Would You Be Mine?

10. She Doesn't Love You Like I Do

"What do you mean she's run away?" Harry said, disbelief in his voice, "she promised me...she promised me she would never leave me..."

"Oh, she was absolutely beside herself with the guilt Harry, she just could not bring herself to say it to you," Penelope said as she comforted Harry.

Harry's eyes were wide as he searched Penelope's for some answer, something he had missed, a clue.

A sign.

"I know you had such hopes that she was the one, but obviously," Penelope shrugged her shoulders, "she could not handle the pressure. Her love was clearly not as strong as you thought."

Harry shook his head, releasing Penelope from his grip and taking a couple of steps back.

"And she said nothing to you? No other reason?" he asked.

"Just that she was sorry and could not do what you asked of her," she said.

"Why did you not fetch me at once?" Harry asked, "I could have spoken to her, eased her fears or second thoughts."

"Oh...uh...well I did call...you must not have heard me..." Penelope's gaze went to the floor.

"Well she could not have gotten far, maybe I can find her still," Harry looked outside, the sun had now set, but the sky was getting darker by the minute.

"But she does not love you!" Penelope blurted out, "if she did, she would be here!"

"I've no doubt that she does love me Penelope," Harry said, "I must find her immediately!" he started to walk away before Penelope grabbed his arm.

"Harry!" Penelope said, her voice anguished, "she will not help!'

"I do not even care anymore, I just want her here. Even if she does not want to help," he said.

"How can you say that? She does not love you!" Penelope yelled, "not like I do!"

Harry stopped and turned around to look at his sister, taken aback by her words.

There was something in her voice...desperation?

He looked at her as she stood there, pleading with him, until his gaze fell upon her dress, and the small red stain swiped across the front of the skirt.

"What is that?" he asked.

Penelope's eyes widened for a moment before she spoke again.

"What Harry?" she replied.

"That there, on your dress," he moved closer, squinting his eyes to get a better look, "is that...is that...blood?" he asked.

Penelope looked down at her dress and at the offending stain.

"Nonsense!" Penelope said, a small laugh falling from her lips, "it's...it's a little bit of wine that I spilt earlier..."

Harry took another couple of steps closer to Penelope.

"Is it not a bit early, foolish even, to be indulging in wine Penelope?" Harry questioned, "perhaps you are developing...a problem?"

Penelope was furious.

Harry was turning against her.

Rosalie had turned him against her.

"The only problem we had was Rosalie!" Penelope yelled, "but I..." she suddenly stopped.

"You. What." Harry said.

"I...nothing..." Penelope stammered.

Harry closed the gap between them, one hand on Penelope's arm, the other fisting her dress to examine the stain more closely.