Chapter Four as I promised! Enjoy, ladies and gentlemen! :D
Chapter Four-Furious First Impression
"Same time next week?" Justin asked the group around 4:00 that afternoon. Everyone muttered in agreement and went their separate ways.
Colin decided to take a stroll along the pond in the park nearby. Leaning against the rail on the bridge, he tossed a stone he found into the depths. As the water's once smooth surface rippled, Colin stared at his own reflection.
'I know Percy said Cormac was quite deformed but is it really as bad as people say? I dunno. I have yet to see him and I don't think we'll ever meet face to face. Still, I wonder how he could have managed to go so long with hardly any human contact. Most would go insane...or partially. He's very lucky to have at least two people to talk to. Does he still talk to his parents? Do they even live there with him?'
As Colin continued to ask himself those questions, a small white rabbit poked its head out from the azalea bushes, observing him as he walked on by.
Monday afternoon...
"And your total today is seventeen galleons, five sickles and two knuts. Pretty good for a large order, Mrs. Pucey. I hope Adrian and the rest enjoy it."
The tall brunette woman smiled. "Oh, they always do, Colin. The last bakery I went to was sorely lacking in variety and their sweets tasted bland half the time. Thank you again." She took her immense order and left for home.
Colin shook his head mirthfully. 'The guys and their love for desserts. They do bring in a tidy profit.' Grabbing the newest batch of treacle tarts, he began stocking the display cabinet when another customer entered the premises.
"I'll be with you shortly, just gotta put this last one away."
"It's fine, mate. Take your time."
Colin's ears perked at the familiar voice. Closing the display case, the blonde stood to see it was Dean Thomas, accompanied by his friend, well, considering how close in proximity they were of each other...his boyfriend, Seamus Finnigan.
"Hey guys. All finished with your Friday order?"
Dean chuckled. "Yeah, Seamus practically decimated the entire thing on his own. Cormac and I were lucky to get a few samples of each box."
Colin smiled, tilting his head. "Oh? Where does it all go?"
"That's what I've been wondering."
Seamus stuck his tongue out. "You're just jealous that I can dispose of them and not get sick, Mr. Lightweight."
"Whatever. Anyway, we'd like a few more sweets and since we're out on the town, why not?"
Colin nodded, directing his hand over the counter and shelves "Well, I just put in some fresh treacle tart, there's apple and cherry pie, blueberry cobbler, cheesecake bites of various flavors, the classic cookies and cakes, pumpkin pasties, anything you could want that's not ice cream. Take your pick, there's no rush." He turned around to take quick inventory of the cookie shelves. Seamus grinned mischievously, nudging Dean in the ribs. The dark-skinned teen cleared his throat.
"Actually, Colin, the sweets aren't the only reason we're here. You see..we'd uh.." Colin faced them at the sudden change in agenda.
"What my companion is tryin' to say... is would you like to come over for some afternoon tea?" Seamus finished for him.
The blonde started to look a little uneasy.
"Wait, before you get worked up, this is not a date. It's merely a friendly offer. We figure that you're newer in town and it would be most helpful of us to show you the interior of the village's most-avoided place. Besides..it's always the two of us. We'd like a fresh face to visit from time to time." Yeah, he could tell Seamus was the most vocal and forward out of the duo.
Colin returned, trying to be subversive about his newly-acquired information. "What will Cormac say? Isn't he adverse to company? I kinda figured he would be due to his last response."
Seamus flippantly waved his hand. ''He'll get over it. Dean and I are allowed to have other friends. So...what do ya say?"
Colin mulled over in his thoughts for a brief moment, then answered. "Sure, I guess. Haven't been invited for tea in a while. Uh, when?"
Dean replied after having been silent. "How about after your shift?"
"Well, my mum is letting me go early in about twenty minutes."
"That'll work." they chorused.
"Ok, well I'll see you then."
The two smirked at each other, walking out the door.
Bidding his mother goodbye, Colin apparated from the bakery, bringing their newest order with him. Arriving at Rosethorn Manor, he was met with the strong rose aroma. Seamus opened the door with a wide Cheshire grin. ''Glad you could make it! Come in!"
The blonde entered cautiously, awaiting another bark at his arrival but relaxed, seeing there was none.
