I'm uploading two chapters today in order to try and make up for slacking so much! Sorry, guys, but you know, I'd probably be more likely to post regularly if I got more reviews.... Wink wink... (:

Chapter Twenty

I hardly made it to my room before I felt tears trickling from my eyes. Why did his parents hate me so much? Perhaps I wasn't as pretty or rich as other girls, but Antonin didn't care. Why should they? I'd never done anything wrong, and when I was younger it almost seemed as if a relationship between him and myself was encouraged. It didn't make sense.

Then again, in a way, it did. I really wasn't on his level. I knew that. Perhaps our childhood friendship had only been for their amusement, so that they could watch him break my heart later. Or maybe it was personal. Maybe--

I jolted as I felt a hand rest lightly on my back. From my position on my stomach, I couldn't see who was there, but I had my suspicion- which was only confirmed when an all too familiar voice murmured, "What's wrong?"

Taking a deep breath, I dragged my arm across my eyes and turned to him. "Nothing, Antonin."

"You're lying," he accused with a smile. He knew me too well.

"Maybe," I admitted, though there was no way I would ever confess to being afraid of his parents.

Kneeling beside my bed, he smoothed my hair away from my face. "What is it?"

"Nothing important." I caught his hand before he could draw it back, and laced my fingers with his. "I'm alright."

"You sure?" There was a lot of concern in his tone. Something about the way he spoke made it awfully tempting to give in and tell him, but I wasn't going to fall for his persuasive act.

"I'm sure. Really."

"I hate it when you keep things from me, Ally." The hurt that had appeared in his eyes would made it seem like I had betrayed him. He wasn't making my whole not-revealing-anything policy very easy. I supposed I would have to think of a convincing lie before he wheedled me into telling the truth.

"Oh, cut the crap, Antonin. It's nothing. Nothing," I repeated for emphasis.

He rolled his eyes. "You," he started, pausing to lean in and kiss me before continuing, "are obnoxiously stubborn."

"And you love me," I answered, smirking.

Chuckling, he shrugged. "I suppose I do."

At my raised eyebrow, he elaborated, "It's a lot easier to when you'll tell me what's wrong. It almost makes me doubt that you love me back." His partial grin showed that he was half-joking.

"Don't you pull that card," I chided, even though he already had. "I've told you it doesn't matter."

"If something's wrong with you, it does matter. You're my whole world, Ally. I can't just sit back and let you be hurt."

I sighed. "I'm not hurt. There's just a lot going on right now."

"You were crying," he pointed out, which made me wonder how long he'd stood and watched me before putting his hand on my back.

"I'm a girl. It's what we do when we're overwhelmed."

"You're a lady," he corrected, "and ladies let gentlemen solve their problems for them."

"Your parents sure don't think I'm a lady," I mumbled.

"Is that what this is about?" Antonin guessed. "You think they don't like you?"

"I know they don't like me." I didn't answer the first part.

"Oh, Ally. Don't say that."

I frowned. "Why not? It's true. You saw-"

"You should have seen how they treated my other girlfriends. Trust me, Ally, they like you."

Sighing, I moved over, wordlessly inviting him to come lie next to me. "They scare me."

"I think that's the point," he told me as he climbed into my bed, one of his arms wrapping around my waist. "Don't let them get to you. I'll take care of you."

I didn't see what that last statement had to do with anything, but I snuggled against his chest anyway. "Okay."

"You're tired." It wasn't a question. "You should sleep." It wasn't a suggestion.

"Don't want you to leave..." I mumbled into his shirt.

"I won't, love. Shh. Sleep."

"Stay..." I may have managed before drifting off. My last thought was how warm and safe he felt, almost as if he was custom made to hold me like that.

I woke up many hours later and rubbed my eyes; it took me a second to register that I was completely alone in the dark.

"Antonin?" I whispered to my dark room, knowing there would be no answer. I felt like crying again all of the sudden. In all my life, I'd known Antonin to be many things, but never a liar- if he'd claimed he would stay, why hadn't he?

On the verge of tears, I curled up on my side, wondering where- and why- he'd gone. Before I could reach any conclusions, I'd fallen back asleep.

The next time I awoke, light was spilling through my window and Antonin was sitting on the edge of my bed. I wondered vaguely if I'd only dreamed of his absence, but the fact that he wasn't wearing what he'd been the night before clued me in. He had been gone.

I frowned, meeting his gaze inquisitively.

"Where were you?" I couldn't hide the hurt in my voice.

"I didn't think you would wake up," he informed me, slowly. "I was..." His eyes were focused pointedly on the floor. "I was in London."

"Why?" And why was he so hesitant to say anything?

Wordlessly, he pulled back his left sleeve. Tattooed there, black against his flawless skin, was a likeness of the mark that my brother had taken when he'd joined the Dark Lord's ranks- the Dark Mark. "You know what this is, yes?"

"How long?" I questioned.

He seemed reluctant as he replied, "September."

September. We'd been together in September. He should have told me in September.

"And you said nothing because...?"

"It's dangerous, Ally. I didn't want you worried."

"Did you think I wouldn't find out? Lorraine told me months ago. I thought she was just spreading rumours..."

Pulling his sleeve down over his forearm, Antonin sighed, "I'm really sorry Alecto. I didn't mean to anger you."

"I'm not mad. I'm just offended. I thought you would tell me something like that."

"I wanted to. Please believe me. I..." he cringed suddenly. "Look, Ally, I have to go."

"Why? Antonin-"

"I'll come by again soon. Don't be mad. I love you."

"I'm not--"

He cut me off with a kiss and then disappeared, leaving me baffled and frustrated in his wake.

More drama! Just what you always wanted, right? (: Don't forget to review! Next chapter, coming up in a few minutes.