I knew I was different.

I always knew.

My darker hair, darker eyes, and darker skin never matched up to my lighter skinned, lighter haired, lighter eyed siblings.

No.

Not my siblings.

Why didn't I know?

Why was I never told?

My legs stopped abruptly and I gripped my knees for support, gulping down as much air as I could.

Allowing myself to sink to the ground, I extended my legs as I leaned back on my hands.

What I thought were the last of my tears dripped down my chin as I heard my dad- no. Saeed's constant reminder in the back of my mind,

'Crying doesn't solve anything'.

If I wasn't so wrapped up in my thoughts, I would have probably heard the twigs snapping under the feet that were padding toward me, but I didn't.

"Jessica?" Oh no.

My da- Saeed's voice brought me back to reality.

I shook my head, my eyes fixed on the outskirts of the forbidden forest.

"Jess?" He said softly, boldly taking a spot beside me

"I know you probably hate me right no-"

"You don't know what I'm feeling." I growled, not bothering to peek up at the middle aged man

Saeed sighed. "When I found you, I just wanted to give you a normal life. I've done everything in my power to raise you as my own-"

"What do you want? A thank you?" My head snapped around. "You don't even need to work anymore because of me! I think I more than made up for anything I've ever took from yo-"

"That's not what I meant and you know it!" Saeed hissed, "You are my daughter! I raised you! I nurtured you!"

"Don't giv-" I tried to say, but he gripped both of my shoulders and pulled me into his chest

"Don't push me away!" Saeed scolded, squeezing me tight.

I tried to pull away, sniffing up the snot from the tears that were now cascading down my cheeks again, but he only held tighter.

"Tell me, what is a father?" Saeed questioned, loosening his grip to pull me back for a look in my eyes.

His expectant eyes urged me to answer, but I managed the best glare I could muster and threw it his way.

"Fine, I'll tell you. A father loves his children unconditionally. He want's to catch you before you fall but instead helps you up, dusts you off, and lets you learn for yourself. A father is always behind you, no matter what you do. He's there to wipe away the tears and make you smile when you're upset, shows you reason when you're angry - like now," Saeed's voice softened as he reached to brush away the freshly shed tears that escaped my clamped lids.

"He scolds you when you get out of order, keeps his faith when you fail, and swells in pride when you do succeed. Though a father can't always give you what you want, we never hesitate to give you what you need. Most importantly,"

Saeed pulled me against his chest once more.

"A father is someone who loves their children even when they're at their worst."

Choking back a sob I allowed myself to nuzzle into his neck.

"Never doubt my love for you. You are my daughter and I love you more than life itself. I'll always need you even if you don't need me."

I felt a small wet spot forming on my shoulder.

He was crying, too.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I murmured.

"As foolish as it may seem, I didn't feel it was important.."

My eyebrows scrunched, "You didn't feel it was important?"

Ripping myself from his grasp, I quickly scrambled to my feet. "You didn't feel that was important! That..that..that thing you call your ex-wife made my life hell! All because I wasn't hers! You didn't feel it was important to offer me insight as to why I was punished! All those years I wondered why she hated me, and now I kno-"

"No, no, no, no, no!" He wagged his finger.

"You better cut that shit out this instant Jessica Avrora Cesari. That bitch was always jealous that I had a better relationship with you then the other three dimwitted slags she produced. She hated you because of me. Because I wasn't as close with your sisters as I was you." My dad took a step closer to me, but I took the step back.

"I was there for everything during your first three years and she hated it. I was never there for my other kids and that was a mistake. You're my miracle child. You taught me what love truly is, baby doll. I remember every achievement you ever made. Your first tooth, how you skipped crawling and walking and ran for your first steps across the parlour, everything. You and your brothers are the most important achievements in my life. I should have told you, but I tried to protect you from any more pain. I'm sorry.."

Sorry? My inner voice spat.

He's sorry?

Just sorry?

"Can you say something?" He pushed, taking another step forward as he reached out for me

Taking another step back, I cleared my throat. "I have detention."

Spinning on my heel, I left the man I knew to be my father in the dust as I sprinted back to the castle.

"Without magic, you two will be cleaning each of the animals waste bins at the bottom of their cages."

I picked a bit of meat that was stuck between my teeth as McGonagall spoke about tonight's agenda.

Jessica already had her wand waiting at the corner of her desk and her head was facing her hands as she picked at the nonexistent dirt under her fingernails.

I'm surprised she even came.

