Chapter Text
NUMBER 4 PRIVET DRIVE
"Ava! Ava! Wake up, girl!"
A voice called out from the top of the stairs to the girl sleeping on her stomach. With one side of her face on her pillow and an imperfect circle spot visible, she managed to drool on it while she was in her deep slumber.
"Ungghhhhh!" the girl grumbled, "five more minutes!"
Hurried footsteps were then heard going down the stairs, and the next thing Ava knew, her comforter was being yanked off her body and star-fished on the bed.
"You ungrateful girl! You have chores to do upstairs. Get up!" Frances yells at Ava again, "Hurry it up. We have to leave to celebrate Crimson's birthday after breakfast!"
With the loss of the comforter, her body automatically felt the cold, damp air of the basement, and France's voice coming from close proximity fully woke Ava's spirit up! The girl knows if she doesn't at that exact moment, Frances will not stop with the verbal attacks, and it may or may not lead to some physicality, such as a smack right upside her head or a slap on her arm, that is if she's lucky. She knows she won't stop unless she's up on her own two feet, perky like a morning rooster!
She's quickly reminded that she does not have the luxury or right to go against anything her aunt tells her to do. "I'm up! I'm up, sorry, Aunty Frances!" Ava said, trying to look more alert so that her aunt would stop her assault.
Frances grunts and looks annoyed at her niece, with hair all messy on her head but with a big bright smile as if being rudely woken up was the best thing to happen to her in all her 12 years of life!
"Stop with that smile, girl, and prepare the breakfast upstairs," Frances then walked towards the stairs to go back up to the main floor of the house. "Right now, Ava! Don't even think about returning to bed and making me come down here again, do you hear!?"
"Yes, Aunt Frances!" Ava said, still with her brightest smile plastered on her face, but she rolled her eyes as soon as she was out of the older woman's sight. "I'm just going to make my bed and be right behind you!" And then she silently groaned. "Ugh! Can't a girl sleep in?"
She was soon alone in her bedroom.
Since we're in Ava's 'bedroom,' let it be known that the girl shares the space with two roommates, the washer and dryer, no last names!
The walls in the central area, with a square footage of twelve feet by twelve feet that the Dursleys have generously (their words, not mine!) let Ava use as a place to sleep in, must be correctly dry-walled. If you know anything about dry walls, suffice it to say they were screwed merely onto the studs. Nobody bothered to do the taping and finish the installation properly. The floors are also not adequately insulated, so the cold seeps through the subfloor, which doesn't even have carpet or cheap laminates.
And one more thing, in Ava's opinion, it's a blessing in disguise that it's also home for the boxes upon boxes of other junk and useless stuff that the Dursleys refuse to let go of and conveniently have no space for on the two upper floors of the house.
That, by coincidence, is much to our heroin's advantage. If we're to be honest, it provided an extra layer of insulation for one of the walls that Ava, ever so intelligently and resourcefully, put her single bed against.
Ava quickly started to make her bed and promptly removed her pyjamas, which were beginning to fray on the hems and a size or two too small for her already short stature, in exchange for a t-shirt and a pair of jeans combo. All articles of clothing mentioned were graciously handed down from France's daughter, Crimson. Pants that she had to fold the hems at least three times and a faded oversized t-shirt with Taylor Swift's image on the front. They might be clothes that Crimson has outgrown, but they are still too big on Ava, who is a full head shorter than her older cousin.
When she was on top of the stairs and closing the door leading to the basement, she felt a sudden impact on her back that made her press forward against the door she had just closed to keep her upright and not fall flat on her face.
"Move out of my way, Silva!" Crimson said after pushing Ava and chuckled after seeing that her cousin had been forced forward and using the door for support.
That's right! Meet Ava's delightful cousin, Crimson!
The girl is tall for her age and one of the tallest in her class. She got her height from the Dursley side. Looking at the three Dursleys together, Crimson would undeniably be Frances and Vernon Dursley's daughter. Her main facial structure had been straight gifted from her mother, Frances, who has a 'rather horsy' face! She got her nose and lips from her dad. He also managed to pass on to her his broad shoulders. However, Crimson has a skinnier body built with knobby knees. In contrast to the girl celebrating her birthday that day, Vernon is a big, beefy man looking like a walrus, with hardly any neck and a large moustache.
"Bitch!" Ava muttered under her breath.
"Did you say something girl!?" Vernon's voice boomed from the same direction that Crimson came from.
