Delphini

13

Delphi sat on her bed, if you call it that. The pile of uncomfortable blankets was all there was space for in the cupboard that she called her room. She let her mind wander – what else was there to do? She wondered what Euphemia would do if she saw her now, on the verge of performing magic. She would probably follow through on the threat that she had held over Delphi's head for as long as she could remember. No, that door needed to remain closed; the Locked Room needed to stay locked. Yet, despite herself, despite every threat, she stretched out her hand towards the corner of the blanket. She willed it to fold, over and over, the magic coursing through her. Soon, it lay still, elaborately folded, beautiful. Delphi grinned at it as beads of sweat dripped onto the bed. It was a huge improvement from her last attempt. Maybe, just maybe, Euphemia would see, see that she had power, even without a wand, and let her buy her own wand. Maybe she would even teach her something. Somewhere, in the depths of the house a bell rang – some visitor or other. She walked down the stairs, eager to show Euphemia her work, the part of her that was dreading Euphemia's reaction when she realised that Delphi had used magic being drowned out. Still, she slowed her walk, half-terrified. She stopped as she heard an unfamiliar voice arguing with Euphemia.
"You realise he will kill you if he finds out how she's been treated?" he said.
"He is in Azkaban. I am safe," Euphemia retorted. 
"He will not be there for much longer – four years at most."
"He has no right to her," Euphemia said.
"He will murder you, Euphemia," the voice said silkily.
"Do not threaten me in my own home," she snarled.
"I'm not," he sneered, "I'm relaying his threats."
"Get. Out." The man laughed and there was a crack as he disapparated. Delphi continued down the stairs and saw Euphemia standing in the hall, fuming. She stared at Delphi, who smiled, "Why do you look like you've run a mile?" she asked, her voice deadly quiet, laced with a deadly venom, "You've used magic again, haven't you?" Delphi nodded, not seeing any point in lying.
"I thought..."
"WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT USING MAGIC?" she shouted and grabbed Delphi's wrist, dragging her towards the Locked Room.
"NO!" Delphi screamed, "PLEASE, NO!" Euphemia smirked.
"You don't want to go in there?" she smiled, mocking. Delphi shook her head, terrified, "Then don't let me see you again today," she spat, releasing Delphi's wrist. Delphi nodded and sprinted back to her room, slamming the door shut behind her. She saw the piece of magic that she had created and fell upon it, ripping it to shreds, anger flowing through her, replacing any scrap of magic that might have survived her fear.

She didn't leave her room for three days. She sat, scared, in the same place, numb to the world. On the fourth day, her hunger got the best of her and she tried to sneak to the kitchen to find some food. As she was walking back up the stairs, she heard the stranger's voice again.
"I will when I want to. I do not wish to educate her yet. Nor do I think it wise," Euphemia said.
"He will not care what you think. And neither will she," the man growled, "You cannot ignore her magic for much longer, Euphemia. This is not a threat – this is a warning."
"And what would happen if I ignored her power?" Euphemia asked, indifferent.
"One of two things will happen. You oppress her magic, eventually she will begin to. And then she will become an Obscurial – we will all be in danger. Either that or she will hone her power. It will become more powerful than any of us can imagine. There is a reason, Euphemia, that wizards turned to wands to channel their magic," the man's voice was quiet, worried.
"Or, she will become enough like a muggle to leave here," Euphemia said.
"I suspect," the man continued, ignoring her, "That it will be the latter, given her parentage. Do not make that mistake," and then he was gone. Delphi caught a glimpse of his hair as he walked out the door – it was bright blonde. Delphi turned to continue going upstairs but Euphemia called her. She walked slowly towards her, nervous.
"Yes?" she asked. Euphemia didn't reply, she directed Delphi towards the library. Euphemia told her to sit at the desk as she left, returning with a quill and some parchment.
"I'm going to teach you to read and write," she said when she returned, annoyed. Delphi knew better than to argue.