[HP] The Tweed River flows

I've been hiding in the upstairs utility room of Paris's house for days.

He would take every opportunity to bring in what I needed, but each stop was very short.I persuaded him to leave with me countless times, but every time he would gossip about him and find various reasons to evade, such as my younger brother’s wedding is coming soon and things are very busy; things can not do without him.On the contrary, he would keep persuading me to go back, saying that my family must be very anxious after being away from home for so many days, and they will definitely not pursue anything as long as I go back at this time.We had a few unpleasant encounters, but since I was hiding in the utility room of his attic, it didn't turn into a heated argument.

The small and unventilated environment intensified my inner fear, and the slightest movement outside the door would make me tremble with fear.As time went by, I felt more and more like a prisoner with no future in sight.I even considered casting an Imperius Curse on him to make him flee with me, but as soon as the thought came to me, I shuddered—how could I have such a terrible thought.

On the sixth day, I got a reply from Seale.I got a lot of important information in the letter. First of all, the Ravenclaw family has gone crazy (or mad), and I can't hide the matter between Paris and me. Now everyone knows that I love I slept with a Muggle; although they tried their best to block the news that I ran away from home, it is impossible for the Ravenclaw family to find someone all over the world without attracting people's attention. Could there be another scandal at the Crowes (Rex is the pissedest of them all because I'm still his "daughter"); mother is sick; may already know the whole truth;  …

Seale also said that she wanted to write to me to tell me she was pregnant and to be godmother to her first child, but she got mine before she wrote.Now I receive a dozen letters from my family every day, asking if there is any news about me. She knows the truth but conceals it, which makes her conscience condemned.She urged me to go home quickly, as you could tell from her scribbled handwriting and grumpy tone, she was under a lot of stress.

I folded the letter paper, buried my face in my palm, and my heart was in a mess.

Do you regret it?I asked myself this question, but found that I didn't know how to answer it.I just wanted to leave them (and that has never changed), and as for the rest, I never seriously thought about it.

Why care so much?A voice said in my mind, since childhood, have they ever considered your feelings?

Don't be angry, it's not you, in fact, you don't want to hurt anyone, right?Another voice retorted immediately.

Two voices were arguing with each other in my head, and it was driving me crazy.

However, the reality did not give me much time to think.As I stared at the dusty ceiling, I heard two faint pops.I sat up abruptly, and lifted a corner of the curtain to peek out—if I heard correctly, it should be the sound of a wizard Apparating.

When Hayden and Alger's voices sounded in the living room, I wasn't too surprised.If they want to take me back, the most suitable candidates should be my cousin and little uncle.Yes, I didn't want to go back with them, but why I didn't run away immediately, even I didn't understand.Maybe it's because I know I have nowhere to go, maybe it's because deep down, there is still a last hope left.

Paris is not at home most of the day, and his parents and a few servants should be the only ones in the house at the moment.I held my wand tightly against the door, holding my breath and listening to the movement downstairs.

"...no, no, sir, I think you must be mistaken, we don't have any girls hiding in our house. If you need to find someone, maybe you should go to the church, but we definitely don't have any strays in our house Girl, it's rude to make such an accusation," said an older man, presumably Paris' father.

"But someone told us that she is temporarily staying at your house. Please understand the family's feelings. Her mother is already seriously ill because of this. We just want to take her home, and we don't plan to pursue the rest." It was Alger who was speaking.

Mother is seriously ill?My heart skipped a beat.

"Please stop! You have no right to break into my house like this!"

"Confused—" Hayden said impatiently, "Alger, don't you think it's much easier this way?" He continued to utter a few spells, and the servants who came over fell silently upon hearing the sound .

"The human figure stands out—"

After a few seconds of silence, Argel's voice sounded again: "Helena, I know you are upstairs. Come out."

I slowly opened the door and walked to the railing.Alger and Hayden looked up at me.For a long time, we just stared at each other without speaking.

"Helena," he called my name carefully, as if afraid to scare off a deer, "come down and come home with us."

"No," I choked up, "I don't want to go back. As you can see, I'm living a good life here. You'd better go, just pretend that I never existed. This is a relief for everyone."

"Don't think that way," Alger said hoarsely, "We've been looking for you for days, and everyone is going crazy. Even if you don't care about us, we should care about Rowena, she fell ill the day you left No, she just wants to see you now."

"Don't mention her name, if I go back she will still force me to marry that person—"

"No, she said that she will never force you to marry anyone she doesn't like," he said nervously, his voice becoming a little strange, "she just wants you to go home now. Your mother has been in poor health, so you Yes. She's very ill, and if you really decide never to go back, she'll probably be sick—"

"What about grandfather? I don't believe he would let this go so easily," I took two steps back holding my wand, "I can't go back, Alger."

"At first he was really angry, I admit it. But then he figured it out, as long as you go back, everything will be fine. I assure you, Helena," Alger raised his hands and looked at me, seemingly sincerely look.

"So they'll let me marry a Muggle?" I said mockingly.

Hayden let out a sneer.

After a long silence, Alger said with difficulty: "As long as you are willing to go home."

Time seems to have passed a century so long.

Maybe it was because of my trust in Alger, I struggled for a long time, and finally nodded and lowered my wand.

We apparate home together.There was no one in the living room, and I felt a little strange.

"Are they all out?" I asked.Before the words were finished, the door of the study opened, and the mother came out from inside, as if she was still talking to her grandfather just now.She also froze when she saw me.

I looked at her in astonishment, then turned to look at Alger.

"I'm sorry, Helena," he whispered, averting my eyes guiltily.

Caught off guard, a spell hit me, disarming me.