ButterBeer
At night, in the common room of Slytherin. Claire sat on the couch near the fireplace, reading a book. The Bloody Baron slowly came to her side. “Hey, go to the other side. I need fire to keep me warm.”
“Ghosts don’t have to keep the body warm, because they’re dead. Like my parents.” Claire refused to move. “By the way. Where did the dead person go after they’re dead?”
“Do I look like someone who knows the answer? And your words are disrespectful to me!” The Bloody Baron’s anger let his blood stain on the clothes look more silver than before.
“I don’t know, you're a ghost.” Claire said, continue reading her book. “Now Baron, please don’t distract me while I’m preparing for the N.E.W.T? And I apologize for my disrespectful acts a few seconds ago.”
The Bloody Baron hummed and left.
“Was she talking to the Bloody Baron? How strange!” Some students were gossiping about what they saw earlier.
“I also heard that she turned a Ravenclaw student into a bird this afternoon!”
“No wonder she's a Walking Bomb.”
“What the hell did you say?” Claire couldn't help but ask, closing her book and looking at those gossip students.
“No, nothing.” One of the students answered.
Claire draws out her wand. “You have two options, one is don’t say that name in front of me, Two is I use an Inflating charm to let you float to the ceiling and feel regret about it. Now choose one you would like.”
“I–”
“What are you doing?” At this moment, the Prefect walked into the common room. “Oh, it’s you again.”
“Hey Prefect, those girls are gossiping and I can’t focus on the test. Can you tell them to shut their fucking mouth?”
“But I saw you threaten those in the second grade.”
“Prefect–”
“Come on, Claire. You’re already a sixth grader, can’t you just ignore the gossip or chat around you?” Prefect said, looking at those girls. “It’s ok, none of your business here.”
Claire's hands in fist. “Fine. I’m leaving, happy now?”
She slammed the dormitory's door. Jumped onto the bed that contains ancient four-posters with green silk hangings and looked up to the silver lanterns hanging from the ceilings. Listening to the lake water lapping against the windows.
She felt so alone. Moe is the only friend she can trust, but she’s in a different house.
She knew her last name would make herself different from the others, but the situation was worse than she thought. After five years, this condition still hasn't changed much.
The Walking Bomb. That’s what the students called her. She’s good at dark magic and the Defense Against the Dark Arts. But her attacking magic was the best, no one can beat her since she challenged a six grade student when she was four grade.
She desperately needed some fresh air. The beast needed too.
“Come, beast. I need you.” She whispered. The gem on her neck (Close to the clavicle) was glowing. “Don’t you wanna take a midnight walk? We can go to the Hogsmeade if you want.”
She walked out of the dorm, holding the gem. The beast’s sensitive smell reminded her where Mrs Norris or Filch was. She successfully went to the third floor, the Gunhilda of Gorsemoor Corridor. Found a large stone statue of Gunhilda. Tapping the back of the statue with a wand. “Dissendium.”
The secret passageway opened. A short, cool stone slide appeared in the statue's hunched back. Once Claire sneaked into the passageway, the statue moved back.
The castle turned silent.
★
Claire walking on the street. Now it’s September, autumn makes the street humid but cool. Foggy.
She just walked out of the Honeydukes shop. Luckily no one saw her. Every step she walked, she felt more powerful, stronger than before. And relief.
She’s almost an adult, not saying Hogwarts was terrible, but she couldn’t have a normal school life with the curse and bullying.
She entered The Three Broomsticks, Madam Rosmerta already stood in the bar and waited for her. “Can’t sleep well at the castle?”
“Needless to say? I sent Albert with Sickles this morning.”
“I get your owl darling. Now go upstairs, it’s pretty late.” Madam Rosmerta showed her to the hotel room. “I prepared a cup of hot butterbeer for you.”
“Thanks, ma’m.”
“You’re welcome, little owl. Now go to sleep.”
Before sunrise, Claire woke up by a familiar sound. She turned over her body, moaning.
“Claire, wake up! It’s almost seven o’clock, you have to go back before breakfast time!”
“Huh?” Claire squinting her eyes, the sight was blurring. She couldn’t see clearly.
Strong hands shook her shoulder, someone’s long hair was brushing her face.
“Wait…Moe?” She recognized the voice. “What are you doing here?”
“No time to explain, now hurry!” Moe said, grabbed Claire’s right arm and helped her leave the bed. “Go do whatever you need to do and we’re leaving.”
Claire rolling her eyes. “You sound like your mom.”
“Claire!” Moe said strictly.
“Fine.”
They went back to the castle through the Honeydukes secret passageway. When they walked inside the passageway, Moe spoke. “I didn’t know that you and Madam Rosmerta became friends.”
“Ha! There’s a lot of things you don’t know. I met her when we’re third grade, our first time going to Hogsmeade. I have a part time job, working for her.”
“Why do you have to get a part time job?”
“Duh, to be independent of course!” Claire stopped, looking at Moe. “I can’t…live together with your family forever! You know Adora hates me.”
“Yes, she hates you. You told me a thousand times, but I didn’t.” Moe gazed at her, moving closer. “I don’t think this is the real reason that you want to leave. Why?”
“I…” Claire choked. “I can’t…not now.”
“Claire…”
“Let’s go, we’re gonna be late. You don’t want to be late, right?” Claire reached out. Moe holded her hand back.