Send My Regards

Chapter Seven

Oliver, Katie, Marcus, and Angelina really only had one direction they could run. Though, Oliver and Katie were mostly just following. They arrived at the abandoned underground confused and breathless and when Angelina descended the ladder under the tracks, everyone followed without a word. Upon entering the station, Katie stuck close to Oliver's side as they stared at their surroundings. The station inhabitants stared back but for the most part, everyone continued about their conversations and ignored the newcomers altogether.

When they got to the end of the station where Victoria sat, Marcus brushed past all of them and stormed to the dark and deserted end of the tracks. Everyone knew not to follow. They stood around awkwardly, sharing worried and exhausted glances until Victoria quietly approached them; her face etched with concern.

"Is he ok?" she asked Angelina.

"No, he's not ok," Angelina replied. "His flat's been burned down, his belongings destroyed, and his team was murdered!"

Victoria's eyes widened. She had not heard the news of the murders. Her shaky hand slowly came up to her mouth but then her jaw set in anger. How could someone be so cruel? William was a monster.

"They burned down his flat?" Katie repeated in awe.

"Who burned down his flat?" Oliver asked.

"William," Angelina replied. "Marcus's father."

"Flint has a father? I always thought he was a bast--"

Katie elbowed him in the ribs and he doubled over. Victoria was smiling sweetly at them, however. These poor children...

"Are you Marcus's friends too?" she asked and looked at Katie and Oliver.

Oliver replied a bit too fast. "No." And this time, Angelina was the one to swiftly elbow him. Again, he clutched his ribs in pain.

"This is Katie Bell and Oliver Wood," Angelina said to Victoria. "We all went to school together."

Victoria nodded at them both politely. "My name is Victoria. I'm Marcus's mother. Please, have a seat and rest."

This time, Oliver made no comment. He reluctantly sat on the ground with Katie and Victoria but Angelina hesitated and stared off in sadness in the direction Marcus had stormed away. She didn't want him to be alone; sitting in the dark and dwelling on what had happened. But at the same time, she knew he probably needed some time to think. With a heavy sigh, Angelina had a seat next to Katie.

"Now," Victoria said. "Tell me everything that happened."

Several minutes later, Angelina finished explaining to everyone about Marcus's father, his intentions, the attacks, the fire, and the murders. Everyone's face was grave and pale. Victoria shook her head. "This is out of control," she whispered.

"What can he do?" Angelina asked about Marcus. "He can't go home, he can't play Quidditch, everywhere he goes he'll be hunted."

"Why can't he stay here?" Katie asked, glancing around curiously at the station.

"With what possessions, Katie? Everything he owned is gone. He went from an international Quidditch player with a life and home and now he'll be forced to hide in an abandoned underground with nothing but the clothes on his back. Imagine what that would be like."

They sat in silence again; contemplating. For the first time in his life, Oliver Wood actually pitied Marcus. Not being able to play Quidditch was like skinning yourself and rolling around in salt. He shuddered. Finally, Angelina took a deep breath and pushed herself to her feet.

"I'm going to go find him. Stay here."

With that, she walked into the shadows of the station and spotted Marcus sitting on a curb next to the rusted tracks. Gently, she sat next to him and said nothing for several minutes until she couldn't stand it anymore.

"Marcus, say something." But he didn't. Angelina sighed and continued. "I want to help you. Just tell me what I need to do." He still didn't answer. "Marcus, please."

"I don't bloody know!" he finally snapped. "Will you fucking stop? I don't have all the fucking answers right now!"

Angelina was taken back. She closed her mouth and sat next to him in silence again; feeling heat rise in her cheeks. Marcus buried his face in his hands in hopes of pressing away his headache. But then he dropped his hands and put one on Angelina's leg. She stared down at it. Silent gestures of affection were always his way of apologizing to her.

Angelina wracked her brain for any way to ensure Marcus that things would be ok. But his whole life had been destroyed in a matter of days. What could she possibly do? She tried to make him smile at least.

"Do you want me to take off my shirt?"

There was a whole second that passed before a smirk cracked on the side of Marcus's mouth. Angelina smiled and hugged him. "We'll figure something out, Marcus," she said. "You're being very brave."

