RIDDLES PROPERTY

chapter 20

They left the pub in a hurry as Tom gripped Emelia's wrist. It felt as if something were stuck in her throat.

"Why would you do that?" she asked.

He looked at her for a second before looking back ahead.

"How's your pal, Fred?" he retorted.

She stayed silent. Emelia didn't know whether he knew what she'd done that night. They continued walking.

"He's just a friend," she said quietly, "I don't understand why you'd go inside the pub and force me to watch you hook up with a muggle you barely know."

"It's not like we're dating. Stop getting so defensive, fucking-" he stopped before he could go on.

She stopped. Emelia understood that their relationship wouldn't progress past whatever this was, but it just felt wrong.

"Then let me go. Stop using me for your little experiment and what not," she replied.

"I can't."

"Why?"

"Because you gave me your consent."

"I didn't give you jack shit, you just walked into my life all of a sudden. Now I feel so odd about everything in my life. I was in this for the thrill and you just fucked it up."

Tom's hand curled up and he put his other hand on his temple.

"We're going to the hotel, if you'd like, and talking it out. Like civilized people." Emelia said.

He howled and looked down at her, "We both know we aren't civilized, but you know what? We'll go back and talk everything out like quote on quote civilized people."

She started walking to an empty space. Tom went after her, grabbed her arm, and apparated with her to the hotel.

As they reached their room he sat down in the chair and ruffled his hair.

"Now what was this 'civilized' conversation you wanted to have?" he asked.

"You...what did you ever want from me in the first place? Why'd you always approach me in the prefect bathrooms?"

"Infatuation, curiosity, etcetera. What were you doing the night I was going to meet you at the bar?"

"I waited ALL night for you! You didn't show up. I left to attend a party." she said in a rage.

"You went to the sick little Weasleys house? You disappoint me." he said in vain.

"Guess what? Fred fucked me that night like a real man would, he held me afterwards too. He touched me better than you ever could." she said.

Tom didn't want to hear this. It angered him. Her voice was filled with hatred and venom. He didn't understand why she went to Fred nor did he understand why she hated him so much. He wasn't thinking when he got up and threw the glass flower vase which was next to him. It hit the wall and crashed.

Emelia couldn't bare it. She sat down and stuffed her face in between her arms. She wasn't crying, but her heart hurt so much. Tom realized what he'd done and went over to her.

"I'm sorry." he said quietly.

He approached her and sat down.

"I didn't mean it."

She said in a muffled voice, "get out."

He understood that she needed some time and space. After all, he could usually keep his temper, but nowadays it was so hard. Tom left the hotel. Emelia put her head back up and looked at the ceiling. To be honest, she didn't know what she was doing with her life. It was quite complicated. Everything came at her so quickly.

She got up and got a piece of paper. Emelia started writing.

Dear Fred,

I'm sorry that I ran out on Friday. I had a lot on my mind. Would you like to meet at Three Broomsticks later? I understand if you don't. If you're free and in the mood then I'll be waiting there at 6 PM.

Sincerely,

Emelia

She really hoped he'd come and see her. Emelia knew he was probably going to act weird because they were both wasted and it was right after he broke up with Olive. The owl took her letter and she waited for a reply.