Disclaimer! Of course, sadly I don't own the HP characters, J.K. Rowling has that honor.
I breathed, letting the crisp, cool night air burn through my lungs, ignoring the sharp, tingling pain that nestled in my chest. My leg stood out as I huddled the thin leather jacket to my small frame, I sniffled, rubbing my nose, almost mesmerizing myself with why I'm even here. Right. Money. The papery, green object of my affections. Even though my body ached and throbbed with pain, I breathed, telling myself that soon I'll be in the small dingy room that made me so happy. I laughed bitterly at myself. Funny, how I call a dingy motel room my happiness, my home. I sighed, remembering why I'm out here, for him. He's coming today, and he's one of my best clients, and I won't disappoint and not just because he tips so heavily. I laugh at myself and how my whole mentality has changed, I can imagine the old me, sitting at home, with a nose in a book, well that was before everything unfolded.
Headlights strike my eyes, as I hold my arm up to the blinding light; he's here. I want to smile, I can feel my lips trying to quiver into a smile, but I can't. Not under these circumstances. As I take my leg back in, I cringe at the stiffness that shot down my leg, the heavy dragging sound of the thick heeled boots echoing in my ears. "The boys like the boots, make your yams longer". I shook away the runaway thoughts as the slinky black limo pulled up, and the driver's door open, revealing a tall, middle aged man, whose face wrinkled into a friendly smile.
"Evening Miss" I smile, and politely nod my head. He doesn't know my name and I his, Even after all the countless times he's picked me up, he's never looked at me with nothing more than a polite, respectful smile. I watched as he fixed his hat, and made his way to open the door; only to find myself faced with an empty seat.
"Where's-" "He requested that I pick you up, and take you to his Manor. He's in no mood to come out of the house today" I nod, hoping that he doesn't keep me long, I would like to lay on the hard, squeaky mattress and wake up to soft laughter and cartoons in my ears. It's the only sound of comfort and safety I've found in a long time.
"Miss?" I shake my head of the immediate thoughts and disappointment and walk over to the limo, taking his hand as he helps me into the car. He shuts the door, and I could hear his footsteps, almost hollow like, as they click across the pavement. Even though there's pain ebbing and throbbing throughout my lower body, I still let myself be carried away to him, as the vibrations of the car make the seat even less comfortable than before. I clutch the thin jacket closer to me as I shivered, ebbing away the lurking numbness and unwanted chill. I rolled my shoulders in a pathetic attempt to ease away the soreness, but just like the aching throb that enveloped my whole body, it wasn't going anywhere. I was always sore, but with the money coming in with the way it was, I couldn't say much. If I got the room paid off, food on the table, and clothes on our backs, I'm just as fine. I mean, with me being on my back so much, it's a wonder that's not a problem. I chuckled to myself. Dry humor was never something that I'd reward myself with, but in this situation, somehow it made me feel better.
The car came to a gentle stop, as always when he was driving, and the shut of his door echoed through the dry night air. His footsteps echoed, differently though, almost as if they were heavy and solidified. My door opened, as his large white glove clad hand extended to help me depart.
"I hope you didn't work too hard" He hoped that I wasn't in terrible pain.
"Gotta make money somehow" I told him, I could almost see a certain sadness, pity-like waves rolling from his dark eyes "I'm fine" He tipped his cap, as he led me up the long driveway, my boots making solid, thick thuds against the cobblestone walkway. As we came to the elaborate door, a large, dragon folded into itself in intricate knots as a door knocker sat on the upper half. I smiled. It reminded me of the Hungarian Horntail in fourth year. I took a moment to memorize every little detail in the golden knocker. The delicate scales, the elongated tail, strong, flared nostrils.
"Miss?" My eyes looked over to the driver, now standing with the door wide open, waiting on me to come in.
"Sorry" I spoke timidly, quietly, quickly ushering myself over the threshold, and followed his movements as he climbed the stairs. This is another time of many that I've been in this house, usually, we'd be in some grand hotel room with an exceptional view. Right, like an actual job. I chide myself, as he led me to a set of French doors.
