A quick note: for you readers who enjoy reading with music, I suggest "Song for Sienna" by Brian Crain and "Ivory Hymn" by Thad Fiscella (or perhaps even Mozart's Piano Concerto no. 21 in C Major II. Andante) for the first section, "Spring Waltz" by Brian Crain for the second, and Chopin's Nocturne no. 2 in E-flat Major for the last.
"In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed."
Khalil Gibran
Bessy walked arm in arm with Margaret, strolling down the snowy avenues leisurely. She could not remember the last time she walked so slowly, usually she dashed here, scurried there. And now look at her, promenading down the streets of Hogsmeade as if they were the lawns of Versailles! She grinned mischievously, sneaking a glance at Margaret out of the corner of her eye. Miss Hale was indeed regal, the tilt of her chin, the glimmer of her eyes, the porcelain cheek gave her an air of grace and subtle hauteur. Margaret laughed suddenly, and the queenly veneer vanished, replaced by a happy glow of excitement. Bessy arched an eyebrow. "What're you laughing about, Miss Margaret?"
Margaret beamed. "I caught sight of a crow, and I must admit, it brought to mind an image of Mrs. Thornton." She blushed, continuing in milder tones, "It is wrong of me, I know. But she is so—"
"Terrifying? Intimidating?" Bessy snorted. "Stern? A giant crow perched behind the counter of the shop, crowing disapprovingly at all who enter?"
Margaret doubled over, laid low by a fit of giggles. "Bessy, do stop. I cannot breathe! The image of her... And it is exactly as you say!" She hid her broad smile with her hand, trying to regain her composure. "She glowers at me with such ferocity! I cannot imagine why." She took a deep breath, suddenly serious. "Bessy, why does she hate me? Very few in my life have disliked me, let alone hated me. Especially so soon after meeting me. She condemns me without endeavoring to know me." Margaret stared earnestly into Bessy's eyes, searching for answers.
Bessy, who had halted earlier, waiting for Margaret to regain herself, spoke hesitatingly, "Most likely, she thinks you're a threat." Margaret began to stammer, and Bessy silenced her, "Let me continue. She's a lonely women, beneath all that coldness. She only has her son and daughter. Nothing else. She, like any mother, sees in you competition for Thornton's affections."
"That is preposterous! As if I would ever—He would ever!"
"How's she to know that? All she sees is a pretty young thing new to town living in her home. All the young ladies of Hogsmeade, and even Hogwarts, have tried for Thornton, why not you?" Bessie and Margaret began to walk again, rounding the corner of Crampton street.
"In truth, I cannot understand that above all else! He is a harsh, violent man. Why would any sensible girl vie for his affection?"
Bessy smiled at her friend, overcome with a feeling of sudden affection for Miss Hale. She may look like a worldly-wise young lady from the South, but at heart, she was endearingly naive. "Surprised by our Northern forwardness, Margaret?"
Margaret laughed then, changing the topic to Bessy's life. "I think I may have met your father. Are there many Higgens in this town?"
"My family is the only one. You probably did; he is more than a half-foot taller than you, gruff, and smells of tobacco."
Margaret nodded. "I must confess, I did not smell the tobacco. He rescued me from a gang of students. At the time, I was a little preoccupied."
Bessy smiled fondly. "That's my father, sure enough. He likes to charge into battle, no matter what the battle may be. Usually he gets in shouting matches. Rescuing maidens in distress is a first."
"He was very kind, though I fear I offended him." She colored slightly at the memory. "I offered him money as a thanks."
Bessy snorted. "He'll get over it. His pride was wounded, that's all. Father is strongly independent and takes offense at everyone's charity." She looked up, smirking impishly. "Speaking of pride, look where we are. Just in time for my shift."
Margaret gazed up at the sign swinging over the entrance to Thornton's shop. How much faster the walk had been with a friend by her side! She opened to door wide for Bessy, who stepped quickly over the threshold into the warmth of the shop. Margaret had not even felt the cold until bathed in the heat of the fireplace within. Margaret turned to her friend with a smile, which quickly vanished at the sight of Bessy tightened her grip on a shawl. The blonde-haired girl was shivering slightly. Margaret touched her arm gently. "Bessy, do you want to sit by the fire?"
Bessy shook her head, coughing slightly. "It's just a cold I can't seem to shake."
"Nevertheless, I would feel better if you would sit with me." Margaret took Bessy by the arm, guiding her to a small wooden chair near the merrily crackling fire.
Bessy coughed again, the sound wet and hacking. Margaret knelt next to the chair, eyes fixed worriedly on Bessy's face. "Have you been up to the Hospital Wing? That sounds serious; my father could likely bring you in this very evening."
Bessy once more shook her head, taking a few deep breaths before replying. "No need. I'm dying." She glanced at Margaret's face, looking away sadly. "When I was a child, I worked in a factory up North. Before my family knew I had magic. My father's a Muggle, so he didn't know nothing about wizardry. Mum died when I was a babe; I don't think she had it either. Anyway, I went off to school when I turned eleven. Year or two later, after a cold, Madame Stevens discovered I got fluff in my lungs. You'd think wizarding healing could cure it, but my lungs are bad. They say I'm drowning on the inside. Sure feels like it most days." She gazed mournfully into the fire. "Worst of all is I can't go to school. I had to drop out my fourth year."
"Bessy... I am so sorry..."
