CHAPTER 5 – A Life for a Life

Will awoke groggily, staring around the Hospital wing. He shook his head, trying to rid his mind of the dense fog that had gathered. He couldn't remember what had happened, all he could remember was cold, emerald eyes and long black hair.

He jumped into a sitting position, only to groan in pain and fall back down onto the pillows.

"Ranulf, be careful. You're not well," a voice floated over to him from the direction of the window.

"Who's there?" he croaked. It hurt to move and it hurt even more to talk.

"It's all right, it's just us," Godric stepped into the light and Will breathed a sigh of relief.

"Where's Elizabeth? I have to talk to her," he muttered, slowly sitting up. "Is she ok?"

"She healthy, not very happy though. I believe I have you to thank for that." Salazar's eyes flashed angrily. "You're lucky she didn't get hurt! I would have to kill you if she had."

"What happened?" Will looked at each of the founders. "She's in danger. I have to see her, please."

Godric sat down next to the hospital bed. "She's asleep at the moment. I'd like to ask you a few questions in the meantime."

Rowena walked into the room gracefully. "Helga, it's your watch."

Helga nodded, bade them all a goodnight and left for Elizabeth's room. "Firstly," Godric asked, pouring Will a drink of water. "What happened out there, tonight?"

Elizabeth was dreaming again. A hand was stroking her, sliding from her shoulders down the indentation of her spine to the curve of her hips. Slowly it continued its sensuous exploration, and she lay warm and relaxed as gently probing fingers found the fullness of one breast, teasing the nipple to hardness.

She thought her body would melt with sweetness. Deep within her desire stirred to an aching need for that caressing hand. She murmured incoherently, half rolling over, and her leg fell against a man's muscular thing.

Shocked from sleep, she gave a tiny cry of fear, cringing away from the dark shape in her bed. "Don't be frightened. It's me, Will."

Still not fully awake, her mind fumbled to make sense of what was happening. "What are you doing here?" she stammered, even as she spoke realizing the utter insanity of the question.

Amused, he replied, "I would have thought that was obvious."

She pulled away, her body rigid with revulsion and shame. "Go away!" she whispered fiercely. "Ranulf, please just leave my room. I don't want-"

"Yes, you do," he interrupted.

Elizabeth bit her lip, she said finally, "You know as well as I do that our 'relationship' is a mockery. You said so yourself, I'm just a means of pay. So this is the way it's got to be."

"Why?" he whispered.

Her eyes were adjusted to the dark now, his chest was bare, his hips swathed in the green blankets. Trying to keep her voice steady, she said, "You don't love me, and yet you want to-to- Now, you're the one who's despicable."

"If the phrase 'to make love' offends you, why don't we just say I lust after you? You have a beautiful body and I am only human." Will's gaze ran up and down her body appreciatively.

"There has to be more to sex than animal appetites," she argued frantically. "Ranulf, just go away. You've had your fun with me, isn't that enough?"

"No." The monosyllable hung in the air between them.

Elizabeth had not drawn the curtains and the silver beams of moonlight, coupled with a vivid red glow from the ring, cast a cold eerie light over the bed. She tensed her muscles under the blankets, preparing to leap from the bed and run to another room. Before she could move, his hand shot out and grabbed her wrist.

"You're hurting me," she faltered, feeling herself being pulled inexorably closer to him. She tried to twist free, kicking out at him under the covers, but all she accomplished was to bare her thighs to the moonlight, her skin glowing silver against the dark green bedspread.

She heard his rapid intake of breath. "You are beautiful. Come here." Then his other arm came around her shoulders. Her breasts were crushed against his chest as the weight of his thighs held her flailing limbs captive.

"No, Ranulf-"

His lips warm and sure silenced her plea. She barely had a moment to breathe before his mouth would cover hers once again. "Tell me," he gasped between burning, breathless kisses. "Tell me you want this as much as me. I need to hear you say it."

She was defenseless against his kisses and the sound of his voice. Unable to resist his urgings, she moaned, "I want you."

