"Sir, he is rash and very sudden in choler, and haply

may strike at you: provoke him, that he may;"

Othello, W. Shakespeare

Men In Rage Strike Those That Wish Them Best

Malkin shivered as she flushed the toilet. She stood up unsteadily and brought the soft towel to her mouth, drying it.

She turned to look at the mirror in her bathroom and her eyes widened.

Ever since arriving in France, she had avoided looking in the mirror. Now, as she properly looked at her appearance for the first time, she was stunned.

She staggered towards the basin and touched her hollow cheeks in wonder.

Part of her wanted to cry, because she knew that she had failed Florean and herself in returning back to her old habits.

But another part of her felt comforted. She was back in her familiar emptiness and there was some strange pleasure to be derived from being able to relax into one's old habits.

Rubbing her eyes tiredly, she went back to her desk and continued with her designs, but found it almost impossible to concentrate.

Suddenly, she felt ravenous. She ran to the kitchen and opened the cupboards and started taking anything remotely edible out of them.

Bread, butter, cream, cakes…. She ate them all hurriedly, pausing only when she heart something dropping on the marble floor.

She turned and her eyes widened as she saw that it was her wedding ring.

--

'Wake up.'

Florean furrowed his brow and turned over. Malkin hit him.

'Wake up. Florean, I need you!'

He rubbed his eyes as he sat up slowly.

Suddenly, he started as he saw her.

'Malkin?' he whispered.

She nodded tearfully.

'I've done it again,' she cried.

Florean turned on his desk lamp and she saw his eyes widening in shock as he took in her appearance.

'How long has this been going on for?' he asked quietly.

Malkin sniffed.

'February.'

Florean blinked.

'Ever since I left you?'

She nodded tearfully.

'I can't do this separation anymore. I'm not good for myself. Please say you'll forgive me. Please…'

Florean pulled her to him and kissed her softly.

'I'm always here for you,' he murmured against her lips, hugging her thin body to him gently. 'I'm not going anywhere.'

Malkin's breath caught.

'I'm sorry I woke you up. Do you have to get up early tomorrow?'

Florean pulled her to lie down with him, and kissed the tip of her nose.

'I'm calling in sick tomorrow.'

'But…'

'You're the most important thing in my life. Anything else can wait.'

Malkin nestled her head against his chest.

'I'm going to leave Paris. I can't take the pressure over there, and for what? To give Artemis designs a good name?'

'I've always said you should put your designs into your own label,' Florean said.

'You need money to do that.'

'Surely your parents…'

'My parents haven't contacted me in the past year,' Malkin said angrily.

'They have,' Florean corrected, 'but you've ripped up each of their letters. I don't understand why you are so against their help!'

'Because. I don't want to be indebted to them.'

'There is no debt when it comes to parents and their children. I know they would be happy to help you.'

'I don't want help.'

Florean looked at Malkin.

'I know,' he said grimly. 'And that's why you're back to this again.'

Malkin's eyes widened and she pushed him away and sat up angrily.

'I can't believe…'

'What?' Florean interrupted. 'That I'd stop sugar-coating everything? In my experience, pretending that everything is okay when it's not is not going to help you, or any of us. The truth of it is that your mother came to see me, yesterday, desperate to get in contact with you. Yes, Malkin, they mightn't have been always right. Yes, they could have paid more attention to you when you were growing up, but don't you think you should try forgiving them?'

Malkin crossed her arms stubbornly.

'Did she seduce you too?'

Florean rolled his eyes.

'You're being ridiculously immature now.'

'Well I don't want to see them. What's wrong with just us two?'

'There's nothing wrong with us two,' Florean sighed. 'But you don't realise that no one cares if you had a little assistance in getting your label launched. No one questions that when they see quality designs. It's a dog eat dog world out there- especially when it comes to fashion. Surely you know that from Paris. Sometimes, you have to play a little unconventionally to win.'

Malkin pursed her lips.

'But that's not even it,' Florean sighed. 'I know it's always been a cry for attention for you- especially the first time. You said so yourself. Now you have your parent's attention, Malkin, and it's not because you've relapsed, but because they want to get to know their daughter. Why don't you give them a chance?'

