A Subtle Obsession
By: Twisted Mister
Chapter: 7
Bellatrix woke up suddenly, sitting up in her bed trying to control her frantic breathing. 'It was just a dream.. just..a.. dream.' She opened the curtains and crept silently past her sleeping dorm mates. Entering the bathroom she went over to one of the showers and stripped off her nightgown. Hot water soothed her skin washing off her sweaty body. "That dream it felt so real.. I never have dreams like that.'
Bellatrix ran her fingers through her knotted black curls examining them and her hands. Not so long ago she had imagined that they were stained in blood after her viscous attack on Quigley. 'Damn, I still haven't told Pandora about that…. I'll have to bring it up soon. There's no point in keeping it a secret, she has a knack of finding out the truth. Probably better than the Dark Lord, but she doesn't even use legilimency.' Bellatrix wrapped a towel around herself as she exited the shower, steam obscured the gilded mirror that hung on the wall. Wiping it away a tired looking reflection stared back at her. 'I think I'm going to get a little more sleep, hopefully I won't have anymore nightmares. I'll have to tell Pandora about it in the morning.'
"All right Regulus you try it now." Regulus pointed his wand at the crystal goblet that had a thimble full of water. The goblet filled an inch or so and then stopped. "Merlin this is difficult Carwyn, its getting hard to concentrate." Regulus ran a hand through his long hair sighing. "I know.. I'm no great shakes at charms, but we've got to learn this before the test on Monday."
Carwyn pointed his wand at the goblet. 'Subplementum.' It filled right up to the brim, a triumphant smile spread across his face. "See Reg that's how you d-" Looking back at the cup when he saw the amused expression on Regulus's face. The goblet was overflowing and spilling onto the desk, soon it began erupting water like a fountain.
The boys snatched their things off the table in a panic as Professor Flitwick hurried through the crowd of laughing students. "Not to worry boys I know just the trick." The little professor waved his wand and the water receded back into the goblet. "It looks like the both of you need to practice for homework tonight. That was quite strong enough Mr. Quigley but it was a bit excessive don't you think?"
"So Carwyn are you going to watch us stomp Ravenclaw in the Quidditch game tomorrow?" The boys were walking to lunch after Charms class. "Nah I don't like Quidditch that much, last time I saw a match I nearly fell asleep." Carwyn said as he dried off his schoolbag with a spell. "Comon, I'm seeker I want you to see us play. Its the first game of the season!" Regulus said imploringly. "I'm sorry, I promised Dirk that I would help him with his homework in the library tomorrow. But I'm sure you will wipe the floor with Ravenclaw." Regulus smiled. "Yeah maybe this year we can finally take back the cup from Griffindor. That Potter could play for England if he wanted."
The pair entered the great hall and began walking to the Slytherin table. As they passed the Hufflepuffs a hand grabbed Carwyn by the sleeve and pulled him down to a bench unbeknownst to Regulus. He was engulfed in a sea of yellow and black on both sides. "Hey Carwyn its nice to see you again." Shocked he looked to his right to see Andromeda and Ted Tonks wearing amused expressions.
His mouth hung open in surprise "Hey Andromeda, Ted what's up?" Andromeda smiled pleasantly and said. "Oh nothing much.. I just wanted to see how you was fairing this year. I've been wanting to talk to you for awhile now, but its kind of difficult since we don't share the same common room anymore." Carwyn nodded. "Yeah you're right.. This years been going pretty good for me other than a few setbacks, I'm so glad to be done with OWLS….. How are you liking the Hufflepuff common room?" Andromeda looked at Ted and said. "Oh it is so great! I feel so welcome and everyone is so friendly."
She reached across the table and grabbed Ted's hand. "Having Ted with me really helps out after all that has happened." Carwyn heard the pain in her voice as a lump tightened in his throat. "Andromeda listen.. You are better than them, after I got beaten up or hexed you were always there to help me. Even though I was a mudblood, its like you're the big sister I never had... Thank you, choosing to walk away was really brave Andromeda.. I admire you for that." Andromeda gave him a watery smile and wiped her eyes. "See Dromeda I told you that we have a few people on our side." Ted chuckled as he put an arm around her. "Let me tell ya, she can be stubborn sometimes." he said winking.
