03. Pinky Promise
||Elliana's P.O.V.||
"Kingsley," Professor Snape's monotone voice filled my ears as he nodded in greeting.
I stared up at him, unblinking. "..What are you doing here?"
He pressed his lips into a stern line, his cold gaze unwavering. "I've come to retrieve you. It's imperative that you return to Hogwarts immediately."
My mouth fell open. "What? W-Why? No. I'm not—"
He cut me off mid-sentence, speaking firmly, "It's time you learn the truth."
I blinked rapidly, knitting my brows. "Wha-"
"May I come in?" He questioned dully, staring at me with a blank expression.
My stomach churned anxiously as I stepped to the side and allowed him to enter. He walked by me, his dark robes flowing behind him as he strode into the kitchen and sat down at the table. It looked odd seeing my stern Potions Professor amid the rooster-themed kitchen. I stared at the 'rooster' salt and pepper shakers as I sank into the chair across from him.
A moment of silence passed before he spoke, "I'm sure you're surprised to see me. Believe me when I say I'm just as surprised..."
I quirked a brow at that, waiting for him to continue.
"...Albus asked me to come."
"Why?" I questioned, meeting his gaze.
He folded his hands on top of the table, a pensive expression playing on his features. "..You're aware of the impending war that's upon us, Kingsley. I know exactly what you saw in that graveyard. Your return to Hogwarts is of utmost importance... for that reason."
I shook my head, at a loss. "That doesn't make sense. You're right— There is a war looming over the UK. So, why on earth would I choose to return?"
Immediately, the faces of Natalie and the Weasley twins drifted through my mind, causing a wave of guilt to course through me. They were three very good reasons to return all on their own.
He didn't miss a beat as he responded, "There's a war looming over your head here as well, is there not?"
My eyes widened. "..How do you know about that?"
There's no way he could know about the threat of the newborn army and dark wizard coalition, is there? The MACUSA have kept that information under lock and key.
"That's not important," he mumbled, his voice low. "..Kingsley, there are many reasons you need to return to Hogwarts. The main one being safety. If you stay here, you risk the safety of not only yourself, but your loved ones as well."
My mouth ran dry, Bibble's previous words ringing in my ears.
"How?" I asked in a voice barely above a whisper.
His dark eyes flashed, his usual solemn features giving way to... empathy? A moment of tense silence passed before he spoke, his voice uncharacteristically soft, "..You're not who you think you are."
My brows furrowed in confusion, looking at him as though he had three heads. "..Huh? What.. What do you mean?"
A shadow seemed to have fallen over his face. The air felt heavy, and my heart dropped to my stomach, knowing I needed to brace myself for what he was going to say next.
He held my nervous gaze, speaking calmly yet firmly, "You, Elliana Kingsley... are the biological daughter of Tom Riddle."
***
It's crazy how one sentence can change your whole life. One statement has the power to flip your entire world upside down and destroy... everything.
My parents... weren't biologically mine. The life I've lived... My identity thus far... was all a lie. I was supposed to be a typical Hufflepuff— Loyal, kind. I was supposed to be a Muggleborn witch... whose mother was an accountant, whose father a journalist.
But no. My biological mother was nothing more than a mystery, and my father was... the darkest wizard known to wizarding kind. A monster. So, what does that make me?
As I stared at my reflection in the mirror, I no longer recognized myself. The longer I stared, the more distorted my features became.. until all I saw was the face of a monster with chalk-white skin and snake-like slits for nostrils. The face of the monster who was responsible for the death of my best friend. The face of the monster who was no other than... my father.
When a guttural scream tore through my lips, the mirror shattered, the glass falling into a thousand unrecognizable pieces. I collapsed to my knees and sobbed, the shards of glass glittering around me amid the light from my lamp.
My parents... they were completely unaware that I wasn't biologically theirs. According to Snape, their memories were tampered with. Apparently, my biological mother (whoever she was), sought them out and instructed them to raise me as their own. As far as my parents knew, my adoptive mother gave birth to me seventeen years ago.
It never struck me as odd that there were no photos showcasing my mother's pregnancy or my birth, for that matter. Until now. It was all starting to make sense... How I, a 'Muggle-born', was a Parselmouth.. The incident with Reining in the woods..
