A/N: Yaaaaaay! Last Chapter! I hope you've all enjoyed the story. I personally love the way I ended this little chase and I hope you all will too. This is my explination for the stern Percy we know, this is also my explination for Bella's coldness in N&M (Nightshades and Moonlight)... Actually, I might as wellplug my other 2 related fics to you guys if it's alright. Please head over to Nightshade and Moonlight in my sig. (It's complete)Once that's done, then be ready for the third and FINAL Nightshade series story The Greatest Honor which I will be posting here very shortly. I hope I don't disspoint TOO many people with the pairings in this story. lol! See you guys in the other stories (hopefully)
Chapter 15
"Truths"
Bella began to run in the darkness. She didn't care who she bumped into or what she crashed onto! She just wanted to leave! She felt like her heart had been ripped out of her chest! "What we shared… he… never knew it was me… he never… But… he felt it… I know he did… because I felt it too…" these random thoughts ran through her mind as she suddenly felt two arms grab her and a hand cover her mouth. Her first instinct was to yell but everything felt as if it came to a halt as she heard a familiar voice.
"Illuminate," it summoned in a whisper as the lights returned.
Bella looked and saw Winter clutching on to her as best she could. Bella began to struggle and Winter let go. She turned around and looked at the pretty Slytherin who was smiling and most certainly, the most honest smile Bella had ever seen from her.
"Are you alright? Wow what a show! I can't believe you did it! That stupid Oggy! He was supposed to bring you here so I could set things right! Oh but it all worked out didn't it? You kissed him! I saw it!" said Winter delighted.
Bella was taken aback. She saw her kiss Bill? Set things right? What was going on?
"I love Sandra dearly but she can be very flaky sometimes! Really! Taking Bill to the Ball? How inconsiderate!"
"What… she... I mean…"
"Dear 4th year, time to put you up to speed. Sandra and Bill went together because Hank and she had a stupid little spat! I took Hank cause… well, there was no way that if he took you, he'd let you out of his sight! Anyways… so, if Oggy would have brought you like he was supposed to, I would have united you and Bill cause I know now that you are ready,"
"Ready? For what?" said Bella, her tears now dry.
"Ready to stand up for yourself and face people and situations like these! Bella dear, I haven't been pushing this entire time so you would remain a poor meek little girl. You have had everything at your reach but lacked the confidence to obtain it. I like seeing you loose your temper and show everyone around that you are strong!" said Winter confidently.
Bella was truly surprised to hear her real name uttered. Every taunt, every tease and comment was all to reinforce her and make her learn to stand up for herself? It's true that she had felt more and more the urge to rebel with Winter always pushing her but she never thought she was doing it for her sake.
"You remind me strangely of myself when I was younger. After my father died during the darker times it was no easy task to recover from his death. However, my mother is a great woman. She had lived through every experience and was never afraid of life even after facing his death with me. To this day, though she is ill, she has never regretted any experience that she had gone through. She told me one day that I should not be afraid of reaching for what I want. That life is to be lived to the fullest so that one day, when the room becomes dark you will have no regrets. And never think of 'what might have been',"
Bella was moved. So was this the source of Winter's reasoning and actions?
"Winter I never knew…"
"There are many things you have yet to learn 4th year and so do I," she said looking at the spot where Hank sat waiting.
"So… you wanted to come with him didn't you?" said Bella as she woke Winter from her reverie.
"Sadly. Well, I had my reasons,"
"What reasons?" she asked curiously.
"I really thought that we were something," she mused. "After the way we were last year I really believed that we were a real item, not that anyone knew about it. That would have been disastrous for both of us so we drifted apart and he moved towards Sandra. I curse the day I ever took interest in him! I was so upset when I found them together in the library cuddling and kissing while practicing that stupid hand switching spell!"
"Hand swit – Wait! Don't tell me!"
"Smart little 4th year. Yes, I was the one to sabotage the Hufflepuff team. We had not even broken up for a week and he was chasing after my friend! He deserved some sort of punishment! I knew the spell would be in his wand when they would check it but it didn't make a difference. He still ignored me and went to Sandra. We still have much to learn Bella but you are ready to make your move! Go back to Bill and introduce yourself. I know it will all work out,"
Bella looked away from Winter's eyes. How could she want her to do such a thing? After that kiss and that confession how could she go back? Winter might have seen that embrace in the dark with her mysterious cat-like eye but there was no way that she heard what he told her. There was no way she could have felt her heart break at those words. She then knew that she had to give up. There were no chances left for her anymore.
"I'm sorry… but I can't. He has his own goals," and so Bella ran off.
Winter was surprised at the take off and didn't have much of a chance to even say a word because from right behind her, came Hank's voice.
"Winter… What's going on?"
"Oh – eh – Nothing… Nothing at all…" she said quietly as she returned to her companion.
