Ambrosia hasn't let Tilly forget her warning from the weeks before and now has gone as far as stealing and destroying her belongings in her common room and of course leaving messages behind. Tilly refuses to tell anyone,it will just dig up what needs to stay buried deep within the past to rot away and be forgotten but that will never happen,tilly knows that,not even the. His hands are still there digging into her body ,in the silence Tilly swears she can hear his hot breath,a shiver of disgust goes up her spine almost making her vomit.
The sun shone brightly across the school Field especially bright for a December morning but it was far too cold for anyone to stay outside for too long.The castle was decorated roof to floor in decor for the yule ball dance tonight ,if Tilly didn't know about the numerous child murders it would make old castle seem somehow even more warm and safe. Tilly was making her way back from the forbidden forest the grey bag of cookies in hand much lighter than before she entered,the centaurs every grateful and excited for the sweet brown moss ( snickerdoodle cookies) that Tilly had brought them for there harvest moon celebrations.
Tilly was very happy at how excited they trying her cookies,It didn't help with the Hufflepuff stereotype but it made her aching body somewhat more bearable,The full moon was always a difficult time for her.Tilly took out the brown bottle from her bag popping two pills into her mouth chewing them ,Making her way up the stairs of the castle she heard someone crying following the sound she saw the girl from the hospital wing when the twins dragged her along sitting against the pillar.Tilly walked a bit louder then usual to make her presence known to the girl,Hermione,Who poked her head out of her arms looking at Tilly with watery puffy eyes"Hermione,do you want some company ?" Tilly asked her softly with a smile.
Hermione sniffed wiping her eyes with her hands nodding her head giving Tilly permission to sit across from her leaning against the other pillar,Reaching into her pocket Tilly pulled out a white cloth shaking off the cookie crumbs and offering it to Hermione who took it with a small thank you and wiped her eyes and nose.Tilly watched the crying girl wiping her eyes"is it ok if I pat your back?" She asked Hermione gave her an odd look before nodding.Patting Hermione's back she got closer and couldn't smell blood so it wasn't anything physical,She offered her a snickerdoodle cookie "whenever you're ready,I'm listening."Hermione wiped her eyes taking a deep breath taking a cookie stating in a stern voice biting it"Rons a twat."taking and aggressive bite out of the cookie,Tilly couldn't help but laugh "I can agree with that so are his brothers it must be a weasley boy trait." That made Hermione smirk her eyes finally drying "what did Ron do now?" "He's mad because I have a date and he doesn't." Hermione huffed looking annoyed at the air.
Tilly shook her head it sounded like Ron ,the boy just couldn't say his feeling and does stupid shit like this to people he cares about"Men ain't shit and that none of our problem,"Hermione looked shocked at Tilly who just shrugged "if he's mad at you because he doesn't have the balls to ask who he wants unlike your date then thats his problem."Tilly stated she hated when men do this dumb crap, she gets that when men show emotion society says its weakness but screw society it messed it self up and now Hermione has Rons emotional baggage to deal with.Hermione nodded her head thinking about what Tilly had said "who asked you?" Hermione blushed looking to the side "Krumb.""wow lucky guy!" Tilly exclaimed patting her back,hermione blush didn't seem to disappear "Ihe just asked me and I just said yes I don't even know why I did." Hermione frantically explained to Tilly who just smirked at her wild hand gestures.
"Because you know you're worth it and you'll have a good time with him," Tilly said like it was the most simplistic thing to come up with him "Krumb from what at least what I know has his shit together, he has a promising and prominent career and has decent grades and a very good eye for pretty girls." Tilly bumped Hermione with her elbow making her laugh before she pushed her frizzy hair back murmuring "It's just I don't feel like I am." "Well that's a shame because you are! You're so smart,have a great smile,pretty hair ,and a great laugh!" Tilly exclaimed looking at the girl shocked Tilly wished she looked half like Hermione with her slim figure and her cute little nose.