"Here. Make yourself at home while I inform him of your arrival" I nodded, letting my hand touch the golden door handle, slowly grasping the fact that I'm still here. An hour or two tops, worry furrs at my brow and yet again my thoughts are escaping me. I don't want to leave him alone too much. Quickly taking in the forest green canopy bed, the dark, sculpted cherry oak wood doors, and the small beige ottoman, sitting near a roaring fire. I warmed up a little from the car ride, shivering every so often, but this was nice. I slipped the leather jacket from my arms, wincing as it came upon the fresh bruises. They'd fade away. Like the old ones. And my memories. I nervously bit down on my bottom lip, wondering what type of mood he'd be in. If he was angry, then I wasn't sure what type of mood I'd be in.
When the door swung open, I wasn't sure what exactly I'd be in for. When his stormy gaze set upon me, a small smile graced his lips, he shut the door, as he strided over to me, grabbed the side of my face, and pulled me in for a harsh kiss that would no less, turn my lips cherry red. Sometimes, I'd relish moments like these, moments in which sometimes I could pretend that we were a couple and madly in love. My life would be different but then again, I had no times for stupid daydreams.
"How are you?" His cloudy gaze swept over my body, soft fingertips brushing against newly bruised skin as I winced "I'm sorry" I just nodded, watching him begin to scan me once again with his eyes. A quick glance over to his bedside table told me that it was already nearing midnight, I just wanted this to be over with. And then another part of me wanted to relish, and treasure this because it wasn't guaranteed that I'd see him next week.
"Can we just get this along? You know how I don't like to be out late" He nodded, slipping his arms around my fragile frame, and carrying me over to his plush bed. I reached for the hem of my shirt, slinking it off my body and onto the floor. Unzipping my boots, I caught him staring at me, studying me with his eyes. I quickly discarded the skirt, if it could even be called one and laid out, in a way for his approval. He complied with hungry lips, and a pale, bare chest. His platinum blonde locks swept down into his face, as he kissed me greedily. His hands, placing gentle touches along my sides. Maybe he was one of my favorites because he actually cared, or rather acted as if he did.
A quick clasp told me that my bra was done, I closed my eyes because I didn't want to see his face when he saw it.
"Which one?" There was a certain malice to his voice, which sounded so wrong there. Tentatively, I opened my eyes to see him; staring at the horrid, scarred purple bite mark hailing the inside of my left breast.
"It's fine, I just want to focus on us right now" My face cupped his hand, where his rough stubble itched my palm; I kissed his lips, in futile attempts to distract him. I could tell I succeeded when his tongue was fully inserted in my mouth, moving with a certain...aristocracy. He was the only one who didn't kiss me desperately, or beggingly, and I was glad for that. I could feel his pants slide down his legs and his hardness press into my thigh; his gentle touch teasingly skipped down my body, banishing anything else that covered me. I bit into my lip as he feverishly kissed my neck, preparing myself for his entry.
I waited, almost confused as I felt the warmth of his body draw away from me. As I opened my eyes, I could see him peering between my legs and as he took a hand to cup my warmth a jolt of pain shot up my spine, and vibrated through my loins as I gasped. A ragged, sob escaped my lips as he paused, letting the pain tenfold, a strong, dull throb shaking through my whole body.
I swallowed, hoping that the medication I took earlier would lessen my pain but as I felt myself throbbing along with my heart beat it seemed more for nought. I turned on my side, my back to him as my chest shook with silent sobs. His arms enveloped me, if only for a few moments as a sweet kiss was pressed into the indentation of my shoulder and the arms surrounding me loosened. As his light footsteps padded into the bathroom, is when I let the heavy, thick, regretful tears pour from me. How could I let myself become this? The sound of running water drowned out that little voice in my ear harping me for letting myself be so vulnerable around him. Soft, nimble fingers eased onto my hip, the bed dipping slightly.
