Chapter 21: I owe you so much

When Lucy arrived back at the castle after the camping trip and had made her way into Snape's quarters, she ran to her room to get changed into her school uniform. Before she left though, she put Matt's hoodie back on just because it was so warm and it was so cold outside. 

When she exited her room, she closed the door behind her and when she turned around Snape was standing there. His arms were folded and he was frowning at her as though she'd just murdered an innocent human being. 

"Where were you last night?" He growled, Lucy knew she couldn't give her usual excuses but she could at least twist the story slightly... 

"I was out camping after me, Shona and the Resistance had practiced some fighting," Lucy shrugged and shoved her hands in the pockets of the hoodie she wore. 

"You need to slow down with the fighting." 

"It's funny how one minute you demand me to start fighting and train myself and the next minute I have to stop because I've been doing too much even though that's what you asked of me." 

Snape grunted and then noticed the hoodie she was wearing. "And where did this come from?" 

Lucy bit her lip but she would not give in. "Shona let me borrow it because I was cold last night." 

"It looks too big for McGuire and it's certainly too big for you, so who's is it?" 

"It's Shona's! I just said that!" Lucy looked at stupid as if he was pathetic. "They didn't have her size in the shop so she bought the nearest one to her size because she loved it so much!" 

"So much that she'd give it to you?" 

"Isn't that the meaning of friendship? Sharing?" 

"That doesn't sound like McGuire to me." 

"Shona can be kind when she wants to be, now if you'll excuse me I'll be going — " Lucy began to walk off but Snape stopped her after he had cleared his throat. 

"I insist you have the morning off," Snape announced and a little part of Lucy wanted to run towards her father and hug him but another little part was very confused. 

"Why?" Lucy turned around and faced her father.

"You've done a lot of fighting recently and you look awfully tired, I have asked Dumbledore if this would be alright and he has no problem with this. So, the morning is yours." 

"I can't argue with that," Lucy walked back into her room and closed the door behind her. She laid down on her bed and immediately went to sleep, she definitely needed more sleep. 

She was almost instantly greeted by an image of Lord Zuc, he hadn't done much to bother her this year and only forced visions into her head that didn't really say much. In fact, this time he wasn't saying anything at all. 

This time it was as though Lucy was seeing Zuc's hope's and dreams, she was seeing what he saw. What he dreamt about. She could distantly see Kingston watching Zuc with curiosity yet impatience, he absolutely hated it when his master drifted off and didn't reply to him. 

Kingston disappeared and all Lucy could see now was Zuc's thoughts. All she could see at the moment was the back of Zuc's coat, illuminated by something or other while there were screams and yells for those who were in danger. 

Lucy could suddenly feel a sense of adrenaline as if she needed to run and help these people who were just part of Zuc's dream. She could then see the smug look on Zuc's face, he was impressed. He was impressed with what he had done, he had finally done the thing that he so deeply wished to happen. 

Lucy then saw an image of herself dead while Zuc held up the orb to confirm that he had the key to defeat. He had the orb and Lucy was dead, he had left Shona and Snape to suffer. Zuc knew that they would be too weak to fight now and every time they tried to get up they would just be knocked down again by their own sadness. There were already too many lives that had been taken, Zuc couldn't be bothered to take anymore. 

But as well as Lucy dead and Shona as well as Snape in a state of shock, behind Zuc the Hogwarts castle was in flames. The flames were licking up the building that so many found so dear to them. The castle that was their home, their safe haven. It was their source of happiness. But that source of happiness was being burnt to a crisp and would soon be no more. 

Zuc had caused this but he didn't care because he now held the object he desired the most. The orb was his and there was nothing anybody could do to stop him. 

When Lucy awoke it was very late, Snape said she could have the morning off and not the whole day! For how long had she slept? She did not know, time had slipped before her like an icicle in a spot of warmth. She had just dreamt about Zuc's dreams, why should they have to consume the whole day? 

She glanced at the clock on her bedside cabinet and saw that it was eight forty five in the evening. She hadn't even eaten breakfast today and she was starving. But she forgot her hunger and so desperately tried to figure out why she had slept so long. 

In the next moment, Snape stepped into her room. "Finally, you're awake," he sighed. 

"That's what I was just thinking," Lucy frowned. "Did someone sedate me?" 

"I don't know, what did you dream about? Could that have been the cause of it?" 

"Zuc, I dreamt about Zuc's dreams. Zuc showed me his dreams but they felt like it was only for five minutes," Lucy panicked, even as she tried to rationalise the situation it didn't make it any better. 