It was then that he finally looked at her. He hated this Gryffindork mush crap. "Are you going to take off your shirt or not?"

Angelina grinned. "I'm sure Oliver would love that."

Marcus clenched his fists and stared back out at the tracks. Angelina put a soothing hand on his back, knowing it must be terribly difficult to save face in front of his long-time rival. Oliver and Katie shouldn't have even become involved. They were in the wrong place at the wrong time but Angelina was grateful for their concern and company. Marcus was less enthused.

"We should go to the Ministry," Angelina said against his shoulder.

Marcus closed his eyes. "We can't."

"Why not? They'll help us. Your father is a wanted man."

"But even if they catch him, where would they put him? There is no Azkaban. The Death Eaters are Azkaban. And no matter what they do, fucking Lucius Malfoy will always be there to dig him out."

"Isn't Lucius--?"

"My uncle? Yes."

"Then why would he condone this? You're his nephew."

Marcus glared at Angelina incredulously. "Because he's Lucius sodding Malfoy. Where the fuck have you been?"

There was another round of silence. Then Angelina spoke again. "What about your team?"

"They're fucking dead. What about it?"

"It's going to be a big deal, Marcus. A whole entire Quidditch team murdered?"

"All except one."

"Exactly. So you know someone's going to start looking for you."

Marcus's shoulders slumped. He didn't want to deal with this but Angelina was right. He had to clear his name and bring his father out into the open. Unfortunately, that decision came too late...

"Angelina," Katie's wary voice carried from the light end of the station. Both Marcus and Angelina turned to look at her. She appeared urgent. "We...um...there's a problem."

"What is it?" Angelina asked.

Katie beckoned them over and the background noise of the station gradually began to build. Curiously, Angelina and Marcus made their way over to Katie and saw Oliver nearby listening to Victoria speak to a crowd of very angry men and women. It became apparent what the problem was.

"It wasn't him!" Victoria pleaded to the mob.

"You've been bringing a killer down here amongst our children?" a woman cried.

"He's not a killer!"

Slowly, the rest of the station inhabitants gathered.

"What's going on?" Angelina asked Katie.

"Someone discovered the Falmouth players," Katie said. "The papers are blaming Marcus again."

Angelina felt her blood run cold. Oh no.

"Get that murderer out of here before he kills us all!" an old wizard shouted.

"I didn't fucking kill anyone!" Marcus shouted in outrage. "Fuck you, old man!"

"No one's safe with him here!" a woman said. "Even if he's not the killer, the Ministry is searching for him and he'll lead them right here. We'll be put out on the streets again!"

"All we have left is each other! I'll be damned if he takes that away from us! You should have never brought him here, Victoria!"

"He is my son!" Victoria cried.

"Your 'son' is no longer welcome here! Get him out before he kills us all!"

"I say we hand him over!"

Angelina quickly stepped in front of Marcus protectively. "Over my dead body! Marcus didn't kill anyone!"

A man stepped forward. "You're the girl they say he kidnapped, aren't you?"

Another man spoke. "No! She's been helping him all along! They've deceived everyone! They're walking curses! We should hand her in too!"

With that, he lunged forward and grabbed Angelina's arm. She cried out and struggled but now the mob was cheering until Marcus pushed past everyone and punched the captor in the face. Immediately, he released Angelina and fell to the floor. It only took seconds for them to flee the station with Katie, Oliver, and Victoria at their heels. Behind them, the mob surged and chased them angrily to the stairs below the tracks. It was there they stopped their pursuit; satisfied enough to see Marcus and his accomplices disappear out of their peaceful lives forever.

***

William Flint, once again, sat back in his chair and admired his handy work with a smile. A copy of the newly-issued Daily Prophet lay before him on the table.

FALMOUTH FALCONS

BRUTALLY MURDERED!

