Chapter 7: Do you really Believe him?
As Violet was almost skipping down the stairs with the widest grin you could ever imagine the soft waft of Bacon drifted to her nose. She had completely forgotten how hungry she was from just being around Barty.
How can this man interrupt my life so much? I actually miss his company when we're not in the same room .God I'm so useless...But...What are my friends going to say? What is Harry going to say? "Yeah; hay Harry. Just to let you know I'm in love with a deatheater that tried to kill you."
Violet stopped in the middle of the main hall. She ran her hands over her face; pausing a bit on her forehead.
"What am I going to do?"
"Arrr there you are" Violet removed her hands from her face to see Barty walking towards her having come from a room to her right. Barty Smiled then pulled Violet into a strong hug. "You ok? You seemed... What would you say? Distant?" Barty released her and stared into her eyes with concern.
"Yeah, fine" Violet lied but Barty wasn't convinced. Crossing his arms he spoke up with a slight commanding tone.
"No some things up. You helped me with my problems then I should return the favour... I don't want to see you upset or worried. I want to see you happy because it makes me happy too" Barty took Violets hands in her own. Inside Violet could feel her Heart melting with pure love.
"The problem is you." Violet thought but then shoved it out of her mind. That statement wasn't going to help anyone.
"I was thinking... Well at some point I have to tell everyone that... I'm helping you."
"You don't have to do it now. You could do it some other time. For now don't think about it."
"But I want to get it over and done with. They are not going to be happy what ever way." Violet looked down to hide tears building up in her eyes. The first time she had found someone that she loved had to be an enemy. An enemy to her friends; everyone she knew; and herself.
But he is no longer an enemy to me. He's completely open with me. He's a friend now...Is...Is he rubbing his thumb on my hand...Oh God that's cute.
"I'm a burden for you aren't I. You could never be happy with me being in your life."
"No Barty... I didn't mean it that way. I don't want to lose you from my life."
"But you would have to choose between your friends and I; because I'm pretty sure there not even going to let me in there house."
"Why can't I pick both? I don't care what they say or think. These past few days have been the best days I've ever had since leaving Hogwarts. You're not a burden Barty, because I want to care for you...Because I..." Violet paused.
No I can't say it now. It's too early. He might not even... Love me.
"Because you what?" Barty's grip tightened as he was waiting for her to say the words he had been longing for her to say. He had fallen in love with her ever since that time at the cafe. He didn't even think it began there; it might have begun when he was at Hogwarts. He didn't have the same strong feelings he had now but then he could tell she was going to become something special.
"I...I...It doesn't matter." Violet slipped her hands free, and waved one of them around to signal the conversation was over. Barty went silent. He wanted her to say something; anything to know if she loved him. He wouldn't push her. All he hoped was that she felt the same way about him that he did her.
"Master Barty and Mistress; Breakfast is ready. Master; Winky has got today's copy of the Daily Prophet on the table for you."
Barty cleared his throat. "Thank you Winky" He smiled down at the small creature and then she scurried off to do some of the house chores. Barty lead the way to the kitchen and pulled out a chair for Violet to sit on. The chair was placed around a long rectangle shaped wooden table; which was piled with Bread rolls; Butter; Bacon; Sausages; eggs; tomatoes and varies fruits. Violet's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when she first laid eyes on the food.
"There is so much. Please tell me this is just a one off because I am here."
Barty chuckled as he sat down on the opposite side of the table, facing Violet. Moving aside a folded newspaper that was in front of him he spoke.
"Winky tends to cook a lot. She says I need to put more weight on because of my time in Azkaban. She says it's unhealthy to be this thin but I've always been super skinny. But back to the food. This is a lot more due to you being here but if there are any leftovers she can have them.
As they were tucking into their breakfast; Barty was reading his newspaper and eating while Violet occasionally stopped to think about telling her friends about Barty. Barty would sometimes look up to see if she was alright but when he caught her looking into space with a frown on her face; he had enough. Sighing and dropping his folk to clank on his half empty plate, He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow at Violet. Hearing the folk and plate Violet jumped and looked up to see Barty staring at her. She was about to speak when he sighed again.
"Fine...After this I am taking you to see the 'Potter gang' where you will tell them about me. I will come with you to help... Now will you please stop worrying about it? You're making me panic."
"Ok" They both resumed eating. Violet looked up to see Barty continuing reading his paper. "Thank you"
"You sure you want to do this? I could go in there alone" Violet and Barty were now outside Harry's flat. She knew all of them would be there as they often hang out here.
"We are doing this together" Barty softly took hold of Violets hand and gave it a slight squeeze for reassurance. With that she knocked on the door three times.
Violet's breathing increased when she could see through the frosted glass that someone was coming. As the door quickly opened, she found out it was Ginny.
"Violet...It's good to see you..." As Ginny turned to look at who Violet was with she froze. "You... Oh God you got caught didn't you. I knew we would be found by some of the followers...Are you ok? Has he hurt you?" Ginny didn't dare move but both Barty and Violet sighed.
"This is going to be a long day... Ginny. I have not kidnapped Violet, yes she is alright and no I haven't hurt her."
"But you're a deatheater. You're here to kill us all"
"Ginny it's not like that. Barty here was released from Azkaban and now is a free man... He's not dangerous anymore...I would like to continue this with the others around." Ginny didn't budge.
"Look Ginny, if it helps I have no interest it harming or killing anyone. That is behind me. We are here to tell everyone that Violet is going to help me with my rehabilitation..." Barty pulled out his wand from an inside pocket in his coat and handed it to Violet. "See I'm not even armed now."
