Chapter 10:
It's been three months since Hannah's mom died. Neville and Hannah have been going out now for six months but they haven't seen each other since she left Hogwarts. They owl each other regularly but it's definitely taken a strain on their relationship. Hannah's typical day is long and tiring. She does all the work around the house.
"Hannah, did you clean my bedroom yet?" her father asks.
"Not yet father. I was going to cook dinner first." He walks over and slaps her. It stings her cheek but she doesn't say anything. He's done this so many times that she doesn't react to it.
"I want my room cleaned first, then make dinner." He yells. She nods and walks upstairs to his bedroom. She cleans it in an hour, trying not to think about him downstairs. Her birthday is in four months and then she will be seventeen. That's when she will be able to use magic. Once she finishes his room she goes downstairs and starts dinner. She makes him chicken and then she goes to her room. She has barely left her house since her mom died. She writes a letter to Neville before going to bed.
Dear Neville,
How is Hogwarts? How is everyone? Did you do well on your Herbology test? How are Harry and Ron doing in History of Magic? I'm doing okay, little boring here. I can't wait to hear back from you.
Love, Hannah
Once she finishes the letter and sends it she goes to bed. She only sleeps for a few hours before she goes downstairs and cleans the kitchen. Her father likes the house clean and so she spends a lot of time cleaning. When the kitchen is clean she goes back upstairs to sleep for a few more hours before she has to cook breakfast. Her father wants breakfast ready at six so when he wakes up it's ready for him. He works all day and then Hannah is home alone. She's lonely but she knows for right now this is what she has to do.
After Hannah's father leaves she cleans the entire house. Her father creates a huge mess every day and its Hannah's responsibility to clean it. During the day she gets a letter back from Neville.
Dear Hannah,
Things are going well at Hogwarts, though I miss you. I got a perfect score on the Herbology test! Harry and Ron are doing alright in History of Magic but not as well as they usually do when you tutor them. We all understand of course and we just hope you're doing alright. You're so vague in your letters about your life. How are you and your father doing? What are you doing? I miss you loads and I can't wait to see your face again.
Love, Neville
Hannah smiled; she missed all of them terribly, but especially Neville. She couldn't believe that she hadn't seen Neville in three months. She wanted to see him so bad it hurt. It was like a physical ache in her chest because she couldn't see Neville. She wrote back to him immediately.
Dear Neville,
I miss you too so much! Maybe during summer you could visit. I'm fairly busy but I definitely want to see you soon. Sorry I'm so vague in my letters but truly nothing very exciting is happening here. As of lately I've been cleaning a lot and helping out my dad, but I really can't wait to see you. I hope you'll write me back soon.
Love, Hannah