Heaven Sent
Chapter Twenty Four- Tanglewood Tree
Love is a tanglewood tree in a bower of green
In a forest at dawn
Fair while the mockingbird sings, but she soon lifts her wings
And the music is gone
Young lovers in the tall grass with their hearts open wide
When the red summer poppies bloom
But love is a trackless domain and the rumor of rain
In the late afternoon
Love is an old root that creeps through the meadows of sleep
When the long shadows cast
Thin as a vagrant young vine, it encircles and twines
And it holds the heart fast
Catches dreamers in the wildwood with the stars in their eyes
And the moon in their tousled hair
But love is a light in the sky, and an unspoken lie
And a half-whispered prayer
I'm walkin' down a bone-dry river but the cool mirage runs true
I'm bankin' on the fables of the far, far better things we do
I'm livin' for the day of reck'nin countin' down the hours
I yearn away, I burn away,
I turn away the fairest flower of love, 'cause darlin'Love is a garden of thorns
Love's garden of thorns, how it grows
And a crow in the corn
Black crow in the corn hummin' low
And the brake growing wild
Brake nettle so pretty and wild
And thistles surround the edge of the
Cold when the summer is spent
Dim dark hour as the sun moves away
In the jade heart's lament
Lamenting a lost summer dayFor the faith of a child
Who nurtures the faith of a child
When nothing remains to cover her eyes?
My body has a number and my face has a name
My body has a number, maybe my face has a name
And each day looks the same to me
Each hour like each hour before
But love is a voice on the wind
This longing is a voice on the wind
And the wages of sin
She cultivates the wages of sinAnd a tanglewood tree
In a tanglewood tree
Tanglewood Tree- Dave Carter Tracy Grammer
(break)
When Lydia awoke the next morning, she was a bit alarmed to find something standing at the edge of her bed. Once sleepy, she was fully awake noticing it was Derby the house elf.
"Derby!" she exclaimed, sitting up and holding the sheets to her chest. She was quite the sight with the purple smudges under her eyes and the wild set of her hair, "What are you doing here?"
"Did Derby disturb you? Derby is so very, very sorry!" The house elf cried, looking upset. Knowing the damage that house elves can cause when distressed, Lydia jumped on her response.
"Oh, no, no not at all! In fact, I'm very glad to see you."
"Really?" the elf said with a smile, "Oh, Derby is so very glad that Miss Lachlan is glad to see Derby!"
Lydia couldn't help but smile back. Maybe Derby was an exception to the obnoxiousness of house elves, "Might I ask, what is your business for being here?"
"Oh yes! Missus Narcissa asked Derby to bring you a box! Missus Narcissa says breakfast is to be served in half an hour." Derby held out, as described, a white cardboard box. Lydia, dropping the sheets, got out of bed and came over to accept it.
"Thank you, Derby."
"Miss Lachlan is most welcome! But Derby is afraid, Derby must be on his way. Master Lucius calls."
"Oh, of course. I would hate to keep you waiting. Thank you again, Derby."
"It is Derby's pleasure, miss." And with that, the house elf disappeared as strangely as he had arrived. Setting the box on the bed, Lydia opened it to find a set of clothes- grey slacks, a red sweater with a stretched turtle neck, and a pair of black shoes. Grinning excitedly, she threw the clothes on and clipped the top half of her hair back.
She was ready to step out the door and hurry down to breakfast, when she realized she had no idea how to get to the dining room. She could always wander around until she found it, but she wasn't sure how big the house was. Getting lost would not be something she'd like to experience. She could call Derby again, but hadn't he said he was off to see Mr. Malfoy? She didn't want to a bother, and to be perfectly honest- though she liked the house elf better then most, he still made her feel a bit uneasy. Of course, there was always Severus.
Ah, Severus… she was going to have to deal with him sometime. Surely he hadn't already gone to breakfast, and even if he had, she could always call Derby as a backup. It was really no big deal. All she had to do was act like everything was normal… And Lydia was a horrible liar.
