Chapter ninety-seven; Mum
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An open letter was sitting on the counter in the kitchens in front of Jasmine. She read it all of three times since she got it in the morning and it didn't leave her mind so she kept it close to her for the whole day. Now in the evening, after the curfew, in her own confined space in the kitchens, she was finally able to think with a clear head. She stared at the written words with a mug of hot cocoa in her hands and bit her lip while her thoughts were all a big jumble. Her eyes skimmed over the lines again.
Hi sweetie!
Only Jasmine's mum was calling her sweetie and it made her heart swell at the thought of hearing her voice saying that simple word to her.
I figured that by now you already know everything that happened. And let me start off by deeply apologising to you, I know it isn't best to do so through a letter but I can't stand sitting still anymore and thinking that so many things are left unspoken between us. It only occurred to me now that I am away from your father, away from you, how bad everything was and how many things could have been different if I had only taken some heavy measures.
Jasmine frowned at the first paragraph. She had no idea why her mum was apologising because apart from that fight they had at the end of summer, her mum did nothing wrong. Both of them were too similar to each other, both in looks and thoughts, as Jasmine thought exactly the same. She could have stopped so much abuse if she would have seen it earlier.
But as I've always told you the past is in the past and there's nothing we can do to change it. I am still though most sorry for how we left things off at the end of summer. I was never forceful towards you, I never yelled at you so it was strange for me too and I regret it the second I closed the door on you. But considering what came out of it I had to do it, not just for you, for both of us.
I want you to know that I am safe, for the sake of this letter being tracked I can't tell you where I am, but if we still hold that string of trust between us, you will believe my word. It took me some time and I received all the help I needed to ensure my own safety. Being selfish like this makes my stomach churn with the thought of being a bad mum. I left while you're still there at your father's hand reach, but don't worry I thought all about it.
Remember the key I gave you that belongs to your vault with the savings your father has gathered over the years? Well, David still doesn't know about that, I destroyed the other copy so yours is the only one that exists. Don't lose it and don't tell your dad about it either. Now as far as holidays go, you will stay with the Fawleys. Your father trusts them and it won't look any suspicious to him at all considering the engagement he still believes is on.
Talisa told me everything. About the illegal dealings, the ministry and the debt and I also heard about Gabriel. The plan of acting as David wants you to is dangerous but I know it's the best one we've got if we want both you and Gabriel out of this mess your father has cooked. You do not deserve a life bound to someone, not of your choosing, no matter if you were already friendly towards each other. Maybe in another life, you two could be happy and would get together at your own time, but the moment someone wants to force something on you it becomes almost like a task to do and it's not real love anymore.
You don't deserve that, especially not if you already feel something for someone else.
Jasmine wrinkled her forehead at that line. Does her mum know?
We've lost the ability to communicate with each other, sweetie. I feel like there is so much we don't know about each other and it's my fault. I never wrote letters to you because of fear that David would read them. I was scared even when I was at home no matter if you were there or not, that's why I have been working so much. To get away from him. On the off chance when we did have a chance to talk, we discussed light things or I read stories to you because neither of us wanted to make each other's day even worse with personal problems. Oh, how I wish you were here with me right now and we would take multiple days just to talk, mother to daughter.
Ever since I had you, from the day that you were born, I promised myself that you will have a better life than I had. Everything that happened with my family, the way I met David, fell in love with him and married him and had you. It all led up to where we are now and so many things could have gone a different road. I'm certain we never talked about how it was when I was at Hogwarts, apart from what Talisa and I told you, but that's a story for another time. I want you to know that I loved your father. I wouldn't have married him if I hadn't loved him, but like all things, this died in the end as well. I just regret I haven't realised who he was before I married him.
You barely remember this but he was an excellent father, you were his baby girl and he spoiled you like crazy, which made me stay with him, for this family. And then Will's parents died, your father's twin brother. That, I feel like, was a turning point for the worse. Times weren't easy back then and we kept the cause of their death a secret from you and Will, for your own safety.
Jasmine clutched the parchment tighter. Another secret? What else is her mum hiding from her? She kept writing there's so much we need to talk about. As far as Jasmine knew her mother's family is dead. She never talked about Jasmine's grandparents or the fact that she had any siblings at all. Everything that happened with my family – what does that mean? Jasmine dug her hand in her pocket and brought out the creased picture. Is this her family? Is that little girl her mum? Does it mean she has a brother? Or is that woman in the picture actually her mum and this is one part of the family that died so her mum started a new one with Jasmine's dad? So many questions and no answers to those.
