Wallflower
Chapter Twenty-Three: Vows and Promises
Sirius watched Adelaide cautiously as entered her bedroom and saw her curled up in a ball, staring at the wall and not saying anything.
"You're going to miss school," he said. She shrugged.
"I don't feel well," she murmured before snuggling closer into her pillow, "I'll go back tomorrow." Sirius frowned before moving foreword and taking a seat beside her on the bed and toying with her hair absently.
"It's not your fault," he said after a moment, "You didn't know-."
"But the problem is, is that it is my fault!" Adelaide protested, turning to her other side and looking up at him with glistening eyes, "I used the Cruciatus cruse on her! That's illegal!"
"You were upset, and you weren't thinking," he interjected. Adelaide shook her head angrily.
"No, I knew exactly what I was thinking!" she said, "I wanted her to be in pain, and I wanted her to beg for me to stop! I wanted her to never speak again, because she was so annoying, and I wanted her dead!" She breathed out angrily before rolling back over and staring at the door, "because I couldn't control my emotions, somebody died."
"She could have been lying," Sirius offered, but Adelaide shook her head.
"No, she wasn't. She was acting all calm, but you didn't look her in the eye. She was scared, worried, and panicking. "She was pregnant, and if she looses that child, it's going to be all my fault."
"No it won't," Sirius protested, watching her as she wallowed, "She knew she was pregnant when she decided to come. It's her own fault, and she obviously didn't care about it if she decided that going was the better option." Adelaide didn't say anything and just curled up tighter and cried. Sirius kept frowning and remained in his spot, his hand resting on her head in what he hoped to be a comforting manner. They remained that way for the better part of the night.
Time, after that, seemed to fly by. It didn't take much to send Adelaide into a panic, and with the last day of school until the summer drawing nearer, she was found studying more then ever and avoiding any conversations that could possibly lead to her erratic behavior. It was only near the end of June that Adelaide was back to normal, albeit a bit more aware of everything that happened. She kept the note from Annalisa stored in her bedside drawer and didn't look at it.
On July 2, when Adelaide arrived home from school she was smiling widely. Sirius had gotten up to move into the Kitchen and was about to turn to greet her when she jumped onto his back with a squeal, causing him to stumble in surprise.
"You seem happy," he noted dryly. She kissed him on the cheek before sliding off his back, giving him the chance to turn and face her head on.
"Because I am," she chirped, "I passed all of my classes with flying colors, and apparently I had accidentally got placed in classes several years above what a normal freshman should have been able to do. So, with all that in mind, they think that if I keep up the progress then I'll be able to graduate next year."
"That's excellent," Sirius congratulated. Adelaide nodded excitedly, her hair slipping out of its ponytail.
"I know, right?" she agreed in an upbeat voice. She hugged him again, before kissing him with a grin, "So, we have two options: One is we can go out and get something to eat, or two: you can take me upstairs and we can eat later."
His answer was kissing her roughly, and tugging her towards the stairs.
Adelaide awoke the next morning, tangled up in their bed sheets and pressed against Sirius' chest. She sighed blissfully, turned and pressed her face into his shoulder, before murmuring, "We're getting married in three days."
"Mmhmm,"
"Are you scared?" she asked, glancing over at him. He shook his head.
"No, because I know that afterwards I'll have you all to myself," he explained, "and I couldn't be happier."
It didn't feel long, but those three days passed quickly and before they knew it Adelaide was setting in a back room at Chillingham Castle, the most haunted castle in England. Though Muggles never really saw the full blown apparitions, the ghosts had a good sense of humor so even muggles were scarred to go into the castle.
"You look so pretty," Lily said with a smile as she hugged her friend, who looked as if she were about to hyperventilate. Adelaide gave her a shaky smile, and closed her eyes before taking deep breaths.
Her wedding dress was strapless and had a corset with black lacing up the back and black crystals embedded in abstract floral designs. The skirt flowed and a black diamond broche was on her left hip causing the material to drape along her legs. She wore strappy black stilettos that showed off her white tipped toes and matched the black designs on the dress.
"Okay," she said with a smile, "I'm calm, I'm good."
"Excellent," Elise said, hopping down from her perch on the table, "You look lovely."
