⌠AUNTIE!■
⌠What▓s wrong?!■ Auntie came running in the bathroom and looked at me with concern and I pointed to the toilet. She took one glance at it and then smiled. She looked at me and encased me in a hug. She started kissing my head and I pulled away.
⌠Wait! I start bleeding and you think it▓s alright?! Am I bleeding internally?! I need to go to the hospital!!!■ ⌠No, no, no, no! You▓re fine!■ She laughed. But she wouldn▓t tell me┘.she just flushed the toilet and told me to wait until my mother got home then they could talk to me.
⌠Why?! Where is she?!■ I was getting worried.
⌠She▓s with your father getting your birthday present and running few errands to make sure things are set for tomorrow. But don▓t worry, they left a few hours ago so they should be back any minute.■ She soon as she finished her sentence, the door opened. I booked ass out the bathroom and sped down the hall into the living room where mother and father were with bags in their hands. ⌠MOTHER!■ She set down her bags and with full force that almost knocked her off my feet, I jumped into her arms. I held her tight and father gapped at me.
⌠What▓s wrong, baby?■ ⌠I▓m bleeding internally!■ ⌠WHAT?!■ Father tripped over the bags just to reach me and my mother and he laid a hand on my back. Cissy finally entered the room and rushed over.
⌠No, no, no! Serpentine, you might want to get off your mother┘you might ruin her skirt.■ Mother let me down and looked down at her skirt, there was a small spot of blood where I was sitting. Father smirked and mother looked from the spot of blood on her skirt, to Me, to Auntie and then back to me here she beamed and held me tight.
⌠My baby▓s all grown up!■ Father laughed and crossed his arms.
⌠I think your mother and you should have a little talk.■ Auntie nodded and said, ⌠Yes, but first let▓s get you cleaned up, Serpentine┘■ They took me into the bathroom again and told me to put tissue between my legs for now┘They apparated me upstairs and sat me down on my bed.
⌠Serpentine┘There is nothing wrong with you.■ ⌠So what▓s is it?!■ Mother put her hands on my shoulders.
⌠Your period.■ I looked between the two of them and gapped.
⌠A girl gets her period when it▓s time for her to become a woman. During your teenage years, your body is going to go through lots of changes. So does boys but it▓s totally different┘most of them just turn into pigs, not men.■ Auntie said.
⌠Really?■ ⌠Well┘not literally┘but it just means that now your body is ready enough to bare children┘but don▓t you dare get any ideas!■ Mother hissed. ⌠Along with your period┘you▓ll want to┘do things┘with boys┘.■ ⌠Or girls.■ Auntie added with a chuckle. Mother hit her and turned back to me.
⌠Look, everyone goes through it. It▓s just hormones┘it▓s only human. You▓ll get your period every 28 days and it▓ll last about a week.■ ⌠WHAT?! That▓s a long time! Are you sure it▓s nothing to worry about?■ ⌠I▓m sure┘Look, it won▓t be so bad┘after a few years, it▓ll get annoying, but not scary. And you▓re body will change. Your chest and hips will get bigger-■ ⌠The men like big boobs-■ ⌠Cissy!■ Mother hissed.
⌠-And during the next few years, you▓re body will turn into a woman▓s.■ Mother finished.
⌠Then you can shake what your momma gave ya!■ Auntie stood up and did some type of provocative dance.
⌠Narcissa! She▓s only 12, not 17! She doesn▓t need to be taught things like that!■ ⌠┘yet┘jeez, Bella, I thought you were the wild one┘thing▓s have changed.■ Cissy sat back down on the bed and smiled at me.
⌠Now, like I said, you▓re going to want to do things with other┘. people┘■ Mother said, tossing a glance at Auntie┘who spoke up again and to mother, it was the last time.
⌠Or animals if you▓re really kinky!■ ⌠NARCISSA! I▓m trying to have a reasonable talk with my daughter! You▓re just making it worse! Go have a talk with your own child!■ Auntie crossed her arms and pouted before disapparting. Mother sighed and turned back to me.
⌠Don▓t listen to her┘but like I said-■ ⌠Mum, I think I know what you mean┘about doing stuff┘last year, when I first met Marius-■ ⌠Oh My Lord! You didn▓t do it-■ ⌠Well, no┘but you know those powers I have? The one where I can control people?■ She nodded slowly, eyeing me carefully.