"I only said Happy Birthday, Crimson, Uncle Vernon," Ava replied but rolled her eyes while she still had her back on her uncle. She was now slowly pushing away from the door.
"That's right!" Vernon scoffed as he walked towards Ava's direction only to walk past her, "It's my little Princess' birthday today, so you better behave yourself if you want to be included in celebrating with us!"
Have I known that fact? I would have instead misbehaved the whole week, damn it! - Ava thought to herself.
With a feeling of deep disappointment at the missed opportunity to stay home and be left alone to enjoy the solitude quietly and in peace. She would choose to be by herself any day rather than endure being in the presence of and witnessing the Dursleys gush over their only daughter --- gag!
Our main girl's a little salty about it. Please forgive her.
Ava is both annoyed and honestly a tad jealous of that fact. The Dursleys shower their daughter with an exaggerated amount of love and affection that borders on being toxic and over the top. Ava can't help but sometimes envy having been unable to feel or remember the love she's sure her parents must have let her feel in her first year of life. Ava's parents, James and Lila Silva, died in a car accident when she was barely a year old. According to Frances, they died quickly at the scene of the tragedy. Also, according to her, Ava's father was already intoxicated then but still insisted on driving, personally causing himself and his wife to be led to their demise. It has resulted in an orphan named Ava, who narrowly escaped the tragedy with nothing but a few scars worthy to be noted, the one shaped like a lightning bolt on her right forehead.
Since then, Ava has been in the care of her only known relative, her aunt, Frances. Her mother's only sibling. She thinks her dad might have been an only child since no one else has come to claim her from his side. However, she had continued to wish that perhaps another distant relative would come and ask her to live with them instead. A girl could still dream, no matter how dire and low the chances are after so many years.
While Crimson has all of what seems to be the perfect ingredients to live happily and have a perfect and complete family, Ava, on the other hand, does not even have a memory or idea of what her parents looked like. Her aunt, unfortunately, failed to keep any pictures of them, and the mere fact that she was just a baby when they passed.
Many times, more than she can count, she has tried to picture and imagine what her parents might have looked like. Did she have her mom's nose? From whom did she get her hair colour? Her only reference point would be Frances, her mother's only sister with blonde hair. From what Ava knows, most siblings usually have the same colour hair. She surmises that she must've gotten her brown hair from her father's side of the family. Yet still, Ava knows her mom must not look like Frances and firmly believes she must have had a beautiful face instead.
For the sake of transparency, Ava's mom will perhaps be the prettiest mom ever to walk this planet for Ava, no matter what!
Ava herself has gorgeous brown eyes that could perfectly express her emotions if anyone cared to take the time to look into them behind her glasses. Her facial features are notably rounded, giving her a natural, youthful, lively appearance. She was overall blessed with a healthy, not-too-skinny body built as any fully fit 12-year-old should be! Although she's leaning more to the short for her age vertically. She's not too worried, though. The doctor who did a complete physical check on her not too long ago told her she might not have yet hit her growth spurt! It should come any day now! She hopes and prays to all that is holy that her parents are both on the taller side if France's average height would give Ava any indication. And with the good luck of the draw, she could inherit and add more inches to her current height.
She got her confirmation that her mother was beautiful when Frances was under the influence of alcohol some time ago, and she told Ava that she had been blessed with a beautiful face like her mother with a little dash of her father's charm. Ava has Lily Silva's eyes; Frances, who was intoxicated, has also divulged. Frances would never voluntarily say this to her niece if she's been sobered, not even in a million years, less that it goes to the girl's thick Silva head! According to her aunt, she also has her father's wavy hair, which can sometimes be unruly and has a mind of its own. She can confidently conclude that her mom was the prettier of the two sisters with the information she was accidentally given.
Fortunately, and unfortunately, more of Silva's genes managed to be passed down to Ava. Apparently - once again, according to her aunt – like James Silva, she is ungrateful and lazy! Who takes advantage of the kindness of other people for their gain.
"Ava Silva, are you daydreaming again? Could Your Highness please start cooking the bacon and eggs?" Frances scoffs at the girl still standing in the hall.
Snapping back to her reality, Ava unconsciously rubbed the back of her neck, walked to enter the kitchen and headed to the stove. "Yes, Aunt Frances!"
Once in the kitchen, she quickly put two pans on the burners to start.