Sticking her chin up, she opened her door and stepped out into the hallway. Why was she nervous? There was no need to be nervous. It was only Severus- Severus who she had worked with for months on end, Severus who she had sat next to for long days and long nights, Severus who she had intellectual conversations with, Severus who she was now sure she fancied.
"Damnit…" she muttered, then realizing what she said, she put a surprised hand over her mouth. Yes, she was in a sticky situation, but she would take it with class, not in the way Morrie would.
Alright, all she had to do was go knock on that door. That was it. He probably had already left, so there was really no harm in knocking. Really, she shouldn't be this upset over something so stupid! She needed to stop this, and she would stop it now.
With new found determination, she walked right up to that door, lifted her hand, and… completely froze. Sighing, she dropped her hand, "It's official… I am an idiot…"
And suddenly the door swung back, and gray eyes hit black. There was Severus, standing tall and intimidating in the doorway, though looking somewhat perplexed at Lydia's current position.
"Eh… Good morning, Severus," Lydia said, regaining her composure. Alright, the sudden appearance threw her off, but she would not go crazy over it.
"Good morning," Severus responded, though he didn't sound so passionate about it. Raising an eyebrow, he continued, "What are you doing?"
"What- oh, you mean, what am I doing here… oh, um… you see, I don't know how to get to the dining room- for breakfast that is… and I was hoping-"
"You were hoping I could take you down there," Severus cut her off in irritation. He's annoyed! That's not good. Lydia, you fool…
"Well, yes… if it's not too much trouble," She said nervously, unconsciously beginning to pick at her nails.
"You're lucky I'm heading there myself. Come on," he said, starting down the hallway. Lydia, not wanting to look like an imbecile again, hurried along with him.
What was going on? Why was he making her so nervous? Lydia barely ever lost her cool… well not in this way. It was either in temper or upset, never nervousness. How could things turn around all of a sudden? One day she's talking to him as a normal acquaintance- the next, she's babbling like a moron. She had never acted this way with Remus. Why now?
Of course, Lydia being so deep in her own thoughts, paid no attention to where they were going. Severus kept silent, never looking over but keeping his eyes set towards the destination. Lydia on the other hand, kept berating herself for looking over at him. You will not turn into a lovesick fool!
"Are you alright?" he asked suddenly, throwing her out of her thoughts.
"What?"
"Are you alright? You don't look well," the way he said it wasn't concerned or worried. It was simply a fact he was using as a question.
"Oh, I've being feeling under the weather lately. I'm afraid it might be from waiting out in the cold the other night." Alright, she was getting back in the swing of things. It was only Severus and she liked him for the time they spent together in normality. Nothing had changed… well, except her feelings for him. But nothing had changed for him, so it was stupid to act like a nervous child. It was the same… she could do this. She knew she could.
"I noticed your cloak wasn't in the fittest of conditions," he commented off-handedly.
"I can see why. It's dreadfully old." See, this is easy…
"Have you ever thought of getting a new one?"
"Yes, numerous times, but there's always been the issue of money. A good cloak is not something one obtains without a heavy pocket."
"True…" he said, putting an end to the discussion. They were approaching a landing Lydia recognized, and entered the door on it- the dining hall.
Narcissa was already there, sipping a glass of pumpkin juice with a fair sampling of French toast in front of her. Hearing their arrival, she looked up with a smile, "Oh, good, you're both up. Come and sit so the house elves can get you your meal."
Narcissa had taken the same seat as last night, so Lydia decided it would be best if she also sat in the same seat beside her. This seemed to be the right thing to do as Severus took the seat across from them.
"I pray you slept well?" Narcissa asked.
"Very much so, thank you," Lydia replied. Narcissa looked pointedly at Severus.
He nodded in approval, "Yes, very well."
"I'm glad to hear it," the blonde said with another of her tight smiles, "I'm afraid Lucius is unable to dine with us this morning. He had some business to attend to."
"The Parkinsons, am I correct?" Severus asked as a house elf came out and placed a tray of French Toast before him. Another creature came out with a glass of pumpkin juice. Severus, however put his hand up to this, "No, coffee- black."
"Of- of course, Mister. Be back right aways with Mister's coffee." Severus nodded briskly in acceptance, sending the frightened house elf on her way. Picking up his knife, he began to cut the bread.
