Reputation - Henelope.

Penélope Park PoV.

I woke up scratching my eyes, slapping my hand on the side where the redhead used to be, even though I knew since yesterday that she wouldn't be there.

- What are you looking for? - Taylor scared me a little.

- Nothing. I dreamed that I was married to Hermione Granger. - I lied. I sat on the bed knowing I had to find some time to see my redhead. Since the Christmas holidays were over, Taylor and Jade were very close to me, it was always pretty stifling at that time of year.

- I'll start writing down your dreams. - He warned. - They're going to start studying them, you don't like Hermione.

"Aren't you going to say how it reflects that in the back of my mind I like some know-it-all?" - I asked.

- What are you talking about?

- I need my therapist. - I rolled my eyes. I got up to start dressing.

- Did you get a therapist? Miss Forbes? - I ignored the question entirely.

We went straight to breakfast, they had been back for fifteen days, everything was exactly as it was before. Even though dating Hope didn’t have a single moment that didn’t tease her in front of others, the best thing was that it was never a disguise. There was a stupid dance on that particular night. I didn't invite her, it was obvious that she wanted to go, and not with someone else, even so, I couldn't be seen with her.

- Who are you taking tonight? - Jade asked, Josie still hadn't shown up to join us, she should be ashamed of accidentally setting me on fire the day before.

- Cole Corvey. - Taylor announces such information that he had kept even from me. Cole was a Slytherin, as unbearable as I am at times.

- When did he invite you? - I asked. Hope Mikaelson enters the hall, it was a beautiful combo she was training to join the main team. The redhead wore the braid that I adored in her, I looked away since when I asked, I was ignored.

- About two days ago. - Taylor says. - You will take Josie, but and you Penelope, you must have received about ten orders just yesterday.

- Do not exaggerate. I'm going alone, in fact, I would love for you to go with Cole to know where and leave me alone in the dorm, I need to drown my hurt.

- You switched bodies with someone while we were gone, don't you, Penélope Park not want to be the center of attention at a ball? - Jade was incredulous. The previous years I used to be the person that everyone knew when I was arriving, not taking anyone was risky.

- I go, baptize your drink, and then I go to sleep. These dances are boring, the best part is always me.

- If you were with someone you like, I wouldn't say that, but of course, you have a heart of stone. - Jade continued. It was like that since dating Josie, sometimes I just wanted to tell her to fuck herself.

I decided not to argue about it anymore, in the class there was still talk of that ball, outside it too, and around dinner mainly. A week earlier, even though I already knew that I would not want to participate for the ball, I commented to Elena who sent me two clothing options, it was impossible to choose.

- You break patterns. - Taylor joked, seeing that I had tried on the dress, started wearing the tuxedo and liked the result much more.

- And she says she doesn't want to attract attention. - Jade rolled his eyes.

- Were you always such a bitch? - I asked Jade. I buttoned up the white vest seeing that, damn it, I was very attractive in that outfit. It was nothing new that I was nervous, not for me, but for both of them it would be, I hid as much.

The first was being fun, the two distracted the teachers so I could put the whiskey into the punch. It was great to hear compliments and feel the looks of the witches, massaging my ego.

I danced with Taylor, while Jade and Josie were fighting over some stupid jealousy of some of them, I drank some of the whiskey I should have put for the others, the lively songs were about to give way to the slow ones, the Taylor pair could wait. I was only wearing the shirt and the vest, because I was sweating with so much movement. When we stopped we went back to the table.

- Look who's here, he's wearing the same tuxedo as you. Taylor nodded Isaac, arriving at the ball just now.

- It's a shame for him, it got a lot better on me. - I said convinced.

- Stayed? - Taylor disbelieved, was on the side of Cole who preferred not to say anything, seemed intimidated with me.

- Fuck you. - From the stairs a blue dress emerged, with white details, the drooping straps giving charm, the hair in an impeccable hairstyle, it was as if she was shining more than all the lights of the great hall, even with the room being adapted to be striking.

His eyes didn't even pass me, the redhead was totally unaware, before I left I managed to send a note by fire.

- Hope is so beautiful that you can stop looking. - Kalin appeared to provoke, it was like opening a hole straight from hell to the damn.

- So beautiful that ne m got a companion? - I debauched something enough to be heard from where Mikaelson was. All the wrong word choices.

- He took it hard. Kelin smiled wickedly. My specialty was saying these things, nothing had changed, not even with passion.

Hope was not long in coming to return my provocation, people close up started looking, they always looked at me, and when Mikaelson was around, I just got more glazed.

- If a companion is a problem, we will solve it. - Hope says passing me. - Cole, don't you want to be my escort?

The boy hesitates, looking at Taylor as an apology before accepting Mikaelson's proposal. My face immediately closed, I locked my jaw.

- Perhaps now you and your little friend can console themselves. - Hope stands out. - And please, for the disguise you're drooling.

I keep quiet swallowing the bitter taste of defeat while Mikaelson walks away with the boy, Taylor is also poisonous for having lost her partner, Hope had fucked up my plans. I couldn't and didn't want to calm my friend down.

When Hope finally lets go of that loser, and disappears from the party is my cue, I threw Taylor at a blond boy who didn't even see who was right, and disappeared along.

Repentance insisted on wanting to knock on my door, but I had no chance of getting it there.

- Seriously? Taylor's date? That is low than you. - I looked angry at first, but after the last sentence I had to laugh. I locked the door.

- You are bad and I do worse. Simple. - He smiled. The redhead was lying on my bed on my elbows. - What did you think of my dress?

