A.N.) I am so very sorry that this took so long. But I was in Texas for a week (a year ago). And when I got back, I had a really great idea for a few new CSI chapters. So I've been working on my CSI fic ever since I got back. Then this past summer I got a job and I can't very well write and save stupid people at the same time. I managed to write a little during this past semester, but now that we're on Winter break I should be able to get some stuff done. Sorry for keeping you all waiting.
But here it is finally...
Chapter 13
"Cristina, come on! Wake up!" I heard someone yell at me.
I thought to myself, "Oliver? No, the voice is definitely female. But how? The last thing I remember is falling asleep in my office with Oliver who didn't have a shirt on..."
"I swear nothing happened!!!" I yelled as I sat up in my bed, throwing whoever was on the edge onto the floor.
"Glad to see that you're up now, but why did you yell 'I swear nothing happened'?"
Rubbing my face, I mumbled, "It was just a really weird dream. It just creeped me out."
Fully awake now, I sat on my bed, looking down at the floor to see who had felt like they had to wake me.
"Bianca! It's so good to see you, just not this early in the morning," I said, yawning as she got up.
Not surprising, but between Bianca's wake-up call and my shouting, the rest of our room also woke up. And I wouldn't say they were happy...
"So why did you have to wake me and the rest of my dorm so early?" I asked.
"Hogsmeade today!" she shouted excitedly. "It's my first time and I wanted to tell you!"
"I know you're excited; so am I. But my roommates might hurt you for waking them so early..." I said to her, pointing to the door.
"So I'll see you at breakfast then?" she asked, jumping off my bed and heading to the door.
"Yeah, see you then." I yawned, waving as she disappeared through the door.
I would have loved to get some more sleep, but it was pointless. I was wide awake now. So I figured I might as well get ready for our trip into the small village.
Standing up, I didn't pay any attention to what I was wearing. I didn't have to wait long though to find out.
"Sleep well Cristina?" Rebecca asked me, grinning.
"Sí. ¿Por qué?" I asked, confused by her grin.
"Well, have you noticed what you're still wearing?" she asked, still grinning.
Wondering what she meant by 'still wearing,' I looked in the nearest mirror and saw that I was still in the clothes I wear under my Quidditch uniform.
Actually, I didn't even remember coming back to the castle after practise yesterday. I know I fell asleep in my office, so how did I get here?
Seeing the clueless expression on my face, Robin laughed before telling me what I was missing.
"You never came to dinner so we figured you were still on the pitch. But what was interesting was that Oliver also was missing. So it wasn't too much of a surprise when Oliver walked up here carrying you when we got back from dinner."
Every thought of what went through their heads when they saw us went through my head at that moment. And if he came up here without his shirt on like the way he was in my office, then that would put one thought in everyone's heads.
"So what's up with you two? What went on down there that we missed?" Becca asked me, grinning.
All attention shifted to me.
Oh this is just great. Now I'm in the spotlight. Why?!
"Well, just so I can clear those thoughts of yours, nothing happened. We were discussing a new play I came up with that's very effective. That's it. I swear," I told all of them, directing my first statement at Becca, who happened to be laughing with Robin.
Now that I had burst everyone's bubble about me, all attention left me. Thank God. Picking up my clothes, I made my way to the bathroom looking forward to a hot shower.
Reaching the bathroom, Alli pushed past me, turned around, and said, "Bother!"
I just stood there wondering what that was about as she laughed behind the door.
Who said my friends are sane?
Finally ready, I walked out of our dorm room with Rebecca and Bethany. Everyone else had already left.
"The two of you looked really cute last night when Oliver carried you up here," Bethany said, smiling.
"I bet we did," I replied, laughing.
Then something occurred to me.
"Did Andrew happen to see the two of us last night?" I asked the two of them, praying that he hadn't.
They looked at each other, but it was Rebecca who answered me.
"He did. He was wondering where you were and was about to go look for you when Oliver walked in, carrying you like a little kid that's been out playing too long. Andrew didn't say anything. He just went up to their dorm and hasn't said anything since or been out until this morning."
This wasn't a good thing.
"I think you should go talk to him," Bethany said, pointing behind us.
