2 years earlier

"I love you my sweet child" Mr. Nott said, as he held his youngest child in his arms.

"Why does mother hate me so? The shear sight of me makes her upset."

"Marcy, there is something you need to understand about your mother. She is a bitter woman, but she does not hate you."

"She certainly does not love me. she showers Gibbon and Eloise with love but never me. Why?"

"I don't know Marcy, but I love you. I love you so very much, and nothing will ever change that." He hugged her tightly and looked down at her green eyes.

"Why did you marry her, if she is so mean to you and I? Why do you love her?"

"Marcy, it is very complicated. I can't say I love your mother, but I am grateful for her."

"Why? She has never done anything nice for you in return for the wonderful things you do for her?"

"She gave me three magnificent children."

"But you never loved her. why would you marry her?"

"Well, I was once a very rich man, with a rich family. Your mother was poor, but was part of the family that was close with mine. They were all purebloods, and she was my age. Our parents arranged us to be married, and carry on the pureblood family. Just as Eloise is marrying the eldest son of the Macnairs. They offer a wonderful opportunity for her, and they have money"

"Why don't you have money anymore father?"

"Well, when your grandparents died they were quite upset with me, for reasons you wouldn't understand. They left everything to my sister, and I was forced to get a job and lost all of the money that was meant to be mine. It's okay now Marcy." He gave her a reassuring smile.

"Oh, I understand. Will I have to marry someone you choose father?"

"That is what your mother wishes for. I would like for you to marry a pure blood, but I just wish for you to be happy. You deserve happiness, my beloved"

"Have you picked out the boy I will marry father?" He let out a chuckle and placed his hand on her cheek.

"You need not worry about that now."

…

February 29th

Marcy was fully recovered, and things never seemed better. The voices had gotten smaller, Alice and Brutus were gone, and she was not being bothered by Tom. Though she did feel remorse for never talking to him, after he had just saved her life, but it was for the best. She never trusted him. She was studying her potions notes when a group of people walked into the common room. Her head shot up and she saw Toms usual crowd. He came visible as they all settled onto the couches and armchairs. She gulped heavily and looked up at him.

"How are you feeling?" he said taking the seat next to her.

"Oh, I have been better…" she said without taking her eyes off of her notes.

"Marcy, I saved your life, all I ask in return is for you to pay some attention towards me."

"Tom, that is what you have those pathetic lapdogs for. They're the ones who want your attention not me." Tom snorted and glanced over at them.

"Marcy, you hate me for no reason at all. I can't comprehend your feelings, and it is taking all my strength not to read your mind. What did I do wrong?"

"What did you do wrong? You follow me around, you have this collar around my neck so you can keep track of me. you won't let anyone talk to me that you find suspicious. Even my friends are afraid to talk to me, because they know how protective you are! I am grateful for you saving me Tom, I really am, but you drive me crazy. You're sick." She said willing herself not to look at him. He ignored her reasoning's and proceeded to be very unrelenting.

"Marcy, would you please come with me? I want to show you something." He stood and stretched out his hand towards her.

"I am not going up to the dorm with you, if that's what your plan is." She said with warning in her voice.

"No Marcy, those are not my intentions for you tonight." He said with a gleam in his eye. She stood and took his hand. She allowed him to lead her out of the common room, into the bitter corridor. He led her up stone steps and they finally reached, white pearly, spiral steps that led all the way to the top of the astronomy tower. She froze at the bottom of the steps.

"Tom, we shouldn't be out this late. With the creature on the loose, we could get killed." Tom merely laughed, at her worries.

"Marcy my sweet, we will be fine I promise. Now come along, I have a surprise for you." They reached the top of the steps into the classroom, where he brought her over to the spectacular oversized window. The brightly shining full moon was in full view. Marcy stared in awe at the sight. He leaned against the desk watched her face lean into the light from the moon.

"The moon reminds me of you Marcy." He said coolly as he stood next to her. Marcys' posture changed as he moved closer to her. She crossed her arms and made herself as small as possible, almost as if she was protecting herself. "Oh stop this unnecessary worrying. You know damn well I am not going to hurt you. I just want your heart Marcy that is all, but I will never hurt you to gain it." Her face settled into a face of what looked to be guilt. She softened up and gazed back into the moon.

"Why does the moon remind you of me?" she said abruptly.

"It's beautiful. It has the wonderful glow that you have in your face, and it is a silky color like yours. It's set against the dark sky, like your face is against your dark hair. Its beautiful, and you're beautiful as well." He let his eyes fall onto her body. She didn't seem fazed by his kind words.

"I know what you're doing Tom. This is just another part of your plan to wrap me around your finger. I won't melt at your feet, like most would. I won't give into you." She stated plainly. Tom was suddenly filled with rage.

"What do you want from me Marcy!" he screamed at her, throwing his hands into the air.

"I want you to mean what you say! I want you to actually care about me!" she wailed turning away from the magnificent spectacle.

"I do mean it! You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I am fascinated by everything you do, everything you think. You're so intriguing to me. you have this light in you, you are so good hearted, I find it so strange, that one person can have so much emotion. That gleam you get in your eye when something amuses you, and that hatred that is painted on your face when I am in view. Marcy, I admit that I love to see pain in others, but not you. When you are hurt it completely rips me up inside. I want you so badly, and you refuse me, when no other girl would. I have girls begging for my attention, while I spend all my spare time begging for yours! You make me crazy, and I worship the insanity you put me through! Marcy, I need for you to need me, because I necessitate you. Please Marcy, love me as I love you?" he left her speechless and for the first time in a long time, she felt urges for Tom she had never felt.

"Tom, you scare me. I am so afraid you are going to leave me once I fall for you. I am afraid you will hurt me. you don't love me Tom, you don't know what love is." He hastily walked towards her and cupped her face in his hands. He quickly brought her face to his and kissed her softly until she let go.

"I hate you" Marcy whispered in his ear.

"I hate you too." And the proceeded kissing in the beams of moonlight. He wrapped his arms around her back and lifted her off of the ground. He placed her against the wall and kissed her harder. He then let go and looked her in the eyes, searching for the life within her.