Author's note: So, ever since experiencing the recent two chapters I've been asking myself the same two questions:

1) Why Rowan? and 2) Where the fuck was our brother?

If it weren't already obvious, I really hope that they have a confrontation between Jacob and his sibling in the next coming chapters.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Hogwarts Mystery. If I did then Rowan wouldn't have died in the first place ...

Week Two: On My Own

"Jacob? Where've you been? Do you have any idea how worried I've ..."

"Oh, cheer up, Pip." Jacob smiled. "I'm here now, aren't I?"

He reached out to ruffle my hair but I sidestepped at the last minute, still refusing to look at him.

"Aw, come on. Lighten up." He said, "The assassin's on the run, meaning that those Dementors are gone now, not to mention you've officially been released from castle-arrest. Blimey, Pip. You should be celebrating not sulking in this dingy old room …"

"Rowan's dead."
Jacob blinked, "Wait, what?"
"My best mate. Rakepick … she murdered her right in front of me, Jacob." I trailed off, averting my gaze to the floor again.

"What? Rakepick did?" his jaw fell slack as he ran a hand over his shaven scalp in disbelief. "Merlin's Beard … so the Daily Prophet wasn't lying? Blimey, Pip, I had no idea …"
"Where were you?" I whispered.

"Hmm?"

"Where. Were. You?" I repeated, glaring at him.

Jacob hesitated, studying my steeling expression before he raised an eyebrow.

"Pip … you don't honestly think that I …"

"No more nicknames, not until you tell me the truth," I replied, folding my arms across my chest.

Jacob didn't respond.

"Seriously, Jacob. We used to tell each other everything. Why won't you trust me?"
"Because that was then and this is now, alright?" he raised his voice, half-expecting me to shrink back but I didn't. Not this time.

"Jacob, my best friend was murdered. Rakepick tried to kill me. I almost died!"

I put emphasis on each sentence; my voice shaking with barely contained rage as new tears pricked my eyes.

I could feel the saltwater begin to stream down my face. This time I didn't fight it. It was perhaps the first time that I had truly cried without trying to stop it …

"Pip, I …"

"No. Don't you 'Pip' me … you should have been here, with me, your family."

"I've been protecting you!" he snapped, his Adam's apple throbbing as he spoke.

"Then where the fuck, were you?" I shouted back just as loudly.

"You … you wouldn't understand …"

"Oh yeah? Try me."

Jacob sighed, thrusting both hands up in the air in a sign of defeat.

"Look, Pip … I get that you're mad …"
"Mad?" I let out a snort, "Mad was two vaults ago, Jacob. Mad was when you disappeared without a trace. Heck, mad was when I bloody saved you and not only did you abandon me but you also forced me to lie to our mother who still thought that you were dead! Merlin's beard, Jacob! I am way beyond mad."

"You don't understand. You're my baby sister. It's my job to look out for you …"
"It's our job to look out for each other!" I retorted.

"Look, you're upset and clearly not thinking straight right now …"
"I found the quills," I replied, lowering my voice as I spoke. "I found the letters from 'R' addressed to you."

Jacob froze, surprise flitting over his face for the first time before his expression darkened ever so slightly.

"I don't know what you're on about …" he started but I cut him off.

"Don't lie to me, Jacob. I saw the notes. And besides," I added somewhat ruefully, "You're not the only one who knows Legilimency."

Jacob glowered, running another frustrated hand over his crew cut before stuffing them back into the pockets of his jacket.

"Look, I really am sorry about your friend, but you have to understand that I'm doing what's best for you."
"Shouldn't I get to decide that?"

"Pip …"
He hesitated again, eyes clouded with a myriad of intangible emotions as I took another step backwards.

"You know, I really thought that you were doing this for me," I whispered quietly, "But now? I'm not so sure."
Jacob pinched the bridge of his nose before he let out a long sigh.

"I … I'll see you around, yeah?" he said eventually.

I shook my head as I watched him slip out into the corridor before I slid down the wall, hugging my knees to my chest.

Never had I felt so alone.

Urgh, I really wish Jacob would give us a straight-forward answer but that's clearly never been his strong suit ...

Not to worry, more angst and emotions to come.

- S.G.