"..What do you want?" I had asked Reining in a voice barely above a whisper, fearing my voice would give out.
He stared into my eyes, as though as he was piercing straight through me, my curls slipping through his fingertips as he whispered sternly, "You."
Me? He wanted me? That made no sense to me whatsoever. There's no way he had come all this way, traveling overseas to the States and disguising himself as my late best friend, because he 'wanted' me. Reining hated me, for crying out loud. He had made that blatantly obvious over the years.
It just wasn't adding up.
My brows knitted in confusion as he continued to hold my gaze, inching even closer towards me, his foul-smelling breath fanning across my face.
"..You see, little badger..." He trailed off, gliding fingertips along my jaw, causing me to stiffen beneath his touch. "..You were promised to me."
Promised to him... My breath was stolen from my lungs as I put two and two together, struggling to pull myself from the unwanted memory. With newfound resilience, I scraped myself up off the floor and wiped at the furious tears that continued to spill from my cheeks.
"..He will be pleased with you.." Reining spoke in a deep, chilling voice, his smirk twisting as he tilted his head to the side and looked me up and down.
I involuntarily shrank closer to Edward, my stomach churning under Reining's heady gaze. Another warning growl escaped Edward, this one much more animalistic than before, causing the Aurors to look at him with wide eyes. Edward's gaze never strayed from Reining, his onyx orbs flashing dangerously as he pressed me against his side.
Reining was undeterred, flashing the vampire a taunting smirk before addressing me once more, "..Yes.. He'll be quite pleased.." His smirk grew as he mockingly added, "..Badger, indeed.."
The events of that day began to play on repeat in my mind, taunting me. Reining's words echoed in my ears— 'He will be pleased with you'. A fresh wave of disgust coursed through me, my skin crawling as I remembered the feel of his touch on my flesh.
Tears blinded my vision. With shaky legs, I managed to make it to my bed where I curled up into a ball and proceeded to sob into my pillow. The weight of what was to come hung heavy over my head— I had to leave.
Snape made it clear that my return to Hogwarts was imperative. Now more than ever, I needed to keep up with my wizarding studies. And, of course, the safety of my parents would be at risk if I stayed. For some unknown reason, my biological father had taken an interest in me. A shiver shot down my spine at the realization that I was on the dark wizard's radar, which inadvertently put my loved ones in potential danger.
Edward. The thought of him caused another sob to escape me, a piercing pain shooting through my chest when I realized what I had to do. I had to say 'goodbye'. I had to say 'goodbye' to the boy who had pieced me back together. To the boy who held my heart in the palm of his hands. The goodbye wouldn't be for forever, but it sure felt that way...
Despite knowing he was virtually indestructible, I couldn't help but fear for his safety, along with that of his family. The knowledge that I could be putting the love of my life at risk with my very presence was enough to bring me to my knees.
Before this, I was happy. I was beyond happy. Now, I was being forced to leave behind my new life. To leave behind my literal soulmate and return to Hogwarts to face a future unknown.
||Edward's P.O.V.||
For the life of me, I couldn't get the image of her in that red gown out of my head. It was permanently burned into my brain, eating away at me. I felt my groin fill with desire, twitching in my jeans as I ran in the direction of her home. A part of me feared that being around her in my current state wasn't such a good idea.
The memory of her nipples straining against the silk material flitted through my mind, tormenting me. My mouth watered as I envisioned ripping the gown from her body so I could feast my eyes on her naked form.
Oh, God... I can't do this. Maybe we could— No. I had to stick to my morals. Her safety is far more important than my lust for her.
When her house came into view, I could hardly contain myself. The invisible string leading me towards her burned bright in my chest, as was custom. My joy was short-lived, however. The soft sound of her crying caused my frozen heart to sink like a stone.
I picked up my pace, slithering through her open bedroom window and kneeling beside her. She was lying face-down on the bed, sobbing into a pillow. Panic pierced through me. I wasted no time in joining her on the bed, taking the place of her tear-soaked pillow, allowing her to cry into my chest.
Her pain was my pain; I suffered right alongside her, despite not knowing the reason behind her tears.
I tightened my hold on her, holding her warm little body against mine made of stone.
"What's wrong, darling?" I whispered, kissing the top of her head and inhaling her sweet scent. "Why is my precious girl crying?" I placed my hand under her chin and tilted her head back, gazing into her piercing green eyes that glistened with tears. "..Tell me. Please."
