Slipping Through the Fingers

Chapter 9

King Cross Station would not be much far now. Edlyn got out of her empty compartment and set out to try and find the two Slytherin boys. She finally saw them through the glass and slid open the door. Without a word, she sat down, facing them. She understood she had disturbed them in mid-conversation but if they still haven't sort things out, it wasn't her problem. Regulus and Edlyn had to get out of the train together, seemingly perfect with and for each other. The wedding would take place a month from now. She nervously touched her ring, taking it off, putting it back on without realising.

Barty looked out of the window, Regulus admired his feet. They didn't say a word to each other until the train arrived at the station.

Edlyn drew a shaking breath in and looked at Regulus. He nodded before getting up.

"Let's begin the show."

Regulus got out of the train first, so he could turn around and offer his hand to Edlyn to help her get out of the train.

"Perfect gentleman" Edlyn's mother beamed at her daughter's fiancee.

Barty didn't say goodbye to them, as it had been planned. His parents had started to disapprove his friendship with Regulus and Edlyn, as both their families were now known Death Eaters or Dark Wizards. Regulus and Barty were supposed to find ways to see each other from now on, or to put an end to their relationship. Edlyn didn't want to know what they had settled for. She had now other things to take care of.

The preparations for the wedding were horrible. It was everything Edlyn didn't like, perfumes and flowers and music and etiquette. She longed for her Care of Magical Creatures lessons, even for Herbology where she often came back to the castle with dirty fingers and patches of dirt on her robes. She longed for the fresh air of Hogwarts' grounds and the liberty she had had for seven years.

A week before the wedding, Edlyn's parents were out of the house and Regulus had asked Regulus to come. She had had an idea and she felt like she had to tell him before the wedding, and in a certain way. They had two hours alone and spent it naked on Edlyn's bed. After they had made love for the countlessth time, they embraced each other.

"The Dark Lord asked me to lend him Kreacher." said Regulus.

"Your house-elf?"

"It's a great honour."

"It is."

Their fingers kept interlacing with each other, like they were in a dance. Edlyn was lying on her back on Regulus's torso, one of his arm around her waist. His free hand kept stroking Edlyn's breasts. Regulus's hand sometimes turned slightly and she was able to see the Dark Mark on his wrist. Her parents had presented her the idea to join them and her fiancee in the Dark Lord's regiment, but she still wasn't so sure.

"I never asked you how Barty was handling with the wedding drawing near."

"He's alright." there was a pause where they both kept their fingers dancing together before he admitted, "He's not."

"Regulus," she looked up to him, "promise me we'll make a fine home. A real home. Where we can be safe."

"Don't worry." he kissed the top of her head, "with the Dark Lord's protection, we'll always be safe."

"I didn't mean safe like that."

Regulus's fingers stopped, "what did you mean?"

Edlyn sat up straight, facing him. He had puzzled eyes, but God, how he was handsome.

"We don't have a choice but to marry each other. But instead of doing so because he have to, let's take it to our advantage. Let's find somewhere quiet and discreet and live the life we want to live."

He paused for a brief moment, putting two and two. "With Barty?" he asked.

"Why not?"

He pondered for a time. "I thought you two didn't love each other, that it was only for sex."

"It is. But you love him, and he loves you. I don't want you to be depressed because you cannot live with him." she looked down, "and I just want to be safe."

She wanted more than that. She wanted this war to be over. She wanted to create the life she wanted to. She wanted to be loved. To be embraced by tender arms.

Regulus leaned close to Edlyn, gently lifting her chin up to face him. "Alright. Let's do that."

"Promise me." she whispered.

"I promise." he replied. He kissed her hand, stroking his nose on her skin. They hugged again, laying back down on Edlyn's bed. She finally felt that everything would sort out. That everything would be alright. She felt hope.