A Little English Cottage

He followed close behind her, not letting go of her hand.

She opened the next door down the hallway, "This, in case you couldn't figure it out, is the bathroom"



She gently closed the door and moved down to the last door, "And this is my room"

He looked at her and smiled. "I think this room is one of my favorites."

She wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up into his eyes, "mine too"

He put his arms around her upper back and leaned in and kissed her.

She leaned into the kiss then pulled away and took his hand again, "Let's head back downstairs" Slightly regretfully she led him out of the room and shut the door behind them. They walked back down the stairs and into the living room. Sitting on the sofa she tugged his hand to get him to sit next to her.

He followed her down and sat next to her on the couch resting his arm around her waist. "Nice and cozy."

"Yeah it is," she leaned into him, "I'm glad you came"

"I'm glad I came too Tam... I don't know what I would do without you." He said pulling her a little closer.

Tam snuggled closer into him in response and watched the flickering flames. Slowly her eyes drifted shut and she fell into a deep sleep.

Marcus, after noticing Tam was asleep carried her up to the bedroom and laid her down in the bed and laid down next to her with his arms wrapped around her.

[you suck. tam you are such a man stealer. and marcus. don't even get me started on you *glares*]

an owl flew in and dropped a note on Marcus' head. it was tear stained but still legible.

Marcus.

What do I even say? I know I've hurt you and for that I am truly sorry. but I thought things might have been looking up...I mean...we were supposed to go to Prom together. You leaving...it's like a knife in my chest. I can't lose you. and i know that's selfish, but you were one of my only other friends here and to lose you...it's HARD. and now add in the fact that you are more than a friend, and it's killing me. it KILLS me to hurt you like this. but honestly...please...if you CAN come back, would you? I want to know...why you left i guess. if there's still a possibility for us to...be together? I think I might be over Cormac because honestly, I have never felt so shitty in my entire life. It hurts just to think that you're gone. please...write back?

Yours,
Penny

Marcus wakes up and reads the note, noticing the tear stains and sits at the desk and writes back. When he's finished he gives the note to the owl and sits there thinking.

the owl comes flying back in, dropping a note into Marcus' lap.

Marcus

I don't know what to say to make you believe me. today with Cormac...that was NOTHING. we were just talking. he wasn't even bright enough to see i wasn't pregnant anymore. i figured he had a right to know. but. honestly, nothing happened. I...I think I want to be with you...woah. this is like, moment of clarity for me. and i'm not just saying that so you'll come back, I honestly believe that you're the one I want to be with. I'm not saying it's going to be easy. my heart's still ripped up. but i want to honestly TRY to be with you. I always feel safe when I'm with you. and that doesn't happen all the time. I feel like, like we need to try this. i can't lose you Marcus. I just...can't...

Penny

Marcus sits there thinking for a few minutes. He eventually got out a piece of parchment and scribbled a note.

Tam,

You're a great girl and I love being with you but I have to go back to Hogwarts. I think what I have at Hogwarts is love, and I am sure you will find that with someone one day....but that person isn't me. I'm truly sorry Tam and I hope you'll forgive me. Please keep in touch and stay safe.

Yours Truly,
Marcus

Marcus left the note on the bed next to Tam, got and packed his things and flew away on his broom.

[OMFG I WIN. YUSSSSS]

Tam woke up slowly to the birds chirping just as she had every morning for a week now. As she woke up she stretched and her hand felt something crinkly. Slowly she grabbed it and pulled it towards her. As she read Marcus' letter she expected to feel sadness or some variation there of but she didn't. She knew that he'd made the right choice for himself and as much as she would have loved him to stay she thought she still needed some time to herself. To get used to being her own person again and not being needed by people. It was an adjustment she was enjoying making. She reached into her bedside cabinet and pulled out some parchment and wrote him a reply. She sent it and watched the owl fly out the window with a smile on her face.

*A letter flies in for Tam, because Hermione was too much of a coward to send it ages ago when she wrote it. It had nothing do to with Tam not being here. Nope. Nothing at all. It's kind of a crap letter, but Mya had no idea what to say, really.*


Tam,
What's going on? I heard you left...
Are you ok? What about Hashbee?
I do miss you, you know. You're still my twin, no matter what.
And I had the baby. It's a girl.
Thought you might like to know.
Love,
Mya.

Tam skimmed over the note and scribbled a quick note back.


Mya,
Sorry I didn't say anything
I just had to get out of there
As far as I know Hashbee's with Peter's parents.
Congratulations on the baby!
I'm sure she's gorgeous, you and Remus must be so proud.
I love you and I hope you're happy,
Tam

*Hermione, Cub in arms, turns up and knocks on Tam's door before she can lose her nerve.*

*Tam opens the door and throws herself at them in a huge hug, being careful of the baby*

*Hermione hugs back around the baby, tears in her eyes*

Tam! Oh, I've missed you! I'm so sorry for everything!