A/N: Sorry it took a while. :P As always, I DO NOT own Harry Potter or any of the series, but I DO own Willow and any other character I created. Enjoy and please review!
aa/n: The lyrics and the Title are from a song called The Horror of Our Love by Ludo. It was my inspiration for Roger's character.
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I'm a killer,
Cold and wrathful.
Silent sleeper,
I've been inside your bedroom.
I've murdered half the town,
Left you love notes on their head stones.
I'll fill the graveyards….
Until I have you.
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Five years. Five long, hard years in that place before she was free to go back. The time she had spent there had been the most trying of her entire life. If her
childhood had been any indicator of how taxing her school life was going to be, she would have hid under a rock before going on. AAW was a good school to a
certain extent; her classes had been wonderful, her Professors exemplary, and she had found a new passion, Herbology. The green houses at AAW were
breathtaking; every kind of plant you could think of was growing behind their walls, waiting to be tended. It had been the one place she could find solace. And
her Head of House had been a wonderful woman, very motherly and kind. Unlike Hogwarts, AAW sorted pupils by age, so she was in a house with twenty other
girls. All of them snooty and rich, making her the joke of their year. The academic aspect was the only thing that she loved about the place. The social, well, it
had been an experience. Her first years were spent in the shadows, trying to stay off radar. The girls here thought she was just as weird as everyone back
home had, but they were much ruder about it. It wasn't until her third year that she finally got some peace. She had been sitting in her common room reading a
letter from Roger, when a very nasty girl named Victoria Burke sauntered over and tried to read it over her shoulder. She tucked it into her cloak and began
pulling out her homework when Victoria laughed derisively. "Who's the note from Windkeeper? Got a creepy boyfriend back home?" she sneered, making the
other girls laugh. When Willow made no reply, Victoria snorted. "Probably writing to herself. I really don't know what else it could be. Nobody in their right mind
would want to write to her." The room burst out in laughter and Willow lost her temper. She threw down her quill and turned to face them, her fists clenched in
anger.
"It's a friend of mine, okay? So back off and leave me alone." She glared at her, waiting. Victoria laughed again.
"Really? So is it your boyfriend?"
Another girl named Christy stood and joined her. "Don't be so mean Vick. Nobody would want her! Don't get the poor thing's hopes up!"
Now Willow wasn't one to tell lies or pack tales. She had been raised to know right from wrong, but she couldn't help herself. She was sure no one would ever
find out the truth and if it made them leave her alone then it wouldn't hurt anything. She smirked slightly, tossing her hair back.
"It just so happens he is my boyfriend."
That shut them up. All the girls looked between her and Victoria, waiting for what would come next. Christy sneered and rolled her eyes.
"Oh? What's his name then?"
"Roger Pucey."
Willow smiled inwardly. They would never know the difference. Until Victoria started laughing.
"Oh my God, you little liar! Roger is my cousin! His mother is my Auntie! He would never date you! Besides, you're too young for him!" They all started laughing
again, making Willow feel like a fool. She should have thought. This entire school was made up of Purebloods! There had to be some that were related to the
ones back home! She felt her face start to burn and grabbed her things, jumping up and heading for the door.
"Don't worry Willow! I'll be sure to write home and tell Roger his girlfriend says hi!" she shrieked as Willow left, her eyes blurry with tears.
She was sure that was going to be the end of Roger's letters. Once he found out she had lied on him he wouldn't want to talk to her anymore and she wouldn't
have anyone then. But a week later at breakfast Roger's owl arrived, her letter in its beak. She was afraid to read it, choosing instead to shove it in her bag for
later. Victoria was thrilled to receive one too, from the same owl that had brought Willow's. She watched in horror as Victoria tore it open, reading loudly to her
friends.
"Dearest Vicky," she began in a sweet voice. "I hope you have been well. Your letter was a pleasant surprise. I haven't talked to you in so long, I wondered if you even still remembered me. Now, your inquiry as to whether or not I know a Miss Willow Windkeeper. Yes I do. And yes, she is my girlfriend…"
Her voice broke off and they all looked in Willow's direction, astounded. Willow sat there in shock. He had saved her. She felt her heart swell with love for that
boy as she looked at Victoria's shocked face. Christy grabbed the note and continued reading.
"And I do hope that you are treating her respectively. She is very special to me and I would be very upset if I found out that you and your friends were doing otherwise. She happens to be the daughter of a very powerful wizard. Your father knows him. He served him in the last war over here. Do you remember? So you see why she is important. I don't think you want me telling your father that you are being unkind to my love and to the Dark Lord's daughter, do you? I would think not, and you had better hope that when she writes to me she says otherwise. So until then, dear cousin.
