Family Values by Bekajwp
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Severus is seven years old, and he doesn't understand all of the fights in his house. Father says it is his fault; Mummy says it isn't, and Severus has no third person to ask. They are shouting again, outside of his door. Father's voice is loud, and something rattles the doorknob. Severus shrinks back under his sheets and screws his eyes hopefully shut. There is an agonised yell outside and the doorknob stops rattling. Severus pulls the cover down to look, but hides his smile under the sheet just in case.
The footsteps move across the landing and the voices are louder. Severus thinks he will never get any sleep now. He slides from the too-high iron bed, tugging his night-shirt down when it catches against the mattress, and pads across the dusty floorboards. He brushes his black hair to one side and puts one eye to the keyhole. He can see them now. They are shouting at each other at the top of the stairs. Father shoves Mummy against the wall and Severus winces, and wishes he was brave enough to tell him to stop. But Severus knows that Father will push him too. It has gone very quiet, though he can see Mummy's lips moving. She looks right over at Severus, and he's sure she can see him behind the door. She tries to walk past Father, and Father can hear what she's saying, because he is turning very red. Father grabs Mummy's arm and pushes, except into thin air not the wall. Severus has never heard a sound like Mummy makes as she hits the stairs, once, twice, three times. He can't see her anymore. Father disappears from the feet upwards as he walks down the stairs. Everything is very quiet.
Severus is torn. He knows Mummy needs a cuddle and some ointment like she always does after Father shouts. He has to go out of his room even if he is scared. The door is silent as he swings it open, and his light weight gives him light feet. He creeps down from his door, peering through the banister to check for Father. He reaches the top of the stairs and can see Mummy. There is a lot of blood, but Severus is not afraid of blood, he just doesn't like the taste or cleaning it. Mummy doesn't like the way blood messes up the carpets.
Severus tiptoes down the stairs one at a time, gripping each rung of the banister with two hands, until he reaches Mummy. She is unconscious he thinks, because she is very still. He gives her a cuddle anyway, because she always says that can make anything better. The front door swings open with a cold blast of air, and Father is there, and a strange man Severus has never seen. Severus kneels upright, his nightshirt red and sticking to his chest. The new man looks horrified, and is touching Mummy's neck, and looking very sad. Father looks sad too, and says he told her to be careful in her long skirts. Severus doesn't understand. The new man puts a hand on Severus' shoulder and Severus doesn't flinch because he's a good boy. The man says Mummy is in a better place, but Severus doesn't think she likes the floor very much, it's too cold.
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End.
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