You couldn't care less...

Chapter 10:

unarmed and ready to die

As she lay in the hospital bed she felt utterly alone. Of course Lily and Narcissa had come by and though they did not speak to one another they were able to forget their hatred for her.

Sirius had been coming by to see her as well. Late at night when he figured she'd be asleep, he'd walk in the room and sit by her bed. It made her smile but she knew it would end once she confronted him.

Her parents however were a different story. The school had sent them the message she had been hexed into the hospital wing. They said her parents would want to know, they might want to take action. Tatum knew better.
She received a letter from them within three days after the hexing. What was said in the letter truly appalled her but then again what did she expect from them.

...
What did you do?
...
Why did you make them angry!
...
Always a failure...can't believe you are mine.
...
Must have been switched at birth!
...

The letter went on and on. It hurt so bad. Still she knew not to expect any better from them.
The words kept haunting her mind and that night she cried herself to sleep. Like the nights after that.
She snapped at the few friends she had and ignored everyone trying to show some sympathy.

Then finally after a week she did not cry herself to sleep. Instead she lay awake, waiting for her nightly visitor to come by.
To her horror however he saw the letter and read it. She did not want him to leave and tried to lay still, as not to betray her awake form.
After his gasps and angry grumbled she could not keep the tears from falling.
Softly she let the tears roll out of her eyes and down onto her pillow and she heard him sigh.
The weight on the bed changed and she felt his arms wrap around her body.

"I'm sorry" he muttered and she just leaned into him.

"it's not your place to say sorry" she whispered after a while as the tears slowly subsided.

"I never should have left you behind. I should have been there with you in the library...I should have..." he said, sounding full of pain and guilt.

"Shsss" Tatum muttered as she turned around and softly kissed his lips.

"you're here now" she muttered and he just held her close to his body.

"I'm not leaving again" he said and Tatum smiled resting her eyes and slowly falling into the world of dreams and fairytales.

"Oh look at them. Poor misunderstood babies" shrill voices exclaimed the next morning and Tatum quickly sat up, knocking Sirius of the bed in the process.

"Oh sorry" she whispered before looking towards the source of the voices and found her least favourite person. Bellatrix. Accompanied by her ex best friend, Nina.

"What are you doing here?" Tatum asked as Sirius stood before her with his wand held ready.

"We were told to apologise. Didn't know you were busy loving traitors" Nina said and put on her best evil look. The best she could muster and truth be told, it wasn't very convincing.

"I'd rather love those you call traitors, then ever be weak like you" Tatum replied and Sirius looked confused for a moment until Tatum explained.

"Don't look so confused Bella, I told you the other day, it's those that are not in control of their own emotions and bodies, that resolve to anger and hatred. It's weak and pathetic"

Sirius smirked and Bellatrix walked out of the hospital wing in a huff, pulling Nina along with her.

"Well, well what a bravery" Sirius muttered and Tatum let herself fall down on the bed.

"Seriously, it's going to get me killed but after years of putting up with all their crap it actually feels good!" Tatum muttered and Sirius laughed loudly.

"I bet it does, but I'd ask for some protection on your dorm room from now on!" He said and Tatum groaned at the idea of having to go back soon.

For two full weeks she remained in the hospital wing. The pain she felt in her limbs got less and less but the pain in her head and heart remained the same.

In only a little while school would be over, she did not need to worry about being in danger in her own dorm for too long. But after that she'd have to go home.

Her parents informed her they'd be home by then. It was the first time in four years that they actually came home when school ended. Normally they'd be on vacation and wander in whenever they felt like it.

She wasn't sure which one was worse right now.

It hurt her to know that her parents did not love her. It was painful to be seen as a constant failure. But this summer she would be acknowledged. She'd be hexed once more, beaten and humiliated. She would be acknowledged and utterly miserable.

Sirius watched the girl struggle with her inner thoughts, her demons. He wished he could help seeing as his outlook had gotten so much better this year.
After all he would be going to the Potters and call it home from now on. He would finally see what it was like to have kind, normal parents. Those who give you rules to follow but do not curse you when you break one. They give fair punishments. Like grounding them. Which by the way happened quite often last summer. Of course they broke that rule as well...

He smiled as he thought back of his summer and wondered what hers had been like. Had she been alone? Were her parents there to hurt her? Were they away, hurting her all the same?

He wondered, but he dared not ask. He dared not to open up those wounds.

Tatum got out of the hospital wing a few days later and fought to stay alive the last month of school.
Bellatrix had gotten everybody to hate her. All except for Narcissa. That girl stood by her and had even acknowledged Lily once without calling her mudblood. She truly was a great friend and Tatum felt a little better, knowing she wasn't totally alone in the world.

Sirius kept her close at all times and was afraid to let her go when it was time to go home.
The entire train ride they were silent, dreading each moment they got closer to London. Tatum got restless and though her friends tried to make her feel better, not one of them was able to do that.

Narcissa picked her up from the compartment where she had been sitting with the Griffindors. Now it was time to be a Slytherin once more.
She walked out of the train and out of the station without a glace backwards.
She stepped into the car and let the driver take her home, while Narcissa held her hand tightly.
She could not come with her though and as the car stopped a few blocks away from Tatum's house, Narcissa stepped out and walked towards her own home.

A home where she would be welcomed with open arms.

Tatum however awaited another welcome, but a welcome it would be.
She got out of the car and opened the door to the huge mansion before her.

She didn't bother to grab her wand...it would do her no good anyhow. She just closed the door and held her eyes glued to the floor as she heard footsteps coming out of the dining room.

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