Roger
Willow could have danced she was so happy. She dove into her bag and got her letter, ripping it open.
My Dear Willow,
I am sorry for my cousin, first and foremost. Regretfully my uncle and aunt have spoiled her and she is a pompous brat. I do hope that she hasn't given you too much trouble. If she has just let me know and it will be stopped immediately. I do hope you don't mind me going along with your ruse. And I am not angry at you, before you even think it. In fact, I'm a little flattered that I was the first person you thought of. I would be honored to be your "boyfriend" and you can continue to tell my cousin and her friends so. My name alone will give you some protection. I should have thought about it a long time ago, but I do not keep in touch with her side of the family and last I knew my uncle and aunt were sending her to Beauxbatons. But she knows now. So don't hesitate to let me know if she has been bothering you, alright? I'll write back soon, little one. The Ministry has me on patrol in Hogsmead and it's been hectic to say the least. Hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Roger
She sat there with a big grin on her face. Whether he knew it or not, Roger had just made the rest of her time here a whole lot easier. She looked over to
Victoria and her group, cocking a brow.
"Well?"
They stared at her fearfully. Victoria shook her head. "I am so sorry Willow. I – I didn't know. But you know we were j-just joking around with you, right? N-no
hard feelings?" she asked hopefully. Willow stood and slowly walked over to them. When she was close enough, she leaned in, talking just loud enough for
them to hear.
"Let's just say you all had better start giving me the respect I deserve."
They all nodded their eyes wide with fear. "But why didn't you ever tell us you were His daughter?" Christy whispered. Now it was Willow who laughed.
"Because you twit, what person in their right mind is just going to announce that to complete strangers? Maybe if you all had taken the time to get
to know me I would have told you. But no, all of you have been treating me like garbage for three years now, and I don't know if I'm going to be so forgiving."
With that she turned and walked away, her head held high.
After that, life at AAW hadn't been too bad. Victoria and her gang treated her like royalty now; if someone bothered her, all she had to do was give one of the
girls a certain look and that person would be found later in an old classroom, cursed. They waited on her hand and foot and did her homework for her. She had
complete power over them. And she was starting to enjoy it.
She began to realize the kind of power her heritage alone held. No longer was she considered an outcast; she had a full army of people willing to do her
bidding for her now and she wasn't shy about using it. As time passed, she began to grow more and more aware of how powerful she really was. In her fourth
year she had full reign of the school; by now even most her professors knew who she really was and had grown to fear her. All in all she was becoming just like
her father. She began to think that maybe he hadn't been all that bad. He had been a powerful man at one time, and she could understand why he enjoyed it.
That is until found out that he wasn't truly gone. Halfway through her fourth year, she received a letter, written in a very sloppy and primitive hand. They gave
no name, no hint of who they were, but it chilled her to the bone.
"Dear Willow,
I am writing in lieu of your father. He has instructed me to tell you that he is proud that his daughter has taken control of a handful of American purebloods and hopes that you reign continues. He is also proud that you have continued in his footsteps and cannot wait until the day you will join him. As of this moment, he is unable to contact you himself, but he is working on remedying that. Until then, he says stay strong and be relentless, you will be with him soon."
He was still alive? Her mind went numb at the thought. He was supposed to have died. She didn't understand what had happened. All the things she had been
up to came flooding into her mind suddenly. He wanted her to join him. To take over their world with him…. But Willow wasn't the innocent girl she had once
been. The fear was replaced by arrogance quickly. She wouldn't handover her power so easily. She had taken control on her own and no one was going to
take it back. With this outlook she pushed the thought of her father out of her head. But he wasn't the only one that was proud of her new attitude. Roger
came to see her at Christmas, bringing with him a few gifts for her. Even though Willow was a changed woman, she still knew none of it would be possible
without him and welcomed him with open arms. She had matured since the boyfriend incident though, and had begun to develop feelings for him. She wouldn't
tell him, still afraid of losing her only friend. He showed up early the day before the holiday, more handsome than Willow remembered him being. She stuttered
out a greeting, turning red in the face when he kissed her on the cheek. "I hope you don't mind, but I picked you up a few things in London before I came
here." He smiled slyly, expanding his luggage with a tap of his wand. It was like she was a child again at the castle. He pulled out the packages, setting them
on the side table in his guest room. "Can I open them now?" she asked sweetly, batting her lashes at him. Roger seemed taken aback for a moment at her
actions. It took him a moment to recover. "Well, I guess you can have one. The others you have to save for tomorrow." He pulled the largest out of the pile and
handed it to her. She tore into it, and gasped. It was a beautiful gown; dark, earthy green with silver inlays. She took it out slowly, holding it against her body.
