Send My Regards

Chapter Eight

"Angelina?" Katie whispered as she poked her head into the cabin. It had been unusually quiet. She slid in through the door with a large paper bag in her hands filled with clothing, food, and a large blanket. Oliver came in behind her.

"Did they leave?"

"I don't know," Katie said and set the bag down on the kitchen counter. "Where would they go?"

Oliver stood in the doorway hesitantly and watched Katie glance around the cabin; feeling a tinge of jealousy. He hadn't been too enthused by the events they had become wrapped up in. He didn't trust Marcus, he didn't trust Victoria, and he didn't even trust the cabin. Not to mention how unnerving it was to see Angelina show so much compassion to the very man who had caused them bodily harm during every Gryffindor vs. Slytherin match.

Katie peered cautiously around the den of the cabin as if Marcus and Angelina would pop out at her at any moment. "Well," she said heavily, "we should stay here until they come back."

Oliver let his arms drop. He didn't want to stay but he didn't want to leave Katie and Angelina alone and unprotected either. He went and sat on the edge of the hearth and poked the fire with a stick. Some of the logs crumbled and sent a plume of soot and embers into the air. Oliver coughed and waved them away. Katie laughed at him softly and stretched loudly. "I'm going to wash up," she declared and headed for the bathroom. "I'll be right back."

When she crossed the room and opened the bathroom door, however, she gasped and went red with embarrassment. But then her mouth slowly curved into a grin. There in the bathtub slept Marcus and Angelina intertwined and naked as the day they were born. Judging by the soaked floor around the tub, there was no mistaking what they had been doing.

"What is it?" Oliver asked; noticing Katie's hesitation.

Katie quickly turned and looked at him innocently. "Oh...nothing. I'd rather just...head home." She quickly shut the bathroom door and smiled sweetly at Oliver; taking his hand and making him stand. "Why don't we do that whole 'walking home' thing again? Shall we?"

Katie patted his back and ushered him out of the cabin before he could really agree or not. He peered over his shoulder curiously towards the bathroom. "What? What about Johnson?" he asked and furrowed his eyebrows.

"She'll be just fine," Katie said and giggled under her breath again. "Trust me."

With that, she dragged Oliver out of the cabin before he could stumble upon the scene in the bathroom and they made their way to her flat.

***

The night breeze of London rustled Victoria's hair and shawl as she made her way through the streets along a too-familiar route. Various stray papers and leaves swirled along the curbs. Even at night, the streets were alive; the hearty sound of laughing men enjoying their pints and the couples walking the sidewalks taking in the lights of the city. Everyone seemed to be having a grand old time but Victoria was torn and shattered and walking the streets like a two-ton burden. She wished she could be those rowdy patrons of the pub; carefree and happy but she knew terrible secrets that would forever haunt her and curse her with melancholy.

She was failing. She had gone to Falmouth to keep Marcus safe but now he was in growing danger every passing hour and his friends were too. She didn't want to see any casualties. It wasn't part of her deal. William was a monster! A heartless callous fiend! The fires, the deaths, the violence all were not something she imagined would happen. What pained her most is that they could have been avoided and it was all her fault.

Victoria was terrified. What could she do? Standing up to William would be useless! He'd only kill her and then what would Marcus do? Where would he be? Her head hung in shame for he had already lost everything because of her. But there was so much more in store, so many more secrets and deceptions and death that she couldn't bear to tell him. It would only cause him more pain. With a heavy sigh, she knew there was only one thing left to do.

Victoria headed for Knockturn Alley.

***

"Marcus," Angelina whispered and poked his chest. He didn't wake. "Marcus!"

"Hmm?" he grunted in his sleep. When Angelina didn't answer, he opened his eyes to find her shivering violently and gazing at him hopefully.

"It's cold."

He took a deep breath and straightened up slightly in the tub. The warming spell had worn off and now the water was cold and stagnant. "How long have we been asleep in here?"

"I don't know but can we get out?"

"What if Wood's out there?" Marcus nodded at the bathroom door.

"I'll check," Angelina said and carefully stepped out of the tub. She felt Marcus's eyes take in the site of her body and blushed as she took her wand and muttered a drying spell on herself. Quietly, she opened the door and peeked out but there was no one in site; just a welcoming fire and a paper bag on the counter. Angelina felt her heart race. Had Katie returned and more importantly, did Oliver see them in the tub? No, Marcus would be dead, she concluded and then quickly tiptoed across the cabin and grabbed the bag. Inside, she was grateful to find clothes and food but her eyes scanned the cabin again. Where had Katie and Oliver gone? Maybe they just went for a little walk. Angelina shrugged and grabbed the bag, pulling out the clothes Katie brought her as well as several apples, sandwiches, and butterbeers. She shook her head in awe. Katie was something else.