Elizabeth gave a soft moan as the sound of her name repeated again and again finally filtered through the fog of desire surrounding her. Instinctively, her neck arched to him, as his mouth left hers to run along the smooth column of her silver throat. Nibbling gently at her shoulder, and then soothing the tender area with soft, flickering movements with his tongue.

Her soft moans of delight urged him on as his mouth lowered further. She sighed as his firm lips took the tip of her breast into his heated mouth. Her back arched unconsciously, her hands at his shoulders crept up his neck to cup his face.

Will's mouth moved again, intent on capturing the other beckoning mound of flesh. He groaned softly as her hands moved from his shoulders and ran slowly across the wide surface of his chest and down his flat stomach. A tender smile covered the corners of his mouth as he stared into her eyes.

William groaned, her eagerness nearly breaking through his iron will. With strong, warm hands, he lifted her hips to meet his. The slight wince of pain that flickered in her eyes was gone a moment after.

Slowly, his hard body began to move. For a time she laid still, enjoying the texture of his skin, as it rubbed against her own. Soon her hands moved hungrily over his chest, his muscles flexed and rippled beneath his taut flesh, as her fingers lightly traced over his shoulders and down his arms.

Her hands twisted around his neck and refused to allow his mouth to part from hers. She couldn't breathe and she didn't care.

"Call me William, Elizabeth," he muttered against her lips. "Say it, dammit. I need to hear you say it." He gasped as he deepened his penetration more with each word spoken.

"William!" The words were torn from her throat.

Will heard her ragged cry and covered her lips with his own, in case the sound was heard by someone else. For a long moment, she was still; he thought she might have fainted. Her lips were relaxed and parted; her thick, dark lashes lay still against her high cheek bones. Her flushed cheeks and shuddering breath were the only signs of life.

A soft smile touched the corners of her mouth as he muttered, "Elizabeth. I know you are awake, the night is young and we have more pleasure yet before us."

"Oh," she sighed as she lifted her arms over her head and stretched. "I don't think my poor, battered body can take anymore tonight."

"Elizabeth! Oh, I'm so sorry, why didn't you say anything." He rolled away from her and eyed her cautiously; preparing to repair her body should she break.

"Will, I was joking." They both froze as a knock sounded on the door.

"Elizabeth? Are you decent?" Helga's voice floated in from behind the door as she knocked again.

"Give me a moment," she called getting up and pulling on a shirt. "Get under the bed," she whispered to Will.

Elizabeth walked to the door, checked to see Will was hidden from sight before opening the door. Helga walked in and sat down on the chair by her window. "I thought you may want this," she held out a basket of fresh fruit and a pitcher of water.

"Thank you. I was feeling a little hungry," she admitted. She could hear Will's stifled laugh coming from under the bed.

Worried Helga may see or hear him; Elizabeth sat down beside her and poured herself a drink. "Sorry, I took so long," Helga mumbled. "I went to see our young friend, Mr. Ranulf, but he wasn't there," she said matter-of-factly.

"Does anybody else know?" Elizabeth asked hesitantly.

"Of course," Helga replied. "Godric was on watch. It seems William gave him the slip. It's complete chaos in there." Helga stared at Elizabeth's slightly pink cheeks, sparkling eyes, bruised lips and tousled hair. "Were you all right here by yourself?"

"Yes," she replied, almost breathlessly.

A smile played on Helga's lips. "That's quite a nice shirt you have there."

Elizabeth glanced down, for the first time, at the shirt she was wearing. It was about three sizes to big for her, she'd grabbed Will's shirt by mistake. She thought hard for a few moments. "Will, gave it to me, for Christmas. I was so upset about his attack… I wanted to wear it, at least once."

Helga nodded slowly. "It's past your bedtime, I'm afraid. "Helga pointed to her bed. "Off you go,"

"You don't need to stay here. I'm quite fine to sleep by myself. You should try to find Mr. Ranulf." Elizabeth lay back under the covers and waited for Helga to leave.

