The Princess and The Half Blood Prince

Terror in the Woods

"Stop!" Gabby's voice cracked.

The tall dark haired boy merely laughed. "I can't. Don't you see. It's the only way."

"Please Alex. She. All of them love you so much. They're all worried sick about you!" She pleaded with him.

Alex rolled up His sleeve showing the dark mark. "I can't. Not now. Not yet."

He threw a spell at Gabby. She easily deflected it. She threw a spell of her own. Alex barely managed to get out of the way.

Then Artorias was behind him. Alex cast a spell in his direction careful not to hit any vital spots. He could here the girl call the dog's name.  He used that distraction to cast another spell.

Again she deflected it. Alex growled.

"Why are you doing this Alex?" Her blue eyes brimmed with tears.

"Because I have to. For her." His shoulders sagged. "I don't expect you to understand."

"For her?! The only thing you're doing is hurting her!" Gabby snarled.

Artorias leapt for him again. Alex barely managed not to get an armful of teeth. He hit the dog with another spell. This time blood came from the wounds. Artorias went down hard. Gabby called his name.

Alex used this momentary confusion to hit her with the sleeping spell.  She hit the ground. Artorias limped to her side. Determined to defend her no matter the cost. It's no wonder Ira is so found of the beasts.

Ira came bursting through the woods then.  He had hopped to be out of here before then. Oh well. Time to dawn the mask.

He wanted to tell Ira how much betraying her hurt. He wanted to tell her he was doing it to keep her safe. Deep down he knew he would never get the chance. 

Ira let him get away. He knew she did. She could have easily killed him or caught him.  She looked Alex in the eyes as she called for the teachers from Hogwarts. Eyes so full of pain, Alex almost stopped. Almost told her the truth.