Why? Oh why did this have to happen to ME? –part 23

Okay, as promised the next part. To all those who've reviewed, thank you, and thanks for the continued support; it means the world to me. I would like it if you would let me know about what you liked or didn't like about the new characters. Anyways, Enjoy :)

There in the middle of the road, stood two figures; one of a girl with brown hair and equally brown eyes and the other of a boy with black and gray eyes.

Why are you doing this? (Her eyebrows are furrowed in confusion, trying to catch the eye of the boy standing in front of her, a boy that is not yet a man. He lifts his head with eyes that long to be accepted. He looks broken and desperate.)

(He opens his mouth to speak. In a strangled voice he answers) Because…I can't. I can't be your friend.

…I don't understand. (She is lost and frightened. She doesn't know what to do because this boy, this boy that had always seemed wiser and much too mature for his age had been reduced to a child, to this boy.)

I know… and that's what makes it worse. (He looks tired and defeated; he looks nothing like the guy who would make everyone else, feel inferior to his intellect and would stride around with confidence.) Maybe… (He stared at her. He was looking at her. Everything else seemed to stop.)

… (The look he gives her causes her breath to come in short. She looks frightened by what she sees.)

Is it because you hate me? (It was an innocent question. She had wondered if his new behavior had to do with, him wanting to become her friend. She had hoped that after everything, they could be friends. She shouldn't be surprised he hated her after all.)

…no (his answer came out in a shaky whisper as though he wanted to say something else.)

Then…,why can't we be friends?

Because, friends is just another way of saying, I can't have you. (They are a few simple words that aren't so simple. They are spoken quietly with the ever familiar voice. She can't answer because she doesn't-can't feel the same as he does. Her mind refuses to admit his words as true. She pulls away. She is afraid that he might not let her go. She is surprised by how easy it is to slip from his grasp.)

(She can't answer because she doesn't know how.)

…

Silence is never an answer but sometimes it's the only option.

...

Part 23

They were walking back towards the school. They walked with a good amount of distance between one another and with an awkward silence to keep them company. Both of them are unwilling to break it; he won't because he wants to give her time to take things in; she won't because she refuses to acknowledge the events that took place not too long ago.

They had gone into the woods. He had simply wanted to retrieve something he had dropped, near the tower, where the first task had been held. She didn't ask what it was because it wasn't any of her business; he had asked her to keep watch. She was simply a precaution if in case for some reason the door to the tower closed, for her to help him open it from the outside. She had complied, knowing that he would have to keep his promise. As he had gone in, she had accidentally gone after him, when she realized that she was afraid of the dark. She claimed that she had seen red eyes watching her from behind the trees. Before he could turn around and warn her from coming closer, the door to the tower had closed locking them both inside.

He remembered how he had desperately wanted to maim her then and there; only to stop himself at the sight of her tears.

He watched her silently, as tears leaked from her eyes. That's when he remembered what happened a few years ago. It was one of the summers that she had come to visit. They had been in the middle of their little war. His family and hers (her aunt and uncle) decided that they would go watch the annual Quidditch world cup. He had taunted her so much that when they made camp she had gone off to get water and had gotten herself lost.

His mother had sent him to go look for her. She had only been ten at the time. He found her crying in a hole she must have fallen in to. She looked scared and frightened. He hadn't blamed her, the forest was littered with animals and drunken people. He could see that she had scrapped her knee. When he reached out his hand and asked her to stand. He noticed how she wobbled before falling on her butt once more. It didn't take him much to figure out that she had sprained her ankle.

Without a word he went into the hole and picked her up. He put her behind him before climbing out of the hole. Seeing her so scared and frightened had scared him. In that moment he hated himself for what had happened. As quickly as he could he brought her back to camp.

She had said nothing for a few moments but then finally her aunt coaxed her into talking once more. He had been close enough to hear everything. She explained that she had been a bit upset (she refused to mention why or the cause) and that she had wandered into the woods. She said she had wanted to get some water but had gotten lost along the way. That she accidentally bumped into this older man, who got angry and wanted to hit her. She then ran as far as she could and fell into a hole.

After that day she hated the night. She never liked being alone after that. Over time she became comfortable but there were some nights, like this one that reminded her of that day.

In that moment he felt compelled to comfort her. It had been his uncaring attitude that caused her to run away. He grabbed her and held her as she buried her face into his chest.

