Chapter 5: Welcome Home

Hiii :)
Here's the new update! Yay 3 All of this was written spontaniously, and I have no idea how many spelling mistakes I have, but fu that :) Hope you'll like it!
I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THIS. I ONLY OWN EMERALD AND PARTS OF THE PLOT, BUT NOT THE MAIN HARRY POTTER PLOT WHICH BELONGS TO J.K!

The school grounds had been covered in a thick layer of snow over night, making the whole castle so much colder. I was dragging my suitcase along with me through the dungeons, heading up towards the main hall. I would be going home for the holiday. Usually I had my hair pinned up in a ponytail, but not today. It was way too cold for my ears to pop out. All around me I saw friends hugging and saying their goodbyes. I wouldn't be doing that at all. I had no friends. I was alone.

As I entered the main hall I got a terrible headache. I couldn't see. A cold and evil laugh. Then it was over. I was shaking. Terribly. Shivering even more than I had before. I was then aware of the fact that someone was watching me from afar. Professor Snape was watching me from the main doors where he stood to check that everyone in his house who was supposed to take the train got onto it. To get the sudden attention of off myself, I hurried along towards the doors, all along avoiding professor Snape's eyes.

*A couple of hours later*

"I can't believe that it has only been 4 months since we last saw you! I can't believe it! It seems like years!" Mom began as she hugged me for the third time.

It was pretty annoying really. Mom was fuzzing over everything about me. Everything from the fact that I had a scar on my chin to me not having answered any of their latest letters. Everyone was over at our house, since mom had apparently thought that she should have a "welcome home" feast. Sirius and Remus were both there, and mom had made the most delicious food! The Hogwarts food was wonderful, but it was nothing compared to mom's food. All through the dinner they told me about everything that had happened at home while I had been away. All the while I dreaded the dessert. I knew what I had coming for me.

"So, Em, tell us about Hogwarts!" Sirius began with a laugh. "Pranked lots of Slytherin's yet?" He smirked at me.

Slowly I looked up from the table. I knew that I was shifting nervously in my chair, but I really had no way of stopping it. My mouth was completely dry. What should I tell them? I would either have to lie to my own family or tell them the truth. Both options were too hard to consider even for a second. All eyes were on me, and I knew that they all expected an answer.

"Ehm, schools okay. I absolutely love all the subjects!" I began, making sure to breath regularly to keep calm. "And no, I haven't! Wouldn't dream of it. I don't want to lose any house points." My laugh afterwards was the shaky one that a lying person would have, and I knew that mom had heard it.

What saved me from mom's questions was Sirius and dad who then began asking tons of questions. I was able to answer most of them with ease, but avoided some. Harry listened excitedly at the side, absorbing all the information about the school. It hurt to lie to them all. To not tell them the truth as to why I avoided the questions about Gryffindor house.
In the end all the questions turned into stories about when dad, Sirius and Remus had been to school, and all the mischief they had done together. Eventually I drifted off into my own thoughts, only nodding at the right times. Mom had gone upstairs to put Daniel to bed. She was usually the only person who was able to see if I paid attention or not. The three adults in the room were too busy talking to even notice if someone else was paying attention or not.

Should I tell them? Should I tell them what house I belonged to? Why shouldn't I? What reaction would they have? Would they like me afterwards? All those questions were running around in my head. I felt dizzy, feeling like time had been put on fast forwards. I could no longer see or hear the talking men not far from me, or see the bright light of the living room. My hands gripped onto the sides of my chair, the nervousity taking over. Quietly I took a deep breath.

"I'm a Slytherin." My voice was far too low for my own liking, nearly like a whisper. It did gain everyone's attention, though.

I hadn't even noticed that mom had gotten back down. Not that Selena and Emily had both fallen asleep on the couch. Not even that tears had been dripping from my face. Now everyone in the room had their eyes on me, studying me. They all held different reactions. Dad and Sirius had shocked look upon their faces, Remus looked amused and mom was all but frozen. Only Remus' reaction made me more comfortable. My eyes drifted to and fro the people in the room, staying a couple of seconds on each face. Begging for anyone to speak up. To talk to me.

"You are a what?" Dad suddenly yelled, yanking to his feet. Sirius soon following after.

The look they gave me broke me down. A look of disgust. A look of guilt. A look of hatred.