APOCALYPTO

Andromeda could only look at him wanting to tell him it was Patrick, it seemed as if they were at a stale mate neither one wishing to make the next move. One because she simply couldn't and the other because he didn't know what he was meant to do next. Another thought now melded with the other thousands of miserable ones circulating around inside her tortured mind, he was going to leave her as well. Maybe not the way that Patrick or her father had, but come the end of the school year Bruin would be out of her life forever. How could she trust herself to say anything to him when she was going to miss him as much as she missed the two most important men that had ever been in her life.

A lone tear coursed its way down her face, as if it had seperated itself out from the others. This one was shed for him. As if he knew this he stepped closer, wiping it away with his fingers. Andy could only look up at him, tensing her body not sure what to expect. What she hadn't expected were the strong arms that went about her, enveloped her and protected her. It felt as if her entire body wanted to give way now to the tears that she had held back, the ones that had fallen had only been the front line. The real onslaught was ready to breach.

She couldn't relax in his arms, she struggled against it at first. Not wanting to rely on someone else who was going to leave her but this was Bruin and Andy could fight it all she wanted, her heart was too exhausted and eventually she gave into the grief that finally consumed her. Her hand dropped her wand as she gripped his sweater, great wracking sobs pouring out of her. Her legs felt weak, her head in agony but neither were any match for the pain her heart was experiencing.
"Patrick... It ...was.. Patrick" she told him finally as another wave of tears and sorrow unleashed itself on her. Andy could hold on no longer and as strong as Bruin was, her torment was stronger and brought her low to her knees. A crumbled mass of agony on the floor.
 
After being told what was going on, Tom immediately strode out of his office, swiftly moving towards the Great Hall,seeing Ms. Bones there outside. Tom stopped in his tracks, deciding to ask Ms Bones what the devil was going on. Wiping his brow, Tom etched closer to Ms. Bones. He knew they were close friends, he had seen them together around school and in his lessons. "Ms Bones would you care to shed some light on this situation?" Tom asked deciding to tread lightly. "It's all right if you don't but I would have thought with you to being close friends then maybe you might be able to clue me in here?" Tom asked her, waiting for a reply.
 
Aries had finally managed to locate Professor Fletcher in his office and told him about as much as he knew which wasn't a whole hell of alot. The professor made his way down and sighing, Aries decided he would follow. He couldn't very well go on to his class knowing that a friend of his was in trouble of sorts. He didn't go quite as fast as the professor but made it in good time down the stairs and back to where the professor was now asking Zuka about what was going on.

Aries frowned knowing he hadn't been much help at all, he went and stood alongside Zazuka Bones wondering just what it was she did know.
 
Cecily had tucked her ledger under her arm, deciding to work on it over a fortifying meal. Too much firewhiskey the night before and not enough tea this morning was making her a little cross. She popped a lemon candy into her mouth and sucked at it, the zing helping to clear her head.

What met her eyes at the entrance to the Great Hall brought her up short. She approached the small crowd gathered there. "Mr. Centauri, Miss Bones," she raised a golden eyebrow their way, her lips twisting upward in a smile before she noticed their concerned expressions. She noticed Tom standing there with them and turned a half smile his way.

"Professor Fletcher, is there something keeping you all from your meals?"
 
"Not something. Someone" Tom said. "I was asked to come by this young man who I presume is Mr. Centauri"Tom said gesturing to him. "As for what is keeping me. I am unsure. I have just asked what is going on, but you just arrived before Ms. Bones could answer. I thought I heard Ms. Fiorelli's and Mr. Dumbledez's voice coming from the hall" Tom informed her. "Is there anything I should be aware of?" Tom asked both Ms. Bones and Headmistress Rambolt due to it being against Ms. Fiorelli's character.
 
Zazuka took sevral deep breaths as she nodded at Bruin as he got inside. She looked up at Aries thinking about what she should tell him. She had just called her a basket case. How was she to explain that she knew exsactly what her best friend was feeling. Both Professor Fletcher and Ms. (Professor) Rambolt came on to the sence now and Zazuka felt like she was going to fall right there. Andy was getting some what worse. She looked at Ms. Rabolt with dispare in her sparkaling black eyes.