"You're quite right. Well, my dear, I'll leave you to rest peacefully. Sweet dreams," she paused at the door. "Goodnight love."

Elizabeth opened her eyes and smiled softly. "Goodnight."

For the next twenty-four hours, Elizabeth was devastated, she would cry at anything. In twenty-four hours or so, the remaining students were going home, and she would say goodbye to Will for who-knows-how-long. William moped around and if anyone disturbed him, he'd yell at them for hours afterwards. They didn't know when they would see each other again. After the previous night's events, Elizabeth was heart-broken. And that's when it happened…

"Mail's here, Ranulf."

William automatically looked for his brown barn owl flying above the heads of all the students. They were sitting down for their farewell feast and so far he hadn't seen Elizabeth. His owl dropped the small package it was carrying and then flew off once more.

He tore the brown paper open and found a small black box, which he slipped into his pocket, and an envelope. Taking out the piece of parchment he read, with great difficulty, the tear-stained letter. Many of the words were smudged, though he could make out the majority of it.

William,

I'm writing to you to say goodbye, because I fear that if I say it to you in person, I will break down. I also want to thank you for your support, especially that night when I found Charlie. It really meant a lot to me.

The last few months have been the most precious to me because I shared them with you, but they have also been the hardest. No matter what happens, or what you hear, believe me it was not you're fault. I did what I had to because I believe it is right.

I'm not sure if you will get this in time, you will be heading for your home in no time at all. I just want you to know that I'm sorry. I caused you pain, and all those people suffered because of me. Most of all I'm sorry that the school is closing down and we will no longer have a chance to see each other again. That really hurts me because I love you so much and never want to imagine a world without you.

Now, because of that, I fear for your life.

Promise me that you will move on with your life. You'll get a great job, and have a big family, with loads of children and grandchildren. It's best for you, I know it is. Please don't forget me, no matter what. I know I won't be able to forget you or the fun times that we had, Will.

Thank you for showing me that my life wasn't a complete disaster.

I love you.

I always will.

Elizabeth.

Will glared at the parchment no longer seeing the words. Fear and pain struck through him as several possible meanings ran through his mind. The last of which he didn't dare think about until a young girl sat a few seats away and started talking to her friend.

"I was in the bathroom and this girl, you know the weird one, just ran in and started crying." She paused to take a sip of water. "I asked her what was wrong and she said she'd just left her boyfriend a letter."

"So? What's so horrible about that?" the other girl asked.

"Well, because Hogwarts is being shut down. They won't be able to see each other as often." The girl glanced around for anyone who was listening in, before continuing. "I followed her half-way around the castle. The last time I saw her, she was heading for the Astronomy tower-"

Will jumped out of his seat and ran to the girl. "How long ago was that?"

The girl stared at him for a moment. "I don't know, no more than five minutes ago." She turned back to her friend and began giggling about what they would do when they got home.

Will sprinted then entire way to the Astronomy Tower, the letter still scrunched in his hand. When he reached the top, he looked everywhere, but there was no sign of her. Fearing the worst, he peered out the window, but her body was nowhere to be seen.

He was about to leave and search for her when a soft voice floated towards him. 'The roof!' Very slowly and carefully, he climbed out of the window and onto the roof. He peered around trying to make out any shapes, though it was too dark.

As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he looked around and listened for her. He froze as he heard her voice. "I've missed you. It seems like forever since I last saw you." Will heard Elizabeth say.

He opened his mouth, ready to answer her, but closed it seconds later as another figure moved away from her.

"Don't I know it! I've gone through Hell watching you and Ranulf. What is between you and him?" Will almost fell off the roof in shock, 'who does that guy think he is?' He slowly moved closer towards the two figures, trying to identify the second voice.

"Nothing, he's just a friend-" Elizabeth mutter. William took a direct hit through his heart; nothing she could have said would ever hurt anymore than that did.

"That's not what I've been hearing." The second figure moved closer and muttered. "I have eyes as well you know. You've been all over him."

"He wants more, but I don't like him in that way," she sighed heavily, pressing herself up against him. "You're the only one for me," she whispered against his lips.

