Sweet Juliet
Chapter 25: I'm Coming Home
(A/N: I'm so sorry, guys! I know I said that I'd have this out about two weeks ago, but I've been super busy. I take all honors classes at school, dance three days a week, work, orchestra, SAT classes, driver's ed, and trying to have some semblance of a social life. So...yeah. Anyway, I recently celebrated my seventeenth birthday so you should be nice and leave a review :P Also, to make it up to you guys, I've written a bonus chapter for this story in Snape's POV. Enjoy!)
Okay, so she hadn't ended up saving Harry. Actually...he'd saved himself...and her. At least they were safe.
Although, Juliet had to admit that she sure as hell didn't feel like it right at that moment. Every muscle in her body screamed, and she was gonna have some pretty nasty bruises in the morning from all the impact she'd been making with the ground lately.
She wished desperately that everyone would just shut up, but they just kept on screaming. Oh God, so much screaming and crying and people running all over the place. It felt like the ground was shaking. Juliet curled into a ball, covering her ears. Oh, shut up, shut up, shut up.
No, don't touch me! Don't touch me, just leave me alone!
She didn't realize she was screaming out loud until a pair of strong arms wrapped around her, holding her still and murmuring for her to calm down. That voice...it was her father. Oh, how she'd missed him. She'd been terrified that she'd never see him again.
"Dad!" she yelled, her eyes shooting open. She registered his look of alarm and tried to lower her voice and look a bit calmer. "Dad...I saw him. He's back. He...he killed—"
She could say no more, choking on her words and breaking down into sobs. Sure, she hadn't liked Cedric much, but seeing this...it was enough to break down anyone.
"I know, Juliet," her father said in barely more than a whisper. "We need to get you to the hospital wing. Can you stand?"
"I can try."
Oh, bad idea, bad idea. Even leaning on her father's arm for support, Juliet's legs crumpled beneath her after just a few seconds. Her vision was getting fuzzier and fuzzier. She wanted to sleep. Yes, that's what she wanted. If she could just lie down and sleep for the next three weeks that would be excellent.
So she closed her eyes and resolved to do just that.
…...
When Juliet awoke, she had the horrible aftertaste of pain-relieving potion in her mouth. Apparently Madame Pomfrey had given it to her while she was asleep. The bright whiteness of the infirmary stung her tired eyes a bit, but she ignored it.
Her father sat beside her bed, watching her carefully, wearing the same brooding expression that he always wore. His face never lost its harshness, but she had learned to read what he was feeling through his eyes. Their eyes.
She was the only one who could read him.
"You're awake," he said evenly.
"Good observation, Dad."
"Juliet."
"Sorry. How long was I out?"
Severus sighed, rising from his chair and beginning to pace back and forth slowly as he did so often. "Two days. Crouch tried to kill Potter after the two of you returned from the maze."
"We weren't in the maze," said Juliet, sitting up slowly and wincing a bit. The potion helped, but she was still very sore. "We were in some kind of graveyard. There was this man...named Wormtail. He was the one who resurrected He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. The way he—the way he had to do it...it was...horrible." Juliet shuddered and tried to go on but Severus stopped her, placing his hand over hers.
"Don't stress yourself out, Juliet. You're bound to experience some post-traumatic stress."
She looked at him for a moment. He wasn't keeping eye contact with her for very long, which meant there was something he wasn't telling. Something that he didn't want her to know he knew.
"What are you hiding from me?"
"Juliet—"
"Please, Dad," she interrupted. "After everything we've gone through this year, I think I deserve some straight answers. Please."
Severus blinked, looking at her dead in the eyes now. She didn't look away. "Very well. Mister Potter came to me, an action in and of itself that was shocking. He told me what you did in the graveyard. What you had to do to try and save him." Juliet sighed, looking down at her lap.
"And you're angry."
"Yes. Furious, actually."
"Dad...I did what I had to do."
Severus clenched the side of her bed tightly, and Juliet could tell he was trying very hard not to lose his temper. "Potter told me exactly what happened, after some pressing, and I think you actually managed to convince the Dark Lord that you serve him."