"Don't burn it this time!" Frances said before walking out of the kitchen to join her husband and daughter, who were both ogling over all the presents still wrapped with pretty bows on top in the living room.
"Yes, Aunt Frances!" Ava replied again.
The Dursleys are in a chorus of laughter and giggles, with both parents talking to their daughter with cute little voices as if they were talking to a tiny baby!
"Gross!" Ava muttered silently.
"Wait! How many are there!?" Ava hears Crimson yells from the living room.
Ava rolled her eyes again as she flipped the eggs on the pan, cooking it over-easy the way the Dursleys prefer to have their eggs.
"We got you 35 gifts, sweet pumpkin pie!" Vernon quipped.
"35!? But last year – last year, I got 36!" Crimson argues.
"But your gifts this year are larger and much more expensive, pumpkin!" Vernon jovially argues with her daughter.
"I don't care!" Crimson screams back to her father.
Do these people ever know how to talk to each other without yelling? Ava wonders to herself, still paying careful attention to her task to not fuck it up and later be yelled at again and be reminded that she's wasting more money. The Dursleys have repeatedly reminded her, and again without fail, they are already up to their neck with expenses because she's another mouth to feed.
As if France heard Ava's thoughts, she spoke softly with a pacifying tone, "Sweet pumpkin sugar pie, we'll pick you up two more presents later when we go out, okay sweetie?"
That simmered down the threatening tantrum that her cousin almost had. She can hear the celebrant again speaking happily as she individually opens all of the 35 presents.
"Breakfast is ready!" Ava calls out to the Dursleys, who continue to laugh and talk loudly as each gift has been revealed, with occasional screams of joy from Crimson.
But before the family of three made their way to the dining table, Ava heard more talking.
"Nothing but the best for my Princess," Vernon happily exclaimed upon seeing the fleeting excitement and joy he saw on Crimson's face after giving each present a quick 10-second look, ensuring that each had at least cost her parents a minimum of $100 each, per her birthday gift category for this year. The year prior's gift theme was everything PINK! - Another gag from Ava. - Crimson would only open the next gift in line once satisfied that the one before had met her specific set dollar value.
"Only the best for my Crimsy!" Frances adds merrily.
Ava knows that 2/3 of those presents would more than likely going to be wasted. Either Crimson will quickly lose interest in them after opening, always seemingly to quickly change her mind about things. Or she'll break the breakables within the next two to three days. Nothing that Crimson owns lasts long enough in her possession to see itself wear out from use. They are discarded before getting acquainted and warming up to living in the spoiled rotten girl's second bedroom.
Ava merely shakes her head at the absurdity of it all.
However, this is much to Ava's chagrin as it will add more boxes to be dumped in the basement and provide more warmth for the 12-year-old's bedroom.
Still in good spirits, the Dursleys happily took their usual spots at the dining table, acting as if Ava was not even there. Cindere – err, my bad, that's a different universe! - I meant Ava, who continues with her chores of pouring coffee and orange juice in cups for each of her relatives.
The Dursleys were already nearly done when Ava could sit down and have breakfast after ensuring everything was on the table. She was soon once again left by herself in the kitchen to clear and wash everything up as the others went upstairs to prepare to go out for Crimson's birthday celebration.
Once done, Ava finally had time to get herself ready in the comfort of her cold bedroom. The Dursleys are not entirely heartless, mind you. They have installed a makeshift and most basic of all bathrooms ever to exist for Ava so she can adequately do her business and get herself cleaned. It's so painfully bare that no one knows if it's inspected to be up to code. But for Ava, it's a non-issue. It gets the job done! Another added to her own private space she could only have without sharing it with the Dursleys.
She can't let it happen that the Dursley trio will be done getting ready before her, though. It'll be another ammunition to be used against her. So, she quickly did what she had to do. She wore the same pair of pants and once again folded the cuff three times. Ava only has a few clothes to choose from. Not all of Crimson's hand-me-downs were handed to her, and they were either kept in the boxes for sentimental value or donated to charities to keep up the appearance of the Dursleys' carefully crafted reputation as good citizens and have nothing but care for their community.
She wore another shirt with a print of a cat this time and a blue flannel shirt on top of it, which she folded to her elbows. She'd left it unbuttoned. When she checked herself out in her mirror and was satisfied with her outfit, it didn't look too bad.
She gave herself a double finger gun and exclaimed, "Looks bitchin' Ava!" for a morale boost.