Zazuka bit her lip then started. "What I know is that Andy is crumbling from the inside out. She ran into the Hall and barracated to door so no one could go in. Ms. Rambolt knows what is causing the corosion of the rock that used to be my best friend." She said though her voice held no accusation. She could feel the pain that her best friend was going though. She wanted to into the hall right now and be there for Andy but she rispected Bruin's wishes and was waiting for when he needed them.
 
Cecily looked into Miss Bones dark eyes and saw the truth in the young Seer's words. "I see," she stated quietly. "Thank you Miss Bones, for your honesty." Cecily hesitantly approached the doorway yet was careful to keep out of sight. She hesitated, unsure to enter or to let Bruin help the grieving girl. Her heart cried out to rush in there and gather her close, to promise that nothing bad would ever happen to her again. Yet she knew it was a lie. She had failed the girl in too many ways.
 
Bruin felt Andy struggle against his embrace, but felt relieved when she eventually acquiesced and accepted the comfort he was attempting to offer, if only for a moment before indicating that it was her Uncle Patrick who had passed. Bruin attempted to support Andy as she collapsed, but ultimately gave in and helped to ease her down to the floor where he knelt with her. He ran his hand gently over her hair and pull her bowed head towards his chest, all the while wondering what could have happened to her uncle. It seemed like only days ago that he had been joking and laughing with them back in Ireland, without a care in the world.

Bruin could think of no words, at least none that would offer any consolation, so instead simply continued to kneel there on the cold stone floor with Andy. Why did such horrible things have to happen to this wonderful girl? Where was the justice or meaning in all of this? What was he supposed to do? The questions crashed into him like waves, threatening to pull him under as well, but he knew that he had to fight against it, to at least tread water until the sea of sorrow around them relented. If words would not come, then he would simply save his breath and fight on in silence, save his friend and fight for her.
 
Andromeda felt the waves of sorrow wash over her but before she could lose herself completely in them Bruin was kneeling before her. She felt the comforting hand stroke her hair before letting her rest her aching head on his chest. The comfort of simply hearing his heart beat, of just being encircled in arms that were not going to let anyone hurt her meant that Andy could close her eyes. She was drained, emotionally and physically. Her world had come crashing down about her and for all her bravado she could not cope. It wasn't fair, quite simply wasn't fair.

She refused to let other thoughts creep in to shroud Patricks smiling face, she wanted to remember him the way they had all been this summer. It was now almost as if Fate had known that he wouldn't be with her for long and had allowed them some glorious time together to build some really good memories. The only trouble was Andy didn't believe in Fate, she believed you fought and worked hard to create the life you wanted for yourself. The fact that hiccoughs like werewolves happened was life throwing you necessary obstacles to strengthen your character.
Well she had no strength of character anymore, she was bled dry of everything. Cried dry as the salted moisture on her face slowly dried and no new tears were added.

She gulped great heaving breaths as her head rested on Bruin's chest, her hands gripping his sweater afraid to let go but knowing she would have to. The abyss had already consumed her, she had lost the struggle. The physical shell huddled in his arms as any human would seeking comfort. Andy however was lost in her mind, in her own thoughts and did not want to leave the memories she was weaving about her. They too would fade with time, until the smell of her uncle was forgotten, the way he laughed, how he would fling his peas across the table at her when he thought no other adult was looking. Memories of quidditch games that he had won, where he had sat her on his broom with him after to do a victory lap. Andy closed her eyes watching it all unfold as if it were a movie in her head. She was already beginning to forget little things about her father and knew time was her enemy. A memory kept itself out of reach, teasing her, reaching out but holding back as well.

Andy gripped Bruin's sweater tighter, moving her head up slightly to the nape of his neck. Her next words were whispered, torn from a body that had given up. There was only one thing left and if she lost that too she knew it was all completely over and she might as well give in to the werewolf she was. Everything good was being taken from her. As the words tumbled out, it would seem that they were for the only other person in the room with her and perhaps deep down they were but for now Andy was only trying to keep the last shred of Patrick with her.

"Don't leave me".
 
