had acted as if it had been a joke, but she had stopped playing the girl, fearful that the truth might come out.
"I can't help you." She wrote, handing the note to Ms. Munson.
"You will take us there and you will do so now!" demanded Ms. Munson.
Epona thought quickly and hit upon an idea. There was an old abandoned caravan, which she had played in when she was younger, down the pathway to the left as you left town. It had been her princess castle.
Head down, trying to appear subdued, Epona lead the group out and to the left. They arrived at the caravan quickly and the officer and Ms. Munson stepped inside. Ms. Lightly and Epona followed more slowly.
Epona had forgotten the game of draughts, which she had left on an upturned container in front of the counter. While she hadn't been there since before the accident, she wasn't surprised to see an unopened soft drink and several cans of fruit next to it. She had often brought snacks with her.
She noticed the officer looking out the curtainless window with a look of disgust. Epona realized he was looking at the privy leaning at a near forty-five degree angle.
"This is shameful!" Ms. Munson angrily exclaimed from the doorway that lead to the only other room. Epona could picture the worn quilt, in a simple kaleidoscope pattern lying on the floor. She had used it the few times her mother had allowed her to camp out at night. An old matching pillow was probably there, also. Epona turned to see how Ms Lightly was handling the caravan.
Ms. Lightly wasn't looking around the room, but was looking straight at Epona with a puzzled look on her face. Then she slowly shook her head and opened her mouth as though to speak.
Before she could say anything, Ms. Munson harrumphed. "Well, I've seen enough. Clearly, the child has been abandoned. Probably about the time she started being late for class last term. She will have to go into care."
Ms. Lightly nodded. "I will make arrangements." To Epona she added, "Come with me."
Epona hesitated. Her wand, actually her father's wand that her mother had taken, was in the little pocket inside her slacks, but all her books and supplies were at the cottage. Additionally, she had a large supply of burn-healing paste (a medical magic potion) in the cooler. It didn't cure her leg but did make it feel much better. Still after a moment, she followed Ms. Lightly.
She was taken to a building in the City. She had never been to London before and frankly found it much too loud. The building was old and decrepit. The interior was clean but Epona thought it a little cold. She was given a room containing four beds and was told she would meet her roommate later. She sat quietly, waiting to see what would happen next.
Epona was still sitting on her bed, nearly and hour later, when a girl her size came in. She quickly learned that the girl was eleven, her name was Pippa, short for Phillipa, and she had just returned from school. She then proceeded to tell Epona about every minute of her day until finally running out of breath. Then looking at Epona quizzically, she asked Epona her name.
Epona wrote it down as a bell rang. Pippa said it was dinnertime. As they walked down to the cafeteria, Pippa asked Epona why she used the notebook, instead of answering. Epona responded by writing, "I don't speak."
Epona had not eaten a dinner like this since before the accident and she enjoyed it immensely. She finished every bite, before following Pippa to a common room. She returned to her own room when she realized the others were talking about her and her inability to speak. Several girls had made faces at her and a few had looked frightened.
Epona woke early and dressed in the outfit from the previous day. She turned to get Pippa up. Pippa was awake and clearly frightened.
"Does that hurt?" she asked wide-eyed.
For a moment, Epona wasn't sure what Pippa meant, then realized that she had seen Epona's leg. Although in truth the leg ached unbearably at times, she shook her head at Pippa, who looked relieved.
She followed Pippa down to breakfast. Before she could wonder if she would be going to school that day, Ms. Lightly arrived and said she needed to get some things before she could begin school.
They went to a large department store. Epona had never seen so many choices in her entire life. Ms. Lightly had tried to pick out several skirts in bright colors. Epona had steadfastly refused them, looking at trousers in neutral colors, which suited her personality. Ms. Lightly had given in and Epona returned with several new outfits.
She had refused to try anything on with Ms Lightly in the changing cubicle, not wanting a repeat of Pippa's look on Ms. Lightly's face. She needn't have concerned herself. By the next morning, the entire building knew of Epona's "deformity." At least, that was the word she kept hearing used. Again, Ms. Lightly arrived after breakfast. However, this time she took Epona to a surgery.
The doctor tried to look at the leg but Epona wanted nothing to do with him. His touch hurt and she knew that no muggle medicine would help this problem. In fact, she was convinced that it was far too late for any treatment, muggle or magical.
Finally, in desperation, Epona mouthed a spell she had learned which gave the recipient a headache. This was simple magic for Epona not requiring the use of her wand. It worked. The doctor had asked that the appointment be rescheduled. However, when she turned to get her clothes and redress, Ms. Lightly was holding the wand and looking puzzled. No, not puzzled, more thoughtful.
Epona was sure that she would have to use magic to get her wand returned but, when the doctor told Ms. Lightly he would call to reschedule when he did not feel ill, the wand was handed back to her. Ms. Lightly went to try to reschedule for the next day, returning frustrated with news that it might be several weeks before another appointment was available. Epona tried a memory charm on Ms. Lightly, hoping she would forget about both the wand and the leg.
The next morning, Ms Lightly again arrived, this time taking her to an old office building, the hallway lined with scarred benches. Several other children were there and each was called into an inner office. Each returned after a short time, some looking happier but others were crying. One girl started screaming that she wanted to go home. Finally, Epona's name was called.
She entered the inner office. A man was sitting on one end of the table. Many others were sitting on each side. Ms. Munson was there, as was Ms. Lightly. Epona did not know anyone else. The man at the end gestured for her to sit and immediately Ms. Munson began relating what she believed she knew about Epona's situation, which was entirely inaccurate.
A decision for her to remain in care was easily reached. However, when a placement was suggested, Ms. Lightly asked for time to find a family that could deal with Epona's problems. Permission was granted. Ms. Lightly pointed out that school was out in two weeks and wanted to arrange testing before placement in a class. Therefore, permission was granted for Epona to remain at the facility rather than attend classes. Epona returned to the care center.