After McGonagall left, I watched as she grabbed a scraper, yanked the waste bin from under one of the bird's cages and scraped the bits of stuck on news paper off then replaced it with a new piece.

Licking my bottom lip, I slugged out of my seat and got to work.

Four cages in, the tension was killing me.

"Jess?" I exhaled slowly, not sure how'd she react.

No answer.

Her bottom lip was sucked between her teeth as she worked on her seventh cage.

I slapped on a new piece of paper then took a steps closer to Jessica's side of the room.

"Jess?" I said softly.

No answer.

Her lip was back out and she was scraping like she was trying to put a hole through the metal bin while muttering to herself.

"Jess?" My voice was a bit more firm as I gently gripped her shoulder

The scraper fell from her hands and before I knew it she slapped me across the face with the bin!

I fell on my bum and groaned in pain as I clutched the left side of my face.

Jessica's hands flew to her mouth as the bin crashed to the floor.

"Oh shit!" She shrieked in surprise

I groaned again.

I'm definitely going to have a headache.

A stiffled giggle came from her way and my eyes snapped up to meet hers.

She giggled again.

What the fuck is funny, Cesari?

"Are you laughing?" I asked, slowly pulling myself back to my feet.

She shook her head, but her lips failed her as she giggled once again.

My eyebrows knitted together as a shot of pain ran through the side of my head.

She giggled, again, as I clutched my face in pain.

"Is this funny to you?" I questioned, trying- but failing to take a step toward her as I held onto a desk

Her hands left her mouth, "Are you okay?"

Concern was written all over her features as she gripped my chin to have a look at her target.

My jaw clenched as she let her finger graze over what felt like a forming bruise on my cheek bone.

"Maybe you should go to the hospital wing.." She suggested.

Yes. Maybe I fucking should since you just tried to take my bloody head off!

I nodded and tried to stand on my own, but wobbled on my first step.

Jessica rolled her eyes, let out a rather loud exhale then slung one of my arms over her shoulders.

"I didn't even hit you that hard." She grumbled, adjusting her grip on my waist as she led me out of the room.

"You hit me like you wanted my head on your mantle!" I shouted, immediately regretting it as a surge of pain ran through my head once more.

She chuckled. "That's what you get."

"You hit me on purpose?" I frowned.

She chuckled again, "No."

I growled. She did. She fucking hit me with a heavy metal bin for no reason!

"Maybe you shouldn't sneak up on people and you won't get hit. Duh, arseclown."

This little-

"I didn't sneak up on you!" I snapped.

She laughed as I clamped a hand over my eyes in pain.

"You'll never learn," She sighed. shaking her head with the smallest smile on her face.

"I called your name three times. You didn't answer so I had to get your attention somehow. Duh, arseclown."

She glanced up at me briefly with a raised brow. "Did you just mock me?"

I waited until she safely got me down the last set of steps before I replied.

Lord knows I value my life too much to piss her off and allow her to shove me down.

"And if I did? What are you gonna do about it?" I smirked, but it quickly fell when she released me. I tripped over my own feet and onto the floor.

"Hmm." She tapped her chin twice. "I think my clumsiness has brushed off on you, Wood."

She chuckled through her smirk and turned to leave.

I think I can make it.

The hospital wing is only down the corridor.

The very long corridor..

I tried to pull myself up, but sunk back down when I wouldn't find my strength.

"Cesari!" I shouted and groaned right after as I clutched my head in pain for what must be the tenth time.

"Yes?" She sung in a sickeningly sweet voice.

"You can't just leave me," I sighed.

She smirked. "Oh, but I can."

Jessica went to turn on her heel, "Wait." I said.

"Whatever for?" Her hand was placed over her chest, mocking sweetness.

"Can you fucking help me? You're the one who did this."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Such language, Oliver Wood."

I rolled my eyes and resisted the urge to curse as that stupid smirk crept back onto her lips.

"You held me back from ruining your seeker, I'm holding you back from the hospital. We're even, Wood." She turned on her heel, but looked called over her shoulder. "Walk it off!"

I swear if she leaves me here, I'll-

She walked away!

She left me here!

'We're even, Wood.'

We're even?

I groaned as I led back on the cold stone ground.

Oh, Jessie, Jessie, Jessie.

I don't play to get even, I think you of all people should know that.

I play to win.

And I will beat you.

Nothing like a swift crack to the side of your enemy's head to finish off your night, yeah?

