A/N: Written for HSWW (Challenges and Assignments) and THC
(THC) House: Hufflepuff; Category: Themed; Prompt: Bedtime Routine
(HSWW) Around the World in Thirty-One Days: 131. Palau - Item: Photograph
Word Count: 537
His hand fell to the lever of the old shower and the water began, so cold at first he almost cried out. Then the stream thickened, warmed steam rose to his aching face.
Though the heat brought pleasure, the shower was just another function of his regimented day, a necessity before he could tumble into his temporary bed and sleep before being on the move once again.
He grabbed the small bar of soap and started to lather himself in the pale looking suds, though he had to act quickly. He couldn't linger in the shower for too long.
Once he was done, he gripped the handle and turned the water off. Afterwards he stepped out and wrapped the worn out towel around his waist.
He looked in the dirty mirror with a solemn expression. He gazed at his features, wondering if he'll ever recognize himself again. Only the picture that he kept tucked in his robes would hold his true self.
With a sigh, he raised his wand. His voice was soft yet firm as he cast the first charm. His long, black hair shortened to the nape of his neck.
He then cast another charm. The hard look in the blue orbs he possessed were changing to the color of hazel green.
Another charm was cast. The long, pointed nose on his face shifted up and grew a little smaller. He winced as it happened; that charm always hurt him the most.
One more charm was cast for the night. With a wave of his wand, he cast the charm and created a scar from the bridge of his nose to the center of his jaw.
After getting dressed in what appeared to be casual day clothes, he left the bathroom of the sketchy motel room and immediately tumbled into the equally sketchy bed.
He reached into his robes and looked at the tiny photograph. He stared at his former self. The easy smile, the happy brown eyes, the swept back brown hair, and the yellow and black robes were all there; unfortunately, they were all gone and would forever remain in the past.
Justin had been on the run since he saw Harry Potter fall and never get up. He couldn't return to the school or his former home; they would find him and kill him on the spot. Justin had no one else as the Death Eaters had gruesomely murdered his parents.
The killing curse was too good for Muggles.
He couldn't allow himself to grieve properly; Justin would always be on the run until something else changed for the better.
This would be his routine until he could find that change.
Justin pocketed the photo back into his robes and made sure to double check the wards on the motel door. After that he covered himself with the cover and tried to close his eyes and shield any bad memories from surfacing.
In the morning, Justin would leave no trace that he had been there; using the Muggle way would always trump them. Then he would leave the motel and search for a better life.
When he was disappointed, Justin would find another motel and continue the lifeless cycle all over again.