"I'm sorry," he whispered as he gently rubbed her back.

"It won't happen again," he promised. He had forgotten, but he promised himself that he would never do so again.

"…scared…so scared," she mumbled into his cloak.

"I know, it's okay. No one is going to hurt you."

Luckily, they were able to open the door from the inside. They had left unscathed. Just when he thought that she would ask him to keep the end of his bargain she surprised him.

"Thanks, I'm glad we can be friends now." She turned around before smiling.

"Oh, we're friends now. I thought you said we would be enemies until death." he quirked an eyebrow.

She puffed out her cheeks in annoyance, "I only said that because you were being a pigheaded prat."

"Smart and articulate, quite the catch aren't you." She didn't seem to catch his sarcasm and proceeded to walk in proud manner.

They continued to walk until she broke the silence once more. "You know I'm happy Remus chose me. I never thought that we would be together. I mean, I'm just me and he…, he's Remus." The way she said his name made it sound like he was someone important. Like a star that was just out of reach.

"You know you're quite oblivious for your age." She turned around in an indignant manner.

"I am not oblivious."

"Would you prefer blind, or naïve?"

She stared at him appalled by his words. "I am NOT blind or naïve."

He regarded her calmly before responding, "If that were true then you would have realized; that Remus isn't the only one that chose you."

She stood there stunned by his words. She didn't-couldn't say anything back.

As they walked she had began to put things together; his odd behavior then his declaration that Remus wasn't the only one that noticed her. Part of her realized that she knew the answer and that it should be plainly obvious but she didn't. Not wanting to focus on such things she proceeded to get what she had come for.

"What are the stones for?"

Surprised by her question, he stayed silent for a moment. "The stones? You mean the ones for the tournament." She nodded her head waiting for him to continue. "If you cast an alohamora on the stone; it will reveal an item that is supposed to help you through the task. It's meant to be extremely useful."

She pondered his words for a moment before speaking once more, "What did you get?" When he stayed silent she assumed that he didn't want to tell her but he proved her wrong. "I got a map for the tower. Before you ask, the answer is no. I'm not letting Lupin see the map. I still plan on winning."

She frowned at his refusal but said nothing. "Why do you want to win anyways? Besides you aren't going to win its going to be either James or Remus who wins."

"Well if you're so confident in his abilities then let's make a wager. If I win you have to do what I say for the entire summer. No questions, no buts, I get to decide."

"But-."

"No buts."

"And when you don't?"

"Whatever you want," it sounded like words one would say when confident but they weren't. They were just words he meant wholeheartedly even if he did win.

"…So if I tell you to go pick up a cheesecake from a factory on the other side of the country, you would do it?"

"Yes"

"Even at three o'clock in the morning." *twitch*

"Yes"

"On a Saturday?" *barely suppressed annoyance*

"yes"

"In a tutu?" *vein pop*

"…yes"

"With make-up and a wig?"

"…"

"Is that a yes?"

"*mumbles* shut up."

…

…

"Brother!" Rebecca called out to the retreating back of Mathew. He turned at her voice, stilling his steps, waiting for her to catch up.

"I thought you were going to stay a little later with James," she turned pink at his words.

"I was but I suggested we get some sleep before the second task." She responded as they continued their walk towards their room.

"Mathew?" He turned his head to indicate he was paying attention. "I was wondering,…what do you think about James?"

"James? You mean, do I approve of your crush on him? If he makes you happy then the answer is yes."

She was so thrilled by his response, that she hugged him for all he was worth.

"You have no idea how happy it makes me, to hearing you say that! Oh, brother we must find you someone as well."

"That won't be necessary. I'm perfectly content thank you very much." She looked like she was about to argue when a thought crossed her mind. Her frown had turned from being upset to one of knowing. The mischievous, glint in her eyes made him want to turn around and run.

"What's her name?"

"What? Who?"

"Don't lie to me, you found someone. I knew it! No wonder you were all happy this morning."

"Rebecca, there is no one."

She just stared at him trying to figure out whatever it was that she was looking for. He stared back un-amused by her antics but humored her nonetheless.

Blink –Blink

Stare-Stare

Blink-Blink

Her stare was starting to him uncomfortable. He didn't know why. Maybe it had something to do with her eyes that said that he couldn't hide anything no matter how hard he tried.