I jogged the remainder of the way back to McGonagall's room and was pleasantly surprised when I found it still empty.

My portion of the cages were finished, so I patiently waited for the professors return as I mulled over today's events.

I, Jessica Cesari, was left in the garbage to die in Armenia.

Not exactly the cookie cutter way to start your life..

Saeed Cesari took pity on me and raised me.

Into a marvelous young woman if you do say so yourself.

I rolled my eyes at my brain's lack of control.

But it's right. Saeed is my dad. There's no changing it. No point now.

He loved me and cared for me when nobody else would.

Without him, who knows where I'd be right now?

A tiny bag of bones in a waste management facility.

And there it goes again.

He was trying to protect you as one of his own.

My teeth grind against each other.

He loves you.

I sighed. I know he does.

Maybe I could forgive him.

Maybe.

But there's still so many questions that have yet to be answered.

Who is my real mother?

Why didn't she want me?

What the bloody hell was I doing in the garbage?

"Cesari?" McGongall's voice brought me back to the present, "Where's Wood?"

The corner of my lips twitched up in the slightest. "I have no idea."

She eyed me suspiciously before handing me back my wand.

"Very well."

A tiny smirk crept back onto my lips as I made my way toward the Gryffindor tower.

It was Stevie's birthday after all.

My brother.

I whispered the password to the Fat Lady and sauntered in, scanning the common room for the unusually tall bloke, but he wasn't there.

I politely smiled toward the small group of first years that were watching my every move with interest, then made my way up to the dormitories.

Knocking twice, I heard a bit of shuffling around before the door swung open.

By the force behind the yank, I assumed it would have been my brother- but it wasn't.

Just his roommate Louis

"Is my brother here?"

The dark skinned, curly haired guy gave a small smile. "He's real torn up about somethin', love."

He opened the door and allowed me access.

My brother's curtains around his bed were drawn, but you could hear a sniffle every couple seconds.

"Brother?" I approached his bedside carefully.

There's nothing worse than an emotional Stevie.

He's either really huggable or really violent.

Who know's what side he wants to be right now..

My fingers gingerly wrapped themselves around the scarlett hangings then pulled just enough back for me to slip onto the end of his bed.

The big strong guy I knew to be almost invincible was hugging his giant knees to his enormous chest.

"Brother, don't cry.." My hands became shaky as I reached for one of his arms.

His head rose from his hands.

His once gorgeous baby blues were now red, puffy and bloodshot soft greys.

I should be the one looking like him, but I'm not.

Seeing him like this, I could feel my heart ripping in two..

Here I was making this all about me, I never stopped to think that it could effect anyone else..

"Hey," I cooed, scooting closer. "It's okay."

He pulled me onto his lap and squeezed me tight to his chest. "I can't lose my baby sister."

I did my best to squeeze him back reassuringly, "I'm not going anywhere."

Never in a million years.

"I-I didn't k-know.." He stuttered, "I swear, I-"

"Shh," I rubbed his back, "I know. It's okay. We're okay, brother. I'm not leaving."

It felt as if he released a fresh river of tears out as he shook under my arms.

How could someone so strong hurt so much?

Love. My conscience chimed.

That's it.

It shouldn't matter how we became a family.

We are and it's going to have to take a hell of a lot more than a simple adoption to drive me away..

My hands kept running up and down his back soothingly as I tried to comfort him.

"You thought you could get rid of me that easily?" I tried to joke.

I heard a strangled chuckle leave his lips.

"It's you're birthday, brother. The big one-seven. You shouldn't be crying. Let's eat some cake?"

A louder chuckle left lips as he wiped his nose with his sleeve. "You sure got a way with words, fat fuck. You really scared me today. I'm not used to that.."

My eyebrows knitted together. "Sometimes your bond is stronger than blood, brother. I might not be legitimately related, but I am your sister and I always will be."

I tightened my ponytail then clapped my hands. "So, about that cake..."

"I fucking hate you sometimes." Stevie rolled his eyes and we grinned at one another. "Cakes on my trunk. Go get it."

I removed myself from my brother's arms and sat directly in the middle of the bed, stretching my arms as far as they could go, even resorting to leaning forward which really got me no where..

"I .. I cant...I cant reach...ugh! I cant do it!" I said, stretching over to try and grab the box.

I was on my back, lazily using my toes to try to push my body up a bit more, but-

"I'll get it myself you lazy prat!" Stevie huffed, pushing me off of his bed.