Turning around, I saw Andrew walking by himself, head down and quiet.
"If Oliver asks where I am, tell him I'll be there soon," I told the two of them as I dropped back to where Andrew was.
As Bethany and Rebecca walked on, I walked up next to Andrew. He didn't even look up to see who was next to him. I felt really bad.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Andrew asked me quietly, yet still managing to startle me.
"Tell you what?" I asked, noticing that he still didn't look up.
"About you and Oliver," he replied quietly.
"I didn't know how to tell you. I really did want to say something but–"
Andrew stopped and put his hand over my mouth, not letting me finish any kind of explanation.
"You led me on Cristina. I really thought there was something going between you and me. But you just played me as a love-sick fool," he said, finally looking at me.
I pulled his hand away from my mouth, holding his hands in mine.
"Andrew, I'm sorry if I led you on in any way. But, the thing is, what I really mean...I wasn't leading you on. I've been crazy about you since the day I first saw you. It's just that Oliver made his move first. I would take either of you."
"Do you really mean that? Or are you just saying that to make me feel better?" he asked me.
"Both?" I replied, shrugging a little and managing a small smile.
"So you're not just going to completely forget me?"
"No! I could never do that! Andrew, I might be with Oliver, but that doesn't mean I don't care about you. You're still one of my closest friends. You always will be, no matter what happens in life," I replied, looking up at him.
"It's just that I felt like you were messing with me, using me for your own entertainment."
"I'm more than sorry if I made you feel like that. Can you forgive me for that?" I asked, hoping and praying that he'd say yes.
Andrew just stood there, staring at me as though he couldn't decide what to say.
Please don't say no. Please don't say no. Please don't say...
"I don't know. I mean, I just wish you had told me instead of letting me go on like that," he replied, not giving any answer.
My heart sank to my stomach. Had I just lost a friend because I didn't know how to tell him something?
I was about to walk away defeated when Andrew started laughing and wrapped his arms around me.
"Of course I forgive you!" he said, holding me tightly with his embrace. "I really do wish that you had told me about you and Oliver, but it's fine. I'm not going to lose you because he made his move first."
"I'm so glad you don't hate me!" I said, hugging him tightly. "And I'm more than sorry that I wasn't the one to tell you. I really was trying to find a way."
"It's ok Cristina. Like I said, it's not worth losing you as a friend over," Andrew said, still holding me close. "Now why don't we head down to the Great Hall before Oliver comes looking for you?"
"Right. That's a good idea," I replied, laughing as we walked down to the Great Hall together.
"Did you get lost?" Oliver asked me as I sat down next to him. "I thought you were perfect with direction."
"Am I not allowed to walk and talk anymore?" I asked in reply, laughing.
"But I was lonely," Oliver replied, laughing.
"I'm sure you can get over that problem quickly enough," Andrew added, looking at me.
"How right you are," Oliver said, still laughing.
"Can the three of you finish up soon before the coaches leave without us? Unless you really feel like walking that is," Robin said, tossing a roll at me.
"Again? Haven't you thrown enough food at me this term so far?" I asked, laughing as I hit her with another roll.
"Never too many times!"
Finally we made our way to the carriages. I climbed into one shared by Oliver, Andrew, Bianca, Leo, Harry, and then myself. It was a bit of a tight fit, but we all managed.
Before too long, we reached the village of Hogsmeade. From the time we left the castle to the time we reached the village, Bianca was proudly telling us everywhere she was planning on going.
I couldn't help but smile. I was just like that when I went for the first time.
When the carriage came to a stop, we all got out and started going off to our own places of interest.
"So are we going to get you a new broom?" I asked Oliver as he wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me close.
"Of course. If I have to use the school's broom any longer, I think I'll go crazy," he replied with a laugh.
"Oliver, you already are crazy," I said, laughing.
"I know. Crazy about you," Oliver replied, putting his head next to mine.
As we started to walk off together, laughing, I felt someone tug on my shirt from behind. I turned around to see Bianca looking at me.
"Hey Cristina, can I go with you today?" she asked me excitedly.
Before I could say anything, Harry and Andrew stepped in.
