Song:
Starring Role (MARINA)
"It almost feels like a joke to play a part, when you are not a starrin' role, in someone else's heart"
A/N: references to abusive relationship.
The night was still, not a single sound interrupting the thick silence. In its own way, nature was preparing itself for the imminent betrayal that was going to follow, putting on a show and acting as a reminder that human troubles are nothing compared to the continuity of the universe. Higher forces had stopped controlling nature to prepare mortals for the future, finding it more entertaining to be a simple, omniscient by-stander.
The clock struck twelve, a single figure of a woman roaming the dark grounds of Hogwarts, her hands buried in the pockets of her coat. It was too big for her, the only thing Nicholas had bothered to leave behind, knowing that Callisto would need his presence at some point. It was comforting, the scent of his cologne charmed on the thick, cotton material of the dark blue jacket. The heels of her boots clicked on the pavement, acting as a compass for the two hidden figures following her.
If Callisto was paying attention, she would have been able to hear the frantic footsteps behind her. It would have been enough for her to turn around, where two pairs of shoes would be the only visible thing. A pair of worn out, dark brown converse with colorful socks sticking out and a pair of loafers with light pink shoelaces. She would have laughed, pulling the Invisibility Cloak from Peter Pettigrew and Remus Lupin who would pretend it was all a coincidence. Unfortunately, the girl was too deep in thought to notice anything, her eyes focused on the Whomping Willow.
Remus Lupin had meant well. His intentions were pure, stemming from the need to make sure Callisto wouldn't get in trouble. He didn't even want to think of her getting harmed anymore. Images of her covered in blood circulated his mind for all those weeks, making sure he knew that he wouldn't the able to handle something like that. It was an act of love, masked by the fake friendship imposed on the both of them. Yet, it would have more catastrophic consequences than he could ever imagine.
It would never be Remus Lupin's fault.
The girl finally reached the Whomping Willow, the two boys keeping a safe distance from her. Callisto didn't have to wait for long, another woman approaching her, a small smile of relief on her dark lips.
"Monica."
And Peter Pettigrew froze, the image in front of him being so clear, yet so confusing. He didn't understand why Callisto seemed so obviously uncomfortable in the presence of his girlfriend, or why Monica seemed to be so happy to see Callisto. He didn't understand why Remus was tightening his grip around his wand, his jaw clenched and eyes focused on the pair with insane concentration.
"I told you to leave me alone." Callisto stated, taking the paper from her pocket and pointing at it aggressively. "What the fuck is that?"
"You came." Monica mumbled, letting out a relieved, genuine laugh. "That means you care. You don't want to care, but you still do."
"No, it means I'm sick of you." The blonde argued, jaw clenched. "This is the final time I tell you, Monica, leave me alone. You've done enough."
Monica's gaze hardened, her nails digging deep in her palm to constrain herself, "You don't mean that."
Callisto didn't reply.
"You used to tell me to leave you alone back then too, but you never meant it." She continued, her voice soft. "You always came back to me; I always came back to you."
"Cut the crap."
"It's the truth." She insisted, walking closer to her.
Callisto looked deep into her green eyes, knowing that although Monica was being sincere, there was a hint of madness in them. There had always been that glint, making her stand out from everyone else; charm in its purest forms, so unprocessed it was dangerous.
"We're better together. We used to be so happy, Callisto, remember? And now what? I settle for that stupid boy just to get closer to you, and you fuck his absolute freak of a friend."
"The only freak here is you, Monica." Callisto said, her voice cold. "Batshit crazy, in fact."
"You liked that."
"A mistake, evidently." She hissed. "And what stupid boy? Sirius stopped talking to you."
Monica smirked, "Oh, he hasn't told you?" She asked. "Peter, of course. What an absolute bore. Then again, nobody is quite as interesting as you."
"Peter?!" Callisto asked, anger in her voice. Remus turned to look at the young boy next to him, who seemed to be on the verge of tears at what Monica had said. "I tried to be nice to you, Monica, but you're taking this too fucking far. Leave him alone, got it? He deserves so much better than you."
"And you deserve so much better than him!" She retorted, venom in her voice. "God, how stupid can you be, Callisto? Snap out of it and realize he's just a waste of time!"
