Chapter Three – The Party
By Friday I was suffering without Annabelle. I had never gone so long without talking to her. Aunty Em was in a mood with both of us so I had spent all my time at home locked in my room with my music blaring and for once doing my homework.
Friday night came as a huge relief as I could finally get out of the house for Mark's party. Of course I wasn't stupid; I knew if I strutted out of the house in my party attire Aunty Em would skin me alive for being so cheeky as to even think I was allowed out.
I wore my 'most revealing' dress. Also known as my 'slut dress'. It was an extremely short, red, halter neck, skin tight dress with no back and sweeping neckline showing plenty of cleavage. I had never worn it before as every time I had put it on Annabelle had tutted and said I didn't need to show off so much flesh to look gorgeous. I had always reluctantly taken off the dress thinking that it was easy for Annabelle to say that when she would always upstage me even in rags. Actually - particularly in rags; I think they would look hot on her. However with no Annabelle to 'classy me up' I wore the dress with my favourite red killer heels, a silver clutch and some silver hoops. I did my make up with smoky eyes and my lips a dramatic red. My hair I left down which, after spending half an hour perfecting Annabelle's spell, cascaded down my back in waves.
Overall I looked hot. Oh so hot. Annabelle was wrong; I completely pulled off this dress and only looked slightly slutty.
I climbed out my window and having cast a cushion spell landed with grace and ease in the front yard. Without wasting any time I hurried out the house and down the road where I had arranged for taxi to pick me up.
"16 Oak Line, Willow Hill" I said smiling sweetly at the taxi driver. He winked at me in the mirror, eying me up and down. I crossed my arms to cover my breasts and stared out the window.
"Here you go" the taxi driver said ten minutes later. I paid him and mumbled thanks before climbing out.
Mark lived in a large detached house in the suburbs. His family were fairly well off and prided themselves on their beautiful home. I think they would have a heart attack if they knew what their son was doing with it. It would be ruined by the end of the night. I could tell most people had all ready arrived but I like to be 'fashionably' late or more to the point I like to make an entrance. I know – I'm a vain hussy, but what an entrance I made. All eyes were on me, the males staring lustfully and the females glaring enviously.
"Cassie!" called Mark as he pushed through the crowd to greet me with a very long kiss.
"Do you like my dress?" I giggled, doing a twirl. He grinned wolfishly and kissed me again his hands creeping from my bare lower back to give my arse a squeeze. He's such a dickhead.
"C'mon let's get you a drink." He led me into the kitchen and threw me a can of cider.
"Nice turnout" I smiled taking a glug. He nodded and took a swig of whatever he was drinking. He was wearing dark blue jeans and a plain white shirt than showed off his body. "Do you want to dance?" I asked indicating the dance floor which had been made by pushing couches back.
"Sure," he beamed taking my hand.
I had always loved dancing. When I was younger Annabelle and I used to make up dance routines and perform them in front of Aunty Em or the classes at school. We thought we were the bee's knees - still do to be honest. Mark was one of those dancers who tried to get as close to you as possible and grind against you, but I made sure to make him spin and twirl me for a few songs before he came behind me and sucked on my neck as I danced against him. My hand crept into his hair and guided his head to my sensitive spot on my neck. I would have thought we were doing a bit too much PDA but there was serious dry humping and tongue tackling going on around me.
We danced for about an hour and I had hickeys up my neck before we took a break. I had another few cans of cider and some of Mark's vodka.
"Having fun Black?" asked Mark as he came and out his arms around me.
"Course" I smiled, thinking it would be funnier if Annabelle was here.
"Do you mind mingling for a bit while I play host and make sure everyone's ok?"
"Sure." Mark grinned and gave me a brief kiss before waltzing off to do whatever he was going to do.
I walked back through the party ignoring the leering looks of some boys who had already had a bit too much to drink. I knew most people at the party but rarely talked to them. Maybe I should try being nicer to people at school; surely it's not healthy to have only one friend. I spotted Smithy sat on the couch with a few other boys. I couldn't help but notice neither of them had pulled a girl.
"Hey Smithy," I said dropping down into the space between them.
"It's Smith" he said sounding bored.
"Potato Tomato" I laughed waving it off.
