All He Needed Was A Friend

Chapter 6: Homecoming

***POV Beatrix***

It had been seven day's since I officially met my "uncle" Peter. Peter hadn't bothered me since, but I didn't know how long it'd last. I don't want to be separated from Tom. I could care less about anyone else here, but I wasn't leaving Tom. He was... he... he's my friend, my best friend and today's his birthday. After the incident with Peter, I'd lost my job since it seems that Mr. Tom wasn't lying about his distaste for the Black Family. It appeared that although the pure-bloods may think themselves high and mighty, the little people don't agree. It's just... a lot's happened in the past seven days, but today, today would be a good day.

I stepped out of my room, having left Tom's present on my bed. I had "convinced" the kitchen ladies to make Tom a special breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon, a treat for the birthday boy and now I had to pick it up. I ran up to the kitchen and found the tray sitting on the shelf, picking it up, I ran back up to my room where I found Tom standing outside the door.

"Mornin' birthday boy!" I smiled.

"Morning, Beatrix," Tom laughed, "what's that?"

"Oh just something," I nonchalantly implied. Tom shook his head and followed me inside my room. We took seats on the floor and I put the tray in front of Tom.

"Bon Appétit," I smiled. Tom opened the tray and for once emotion shone through his face.

"How did you manage to get them to make this?!" Tom exclaimed.

"Oh just a little nudge," I replied, "that's all." Tom smirked and dug in. It was nice to see him happy for once. "Here Tom," I said holding out the book wrapped in a paper wrapping. Tom reached out and took the package.

"What's this?" Tom asked staring down at the book.

"Why don't you open it and you'll see," I replied. Tom carefully pulled the paper off almost as if he was afraid it'd disappear. Tom's eyes widened upon seeing what the paper had hid.

"Beatrix... it's... it's wonderful," Tom smiled a genuine smile at me and in one of those rare moments, Tom hugged me as if he were afraid I too would disappear.

***POV Tom***

No one had ever bought me a present. I'd seen some of the other kids get silly presents from other kids and I'd always wondered what was so special about a 'present', but now I knew. It meant that someone cared.

"Beatrix?" I whispered.

"Yes Tom?" she answered.

"Promise me that no matter what happens, you won't forget me," I whispered. "Promise me." I gripped on to her. I hadn't told her yet, but yesterday when I was in the parlor, I had seen Mrs. Cole talking to Peter. I knew what it meant. He was going to 'adopt' her or more importantly take her from me.

"Of Course, Tom," Beatrix said, "I could never forget you."

"I don't want to lose you Beatrix," I revealed. If he was going to take her, she needed to know... to know what I felt. "If I lose you, I'll lose everything." I could feel Beatrix hold me closer.

"Tom, no matter what happens or what I have to do," Beatrix stated, "I will not let us be separated. I don't care what stands between us as long as you're here and I'm there, I will find a way to get to you." I nearly broke into tears. No one had ever cared. No one until she arrived at the orphanage just a couple months before.

Just as we were getting over our own near crying experiences, footsteps began to head for us. No one ever came here. No one, but us. Then the footsteps stopped in front of the door and a knock resounded against the frame.

"Beatrix? Beatrix are you here?" Mrs. Cole's voice called. Beatrix went up to the door and opened it.

"I'm here," Beatrix responded.

"Someone's come to see you Beatrix," Mrs. Cole smiled. "If you'd follow me." My blood ran cold. So this was it. This would be the last time I would see Beatrix.

***POV Beatrix***

I didn't need Mrs. Cole to tell me who had come to 'visit' me. I already knew. So Peter had finally come to whisk me away from my only real friend. I followed Mrs. Cole to the parlor where Peter sat in a chair facing the wall opposite the door.

"Good luck dear," Mrs. Cole whispered. I entered the room and heard the door close behind me.

"Beatrix," Peter said, "please take a seat." I walked around the chair and sat down on the couch.

"Good Morning, uncle," I greeted eyes downcast. I didn't want him to say it. I didn't want to be sitting here. I wish I'd never went to that mansion!

"I'm no fool Beatrix," Peter began, "I can tell you're not pleased with my presence here. I know you don't want to leave your friend, Tommy was it? But darling you must think of yourself. If that friend of yours really cared for you, he'd want this for you too. So how about this I come pick you up tomorrow, we go home, and you have the freedom to visit your friend any time you want."

It wasn't the worst proposal, but I knew there had to be a catch somewhere.

"What's the catch?" I asked crossing my arms. Peter laughed.

"There is no catch little one," Peter smiled. "With the acceptance of mud bloods into our society, us purebloods must stick together. Of course, you'd have to attend the balls and act as you are, but that comes with time."

"I'll go with you on my own condition," I countered.

"And that would be?" Peter raised an eyebrow.

"Tom comes with me," I demanded. Peter leaned back in the chair and seemed to consider my proposal.

"Alright, Beatrix," Peter spoke, "I'll take the boy as well, but he'll have to keep his own name and never attend the parties or any other event where he'd be seen."

"Why?" Beatrix asked.

"Because he's not one of us, Beatrix," Peter stated, "He's not a pure-blood. At the best he's a half-blood and we can't have that tarnishing the family image." I decided it best not to argue. After all, I had gotten what I wanted, Tom.

***POV Tom***

I been pacing around the room and counting the minutes since she'd left; 5, 10, 20?! What is going on? I wasn't sure if I should be fearing more for her or for the person who she was speaking with. Footsteps sounded once more down the hall and I paused. Opening the door, I pulled the returning Beatrix into the room and into a hug, a hug that would have to last me forever. She was leaving. I knew she was.

"You'll keep your promise won't you?" I asked as she packed her few things.

"I'll do better than that Tom," Beatrix said. "Go pack your things Tom. Meet me in the parlor in 15 minutes. you're coming with me Tom." Beatrix was nearly in tears and I could hardly believe my ears. I was going with her. I wasn't... I wasn't losing her! I ran from the room and threw my things into a bag and ran to the parlor arriving minutes after her. I wasn't going to lose her! I was going to have her, have her forever.