Star Cross'd Lovers
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. . .it all belongs to JK Rowling.
Chapter 10 - Partings and Pain
Harry had resolved that as soon as he got back to school that he would break up with Susan. No matter how much he prepared himself he couldn't help feeling a hundred times worse hen he faced her in school. Susan flung her arms around him and hugged him tightly. Harry stood stiff and awkward.
"What's wrong?" she asked worriedly.
Although the water had begun to feel chilly against her skin Susan lay back into the water. She felt it immersing her body and take her mind away from all her worries. The water felt so relaxing against her. She splashed her hand around in it, creating gentle waves to lap against her legs. The water filled her ears, it surrounded her hair, it washed over her entire body; relaxing her aching muscles, easing her worried mind, taking her somewhere else. . .
And yet she couldn't escape her memories of Harry. No boy had ever hurt her the way he'd hurt her; she'd never given any a chance but she'd really thought Harry was the one for her. For once she'd thought Auntie Amelia was wrong when she told her aunt that even though Harry had broken up with her she still had feelings for him. Auntie Amelia, the one person whom she'd looked up to thought she was too young to be in a serious relationship yet. And Susan argued that she was wrong. She wanted to prove her wrong. In spite of all obstacles she and Harry could've proved everyone wrong.
Harry had sighed. "You still haven't told your aunt about us have you?"
"No. . .why should I?" Susan had asked, each second becoming more and more worried at what Harry was building up to. "It's not important because I've never told her about anyone else 'I've went out with. I'm not lying to her because I haven't told her." Susan smiled reassuringly. "So you see it's-"
"Are you ashamed of me?" Harry had asked bluntly. Maybe if he made it look as if he was angry with her it would be easier.
"No! of course not. I've never been-"
"What else have you been keeping from people? If you've been keeping a secret from your aunt then what have you been keeping from me?"
Susan searched Harry's face for a reasonable explanation as to why he was acting like this.
Harry blocked out his feelings for her. If he thought about how much he cared for her he might not be able to go through with the break up.
"None. . .I haven't been keeping any secrets from you. We trust each other." she reached for his hand but he pulled it away.
"Why haven't you told your aunt?" he said firmly.
"Well. . .I-I-I don't know. Hasn't someone ever done something for you, and even if you don't like what they've done you know they did it for your own good? Well that's what I'm doing for my aunt. She won't like me keeping secrets but if she knows she'll worry about me. I know she will. Surely you understand that."
"Are you sure you've never kept a secret from me?"
"Yes!"
"Then what about the time you told me that you aunts, uncles and cousins were murdered?"
Susan's eyes had lost all their sparkle and she looked hurt. "Yes? What about that?"
"Why didn't you just tell me the truth?"
"I did tell you the truth! In the Owlery remember?" Harry knew the time to break up was drawing nearer.
"But before then you told me a lie. How do I know I can trust you?"
Susan looked at him sternly. "Oh I understand what this is about. You're afraid now that you'll get into trouble with Voldemort for being with me. Well I'm sorry if my problems are too much for you Harry but that's the way it is. If you don't want to be with me just say so!" Susan folded her arms and stared hard at Harry. He could do nothing but look down and all around them was quiet. "You don't want to be with me, do you?" she asked in a hurt voice.
"I think it's best if we don't see each other. For both our safeties", he had told her harshly. Before he could say anymore she had fled from his sight, leaving him to allow the guilt to consume him.
Now it was April and she had gone home at the weekends to be away fro him. They hadn't spoken in what had seemed like an eternity. She was afraid that if she spoke to him she might tell him that she still thought about him every day. But obviously it hadn't meant as much to Harry as what it had to her. He wasn't prepared to make it work. So had he even cared for her in the first place? Had everything he'd told her been a lie to use her? Susan shook her head in the water, getting rid of all thoughts to do with Harry. It wasn't nice to think about it for a long time, it was painful.
Grasping the sides of the bathtub, Susan heaved herself up out of the water. The cold air stabbed her skin even harder than the water so she climbed out quickly and hurried over to get a towel from a rack. Wrapping it around her shivering body she pushed her hair pasted to her shoulders down her back and started drying herself with it.
She was just about to walk into her adjoining bedroom when she thought she'd heard the distinct sound of a male's voice. She turned around and moved towards the bathroom door; the voice seemed to be coming from outside that door.
If she closed one eye and put the other to the keyhole she could make out who the people standing outside the door were. There were two of them.
One of them was clearly Auntie Amelia. She stood facing the man in front of her. But the man – he had his back to Susan so she couldn't see his face. She didn't recognise him from anywhere. Auntie Amelia and the man were standing quite a distance away from Susan's door and were talking in low voices. It was obvious they didn't want Susan to hear them.
What was Auntie doing, bringing a man around? Susan thought, a frown creasing her forehead. Hardly anyone comes to visit here.
