This chapter deals with self harm, and scars. Easily triggered beware.
After Lunch, and Delilah was fed, she had Flying with Madam Hooch.
When she got there, she grinned and threw her arms around Albus and Rose, throwing a cheeky grin Scorpius's way. They were all surrounded by other Gryffindor first-years, who all gave Athena wide smiles.
"It's not like we didn't just see you five minutes ago!" Rose giggled, releasing her friend. Athena shrugged, and turned towards their instructor. She had a shock of steel coloured hair, and eyes gold as Galleons. She had lines around her face, but otherwise she seemed ageless.
"Good afternoon, students."
"Hello, Madam Hooch."
They all said in unison.
She told them what this year would be about, and when she was done, and they were all silent, she raised her brows.
"Well, what are you waiting for? Everyone stand by a broomstick!" She called, and they all scurried away.
They all stood on the lefts of their brooms, and she instructed them to say "Up" in a firm, steady voice.
Athena looked around nervously as she watched her classmates attempt. The only ones she could see making any actual progress were Albus, Rose, and a Hufflepuff boy farther on.
She took a deep breath, staring at the broom, almost glaring at it, when it suddenly shot up, her mouth not moving a millimetre.
Madam Hooch was immediately at her side, her eyes wide and looking furious. She reached over and grabbed Athena's wrist, almost painfully.
"What was that? I was watching you, Athena Glas. Your lips did not move! Explain it to me. Do you have someone inside helping you with their wand? I knew the second you stood up there directing all the attention to yourself you-"
"Stop it!" Someone suddenly yelled. Madam Hooch looked over incedulously, seeing shy, shaggy-haired Albus staring at the teacher angrily.
"Ex-cuse me? Ten points from Gryf-"
"Can't you see what you're doing to her?" Rose said, pointing at Athena.
"Yeah!"
"What's your problem!?"
"She did nothing wrong!" Scorpius called, standing by Rose.
Madam Hooch looked at the curly-haired girl she had just been practically interrogating, and her eyes went wide. There were silent tears sliding down her cheeks, and her head was lowered, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs as her arm was held out. Madam Hooch let her eyes wander over the arm, and Athena's robe sleeve had fallen back, revealing long, thin scars covering the wrist and upwards. Where she was grabbing, there seemed to be fresh, if not new cuts.
She dropped her wrist as if it had burned her.
Athena did the first thing she thought of. She ran. She ran far and hard and she didn't look back. She ran until she was at the common room door. She quietly said the password, and she walked in, walking by Jethro, Marcus, and Justin playing Exploding Snap. She only knew about the game because James and Albus had insisted on playing it on the train. If she weren't so upset, she probably would have watched.
"Athenaaaa" Marcus said in a playfully whiny tone. When she silently walked by them, Jethro scrambled up, grinning and sneaking behind her and grabbing her wrist, pulling at her.
"Don't bloody touch me!" She screamed, pulling away, before turning around, her eyes wide and her hands covering her mouth in shock, and fear. "I'm sorry, I'm so, so, so sorry." She whispered, her voice small and squeaking.
Jethro suddenly lifted his hands in a sign of innocence, but no one could miss the fear-filled flinch that the action caused. Athena turned and practically sprinted to her room.
Athena sat in the middle of her bed, rocking and sobbing quietly into Delilah's fur, her headphones in and blaring Three Days Grace, "Just Like You."
She didn't hear the door open, but she screamed when she felt a hand on her arm, and the sound caused Delilah to jump down and nip at the offenders ankle. Athena looked up and saw Jethro hopping on one foot, holding his aching ankle. Delilah hopped away innocently, but the boys near the door kept clear.
Athena ripped her headphones out, glaring at the boys staring at her.
"What do you want?" She said angrily, her eyes red and raw, shining a deep emerald, a perfect match for their houses jewels.
"W-We wanted to make sure you were okay. You seemed pretty stressed." Marcus said, rubbing the back of his neck. Girls crying was not his forte.
"I-I'm fine, now that I have Delilah." The boys looked at eachother, their eyebrows raised. They quickly ran out, and came back, arms full of candy that the tossed on her. She was forced to laugh over the last tears that slid down her cheeks, because they were just too funny. It was then that there was a knock on the door, and it opened, revealing Headmistress McGonagall.
The woman in the doorway was shocked to see the boys in the room, but the shock was forgotten when she realized they were showering her in gifts.
"Okay boys, shoo, out. You've helped enough." Said McGonagall, a slight smile upon her lips. The boys all gave Athena gentle hugs, then left, wishing her the best.
"Why don't we go to my office, Athena?" McGonagall said these words gently, but it did nothing to ease Athena's nerves. Athena put down Delilah, pressing a kiss to the rabbits head, and followed the Headmistress out. The boys were back at their game, and they all gave Athena a two-finger salute. She smiled gently at them, mouthing "Thank You." before she disappeared out the door.
xoxoxox
"Athena, Madam Hooch tells me that you brought your broom up without saying a word." McGonagall stated when they had both sat down. Athena was looking around, eyes wide as she saw the portraits move.
"A-Aye, Ma'am. I-I don't know how, though. I was just, just staring at it, thinking about how I'd like it to go into my hand, and, and it just did. I-I'm sorry I did it w-wrong." Her stutter was nearly severe, and she was shaking slightly.
"Have a biscuit, Athena." McGonagall pointed towards the bowl on her desk.
"Wh-...What?" Athena looked at her, confused.
"Take one, please."
The young girl nodded, nibbling on one politely. It was a bit sweet, and she enjoyed it.
"Madam Hooch also noticed a few marks on your wrist. Would you mind showing them to me?"
"Yes, I would mind greatly." Athena stated softly, tugging her sleeves down over her hands.
McGonagall sighed softly, and leaned over her desk, placing her elbows onto it and resting her hands over her face.
"Self-Harm is nothing to be taken lightly, Athena." McGonagall sounded weary, and Athena felt a lump in her thraot she swallowed down roughly.
"I-...I know, Headmistress."
"I want you to go to Madam Pomfrey and get those cuts on your wrists taken care of, Athena. And if you feel the urge to do it again, please, please talk to someone. Be it me, or those boys, and I know Albus and Rose and Scorpius tried to help you today. Just please, try not to do it again. Please." McGonagall was practically begging her, and Athena nodded silently.
"Yes, Headmistress. May I go to my dorm for the day? I'm not feeling well." She was downcast, and McGonagall allowed it, sending for her dorm mates, to ask them to keep an eye on her.