Quidditch League | Holyhead Harpies | Captain | R3 | Write about an action or event that has major consequences.
Words: 2357
A.N.: Title inspired by an Imagine Dragons song
Thank you, MissyAndTheDocs, for beta-ing! *hugs*
Warning: small reference of physical violence.
...
not today
...
For some reason, Percival had always known that he was never destined for a happily ever after. Even as a child, he'd only rolled his eyes at the many stories his grandmother had told him. Two people finding each other, falling hopelessly in love, and living together until they'd both fall into an endless sleep… no, Percival always knew that life didn't quite work like that. Admittedly, the blue-eyed wizard never thought he'd spend his last couple of hours locked up in one of the darkest places known to wizardkind either – but that just seemed to be the path faith had chosen for him. With a heavy sigh, he leaned back against the cold, wet stonewall of his cell and forcefully shut his eyes – trying in vain to ignore his fellow prisoners' screams of desperation and forget about the haunting creatures that were guarding his cell – so eager to feast on what was left of his soul. Involuntarily, a shudder ran down his spine when he felt a freezing cold breeze of air brushing over his skin as one of the dementors swept past his cell. Shivering, he bent his knees and brought his legs closer to his body, slowly rocking back and forth, albeit trying to think of a memory that would keep him sane for just one more day. He was ready to die tomorrow – but not today. Not until he got the chance to say goodbye to his wife.
Like so many times before, the image of Kendra was strong enough to ignite a small spark of hope somewhere inside of him. It wasn't much to hold on to, but strong enough for his mind to wander freely… towards happier times… years ago… when he had first laid eyes upon a certain auburn haired witch…
...
"Hey, watch were you're going," Percival growled angrily, ready to give the stupid person that had just ran into him a piece of his mind.
When he turned around, however, he met a pair of beautiful brown eyes and he couldn't help but stare.
"I'm really sorry," the little first-year mumbled, and started to hastily collect the contents of her bag that had fallen on the ground after their collision.
Percival shook his head. "It's alright," he said against his better judgement and bent down to help the young witch with her belongings. "It's partially my fault anyway. I tend to turn corners rather quickly."
"I guess that makes two of us then," the girl replied with a timid smile as a rosy blush covered her cheeks.
Picking up one of the books, Percival couldn't help but smirk. "Ah, Hogwarts: A History. I guess you're on your way to class then?".
The girl sighed. "I was. But one of the staircases suddenly moved and I got lost. I feel so stupid."
The third-year smiled sympathetically. "Ah, don't worry. It's the first day of school – it happened to all of us. Believe me," he added with a soft smile. "Do you want me to show you the way?"
Deep brown eyes sparkled hopefully. "If it's not too much trouble?"
Percival shook his head. "Not at all. I'm Percival, by the way."
"Kendra," she said and flashed him a beautiful smile.
…
"You should talk to her, Val."
"To whom?"
"Kendra, of course!"
Like every time the witch's name was mentioned, the prefect's heart skipped a beat.
"And why should I do that again?" he asked, in an attempt to sound nonchalant.
His best friend only raised an eyebrow. "Because you like her. Even a blind hippogriff can see it."
With a deep sigh, Percival looked up from his Transfiguration essay and stole a glance at the beautiful auburn-haired witch that was seated on the other side of the hall on the Ravenclaw table.
When his glance lingered for a bit too long, he felt his friend's gentle nudges. "Go. Talk. To. Her. Already."
Blue-eyes narrowed, and for a moment, Percival tried to think of a way to tell his friend off. In the end, however, he only sighed, braced himself, got up and walked – nervous as a little first year – towards the Ravenclaw table.
…
"You know, out of all those Gryffindors, I have to admit that you always were my favourite."
Percival smirked as they continued strolling around the snow-covered lake. The cold winter's air around them was still freezing, and snowflakes fluttered all around them, but he knew Kendra loved walking through the snow.
