WARNING: there is sexual content in this chapter, so if you don't want to read it just ignored the italic section. (There are three italic sections, but the first one is the one you'll need to ignore.)

Chapter 2

The next few weeks went by uneventfully, although that didn't change anyone's anxiety. Every day I would always been looking around for any sign of an owl, and if one did arrive we would all look through the letters for the one we all dreaded before reading any of the others. It was the end of summer when that day finally came. From what I had read in the Daily Prophet, the first letters had been sent out that morning, and when I went out to feed the horses an owl swooped down and landed on my shoulder, holding out a leg that had a letter attached to it. I looked at it for a few minutes before taking the letter out. In a moment my world crumbled, and I couldn't even read the letter before I collapsed to the ground crying. The only thing I had read was: Ministry of Magic Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Aidan Wesley.

Mum and Dad came running when they saw me on the ground, but Theo got to me first. My parents didn't make any reaction when I cried into his chest. I was in hysterics, so I would obviously cry into anyone who held me. Dad grabbed the letter from me, and Aidan was there moments later, ripping the letter from him before he could even read it. It was, after all, addressed to him. His frown after reading the letter was enough for us all and Mum started balling into Dad's chest. My tears increased and I clutched Theo for dear life. A though suddenly arrived into my mind and I sharply looked up at him, begging him with my eyes. He knew without even asking me what I wanted to know and he gulped nervously before slowly nodding. I started shaking my head, slowly pulling myself away from him. I could hear them all talking to me, but I couldn't decipher their words. I looked between Theo and Aidan and even more tears came to my eyes, and without even realizing what I was doing I turned on my heels and ran.

My feet pounded on the ground as I ran towards the field, where I climbed over the fence and ran down the pasture, not even looking where I was going. I didn't know if they were following me or not, and I didn't even care. All I cared about was getting away. I wanted to just run away, and maybe if I ran far enough I might reach another reality, and I might actually get to a time where I was still happy, and there was no war. I stumbled and fell to the dirty earth, but I continued to cry, not even bothering to get up. I stayed their until it was well past sundown, and right when I was about to fall into an uneasy sleep I felt an arm slither around my waist, pulling me to whoever it was. I looked up and saw Theo there, giving me an uneasy look. He kissed my forehead.

"You alright, Frey?" he asked. I shook my head.

"No, I'm not okay. Their taking you away from me, Theo! They're taking you away to some place where you could so surely die, and I may very well never see you again! I am not okay!"

We were quiet for some time before I leaned up and kissed him. He cupped my cheek and kissed me back, and eventually my tongue flicked his lips. They opened and our tongues started battling each other, wanting dominance, and then started exploring each others mouths. As my hands started slipping up his shirt he grabbed my wrists, pulling away so we were looking at each other.

"What are you do, Freya?" lust was in his eyes, but he had managed to stop me.

"I don't want any regrets. I want my first time to be with you Theo, and if you're gone that'll never happen. Please." I looked into his eyes and after some time he nodded.

I smiled up at him and he lowered himself on me, attacking my lips with his as his hands started roaming my body. Reluctantly he slipped his hands up my shirt, sending shivers down my spine as his fingers grazed my skin. He slowly lifted my shirt over my head and gazed down at my top torso. His eyes landed on my bra, and with a large gulp he reached around my body and unclamped it. I shrugged it off and his eyes grew wide as he looked at them. I leaned up and lifted his shirt of next, running my hands over his slightly hairy chest. He reached out and massaged my breasts, and slowly leaned down, trailing kisses down my shoulder and over my breasts. I reached up and unzipped his pants. He pushed them down, kicking them and his shoes off at the same time. He was left in only his boxers, and I could see his arousal through them. I kissed him again, and I could feel my shorts being pulled off. I shivered as his hand slipped under the band of my underwear, slowly rubbing my womanhood. I moaned, lifting my hips to try and feel more and I heard him chuckle.

I reached out and grabbed his manhood, softly rubbing it, and he froze, leaning into my hand as a moan escaped his own lips. I leaned in and kissed him again and he kissed me back, nibbling my lips and then down my neck, sucking and nibbling, sending shivers down my spine and I gasped. I felt him slowly pulling my underwear down and I realized that I was now fully naked. He pulled away from me and looked at me with lust-filled eyes. I felt a blush grow on my cheeks as I saw him starting to pull his boxers off, and I gapped at what I saw. He was big. Really big. I bit my lip as he lay back down on top of me.

