Disclaimer: don't own
A/N: wow, this chapter definitely went in a completely different direction from what I originally had planned. Actually, it kinda wrote itself, so I really can't complain. Anyways, I'm rambling, sorry it's short, enjoy.
Of Blood and Magic
Chapter 11: Memories
"Tom! Where are you going!" Tevelle called after him exasperated. Still, she couldn't help but laugh breathlessly. "The castle's that way. We're late enough as it is. At this rate we'll have to sneak back to our dorms. Tom!"
Tevelle wrapped her cloak more securely about herself; the nights chill creeping into her robes. "Wait up!" She called after the retreating figure. She pushed her feet into a jog.
"Really, Tom, couldn't this wait until daylight- oompf!"
Strong arms caught her as she tripped over a tree root.
"Easy there," Tom smiled as he pulled her to her feet, leaving an arm around her waist.
"Well it's your fault!" Tevelle poked his chest with false anger. "If you would just explain where we're going!"
"But where would the fun in that be?" Tom countered. Waling beside her now, fingers intertwined with Tevelle's. "You know how I like surprising you."
"And you know how I can't handle surprises. I'm just too damn curious." Tevelle pulled Tom closer, teasing, beaming up at him.
"Exactly," Tom stopped suddenly, turning so they were toe to toe. "You're just so cute when you squirm."
"Tom!"
He dodged Tevelle's playful kick easily and broke into a jog, pulling her along behind him.
"Where-?" The words stuck in her throat.
They were not far from the castle, but Tevelle now understood why he had decided to bring her here at night.
The great lake shimmered silver underneath the full moon. The stars reflected in the mirror like surface making it hard to distinguish between land and sky. The water of the lake was perfectly still, not a single ripple disturbing the pebbly shore.
"Wow," Tevelle breathed. "It's beautiful." She turned to Tom beside her.
He was grinning like a fool.
"Isn't it?" He wrapped his arms around her from behind and she leaned against him, no longer cold.
"Actually, I'm surprised you haven't been out here at night before," he said quietly, as if speaking any louder would shatter the sky.
"Well, it's cold, and the sky is almost never this clear," Tevelle answered in a similar tone.
She looked up at the sky, not a cloud was in sight.
"I guess that's true," Tom conceded, his thumb absently brushing Tevelle's wrist as he spoke.
Tevelle just breathed, reveling in the moment.
"So," Tom was speaking again, "You know this ball that the headmaster decided to throw?"
"Of course," She answered, "None of my roommates will stop talking about it."
"How would you like to go with me?"
Warmth rushed through her. Turning around in his arms, she kissed him, hoping that was answer enough.
Breath heavy, she woke with a start. Tevelle tried her best to still her breathing enough to hear if she had woken her roommates. All was quiet. Good. The others were still asleep. False concern and questions were not welcome at the moment.
Why did I dream that?
It had been a while, several days at least, since her old memories had worked their way into her dreams like this.
Oh, yeah. The Yule Ball.
Earlier that day it had been announced that over Christmas break the school would be hosting a dance as a traditional part of the Triwizard festivities. The entire school was abuzz with it. Two of Tevelle's roommates already had potential dates and several options for dresses they could wear. One girl had even had the audacity to offer to set Tevelle up with a friend of a friend.
There was only one person she would even consider going to a ball with…. And he was not an option. She had to stifle her near-hysterical laughter when she thought of everyone's reactions if she showed up with Tom Riddle… Voldemort, she corrected herself.
Well, considering how they never found his corpse, I feel that would be rather impractical.
Tevelle rolled over in frustration. Why was she even thinking that?
Do I still love him?
The thought made her stop breathing in shock.
Why? How? I can't still love him. He killed me. He killed me then went on to become a monster. Even if he hadn't killed me back then I still would have become his enemy. He's dead anyway, or supposed to be, so it doesn't matter. I can't and I don't love him!
She swiped at an angry tear.
Then why does this useless lump of muscle in my chest hurt so much?
Curtains tore under her hands as she pushed them open. Not bothering grabbing a cloak, Tevelle moved swiftly and silently for the window. She had to get out of there or she was going to burst. The door was too slow.
Quiet despite her speed, Tevelle opened the window, the well-oiled hinges barely squeaked. While the majority of the Slytherin dormitories were underground in the dungeons, the highest rooms reached up into the second and third floors. It was a short drop to the ground.
The darkness of the night wrapped comfortingly around her and she could sense easily that there were still several hours before even the most ambitious rays of the sun peeked over the horizon.
Tevelle ran. She was not aware of her destination, but her feet knew where they were going. She let them carry her as fast as they would. She just needed to get away from the castle and the memories that seemed to seep from its stones. Time passed, though how much exactly Tevelle didn't know. Eventually her feet slowed to a stop, and she stood, legs shaking with the strain.
Dark trees surrounded her, blocking the moonlight. Somewhere nearby a small animal scuttled amidst the underbrush and the sounds of a somewhat larger animal followed. She breathed and let her self listen to the sound of the forest for a moment.
And screamed.
Tevelle almost lost awareness with the force of her scream. She felt her vocal chords tear but ignored the pain that brought. The pain in her chest was slowly lessening and that was all that mattered. Eventually the air in her lungs ran out and Tevelle collapsed to her knees sobbing silently. She did not bother filling her lungs with air again. Breathing was a comfort that she did not want at the moment.
Strong arms rested on her shoulders and pulled her into an embrace. The scent of Xeven reached her nose and she relaxed against him, shoulders still quivering as tears streaked down her face.
"I want to go home," Tevelle whimpered silently. "I'm sick of this place. Fifty years ago I told myself I never wanted to step foot in that damn castle again. What am I doing here?"
Xeven said nothing. He sat there, letting Tevelle rant and sob, all in stoic silence.
"I hate this place. I hate everything here! I wish I had died in that crash with my parents when I was a baby, then Dumbledore never would have found me at that orphanage and invited me to learn magic. I never would have met him. None of this would have happened!"
Gradually, Tevelle's tears subsided and she found herself exhausted but the heaviness in her chest had lightened.
"Sorry, Xeven, I thought I had gotten over this years ago."
"I would be very surprised if you had," the elder vampire spoke for the first time that night, "It takes a long time to come to terms with a betrayal such as you experienced if at all. I knew how difficult it would be for you to return here and I am sorry for asking such a thing from you. If I did not feel it necessary I would have kept you as far away from Hogwarts as possible for the next century at least." Xeven rested a hand on her head, smoothing down her disheveled hair. "How often have you been having these dreams?"
"Too often."
"I will see what I can do about a potion to help you sleep without remembering your dreams when you wake."
"Thank you," Tevelle said silently with gratitude, "And I didn't mean it… when I said I wish none of this had happened."
"I know," Xeven assured her, "It was a choice you made at a time you could be nothing but honest. No matter what you say when you're angry or hurt, that will never change."
Tevelle smiled.
They sat there for a short while, Tevelle curled up against her mentor's side. When she felt Xeven's muscles tense though, she clutched his arm suddenly anxious.
"I don't want to go back to the castle tonight," she pleaded.
Xeven softened. "Very well then, tonight you can sleep out here."
"Thank you."
Smiling softly, Xeven stood and this time she did not protest. "Just be sure to return before breakfast so you don't go to classes with twigs in your hair."
Laughter bubbled up from Tevelle's gut and even though it hurt her injured vocal chords she let it out in a short bark. "I'll try."