"Its Emily isn't it?" He felt his body, become tensed at her accusation. He didn't even know why. It wasn't like he liked her or anything. "I knew it!"

"Knew what?"

"You like Emily."

"No…"

She gave him a look saying, she wasn't in the least bit impressed by his denial.

"What? Okay, yes I enjoy her company but that does not mean that I like her. Besides shouldn't you be focused on James?"

Before she could open her mouth to retort they were interrupted by another voice.

"Rebecca! Mathew!" They turned to find Emily running in their direction with a huge smile plastered on her face. They waited patiently until she caught up to them. She was out of breath when she reached them. "*Huff*-I'm so glad I was able to catch up to you two. You two wouldn't believe what I just found out."

She proceeded to explain about the Minotaur and that the stones were meant to help them

"Do you two have your stones?" They both nodded in confirmation and dug into their pockets to receive their stones. "Now cast an alohomora." They did as she asked and right before their eyes the gems broke apart revealing an object.

Rebecca held hers up to get a better look at it. It was a small vile that was filled partially by a clear blue liquid. "It's a healing potion," she spoke, once she recognized the blue substance.

Mathew, on the other hand held a small amulet. He let a small smile cross his lips before he responded to Emily's curious gaze, "it's used to stop time but it can't be used more than once and no more than a few seconds. Still it will be useful if we are going to be chased around in a maze."

After seeing that her information helped them she turned around, ready to tell the others when she was stopped by Rebecca.

"Why did you help us?"

Emily was confused by her question, "What do you mean?"

"We aren't from the same school and we only met officially today. We aren't exactly friends, so why?"

"Aren't we friends?" she asked innocently.

Rebecca was a bit stunned but answered, "yes."

"Aren't friends supposed to help each other?"

"Yes, but-."

"Then I don't see the problem. Well you two should get some rest. See you and good-luck!"

She disappeared before Rebecca could recuperate from her shock. Rebecca could only watch as Emily disappeared into the next corner. Her brother simply chuckled at her reaction to Emily's cheery demeanor.

Rebecca's voice turned serious at her next words, "That girl is too trusting. I would hate to see what would happen if she ever lost her naïveté." Mathew stopped laughing at her words.

"Then let's hope it doesn't happen," he whispered.

…

…

"Guys! Great you're not asleep yet." She smiled at seeing the Marauders all seated around the fire.

The guys all turned surprised at hearing her come from outside.

"Emily? I thought you had gone to bed?" Remus was more than a little shocked. If he had known she was still out he would have gone looking for her but seeing her alive and well made him relax.

"I got lost." She said offhandedly.

Sirius snorted, James rolled his eyes before mutter "again."

She scowled at James before going towards Remus; seeing her practically skip around from joy made him smile.

He couldn't help it. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her in for a kiss. She had landed with a small yelp of surprise on his lap. The kiss had left her breathless and a little disoriented.

"Must you harass her so often Moony. You would think after all the snogging yesterday anyone would think you wouldn't have enough energy left." Sirius commented with a role of his eyes. She blushed, a bright hue of pink at remembering what happened the day before.

"You know Padfoot if you missed spending time with Moony so much then just say so." James commented offhandedly.

"I never thought I would say this but Prongs is right. I want this whole tournament over. I missed the old days when James and Emily would fight over the last pumpkin pie. When Peter would get caught by Filch trying to sneak into the girls bathroom while Remus and I play pranks on unsuspecting slytherins." Sirius sighed in a depressed manner.

"We can still do that when we get back, you know," James pointed out.

"No we can't, not while she's around," pouted Sirius.

The rest of resorted, to rolling their eyes.

"Why do you dislike Elizabeth so much?" Emily asked genuinely curious.

"Oh, ho, ho, I don't just dislike her, I hate her. She's mean, bossy, and so not cute."

Remus, quirked an eyebrow at his last words. "She's not cute?" he asked unsure if he heard right.

"That's right Moony she is not at all cute. She scrunches her nose whenever I refuse to do something she wants. She makes this stupid little frown when I refuse to be feed by her. Not to mention the stupid noises she makes when I kiss her-." He stopped with eyes wide. He had not meant to say that. He had only been listing the things that annoy him about her. He had not meant to say the last part out loud.

Everyone had different degrees of shock written on their faces. Remus was the first to recover.

"That explains quite a bit," he (Remus) commented casually.

"Don't you dare say a word Moony," he pointed an accusing finger in Remus's direction.