"Come" I turned and threw myself into his chest as the sobs radiated throughout my whole body, which trembled in his arms. His arms hugged me like a sacred comfort, never faltering in his step as he carried me to the luxurious bathroom that I'd always felt I never belonged in.
"I hate myself, so, so much" His hands massaged my scalp as I thought about Emmett. I didn't want to let him down, I did this because I had to, with no other choice. I promised my Mum that I would do it, no matter what and at all cost to protect him, and if that meant selling my body to feed him, then Merlin, that's what it had to be. He hoisted me up in his arms, I could feel his chest getting slick with my salty tears. The rushing water stopped, and his chin rested on my head.
"I'm going to lower you into the tub alright?" I nodded, fearing at how my voice must sound at the moment. Weak, scared, pathetic. My heart seemed to race, thumping erratically as if it would jump and leap out from my throat. My mother didn't like taking charity; another useless trait she's passed down to me so that I could be just like her. The warm water lapped at my exploited skin, I almost relished in this moment. I felt him slide in behind me, his strong arms wrapping around my feeble frame. I wonder how I allowed myself to grow in such comfort in his presence.
"How many?" I whispered to him, closing my eyes as the water lapped around me. I almost sighed as the warm water cradled my center, soothing me in the ways I know only potions could but I couldn't bring myself to argue with him. His fingers softly stroked my spine as he kissed my shoulder, and I let myself take comfort in the small gesture.
"The one that bit you, and left that big bruise on you back is the only one that took you too rough today?" I only nodded, letting the almost dry, itchy tear tracks drench themselves again. I knew how wrong this was, how I should've been married in a marriage that wasn't going to last, have kids that probably hated me, and maintain friendships with friends thatI couldn't own up to.
"Why do you do this to yourself? Why put yourself through this? I could take care of you, I could take care of a hundred of you and yet, you don't let me" Because I can't. He doesn't understand, this was just Emmett and I, this has nothing to do with him. Emmett and I are going to get an apartment just the two of us; the magical world wanted nothing to do with me anymore and I shared the sentiment.
"I don't know why you won't let me help you" I know, you're different. For now, I mean, I'm just a dirty little mudblood prostitute, what do I know? He deserves to be with some beautiful pure blooded girl, who was born with a golden spoon in her mouth. Pampered and cherished "I've told you a million times, that isn't what I want. I want someone more than just a trophy wife" I breathed out a shaky laugh, he always made it seem so simple.
"I don't have time for daydreams" I murmured to him, giving no recognition to the fading throb in my lower body. I tried to take as much comfort from this moment as I could, because I knew that this would not last.
"Sometimes you have to daydream, dreams always have the opportunity to come true" His arms were still wrapped around my midsection, his thumbs lazily drawing soothing circles into my skin. I busied myself, focusing on the tiny bubbles the small jets blew against my leg.
"Yeah, daydreaming is the worst thing that I could do at this point. Who would've known?" He chuckled, pressing another kiss to my shoulder, his cool breath tickling wet skin.
"You've never daydreamed? About a prince charming or darling castle? Grand dragons, and fiery breath? Royal families and long lost siblings?" He asked, his chest rising and falling against my back. I signed as a felt soft cloth lather around my neck, hot lingering touches as it spread to my back; I tried not to get used to this, whatever this was because I knew that this too would disappear just like a lot of things in my life.
"No" I tried to wipe away the tears, because when I was younger, that was all I vied for. Now, now I'm just lost. A lost cause, nothing can help me now, and I'm gonna be tied to that little boy forever; no matter what I've done, I know that he can never turn out to be like me. People are always going to remember me like this! The whore, that slut that stands on Grand street and fucks in alleys and the back of cars.
"Fairytales and Fables are for children" My tears fell fast, pitter pattering against the calm waves of the water, few catching onto his arm. I rested my body against him as he took to lathering my body, soft gentle touches, almost like he was afraid to break me.