"So, that's good, right?"
"No, Juliet, it is not good. Not good at all. Don't you realize what this means? If I am right and the Dark Lord does not suspect, you will have to live like me. I assume you do not actually want to serve him, correct?"
She shook her head furiously. "Of course not."
Severus sighed, sitting back down. "Juliet, I am a spy for Headmaster Dumbledore. I have been ever since Lily died, but the Dark Lord believes I am a spy for him. Up until now, with the Dark Lord in hiding and not in his human form, we have been safe. Now he's returned and it will take every ounce of control I have not to be discovered as a traitor. It's incredibly dangerous, Juliet! And now you have no choice but to live that way as well!" He was trying so hard to control himself, but Juliet could see that he was struggling.
"Dad...listen to me. I didn't expect for this to happen. I didn't expect to make it out of that graveyard alive." Severus closed his eyes and tightened his grip on the bed rail, but she continued nonetheless. "But I did, and now I have to live with the choices I've made. When people come asking questions, we'll say I've decided to keep living with you until I come of age, following in your footsteps and helping you to spy on Dumbledore."
"It's too dangerous, Juliet."
"I have no other choice, Dad. Either I can be like you, or I can reveal myself and go into hiding. Personally, I'd say that the first option is a far braver choice. And if I get anything from you, it's my temper...and, hopefully, my bravery."
"I don't want this for you, Juliet. I don't want you to be like me."
"If I go into hiding he'll find me. We both know that." She paused, taking his hand in hers. "Besides, you're my hero. Always have been. You're brave, and strong, and an amazing father. There's absolutely nothing wrong with being like you."
…...
After several hours of begging, Madame Pomfrey let Juliet leave the hospital wing the next morning. Hermione and Luna had come to visit her the previous evening with clean clothes for her to wear when she left. Draco rarely left her side, even trying to sleep next to her bed until Madame Pomfrey found out and shooed him noisily away.
Juliet had chosen not to talk to Draco about his father. No one's family was perfect. She'd learned that the hard way. Draco was her boyfriend, his parents be damned.
When Juliet finally returned to her dormitory, there were only three days left until they would return home. Classes had finished, and the students were excited to get to their three months off and escape some of the drama that had been going on at the castle since the third task.
First, Barty Crouch Jr. had to be carted back off to Azkaban, then there was Cedric's memorial service to be had. Juliet was almost glad she was still in the hospital wing when that was held. She had seen Cedric die. She wasn't sure she could have sat through it without freaking out. She wasn't entirely sure how Harry did it.
Ah, Harry. She hadn't seen him since the night of the third task. Ron, Hermione, Neville, Luna, Draco, and even Fred and George had been to see her in the infirmary at one point or another, but Harry had never shown up. She had so much to talk to him about, but it felt like he'd been avoiding her. She wished he'd stop it already.
Her wish was granted when she nearly ran headlong into Harry while leaving Gryffindor Tower to head down to lunch.
"Harry!" she said in surprise. She crossed her arms, looking at him with one eyebrow cocked. "Long time no see."
Harry scratched the back of his head nervously. "Yeah...sorry, Juliet. I just needed some time alone, you know? I've had a lot to think about?"
"By 'time alone' I assume you mean 'time avoiding Juliet,' correct?"
"No, I just—"
"Save it, Harry. I'm going to lunch now."
"Wait, Juliet," he said, grabbing her by the upper arm. "Can we...can we go for a walk or something please? Get some fresh air?"
Juliet sighed and met his eyes. "Fine, but you have some explaining to do."
When they reached the grounds, a gentle summer breeze was blowing across the lawn. Several groups of students were sprawled out near the Black Lake. Juliet could pick out Fred and George with their girlfriends, Angelina Johnson and a Ravenclaw girl named Christy Sullivan.
"Alright, start talking, Potter."
"Well...I've been doing some thinking, Juliet."
"I hope you didn't hurt yourself."
Harry ignored her comment and went on. "In the graveyard...you were ready to give up your life, and probably your father's as well, just to save me. Why is that?"