When her lower lip trembled, I melted. I couldn't resist taking her trembling lip in mine, tracing my tongue along her warm silk. I could taste the saltiness of her tears. I relished the taste of her. She exhaled sharply, her sweet breath filling my mouth. I fought fiercely against the wave of desire that engulfed me. Now certainly wasn't the time to be lusting after her.
Reluctantly, I pulled away, breaking the kiss to gaze down at her sorrow-filled eyes. I placed my hands on her shoulders, gently shaking her to snap her out of the tragic trance she seemed to have fallen under.
"Elliana, you're scaring me," I blurted out, trying not to panic. "Please tell me what's wrong."
I could see the heartbreak in her eyes. She blinked slowly, causing a solitary tear to slide down her cheek.
"...I have to leave," she whispered hoarsely.
What? In that moment, time stood still. I inhaled a shaky breath, grimacing when I felt the knives plunging into my heart. Surely, I had heard her wrong.
"...What?" I forced the word out.
Her lip trembled once more, a fresh wave of tears springing to her eyes as she repeated, "I have to leave, Edward."
||Elliana's P.O.V.||
Seeing his face twist in anguish made me question everything. Did I have the strength to leave him? His safety was the most important thing to me, but was I selfless enough to do this?
Snape's warning echoed through my mind: 'By staying here, you will be putting your loved ones in jeopardy.'
"...Why?" He asked in a mere whisper, his honey-gold eyes glistening with undiluted sorrow. His hands dropped from my shoulders, staring at me with a look of pure heartache. "Elliana, if this is about yesterday... I'm sorry. I-I.. Please don't do this. I'll..." He gulped, his voice wavering as he continued, "I'll do whatever you want. We can try, Elliana. Just don't leave. Please..."
My jaw went slack. He thought this was about sex? My heart clenched painfully in my chest.
"No!" I exclaimed, horrified by his assumption. "Merlin, no! Edward, this has nothing to do with that." I scooted closer to him, taking his face in my hands and urging him to look at me.
I reveled at the feel of his cool stone-like flesh beneath my palm, imprinting the sensation in my mind.
"Edward, I'm not leaving you..." I whispered, stroking my thumb along his cheek. His golden eyes exploded with emotion, his shoulders sagging in relief that was short-lived as I continued, "..I'm just... leaving."
His eyes filled with heartbreak once more, shaking his head and pulling away from me once more. "I don't understand."
I inhaled a shaky breath, running a hand through my hair before saying, "I'm going back to Hogwarts."
His eyes flooded with realization. "..Oh."
He sat up, dropping his gaze to the quilt. I watched as he visibly gulped, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.
"..Why?" He finally asked in a voice above a whisper.
I exhaled sharply, wiping at my tear-stained face. "It's a long story."
I spent the next ten minutes explaining the situation to him, tears endlessly pouring down my cheeks when I told him of my heritage. He reached out and took my hand in his, staring into my eyes with a burning intensity.
"..So, you're leaving.. due to a matter of safety," he softly spoke, his voice like velvet yet thick with emotion. "..And to.. prepare.. for the.. second wizarding war?"
I nodded once, my heart clenching when I took note of the raw heartbreak displayed in the depths of his pupils. "..Yes. Right now, Hogwarts is.. the safest place for me.. for everyone."
A look of determination fell over his face. "..I'll keep you safe, Elliana..." He placed his hands on either side of my face, staring into my eyes in a way that stole my breath. "..I'll take you away.. Just the two of us.. Anywhere you want to go. I'll give you anything. Say it, and it's yours.."
My heart fluttered at the idea of running away with him. I couldn't deny that a part of me was tempted to jump into his arms and run off into the sunset together. And if it hadn't been for my friends and family, I would've done just that.
I released a deep sigh, placing my hands over his that were still cradling my face. "..I'd love to go anywhere with you, Edward.. But I can't.. Not right now.. Not yet.."
A look of sorrow fell over his features. "Why not? You say your parents will be safe when you leave, correct? They won't have a target on their backs if you're not here.. So, why not run away with me, Elliana?"
I blinked rapidly, tears filling my eyes for the umpteenth time that day as he slowly dropped his hands from my cheeks.
