Doe (#Wattys2016)

Chapter Forty

Francis spent most days in lessons, talking to Tim about it as Draco had lost interest in his studies. His school days were slowly being absorbed into his workdays. He had to attend meetings with the Home Security Captain and officials in place of his father. Francis was not sure why Lord Lurie could not do it himself, but reckoned it was his laziness. She spent the evenings entertaining Dechuange, listening to his stories about the strange boy Poquelin and feeling jealous. Her relationship with Harri was fraught with tension, no longer were they calming to each other, The Lab had become inaccessible to her for the first time and her mother was upset and worried, she hated being left in a place she saw as hostile to her. Martha had tried to extend the olive branch of friendship and it was rejected, although Mr Christiansen had been sent on another work trip and things had calmed down, Lucia couldn't forgive them. Francis found herself jealous of Dechuange's power, of how he found people so easy and now keeping him save from his father had become the only goal she saw as achievable.

"So it was good your father threw you a birthday party," Francis said to him one day.

"He wants me to be public, so it won't come as a surprise when he sends me away," Dechuange shook his head.

"I don't think that's true."

"You know him then, do you?"

At his harsh tone, her heart missed a beat and a sweat broke on her brow.

"I'm sorry to get mad at you. But you really don't know him." Dechuange softened his voice and pulled her into a hug. She calmed instantly at his embrace.

"You're right. I haven't even had a conversation with Lord Casa. But I trust what you say is true." She snuggled into him.

"You've become so sad." Dechuange told her.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"You've lost your spark. Everyone may think you are gorgeous these days, but I see it, you've lost it. You're lost aren't you? You don't know what you're doing anymore."

"Oh Dechu," she began to cry in his arms.

"It's okay," he shushed her and her tears began to slow, "Everyone has moments like these."

"I'm so..." she couldn't find the words, because she wasn't sure what was wrong with her, but she knew he was right, she was no longer sure of what she was doing. She wasn't even sure if anything was truly wrong, perhaps she was just bored.

"It will pass." He told her in his warm voice.

"I feel stuck, I think, nothing's happening. And I'm on my own."

"You are not on your own. Everyone is still here," Dechuange held her head in his hands, wiping the moisture from her cheeks with his thumb, "Things are changing that's all, but you are not alone."

She smiled weakly, eager to believe him.

"I'm here," he sighed.

She nodded, "Sometimes it feels like it is just us."

He looked at her, a flicker of doubt past over his face and she felt shaken but then it was replaced with his confident gaze, "Perhaps it is, but I'm always going to be here for you, Francis. I'm so glad we've become so close. I never knew I needed a friend like you before."

"We used to just have fun at parties." Francis agreed.

"Yes, we were just Draco's friends. But now...oh Francis." He gathered her into his arms again, "You give me such strength. I feel like I can do it when I'm around you."

"You can do it. Anything. Whether, I'm there or not. I'm glad to be your practice, though." She laughed.

"My training. You're tougher than you think, sometimes, you see right through me, but I've been working so hard."

"Are you saying you're enchanting me?" she giggled.

"Yes. I'm saying you're giving me my power. I can see what I am capable of, you're an excellent teacher." He laughed too, "I can't stop thinking of your kiss."

"Oh stop. We were having such a heartfelt conversation, and now you have to ruin it with jokes. But that's why I love you, you never stop playing." Francis smiled up at him.