"Perhaps you did only dream for five minutes, maybe Zuc did try to sedate you to try and knock you out for almost a day. Maybe he wants to waste your time so that he has more time to start his own plans." 

"So he's going to keep sedating me?" 

"Probably not, it must have taken a lot of power to try and do this and no doubt he's weak himself now." 

"Did you try to wake me in my sleep?" 

"Many times but you just wouldn't budge, I gave up in the end. I even tried to get Mr Cousins to wake you but he too was unsuccessful." As if on cue, Dean bounded into the room almost pushing Snape aside to reach Lucy. 

"Lucy!" He practically squealled and ran towards her. Lucy sat up as she was practically crushed in Dean's hug. "I thought you were dead!" 

"I told you she wasn't dead, she had a pulse and she was still breathing," Snape rolled his eyes. 

"I've missed you so much! We haven't spoken in a long while!" Dean almost sobbed. It was true, Lucy and Dean hadn't spoken for a while and Lucy wasn't shocked at how much she missed him. Dean released her from his hug. "Maybe we could spend some time with each other now?" 

Lucy glanced at the clock again, eight forty eight, and suddenly became aware that she was supposed to be meeting Matt at nine o'clock. She looked back at Dean apologetically. 

"Dean, I'm sorry but I have homework I need to do down in the library," Lucy lied.

"But surely you can do it tomorrow?" Snape frowned. 

"It's due tomorrow, first lesson." 

"Oh..." Dean looked down. "Maybe another time, then?" 

"Of course, you'll see me tomorrow," Lucy smiled. "Besides, it's Saturday tomorrow and we've got all day to do what we want." 

Dean looked up again, his spirits lifted. "I'd very much enjoy that." 

"Good." 

Snape and Dean left Lucy's room and she suddenly leaped off of her bed, she changed into some fresh school uniform (to make it look like she had actually gone to school today) and she brushed her hair. She brushed it until there were no knots in the slightest. She then slipped on Matt's hoodie again and she was ready for her date with Matt. 

Dean and Lucy left Snape's quarters together (even though Lucy wanted to avoid Dean so she could get to the Gryffindor common room easier) and headed to their destinations. However, having Dean with her was a good thing as she wouldn't be stopped by any teachers as they walked through the most patrolled parts at night in Hogwarts school. 

"Where are you really going, anyway?" Dean wondered with a bit of curiosity in his voice. 

"The library, I already said that," Lucy shrugged. 

"No you're not." 

"Yes I am." 

"You're not." 

"I am!" 

Dean studied her expression, as they walked, and tried to find any hints of lies, Lucy tried to remain as emotionless as possible even though she was a very bad liar. 

"I think we should end it at this, I know you're going somewhere other than the library but I won't tell and I won't question any further," Dean finished with an accomplished little nod. 

"But you're curious as to where I'm going," Lucy frowned. 

"Of course I'm curious but I'm not going to question you further because I protect you against interrogation, not inflict interrogation on you." 

"You want to know." 

"Will you tell me?" 

"You won't approve." 

"I'm not your father, I'm not going to control you." 

"You still won't approve." 

"I'm not one to judge."

Lucy looked around and made sure that nobody was near. She then prepared herself to tell Dean, in a low voice, as to where she was going and who with. 

"I'm going to the Gryffindor common room," Lucy began. 

"That doesn't sound so bad," Dean shrugged. 

"Matt Jarvin is meeting me there and he's going to take me on a second date." 

"And that's where it goes bad," Dean smiled a little at his joke but then faced Lucy. "I'm not in the place to tell you what to do but can I at least give you some advice?" 

"Of course, go ahead." 

"Take care of yourself for goodness sakes and don't let Matt hurt you, if you at any point feel threatened just walk out of there and leave. Find me immediately and I'll sort him out," Dean did a few punches in front of him. 

Lucy laughed. "Thanks, Dean, but I think Matt has changed now. That's why I'm giving him another chance, I'm not giving him a chance because he wants another chance. This is my own decision." 

"I know but if he hasn't changed, you know where to find me. Down in the guest rooms where I'll be watching my television," Dean reached into his pocket, Lucy was half expecting for him to hand her a small knife or some kind of spray to knock someone out. "Here's a spare key if I can't get to the door quick enough or if I'm asleep. You never know, he could chase you." 

Lucy took the key with thanks and put it into her bag. "I'll be sure to use it if I need it." 