- Do you know how many comments about your breasts I heard today? - I said jealous. I wanted to punch Taylor in the face when she brought it up even though she was acting cynical. - MANY.

- Were they all yours?

- I wish. -I will sigh. It sucked to learn to be jealous, and without casting a spell of pain on someone.

- I'll give you a reason to keep your mouth very busy with them. - The redhead says dragging the dress down, to the belly, leaving her breasts showing, calling me with her finger.

In a matter of seconds I had already gone after the wolf, not only because of the previous act, but because I had wanted it for days.

- You look really hot in that tuxedo. - Hope moans as I kiss her neck.

- I feel like I don't even have to say that about your dress, but there it goes, it was perfect, and it will get better when I take it off. - I said perverted.

It didn't take any more turning, or any more conversation, I just wanted to have Hope until I felt that my body would dehydrate if I didn't stop. And that is how we do it, taking all morning to miss each other's bodies. It was so much more than just having sex, it wasn't a body, it was a soul. When we are completely exhausted we stop, reluctantly knowing that after that it would be difficult another night like this. Before coming to my room the wolf had put tea in a thermos so that it wouldn't cool down until I paid attention to how much I needed to replace the liquid.

- Did I say I'm in love with you today? I do.

- Don't fuck that I just needed to give you tea to admit it. - Hope goes into denial while I was drinking my tea. - You are so easy to buy.

- What can I say, I love this tea. - I joked. It had been the first time I had said it out loud, it had been light, and without alarms to put pressure on me.

- Or you just needed an excuse to be able to say that, because in your head you pretend that because it was really tea.

I kissed Hope, calmly, feeling his hand repel on my face.

- I missed that, love. Lots of. - I said giving you pecks.

- Me too, all the time, it really sucks to sleep without you holding me. And, I miss your affection. - Hope talks about fixing my hair, was it ironic that I missed her affection even more?

It was official, Hope had done it for the second time did the only thing they hadn't done, in fact, melted the stone of ice I had in place of a heart.

- I make up for it by teasing you.

- It's not the same, it's cool to humiliate you the same today, but I like my Penelope. - Hope says making your face Mikaelson spoiled.

- I'm still yours when I'm being asshole. - I said going back to peck her. It was weird to be so sweet.

I showed more than I said, all the time, it was all unconsciousness, how much I liked to look her in the eye, the touch of tenderness they had, and the touch of demon sometimes. Hope was the perfect person for me, bad, and then sweet, and then even worse, and sweeter. It had a perfect balance, it was almost enviable. Still, the best part was that Hope struggled to understand me.

When I woke up I was in a bad mood, I didn't want to go to the day, I didn't want to attend classes, except that the only day I had with her took longer to finish, until I looked at the door between open.

I got up without I didn't care if Hope was going to wake up with this, nothing mattered, someone had seen us sleeping together, the anger at letting it extend until that moment led me to close the door very hard scaring Mikaelson who still slept.

- But what the fuck are you doing? - Hope asked sitting on the bed totally confused, she would be even if it was a conventional morning, which made everything worse.

- The door was open, Mikaelson. Open. I remember locking it up last night. - I said looking through my wardrobe.

- You can remember wrong. We had our minds elsewhere. - Said pulling the cover to cover a little body, probably because I was afraid they would enter.

- No, Mikaelson. I perfectly remember locking that damn door. - I raised my voice. I picked up the basics of the uniform by throwing them at her. - Get out. Ended. Now.

- Love..

- Without love, I am not your love, Mikaelson. This dating is a joke, and I want you to get out of MY room. - I sent extremely arrogant, my voice was hard, and expression was nothing but anger.

My little world where I was the best, where maybe Katherine didn't hate me anymore, was crumbling all at once, because one person knows, everyone knows, at least in this school.

- It doesn't have to be that way, Penelope. Hope pisses me off with that damn understanding voice.

- I'll tell you how it needs to be, you LEAVE, and never look back. - I did. Hope could be the stereotype of the girl who starts crying because I said something stupid, I was so angry it didn't matter, and luckily, Mikaelson wasn't like that, which just made me more pissed off, with those blue orbs waiting for something me. - THIS IS RIDICULOUS. All of that, it was a stupid illusion, you know why? We are nothing. We never were. I don't like you, in fact, I hate you.

I went to the door, opening it for Mikaelson to leave, even though she was wearing underwear, I just needed her to leave, that no one could prove it. I was boiling with that.

- YOU HAVE TO GO. I shouted, closing the door even more violently than before. It was possible that they entered there because of my scandal more than for the two of us. I couldn't reason with something so bad coming up.

Hope came to me, changing her more neutral face to understanding eyes again, I denied that she touched my face the first time, being ignored, Mikaelson holds my face, I had to keep looking down.

- I know you're angry, and I know you're scared, it'll be okay, even if I have to erase the memory of half the students, or threaten all of them, let's find a way. - Hope tries to calm me down.

- Stop it, stop being nice to me when I'm a treacherous snake. - I did.

I wanted Mikaelson to just live up to the name and hate me.

- You are, I like that about you, Penelope. But I will not leave you alone and afraid ...

- I'm a Park, damn it, I'm not afraid of anything, and I'm not going to let anyone lesser try to finish me off. It's over, Mikaelson.

Hope hugs me, instead of just pushing her and forcing me out of the room I didn't. I hugged her tightly back. I was so scared of that possibility, if Hope had left the room, it would be over forever. - Excuse me.

8 months later.