Another house elf came out for Lydia, and she accepted it eagerly. She was abnormally hungry this morning- a time when she usually could stomach nothing.
"Yes, in fact, he is visiting the Parkinsons. Did he tell you?"
"A lucky guess."
"Hm…" Narcissa hummed, "As I told Lydia last night, I'll not be around today. Lucius would have me take a trip to the Brocklehursts. It will be just you and Lydia, I'm afraid."
Yes, I'm very afraid… No, that wasn't the way to think at all. Confidence, Lydia, confidence!
"That's quite alright. I was planning on taking some time in the library today anyway," said Severus.
Narcissa grinned suddenly, "Oh, I know! Why don't you take Lydia? I'm sure she would enjoy the library, wouldn't you dear?"
"Oh, yes, I actually have a book with me I'd like to catch up on," she said before adding hastily, "If Severus doesn't mind, that is."
"I don't mind." How could he be so nonchalant about everything, so uninterested? It was driving Lydia mad.
The was a silent moment as the three ate. Lydia, starting to feel unbearably awkward, remembered the clothes Narcissa had let her borrow.
"Narcissa, I must thank you for the outfit."
Narcissa smiled, "Oh, don't thank me at all. Really, it was no problem, and I must say, it looks better on you than it ever did on me. Red is really not my color, but it works marvels on you."
"Thank you."
"Oh, you know, I have this marvelous skirt that I think would look beautiful on you…"
Lydia listened to Narcissa for a while, but eventually she drifted out, reply with 'Mmhmm' quite a few times. Though she tried to stop herself, her gaze kept traveling to the dark haired boy across from her. She found herself lucky to see he was not looking back… except one time. He found her eyes meet his for the second time that morning, and the pace of her heart immediately quickened. She could feel the blood in her veins boiling as he stared at her emotionless. She could not look away, not turn away. It was like she was in the headlights- but it was only for a moment. She quickly gained her senses, realized where she was and turned her attention back to Narcissa. She made sure not to look at Severus the rest of the meal.
When everyone had finished up, the house elves came to take the plates away and Narcissa made a hurried, uneventful departure, leaving the two teenagers alone in room. Severus was the first to speak.
"I'm going to the library to study, not to be bothered," he said. His voice portrayed the annoyance at having her accompany him… but who was he to say that? She had done nothing wrong. Why was he acting like she was such a burden- and why did it upset her so?
"Are you forgetting who I am?" Lydia said impetuously, "I sat beside you in a library for months on end. I wasn't aware I was such a nuisance. I'll not come if you feel that way."
Severus glared, "No, I do not feel that way. I was just making sure you understood by purpose of going there."
"It was well understood. There was no need to clarify."
"I know that. There's no need to be bad-tempered," he said with an icy tone. Lydia was in disbelief.
"I don't believe I was the one bad-tempered. It was not I who showed nothing but irritation. You've been unpleasant and dismissive to me every since we arrived."
"Forgive me if I upset you by my manner, but you best get used to it. Believe it or not, this is how I normally am," the way he cut each of his syllables was alarming. He was amazing he could still speak with such eloquence when she could tell he was having trouble controlling his temper. And if looks could kill, Lydia was sure he would be throwing daggers.
But she wouldn't back down, "How you normally are to the people you hate."
"Exactly!" he hissed, turning away. Lydia was about to reply when she realized the impact of his one word. For a moment, she felt like she couldn't breathe.
"What?" she staggered out. He did not turn around, the back of his robes still facing her.
"You heard me."
"That's not true. You don't hate me," Lydia said quietly, her eyes begging him to turn around.
"How would you know?"
"Because," she said, lifting her chin with a purpose, "I spent nearly four months by your side. I know you better than that. Don't insult my intelligence."
He didn't say anything for a moment. Eventually he turned around and looked at her with less emotion than she had ever seen. Surely she was right. Surely he didn't hate her… but if he did- why?
"I'm not going to discuss this with you any longer. I'm going to the library and you may or may not follow me there. Honestly, I could care less what you did with yourself." That said, he turned on his heels and walked out of the room.