"You could come with us if you like," Harry said, drawing Bianca's attention away from me.
"Really?! Are you serious?!" she asked in reply excitedly, completely forgetting that she had been talking to me.
"Of course. We'll show you all the best places to go around here," Harry said, winking at Oliver and me.
It was hard for me not to laugh at the look on Bianca's face. She looked like a little kid in a candy store. It's a secret between Bianca and me, but she has a rather large crush on Harry.
If she wasn't happy now, then she's putting on a really good act.
"This is so cool!" she said excitedly as the three of them walked away.
"Remind me to thank those two later,' I mumbled to Oliver as we finally made our way into the village.
"I thought Bianca was one of your best friends," Oliver said as we walked along.
"She is. I just was hoping that it would be just the two of us today," I replied.
"Well then, I suggest you do thank Harry and Andrew later," he said, laughing.
"You can too!" I added, laughing along with him.
As we made our way to Quality Quidditch Supplies, I received many evil glares from girls at school. I just smiled to myself. Oliver got his share of evil looks from guys at school.
When we reached the store, it took every bit of Oliver's will power to keep from running in there. It also took every bit of my strength to hold him back.
"Oliver, please restrain yourself! You'll end up scaring someone!" I said to him, holding him back as I laughed.
"Then can we go in now?" he asked me impatiently, giving that look of his that I can't say no to.
"Yes, just don't run in there like a wild animal," I said, but all he heard was "Yes."
Oliver was in the store before I had even finished my sentence. Not that I didn't expect that. I doubt binding him would have stopped him even.
As I made my way to the door, someone tightly grasped my wrist from behind, spinning me around to face them.
I didn't even have to look up to see who was restraining me. Only one person I know has hands as rough and icy as their voice.
"Flint."
"And what brings you to this fine store?" he asked, pulling me close to him.
"Nothing that's important to you," I replied, trying to pull away from him.
"Ah, but it is important because you are here," Flint said, showing his awful smile and clenching my wrists tighter.
"I'd be flattered if that didn't come from your mouth," I spat, still trying to pull away.
"Do you know how many girls would kill to get me?" he asked, his face inches from my own.
"Tu madre. No más," I replied, trying to turn away from his icy breath in my face.
"You think you're so funny," he sneered, gripping my wrists so tightly my fingers started to tingle. "That's the one thing I hate about you: your cocky attitude."
"Really? I'll be sure to keep it then," I shot back, still trying to wrestle my hands free.
"Someone should teach you how to get rid of that," Flint said, pulling me away from the store.
"I can really handle my own attitude," I replied, still trying to get away as he pulled me along.
"But I am most willing to help you today," he said, grinning as he pulled me down the nearest alley.
"Uh, that's quite alright. In fact, I think it's completely gone now," I replied nervously, trying frantically to get away now.
"I don't think so," Flint growled, pushing me against a back wall.
"Let go of me!" I shouted, my voice drowned out by the busy streets we were hidden from.
"You made a mistake choosing Wood," Flint whispered, his face centimeters from mine. "I've seen the way you look at me. You want me more than you think. Well now you're gonna get me bitch and you're gonna like everything about me."
I was afraid. Who wouldn't be? I was down an alley with one of the most vile people on this planet. And there was no way anyone could hear or see me. I was very afraid. He could see the fear in my eyes.
Flint laughed as he sensed my fear of being alone with him. Using his body to keep me firm against the wall, he forced his tongue into my mouth. I almost gagged, my stomach doing flips every second.
I couldn't push him away, my arms pinned behind me, his weight preventing movement. I tried biting him in hopes he'd pull away, but he just became rougher, more aggressive, fiercer.
He still wouldn't back off, my chest starting to hurt now as I was being crushed between the wall and his body. Flint began running his hands up and down my sides, slowly going higher, slowly going lower.
I thought I was going to choke, his mouth still not parting from mine and his vile, snake-like tongue almost touching the back of my throat. Tears began to roll down my cheeks as Flint began moving one hand up my skirt.
Oliver
"This is perfect for her!" I though to myself, checking to make sure she wasn't around.
After making my purchase and safely putting it away, I looked around the store for Cristina but couldn't find her.
