Dreading Home

[Jack Rendel S5]

((No one answer this! I'm just going to post in it!))

Jack woke up on the last day of school feeling wretched. He would have to go home and be with his father for a good three months. He sighed and pummeled his pillow. It made him feel a bit better, even though it was just a pillow of which had no feelings. He slowly slide out of bed and pulled on the clothes he would be wearing for the day. It was muggle clothes, so muggles wouldn't get suspicious when they saw him in the station. He pulled on a hat to go with it so he could hide his face, and then walked around the boys dorm, waiting for the sun to rise. After a few minutes of pacing, the sun rose steadily and Jack headed downstairs and out the common room.

He went into the Great Hall, chatting with a few friends from his dorm, and eating breakfast. He had a great time, he even almost forgot about going home to his father. After eating a few pieces of toast, Jack stood up with everyone else and headed toward the Hogwarts Express station. Once on the train, he settled down in a compartment full of good pure-bloods and they had a nice time playing exploding snap. Jack practiced a few charms on his friend next to him, and then was put under a Cheering Charm, which made Jack happy for the rest of the ride. But, as soon as the Cheering Charm wore off and the train slowed down, Jack felt a cloud of dread hang over his head. He sighed and put all of his stuff back in his bag and headed out the compartment door and into the station.

Many parents were waiting for their children to come home with them, hugging their child and praising them, all the stuff Jack despised because he never got it. His father sent a servant to go get him. Jack always had to go out into the Muggle London and wait for the servant to arrive by car. Jack walked outside, feeling a light breeze lift his hair. It didn't lift his spirits, however, as he stood there waiting for the servant to come.

"Damn it! How long does he take?!" Jack kicked out at the building which made his toes erupt in pain. He watched as one of his friends departed, waving happily to Jack. He tried to put on a happy face of his own, but found that rather hard to do. He waved back without a smile on his face, his eyes cast downward. Jack sighed and moved closer to the road. Maybe someone will run into me. Jack thought without much hope. He kept his distance from the road and waited impatiently for the servant to arrive. Everyone else was gone with their parents by now; it was just him.

Finally, the man-servant pulled into the place with lots of lines making boxes and waved at Jack as if to get his attention. Jack walked briskly to the car as the servant stepped out and opened the door for his master. He entered the car as the servant went into his seat and started driving away.

"What took so long, servant?" Jack asked. He didn't even know the servant's name, everyone just called him servant. It was actually sad to think about it, but Jack didn't let his pity get to him. He sat quietly awaiting for the answer.

"I was held up by Mr. Rendel." said the man, his voice quivering ever so slightly. "He wanted me to make sure everything was ready for your arrival." Jack shook his head but said nothing more for the long ride to the Rendel manor.

[Jack Rendel S5]

It took a good hour and a half to get to the huge Rendel manor. The manor was a tall six story bright blue house which the only people who lived there was Jack and Roger Rendel. The others were servants and slaves, which ran the manor daily. Jack watched the huge mansion approach with great dislike and felt a horrible jolt in his stomach. His family was a pure pure-blood family, unless his mother went off and married some half-blood or lower fool. Jack didn't even know if Tessa Rendel was alive; he hadn't seen her for eight years. She had thought that muggles and mudbloods and others deserved a chance, and Roger had gotten rid of her immediately. Now, it was just Jack and his father, even though Jack couldn't really remember her.

Soon Servant was pulling into the drive, which was as smooth as smooth can be. Jack saw the gravel dust rise around the car slowly, making his mood go even lower, if that was possible. Servant was making a great effort to park the car perfectly across from the front door, and Jack sighed and told the servant not to worry about it. Jack stepped out of the car and walked up to the door. He decided that he would wait for Servant to come. That would get his father's blood running. He sighed and waited for Servant to come. It took a while, considering Roger had taught him how to park the car perfectly in their drive so that they didn't look like slobs. Jack knew Roger had just wanted to make Servant do more work than needed. That was just Roger for you. Servant was soon walking up the walk, looking rather harassed that Jack had waited for him. Servant was only a couple years older than Jack, eighteen by the look of it. Jack had never asked.

"No need to wait for me, sir!" He said looking nervously past Jack and at the door. "Master will be angry!" He looked at Jack and he shook his head. Jack had a sudden impulse to ask what his name was.

"How old are you, and what's your name?" Jack demanded, looking as if he could hardly care. He looked down at his feet and then his nails, although he really wanted to look at the boy. Jack had remembered having this boy nearby almost in every aspect of Jack's life. He must have been...NO! My father would have told me! But a sneaking suspicion was still there as Jack awaited the answer.