Callisto let out an angry laugh, "And you weren't?" She questioned, the malicious tone in her voice making Monica's expression falter. "Since you're so keen on reminding me about last year, then let me tell you how it really went."
Remus put his hand on Peter's shoulder, biting his lip so hard that he could taste the metallic hint of blood on his tongue.
"You used me." Callisto stated. "You switched my medication, Monica. You knew I could fucking die from it, and you still did it because you're selfish and manipulative. I trusted you, and you still went on with it to the point where I would collapse every time. And you didn't see an issue with this, even after I told you that I was sure something was wrong with me. What kind of fucked up love is that, huh?" Angry tears were welling in her eyes, her thoughts swarming in her mind. "Even your friends abandoned you and I don't blame them. Because you, amore mio, are a fucking monster. Not because you're a vampire, but because you don't give a shit about anyone. You lie, and you take what you want, and the rest of us can just go fuck ourselves! I'm so fucking tired of your bullshit! Leave me alone!"
"You don't mean all that." Monica coldly muttered, shaking her head. "I was wrong, I admit it, but I've changed. I just want things to go back to normal... Just us, like the old times."
"What old times?" Callisto wondered, her voice louder. "You made me think I was insane. You were angry, manipulative and violent-"
Guilt flashed over Monica's eyes, "I-"
"You keep your mouth shut while I'm talking." She demanded. "You threw the glass right next to me that time. Fuck, you almost fucking killed me, Monica!"
"It wasn't only like that."
"I was there! I saw it, I was there!" Callisto hissed. Remus could have sword he had heard her say the same phrase over and over again to Monica again, the same accusatory tone in the brunette's words as Callisto repeated those three words trying to convince both herself and Monica about the truth as if it was some kind of well-crafted lie.
"I never wanted to hurt you..."
"You should have thought about that much earlier." Callisto coldly replied. "I don't want anything to do with you. So, listen to me carefully, because I'm not going to repeat myself."
She took a step closer, smiling. "You're going to leave, okay? Tomorrow morning, you're going to pack your shit up and you'll go far away. You'll write Peter a letter, saying your mom died and you had to go back home and you'll never contact any of us again. Understood?"
Monica scoffed, "And why would I do that?"
"Because people talk." Callisto laughed, her gaze challenging the girl. "And you know what they would say about you? The truth, of course. Monica Ricci, an unregistered vampire with violent urges, attacks a Hogwarts student in the grounds. The girl manages to run away, and alerts the professors. They call the aurors, and the rest you can fill in yourself."
"You wouldn't dare do it."
"Fucking try me." Callisto deadpanned. "Already got the scars to prove it."
"I know you're bluffing, Callisto." Monica stated, the tremble in her voice betraying her seed of doubt sprouting in her mind. "You won't do it."
"Don't ever play Russian roulette, honey." The girl hummed, pointing the wand at her neck. She winced slightly at the thin puncture, blood starting to flow from the small wounds on her neck. Callisto pointed the wand to her hand, blood oozing from the cut on her palm. She smeared some of the blood on her neck and jaw, before she healed the palm. "So, what do you think? Needs more blood?"
She didn't reply.
"As I was saying, don't ever try playing Russian roulette. You have rotten luck, Monica. The kind that gets you killed, or worse, thrown in Azkaban."
"You really do hate me, huh?
"She finally gets it." Callisto exclaimed, barely able to control her anger. "I wouldn't have gone as far if you hadn't involved Peter, you know. Really, it's on you."
"You really feel for the tool, Callisto?" Monica scoffed. "Wouldn't ever imagine that. But then again, you got involved with the biggest tool of all."
"Maybe you should keep your mouth shut." Callisto murmured, smearing the remaining blood on the ends of her hair and her shirt. "See you on stage, darling."
And with that, the stream of blood became stronger and Callisto turned around, pacing towards the Castle. Monica would stop her and she knew it. After all, she had been selfish during less urgent occasions; the instinct of self-preservation would surely kick in.
"Fine!" She heard Monica shout, a smirk creeping up on Callisto's lips. "I'll leave."
"I want you gone by tomorrow."
"Deal." Monica stated, nodding urgently. "Heal yourself first and I'll go now."