Malkin's nostrils flared, her mouth set in a stubborn line.

'Well think about it at least,' Florean sighed. 'Come on, you look like you could do with some sleep.'

Malkin got into bed gingerly and looked at Florean, biting her lip uncertainly.

'If I do meet them again, will you come with me?' she asked tentatively.

Florean smiled at her and kissed her.

'Yes. Of course I will,' he whispered, kissing her again.

Malkin hugged him tightly.

'I've really missed you,' she murmured, closing her eyes. 'You have no idea how much.'

'I think I do,' Florean said, kissing the top of her head. 'Don't worry, I'll help you get better again.'

Malkin smiled sleepily.

'I know you will,' she yawned. 'My personal guardian angel. And I'm married to you. How lucky can a girl get?'

Florean kissed the top of her head again, and hugged her more closely to him. A look of pain flashed across his face as he felt just how thin she had become

'I thought you never wanted to come back to London again,' Alphard called from the bathroom where he was shaving.

Selene threw on a silk nightgown and went and sat on the bath ledge.

'I know. I don't.'

'And what's wrong with life here? I thought you loved Venice!'

'I do,' Selene said, hugging his waist from behind and kissing the back of his neck lingeringly. 'I love it so much here, that I'd be happy to never leave this beautiful city ever again.'

Alphard bent over and washed his face, and took the towel which Selene handed him. Selene leant forward and brushed her lips against his lips slowly, teasingly.

'I love it when you've just shaved,' she whispered, stroking his cheek as she kissed him again.

Alphard pulled her to him suddenly and she squealed as he carried her back to the bed.

--

'So,' Alphard said, turning to face Selene, whose cheeks were flushed as her chest rose and fell rapidly. 'Why are we returning to London?'

Selene's face fell.

'Florean wrote to me.'

Alphard raised an eyebrow and leant forward and kissed her neck, just above the collarbone. Selene sighed and tangled a hand in his long, black hair.

'So?'

'Malkin's relapsed.'

Alphard paused from where he was kissing her, and looked up at Selene.

'I'm sorry,' he said genuinely.

Selene sighed.

'I know. I really thought she was over it.'

'What happened?'

'She went to France and, in the time she was separated from Florean, somehow reverted to her old habits.'

Alphard exhaled and kissed Selene's forehead.

'I want to be there for her. I don't want to leave here, but I think she needs support. She's my best friend, and Florean can't do it all alone.'

Alphard swallowed and lay his head on her chest. He didn't want to leave the blissful life they had created together over the past year in Venice. Selene had worked as an assistant in a Healer's clinic, whilst he worked at reception for the hotel they were living in- thereby giving them a luxurious place to stay, with free food of excellent quality.

It was a beautiful life. With the extra income they had- they had been able to afford a somewhat lavish lifestyle and would attend events such as the opera, ballet and theatre in their evenings.

Selene herself had long forgotten about the shabby attire she had worn at the orphanage. Often, Malkin had sent her a few of her designs to wear, but she would also go shopping and buy gowns of the finest silk that were perfectly tailored to her figure.

And when they returned to their hotel room, they would disappear under the covers. Gone were the formalities of English prudery. They explored each other's bodies shamelessly and Selene found herself doing things that she could never have imagined of whilst living back in England.

'I guess the honeymoon's over,' Alphard murmured.

Selene bit her lip, her cheeks burning.

'We're not married,' she said quietly.

Alphard ignored this statement, and it cut Selene.

'Do you think you could just go back and visit her?' he asked. 'England's not far from here.'

Selene sighed and sat up. Alphard looked at her dolefully.

'Alphie,' she said softly. 'This past year has been amazing. I can't think of a time in my life when I was as happy as I've been this past year, with you.'

'So why does it have to end?' Alphard pressed. 'Why end a good thing?'

Selene toyed with the cotton sheets.

'Because we need to grow up,' she said sadly. 'We can't keep living in this lovely and safe cocoon of a world we've set up for ourselves over here.'

'Why not?' Alphard said mulishly.

'Because there are other people we care about back in England. You have a family back there- have you forgotten about them so easily?'

