Innocence

Chapter 17

CAMILLA'S POV

I got back to my dorm and I was exhausted. I just wanted to cry and scream and break everything. My whole life, my father controlled everything and caused me pain. I thought by coming to Hogwarts I could escape him. But now it's just happening through Nathan. I got to my door and tried to unlock it but it wouldn't work. I knocked on the door hoping Hermione or Ginny were there. I heard whispers. "Hurry!" "Quick, she's here" they said. Suspicious. I knocked again. "Come on guys, let me in. It's not funny" I said shaking the door handle. Finally the door cracked open and I saw Ginny. "What's going on?" I asked. "Close your eyes!" she exclaimed. "What? Why?" I asked. "Just do it!" I heard Mione yell. I closed my eyes and Ginny took my hand. She pulled me in the room and I heard the door shut. They walked me to the bed and sat me down. "Guys, what are you-" I started. "Just wait!" Ginny said. After a minute, I heard all the rustling stop. "Ok, open them." Hermione said. I opened my eyes and in front of me was a gorgeous blue dress. Next to it were heels. My jaw dropped. I stood up and ran my hand down the satin fabric. "Bloody Hell! It's gorgeous!" I said. They giggled. "Who's it?" I asked. "Yours," Ginny said. I turned around sharply and my heart sank. "What?" I said. Their faces dropped. "You don't like it?" Hermione asked. "No, I do! I really really really do. It's just...I'm not going to the ball." I said. "Why?!" Ginny yelled. I quickly came up with a cover. "Cedric. He has to do a dance at the beginning. I don't want to watch my boyfriend dance with another girl." I lied. "Oh" Hermione sighed. "But you don't have to watch that part. We can go in later. You can hang out with us-" Ginny started. She was trying so hard to convince me. "Ginny" Hermione said and she stopped. My eyes watered. I stared at the dress. It was everything I had imagined. "Are you sure that's it?" Hermione asked. I looked at her quickly. "What do you mean?" I asked. "Harry has a theory about Nathan." Ginny said. Then she slapped her hand over her mouth. "Ginny!" Hermione scolded. "What?" I yelled. "It's nothing Cam. Harry just-" she started. I stormed out and headed straight for the boys dorms. That boy is getting on my last nerve. And he really shouldn't. I'm the only person who's knows something to keep him alive. I'm trying to save him and he's running around gossiping behind my back. Hermione and Ginny were following me. They were talking but I ignored what they said. I banged on Harry's door. Hermione and Ginny stood behind me. "Cam, let's go. Ginny didn't mean it" Hermione said. Ron opened the door and I pushed him out of the way. "Bloody Hell" he yelled. Harry was sitting on his bed. I stormed over and grabbed the collar of his shirt. I yanked him up and stared at him. "What's your theory huh?" I demanded. "Cam I-" he started. "Don't Cam me. You were so keen on sharing earlier when I wasn't around. Tell me." I said. I could feel my anger bubbling up. I dug my nails into the flesh of my palms to try and not punch him. "Who told you?" he asked. "That's not even the point. The point is what my brother does to me is none of your business." I started. "And what is that?" he asked. "Mate-" Ron said. Everyone in the room was staring at us. Ginny, Hermione, Ron, Dean, Seamus, and Neville. "What?" I asked narrowing my eyes. "What does your brother do to you?" he asked, placing his hand on mine. His questions broke my anger like glass and it turned to fear. I let go of him and stumbled back. I stared at him for a moment just shaking my head. "Drop it Harry. I mean it." I said and I left the room quickly. I ran back to our dorm and locked myself in the bathroom. I cast a silencing spell and screamed. I punched the glass mirror until it shattered. I felt the shards pierce my skin. I heard the door open and Ginny and Hermione walked in. I quickly cast a spell to fix the mirror. Then I fixed my hand and cleaned the blood away. I wiped my tears and splashed some cold water on my face. I'm sick of Nathan ruining my life. I'm sick of him controlling every part of it. I'm going to that ball. He won't be there so he won't know. And if he does fine. He won't kill me. I know he won't. And if he does then at least I got to dance with Cedric once before I go. And at least I'll be free of everything. The pain, the fear, all of it. I walked out of the bathroom and Ginny and Hermione looked at me. They both started apologizing. "Do you want us to get rid of the dress?" Hermione asked. "No." I said firmly. They looked at me confused. "I'm going to the dance. And I'm going to dance with Cedric. You guys are all wrong. I'm not scared of Nathan. What's the worst he could do?" I said. I said it calmly but inside, I knew the worst he could do... it's pretty bad. They started cheering and hugging me. "Thank you for the dress guys, it's truly beautiful!" I said. They smiled. "Of course! Anything for our new best friend!" they said. Then they showed me their dresses. After that, I wrote Cedric a letter telling him to meet me at our spot ASAP. Then I slipped out and down the hallways. I waited in the tent and then Cedric walked it. I jumped up and kissed him.

"Why are you so excited?" he asked. "Ask me. Ask me to the ball." I said. He smiled so big. He took my hands and picked a flower from the grass. "Camilla Carter, I love you so much. Will you do me the honor of being my date to the Yule Ball?" he asked. "Yes! A hundred times Yes!" I said and I kissed him. His smile widened and he picked me up, spinning me around."You better master some moves because now you'll be dancing with me." he said. I laughed. "Cedric, we do still have to stay a secret. I can only go with you because Nathan isn't going to the ball." I said. Cedric nodded. "I'm just happy you're my date" he said. I smiled. Cedric kissed me and I melted into his touch. "Do you have a dress?" he asked. I nodded. "What's it look like?" he asked. "Wait and see!" I said. He chuckled. We stayed together all night until we were almost freezing. I was shaking and his jacket was doing nothing. "Come on Cam, we should go back now." he said. "Just a little longer. This time is all we have." I said. "Cam, you're shaking." he said, pulling me closer to his body. "Fine," I said. He took my hand and walked me back into the castle. "One day, we won't be a secret. Everyone will know you're mine. Everyone will know that Camilla Carter is the girl I love. Just wait." he said. I smiled and kissed him. I said goodbye and went to bed. I can't wait for the ball. I just hope Nathan never finds out I went and especially with Cedric.