((Omg, those last two posts seriously got me teary eyed! ;'( )

Cecily quietly entered the hall and stopped short, her hand pressed to the back of her mouth to quiet her gasp. Darling girl, her mind stuttered and once again the hateful double vision of Andromeda's young self super imposed over the fallen girl clutching the Head Boy. Cecily's soft heart felt as though someone had torn it asunder; she had an affinity for the grieving Gryffindor. So much had happened to her in her short years. In many ways she reminded her of Bane and could only wonder, as tears choked her, if Andromeda would ever try to give up this magical life for one of enforced solitude.

Walking slowly, green eyes watery with unshed tears, she started toward them
 
Bruin remained motionless as Andy fought back her tears, or at least until they ran dry, simply holding her as best he could and waiting. He was just about to speak when Andy shifted her position, lifted her head slightly and whispered her three, sadness-laced words. They were offered to him almost as a plea and Bruin recognized that while he had been consumed with thoughts of what he would be doing after this year, she was now thinking about what life might be like without him, her friend, confidant, and protector.

Over the past few years, Bruin had grown more entrenched in his role as the leader of the Pride, looking out for the younger cubs and perceiving himself as the older brother figure to the other Gryffindors like Andy. However, his relationship with her had changed over the past year, evolving first into a spirited friendship and since the past summer, the bond between them changing once again, becoming closer and more important to him. Her three simple words struck a chord deep within Bruin...he didn't want to leave her. Bruin didn't know what this realization meant, but he knew that when he spoke his next words that they were truthful and sincere, accompanied by a strengthening of his embrace.

"I'm not going anywhere..."
 
Andromeda sighed as she heard the most reassuring words she could have wished to hear. She knew they came from Bruin and was grateful once more for his presence. This thought sank deep enough to startle her, she squeezed his sweater tightly as if for the last time ever. Her heart could take no more and though he said he wasn't going anywhere, Andy knew differently. They all left, they all left her.

With as much strength as she could muster she attempted to sit up or move away from his embrace but her fragile state had left her too weak and she all but crumbled back on him again. Andy didn't move this time, she kept her head against his chest listening to the now familiar pattern of his heart beat, relegating it to memory. She would never hear it again, she would never after today be close enough too. Andy knew what she had to do but knew she had to be strong to do it.

The last remnants of tears fell gently down her face, almost as if they were begging her not to follow through with what she had decided on. If she cared about someone they inevitably left her, how difficult could it be to shut a human heart down? How difficult to turn a persons feelings off? She had always been ruled by her heart, had always worn her emotions on her sleeve. An open book for all to see. She couldn't allow that anymore.

Andromeda nestled deeper into Bruins arms, it was not enjoyment of the moment she was seeking. It was a silent goodbye to a dear and trusted friend. She closed her eyes, a picture of Patrick smiling at her flitted through her consciousness as if he agreed with her course of action, would it be so hard for a fifteen year old girl to distance herself from everyone who cared about her? She didn't think so, especially when she knew it was her own heart she was trying to save in the long run.
 
Cecily was loathe to break apart the touching scene before her. Yet she must get the Great Hall to rights and speak with Miss Fiorelli about her actions this day. The latter could wait; for now she left titles at the door. "Bruin," she spoke softly, touched his shoulder with her fingertips so as not to startle him. "Can you both make it to my office?"

She surreptitiously waved her wand and righted the room and furniture to how it should be. If it were up to her she would let Andromeda blast the whole bloody place to help get out the torment she was feeling. The board of governors would have a hippogryff though. Bleeding good for nothing beaurocrats.
 
Bruin knew that someone else had entered the room, but didn't turn to see who it was. He was not surprised to hear that it was Headmistress Rambolt, nor that the tone of her voice was full of warmth and understanding. Bruin considered her request and believed that they could. Andy had just tried to get up of her own accord a moment ago and he figured that she would follow his lead if he tried to help her up. "I think so..." He replied to the Headmistress as he offered Andy some encouragement.

"Come on Andy, let's find a better place..." The words were weak, but he was not and he pulled Andy upwards with him as he stood up, unsure whether she would walk beside him with his arm around her or whether that was too much to ask of her.
 