"I knew it! You little liar," accused James.

"I-shut up, Prongs, no one asked you for your opinion." Sirius yelled in defense. "Besides shouldn't you two be sleeping for tomorrow's task?"

"That reminds me. I almost forgot. I found out the second part of the poem, and the second use of the stones."

Everyone turned towards Emily.

"So what is it?" James asked eagerly.

"Well first off the It, the poem referred to is a Minotaur and if you cast a spell on the stones they reveal an object."

She went on to tell them what spell to use.

James got a ring that helped him go through walls it was also limited to be used only twice.

Remus pills, the pill allowed the user to become invisible for a few minutes, he had three.

"Well I guess that's better than nothing. Although, I would have much preferred a map," said Sirius.

"Ephraim has the map," Emily said. At her words the others turned in shock.

"How do you know?" it was James who asked.

"Because he told me," she felt guilty for some reason and decided not to elaborate.

"We should go to tell Rebecca and the others," said James.

Nobody missed the part in which he mentioned her name and not the others.

"Wow ho hold on there, Romeo, you don't even know in what direction her dorm is. Besides what makes you think they are going to let someone, especially one of the challengers, from a competing school to enter their room." Sirius told James as a grabbed a good hold of his robes.

James stopped his struggles the moment he called him Romeo. "What in hell do you mean by that?"

Sirius let out an exasperated sigh before answering. "What part of they aren't letting someone from the competitor's side-."

"Not that!" yelled James.

"Oh, you mean the Romeo part," James nodded with a small frown marring his face. "Well a person or in this case a friend; uses such a name to refer to a friend who seems to be head over heels in love."

"I am not head over heels."

"Okay, you're just infatuated with a certain white haired chick. Which by the way I approve, she is quite cute."

"Look who's talking, Romeo."

"What did you say Prongs."

"I said! Look WHO'S talking, R-O-M-E-O."

The night ended quickly with everyone saying good night. Sirius and James still in what Remus called stage of denial and me just being me.

…

….

Remus's POV

"Through these doors you will be faced with something so foul and so retched that you will have nightmares for a week. Furthermore-." Dumbledore placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him from his tirade.

"What Azriel means is we wish you the best of luck!"

There were only eight of the twelve champions left. They ushered us down a corridor with a winding staircase that led down below. According to them they had devices around the maze that would tell them about our locations. They had told us that in case of an emergency we were allowed to forfeit.

The staircase led to a dimly lit room. The room had different hallways marked with a colored gem on the top. They were meant to separate.

As I walked I took notice of the beige walls as they seem to dim out of existence. My wand provided me with only a limited amount of light. The only sounds that could be heard in these tunnels were that of the dripping water and my footsteps that echoed along the pavement floor. I wasn't even sure where exactly I was supposed to be going. It didn't help that all I had were the pills. It would have been more useful to have a map.

I came once again to another fork. Neither passageway looked to inviting but staying here wasn't an option either. According to the poem we only had a limited amount of time before they released the Minotaur. I tried not to think about that at the moment. I figured going right might be the best bet for now. Still I couldn't help the small smile that crossed my lips at remembering what had happened earlier that day.

"Wha-?Is something wrong?" Emily was looking at me with worried eyes.

I had woken up early and had sneaked into the girl's dormitory, (a habit picked up by Sirius as James would put it) and had dragged Emily out. I had taken her to a room close to the first floor. I knew that I would be going into the second task in a few hours. Therefore I had wanted to spend a few moments with her before heading off.

"Relax, nothing's wrong," I said as softly. She calmed down at my words and looked at me questioningly with those big brown eyes of hers.

"Then what's going on?"

I didn't say anything at first then, "I'll be going to the second task in a few hours." I let the statement hang in the air, while I waited for her to understand the meaning behind my words. I wasn't disappointed she stiffened in response and began to bite her lip; an action that had recently been sending my skin on fire. She had always been naïve to the affect her actions had on me.

I had learned after a while that it was best to act on instinct. I kissed her, she responded eagerly. Feeling her moan vibrate through her mouth and into mine send a pleasant sensation down my spine. When I pulled away I was greeted by her childish pout. I was a little shocked when she reached for the front of my robes before pulling me into another kiss. Her tongue darted out timid at first but grew confident as the seconds passed.