"Cormac's around here somewhere. Don't worry, we won't let him eat ya. Let me show you to the parlor, Dean's waitin' on us." One large flight of stairs and down two corridors later, they were in the second story parlor.
"Here you are. Take a seat, any seat. Babble will bring us our tea momentarily." Dean gestured to the available couches and chairs in the huge, ornate room. Taking his spot on a couch, Colin reflected on the missing family portraits and photos on the way up there.
'Ok, so no clues to see what he looked like prior to his curse. What..did he get rid of the mirrors as well?'
''Colin, you're quiet. Everything ok?"
He snapped his eyes to Dean. "Yeah, just thinking about the décor...how some seems scarce.''
Dean sighed. "Yeah, it's been like that for a few years. As I'm sure you're aware, he took them down after the fact."
"After what?"
He raised an eyebrow to say. 'Don't play dumb. You know what I'm referring to.'
Colin shrugged sheepishly "Ok, I heard. I know basically what happened but that doesn't mean I would care to poke fun at him."
While they continued, Babble the house elf 'popped' into the parlor, serving the three their tea. In a squeaky voice, he whispered to the two conspirators. "Master Cormac is not gonna like this, no he is not. No visitors except family are allowed. Master Cormac will get very upset."
"Well, Master Cormac is gonna get over it 'cause Colin is a new friend and maybe, he'll break the spell. Now be quiet.'' Seamus whispered softly to the apprehensive house elf, low enough for Colin not to hear.
"Don't say Babble didn't warn you." he disappeared with a 'pop'.
"What was the whispering about?" Colin asked, stirring his tea.
"Oh, just reminding Babble to keep mum over your visit."
Down the hall, Cormac was lumbering his way through when he heard voices-the regulars and one he vaguely recognized. Creeping over to the door, he peered through the crack. Baring gnarled teeth, Cormac emitted a low growl.
'What the fuck did they do?! They said they were only going into town to pick up snacks and come back, they said nothing about bringing company! I hate extra company! Are those two asking for trouble?! And...and it's HIM! Of all people, they brought him!' Lifting one large fist, he banged loudly on one latched door. "Dean! Seamus! Get your arses out here this instant!" The two in question cringed at the noise.
Dean sighed "Oh shit, let's see what his royal highness wants." Leaving Colin to himself, they met their housemate in the hall. "Yes?"
Snarling, Cormac spat "What the hell do you two think you're doing, bringing him here! I thought I told you...no visitors other than family!"
Seamus scoffed "Come on, mate! He's just a new friend of ours. We're allowed to have others, you know! Or have you forgotten Susan and the rest? It hasn't been all THAT long ago since you last saw them!"
"That's not the point! I don't want a chance of other people seeing me! Do you remember what happened to the last ones that shown up?! I guarantee you he'll act the same way! He is no different!"
Dean frowned heavily. "You don't know that! He's still fairly new here and-"
"I don't give a shit! I want him to leave!"
"Don't be like that, Cormac! How are you so sure he'll run off?!"
"Let him have one look and watch. It happens every goddamn time!"
Having heard enough of his bad attitude, Colin stormed to the parlor door and threw it open. "If you want me to leave so badly, then-" he stopped in his tracks.
Sky blue orbs locked onto the tall, disfigured form before him. The young master was exactly as described. Currently, Cormac was hunched over, glaring at him through angry violet eyes. His right eye was in a permanent squint and the left side of his face was lopsided. His nose looked like it had been broken and healed incorrectly. His skin was pasty and a grayish tone...not exactly corpse-gray/white but damn close to it. Cormac's teeth were bared, large, crooked and gnarled like a mountain troll's. His body was built, but had extra lumps and angles that weren't present on a normal human body...also like some things were broken and weren't set the right way.
Everything before Colin reminded the blonde of photographs from carnivals featuring 'Freaks of Nature' and how people came just to gawk at those who differed from the norm...either from injury, disease or birth defect. Some enjoyed the attention, others despised it. Some joined of their own volition, others because society wouldn't accept them. Colin found himself staring, unsure of what to say and how to say it since he's never came across anyone in Cormac's condition. Cormac crept closer, shuffling with a menacing grace.
Craning his head to face him, he hissed. "Aren't you going to run away like a little bitch whose fragile constitutions can't bear to see such a horrendous form? Do I disgust you? Well?"