"Why won't you stay?" I shook my head, unable to stop the hoard of sobering tears falling from my eyes. It was never supposed to be like this; I was never supposed to be here with him and yet I couldn't bring myself to stop.
"Because I can't. I can't let down the only person that ever believed in me, and looked up to me, even in my darkest days. I can't" He didn't know about Emmett, and he didn't need to know. He was my closely guarded secret, and a selfish, selfish part of me couldn't expose him to a world that hated me.
"And who is that?" He asked, thumbs still unconsciously drawing circles over my flesh. I closed my eyes letting his smooth voice wash over me, and for a moment, I considered telling him everything. Considered.
"I can't tell you, can I go home now?" The soapy suds sat on my skin as he made careful attention to wash each and every inch of me that could possibly be where the other men touched me. After I sat, not moving until the bubbles were off, he stood, motioning for me to stand as he held out a fluffy white towel. My brain tried to tell my mouth to smile, Emmett would love that towel, even though we were poor he would pretend that everything we had was the finest in the country. He wrapped it around me, the wet ends of my hair smacking my bare shoulder as he led us back into his bedroom. He took the towel, rubbing it softly about my body as he moved to his closet; from my guess pulling out the smallest things he owned. Slipping the shirt over my head, my nose cherished that it smelled of him; a scent of pure and utter him. I would never know what it was, but my nose would always recognize it. I slipped the thin material of his sweatpants on my sore lower body, his hands softly hovering over mine, waiting to help me in anyway. I watched as he dressed himself, watching the deep lines and contours of his strong shoulders, thick muscle wrapping his arms, his head of lovely white blonde hair swinging with his every movement.
"Are you ready?" I collected my clothes, they seemed so wrong on his floor, they tainted his whole room. I tainted the whole room. His hand found the small of my lower back, as he led me down the steps and out the door, to where his driver was patiently waiting. His pale, thin fingers gripped the door handle, opening the car door for me. Slipping myself inside the plush limo, I rested my head against the cushioning, which was soon replaced with his strong set shoulder. His arm slid around my waist as the low hum of the car sent me into a state of almost tranquility. Somehow, I felt that I'd let him down. He'd shared one of his desirable wishes with me, and it seemed only fair that I return the favor.
"I always wished that some handsome prince would come and rescue me from my father" He put a kiss to the top of my head, taking his hand and intertwining our fingers that lay in a ball on my leg "I'd wish that a strong and handsome prince would see all the scars and bruises and heal me, and we'd live together forever after that" The car soon fell silent, as the driver gently turned and stopped, driving past the many streets that began to look familiar. A run down motel soon came into view, as he squeezed our intertwined hands. He raised it up, to kiss the back of my hand, and placed another one on my cheek.
"Tell me you'll think about it?" I stared out the window and nodded, as tears bloomed in my eyes again. I didn't want to leave, but I had to and I couldn't shake the selfish thoughts that flittered in my mind. I untangled our hands while grabbing my clothes, quickly hurrying out of the car and into the motel room. The door closed behind me with a thud, as I slid down, trying to make my sobs to a minimum, and not wake him.
"Whazzat?" I stared at his small feminine figure, his choppy brown locks sticking all which ways, and his hand rubbing his eyes. Dropping my clothes in a heap on the floor, I moved to the bed and cradled him in my arms.
"You'se okay?" I nodded, kissing his forehead, holding him as close as possible to me. He smelled of chestnuts, I buried my nose in his hair letting it soothe me; I was happy to be in this space I called home as long as he was here with me.
"Sorry I'm so late" The mail slot opened, and a envelope slid in, hitting the floor with a thump. His small arms fell on my stomach as he began drifting back to sleep. I let my tears soak the pillow. I'd count all the money we made today and see if we had enough to pay the fee for our room later. I sniffled, taking in a scent that smothered my body like a second skin. His scent. One that I vied for all week, one that made me feel different than just another prostitute on a corner. Made me feel needed.