When we parted her cheeks were puffed out with a bright pink hue covering them. She just looked too adorable. Placing one more, slight peck on her lips, I pulled her into an embrace.

*Crash* he was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of breaking glass, followed shortly by a curse.

"Stupid thing, how the hell am I supposed to make you work now?" There, only a few feet away stood Alexis, holding what looked like a broken mirror. "Remus is that you?"

"Alexis? What happened?"

"This stupid mirror fell and now it's broken. I hope I can still use it."

"Is that what you obtained from the stone?"

"Yup a good for nothing mirror. I would have preferred a map but I guess beggars can't be choosers right?" she let out a sigh before continuing. "Want to work together?"

"I don't see why not."

"Great! Let's see if we can find the others."

They were walking for what seemed like hours.

"I can't take it anymore. If I don't see some action, I'm going to lose it!"She yelled in frustration. As though the maze had heard her the walls of the maze began to shake.

The sound of a large animal vibrated across the tunnels and they knew. They had run out time and they had let it loose. In the next moment James came crashing through the wall bringing Rebecca along with him.

"Moony! What are you doing here?" Prongs asked, surprised written all over his face.

"James! Let's talk about it another time. Run!" yelled Rebecca. We all followed suit.

We all ran not stopping once, going through passageways heading in any direction, whatever came into view first. Sweat was beginning to form on my brow. My legs and muscles were pumping with the exertion needed to run. As they passed the next corridor they heard someone call out.

"Ephraim is that you! Where are you?"

They didn't stop to ask they could feel the Minotaur close at their heels. A few seconds later they heard her scream. They stopped; they all exchanged looks wondering if they should go back and help.

"Damn it, come on Moony lets go. You two run."

"The hell I am," yelled Alexis.

"I'll come two."

"Fine! Let's go."

They found the Minotaur only a few paces away from Nichole, paralyzed. Before they could ask what was going on, she darted past them. Not understanding the situation they decided to run as well.

Then they heard it. The Minotaur had been paralyzed for only a few seconds, once those few seconds ended it had found them. In front of them Nichole cast a spell making the floor slippery.

"So long losers-Ah!" She had run without looking where she was going and fell into a hole.

Before the rest could react the wall moved pushing them into the same whole along with her. They were welcomed by eternal abyss.

They fell with an undignified thump.

"Ow! My bum," complained James.

"Oh, shut up!" yelled Nichole.

"*sigh* try using the door next time," spoke a voice laced with boredom.

"Who's there?" Nichole asked.

They all lit their wands simultaneously and were greeted with the faces of the other three competitors. The one that had spoken had been Ephraim.

"Did you enjoy your ride down the shaft?" Raven asked Alexis with a quirk of an eyebrow.

"Oh, be quiet and help me up you moron."

I took that time to assess the situation. The place looked exactly like the way we first came in.

"We've been brought back to the starting point," I said.

"What! That can't be right! He's lying isn't he, Ephraim?" Nichole practically shrieked.

"He's right Nichole. It was a trap meant to make us start from the very beginning."

"But-but that can't be. Come on Ephraim your smart I'm sure you can figure out a way out for us." She pleaded.

Just then a loud voice boomed over them, "Challengers! Well done! You've successfully completed the first part of the maze. You can now proceed to part two."

After that everything went silent. No one so much as moved as they waited for further instruction. Just when they were about to give up the ground began to melt away and the walls began to morph. Then just as suddenly it stopped, there right in front of their eyes the maze had changed into this. The walls were no longer straight the pathways no longer a long straight line. Everything even the tunnels had changed. It was like someone took the maze into their hands and twisted it. There were stairways that went upside down before twisting themselves in an arch way that led to the ground. Everything was either twisted, upside down or both.

"How do they expect us to get out?" Nichole asked in disbelief.

Ephraim ignored her and began to walk forward but stopped at the sound of a door opening.

"Why are all of you upside down?"

Everyone turned wide eyes full of shock at the new arrival. Not even Ephraim was able to hide his shock.

"Well?" they said before crossing their arms across their chest.

I found my voice and the first word that slipped my mouth was their name, "Emily?"

…

Alice tumbles down the rabbit hole

Down, Down below

Below into the abyss

She is welcomed by strangers

She begins to lose her sanity

She begins to believe

In all the truths

All the lies

She begins to forget

She can't

Can't remember

How she came

How she tumbled down the rabbit hole

…

Author's note: Please review!