"I-I'm...um..." They boy doesn't even know his own name! Jack felt horrid for calling the boy servant for all these years. "Bobby. My name is Bobby!" Bobby sounded relieved that he could think of his own name. Jack smiled a bit and waited for Bobby to answer his second question. "I'm fifteen, sir. Fifteen." They were reaching the door and fifteen year old Bobby looked quite frightened to go inside. "Sir, can't we just-"

"Jack," said an icy cold voice from the door. I man with red hair and green eyes stared at the two of them, his eyebrows raised threateningly. "What have you been doing with Servant all this time?"
"I was doing just as you told me, master." Bobby said, slightly glancing at Jack for help.
"Yeah. Yeah, he was! He was parking the car that you made him drive!" Jack made his anger apparent in his voice. Roger raised his eyes even higher his eyes turning even colder. He glared at Jack and then Bobby.

"How...touching," he said quietly. "I never thought you would go as low as this, Jack. Becoming friends with a mere servant boy." The words were calm and careless, though Jack knew his father cared greatly about Jack and his friendship matters. His father sent Jack one last cold glare and then walked off without another word. Jack sighed in relief and then walked up to his bedroom which was on the top floor. Bobby tried to walk with him, but Jack became angry.

"Where do you think you're going?" Jack asked with fury coursing through his voice.
"I was going to go help you unpack, sir." Bobby replied. Oh yes, forgot about that. Jack went up the stairs and then up a few more till he was at the very top of the six story house. The Rendels were very rich, so rich they were piratically rolling in gold. Six stories was high, and it gave oneself plenty of exercise. By the time the reached the top, Bobby was panting slightly, since he had to carry Jack's trunk. The rounded a corner and he opened his bedroom door. Inside was a room covered in posters with all the different Quidditch teams and on his bedsheets was the Dark Mark sign. Jack was used to seeing the awful sign, he slept with it, but if someone came to visit Roger would always hide it away in a closet. Bobby dumped the heavy trunk on Jack's bed, which sagged under the weight.

"Thanks. Bobby." Jack added wistfully. Bobby bowed and was going to leave but Jack stopped him. "When did you come here, Bobby? Why are you here?" Jack asked with mounting curiosity. Bobby suddenly looked much more tired than he had a few moments ago.

"Surely you don't want to hear about that, sir? It's a long story, and even parts of it I don't know for certain."

"I wish to know, which means you will tell me," Jack said scathingly. "I can sit here and listen all day, just tell me the damn story!"

"As you wish, sir," Bobby said looking very sour but saying nothing more about it. "I'll tell you."

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack sat down on his bed and waited for Bobby to do the same. Nothing happened and Bobby stood there looking confused. "Sit down, then," Jack told him impatiently. Bobby did as he was told. He sat down rather heavily, and glanced at Jack before looking down at his hands. "On with the story!" Jack urged. Bobby nodded.

"When I was very young, sir, my parents were murdered. How and why I don't know, but I became an orphan at age three, I think. I was found on the street and they took me to a muggle orphanage. There I was taught the muggle stuff, and I never knew I was actually a wizard. People came and went at the orphanage, looking at the children like pieces of filth that could do their housework. I was treated miserably there, and no one bought me until I was age five." Bobby stopped and looked around as though someone was going to hit him across the face. Jack sat looking at Bobby face intently, wondering what in the world came next that Bobby didn't want to tell. Finally, Bobby seemed to get a grip on himself.

"It was a young woman, sir, that bought me at age five. She had dark brown hair, that curled a bit at the bottom and blue eyes that sparkled when she looked at you-"

My mother," Jack muttered.

"Yes, sir, your mother bought me. She had a long argument with the owner of the orphanage; they didn't want me to go with her. They gave in after a while, I think she was too cunning for them. Anyway, Tessa brought me home and treated me like another son. You were born, but I don't think you remember since you were only three at the time. This didn't go to well with the master, sir. Tessa and master had a huge argument over whether or not to keep me; they both thought I was a muggle child. Tessa would not give in, and excuse me for saying this, sir, but I think it was because she was too....stubborn. Master still wanted to dispose of me while he had the chance, but Tessa wouldn't give in for reasons I don't know. She just wouldn't. Master decided to treat me horribly when Tessa wasn't looking; I have scars to prove it, sir." Bobby stopped and rubbed his back, the memory still sore in his mind.

"You still get treated like that though," Jack said, his voice filling with regret. "Father still treats you like trash."

"Yes. Yes, he does." Bobby shuffled his feet on the floor, looking very uncomfortable.

"Go on," Jack ordered.