"..The war. That's why," I whispered hoarsely, holding his grief-stricken gaze.
His marble brows knitted with worry. "Elliana, there's nothing you can do about the impending war. Putting yourself in unnecessary danger isn't going to change anything."
I knew he had a point. Obviously, I, alone, couldn't stop the wizarding war. But the thought of my friends potentially facing such a tragedy was too much to bear. I had to be there for them, at the very least.
"..My friends," I explained, a forlorn smile flitting to my lips. "..I-I.. I can't just abandon my friends back at Hogwarts. They need me."
His golden eyes glazed over with emotion as he reached out, tenderly caressing my jaw as he softly whispered, "..I need you, Elliana. There's no way I'm letting you do this alone. If you're determined to go.. Then I'm coming with you."
Immediately, I shook my head. "No, Edward. You can't.. You can't come.." My voice broke at the end, getting choked up.
His features hardened as he cupped my chin, gently forcing me to look at him. "If you think I'm letting you run off into battle without me, you're sorely mistaken."
"I'm not 'running off into battle'..." I assured him, staring into his eyes that were slowly darkening. "..Yet."
A scowl crawled across his face, his voice low and firm, "..All the same, I'm coming with you."
I looked at him incredulously. "How? Do you really think they'll let a vampire into Hogwarts? You know how difficult it's been for you guys to even be somewhat accepted by the wizarding community here in the US, and believe it or not, they're far less accepting over in the UK, Edward.."
He sighed, running a hand through his tousled bronze hair. "..I'll.. figure something out. I will. I—"
I cut him off mid-sentence to say, "You're right. You will..." Shifting on the bed, I moved to sit on his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck and staring into his eyes that were now the color of midnight. "..We will," I continued, pecking his lips for the briefest second. "We will figure something out, Edward. I promise. This isn't 'goodbye' forever. I'll... talk to the headmaster, okay? I'll explain the situation. I'll plead my case to whoever I need to.."
He wrapped his arms around my waist and nestled his face against my neck, a shiver shooting down my spine as he inhaled deeply. "..I can't live without you, Elliana.."
His whispered words washed over me, causing my heart to clench. "You won't have to, Edward.. I promise."
Hoping to momentarily distract him and myself, I placed my lips against his, allowing the electrical current to travel throughout my body and get lost in the delicious sensations coursing through me. Remembering our conversation from yesterday, I pulled back before getting too carried away, not wanting to cause him any undue pain. Kissing me wasn't without difficulty for my vampire mate, after all..
When I pulled away, I rested my forehead against his and whispered, "..Right now, you and your family need to keep working with the Aurors to get to the bottom of the newborn army and the dark wizards working with them.. And when the time is right, we'll be reunited, okay?"
He pulled away, gripping my hips as his darkened eyes held me captive. "How long?"
My breath hitched. "..I.."
I didn't have an answer for him.
He searched for my eyes for a moment before repeating, his voice firm, "..How long, Elliana?"
I slowly shook my head, a watery smile flitting to my lips as I responded in a whisper, "..I don't know, Edward."
What I couldn't tell him was that it wasn't just the safety of my parents that I was worried about... It was his safety as well. I didn't want him to get tangled up in the mess of my heritage. What if my 'father' discovered his importance as my mate and used him against me? If he ended up hurt or killed... I couldn't imagine it.
"Do you have any idea how.. difficult.. it's going to be for me to be separated from you?" He wondered, his voice wavering with emotion. "..Especially knowing that you're an ocean away, preparing for a possible.. war."
I inhaled a shaky breath, my heart lurching as I nodded in response. Of course, I knew how difficult it was going to be.. It was going to be just as difficult for me, no doubt.
"I do know, Edward. Which is why I'm going to do everything I can to ensure that we're reunited sooner rather than later."
He clenched his jaw. "I'm not okay with this.."
"I know," I whispered, tilting my head as I stroked his chiseled jawline.
A heavy sigh escaped him. "..Can I visit you at least?"
I absentmindedly played with the hair at the nape of his neck, my heart stuttering when he shuddered beneath me.
"..We'll see," I spoke in a voice above a whisper, trying not to let the sadness show on my face.
If Edward wasn't under the protection of Hogwarts, I wasn't sure how I felt about him traveling to the UK for a simple visit. Despite how desperately I yearned to say 'yes', fear for his safety outweighed my own selfish desires.