She quickly stopped thinking and tried to concentrate on what they were saying.
"You have a beautiful house here Ms Bones", the man was saying. His voice was low and deep, mysterious and he sounded quite charming. "I love how the beautiful forest surrounds the house."
"Yes, it is quite pleasant", Auntie Amelia said smiling at him.
"It's just so quiet here. So peaceful. I bet you're never bothered by neighbours", he said, laughing politely.
"Oh hardly ever. I can't remember the last time we had anyone over for company", Auntie Amelia told him, a tone of sadness in her voice.
"That's a shame!" the man exclaimed, leaning casually yet elegantly against one of Auntie's decorative statues. "Anyone would be glad – no, privileged to spend an evening in your most delightful company. I must confess I have most enjoyed this evening. We must meet again soon."
Auntie Amelia's breath seemed to quicken. "Well, how about this weekend?" she asked quickly, almost in a gasp.
"This weekend?" the man asked, his voice sounded interested.
"Why yes, that is, if you wouldn't mind. I'm not busy and if you and your family are available for the evening perhaps you could come over and have dinner with me." Auntie had said this all terribly fast, as if she were afraid he wouldn't accept.
The man stood still for a moment, Auntie was clearly overwhelmed with anticipation she looked as if she couldn't take his silence another moment.
Eventually he said, "Well I would love to my dear lady but I'm afraid that if I leave this place I shall never find my way back again." Auntie stared at him for a while, wondering whether he was joking or not. He must have broken into a smile because the next moment she was laughing nervously.
"Oh, I thought you were serious for a second!" Auntie cried, gently pushing his arm. It wasn't like Auntie to be so warm to a person. Usually she was cautious of people and distanced herself with her informal language. She was always willing to listen to people but still wary of them. But she seemed simply desperate to get this man over for dinner. Susan could tell by the sound of her voice.
The man laughed along with her. "If you hadn't given me directions, Ms. Bones I don't think I would have found my way over. I didn't know anyone lived around here."
"Well I don't really put up with unwelcome visitors", Auntie told him, a shadow seemed to pass over her face.
"I understand." The man put a hand on her shoulder. "Well, be expecting my family and myself to arrive on Saturday. Is Saturday alright for you?"
The shadow lifted. "Yes of course. So I'll be serving an extra three, shall I?"
"Oh yes", he said warmly. "I must be going Ms. Bones. I have some work to be getting on with. I hope you don't mind me being so rude as to hurry off like this."
"No, you go on ahead. I must prepare for this Saturday", Auntie said smiling.
"I shall look forward to it." The man said, starting for the stairs.
"All three of you will be attending then, I expect?" Auntie asked hopefully, following him.
"Yes. I'm afraid I must draw up a map for the next time. I still can't believe how secluded this place is. . . ."
Their voices faded with each step they took down the stairs and it was only when they had left completely that Susan realised her skin was puckered up by the cold. Trying to listen to the strange gentleman and Auntie had made her forget how cold the room was. She pulled the towel up around her for some warmth and once again tried to figure out in her mind who the visitor was, and why Auntie Amelia was so anxious to have him and two other people over for dinner.
Susan understood why her aunt was acting like a young schoolgirl around him. He had a charming voice which was almost alluring and he sounded like he was the kind of man who could charm any woman he wanted.
He seemed friendly enough, Susan thought as she walked into the bedroom. She threw the towel on the ground and sprawled out on her bed. He was right though, the house was secluded and it was good for Auntie to have a visitor over. She could get so lonely sometimes. Susan picked up a photograph of her family on the bedside table and looked longingly at it.
A tall man with long blonde hair smiled back at her, with a little boy seated on his shoulders. Her father and brother. Often Susan wondered how different things would be if they were still alive. Sometimes she would imagine herself and her brother arguing or going to a Quidditch match together; anything a normal brother and sister would do together, just to see what could have been.
Beside her father stood a young woman with short brown hair. In her arms she held a tiny baby and her cheeks were rosy. Her mother. Her mother holding her. This photograph had only been taken a few weeks before they had been murdered. And Susan now wondered that behind their smiling faces and bright eyes whether they had any idea that soon their life would be tragically cut short. Eventually she decided that they must have thought that. Never before had she seen anyone's eyes so bright with wonder and thankfulness; to them never before had the world looked so beautiful.
Dripping water echoed through the murky cavern. Now and again a few rats scuttled over the wet ground and their eyes shone in the light of his wand. They halted when they saw him coming, their teeth bared and waited until he passed them. The swish of his cloak scattered them out of his way and he kept moving on quickly.
What wonderful news he had! How great his reward will be when the Master hears it! No more lurking in the darkness; soon they will have proper headquarters. A place the Master deserves to be. And he will be at his side, not just another servant in the crowd. A grin spread across his face at the thought.