'They seemed quite happy to forget about me,' Alphard shrugged.

Selene kissed him coaxingly.

'And I have people back in England who I care about.'

Alphard stiffened as he thought of Tom for the first time during their trip. He had long forgotten his conversation Dumbledore in his contentedness with his life with Selene.

Now that she wanted to return to England, however, suspicion sunk in.

'Who, apart from Malkin and Florean do you care about, in England?'

'Aren't they enough?' Selene said softly.

'What about Riddle?' Alphard burst out, before he could help it.

Selene blinked, and moved away from Alphard slightly.

'Do you deny that you care about him?' he asked harshly.

Selene swallowed and looked down, her cheeks burning.

'I love Tom in a very different way to how you accuse me,' she murmured.

She then shook her head.

'Loved. Not anymore.'

'Love's a strong word,' Alphard shot. 'And try me. Perhaps I might understand.'

Selene's eyes flashed.

'I had known him for longer than anyone else in the world. Up until we finished school, he had been the only sure constant in my life. As much as I hated him, I had no choice but to love him for that.'

Alphard said nothing, and Selene cupped his cheek and kissed him lingeringly.

'I don't want to discuss him,' she said firmly. 'Ever again. I don't even know who he is- or where he is, for that matter- anymore.'

Alphard looked into her eyes seriously.

'You wouldn't ever lie to me, would you?' he asked quietly.

Selene shivered, and then sighed heavily.

'The honeymoon period really must be over for us to even be having this conversation,' she whispered. 'And no, I wouldn't lie to you,' she added seriously.

She bit her lip as she remembered her heritage, and looked away quickly as she felt her guilt overcoming her.

'So we're really leaving, then, are we?' Alphard asked, his tone somewhat harsh.

Selene nodded heavily.

'Yes. I suppose we have to.'

He pursed his lips and then kissed Selene.

'Anything for you, cara mia.'

Selene traced the outline of his lips.

'I love you so much,' she whispered, leaning forward and kissing him. 'Maybe we can return here every summer?'

Alphard smiled sadly.

'We'll see,' he said, kissing her cheek. 'As for now… I suppose we had better hand in our notice.'

Selene's shoulders slumped at the thought of leaving her job, where she was treated with respect as opposed to her old job in England.

'I suppose you're right,' she sighed reluctantly.

'I'm so sorry.'

'Malkin, stop apologising.'

'If I hadn't have been so weak, you would still be having a nice time with Alphard in Venice.'

'Well, I suppose the honeymoon had to end sometime,' Selene said bitterly.

Malkin blinked, surprised.

'You're married?'

'No I'm not,' Selene said quickly.

'Oh.'

Selene looked up at Malkin.

'What?'

'I just thought… after all this time, and then going ahead and living together for so long that you'd want to make that commitment to each other.'

Selene pursed her lips as she picked at her carrot cake.

'I do,' she said. 'I don't think he wants to.'

'Because of what happened to his fiancée?' Malkin whispered.

Selene shrugged hopelessly.

'Maybe. I don't know,' she shrugged. 'Anyway. We need to discuss you. What happened?'

Malkin fell very quiet, and wrung her thin hands nervously.

'I was alone.'

'Yes, but you did so well alone for the first nine months.'

'No, Florean and I would always see each other every few weeks… but then I didn't see him for a month.'

'Why?' Selene whispered.

Malkin swallowed thickly.

'I was feeling the pressure at work, and he was finding it hard to keep up with his classes and work shifts.'

'But surely…'

'Part of me just didn't want to see him. Part of me wanted to be able to go back to my old habits.'

'Wh—'

'Because it's familiar!' Malkin sighed hopelessly. 'Because, despite the fact that I managed for so long without actually reverting back to old habits, I still notice every single thing I've put in my mouth since rehab. I can't beat this…'

Tears started streaming down Malkin's cheeks and she hunched over and started breathing heavily.

'I don't want to say this to Florean, because he seems to have gotten over it so successfully… and I want him to think I'm better than this.'

'But he knows you've relapsed,' Selene said gently.

'I know,' Malkin said miserably. 'But he thinks that I'll be fine soon. He thinks it's simply because we didn't see each other.'