Juliet stopped, turning to face Harry. She looked into his bright green eyes, unblinking. "Because you're our only hope, Harry. We both know it. He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named tried to kill you thirteen years ago for a reason. One day, you're going to have to be the one who finally ends him. I think you've known it for a while now." She paused, trying to gauge his reaction. He didn't look away so she went on. "Besides, I didn't end up doing much anyway. You saved yourself. Not to mention me."
"See," Harry replied, "the thing is, none of that matters. Whether you or I did the saving, the fact of the matter is that you were ready and willing to do it. You don't see that in a whole lot of people."
"Why do I feel like you have some sort of agenda, here?"
"Because I do."
"Well out with it then."
Harry resumed walking and Juliet matched his strides. "You know I care about you a lot, Juliet. You've been a great friend to me, something I never would have expected of someone of your...lineage."
"Back to that, are we?"
"Not in the slightest. Look, I know you're with Malfoy, and I know you like him a lot. Maybe you could even love him. I wouldn't know. What I do know is that I've finally figured out why I care so much about you."
Juliet's eyes widened. "Harry, please don't be saying what I think you're saying. You're one of my best friends, but—"
"Don't worry about it, Juliet. Just know that I'm not giving up on you."
Without another word, he turned and walked away, heading in the direction of Hagrid's hut, where she assumed he'd been spending most of his time. Juliet was utterly shocked. She loved Harry dearly, but she never expected, nor wanted this. She was with Draco. He was her best friend and her boyfriend...and Harry was right. She'd fallen completely in love with him.
Leave it to Harry Potter to complicate that.
…...
Juliet decided to take a walk around the grounds. As she neared a familiar group of trees, she caught sight of four smiling faces, waving her over.
"Hi, guys," she said, sitting down next to Luna. Ron, Hermione, and Neville all sat facing her.
"Hey, Juls," said Neville. "We saw you talking to Harry on our way out here. How did it go?"
Juliet sighed, looking out over the Black Lake, water rippling in the breeze. She loved the sights and smells of summer—fresh grass, flowers, leaves softly rustling in the trees. "It was certainly...interesting." She was met with three confused stares—Ron just looked away—so she amended. "It's a long story. And not one to tell right now."
"Juliet!" She looked up, seeing Draco jogging toward her, his handsome smirk on his face, and not followed by Crabbe and Goyle for once.
"Hello, darling," she said as he leaned down to kiss her. "Where have you been all day?"
"Trying to get everything packed up, but I'm all done now."
"That's good. Care to sit with us?" Draco looked nervous. He'd been trying a bit harder (precious little, but it was better than nothing), but he still didn't want to hang around her friends any more than she wanted to hang around his.
"Actually, I was hoping to talk to you about something alone. Walk with me?" he asked, extending his hand.
Juliet smiled. "Sure." When she was on her feet, she turned back to her friends. "See you guys later. Save me a seat at dinner?"
"Of course," answered Hermione.
"So, what's the big secret?" asked Juliet when they were out of hearing range. Her fingers were interlaced with his, and the breeze was blowing his scent towards her—cool and minty. She loved it.
"How would you like to go on holiday with me this summer?"
Juliet bit her lip. "With you and your family?"
"Nope," replied Draco, smiling. "Just me. We have a summer house down near Shell Village. It's right on the sea, and completely private, but still fairly close to the town. My parents have agreed to let us stay there for two weeks."
"Your parents agreed to let you stay in a house alone with your girlfriend?" asked Juliet, suspicious.
"Well, I might've told them that I'm taking Blaise Zabini. His parents are cool, they've all agreed to cover for me. So, what do you say?"
Two weeks with Draco, alone, in what was sure to be an insanely luxurious house right next to the sea? Yeah, that sounded pretty good right now. All she had to do was convince her father. Juliet beamed, throwing her arms around Draco's neck.
"Of course I'll go with you! How could I say no?"
He laughed, his arms wrapping around her waist and pulling her close to him. "Now that's what I like to hear."