When his face fell, I was quick to say, "..But I'll write you.. all the time." Forcing a chuckle, I continued, "..So, don't be surprised when owls start swooping in through your window."
To my delight, he offered me a half-hearted smile. It was miles away from reaching his eyes, but I'll take it.
He tightened his hold on me, nuzzling against my neck once more. I melted against him, allowing my body to mold against his, relishing the feel of him. My throat burned, fighting back a fresh wave of tears as I inhaled his intoxicating scent— Petrichor, pine, and honey.
"..When are you leaving me?" He asked in a faint whisper, his cool breath fanning against my neck.
Leaving him... The words made my heart ache, the pain nearly stealing my breath. How was I possibly going to get through this?
"..Monday.." I softly spoke, squeezing my eyes shut as fresh tears spilled down my cheeks.
Honestly, I was lucky Snape agreed to have Hagrid come 'fetch' me instead of having to travel back with the broody Potions Professor himself. That gave me just enough time to say 'goodbye' to my life here in the States.
He pulled back, staring at me with wide eyes. "But.. That's only a day away.. No. Please.." The panic in his voice was undeniable. He carefully wiped at my tears, his eyes mentally pleading with mine as he continued, "..Please, Elliana. Give me more time. I beg of you."
When a tearless sob escaped him, my heart shattered. I wrapped my arms around his solid body of stone, and when I did, he broke down. A heart-wrenching wail tore through his chest as he collapsed on the bed, resting his head on my lap as tearless sobs and cries of agony bounced off the walls. The 'Silencio' charm I had cast earlier ensured that the tortured sounds were confined to that of my room.
Our fate bond ensured that his pain was my pain. It felt as though my chest was getting ripped in two right along with his. My tears fell on his behalf, weeping when he could not. The tears slid down my cheeks and landed on his face, glistening like crystals against his porcelain skin as he clutched at his chest, closing his eyes as another wail escaped him.
I held him in my arms and planted kisses on his forehead in a desperate bid to soothe him, running my hands through his hair as he nuzzled his face against my stomach.
I wasn't sure how much time had passed when he finally grew silent, his stiff body going limp for a split second before he sat up, looking at me with mussed-up hair and the saddest eyes I've ever seen. When I tell you my heart broke at the sight, I mean it literally broke...
"..Edward, I.." I was at a loss for words, unsure how to soothe his pain. "..I'm so sorry.."
His anguished features softened as he gazed at me, placing his palm against the side of my face and stroking my cheek with his thumb. "..You're doing what you need to do.. What you believe is right.. I understand."
My heart was in my throat as he held me captive with his onyx orbs, his velvet voice washing over me like rain.
"..Just.. Promise me something. Please," he whispered hoarsely.
"..Anything.." I meant it.
He ran his hand through my hair, wrapping a golden curl around his finger.
"..Promise me that you'll keep yourself safe, Elliana. Do not do anything to put yourself in harm's way. Do not do anything that has the smallest chance of jeopardizing your safety..." He trailed off, his eyes burning with intensity. "..Promise me."
I studied the emotions dancing in the depths of his pupils, admiring the golden flecks peeking through his midnight irises, reminding me of stars lighting up the night sky.
With a shaky smile, I held up my pinky. Immediately, he knew what I was doing, so he was quick to hook his pinky around mine.
"..I promise.. Pinky promise," I whispered, my heart heavy as lead. "..Promise me something too?"
His lips twitched at the corners, as though he was trying to force a smile, but to no avail. "..Anything."
I pulled my lower lip between my teeth to keep it from trembling, struggling not to breakdown as I quietly spoke, "..Promise me that you'll be okay.. Promise me that you'll.. take care of yourself.. That you won't dwell on this, Edward. Please."
He tightened his hold on my pinky by the slightest fraction. "I promise, Elliana. Pinky promise." He visibly gulped, a moment of silence passing before he continued, "..I'll be okay.. knowing that I'll have you in my arms again soon. I'll be okay.. for you. For you, I'll be anything.."
||AUTHOR'S NOTE||
Okay... But they pinky promised each other!! Does anyone know why that's so symbolic in this story? 🥰
Also, I feel so bad for Edward right now... 😭