No Retreat, No Surrender

[Andromeda Fiorelli]

Andy lay there feeling so utterly desolate, wondering when she would be released when she heard footsteps run to her side and Bruin kneel down beside her. Her eyes could not betray how she felt at having him so close, to see that he did care. She couldn't even blink when he touched her cheek, why now was she incapicitated? She could have easily put her arms about him and held him close. Something in her knew that he had only been reacting to her, that his petrifying her was not simply his anger but possibly his frustration with her. She so badly wanted to reach out and touch him when he kissed her cheek.

The gasp caught in her throat as he uttered how he was sorry, that he had never wanted it to be this way. Andy could only surmise in her own head that she felt the exact same way. His kissing her and touching her had left her in no doubt that even after been blasted to statue like proportions, she had been fooling herself. She couldn't possibly get over him, not when her cheek felt warm still from him.

She could only watch him stand and walk away. It was very slowly it dawned on her that she was able to move again. Andy attempted to sit up, her hand brushed off of something. A small box. She held it tight in her hand, not even bothering to open it. All she wanted to do was to run after Bruin, yet her legs still felt stiff. Her body would take another while to come around properly, she'd probably have to go to the hospital wing for some mandrake concoction. Her head hurt but Andy didn't care anymore. She looked down at the box in her hand and carefully opened it. As soon as she saw the bear the flood gates opened. Her heart felt so raw, she struggled to stand up but eventually just moved her legs to the other side of the platform so that she was sitting down.
Taking the pendant from the box she put it on straight away. She would never take it off and maybe if he saw her wearing it, he would finally get it into his thick head that she was his.

 

[Tom Fletcher]

Tom watched as the two Gryffindors battled it out between themselves. It was probably the most intense duel he had seen since he had arrived here, and could tell that neither of them would back down without a fight. It seemed like hours they had been duelling for, but was quite suprised when Mr Dum had won. He had thought to himself it would be neverending the way those two seemed to fight it out. He wondered why these two had fought each others. Why would two Gryffindors be duelling each other? Well at least the sorting hat got it right. They have the very traits that would make any Gryyfindor proud! Standing up, Tom swiftly walked over to check that Ms. Fiorelli was alright. Tom watched as Mr Dumbledez said a few words, which Tom made sure he wasn't prying in on. When suddenly he ran out of the hall. Tom bent over to see if Ms. Fiorelli was ok and there was no lasting damage. "Ms Fiorelli... are you ok? You're not hurt or anything are you?" Tom asked with genuine sympathy. He had grown to respect the young woman even more since he learnt of her Uncle's untimely death. The girl couldn't go through any more. The world was cruel and Ms Fiorelli was one of those people that everything nasty always happened to her.

 

[Andromeda Fiorelli]

Andy turned to smile at her professor and Head of House, of course he was also her boss. She nodded her head simply, holding the tiny bear and realising it felt warm to her touch. This made her smile even more as if Bruin were right there with her.
"I'm fine sir, thanks" she took a deep breath and stood up on shakey legs, "That'll teach me to duel a seventh year huh?"
her attempt at humour was sad at best but she didn't care. She looked at the note he had in the box and once again she smiled. How could she even attempt to get over him? She would simply get him to see once and for all that she did care, she had nothing else to lose after all.

"I think I'll head up to the hospital wing just for a small pick me up. Thanks for officiating sir". She walked slowly out of the duelling chamber and tucking the box into her back pocket she walked up to the hospital wing floor. Her other hand holding the pendant the entire time.