"Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice."- Robert Frost, Fire and Ice
Lila POV
He was frozen too.
Somehow, I just knew, but who was he?
Who were they?
Where was I?
And most importantly, why was I there?
I was so scared. I am not going to lie to you, my life hasn't exactly been easy, and when I am lying on a bed with people I don't know surrounding me, it doesn't usually end well.
Fight or flight.
That was the immortal problem that I was faced with.
Figure out what was going on,
Or hide.
Once upon a time I would have fought without a question, hungry for a reason, desperate to never give up.
I lost that chutzpah long ago, and I was unsure as to whether I would ever get it back.
So I chose flight...
Harry POV
She looked so very scared. Like she thought that we would hurt her. It made me wonder if the abuse we where already aware of only scratched the surface. You could see the cogs whirring in her brain before she made her decision. As quick as the Flash, she was halfway to the door, only to be stopped by a swift flick of McGonagall's wand.
'Incarcerous"
And she was imprisoned, trapped within a series of ropes.
The look of terror and fear on her face was unparalleled, her eyes such voids of despair that I almost cried. I didn't even know this girl, yet I was somehow already so incredibly emotionally invested in her. So adamant that no harm would come her way, that the wall I had built around myself almost crumbled to dust. Just to embrace her.
Looking back on it I sound like a sappy fool, who has nothing but the love he is so desperate for, so he assures himself of its existence through long winded sonnets and things of a similar nature. Like Romeo. Except I hoped any ending we had wouldn't finish in such a morbid way...
Lila POV
I panicked. Those ropes, twisting and turning, forming a prison stronger that granite, stronger than diamonds, too strong to escape. I couldn't breathe. It seems stupid now. But even after everything, I still held onto my claustrophobia. It reminded me of my childhood. Well from my tenth birthday onwards.
In, out.
In, out.
Remember to breathe.
In, out.
Colours streaming, blurring.
In, out.
Don't scream!
In, out.
"Aaaaagggghhhh!"...
Harry POV
That bloodcurdling scream. Unlike anything I had ever heard. Heart wrenching and coated in unimaginable anguish...
Lila POV
In, out.
In, out.
*A man's figure. Walking, no, swaggering, up to me. The posture proud and determined, swathed in heavy, dark coloured robes. Milky skin standing in stark contrast to blackness, resembling a peat bog in every way from density to colour, to the ability to swallow you up and perfectly preserve the state of terror it instilled in you.*
In, out.
Stop the memories,
Don't let them haunt you,
Don't let them destroy you!
*As he drew closer I managed to make out the features that where inscribed upon his ghostly skin. Holding the remnants of what must have once been handsome. Walking backwards, I retreated. Moving until my back hit the rough, cold wall of worn stone that seemed to be hewn from a much larger expanse of the rock. But still he came closer. I could now make out almost the exact shape of virtually non-existent, flattened nose. The crimson red irises. Yet full lips, high cheekbones and luxurious, silky brown hair still adorned this walking contradiction, well, in appearance at least. His skin not yet lifeless, holding some, but little, colour. Then the horror started. Then he started talking off those thick robes.*...
Harry POV
"Stop it! Can't you see it's terrifying her? Just stop!" I yelled, as loud as I possibly could. Hoping they'd stop. Begging they'd stop.
"Finite Incantatem.' Rang out through the air in the composed and calm voice that belonged to the professor.
She slumped to the ground, eyes flashing but unseeing...
Lila POV
I could vaguely make out the disappearance of my prison, but most of my remaining energy was focused on fighting off the memories, fighting off the pain.
*creamy expanses of skin, not yet sickly, still holding life. Sinewy, lean. Pale, dark haired. This human should have been beautiful, yet circumstances transformed him into a monster. Someone who could only be seen as attractive by those who agreed with his twisted ideals. Ideals that somehow involved assaulting his own daughter.
I did what seemed the only option at the time. I couldn't fight him, he was too strong and I was too weak. So I closed my eyes. Unwilling to see any more of him than strictly necessary. But he didn't like that.
Ennervate.
My eyes where forced open. Words that should not be passed from Father to daughter uttered in my ear. Making me sick. I just wanted it all to stop.*
Harry POV
"Wake up, come on, what's wrong with her?" I yelled the last part directed at the Matron standing behind me. I just kept urging her to wake up. Without even knowing a name to call too. "WAKE UP!"
Lila POV
A voice. Smooth yet angry broke through the memory. Dissipating it into swirling fog. Calling me home.
Harry POV
Her eyes fluttered open. Relieved until I saw her eyes. Filled with such horror and pain, but slowly building back up their wall. A wall I recognised so clearly, as it was so similar to my own. Made of fire and ice. Glass and stone. Air and pewter. Like the world had condensed materials in some hope that they could protect her. Save her.
But you know how the poem goes:
Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
A/N I am so sorry for such a late update. Work and Pesach preparations make a very busy mix. This was also a pretty hard chapter to write, for obvious reasons. So the next update will probably be a little late as well, as Pesach still hasn't come (in case you didn't guess, I love Pesach). For anyone who was wondering what Chutzpah is, I believe that it is a Yiddish term and is similar to the term Spunk in meaning. If anyone can draw a decent Lila, PM me a link or something, I will use it as my cover, and give you a special shout-out. Also, please tell your friends about this story. If they review saying you recommended it to them, I will yet again give a special shout-out. I also apologise for the constantly changing POV's, I feel that it is important to get both characters point of views across. And before the acknowledgements, I am considering changing the name of this fic, please review with ideas.
I would like to thank several people:
Everyone who reviewed, favourited and followed,
Wolf113 for being awesome IRL,
narutonamikaze007 for, well, being him,
Sahiba KT, even though I am unsure as to whether or not she will read this,
SadisticOptimist208, I suggest you all read her story The Dark Lord's Rose, especially of you like darker fics.
And last but by no means least, the one, the only,
ZUCCHINI! I know you will only read this if I show it you, given that you don't read fanfiction, but you are incredible, and don't get the recognition you deserve, so here I am saying: Zucchini, you are my bae. Now this is the first time I have ever used this term, so it must be respected, and shown the honour it deserves.
I love you all, thank you, and good night.
~sorry about the llama's~