CPOV
The day my aunt was coming arrived. It was a Saturday so everyone was off Hogsmead leaving me too it. After I received the letter I spent most of my time by myself studying or reading, I hadn't actually told anyone about my dad. They knew I lived with my aunt and probably thought it was best not to ask more questions I didn't really feel like I wanted to talk to anyone. Not even Neville, though he has actually been avoiding me. Yesterday he saw me enter the common room before running up the stairs. I couldn't help but feel a little rejected.
After everyone had left I made my way to Dumbledore's office. Outside I saw him, my aunt and my cousin jack, Aunt Joan's only son. Turns out he was my father's lawyer. When we entered his office, Dumbledore took his usual seat while my Aunt Joan and jack sat in 2 of the 3 chairs. I decided to stand. Maybe I could bolt for the door when they weren't looking. Jack pulled out the will and placed it on the table.
"So…..should we get this started?"
"Yeah can we just get it over with?" He nodded.
"This is the last will and testament of George Samuel Peart, born 14th April 1948 who resided at 342 Ceylon Road, Kensington.
I looked over to my aunt who gave me a small smile. She had been so great after even though I knew she had been mourning loosing her only brother. She was strong for me when she should of just broke down like I did. A couple of days after the funeral it had been my birthday. August 7th. She forced me to get out of bed and we spent the day curled up on the sofa looking through old family albums and eating junk. What she did for me that day made me love her more than anything. I went over to her a hand on her shoulder giving her a reassuring squeeze. I was going to get through this.
I looked over to Jack and saw his lips moving but I couldn't concentrate on what he was saying. All I could think over the past couple of months I hadn't actually thought about my dad that much over the past months. He would always slip into my mind every now and then, but I felt so ashamed of myself.
"And to my Darling daughter Catherine Ellis, I leave my entire estate to do with as she wishes."
The house? He left me the house? I didn't even know if I could go back there now. My cousin lowered the will before looking at me.
"That's pretty much it Cathy, the rest of it is just legal stuff. Charities and such."
I nodded my head. "Is it ok if I go back to the common room now?"
Dumbledore rose from his chair before coming over and placing a hand on my shoulder. "Yes Catherine, it seems everything is done here."
"Oh wait!" We turned to Jack who was now routing through his pockets before producing a letter. "There was also this."
I took the envelope from him, my hand shaking. My name was writing on the front. Seeing my dad's handwriting again made me want to burst into tears.
I gave Jack a hug before turning to my aunt and embracing her. She gave me a kiss on the head.
"I'll see you in couple of weeks. We're going to have great Christmas ok." I attempted a half smile "Yeah. I can't wait." I don't think I sounded too enthusiastic.
I swiftly exited running back to the common room. It was only 12 so I knew no one would be back yet and it would give me a chance to read the letter. I settled on the floor in front of the fire. Trembling. I couldn't wait anymore and tore it open. As I read I felt my gut go tight, I missed my dad so bloody much at that point. The letter was full of what a wonderful daughter I was and how he wouldn't of traded me for anything on earth. How I was beautiful and full of life and I shouldn't let anyone stop me. Then I read something that sent my heart racing.
'You are not your mother.
You May have her blood in your veins. But there isn't an inch of her in your heart.
You are not like her.'
Typical dad.
I heard footsteps behind me and turned to see Neville standing at the entrance to the boys Dormitories.
When I looked at him I realised how much I had missed him that past week. His laugh, just his voice in general actually. How his body felt against mine when he hugged me. His breath on my neck which drove me crazy. I was falling really hard for Him. When he saw me he would always have a smile on his face, but he actually looked annoyed.
He walked over sitting on the sofa I was lent against. Placing his hands in his lap he stared nervously playing with his fingers.
I kept my eyes on him but he didn't look at me. I could feel the tension building, so I turned back before folding up the letter and placing it in my pocket.
"Why have you been avoiding me?"
I looked back at him, he was still in the same position, eyes fixed on me.
"I could say the same."
He slid off the sofa before sitting on the floor next to me.
