'Tell Me Pretty Lies,' by moongirlel

Chapter 84: Seeking Comfort

[Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol]

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Tue. 3rd October 1995 - 3:27am...

The wooden steps leading up to the Astronomy tower creaked underneath my boots, clearly alerting anyone of my presence. If anyone was like me, trying to seek comfort in the stars, that is.

I couldn't sleep. I couldn't bring myself to fall asleep and dream after the dreadful start this year has taken.

I can't feel sorry for myself. And, I won't.

Pausing my walk beside the main telescope, the cold wind caressed my curls gently. I clutched the metal bar, peering over the edge. It had began to snow during dinner, creating icicles to line the railings.

At least the calm serenity of the midnight hour could still distract me from my inner thoughts. The inner demons coxing me on.

The stars silently begging me to keep my composure as I peer over the edge. I know the fall down is long, I've seen the height of the tower from the ground and on the outlook many times, I've lost count.

It's too dark at this time of the night to tell the true distance. I can't see the ground, and yet I can guarantee all my anxiety would stop the moment I found the grass at the end of the void. One loud snap and they'd all be gone.

I shake myself, taking a step back. My fingers found my necklace, tugging lightly at it.

Closing my eyes, I listen to the owls flying across the courtyard. The fireflies dancing by the edge of the forest.

Then, the sound of a pair of footsteps behind me.

"You were the last person I thought I would see up here tonight." I heard Kage speak as he ascended the staircase.

Looking back at him over my shoulder, I gave him a smile. "Why are you so surprised? I like the stars."

He shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets. "No idea."

He stood next to me, staring down into the courtyard. "...I, uh... I changed my mind about Umbridge's scheme. I don't want to sign my name down for something related to the Ministry..."

This information intrigued me.

"How so? What made you change your mind?" I questioned, folding my arms across myself to conceal my body heat.

His face changed expressions; sadness, shame and finally an empty stare. His eyebrows knitted together, his eyes became glassy with bottled up feelings.

"...her." He whispered. His voice went soft, "And... and my mother."

"Her, as in—?"

"'Mione, yeah. She's great... she's also a successful convincer too." He chuckled, "Very actually."

I do, too. We both laugh together wholeheartedly.

Our breath creates misty clouds in front of our faces. Perhaps a subtle reminder of the pieces of our pure souls leaving us. Or maybe that thought could only be related to me?

Our laughter fades faster than it arrived.

The husk in his voice returned. "I find myself to be in love with Hermione." He confessed.

"Oh."

"Yeah, oh." Kage sighed, "She doesn't like me like that anyways. Ron has her heart, and I fully respect him. He's enjoyable to be around, even if he despises me. I just... wanted to say it out loud."

A long pause in our conversation followed from us both.

Kage had always been quite interesting to me. A Slytherin, in love with a Gryffindor girl. I still knew all but nothing about him.

"Kage, back in the Weasley's burrow..." I start, and he lifts his head, waiting for me to continue.

"...you mentioned your mother, and how your father failed to make it to the Order's meeting. Did you ever find out what happened to him?"

"Yeah, I did. He planned on visiting my mother, before the attacks started." He brushed his hair off his face, grasping at it. "Plans changed, and so did his mind. He went searching for the first handful of missing Muggle-borns, and got himself labelled as M.I.A. Stupid asshole."

Shit.

"Fuck, that's awful." I mumble, "And, there hasn't been any mention of him since the summer?"

"No, nothing." Kage's face turned ghost white, "It's the reason I don't want to become involved with Ministry business. He worked for Fudge, and he hasn't bothered updating me on my own fucking father's whereabouts."

"Listen, I know what you're doing is right. Stay away from Umbridge and the Minister. Me, and Draco... and our friends, we're only going along with this bloody squad thing to get through the year easier — Not because we think it's right. Because, it's not. It's far from alright." I stressed to him.

"I know. You don't have to explain yourself to me, and neither do your friends. Same way that you don't need to tell your brother either. No-one owes anyone an explanation of anything, no matter who they are in relation to you."

Humming, I nod my head. "I suppose."

"My father would tell me stories of the first war. These missing person's reports were how it began before." Kage said, "...I need to go and find my mother, or contact her to make sure she's safe."

"Why would you leave Hogwarts now? After not hearing from your father or anything about him? Or his updated position?"

"I have to. She's a Muggle. And she's three countries away... She's been a previous target to these disappearances while she was pregnant with my older sister years ago. If this is the last time we're going to be seeing each other before a war, if it does happen, I do wish you well with your plan for Umbridge."

"Alright, I won't try to change your mind. I know how important family is."

"Thank you."

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