"I hate my hair," Hermione said blushing messing with a piece of her loose curl "I never know what to do with it,I think it has a mind of its own sometimes and I don't know what I'll do for the dance with it." Tilly looked at Hermione's dark brown hair. It was long and fell into loose curls that bounced perfectly when she walked"what if I help you out,curly girl to curly girl." Tilly offered Hermione looked up excitedly smiling at her "Do you mean it,I don't want to bother you!" "It's no bother curly girls gotta look out for one another,where do you wanna meet up?" Hermione and Tilly decided to meet up at the knight painting tonight."Ill see you Tonight,Hermione." Tilly said getting up pulling her skirt down,Hermione held out the white cloth now damp and slightly dripping "you can keep that dear." Hermione blushed, shoving the damp cloth into her bag ,standing up pulling Tilly into a hugging"Thank you,thank you,Tilly!" "Whoa I haven't done anything yet ,for all you know I could make your hair green,I've been hanging out with the twins I would know how."Tilly exclaimed hugging back hermione ,both laughing.
*
Freds POV :
Division was another exciting day for Tilly being told that "things in blue are not as friendly they seemed!" by Twalny whatever that means, It was bloody Hilarious looking at Tilly's face clearly unamused by this daily occurrence.I was even told to keep an eye I find most dear what rubish,The class Finally ended ,George ran out of class down the rickety old ladder without hesitation it was impressive to say the least."Welcome to the prophecies club hopefully it won't be a daily death occurrence."Tilly said smiling up at me as we started making out way down the ladder "is that how it feels every time," "like the biggest load of crap but stills chills you." They both said in unison looking one another Tilly looked dead looking at me with an eyebrow raised and I couldn't blame her almost every week she got some prophecy.
"Most of what she says is so vague but today I think she's finally getting that I'm a simpleton and need it in a few syllables to know when I'm going to die." We both Laughed,Merlin working with Tilly for the past months I've heard that wonderful sound so many times its makes my chest feel like it's full of butterflies and I'm going to burn up at any moment.We made out way down the ladder and walked to where Tilly usually leaves me she turns with a smile and wave "See you guys tonight!"She walked away her hips swaying back and forth her skirt slightly bouncing with each step,a sigh left my mouth.
"Enjoying the view?" George asked, appearing out of nowhere looking at me with a Cheshire grin across his face suggestively moving his eyebrows up and down.I could feel my face heat up "Shut up George!" That made my twin laugh putting his arm across my shoulders as we made our way to history "wait Fred,Fred,George!". We stopped looking behind us confused who was calling us,Angelina was rushing towards us.After I had asked her to the dance Nothing changed with our friendship except the more frequent conversations"I need to ask you something!" She called stopping us in the hall"what's up?" We said in unison looking at her She was Taller than Tilly reaching my shoulder."This is going to sound odd but," Angelina hesitated looking to the side before asking the oddest question I've ever heard and I live with Percy "why do you talk to Gubby?"George and I looked at one another both not knowing where this came from "she's nice,why?" We said confused,Angelina looked surprised at me and George just shrugged his shoulders.
"Because she's not nice! She's horrible and cruel.It would be terrible if she did something to you two!" She exclaimed grabbing my arm looking worried,shocking me at her outburst "what in the world are you talking about?"I asked Tilly is a lot of things but horrible and cruel is not one of them,Hell under years follow her around like ducklings. "She's a drug addict for one thing ! She's always high off those pills she keeps in her bag,I've seen her do it all the time and even Lucy from her dorm says she's always taking them,that's why she sneaks everywhere to get high!" She started looking around like someone was listening.
I knew what pills she was talking about. They are in a brown bottle. I've seen her take them when we're working late "there muggle pills called ibuprofen ,there for headaches and pains,Tilly gets bad headaches ." I countered her crossing my arms at Angelina who looked up at me shocked I dont what's gotten in her but she's acting weird right now " sure they are I bet she told you that1 but have you ever seen ibuprofen bottles because they dont look like that and you know what she did in fourth year! She's terrible to do that, especially to another girl!" Angelina Yelled holding her hands out to the side looking disgusted.There fourth year again even Tilly talked about it but she seemed angry about it like she was going to bust at any second if someone mentioned"Angelina I don't have the slightest Idea what your talking about." "Or what this has to do with anything." George and I looked at one another. George looked intrigued but ultimately done with the topic like I was. I don't know what Angelina is trying to do but I couldn't care less. Tilly is a good person and I know that personally.