"Are you sure you want to do this Freya?" his eyes were still full of want, and I knew he wanted this, but I also knew that he would stop if I asked him to.

I nodded, "Yes, Theo, I want this."

He nodded and positioned himself at my entrance and with one quick thrust he was inside me. I gasped as a sharp pain went through me, and he stayed still. Slowly the pain went away and I slowly nodded, telling him to start moving. He started out slowly, letting us both get used to the feeling, before gradually speeding up. My back arched into him, and after some time my instincts kicked in and I met him with each thrust, desperate to have a release of the sexual tension. He leaned down and started sucking on my breasts and I moaned. I felt myself starting to get close to the edge, and I started to tighten around him, causing him to gasp. I screamed out his name, barely being able to muffle it as I bit my own lip, and he soon joined me, screaming my name as he pored himself inside me. He collapsed on me, breathing deeply before rolling to the side and pulling out. I leaned on his chest, bringing in rigid breaths as he smoothed out my sweaty hair that had somehow fallen out of its usual ponytail.

"When are you leaving?" I finally asked.

Theo was quiet for some time before finally answering, "Tomorrow morning."

Tears started to form in my but I managed to keep them from falling. I nodded slightly, showing I'd heard and understood him as I tried to control my emotions. I felt his bare arms squeeze me reassuringly and his lips on my head. I shut my eyes, trying with all my might to keep the tears at bay, but it was no use, and they gradually slid down my face.

"Can I send letters to you?" he asked into my ear and I nodded vigorously.

"You'd better." I said with a watery voice, giving him a small smile.

He smiled back at me and whipped some tears away with his thumbs. I leaned against him and listened to his heart as it beat. I kissed his chest and felt him shiver, and I finally leaned over and pulled my clothes back on. Theo followed my lead and after we were done we gave each other our goodbye kisses.

"I swear to god, Theo, you come back to me. Don't you leave me alone."

He leaned his forehead against mine, "I promise you, Freya Stephanie Wesley, I will come back to you." I felt something slip onto my finger and looked down to see a sparkling heart shaped diamond ring. "Will you marry me?"

My heart stopped as I looked up at him with watering eyes, but this time it wasn't tears of sadness, but tears of happiness. I brought my hands to my mouth and nodded, "YES!" I exclaimed.

I saw the smile spread across his face as he grabbed me, spinning me around and kissing me hard.

"I love you with my heart and soul, and I will come back for you." He kissed me again and my arms snaked around his neck.

I pulled away, my eyes shining, "I love you too, Theodore Zachary Bennett."

He left me that night full of sadness and joy, and as I went to bed so many things went through my mind. I loved him, and I realized that I had loved him for a long time now. I wasn't even sure when I had started loving him. It had come on so slowly that I hadn't even noticed it. I was also scared of what might happen to him while gone. What if he died? What if he was injured and didn't remember me when he saw me next? What if when he got home he realized that he didn't really love me and broke of the engagement? I was so scared, but the only thing on my mind when I finally fell asleep was our long, happy life that lay before us.

I woke earlier than normal the next day so I could say goodbye to my brother. He sat in the kitchen eating breakfast with our teary-eyed Mum when I arrived, and I threw my arms around him. He hugged me back and I sat down to eat breakfast with him and spend as much time with him as possible before he had to leave. He managed to keep himself composed, but I could see the fear in his eyes. I touched his shoulder and she smiled at me, as if telling me he was fine.

The clock chimed eight o'clock and Aidan rose from his seat. I jumped up and grabbed him in a hug.

"Bye, Aidan." I mumbled into his shoulder.

"Bye kiddo. Keep out of trouble and keep me updated on all that's going on over here, okay?" he asked.

"No problem." I smiled and handed him off to Mum, who spoke frantically on how to stay warm and eat enough, and all those motherly things. Dad walked in the door and Aidan pulled away from Mum, looking at him with sad eyes. Dad strode across the kitchen and grabbed him a fatherly hug.

We watched Aidan until he disapparated away, and my mother started balling into Dad's chest. I couldn't watch and quickly left the kitchen. I knew that since Aidan was gone, that meant Theo was gone too, and that was just too much to bear. None of our other family members were to be leaving any yet, for none had received a letter yet. My parents had told me the family came over while I was gone to say goodbye to Aidan. I didn't care that I had missed them. I didn't care in the slightest.