⌠Well, he kind of┘I just┘I just looked into his eyes and without meaning to, he kind of┘jumped on me and-■ ⌠Did he touch you?!■ ⌠Mum! Please! No! He got carried away┘it was the first time my powers took advantage of someone┘he really wanted to┘but I didn▓t let him.■ ⌠Good┘be careful with your powers. The thing is to use them when you mean to. Don▓t let them leak out without you knowing. You need to learn how to control them. Concentrate on what you want, then manipulate to seize the object. Your father uses this technique a lot┘⌠ ⌠I▓m sure┘■ She hit my arm and blushed.
⌠┘but he wasn▓t born with the power to control with the mind, he learned it. You just need to learn how to control it.■ I nodded. ⌠Mum┘. When you really like someone┘should you tell them?■ ⌠┘Why? Doesn▓t Marius know you like him?■ ⌠Oh, well┘yeah, but this is just in general┘■ ⌠Well┘I think you should┘Before it▓s too late. They might find someone else to fall in love with.■ ⌠But what if you think they like you back┘should you wait until they tell you?■ ⌠Well┘if you▓re sure that they really like you, then I don▓t see why not┘it▓s all about having the courage to sell yourself to love. To tell the one you love, the way you feel┘■ ⌠Even if you are married and your husband is in jail, you still tell the Dark Lord that you love him.■ Father appeared at my doorway and smiled. ⌠Are we women finished talking or still sharing secrets?■ Mother looked at me and smiled. ⌠Almost finished┘Just answering some last minute questions.■ Father walked in the room, his hands behind his back. ⌠I▓ve got something for the birthday girl┘.■ He sang. ⌠It▓s not my birthday yet┘■ ⌠Fine┘you don▓t want it┘I▓ll just throw it away-■ ⌠No!┘I mean┘please?■ Father put a finger to his check and walked up to the bed. I stood up and kissed him on the cheek and quickly leaned over his shoulder and looked down but he was too quick and put it in front of him. I looked down and it was a small jewelry box. I fell down and bounced on my knees, while taking the box from him. I opened it to find a small glittering emerald stone sitting on a pure silver ring. Engraved on top of the ring▓s gem was the letter, ⌠S■. ⌠It▓s so beautiful, father, thank you!■ I pulled it out of the box and tried it on. It only fit on my middle finger. For a split second, it looked like it flashed a dangerous red glare. It made me hesitate for a moment, fear spilled through me. But I swallowed it and smiled up at father. I outstretched my arms and he gave me a hug. ⌠Would my two beautiful women like to go out for dinner tonight? Something elegant? Rayne-Lighter▓s Restaurant, perhaps?■ Mother gasped and nodded.
⌠That would be great! We can finish our ▒talk▓ a bit later, dear.■ She said. I nodded.
⌠Wait, father┘When I woke up, Narcissa was directing the followers to decorate downstairs for the party┘and she told them no pink and-■ Father started to hiss loudly.
⌠It was a nightmare, Father! Everything was pink! And the doves and bunnies-■ ⌠You don▓t need to tell me twice, baby. They▓ll get what▓s coming to them.■ ⌠Thanks.■ ⌠Did you even try on your dress?■ ⌠For tomorrow?■ he nodded. ⌠Not yet┘It▓s in my closet.■ He walked over to the closet and opened the wooden doors. He pulled out the ball gown and surveyed it.
⌠Beautiful┘■ He said in a hushed tone. ⌠Want me to try it on now?■ He shook his head. ⌠No, I don▓t want to see you in it until the party. It▓s like before a wedding. I▓d rather it be a surprise.■ I nodded. He told us to get ready for dinner and left. Mother stood up and waved her wand. A dark green silky dress materialized on my bed. ⌠Wear that. Meet me in the master bedroom when you▓re finished.■ She said before leaving. I had just pulled my nightgown over my head when I heard something fall in my closet. Naked and cold, I cautiously headed over to the doors and opened them slowly. A pale figure looked back. Jumping back, I realized it was my reflection in the mirror. But there was nothing in there┘. I walked back over to the bed. I lifted up the dress and slipped it over my head, letting it rain down and hold my body. What felt like a pair of hands wrapped around my body, I thought it was Marius. I spun around, no one was there. ⌠Envy?■ ⌠What?■ Envy slithered out from underneath the bed.
⌠┘┘never mind.■ She stared up at me for a moment and then went back under the bed.