Breakfast was the most important meal of the day, everyone knew it, and it was where my problems were solved, or started. Ever.

- I can't get used to Lizzie Saltzman sitting with us. - I commented to the other three at the table, except for the blonde.

- Don't talk like I'm not here. - Lizzie replies. It had been two months or less since that happened, the joining of the twins to the group had been weird, they were the only ones that passed between the Mikaelson and us.

- You are not here for me until you cut your relations with the Mikaelson. - I said. Jade and Taylor were silent.

- Are you jealous? - Lizzie pouted, totally cynical.

- Of course Lizzie, I'm shaking with jealousy - I put my hand at eye level. - Can you see?

- Lizzie, enough. - Josie fights with the twin. There is silence until she elbows Jade.

- Enough too, Penelope. - Jade fights, kind of unwilling, of course.

- Breakfast is always so pleasant in your company, it is almost as if we were a big family. - Taylor commented glaring at Lizzie, the two of us were like that when worse than being with the Mikaelson she was still trying to date Isaac.

- An incestuous, quarrelsome and disunited family, what could go wrong? - Jade commented eating a piece of his apple.

- Aren't these the best? - Taylor said laughing, the main trio laughed while the other two were silent, they did not understand our mood.

- Ew. - Josie suddenly complains. - Lizzie, take this. - He offered the glass to his sister.

- Who takes this thing? - Lizzie also expressed disgust at the liquid.

- Which is? - Jade asks.

- Tea with peach. - Josie says isse taking something over the top. At the time I understood what had happened, it was my previous complaints that had led to that moment.

- It's for me, Tay can you? - I referred to her reaching for the jug that held my precious tea. - My girlfriend asked the elves to include this, you have unbelievable bad taste, this is incredible. - I spoke as if it was nothing. Continuing breakfast while all four looked at me. - What? It's good.

- So you have a girlfriend. - Lizzie commented. - How long did it take to admit? Since I got here you’ve never said anything.

- Because you are gossip, and I want to have a private relationship, THANK YOU. - I spoke emphasizing that I didn't want any more questions about. Hope and I had been together since Christmas and I had never had for other people that I was really engaged.

The truth is, Hope was very good to me about coming out, respecting that I had certain limits, even though I was hurt badly by them. We had only been together for so long because that incident with the door never came up.

- For you dating the girl must be really incredible, or is it a boy? It makes sense to hide so much if it's one. Taylor teased.

- I would rather stay single all my life than dating a man. - I debauched. - It's a girl, and yes, she's amazing.

- Penélope Park is in love. - Jade says. - Someone did what no one at that table did. - She pinned herself and all around her.

- Seriously? Did you need that? - Josie fights. My ego had been delightfully masturbated by the embarrassment of them all.

- I found out my type. - I shrugged.

I would say that he was not blond, but with three I had a past it was difficult to spend any credibility saying that, and even if I didn't have that, the number would be reduced to the very few redheads they had at school.

Today was one of those days, I arrived at the library expelling the few students who were there to do the precise spells, making sure no one saw there. Jade was in magic history class, Taylor was tidying up the room, at least that's what she said, and Hope's colleague magically decided to end their relationship so she spent a lot of time in that room crying.

When the little wolf arrived I was sitting in a corner reading A Hostess when the redhead arrived. It felt like he was throwing information at me.

- So I cast a spell on her, then Isaac held me, and we both almost fought. Now Miss Forbes is chasing me around the castle because I am grounded for the last month I have at this school. - Hope spoke excitedly, I couldn't even close the book to talk to her because there was a damn sentence to finish the page.

- You cast a spell on Kalin, wow, please kiss me. - I joked. - I don't know how I didn't throw a crucio on her. - Hope hadn't even sat down. - Why are you so restless?

- Because today is a full moon. - Reminded me. I looked directly at her neck where there was a Pandora necklace with a pendant wolf, there were two blue dots in the eyes of that wolf, I had given in place of rings that would be too striking.

- Fuck, can I see this time? - I asked excitedly, I was ready to invade the screaming house and see whether the next day or the same night she would kill me.

- Even if I'm aware, I'll choose to kill you if I'm there. - He spoke with a cute smile.

- Toxic.

- Pen, I'm on fire, can you do something about it? - Started to provoke. - I think I got sick of my fingers.

- Have you been touching yourself? - I asked with Hope sitting on my lap, we've been here before. - I should feel like a bad girlfriend because you need to do this, but on second thought, it must be very sexy.

- You know what I think is sexy? - Asked Hope looking at me in a way that made me shiver, the famous lust. - You eating me in this library full of people in the other corridors.

- As long as you don't use the wolf excuse.

- Love, shut up. Hope said, covering her mouth with hers. I got up holding his body, and placing it on top of where we supported the books, it was as if the shelf had an extension. I unbuttoned her T-shirt completely, but I didn't take it off her body, she only had comfortable access to her breasts, wearing a skirt had her good times, one of which was being able to easily reach inside her and start masturbating Hope without work.

The wolf always controlled itself in terms of groans, even though I had already perfected my skills for eight straight months.

- Love .. put it inside. - Hope had class even when it was time to have sex, she said that before biting my shoulder with much more force than usual, I obeyed her request, pushing two fingers into her, losing myself in the movements and thrusts, in the way her body also stirred for more contact.

- Penelope? - Taylor's voice called me in the background.