At approximately 8:00 p.m., Ministry officials discovered the bodies of six Falmouth Falcons Quidditch players disemboweled in the locker room. Officials have identified all six bodies but the names will not be released until further investigation has been conducted. The suspect behind these attacks has been named as Marcus Riley Flint, the seventh Falmouth player who, earlier, was also responsible for the abduction of a Chaser from the Holyhead Harpies. A Dark Mark was found at the murder scene as well as various clues leading to Flint's involvement. Officials are now offering a reward to anyone who can offer any leads to his whereabouts for immediate questioning. Be advised: Flint is considered armed and dangerous.

The fire in their headquarters crackled peacefully and Addison Nott paced before it with his hands clamped behind his back.

Lucius Malfoy entered holding his own copy of the Daily Prophet. "So tell me," he said. "How was it that you planned on making your son a Death Eater if the entire population of wizarding Britain wants him for murder?"

"Oh, come now," William scoffed. "Where's your sense of fun?"

Lucius cocked an eyebrow. "Fun? I'm actually intrigued what the Dark Lord will think when he finds out you've been gambling our secrets all in the name of fun."

"Calm down, Lucius. The games are over now. Nott and I are already ensuring that Marcus will be here before us on his knees begging for mercy as we kill his little friends. Isn't that right, Addison?"

Nott stopped pacing to glance at Lucius. After a moment's hesitation, he nodded. "It's all under control."

"Let's hope so," Lucius said smoothly and then glared at William. "It'd be a pity, after all, if we had to make sacrifices."

With that, he left the room. William smirked and lounged back in his chair again. He'd make them see. He'd make them all see.

***

The sun had just set down under the horizon when Marcus, Victoria, Angelina, Katie, and Oliver all arrived at their new hideout; a shabby cabin nestled in a forest miles away from London. It had belonged to Victoria's mother and had been completely forgotten for when she died, no one had bothered to take care of it let alone remember it. Luckily, Victoria did, and it had now become their safe-house. It was nothing but a wooden cottage in the wild covered in overgrown vines and trees. Through barren, it was the only thing they could currently rely on for cover and they took it without protest. What other choice did they have?

Marcus was the first to enter. He pushed at the wooden door stuck upon its own hinges until it snapped open with a loud groan. After some of the dust cleared, Marcus entered followed by the others. Inside the cabin, there was no furniture except a dusty rug upon the floor before the ash-covered fireplace; its edges black with soot. The walls were a dull grey wood as was the creaking floor and the only light the cabin provided were the rays of sunshine that quickly were disappearing as night crept upon them. The only rooms the cabin provided was a large den that connected to a very small kitchen; barren cabinets of wood occupied with cobwebs, and a bathroom with a white porcelain tub whose bottom was littered with dead leaves years old. The air hung heavily with the smell of pine and dust.

"I'm sorry I can't offer anything better," Victoria said. "But this cabin is unplottable to strangers and you can hide here as long as you'd like; until we clear things up."

Angelina smiled softly. "It's more than enough. Thank you for doing this."

Victoria nodded and a shameful air befell her. Marcus was standing with his arms crossed over his broad chest; staring out a hazy window in the den and not saying a word. This was as low as he could go.

Victoria sighed sadly. "The nights are cold in this cabin. I recommend getting the fireplace started if you can. Will you be ok while I'm gone?"

Angelina nodded. "Yes, thank you. You aren't staying here?"

Victoria shook her head. "No, I can't. I have to go. I'll be...well, I'm expected."

"By who? Isn't it dangerous?"

There was a pause as if Victoria was inwardly struggling with herself before she finally shook her head. "No. I can't stay here. I'll return in the morning."

Angelina remained wordless as Victoria carefully approached Marcus. Softly, she leaned up on her toes and kissed his cheek. Marcus acted as if she was never there. Victoria smiled sadly. "Stay safe."

And with that, she left them all. Afterwards, Katie, Oliver, Marcus, and Angelina stood around in silence; overwhelmed by what was happening. Angelina was the first to take a deep breath and speak. "Katie?" she asked meekly.

Katie eagerly stepped forward. "Yes?"

Angelina pulled her off the side and lowered her voice. "Could you go to my flat and bring me back some clothes and buy something for Marcus too? He's covered in blood. Just get spell-tailored jeans; they'll adjust to him. And then just a t-shirt."

Katie nodded. "Absolutely. Are you hungry? Did you need me to bring some food too?"