I went back over to the closet and looked in the mirror. My eyes, now a grayish color, were staring back at me. My flat chest slowly rising and falling. I blinked. Out of no where, the hooded man appeared behind me. He wrapped his arms around me and covered my mouth. I couldn▓t breathe, I couldn▓t scream for help. ⌠Don▓t fight me┘You won▓t win┘.■ He growled. His voice was so familiar. His other hand moved down. Over my chest, my stomach and lower┘I blinked again. He was gone. I was left, dishelmed and helpless, scared, watching my reflection stare back in fear. I opened my bedroom door and ran down the hall. Pushing open my parent▓s door, I jumped in the room and shut the door behind me. Father, standing over by his closet with a belt in his hands, was topless and his pants unbuttoned. Mother was sitting on the bed, her dress in her hands, she sat staring at me with her under garments on. She tilted her head to one side. ⌠Do you know how to knock?■ Father hissed. I couldn▓t speak. Mother stood up and dropped the dress down on the bed and came over to me.
⌠Honey, what▓s wrong?■ I shook my head, trying to find the words.
⌠I heard something┘in my room┘and in the mirror┘some guy┘■ I gasped. She brought me over to the bed. Father, after belting himself up, came over and sat next to us.
⌠He touched me┘It▓s the guy from the ice cream parlor┘.the one with the hood on┘.■ ⌠Honey, we were the only ones in that place, remember? They had just opened┘■ Mother said, pushing the hair behind my ears. I shook my head.
⌠No, there was someone else┘he was sitting on the other side of the room and he was watching me from the moment I set foot in that place. And I had a nightmare last night, and he was in it and just now, I saw him in my mirror┘■ They watched me and exchanged glances. ⌠Princess, it was just a nightmare. And your mother didn▓t see anyone else at the ice cream parlor. Did you hear someone apparate into your room? Before you saw him in your mirror?■ I shook my head.
⌠What if he was already there?! What if he was watching me?!■ Mother laughed and hugged me.
⌠Look, there▓s no such thing as the ▒Boogie-Man▓. There▓s no monsters under your bed or closet┘.I▓m sure you were just imagining things. Where▓s Envy? She can keep you safe.■ ⌠No! She didn▓t see anyone! You must believe me! Please!■ I clung onto my father and he chuckled darkly.
⌠Serpentine. No one is after you. Look, just stay with us for the rest of the night and I▓m sure that man won▓t come after you.■ I hugged him but still felt alone. They didn▓t believe me┘What if I left their side for one second? Would I be snatched up like a helpless kitten by a hawk who had watched it▓s prey and knew it▓s every move?
⌠Wait! I start bleeding and you think it▓s alright?! Am I bleeding internally?! I need to go to the hospital!!!■ ⌠No, no, no, no! You▓re fine!■ She laughed. But she wouldn▓t tell me┘.she just flushed the toilet and told me to wait until my mother got home then they could talk to me.
⌠Why?! Where is she?!■ I was getting worried.
⌠She▓s with your father getting your birthday present and running few errands to make sure things are set for tomorrow. But don▓t worry, they left a few hours ago so they should be back any minute.■ She soon as she finished her sentence, the door opened. I booked ass out the bathroom and sped down the hall into the living room where mother and father were with bags in their hands. ⌠MOTHER!■ She set down her bags and with full force that almost knocked her off my feet, I jumped into her arms. I held her tight and father gapped at me.
⌠What▓s wrong, baby?■ ⌠I▓m bleeding internally!■ ⌠WHAT?!■ Father tripped over the bags just to reach me and my mother and he laid a hand on my back. Cissy finally entered the room and rushed over.
⌠No, no, no! Serpentine, you might want to get off your mother┘you might ruin her skirt.■ Mother let me down and looked down at her skirt, there was a small spot of blood where I was sitting. Father smirked and mother looked from the spot of blood on her skirt, to Me, to Auntie and then back to me here she beamed and held me tight.
⌠My baby▓s all grown up!■ Father laughed and crossed his arms.
⌠I think your mother and you should have a little talk.■ Auntie nodded and said, ⌠Yes, but first let▓s get you cleaned up, Serpentine┘■ They took me into the bathroom again and told me to put tissue between my legs for now┘They apparated me upstairs and sat me down on my bed.
⌠Serpentine┘There is nothing wrong with you.■ ⌠So what▓s is it?!■ Mother put her hands on my shoulders.
⌠Your period.■ I looked between the two of them and gapped.
⌠A girl gets her period when it▓s time for her to become a woman. During your teenage years, your body is going to go through lots of changes. So does boys but it▓s totally different┘most of them just turn into pigs, not men.■ Auntie said.