Hope didn't have to ask me to stop, it was like a my body's response, filled with despair, I hadn't told Taylor I would be in the library. The blonde appeared at the beginning of the hall, if it weren't for my spell the scene she would see would be quite nauseating given that she hated the Mikaelson like me, I mean, minus one now, or not. Taylor looked directly at us, or through us, I made a sign of silence for Hope who was almost breathless. Swift looked for a moment, then disappeared.

(play in the chorus of the song)

That's where the paranoia started, Hope hadn't been nervous, just quiet, in what kind of world being caught by someone who hates you, having sex with someone you are supposed to hate most still doesn't cause nervousness?

Taylor visibly, at least for me, was less involved with the Mikaelson, the only thing still normal was his curiosity about my supposed girlfriend. His looks at the Mikaelson were less intense, less disgusting, something was wrong, and I had noticed it too late.

Maybe Taylor and Hope could be having something like I was, right under my nose, it would be the worst thing that could happen. I was overcome by incessant paranoia when I was with Hope, and all the time with Taylor, watching her steps, her escapades that I had not been paying attention to before.

I followed Taylor after a few days of watching, making sure that I was being made even more of an idiot, my best friend, and my girlfriend who always quoted about coming out was probably having an affair.

Taylor wanted privacy on a specific day, I could go and see Hope, no problem since Jade was busy with her sticky girlfriend, but mine told me she was busy. I put my hand on the doorknob ready for a little discussion where I would never look at both again. And the slap in the face came, instead of Hope, it was Isaac who was kissing Taylor, my jaw is locked, and the fists saw. The redhead must have been covering her brother, everything behind my back, everyone should know to the point of not even pretending to question for me.

- You're fucked, Swift. - I growled. I was so angry at being cheated because I have no idea how long, maybe even years, all the theater that Taylor did all this time came to mind.

"Penelope, please ..." I turned away from the room furiously, stamping my foot on the floor, ready to make a fuss. - Hey, listen to me.

Taylor tried to run after it, but it was too late for that, the worst thing had happened. I continued walking with the two behind me, in the great hall there was a significant cluster, which seemed to multiply after the scene became explicit.

- Whatever you're thinking of doing, don't do it. - Taylor asked me. In the middle of the crowd there was Mikaelson, looking at me with folded arms, waiting for the show that I knew would come next.

I climbed on a table, hesitated for a second to do what I was going to do, for Hope, but I passed over, just as she did when she must have found out.

- Good night everyone, you must be wondering why the fuck I'm on a table screaming for everyone in this damn school to hear a month left to get rid of me. - I said drawing everyone's attention. - The reason that is, for the people who were part of the war that started when we entered this school, all of us in the last year, you who were on my side have a damn traitor. Taylor Alisson Swift, pretending to be my friend for six years, standing against you, ridiculous creatures that hang out with the Mikaelson, was hiding a depraved relationship with Isaac Mikaelson – Oconnell. And there they are - I pointed out. - The two who tried to make me an idiot, hiding whatever the fuck they think they have.

- GET DOWN NOW. - Mikaelson shouted, starting to get pissed.

- WHY? THE RULES ARE CLEAR ISAAC, NEVER CONFRATERNIZE WITH THE ENEMY. YOU TWO ARE TWO SHIT CHEATERS. ARE YOU ASHAMED ISAAC? IMAGINE WHAT I AM FEELING HAVING AN IMMUNED PERSON CALLING ME A FRIEND. BUT WANT TO KNOW? ALL OF YOU, TIRED OF BEING LEGAL WITH YOU, I AM AGAINST EVERYONE, AND I WILL PASS ON ANYONE, I WILL BE THE WORST NIGHTMARE OF EACH ONE OF YOU.

- PENÉLOPE, PLEASE, sort things out in a civilized way. Taylor pleaded.

- And for what? For someone like you who thinks you can try to trick me, congratulations Swift, you chose the wrong side. - I jumped down from there. - You won a great enemy, I will destroy you. - I rang again. - And you know why? Because this damn traitor is less than bad blood to me. - I did. It was like I was giving people a bath of poison in horror at how much I was exposing the life of someone who was always "by my side".

- You crossed the line ... - Isaac pulled out his wand.

- EXPELLIARMUS - I pulled mine even faster. - Of the wizards in your family you are most useless and pathetic, Isaac. - Levicorpus.

Violently the wizard was turned upside down and held in the air by the ankle, ridiculed.

- Can't you see? This school is mine. And whoever moves me pays the price. I shouted again, turning to everyone there, when I paid attention Taylor was pointing his wand at me. - Own, how cute, Swift.

I was really good at duels.

- Verdillious - I launched against the witch, a risk of green flames that enveloped her, leaving her immobile.

All the limits that I myself had established as to how far I could go, so as not to appear weak in the eyes of anyone, had broken them, shattered into a thousand pieces as I was about to do with both. Jade was trying to reach us, she looked desperate, the Slytherin wizards on my side were holding her, she was able to meddle. Until she arrived, throwing a stupefy on whoever tried to hold her, eventually reaching me.

- PENELOPE. Release them. - Hope asked me. - Yeah, they have an affair, yeah, they didn't tell you, because of this dark environment where we can't even choose who we want to be with, and you're the worst reason why a lot of people here can't be happy.

- They tricked me Mikaelson, there's nothing to save them from me now. - I said sadistic.

- I stayed by your side Penelope, I was there, every day that you didn't want to continue like this, every day that encouraging this war was just necessary for you, enough of that, I waited for you for ten months, being as patient as possible , and you do this show, when they did a lot less than us?

Everyone must be very confused, I just paid attention to those blue eyes that seemed strange to me. That was what I had to believe.

