...

"Elvein, it's enough. How long are you going to act up?"

"It is not an act up."

"Then please explain; what's going on?"

"I can't. I do not understand myself."

"I am sorry for losing my patience."

"Demian, this has nothing to do with it. It's just.."

"Just what?"

"I don't know."

"Why are you torturing me? What have I done to deserve it?

"Demian, I'm sorry."

"I'm coming to Hogwarts."

"No! Till I won't make sense of everything."

"What is there to make sense about? We fought! That, unfortunately, happens from time to time. I am sorry. I do ask for forgiveness. What else do you want me to do?"

"I need time."

"For what?!"

"I just... I just need time."

...

"Elvein, why are you quiet?"

"I am studying for exams."

"You always made time for me before."

"Yes. But these are O.W.L exams."

"Fine. Let's assume I do believe. When am I going to see you?"

"I don't know."

"Elvein! This is nonsense!"

"I need time."

"For what?! Tell me, what did I do?"

"Nothing."

"Then what the hell is going on?! Explain to me!"

"Don't yell at me."

"I am not yelling."

"I need to study."

...

A very mazed and heartsick young girl stepped through Hogwarts' corridor. Her nails were already bitten till the end, and she kept chewing on bloodied cuticles. What was she going to do? Sooner or later, she would have to face Demian. How would she explain what happened? How would he understand? What would he do? Asking herself the last question, an involuntary tremor passed through her, and she closed her eyes. Familiar arms encircled her, tugging her into the empty classroom.

"Demian! What are you doing?"

"What am I doing? Me or you?"

"Let me go!"

"Ok." Ekrizdis lifted his hands in a sign of surrender and took a step back. For a bit of time, he watched the girl, whose eyes were running like a trapped animal. Then he spoke: "What's going on, Elvein?"

"Demian, forgive me, but ... we can't be together anymore." The last words were spoken in a whisper.

"What?" Demian sincerely thought he misheard her.

"We can't be together…."

"Are you kidding me?"

"No." She was not able to meet his gaze.

"Why?"

"I love someone else."

The sinister laugh made her tremble.

"Wait. This is some kind of joke, right?"

She kept silent.

"So, you want to tell me that because I did not let go you to some idiotic ball, you stopped loving me? Is this some new method of punishment? Do you want to make me jealous?"

"Demian... I did not know! I had no idea it was possible!"

"Wait! Are you serious?!"

"Demian... I did not know it was possible... I did not know I was capable of it. I was not trying to…."

Ekrizdis staggered.

"Demian, I am so sorry! Please, forgive me. I am really, really sorry."

"You are lying! Elvein, I do understand that I have lost my patience. I know I have restricted you from doing things I had no right on. I do understand how close I am to paranoia. But can't you see that punishing me with such methods is a low blow?! Slap me in my face if you feel so, I don't know, use cruciatus if that will calm you down."

"Demian!"

"You LOVE me!"

"Demian, please!"

"Please, what? WHAT? To shake my head in sympathy and bless your way?!" Ekrizdis looked like a mad man. He brought his face close to Elvein, his eyes shining with madness. "You are mine! You swore your loyalty to me! You told me you were mine! Trying to take your words back? Not going to happen."

"Demian, what are you doing?!"

"Just helping you clear up your feelings." Lianas rose from the stone wall, catching and trapping her hands. "Hold still."

"Demian, let me go! What are you doing?! Stop!"

Crazed, Ekrizdis cut his hand, placing a bloodied palm on Elvein's chest, mumbling something. His eyes shone red. Unbearable cold protruded Elvein's body, painfully shaking her. She kept tugging her trapped hands, blood already poured from her elbows, but she kept fighting. Demian did not even notice her pain, continuing his magic. Bloodied palm was on Demian's chest now, and Elvein felt like a knife perched through her heart, making her vision go dark. Finally, lianas let her go, and the girl's trembling figure lay on the unforgiving stone floor.

"Starting now, I will feel everything you do. You would not be able to hide anything from me. This bond will exist as long as you realize what nonsense you were talking about. When you'll calm down and open your eyes, call for me."

He said that, turned around, and left.