Angelina sighed in relief. Katie was the ultimate friend. "If you could I'd love you forever and a day."
"No problem, Angelina. Are you going to be ok here while I'm gone?"

"Yes. We'll be fine. Thanks again, Katie."

Katie smiled and headed for the door but not before Oliver stopped her. "Oi! Where are you going?"

"To run some errands. Is that ok, sir?"

"Not alone you're not," was all Oliver said before he marched over by Katie's side. He stopped in the doorway to glance over his shoulder at Marcus with a frown and then at Angelina. She knew exactly what he was thinking.

"Go. We'll be fine," Angelina whispered.

After Katie and Oliver had departed, night was fully upon them. The crickets outside were beginning their deafening chorus and a slight wind rustled the trees outside the cabin. It was peaceful, but Victoria was right; it was cold. Angelina shivered and began to focus her attention for the next few minutes on starting a fire in the fireplace but the soot was piled too high. The silence in the cottage was enough to drive her mad. Finally, she gave up on the fire and slumped on the hearth.

"Marcus," she said. He hadn't moved from the window the entire time. Her heart was aching for him. She knew the whole time he was standing there thinking that his life was basically over. Everything he ever knew or owned was destroyed. He was hunted, now, by Death Eaters and the Ministry alike with no where to go. And now they were forced to hide in a shack in the middle of nowhere with options so bleak he may as well die. Earthly possessions were not the only thing he lost. His pride was stolen as well.

Angelina walked up behind him and hugged his midsection; kissing his shoulder. She held him like that for several minutes; warming him with her body and vice versa. He still hadn't moved.

"Marcus, please don't shut me out," Angelina whispered.

Marcus sighed but said nothing. Finally, Angelina released him and fought back the lump in her throat. She wasn't going to cry. It wouldn't help anything. So she decided to occupy herself again or at least get far away enough to where she could freely shed tears without Marcus seeing. It was becoming unbearable.

"You should wash some of this blood off yourself," Angelina forced herself to say. "I'll go start the bath for you."

Again, Marcus remained planted by the window. Angelina sighed and moved into the bathroom to clear the leaves from the tub and start the tap. The water was from a spring and was cold but she filled the tub and heated it with a warming spell from her wand. After that, she went back out into the den.

"The bath's ready," she said and paused. "I'm going to go outside and get some firewood."

Marcus finally snapped his attention towards her. "No."

"I'll stay in earshot," Angelina said as if she never heard him. The tears were becoming too hard to keep back and she hurried out of the cabin.

Marcus watched her go and remained tense and ready to pursue her. He didn't want her out of his site. But he could hear her crying softly by the door as she bent down to gather kindling and knew she wouldn't want him to see her. Marcus turned his eyes to the bathroom door; the steaming tub on the other side beckoning him. He looked down at his blood-stained hands and shirt and reluctantly made up his mind. He hadn't showered in days, after all.

Marcus entered the bathroom like a drone. He was still overwhelmed with depression. Peeling his clothes off, he got into the tub and merely laid in it without so much as making an effort to move or enjoy the hot water against his aching muscles. Again, his mind drifted to his sufferings.

Angelina wiped her eyes with one arm as she carried a bundle of twigs in the other. She stood by the cabin door, crying softly, and shivered against the night breeze that invaded her skin. She knew that on the other side of that door was a man suffering more than anyone she had ever known and she really wanted Marcus to know she was going to be there for him through all of it; anything to give him back one ounce of happiness. He really had become her one and only. Though stubborn, vulgar, and temperamental, she loved him and wanted to be close to him but he was shutting himself away and all the pent up sadness and anger would consume him if she didn't do something fast. She would have to treat this night like it was the last one on earth; her last chance to give Marcus her trust.