- Shut up, Mikaelson.

- Why? So nobody thinks you're like Taylor? YOU ARE WORST. - Shouted to Mikaelson. I had no chance to save myself there, I was so angry, I was throwing it all up so hurt. - PENÉLOPE AND I HAVE A CASE SINCE CHRISTMAS, they didn't realize that we never went out with anyone again, or disappeared at the same time. We are girlfriends, that necklace necklace that everyone talks about for me, she gave it, as if it were a ring.

Hope approached me.

- Now you are no better than them, or anyone, you can be yourself, from an end in this destructive circle, to stop being the architect of your unhappiness, Penelope. Hope started to press. My eyes filled with tears, it was with anger and also with sadness. - Enough of this war, assume that what we have is bigger than that.

Everything in me screamed, my demons screamed so loudly that I thought everyone had heard, Hope understood her hand to me, asking for my wand, still pointed at her. I looked around people, feeling totally pressured, leaving ABSOLUTELY everything in life behind. I could expose that she was a wolf, but that wouldn't hurt so much, so it was the B word she forbade me to say to anyone.

Hope made me calm, helps me to gradually overcome those things that made my personality so stupid, it calmed my anger. Everything there was so euphoric.

- I have nothing with a Bastard. - Spit. The look of horror on Mikaelson made me feel like crap instantly, it was like I didn't believe I could have said this disgusting thing, just like the person I was, her eyes I loved so much filled with tears, and the place in my heart that was hers was filled with bitterness.

A slap in the face came next. Taking care of everyone, and it no longer made sense to care so much about them, when I saw her turning her back, for her brother, for me, for everything, because I had destroyed everything inside her, every barrier broken down with time, whenever she went. really good with me was leaving with tears. I had never seen her cry before. Never.

- FINITE. - I screamed last. Releasing Swift and Mikaelson. - You died for me.

I destroyed everything. I wanted to run from there as fast as I could, but I had to keep the stupid posture, Penelope Pierce-Park's great reputation. My heart was destroyed, and the reputation impeccable, Katherine would be proud.

I got to my room kicking the door hard, breaking everything I could find, Taylor's bunk that the top had our stuff on was the first to go to the floor, the nightstand, wardrobe, there was nothing else break when Jade got there, seeing me totally upset.

- Did you know? Tell me you didn't know Jadelyn, or I'm going to hate you too. - I did. - TELL ME.

- No, I didn't know about any of you, now calm down, Penny, you seem to have gone crazy. - Jade tries to get close, but I pull away abruptly.

- That damn place drove me crazy, these people, that noise in my head saying I should have done worse. That reputation. I broke down. - I said letting the crying take over. - I'm totally broken now. - I took the opportunity to split my wand in half, throwing the remains against the wall.

- People are shaking, I should be happy, you wanted it that way. - Jade accused.

- I was NEVER going to do it differently, it's the that I am. - I pulled my hair hard, freaking out completely. - I destroy everything I touch. - I punched the wall closest to me until Jade stopped me. Holding my fists with blood. - I lost everything. It was over, Jade.

Cry. I collapsed. Fall into my abyss. I am the architect of my misery, and there was no turning back.

Jade was perfectly aware that it was exclusively my fault, but she hugged me, amid the worst cry I've had in years. I was never going to be better than that.

(...)

The next few days were dark, melancholy, and lonely, it was the worst thing I have ever experienced, I kept going to the most useless classes, like history of magic, runes, and everyone who didn't need a wand since I had fucked mine. I was totally alone, however, everyone feared me more than ever, the reputation that I cherished so much got even more to Katherine's ears, and not by me.

I sat on the pier at Lake Negro, it was almost midnight, I was lost, without the slightest fear of being there.

- Hey. - Jade called. She was the only witch who still spoke to me, even though I pushed her away too.

- Leave me alone. - I sent continuing to look at the immensity of the lake, imagining myself deep inside, not because I hurt someone, but because I couldn't get rid of those demons that never stopped screaming, and without Hope, I no longer tried to stop them.

- You can't ignore everyone forever. - Jade tried to get closer. - You cannot isolate yourself with this wall of hatred between you and people.

- Yes, I don't see it, I already did it and very well. This is my school now, and if I had to go over some people for that, what a pity for them. - I said poisonous, wanting to convince myself.

- Your school? - Jade laughed unwillingly, sitting next to me. - If this were your school, you would know how much Hope, Taylor and Isaac are suffering now.

- What are you talking about?

- That you are oblivious to everything and everyone, protected at the top of the world. - Jade sighed. - Students make school hell, calling reputation and power, and that shit you preach, so when someone seems weak, everyone attacks. - Jade seemed to be making an introduction. - You put all the Slytherin against them, they almost got kicked out today because Kalin is constantly making fun of them, and they chopped up today, in a very ugly way, Penelope.

- I do not care. I don't care about traitors.

- This is the cycle of violence that YOU helped to build inside, two boys were expelled for trying to attack Hope, you don't care about that either? - For the first time in the conversation I looked up at Jade.

- Me...

- Don't worry, Hope finished them both. If you had chosen to join forces, none of this would have happened, but you cannot share the glory, can you? I'm your best friend now, but if they try to take you down, I won't be on your side.

- I can't try to mess with what happened. - I shook my head.

- Why? - Jade tried to be a little more understanding.

- Because I can't, and even if I can, even if I change, when I admit what I did, I won't be able to forgive myself. - A single tear ran down my face. - My mother will be here in a few minutes, she will bring me a new family wand.