⌠Really?■ ⌠Well┘not literally┘but it just means that now your body is ready enough to bare children┘but don▓t you dare get any ideas!■ Mother hissed. ⌠Along with your period┘you▓ll want to┘do things┘with boys┘.■ ⌠Or girls.■ Auntie added with a chuckle. Mother hit her and turned back to me.
⌠Look, everyone goes through it. It▓s just hormones┘it▓s only human. You▓ll get your period every 28 days and it▓ll last about a week.■ ⌠WHAT?! That▓s a long time! Are you sure it▓s nothing to worry about?■ ⌠I▓m sure┘Look, it won▓t be so bad┘after a few years, it▓ll get annoying, but not scary. And you▓re body will change. Your chest and hips will get bigger-■ ⌠The men like big boobs-■ ⌠Cissy!■ Mother hissed.
⌠-And during the next few years, you▓re body will turn into a woman▓s.■ Mother finished.
⌠Then you can shake what your momma gave ya!■ Auntie stood up and did some type of provocative dance.
⌠Narcissa! She▓s only 12, not 17! She doesn▓t need to be taught things like that!■ ⌠┘yet┘jeez, Bella, I thought you were the wild one┘thing▓s have changed.■ Cissy sat back down on the bed and smiled at me.
⌠Now, like I said, you▓re going to want to do things with other┘. people┘■ Mother said, tossing a glance at Auntie┘who spoke up again and to mother, it was the last time.
⌠Or animals if you▓re really kinky!■ ⌠NARCISSA! I▓m trying to have a reasonable talk with my daughter! You▓re just making it worse! Go have a talk with your own child!■ Auntie crossed her arms and pouted before disapparting. Mother sighed and turned back to me.
⌠Don▓t listen to her┘but like I said-■ ⌠Mum, I think I know what you mean┘about doing stuff┘last year, when I first met Marius-■ ⌠Oh My Lord! You didn▓t do it-■ ⌠Well, no┘but you know those powers I have? The one where I can control people?■ She nodded slowly, eyeing me carefully.
⌠Well, he kind of┘I just┘I just looked into his eyes and without meaning to, he kind of┘jumped on me and-■ ⌠Did he touch you?!■ ⌠Mum! Please! No! He got carried away┘it was the first time my powers took advantage of someone┘he really wanted to┘but I didn▓t let him.■ ⌠Good┘be careful with your powers. The thing is to use them when you mean to. Don▓t let them leak out without you knowing. You need to learn how to control them. Concentrate on what you want, then manipulate to seize the object. Your father uses this technique a lot┘⌠ ⌠I▓m sure┘■ She hit my arm and blushed.
⌠┘but he wasn▓t born with the power to control with the mind, he learned it. You just need to learn how to control it.■ I nodded. ⌠Mum┘. When you really like someone┘should you tell them?■ ⌠┘Why? Doesn▓t Marius know you like him?■ ⌠Oh, well┘yeah, but this is just in general┘■ ⌠Well┘I think you should┘Before it▓s too late. They might find someone else to fall in love with.■ ⌠But what if you think they like you back┘should you wait until they tell you?■ ⌠Well┘if you▓re sure that they really like you, then I don▓t see why not┘it▓s all about having the courage to sell yourself to love. To tell the one you love, the way you feel┘■ ⌠Even if you are married and your husband is in jail, you still tell the Dark Lord that you love him.■ Father appeared at my doorway and smiled. ⌠Are we women finished talking or still sharing secrets?■ Mother looked at me and smiled. ⌠Almost finished┘Just answering some last minute questions.■ Father walked in the room, his hands behind his back. ⌠I▓ve got something for the birthday girl┘.■ He sang. ⌠It▓s not my birthday yet┘■ ⌠Fine┘you don▓t want it┘I▓ll just throw it away-■ ⌠No!┘I mean┘please?■ Father put a finger to his check and walked up to the bed. I stood up and kissed him on the cheek and quickly leaned over his shoulder and looked down but he was too quick and put it in front of him. I looked down and it was a small jewelry box. I fell down and bounced on my knees, while taking the box from him. I opened it to find a small glittering emerald stone sitting on a pure silver ring. Engraved on top of the ring▓s gem was the letter, ⌠S■. ⌠It▓s so beautiful, father, thank you!■ I pulled it out of the box and tried it on. It only fit on my middle finger. For a split second, it looked like it flashed a dangerous red glare. It made me hesitate for a moment, fear spilled through me. But I swallowed it and smiled up at father. I outstretched my arms and he gave me a hug. ⌠Would my two beautiful women like to go out for dinner tonight? Something elegant? Rayne-Lighter▓s Restaurant, perhaps?■ Mother gasped and nodded.
