A couple weeks went by and, like last time, I heard nothing from Scabior. Usually, this wouldn't worry me, but now that he had told me he was thinking about running, it scared me. Would he really go off without telling me? Would I ever see him again?
To keep my mind off of Scabior's whereabouts, I busied myself with the wedding. I actually even got some things accomplished. The florists and caterers knew where the new location was. The new invitations had been sent out. The cake design and flavours had been determined. The only thing that really wasn't finished were the alterations for my dress and the dress robes (which wasn't out fault but the seamstress's.) and the guests seating. I didn't want to risk any coas on our special day.
Not wanting to procrastinate, I took the diagram of the layout of the reception tables and the R.S.V.P.s to the Hospital Wing so Vincent could help. Since I didn't know any of my family other than Uncle Severus, and truthfully didn't have many friends, most of the guests were Vincent's. That being, it was only right that he assisted since he knew everyone.
"I can't, Elle, I'm busy."
"I know you are, but you always are." I followed behind him as he handed a kid a cup of water and a vial of purple liquid.
""I can't right now, maybe later." He took the empty glass from the kid and headed towards the back of the room to put them in the sink. I continued to follow.
"You'll be tired later."
"I'm tired now. It won't make a difference hours from now."
"I don't know how you expect me to do this all by myself!"
"You've done a good job so far."
"May I remind you planning by myself pushed me to using stems and elixir!" I barked. He looked at me for a few seconds, his face softening.
"I'm sorry I snapped at you. I didn't want to, I'm just tired. I haven't have a moments peace since Christmas Holiday. And I swear if one more person comes through that door, I might do something rash!" He drew me into a hug. "But anyway, I shouldn't be taking it out on you. I'll come to your room tonight and help, okay?"
"Okay." I kissed him.
"And who knows, maybe we'll do a little more than that..." He flirted, running his hand down my side. I let him: this was rate for him since he started his internship. Actually, the flirtatiousness in his voice sounded almost foreign coming from him.
We were on the verge of snogging when the door was slammed open. Vince pulled away as Sarah Beth frantically ran into the room with a bag.
"Merlin..." He mumbled as Sarah Beth ran towards us.
"Hide me!" She begged, pushing between us.
"Why?"
"They're going to get me!"
"Who?" I asked.
"Mr. And Miss Carrow!"
"What did you do this time?" Vince sneered. She shook her head.
"It doesn't matter! Just don't let them know I'm here!" She pleaded and dived under a bed. Before either of us could question her further, two more figures rushed in: the Carrows.
"Where is she?!" Miss Carrow demanded.
"Where is the girl?!" Mr. Carrow practically hissed. Vincent and I looked at each other before he slowly and silently pointed towards the bed. Mr. Carrow raised an eyebrow, creeping towards it. Miss Carrow looked beneath, only to be greeted by a loud scream.
Miss Carrow practically pounced, grabbing Sarah Beth's ankle and dragging her out from under the bed. Sarah Beth screamed, struggling to get away. All of her efforts proved useless, because Miss Carrow was stronger and more skilled. She jerked Sarah Beth up by collar of her short and got right in her face.
"You thought you could outsmart me?!" She practically spat. Sarah Beth flinched by stayed silent. "You can't, and you will never be able to! Now empty the bag!" At this point, her voice was so full of venom that it sent shivers down my own spine. I actually started to pity Cumberland, but only a small bit.
Sarah Beth, with shakey hands, began unloading her haul. She pulled out burn ointment, anti-naseua potion, pain reliever potion, and various other liquids and creams. Vincent faintly gasped.
"That's where they've all gone!" He whispered to me, motioning to the bag. Sarah Beth took out the last vial, the was jerked back up.
"Stolen! How dare you steal things from the school!" Miss Carrow aggressively grabbed a generous amount of curly hair and pulled it back. Sarah Beth shrieked, trying to oil lithe professors hand off. "Do you know what we do with thieves?!" She gave another hard tug. A look of anguish was across Sarah Beth's face. She tried to shake her head no, but it only put more strain on her hair.
I watched the pain in all of her movements. This was ridiculous! Miss Carrow liked to watch them squirm before going for the kill: like a cat on a mouse. All of the kids in the Hospital Wing looked just as pathetic. This was way out of hand. No one, not even Cumberland, what was happening: at least not for what they were doing.
"Will you just stop!" My mouth opened before I could stop myself. Misd Cartow looked at me.
"Excuse me?!" Anger slowed through her voice as she slung Sarah Beth to the floor.
"This is crazy! You have filled the Hospital Wing for useless reasons and driving Pomfrey and Vincent crazy! You don't see my uncle cursing anything with a heartbeat! You need to stop! Don't curse her!" Before I knew it, everything just flowed out. Miss Carrow stepped forward, and I stepped back. This continued until she had me pinned up against the wall. Mr. Carrow watched with glee as Sarah Beth watched in horror.
"Well, if you don't want me to curse her, I'll curse you instead. How does that sound?"
"Lay off her!" Vince dived in, prying her hand, which was next to my face against the wall, away.
"Curse me instead!" I yelled over him. "Just do it!"
"Shut up, Elle!" Vince yelled in reply, "no one is touching you!"
"My body, my choice!"
"Elle, you're being ridiculous! No one is cursing you!"
"I'm sick of you being worked to death!"
"Shut it, the both of you! You are both out of line!" Miss Carrow help us a arm lengths. "And since you at rep willing to disobey me, you will make up for it by assisting me. I want you to administer the Cruciatous Curse. Iknowbyou are very good at it." She instructed.
"That's it?" He asked, then turned to Sarah Beth. Miss Carrow clicked her toungue.
"No, the other one." She pointed to me. Vince lowered his wand. "Since she do stupidly volunteered."
"I-I can't curse her. She... She's my fiancé." For the ford time I could recall, I heard true fear in Vincent's voice.
"I'd you love her, you will do it. Otherwise, I will punish her, and give her the punishment she deserves." She pointed her want at me.
Vincent and I peered at each other. I had a feeling if he backed out, he would be punished as well. It would be better for him to just do it. Besides I was used to it. I could take it.
"Do it." I whispered. He raised his wand.
"You know I love you, and I don't want to do this..." His eyes were full of pleads of forgiveness,although he hadn't done anything yet.
"I know, Vince. I love you, too. Just get it over with." I replied. He looked at Sarah Beth, then Mr. Carrow, then Miss Carrow, then myself.
"Crucio!" He was close to tears. The red light erupted, then hit my. It was much stronger then I had expected. I knew there would be a bruise where it hit. I let out a shriek as my back arched. I never knew he was so powerful. This agony was ten times worse than my fathers. That's why, after only ten seconds, I focused on the tear streaming down Vincent's face before blacking out.
