Why? Oh why did this have to happen to ME? –part 22
Okay, first of all, I would just like to say thanks to those of you who enjoyed the part, about Sirius singing "Mambo number 5." I just had to put that in there. I'm glad a lot of you enjoyed it. Anyways, I know it takes me a while to update so thank you so much for putting up with me. By the way those waiting on Your Guardian Angel well I'm…stuck. I'm serious, I have a horrible case of writers block. I know where I want it to go but I don't know how to make it get there. Does that make any sense? Anyways enjoy!
…
Lily's POV
"I hate him…yes him, James Potter. Not because of his immaturity or self arrogance. No, it's much more than that, it's something that can't be described in a few simple words but it's there nonetheless. It's in the way he walks, in the manner in which he speaks, the way he manages to make me feel inferior by his presence alone. At the same time those eyes that belong to that body, to that person, can make me feel like I am somehow above the rest. His gaze, those eyes, they make me feel exposed. Almost like he can see my deepest darkest secrets, yet not be repulsed or affronted by it.
When we argue it's not just anger that I feel, it's something much more. I feel alive, he makes me feel alive. He invokes these feelings in the pit of my stomach that make me want to run. It scares me to know that he can make me feel this way. It's frustrating to realize he can have that control over me and for me not to be able to do anything about it. I hate, that he's able to crawl into my skin and can get a reaction out of me. It's frustrating to know, that he can manage to make me feel this way without so much as a thought.
This isn't me. I'm not supposed to be some girl who goes around telling people what to do or insulting them. I just don't understand how I can be calm one second then all it would take is one look, one word, and I'm on my feet yelling at the top of my lungs. I'm not supposed to act irresponsible or crazy; that isn't me, this isn't me, it's supposed to be him…, not me…I wish I could believe that…"
…
Story Start normal POV
"Life is like a festival of sorts. Colorful lights and music that can make your head spin. Strangers that you meet as you pass, as you continue aimlessly foreword. You stop only for a brief moment when something catches your eye or steps in your way. If you don't do whatever it was that caught your eye it will vanish in an instant. So you do what you feel is right otherwise you might regret missing your chance. Life is simply that, a festival, it's an adventure where the unexpected is to be expected and the expected is not."
Bright lights illuminated the courtyard. Everything was filled with colors and music. Even the people had a sense of liveliness to them that made you want to join in on the festivities. Everyone was gathered and watching as the different performers performed their little exhibition. The first task seemed to be a thing of the past. It felt like it had happened a long time ago, even though I knew that it had occurred, only a mere few hours ago.
I had been scared stiff, when I found out that Remus was going to be participating. After hearing all the stories about the Tournament from James; it scared me to think about what might happen to him. I'm not sure how I knew but I knew that it had been Ephraim's fault. I just couldn't understand why he disliked Remus. I knew that Ephraim tended to be a little pig headed at times but he was never irrational. He was never the type to pick fights except for the exception of me of course so why? Why him…?
My train of thought had vanished the moment I felt the all familiar feeling of his hand in mine. He gave me one of his infamous smiles before gesturing in a certain direction.
"Come, I want you to meet some people." He was gesturing me in the direction of the other champions. This was meant as sort of celebration in honor of those who completed the first task. It had only been the first task and yet two schools were already out of the running; the boys from Durmstrang and the girls from Beauxbators. We made our way through the bustling of people. There standing in the middle being surrounded by a crowd, with wands pointed at one another, stood James and Lily. From the looks of things they had gotten into one of their usual spats. Before I could say or move forward, one of the guys from Durmstrang moved in front of Lily, completely blocking her from James's view. I cringed at the display, there was no doubt in my mind that the anger, that caused James's shoulder to tense up and his mouth turn into a scowl, was caused by the guy's display. It had taken some time but in the end I had noticed that James was-is madly in love with Lily.
Whatever had happened had something to do with this guy. "What your little boyfriend thinks he can beat me!" His words were coated in distaste and venom. It scared me to see James like this. I was always used to seeing him happy and care free.
In response to his words Lily stepped forward, "He is not my boyfriend and he doesn't need to beat you. I can do that myself."
"Stand back Lily. I'll take care of him." At his words both James and Lily turned to look at him, one in distaste and the other in anger.