"Well, I hope I'll always be your favourite. You will certainly be mine," he whispered, deciding to hold on to the courage he was famous for and take her small hand into his slightly larger one. Surprised, the witch stopped, turned her head and stared at him when he bent down on one knee – his bright blue eyes never leaving hers.
"I can't imagine a life without you anymore. And I want to spend the rest of my life loving you. Will you marry me?"
…
Percival's heart almost stopped, and the vase of roses fell out of his hands and unceremoniously scattered on the white marble floor.
"Ken! What happened?"
With a few quick steps, he crossed the room until he reached the entrance door through which his shivering fiancé had just entered. Instantly, he cursed himself. He should have never allowed her to walk all the way through London to his flat. At least, not alone, and certainly not this late an hour.
With shaking hands, he reached out and lifted her chin ever-so-carefully, and his breath caught in his throat when he saw her. Her auburn hair was streaked with blood that obviously came from the laceration at the back of her head. Her lip was cut, her cheekbone bruised in black and blue, and tears were shimmering in her fearful brown eyes.
"Who did this?" he asked, his voice hoarse, and barely more than a whisper as he gently waved his hand over her injuries – mumbling all sorts of healing charms that came to mind. "Who hurt you, my love?"
The witch only gave a small sob.
"It's nothing, Val, really," she choked, and furiously brushed away the tears that had rolled down her cheeks. He knew she tried to be brave – and it was times like these when he wondered why she hadn't ended up in Gryffindor.
"Ken," he repeated, brought his strong arms around her and held her close. "Talk to me."
Another sob escaped her, and she buried her head in the crook of his neck. He didn't know how long they stood like this but, eventually, the young witch calmed down and moved her head ever-so-slightly to look at him – brown eyes meeting blue.
"I – I didn't know them," she stuttered, and his heart went out to her. "Muggles – three of them. They – they were drunk. Asked me to come with them to a pub. I refused. They wouldn't hear any of it. And then – then they – I was too afraid to use magic. "
Her voice cracked and she laid her head down on his chest. Percival felt the anger rise deep inside of him. His breath hitched, and he balled his hands into fists. He could already feel the magic burning in his veins like an untamed fire.
Kendra's soft cry distracted him. Trying to get his emotions under control, he held her as close as he possibly could, drawing soothing circles on her back as he gently brushed his fingers through his hair.
"I'm here, now, Ken. I won't let anything happen to you ever again," he promised her and silently vowed that if he'd ever find these muggles, they'd pay for their actions.
…
"Where are the boys?"
Percival smiled softly when he closed the door behind him and walked towards his wife's bed. "They were so eager to meet their little sister, but they couldn't fight it any longer. They're asleep in the waiting room – one of the nurses is watching them."
Despite her obvious exhaustion, the witch chuckled. "Am I a bad mother when I say I'm relieved to be alone with her for a little while longer?"
The wizard shook his head. "Not at all, my love. You deserve a moment's peace."
There was a bright smile on his face as he sat down next to her. He brushed a strand of auburn hair that had fallen out of her ponytail back behind her ear in a loving gesture. Then he gave her a small kiss on the forehead before he lowered his glance to take a look at the small bundle of pink blankets in Kendra's arms.
His bright blue eyes twinkled proudly and he beamed at his wife when she handed him their new-born daughter.
"Welcome to the world, my darling Ariana," he whispered and carefully took her tiny hand in his own. For a few seconds, he just stared at her – his twinkling blue eyes taking in every inch of his lovely little girl. "She's beautiful. Just like her mother."
When he was finally able to tear his gaze away from the tiny blue-eyed girl, he caught his wife looking at them tenderly with loving brown eyes.
"What?" Percival asked happily, but slightly irritated.
"Nothing, Val," Kendra laughed and placed her hand on his shoulder, stroking it gently. "I love you, that's all."
Still cradling the now sleeping baby in his arms, Percival leaned forward and kissed her. "I love you, too."
…
"Dumbledore!"
The guard's voice shattered through his cell like thunder through the sky and he was torn out of his memories, immediately feeling consumed by cold and emptiness.
