Chapter 1: The hurt
Here I am the third year at Hogwarts. I must keep calm and remember everything that was once important to me. The things that grounded me and kept me who I was. Getting the top marks, knowing everything, always being the best (naturally sorted into Ravenclaw). That was before though. Before everything got harder.
My name is Aria Autumn, and it was only three years ago I discovered the wizarding world and the excitement of the magical community. I was brand new to Hogwarts and felt that nothing could ever dampen my experience. Yet, no one knows the horrors that occurred over the summer before my third year.
My muggle parents were gone. What was I supposed to do? I had no one to help me, no one to turn to. The death eaters got to them, and I couldn't do anything. I had just gotten home from a day out and saw the havoc that was leftover. Everything in my house was shattered a mess and their bodies lie there stunned and dead. I had no one else. I cried for hours not sure how to proceed. Then a knock came from the door and my thoughts started to race. What do I do, who is coming at this time of night? I gathered up the courage to leave my parents and see who was there. Trying to wipe the tear tracks on my face and straighten myself to fake appearances I slowly walk to the door. I hold my breath and open the door.
There stood someone who I never thought I would be standing in front of my door. Albus Dumbledore the Headmaster of Hogwarts. "What is he doing here? Does he know? How could he know? What do I say?". I stand there taken aback. He proceeds to walk through the door asking how I am. I don't say anything. He reassures me that everything will be alright, he heard of the attacks and gives a consoling look. Still, I stand there not understanding what's happening. With a flick of his wand, he takes care of the mess, walking back to where I stood too stunned to comprehend anything. He asks if I've ever apparated before and I haven't but can't even get the words out. He carefully takes my arm and tells me that this might be an uncomfortable sensation but will be over in a couple seconds.
We land in front of a quaint cottage. He leads me inside and there's a sitting area along with a small kitchen and table set with four chairs. We pass the kitchen, and he opens a door. I see it appears to be a guest bedroom with a simple layout of a bed, desk, window seat, and a closet. He urges me to sit on the bed and take a rest. I lie myself on the bed lacking the energy to even take off my shoes. He says he'll be back to check in on me and that I should rest. I say nothing I just lie there dissociated from my mind and body. Somewhere along the way my eyelids get heavy, and I fall into a fitful sleep with flashbacks of their bodies. Visions of them yelling for help. I wake in a panicked state, I breathe the sun is slowly coming up as the rays enter the room. I forget where I am then the memories flood back.
What do I do now? I sit and think of how I am supposed to pretend like everything is okay. When my mind can't take it, I stop the thinking and stare out the window thinking of nothing. I can't summon the energy to think let alone stand up and walk.