Yay Chapter 6!
January was cold and snowy. A huge snowstorm hit our lonely little castle at the end of the month and carried over into the first week of February. But all the snow didn't stop the amount of work piled on the N.E.W.T and O.W.L. students. Before I knew it Valentine's Day was upon us and the younger students went out of their way to decorate the entire castle in pink and red. It reminded me of the story about Gildroy Lockhart that Draco once told me.
"Today's my favorite day of the year." Al declared. He dumped an armful of chocolate on top of my books.
"Don't you have work to do?" I snapped irritably. Valentine's Day is not one of my favorite days of the year. People tend to go overboard with the silliness and the gooiness on this day. Annoying.
"Oh cheer up Bells. Even Madam Pince is in a good mood today." Scorpius said sitting down.
"Where's your chocolate?" Al asked while opening a chocolate frog.
"I have a girlfriend Al. I don't get chocolates from random girls anymore."
Al shook his head muttering something about girlfriends, prisons, and no fun. Really he needs a girlfriend.
"No chocolates for you cuz?"
"A few." I responded. I tried not to think about what I really wanted though. James hadn't spoken to me much since we came back to Hogwarts. Although I think Steven Dragonii had something to do with that. He still sent the occasional hurt look my way. It was rather annoying because now I can't tell if James actually likes me or not. Would anyone be horrendously surprised if I decided to blast Dragonii into oblivion?
"I'm going for a walk." I said suddenly.
"Where?" Al asked opening another chocolate frog.
"Around the lake."
"In the snow!"
"Yep."
I dropped my stuff off in my dorm and bundled up against the weather. It was slow going through the snow. Paths had been cleared to the greenhouses and Hagrid's hut but nobody in their right mind would go to the lake in this weather. Which means I'm not in my right mind. I used my wand to clear off a snow covered rock and sat down. Ten minutes passed before I had any company.
"What are you doing out here?"
I sighed to myself. James Sirius Potter. Can't a girl get any quiet time around here?
"Taking a break."
"From what?" he asked. He then sat on my rock and pulled me into his lap. I froze for a moment before relaxing into his embrace. This was strange. For a guy that hardly talked to me, never spent time with me, he was awfully touchy feely. And not in the 'I just want a shag' way. It was very comfortable and I felt like grinning. Maybe he did like me after all.
"From what?" he asked again. Shit. I forgot he even asked the question.
"Oh um studying." I answered.
He nodded in understanding. Then it was silent. A comfortable silence. The thing about me and James is when we aren't fighting, we aren't talking. Silence was normal between us, therefore comfortable. With Steven silences always became awkward after a few seconds.
"I have something for you." I looked up at him questioningly. He shifted slightly in order to put his hand in his pocket without having to let go of me. He really is sweet.
"It is Valentine's Day after all." He mumbled. He pulled a long black velvet box out of his pocket and placed it on my lap. I opened the box to see a silver charm bracelet. Dangling from it was a broom, a heart, the Hogwarts school crest, a ruby and a snake. I laughed as I stood up and hugged him.
"I love it." He smiled at me before pulling me back down into his lap. We sat there for a long time before my world fell apart.
"I can't believe we sat there for so long." James grumbled. He was holding my hand and leading me through the entrance hall. I didn't answer. I was freezing and could barely control my shivering. Not the best of feelings. James continued to lead me until we got to the stairs. His common room was upstairs, mine was down.
"Meet back here in a half hour."
"Library." I said through chattering teeth. Cute. I can't even talk right. James nodded then reluctantly let go of my hand. But before I could move away he grabbed it again and gave me a kiss. Then he went up the stairs. I on the other hand all but floated down the stairs. I was in such a state of bliss that I didn't notice the hushed voices in the common room until I approached the little group.
Several students were surrounding a single table in the back corner by the door to the dorms. They looked up as I came closer and then moved aside when my attention was focused on them. Scorpius and Albus sat at the table, a letter in Al's hand. There were tears streaming down my cousin's face.
"Scorp?" I stepped over to him quickly and pulled him into my arms.
"They're dead Bells. Dead." He moaned into my chest. I looked at Albus for an explanation. He looked back at me sadly.