"She's a whore! Gubby Slept with Carter when he was dating Ambrosia! Carter got kicked out of school but nothing happened to her,she got off the hook and rubbed it in Ambrosias face!" Angelina exclaimed making me freeze in place I could remember hearing about Carter being kicked out he was on the slytherin quidditch team and apparently many didn't know why he did get kicked out but that souned nothing like Tilly" you have to believe me fred you can't talk to her she's a two faced snake!" Angelina took my arm again looking at me pleadingly. I pulled my arm away rolling my eyes "I don't want to hear your gossip Angelina-" "it's not gossip, It's the truth! I comforted Ambrosia the whole time,I know she did because even Carter confessed to it even her friends caught them!" Angelina exclaimed stomping her foot to the ground huffing,my mind was blank.
"You guys need to stop hanging around her so much before she ruins your reputation!" "I'm over this Angelina,I'll see you at the dance." I walked off leaving George and Angelina behind. This is crazy. Tilly would never do something like this,it sounds nothing like her! This has to be some big mistake,gossip like last time that got out of context! It was true Carter did leave abruptly and no one knew why but if this was the reason then why didn't anything happen to Tilly,nothing because she didn't do anything!
I know she wouldn't do something like this "wait up Fred,would you stop for a moment I cant talk and run like this!" George huffed exasperated walking next to me"this all has to be made up right ,Tilly wouldn't do something like that !" I exclaimed stopping in my tracks George looked at me sadly why would he "Fred, the Tilly we know now wouldn't do that but we didn't even really know her last year,we hardly spoke to one another but we've known Angelina sense first year and she doesn't lie-" "you can't be serious,you believe this rubbish!" I couldn't believe it, George believes this shit.
"look all I'm saying is that the Tilly from last year is very different then this year,remember she was really quiet and didn't talk to anyone then she disappeared for a while and then just came back out of the blue." George explained,I remembered that it freaked me out.At the beginning of the year she was the usual Tilly but then she got really quiet and very jumpy then she just disappeared randomly for almost a month and came back and finished the year like nothing had happened."look I'm not saying I believe this but I'm not going to ignore it." George stated placing a hand on my shoulder"dad brought home muggle pill bottles and they didn't look like hers and she does sneak around a lot ,merlin you followed her out of campus to a pub and she's so secretive we hardly know anything about her." George finished With a solemn look on his face and I can't disagree he's right fuck he's right.
It's in my face but I don't want to believe it but it's true we've been hanging around her for almost three months and haven't even scratched the surface, I didn't even know she had a dad and little siblings until that howler and she hasn't spoken of it scene and hell I know barley anything about her mom"we should talk to her about this." I said Tilly would explain everything and it would all be a big misunderstanding and we'll laugh about it."And what would we say Hey Gubby are you a drug addict also have you slept with a girls boyfriend and then bully her about it,weird question I know." George sarcastically says his smile dropping to a blank look raising an eyebrow at me he's right she wouldn't respond well to that."so what we act oblivious?" "Exactly until the right moment comes then you can ask her." George pokes me in the chest taking a seat in the classroom, it's gonna be a long day.
*
The halls were bare no one was walking around everyone was getting ready for the dance.The halls were lit by torches and the moon peeking out from the clouds Tilly left the Gryffindor dorm rooms a little bit ago after finishing Hermione's hair.Honestly with a bit of water and product her curls were perfect Tilly was tempted to just pin a bit back and leave it but Hermione wanted it up so she put it up in a bun but left a few pieces out.Walking up the stairs to her dorm she felt a bit excited her roommates all went to their friends dorms to get ready which left her dorm completely empty and to herself,opening the door she saw that Lucy didn't messed with her stuff which was very odd.Walking to her bed throwing her bag on the bed she saw a small blue box on top of her pillow with a note on top picking up the note she saw Freds handwriting "A gift to say thank you for helping us out.we'll get it soon I know it! -F" Tilly raised an eyebrow picking up the blue box,slowly removing the lid a shocked gasp left her covered mouth.