Angelina sniffled and went back into the cabin with a new determination. She was pleased to see Marcus had left his spot by the window and with one last sniffle, she sat on the hearth and dropped the twigs into the fire. Angelina poked them around; trying to appear busy as she made up her mind. She could see Marcus's profile and shoulders poking above the tub's rim for he hadn't shut the bathroom door and she blushed. Taking a deep breath, Angelina stood up and pulled her shirt off over her head and dropped it on the floor, followed by her jeans and undergarments until she was completely nude. She walked across the den under the cover of darkness and entered the bathroom with a furious blush. If Marcus would turn his head and look at her, acknowledged her really for the first time in days, the shyness would melt away and she would know she belonged to him. But for the next few seconds, Marcus only stared blankly at the other end of the tub.

And then, as if an unknown spirit whispered Angelina's wishes into his ear, he turned his head and his eyes befell her glorious naked frame. But instead of soaking in her body, his eyes never wavered from her face. Angelina's heart raced and she inhaled shakily from relief. Her mind was made up. She walked to the tub, stepped in, and laid close to Marcus in the water; snuggling against his chest and holding him. He moved his arm around her waist to hold her closer and stared down at her beautiful features in the moonlight pouring in through the bathroom window. Angelina breathed softly and Marcus felt her breasts against him and the silky skin of her legs intertwine with the roughness of his own. And to his surprise, he was not instantly aroused but rather calmed. Intensely calmed. They stayed that way for what felt like hours; soaking in the steamy water and each other's arms until Angelina opened her eyes and looked up at him. Their eyes locked and then she leaned slightly up to kiss him on the lips. To her jubilant relief, he kissed her back. It remained passionate and slow and without breaking away, Angelina shifted in the tub until she was straddling his lap; her nakedness pressed against him. The kiss gradually became more heated and feverish. Marcus held Angelina close and ran his wet hands up the smooth contours of her waist and back; moving his fingers up to tangle in her soft hair until his body finally caught up and began to react. Angelina felt him harden against her thighs and she broke the kiss to stare into his eyes.

"I love you," she said.

Marcus swallowed hard and gazed back at her. The look in his eyes was a mixture of lust and actual fear. Angelina knew he was struggling. It wasn't in his nature to admit love.

"Just tell me how you feel. I won't ruin it. It'll just be ours," she declared.

After a slight hesitation, Marcus kissed her. At first, Angelina thought he was avoiding the words that would spell commitment and she began to have doubts towards her actions. But his kiss was like nothing she ever experienced from him. His kisses were usually aggressive and strong; just like him. This one, however, was soft and reassuring. When he pulled away, he brushed some of the wet hair from her face and gazed at the beautiful features of the woman he had grown to absolutely adore. It didn't matter that his flat and belongings and team were all destroyed. Angelina was the only thing he truly treasured now and it had really always been that way.

Marcus gazed calmly for a bit longer to memorize this moment forever. And then finally, he took a deep breath and said, "I love you too."

Angelina felt like a million pounds were lifted from her shoulders. She smiled at him and holding him in position with her hand, their eyes locked and she slowly sank down and filled herself with his warmth. She closed her eyes and shivered; their bodies connected and their hips together as one. When seconds passed, she began to move on top of him with tiny gasps of pleasure. Pockets of water sloshed over the edge of the tub and smacked the wood as their lovemaking became more feverish. Marcus held her against him tightly and moved with her; his hands caressing every inch of her supine body and igniting a fire in her so hot that the hearth in the den suddenly began to spark and smolder.

They moved faster. Angelina held onto Marcus's shoulders as she relished the feeling of absolute comfort and bliss. This was meant to be. Even if they had to go through hell to get there, this moment was written down as fate.

Finally, Angelina tossed her head back and cried out as waves of euphoria washed over them both. Marcus held her close; not a single space between their bodies. They shuddered in pleasure and when they gave their last sigh, Angelina collapsed and lay against his chest panting.

Their hearts raced furiously against their breasts as one as they came down from their high and held one another in the tub. Out in the den, the fire in the hearth was now roaring. Angelina snuggled against Marcus's chest and closed her eyes as the soothing hot water and aftershocks of sex occasionally ran down her spine. She sighed with contentment and kissed his neck.

Marcus stroked Angelina's soft skin lazily with his fingers and then hugged her tightly against him so that he could kiss the top of her head. Neither said a word; there was nothing to be said. They only smiled and closed their eyes; the warmth of the tub and each other's bodies lulling them to sleep.