- Penelope. There's someone else coming here. I will let your mother know that you are here.

My heart sped up. I turned back, the little light first revealed the color of her hair, then her delicate face.

I got up ready to get out of there, Jade was already doing the same, taking another route, dodging Mikaelson. I wanted to get past her, and leave her behind once and for all.

- It's dangerous here. - I said to Mikaelson, making me stop.

- You must have realized that I am the most powerful witch in this school, nothing is dangerous for me. Hope ran a hand over her face. - I don't need a wand, the magic is in me.

- Wow, such a powerful witch and a mediocre liar. Hope looked still sweet. - Pretending you hate Taylor because in reality, you hate yourself for getting out of that line established by your family, and even worse, having liked it, and not having the strength to fight for it.

- If you're implying that I'm weak, your excellence as a therapist has diminished.

- I'm implying that you got what you wanted.

- Thank you for saying the obvious, Mikaelson.

- Let me finish, in order to be your mother's pride, you sacrificed the love of the only person who saw you besides a pierce, who understood you, who loved you, and when you could choose to be on my side ... preferred be my enemy. So congratulations on your empire full of people like you serving you, seeing you as superior .. - Hope had started to cry again. - But that's the person you're lying to be. Hope held my arm tightly, pulling the shirt sleeve up, revealing that I had worn the snake necklace as a bracelet, where I could cover it so that no one could see. - I see you, but I listen to that other person oa. I hope you find a way to be honest with yourself one day.

Hope handed me her necklace, putting it in the palm of my hand. At that time, my eyes were full of tears too, but I couldn't, I couldn't ask him to stay, I had hurt her too much for that. That's when love started to walk away from me, and it would never come back.

I couldn't be that person anymore. I looked at that damn wolf necklace, it meant that there was still a part of me that I couldn't get it out to school. The Mikaelson secret. Which would take me to the top of the world, not only against two teenagers, but ending the whole family. Hope knew that, and yet she didn't try to stay, I knew it was over there.

If I was going to want to be better, it wasn't just for Hope, it was to be free.

- I am .. - Katherine started. I clutched Hope's necklace in my hand, still too moved by her last words to me. - I have never been so proud of you, daughter.

Katherine hugged me kindly, as she had never done before. I was seeing exactly who she was now, someone too marked by the past to be able to end the cycles of violence of which she was part.

- All that theater with Mikaelson, all the rumors were on purpose, you should have told me, you are brilliant. - Katherine revealed the box with the family wand. - That must belong to you. You are a true Pierce, I knew I would not be disappointed.

I shook my head calmly.

- It wasn't a theater.

- II didn't understand. - Katherine hesitates, I show the little wolf necklace in my hand, by now she should know exactly what it meant.

- You only accept me when I do exactly what you wanted to do, but I'm not you mom. - I continued, still very calm.

- You're talking nonsense, that was just a genius move of yours to end this generation of Mikaelson ...

- For. - I did. - I really screwed them up in the end, because you raised me for it, my whole life was a great preparation for a moment like that, and I don't even blame you, your past is horrible, and I'm sorry, but my present cannot be like this.

- If you try anything, Penelope, I will ..

- Get me out of the family? Please, I will not be able to be happy carrying this burden. - Katherine holds my wrist by force.

- You are not living, this is survival, and you should be the strongest, as I was, as I survived ...

- And then you married someone who already forgave Klaus Mikaelson, mom, you need to move on, I'll be fine, I love Hope, even though we can't be together.

Katherine threw the box with the wand on the floor, I knew the situation would be tense, I could give in, but no, no, no more being a Pierce. No more being a shadow of Katherine.

- WHAT DID YOU SAY? Katherine shouted before stealing the necklace from my hand, throwing it into the Black Lake. My heart shattered. Katherine proved to me in that instant that I was right about not wanting to be like her anymore.

- What did you do? - I asked in horror. I pulled my arm back, took the wand from that box and ran, diving into the lake.

It was a really stupid way to die, knowing that among giant squids, Grindylows, and a whole colony of mermaids I would be practically unprotected, freezing right over the Slytherin common room. It suited me. The water was pitch black, my breath couldn't hold for long, it was so cold it was difficult to move, the pressure was also difficult. I prayed internally to deserve that wand, or I could not save myself, since I felt my feet being pulled by little hands.

The first time I was impulsive for something good, it would result in death. I thought of the light spell, Lumus, and threw it without speaking, starting to despair at the amount of Grindylows around me, wanting to drag me down, they were little demons with the appearance of a fetus mixed with amphibians, had tentacles for what could see, and two small arms. There were so many that they were taking me down. Protego Maxima was the spell that came to my head, the wand obeyed, repelling the little monsters, giving a good time to swim back up, looking for oxygen, when I was almost giving up and letting go, because my body was weak, still I tried to swim. WHAT THE FUCK OF STUPID IDEA. I wasn't thinking straight, but on the last breath I had I thought of Accio, a Grindylow coming into my hand.

When I reached the surface the animal was digging its sharp teeth into my hand, which was wetter with my blood than with that dirty water. It didn't hurt so much, because the only thing that mattered was being able to breathe. Katherine was on the pier, on her knees, reaching for both my arms and pulling up.

I spit out so much water that I could doubt that I was not dehydrated afterwards, my body could barely continue its motorcycle functions ras normally, everything froze, the demon was trying to get back into the water, when to stop, pulling the necklace that was half inside it. I wanted to say a catchphrase like "you have something that is mine" but I was too weak for that.