"You must do and don't feel ashamed because I'm here to protect you." 

"Thank you, I really appreciate it." 

"Don't mention it and you know where to find me," Dean winked before going down another corridor to get to the guest rooms. Despite Dean's help, Lucy couldn't see herself running off to the guest rooms any time soon. She couldn't deny that she was actually looking forward to her date with Matt and that was the truth. 

She arrived at the Gryffindor common room in no time, it was still early and so she decided to step inside. The common room was empty and was only illuminated by the fire that some student had recently thrown new logs into. 

Lucy sat down in the chair directly in front of the fire and curled up as the fire warmed her just like the fire in Zuc's dream — what was she thinking? 

Was Zuc suddenly forcing thoughts into her head? Lucy started panicking again. She could put up with visions and she could put up with meeting Zuc as well as fighting him but becoming like him? That was something Lucy really didn't want to happen. 

Lucy's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the time. The clock in the common room struck nine o'clock. Lucy jumped out of her seat and left the common room swiftly. Matt was not yet there but she still waited patiently. 

Was this date going to go well? Lucy didn't know if she was hoping it would or wouldn't. The world frowned upon her and Matt being in the same room together. It was very complicated between the two of them and they had no idea what the outcome of their relationship would be if they would be strangers, acquaintances, friends or boyfriend and girlfriend. But there was just something about Matt that made Lucy feel odd inside, something special. 

"I'm right here," Matt's voice came through the darkness in a calm tone. Lucy smiled at the shadow in the dark, holding out it's hand which Lucy took slowly. Matt took her hand and held it tightly before guiding her into the shadows, down the many staircases. "Hey, how are you?" 

"I'm good," Lucy replied. "You?" 

"Great. Lets get out of here," Matt nodded and they began to walk out of the Hogwarts castle, hand in hand, down to the grounds of Hogsmeade. 

"Are you sure no one will see us?" Lucy asked nervously. 

"No if so I'll — " Matt stopped and remembered his talk from Lucy about manners. Lucy smiled at his pause in sentence, she was slowly changing him. 

They both looked up in the darkness and found themselves face to face with the sign of the Three Broomsticks, glowing and welcoming. But they passed that and entered the Hog's Head which had no light shining from it whatsoever, it was definitely left in the welcoming shadow of the Three Broomsticks. 

Matt opened the door slowly to check if anyone was inside, thankfully there wasn't. Matt and Lucy walked into the grim room which held very little light and wasn't Lucy's ideal place for a 'date.' She would have much preferred the Three Broomsticks but the two needed time to talk...alone. But at the same time Matt had promised a date so this was the best thing they could get. 

Lucy then took a seat at one of the tables and looked around anxiously, she was half expecting something to leap out of the shadows and attack her. The place was bad enough in the daytime, never mind the night time. 

Lucy jumped up all of a sudden in fright, the door had shut itself. She panted heavily and tried to compose herself, with Zuc having access to the portal to England he could easily come hunting for her now that she wasn't inside Hogwarts. 

"I don't like this place," Lucy warned as Matt took out his wand and lit the candle on the table in front of Lucy. 

"It's alright, nothing's going to hurt you," Matt assured although he was a little amused at her cautious actions. "Besides, I'm even going to pay for the drinks despite the lack of staff." Matt reached into his trouser pocket and pulled out some money that he'd brought with him even though the Hog's head was definitely closed. "I've even got the right amount too." 

"No, I mean how anyone can just get in here," Lucy murmured as Matt went over to the bar. 

"Two Butterbeers?" He asked. 

"I'll have a wine," Lucy said hoping she wasn't causing Matt too much trouble. 

"You're turning into your dad, I'm sure of it," Matt chuckled as he took a wine bottle and a wine glass then served himself some beer. 

"How do you know how to do all this?" Lucy wondered as Matt easily poured the Butterbeer into the glass without spilling any of it. 

"I've seen them do it millions of times," Matt replied with a small smile and walked back to the table after chucking some money on the side. He walked carefully back and placed the drinks down on the table before sitting down himself. "So," Matt began as he poured out Lucy's wine into the glass. "How are things going?" 

"With what?" 

"Everything." 

"Well Fred tried to win me back when I visited the Ministry of magic, he must have found out we were coming or Percy saw us or something like that. I didn't listen to Fred, not one word of his pathetic apologies." 

"Good, he shouldn't have approached you in the first place," Matt scowled as he took it out on his Butterbeer. 

"But Dean was there to save me." 

