Trust only yourself
I ALWAYS MARVEL AT THE human's ability to keep going. They always manage to stagger on even with tears streaming down their faces. Me? I was weak. I was always reminded by my uncle. A weak girl. Nothing to do. Nothing to live for. I was also young and still am.
"People will look down on you Cora. They won't acknowledge you, respect you, unless you have power. LEGILIMENS!"
Pain struck immediately, throwing me to the floor once again. A young girl I was, remember?
"PLEASE! It hurts-it hurts-it hurts! STOP IT" the pleas were ignored until a few minutes later severus gave up. I reminded myself this was for the good of my future. It was for the future. Uncle Severus was only helping me.
Some might say it was abuse. I was a child I shouldn't be going through this torture. 'But what's life without a few minutes of pain?' I tell myself everyday.
Sometimes memories are the worst form of torture.
"Gee. A howler? Poor boy." Laurie sighs. "And how are you doing after all of...that?"
"Hmm? Oh good. I think." It was the middle of the day and it seemed that I had just woken up hearing Laurie's confusing question. She brings a hand up to my shoulder. It was unexpected but I flinched. It was only for a second that she noticed my widened eyes looking at her in the middle of the hallway.
"What..Are you sure you're alright Cora. I don't like this...new you." She blurted out. But I could tell she had more to say. Did she not want to be friends with me? Does she think I'm a weirdo? What if she's finally creeped out by me? What would Fred think? Fred..
"You're more...distant now and I feel like...". Don't say it. Don't say it. Don't say it please. Don't say it. I look at her with slightly worried eyes waiting for her to find the courage. Hoping she doesn't find it.
"...that you need to find some time to yourself."
She said it.
"You know I don't need that. I don't need time for myself. Matter of fact I shouldn't be left alone-,"
"Cora," she shuts me off. "I- Has it ever come across your mind that maybe —I need the time off?"
"But you said-,"
"I know what I said, Cora. I was just trying to...ease you into it,"
"Oh." I said softly.
"Is that all you have to say? Is that how little I mean to you?"
Anger filled me to the top but my patience drained it out. How can someone feel so high and mighty after making others feel so low? My face turns sour.
"What must I say? Do you want me to beg? Oh please Laurie stay! Stay even though you don't want to! Stay for me!" I grab her hands playfully pleading. Tears struck her eyes, threatening to fall. I gazed into them for a while waiting for a hint of a joke to appear but there was nothing.
Laurie looks down as I bring my hands away from her. Did I give up too easily on her? No. No I did not.
My heels turn away walking in the other direction.
"Take a look at yourself Cora! You've changed. You never talk to me. We were supposed to get through this together! Look! Look how easily you gave up." She yells desperately waiting for something she knows she'll never get.
Her weapon of words stops me in my tracks.
"And I'm afraid this isn't even the beginning," she mutters.
Open your eyes Cora. You are not the problem. It's them. It will always be them.
"I don't know who to believe anymore."
Trust only yourself. It is the best way to stay alive for someone as powerful as you.
"Then why am I trusting you?"
Because you want more than simple survival, and I'm the risk you're willing to take to get that.