In Katherine's lap, who looked desperate, she took off her own coat and wrapped it around me.

- You shouldn't have done that. - Said the witch, hugging me. - I was afraid. - And everything got more and more black for me.

(...)

A strong light made me wake up, almost blinded, by the blue of the bed, and the nurses walking to and fro, I was surrounded.

- You were poisoned. - Miss Forbes spoke in the can.

- It's kind of rude to wake up someone who almost died and say that he really is going to die. - I spoke almost without voice, trying to sit on the bed, I realized it was a bad idea when I screamed in pain. My hand was all bandaged.

- You will not die, but it is good that you suffer to learn to stop doing stupid things. Miss Forbes went on to say, being tough. - You dived into Lake Negro.

- I fell there, accidentally. - I lied.

- No, you dove, if you had fallen it would be easy to leave because the Grindylows are at the bottom, but they had time to pull you, and bite you. - He accused teachers.

- You are so smart, why don't you become the director of this place? - I got away from it.

"She wanted this." Katherine was on the bed next door. It confused me, I was so soft, I hardly thought straight. - I played in the lake, and she went to get it.

- Penelope, I admire your courage, but that was really stupid. - Caroline says, from the way she said it, she already knew what it meant.

- Can you give it back to me? - I asked Katherine. The witch stood up, handing the necklace to my good hand.

- Penelope, we talked later, I just needed to see if I was really well. - Caroline leaves me alone with Katherine. The silence had become almost a person and seemed to be punching my wound in the hand.

- I'm angry with you. - Katherine explained. - I never saw you care about anything that much, except your reputation, and right when you love something, it has to do with the Mikaelson. I am angry, I was so afraid that you would not leave that lake, and despite your behavior, my daughter continues.

- I'm tired of being the person you want me to be.

- I know. Katherine bowed her head.

- I will not make it difficult for you, nor for me, you do not need to accept a daughter like me, because I will be with Aunt Elena, and be a Gilbert, because I cannot stand this pressure. And in the future, when I'm older and more mature, we go through that.

Katherine didn't question my decision, she knew it was the right thing to do for now, I still had to tell Elena and Damon about that decision, but they would definitely let it happen. The witch left her wand with me, she obeyed me, so it was my right, she had her loyalty to me.

Jade entered the room with Taylor when the door was opened, and we found out that they were listening behind the door. I rolled my eyes. I wasn't ready to make peace with anyone.

- Gossips you. - I commented when they were coming to me.

- We learned from the best. - Jade accused.

- What do you do here? - I asked Taylor arrogantly, I frowned.

- Your friend was worried and came to see you, that's all.

- We're not friends, Swift. - I said bitterly.

- Yes, we are, and always have been, even with your stupid attitudes, you just need to apologize. - Taylor waited for me to say something, and it didn't happen. - People who have near-death experiences tend to change, you know?

- I do not. I'm great with who I am, and the way I am.

"Did you forget that we overheard your conversation with Katherine?" Taylor asked. I was silent, there was no need to talk, I think I was always really tough. - Hope was here.

It was the perfect ruse to catch my attention, since I hated it, and now, where do I feel it is ... neutral?

- Your mom asked her out, but you know, she's a Mikaelson so ... your mom didn't tell about the necklace, and even then she stayed here, until Miss Forbes wanted to wake you up.

- I don't want her to know about the necklace.

(...)

- Are you sure?

- I can't stay another second in that castle, I can't see these people anymore, that day burns in my memory. - I admitted. I stayed away from everyone after the lake incident, as there was no reason for us to go back to how we were before.

- Penelope, apologize. Caroline insisted for the eighth time that week. In none of them did I manage to answer.

- It doesn't work, nothing will be the same as before, I'm going to leave everyone's life, the school year is over, I can now do the auror tests. And that is what I am going to do. - I explained taking a sip of tea, it was natural, I put the cup down.

- Do you think you will be a better person without being able to apologize? It's not punching Kalin Willies in the face when he saw her strip r Hope fun, and opening all points of your hand that will make you better. You need to apologize. For everything.

- Is that it? I just apologize and leave everything I had behind.

- Recover, you are children, you did something bad, resolve yourself. Caroline insisted, making me laugh a little.

- What I did was much more than something bad, I did the worst I could with the couple there, and with Hope, said the one thing she would never forgive.

- Hope has a good heart, and likes you, because another reason was to see you in the infirmary.

- It can be, ok, she can forgive me, but things will not be the same again, Caroline finished. - I said sincerely, I had already accepted the end of that situation, of my romance with Mikaelson. It all ended because of me.

- Then apologize and go ahead, I'll call your uncles, they're here when it's dark. - Caroline speaks holding my hand. - It will hurt to see you go, Penelope, you were the most intelligent, courageous and most successful student of all here, you are good, you make me proud. I will visit you in the ministry of magic.

I gave the teacher a broad smile, my anchor inside the school for all six years that the cold and darkness took over my actions, now I was just cold, as the blonde had said, I got into a nasty fight with Kalin, resulting in recovery of my hand for later. It would make it difficult to get my future job, the feeling of being able to transcribe my anger in punches in the face of that damned Slytherin made it worthwhile.

And as it was the last day that I would be inside the castle, nothing would end my years at hogwarts better than an epic kiss in front of everyone, unfortunately, it was not how it would end, the best I could do is the apology that I was encouraged.

- I don't want to hear anything from this girl. - Complained Isaac, Taylor took him by the arm, keeping him on the bed.