Malkin rubbed her eyes tiredly and Selene took her hand.

'You need to tell him,' Selene said earnestly. 'He cares about you more than anything. He deserves to be able to be there as fully as he can for you.'

Malkin nodded quickly and blew her nose.

'I'm so glad I'm back, and that you're here as well,' Malkin said quietly. 'France wasn't right all by myself, and England wouldn't be right without you.'

Selene forced a tight smile and hugged Malkin.

'Let's just get you better, okay?'

'Thank you for meeting me, Alphard,' Dumbledore said, motioning for Alphard to sit. 'I trust you had an enjoyable trip to Venice?'

'Yes. But too short,' Alphard sighed.

Dumbledore smiled.

'I think you'll always find that, no matter how long you go on holiday for.'

Alphard nodded ruefully.

'I'm afraid I don't have much time,' Dumbledore said, glancing at his watch. 'I just came by to ask if you had thought or perhaps acted upon what we discussed during our last conversation.'

Alphard looked down at his hands.

'She said that she doesn't know where he is- or who he is- anymore.'

'Ah,' Dumbledore said lightly.

'You don't believe her?' Alphard asked, surprised.

'I wonder… do you still have the Veritaserum I gave you?'

'Yes,' Alphard said slowly. 'She was telling the truth, though. I know she was.'

Dumbledore nodded and stood up swiftly.

'I'm afraid I must be off,' he said, going to the door.

Alphard's shoulders slumped.

'She wouldn't lie to me,' he said quietly.

Dumbledore paused at the door.

'You shouldn't blame her, Alphard. Tom has this effect on all he tries to charm. Selene is of a pure nature. It is only natural that she should fall under his spell.'

Alphard looked away bitterly.

'Even when we were in Venice?'

'I wouldn't put it past Tom Riddle,' Dumbledore said grimly. 'I believe him to be responsible for four deaths, and it's highly likely that he has been the cause of many more.'

'Surely Selene would be against that!' Alphard reasoned.

'She probably doesn't know,' Dumbledore said gently.

Alphard snorted and then rubbed his eyes tiredly.

'Okay, okay, I'll try again.'

'Understand that I only ask this of you because I believe that Tom- despite the fact that Selene is a muggleborn- probably trusts her more than anyone else. They have known each other longer than anyone else.'

Alphard's nostrils flared at the thought, and he nodded resolutely.

'Very well, you have my word,' he said, holding out his hand.

Dumbledore smiled and shook it, before leaving the room.

Selene looked around the room they had taken at the Leaky Cauldron.

'Not quite like our room back in Venice,' Alphard commented, lying back on the bed.

Selene went over to the bed and lay next to him, brushing his black hair out of his eyes.

'No,' she murmured, kissing him. 'Not quite like it at all.'

Alphard sighed impatiently.

'How's Malkin? Good enough that we can go back?'

Selene pursed her lips.

'No. The opposite. She's in a much worse state than I expected. I have to be here for her.'

Alphard was silent, and Selene sat up on her elbows and looked down into his eyes.

'Maybe it's good for us to be back, though,' she said hopefully. 'Maybe we should… settle down?'

The words hung high in the air, and Selene looked away, her heart sinking as she saw Alphard tense up at the suggestion.

She quickly got off the bed, feeling hurt and rejection overcoming her.

'Where are you going?' Alphard sighed.

'For a walk,' Selene said unsteadily, fastening her cloak.

'At this hour?'

'Yes. Do you want me to get anything while I'm out?'

Alphard sat up heavily.

'Wait, I'll come with you…'

'No!'

Alphard blinked in surprised and they stared at each other.

'I mean… I'd just to be alone. To clear my thoughts,' Selene added hastily.

Alphard's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

'Are you meeting someone?' he asked.

Selene frowned.

'No, I'm going for a walk. As I said,' she said slowly.

Her shoulders slumped as she in Alphard's expression that he didn't believe her.

'I don't want you to go.'

Selene blinked.

'I'm sorry?' she said incredulously.

