Cold wind blew over the desolate landscape, unforgiving and unstoppable. Clarke pulled her coat tightly around her as she tiptoed silently across the snow covered front yard towards the gate. Not that she cared if she was caught. It would have just given her mother one more reason to yell at her. It seemed to her that was all her mother was capable of these days.
Securing her black earmuffs, she pulled the hood over her blond hair and silently slipped into the night, alone at last. She hated being dragged into this stupid town, in the middle of nowhere. Quickening her pace, she walked down the hill, not once looking back at the marble manor that shone eerily in the moonlight.
Clarke knocked softly on the door, unsure if this was the right place. Their house maid had said it was the third house on the fourth street. It was getting really cold and Clarke shivered bitterly. "I hope they are still open, it's only 8″ she murmured. Fingers curled into a ball, she tucked it in her coat pocket cursing herself for forgetting her gloves. "Who is it?" came a gentle voice from inside. "He..ll..o," Clarke started. "Oh dear, you must be freezing," said the voice and Clarke heard the thick wooden door groaning against the hinges as it was pulled open by a smiling woman.
"Hi dear, would you like to come in? You are looking a little blue." Putting a comforting arm around her, the hazel-eyed woman pulled Clarke into a small living room with a roaring fire in the far corner. Oh no! This can't be the place, she thought taking a seat on the worn out red couch by the fire. "I am so sorry, I was looking for the Baker's Hut to have some coconut custard pie and some hot chocolate. This clearly is not the place. I should have seen there was no sign out front. I really am sorry ma'am for disturbing you so late at night." Clarke rambled on. "Hey, it's OK…" "Clarke, Clarke Griffin." "It's OK Clarke, it is not a problem at all. The little pie shop is the fourth house on the third street but I reckon they'll be closed now. Why don't you sit by the fire and warm yourself while I fix you a hot chocolate you braved this cold weather for." Nodding shyly, Clarke noticed how gracefully the slim woman strolled into a kitchen at the other end of the room.
The warmth softly tickled her cold skin and she sat with her hand extended closer to the fire, eyes closed. "It's a good thing dear that you removed your coat and boots. Move closer to the fire if you wish," she smiled as she handed Clarke her hot chocolate in a red mug. "Thank you. You have a really beautiful home. It is so warm and quaint. Do you live alone?" Clarke inquired. "Yes dear, though not at the moment. My son is visiting me for the holidays. My daughter is holidaying in the Alps with her friends. Bell probably might have had plans of his own but he doesn't like leaving me on my own during the holidays," she spoke fondly. Clarke smiled encouragingly. "He is in final year of Hog- his college right now. I am a really proud mother. What about you Clarke? You are the Griffins from the manor atop the hills right?"
"Yes, this is the first time I have visited the manor. Abby, I meant my mother, dragged me down here and no offense, I do not like it here. I have no friends and it is so cold… Not my ideal Christmas vacation scenario," Clarke confessed. Momentarily she was surprised that she had. It was so unlike her. "Thank you ma'am for your kind hospitality but I should take a leave now."
"Clarke, it was really nice meeting you. I'll ask my son to escort you home. Stop calling me ma'am. My name is Aurora. Aurora Blake," she introduced herself taking the drained mug from Clarke's hand. "Oh. We have a Blake in our school. Maybe you know him. His name is-" Clarke was cut off.
"Bellamy Blake. And am I surprised to see you here." Clarke watched as a handsome guy with freckled face walked down the stairs, smiling condescendingly. She felt as though he had been standing there for awhile probably bidding his time so he can make a grand entrance. Clarke rolled her eyes. "Oh, you guys know each other? Clarke, you are from Hogwarts too?" Aurora beamed looking at Bellamy and Clarke. "Yes mom, she is in 5th year, Slytherin. Prefect. Miss Pure Blood," he almost hissed. "I'll leave now. Thank you again. Sorry to bother you." Clarke collected her coat and hastily put on her boots. "Bellamy is going to escort you home Clarke. It is too late," Aurora commanded and Clarke saw Bellamy shrug an yes. He picked up a brown coat with a hood from the closet and waited impatiently by the door.
Clarke smiled graciously at Aurora as she stepped out of the house. This was going to be a long walk. She sighed. "Wear my gloves ice princess, you hands are going to freeze," he offered when they reached the foot of the hill. "Wow, 'the king' could actually keep quiet for 10 long minutes. And your entry was so predictable Bellamy. I know you were standing there for awhile," Clarke rebutted taking the gloves from his hand. "Well, you know me princess. It's go big or go home. By the way, is that why I heard most Slytherins are home for Christmas. Couldn't handle losing to my lions huh?" He laughed heartily. "Well at least we have home Bellamy to go to for Christmas unlike your ramshackle cottage," Clarke replied coldly.
The smile was wiped off Bellamy's face in an instant. They were almost at the manor. He grabbed her elbow and turned her around facing him. "Why do you do that Clarke? Minutes ago, I saw a courteous you talking to my mother. I almost forgot you are an arrogant pure blood. You put up a good show ice princess. Goodbye."
Clarke watched Bellamy walk away angrily as she clutched her coat tightly against a fierce wind. Her blond curls caressed her face as her eyes glistened with tears that would never fall.