⌠That would be great! We can finish our ▒talk▓ a bit later, dear.■ She said. I nodded.
⌠Wait, father┘When I woke up, Narcissa was directing the followers to decorate downstairs for the party┘and she told them no pink and-■ Father started to hiss loudly.
⌠It was a nightmare, Father! Everything was pink! And the doves and bunnies-■ ⌠You don▓t need to tell me twice, baby. They▓ll get what▓s coming to them.■ ⌠Thanks.■ ⌠Did you even try on your dress?■ ⌠For tomorrow?■ he nodded. ⌠Not yet┘It▓s in my closet.■ He walked over to the closet and opened the wooden doors. He pulled out the ball gown and surveyed it.
⌠Beautiful┘■ He said in a hushed tone. ⌠Want me to try it on now?■ He shook his head. ⌠No, I don▓t want to see you in it until the party. It▓s like before a wedding. I▓d rather it be a surprise.■ I nodded. He told us to get ready for dinner and left. Mother stood up and waved her wand. A dark green silky dress materialized on my bed. ⌠Wear that. Meet me in the master bedroom when you▓re finished.■ She said before leaving. I had just pulled my nightgown over my head when I heard something fall in my closet. Naked and cold, I cautiously headed over to the doors and opened them slowly. A pale figure looked back. Jumping back, I realized it was my reflection in the mirror. But there was nothing in there┘. I walked back over to the bed. I lifted up the dress and slipped it over my head, letting it rain down and hold my body. What felt like a pair of hands wrapped around my body, I thought it was Marius. I spun around, no one was there. ⌠Envy?■ ⌠What?■ Envy slithered out from underneath the bed.
⌠┘┘never mind.■ She stared up at me for a moment and then went back under the bed.
I went back over to the closet and looked in the mirror. My eyes, now a grayish color, were staring back at me. My flat chest slowly rising and falling. I blinked. Out of no where, the hooded man appeared behind me. He wrapped his arms around me and covered my mouth. I couldn▓t breathe, I couldn▓t scream for help. ⌠Don▓t fight me┘You won▓t win┘.■ He growled. His voice was so familiar. His other hand moved down. Over my chest, my stomach and lower┘I blinked again. He was gone. I was left, dishelmed and helpless, scared, watching my reflection stare back in fear. I opened my bedroom door and ran down the hall. Pushing open my parent▓s door, I jumped in the room and shut the door behind me. Father, standing over by his closet with a belt in his hands, was topless and his pants unbuttoned. Mother was sitting on the bed, her dress in her hands, she sat staring at me with her under garments on. She tilted her head to one side. ⌠Do you know how to knock?■ Father hissed. I couldn▓t speak. Mother stood up and dropped the dress down on the bed and came over to me.
⌠Honey, what▓s wrong?■ I shook my head, trying to find the words.
⌠I heard something┘in my room┘and in the mirror┘some guy┘■ I gasped. She brought me over to the bed. Father, after belting himself up, came over and sat next to us.
⌠He touched me┘It▓s the guy from the ice cream parlor┘.the one with the hood on┘.■ ⌠Honey, we were the only ones in that place, remember? They had just opened┘■ Mother said, pushing the hair behind my ears. I shook my head.
⌠No, there was someone else┘he was sitting on the other side of the room and he was watching me from the moment I set foot in that place. And I had a nightmare last night, and he was in it and just now, I saw him in my mirror┘■ They watched me and exchanged glances. ⌠Princess, it was just a nightmare. And your mother didn▓t see anyone else at the ice cream parlor. Did you hear someone apparate into your room? Before you saw him in your mirror?■ I shook my head.
⌠What if he was already there?! What if he was watching me?!■ Mother laughed and hugged me.
⌠Look, there▓s no such thing as the ▒Boogie-Man▓. There▓s no monsters under your bed or closet┘.I▓m sure you were just imagining things. Where▓s Envy? She can keep you safe.■ ⌠No! She didn▓t see anyone! You must believe me! Please!■ I clung onto my father and he chuckled darkly.
⌠Serpentine. No one is after you. Look, just stay with us for the rest of the night and I▓m sure that man won▓t come after you.■ I hugged him but still felt alone. They didn▓t believe me┘What if I left their side for one second? Would I be snatched up like a helpless kitten by a hawk who had watched it▓s prey and knew it▓s every move?