"No, I will not stand back. I don't know, who the hell you think you are but I can take care of myself." Her voice had risen in indignation that was fuelled by his words. Just then two others from his school joined the circle. In response, Remus moved forward he was more than ready to defend his friend. Not wanting to be left behind, I joined in as well, standing on the other side of James with my wand ready. I could tell that the situation was getting out of hand. The headmasters hadn't noticed because of all the loud commotion caused by the festivities. Just when I thought the tension couldn't get anymore suffocating he appears.
"Are you all done?" It was more of a command than a question. His authoritative voice rang in the air causing everyone to shift in discomfort except for Remus, who watched him with a calculating gaze. "Seth, I wonder what the reporters from the daily prophet would say if they were to found out about this." His eyes had a contemplating yet knowing look that made the guy, named Seth, lower his wand. "I doubt it would look good for your reputation to be considered as a sore loser. After all how else would they explain you starting a fight with a rivaling school?" His words caused Seth to send Ephraim a glare, which he promptly ignored with a raise of an eyebrow.
"We'll finish this another time Potter." With that he turned swiftly around followed shortly by his companions. He gave one last small smile towards Lily before disappearing into the crowd.
"Potter you're insufferable," Lily huffed in indignation before also disappearing into the crowd.
"Its James right," Ephraim didn't wait for James to reply before continuing, "a way to a woman's heart is not by controlling her you know. Try being honest you might be surprised with the answer you get." He turned around and disappeared along with the others.
"James you okay." I turned towards him and put my hand on his shoulder. He let out a breath before running his hand through his unruly hair.
"Yeah I'm alright. I just kind of lost it, when I saw him with her." Standing next to him stood Remus who let out a breath that caressed my cheek.
"Prongs you need to think before you do these things. Come on lets meet up with the rest."
It didn't take long to meet the others. Together we went to every stall and every little show available. At some point I ended slamming into one of the guys from Jehanna. If I remember correctly he was one of the few champions who had made it.
"Now, what do we have here? Hello gorgeous." I was a little stumped at his words. Luckily I didn't have to answer because Remus stepped in front of me.
"Raven," He nodded his acknowledgement to the other guy. His voice had sounded a bit hostile but the guy named Raven didn't seemed bothered in the least. He responded with a broad smile before directing his look at me once again.
"Why, Remus? Why didn't you tell me, you had such a hot looking friend?" I couldn't help but blush as the compliment. Remus on the other hand, didn't seem too happy. I couldn't see his face but from the look Raven was giving I could only imagine. "Relax, I get it, I get it, she's off limits. So…, what's your name, sweet cheeks?" (AN: *rolls eyes* he apparently doesn't get it.)
"My name is Emily. It's nice to meet you." Completely ignoring the death glare being sent by Remus, he responded with another one of his broad smiles before turning back to Remus.
"So, Remus buddy you and Emily want to join us. We were planning on checking out some of the booths." Before either Remus or I could respond, he grabbed my hand and began dragging us towards the group. "Everyone meet Emily, she has stolen my heart." In the next moment two things happened, one Remus pulled me towards him, and two, a girl with red hair gave Raven a hard smack on the head.
"What did I tell you about causing trouble? Stop scaring the poor girl. You keep this up I'll end up having to beat you to a bloody pulp." The girl with red hair sent one more hateful glare before turning towards us. "Sorry about him. Hi my name is Alexis and you must be Emily."
"It's nice to meet you too."
"Sorry about him Remus, don't take his words seriously." Remus just gave her a small nod before letting me go.
"Come on lets go check out the booths shall we." Alexis picked up Raven with ease before directing the rest of us towards a stall.
"Step right up! Who wants to try their luck! Come on! Don't be shy!" A man dressed in colorful red robes directed his attention towards us. "What do you say lad? Want to win a gift for the pretty lady?" He was asking Raven while gesturing in Alexis's general direction.
He scoffed before muttering, "What lady? You mean that thing- ow, what the hell!" He had been smacked by Alexis yet again. They reminded me a lot of Sirius and Elizabeth.
"Look, just because you're an imbecile it doesn't mean you can use it as an excuse to say idiotic things!" Yup that was a lot of anger that she was showing.