She then made her way up to the main floor and sat to wait patiently on the stairs' first step leading to the second floor.
All three Dursleys were still getting ready when she got to her spot. They had to make sure they were all in their very best outfits should the neighbour peek out their window and see them in, God forbid, last season's fashion!
When they were ready to pile into the Dursley car, Vernon first pulled Ava by her arm and walked a couple of steps with her.
"Listen, Silva, no funny business!" Vernon said between gritted teeth, then looked around to see if any neighbours were peering through their windows and saw what he just did to her niece --- related by marriage only, of course! In his honest opinion, no one in the Dursley family is ever a delinquent, unlike some of the Silva's. Even though Vernon has only ever met James Silva from that lot, which has only been on two occasions. "I'm warning you!" The Dursley patriarch added.
"Yes, Uncle Vernon," Ava ducks her head and nods before being let go and allowed to go in the car and sit quietly in the back seat, making no noise as if she didn't exist.
Although this funny business his uncle speaks of are things that Ava can't even explain herself, such as when Crimson and her posse of kids from the neighbourhood chased her in the playground, wanting to beat her up because Ava had beaten all of them in a game of Uno that she won fair and square. One moment, they were running to chase her, and the next thing they all knew, Ava was on top of the corner store building. The girl doesn't even know how she got up there.
Ava got in trouble with Frances because of that. The Crimson gang stayed and surrounded the building in case Ava got tired of being alone and decided to come down, and they could resume kicking her ass as per their great leader's order. Frances was furious that Ava was still perfectly content staying on top of the building herself, even though it was already close to dinner time. The older woman insisted that Ava should have let Crimson hit her at least once or twice, which would have concluded the childish dispute sooner. In Frances' mind, Ava was being Ava. She was always lazy and just found an excuse so she didn't have to help Frances prepare the food for her family.
Or, one time when they were still in elementary, things backfired, leaning heavily to be in Ava's favour. The incident happened when Crimson was in 6th grade and Ava in 5th. The older cousin broke one of the windows in one of the classrooms while trying to beat up a 3rd grader with her gang of bullies due to failing to give the gang his lunch money. The incident caused the principal to call all the gang member's parents and inform them of their violation.
They unthinkingly, without sufficient proof, suspected that Ava was the one who had told the principal that Crimson and the gang had done it. At lunchtime the next day, the crew of antagonists planned to trip Ava while holding her lunch tray and would make a stew of laughing as she would fall flat on her face and make a mess of herself. It would be the perfect prank for the whole school to see, and Ava would be so embarrassed and probably run out of the cafeteria in tears!
But instead, for no particular reason, as Ava was about 2 feet from their table, the group of butt face ugly bullies' was preparing to execute their plan.
Suddenly, the trays of food and drinks that were in front of each Crimson's accomplice slid off the table, all dropping on their laps. Making all of their clothes soaked with chocolate pudding, pizza grease, milk and sodas, and whatever else they all had for lunch at the time.
Ava just looked at them, puzzled and shook her head as she saw that everyone at Crimson's table had ruined all their carefully curated and expensive outfits for the day. Everyone at that table was later sent to detention for causing unnecessary commotion and mess in the cafeteria and for having unauthorized food fights amongst themselves. Welp, that's how shit goes when karma bites you in the ass!
Once again, all parents of the involved parties were called for the misdemeanour.
Even at home, some unexplainable incidents and events have happened.
There was a time when Frances no longer wanted to pay for Ava's haircuts and decided that the girl, only nine years old then, should have shorter hair. It would make the trips to the hairdresser less, cutting her expenses on Ava. So, Frances herself gave the poor girl a bobbed haircut. The length was only up to the lobes of her ears, then giving Ava a matching set of bastardized bangs that only extended barely half an inch from her front hairline.
It was extra comical to look at when Ava put on her prescription glasses.
To much of Crimson's delight, she laughed at Ava's ridiculous hair until her stomach started hurting, and tears ran down her cheeks.
But later in the evening, Crimson's triumph was rather relatively short-lived and, to her mother, Frances' dismay! Ava's hair was back to the same length before being cut as if the older woman had never touched it.
As per Vernon's words, plenty of strange things and 'funny businesses' have happened that involved Ava. Honestly, the girl can't even explain how they happened and has sworn on the holy bible that she had nothing to do with them!
But, like father, like daughter, they both have nothing but extreme dislike of Ava. Vernon kept tabs on all these so-called funny businesses and held them against his niece by marriage.