"Cristina?" I called out as I walked around the store again.
She was nowhere to be seen. Slightly panicking, I rushed outside to see if maybe she were still out there.
She wasn't.
"Don't be so paranoid. She probably just went to some other store," I told myself.
As I walked down the street in hopes of finding her, I heard some muffled noises coming from one of the alleys I passed. When I looked, I saw Flint with some girl, getting ready to put the move on her.
"That's just sick, Marcus having a girlfriend. Who's enough of a loser to go for him?" I asked myself, not knowing whether to laugh or be sick.
Curiosity got the best of me. Walking a little further, I turned my head to see what girl was with him.
I wasn't laughing anymore.
I ran down the alley, pulling Flint off of her when I reached them, busting his jaw with my fist when I pulled him away.
"You fucking bastard!" I shouted, hitting him in the face again.
He dropped to the ground, looking up at me with eyes of fear and anger.
"You can't protect that bitch forever," Flint managed to say, blood beginning to drip from his face.
"Bastard! I will always protect her," I growled in reply, grabbing his shirt collar and pulling him up. "If you ever call her that or touch her again, I will kill you."
I punched him one last time before I threw him down the alley, watching the bastard scramble to his feet and run off.
I'd never felt so much anger and hatred toward any one person. The bastard...
Turning to face Cristina, I saw she hadn't moved at all, here eyes unblinking and full of fear.
I was hesitant to touch her, afraid of what she might do or say. But I was even more afraid of what would happen if I did nothing.
"Cristina?" I said softly, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.
She came back to reality, blinking before she dropped to her knees and got sick. I got down next to her and carefully placed a hand on her back, letting her know I was there and she was safe.
I don't know how long she was like that. We she was finished, I gently pulled her back and pulled out my wand.
"Skurge," I said quietly, cleaning her up before tucking my wand away.
"He...he tried...he tried to..." Cristina started before breaking into tears and burying her face against my chest.
"Shhh. I know. I saw him. That bastard will never touch you again. If he does, I'll kill him," I whispered in her ear, holding her tightly against me.
"I'm so sorry," she sobbed, her arms wrapped tightly around me as though I would disappear.
"You have nothing to be sorry about. I shouldn't have rushed in without you. I will never leave your side again," I whispered back, softly kissing the top of her head.
We sat there for a little while, until Cristina had calmed down some. Helping her to her feet, I held her close.
"Why don't we go back to the castle?" I suggested quietly, putting my jacket around her shoulders.
She just put her head on my shoulder in reply.
Wrapping my arm tightly around her waist, we made our way back, thankfully avoiding all of our friends.
Cristina
Oliver and I reached the Common Room without encountering anyone. I love my friends, but I really didn't feel like seeing anyone.
We walked up to his dorm, no one saying anything because no one was there.
I sat on Oliver's bed, pulling my knees to my chest despite the fact I was wearing a skirt. I didn't care anymore.
Oliver drew the curtains around his bed and sat next to me, wrapping a blanket around me and pulling me close.
"I don't understand. It's all a blank to me, yet in a way I can still see everything happening as though I was watching from another person's point of view," I said quietly, putting my head on Oliver's shoulder.
"Don't think about it. I won't let him get near you again," he replied, putting his head on mine as he stroked my hair.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, tears filling my eyes again as I held him tightly.
"You have nothing to be sorry about. I love you Cristina. Nothing anyone can do or say will change the way I feel about you," Oliver whispered in reply.
"Don't leave me," I sobbed against his chest, not letting go of him.
"I will never leave you," he replied, his warm embrace comforting me.
I will never leave you...
A.N.) Took me long enough to finish. Lemme tie a bow on this and say Merry Christmas/Happy Hanukkah/Happy Kwanzaa or whatever you celebrate. I'm sorry I took so long, but finding time to write now is hard! But I won't stop. I can't take all the credit for this though...
BeccaBlack – Thanks for helping me along with this. You helped me get over my mental mountain so I could continue writing. You better start back too damn it.
shadowcat241 – I owe you too. You kept begging me to update, so this one's for you! Thanks for the constant encouragement!
