Ch. 7 Picking up the Pieces

One of the advantages to being a Hufflepuff was the close proximity of your dorms to the kitchen. Aana was quite the chef and decided to treat Kira to some lunch since she hadn't eaten anything since breakfast and it was nearly 2:00. She decided to put her culinary skills to the side and settle for a comfort dish of grilled cheese and tomato soup. That was Aana's favorite when she was feeling down. Aana carried the food into the empty common room and they sat down together at a small table near a window. Kira stared out at the sun as she nibbled on her sandwich. She had never had either dish before but quite enjoyed both. When Kira had finished her sandwich, she gently laid her head over on Aana's shoulder. Tears started to pool in her eyes again and Aana, in an effort to stop her from another breakdown, tried to change the subject. "So, I guess you will start your classes tomorrow. Don't worry, you can get the notes from someone in your class. Twill is a few wires short of a circuit but she is brilliant in class and takes excellent notes. You met her yesterday right?"

Kira nodded.

"I was lucky enough to get out of Snape's class today! I really wish anyone else taught potions... I'm quite a fan of it. What's your favorite subject?"

"Care of Magical Creatures..." Kira muttered.

"Wow, exciting! You won't get into that much until your second year but it's an excellent choice. Be sure to pay attention in herbology because many of the plants can be used to treat animals."

Kira hadn't moved, but at least she was talking now. And Aana had avoided a crisis.

"So.. Do you.. Like sports?" Aana was desperately trying but running out of things to talk about.

"My parents said sports were a waste of time. That they took away from things that really mattered."

"Nonsense! Sports are great! I'll bet you haven't even heard of some of the muggle sports then. But quidditch will be the focus of your years here. Have you ever flown?"

"No," Kira replied.

"Oh, it's fantastic! The greatest feeling ever! I'm not much of an athlete, but I love to fly. You will enjoy flying lessons. Who knows maybe you will lead Hufflepuff into a quidditch cup! You look like you would make a good chaser."

"Or maybe a beater to get out all this frustration..."

"So you do know the game!" Aana exclaimed. The two carried on a bit talking about quidditch and favorite teams. Kira honestly really liked the idea of being on the quidditch team and couldn't wait to fly. It was a great distraction and Kira even smiled during their conversation.

"Aana, I really have no place to go. All of my family has disowned me. What will I do?"

"Well, I mean, I don't want to promise something that won't happen... But maybe... You could... Come stay with me? My family isn't the greatest and they're muggles... But it would be something."

"Aana! Do you really mean it?"

"I would have to ask my parents, but if you wanted to... Maybe?"

"Oh please ask them! That would be the best thing ever!"

"Well don't get your hopes up I have to..."

"You're the best friend I've ever had! Much better than my family. You really are like a big sister thank you so much!"

Aana really did want Kira to stay with her but she also had reservations... "You haven't met my family..." Aana thought to herself. It's not that Aana's family wasn't loving, they were. But they could be extremely strict and they weren't generally accepting of anything magical. Especially a magical person who was related to a ton of dark wizards who disowned her... This could be difficult. But she had to make it work. She couldn't let Kira worry about it all year long. That would be torturous. Tomorrow, she would send an owl to her family and see what they would say.

Kira headed up to the dorm as the rest of the house returned. Aana took the dishes back to the kitchen and cleaned up while Kira found Twill and borrowed her notes for the day. Everyone was overly kind to Kira and though it was nice, Kira hated feeling like everyone was pitying her. Her whole life she had been taught pity was a way to look down on people, and that it was a sign of weakness. So although she was glad for their concern, she decided to go to bed early and to try to end her terrible day.

As Kira dreamed, she saw howler after howler screaming at her. "What a disgrace you are!" "How could you ever be a Kuroi?!" "We hate you!" And one by one her family turned their backs to her and walked away.