The day went by in the usual way, except that I was far more distant. I had work that day, and even with all the usual complaints that usually got me all hyped up I didn't seem to notice them at all today. Without even thinking my hand would always go up to my engagement ring that hung around my neck. I kept thinking of our night together, and how bittersweet it had been. Such sadness and happiness had enveloped us, and it was hard to believe that he was actually gone. I had no idea where he was. I felt almost frantic at the very thought of it. He could be anywhere! What if he died and nobody even noticed? What if even they didn't even know where he was? The day ended with me having a nervous breakdown and vomiting in the toilet. Natalie had to hold back my hair as she soothed me. It was probably the worst day of my life. Today would always be remembered in my mind. August 24 would forever be known as the day my love and brother went off to war. Not only this, but I would also be starting my sixth year at Hogwarts in only seven days. I wasn't ready to go to Hogwarts, but I knew Theo would want me to go. And so I would.

That last week went by in a dull blur. I got all my supplies at Diagon Alley a few days before my departure, and I was on the platform to Hogwarts before I knew it. I hugged Mum and Dad tightly goodbye before entering the Hogwarts Express. I found a compartment to myself and pulled my ring off of my neck and studied it. As I moved it sparkled in the light. The band was a white gold and the large rock looked to be at least 2k at the very least. He had to of saved up a fortune to buy it, and obviously had a second job, because he couldn't have bought it with the money Dad paid him. I slipped it back on my neck just as the compartment door opened, revealing Natalie.

"Hey girl, how're you holding up?" she asked as she sat down beside me.

I shrugged, "I'm better, but it's still hard to believe." I stated.

She nodded with understanding, "Yeah, if I had a brother and he was sent off to war with hardly any warning I would probably act the same way."

That was something that I hadn't mentioned to Natalie. She didn't know I had been together with Theo, and she also didn't know that I was now engaged to him. He was, after all, five years older than me. She didn't know I missed him, and merely though I was missing my brother terribly.

During the ride to Hogwarts we conversed on our summers. I told her of how I had given the kittens to my second cousins and how they loved them so much, and she told me of how she got a new boyfriend. I could have mentioned my engagement to Theo, but I knew she would flip for me not telling her about our relationship to begin with. We told each other everything, but this was just something I couldn't tell her. Eventually, I would tell her, but not until Theo came home to me. Then I would make it known to everyone. Besides, I still couldn't marry him until the spring, for I wasn't seventeen yet.

Arriving at Hogwarts was like condemning to a sentence at Azkaban. I wouldn't be able to come home until the beginning of summer, and if Theo came home before then I would be separate from him for longer than I would like. I couldn't stand being locked in one place for so long after I started going out with Theo. I had to be with him, and ever since Hogwarts was my least favorite place to go. It might help with my knowledge of magic, but that didn't mean that it would help me much with my love for Theo.

The first few days of school dragged on as I longed for Theo, but one day at breakfast I was surprised with an owl swooping down beside me. It held out its leg and I took the letter. I gasped when I saw the handwriting on it, letting a small squeal escape my lips before quickly excusing myself from the table. I entered a girl's lavatory and sat at one of the toilets before opening the letter.

My dearest love,

With every day that passes I miss you more and more. I keep thinking of the day when I'll be able to take you in my arms and kiss you again. I have been here for a little over a week, and already I have seen things I would never wish anyone else to see. It's so much worse than I thought it would be, and wizards have already died from the time that I arrived to even now. Thinking of you is the only thing that helps me through all of this, and the thought of one day being bound to you by holy matrimony. I can just picture all those little blonde children running around the yard with you cooking up one of those pies you are so good at making. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. I suppose you're at Hogwarts by now. Try and concentrate on your studies, love. I'm not going anywhere, and you have no need to worry about me, as I knew you are.

I am sorry to inform you that your brother isn't in my unit. I haven't met any people that I've known from before, but all the men I've met so far are nice and funny, and I'm sure they too have women who are missing them, as you are missing me, and I am missing you. I'm sure Aidan is in a safer facility than even here, so you have no need to worry about him. He has a good head on his shoulders and can take care of himself. If I work hard, I might be able to get home by next summer, right after you graduate from your seventh year, and if I work even harder than that I might even come home this summer. Wouldn't that be something?

I must get going now, my love. I have duty in only a few minutes, and if I want to get this to you soon I'll have to hurry. The owl I sent this in will be waiting in the owlery for you to send a reply back, and it will fly right to you when you enter. Take care of yourself and study hard.