I can't tell you anything more than that, not through a letter at least. It's best for you to not write me back, Jasmine. The letter could be tracked because god knows what your father is plotting now that we're divorced if he's still not trying to hide that fact from all pureblood families. Don't worry, next time we'll talk will be face to face. I tried to put as much as I could in this letter because you won't hear from me anymore for a while because I have to lay low. I'll write to you again when there's a chance for us to talk. And I mean it, talk about everything. No more secrets.
Until then be good in school, have the time of your life the last you're there. Keep people you trust close to you and steer away from those you don't. Talisa also told me about your plan to be a Healer and I want you to know that I believe in you. We share so many of common wishes and dreams and I really hope you can make it, just because I couldn't be a Healer doesn't mean you can't either.
We'll talk soon.
I love you, Jasmine.
Mum
Jasmine let out a deep breath as she finished the letter, again. The hopeful thought that it will finally make sense to her, what all her mum wanted to message her died out. So many things left unspoken, so many things Jasmine wished to know about her mum and so many things she wished to tell her about her own life. About Remus, her friends, Gabriel, about the true reason why William has been acting like a brat. If her mum knew Will was scared of Jasmine's dad, she would have helped him too. Thinking about when the time will come, when they will be able to sit down and talk through everything made her sad. Her mum spoke as if that was way in the future, maybe even after she leaves Hogwarts.
Jasmine's train of thought was broken when a timer dinged, notifying her of having to take out the biscuits from the oven. The counter area was engulfed in the sweet aroma as she placed the hot tray on the counter and already wished to taste what she created.
''I was wondering why the kitchens smelt so good every few nights.''
Jasmine's breath hitched in her throat as she looked up with wide eyes. Professor Dumbledore stood in the dim light, stiff with his hands folded in front of him. He smiled behind his half-moon glasses and took another step forward.
''Professor Dumbledore,'' Jasmine greeted, with obvious fear in her voice.
She wasn't supposed to be here, it was after curfew and she couldn't escape either. She didn't even hear him come, it was like he appeared out of thin air.
''Do not worry, Miss Pearson. You're not in trouble. Especially if I'm allowed to have a taste.'' He gestured to the tray of biscuits.
Jasmine looked from him to the tray and nodded quickly. ''Of course,'' She chuckled nervously. Dumbledore rounded the corner and reached for a biscuit. ''But, they are still hot,'' Jasmine warned.
Dumbledore's hand lingered over one for a split second before he took it as if it wasn't hot at all. Jasmine wondered if he made it cold with his magic. She watched his every move carefully, not letting the feeling that she might get detention completely go.
''Delicious,'' he mumbled with a mouth full of the biscuit and stepped back to his original spot. On the way back, his eyes curiously glanced at the open letter on the counter and the moving picture that belonged to Jasmine's mum.
''I have heard a great deal a lot of professors' words about you this semester, I believe it's definitely an improvement and that you are good with your studies and marks.'' Dumbledore looked everywhere but at her. His voice was raspy and distant, basically like every time he spoke.
''Thank y – ''
Jasmine wanted to finish but Dumbledore spoke as if she wasn't even there. ''I wondered if that has anything to do with the influence of your friends.'' He hummed lowly as if he was mulling over the sentence. ''No matter now. Things like that can also be in the family blood and have come to light with you only when you were of age, being shut down by pressure long before. Knowing your true side of the family you'll succeed in many factors in the future without a hint of doubt which side of magic you belong to. Blood won't be important anymore.'' Dumbledore waved with his hand and another biscuit flew towards him.
Jasmine stared at him with open mouth shock. ''Professor –?''
''You'll know.'' He smiled and apparated away.
What the hell? Jasmine screamed in her head. True family blood? It won't be important?
Her eyes subconsciously flew to the picture on the counter. The night got even more confusing even though she thought it never could. The thing Jasmine hated most was how everyone seemed to tiptoe around her and hide things as if she wasn't old enough to know them. First, her mum only vaguely hints at things about her family and now Dumbledore appears out of nowhere only to make Jasmine wonder more and make no sense at all. It seemed though that Dumbledore never made sense but did everything for a certain reason, not caring if it was good or bad.
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