"What about you? Want to win something for the little lady?" He had turned towards us. I was a little shy with all this sudden attention. Before I could politely refuse, Remus stepped forward and gave him two sickles. "Golly good lad, alright then let me tell you the rules, so pay close attention. Here in front of you are five clear glasses, all the same size, height and material. In my hand I hold five cards. Look at all five and remember one of them. Don't tell me, just picture it in your head." He grabbed five cards and placed them on the table in front of Remus. Once satisfied that Remus had chosen his card he grabbed all five and the cards began to burn in the palm of his hand. The five became five little fireballs which the man juggled through his fingers. The little flames continued to dance around his fingers while his eyes stayed on us. In one smooth motion he discarded the ashes inside the five individual cups. "Now pick a cup and turn it over. If you pick the card you remembered correctly then it should turn back to the way it was."
Remus stayed still for a moment as his eyes watched all five cups. With long articulate fingers he grabbed the fourth cup in the row and flipped it over. The moment he did the ashes came fluttering down recreating the card and in seconds one of the cards that had been burned lay perfectly intact within the cup. I could see a small smile tug at the corner of his lips and his eyes glint in amusement.
"Well done! As promised. Your prize," with a flick of the wrist a small group of squares floated in the air in front of us, moving in a circular motion. "Pick one."
Remus turned towards me before giving me one of his smiles. "Go ahead and pick." With tentative fingers, I stepped forward and snatched one of the floating boxes from the air. The moment I placed my hand at eye level it opened it to reveal a simple blue necklace. I loved it. I didn't even know what to say. "Here let me." I simply nodded at his reply. He grabbed the necklace and with an ease that made my knees go weak, he placed it around my neck. I turned around and placed a small thank you kiss on his lips. Before I could turn to the others he grabbed my wrist and pulled me into a sweet breath taking kiss. His lips felt soft and moist against mine. Without much thought I laced my hands into his hair bringing him closer.
Breaking apart from the kiss I still held him close. "You scared me you know." I had my eyes closed and my forehead against his.
He pulled me into a tight embrace before responding, "I know I'm sorry." Before he could pull me into another kiss, we were interrupted.
"When you two are done making out in public. You can join us for some butterbeer." I couldn't help but blush. I had forgotten all about where we were. Remus on the other hand chuckled at my embarrassment at being caught in such a situation.
Once we all settled down on a table, conversations on the upcoming tasks commenced. "So, Remus any clues as to the upcoming task," asked Alexis.
"To be honest I haven't checked since this afternoon." I would have been surprised if it wasn't for that fact that I was the one who had kept him occupied. Thinking back at how scared I had been and how happy I was to see him okay, led me to react in a certain way. The whole situation made my cheeks burn a new hue of red. Even his voice reminded me of what had transpired well off into the evening. It would have gotten out of hand if Sirius hadn't shown up in that moment.
"Well Raven over here thinks we should break the stones," she responded with a roll of her eyes at the absurdity at such a suggestion.
"You're just jealous that you didn't come up with it yourself." He all but screamed in retaliation.
"Me, jealous? Ha! I thank the sun and moon every day, for not giving me your tiny brain," responded Alexis with ease.
"Ignore them. They actually like each other. The only reason why these haven't jumped each other is because both of them have too much pride and refuse to admit to their feelings." The words came from another person sitting only a few seats away. He had the similar shade of red on his hair as the other two. At hearing his words both Raven and Alexis turned their anger towards him.
"WE DO NOT LIKE EACH OTHER!" They chorused. In response the guy chuckled at their outright denial of such a proclamation.
"Yes you do," he responded in a matter a fact tone. Before either one could retort he continued, "If you didn't, you wouldn't get mad every time he would try to flirt with another girl." he pointed at Alexis who pointedly ignored his accusatory eyes.
"I do not get mad," she muttered but was ignored.
"AHA! So you do like me. I knew you wanted all of this. No one can resist having a piece of Raven the magnificent," he pointed at himself in a very assured gesture.
"I do not like you! So get off your high horse." She screamed in response.
"Don't deny it you've wanted me since day one. No wonder, you find any excuse to get your hands all over me." Before she could respond a retort, the guy who had started this spoke up once more.