Jealousy seared through Will, coursing through his veins like fire, burning his skin and causing his breath to grow harsh. He watched in horror as the two shadowy figures moved to the ground.

"Oh, Jonathan!" she moaned.

Jonathan Maine! Will felt as though he were about to be sick. 'How could she do this to me?' Jonathan Maine – how he would curse that name for the rest of his life. Maine had stolen William's first girlfriend, Anna. Maine had cheated on his own girlfriend just to piss him off. Everybody knew about it, they had all laughed at him behind his back. Charlie was the only one who had stood by him. 'And now this!'

"I dreamt about you," Maine's low growl taunted William. How he longed to go and strike him down.

Elizabeth moved against him. "So did I."

Jonathan's breath caught in his throat. "Even when you were with Ranulf?"

"Especially then," she breathed.

Maine's hand slid inside her blouse, releasing her breasts from the confinement of her bra. "Elizabeth!" he moaned against her skin.

"Jonathan!" His name whispered past her lips in a husky plea.

"Give him up for me," he murmured.

"I already have," she held him close, trying to block out the feeling of being watched.

William couldn't take anymore. It was like history repeating itself right in front of his eyes. He'd never understand what was so attractive about Maine. He was a dirty, lying, cheating scoundrel who couldn't see two feet past himself.

He ran forward and, without a second thought, punched Maine in the side of his face, causing the boy to roll of Elizabeth with a moan.

"What's wrong?" she whispered curiously. "Jonathan?"

Will picked him up by his collar and repeatedly punched him wherever he could. "I swear, Maine. You should have stayed with Anna. You should have left Elizabeth alone. Now," his voice shook with barely controlled rage.

Elizabeth's screams were the only sound heard through the eerily-quiet grounds. "Will! NO, stop! Please, WILL!"

Will carried a semi-conscious Maine over to the edge of the roof and threw him off as if he were nothing more than a scrap bit of parchment. He glared down at the twisted figure in disgust, before turning back to the screaming girl behind him.

"Jonathan!" Elizabeth tried to run past Will and see if the other boy was all right. "How could you?" she screeched.

Will held her away from the edge, resisting the urge to slap her. "How could I? How could YOU!" he screamed back at her, shaking her violently. "You bitch! You know how I feel about you and you went and-"

"I what?" Elizabeth whispered her voice low and dangerous. "What did I do?"

"You and Maine, that Slytherin scum! You couldn't have hit me any harder with anyone else. You know we hate each other!" He shook her violently again. "I told you!" He pushed her away from him, unable to look at her.

"I never asked you to come here. I didn't need you to 'save' me. I told you, it was over." Elizabeth turned away from him. "You've ruined everything. Just go away."

Will continued to stare, her figure was becoming clearer. "I'm not leaving her until you tell me why!"

"That's none of your business-" Elizabeth broke off with a gasp.

'Time's almost up!' A voice whispered to her. 'Say your goodbyes.'

Elizabeth shook her head. "NO!"

"What's wrong? Elizabeth?" William could see her perfectly now, in fact he could see everything.

"Just leave me!" Elizabeth tried to run, she had to get away from him, but Will was too quick. He held her to him and turned her around.

"Give me one good reason!" he shook her again.

Tears rolled down her face as she looked up at him. 'He deserves to know.' As Elizabeth cried, large red raindrops began to fall. "Because… I love you!"

William could hardly see her due to the red downpour. "Elizabeth? You'll catch a cold, come inside with me."

She began to laugh. "He's worried about me catching a cold!" She was speaking to an invisible someone.

The downpour thickened, the noise became just bearable. "Elizabeth!" he called to her. "Where are you?"

Even over the noise of the rain, he could hear her scream. "WILL! RUN!"

The rain seemed to lose all sound, everything was quiet. He couldn't even hear his own breathing. It was as though someone had cut off his ears. Will turned his head towards the sky; everything was in slow-motion. He gasped. The moon had blood on it!

"ELIZABETH!"