"I was so worried when I heard that you were attacked. I tried to come visit you in the hospital wing, but the nurse wouldn't let me. You aren't seriously hurt are you?" Her eyes searched him for the few scars that were left. "No I wasn't hurt too badly. Most of the scars have healed, only a few are left and they may never go away. But other than that I'm fine." She frowned and said carefully. "Everyone says that you didn't see who did it Carwyn. But I don't know what to think of that." She placed her hand gently on top of his and whispered "It's alright you can tell me who did it…. I won't tell anyone."
His stomach flip flopped. "Really I didn't see who did it, I was hit from behind with a stunner then-" She cut him off. "Carwyn I grew up with two sisters, I can tell a poorly constructed lie from the truth quite easily. Listen I know who did it…. I have a good idea who. Please.. just tell me, I can help." Andromeda said pleading. But Carwyn stood up suddenly. "I have to go, Bye." He walked briskly away without looking back.
Bellatrix sat down at her usual seat in Defense Against The Dark Arts, she was among the first to get there. She pulled out her textbooks and laid them on the desk in front of her. She had taken up the habit of biting her nails recently when in the company of Quigley and today was no different. He walked over to the desk and took a seat beside her abet stiffly, not even glancing in her direction. Whenever he got close butterflies fluttered in her stomach.
Professor White stood up and said that today's lesson would be on the Patronus charm. "A difficult spell, but its mastery will give the user protection from the darkest of creatures." After saying the incantation aloud with the class, he explained in order to conjure a Patronus you must focus on a happy memory so that it may manifest into a protective guardian. "Try and preform the spell verbally first. This will be one of the most difficult spells you have learned thus far, it takes something more than skill to master this one so I came prepared." With a flick of his wand chocolate bars appeared before the curious students. "Eat a little before you start, you will find that it may help you in your endeavor."
The tables flew to the wall and everyone started to get into pairs. Professor White strode over to them and said. "Today the both of you will practice this spell together as it is not combative. Perhaps this is exactly what the two of you need. I expect you to be on your best behavior." An awkward silence passed between them after the professor left. Bellatrix was going to say something but Quigley broke the silence by unwrapping his chocolate bar and taking a bite. She did the same, eating a small amount of the chocolate. Watching him close his eyes as if he was trying to focus on a happy memory she guessed.
Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes she searched her mind for the happiest thing she could remember. Maybe that time when Andromeda took her and Narcissa down to the lake or when father gave her a puppy for her birthday…. maybe that would suffice. Focusing as hard as she could on the memory of the little dog, trying to feel the way she did all those years ago she opened her eyes and raised her wand. "Expecto Patronum." Saying confidently, but nothing happened. Similar cries came out all around her, her classmates didn't seem to have much luck either. After a minute Quigley said the same but nothing happened, he closed his eyes again for another attempt.
It seemed like she went through all of her happy memories, every single one but nothing worked. It was like they were all tainted, she was so frustrated. 'Have I not had a single happy memory in my life comon!' Taking another large mouthful of chocolate she screwed up her face in concentration, when the bell for dinner rung. "Be ready for a fresh start next time. You are dismissed." Professor White said over the crowd of students. Quigley put on his bag and left without a word.
Bellatrix felt down as she made her way to the spot they usually met up at after class. She managed to put on a smile when Pandora came into view, who was wearing a necklace of tamales. "Hey Bella are you ready?" "Yeah I guess." Bellatrix said. "I had a really nice time in charms today Professor Flit-" Pandora looked at her again her gaze softening. "What's wrong Bella, something on your mind?" Bellatrix looked away, Pandora's gaze was melting her like butter. "No its nothing lets just go to the great hall." Pandora grabbed her hand and said. "I always know if somethings up with you Bella. Comon lets find somewhere to talk." She wanted to protest but knew it was futile as Pandora led her into an empty classroom.
She was led to an empty desk where Pandora motioned for her to sit, Bellatrix did so nervously. "Okay you can tell me what's up now that we are alone." Bellatrix fidgeted avoiding her. "Bella it's okay I'm your friend you can trust me." She sat down beside her and put an arm around her. "Please." Her heart thrummed like a drum. 'Should I tell her?...My god what will she think.' Bellatrix looked up at her friend who was waiting patently for a response. "It's about a boy, a boy I've been thinking a lot about recently." She looked away as she felt the heat creep up to her face.