Ginny's eyes followed the wand as it was passed to Violet. A little relieved to know he didn't have a weapon but her caution didn't shift.
"They are in the Garden...its best if you go through the side gate... just over there."
"Thank you" Violet and Barty said in unison. Barty walked over to the gate and opened it while Ginny grabbed Violet closer to her.
"Are you sure he can be trusted?"
"Yes. He stayed round mine two days ago. I found out a lot about him. He really wants to change Ginny. He just wants to be given a second chance."
"Ok but you know I'm the easiest to convince. You're going to have a hard time changing the minds of the others, especially Harry."
"I know...But I have to do it. So does Barty... Just trust me please." Both women followed Barty through to the Garden. A first they heard laughter and chatter but when they all came into the clearing in front of the others the mood changed.
"What the F**K!" Ron screeched as he fell backwards of his sun lounger. After returning the right way up he reached into his short's pockets and pulled out his wand, followed by Hermione and Harry.
"Woah! Wait a minute. Before you guys blow my head off Violet and I need to talk to you"
"Violet! You brought him here?" Harry shouted while still keeping his eyes on Barty.
"Yes. But let me explain."
"There's nothing to explain. Violet he's a bloody deatheater. A stone cold killer."
"For your information Mr Ronald Weasley I am no longer a 'stone cold killer' as you put it. If you would all listen to Miss Walters then I think you would then be a bit more understanding about the whole situation."
"But how do we know that you haven't put Violet under the imperious curse." Harry re-joined the conversation. He had now walked over to check on Ginny while the other two had their wands pointed at Barty.
"Harry listen to them... You all need to calm down. Barty doesn't even have his wand. He gave it too Violet to look after."
"What do you have to say then?" Hermione lowered her wand as Ron sneered at her for doing so.
"I know we all haven't had the best of introductions to Barty but if you would hear me out; Barty isn't a bad guy anymore. He was let out of Azkaban and given a new life. A new life that he wants to put right..."
"Violet let me continue... Violet is right. I'm not the killer I was, I want to change, believe me I do. And I am, thanks to Violet helping me."
"You've been helping him. How could you?" Ron hadn't even moved. His wand never left facing Barty; ready to attack at the slightest aggressive move he made.
"Ron please... Barty spent a night round mine and I the same at his. In that time I've gotten to know him so much that I'm not afraid of him. I know he won't do anything. You have got to give him a chance."
"Are you telling me you have slept with him?" Ron spat.
"Not exactly." Violet cursed herself for saying that. She could see that now Ron was fuming. He leaped for Barty. Barty had only managed to dodge Ron's move but then found himself ducking and leaping to avoid varies spells casted at him. Ron was clumsy in his anger which resolved in none of his spells hitting Barty.
"Stop it Ron!" Violet tried to run to Barty but was blocked by Ron holding her back.
"Stay away from her deatheater! You are sick and you deserve to rot in that prison cell you belong in." Violet struggled against Ron's hold but she couldn't get free. She looked over to see Barty lying on the floor with his head hidden by his arms. She just wanted to run to him and hold him. He didn't need all this torture from her friends. She didn't care what they thought; she was going to stick with him till the end. He didn't deserve this. If it meant losing everyone then fine. She just didn't want to see him hurt anymore.
"Barty" Violet choked as she was trying to fight back the tears. There was no response.
"Ron let her go... I think... You should just take it easy." Hermione placed one hand on Ron's shoulder which caused him to spin round; letting go of Violet in the process.
"Barty!" Violet ran to him who still remained in the same position. When she crouched down closer to him she could hear faint sobs. "Barty I am so sorry. This is all my fault." Violet couldn't hold the tears back and began crying with Barty.
"What! You believe this Ba***rd. Hermione he tried to kill Harry."
"Yeah... He did try to kill me, but that was long ago. Yes he was the reason for Voldermort's return and all those deaths that occurred. All those loved ones we lost. But Ron...Look at him. That's not the demeanour of a Deatheater. He looks broke and all he wants is to be forgiven. Ron we can't keep looking back to the past. We need to look forward to the future and enjoy the present. Those bad things happened, and it's hard to face someone that tried to kill me. But..." Harry walked over to Barty and crouched down on the opposite side from Violet and placed his hand on his shoulder. Barty looked up, not caring if Harry saw his tears. "I forgive him. And I know if Violet looks after him then I know he will get better." Harry nodded towards Violet; she replied a whispered thank you.
"I think it's time for us to go." Violet stood up and assisted Barty to his feet. He wiped away the remaining tears with the sleeve of his coat. He looked straight ahead at Ron, Ginny and Hermione. Ron had finally put down his wand, he still looked pissed off but it was better than him attack Barty. "I'll see you guys later" Violet was about to apparated when Barty put up a hand to stop her. He turned round to face Harry and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Thank you. I know you don't have to like me. And I'm surprised that you even stood up for me but you have to know I am truly sorry. I have to live with the guilt of what I have done; I regret everything I have done in my life except one. Which is meeting Violet. She has helped me so much in the past couple of days that I know I can get better. I know I won't be treated like I use to before I became a deatheater, but I am thankful for what you have just done."
"Just promise me you'll look after her. She needs just as much care as you do... You can come round anytime if you need any help...Barty" Harry raised his hand to shake Barty's and they did so. Barty nodded and turned back to Violet.
"Ready?"
"Ready" And with that they Apparated.
A/N: Sorry for making Ron seems so evil in this. I needed one of them to lose it basically and I thought it would more likely be Ron to do so. And well done to Harry. I thought that Harry might show some sympathy because he has lost so many people in his life that he needs to let go off the past to carry on. Thanks again for reading and please to review (if you want to) thanks.