- Be quiet, Isaac. - He sent Swift, making the blond calm.

- Nice couple. - I praised falsely. Even though, in fact, they looked like a great couple, I always saw them together, defending themselves even when the other was not around, and they seemed very happy. It was how I should be now. - Isaac, I understand, you have your reasons for not liking me, I never talked to you, and I already think you suck because I heard you talking to Hope many times while I was under the cover, or the bed, I destroyed your reputation, his girlfriend, and his sister's heart. But listen to me, you have a few days of school ahead of me, because when night falls I will be many miles from this castle, and you will never see me again.

- I see no reason for not going to set off fireworks. - Isaac says. He was frowning, irritable.

- I'll finish ... - I was interrupted by Mikaelson, feeling my blood start to boil, I closed my hand tightly feeling it started to hurt again.

- I will not hear any more words from you, you are bad, you hurt my sister, I should end you for that ...

- Ok cry baby, I understand, the Slytherin here did something bad. What intrigues me about Ravenclaw is that you can come in because you are smart in many ways, the traditional one has passed away from you, right? - I asked meanly. Maybe I couldn't stand that boy anymore. - You are so different from your sister, she is brave, she has audacity, she acts much more than she speaks. You look like a puppy that barks but doesn't bite.

- Really, Penelope? Did you come to criticize my boyfriend? - Taylor defends him. I throw my head back, taking the strength to do an act as ridiculous as that. I look at both of them.

- Sorry for that night. - Let. Pressing your lips together later.

- Is this a joke? Are you kidding us? It's clear that this is it. - Isaac starts to complain.

- No. I was wrong, furious, and I did what I do best, to destroy people. Excuse. - I asked again, exceeding all my limits so far. - They'll never hear from me again.

- Are you asking why you're leaving? Taylor asked, keeping me in the Ravenclaw's room.

- No. I'm leaving because I'm asking, after you just hope Hope, and I don't even know if I can do that. - I said, still being sincere. I stuffed my hands in my pants pockets.

- Why? - Isaac is curious. He seemed to be very interested in his sister's feelings.

- Because I love her, and I won't have her back. She pushed me off a cliff, little by little, I just didn't know I was going to fly. - I explained seeing Mikaelson's confused face. - It inspires me to be someone better, even if it's too late.

- If you are inspired to be better, why did you offend me just now? - The boy continued, not knowing that he was proving everything.

- Because I'm still a snake, that's my personality. Now that I'm done with my good girl session here, I have a heart to fix. - I did. He disbelieved that he could even fix it.

It was a very big scar, and deep for me to get resolve only with a simple apology, after leaving the room, I pulled the sleeves of the dress shirt, leaving the snake pendant on my wrist, the wolf was in his pants pocket.

Hope was surrounded when I saw her, I should speak in front of everyone, I had to be able to do that, I needed it, it was my epic end. Until I saw something, I stared for almost a minute, feeling those eyes on me but so disappointed now, there was something wrong. Mikaelson moved away from the group, striding away, I felt a chill in my belly when I went after her, totally determined, it was the moment. I arrived at the door, and saw that she was wiping her eyes, where tears insisted on coming out, over and over. I swallowed, giving up on the idea.

I went to Jade, and stayed with the witch until my uncles arrived.

- Will you write to me? - Asked the witch.

- You fucking gave me a fucking idea Jadelyn. - I hugged the witch - Thank you very much for that, really.

- So ok, but what idea was that?

- I'll tell you the other day, see you as soon as you're done here, I'll be studying for auror. - I spoke a little nervous because of the risky idea I was having at the time.

"Are you going to give up ending the year by taking a boat across Lake Negro? - Asked giving a small smile, playing with me.

- I already had this lake too much for me this year, I waive. - I said giving another hug to Jade, being tough with me sometimes or not, when I pushed her away or not, it was the best thing I still had after the things I did. I owed that witch a lot.

- Goodbye, Satan. - Lizzie appeared on Jade's back, along with her twin, we didn't talk much after that, I had nothing against the twins, in fact, I was very used to their presence.

- Goodbye Barbie. - I smiled, the witch held out my hand, but I gave her an awkward hug. - Goodbye would also burn. - I played with Josie.

- It's the same Penelope as always. - Josie also smiled before giving me a tight hug. Everything between me and the twins could have improved with just that magic word that was almost a spell.

- I'll see you a lot - I pointed to Jade and Josie. - And you too, since it's the Saltzman combo, just tell me, are you single? - I asked Lizzie. Of course I was kidding, after all, my snake was still on my wrist. I saw Damon and Elena in the doorway, my heart sped up, there was something I hadn't done.

I ran out, crazy, desperate, tripping over my own feet, going up to the dungeons to my old dorm, I ran over some witches on the way. I jumped on the bed pulling my enchanted papers, one had the entire sheet in the void. I also cast the paper spell on the necklace, when it burned, they would go straight to their true owner.

"Little she-wolf, I heard it in a luscious Indie once" you were the best part of every bit of the heart I had, if I had anything at all. "
I'm leaving right now because I can't bear to see the pain in your eyes when I'm around, I can't risk breaking any more of your heart, so I write to you, asking my sincere apologies for what was said the night I was the most cowardly could, and because I can't give you more exactly what you deserve.
You deserve someone who is better than me, who leaves Christmas lights until January for you, who protects you, and kisses you in public, as I didn't. I can't give you that now, and I don't think you want me. Forgive me, Hope. I told the truth, all those times, I don't like you, I love you.
Forever yours, Penelope.

- incendia.