Pandora didn't respond immediately. "A boy.. who is it?" She asked calmly. Her heart beat faster. "Q-quigley, C-carwyn Quigley." She stammered out with a great effort. "I know him I've seen him around, he's in your house isn't he. He's a muggleborn." Bellatrix nodded still looking away. "Is their any particular reason why he's been on your mind so much?" Pandora asked. "A couple reasons." She took a steadying breath and said. "Pandora I have something to tell you, its something I'm not proud of." She said looking up at her. "Don't worry I'm here to help." She gave her shoulder a little squeeze.
Her insides felt like they were flipping. "You know how Quigley got attacked a couple months ago." Pandora nodded. "I just wanted to tell you that I did it…. He didn't even deserve it and I nearly killed him. I was just so angry, angry at Andromeda, at my parents, and more than anything myself and I let it all out on him. I'm a monster." She didn't notice when she began sobbing or when Pandora embraced her it just all kind of happened. For a long time she cried into Pandora's shoulder as the other girl rubbed her back affectionately. "You are not a monster Bella, you just made a mistake. We all make them. I know you feel sorry for what you did, you aren't a bad person." Pandora whispered into her ear. "It feels better now that you've told me, doesn't it." Bellatrix nodded wiping her face off with a sleeve.
"How can I make it up Pandora? I didn't even say that I was sorry, and I've bullied him all his life... he hates me.." She said morosely. "You need to tell him that you're sorry for a start. It would do good if you started treating him better as well." Pandora said thoughtfully. "He doesn't talk to me anymore, he ignores me and acts like I don't exist and it's been driving me crazy." Pandora gave her a knowing look. "I-I like him there I said it! I cannot stand the silent treatment, I feel like I'm going mad. I need him to talk to me, interact with me, something!" Bellatrix was out of breath when she finished and Pandora had a little grin on her face. "I see and let me guess.. you want me to help you get back into his good books." Bellatrix was dumbstruck. "Uhh I didn't think about that… Wait that's an excellent idea." She stood up grinning happily. "You can help me do it… Please help me Pandora!" She grabbed her hands pleading.
Pandora rolled her eyes. "Sure I'll help you." Bellatrix bounced up and down on her heels. "I have a plan." Pandora said getting to her feet. "You do?" She replied. "Yes tomorrow, you are going to the Quidditch match. Carwyn probably won't go to the match so I'll find him and make an effort to befriend him. It sounds simple enough." A defiant look spread across Bellatrix's face. "What!? You get to go, but I have to watch a ruddy Quidditch match?
"He isn't going to open up with you around Bella and I have to gain his trust.. don't worry I've got it." Pandora said with confidence. "Fine, you better tell me how it went after you finish!"
Carwyn was sitting at a table in the library with Dirk that Saturday morning, their was so many books piled up that they had to be careful not to knock them over and cause a monumental crash. Everyone was out on the Quidditch pitch watching the match, he didn't like the sport very much it always seemed boring to him. "Hey Carwyn can you pass me that charms book I've got an essay I need to finish." "Sure." Carwyn handed the book to him. "You know I never was that great at charms, I can't control my magic that well when it comes to them. But transfiguration on the other hand I'm pretty decent at."
Dirk gave him a coy look. "That's why you are helping me I suppose, show me how to transfigure a mouse into a snuffbox again." Carwyn turned a book into a mouse and picked it up by its tail. "The trick to transfiguration magic is visualization, not just what something looks like but imagine what the object feels, smells, tastes, etc. Then combine the senses." He pointed his wand at the mouse and said "Muresarca." An orange light flashed and a fine snuffbox replaced the mouse. "Cool." Dirk smiled.
"Speaking of transfiguration... why were you changing your appearance that night when I was in the hospital wing?" Dirk looked thoroughly confused. "What do you mean?" Carwyn thought hard to recall what happened that night. "Remember you came to visit me really late. It was when I woke up for the first time after the attack. It was really weird…. your hair started to grow longer and your appearance started to change." Dirk looked at him as if he had three heads. "No Carwyn that didn't happen... You were dreaming, that sounds pretty crazy. It must have been pretty realistic for you to believe it.
