A/N: I really don't have anything to babble about, so I will get on with the chapter! Oh wait, yes I do, have any of you heard of the band Garbage? If so, tell me what you thought of their newest CD! (And no, I have no relation to any of the Garbage band members, I just love them. :D)
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter… sad? Yes. Depressing? Of course. My cookies that are mysteriously disappearing are the only thing I own. :glares at brother:
Chapter Six- New Acquaintances
James roughly pulled me through the dark, only stopping to let me scramble up after I fell over ragged rocks. My body was still fatigued from the whipping I had endured and I was sure the back of the dark green dress was soaked with blood. It seemed as if I had an unlimited supply of blood that would always, always be there for James or Sirius to suck out of me…
Sometimes I just wish I would go dry.
"Hurry up, wench." James pulled me roughly from the ground, my back searing with pain every step I took.
After many falls, we had finally come to our destination, a sign that read: Molovia City. Molovia… Where had I heard that name before? Could it actually be the pirate city the authorities had been looking for at least a century? I swallowed the knot that had somehow wound itself inside my throat. This city was known for its treachery and whore houses. Was James just going to leave me to some brothel and leave me there to serve men? I wouldn't allow it. I would rather join Adam again than be left in this dank place for the rest of my life.
When we entered the city, it was as I had expected it to be. Trash lay on the stone pathways that barely separated buildings from one another. The buildings in Molovia were tall and forbidding, as if they unwelcome us to the city. Streets were littered with gangly men, bulky men, fat men, and only a few women by the buildings with signs that promised pleasure to its guests.
I barely had time to look around the front of the city before I was harshly pulled by the wrist towards a sign that read: Molovia Brothel and Inn. People (most likely men) actually stayed with those whores? My nose upturned at the mere thought.
Smoke filled my weakening lungs as James stepped into the bar, pulling me along with him.
A tall, dark man stood behind a bar to the left of us as various tables sat to our right. Steps behind all of the tables led to the second story where I assumed the bedrooms were located.
"James, mi boy!" A voice rang out over the laughter and chattering of the men in the room. A man that was fairly short and chubby waddled to us, frantically pushing others out of his way to get to James.
"Samuel." James greeted when the plump man had reached us.
"I see you brought another one of your lasses for tonight?" Samuel asked James after looking me over.
"This one is different. I'm not going to leave her here, you see."
I stayed silent. He wasn't going to leave me here? But… I thought I was nothing to him? Just a speck of dirt to be wiped off his shoulder? "Ah yes. I wouldn't want anyone else to have her either."
James grinned roguishly. "It would be most unpleasant to know that my dear Lily would sleep with another man."
"Yes, yes. I'm sure. Well! Come! Sit down! Sit down! Make yourselves comfortable, hmm?"
Samuel eagerly waved to the tables. "Thank you, Sam. Oh, and have you seen Tom yet?"
"I do believe I have. He is right over there in his usual corner. Odd fellow that one is. Just call if you want any drinks!" And with a quick smile, the stubby man was on his way to other customers.
"Come." James ordered, his smile gone and pulled me along with him to the table that I guessed was Tom's table.
"Tom Riddle!" James exclaimed, grinning at the dark haired handsome man before us. He had dark brown eyes that were blank as they stared at James, and then at me.
He held his gaze on me as he spoke. "So this is the girl?"
James let out a nonchalant snort. "Yeah. Isn't she a cute thing?"
The handsome man gave an appreciative nod. "Indeed. Let us discuss how we are to convince her parents that she is alive upstairs in one of my bedrooms. Follow."
Tom briskly stood up and walked up the stairs, leaving James to stare at his back as I glared at the table. So James was sending me back to Ireland? So he was going to let this Tom Riddle have me?
"Lily." I stopped short; he called me by my name… "I want you to know that I don't trust Tom to take you to Ireland without killing you first, so I'm going with you."
"Oh how nice of you." I bit out through clenched teeth. I would have to tolerate that git for more days than I could handle.
"I know." James said without humor laced through his voice as he pulled me up the stairs.
"Ooh, James!" A high pitched voice carried itself from downstairs us as we were walking towards Tom's room.
"Shit." The brown haired man cussed, and pushed me up to a wall. I could feel his toned body attach onto mine as I winced from the pain that coursed through my back. "Be quiet and don't pull back."
Before I could react, James pulled me into a rough kiss as footsteps came closer to us. He must have decided to have a little fun, because he forced his tongue into my mouth without my consent. I closed my eyes tight from refraining to kick his ass right then and there. But yet his tongue caressed mine in an almost innocent, loving manner. His lips, which I remembered from time to time, were still as soft as I had felt before.
"Oh my." A ditzy voice said beside us, making James pull away from me.
A skinny blonde woman with curves only some woman would dream of was staring at me as if I had murdered her entire family and gotten away with it.