In a far off place in Andromeda's mind the voice was so familiar, today it would seem all her heroes had come to be with her. Would she really be able to give them up? It would be so easy to simply let them protect her from everything for however long but she couldn't and knew this. Already she was beginning to feel the wall building slowly about her heart, encasing it shutting it off. She should have mourned in private, should have gone to the forest or somewhere more secluded to grieve but it was too late for that now. Andy knew there would be repercussions for her actions but didn't mind, it had been worth it.

She felt drained of everything now, as if the tidal wave that had been threatening for days had finally passed. Tossed and thrown about she had survived it, just barely and now she was simply determined to survive. If it meant merely existing, then she would do that. Living was over-rated anyhow. Bruin stood and pulled her upwards with him, it would be so easy to simply stay in the safety and comfort of the arms he offered her but she couldn't. Brick by brick the walll was building, it was almost done. By the time her shaking legs were standing she held onto him for a moment to steady herself. Then looking up into his hazel eyes she removed the small Gryffindor pin her uncle had given her and which she had worn everyday since she had received it. She placed it now into the palm of Bruins hand.

"I'll never forget your kindness"

It was like a stranger speaking with their rescuer. Her legs felt only slightly stronger, but with time her strength would return. Merlin only knew how much she would need all her strength in the coming weeks to help her with the decision she had come to. Her actions were slow and pained as she carefully stepped from him to the deputy headmistress.
"I can make it ... on my own" her voice was barely audible, soft and gentle in its ultimate sadness. She saw her wand on the floor and carefully bent once more to retrieve it, nearly stumbling as she attempted to right herself again. Determination and stubborness were her only friends now as she walked carefully to where the Deputy Headmistress Rambolt stood. With a simple defeated gesture she held out her wand to her. Surely there would be serious reprisals for what she had done, no amount of grief would stop that. As much as she yearned to turn back, run back into the safety that was Bruin she knew she couldn't. She felt the pull, the human need within her but from somewhere found the strength to ignore it.
 
Tom listened as Ms Bones tried to explain to him what was going on. He was not told the full details and was not surprised by this. Advancing slowly behind Headmistress Rambolt, Tom saw that Mr Dumbledez was comforting Ms. Fiorelli. Tom stopped in his tracks, not yet knowing the full picture. Tom entered the Great Hall slowly dwindling behind Headmistress Rambolt. Listening and watching as Headmistress Rambolt tried also to comfort Ms. Fiorelli just as Mr. Dumbledez had, Tom thought it would be best for him to keep quiet for the time being. Tom walked over to Professor Rambolt, seeing how upset Ms. Fiorelli. "Professor Rambolt, might I suggest that you send Ms Fiorelli up to the Hospital wing for a Calming Draught. It seems like she's has been going through a very very traumatic time and maybe then once she's calm it will be easier to talk to her?" Tom suggested quietly.
 
Bruin was not surprised that Andy managed to struggle to her feet with the assistance that he offered her. He had never met anyone quite like her and had always been impressed by the spirit and strength that she seemed to be able to tap into when called upon to do so. However, Bruin was not expecting her next action as she turned to him and placed her Gryffindor pin in his palm. Her words to him were sincere, but as Bruin looked into her eyes he couldn't help but notice that something was wrong. There was something dramatically different about the amber eyes before him, as if all of the tears she had shed had extinguished the flames that typically burned within them. Before Bruin could respond Andy turned her back to him and moved on.

Bruin stood rooted to the spot in the middle of the cavernous Great Hall, but despite its size it could not swallow up the next words that she whispered to the Headmistress. "I can make it... on my own". While Bruin should have been impressed by Andy's apparent strength, he sensed a finality in the tone of her voice that tore into him and ravaged his heartstrings. Gryffindor's were supposed to be brave, but they were also supposed to hold friendship above all else... Bruin wanted to yell at her, to shout at her, to grab her and shake her because he knew deep down that she was running away from him emotionally far faster than the slow, staggered steps she had just taken across the cold stone of the Great Hall.

Why was this happening...again?