"Dean the man who follows you around everywhere?" 

Lucy nodded. "He's here to protect me." 

"Huh," Matt huffed, upset that Lucy was showing more interest in Dean than him today. 

Lucy sighed, clearing her head, before addressing her date again. "Matt," she whispered. "Why are you at Hogwarts." 

Matt stopped drinking instantly. He put his glass down and didn't reply for some time. Lucy thought she heard someone upstairs when Matt's voice seeped through a gap in his lips. 

"You won't tell anyone?" He whispered back. Lucy shook her head and placed her hand on his which was set on the table. "I'm not sure you'll like it..." 

"We can't keep secrets from each other, otherwise we'll loose this war right now," Lucy urged. 

"Fine, but if at any point you want to leave then feel free to and I swear I'll leave you alone for good."

"Is it that bad?" Lucy asked sadly, Matt took her hand then began his story.

*      *      *

Half an hour later Lucy had finished her wine as she had listened to Matt. He looked at her with guilty eyes as Lucy tried to sum up what he'd said, it was an awful lot to take in. She hadn't left as she wanted to hear the whole story and to stay for Matt's sake. 

"So...you..." Lucy stuttered but Matt finished the sentence for her. 

"Yeah," he looked down. 

"Why?" Lucy asked, a little confused. 

"I don't know, I was trying to act big in front of him that's all. Prove my place. I was from Durmstrang and I needed to look good...I mean when you've got people like Krum everyone else looks so small. So..." 

"That's why you — " 

"Yeah," Matt said again and sighed. Lucy didn't really know what to say. 

"I just wanted...I didn't mean to hurt him...not that bad..." Matt sniffed in a teary voice. "It was meant to be for fun, we thought he was playing around when he didn't get up." 

Lucy didn't like it, how could Matt have done such a thing? She was starting to rethink her choices of being here with Matt right now. 

"Don't tell me you 'left' the academy," Lucy warned and Matt hit his head on the table. 

"I TRIED!" He practically yelled in anger, now hitting the table with his fist causing his glass to quake a little. "It was the only time I had power, I was in charge! And then he came along and showed me up in front of everyone..." 

"Who?" 

Matt didn't answer her question. "I didn't know it was his sisters friend..." Matt whined and pulled a face. 

"Who?" Lucy asked again. 

"Ben Truman," he spat sourly. Lucy nearly dropped her wine glass. 

"Really? He's, well, nice..." Lucy tried to find the right words. 

"Well he showed me up! I had to leave!" Matt cried out defensively. 

"Did he hit you?" Lucy gasped and became involved in the moment. 

"Of course he did! With his spells and his fist. I said I was sorry to the girl in the end but he didn't look too happy with me but I was sorry," Matt snarled. It now became apparent to Lucy why Matt and Ben were enemies. 

"You know playing around can get you into serious trouble," Lucy huffed, a little annoyed. Matt put his hands on the table and growled. 

"Git," he spat. Suddenly Lucy felt very defensive of her friend. 

"Ben does not go around hitting people for fun! He's one of my friends, I know that! Now tell me the truth because I know you're not telling me all of it." 

"I told you that you'd hate me..." Matt mumbled and crossed his arms defensively. 

"No, Matt, please, just tell me what happened honestly. I promise I won't judge you, I just want the truth," Lucy grabbed his hand. Matt looked at her holding his hand but just to encourage things, Lucy leaned into him. She felt his body relax as he held her hand too. 

"Don't tell anyone," he whispered, Lucy nodded. 

"I promise I won't tell a soul." 

"I just picked on this girl," Matt began. "She wasn't popular, in for the academy for God knows what. Anyway, me and my friend's back in the academy told her what we thought of her, she ignored us. So we started using spells. It was funny until this one girl went screaming. That was Truman's sister, see, she went and fetched him. She told him everything and we all denied it. Her friend didn't look good, well..." 

"Well...?" 

"She wasn't moving," he whispered coldly, making Lucy shiver. "He stopped all of us from going near her. I went right for Truman and he just hit me off. Git...the teachers came and after that I got expelled..." 

"You haven't got a good record, have you?" Lucy shook her head. 

"But I'm good at Charms, in both ways. Good at the lesson and good with the ladies," he winked which made Lucy laugh. "But I've never had a girlfriend." 

"Really?" 

"Really. But Charms got me into the academy because that was the only subject I had good grades in." 

"Oh," Lucy smiled as she approved of this and both laughed softly. 

