A/N: This was written for Taragh McCarthy's The Word Limit Competition – Round One. The challenge was to write a story under 500 words with the prompt "breathe in, breath out". I hope you enjoy, Tara :D
And much thank you's to my ever so wonderful beta, KrossatGlas :)
Rated: K+, for brief mention of child abuse.
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter in any way, shape, or form. I make no profit from writing this. Except for reviews -hint, hint-
Breathe in, breathe out.
The entirety of your body is pulsing with pain - you can practically feel the bruises blooming from under your skin like the flowers you so dutifully attend to upon the orders of your aunt. Your small frame, that would fit better on a three-year-old toddler instead of the five-year-old little boy you are, quakes each time a ripple of agony burns its way under your skin.
With eyes filled with tears you won't let fall, you stare fixedly at the ceiling that's not-so-far above your head, attempting to block out an ache that isn't from the injuries you have, but suspiciously centred on your slowly calming heart.
Breathe in, breathe out.
Your stomach is too full from the extravagant food that you overly stuffed yourself on. There's a light breeze drifting across your face, but the puff of hot breath that unevenly flows out of your mouth banishes it.
This evening's excitement has settled down and the events of the day off-guardedly slam into you. It's a good weight, though, so you lay there and smile into the darkness of your new home.
Breathe in, breathe out.
You've just seen a person die for the third time in your sixteen years of life. The man you consider a mentor – a grandfather – falls backwards and the light is gone from his normally twinkling eyes before he hits the stone.
All you can think is of a teenage Hufflepuff hitting the dewy grass right next to you, of your godfather disappearing slowly behind a veil... As those scenes mix with the one you just witnessed, you give chase to the fleeing bat-like figure.
Breathe in, breathe out.
Celebration is all around you. Voices speaking loudly in conversation; the occasional shout of joy and victory is being echoed by the large number of people in the Hall; drinks are constantly trying to be pressed into your hand (while it's also shook repeatedly, uncountably often); shoulders are bumping and food passing.
He's gone. The being – because you can't bring yourself to think of him as a person, not so soon after – that had destroyed your life...is dead. Tears of happiness and grief are shed next to you. Hugs are given along with thanks. Everyone is floating in emotions.
And all you can do is breath.
In. Out.
Review for the sake of the fact that this is the fastest story I've ever written? -completely ignoring that it's short-