"You're one to talk. Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about Raven. You've been having dirty dreams about her, ever since she beat you fair and square about a year ago. You've fancied her a lot longer than she has." At this Raven's turned a bright red. I wasn't sure whether it was from embarrassment or humiliation that everyone heard about his little secret.
Alexis decided to show her triumphant face. "I knew it! You little pervert. I should have known and to think I considered you my equal. All this time, those sparing matches were just an excuse to get close to me. You never thought I was good enough. Why you little-.!"
"Enough! both of you! I'm sick and tired of you two bickering all the time. Just snog the crap out of each other and get it over with already!" The two had gotten quiet and began to fidget uncomfortably under his scrutiny.
"Damn you Michael," Alexis mumbled under her breath.
The rest of the day went a lot more smoothly. After the festivities everyone headed back to get some rest. The second task wouldn't start until the day after tomorrow. They wanted to give those in the infirmary a chance to catch the rest of the tournament. It other words the champions would be given the day off tomorrow. I guess part of them hadn't expected two schools to be out of the running so soon.
I was heading towards my room when I heard the sound of music. It was soothing. The music floated up to my ears and pulled me towards the source. Almost as though I were in a trance I began to follow the sound. It led me to an open common room were the only source of light came from the wood roasting in the fire place. My eyes swept across the room in hopes of finding the source of whatever played that symphony. My eyes landed on a figure sitting by the window sill. My mind tried to recall were I had seen him before while my feet took me foreword. Upon noticing my arrival the figure or person turned their head in my direction.
His eyes, the first thing I noticed were his eyes. They reminded me of Remus's eyes except these eyes were a lighter shade of blue. "Hi," my voice came out barely above a whisper. At my greeting he turned to face me fully. That's when my mind recognized him for the first time. He was one of the champions that had been chosen. If I remembered correctly, his name was Mathew; he was from that ice school, Calypso. Remus had introduced me to him earlier but like now he was quiet.
"Hi, Emily, right?" I nodded my head in response. "I must have disturbed you. I'm sorry about that."
"No, not at all I was just curious. The music sounded really nice. What was it that you were playing?" His face lighted at my question and proceeded to motion me closer.
"Where I'm from they call it a Syrinx, it's like a flute."
"Can I see it?" Almost immediately he handed me the flute. I took it in my hands. The instrument was made out a metallic gold with intricate designs that covered its smooth surface. Before I could voice my curiosity on the interesting pattern he spoke up.
"Those scribbles are actually writings."
"About what?" I turned to look at him as his eyes glazed over in thought.
"It's an old tale that my parents used to tell me." I wasn't sure what expression I had on my face but then he turned to me and smiled. "Would you like to hear it?" I nodded my head in response. It made me happy to realize that Remus had friends that would help him through the tasks. This Mathew guy reminded me a little of James and his laid back personality. "The story begins like most in a far away land." I almost laughed at how cliché it sounded. "There was a rich man who had started out as poor and became greedier as he aged. He found a woman he could love that loved him back. He married her and cherished her but he was still fuelled by greed. He would go around saying how gold meant everything to him. That money was what made him happy and what made the world go round."
"One day while he was out, a thief came in and stole his gold. When he came back he found himself penny less. As the days passed he became more depressed. His wife tried everything to console him but nothing worked. One day he heard the town's people gossiping about a hidden treasure. Intrigued he went to find out more. He came upon a shop that gave him the directions to this hidden place. The shop owner warned him that there was a price for such a treasure. He said that in exchange he would have to give up what made him happiest."
I was captivated by the story. Part of me felt I shouldn't be so surprised considering who my parents are. They never told me bed time stories and most of the things I read were more for school than actual enjoyment. "What did he say?"
"He scoffed and walked away. In his mind he had already lost it. For him it was money that made him the happiest. So he went and found it. He came upon a tree that grew golden apples. You could imagine his delight written across his face at seeing so much gold but before he could even take a step forward, he was stopped. He was stopped by two large birds. They are better known as griffins, said to be guardians of forbidden treasures. The man looked once more at the gold before getting enough courage to face them. The griffins seeing his determination asked him what he wanted. He responded the golden apples. The griffins said he could take as much as he wanted but under one condition. Without waiting to hear what condition it might be agreed readily."