"Thank you," Adelaide replied, and she waited patiently as Elise did her hair, holding it back with a white diamond hairclip and allowing it to hand freely down her back in it's usual spiral curls, though it now only reach just below her shoulder blades. The bridesmaid dresses were black dresses that flowed out from a fitted strapless top with white beading along the middle to act as a belt with matching black stilettos.
"The wedding's going to be perfect," Caryn putt in from her seat, a cigarette hanging from her mouth, "You did a good job at planning it." Adelaide smiled at her, and Lily glanced at the clock.
"Caryn, put that out," she said shortly, "We've gotta start heading down." Caryn did so with a sigh, before they quickly made their way what was known as the Elizabethan Great Hall, and Adelaide held her bouquet as she bit her lip, before quickly stopping as to not ruin her make up. Soon, they were waiting outside a large set of wooden doors, when 'At Last' by popular muggle artist Etta James began to play, and Caryn smiled at Adelaide before taking Peter's arm, and heading out of the doors.
"I still can't believe you invited her," Lily murmured, "I hear she's still dating Annalisa, though. Having her here makes me nervous."
"How do you think I feel?" Adelaide whispered, and Elsie took Remus' arm and headed down the aisle. Adelaide pushed the memory back, and Lily offered her a small apologetic smile.
"I gotta go," she murmured, and the conversation ended as Lily took James' arm and they made their way down the aisle. Adelaide waited for a moment, before she stepped through the doors and made her was down the aisle. Her eyes pricked with tears as she saw Sirius watching her with adoration, and as she remembered that her father wasn't there to lead her down the aisle. She reached the front and stood beside Sirius just as her favorite part of the song played.
'You smile
and then the spell was cast
And here we are in heaven
for you are mine at last '
The song ended, and silence come over the audience, and Sirius winked at Adelaide and mouthed, 'I Love You'. The priest, which was actually a hundred year old ghost, smiled at them before opening his transparent book.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today…"
-
Adelaide smiled as Sirius stood behind her, his hands over hers as they grasped the knife and cut into the cake, her smile widening at the clapping that came from their friends as the knife cut through the cake easily. She giggled, as Sirius mocked them quietly in her ear, before they cut out squares of cake and held them, Sirius with an evil glint in his eyes.
"Open wide," he said with a grin. Adelaide snorted, and before he could react she had smeared the cake on his face, causing him to blink in surprise and laughter to fill the reception hall.
"You should take your own advice," she said slyly, squealing as he shoved his slice of cake in her face. She giggled, before kissing him and licking the cake off of his face.
"The cake's good," she said as she pulled away with a grin. He laughed and they quickly grabbed a napkin and whipped off their faces, Adelaide glad she used magic to make sure her make up wouldn't smear. The Reception was not that crowded and everyone was having a good time, eating food and listening to the music that played, which was a nice variety of muggle and magical artists. Ghosts were flitting in and out of the room and offering their congratulations.
"Adelaide?" Caryn asked as she came up behind her, looking fairly lonely without Annalisa to hang on to. Adelaide turned and smiled politely, and was glad Annalisa had enough sense to turn down Caryn's invite to accompany her.
"Yes?" she asked politely. Caryn smiled, the movement causing her skin to stretch across her bony face.
"I'm afraid I need to leave soon; Annalisa is expecting me at home. Apparently she has a big surprise planned," She smiled, and Adelaide stiffened.
"Be careful," she said in a tight voice, while Sirius' grip on her hand tightened. Caryn laughed and nodded, before giving her a soft kiss on the cheek and walking briskly out of the room. Adelaide shared a significant look with Sirius, before he smiled and tugged her towards the dance floor.
"I don't think I've danced enough yet," she said. She smiled in relief, and eagerly followed him out and cleared her mind of worries.
-
Annalisa was silent as she walked down the long, dark hallways and her heels clicked on the ground beneath her, shivers running up and down her spine. She ignored all the glances sent her way, and behind her, Caryn looked as if she were going to be sick.
"Why are you leading me here?" she asked, "You said you had a job offer."
"And I do," she said stoically, "You'll be taking over my job."
"Which is what!?" Caryn cried, stomping her foot and halting in the middle of the hallway, "I refuse to go any further until you tell me what the hell is going on!" Annalisa stopped moving, before turning slowly and twirling her wand in between her fingers. Caryn stiffened and took a step back. Annalisa's eyes bore into her, making her feel vulnerable, and suddenly Annalisa sighed, tapping her wand against her chin.