'I don't want you to go,' Alphard said stoutly, walking over to her. 'Not alone. I don't think a girl should be out on her own at this hour. It sends the wrong message.'

'What message,' Selene said icily. 'Do you think I would send?'

'You're with me, and I don't want anyone thinking that my girl's a common street whore.'

Selene opened her mouth to retort, furious—

'You…'

'Not if I'm going to introduce you to my parents some time soon,' Alphard added heavily.

Selene suddenly blinked in surprise.

'Your… parents?' she whispered.

'We've been together for a while now. I'd like to make it a bit more official,' Alphard murmured, not looking up at her. 'I'm pretty sure they won't take to you because of your blood, so I'd like you to behave as respectably as possible in the meantime.'

All angry thoughts were suddenly gone. Selene thought that, if Alphard was prepared to introduce her to his parents, a marriage proposal must have been eminent in the near future.

She smiled warmly at him and kissed him lingeringly.

'Okay, then. I'll behave like a proper lady from now on,' she grinned.

Alphard surveyed her dubiously.

'You're being very easy about this,' he said suspiciously.

'It's important to you,' Selene shrugged.

'They're horrible,' Alphard warned.

'So long as you're there to hold my hand, I'm sure I'll survive,' Selene said, smiling at him.

Alphard observed Selene quietly, and Selene's smile faltered.

'What's wrong, Alphie?' she whispered.

He turned his back to her suddenly and walked over to the window that overlooked Diagon Alley.

'Selene, have you seen Tom Riddle since we finished school?'

Selene paled.

'Alphie, where's this coming from?'

'Have you?'

Selene backed away, her eyes wide. She had never expected Alphard, of all people, to raise his voice at her.

'What's happened to you?' she whispered. 'Why have you changed so much since coming to England?'

'Well that's just it, isn't it?' Alphard shot acridly. 'I've come all the way to England for you, and you can't even be honest to me about Tom fucking Riddle.'

Selene's eyes flashed.

'Don't speak to me like that,' she said quietly, though there was the undertone of a threat in her tone.

'Or what? You'll run off to Tommy?'

Selene's face blanched.

'Are you drunk?' she asked, confused.

'Answer me!'

'You've been doing Vice again,' Selene said suddenly, backing closer towards the door. 'I can't believe you'd do that again, after everything it put Malkin through.'

Alphard laughed, uncharacteristically darkly.

'There's another one!' he laughed. 'Malkin! Tell me, Malkin, who do you want to be with? Malkin or me? Because, last time I checked, she was married!'

'Married!' Selene shrieked, her eyes flashing angrily. 'Something we'll never be!'

Alphard's lip curled back.

'I wouldn't want to marry a liar like you anyway,' he sneered.

Selene pushed past him and started packing her things.

'Where do you think you're going?' he demanded.

'Away from you. You're not who I thought you were,' she said, throwing her clothes into her trunk.

'Oh no, but Tommy is?'

Stop it!' Selene shrieked. 'You're just as bad as he is! Why don't you run off and marry him, if you're so intent on behaving like him?'

'I am nothing like that murdering…'

Selene's eyes widened in shock.

'How did you know?' she whispered, her lips white.

Alphard looked as though he had been slapped.

'You knew?' he whispered dangerously. 'You knew that Riddle had murdered, and yet you said nothing to anyone?'

Selene turned her back to Alphard and continued to throw her clothes in her trunk with shaking hands.

He grabbed her shoulders roughly.

'We're not done, here.'

Selene spun around, her eyes cold.

'Is this how you behaved with your fiancée?' she seethed. 'Because if I were here and stuck in a relationship like this with you, I'd have asked my ex boyfriend to murder me as well!'

As soon as she said it, Selene knew she had overstepped the line, and she instantly regretted it. That didn't prepare her for Alphard's reaction.

His palm reverberated in the suddenly silent room as it cracked across her cheek and Selene spun around, falling on the bed.

She sat up suddenly, her eyes wide with shock, and stared at Alphard.

'I'm so sorry,' he said through gritted teeth, pinching the bridge of his nose as he sunk to the ground and sat against the bed. 'I…. I don't know what came over me. I don't deserve your forgiveness.'

