Chapter Four: A Helping Hand
I started to head up the stairs, a little annoyed with everyone. I understood the want, and their altruistic personalities, but I really wanted everything to be back the way it was. I wanted to be at home, listening to my little sister whine at me, and my parents put up with me.
About halfway up, I heard more footsteps. When I turned around, I saw Hermione and Ginny heading up the stairs behind me. I honestly didn't want to see either of them, as nice as they were. So, I ran up the rest of the way to my "room" and shut the door, locking it for privacy.
Before I knew it, they were knocking on the door, with me sitting on the ground in front of it. "Maddie, we want to come in, please?" Ginny pleaded.
"I want to be alone right now!" I shouted back.
"Madison, please let us in," Hermione asked. "We only want to be your friends, that's all."
"I said go away!"
Hermione and Ginny gave up, looked at each other, and went to their room they shared, just down the hall.
Meanwhile, I started to cry silently, so that no one else would hear me. I cried because my world was changing faster than I wanted, and I had no control over it.
Meanwhile…
Molly Weasley headed up the stairs after the girls did, curious as to why they hadn't come back down yet. She looked down the hall, and then heard the soft whisper of Hermione and Ginny from their room. So, she crept down the hall silently to listen in on what was going on.
"—not a good idea."
"Why not, Ginny?"
"Because, Hermione, I know Maddie better than you do. The better thing to do is just leave her alone and let her take care of things. She likes to suffer in silence. Besides, she—" Ginny stopped when she saw a shadow outside the doorway, meaning that they weren't alone. "Mom, you can stop hiding now."
Molly stepped into the doorway, crossing her arms and smiling. "She's right, Hermione. The best thing to do is to let Maddie get over things on her own time, okay?"
Hermione sighed. "Okay then. So, what do we do now? We should probably get heading out soon. The stores in London only stay open for so long."
Molly chuckled a little. "Here. I know I shouldn't, but I'll try to get her to come out, okay? I know she has a soft spot for me."
Molly went out and knocked on Maddie's door softly. "Maddie? Maddie, darling? Could you let me in, please? I just want to talk to you."
**Back to Maddie's POV**
I heard my aunt outside. Unlike other people, she was kind of hard to refuse. I mean, she's kinda cutesy. And, she's really good at knowing at what people need. So, I stood up, and I let her in. After I opened the door, I sat on the bed and watched her come in. She sat beside me, and put her hands on mine.
"Maddie, darling, we just want what's best for you."
I smiled. "I know. Everything's just a little…overwhelming right now."
"That's expected. You'll get used to it."
"I know."
Molly smiled. "Well then, how about we get you fixed up, alright?"
I shrugged my shoulders. "I guess so."