I do not own any of the recognizable characters in this story. They are the property of J.K Rowling, bless her. As for the characters you don't recognize, well they're mine, bless them. Any other works such as song lyrics, poems, titles, etc. used are not mine either. They belong to their rightful owners whose names are too plentiful to name. (Also cause I'm too lazy to keep track.)

A Song of Despair

CHAPTER FOUR

Jude ended the letter with one final period, folded it in three neat rectangles, and sealed it within a white envelope. The knocking on her door sounded again as she tied the letter to her tawny brown owl.

"Give this to Roger and don't leave without getting some treats from him, okay?" she whispered to the owl, "Off you go."

The owl flapped its wings turning about to the open window when another three knocks in successive sequence sounded from the other side of the room.

Jude sighed in resignation as tightened the lock to the window. She had hoped the knocker would leave after the first two tries, concluding that she wasn't in the room. She didn't want to see anybody today. But by that thought, she hadn't even told anyone she would be staying at the inn. The only ones who knew she was there were the owners… and Tom Riddle. To the other students she saw in Diagon Alley, she was just another Hogwarts student enjoying at day out shopping. So that raised the question, who was at the door? It couldn't possibly be… no. No way.

She approached the door, carefully stepping over the creaky floorboards. Three loud bangs resonated around the room – and Jude's heart jumped to her throat – as the person on the other side of the door grew agitated. It seemed like they weren't leaving until someone opened the door. She had no choice but to answer if she wanted to have a peaceful afternoon.

With a bravery of a Gryffindor, Jude stalked the remaining steps and threw open the door.

She gleamed like Swarovski crystals in the August afternoon sun.

His hands ran a smooth trail down her side. His thumb lightly pressed against her skin, making pale half-moon crescents.

Her breath hitched at the act and she in turn pulled at the ends of his hair.

His body arched as he groaned, the sun coming in from the window hit just at the right spot, making fairy lights against the ceiling.

This was it. This was the moment when they both knew nothing but each other. Ecstasy.

The sun beaded down on her pale shoulders, turning them a light pink. She could feel sweat dripped down the middle of her back into the folds of her shirt, which were tucked into her skirt as she quickened her pace. Her right forearm throbbed in pain and she could feel a bruise already forming, but she ignored it. Chancing a look back, she saw a dark mop of curls bobbing amongst wizard hats. A lump of guilt made home in her throat as she quickened her pace some more.

He wasn't supposed to be here. He wasn't supposed to know she was here. She had been stupid and careless and now he was here, looking for her. She knew she couldn't lie her way through the summer – hoped – but knew it nonetheless. She just didn't want to go back home to that lonely, desolate house that stopped feeling like home a long time ago. If she'd gone back, she would've spent the summer lazing through the house like a ghost while her father shut himself in his study to work. She wouldn't have anyone to spend the summer with seeing as Roger was in Brazil.

She would've gone with Roger, which was the next option, but it just felt wrong somehow. She had spent a part of last summer at the Langley house and while there felt like an intruder. Mrs. Langley was nice and inviting but the formalities never stopped. She felt like a guest and while to Mrs. Langley, that may have been the goal, to Jude it just felt like an insult. Or maybe not an insult… just something. Roger had been her best friend for the better part of ten years, she would think by now Mrs. Langley would treat her like one of her own. So no, going on a family vacation with the Langleys was not in her best interest.

So instead, she lied. She chose the third option that seemed the best for her. She took up a room in The Leaky Cauldron in secret and lied to the two people that would notice her disappearance. Her goal: to spend the summer exploring parts of the wizarding and muggle world. So far she'd been triumphant in the former. Both wars happening in both worlds have been making it hard though, but she had been taking precautions. Never leaving without making sure she had her wand, only going where there were other people to make sure she wouldn't be attacked on her own, and generally just making sure she was making the right decisions.

She was determined to spend this summer with none the wiser. She had put her faith in the fact that her father would never step foot in Diagon Alley seeing as he had elves do all the shopping, and Roger being in another continent. Unfortunately, she had forgotten the fact that she wasn't the only Hogwarts student spending days in Diagon Alley.