If it were up to Crimson, Ava would not be invited to come along to her family's celebration of her special day. Still, the feeling of sheer satisfaction knowing she's making the other girl jealous of having a complete set of parents is enough to allow and consent to it.
Crimson, tsk-tsk!
Oh, you unholy bitch!
Ava is an intelligent girl, though! Throughout the years, she has learned not to give Crimson that petty satisfaction and, by extension, the whole Dursley clan by always sporting the brightest smile and not letting her real emotions show in front of them. It's the little victories she keeps assuring herself!
At night, though, when Ava is finally alone in her bedroom, if anyone can even call it that, she lets all her heartaches and real feelings flow freely with tears and suppressed sobs. God forbid should the Dursleys hear her in agony. The girl, after all, is still just a young girl who longs for her parents' genuine love and care.
After a few minutes of driving, they finally reached the biggest mall in Houston, Texas.
Like the important people they think themselves to be, Ava is to walk two paces behind the Dursleys at all times unless called upon or if Princess Ugly would allow it.
Fine, fine! The Dursleys are not morbidly unpleasant to the eyes, but because of their destructive behaviours and awful treatment towards our girl, they all look ugly in Ava's eyes!
And as previously promised, although unnecessary, the doting parents bought two more presents for Princess Uglicia! (Bite me! - Ghost)
Ava had but all of the sole honour and privilege of carrying the shopping bags for Crimsy! One of her aunt's many pet names for her daughter.
"Dad, let's go to the pet store! I want to get a pet!" Crimson suddenly announced.
"A pet sugar plum?" Vernon asked. Although he had a big smile on his round face, he wholly doubted that his daughter would have it in her to look after another living thing responsibly. It's not lost on the big-bellied man that her daughter had a knack for getting tired of anything once the novelty wears off, which, honestly, the longest he's betting would be a maximum of seven days! Okay, eight days and 6 hours if he will give Crimson the benefit of the doubt.
"Crimsy, my dear, a pet would be a big responsibility!" Frances puts a hand on her precious daughter's shoulder, "Not that we're doubting your capabilities; you are the sweetest and most loving 14-year-old girl we've known!"
Blech! – Ava.
And without warning, Crimson screamed at the top of her lungs! "Ahhhh!" drew in a breath, then continued to voice out her self-entitled argument, "I said I.Want.A.Pet. For my birthday!" Then, she screams again.
Oh shit! Step back, pretend you don't know them, Ava! – to herself.
Then she pointed to her relatives, looked around, and mouthed, "Amirite!?" with a look of well-executed utter disbelief, eyeing the crowd that was building around them as Crimson continued to scream. Who would only stop her screams for the sole purpose of taking in a breath? Our girl, Ava, perfectly pulled of the act as if she's not in any way, shape or form related to the Dursleys.
Second-hand embarrassment is on Ava's Bingo card for the day, as her luck would have it.
"Okay, my baby, we'll go to the pet store and get you your new friend!" Frances looks around her, nervously smiling at some people as she silently apologizes. "Please stop screaming, my darling!" Through her big fake smile. This is a total deviation from how ordinary people should properly conduct themselves without any oddities in Frances' pickle-minded thoughts.
"Sugar plum Crimsy, we will get you a pet! Come on, sweetheart!" As she continues to smile crookedly at the crowd.
On the other hand, Vernon pulled Crimson against his big stomach to muffle the scandalous scream coming out in full blast from her daughter. It did the trick, however brief. After a few minutes, Crimson kicked her father on the shin so that he would let go of her and she could breathe in air. The newly 14-year-old gasps for oxygen!
Confident that she has finally and once again had her parents wrapped around her bony fingers, Crimson relents and stops her screaming but duly says, "You both didn't have to upset me like that on my special day!" Then, she stamps her feet as she crosses her arms in front of her chest, then a pout of all pouts on her lips.
"Right!" Vernon puts an arm around her daughter to fully calm her down as he raises his other arm to the crowd to extend his apology for the dramatic scene that just took place. His eyes almost closed to a thin line from putting a fake smile on his round face! "Right, you are my Princess! Daddy and Mummy are very sorry, alright?"
"Yes, yes, we are!" Frances agrees as she nods and then looks at her niece, who has made a reasonable distance from her family's embarrassing display. "C'mon, Ava, let's go!" She made a motion for Ava to come over with her hand.
