 Jedi Master•General Iroh•Java Junkie• King ♛ Stefan •Mycroft Holmes•Dragon Lord•Druid Boy
Two weeks have passed after the Inferi attack, and the whole school was once again restored to its old state. Although things seemed to be back to normal, Charlie didn’t see things that way. Forget about the countless calming draughts and sleeping potion that he consumed on a daily basis because that wouldn’t change the past for the fourth year Hufflepuff chaser. Right after the attack, they were able to get some help from the castle and brought his injured friends and Grimsbane back to the Hospital Wing. They too were thoroughly checked, and Charlie was one of those kids who didn’t get seriously harmed and got a premature clearance from the school healer. Of course, he would because he didn’t do much, did he? Most, if not all of his attempts were nothing but failure. And from what he heard, he almost killed Derf with the boulders. The thought made Charlie slow down in his walking as he headed towards the Great Hall for the End of Term feast. He could feel the tightening sensation in his chest once more, and he instantly felt lightheaded.
No matter how much he convinced himself that his friends are okay, Charlie could swear that the guilt he felt inside slowly ate his soul. The usual sparkle and life in his eyes were gone, and he wasn’t even sure if he’d feel cheerful from there on. The aftermath brought bad memories from childhood wherein he was shadowed by the magical prowess of his older siblings. They were brilliant, smart, and perhaps one of the toughest cookies in Ilvermorny during their schooling. He didn’t live up to that when he attended his first year there. He’d always been compared, and was told that he will never be good in anything...and that he was better off living a full no-maj life. Before the Inferi attack, he didn’t see that as a problem, he even welcomed it. He’s no-maj born after all, so what’s the deal right? But after he proved to himself that he failed in both worlds, Charlie didn’t see any more reason to return to this place where weirdos like him was accepted. He felt like he was a disappointment, and thought of disappearing for good. Was he going to leave any friends behind? Yes, but did they consider him a friend? Perhaps not, so again, what was the use of returning? What was even the use of appearing in a festive dinner like this one?
There was, however, a tiny voice in his mind that kept telling him to fight just a bit longer. Maybe...maybe the Feast has something in it that will change his mind. Maybe.
The next thing he knew, he found himself in the Great Hall which was decked in their House Color. Ah, yes. He forgot about that. He forgot about their victories this term, and maybe he did so for a very good reason. Each and everyone of his housemates did their best in contributing to the points, and he felt belittled with the fact that he didn’t do well in any of the classes, except for Quidditch. But...really, who cares about sports nowadays? Wasn’t it just for entertainment? Charlie could feel the heat radiating off from his face as he stared at the decoration, and then to the occupants of the Hufflepuff table. All of them fought well, just by looking at their temporary wound marks. They were happy...healed even. His eyes then went to the Staff Dais taking note of each professor already present. They too look happy and relieved. Charlie felt jealous, wondering how in the seven hells of Hades were they able to bounce back just like that? If they can move past the events, how come he couldn’t? Why did he felt left behind, all of a sudden? The Hufflepuff took a deep breath as the emotions threatened to flow out of his eyes once more. He’d been crying day and night, and even during his exams. He was very...very tired. The overstimulation that was the Great Hall and the happy faces around were getting to him.
And then...he heard the concerned voices of his housemates. They were all looking for Derf. Of course, they would. Of course, they heard about the happenings back at the Pathways. Of course. Charlie then decided not to stay for dinner. He felt like he wasn’t welcomed anymore. The word ‘failure’ flashed in his mind again in big bold red letters, as he was reminded of the events of two weeks ago. The fourteen-year-old got shoved left and right by older students coming in from the hallway without any consideration as he was blocking the entrance. See, even the other students didn’t see his presence, let alone felt. Without second thoughts, Charlie spun around and decided to head somewhere else where people wouldn’t be able to find him. He'd only dampen the mood, and ruin their night of victory.
__________________  "It didn't go quite as planned." | The Underground Studio Translation: I may have caused irreversible damage on a monumental scale. |