Control ? Ron Weasley [2]

V. A TWIN CONNECTION

      "It hurts so much to see him, Mum. Is this what being in love feels like? If it is, I don't want to be in love anymore." And it was that truth that had been on Nova's mind ever since Weasley had broken up with her. The thought of it scared her. She knew she was jaded in life, but she actually thought she had a chance at love when her feelings for Weasley continued to grow and grow.

      "Love hurts, little dove. But I'll tell you a secret... all the best things in life do."

      "That's not true," Nova said immediately, thinking of her father and the hurt he had caused her. The hurt he had caused Theo.

      "I'm not talking about physical hurt, little dove. The things that matter," Elizabeth said, tapping her chest where her heart rested, "hurt here. This Ron boy obviously means a lot to you."

       "Not anymore," Nova mumbled under her breath.

      To Nova's surprise, the portrait of her mother laughed. "Little dove, you can fool everyone else, but you can't fool me. Loving someone doesn't make you weak, just like being Slytherin doesn't make you evil. You did the right thing, fighting with your friends. And if your house hates you for it, you hold your head up high. You've brought honor to the Slytherin house, and I couldn't be prouder of you. Slytherin is the best house, you know," Elizabeth said, winking softly. 

      "I wanted to be a good Slytherin, like you," Nova whispered softly.

      Elizabeth's eyes looked watery, or as watery as they could in a portrait. "You are, little dove. You exceed me. Your heart is so big, I know it feels like you're drowning in it. Don't let yourself. Allow yourself to feel the bad things. Wallow because you're sad. Don't hide it."

      "I just don't want him to see the power he had over me."

      "You're forgetting that I can see him too, little dove. And I guarantee you, you had just as much power over him."

      "Love isn't supposed to be a power struggle."

      "No," Elizabeth agreed, "but the right love? It makes you feel powerful."

      Nova stared at her mother, not able to stop the question that stumbled from her lips. "Did Dad's love make you feel powerful?"

       Elizabeth frowned for a moment, her eyes creasing in the center, just above where the bridge of her nose was. She took her time to think over her answer, which was fine with Nova. Nova was content just sitting there, staring at her mother and marveling at the fact that she was talking to her mother, after years and years of wishing she could. "Sometimes," Elizabeth finally said, "but not nearly enough. I should have known better." Elizabeth smiled again, but it was sad. "I wish I could reach out and hug you. You know this room won't last, right? You can't come here again and ask to see me. I won't let you throw your life away."

      "Why not?" Nova asked, tears gathering in her eyes. "What if I wanted to?"

      "No one wants to waste their life, little dove. You've got to stick around those friends of yours. Help that Malfoy boy. Help your brother. Merlin, help your brother." For the first time in their conversation, Nova could see the sheen of tears in her mother's eyes. "You'll tell him I love him, won't you? You'll remind him everyday?"

      "Whatever you want," Nova promised.

      "You're strong, little dove. I like to think you get that from me." Nova watched as the apparition around her mother's portrait started to shimmer, like it was about to disappear from Nova's eyes. "I love you, little dove."

      "I love you too," Nova said, the first time she'd said the words in months. They felt weird coming from her mouth, but it was nice to know that they belonged there. They hadn't lost their place.