"I don't know what I was thinking," she said idly, "You would never succeed like I have; you have no hope here, you and your Gryffindor heart." Caryn opened her mouth to complain, but in a quick movement Annalisa pointed her wand at her with a blank expression.
"Avada Kedavra!"
The green light reflected in Annalisa's eyes before connecting with Caryn's chest, sending her flying backwards into the stone wall and crumpling to the floor, her eyes wide open and completely blank. Annalisa stepped foreword and kneeled beside her, gently running her fingers down her face with a soft expression.
"Have you gone soft, then?" Mulciber asked, causing Annalisa to turn and spot him leaning against one of the many snake-like pillars, watching her with burning eyes. Annalisa smiled before standing and walking over to him, hugging him tightly to her and feeling her heart falter when he didn't hug her back.
"Why aren't you hugging me back?" she whispered softly.
"You killed a potential," he said slowly, eyes staring straight ahead at the wall, "We're running out of time, Annalisa. If you don't hurry up, you'll be forced to do this and I'll be forced to leave you." Her hands dropped to her sides and she stepped back form him, her eyes wide.
"You would leave me?" she whispered brokenly. He still refused to meet her eyes, but his jaw clinched and his temple throbbed. Suddenly, he punched the pillar, and glared at her, causing her to jump and take another step back.
"I took three crucios for you!" he spat angrily, "Why is it so hard to find someone willing to take your job? I almost died in an attempt to give us a better life, and you're wasting time! How many people have you slept with now?"
"I took two crucios and lost our child!" She screamed back, tears pulsing in her eyes, "Don't start yelling at me about what you've given up!" she jabbed him in the chest angrily, but his dark expression stopped her, and her hand fell limply beside her again. She looked down at her feet and tears began to flow, and for a moment she looked vulnerable. He softened, and gently took her back into his arms and stroked her hair.
"I'm sorry," she whimpered, "but she wouldn't have done it. She isn't pretty enough. She's too skinny." Mulciber sighed, and pulled away before leaning back against the pillar and watching as she used a glamour charm to hide her tear stained face.
"I've not slept with anyone save for the two from august, and Caryn," she whispered softly, "and I've already been punished for that." She waved her wand, and a glamour was removed from her arms, revealing how red and raw the skin was, "When I took a shower last night, I rubbed my skin raw, and I still feel dirty." Mulciber seemed to soften, his jaw relaxing and his eyelids drooping slightly. He gently took her back into his arms and held her close to him.
"I'll start looking too," he murmured, "I'm not letting you look alone. I'm not going to give you up that easily."
-
Disclaimer: Harry Potter and all things concerning belong to J.K. Rowling. I own Adelaide Vicknair, Vanessa Wolfe, Caryn Gree, Elise Barnes, Madeline Vicknair, Annalisa Bertucci, Professor Sicily and Jean Vicknair.
A/N: ….sorry I didn't update as quickly as usual, but you shouldn't complain, because I usually update like crazy and never regularly, but for Wallflower I've gotten into a pattern that's pretty predictable.
But the real reason I haven't been updating? I've been obsessing over the HBP movie, and my daddy (oh how I love him right now) preordered tickets for me, my step sister and step brother, to go see HP at seven forty-five. We had to actually wait in a line to get into the theatre, and then the only rows with empty seats next to each other were in the front row, which was awesome. The movie was awesome, even though different from the book in a lot of places, and I loved it. LOVED IT.
BUT, now that the HPB has passed, I am able to return my attentions to fanfiction (that and I'm taking a break from the Sims (finally)).
OH, and if u haven't seen HPB: just wait for the Felix Felicies (SP?) scene. Tis AWESOME and completely INSANE!!!!!!
And seriously, I want my wedding dress to look like that. I just came up with it on the top of my head, but I love it. Seriously.
Also, I was in Kentucky putting up with my grandmother, who already has boyfriend even though her husband just died ten months ago. She doesn't seem to care that we're still hurting over this, and that shoving her perfect little boy toy in our faces isn't going to make us like him. But on a better note (I guess):
OMG CARYN'S DEAD (I didn't like her too much anyway) WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT!?!?!?!?
Yours truly,
B.E.N.