"So are you Mark's new accomplishment?"mocked a sneering black haired boy who looked a bit older than us. I frowned at him,
"No, Mark's MY new accomplishment." He chuckled and put a hand on my leg,
"And what do we have to do to be your new accomplishment?"
"You? Please don't waste your time."
"What's that supposed to mean?" he snapped tightening his grip on my leg.
"Well I'd rather try my luck with a blast ended skrewt than you."
"Blast ended what?"
"It's a clever thing. You wouldn't understand."
"Cassie's weird in case you haven't noticed" added Smith unnecessarily, "It's a good thing she's pretty because she's not got anything else going for her." Some people laughed - jealous people I might add.
"Well of course you would think I've got nothing going for me 'Smithster'. I mean I've actually got boobs and heavens forbid no facial hair. Dickhead over here is more your cuppa tea eyy?"
"Shut up Black" Smithy snapped.
"Upsetting my guests Black?" asked Mark with an amused expression on his face.
"Maybe," I smirked. He grabbed my hand,
"Sorry about Cassie" he said, "she's a bit weird." Smithy started choking on his beer at this; Mark is just so freaking hilarious. "C'mon babe let's dance a bit more."
"Babe?" I sneered with a disgusted look on my face. Mark just rolled his arms and pulled me up.
If I had thought our last dancing session got pretty explicit I would have had a heart attack at this one. We were both at that 'light and fluffy' stage of drunkenness which made us both more confident. Trust me the sober Mark doesn't need confidence. His hands roamed all over my body and my leg was hitched around his waist as we kissed deeply. A small voice at the back of my head was telling me that I shouldn't be doing this but I ignored it being the hormone ruled slag that I am.
"Let's go upstairs," breathed Mark in my ear. I nodded and let him lead me to his bedroom. He shut the door behind us and locked it. I frowned; there was no need for him to lock it. He advanced on me as if he was stalking his prey and pushed me down onto the bed. I ran my fingers through his head and kissed him. He seriously is a fantastic kisser. For a few minutes we snogged as Mark groped me through my dress and I traced my hands up and down his chest.
Suddenly there was a change in his demeanour; his hands became more aggressive and he was pulling my dress of my body. It was like jumping in a pool of cold water; abruptly I realised what was happening. I pushed him back slightly,
"I'm not having sex" I said firmly. We had been together a few times and gone pretty far but I had thought that Mark knew that sex was where I drew the line. However, Mark ignored me and continued taking off my dress. I started to panic and kicked him in the crotch. "I'm not having sex" I repeated. Mark looked at me, furious,
"You fucking cock tease" he snarled holding my hands down, "you can't play with fire and expect not to get burnt Black."
"Get off me" I whispered my voice breaking and portraying my fear. He growled and ripped the tie of my halter neck aggressively. "Mark get the fuck off me." He laughed at me as I thrashed underneath him to get free. As he undid his belt I seized the opportunity and bit his shoulder. Hard. He yelped in pain and I dived off the bed and darted to the door. I yanked at the handle trying to open it but Mark grabbed me from behind and threw me on the floor. I felt a sharp pain at the back of my head as it hit against the corner of his chest of drawers.
"You asked for this Black" he breathed as he struck me hard on the face. He lent in to kiss me but I moved my head sharply to the side. "Stay still whore." I winced in pain as he held my face still so he could kiss me roughly. He had never been like this before, I had heard rumours of the many girls he had been with but they had all been willing. Tears sprung to my eyes as he bit my lip drawing blood.
"Help!" I screamed as soon as his mouth came off mine. Mark twisted my head fiercely and kicked off his jeans. "Get off me" I shouted at him again, "Please someone help," I sobbed as he pushed up my dress despite my frantic attempt to stop him. Why was I as stupid as to not to bring my wand?
Suddenly there was an explosion and the locked door blew up into a million pieces. Mark looked up lazily at the door.
"Get the fuck off my sister" said a voice harshly. I breathed a sigh of relief; I knew that voice well: Annabelle.
"Want to join us?" drawled Mark. There was a crash as his CD player fell off his shelf. He glanced confusedly at it. Next his body flew to the other side of the wall crashing against the wall. I looked at Annabelle, her hair was wild looking, she had mascara streaked down her face making my stomach lurch with the want to comfort her and the most remarkable change was her eyes. Her usual clear blue eyes were now black. I trembled in fear for her.