I rubbed my bum as I climbed back on, then snatched the baked delight from his grubby paws.

"Ah, ah!" My finger wagged, "We have to sing happy birthday!"

"No, let's jus-"

"Steven! Shut your pie hole! God! I fucking hate you sometimes." I mocked, then quickly belted out the birthday song at the top of my lungs while making dramatic arm gestures

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear broth-er! Happy birthday to you!"

I grinned in delight as I eyed up the perfectly iced pound cake on the middle of the bed.

Our dad was kind enough to pack two forks.

Heh-hey, he knew I'd smell this tasty goodness a mile away..

We dug in. It was devoured in less than five minutes.

"She slapped you with a pan!" Rob's chortles of laughter soon brought tears to his eyes as he trailed behind me the moment I burst through the hospital wings doors.

I don't know how I ended up in there.

Pomfrey said I was unconscious when I was brought in, but woke up about an hour later.

She gave me this horrid liquid that luckily enough made my headache go away, so I was grateful for that.

"I don't believe we put a time limit on our bet, Wood." He clapped my shoulder as we walked toward the stairs.

I grimaced. The bet was a terrible idea. Absolutely the worst thing that I've ever agreed to. But before I knew it-

"She'll be putty in my hands by Valentine's day."

Rob smirked. "Nah, too far away. I'm thinking more like the Christmas holiday."

I shrugged. "Cesari will be mine by January."

The arse beside me held out his hand and we shook on it.

"Well, well. What do we have here? Placing bets on my girl?"

My hands balled into fists. "I think you mean mine, Diggory."

Diggory along with two of the guys from his quidditch team came into clearer view.

"I won't let you hurt her, Wood. Piss off, or I'll tell her."

I smirked, taking astep closer. "Tell her what Diggory? She's been mine since we were in diapers. She'll always love me."

"Heh," He chuckled dryly, also taking a step forward. "We'll see about that."

"Alright, alright, alright," One of the Hufflepuff's stepped between us, creating distance between me and Diggory with his forearms. "Everyone's got a big willy, now can we all just carry on?"

"Why utters?" My brother asked, grimacing at the thousands of duplicated photos of cow boobs that I've taped to literally ever surface of Wood's room.

"They're ugly." I shrugged, taping the last photo on his wall.

Okay self, time for phase two of my elaborate plan. How Stevie and I ended up making a huge paper machet hand filled with Slytherin themed confetti in a matter of two hours is a remarkable feat all on its own.

Sure, it only had three fingers and could easily be confused for a chicken claw, but at least I know what it is!

Stevie levitated the hand right above Wood's head and I used my wand to tie knots with the couple yards of rope we had brought to hold it up.

This is personally going to be a favorite of mine, considering my brother brewed up a freaking fabulous potion that will turn his face my houses colors for two days.

48 hours of silver and green, baby!

A slight smirk slithered onto my face as I secured the last knot.

"Where's the cups?" I whisper-shouted to my brother who was on the other side of the room doing God knows what.

"Here!" He replied, quietly pushing the hip length box to reach. Oh-ho-ho, Oliver Wood.

You're going to want to murder me.

Precisely twenty-eight minutes later, my brother and I were leaning against the door frame inspecting our handiwork.

And it was marvelous.

The whole room was covered in pictures of droopy, saggy cow utters, and to make matters worse - when Wood goes to sit up his head will crack against a giant hand that was so skillfully placed over his face and he will be silver and green in no time.

Then, when he's all flustered and furious, he's going to step down into the assortment of cups that hold either water or stink bombs.

I. Can. Not. Wait.

He's going to be so pissed when he see's the small open space that spells out 'Suck It' right before the bathroom door.

"You're the worst person in the world." Stevie smirked, closing their door silently.

I grinned. "Not yet."

I stacked the remaining cups against the door, doubling up on the dosages of stink and fluid.

No way were they getting out of this so easy..

"I'm a genius." I high fived Stevie and headed back up to his room, completely looking forward to Wood's screams as my wake up call.

Heeey!

Thanks for reading the story.

But anyway, has anyone seen Divergent yet? I literally fangirled through the entire movie...

I'm sure I was disrupting the whole theater, buttt I couldn't help it..

I was like, eeping out my seat every time Four came on the screen!

He's soooooooooo delicious, I swear.

I think I may use him for Oliver Wood, not too sure yet.

Should I?

I think I will, he looks a bit like Sean Biggerstaff to me.