"The ministry sent Scorp a letter. Draco and Astoria Malfoy were found dead in the Malfoy Mansion this morning." He said quietly.
My mind immediately went blank. The words simply bounced around the inside of my head. I blacked out at that point. I honestly could not tell you what happened after that. I do not remember and I never bothered asking anybody. When I came to I was standing on top of the Astronomy tower, the wind pulling at my hair and tears streaming down my face.
The tears just wouldn't stop. As hard as I tried I just couldn't hide my emotions. It hurt too much. The man that taught me everything I knew, the one who raised me since I was six years old, was dead. The wind tugged at my long black hair. The Astronomy tower had always been my special place to get away from all the stress. Stress used to be defined as James Potter. But now it did nothing for me, nothing except maybe give me away out from all the pain. I glanced down the side of the tower. It was a long way down.
I know I don't talk about Draco much but he was the best father a girl could ever have. He taught me everything he could and loved me unconditionally, even though I wasn't his own. He spoiled me rotten and as a little girl I had loved every minute of it. And now I would never see his loving face again.
"Bellina?"
I dashed away the tears on my face although they were immediately replaced with fresh ones.
"What James?" My voice was surprisingly emotionless despite all the tears and all the pain.
"Are you okay?" Of all the damn insensitive questions he could have asked me.
"Sorry stupid question." His voice came from directly behind me. Well at least he knew. James wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into his chest.
"I'm sorry Bellina."
'For what?" You didn't kill them." Emotion cracked my voice.
"I know. I'm sorry for all the things I've done to you over the years."
I pulled away from him in order to get a look at his face. He looked a bit embarrassed.
"You're apologizing now! Of all times?"
He looked down at his feet.
"Yea."
"What do you want?" I asked warily. I was just not in the mood for this. His arms wrapped around me again and he rested his chin on my shoulder.
"Nothing."
"Then why are you here?"
"Cause you need me." The tears started again at this point. I hadn't even noticed that they had stopped. When I thought about it I realized that I really did need him. I sobbed uncontrollably and he simply held me offering his comfort.
I would never forget this night; the night when my world fell apart and James Sirius Potter held together all the crumbling pieces.
The following week disappeared in a flurry of owl feathers as people from all over sent their condolences for our loss. They didn't mean anything to me. And they wouldn't until Draco's killer was brought to justice.
"Bellina please eat something." Rose pleaded. She had taken to sitting at the Slytherin table for meals because of how much Scorpius needed her support. She apparently thought I needed it too.
"I'm not hungry."
"I haven't seen you eat all week. If you don't your going to end up passing out in class from lack of nutrition."
Merlin she sounds just like her mother. Always lecturing.
"Don't make me get Lilly."
I sighed before giving in. Lilly Potter was just not someone you messed with. I believe I've mentioned that before. So I ate. I really did need it. I haven't been starving myself the past week but my appetite has definitely dropped.
"Owls are here." Scorpius said dully. Surprisingly Hedwig the second landed on the table in front of me and stuck her leg out.
"What does Dad want with you?" Al asked confused. I didn't answer. I was too busy getting my letter. Not that I really had an answer anyway. I haven't heard from Mr. Potter since Christmas. He didn't exactly write to me everyday. Hell I think this is the first time I ever even received a letter from him. I had a suspicion it was about the Malfoys though. After all Harry Potter is the head of the Auror department.
"It just says 'I'm coming'."
"Coming here?" Rose asked.
I shrugged then looked at Scorpius who was reading a letter of his own.
"McGonagall wants to see us after breakfast. Lemon drop." I winced at his monotonous voice. He's been like a living puppet.
"Well I'm done so lets go." I said standing up.
"But Bellina you didn't eat anything." Rose protested.
"I know. Wasn't going to anyway." I said truthfully. The walk to the third floor was quiet. All the students were at breakfast or getting ready for class, and Scorpius and I didn't really have anything to talk about.
We entered the Headmistress' office to find Harry Potter pacing back and forth in a state of agitation.
"There you two are!" He exclaimed when he finally looked up.
"Hello Mr. Potter. What can we help you with?" I asked.