Bella jogged to the exit. There was no reason for her to stay anymore. She looked about, found the archway and slid through it. Her body gave a shock! It wasn't at all the same tingly feeling that she had gotten when she entered and saw the room go askew. Then in mere seconds she felt the air grow cold and landed on top of a large, soft mass.
"Percy?" she said as she heard the boy groan in pain.
"Bella? What on earth –"
"Never mind, let's just get out of here," she said as they helped each other up.
The air was as thick as soup as Percy and Bella began to walk in the dark town. The shadows crept in from every corner and the strange mist invaded them completely. They had been wandering around for nearly an hour now and Bella sighed discouraged. The fog was getting cold.
"This must be part of the spell," pondered Percy. "The town isn't a labyrinth. We – At least I, for all the times I've been here, should have been able to leave by now,"
"Then there's no use is there? We might as well, just sit here and wait for the teachers to fetch us in the morning. Oh Hell, I'll get another detention for sure!" she said as she sat on what seemed like the porch of a house.
Percy stared at her. Ever since Bella had returned he had wanted to ask her what had happened at the ball but whenever he came close, she would give him a look. He sat down next to her and gazed out into the fog.
"If you really want to know what happened, just know that I'm over it. I'm over him… Bill never wanted anyone but Sandra anyways so there's really no point in trying so hard," she said in a monotone voice.
"But, why this all of a sudden? Something must have hap-"
"Percy, make me a promise,"
"A promise?"
"Yes, one that you won't ever break,"
"Um – All right. What is it?"
"That you won't live your life with your heart leading you, that you'll use your head and live by making logical decisions," she said sternly.
Percy was thrown aback.
"That was my problem. I only looked to what I wanted instead what was right for me. We can't depend on others for our happiness. Please make me that promise Percy. It will save you from a lot of grief,"
"I – I promise…"
"Thank you," she said until she heard a familiar sound in the distance. It sounded like – like a cat?
It was then that from out of the shadows a mysterious looking feline appeared. It was gray and had abnormally large ears and a tail like a lion's. The adorable specked creature walked towards them slowly. Bella squinted and recognized none other then her Kneazle Stormy! It came right to her and rubbed her head against the girl's leg.
"Oh, Stormy, you came to look for me?"
"Oh wait! This is excellent! You told me that kneazles could help their owners find their way home didn't you?"
"That's right. These animals guide their owners to safety. Oh Stormy! You're a life saver!" she said as she hugged her cat lovingly. "But… do you think that she could lead us out of this place? It is enchanted,"
"Yes but I think mostly to confuse us,"
"Well, kneazles are intelligent and magical as well! Perhaps you can counter this magic Stormy?"
The cat meowed as if to show agreement. It leapt from Bella's hands and began to walk in a general direction. The two stood up and stuck to the animal as closely as they could. It felt like an eternity but finally they recognize the path that lead them to the castle. Percy and Bella were overjoyed! Stormy meowed proudly as Bella picked her up and ran in direction of the school, Percy jumping of joy behind her. Bella's elegant lavender robes ripples lightly. She suddenly felt resolve. Had she really gotten over Bill?
Meanwhile at the ball, Winter had, as she expected, taken a back seat to Hank's attention. Sandra and Hank had decided to talk somewhere and her and Bill sat at a table with a goblet of butter beer each clutched in their hand.
"Well, this has turned out to be brilliant," said Bill sarcastically.
"You're telling me?" she said taking a drink.
"Not like this was enough! You don't know what happened! When the lights were out, I – I kissed someone I didn't know! I was sure it was Sandra and after all I confessed about her to this unknown girl… God! I –"
"Well, did you at least enjoy it?" asked Winter an eyebrow raised.
"Oh Yes! Very Much!" he said instantly.
"Then why don't you look for this mystery girl?"
"I – I'm scared to. I kissed her with my heart and soul! And if I find out she was just trying to take advantage of the lights being out -"
"You're just like her,"
"What? Who?"
"Why Belladona Nightshade of course. You both fear such little things. I'm sure you would have had loads to talk about if you had taken her here," said Winter her lips now curling into a smile.
Bill's eyes had grown wide! He had completely forgotten about the source of his 'good fortune'. It was because of Belladona that he had the chance to take Sandra out! It was because of her that Hank had gotten into his mess! Bill looked about and then back at Winter.
"Wait! Did no one take her? She didn't – She didn't stay waiting at the castle did she?" said Bill looking concerned.
"I don't know, perhaps," she lied. "Maybe it's time to remind Sandra that she's being a total flake again,"
Bill stood up and marched over to where he thought Hank and Sandra were standing. In a dark corner, near a pillar, they were kissing and Sandra was giggling. This disgusted Bill and he couldn't help but feel a little happy about breaking up this 'magical' reunion.
"Sandra! We have to talk!"
"Bill? What's the matter?" she asked Hank's arms laced around her.
"Um – Well…We've made a HUGE mistake," he said rather breathlessly.
"What?" she asked.