Fearing that someone would walk into the cabin and see her naked, she hurriedly pulled on her new clothes. She was grateful Katie chose comfort over style. Then she entered the bathroom and saw Marcus still lounging in the tub with his head resting against the back and his eyes closed. She thought he had fallen asleep again until he turned his head and looked at her in the dark.

"Katie brought us some clothes," Angelina said and set the bag down on the floor.

"Now why would we need those?" Marcus asked and grinned as Angelina's face went even redder. He couldn't really see her too well but he knew by her silence that she was blushing like a school girl. Sighing, he finally got out of the tub and dried himself with a spell. Angelina, for some reason, turned her body so she wouldn't see his nakedness as if shy and forbidden. But when Marcus came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her and kissed her neck, she closed her eyes and melted into his touch. They stayed that way for a moment or two until Angelina turned her head and softly kissed him on the lips.

"Are you hungry?" she asked when she pulled away.

"Yes."

"There's food in the bag. Get dressed and come out into the den."

Marcus would much rather just feed on her lips but she had left the bathroom and sat before the fire. He shivered and pulled on his new clothes; jeans that magically tailored themselves to his body and a navy blue t-shirt. Simple and comfortable. Afterwards, he grabbed the bag and headed into the den where Angelina turned her head to smile at him. Marcus emptied the contents of the bag onto the hearth and spread the blanket on the floor for them to lie on. Then, they ate. He was exceptionally hungry; having gone without food the day he escaped his father for the first time. Apples, bread, and jam had never tasted so good. When they finished, Marcus stretched back onto the blanket and Angelina cuddled up at his side.

The only sound in the cabin for the next fifteen minutes was the crackle of the fire in the hearth. Fed, clean, and warm, it was almost impossible to keep their eyes open but with full stomachs came full minds which made it difficult to sleep now.

"When do you think Katie and Oliver are coming back?" Angelina asked, staring at the ceiling.

Flint stretched. "Who cares?"

She lightly smacked his hand but the effort was weak. She was drowsy. They were wordless again for several more minutes but Angelina's concern broke the sweet silence.

"What are you going to do?"

Marcus softly groaned in protest. She was ruining the peace. Why did he have to think about all the things that were to come? Why couldn't they just rest? Angelina was lying on her side and gazing at him expectantly.

"Fuck," Marcus sighed. "Do we have to do this now?"

"Well, when were you hoping to do this, Marcus? Next year? I'm sure I can find some lovely curtains for the cabin and maybe a couch and we'll live here forever," Angelina said sarcastically.

"Can we?" He turned his head and smirked at her but she was less than amused. Marcus rolled his eyes and sighed. "I honestly have no fucking clue what I'm going to do."

"We're."

"What?"
"What we're going to do. I'm not leaving you alone in this," Angelina said sternly.

"You're such a fucking Gryffindor."

She grinned. "You love me."

"I do."

The fire in the hearth began to dwindle and a chill crept along the floor. Marcus sat up to throw more wood in and poked the embers with a stick until the fire roared again. Angelina came up behind him and draped her arms over his neck; hugging him.

"Poor Marcus."

"Don't start with that shit," he growled. "I am not poor."

Angelina sighed. "You don't deserve this, Marcus. This isn't fair. Why is this happening to you?"

"I don't fucking know. But I'm not going to dwell on it like a poof."

She hugged him tighter; pressing her cheek against his back. "I'm scared," she said quietly. "I don't want you to get hurt."

"I won't. Stop talking about it."

Angelina growled in frustration and pushed off his back. "Goddamnit, Marcus! Would you stop pretending that there's nothing wrong?! People are dying! Look at where you are! Don't you care?!"

"What the fuck do you want me to do, Johnson?! Come up with this brilliant fucking plan right here, right now? Give me some time to think!"

Angelina paused and her expression softened. Marcus was right; she couldn't force these decisions upon him so fast. He was probably just as frightened as she was.

"Marcus, I'm sorry. I just...want this to be over."

"What do you suggest? Should I go to Knockturn Alley and knock on my father's door and--."

"NO!" Angelina said quickly and clung to him. "I don't want you near him."

Marcus laughed incredulously. "Well, then make up your mind, woman."

"I just don't want to see you this way. When tomorrow comes, we'll be hiding. When the sun goes down, we'll be hiding. I don't want to have to hide."

"Well, I'd hate to tell you this but I've got Death Eaters who want my forearm, a Ministry who wants my head, and a dementor waiting after that who wants my soul. I can't just waltz outside and wave my magic wand and make things better. I can't even rely on those fucking underground sods my mum lives with. What else can I fucking do?"

"I'll do it," Angelina said. "I'll go get Katie and Oliver and--."

"You're not going anywhere! Not with my mental dad trying to kill you! And I don't want your little friends to be involved with my problems. It's bad enough I got Wood knowing everything about my past. He's so fucking dense he'll probably meet my dad on the streets and exchange my whereabouts for a good voucher at the Quality Quidditch Supply Shoppe."