With all my love,

Theo

I clutched the letter to my heart and shut my eyes as I tried to imagine his voice as he spoke those words, and his lips as they moved, forming them. I quickly pulled out a piece of parchment, a quill, and ink, and started writing out a reply.

My darling Theo,

I received your letter and can truthfully tell you that I have missed you since your back turned from me to go home after our goodbyes on the night of August 23. I have thought of you ever since, and will also admit that on the 24th, not even a full twenty-four hours after you were gone, I had a breakdown. I don't know how I could ever last two years without you, so you had better work your hardest so you can come home by this summer.

I don't know why you're talking of blonde babies. I would much rather having little brunettes running around, with the same mahogany hair as their father, and the same deep brown eyes as well. I can't wait much longer to be with you, and it's only been a week or so. I'm scared for you, and although I know you can take care of yourself, I'm still uncertain. You've already said how so many people have died, and all those men could have been you. I wish I knew where you were stationed at, for I would very much like to just come and get you right now. I know it's idiotic, but it's true.

I've been wearing our engagement ring on a chain around my neck since the morning you and Aidan left. I wished to wear it on my hand, but I know that if anyone spots it our secret will be out, and who knows what would happen if my parents found out. I couldn't bear for them to be angry at me now. Not at a time like this. I suppose I much be going, for class will start in fifteen minutes, and I am currently hiding in a girl's lavatory writing this to you so nobody can peck at me.

Forever yours,

Freya

I folded the letters before sticking them both in my pocket and heading to my Defense Against the Dark Arts class. I had barely made it before the bell rang. I quickly sat beside Natalie and pulled out my ink and quill, but felt slightly uncomfortable, and looked up to see the new DADA teacher staring at me. I quickly looked away, scared to name the look in his eyes as I bit my lip nervously. I heard the room grow quiet as the clicking of shoes quieted us. I reluctantly looked back up again and, although he wasn't looking at me directly, I could see him glancing at me out of the corner of his eye. I shiver went down my spine at that stare.

"My name is Professor Hurst. I will begin our attendance chart, just so I can get a feel of all of your names. Starting with Aldridge, Benjamin."

A boy raised his hand and Professor Hurst asked him a questioned to see how much he knew about the dark arts. This continued for many names, until I was the last one.

"Wesley, Freya."

I raised my hand and his eyes landed on me, scrutinizing me, and what looked like… I quickly pushed though thought to the back of my mind before I could even think of the proper word for what he was doing.

"Miss Wesley, what are the three unforgivable curses and what do they do?" he asked, almost daring me to answer correctly with his eyes. I took a deep breath before answering.

"The first curse is the Cruciatus Curse, which causes the victim to endure intolerable pain. The second is the Imperius Curse, which puts the victim under complete control of whoever cast the spell. The last curse is the Killing Curse, which kills the victim instantly. There has only been one person who has survived it, and that person is Harry Potter."

I could have sworn I saw a hostile glint in the man's eyes, for what reason I knew not, but it disappeared quickly and he nodded at me, "Very good, Miss Wesley. Now can you tell me anything about Harry Potter?"

I was slightly shocked that he was asking me another question, for he had asked everyone else only one, but nodded anyway. "He grew up with his muggle aunt and uncle and lived in a brome closet for most of his life until he received his first Hogwarts letter. His Uncle refused to allow him to see any of the letters until Rubeus Hagrid, our current Care of Magical Creatures professor. Harry faced Voldemort…" I paused to think for a moment, calculating the number, "four times during his time at Hogwarts, and then defeated him during the time when he should have been in his seventh year. He then married Ginevra Wesley, my aunt, and had his only child, Levi, five years later. Harry is an Auror now."

I saw the look in Professor Hurst's eyes, and I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, unsure of what to do next. I saw him nod and then our class started. I couldn't relax all through class, however. I kept feeling his eyes on me, studying me, and it made me nervous. What did he want? What had I done wrong? So many questions were going through my mind but none were being answered. As soon as the bell rang I was one of the first people out of the class, and I felt his eyes on me during my whole retreat.

I ran to the owlery and the owl that had brought me Theo's letter swooped down and landed beside me. I attacked to letter to its leg and it flew away. I watched it go until it was nothing but a dot of the horizon. My hand reached up and clutched my ring as my thoughts drifted to my fiancé. I prayed that he was safe and in good health. I could just imagine him reading the letter as he sat in a cot, waiting for his shift as curses and jinxes sounded outside. I shivered at the thought and turned away form the window, descending down the spiraling steps as I left the owlery.