So Jude had been seen. By Levi of all people. Seriously, what were the chances of that? Bloody flippin' hell!

His hand was raised in a fist, mid-knock. A flash of a memory of that same hand on her side, caressing, raced through her mind. His hand fell to his side as he smiled that Levi smile and she felt like her legs had disappeared from under her.

Her breath was stuck in her chest as she stared at him. Him. Levi. Here. Standing in front of her. He was opening his mouth. Why was he opening his mouth? Oh no…

"Hey," his voice still felt like melted caramel, "I knew you were here."

He knew she was here… Saliva pooled in here mouth and her breath was still stuck in her chest.

"I saw you down in Diagon Alley a few days ago, after the attack."

Her knuckles were white against the dark wood on the door as her hand unconsciously tightened around the door knob.

"The aurors were telling everyone to go home but I saw you enter The Leaky Cauldron." Levi raised a brow as if daring her to contradict his statement. When more than half a minute went by, he continued, "Jude…"

Shit. Fuck. Bitch. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!

"What are you doing renting a room here?"

"Uh – I – I… um…" she stuttered.

Her chest felt like it was imploding upon her. She finally released a breath and took one in but it felt like she was breathing in acid. The smell of antiseptic waft in her nose and filled her brain with haze. Flashes of babies crying… the squeak of a loose wheel… the judging eyes of a healer…

Jude slammed the door closed. Whether it was on Levi or on the memory, what did it matter? They were one and the same.

Levi's confused shout sounded through the thick wood but Jude was too busy reaching for her wand that lay on the nightstand.

He pounded against the door again, "Jude! Open the door!"

She searched the room for a way out. The door was a no. She could apparate! No, there was spell preventing apparition within the building.

A frustrated groan clawed its way out her mouth. Out! She needed out!

The window. She could climb down to the alley below!

"Jude!" Levi yelled from the other side.

Her heart thudded louder. She couldn't… not again. She tore across the room and used the chair to climb atop the desk. Jude was mid-Alohamora when her foot slipped below her. She had slipped on the papers left from her letters and used her wand arm to stop her fall, banging it against the sharp edge of the desk in the process. But this meant instead of the spell hitting the window, it had hit the door. The click of the lock sounded behind her. Surely her heart couldn't beat any faster! She was half way out when Levi busted in the room.

He only saw the swish of her black skirt then a thud sounded from the alley below.

He might've shouted down at her but she was already around the corner, blending into the mass of shoppers. His impetuous yells were lost in the sea of voices.

Where was that Gryffindor bravery now?

The Grosvenor was grand in all aspects of the word, only distinguished individuals could grace its halls. The muggles knew it and the witches and wizards knew it, that's why it was popular among pureblooded, aristocratic families to frequent its many luxuries. Jude could remember the many Wednesdays she spent there as a child with her mother where wizards and muggles could not be differentiated from one another for there was only one thing that blurred the lines between the worlds, money.

But as Jude entered its doors, she saw that the war had spared no one. In its prime, the lobby of The Grosvenor was filled with people, now it seemed like a museum. Only a few people milled about, sitting together in huddle groups on deep red velvet couches. As she made her way across the black and white marble, she mentally slapped herself in her choice of refuge. Levi's family, like her own, frequented the hotel. If she wanted to hide from him, she should've chosen a venue he knew not of. But as her stomach rumbled, she decided to risk a quick getaway for some lunch.

She was taking in the elegant statures of the place when she reached the maître d'. She stopped a few feet short behind the person before her.

"My apologies, monsieur, but I don't have your name written down for a reservation."

"I didn't make one."

"Then I cannot let you in."

"I only need to talk to someone eating inside. I don't intend to have a meal here."

"I'm sorry, Monsieur. I cannot let you in."

"It will only take a second!"

"It is final, Monsieur." The maître d' firmly stated. The petite man stepped around the broad shoulders of the young man. "Bonjour, Mademoiselle Jude!"

But Jude had frozen. Hearing the heated conversation, she had recognized the voice of the man in front of her. She could feel Tom Riddle's cold glare burning a hole through her. This day just kept on giving.