Callisto reluctantly healed the wounds on her neck, the skin mending back together instantly. Relief washed over her as she saw the defeated look in Monica's eyes. Bitter acceptance, mixed with the kind of fear that could only be inspired by the betrayal of a so-called loved one.
Callisto smiled, not knowing of the sadness this small win would cause.
~ ~ ~
Remus watched as the two girls parted ways, Monica heading to the forest with slumped shoulders, while Callisto kept her head straight, as if she was challenging Monica to make a move. For better or for worse, Monica didn't do anything more. It was clear to everyone now that Callisto wouldn't hesitate to go to the extremes to get rid of Monica, the expression of fear in the girl's eyes engraved into Remus' brain forever.
"Am I that horrible?" Peter said, his voice merely above a whisper. Remus looked down at the boy who was staring off at the direction Monica had left in. His blue eyes were glistening with tears, his bottom lip quivering slightly as he tried to stop himself from bursting into tears.
"No, Peter." Remus gently said, putting a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Anyone would be lucky to be with you and if she couldn't see it, she's the one missing out."
"Easy for you to say." He let out a bitter laugh, escaping from his eyes. "Easy for all three of you to say. James is dating the love of his life, Sirius could date anyone he'll ever lay eyes on and you, Remus, have Callisto who would do absolutely anything for you. So no, you don't understand because when you three want someone, they're yours. But me? People think I follow you three around like a lost puppy, and if someone approaches me, it's because they want to get closer to one of you. Hell, if any of you had to pick someone to die, you would all pick me. The only fucking thing you would ever pick me first for, would be to save someone else!"
Remus didn't know how to respond. It was no lie that most people thought that Peter was nothing more than a little boy trailing after them. It was all meaningless gossip to them of course, the love for their brother being too strong to be shaken by malicious comments.
"You're our family." He sternly said, his voice steady and sure. "And what people say doesn't matter one bit, because they know none of us." He paused for a moment, Peter's eyes still doubtful. "Callisto chose you. You heard her."
"But Monica chose her."
"Because she's obsessed with her!" Remus blurted out, frustration in his voice. "They used to date, Peter. And trust me, she treated her like absolute shit. If we knew who your girlfriend was before, I'm sure she would have told you everything. But we all thought Monica would leave her."
"They dated." He murmured, pain in his voice. Remus' words were supposed to make him feel better, but only made the betrayal sting deeper. They all knew, except for him. He was left out, just like everyone else said.
"It was a really bad relationship." Remus defended her. "Don't blame her for not telling you. We only found out because of what happened on the third floor that day and Sirius knew before that because he was trying to hook up with her."
"What did she do?" He asked, disbelief in his voice. He knew Monica, there was no way she could ever hurt someone. She was sweet and kind; a true angel.
He bit his lip, unable to believe that the mysterious ex-boyfriend he had been so jealous of was actually a girlfriend, and one of his best friends.
"You heard it all." Remus vaguely said, the need to protect Callisto's secret overcoming any other thought. "My point is, you are our friend, Wormtail. You'll always be. And I know people talk shit, but does it really matter? We'd choose you time and time again."
"Don't tell the others," Peter stated, sniffling. "Please."
"I won't." Remus smiled at the boy, patting his shoulder. "We both have women-trouble, don't we?"
"I might steal your girl, Moony." Peter joked, although the humor didn't quite reach his eyes. "She must love me with all that defending on my part."
"Hands off, Peter."
"Relax." He stated. "I would never."
"Well, yes, otherwise you'd have to bring the braces back." Remus said as the two boys made their way back to the castle. "And don't you worry. You'll find the one, Peter. It's a matter of time."
"Sure."
Peter didn't really feel as confident as he sounded. In his eyes, the "one" had walked away a few minutes ago, her heart getting broken by the person defending him. Callisto had stood up for him, but at what cost? Monica's words were lies, but a pretty lie is sometimes better than the truth.
The boy didn't know how to feel, but it certainly wasn't good.
~ ~ ~
The urge to put "All too well" (the 10 minute version) as the song of the chapter, but having put it in another chapter before (Ch. name: the third floor), so using another one to avoid repetition...
I like to think of this chapter as 'The Third Floor''s little sister, hence the references.
It just describes their relationship so accurately, and it's the complete opposite of what Remus and Callisto have.
Poor Pete... it had to be done.