Like in a trance, he moved forward. The guard cast an immobilizing spell on him and he felt his body go limp and his eyes being covered with a blind. Then, the cold metal of the handcuffs on his ankles, the strong hold on his arm that pushed him forward and the many screams that echoed in his ears as the guard led him down the dark and dusty corridor into the visitor's cell.
He had expected another Ministry official that would question him, and his heart skipped a beat when he recognized the faint scent of his wife's perfume lingering in the room.
"You have ten minutes to say goodbye, Dumbledore," the guard huffed, placed a spell on the handcuffs that would allow him to move freely for the time mentioned and locked the door behind them.
Immediately, Kendra stormed forward and threw her arms around him.
"I'm so glad you're alright," she sobbed and buried her face in the crook of his neck – her auburn hair falling down her back in soft curls.
"I tried to reason with the judges, but they wouldn't listen… They think you have killed these muggles."
Percival swallowed, tightened his arms around her and avoided her eyes. "I did."
Kendra's whole body trembled, and she shook her head vehemently as the tears started rolling down her cheeks.
"Val – don't do this."
He sighed and lowered his head. "Please, Ken, don't," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
She moved slightly, and looked up – pain and sorrow written all over her face.
"Please, don't do this," she begged. "Are you even aware of the consequences?"
Percival felt his own eyes tearing up and he found it difficult to speak.
"My mind is set."
"Val, please. There has to be another way."
The blue-eyed wizard sighed.
"If you just told the Ministry that you – "
Percival held up his hand and shook his head.
"If I told them the truth, they would lock our little girl up for good."
A sob escaped her, and she squeezed his hands tightly. "You're innocent! You never – "
"Yes, I did," Percival said vehemently, and a wave of nostalgia hit him when he remembered what happened to his wife all those years ago. "I have to protect her. Nobody would believe that it was an accident. Nobody would believe that she was too afraid to control her emotions. That they assaulted her first. All they'll care about are the dead muggle boys."
Kendra's whole body shivered, and Percival sighed. "Please, they can never know the truth, Ken. They can never know that she's lost control of her magic – they can never know that it was Ariana who killed them."
The witch laid her head down on her husband's chest and a moment of silence fell over them – disrupted only by the many agonizing and tortured screams of the other prisoners.
"You'll die in here," she whispered eventually – her voice hoarse and weak from crying.
Percival took a deep breath, before he nodded slowly. He's had enough time to come to terms with his decision, his actions, and the consequences. "I know."
Pain and sorrow were written in Kendra's beautiful brown eyes and Percival felt his own heart shatter at the sight.
"What – what about the boys? They'll be devastated…"
Percival sighed, pondering for a few seconds. "They're strong. We've raised them well. They know that when a wrong is done, there will be consequences."
"So, not the truth then? You don't want your own sons to know you're innocent?"
"Tell them I love them and tell them that I did it for their sister. They'll understand."
A small sob escaped her. "What about Ana?"
"Protect her. Love her. Love her for me. Don't let them take her away," Percival whispered, and his heart skipped a beat when an image of his beloved little girl appeared in his mind. Happy and sweet, with curious and twinkling bright blue eyes – just like she used to be.
Kendra buried her face deeper in Percival's chest.
"I – I don't know how to, if I can even do all this… not without you," Kendra whispered and brushed away a lonely tear.
"You'll get through this. I know you will. And it'll get easier, my love," Percival whispered, reaching out and softly cupping her cheek with his cold hands before he lowered his lips to hers to kiss her one last time – pouring all his love into it. "Somehow, and not today – but it will eventually."
.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry | April Event | Would you rather? |Write a rare pare
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry | Spring Season | Children's book club | Matilda (plot point) Accidental magic in a child
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry | Assignment 7 | Mythology |1. Write about a long period of darkness in someone's life.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry | 365 days | (action) holding hands
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry | Fantastic Beasts | Antipodean opaleye |Write about someone doing something extreme out of desperation
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry | Scavenger Hunt | Write an angsty story including: "You're my favourite."