"Bonjour, Monsieur Jacque." Jude breathed out.

"It 'as been so long since you have visited moi!" The man teased.

Jude felt her ears redden. Tom Riddle was still staring at her. Why wouldn't he stop staring?

"Apologies." Stop staring! "I'm sorry, I'm afraid I haven't made reservations either."

She stepped closer to Jacque, daring to go beside Riddle, hoping he would finally stop. But as she reached the spot beside him, she only felt his stare shift to the side of her head. Jude could feel his stare raking down her body. Bullocks! Why was this so embarrassing?! She wasn't in the wrong. She was only there for a spot of lunch. The 'argument' a few nights ago was just a momentary blip in sanity. Yes, her pride was bruised when he refused to acknowledge her apology the day after, but she had gotten over it. She had! What did it matter what he thought? They didn't know each other. They were strangers that just had the misfortune of being thrown into an unfortunate situation together. Strangers that went to the same school and shared a few classes. He was a stranger that walked in on a private moment and she was a stranger that volunteered him for something he had no intention of being a part of. They were just strangers that shared a secret of underage apparition. They were strangers to each other. Nothing more.

She met his gaze, confident once more.

His eyes… winter suns… Strangers. Just strangers.

Jacque's joyous voice broke through, "Mademoiselle?"

Jude slowly peeled her eyes away from his to face the round man who'd known her since she was little. Her cheeks had just faded back into their normal colour when she realized Jacque had caught her staring down Tom in what seemed to be a very intimate moment – though she'd never admit that to herself – and they flared up once more.

"Apologies," Jude stammered, "I haven't made a reservation as well. I think I'll just go."

"Yes, you've said so already, but as I pointed out, my dear, there is always a place for Mademoiselle Jude." Jacque burst, "Come, come!"

Jude's eyes widened and she felt Tom's narrow, "No, I can't possibly–"

But the maître d' had already left his station and was making his way to an empty table. Jude swallowed down the lump of guilt as she hesitantly took a step after the colourful man. She could still feel his stare – it had never left the side of her face, burning a hole the size of London through her. She felt guilt at the fact that The Grosvenor hotel felt like a second home. At the wealth her family possessed. It was unfair knowing there were people starving while she ate at a five star restaurant for lunch. It was unfair and she'd never felt more like filth than when he stared at her.

"Have lunch with me?"

It was a shock to her as it was to him – though he hid his better.

"You don't have to take pity on me–" He scowled.

"I'm not!" she quickly denied, "I… want you to…"

He raised a brow, "You want to–"

"Yes."

"No."

Her eyes found his again, holding it with mustered confidence. "Swallow your goddamn Slytherin pride and have lunch with me."

He said nothing back, defiant. They stood in a silent game of dominance as the world turned around them. She knew he needed a way into the restaurant and he knew she knew. It was only the matter of when his pride would break. Tom remained stoic as he stepped around her into the dining hall and she knew she had won this round. Hiding a smirk she followed quickly behind.

They were halfway to an awaiting Jacque when Tom suddenly stopped. Jude, behind followed suit. He was staring at a table near the window where an aging couple and their son were sitting. They had the aristocratic aura of old money proven by their expensive clothes. Jude appreciated the beauty of the younger man but was confused at the sudden hit of familiarity. As far as she knew, she had never met these people in her life. Maybe they were regular guests at the hotel as well and she had just seen them in passing…

"He's quite handsome," Jude casually addressed Tom. "Do you know him?"

"Yes," Tom muttered back, "He's my father."

a/n: Levi makes Jude crazy. Why? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Anyways, thanks so much for people who've subscribed, favourited and reviewed! I'm sorry its been so long but school has started and I just couldn't figure out how to write this chapter. Two and three were just quickies after finishing the first one and that took me about half a year to publish cause I wasn't sure if my writing was good enough to be read - I still don't but I'm working on it. I really want to be consistent with the quantity and quality of these chapters so you might find that the updates could be spaced between a week to a month. I promise that if you stick with me through this journey, I can make it worth your while.

I hope you've enjoyed this chapter!

To Louise: The matter of Jude's mother will be addressed in time.