Love In Translation

Chapter 12. THE MIDNIGHT DANCE

I tried to force myself to sleep that afternoon without success. In my mind, I was continuously thinking of Harry, imprisoned who knows where, maybe wounded and starving. I felt death in my heart.

I turned to Angy and realized that she couldn't manage to fall asleep either; she was still staring at the ceiling, as still as a marble statue.

Finally, I decided to get up and get ready for dinner. That night, Maria would prepare something special for us.

We had dinner early since we were really hungry. The menu included filled noodles with tomato sauce, meatballs with grilled vegetables, and a delicious homemade fruit tart for dessert.

Afterwards, with full and satisfied stomachs, we moved to the sofa and had very good Italian coffee. Then Maria turned on her stereo and joined us on the sofa.

"Why don't you tell me something about yourself?" she asked politely, but since Angy didn't seem to be in the right mood, I replied first.

"I live in London and work for the Ministry. I'm in charge of abused animals." I skipped the part about the magical world.

"Oh, that's really interesting. So you're at the Ministry of Agriculture? And you, Angy?" Maria asked, but fearing that my friend would have replied with another one of her anti-muggles comments, I replied for her.

"Angy works for the police, the Secret Services Department."

"Wow, I must be careful about what I say or do then!" We both laughed happily, but Angy just frowned at the Italian girl. It seemed as if she wished she were somewhere else right then.

"Shall we dance?" Marco asked, standing up and grabbing Maria's arm. They reached the center of the room and started to dance to the slow music.

In the meantime, I turned to Angy and nudged her.

"Are you going to stop it or not?" I whispered, annoyed.

"Stop what?" she answered, puzzled.

"Stop behaving in such a rude manner!" I replied.

"That's not true!" she protested.

"Yes, it is!"

"Would you like to dance with me?" We both turned to face Marco, who had come closer to Angy and was stretching out a hand to her.

Angy wasn't expecting that at all. She stared at me for a moment, astonished. When I nodded to her, she turned to Marco and smiled slightly.

"I like this song, even if it's a bit old,*" the boy said, helping Angy up. The slow music was already resounding in the room.

I feel it in my fingers

I feel it in my toes.

Love is all around me,

And so the feeling grows...

I smiled, looking at Marco and Angy dancing together in each other's arms, locked in each other's gaze. I had to admit that the music was sweet and very romantic.

It's written in the wind

It's everywhere I go...

So if you really love me,

Come on and let it show...

"They are really cute together, don't you think?" Maria said, sitting next to me.

"Yes, a wonderful couple, for sure!" I commented bitterly without explaining to her that Angy was Harry's girlfriend.

I know I love you

I always will...

My mind is up by the way that I feel...

There's no beginning,

There'll be no end...

Angy and Marco were still dancing and he was holding her very tightly. At that moment, I had an absurd thought. What if Angy decides to leave Harry and fall in love with Marco? The Italian boy looked really taken by her, but I wasn't sure about her feelings.

I made up my mind to go and talk to Marco about it. Then I felt terribly guilty, thinking that for sure Harry was in love with Angy, and for his happiness, I couldn't split them up. But she isn't the right girl for Harry, I told myself. And with this thought in mind, I felt uplifted again.

Suddenly, Angy stopped the dance and ran away from Marco in a fury, leaving him in the middle of the room, still looking at her, astonished.

***O***

The slow trickling of water on the dusty floor was becoming unbearable. Harry raised his head to check where it was coming from and noticed a little hole in the ceiling.

He was spending much of the time lying on the floor, trying to gather his strength. He wasn't able to sleep because of hunger but also because of his scar, which was continuing to throb painfully.

Harry was sure that soon they were going to kill him. Being an Auror had always put him in risky situations, but he didn't fear the risk; he was accustomed to it. His life had always been full of dangers and traps, but every time, he had managed to escape one way or another.

Nevertheless, this time it was different: he knew that Voldemort had a new devilish plan to accomplish and Harry would surely be a part of it.

I won't surrender myself, I'll never give up! He kept telling himself this, even though his strength was slowly starting to leave him.

***O***

It was nearly midnight, and I was leaning out of the living room window, smelling the night's fresh air. Maria was cleaning the kitchen, and I thought that it was the right time to talk to Marco alone.

"Marco, would you come here for a moment?" I asked, and he came to the window.

The boy still looked mortified by Angy's behavior, but he was trying not to show his feelings.

"It's a wonderful night, isn't it? Look at the stars! You know, the day after tomorrow will be March 3^rd, and there will be a spectacular solar eclipse," he said quietly.

"Yes, I've already read it somewhere. Listen to me, I have a slightly personal question to ask you, if you don't mind," I started, cautiously.

"Tell me!"

"What, what do you think about Angy? Do you like her?" The words rushed out of my mouth, and I realized too late that my question was really inappropriate. Marco answered without hesitation, looking at the starry sky above us.

"She's a wonderful girl! I know that she's always been tough on me, but there is something in her that fascinates me. I know that she's Harry's girlfriend, but this feeling is stronger than my common sense," Marco explained simply.

"Do you think that she's feeling something for you, too? You must have made quite an impression on her after you saved her at the train station this morning. After this morning, Angy doesn't seem to be the same girl."

"Do you think that she's different? Yes, maybe, but I'm sure that she doesn't like me at all!" Then Marco sighed deeply and moved away from the window.

"It's better if I put her out of my mind. Angy is something forbidden to me. I don't have any chance with her." He smiled bitterly and left me alone.

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