Letter to No One
by RowanRhys
October 1995
Things are getting complicated. That's an understatement actually. They've just gotten more complicated.
It would be easier if I didn't get distracted at the wrong times. I completely forgot about meeting Crabbe and Goyle after Quidditch practice. Thank God, Madam Hooch has made the locker rooms and pitch off limits to other students when the teams are practicing. I would have remembered, but I was trying to figure out what moves Cho Chang managed to combine that let her maneuver between the beaters, avoid both bludgers and grab the Snitch without crashing into anyone. By the time I got back to the castle they were waiting for me.
I think even Filch has forgotten about the old storeroom on the second floor of Serpens Tower. Mrs. Norris probably doesn't come near it since it reeks of ammonia and other more acrid odors. They dragged me there ostensibly asking me questions about the assignment that Professor McGonagall gave us this morning. Once the door closed they shut their mouths and let their fists do the talking. They only stopped when the bell for dinner rang.
I watched them leave and just lay on the filthy floor for a while trying to pull myself together enough to concentrate on the Glamourie illusion that would hide the bruises. Damn them! They enjoy doing this to me. I know they want me to beg them to stop but I won't. I've never begged for anything, and I'm not starting now.
I came down here once I could be sure everyone else was in the Great Hall. They'll be coming back soon...
Vince and Greg are still asleep. Stupid idiots couldn't recognize asphodel and wormwood even after four years of Snape's classes. I was lucky that they decided to go interfere with whatever party the Third years were having in the common room before finishing their usual nightcaps of pumpkin juice. I'm sure they'd prefer something stronger but they finished their stash of butterbeer a week ago.
After I was certain they were out cold, I waited until the common room became silent before slipping out of bed and down the hallway. I was hungry and had to get out of the dorm. If anyone was up I could always give the excuse I was going to the loo. But I lucked out. I didn't see a sign of anyone, not even Peeves, on my way to the kitchens.
One nice thing about house elves, they don't care what House you're in. And they don't care about curfews or rules either. As soon as I stepped into the room three of them were bustling around getting me enough food to feed all four Quidditch teams. I headed towards the corner of the table by the fire where I usually sat during these nighttime excursions and stopped dead. I could feel the glamour slip as I saw a brown haired girl sitting in my usual spot. I managed to restore it but she had to have seen what I really looked like. She just slid down the bench and turned her attention back to her food.
I almost turned around and left, but my stomach got the better of me.
We didn't say a word to each other until the elves brought a huge chocolate raspberry torte for dessert along with mugs of fresh milk. She broke the ice by going for the same piece of torte I had my eye on. After a moment she grinned and cut the piece in half in spite of my glare. I couldn't help it. I started laughing, even though it made my ribs hurt. She's the first person to stand up to me since I've gotten here (my guardians excepted).
She's a Slytherin Fourth year and mad about Quidditch. Too bad, because Normand Darcy, this year's captain, won't have any girls on the team. Her name's Cordelia Mallory and she's the first girl I've really just talked to. It was past four in the morning before we got back to the dorm. I don't think she'll say anything to anyone about last night. I hope she doesn't.
Maybe I'll ask Normand about letting me set up some extra Seeker practices. I might be able to get him to let her play the other Seeker if I tell him I've got some ideas for some new moves I don't want the other Houses to know about...