Hi, my name is Luisel Greengrass. I'm the daughter of Astoria Greengrass and a father I don't know.

I was born in London, in a squalid flat. My mother Astoria hates me. Absolutely hates me. I don't know why and I've stopped asking a long time ago. In fact, at age ten, I haven't spoken for seven years. I don't know an exact time when I decided I wasn't going to speak, but Astoria beat me when I said something she didn't like, which seemed to be every time I opened my mouth.

I want to hate her, but she's my mother and I'm not allowed to, that's what she told me, seven years ago when I told her I hated her. Back then I didn't even understand what the word meant, but she beat me half to death then fixed me with her wand.

I never knew that being a witch was unusual until I went to a muggle primary school and she lectured me on not telling anyone. Not hard, I never spoke. Once I was at school, teachers took me to different counselors and psychologists and doctors, but no one found anything wrong with me.

So I don't speak.

I just dream that someday my dad will come and take me away.