"What was the condition?"
"The condition was that they would take something of higher value in exchange. In other words they would take away what made him happiest."
"But I thought you said that what made him happiest was gold."
"No, what I said was what he thought made him happiest." My mouth formed an 'o' in understanding.
"So what did they take?"
"Well after he gathered all the gold he could carry, he went back home. When he arrived back, the first person he went looking for was his wife. He wanted to show her the good news but when he went to look he couldn't find her. She had disappeared and when he asked the villagers nearby they responded that they saw some large birds take her away." I gasped in response. "When he figured out what happened he became depressed. He went back to find the griffins but the place was gone, empty, even the golden apples were gone. In his despair he went searching for her. He travelled giving away the gold he had saved up. He didn't give the apples away in hopes of trading them for his wife. On the third week of searching he came upon their nest. The griffins saw him and told him to leave. He refused and begged them to give him back his wife. The griffins offered him more gold in exchange for him to forget about his wife."
"Did he accept?"
"Surprisingly, no, he didn't. Instead he offered what little gold he had including the apples in exchange for his wife. The griffins at first refused. That's when he offered his life as well. He said he would give anything to have her back if only for a moment. At his words the griffins released her. The moment he saw her, he embraced her, and kissed her with all the longing he had for her. He whispered to her how much he loved her and how he couldn't go on with life without her. After that he became rich again but instead of keeping the gold for himself he gave it away. He gave gold to whoever needed it and spent the rest of his life telling her how much he loves her."
"I'm happy."
"You like happy endings." It wasn't a question but more of an observation.
"I love happy endings. I want my life to have a happy ending too." He smiled at my confession.
"You will. I can tell how much he loves you." He smiled once more before bidding me goodnight.
I went to bed thinking about what he said. I smiled thinking back to everything that had happened during the past couple of years. There was nothing that could keep me from being with him. He made me happy. There was nothing it this world that meant more to me than him.
…
"In a life full of love, time has no meaning but when that love is lost it is us that have no meaning."
cloud9strife
…
"Okay any ideas?" James asked.
We had all gathered around the small common room to help both James and Remus figure out the clue for the next task. So far we had nothing.
"It's a stone and they have a different color," Sirius remarked sarcastically. Lately his mood had been worsening. James said it had something to do with excess energy to spare. When I asked what he meant by that, Remus came and put an enchantment over my ears so I couldn't exactly hear what he said. I tried to read his lips but all I could come up was something like 'shux,' whatever that means.
"Padfoot you aren't helping. I know it's a bloody stone but that doesn't help me figure out what the next task will be." James was getting more irritated as time passed. It didn't help that his anxiety was making me anxious.
"What if…" I grabbed one of the stones. I squinted my eyes, as I turned the stone in my hand. There was something about the stone that made it seem…
"What is it?" I was startled by James's words that I dropped the stone into the fire. We had been sitting in a circle around a small fire.
"I'm so sorry I-." before I could finish my apology, James held out his hand, as he stared into the flames.
"Moony can you see that?"
"No, I don't know what you're talking about."
"Then throw your stone into the fire." Remus did as James asked and threw his as well. His eyes widened and swept across the fire as though he were reading a text. We couldn't see anything. The only thing we saw was a fire and two stones getting hotter as the seconds passed.
"What does it mean?" asked James.
"I'm not sure. Pass me a parchment and a quill." A few seconds passed before Remus finished writing what he saw. James did the same in case his differed from Remus's.
Placing both parchments side by side we saw that they were the same. Remus began to read…
The place you shall enter is dark and damp
There are no windows, nor doors
There is but one entrance, one exit
Your eyes shall be welcomed by darkness
And your ears to an eerie silence
Endless passageways
As far as the eye can see
Corridors that have no end and no beginning
Pathways will be all that you see
Without a set destination
Without purpose
You will have but a moment to choose
For when the clock strikes… the ungodly hour
It… shall rise
With a hunger that cannot be satisfied
A thirst that is unquenchable
For it has lain dormant for far too long
It will lurk in the shadows…waiting
It feasts on your fears
Filling your mind to the brim with fright
Those who do not fear its legend
Nor its name
Shall see
For It is not a myth
But something
Something much more
And they shall know
You will run
Your mind will lose all sense of time
And will know nothing but the need to run
Your mind will desperately try to find a way out
For if you don't and time runs out…
Well then… you shall surely perish.