Tilly sat in front of the vanity pulling half of her long black ringlets into a messy twist bun pulling out random hairs to frame her round face. Finishing her hair she stared into the mirror looking at her face covered in almost natural make up her dark eyeshadow making her brown eyes standout.
She stood up the long green robe Flooding to the cold stone floor around her bare feet sending a chill up her spine pulling her to put on her black heels walking over to the full body mirror looking at herself. The robe was very extravagant looking ,it's sleeves were puffed ending with soft fur at her wrist and at the end of the silk rope tied around her waist,it was in the box with the dress her mother had sent with a note that said " for you and your boyfriend." With a winking face.
Her mother's humor was odd but Tilly got hers from somewhere. She rested her hands on her stomach,It was soft and pudgy and her hands were anything but feminine they looked like baby gorillas hands ,nails were bitten from anxiety. " god, did I get fatter?"Tilly groaned, untying her robe looking at her reflection she pinched her love handles. Stretch marks ran up her thighs to her hips even her arms were covered in them. A frantic knock at the door took her out of her thoughts.
It couldn't be Tannas she already came up and asked Tilly if she wanted her to wait for her but that was a while ago and Tilly sent them off to the dance,quickly tying up her robe she opened the door to a wide eyed scared looking first year named Tim " Tilly come quick there trying to fight Billy!" Tilly ran down the stairs following Time to outside of the common room where first and second years were chanting " fight fight fight!" Surrounding Billy and three off the second year girls that follow ambrosia around pointing their Wands at each other circling each other. "Expelliarmus,Expelliarmus,Expelliarmus,Expelliarmus!" Tilly exclaimed pointing her wand at the kids there wands flying out of their hands,the circle opens to allow Tilly in "What the hell is going on here!" She exclaimed her heels echoing with every step she took walking to the middle.
"They were going to Jinx's Milly!" Billy yelped, pointing at the three girls who tisked in response "Is this true,girls?"Tilly asked the three girls the one in the middle looked disgusted at Tilly before snarkily responded "I don't have to answer you mudblood,eat shit." The hall gasped looking between Tilly and the girls."they don't have to answer to lower filth like you they know where they belong."Ambrosia stated walking out of the crowd into the center "these girls look up to you,you need to set a better example for them." "I don't take advice from a mudblood whore's." Ambrosia replied crossing her arms "I'm not a whore and you know that Ambrosia ." Tilly had no emotion in her voice she was done she finally snapped this was it "you flirted with my boyfriend all year and slept with him! That makes you a whore!" Ambrosia stated pointing at Tilly threateningly.
''I didn't flirt with him. He flirted with me,I wanted nothing to do with him!" "I dont give a shit what the hell you have to fucking say you mudblood whore!" Ambrosia screamed everyone was silent in the halls Tillys face blank "We were friends once Ambrosia,you and I know what really happened that night and I'm not gonna let you make me feel guilty for something I had no control over.I'm trying to move forward but you keep pulling me back to the past-" "I never was friends with a mudblood,You did this to yourself !" The two girls were silent looking at one another,Ambrosia was red in the face and looked like an animal about to pounce but Tilly in the simplest sense looked tired,taking a deep breath.
"I've found that when people use that filthy word it's because they have their own internal issues that they can't deal with on there own and act out towards others as a way to avoid their problems instead of dealing with them," Tilly said her heels clacking as she slowly made her way to Ambrosia and whispered in a harsh voice"but i will not allow you to speak to me like this ever again Keep your little bitch shit to yourself ,I've tried to be the better person about this and at the end and I am.it's time to move on Ambrosia.I forgive you."Tilly smiled at her backing away from the dropped jawed sputtering Ambrosia that t growled and stomped away with her friends and second years following her , Tilly turned addressing the crowd "what are you all doing here there's a dance starting go have fun!" The kids started leaving Tim and Billy hugging her before running off and Tilly went back to her dorm shutting the door behind her releasing a breath she didn't know she was holding, sliding down the door tears started rolling down her face,happy tears.She did it.