Angelina slumped. That actually was probably true. So they were stuck. "What about Victoria?" she asked hopefully.

Marcus snorted. "Yeah right. The fucking bitch can't even take care of herself..."

"She's helped us a lot, Marcus! We're safe right now because of her."

"Yeah, she's probably out stealing a bottle of booze as we speak. How reliable."

"Must run in the family."

Marcus glared at her suddenly. "I beg your pardon?"

But Angelina was smirking and plucking playfully at the bracelet on her wrist that Marcus had stolen for her last week. He laughed.

"That doesn't count."

Angelina raised her eyebrows and grinned. "Oh, it doesn't?"

"No. I steal things worth stealing."

"And what constitutes that?"

"Well, for example, I steal only the finest of goods for the finest of women. That bracelet you're wearing isn't for me, after all. I'm a very selfless man."

Angelina tossed back her head and laughed. "You are absolutely mental."

He looked at her and flashed his eyes with a mischievous smirk. "Am I, now? I don't see you complaining."

Angelina then let out a shriek and laughed when Marcus grabbed her and pulled her into his lap to kiss her. She wrapped her arms around him and melted. When he pulled away, the playful air was gone and he was gazing at her with a sort of gratitude sparkling in his green eyes. Angelina blushed and smiled.

"Can we just...not think about my fucking dad or my problems for one night?" he asked. "One night of just this. That's all I'm asking for. And in the morning we'll discuss all the bullshit."

"...Ok."

They kissed softly and in a matter of minutes, they were peeling off their clothes again. Marcus leaned Angelina down upon her back and by firelight, they made love.

***

The walk home to Montrose had been, for the most part, a silent one for Katie and Oliver. Occasionally, she would glance at his profile and see his stern expression; obviously tired and angered by the trials they had been through all day. It wasn't easy fearing your friends were hurt and stumbling upon a locker room full of dead Quidditch players. It would have been good to talk; to vent and get some issues out into the air but Katie felt it was inappropriate to say a word. Oliver didn't look like he was in the mood anyway. She wanted to apologize to him. It was selfish of her to demand his company when there were bigger things happening around them.

When they got to her flat, she opened her door and muttered, "Thanks." But to her surprise, Oliver just stood there and stared at her expectantly. "What?" Katie asked, feeling awkward.

"Well, hurry up," Oliver said.

"With...what?"

"Get your stuff."

Again, Katie was puzzled. "Why?"

"You honestly don't think I'm letting you stay here alone, do you? Not with a Quidditch killer on the loose."

Katie blinked. "I...what?"

"You're staying at my place tonight. So, get your things."

With that, Oliver walked into her flat and crossed his arms. He clearly wasn't messing around. Katie stood there for a moment as her mind drew a blank. Was Oliver asking her to spend the night? It was purely innocent but she still couldn't help but blush.

"Oliver, it's really ok. I don't--."

"Yes, you do. Now hurry up. It's getting late," Oliver interrupted her.

Katie concluded that she didn't really have a choice. She opened her mouth to speak, shut it again, opened it again, and then shook her head and headed into her living room. Her head was starting to hurt. "Just...um...have a seat. I'll be out in a minute," she said and went into her bedroom.

Oliver did not sit, however. He was too tense. Things were really getting out of hand. None of this would be happening if Angelina had stayed away from Marcus in the first place. The great sod was nothing but trouble. Oliver shook his head and ground his teeth.

In the bedroom, Katie blushed as she threw some clothes into a duffel bag and zipped it shut. She was a light packer, thus she felt like she was missing something. As she stood to ponder what else she needed, she heard Oliver in the doorway and jumped.

"Jeez!" she gasped and put her hand on her racing heart.

"Are you ready yet?"

"It's been thirty seconds, Oliver. Calm down," Katie said. "Just get in here and sit down. You're making me nervous."

But Oliver did not obey. He stared at the floor of Katie's room across the great threshold of the doorway like it was lava. Katie laughed. Oliver would never enter a girls' room. It was like a taboo palace full of sinful secrets that he had no right to see.

"We've been friends for eight years, Oliver. You can come into my bedroom. I promise that you won't burst into flames," Katie said calmly but couldn't help but chuckle at him.

Oliver went red from embarrassment and cautiously stepped into her room; half expecting the Hogwarts alarms to go off. A boy in the girls' dorm. But he was only met with the sound of Katie rummaging through her duffle bag and shoving a bra inside. "Ok," she said breathlessly. "I'm ready."

Oliver instinctively took the bag from her and threw it over his shoulders. Together, they left her flat and headed for Puddletown under the cover of darkness to sleep away their worries for the night. Little did they know that it would be a fleeting luxury for hidden in the shadows, watching them with satisfaction, was Addison Nott.