The days passed, then weeks and even months. Summer flew away, followed by Autumn and winter. Two shattered persons were collecting each other's pieces, understanding each other without words, and feeling like they've become one.

While the world was becoming darker and darker, Demian became gloomier day by day. More and more frequently visiting Dumbledore's office, always returning grimmer than before.

"Is he back?" A thousand times, she tried to engage in this conversation.

"World still goes around, doesn't it, Elvein?"

"What did the director want?" Once, Elvein could not hold it in herself anymore, demanding answers Demian was so skimp about. Chills in her chest told her he was growing even more distant. He sat beside her, but his mind was floating far away.

"A help."

"And what did you decide?"

"I refused."

"Why?"

Demian stood up. Taking several steps ahead, not tearing his gaze from the horizon, he answered:

"Situation is becoming tenser and tenser, Elvein. But you are my priority. I will never do something which will endanger you."

"What does it have to do with me?"

"Exactly! It has nothing to do with you. Just forget it. As long as I'm standing, you have nothing to fear. I'll take care of everything." He kissed her forehead, returning his gaze to the darkening horizon.

Never before were their conversations, so maunder and young female's heart was sinking each time. Demian refused to explain anything. He preferred keeping her in a vacuum, believing he shielded her from worries and dangers, not thinking that such actions only made her feel more agitated.

He did not let her go anywhere alone except classes; he was always by her side. Restriction added to restriction while he did not explain anything. Elvein got tired of hiding her dissatisfaction, so she argued with him. Soon enough, arguing became fighting. Her feeling of objection against unfair treatment was so strong that she started taking offense, sulking frequently.

"Hogwarts is protected not only by hundreds of charms but by Dumbledore himself! Do you truly believe I might be in harm's way?"

Demian was silent.

"Demian, answer me!"

"Hogwarts is safe, at least for now."

"Then tell me, why do you follow me around like being after some toddler?"

More silence.

"Demian, you WILL explain to me what the hell is going on, or else... or else... I don't know what else I will do!"

"Elvein, why are you so nervous?"

"Why? Why am I so nervous?! This is unbelievable! You follow me like a shadow! During nights, I open my eyes feeling you are sitting beside my bed! Don't you date lying! I know you sneak into my room during nights! No matter where I go, you follow! When you restricted me from visiting Hogsmeade, I complied. When you told me not to step foot in the dark forest, I complied when you told me not to leave the school walls! Once again, I did comply! More I give in, the tighter you taunt that loop around my neck."

"I am keeping you safe."

"You are suffocating me! Admit! How many times a day do you think of taking me away from school, hiding me somewhere else!"

Ekrizdis once again kept silent.

"Thought so! So I am telling you directly! I can't take it anymore! I am not a pet to be kept on the leash or in some sort of golden cage! Know this! You will step foot in the school one more time, and you can forget about my existence!"

"But Elvein I-"

"No buts!"

"Elvein, I'm trying to protect you!"

"From what?!" Silence. "Of course, you are not planning on explaining anything. This is unbearable! I'm going to sleep. Don't you dare to follow me!"

...

Fights like that happened frequently. Every time, Demian apologized. Every single time, it was Ekrizdis who took a step back. The girl still held a grudge in her heart.

One day, Elvein, who sneaked from the school, was taken to a house at Hogsmeade's outskirts.

"Where are we?"

"At my place."

"You bought a house?"

"Several months ago." Demian opened the curtain, revealing a steep bank, where they met for the second time."

Elvein smiled:

"Everything was so simple back then."

Demian hugged her from behind, kissing her temple.

She rudely got rid of his hands. She was still mad at him. Anger still kept chewing on her mind.

"Today, there is a ball at Hogwarts. I want to attend."

"Elvein, please, let's celebrate Easter together."

"I want to attend the ball."

"Why are you so persistent?"

"Because I am sick of living in a cage. Do you truly believe if you replace one cage with another, it will make a difference? The ball is at school. School is safe! Am I right?"

"Yes, but-"

"I. Want. To. Attend. Ball."

"You are acting childish."

"Demian!"

"Elvein, I'm tired! What should I do so you stop being so stubborn?! Do you think I take pleasure in restricting you? I do it for your protection!"

"So you do NOT take pleasure in it, right? If I let you, you will lock me up in this house, putting Fidelius' charm on me, not letting another living soul see me! Don't you dare to deny it!"

Demian's breathing was rapped:

"You are my responsibility. Mine to keep safe, mine to protect."

"I am not your property!"

"You want to say you are not mine?"

"I am not!"

"NO?!" First time in so long, Demian lost his patience.

"Demian! I want to attend the ball!"

"No!"

"Demian!"

"Did you forget what followed the last time?"

"So it was MY FAULT?!"

"I did not say that, just-"

"Go to HELL, Demian!"

Ekrizdis grabbed her hand, but livid, exacerbated Elvein tore her limb away, spitting out:

"Don't touch me!"

Ekrizdis' face changed, taking a surprised step back. Elvein demonstratively slammed the door, returning to school.

There was not a single word written in the notebook for a whole week. On the eighth day, Demian was one to write:

"Elvein, I need to talk to you."

"I don't!" Elvein angrily slammed the notebook shut, hiding it away.