The Death of Ciara Avaran
Chapter 3
Suspended In Time
Mrs. Avaran became most concerned by her daughter's already peculiar behavior when Ciara went directly to her room without saying anything. Mrs. Avaran had figured that they would sit down and spend some time talking about her year, about future prospects and so forth, but there was none of that. Mr. Avaran seemed most put out as Ciara began upstairs, but Mrs. Avaran placed a restraining hand on his arm and said, Give her an hour. If she's not back by then, I'll go talk with her.
It didn't take long for the hour to go by, and Mrs. Avaran decided it best to go on up and talk with Ciara before her husband's anger was further aroused. As she entered her daughter's room, she heard choked sobs coming from within. Ciara, are you alright? she asked.
Ciara looked up from the pillow she had been hugging and crying on. I'm sorry I haven't been very social since I came home... It was just a very stressful year.
There's got to be more to it than that to put you in such a fit. Please tell me.
I... I can't... Father would be so angry... You would be so disappointed...
I won't tell him. I only want what's best for you. Mrs. Avaran sat next to Ciara on her bed, waiting for a promising sign.
At length, Ciara sighed deeply and shook her head as if trying to pull herself together, then finally said, I've fallen in love... and I'm going to marry him.
A smile spread across Mrs. Avaran's face, and she hugged her daughter. That's wonderful! Is he a wealthy wizard you met at Hogwarts? Money has a lot to do with gaining your father's approval, you know.
Well, he's not exactly....
Not rich? Well, it'll do, anyway. You've got enough, I'll just have to work on your father some, but it will turn out fine. Is that all you were so upset about?
Mother, he's a Muggle.
Mrs. Avaran stared at her daughter in shock. A... a Muggle? You can't.... You are the Heir of Slytherin....You cannot mix that sort of blood with yours.... Your father will kill him....
You promised you wouldn't tell!
She paused as she paced around Ciara's room, then turned back to her daughter. No. I will never tell him. He will find out if you go through with it, but not because of me. She sat down again next to her daughter, placing a loving hand on Ciara's. My child, I know you love him. I wish you could be with him, I really do... but it can never happen. Not only is there the concern of your father, but do you truly believe that he would still love you if he knew you were a witch?
Ciara turned her face away, biting her trembling lip to suppress a few tears. When I marry him, I will never use magic again unless it is absolutely necessary. He will never have to know.
Mrs. Avaran bowed her head sadly. You would really do that for him?
I would do anything for him.
Mrs. Avaran didn't know what else to do with her daughter. It was hopeless, she would have to learn herself, even if she must learn the hard way. Very well, Love. I wish you the best of luck.
As her mother left, Ciara also stood up and sighed deeply as she stared out her window at the new stars. The infinity of the stars... Like the undying love she had for Tom. If you ever left me, Tom... If you did... because of what I was... I... I... She turned her back to the window with a heavy sob, and fell once more on her bed. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to think of anything that could help pull herself back together. A song or something perhaps... like the song she and Tom sang.... There he was again! She couldn't get him off of her mind. He was everywhere... everything.... Without him, there would be nothing for her. She knew that.
A bit more determined this time, she stood up and walked once again to the window. As she stared out into the stars, she imagined herself and Tom beneath them somewhere, alone, married, with their own home, maybe even a child or two. The more she thought about him, the more she loved him. She leaned against the window and pretended that he was there, as she began to sing:
Child, what a foolin' one,
So sure I could need no one,
My heart always on the run
To know it.
Now as you're holdin' me
My heart's remindin' me
That now I could never be
Without you.
But how can our love succeed?
A miracle is what we need.
And so I appear to you....
To keep me suspended in time with you
Don't let this moment die.
I've got a feeling when I'm with you
None of the rules apply.
But I know for certain,
Goodbye is a crime.
So Love if you leave me
Suspend me in time
In time....
Wasting the time away,
Holding our love at bay,
Now I can't last a day
Without you.
Your smile is a thrill to see.
Your eyes on me tenderly.
They shine in my memory
Forever.
But how can our love succeed?
A miracle is what we need.
And so I appear to you....
To keep me suspended in time with you
Don't let this moment die.
I've got a feeling when I'm with you
None of the rules apply.
But I know for certain
Goodbye is a crime.
So Love if you leave me
Suspend me in time....
In time....