“I spent my third year in Durmstrang, so yeah I learned a thing or two about advanced defensive spells…” because that’s what Durmstrang was known for, anyway. “Though, I spent my first two years here…we…well, we had to move out because of my father…” he trailed off as he spoke that last word. Something was not right when he said the word ‘father’ and he almost regret saying it. If it wasn’t for his dad getting hurt, then they wouldn’t have to transfer up north and learn magic in Durmstrang. And his relationship with his cousins wouldn’t be this strained. If he had to blame someone, it had to be his dad. “It is pretty advanced. I got hurt from time to time, but I guess its part of the learning process…” The Slytherin rubbed his lightly scarred hand and clasped it in front of him. Mordred hung his head and realized that he didn’t just get physical scars but deeper wounds that maybe only time can heal.

If there was something that the boy cherished, it was his relationship with his family. As a kid, he was raised by his Nana since his parents were always out of the house hunting dark witches and wizards in and out of town. Both Aldrich and Catherine thought it was wise to stay away from Mordred since their job was too dangerous, and that these dark wizards might come after their son. It was something the boy never understood, and he developed a weak relationship with his parents. His nanny and his own personal house elf were his family, and didn’t seek out the love and care of his parents. Time came when he had to start Charms School- a preparatory school for young witches and wizards before they start formal training at Hogwarts. As a young boy, he found himself doing things pretty much on his own without getting any help from his parents. And just like in muggle schools, there were times when they had to bring their parents to celebrate some sort of Family Day, which the young boy always dreads. He envied his class mates when those activities came. He would often just sit in the corner and watch the day pass by, but occasionally a parent would coax him to join their family just so he’d feel that he belonged…

As Ella told him what was bothering her, Mordred looked at her and just smirked. “Jumping into conclusions, huh?” Well, it was typical. He would probably do the same and then he’d just hide his face in embarrassment when confronted. “And…you haven’t talked to this person about it?” Because if she did, she won’t feel miserable. “Time is ticking, Ella. You don’t want to make things worse if you prolong it. I guess you should just talk to this person….and settle things before it’s too late.” Because he himself waited for a long time to get his own problems settled. If he took the initiative to fix the mess he had with his cousins, his dad won’t be involved—and he’d be standing on his side.

The Slytherin sighed and weighed his options before him. “Should I tell her or not?” Mordred’s brain gave him hundreds of pros and cons about his next move. He forced himself to stop thinking and just be a normal person for once. “Screw it Mordaunt. Just spill.”

The boy flattened his hair and pursed his lips. All of a sudden, the floor looked interesting without taking his eyes off it. “It’s my father…” The boy allowed himself to slouch and grabbed the edge of the sill turning his knuckles white. “Things back home is a mess…well, not really a mess but a lot of things have changed since my return from Durmstrang..” The Slytherin didn’t want to go in detail since he would just bore the hell out of Ella. “You see, it’s not easy being the new kid in a rival school, and long story short—I got physically hurt during my stay there.” True story. “I…well, got beaten up by my cousins just so they could prove a point…” Mordred bit his lip forcing himself not to say bad words against them. “Things have been settled during Christmas though…my cousins explained that they had to do it so that I won’t return…because if I did, I’d just get hurt…” What did his cousins thought of him? A little girl? “And ever since then, my father seemed to favour them over me…” Not weird at all because his father came from that school too. “I just…feel that I’m losing my dad.” The Slytherin brushed his hair and leaned on his side again and stared at the wall in front of him. “My parents are not the affectionate type of people anyway, but they are my family…they should..they should care for me…”