"It's beautiful, Roger. Thank you." She whispered softly. He walked over and brushed her hair out of her face. "It will be when you have it on. And don't thank
me. It was my pleasure."
That evening they met for dinner. Every year at the Academy there was a large formal dinner in the ballroom, with dancing afterwards. Willow had never
enjoyed going, but it was mandatory for any who remained during the holidays and Willow had nowhere else to go. She wore the dress Roger had gotten her,
adding the locket and having one of the girls do her makeup and curl and fix her hair. She had never in her life dressed up this nice. She felt out of place as she
made her way to the ballroom, fighting the urge to run the other way. She had avoided any mirrors as she left her common room, afraid that she would lose
her nerve. She saw Roger waiting at the door, looking quite handsome in a set of dark green dress robes, the same color as her dress. He was looking around
expectantly, waiting for her to arrive. She slowed her steps, trying to compose herself. Her heart was beating like mad and her stomach was in knots. He
turned her way and she saw his jaw drop. She flushed red, lowering her head. She began to panic, thinking that something was wrong, that she looked
horrendous, when he walked over and took her hand. "Forgive my behavior before." He said softly. He hooked his finger under her chin and tilted her face to
his. He was smiling softly, his eyes soft and warm. "You look exquisite tonight." He kissed her gently on her left cheek, making her blush again. His fingers left
her face, going down to her locket, where he picked it up gently. He opened it with a gentle twist of his fingers, looking inside it, his lips curling into a smile.
"I see you've made an addition."
She peered down and felt her face burn. It was a picture of him, one that he had sent her a few years back. She had forgotten about adding it. She glanced up
at him fearfully. She was so afraid he would get tired of her someday and walk off. She was so young and he would eventually get tired of their friendship,
someday finding someone and getting married. There wouldn't be room for her then. But he just continued to smile and closed it back. "It's an old picture. We
should get you a newer one. I want one of you for myself, too." With that he took her arm in his and led her to the ballroom, her heart still beating madly as
she looked up at him.
They danced all night. Every song that played, they were in the center of the floor, all eyes on them. Willow felt like a princess the whole time, like she was
living a fairytale. And when the call for the last dance came, she hated for it to end. As Roger held her one last time, leading her around to a gentle waltz, she
felt a little braver. She laid her head on his shoulder, sighing softly. To her delight, he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. He leaned his
head down, his lips nuzzling her ear. "I have had a wonderful time with you tonight, Willow." He whispered. Her heart skipped a beat and she had to fight
down the urge to giggle. What was it about him that made her want to act so foolish? He moved away and pulled her towards the door. They walked out onto
the grounds, neither breaking the silence. The further away from everyone they got, the more nervous Willow became. She trusted Roger and knew he would
never hurt her, but her stomach was flipping and she felt another urge to run. He led them to a small alcove of mimosa trees, his hand remaining on the small
of her back. Once inside the shadows, he turned her to face him, his hands going to her hips.
"I have to confess something, Willow."
He pulled her close, his arms wrapping around her frame. "I came here expecting to find the same little girl that I left back at Hogwarts. I was expecting her to
come and greet me when I got here. But then this beautiful young woman came into the room and I was shocked to learn it was you." His hands moved to her
shoulders where he fingered the material of her dress. "And I bought you this gown because I thought you might like something that would make you feel
more mature, to pamper you like I would a little sister. But I didn't know how enchanting you would look in it. And I must confess, Miss Windkeeper, that you
have stolen my heart tonight." His hands moved up to cup each side her face and he tilted her head up to his.
"May I kiss you?" She nodded, her heart racing. His lips brushed hers gently and she closed her eyes. He continued to kiss her softly, his fingers twining into
her hair. She raised her hands nervously to his shoulders, steadying herself. Her head was spinning as the kiss lengthened. She rose up on her toes, wanting
to be closer. She sighed, parting her lips slightly and he moaned. His hands tightened in her hair and he pulled them apart, breaking the kiss.
"Forgive me, but I do not think I can control myself anymore, Willow. I think it best if we said goodnight and go back to the manor house." He whispered, his
breath ragged. He untangled his hands from her hair and smoothed it back down.