Bessy cleared her throat. "No amount of wishing or sorrow is going to make it go away. I've just determined to make the best of each day. And you're certainly one of the better things to happen to me lately." She smiled, and whispered softly, "Never had a friend before."
"Nor I either." And it was true. Margaret's dearest friend had been Fred, then after the incident, it was Edith. But family was different. There was something almost magical of a friend she had made herself. Someone not obligated by blood to be kind to her. Margaret patted Bessy's arm affectionately. "I, too, dropped out of Hogwarts. Though I did it for a much happier reason." She gazed into the fire, images of the past long gone suddenly fresh before her eyes. "It was after my first year. My mother's family are very traditional pureblood. They demanded I not be sent to a school that allows Muggle-borns to learn." She closed her eyes, her Aunt Shaw's words ringing in her ears. The family may have been unable to halt your unfortunate intimacy with Richard, but I will not stand by, Maria, and watch Margaret be degraded by association with mudbloods. There is still hope for that girl. She may still marry into a respectable family and absolve your sins! Why had she listened at the door? The words, her father's scowl, her mother's tears haunted her to this day.
Margaret cleared her throat, banishing the thoughts. "So I moved in with my aunt. She hired a private tutor to teach me of magic. Though I learned very little, Aunt Shaw was more interested in introducing me into society than expanding my mind. But I studied some magic here and there. Father taught me much."
"I am afraid I have not been able to instruct her as I wished." Richard Hale sat hunched over his desk, rubbing his eyes underneath his glasses. "I am an old man, and my whole life I've been so busy," his voice rang bitterly, "too busy to properly inform my daughter of her giftings."
John Thornton sat across from him, gazing intently at the rich mahogany surface of the desk. He did not know what to say. His friend made his request plain enough, and yet... "Mr. Hale, I do not know if—"
"For a friend, John? I cannot bear to watch her talents be wasted by my own laziness. You are a great wizard; I could find no better tutor."
"I do not know how proper it would be. It is not common for teachers to tutor students, and even more rare to teach those that do not attend Hogwarts. I do not wish to cast suspicion or encourage gossip on your daughter's character. I do not want to sully her reputation." It would be seen as highly unusual, certainly, for him to privately tutor Margar—Miss Hale. He could not even think of her without committing an indelicate act of familiarity, of intimacy. He could think of her as nothing other than Margaret. He did not doubt his self-control. She would never be in danger from him forcing his feelings on her.
His heart, on the other hand, would certainly stand in peril of being lost to her. Already she affected him like no one else. Already he found himself thinking of her too often. It was funny, in the cruel way these things are, how little things would bring the memory of her smile back to him. And the vision of that smile made his stomach flutter unpleasantly. Could he be near her without risking bruising his heart, his very soul?
Richard Hale was speaking to him. He looked up, and smiled ruefully. "Sorry, my mind was elsewhere."
Richard nodded, a look of understanding on his face. "Her reputation would not be ruined, John. You could teach her downstairs; it is a public enough area." He sighed mournfully. "I worry about her safety. Maria tells me she wanders about the town all day long. I do not want her defenseless. She barely knows how to cast protective enchantments, let alone duel."
John sat up straight, alarmed at this revelation. Margaret roaming the streets unprotected? This could not be. Visions of Margaret accosted by ruffians: bruised, battered, bleeding... He would not let that happen. "I see. The shop closes at seven o'clock most evenings. Perhaps I could tutor her before our sessions? After dinner? Your family are welcome to join us any time, for both the instructing and dinner, of course."
Richard Hale beamed as John stood, extending his hand. He shook it firmly. "Thank you, my friend. Now you must hurry, or you shall miss your next class!"
The girls chatted merrily. Bessy, seated behind the counter, warmed her hands on a cup of tea Margaret had prepared her. Mrs. Thornton was strangely absent, which was suspicious, but both girls were so happy they paid the matter no heed.
Margaret smiled, setting her cup down and sighing. "What was your favorite class?"
Bessy looked at the ceiling, casting her mind back. "Divination. I was bored the whole time, but I have the Sight. No one else did, which is why it bored me."
Margaret stared at her, eyes wide. "The Sight?"
"Sometimes I see the future, I feel things about people." She gazed intently at Margaret. "You have it too, if I'm not mistaken. And I am usually right about this sort of thing."
Margaret laughed nervously. "I'm afraid you are mistaken."
"Have you ever had a dream you couldn't explain? Something so vivid, so familiar, that it couldn't be imagined. Have you ever felt like you've seen something before—known something about a person you shouldn't possibly know?"
Margaret shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "There was one dream." Bessy leaned forward, and Margaret, with some hesitation, recited it. "I was on the Hogwarts Express, coming here. I dreamed of a-a smile. I remember snow was falling, and I could hear laughter." She closed her eyes and sighed, "I can recall thinking how uncommon the smile was. I confess I was quite—quite affected by it." She blushed, opening her eyes, and staring determinedly at everywhere but Bessy's earnest gaze.
Bessy gently touched her hand, "You do have the Sight." Her mouth turned up in a wicked expression. "Perhaps it was a man you'll meet someday!"
"Do not be ridiculous, Bessy! Who is there to meet in this cold, frozen place?"
"There's always Thornton."
Margaret shuddered. "Very amusing, Bessy. You know my opinion of that man. I am afraid Mr. Thornton can expect nothing from me."
Author's Note: Okay, that was a bit of a cheap shot. Couldn't resist! Thanks so much to my faithful readers, especially the lovely eknight07. Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
