Ellie sat watching Charlotte bag up clothing that belonged to her mother. When she finished packing a bag, Charlotte walked to the door and dropped the bag across from it.

"So mommy is going?"

Charlotte didn't answer; she didn't want Ellie here but had no one else to leave her with. Ellie's grandparents were on vacation for the month and Charlotte really didn't trust anyone else.

"We don't need her." Charlotte paused at Ellie's words.

Even at the tender age of 6, she was smart enough to know that the two of them would be okay.

Charlotte didn't respond to her, continuing on with her task at hand.

Ellie could sense something was off with Charlotte and that wasn't just because she was kicking Aubrey out. She just couldn't figure out what was wrong, the truth too far out of reach for his child mind. She had been with her grandparents for the weekend, a visit before they left for the month. Charlotte had still been Charlotte when she left but when Ellie came home, everything was different.

It was like Charlotte was gone.

She had told Ellie they would move in the next few months and that her mother would not be joining them. Ellie never questioned it, her mother was barely there anyways.

She sat down on the couch waiting for the door to open up. When it finally did, her mother walked in looking more pitiful than she had ever seen her. Her hair was a mess, makeup ran down her face and her clothing was damp. She stared at the bags on the floor until she turned to Ellie's approaching footsteps.

A hopeful look crossed Aubrey's eyes until she realized who was in front of her.

Despite not caring about her mother leaving, she wanted something from her. More than what she got.

"Where is Charlotte?"

Ellie's face dropped. "She's…"

"I'm here." Charlotte's voice sounded as dead as her mother looked.

Aubrey began to tear up. "Please Charlotte I'm…"

"Just take your stuff and go." Charlotte walked to her and pushed an envelope into her hand. "Take this too."

Her mother opened it, tears now falling from her eyes and down her cheek. "I don't want your money. I want to be here."

Ellie watched her mother reach up and touch the throat of Charlotte's turtle neck. "I didn't mean…"

Charlotte shakily moved her hand away and Aubrey's hand dropped to her own side.

"There is enough for a couple of months." Charlotte began. "I can't give you any more than that."

"Charlotte…" her mother was begging now.

"You can come see Eloise whenever you want too. Just let me know when that is. I will also let you know when we move." Charlotte took another step back. "But take your stuff and go."

Aubrey's lips twitched, wanting to say more. Her eyes were searching for any kind of hope left in Charlotte. It only took a few moments for Aubrey to begin to pick up her bags and shoving them all into a smaller purse.

Charlotte turned to Ellie. "Give your mother a hug."

Ellie did as she was told but didn't feel her mother hug back. "I love you mom."

She waited for a response but was gently pushed away.

Aubrey gave a final look to Charlotte who had already began to walk away.

Then her mother was gone.


Ellie could feel her heart pumping harder than it ever had before; she crunched her teeth together, biting down on her tongue, stopping herself from running back into the room.

She hadn't left, there was no way she could no matter what anyone told her. She wanted to know what Charlotte had to say. No, she needed to know.

She peaked into the room through the door she had left slightly ajar. Charlotte wouldn't see her since her back was still towards the door and at this moment, her father seemed to be more focused on the woman in front of him than anything else.

'My father.' She felt weird even thinking it.

"Now," his voice made her focus again. "Let's talk about this."

"Is there really anything to talk about?" Charlotte snapped. "You have your answer, don't you?"

He grabbed her wrist as she tried to turn towards the door, clearly wanting to leave.

"Going to lecture me now Severus?" she sneered. Ellie had never realized Charlotte could ever sound that cruel.

"No I think you're far too old for that."

They stood silently for a few moments; Ellie had no way of seeing Charlotte's face but she could hear the rage coming back with every word that had left her lips. "You had no right…."

His grip seemed to tighten. "I had no right? I had every right to find out if I had a child that I didn't know about for fifteen years! I had every right to know about her!" He dropped her wrist but his words were still sharp enough to burn. "Neither you or your dimwitted pal though to mention something?"

Charlotte didn't answer but was still facing him.

"Her, I expected nothing from but you, I at least thought would be smart enough to tell me the truth."

"So much for not lecturing." Charlotte hissed.

"Well Miss Matthews perhaps you needed it."

Ellie heard it before she registered what had happened. The smack was louder than any she had ever heard before. His face was turned to the side and his eyes were wide; he hadn't expected that from Charlotte. Ellie didn't even expect it.

"You think I wanted to see you!" Charlotte was screaming now. "You think I wanted you in my life after what you did?" She was crying now but didn't seem to care. "You think I didn't wait for a letter? For anything from you? Aubrey got to fuck you and what did I get? Nothing, absolutely nothing!"

Her voice was going raw as she let out a laugh that sent a chill down Ellie's spine. "No wait, I got a book. A fucking book. That's it. That's all I meant to you."

Ellie watched her father's face change and he reached out for her. "Charlotte…."

He was begging her, just like her mother had when Charlotte kicked her out.

Ellie felt her stomach turn and her heart ache. She knew Charlotte was in pain and so was her father.

'I didn't make things any better. I almost told Charlotte I hated her. I could never hate her!' Ellie mentally kicked herself. Sure, she was extremely upset but deep down she knew that Charlotte had given up her a life, a possibly rich and fulfilling life, to clean up a mess she didn't ask for.

"Don't," Charlotte stepped back and wiped her eyes. "You don't get to apologize. I waited for apologies. The time for sorry is long gone."

She had turned now and was heading towards the door; Ellie made a mad dash behind a pillar, watching Charlotte disappear into the dark hallway. She waited for a few moments until she was sure Charlotte wasn't coming back then went back into the classroom.

He was still staring at the place where Charlotte had stood, his eyes glazed over. He didn't notice her until she moved into his direct line of vision. He seemed to snap out of it as he shook his head lightly and looked to her.

"Why is it that I am not surprised you didn't go to bed?"

"Probably because I act too much like my mom right?" Ellie realized the second after it left her lips, it probably wasn't the right thing to say.

"You okay?" she asked him.

"I'm fine."

They stood still for a moment. Ellie bit her lip, unsure of what to say.

"So Charlotte seemed pretty mad at you. I've never heard her sweat that much in less than ten minutes."

He gave a small sigh and turned away. "She's not mad."

Ellie didn't question it; for once she understood completely.