"Well, you haven't been talking to anyone lately. What's wrong?"
"I just, didn't really want to talk to anyone. But you, you've been running away from me!"
He started shuffling nervously. "Have not."
NPOV
Actually, that was a lie.
I had been avoiding her like the plague. Then again she hadn't been talking to anyone.
I thought maybe if I didn't spend as much time with her my feelings for her would die down. They just got stronger. It actually hurt not being around her.
We had been sat in silent for ages, but it wasn't an awkward silence. It never was with me and her. We could just sit there her reading, me working, or both of us not even doing anything and it felt fine. We didn't need to add anything.
She had her head leaned back against the sofa, legs stretched out in front of her. She looked hurt. I hoped I hadn't caused that. She had an oversized jumper which hanged off one shoulder exposing the skin and the collar bone slightly. I couldn't help but stare at it. I really wondered what it would feel like just to stroke. Kiss it maybe. …Would she enjoy that?
When I looked back at her face her eyes were closed.
"Cathy?"
"Mm?"
Not asleep, good.
"Why didn't you go to Hogsmead?"
She fidgeted a little but kept her eyes shut.
"I had some stuff to sort out. Why are you back so early?"
"I got half way then realised I wasn't really in the mood either, but when I came back you weren't here." She just shrugged.
I reached down for her hand which was gracefully placed on her lap, entwining my fingers with hers giving it a squeeze and I felt her squeeze back. Guess she couldn't stay mad at me. When I looked back at her I could see the tears forming, her eyes where shut tight trying to suppress it.
"Cathy?"
She didn't answer me. Just continued to fight the tears.
I moved over before pulling her onto my lap, she didn't fight it. As soon as I did she held onto me burying her head into the side of my neck. She wasn't wailing or shaking, not a sound came from her. Watching her silently cry was even worse then if she had been screaming.
"What's wrong? Cathy?"
She lay against me fiddling with the collar of my shirt; she didn't have to talk about it. I just couldn't stand to see her like this.
"It was my fathers will reading today."
Her father was dead? I didn't even know that. She never really talked about her parents. Now I knew why.
"I'm so sorry…when…how did. Actually no, ignore me."
"Neville it's ok."
She gently pushed herself up. Her face was now glistening from the tears; she was trying to avoid my gaze.
"It was death eaters; I came home and found him. It was…it was so horrible."
I sucked in a breath. "I'm so sorry"
It broke my heart to see her like this. I pulled her against me again wrapping my arms around her. "Don't cry, please. I shouldn't of asked"
"I'm just angry at myself."
"You shouldn't be."
"Well, I am." She pushed away from me slightly, but I kept a firm grip on her. "I haven't actually thought about it since being here. My dad hasn't even been buried that long. Today just made it all come flooding back. God how heartless could I be"
She was starting to cry harder. I didn't know what I could do for her. I pulled her back and she continued to cry. I don't know how long we where there for, but I kept my arms wrapped around her, I didn't want to let her go.
"I'm really sorry Neville. I made your shirt all wet." I looked over at it. I honesty didn't care. Just knowing I could be there for her made a soggy shoulder worth it. I placed a lingering kiss on her forehead, which was the first time I had ever done anything like that. She didn't cringe or attempt to break away giving me a jolt of confidence. It was also then I realised I couldn't keep away from her. Just having her in my life at all made it better. I didn't care if she didn't feel the same way about me as I did her.
She sat up before rubbing her eyes; her face had gone pale except for the redness which currently resided around her eyes. Her hair was messy and fell gently over one side of her face.
She stood up before straightening out her jumper and giving her eyes another rub. I quickly followed suit. She looked up at me before bringing one of her hands up to the side of my face, gently rubbing my cheek with her thumb.
"Thank you Neville." She leaned up placing a kiss against were my lower jaw met my neck and my heart plunged into stomach. "I think…I need to go sleep for a while." I just nodded. I couldn't actually speak. She walked towards the girls dormitories giving me a half smile, disappearing upstairs.
She was going to be the death of me.