"We forgot about Belladona Nightshade,"
Bella awoke the next day refreshed. She looked at herself in the mirror and saw that she had turned back into her old self. No make up or fancy hair. Just plain 'her' and she strangely thought that she liked that. She was about to tie her hair up as usual but decided on keeping it loose for today. Today she felt a change and thought that this would be the first step to it. She made her way down to the common room and stretched. Greeting the sunshine with a smile, Bella looked through the window and sat in one of the velour chairs. When she did, two familiar faces came, looking at her grimly.
"Bella… We're sorry about yesterday. A lot of things happened and…" Sandra was at a loss for words. She couldn't go on.
"Yeah, a lot of us were acting really stupid! It's my fault really. What happened was -"
"It's fine," said Bella with a strong smile. "It's okay! Anyways, I know what happened. You don't have to explain yourselves,"
"But –" they both muttered.
"Hmm… I'm getting hungry. I'll go off to Great Hall if you both want to join me," she said grinning. "I have quite an appetite this morning!" she gleefully added before getting up and making her way out of the common room.
Bella strode to the Great Hall with a boulder in her stomach. She would be facing all the houses now as her new self this morning but she tried not to worry and thought about Winter and what she had said about living life to the fullest. Her back straightened up, she pushed open the large oak doors. As she got in as the twins came running to her feet and looked at her nervously.
"Bella –"
"What –"
"Happened?"
"Nothing boys, nothing. Everything's fine," she said still smiling.
"I don't believe you! We'll find out sooner or later!" said Fred.
"That wouldn't surprise me!' she added laughing.
"Yeah! Though I hope its good news, I can't take any more bad news!" added George.
"Bad news? Like what?"
"Jonathan is leaving the school. His step-gran is moving somewhere else and he lives with her. It seems she needs a little more care right now," said Fred looking down.
Bella put her hand on Fred's head and looked at George afterwards.
"It's okay boys. You'll always be able to write to each other right? And you'll all have loads to tell each other about the pranks you pull which will make for good reading. So don't be discouraged. When you all see each other again then it will be twice as great!" she said beaming.
The twins looked at her and they noticed that she had matured a bit. She reminded them oddly of an older sister figure. She then left, still smiling, and made her way to the Ravenclaw table. She wasn't lying about being hungry as the morning's meal appeared before her. It was pancakes and sausage this morning and Bella ate with longing. Yesterday she had not had a morsel to eat all night. It was then that she heard a voice echo in her ears, a voice that had spoken so softly to her the other night. Bill was walking in the Ravenclaw row, talking to a few students.
"Excuse me, do you know where Belladona Nightshade is?" he asked a 3rd year Ravenclaw. The girl seemed a little flustered talking to the tall red head and simply pointed to where Bella was sitting.
"Thanks!" he said as he looked to where he was being directed.
At the same moment, they both stared. She could sense his golden brown eyes burning into her like a flame. She felt her skin tingle and felt the wave of shock as Bill came closer, he too looking rather amazed. "This couldn't be real?" she thought. "He's looking right at me. He said my name? What does he want from me?" Her thoughts shifted. "Remain calm. You've accepted this… He's not interested. Just act mature about it," she told herself. Bill had simply stopped in front of her. He didn't speak right away but stared for a while. He couldn't get it out of his mind. Somehow, this girl looked familiar. Was she really the one that liked him? That hair, that face, something felt recognizable about it. He felt at ease looking at her; however he knew he had to say something.
"Are you – Are you Belladona?"
"I am," she mustered without frailty.
"I – I'm Bill… I mean, well, you know that don't you?" he said looking rather nervous. "I just came to tell you… that I'm sorry for everything that happened. There was so much going on that I forgot and I'm not like that! It's against my nature to disappoint anyone or let them down, please forgive me," he said the rest rather fast and Bella had managed to give a shy smile and looked down.
Bill stopped talking again. A bit of her hair fell into the inside of one of her glass lenses and she removed them to part it behind her ear. He could see her ice blue eyes well now. What was going on with him?
"I've already told Sandra and Hank. There's no need to apologize. I'm completely fine with it. Sometimes things happen and you can't control them. I of all people should know that," she said smiling.
"Yes but – I still feel horrible about it,"
"It's fine. Don't trouble yourself over it. It wasn't my ball I missed. I still have another chance. As long as you enjoyed yourself that's all that matters. Did you?" she said looking longingly at him.
"Parts of it… but it felt like a dream…"
"Well, I'm glad it came true then," she said as she stood up.
There was a draft and the wind blew little strands of hair on her face. Bill still had a strange feeling come over him.
"And this is why I wear glasses," she said with a hint of laughter in her voice. "It keeps the hair away from my eyes! Well, enjoy the end of term, Bill," she said as she got up and left her robes fluttering in the breeze along with her hair.
Bill still stood there immobile as she left the room. A few Ravenclaws were whispering about what was just heard and Bill sighed. "I wonder… What would have happened if I had gone with her?" he mused as he turned back to the Gryffindor table.
THE END
