A/N: Another short chapter. Shortest yet actually... Sorry guys 'm trying for long chapters but theres only so much I can write for one section without dragging on.
I sit in the kitchen at the table, a blanket wrapped around me and a cup of hot chocolate in my hands. Aunt Eileen sits across from me, smiling, waiting for me to explain my almost 24 hour absence. I've only been home less than an hour. I shouldn't have gone to the park. After only three minutes Zac showed himself and him and our older cousin Daniel took me home. I could've argued but there was no point; Zac was on my side and just wanted me home. As we walked in the dark he explained that everyone had been out all day looking for me. Mum had been worried sick and they'd searched multiple places but he and Daniel waited for me at the park because Zac knew that's where I'd return to eventually. He knows me too well.
My aunt is still smiling at me even though I've issued her many dismissive nods, eyebrow-raises and throat-clearings. Finally I give in.
"Alright" I say, defeated, "alright."
Aunt Eileen gives me an encouraging nod telling me to go on. "I was wrong, Mother was right. I'm an idiot, she's Queen Bee again and faithfully I shall serve her, bow to her and have her warp me into anything she likes!" I stand, drain my mug then step away from my chair as I make for the stairs. "But don't expect me to be at all gracious towards the matter."
I'm just about to start climbing the stairs when my aunt calls after me. "Tori, I don't understand! What is all this fighting and arguing even about? I thought you and your mum were friends."
"What happened? She happened. She can't accept me for who I am, who I want to be. She won't help me with my struggles, she won't listen, and she won't acknowledge my existence half the time or the fact that I need her. She lies to me! She keeps secrets and she bottles it all up so it eats from the inside out and she doesn't even care enough to prevent it! I hate her - that's what happened!" I shout. I look away from my aunt and hold onto the door frame wiping the tears from my eyes then whisper, "Goodnight, Aunty E" before creeping upstairs to my brother's room to sleep.
Its 2 am and I haven't even had a snooze. Wide awake, I lie just listening to the sound of my brother's breathing. I heard mum with a bunch of other people who'd been out searching come home half an hour after I went up. Now, two hours later, the last person has left and Mum is coming upstairs to bed. I hear her open the bedroom door then walk across the landing to Zac's room where she pokes her head around the door. I'm too slow to hide my face in my covers so she knows I'm awake.
"I know you're awake" she whispers.
"Go away!" I mumble.
She comes and sits on the edge of my bed. "I'm so sorry, Tori."
"Oh forget it! You were right, I was wrong."
"Wrong about what?" She asks.
"This school and Luna and... everything."
"No, no, honey, you were right. I've kept so much from you all these years and I'm so sorry. You're a big girl now and you have a right to know I just don't know where to start."
"The beginning?" I suggest.
"There's a lot to tell"
"We've got time."
Friday 24th July 1992
Last night, well this morning really, Mum revealed one of her secrets she'd been keeping from me. It was shocking, too shocking for words, but it adds up. My past is quite confusing. I was forever being removed from clubs and classes and losing contact from people Mum promised we'd see again. Luna was right. I'm 'just like her'. She said I was a witch and I am and so is she and her Dad is a wizard like my Dad. Mum wouldn't go into the subject of my Dad. We'd been talking a while and it was nice when she suddenly whisked me off to bed. She tucked me in our bed where I belong and kissed me goodnight.
"Were you serious?" I ask, "When you said that I can't go to Hogwarts or see Luna ever again?"
"Of course you can go to Hogwarts - its where your father would want you to be. And as for Luna; she's a wonderful girl and I'm glad you're friends."
"I love you, Mummy."
"I love you too, honey."