"I think that's the only reason Hogwarts accepted me too. I have no real idea how Dumbledore let me in though..." his voice trailed off and Lucy looked at him. 

"I'm sorry, Lucy. If I could say sorry to Truman I would but he wouldn't listen to me..." Matt huffed. 

"He would so! Have you even tried apologising?" Lucy asked as Matt raised his eyebrows. 

"No, but I bet he wouldn't listen..." 

"You don't know him. You think you do but you don't, trust me, he's a nice boy." 

"I'm fine," Matt replied miserably but then silenced as a noise could be heard from upstairs. Both flinched as a shadow floated down the stairs. Matt took Lucy's hand and the two ran as quick as they could out of the Hog's head as the person yelled at them. Lucy felt herself laughing as the yell turned into a shout after them as they returned down the road. They fled to the Gryffindor common room and tried to avoid the falling rain pounding on their bodies. 

When they did arrive they were soaked so they sat down on the floor by the fire. They just talked and talked into the night before Lucy looked up at the clock to see it was way past one o'clock in the morning. They had been talking for some time. 

"Hey, Matt," Lucy whispered as the fire heated them up more and finally dried them off from the rain. 

"Yes?" He replied. 

"You're not that bad really," Lucy admitted kindly. Matt smiled realistically at her comment instead of flirting. 

"I know I've been a horrible jerk ever since I was born, Lucy. I don't need to be told that, but I'll change for you. I'll stay out of detention and spend more time with you, give you space, make some more friends and try to behave in class." 

"Say sorry to Ben," Lucy whispered and Lucy and Matt's green eyes met. 

"If you want me to, I will," he nodded but then added to surprise her. "I promise I'll do everything for you, Lucy. I love you," he admitted to her truthfully, this was the first time that Lucy believed him that he loved her. He placed a hand on her cheek. 

"I love you too, Matt," Lucy didn't surprise herself with her words, she was speaking truthfully. "I won't let anyone seperate us." 

"But won't people notice?" 

"We'll be a secret, no one will know about our relationship except Shona and Dean. They can make excuses for me when I go missing." 

Matt stared into Lucy's eyes, Lucy looked back and both finally kissed for the right reasons. Lucy couldn't have been happier right then, she felt strange for dating someone who didn't have a fantastic past and was a little 'bad.' But he really wasn't that bad and they were both forgetting his past because he was changing for her. As both made out in the darkness Matt held her waist protectively as the fire dimmed. 

Eventually Matt let go and pressed his forehead against hers. "Thank you for changing me for the better. I owe you so much." 

"I owe you nothing. I'm the one who owe's you." 

"How so?" 

"You've dragged me out of the pit of sadness I was being dragged into further every day that passed. I can never thank you enough for this." 

"Don't mention it, we've definitely changed each other for good." 

The clock chime interrupted their talk. Matt looked at Lucy sadly. "I have to go." 

"I'll join you," Lucy whispered as both snuck out of the common room hand in hand. Matt led Lucy back to the Defense Against the Dark Arts where Snape's quarters were. 

"Bye," Matt whispered, he held her close and kissed her softly once more. She stood on her tip toes to reach. 

"Bye," she whispered back. Matt walked off without another word, feeling very pleased with himself. 

'I guess it pays off to be good,' he thought to himself. 

As Lucy walked in she expected Snape to be standing there tapping his foot and yelling at her in anger. But he wasn't to be seen. Lucy opened the door and found Snape and Jessica asleep on the sofa trying to do plans for their lessons. Snape was slouched back while Jessica lent into him. 

Lucy smiled to herself as she realised she wasn't the only one who had found true love. 

She tip toed past them quietly and went straight to her room, nestled down underneath her covers and fell asleep instantly for the first time in a long time with a smile on her face. 

The flowers Matt had given her sat on her bedside cabinet, they had been starting to die a little but now they seemed to be full of life again. 

As Lucy finally entered a very deep sleep a figure appeared on the ledge of her window. It climbed into her room and then walked over to the side of her bed. It lent down and tucked her hair behind her ear and took off her glasses for her and placed them on her bedside cabinet. 

"Thank you," Matt whispered into her ear. "For everything, i've been so alone," he then kissed her on the cheek one last time. "I owe you so much." 

Matt backed away slowly before making his way out of the window. He peered at her once more before climbing down and making his way back to the Slytherin common room. Back in Lucy's room she became half conscious for a moment. 

"I was alone and I owe you so much," she corrected in a whisper before slipping back into her deep sleep again.