Ava, still very intent on playing the part of another innocent bystander, didn't move and just stood there. She's now also sporting a fake-toothed smile. Her pearly whites shine brightly on display as her eyes dart from side to side to check if her cover has been blown.
Frances, at her wit's end at this point, stomps her way to where Ava is standing after calling the girl a couple more times. She puts one hand behind the girl's neck, then, without any tenderness or care, directs her to walk towards Vernon and Crimson, who's now finally smiling genuinely as she has once again got her way with her parents!
Well, fuck! There goes Ava's Oscar-worthy acting performance. She tried to hide her face with the bag she was carrying for Crimson. Frances kept her hand on Ava's neck and led her to walk with the rest of the Dursleys toward the pet store.
Once in the safety of the pet store and away from the judgemental eyes of the crowd they've managed to attract, Ava was then left to her own devices while the trio ogled the animals that had interested the Princess. They were with the dogs for a moment, and then Crimson saw how cute the kittens were, so they shifted their attention there. Then to the gerbils. To the rabbits.
Clearly, this foreshadows how the future of pet care will go down. It will be brief and soon would be abandoned by Crimson.
Ava was happy enough to be out of the focus of the older Dursleys and left to watch a small snake come out of its plastic hideout shaped like a cave. The snake slithered towards the glass, closing into where Ava was standing and then raised its head to be at eye level with Ava. The girl tilts her head to the right, slightly convinced that the snake is trying to get her attention. Slowly, the snake tilted its head in the same direction Ava did.
That shit is crazy! It can't be! The girl thought and let out a soft chuckle. That was pure coincidence!
So, to prove herself right, she tilted her head on the opposite side. But to her amazement and surprise, the snake mirrored her exact movement.
Now Ava's eyebrows are furrowed, she slowly straightened her neck, and as she had expected, the snake followed and mimicked her action.
"Whoa!" Ava audibly exclaimed. And her eyes bugged out, and she pulled her head back in disbelief.
She heard the snake hiss, which sounded to her ear like a snake version of a chuckle.
Ava leaned closer to the snake, "Can you hear me?"
The snake elongated its body higher and then nodded its head.
"This is so cool!" Ava said with a big smile, then looked down at the label on the bottom of the tank the snake was in. "Boa Constrictor, native of Brazil. Is that where you're from?" Ava raised her eyes to the snake.
The snake shook its head side to side, then pointed its head towards the left-hand side of the tank.
She followed the direction of where the snake faced its head: "Born in captivity..." Ava read it with a hint of sadness, "Well, that must have sucked some serious balls!"
The snake once again nodded its head.
"I guess I can relate to that, as I'm also living in a situation where I feel like I'm im-imprisoned." Ava's turn to shake her head, seemingly to shake out the fog of melancholy away, "No, I'm not really in prison-prison, like you. But my living situation at the moment, you could say, is hardly ideal." She's once again looking at the snake's eyes as if she's talking to a new friend. "I've never really met my parents. I was just a bay……!" Her sentence was rudely interrupted.
Ava soon found herself pushed down to the floor of the pet store.
Her cousin seems to have pushed her aside out of her selfish way and caused Ava to fall on her butt.
"Seriously!?" Ava said, still on the floor.
"Mum, Dad, look at this snake! It looks so cool!" Crimson paid her cousin no mind. She saw that Ava was enamoured with the snake from across the store, and in turn, the reptile looked like it had been charmed by the girl.
Crimson couldn't permit her cousin to outdo her. She had to quickly cockblock Ava before her parents noticed what was happening. Crimson should be the only apple in her parents' eyes!
With Ava gone from the snake's peripheral, it soon lowered its head as if disappointed, then coiled on its own body and rested its head on top to wait.
The older Dursleys started to walk towards their daughter.
Crimson started tapping on the tank's glass when the snake looked like it decided not to move and was helplessly bored.
"Hey! What the hell!" Crimson said as she continued tapping, "Move, you stupid snake!" Her parents are now beside her, and she's starting to lose patience with the reptile. She can't possibly be embarrassed in front of her proud parents. "Move, you idiot!"
"Crimsy, the snake can not understand you, honey!" Frances placates. "It can't speak. Aww, Crimsy!" She kisses Crimson on top of her head to rid away her disappointment.
Suddenly, Crimson's finger tapping on the glass stopped, making tapping noises. Before anything could register in anybody, the snake, with full force, moved to strike forward. The snake has its mouth open, fangs in full display, and has sprung up its body, aiming to make its way towards Crimson's direction.