Carwyn shook his head as the realization hit him. "It was real, I swear it. If it wasn't you then it was someone else, that changed their appearance!" Dirk put his finger to his lips. "Shh do you want us to get kicked out?" Carwyn felt so frustrated. Why would anyone want to disguise themselves as Dirk, what did they have to gain?
At that moment he felt someone tap on his shoulder gently, he turned around to see who it was hoping to Merlin it wasn't Madam Pince. It was a girl with dirty blond hair somewhat similar to his, she wore yellow mud stained Hufflepuff robes and a strange pair of earrings that looked like two miniature sunflowers. All in all Carwyn could say this girl looked a bit odd. "Uhh hello do you need anything?"
The girl looked at him plainly and said. "Nothing in particular, I was just wondering if I could sit with you and your friend?" Carwyn froze debating whether or not to let the strange girl sit. But he didn't want to be rude. "Sure if you want to." He moved a pile books from a chair and she plopped down in between the both of them. "I suppose you two don't fancy Quidditch that much." The girl said conversationally. "No not really, I'm helping my friend out with his homework actually." Glancing at Dirk who was watching the girl warily as if she was a giant spider. "That's cool, my name is Pandora Sailwind yours?"
Carwyn offered his hand. "It's nice to make your acquaintance I'm Carwyn Quigley and this." He inclined his head to Dirk. "Is Dirk Crestwell." She took his hand. 'She has a firm grip for a girl. Most women give dainty handshakes.' He thought. "What year are you in?" He asked. "I'm in fifth." She replied. "I'm in sixth and Dirk is in first." She smiled and said. "How odd, a sixth year helping a first year….. a Slytherin and a Griffindor none the less." Carwyn's mouth twitched. 'That's not the only thing that's odd.' He thought ruefully.
Carwyn pulled out his homework an essay on the refilling charm and a pewter goblet to practice for the upcoming test. "What's that?" Pandora asked innocently. "My charms homework." Carwyn said grumbling. "Oh really. I'm pretty good at charms I can help you if you like." Carwyn ran his fingers through his hair. "Its NEWT work I doubt you could help. You'll see next year." But she leaned in closer and looked at his paper. "Oh the refilling charm that's easy." She drew her wand and pointed it at the goblet "Subplementum" The goblet filled up with water immediately.
He was surprised. "Can you show me how to do that?" "Sure." She said with a smile. At first Carwyn thought Pandora was a bit weird, but after awhile she seemed to grow on him a bit. She taught him how to do the refiling charm correctly and helped him with his essay. Then she even helped Dirk with his, Carwyn had read in mythology that the gods would sometimes come down from the heavens and help mortal men. Maybe she wasn't a god, but she was a godsend no doubt.
A couple hours later the match ended, Carwyn, Dirk, and Pandora stayed in the library for a long time afterwards, until the evening bell rang. He gave them a quick goodbye and headed to the great hall. As he walked down a twisting corridor a voice cried out behind him. "Wait! Carwyn!" He turned around to see that girl he talked to on the staircase a few days ago. She stopped in front of him out of breath but flustered none the less. "Hey Carwyn funny seeing you here. How are you?" Carwyn scratched his head. "I'm fine how are you?" He was trying to recall the girl's name but he couldn't. "I'm sorry but who are you again?" Her face turned red as she said. "Emily Chambers, I'm in Ravenclaw, a fifth year."
She wasn't bad looking, but her eyes seemed to bulge out of her head. As if she was a predator watching prey, it unsettled him to say the least. "Oh yeah… Um yeah we didn't get to talk that much the other day." Emily giggled. "We didn't, actually I wanted to invite you up to the common room after dinner so that we could have a chat." "Yeah that sounds good." The words were out of his mouth before he realized it.
Emily let out a high pitched squeak. "You will? That's great I guess we'll meet here after supper, I'll see you then!" The girl ran off exploding with excitement. Carwyn rubbed his forehead. "Merlin what did I get myself into."