Colin stammered. "I..I..uh..I.."
"Stop stammering! I hate that! Can't you put together a sentence like normal people or are you too daft to perform such an effortless task?! Feh...for someone who lacks common sense to run away, you sure lack enough brain power to respond!" A loud smack echoed through the corridor.
Dean and Seamus gaped. Cormac cracked his neck to return a shocked gaze to Colin. The blonde glared, lowering his hand.
"Did you...did you just slap me?"
'Ohhh...shit.' Seamus whipped out his wand, Dean doing the same to prepare for intervention. Cormac looked ready to put him through the wall.
Meeting him face to face, Colin spat. "You're damn right I did! How dare you talk to me this way! I did nothing to deserve it and neither did your friends! Your appearance does not disgust me but your attitude sure does! You can get away with this all you want with them but you're not gonna do it with me! I don't care what witch cursed you, it doesn't give you the right to treat everyone as if they're garbage and we're not all the same as you so kindly put it! So, you might as well take that logic and shove it up your arse!"
Cormac's knuckles cracked in his fists. Everyone else who got in his face like this kissed the floor, even before he was cursed. Right now, he couldn't bring himself to assault Colin...he just couldn't. He was taught that beautiful things should be treasured and cared for, never mishandled nor broken...it applied to people as well. Getting a close-up of Colin's features...that did it. He can't, he won't.
In a huff, Cormac stormed in the opposite direction. Colin slowed his breathing, the threat had ended.
''Oh, god.'' he closed his eyes in relief.
''Jeez, is that all it took? Man, why the fuck didn't we think of that?" Seamus twittered in disbelief.
Dean responded '' 'Cause we wouldn't have been walking afterwards."
In his room, Cormac paced back and forth, rubbing his stinging cheek. It didn't take a genius to know a welt would be there later. 'I can't believe he slapped me. Never and I mean never have I EVER allowed anyone to do that! But I did. I let him. Why him? I..wait..he didn't grimace nor did he run. He stood up to me and...did he say my appearance didn't disgust him? Yeah, he did. Maybe...hang on, get a hold of yourself! Just because he didn't say you were fucking hideous, it didn't mean he wasn't thinking it! People are so good at concealing their true beliefs. I know. I've witnessed it firsthand. Anyway, once I think about it, Colin was right. I was acting indecently. I'd like to apologize, but it's so hard...I-'
Dean entered his room. ''Cormac, I think someone ought to apologize this instant. You were way out of line.''
He shuffled from one foot to another, gazing ashamedly at the floor. ''Yeah, I guess I was a tad."
"A tad?"
"Ok, WAY out of line. But I don't wanna.''
"Quit being a baby and go. Come on, the sooner you do it, the better off you'll be." Dean had a point, apologize now so there's no guilty burden later. Grudgingly, Cormac meandered with Dean to the parlor. Back inside the parlor, Colin and Seamus were finishing their tea. "Someone has something they'd like to say to you." Dean turned to the door, where a reluctant Cormac peered behind the door.
His mate grabbed him by the arm, leading him inside. ''He didn't run off earlier and he's not running now. Get in here."
Colin eyed the disfigured man with his arms crossed. "I'm waiting."
In a huff, Cormac grunted "I'm...sorry." He mumbled that last word unintelligibly.
"What was that?"
"I said.." he sighed as if this was the most difficult task he's ever had to endure "...I'm sorry. I apologize for my earlier behavior. I really was out of line. You, you don't have to leave."
Colin nodded in acceptance. "Apology accepted. Now would you care to join us and act like a civilized human being? This is your home after all and you're the main host." Cormac shrugged as he took a chair to Colin's right. His visitor handed over a teacup, he took it slowly. "Thanks."
"You're welcome."
Dean smiled as did Seamus. The dark-skinned boy spoke. "So, what else would you gents like to chat about?" As polite banter ensued, Cormac took several opportunities to fully observe Colin. The firelight in the hearth enhanced his silhouette, sharpening his exquisite features beautifully.