"Stop! Who goes there? Reveal yourself!" A voice commanded from the shadows ahead. He rolled his eyes; Pettigrew.
That little worm! Always making orders like he's better than all the rest of us! I'll show him when I'm second in command. I'll show them all.
"It is I, Peter", he said wearily, raising his wand to illuminate his face. He stopped right in front of the small little man guarding the entrance to the headquarters.
"Yes I see you, Rookwood", Peter said, his voice squeaky and unpleasant. "What do you want?" Sometimes Pettigrew made his blood boil.
"I wish to see the Dark Lord", Rookwood answered firmly, his voice as usual sly and persuading. "I have good news."
"His Greatness is busy. Come back later", Peter said indignantly. "He has given strict orders to forbid anyone from entering."
"Has he now?" asked Rookwood angrily. "Only allows the rats to enter does he?" As planned Pettigrew's face contorted. A silence passed and finally Pettigrew spoke back.
"No, only the important people", Pettigrew smiled, showing his brown teeth.
Nice going, Pettigrew, hit me where it hurts, Rookwood thought.
"Oh you always were a joker, Peter", Rookwood laughed falsely, and suddenly made his way to the door behind Peter which had been made to separate the Dark Lord from the rest of the cave. Peter slid in front of him.
"I'm not joking, Rookwood. If you disturb the Dark Lord I will not help to scrape pieces of your body off the walls and floor when He's finished with you." Peter unconsciously put his silver hand into a tattered pocket.
"Yes I forgot", Rookwood said scathingly, pushing past Peter, "you have much more important jobs to do. Don't you? Have fun playing the role of sentry. . ." Peter was forced away from the door and could only watch as Rookwood went inside to the Dark Lord.
An icy feeling crept down his spine as he entered. He could feel the Master's presence and the fear that accompanied it. A fire had been lit in the centre of the room but it provided no warmth as the wind whistled through the depths of the cave.
A cold voice spoke out, "Who's there? Who dares disturb me at a time like this? Speak you insolent-"
"Forgive me, Master", Rookwood pleaded hastily, his eyes darting around the cave, looking for the Dark Lord. Behind him Pettigrew closed the door. "It is your faithful servant, Rookwood."
"How dare you come barging in here!" the voice thundered. "I will teach you to disrupt my thinking. . ." Something moved in the darkness.
"Please my Lord." Rookwood cried, as true terror froze his blood. "Forgive my ignorance, but I come bearing good news!"
The figure stopped moving. "If you've found Harry Potter hurry up and say so. If not I don't want to hear anything else."
Rookwood quivered slightly. He knew that he'd better tell his Master the news quickly or else he'd be in trouble. "Just to let you know my Lord that my undercover job at the Ministry is going well and that I've been trying to get information from Amelia Bones who is-"
"I KNOW WHO SHE IS!" The Dark Lord roared. "Get on with it."
"Well. . .I shall soon be paying her a visit and if I do not get news of the Order then the Cruciatus Curse will be in order."
The Dark Lord shifted in the shadows. "Is that all you have come to tell me?"
Rookwood swallowed uncomfortably. "Y-yes m-my Lord."
"THEN LEAVE! I have no time for time wasters like you Rookwood! If you disturb me again I shall be using the Cruciatus Curse on you! Out of my sight!"
The Death Eater left the cave with disappointment at his Master's disinterest. But he'd prove him wrong. He'd prove to them all that his plan would b useful. Even if it took every ounce of strength. . .he'd make it succeed.
Author's note: If you're wondering what's going on don't worry. All will be revealed with the next three chapters.
Questions might be:
1) Dementors. . .WHAT?
2) What is Rookwood doing?
3) Who is that man talking to Amelia?
4) How could Harry be so stupid? To which I would answer: he's been through a lot, things are happening so fast that he isn't thinking logically and by the time he is thinking logically it might be too late.
5) Why is Lupin siding with Amelia? To which I would answer: I think Lupin is trying to be a father figure to Harry and isn't thinking about the whole picture. He is doing his best to make sure Harry doesn't get physically hurt but isn't thinking about Harry's emotions first. Not yet anyway. . .
Maybe some of you will put two and two together and work out what's gonna happen. Or if you're like me you'll put two and two together and make five but we'll see. . .Like I have said this fanfic is NOT a version of Romeo and Juliet.
Please be patient with me and believe me when I tell you that I'm in a rush to get this fanfic typed and posted. I didn't lie when I said I have the story WRITTEN it's just getting it TYPED is the problem. Anyways. . .thank you for the reviews! Keep 'em coming and hopefully fingers crossed I'll have at least ONE new chapter up next week. Bye xxx
O' Brien: Two plus two equals five (sorry. . .don't know WHY I put that Nineteen Eighty-Four quote in there. Possibly because I'm studying it for English coursework. Grrrrrrrr! English coursework!)