"Don't!" Ava yelled, "Don't hurt her, please! She's my cousin!"
The snake obliged by closing its mouth slightly and retracting its fang.
Vernon, however, would do anything to protect his precious Princess and swatted the snake mid-air towards where Ava was still on her butt on the floor. It landed in front of her between her legs.
The snake, thankfully fully recovered from its death-defying aerial stunt, lifted and elongated its body again to be within Ava's eye level and finally spoke!
"Thankssssss! It hassss been lovely to ssssspeak to you, girl friend," the snake said, "Brazzzzzzzil, here I come! Adiossss, chica!"
"My pleasure!" Ava said with a big smile, happy to have helped a creature have a new lease on life free from captivity.
With that, the snake slithered away out of the pet store, and there were screams and squeals along its wake throughout the mall as it made its daring escape.
Vernon glared at Ava, who was starting to get herself up from being pushed down on the floor. As she met her uncle's unsettling eyes directed at her, Ava painfully swallowed a lump in her throat.
"Ah-shit!" Ava said.
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"But I didn't even do anything!" Ava blurted loudly, half of her face contorted in an obvious display of pain, as the front door of Number 4 Privet Drive opened, and she was being dragged by the ear into the house by Vernon.
"Tell it to the marines!" Vernon replied, still having Ava's ear between his sausage fingers, and led the poor girl to the basement door. Only then did he let go of the now very red ear attached to the girl's tiny head. "Now, stay in there. No supper for you tonight!"
Ava quietly followed what she was told, biting her lower lip. She was trying hard to hold back her sobs as tears ran down her cheeks. She only let out the sound of her grief when she buried her face into her pillow to muffle the sound as she lay on her belly on top of her bed.
"Mom? Dad?" She cried between sobs, "Please always be with me! Please!"
That night, the poor orphaned girl slept with dried-up tears on her cheeks and had nobody but herself to comfort her in her sadness. And without supper.
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It's been a couple of weeks now since Crimson's birthday. Which Ava would rather forget, except for the snake part. That was fucking epic!
"Ava, get the mail from the front door!" Vernon barks his order, reading a newspaper while he drinks his cuppa joe, visibly enjoying himself as he waits for the time for him to leave for work.
"Yes. Your Majesty!" Ava replied. That earned her a stern glare from her uncle. She quickly made her way to get the mail with a shit-eating grin, "Little victories!" She mumbled quietly.
She opened the door to grab the mail in the mailbox that was hanging beside the front entrance. She pulled out quite a few envelopes. Not that she'd ever expect anything to be addressed to her personally, but she's curious to see where the mails have come from. She started to flip through the envelopes one by one, reading the names and addresses of the senders.
Ava froze as she read the addressee's name on the brown envelope in her hand.
Miss A. Silva
Coldest and not up-to-code bedroom in the basement
4 Privet Dr.
Houston, TX
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
This time, Ava flipped over the envelope and saw it had been sealed with red wax with a crest embossed. Even with Ava's glasses already on her face, it's hard to determine the details of the crest. She flips the envelope once and re-read her name right on the very top of the addressee.
"Ava got a mail!" Crimson quickly grabbed the brown envelope from her hand.
"Hey, give it back!" Ava yelled as she chased after the older girl.
Crimson read the name on the envelope, "Miss A Silva! Jesus, Silva, does your boyfriend not even have his own email address? He had to send you a snail mail? How corny and antiquated."
"Stop goofing around, children. Hand it to me!" Vernon orders, and his daughter obliges.
"Give it to me! It's addressed to me!" Ava tried to intercept the envelope from the only man in the house. But Vernon's thick sausage fingers swatted away her hand—Ava hissed from the contact.
"Who would write to you!?" Vernon said sarcastically, looking at Ava and slowly lowering her eyes to the envelope before him. Frances slowly made her way to the side of her husband.
"This has got to be illegal in the state of Texas. The envelope clearly has my name on it," Ava crossed her arms in front of her chest with a look of anger on her face, "Perhaps some form of invasion of privacy or some shit like that!"
"Language, girl!" Frances scolds her niece. She glares at the girl first before lowering her eyes to read the name on the now infamous brown envelope on her husband's hand.
Quickly after they'd both read the name on the envelope, the older Dursleys traded meaningful, knowing looks with a slight dash of fear and annoyance combined!
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