Love the Darkness

Chapter 12

Hailey 

The trial didn't make me feel any better. Dumbledore still held his title as chief warlock and had just enough pull to keep them from snapping his wand under the promise his parents would keep him far away from me. Mattheo and Draco planned on tracking him down but we had more important matters. Things with the order were getting out of hand and we needed to put an end to it. Logan was another matter. He has become my little shadow and I found it adorable. We had decided to keep his adoption a secret fearing people would target him to get to me.

I walk down the hall with Ginny and Luna. Since the attack, I always had two people with me at all times. We head up to the Ravenclaw tower, going to our room.

"I need your help to plan out this summer. I want everyone to train and those not raised in the Old Ways need to learn." I say sitting on my bed.

"This summer will be most eventful," Luna says with a far-off look.

"Favorable?" I ask.

"Most," I smirk at her answer. I knew I wouldn't get much more out of her but that was enough.

"How is the treaty with the werewolves and vampires going?" Ginny asks.

"I have a meeting with Fenrir a week into the summer. I am hoping once the vampires hear I am willing to help they will return my request for a meeting. Not that I blame them, they are treated worse than werewolves." It grated on my nerves that they were treated like that. Yeah, they could be dangerous but so could wizards. My mood sours with the thought.

"How are things going with you and Blaise?" I ask needing a distraction. Ginny blushes and I smile.

"We are going well. Once he turns sixteen we are planning on getting our own place. I can't stand his mother and my parents want nothing to do with us, not that I'm complaining."

"I'm happy for you both, your rooms at the manor will always be there." She nods but I can tell her mind is on Blaise.

"What about you three?" Luna asks. I groan and flop back on the bed.

"We are doing good, now if I could just get out of my own head it would be even better." I try to shrug it off but the looks I get say I failed miserably. Neither girl knew exactly what I went through but they had a good idea what was holding me back.

"Maybe you should take the lead, this way you know you are safe." Ginny offers. I can't help laughing at the image.

"That would last a whole two seconds. Have you met either of them?"

"Explain that is what is needed, doesn't it always has to be like that," Luna says.

"What happens if I try and can't. I don't want them to think I am leading them on." I still feared they would decide I was too much work and renounce the bond. I wouldn't blame them but it would hurt.

"You have to be the stupidest person in the world," Ginny says catching me off guard. "Both of them love you. I know you are scared but you really need to open your eyes."

"She's right," Luna adds. I stare at both of them wide-eyed. I can't believe they called me stupid.

"Before you get lost in your head I have an idea." I listen as Ginny explains her idea. I don't know if it will work but it is worth a try.

I walk into the great hall only to have the twin grab me pulling me into the hall. I look at them confused but they just smirk and put their finger to their lip. I shrug and turn to watch whatever mayhem they have planned. It doesn't take long for me to see their work and I double over in laughter. Confetti explodes in the room covering everything before fireworks go off at the end of every table. Rainbow smoke covers the floor as each house flag turns to a black and silver banner with a crown in the center. By the time everything is finished everyone is coved in different colors and drenched in confetti.

"That was perfect," I say trying to rein in my laughter.

"We are."

"Here to."

"Please." They say the last part in unison and runoff. I raise a brow at their retreating form until I notice Draco stomping over. I bite my lip trying to stop my laughter.

"Your devil twins are dead. Look what they did to my hair!" He shouts and I lose it. His hair looks like a rainbow threw up on it. He growls at me before walking off no doubt looking for them. I walk in and smile at Tom who wasn't spared in the prank. He raises a brow at me and I shrug.

Mattheo

I watch as she walks in, looking every bit like a queen. I should be pissed but seeing her laugh calms my anger. Oh, payback was coming but I figured it could wait. She walks over and I grab her around the waist pulling her to sit beside me. She playfully glares as she is coved in a mixture of colors and confetti. My father stands and waves his wand putting the great hall back in order.

"Two days until your birthday, are you excited?" I ask. She lays her head on my shoulder smiling at Logan who is sitting with a few of his friends.

"Yeah, I just hope everything goes to plan." I kiss the top of her head. She carries the weight of the world on her shoulders and I just wish she would see we are here for her but I understood.

"Come on." I pull her up with me. She doesn't question me. I lead her outside and walk over to the black lake. I sit next to a large tree and pull her into my lap.

"I still need to talk to Susan."

"Nope, you are done for the day. No more plotting or planning. I want time with just my mate without everything else." I say locking my arms around her. I knew this was going to be a battle of wills but she had to relax.

"Mattheo summer is right around the corner not accounting for the fact I still need to plan for the ritual to truly bind me to my title."

"And I don't doubt you have planned everything to the hour. We need time for just us. Yeah, we have the bond but it will never be as strong as it should if we don't work at it." She glares at me but says nothing. She turns looking over the lake. I give her time to think things through. No point in pushing any farther. As much as I wished I could, I couldn't force her to work on the bond. I wouldn't admit it to her but it hurt. I knew about her past but I wasn't them and neither was Draco. We were making progress but she always seemed to hold part of herself back.

"Your right, we do need to work on the bond. It's just with everything happening I can't help but feel like I need to be a hundred places at once."

"Let go Hailey, let us take care of you." I pull her into a kiss and groan as she relaxes. She was my everything and I would never let her forget it.