Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Love!
If you want to read ahead by 20+ chapters from here you can visit my Patre-on.
[P] [A] [T] [R] [E] [O] [N]
https://www.patreon.com/Yggdrasil_Loki
-----------
"You have been one of my closest friends. You have been there for me in some of my most vulnerable moments and stood by my side in my darkest."
"I know you've developed feelings for me that are beyond what would define a friendship. I had hoped it would be a phase and that you'd find someone better suited, but it never passed."
"Why are you doing this to me Aries?" Tears were falling down her beautiful faces, and her make up started to smear.
"I've given everything to you! I've hurt people I could have been friends with. Lied and manipulated others. I've done everything you've ever asked of me without question. And all I've ever wanted in return was to be able to be at your side."
"Arianna, I've been in your mind far too often to not know your dreams. I was the one who taught you Occlumency, remember? I know you want to one day settle down, to have kids on some vineyard in Spain, living the high life without a care in the world, with a husband that will truly love you."
"Despite all your claims of following me down my path to destiny, down in your heart that's what you want, and you wish to pull me away from my destiny to join you. My dear Arianna, you want something from me I can never give you. Something I cannot even have myself."
"Can't? Or won't?" Anger had replaced hurt and there was a challenge in her eye.
"Both."
"So, you think your destiny is more important than love? Than happiness? Than giving yourself the happy life that you deserve? Than being with me?" She had been nearly shouting, but her last question came out almost as a whisper.
"Yes." It was a cold thing to say, but it was the truth, and Arianna choked out a sob as she fell to the ground.
Aries wanted to comfort her, but inside his heart was breaking, and he worried what would happen if he were to give into the desire to wrap her in his arms.
She was a confidant, someone who he could always count on to be there for him, but her love, affection, and the kindness in her soul would always pull him away from his destiny. No, his responsibility.
"Aries." Heart-broken eyes met his as he turned back to look at her. "I love you."
"I'm sorry Arianna. I don't love you, and I never will. Not as you love me."
….
The Quidditch tournament had been a rather interesting situation leading up to the start, as having a three team tournament did not exactly work out.
It was eventually decided that each team would play each other once over the course of four weekends, and the two teams with the most points would play again in the final.
Durmstrang was slated to face off against Beauxbatons first and Aries walked hand in hand with Daphne down to Quidditch pitch.
He kept a conversation with Draco along the way, so that he would not have to talk to Pansy.
Draco's irritation with the girl was beginning to come to a head, especially now that there was a girl he was actually interested in.
Arianna on the other hand completely ignored Draco, and everyone at the moment. Haydn and Ivan were optimistic that she'd get over it eventually, but Aries had to wonder if the girl's feeling might have ruined their powerful quartet.
The stands of the Quidditch pitch were filled with the three schools. Durmstrang sat with the Slytherins and Beauxbatons were mixed among the other three houses.
It seemed that since the hated house had sided with the hated school the rest of Hogwarts and Beauxbatons were against them.
The match was very short, unfortunate in Aries' opinion, as he had hoped to see Beauxbatons embarrassingly defeated.
He supposed Krum catching the snitch ten minutes in, although incredibly anticlimactic, was embarrassing enough.
A translation charm had been used so all students could understand the commentary. Aries might have had an epiphany if he had not already tried the charm on the egg.
It had some sort of counter that he had been unable to remove, and so he was back to square one. He pulled on Daphne's hand, allowing them to lag behind his friends.
"The female population of the castle has been rather cold to me since the Yule Ball was announced." Aries stated with a smile. "Would you have anything to do about it?"
"Of course." Daphne's smirk was mischievous. "Too many of them had fancies of passing you love potion. It was only for your protection."
"My protection? I see that you have yet to find a date yourself."
"That's a problem that can be solved quickly," She replied, tapping her chin thoughtfully.
"Your friend Haydn is rather attractive, though I suppose I could take Diggory. It wouldn't be hard to convince him to drop Chang for me." He glared at her playfully with that last statement. She was trying to rile him up, but he wouldn't give her the satisfaction.
"I think you could do much better."
"Oh really?"
"Daphne, would you give me the honor of escorting you to the Yule Ball?"
"You may have the honor." She gave him a bright smile and placed a kiss on his cheek. "I'm wearing silver. I do hope you can find robes to match."
….
The next weeks passed by quickly for Aries and the second task was approaching. Hogwarts had defeated Beauxbatons the following weekend, more than likely putting them out of the running for the final.
The biggest surprise had been that Draco had made the team as a chaser along with the third year.
Ginny Weasley, and a seventh year Ravenclaw. The Weasley twins were their beaters, some Hufflepuff the Keeper, and an Asian girl, Cho Chang, was their Seeker.
Beauxbatons second loss made next week's match almost pointless, besides ensuring they had more points than the French, but Krum had mentioned that it gave him the opportunity to try and mislead their rival before going into the final.
-----------
If you want to read ahead by 20+ chapters from here you can visit my Patre-on.
[P] [A] [T] [R] [E] [O] [N]
https://www.patreon.com/Yggdrasil_Loki