'Goddamn it! Where were you before I looked like this?! I know you and I would have had a few good romps in the sheets but I seriously would have considered keeping YOU.' A pang of guilt pricked his heart. 'Hang on, thoughts like that got me where I am right now, so I need to keep that shit in check. Besides, Colin's a human being too and it wouldn't have been right to treat him as a mere object. I've done that too many times and well...I'm a living result.'
"God, Colin! These sweets are so fuckin' good! What sort of magic does your mother work into these things, anyway?! They're fantastic!" Seamus marveled with his mouth full.
He chuckled. "There are no enchanted ingredients or sugar-pixie dust. Just regular stuff maneuvered by magic, and Mum's Merlin-given talent.''
"Still, she makes some amazing sweets! Can she do this with regular food?!"
"Yeah, but she prefers confections. I dunno why...I kinda got sick of sweets. Pretty much why I don't eat much of them."
Dean raised an amused eyebrow "You've tried everything she came up with?"
Colin smiled "I was her guinea pig...both me, Dennis and my dad. Once the experiments checked out with us, she produced them to the public. I got sick of trying the cookies, pies, tarts...every...single...thing." he shuddered lightly before adding "I'm more adverse to sugar now and I won't have dessert unless it's every once in a while."
Dean replied "I can understand, mate. But don't you still have a favorite? I prefer the mocha crème-filled truffles and Seamus favors the éclairs."
Colin sat down his teacup. "Sure. My choice is spiced apple pie. I know it's a common classic but I love the warm apples laced with her special blend of sugar and autumn spices. Especially when it's hot and topped with a dollop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. It ties it all together.''
Seamus peered at Cormac. 'I hope you're takin' notes over there, mate, cuz we sure are.' The Irishman grinned. "What about you, Cor? What's your favorite dessert from there?"
Shyly, he lifted his eyes from his lap. ''It's honestly a tie between spiced apple pie and blueberry pie. They're both quite delicious."
The blonde on his left smiled in surprise. "Blueberry pie just happens to be my second favorite. Her apple and blueberry-crumble versions also satisfy."
"Wait, there's crumbles?! Holy shit, I want a full dish of each!" Seamus exclaimed excitedly.
Dean rolled his eyes in mirth "Great. You had to get him started.''
A few hours later, it was time for Colin to head home. ''Thanks again you guys for having me over. I'd like to do it again sometime...if you're up for it."
Seamus chided playfully. "Don't you think we're not! Of course we'd love you back. Don't we, Cormac?"
He slouched in his corner. "Sure. Whatever."
"He does! Anyway, thank you for giving us your address. We'll be sure to owl soon. Take care!"
Colin bid them farewell. "See you Dean, Seamus...Cormac." He spared the near-solemn young man one final glance before turning away.
"That went better than I thought it would, what you guys think?" Seamus queried his best mates.
"Despite Cormac's outburst...it went rather well."
Cormac merely shrugged and lumbered off to his room.
"Told you they'd begin to hit it off."
Dean sighed. "Babe, I wouldn't exactly call it 'hitting it off'...though there definitely was a hit involved.''
"Don't piss on my parade."
Once in his room, Colin stretched his arms up and over his head as he laid upon his bed.
'Percy was right about his disfigurement...the combo anyway. To be quite honest, I can't imagine the treatment he's endured under this curse. It had to have been horrible. I mean, people think he's a blight that's sought to destroy their perfect image and they ridicule him for not being that...not being perfect. Not like he used to be...or so I guess. I feel bad for him. Cormac can't help how he looks and it's not my place to judge him because of that. I will on his character, and he was quite brash. Although, he did apologize so there is remorse and good in him. It may not be so much, but it's there. Deep down, I know he can be much nicer. He just has to try, that's all. Maybe I could help him? He doesn't have many friends and it wouldn't hurt to reach out to him. I'm not gonna do this out of pity, I'm gonna do it because it's the right thing to do.'
With a soft smile and adamant nod, Colin nodded off to take a short nap, seeing a flash of shimmering violet before closing his eyes.
Ouch! Colin's not gonna take that nonsense from him! XD Yeah, Cormac was being a bit of an ass and a baby...not wanting to apologize.
Colin actually has a good soul, doesn't he? Good...'cuz he has to in this fic. XD (Thank goodness he's not the only one.)
In regards to Cormac's disfigurement, I hope I've provided enough basic detail for you to imagine your own depiction. I have my own as well.