yipee. yet another chapter. review if ye liketh!
-What the fuck are you doing?»
-Stay away from me!» He raised an eyebrow as I backed off toward the wall.
-What is it with you? You're always backing off at the last second.» I ran my hand nervously through my long dark hair, searching for an excuse. Can you imagine what it would sound like if I told him the truth? «Guess what? I'm a vampire, and I'm afraid to start sucking your blood if I get too close!» Charming. Really.
-Why don't you tell me the truth, Dawn?»
-It wouldn't do anyone any good.»
-Listen, whatever it is you have, I'm sure you're not alone.»
-Ha! Right.» I let myself fall on the couch nearest to where I was and stared at him. I knew he wanted to know, and I was burning inside; I wanted to tell him. I needed someone to confess to. But there was no one who'd understand.
-I could help if- if only you'd let me try.»
-Funny...aren't you under the impression we've had this exact conversation before?»
-Dammit, Dawn! Don't ignore me!» He leaned on the arm rests, making sure he was in my range of view. I avoided looking into his (unfortunately) convincing eyes.
-I want to go outside.» I said, pushing him out of my way. From what I could see, he thought I needed more privacy to reveal my secret. I smiled. Pity he'd be dissapointed.
The air outside was cool and snow had begun falling, although we were far into the month of march. From the grey skies, the flakes descended until they'd melt into the ground, leaving behind many puddles of mud. The air was humid, and the ground slippery, but the rocks surrounding the lake remained unchanged by this temperature. Sirius walked beside me. He'd untied his tie, and it now hung from his shoulder. Our hands were both snuck inside our pockets, and we listened to the calming sound of wind and chirp of birds as the sun slowy appeared above the horizon.
-…So?» He finally asked.
I sighed and resolved to tell him all of it. Beside, if he didn't react well, I'd just have to cast an amnesia spell. Nothing complicated. Maybe all my problems would be solved, maybe it was better to let him know. I had nothing to lose.
-You promise you won't tell anyone?» I asked.
-Promise.»
-I- er… I'm a… well, a… oh God…» I took in another deep breath, and decided to get it overwith. It wasn't that hard to tell him, well… it shouldn't be.
-Imavampire.»
-A what?»
-…Please don't drive a wooden stake through my heart.» I winced, expecting the worst.
-…ready for my secret?»
-huh?»
-I owe you one.»
-You're not running away?»
-Why? If you'd wanted to kill me you could've done it many times before. I guess you have the will to be good, therefore you aren't evil, and I shouldn't have a reason to run away.» Wow. What a relief.
-…What's your secret, then?»
-Well, it's more like a friend's secret.» I raised an eyebrow. «That werewolf you saw last night-»
-What about it?»
-It's actually Remus. Remus Lupin.» I gasped, turning to him. Lupin? Him? «Still think I'm mad?»
-That's so… selfless…You'd risk your life for the sake of your friend. I'm surprised.»
-And you thought you knew me.» He rested his hands on top of his head and grinned. I guess it was somekind of rush to be unexpected. Guys are unpredictable.
-Dawn!» A man's voice called behind us. Turning around, we noticed a particularily repulsing face. Framed by nearly white strands of hair, Lucius Malfoy's face was practically flawless. Nevertheless, it was a face not many were glad to see. Sirius was the first, as always, to reply.
-Walking your pets, Malfoy?» He glared at the spotless robe, silky hair, thin, but impressive figure of the man with extreme dislike. His usual crowd of slytherins stood close behind, arms crossed.
-Walking yours, Dawn?» Sirius growled and stepped forward defiantly, but I pushed him back. Malfoy, I was certain, had not intended to pick a fight...yet.
-What is it?» I asked.
-I wonder if I might have a word with you-» He started, throwing back his impressive mane-like hair.
-What do you want from her?»
-Nothing that concerns you, Black.» He sighed, rolling his eyes ; to him, Sirius was as ridiculous and pathetic as they came. A waste of effort, he'd called him once. Lucius turned his attention to me once again. «In private, perhaps?»
I felt Lucius's frigid stare run across the lake, then back to me. I hesitated at first ; God knows what he was planning. He'd never bothered to talk to me in private before. Come to think of it, he'd never bothered to talk to me at all, whether it be for an insult or a comment. I slowly nodded.
Sirius seemed absolutely shocked by my decision, but at least he didn't let it show… as much as he might've planned to. He walked past Lucius and whispered in his ear before walking away. Those words echoed around in my head until he was out of sight, in the castle. « If you come within even a yard of her, I'll tear you from limb to limb and snap your fancy, manicured fingers until your bones are reduced to powder.»
-Quite…posessive your boyfriend, no?»
-He's not my boyfriend!» I retorted, getting uselessly agitated.
-Now. Down to business.» He turned to face me and rolled up his sleeve, revealing a nasty looking scar… in the shape of a skeleton's head with a snake slithering out of its mouth.
-The dark mark…» I gasped, taking a step back. It was obvious enough that he was on Lord Voldemort's side, but never would I have thought he'd actually get around to getting the mark while he was still a student. it was a terrible risk to take. No wonder he'd never wear short sleeved shirts.
-Yes, the Dark Mark.» He sighed. «Dawn, you have the chance to become someone important, respected, loved. Don't blow it away.»
-Why should I join your side,» I wondered aloud «when all I know, all I've learned to like, is opposite to this one?» Malfoy smiled. I knew the answer to that question. He'd never let me live in peace if I said no. And if I said yes, I'd have to leave everything behind and watch it die slowly, knowing it was all my fault. Either way, I'd lose everything I'd gained. The Sirius of my dream was right ; everywhere I'd go, I'd bring death and destruction.
-There won't be a side oppsite to mine, princess. Not after we're through with it.» I examined the scar that orned his arm once more, an intense feeling of helplessness taking over my body. Malfoy watched me one last time before turning back to the castle. «You have a week.» He shouted, looking over his shoulder.
-Wha'd 'e say?»
I sighed heavily ; Sirius had asked me the same thing over and over again all day. I was about to answer precisely what I'd said the first, second, third, fourth, and every time following that :
-Nothing that puts me in danger.»
-But I want to know the exact words!»
-I don't remember!»
-Riiiight.»
-Leave me alone, Black! I'm in no mood to talk to you!»
-Did 'e, you know… touch you?»
-No!»
-Did 'e ask you out?»
-No!»
-Did 'e talk about me?»
-No!…wait. Yes.»
-Aha!» Hi face lit up. «Wha-»
-He said you were a protective bastard, that you get on everyone's nerves, and that he liked the knickers you were wearing today.»
-Really?»
-No, just the first part.»
-Who said the rest?»
-No one in particular.»
-You like my knickers?»
James happened to pass by at that moment, accompanied by the scabby werewolf Remus Lupin. He instantly jumped into the conversation.
-Yeah, those ones you're wearing right now make you look real sexy.» Thank God no one had heard. Our voices were covered by the familiar chaos of the common room ; people yelling, laughing, talking, throwing things-
-Oy! Watch it!» Sirius yelped ; someone had just thrown a thick, hard covered book across the room with the help of a repelling spell, and it had very nearly knocked him unconcious. Just a few more inches to the right, and I might've been spared the humiliation that was to come.
Silence gradually conquered the common room, although not many had gone to bed. I'm guessing they'd just run out of energy. Hey, it happens.
-This place is dead, and it's only nine.» Someone declared, getting himself a few heads nodding in approval.
-Anyone for truth or dare?» Fuck.