Healing // d.m.

| 22 |

Flashback: Catherine Ariendra 17 years old

Part II

  "DON'T go." Her mother whispered as she leaned on the door frame of her room.

  Catherine was sitting down on her bed, reading the latest book of potions that Madame Pomfrey gave her sneakily in the great hall. She was due to board the Hogwarts express tomorrow for her final semester. She hadn't packed a single thing.

  "That's a first," she replied, "you usually want me gone."

  "I never want you away from me, please know that."

  Her mother crossed her arms and pursed her lips. Her head was so deep in thought. She was wearing a dark blue night gown and her auburn hair was tied in a short ponytail. Catherine could see her collarbones jutting out of her skin.

  "What is it?" Catherine asked, "did something happen?"

  "Hogwarts is no longer safe. Stay at home alright?" She told her. Catherine remembered Malfoy saying the same thing.

  "How do you know? What is going to happen?" Everybody keeps saying that. Even Gabby said her mother prohibited her from returning.

  She shook her head, her eyes glassy with tears.

  "You've been so brave, Cherry." She whispered. She began to walk and sat beside her on the bed. "I have made our lives miserable haven't I?"

  Catherine wanted to comfort her and told her she's wrong but she couldn't. So instead, she laid her head on her mother's lap like a child. Her mother gently moved her calloused hands to her hair, brushing slowly. She caressed her cheek and Catherine could smell her perfume.

  "I may not say this often," her mother continued, "but you are the most important person in my life. You and your father."

  Catherine wanted to get up and demand her mother to tell her what's wrong, but she kept going.

  "I know our lives didn't turn out the way we planned." She choked a little and her voice broke, "Catherine, believe me when I say, I will forever be grateful to have been your mother. Being a part of you is truly my most cherished moment, even though I did it terribly. Promise you won't forget me, the person I truly am. A mother who is incredibly proud of you."

  Catherine stood up and wrapped her arms around her mother's frail body. She climbed on top of her lap like she always did when she was 4 years old. She hugged her tightly, just like how that sun would hug the moon if they were to meet.

  "Mama, what's wrong?" She asked her. "Talk to me."

  Her mother shook her head and tightened her grip. "I just don't say it enough, how much I love you. I don't want to regret it."

  "You don't have to say it." She assured her, "I already know."

  They stayed that way for God knows how long. Until the sound of the front door rattling and the clinking of keys broke them apart. The devil was back.

  "Do not get on the train tomorrow. I need to know you're safe at home when I go." Her mother reminded her. She does this often, leaving for a random trip with Harold for the weekend. "You're a smart woman Cherry, Stay safe."

  That night, they spent a few hours sitting on the roof. They watched the stars and Henry watched over them from above. Catherine hated her life, but it was moments like this that made it all worth living. She lived for her Mama, and nothing else.