Candice stormed away with rage flowing through her. She had never felt this way before. Moreover, she had never talked in such a tone to an adult before. There were a few students in the common room, from younger years, who she flew past to the stairs and her room. The girl had gotten used to the empty bedroom. Lyra had been gone for almost two weeks: enough time for her to adjust to the silence. Of course, it was lonely, but she spent as much time studying as possible. Furthermore, she had her own little project... She had been trying out some spells and charms to make her stutter fade. She naturally practiced in general, hoping for some progress. She could talk properly before, surely she could now too if she tried!
She plopped on the bed and called for Keely. She was a cute little elf who had been keeping her company and helped her with her project.
"Keely at your service Miss."
"Hi Keely. How are you today?" the girl managed without a single stutter.
"Well done Miss Candice!" Keely gave a small clap, "Keely is very well. How can Keely be of assistance today?"
Candice smiled kindly, before asking her to return a book to the library for her. The elf popped away, and the Slytherin decided that she should go and apologise to Snape. She needed those extra sessions after all, or she'd be back to square one, with arms full of work she doesn't understand. She grabbed her bag of books and made her way to the door. A pop made her turn back, and Keely stood with a tray of food. It looked like a five course meal! The student marched over, her anger flaring up again.
"What is this?"
Keely looked a bit frightened and took a step back and said "I'm sorry Miss Candice! Professor Snape told me to!"
"That... MAN! How dare he!"
"Keely is sorry Miss Candice! Professor Snape found Keely in the library and asked what Keely was doing. When Keely said Miss Candice's name, the Professor wanted to know where Miss was! Keely had to tell Professor Snape. Keely can't lie to Professors. Then Professor Snape told Keely to bring Miss Candice some food. Keely is sorry!"
Candice let the elf explain and she slowly calmed. She took the tray and placed it on her bed, then hugged the crying elf.
"It's okay Keely. I apologise for being so angry. You did what you were told. It's Snape who has been after me to eat, eat, eat." Candice chanted the last part and the elf giggled.
"If Keely may say..."
She trailed off and nervously fiddled with the corner of the clothes the wore.
"Go on."
"Miss Candice should listen to Professor Snape."
Pop! Keely left, afraid of the Slytherin's reaction. The girl groaned. Why can't nobody understand her? She is not hungry. Eating food wastes time. Plus, evenlooking at the tray makes her want to throw up. It was strange for her to have so much food available. After her parents passed, she was not wealthy. She lived on the streets for months, before a kind lady took her in. The lady used to be her mother's boss at the café she worked at. She owned the café and lived in a small apartment above the place. She treated Candice well and with care, but her appetite from her younger years never returned. Candice thought it was lucky in some way, as living with Sirius let to another period of her life with a shortage of food.
And now, here she is. All her professors were trying to feed her with something as if she was incapable of knowing her limits and living accordingly. Not that she would ever tell the small man, but she always throws her guts up after Flitwick's Thursday sessions. She can't help it. The food just doesn't stay down. When she was full, he had always made her eat a bit more. And a bit more. And a bit more. Etc.
Candice shivered at the thought of throwing up again and moved the tray to the floor. She got changed into her pyjamas and layed under her duvet. Staring up at the canopy, the girl noted that she had not said sorry to her Head of House. She knew they all wanted the best for her. She shouldn't have acted so rudely to him. Guilt greeted her like an old friend as her eyes fluttered closed.
"You stupid slut!" her uncle slurred and she let out a squeak as he stumbled closer.
It was one of those days: he arrived almost soundlessly, and so the girl had no time to hide. He caught her in the hall, right before she could enter the kitchen and dragged her back harshly. Within no time, her body was pinned to the floor with the drunken man above her. She couldn't even afford to waste her breath on her useless chants. Sirius spat in her face, which made her desperately turn her head to the side.
"No! You will look at me!" his rough hands grabbed her cheeks.
"Please.." she tried, and so earned a red mark on her cheek as his right hand moved with swift motion.
"You will not beg. You will accept your punishment."
Candice shut her eyes tight wishing to disappear into thin air as she felt bruises forming all over her body. She bit her lip to stop a scream.
The girl sat up fast, while she clenched her sheets. Cold sweat trickled down her forehead and a shiver ran up her spine. She glanced around. Her eyes slowly came back to focus and her ragged breaths calmed as she noted she was in her room at Hogwarts - not elsewhere. Candice stood on shaky legs and made her way to the bathroom that her and Lyra shared. Outside, the sun was only just visible from behind the mountains as it rose. Dawn, she thought.
She stripped her sticky clothes and stepped into the shower. She debated with the heat, then turned the water so hot that it prickled her skin. The girl stood under it motionless and allowed her body to burn. Soon the steamy air made her feel light-headed and so she resumed her movements. When she stepped out of the cubicle, the sunlight shone brightly through the window. Candice avoided the mirror and walked back to her room.