She was glaring at Mark who was starting to shake.
"Belle don't!" I protested weakly. Mark started to shudder more and he coughed as he started to suffocate. "Belle – you're going to kill him!" I screamed and stumbled to my feet despite my urge to feint. Mark was gasping for air now. I lunged at Annabelle forcing her to look at me. "He's not worth it Belle. Stop it. Stop it. Please." Her eyes turned navy and then finally back to blue filling with tears.
"I'm sorry" she mumbled giving me a hug. I rubbed her back soothingly.
"What are you looking at?" I snapped at the crowd that had formed at the blasted doorway. They were staring with their mouths open and disbelieving looks on their faces. I took Annabelle's hand and went for the door, everyone moved aside to make way as is we were diseased.
Once I was outside I let out a sigh of relief; Annabelle was back to normal. I had only every once seen her like that before and it was the single most scary experience of my life. It was the day that we never talked about and that haunted both of us, especially Annabelle, every day of our life.
We were both eleven years old in our last year of primary school and excited to go to Hogwarts in the following September. It had started of such an ordinary day; we had complained about Aunty Em's lack of culinary skills until she had given us five pounds to get our lunch from the corner shop. I remember clearly picking up a pack of salt and vinegar crisps and about ten refresher's.
"God Cassie aren't you going to get something healthy?" tutted Annabelle who was looking at a selection of salads. I rolled my eyes,
"I didn't even get any chocolate Belle. Relax yourself. Now have you chosen yet?"
"No I'm still deciding." I laughed as Annabelle always took forever to choose the simplest of things,
"Well I'm going to go pay. Be right back."
I wandered up to the counter aimlessly not looking where I was going when suddenly the door flew open and a man in a balaclava ran in. He jumped over the counter and pushed Mr Torrins, the shop owner, out of the way. He opened the till and was about to start getting out money when Mr Torrins raised a gun. I was shocked to say the least; Mr Torrins was the nice man who gave us free sweets sometimes, I never expected him to own a gun.
The man put his hands up slowly and I sighed a sigh of relief; surely he would leave now or Mr Torrins would call the police. However, it seems Mr Torrins and I underestimated him as at that moment I felt a hand grab me and I was pulled over the counter acting as a human shield between the robber and Mr Torrins.
"Put the girl down," commanded Mr Torrins but the burglar laughed and the next thing I knew I felt something cold and sharp against my neck: a knife. I didn't dare cry or make a noise in fear of being hurt but I couldn't help trembling in fear.
"Put the gun down or the girl gets hurt" the masked man ordered. Mr Torrins kept the gun raised although his hand was shaking and I felt a pain in my neck. A few drops of blood trickled down my neck. I closed my eyes; I genuinely thought I was going to die.
As soon as he drew blood Annabelle stepped out from behind the food aisle. Her body was shaking in what I first mistook to be terror. Then I noticed the difference, her fists were clenched tightly and her eyes were a midnight black. She was shaking in anger, her eyes staring directly at the man who held a knife to my neck. Instantly I felt his grip slacken and he dropped the knife, then he stumbled back and fell onto the floor gasping for air. Annabelle continued to watch him her body quivering from the power that was radiating from her eyes. The man shuddered for a few more seconds before stopping and laying still on the shop floor.
I looked on in astonishment; I did not understand what had happened. Mr Torrins was looking frightened at Annabelle his gun now on the floor. I looked at the still body on the floor,
"He's dead" I breathed, wiping away tears that I couldn't remember shedding. Annabelle eyes faded to blue and she burst into tears.
We had ran home after that and told Aunty Em, she had paled and quickly flooed Professor Dumbledore who obliviated Mr Torrins's memory and cleared up the mess. I remember Annabelle crying all day and then screaming that she hated magic and just wanted to be normal. Despite Dumbledore's pleas it was decided: we were not going to Hogwarts.
Annabelle always remained scared of magic, however when Aunty Em started home schooling me she learnt bits of magic, mainly charms and never any defence against the dark arts. Dumbledore had said that it would be beneficial for her to learn defensive spells so that she could control her power but Annabelle was too terrified and Aunty Em never forced her.
It seemed to work too; Annabelle's power never resurfaced – until now,
A/N Hey, I'm unsure if it's too confuising or not? Thoughts please.