When he finally sat down for his meal Regulus took the seat opposite him. "We won mate but it took bloody hours. There was so much fog that I couldn't even see the end of my broom. I don't know how I caught the snitch, next game we're up against Griffindor." "Great." Carwyn groaned out. Regulus looked at him and said. "What's wrong with you." Carwyn looked at him and scowled. "Women."
Bellatrix was glad that the evening meal was finally over, after all it gets boring pretty fast when you are sitting alone. When she left the great hall she saw Pandora talking to a gangly boy dressed in midnight blue robes that had long bright blond hair. As she approached them she heard the boy say. "Nargles hide inside of mistletoe, you know I've seen them. I can't say how many times they've stolen my press and wrote foul things in my papers!" Bellatrix recognized immediately who it was. Xenophilius Lovegood a rather quirky boy in seventh year, that wrote his own school paper filled with odd topics called the "Snorkack." Often she would find dusty copies abandoned in strange parts of the castle or even worse in the bathrooms presumably there to use when you ran out of toilet tissue.
Pandora took his hand when she approached said. "Bellatrix I would like to introduce you to my boyfriend Xenophilius." She felt as if a hand slapped her across the face. 'Pandora has a boyfriend? What!' She thought dumbstruck as he offered her a hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you Bellatrix." Bellatrix shook his hand and said. "Nice meeting you." Pandora looked positively pleased. "So Bella.. me and Xeno are going up to the Ravenclaw common room. Would you care to join us?" Bellatrix was on the fence, on one hand she didn't want to be the third wheel. But she had never been inside the Ravenclaw common room before. "Sure, if you two don't mind."
Xenophilius lead the way with Pandora at his side as Bellatrix followed close behind them. They walked up a long spiral staircase climbing higher and higher, until they reached an engraved marble door that had a bronze knocker in the shape of an eagles head. Bellatrix jumped in surprise when the eagle started talking in a high squeaky voice. "What type of lion never roars?" She was confused. "Does it want us to answer a riddle?" Pandora nodded. "Lemme think. Oh I know. A dandelion!" "Smart choice." The eagle squeaked out sliding up to let the trio enter.
To put it in a few words the Ravenclaw common room was simply amazing. The walls were shaded in the elegant colors of blue and bronze. Above the vaulted ceiling was an enchanted sky speckled with stars like the one in the great hall. It was reminded her of the fairy tale her father used to tell them about Merlin and his pocketable mansion. But when she lowered her gaze to the rooms inhabitants her heart nearly stopped. Quigley was sitting in a chair by the fire, beside him was a girl her eyes seemed to bulge out of her head as she yammered away excitedly. Quigley looked as if he was dying of boredom, not even looking at the girl he gazed into the fire with unfocused.
Pandora's eyes met with hers, she had the smallest of grins. "Let's sit over here." grabbing Bellatrix by the arm and leading her to a sofa's uncomfortably close to Quigley. Bellatrix sat on the end, she was close enough to them now that she could hear the rather one sided conversation. "That summer I went to Calais, its such a beautiful city I went on the beach with my gran and-" Quigley would just nod his head at random intervals, as she kept blabbering on.
'What is he doing with an ugly little whore like that? She looks like a pig about to eat an apple!,Why did he even come up here with her? I know why...he's too kind to say no, but damn he is about fall asleep! I could make a spectacle for him and slap that bitch in the face maybe that will shut her up.' Bellatrix brooded in her anger and jealousy for a few minutes, as the girl droned on and on.
"Hey Emily can you get me a drink? My head is starting to hurt." Quigley spoke up finally. Emily stood up and said. "Yeah sure be back in a few!" Bellatrix laughed inwardly. 'Don't drink anything she gives you! I have half a mind to think she might spike it with a love potion or something.'
He rubbed his temples as if to sooth a ravishing headache and looked around the room. When he saw them sitting there mere feet away his mouth fell open in shock. His eyes flicked to Pandora quickly, then they locked onto hers as if he was trying to see through some illusion. She felt a surge of electricity surge up her spine, time seemed to stop for a moment. "Hey Carwyn! Fancy finding you here." Pandora said to him playfully. Carwyn broke his gaze immediately. "I can say the same to you." Pandora tittered in her seat. "I have a pretty valid reason to be here.." She grabbed Xeno's hand. "This is my boyfriend Xenophilius," Carwyn tilted his head and said. "Hello."
