my inheritance (g.w x o.c)

chapter twenty-three: escaping the gray

"I'm my own person," I whispered, mostly to myself. "I get to pick what I do. Nobody else."

"Of course you do." His hand inched towards mine. I looked at our hands, moving my pinky to touch his. He immediately put his hand on top of mine, slipping his fingers in between mine. "You weren't at dinner. I got worried."

I didn't say anything for a moment. "Do you think your parents would like me?" He started rubbing my hand with his thumb.

"I know they'd love you."

"Would they still love me once they found out who I was?" I asked, looking up at him.

"Why are you acting so weird?"

"Did you even tell them about me?"

"Well, I haven't-"

"You went home for Christmas," I pointed out. "You could've told them then."

"Darling, where is this coming from?"

"I just want to be alone," I mumbled, going to walk away.

He grabbed my arm to stop me. "No, stop. You're upset."

"Just let me go back to my room," I demanded, trying to pull my arm away.

"Larissa, please, let's just talk it through." I didn't say anything. Because he thought I was mad at him, but every thought just confirmed what Dumbledore and Snape said.

They wouldn't trust me. George isn't even advocating for me. I sound just like him.

"I should've told them. You're right. I will. I'll write them right now if you want me too." I closed my eyes to keep the tears in. He sighed, releasing my arm and putting his hands on my upper arms. "I'm not ashamed of you like you think I should be. You're fun and beautiful and brilliant. You're snarky, and you make me laugh. And I, I have nothing to be ashamed of when it comes to you. So I'll tell them. If you'll let me tell them, I'll tell them right now. I'll tell everyone. I'll scream it right over this banister, and-"

"Stop," I begged, voice cracking.

"Larissa, what-"

I wrapped my arms around myself before crippling to the floor. "Please stop saying all the right things. Please." I covered my face as I sobbed. He clearly seemed shocked. It took him a second to lean down and touch me.

"Darling, I don't, I don't understand." I turned into him, crying into his shoulder. He held me tightly and rubbed my back.

"You make everything seem so much simpler than it is."

"This is simple. I'd shout from the rooftops that I get to love you if you'd let me."

"Please stop," I begged. "I'm just like him. You can't go throwing around the word love. I can't..."

He leaned me away, tilting my face up to his. "You're like who? You-know-who?"

"There's no point in acting any different anymore."

"You aren't him. That's what started this whole conversation. You're your own person. You can make your own decisions."

"No, I try to, and it never works."

"Don't say that, darling," he hushed, running his hand down my hair. I buried my face against his shoulder, silently crying. He held me as tight as possible and whispered promises into my ear.

"I'm sorry," I sighed a few minutes later, leaning away from him and wiping my tears.

"For what?"

"You're just always dealing with me and this, and..." I shook my head. "I don't let people see this, but every time I'm a wreck, you're there, and so I'm sorry you have to deal with it."

"Who told you it was something bad?" he asked, wiping away the last of my tears. I looked at him for a moment before shrugging. He tilted his head. "I'm glad you trust me enough to let me be here. Because we both know if you really didn't want me here, you could throw me over the banister or something." I laughed lightly, and he smiled. "I'll always be here." I leaned closer, letting my eyelashes run against his cheek. He furrowed his brow. "What's that?"

"A butterfly kiss," I whispered. He hummed, rubbing our noses together.

"Who comes up with these?"

"Muggles, I suppose. I like them."

"I do too, darling," he nodded, kissing me gently.

We got up a few moments later and went our separate ways. Once I made it back to my dorm, a bag was sitting on my bed. I sat beside it before opening it. A bowl of soup and a roll were inside along with a note.

I realized you never ate any dinner. Thank you for your help, Ms. Prince. I hope we can work together again. -AD

I couldn't even eat. My mind raced with thoughts. All contradicting each other, none of them making any more sense than the last. When sleep finally came, the thoughts just got scarier, but there was no point in trying to avoid them.