40

                                    

                                          
warning: Alexandria's thoughts get pretty dark in this chapter so if you're having a bad day this might not be the best time to read this chapter!
                          
June 1995
                          
The last task was today, Cedric had been preparing for weeks. He hadn't known what would be waiting for him inside the maze. We had been practicing defensive spells for the last few weeks, I had even managed to do a jelly-legs jinx on him.
                          
"You're going to be okay, I'll be waiting for you." I hugged Cedric just before students came rushing into the arena.
"I love you Alexandria." He spoke into my hair, squeezing me a little tighter.
"I love you Cedric." I stoop on my tip-toes to kiss his cheek.
                          
***
                          
My anxiety left my body as the crowd erupted in to cheers as Cedric walked out of the maze with the triwizard cup in his arms. His father hugged him immediately, congratulating him. He was soon surrounded by every student or staff member who was near, who were collectively chanting, 
"Hufflepuff!"
                          
Cedric and I had only gotten to each other by stumbing through the massive crowd. I engulfed him into a tight hug the second I got close enough.
"You did it!" I cheered, holding his face in my hands.
"What? Didn't believe in me?" He joked, a goofy smile forming on his face.
"I will always believe in you." I kissed his cheek.
                          
***
                          
I couldn't shake the thought that I had to be with Laura tomorrow. Her words rung in my head constantly, her voice engraved in my mind. 
                          
"Don't think for a second thar you are worth anything more than the dirt on my shoe."
                          
"You are nothing."
                          
I couldn't stand thinking about what would happen over the summer. I needed to get away from her forever. I knew I didn't have the courage to leave.
                          
***
                          
I had to leave Hogwarts faster than I realized. Tearful goodbyes were murmured between students just as the Beauxbaton and Durmstrang students stood in the courtyard about to depart to their homes. 
                          
I tried my hardest not to let the tears fall down my cheeks as I said goodbye to what I had left of a family. 
"If she hurts you, do anything you need to so you can be safe." Cedric spoke quietly into my hair.
"I love you." I kissed his cheek and hugged him tightly.
"I love you more than anything Alexandria." He wrapped his arms around me, kissing the top of my head.
                          
We tore away from our goodbye, holding onto the last moments of each other's touch. I climbed into the carriage with my fellow students, absolutely dreading what lies ahead for me.
                          
***
                          
Laura's house was full of chaotic wedding planning. The moment I walked in I had been taken away to try on dresses. I had been fitted into a few different dresses, the best one having straps cuffed around my upper arms with a tulle skirt.
                          
My body tensed with anxiety and stress the moment I had stepped into her presence.
"Change of plans darling, you will be married by the end of the night!" She squealed.
I felt the warmth and feeling drain from my entire body.
"No." I laughed. I laughed right in Laura's face.
                          
"Crucio." She spoke, raising her wand at me.
                          
***
                          
My muscles were on fire. My joints aching as I tried to move. I was still in the gown lying on the floor, the room surrounding me completely quiet.
"Get up and walk down that fucking aisle." Laura pulled me from the ground, shoving me towards a door.
                          
I cant do this
                          
I cant think
                          
I have to leave
                          
I shoved my elbow into Laura's face, running as soon as I saw her fall to the ground. I broke a window with my shoes, jumping into a bush.
                          
She deserved that.
                          
I ran towards the gate, trying to climb it as fast as I could.
"Get back here you ungrateful little bitch!" Lauras voice echoed through the darkness in the sky. My dress ripped up the side as I jumped over the black fence.
                          
My heart pounded inside my chest, as the blood rushed through my ears. My hair whipped against my skin as I ran through the cobblestone village. My bare feet pounding against the cold stone. 
                          
I know where I am
                          
I've been here before.
                          
I had visited this village when I was visiting the Weasley's. I ran faster, the blood rushing to my cheeks. That was my only hope. I have people who love me.
                          
I ran down an alley, hoping to catch my breath for a moment. I felt a hand wrap around my arm, pulling me into an unknown building.
"Lexie why the hell are you wearing a dress?" Spoke a familiar voice I used to love. I whipped around, metting the gorgeous face of Bill Weasley.
"I- uhm- I was getting married." My voice was raspy. 
                          
I hadn't realized how terrified I was. My arms shook painfully as I tried to get a good breath into my lungs.
"Lexie, you're a teenager. You cant get married." Bills voice was full of confusion.
"Laura was forcing me. I didn't have a choice." My eyes watered at the thought of what she had done earlier that night.
                          
Bill's eyes filled with sadness once I told him about the curse, and everything else she had done while at Hogwarts. Tears had fallen down my face recalling how she had completely ruined my entire life.
                          
She took away my only loving parent. She forced me away from everyone I love. She abused and hurt me. She made me believe I was nothing. 
                          
But I am something, to some people at least.