Lydia could do nothing but freeze for a moment. Had he said what she thought she had said? Her mind was playing tricks on her. That must be it. But real logic won out in the end. She knew what she had heard… and though she wasn't one to go on a feeling- she knew it wasn't true.
With new resolve to find out exactly what was going on, she followed him out. She was going to the library and hopefully she would get some answers.
(break)
A/N- See, I've been getting better! Well, this is a vacation week for me.
I'm afraid I don't know what really happened with this chapter. The ending I assure you, was not planned before hand, but it definitely seemed to work for what is coming ahead. This always happens! I have the chapter all plotted out, and then something completely different comes out my fingertips.
Hey, guess what? THIS HIT ONE HUNDRED REVIEWS! AHHHHH! I AM SO EXCITED! WOOT! I THINK THAT JUST MADE MY LIFE!
And its all thanks to you guys- you wonder reviewers, you know who you are! I love you guys! Here, an imaginary cookie for all of you!
Daughter of Darkness777- pft, guys… they're all alike. Hey, bluntness is good! Very good! Yay for bluntness! Oh man, I totally agree with you! SNAPE IS NOT EVIL! Mauraders…grr… I'm so glad you like Narcissa! I really wanted to give something to her like I don't know… depth? Or my sad attempt at it… meh. Hey, no need to worry about crazy medication. I totally understand. I mean, that's what my other fanfic Storms is for. Now, that's sheer madness.
skytten- Oh, you have no idea how sorry I am about the updates! I promise to tell you if anything like that ever happens again. I am so sorry! Hey, have an awesome time in London, and we have to talk when you get back. Do you perhaps have a screenname? Oh, and I am very, very happy you like Narcissa.
cheZaswulf- Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I totally respect your view of my story, and see where you're coming from. My ideas just come from a different place.
lhuntathraeil- Make-overs are fun. Heh.
Odie- Hey, I love faithful reviewers man. And I'm thinking gold here, not silver! Glad to hear you like Narcissa. That was exactly what I was going for, so YAY! No Bagel Bites? gasps in horror Why do you always seem to make me hungry?
Emily, your worst (best) reviewer- Oh, you make me feel special about checking my story everyday. Heh. I am so glad that you fing Snape in character, because I have gotten some comments that have said otherwise and that made me sad L. Wow, I really sound like a preschooler in this little spiel…
Always good to see another Phantom fan! I did like the movie, but obviously not as well as the books. The unnecessary flash 'forwards' I wasn't fond of and the Gerard Butler, while being a wonderful actor, to be honest had an awful voice. I agree with you entirely in that. It was good, a little shaky at first. It annoyed me a lot when it would be a super suspenseful moment and Christine would just be STANDING there. I was like, "Come on, DO something!" But they did it too the best of their ability, and I enjoyed it. So yes, I liked it. Wow… watch as I ramble…
What was I doing while reading your review… let's see, I was sitting at the desk in my office, listening to my favorite band Belle and Sebastian- their album If You're Feeling Sinister to be specific, whining about my love life (or lack thereof) to my dear friend Pat, and occasionally talking a sip of Canadian maple tea. There were also windows minimized- an unfinished livejournal entry, an unfinished entry for an RP I'm in (I'm Ginny- we desperately need a Ron if anyone is interested, check out my livejournal. There are tons of other characters open too), Draco Veritas which I am rereading because I am sad and having nothing else to do, and of course HP- lexicon. Yes… I'm a multitasker.
An I'll tip my hat to you… heh.
So, that's it. Oh yeah, I'm in an new RP and we are desperately looking for people like I said before- specifically a Ron. If you're interested, there is a post on my livejournal that will lead you in the right direction. Thanks.
And now…
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE TAKE ME OUT OF MY MISERY! GIVE ME SOME WONDERFUL, LONG RAMBLY REVIEWS! BABBLE ABOUT YOUR LIFE OR YOUR FRIENDS OR THAT INDEPENDENT FILM FOR ALL I CARE! I SWEAR, YOU'LL LIKE IT! –ok, that last bit was sketchy- EH? EH? PLEASE?
I am so bad…