"That doesn't sound too good mate," Sirius had noticeably sobered up after that. I was still mulling the words over in my head.
"It's a Maze." We all turned to Remus. His words had cut through the gloomy atmosphere.
"What makes you say that Moony?" James had been snapped back into reality.
"Well, look at the first two stanzas in the poem. What else could it be?" He let out a sigh before sitting back in his chair. "I just don't understand the rest. It's obviously not good just like Padfoot said but what? Is it a dragon, a man eating creature? There's just too many possibilities. Besides this poem doesn't help us figure out a way out. All it tells us is what it is but it doesn't even say what type of Maze it is."
"Hey, Moony, why did you decide to participate anyway? You've never been the type to bask in the lime light. So, why?" I looked towards Sirius and back to Remus. I also wanted to know. Ephraim said he had challenged him but there had to be more he wasn't telling me. It takes more than a simple challenge to get Remus to act so irrationally.
"Padfoot's right. Why did you decide to take part in the tournament? I mean I know why I did. I know that if anyone other person other than me was going to join it would have been Padfoot. So, mind telling us what's going on." Everything had gone quite. Everyone was waiting for him to respond.
"If you won't tell them then I will." We all turned towards Elizabeth. We were surprised to find her answering for Remus. "You're doing it for Dumbledore aren't you? Can't the rest of you tell that he wants to feel worthy of attending Hogwarts. After all if it weren't for Dumbledore he wouldn't even be here. I think you four should support him. After all aren't you all his friends. If he wants to prove himself then let him."
"Do you feel well? Not, that I'm concerned in the least. It's just that I think that's the nicest thing you've said to any of us." At his words Elizabeth smacked him with her hat before placing it atop her head once more. "OW!"
After that we all headed towards the dinning hall to get some food. As we headed out of the room I caught a glimpse of Remus giving Elizabeth thanks. I wasn't sure what he was thanking her for but I had a nagging suspicion that he was keeping something from me. Before I could voice my concerns a flash of what occurred two years ago flashes across my mind. I didn't want to go through that again, so I let it go.
As we reached the bottom steps, we were greeted by the two champions from the ice school.
"Emily, Remus, James it's nice to see you three," Mathew greeted us with a smile.
"Same here," responded both Remus and James.
"It's nice to see you again Mathew." I responded with a smile and a hug. I failed to notice Remus's reaction to our familiarity.
"James, Remus, do you remember me?" A girl with white hair was standing next to Mathew.
"Rebecca it's nice to see you again," greeted Remus.
"How could I ever forget you Rebecca," asked James. I noticed her cheeks turn bright pink at his proclamation.
"Emily, I want you to meet my sister. Rebecca, this is Emily, Remus's girlfriend."
I offered a hand which she accepted with a smile of her own.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard a lot about you."
I gestured towards the rest of the group, "This is Sirius, Elizabeth and Peter." After everyone was introduced she turned towards the entire group.
"Are you all heading out to dinner? Do you mind if we join you?"
"Nope, come on lets go get seats," James always the eager one of the group to lead the way. It felt nice to just follow the group. I guess you could say I was never leadership material but I was content nonetheless.
As the afternoon progressed James continued to talk to Rebecca like old friends. She had apparently never ridden a broom stick. You could imagine James's shock at that bit of information. As for Remus and the rest of us we continued to talk to Mathew about everything even what little information Remus found from the stone.
"So you think it's a Maze," asked Mathew.
"That would be my guess," responded Remus.
"It makes sense from what the poem said. Actually I think it might also be underground."
"What makes you say that?"
"Well it did say there would be no windows, dark and damp. If there is no light then it has to be closed right and if the stones are damp there had to be water. The only sure place that has some not a lot but enough to make something damp is underground. Especially if you consider how the weather is. I mean it's too warm and it hasn't rained in a while."