"Did I do something wrong?" Willow asked, her voice unsure. This had been her first kiss. Maybe she was supposed have done something else? But he
chuckled slightly and ran a shaky hand through his own hair. "No, you did nothing wrong. You did everything right. Almost too right." He sighed deeply. "I have
wondered all night if this would happen. Ever since you came down to meet me in the Entrance Hall I have thought about kissing you. And if you would even let
me. I was afraid I would be rejected." He laughed easily and took her hand in his, leading them back. "Roger?" Willow spoke softly, "What do you know about
my father?" he stopped in mid step and looked down at her. His eyes showed a hint of fear but he hid it quickly. "A few things, I suppose. What would you like
to know?" he said evenly. Willow thought a moment, wondering if she could trust him or not. He had never given her reason not to, she supposed.
"My father contacted me earlier this year. Or rather he had one of his followers contact me." She peered up into his eyes, watching for a reaction. He simply
nodded.
"And?"
She noted his acknowledgement and continued. "I was told that he is proud of my control of the Academy. That I should stay resilient and that I would be with
him soon." Another glance, but his face was in the shadows now.
"I do not wish to join him Roger."
His hand tightened around hers in a painful grip. "What do you mean?" he sounded very angry and deadly. But Willow stood her ground. "Why would I hand
over what I have fought to gain this whole time? I didn't do it for him. It wasn't in his name that I made these people fear me. It was for me. And only me. Now
why would I just hand it all over and serve under him?" His hand loosened on hers and he pulled her closer. "You know what you speak of would be considered
high treason in his eyes? He doesn't take betrayal lightly Willow. He has killed people for less." He gazed at her intently, his eyes hard. "What are you
considering? Going against him yourself?" he scoffed, his tone becoming harsh, sounding very unlike the Roger she had always known.
"No, but I don't want to submit to anyone, either."
He stared at her a moment, as if trying to determine if she was lying or not. "The only way I will join him is as an equal. That is my one condition. I see no
reason why I can't do this." He gazed in disbelief, and then began to laugh loudly. She made to jerk her hand from his, but he held on. He cupped her cheek in
her hand, holding on as she tried to move away. "I'm sorry dear but it's just what you said. To be so young and so bold….. I believe your father would be angry
and proud of you at the same time." she quit trying to fight him off and peered into his eyes. He brushed his thumb across her lips. "Who would have thought
that you are that same little girl?" he brought his lips down to hers, staying barely an inch away.
"And who would have known you would want so much power…."
His lips crushed hers in a very rough kiss. Willow whimpered as his fingers dug into the side of her face, feeling his nails cut into her skin. He released her and
stepped back, his face red. "Forgive me, I- I forgot myself for a moment." He lowered his eyes, but not before she saw the dark hunger they held. She felt a
shiver run through her body and took a step back.
"I think we should be getting back now…."
She turned and began heading back to the school, putting as much distance between them as she could. What the hell was wrong with him? One minute he
was a perfect gentleman, the next a monster…. She turned back and saw him following her, his steps aligned with hers. She felt another urge to run and this
time listened. She sped up, rushing for the main doors. She threw one of them open and turned back to his shadowed form.
"I thank you for tonight, Roger. But I must take my leave and go to bed."
He came into view and she saw hurt and shame on his face. Her resolve began to weaken and she let the door close, going back down to meet him at the
bottom step. She didn't say anything, unsure of what to do. She had never dealt with boys before; they were like an unknown entity to her. She raised a shaky
hand to his hair, pushing back into place what he must have undone out of frustration. He made no response, his eyes burning into hers with shame all over
his face.
"Roger…?"
He shook his head, putting his hands gently on her hips. He leaned down, bringing his lips to hers again. She flinched, unsure whether or not to let him kiss her
again. He stood completely still, waiting for her to relax. She hesitated before tilting her lips to his, relenting finally to him. Her mind felt so muddled; she didn't
know if she wanted to kiss him or curse him. His lips pressed gently to hers this time though, almost like he had the first time. Except this time it deepened. She
felt his tongue brush against her mouth, wanting entrance and she relented hesitantly. He took his time, his fingers playing against her back, relaxing her
enough to open up even more and she soon found her arms around his neck, her fingers tangled in his hair. He began to slow their connection until he gently
broke away from her. He laid his head against hers, their heavy breath mingling together. "I am sorry about before….." he began, holding her tighter against
him. "But it's like you bring out a beast in me Willow….. One taste and I am addicted….. I couldn't restrain myself…. But it will not happen again. I promise you
that, little one. I do not want you to fear me…" he gazed into her eyes intently, and she saw a shadow of that darkness. But she felt her heart tug and without
even realizing it her lips were on his again, her eyes wide and searching for the monster behind his composure. But he held it back; she could feel him stiffen,
fighting against it this time. As their lips parted, she saw a glint of it, but nothing more. As they turned towards the doors, she suppressed a small shudder.
Who, or what exactly, had she fallen for?