'Now for the elephant in the room.' Bellatrix thought as a lump tightened in her throat. "And this." Pandora gestured gracefully over to her friend. "Is Bellatrix, I'm sure you know her she's in your house after all." It took all of the strength that was in her to say. "Hey Carwyn…." He didn't say anything for a moment…. until he finally met her gaze and said. "Hey Bellatrix.." Her face turned a deep shade of red, it felt as if a flower had bloomed wrapping her in warmth. She couldn't help but smile.
'What a month.' Quigley thought as he stood in line in the entrance hall on a cold Saturday morning for the first trip to Hogsmeade. It was now early December and the first snowfalls of the year had fell earlier that week. He was glad that the first half had finally come to a close. Most classrooms were freezing or worst of all the dungeons, where the only warmth came from the flames heating their cauldrons in potions class. The icy chill seemed to seep through his robes, no matter how many warming charms he cast.
The term had ended pretty well, Professor Flitwick and Slughorn let them do whatever they wanted this past week, the other teachers weren't so lenient. In DADA Professor White had tested them on the Patronus charm, everyone failed even after a months practice. He like most people was only able to produce a silvery mist, it irradiated him so much.. every time he delved into his memory to find a happy thought he would remember getting bullied.
Professor McGonagall's test was a bit easier for him. She tasked the class with changing themselves into a common household object. With a flick of his wand he changed into a grandfather clock with ease, other students weren't so successful. Rudolphus Lestrange's tried to turn himself into a broom, his hair turned to matted straw but the rest of his body remained the same, much to the classes amusement.
Quigley had been avoiding Emily Chambers like the plague ever since that night in the Ravenclaw tower. When he saw her across the hall or while going to meals he would walk away or try to blend into the crowd. He didn't want to be bored to death by her ramblings about the family trip to Switzerland again or where ever it was.
Carwyn had noticed a difference in Bellatrix, at least it she seemed different. He had started to acknowledge her existence again... they didn't talk or anything, but whenever they sat down for defense class she would say "Hello." or "Hey Carwyn." and he would respond with a "Good morning." or "Hey Bellatrix." She wasn't really antsy anymore, on the contrary she looked really happy for some reason and at times he would catch her staring at him. Carwyn noticed recently that her face seemed to always have a pink tinge to it, like a sunburn that never goes away. One day when he was particularly groggy from a rather late night of reading he sat down beside her and yawned. "M-morning Bella." Carwyn heard a sound beside him and looked over to she her face bright red like a tomato. For a moment he thought she must have been choking, but when she finally stammered out. "Good-good morning." Carwyn shrugged. 'Must be a girl thing.'
Often times Pandora would come up to him while he studied in the library. She would talk about the craziest things, magical plants, weird creatures, and unbelievable conspiracies. Carwyn liked it, she was different than your everyday gal. Sometimes she gave him copies of the "Snorkack", binning them after she had gone out of sight. It was odd how Pandora and Bellatrix were friends, at times he thought that Bellatrix had put her up to befriending him. But that only happened in the muggle spy novels he read, not in reality.
Walking carefully down the icy steps, he made his way to the front of the crowd trudging through the snow. "Hey Carwyn!" Turning his head he saw Sirius, James, and Remus they ran up to walk beside him. "What's up guys?" Sirius smiled at the other marauders and said. "Oh nothing.. Me and James just turned the steps into a slide. You should have seen that git Malfoy fall on his pompous ass!" Sirius and James laughed as Carwyn put a hand on his forehead. "Anyway we just wanted to check up on our favorite little Slytherin." Carwyn raised an eyebrow. "Oh really, I'd think you would prefer your brother or your cousin Bellatrix." Sirius shook his head. "Reggie! As if, he thinks he can beat James this year but we all know who the better seeker is and to even suggest my cousin as likable is an insult."
Carwyn sighed. "Regulus is pretty cool and Bellatrix isn't that bad, you ought to try and talk to them. I'm sure your brother would appreciate it." Sirius wrapped an arm around his shoulder and said. "Maybe later. We've got some important business to attend to. See ya." Sirius gave him a pat on the back and the trio strode off.