Something inside Bruin snapped and he felt a burning sensation in the palm of his hand, realizing that he was now clutching the pin that she had given him with such ferocity that it was threatening to cut into his soft flesh. Bruin knew that it was time to let go and he relaxed his grip, deciding to tuck the pin into his pocket, to hide it away instead of having it visible where it might remind him of the hurt he was feeling. As he placed his hand in his pocket, his hand brushed against a small package. It was the birthday gift that he had selected for Andy and had been hoping to give to her today, to celebrate her birthday and their special bond. It was a gift that she would not receive today, perhaps not ever.
 
Cecily glanced at Tom and nodded although she said, "A good suggestion Tom, although I wish to have Miss Fiorelli in my office post haste." She smiled gently at him so that he wouldn't feel rebuffed. Turning she again lightly touched Bruin's arm. "Would you accompany Professor Fletcher to the hospital wing, Bruin? She'll need that Calming Draught."

She waited a heartbeat then slowly moved to Andromeda. "Put that in your pocket," she whispered, placing her hand over Andy's that held her wand. "I'll not be taking it today." Uncaring of what others would think, that she was perhaps coddling a student who'd broken the rules, Cecily placed her hand on Andy's elbow. She was showing remarkable strength for one so young but Cecily recognized the signs. She dearly wished her grandfather were there to guide her.

"Come with me, Andy," she whispered, dropping their titles for the time being. For now she was just Cecily leading Andy to her office where she could perhaps talk with her about this horrible event in her young life.
 
Zazuka has stood near the door. She didn't know how to handle this expecially since she could feel starting know. Her best friends heart turing to stone. A tear sliped from her eyes. "Please don't turn compleatly turn to stone." She said softly but hoping that her friend would hear her. Zazuka would be lost without Andy. She also knew that Andy was feeling lost herself. She wanted to help but all Zazuka knew how to do was lead people though the clouds. That was not where most people wanted to be.

She stood there watching what was happening. She watched Bruin hold Andy and she clinging to him as though he where he only strangth. How could she forget that there where people who cared for her still alive? Zazuka let her mind wonder because she was not good at staying in one place. Zazuka was sure that she could never forget the people that care about her. More because she had never had them before Hogwarts. It was here that she had meet her most importent friend. "Andy." She whispered again because she could get her voice to go no louder. "Please don't leave us either." She said more tears falling from her eyes.

It was as if a movie where playing in her head afterwards but the flim kept braking. She saw Mr. O'Brien who she could never get used to calling Patrick though he had instrucked her to do so. She saw a woman with blond hair and murder in her eyes, She got the image of a man with white hair that betraied his age and eyes black as her's but with none of thier warmth. They where tunnels that she was sure lead straight to hell. Finally she saw fire. She gasped. She had know it had been death but Andy didn't tell them what had happened. She was sure it had be been too new to her too. One of the men Andy loved the most, her uncle, had passed on in what she was sure was a most grusom way. She hadn't gotten all of what happened but the clues where enough to make her figure some of it out. This only surved to make Zazuka's tears fall faster. Had Andy been told that her uncle was dead? If so she wouldn't tell her what she had gotten clues about. She was afraid of what Andy would get herself into if she did.
 
Professor Rambolt told her to put her wand into her pocket, that she wouldn't be taking it. Andromeda felt her hand on hers and inhaled deeply, she would have to get used to human contact without feeling anything inside. She felt another brick around her heart, another layer of herself closing off. There was no law that said she could not protect herself the only way she knew how. As she put the wand into her pocket she turned her head a fraction but could not bare to look back fully. Another brick...

She felt the hand under her elbow and Headmistress Rambolt begin to guide her out of the Great Hall. Another brick...
Registering her Head of House there as well, Andy could not spare a smile or a thank you. Somewhere back there on the floor Andy had lost her fight to live with the heart of a Gryffindor, the shadow that was walking out now would simply meek out an existence. It would be better this way, for everyone. She saw Zuka standing at the door and felt another pull on her heart.

She could stop now, throw her arms about her friends and beg them to help her. Beg them to give her back her heart because the one she had was faulty. It would not beat anymore, it would not care, it would not give.
Another brick...
She closed her eyes for a moment, Zuka would not understand but she would feel it. She would have felt it all and Andromeda wanted desperately to reach out and say she was sorry for putting her through it all but she didn't. Andromeda kept her free hand by her side, her other being held by the headmistress. Her eyes were empty, truly the eyes of a soul that had been damned a long time ago.