"Well first of all I want to say sorry for two things. I know how hard it is to lose parents." He paused for a second then continued, "And secondly for the investigation not being started any sooner then today. Things just have been really hectic at the office."
"What investigation?" I asked. Scorpius was just staring at the wall. I'm not even sure he was aware of the conversation.
"Of your parents' murders."
"Murder." I echoed. I knew they had been murdered. I knew that. It was still just so hard to process and accept.
"Yea. We don't know how they died yet but we do now they were burned to ashy husks afterwards."
Scorpius shuddered beside me.
"After?" I asked wrapping an arm around Scorpius.
"Yes. There was blood all over the place, mostly Draco and Astoria's. We do have one unknown sample however." Harry paused suddenly remembering who he was talking to.
"Uh, but you guys don't need to hear any more about that. I just came to ask a few questions."
"Like?" My arm tightened around my cousin.
"I know that Draco had a lot of enemies but can you guys think of anyone that recently gave Draco or Astoria any real problems?"
I shook my head after a moments thought.
"We've been in school and they didn't mention anything to us. Besides most of their enemies took them to court. It was more of a political hate then anything else."
"What about personally?"
The questions came one after another as Harry tried to get a clue towards a suspect. I answered him as best I could but honestly I never took an interest into the Malfoy business and Astoria had no job. The Malfoys were never really close to anyone but they didn't have any personal enemies as far as I knew. After two hours Harry left just as frustrated and agitated as when he came in.
"The will be read this weekend. I'll be picking you both up Friday night." He said as he left. I watched as he flooed out of the office leaving me and Scorp alone.
"Bellina I'm going to go find Rose."
I nodded and then let him go.
"You should go find James. He looked worried when we left the Great Hall after breakfast." I nodded absently. I glanced around the silent office and then left.
Seventh years were in Transfiguration at that time and class was already half over. I knew that McGonagall didn't expect me and Scorp to go to class but I hated the fact that I was missing so much. I barely went to any of my classes the past week, I just couldn't concentrate.
I slowly walked towards Transfiguration on the first floor. I wasn't going to go to class but James was in there and so if I wanted to talk to him I would have to go to the classroom. Half an hour later class let out and I watched as the Gryffindors and Slytherins filed out. When I saw James I ran up to him and threw my arms around his waist. I felt him tense but he still put his arms around me. I could understand the tension. Before Christmas break we had hated each other's guts. After Christmas, though we didn't fight, we didn't really talk either. Now I was hugging him in public. I glanced over at Dragonii who had walked out with him. Steven wasn't looking at us but he was definitely pissed. Too bad. I buried my face in James' chest again.
"Um Bellina are you okay." He murmured in my ear. I shook my head. I could feel tears forming again. The death of my parents had finally sunk in when Mr. Potter had mentioned murder. James disengaged himself for my embrace and took my hand.
"I'll see you later Steven."
"But class." He protested. James just shrugged and then he led me up the stairs. He brought me to the Gryffindor common rooms.
"Sugar bloom." He said to the portrait of the fat Lady. She opened to let us enter and I dimly thought that it was strange for James to say the password in my presence. But I guess it didn't really matter. He led me up to the boy's dormitory and left me standing next to his bed.
"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked as he dug around in his wardrobe.
"Not really." I responded dully. He then tossed me one of his shirts which I looked at in confusion.
"The bathroom is over there." He said gesturing. He had his back to me. I entered the bathroom still slightly confused but figuring he wanted me to change. Why was beyond me. When I exited the bathroom James was sitting on his bed in pajama bottoms. Seeing me changed he came over and scooped me up, then dropped me on his bed. I slid under the covers still slightly confused as to what was going on but as you can see I was going with it.
"Are you sure you don't want to talk about it?" he said slipping under the covers next to me. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to his chest.
"There's nothing to say." I said quietly my head resting on his shoulder. I wanted to say something but what was I gonna say? My adopted parents were murdered? He already knew that and that was all that was upsetting me now. We laid there in silence for hours. Just before nightfall I drifted off into the first peaceful sleep I had in two weeks.
R&R Pretty Please