The village looked beautiful as ever, as Carwyn made his way down the high street. He stopped in front of the Three Broomsticks and walked inside. After waiting in line for awhile he got a foaming mug of butter beer and found an empty table in the back of the pub. The drink warmed him as he sat listening to snippets of conversation for what seemed like an hour. Honestly this was one of his favorite things to do, its almost like being involved in other peoples lives but you aren't.
He went back out onto the snowy street, thinking about where he wanted to go next. 'Maybe Scrivenshaft's, no I need to buy some new gloves my hands are about to freeze.' But a voice called out his name. "Carwyn! It's me Emily, I've been looking for you!" Carwyn winced. "Merlin no please no.." He turned around slowly to see the girl approaching. "Hey. Longtime no see!" The girl latched on to his arm. Carwyn hung his head. "Yeah I know." Emily smiled wider than he could have thought possible. "Hey follow me I have to show you something." She tugged at his sleeve and lead him away from the street. "Uhh okay..."
Bellatrix was hanging out with Pandora and Xenophilius, the trio went into several little shops and were enjoying themselves. 'Thank god these two aren't holed up in Madam Puddifoot's snogging each others faces off.' An image of her and Quigley came to mind, she was lost in it until Pandora said. "Do you guys want to go to the bookstore? I've been wanting to find a Christmas present for my dad." Bellatrix nodded. "Sure."
They entered the Tomes and Scrolls bookstore, shelves were piled high with texts of every subject. Bellatrix browsed for a good while, not being very bookish she found a few titles that interested her. But as she read a particular one a memory flashed through her mind. Carwyn was lying in the snow as she incarcerated his things, the cover of the book rang clear through her mind. 'A Compendium of Alchemical Processes by Julius Evola and the Ur group.' Guilt shot through her as she remembered that day.
Xenophilius was carrying a pile of books for Pandora up to the counter when she approached. "Find anything Bella?" Bellatrix smiled. "Yeah I did, looks like you did too." She glanced at the mountain of books. "I got a few for daddy and some to help me grow my garden next year." Bellatrix rolled her eyes.
Next they decided to go to the Three Broomsticks for a butter beer or two, as they approached the pub she saw…. Carwyn? Someone was beside him, no... It was the ugly bitch. Why doesn't she get the message? He doesn't like you! Her hands balled into fists as she watched the whore grab him by the arm and drag him off down an alleyway. "You two go inside, I'll be in shortly." Striding off after them, Pandora shouted behind her. "Where are you going Bella?" She didn't answer.
Following their footprints through a couple winding alleys, she ended up near a forest. Realizing they must be heading towards the shrieking shack. The trail led her past great oaks and snowy pines when she finally saw the pair up ahead near the edge of the wood, in the distance loomed the shack. Moving closer going from tree to tree their voices grew clearer. "I've heard about the shrieking shack but I never seen it before." She looked at Carwyn with wide eyes. "It's just an old house really." He said as if he wanted to be anywhere but here.
Carwyn leaned back onto a tree and stared in the opposite direction. "You are so brave!" She exclaimed He looked annoyed. "Not really." Emily walked up to him slowly... getting very close. "You don't have to be brave to satisfy me….I can make the first move for you." She looked at him hotly. Carwyn looked confused then disgusted. "What do you mean? This is getti-" But he couldn't finish, she pounced on him like a tiger. Her mouth collided with his in a wet smack as she pushed him up against the tree, his feet slid on the ice beneath him as he tried to regain his footing.
Bellatrix felt her insides twist violently in horror, as anger red hot as iron and cold as steel came to life inside her. Her vision turned red as she watched Carwyn push the girl off she fell backwards into a mound of snow. "You...why..the hell." He looked stunned for a moment, then turned and legged it not even looking back. "Wait Carwyn come back! You left your bag!" The girl stood up calling after him. Bellatrix jumped out from behind the tree and sprinted full speed at her. More angry than she had ever been in her entire life. "You bitch!" she howled. The girl turned around to look at who was shouting, she only caught a glimpse before a fist collided with her face.
Hey guys I'm finally back. I hope you like this installment, more will come soon. ;P Leave a comment or follow to receive updates!
Sincerely Twisted Mister