"You're right that makes sense but I'm still worried about the other part."
"You mean about the It?"
Remus only nodded. After that both of them got quite as they contemplated the rest of the poem.
"Have you tried looking into myths?" We turned towards Elizabeth. Lately she had been shocking us a lot with the things that came out of her mouth. At first Sirius would nag about her being an airhead. I was beginning to think that maybe Sirius was a poor judge of character. When no one responded to her earlier question she began to get annoyed. "You know the poem did mention something about a myth." When Sirius gave her an incredulous look she huffed in annoyance. "Honestly can't you men think for yourselves?"
She dabbed her lips before standing up and leaving (but not without dragging Sirius a long with her).
"She's right we should check out myths to figure it out."
Noticing that I drank too much juice I excused myself before leaving. I was probably wandering the corridors for about five minutes before I realized that I had gotten lost again. Seriously it's like I'm a joke. Someone out there is probably laughing at my misfortune. It was getting to be quite ridiculous getting lost all these times.
"Don't you ever get tired of getting lost?" Startled by the voice I turn around to find him, leaning on a pillar with his hands in his pockets watching me out of the corner of his eye. I didn't have to see his face to know that he found my situation extremely amusing.
"Leaving me alone Ephraim and for your information I'm not lost. I simply don't know where I am." He snorted at my response before shaking his head. Just when I thought he was going to stay quiet, he gets up and makes his way towards me. I'm confused at first when he passes me by. Thinking he was just going to leave me here to wonder the corridors, I turn around to give him a piece of my mind when he stops.
He stops and turns around before raising an eyebrow in question. "Aren't you coming? I can take you back to your room or you could continue trying to figure out where you are."
I'm stumped on what to say so I decide to just follow him. When I reach him I can't help mumbling, "fine, but I'm not lost." He gives me one of those know-it-all smirks that makes me want to kick him in the shins and run but I say nothing.
We continue walking in silence until he lets out a sigh, "has he figured it out yet? Lupin, I mean."
"Of course he has. It's Remus after all." I say in my proudest voice.
"Is that so? So he's already figured out that it's an underground maze," I nod my head, "and that it's a Minotaur that will be chasing us." I almost continue nodding when the words hit me. A MINOTAUR! I stopped dead in my tracks and so does he. He turns and tilts his head, watching me with calm eyes, as though we were merely talking about the weather.
"Wait! What Minotaur?"
"You did say that he had figured it out right. You know the legend about the Minotaur that guards the underground maze."
"I have to tell Remus!" I was more than ready to start running but was stopped by Ephraim grip on my wrist. "Let me go I have to tell him."
"First of all you don't even know the way," I stopped struggling when he said that. It was true I was still lost. "Second of all if he hasn't figured that part out then that means he hasn't figured out what the stones are for." Before I could open my mouth to speak he held up his hand as a way of signaling me to keep quiet.
"No, I won't tell you." I pouted at his response, "don't look at me like that. We aren't team mates we're enemies. It's not my fault he hasn't figured it out." Before I could retort he continues, "No, I won't change my mind-."
"But, can't you just tell me." He cocked an eyebrow, "come on I'll give you…" I racked my brain trying to figure out how to bribe him but nothing came to mind. I couldn't bribe him with money because he's rich. Not with food because let's face it it's too precious. Not with candy he doesn't like sweets. So what?
His face turn thoughtful and for a second I thought he found something he wanted. Then his look turned serious and determined like the way it usually does when he's about to get something he wants. "I'll tell you what. I'm willing to tell you what the stones are for but in exchange you have to do something for me." I frowned at his proposition. Anything that had to do with me doing something for him ended up with me being humiliated and him laughing at me. As though reading my thoughts he responds, "Nothing humiliating of course. I just need your help with something."
Thinking it over in my head I decided to give it a shot. It's not like he hasn't humiliated me before and if there is a chance that I could help Remus then I would take it. "Deal."
Something told me that I would end up regretting my decision but it was too late to rethink things.
…
Given the choice?
Do you pick the one, who you should love or the one you have to?
…
Authors note: Okay I stopped it here cuz its long and yeah. I hope you all liked this chapter. I'm already working on the next part. I hope this chapter makes up for being so late on my updates.