Return to the Shadows // Sequel to Out of the Shadows

Charlotte's Perspective

The air was thick with tension as I watched Baz take in the state of me. His brow furrowed and his chest started heaving. I watched his fists clench at his sides as his eyes rested on the name on my chest.

"Where is he?" He growled out.

"Not here." Ced answered. "I caught him sneaking out on her and sent him back to his own common room." Ced was looking just as dangerous as Baz.

"Why are you both looking at me like that?"

"I think we've established the reason I'm upset. How could you, Lottie? This is our sacred place. And you brought him here." Ced shook his head. "I guess I'm just disappointed."

"Disappointed in what exactly, Ced? That I brought a Gryffindor here? That he's a half-blood? That he's not some simpering girl after yours or Baz's attention that you snuck in here with instead?" I was reeling at the double standard and prejudice flying throughout the room.

"I'm disappointed that you were doing... whatever you were doing. In our Undercroft. Defiling it."

I huffed defiantly. "Oh, so now it's ours, is it? When a few minutes ago, I needed your permission. And also, you're skipping over the part where you and Baz do this all the time and I'm just expected to accept it? And not do anything myself? Right?"

"Firstly, I don't do this all the time, despite what you think. Despite... what I may have let you think, I suppose. But no, I don't do it. I respect this space. And you should have too!"

"It's irrelevant." Baz's voice was deadly quiet. "Someone. Someone named Potter has clearly had his hands... and who knows what else! ON. MY. SISTER! I'll kill him."

He turned quickly, heading toward the exit.

"Baz! Stop it! You're not my protector or my warden. I can do what I want. And I assure you, I did exactly what I wanted." I screeched at him and he stopped dead in his tracks.

He turned his head slightly and spoke over his shoulder. "Oh, really? Are you some cheap Saturday night trick, Lottie? Do you feel good now after giving yourself away to the first boy that ever showed you attention? Are you 'all grown up' now that you've..." He couldn't even finish his sentence.

And I couldn't stop the rage building in my body.

"If I recall correctly, Lucas is not the first boy to pay me attention. Mikai has been after me for years. And I didn't choose him. Although, that choice would probably have pleased Ced more since he's a pureblood Slytherin. Right?"

Cedric's face turned a deep red.

"And secondly," I put my finger up to stop them both from interjecting, "what I do with my body, is my business. Not either one of yours. As if you two aren't doing just the same things. And it's ok. Because you're boys. Pathetic! I'm clearly the most responsible of the three of us and I will do what I please without your judgement or retribution. Is that clear?"

They both stood looking a bit stunned.

"Lottie, I think you should go." Ced said quietly.

"What? Are you... are you kicking me out of the Undercroft?"

He nodded.

I was seething. I walked silently over to my clothes piled on the floor and picked them all up, closing them under my arm. I had nothing to say anyway.

As I passed by Baz, he said softly, "Don't come crying to me when your reputation for being easy spreads like wildfire."

I gasped, turning to face him one last time.