"There will come a time when I am stronger
Your words won't hurt any longer."
-Emilie Autumn, "Castle Down"
His hand strikes Andromeda's face sharply, causing her head to jerk to the side. Andromeda stares up at her father with wide eyes, her hand on the stinging flesh.
She's never known her father to react so physically. Usually, his silence and cold glares are enough to let his daughters know that he is displeased with them.
"You filthy little traitor!" he screams, and Andromeda scurries backwards with her hand still clutching her tender face. "I would have thought better of you!"
"Father, please," she says quietly, no longer a bold seventeen year old but a frightened child, too timid and weak to defend herself. "If you knew Ted-"
"Don't you dare mention that Mudblood's name," he growls, stepping closer, fists clenched. "Have you any idea the shame you're bringing on our family?"
"Father, I-"
"Don't call me that. You're no daughter of mine. Get out! Out!"
Andromeda runs, and she doesn't look back.
.
"Andi, your face."
She shakes her head, sidestepping him. "It's nothing, Ted. I'm fine."
"Let me look at it."
Reluctantly, she lowers her hand, totally revealing the angry red mark still painting her pale skin. "It doesn't hurt," she whispers.
And it isn't a lie, really. She doesn't mind the physical pain. What hurts the most are her father's cruel words still fresh in her mind.
Her father is ashamed of her. Her father called her names she never would have thought a parent could apply to a child.
The wounds in her heart sting worse than the one that burns on her face.
Ted pulls her closer, lips gently grazing over swollen flesh. "It's okay," he whispers. "You're free now. You're safe."
Andromeda curls into him, clinging to him desperately. One day, this will all be just a memory. One day, she'll be able to remember what her father said, and maybe she'll laugh.
One day. But not today.