"James. What are you doing with this whore?"
"What does it look like we were doing, Vivien?"
The woman known as Vivien sniffed indignantly and said no more as she stalked off downstairs, hips swinging. Just the way she carried herself made my heart come alive with laughter. Not caring how James would react, I laughed until my back was even sorer and my cheeks were a light pink.
I felt thechocolate haired man staring at me, and I turned my head to meet his unreadable gaze. "Sorry." I mumbled, as he kept staring at me before he shook his head as if clearing some thoughts.
"Let's go."
Tom's room was bare except for a mirror, a wardrobe, and a stiff bed. What a boring way to live…
"Finally." The jet black haired man said as we entered the room. "Now, we must discuss how we are to get Lillian to Ireland. How much is this ransom?"
"A million pounds; they must want this beauty back quick." I stared at the white chipping paint on the walls as they spoke.
Tom gave me an icy stare. "Beauty indeed." He grinned maliciously. "Fabulous. Now, I suppose you want to come with us." It was not a question; it was a statement.
"Yes." James raised an eyebrow at Tom while the latter just smiled. His smile… I do not know how to describe it; it was as if Tom didn't want to smile, yet he was. A ghost smile…
"Even better. Now," his gaze turned back to me and I could have cringed if not for my insufferable pride and the fact that I was now staring at the slightly dented mirror reflecting James'sfigure."we shall see to it this little dear gets to Ireland. Without comfort if the parents don't raise the price, that is." Another torture session awaited me, I was sure of it. I was almost looking forward to going back to Ireland… and least there, I would not be beaten; I would not be tortured; I would be respected for who I am. Princess Lillian. How I despised that person, but it was better than this life.
"On the morrow. Goodnight, Mr. Riddle." James said, saluting Tom and turning to leave with me on his heels.
"Please, James." Tom said as we were almost out of the room. I did not want to be in Tom's presence longer than I needed. "Call me Voldemort... as a friendly nickname, of course."
A/N: Pffffft, I'm sorry it is short, and I'm sorry that it took so long for me to get this out. Presently, I have a minor case of writer's block, sadly. Not a very good thing, but I managed to get my idea for this chapter out there. Hope you all enjoyed it!
WolfGirlOfTheFlame- Me too. L But everything should look better for Lily… it might not be for a while though.
the-honest-liar- I'm glad you love it! ;)
-699hater- Awwww, thank you so much! Are you moving up? I don't want you to leave me yet to fend all alone against negative 699 -tear-. I will be so sad when you aren't there for me to chitter (chatter) away with! Mucho 3 dear.
Jingle-Bellz-ROCK- Thank you! Ahh, but the famous Irish temper is awesome. I have uhm… the famous Russian forgetfulness? Yes, yes, cliff hangers equal exciting and anticipation. And yes again, as much as I hate to do it to Lily, she has to have some bad moments. I feel so proud of myself… I inspired you without even trying! Yesssssss.
missmagsak- I'm thankful that you love it! (Well, I'm guessing that you do. O.O)
sonei- Thank you! ;)
PorcelainxDoll- Oh my goodness. Thank you so much. I don't think anyone has given me a greater compliment. :blushes: YES! Someone got that the Black Ship played on Sirius's last name. Keep having those thoughts, it builds excitement! I hope that I lived up to your expectations as to what you thought it was going to be!
CometChick- HA! I knew someone that swam would read that. I'm in the Southern California zone. I get to race against Cindy Tran, yay me! O.O Gah! Don't hate James too much! I think he will get better…
Erin- Life is lovely for Lily, indeed. Ha. Its all right, I didn't expect many people to understand my ramblings with the swim meet. ;)
MissMyrtle360- You have to hide your cookies from the siblings, I hid mine from my brother. Heh heh. Well yes, but James wasn't treated like Lily is. Bah. I'm just evil. O.o Lily did realize a bit too late that she loved Adam, and I regret that I didn't put more of him in the story. That would have really ripped your hearts out if Lily was even closer to Adam.
pialicious- Sadly, yes. James is a good looking asshole. Get it on… hahahahahahahaha. Woo. Thank you so much!
fab- Lucky James, indeed. Haaa, trust me, Lily will open a can of whop ass; it might not be soon, but oh, she will. I agree, Lily could beat James and Sirius's asses anytime! She was just, er, handicapped when captured.
the-one-and-only- Lucky James, indeed. Poor Lily, most definitely. There was the update you wanted! ;)
LittleSunflower- No worries, no worries. Thank you for reviewing! Your English is quite good, actually. ;)
IvyClimbing- No, you didn't, but its all good. I love witty Lily also, stupid Lilys just don't cut it for me. :shrug: You will love James one way or another as you read the story. ;)
Fairy-GYAKUTENNO-MEGAMI- Thank you!
And for all those who read and do not review… THANK YOU!
SS