"Yes, sir. So, I dealt with that for four long years. The arguments would sometimes last for days, and I would always end up getting beat for it. You were five when Roger told her that it was her last warning to get me out of the house. She said she would never, and Roger threw her out of the house and wouldn't let her back in. Tessa never came back to me; I think she thought that I had caused her enough trouble with her life and she never wanted to see me again. I have never heard from her since, sir, and I have been very worried about her. I felt sorry for you since you never got to know Tessa. She was a very kind woman, with an occasional mean streak. I think seeing Master so mean made her kind, but what am I to know. I wish I didn't have to tell you this, sir, but... she wouldn't even come back for you." Bobby bobbed his head sympathetically and then added, "I don't think that she wanted to be reminded of her life here. Master and Tessa were always fighting over you, and that was one of the reasons Master kicked her out. I knew Tessa for three years." Bobby got up and started toward the door. "I leave so you can unpack, sir." The door closed behind Bobby leaving an eerie silence on the room.

So that's why she left. It was Servant's fault. I never knew my mother was that kind, but Bobby could be lying also. Jack's mind raced with horrible thoughts and images of Tessa fighting with Roger. Roger and Tessa where almost the exact opposite. Roger had red hair and brown eyes and Tessa had brown hair and blue eyes. Just like Jack. Jack grabbed his luggage and started putting everything away.

He finished with time to spare and headed downstairs to the middle level, level three, and sat down on a light blue couch. It would sink so he became comfortable instantly. Jack sighed and put his head against the thresh hold, waiting for peace to come. It never did. Bobby came with news that could have been from Hell itself. "Sir, Master wishes to see you outside in the Garden. He's not very happy, sir, not at all."

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack stared at Bobby's frightened face for what seemed like eternity. Oh no... His mind was racing frantically. What did I do? I didn't do anything! What does he want with me?! He searched Bobby's face, but his face seemed even more scared than Jack's probably appeared. Something was very wrong here... Jack sighed and stood up. "He better have a good reason for this. I was busy until you bothered me, Bobby." He told the servant with a small smile. Bobby didn't return the smile.

"I'm afraid that he's very angry, sir. I have never seen him like this. I don't know what to do!" Bobby said quietly as he lead Jack away from the room. Jack stared at the boy but shook his head. He didn't say anything for the walk down three staircases and into the outdoors. It was quiet out here, but when Jack saw Roger, he seemed angrier than ever. His face was contorted with anger and his fists were clenching and unclenching. Jack raised his eyebrows as high as they could go. He always played mean even when his father was in control.

"Yes, father?"

"The house is a wreck! What were you doing in your room? Befriending Servant? I never knew you could go lower, Jack! It's a servant of your house, not someone to talk to! He's a piece of filth that is needed to clean this manor." Roger stopped when he saw the look on Jack's face. "He hasn't told you a story?!" He hissed vehemently.

"He has," Jack said and watched with fear as his father's face became even more angry.

"Did you ask him to, boy?"

Yes, father. He told me all about mother and you having a thing against Bobby and kicking Tessa out of the house for the very reason." Jack voice rumbled with anger. His eyes flashed dangerously.

"Don't believe it, you wretched boy. It was all lies. Do you think I would really do that?" Roger didn't wait for an answer. "You are forbidden to see Servant again throughout this summer, Jack. I will see to it and the punishment for Servant will be....harsh." Roger smiled and his eyes brightened. He spoke softly with glee. He loved to torment people. "You will watch, since this has come about because of you." Roger smirked, apparently satisfied and then started walking away. He turned back and gave a nasty glare at Jack.

"I almost forgot to mention that some friends of mine will be here for a chat. You and Servant will be our hosts and diners. Make the best of it!" It was more of a threat than a reward. Jack nodded and walked out of the Garden, hoping the day would take a turn for the better. Once inside, Bobby started weeping uncontrollably.

"What is happening? What have a done?!" Bobby wailed. Jack raised his eyebrows and then gave the servant the details. Bobby's eyes widened at the part about him getting tortured, but Jack knew that he wasn't surprised. At the end, Bobby lowered his eyes and said something that Jack didn't quite catch.

"What?" Jack waited for an answer but none came. "What?" he asked again. Bobby shook his head, terrified. Jack, unable to control himself, grabbed him by the front of his shirt and lifted Bobby up a few inches. Bobby whimpered and then said something again. Jack shook him a little and then he said, loud in clear.

"Phone call, sir. Must make a phone call." Bobby sounded horrified and Jack released him. He raised his eyebrows.

"Who, Bobby? WHO?" Bobby whimpered again and Jack raised his fist, ready to hit him. Bobby cringed and then whispered the name of who it was that he was going to call. Jack stumbled backward, the name resounding in his head.

"Tessa."