It would take a miracle to get her heart to react again to anything or anyone, as the last brick locked itself in place and Andy shut herself off completely.
 
Aries stayed well back as Zuka explained things, not very clearly at all but she tried none the less which was more than what he did. As they waited another few minutes before the professor and deputy headmistress made their way in, Aries stepped closer but felt as if he was intruding somehow. Especially when he saw Andromeda huddled on the ground in the arms of the head boy. He had witnessed her tortured body before at the hands of his old Dark Arts professor and he could truly say she had never looked so terrible, so utterly devastated as she did now.
Aries took a step back, realising this was something infinitely personal and he had no right to be here witnessing it. Turning around slowly he went back to the Ravenclaw house wondering when exactly life was going to cut the Gryffindor girl some kind of break.
 
Bruin was confused, conflicted, and empty. The events of the past hour had changed things so dramatically, but he could not make any sense of it, of anything. Andy stood mere feet from him and yet, seemed a world away. It was as if some invisible barrier had formed between them in the in time it that it had taken for her to shed a single tear. This one defining moment that seemed to cement Bruin's growing realization that every time he opened up to someone, they simply walked away from him.

Bruin felt horrible inside for even thinking these thoughts, this was about Andy and her loss...not his. And yet, it was as if Patrick's death had struck a death blow to him as well, to rob him of a friend that he had come to think of as irreplacable. Perhaps he was just reading too much into Andy's rather stark transformation, but he had good instincts and he had learned to trust them... at least, when it came to people he cared about. Wasn't this what his Arithmancy lesson had just told him? Bruin would be challenged throughout his life with things related to emotions and accepting things with sensitivity. Was this what his life was meant to be like?

As Bruin pondered this grim thought, he heard Headmistress Rambolt ask him if he would go with Professor Fletcher to the Hospital Wing. Why? Couldn't Professor Fletcher do it himself? Didn't she see that Andy no longer wanted him around? That she didn't want his help anymore? Why did Bruin always have to be doing something for others? Why couldn't he just be given the chance to deal with his own losses? "Sure...whatever you need..." He finally replied quietly, determined to perform his responsiblities as he always did, even to his own detriment.
 
Zazuka was never one to throw herself into hysterics. She felt like doing so now. She felt like pulling Andy back and begging her not to let herself plumit into the emptiness. She couldn't bring herself to do so though. She just stood there crying for the longest time. Zazuka then she started to walk. Where she didn't know. She let the clouds guide her as she always did. She was drifting her eye leaking salt water but she made no sound.

Zazuka knew it. Andy was gone. She was here but she was gone. It would take powers stronger than hers to bring Andy back to where she had fallen. She had watched her own mother fall into such a place. The day Zazuka had started to show signs of magic. Zazuka for once was at a loss of what to do here. And she was morning. She felt like her spirit had been doing so for a while now but now she had a resone for the feeling. Slowly she let herself wonder.
 
Tom stood waiting and heard Bruin say he would come. Tom took this chance to think. For a moment it looked like he was going to speak, but closed his mouth. Mustering up the courage he opened his mouth. "Headmistress, perhaps it would help if Bruin tagged along with you two. It seems like this has also been detrimental to him aswell as Ms. Fiorelli. Maybe if he waits outside whilst you talk to Ms Fiorelli. He was here to calm her down so maybe he deserves to go with her? I can go and get the Calming Draught by myself no problem" Tom said casting his eyes to Bruin. he could see that he didn't want to be sent away and that he wanted to stay with Andromeda. Tom wanted to add more, but decided against it. He did not want to contradict the Headmistress, but it was for Bruin's feeling's so was it worth trying?
 
Bruin was surprised to hear Professor Fletcher's suggestion that he accompany Andy to the Headmistresses office and quickly looked from one to the other. This was not what Bruin had expected and he simply wanted to be alone, he needed some time to think. However, he had heard the words that he wanted to hear, that Professor Fletcher could get the Calming Draught himself. "Actually, if you don't need me...I, uh, have something I need to do..." Bruin replied softly, hoping that he didn't sound insensitive, but he got the distinct feeling that like himself, Andy wanted to be left alone.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)
Back
Top