Selene sat up slowly and looked down at Alphard, tears spilling down her cheeks.

'What happened to you? We were so happy in Venice?' she whispered.

Alphard shook his head hopelessly.

'Dumbledore got to me again,' he said, his tone harsh. 'I shouldn't have seen him.'

'Dumbledore?' Selene asked, shocked.

Alphard looked up at Selene, his grey eyes pained. Tentatively, she moved over to him and sat next to him.

'What happened?' she asked firmly.

Alphard looked away, his cheek burning.

'He wants me to find out if you've been seeing Tom. He said that you would know where Tom is, and about supposed murders that he's committed.'

Selene shivered. She had never expected such deviousness from her old Head of House.

'When did he ask you this?'

'He asked me the first time just before we left for Venice,' Alphard admitted sheepishly. 'But I ignored it.'

'What made you change your mind?'

'He asked to see me again as soon as we had arrived in London.'

'Is that why you've been funny ever since we came back?' Selene asked quietly.

Alphard swallowed and nodded swiftly.

Selene looked away, her eyes pained.

'I let him get to me,' Alphard said sorrowfully. 'But I don't care about Riddle. I just want you. Can't we just go back to Venice and continue on as though none of this ever happened?'

Selene shook her head.

'No, because it has happened.'

Alphard sniffed and nodded.

'I suppose you were right, then. What you said about Ada.'

Selene looked up into his eyes her own eyes wide.

'I'm so sorry for what I said, Alphie,' she whispered truthfully. 'You were being horrible to me- and it doesn't justify your hitting me- but I was completely out of line with what I said. I didn't even mean it, I truly didn't.'

Alphard drew an unsteady breath and Selene looked down and took his hand, tentatively.

'How about we just forget this and start again. Here. Let's find a nice place here in London, and life will be good. I promise it will be. I love you too much to let this stupid past hour ruin what we have. How about we just erase this hour from our memory?'

Alphard chewed his lip.

'I would like that,' he said quietly.

Selene smiled, wincing a little as she felt e bruise arising, and leant forward and kissed him slowly. Alphard pulled her to him, kissing her more fervently.

'Please forgive me,' he whispered against her lips. 'I don't deserve it, but…'

'I do,' Selene whispered, kissing him again. 'Let's just forget this all happened.'

Alphard pulled away and stroked her cheek, lightly.

'And about marriage,' he said uncomfortably.

Selene looked up hopefully.

'My last attempt went horribly. Would you mind if we just left the concept of engagement for a while? We're happy as we are, aren't we?'

Selene looked down to hide her disappointment.

'Sure,' she lied. 'I understand.'

Alphard smiled at her and kissed her forehead, hugging her tightly to his side.

--

That evening, Selene couldn't help hurt tears stinging her eyes as she watched Alphard's back as he slept.

He had promised to never hurt her, and yet he had struck her today.

Just like Tom.

But he wasn't Tom, and that made it even worse. His striking her was completely unexpected and that made it completely unfair. At least, with Tom, she had usually had the option of defending herself.

Turning her back, Selene caught glimpse of her wand, sitting on her bedside table, and snatched it as she went to the bathroom.

There was someone she needed to find.

I absolutely do not condone violence in relationships. This is fiction. Relationships like Selene/Tom and even how Alphard treated Selene just now is NOT okay. I hope this story does not glorify such relationships, but shows just how terrible and unhealthy they can be. Selene deserves much better and so do you.

If you are in such a relationship, please get out.

Now that I've said my piece- did you miss me? Well, I missed you! I haven't had internet access on my computer for the past week, so sorry for delayed review responses… and this delayed update. The only thing that has been having healthy updates is my Twitter. And even that's been playing up, so please don't be offended if I've randomly 'stopped following' you. It seems to keep randomly make me 'unfollow' people. I've re-followed those who I can remember, but if I don't regularly 'tweet' with you, I may have forgotten you.

Just let me know if this is the case

Onto what you actually want to hear about-

'I shouldn't be telling you this, but he knows that you've murdered people. Dumbledore's onto you, Tom.' – Selene to Tom

Now, my lovelies, it is your turn to do your bit. Review!

Love, Anya