Invisible
The stone floor chilled my feet to the bone as I padded through the castle corridors; water ran down my back from my wet hair. I shivered as yet another draft filled the castle. Hopminkles must have been responsible for the more than normal drafts, just like the Sherrywobbles were responsible for locking me in the showers and the Yithmagers for stealing my clothes. They like to do that.
I didn't like being out this late. It was after curfew when the Sherrywobbles' locking charm finally wore off. I didn't want to be caught by Filch. Second years seemed to be his favourite students to bother, after impressionable first years and the Weasley twins that is. I'm pretty sure that Filch's cat, Mrs Norris, is responsible for the creature roaming Hogwarts this year. Daddy says she's likely to be part of the Rotfang conspiracy and her supposed prettification is part of the cover-up.
I pulled my wand out from above my ear and cast the only warming charm I knew. Fiskywhisks that live in everyday charm books seemed to think it was amusing to hop away from me, bringing the book with them. As the warmth filled the air around me I was very glad I developed the habit of carrying my wand behind my ear. Nargles used to move it around before, just like they had got into the habit of moving my potions things before class.
As I arrived in Ravenclaw tower I knew I could be safe and warm again soon. I would be able to hide under my covers and hide from the creatures that tormented me and I could enter my world of dreams and the pain can fade.
A dreamy smile formed on my face as the entrance to the Ravenclaw dormitories enters my sight and I readily rush over, barely aware of my nudity, and greeted it with the name I had invented the first week of Hogwarts last year. "Hello Noggi."
It was in muggle legend that there were elf like creatures in the mining caves in Cornwall called Knockers. If treated respectfully the Knockers were supposed to bring good luck. One of the Knockers was called Noggi.
Noggi ignores my greeting and proceeds to ask a riddle so that I can be admitted. "I am there but I am not. I see everything but remain unseen. I am untouchable but I am in agony. What am I?"
Tears well up in my eyes at the question. "I am invisible." The words come from my mouth are not in answer of the riddle but in acknowledgement of my life. For a second the creatures in my mind that I created to distance from myself disappear and it that moment the pain of rejection, loneliness and humiliation overwhelms me.
For a moment, just a moment, the mask breaks.
There are no Hopminkles, only an empty castle. There are no Sherrywobbles, only fifth year Ravenclaw girls. There are no Yithmagers, only some girls who pretended to be my friends. There's no Nargles, only hurtful students. No Fiskywhisks, only classmates who find it ammusing to tease me. And lastly, there's no Rotfang conspiracy, only a scared little girl pretending everything will be okay and there's nothing dangerous out there.
A girl whose invisible, who nobody can see suffering.
Before the pain can control me I pull back into the world of imaginary creatures and safety. I build an impenetrable shield around me and enter Ravenclaw dormitories. Some of the students see me and laugh but it doesn't hurt. The Crumple-Horned Snorkacks will protect me.
They always have.