She returned to her dormitory in a state of elation. If anyone had asked her why she looked so idiotically giddy, she probably wouldn't have even been able to process what they had said.
Packing didn't take as long as she had expected. She had gone through everything except her school bag, in which she carried around her textbooks and essay parchment. She dug through it, tossing out anything that wasn't worth keeping. At the very bottom, she came across a folded piece of parchment. She pulled it out and noticed her name was written across it in her father's elegant hand.
Her jaw almost dropped as she realized what it was.
The letter. The one that he had written to her so many months ago to explain himself. She had forgotten all about it (well, it wasn't entirely her fault, she'd lost a lot of blood.)
Slowly, carefully, Juliet opened the letter and began reading. A few tears formed in the first few sentences.
By the end, she was crying her eyes out.
…...
Juliet sighed in relief, heaving her last bag into her father's office. He'd agreed to Apparate them home for her so she wouldn't have to worry about them on the train. It left in two hours, so the two were having one last breakfast in Severus' quarters before it was time to leave.
"So, Dad," said Juliet, taking a sip of pumpkin juice. "What do you think of Hermione and Luna coming to visit for a few days this summer?"
Severus didn't look up from his Daily Prophet. "We'll talk about it."
Juliet sighed, but chose not to argue with him. Her father had been in a fairly good mood lately, considering the circumstances, and she certainly was going to take the chance of ruining that.
"What about you, then? Any big, exciting plans this summer?" If Severus noticed her sarcasm, he said nothing.
"Just taking care of my wonderful teenage daughter." Ah, sarcasm right back at her.
Juliet smiled. "Love you too. Dad, everything's gonna be okay. You know that, right?"
This time Severus did look up, meeting her gaze. "I certainly hope so Juliet."
…...
A half hour before the train was to leave, Severus and Juliet walked to Hogsmeade Station. Juliet only had a few books to read on the ride home, and Felix in his carrier (Juliet wanted to spend some time with him, as she hadn't done so very often during the year). Everything else was waiting in Severus' office.
"I still don't see why I can't just Apparate home with you," she remarked as they walked.
"I've told you before, Juliet," replied Severus impatiently. "Riding the Hogwarts Express is all part of the experience of attending Hogwarts."
"Yeah, well, experience or no, train rides make me sleepy," said Juliet grinning. "So prepare for a grouchy daughter when we get home."
"I'm sorry, how would that be any different than usual?"
Juliet pretended to laugh, sending her father a joking glare. "Ha ha, very funny." She put Felix down for a second to give Severus a big hug. "I'll see you in a few hours, Dad. Love you."
"I love you too, Juliet."
Picking Felix back up, Juliet stepped up onto the train. She waved to Severus out the window before joining Neville, Luna, Ron, Hermione, and Harry in their compartment. She shot Harry a small smile. Whether he was being weird or not, he was still her friend.
Juliet leaned her head against the back of the seat, sighing happily and smiling. Here she was, surrounded by her friends, looking forward to a blissful two weeks with her boyfriend, and headed toward her rundown little house that she had missed so much.
Things were screwed up right now, but it was just as she had told her father. Everything would be okay. They'd find a way to get through it.
She laughed right along with the others at some idiotic comment Ron had made, and they sped off toward home.
The End
(A/N: OH. MY. GOD. I can't believe I finally finished it! This is the first story I've finished EVER. I'm so excited. I've had so much fun writing this, and I'm so grateful to all of you who have stuck with me all the way, despite my laziness. This story has seen me through so much: successes, failures, heartbreaks, happiness. Everything. The bonus chapter is up as well and I'm rather fond of it. It's cute :P I'm going to be taking a little break from Juliet, but (and yes, I know I've said this before but this time I MEAN IT) I'm going to have the first chapter of Sweet Juliet: Part Two done by a deadline. On March 1st, by 8:00 p.m. EST it will be up. That gives me the rest of February to finish my list of one-shots. So, thank you SO MUCH for all your support, and leave me one last review.)
Much love,
ChasedByTheShadows