Quiet Afternoon (Michael and Anna)

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Annabelle smiled at him sincerly, "I'd like that someday, when things are better and it wouldn't cause any problems." She wondered if that day would ever come, or if her and Michael would even make it that long.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael smiled, "Someday," he agreed. It would eventually get better, he just prayed that she didn't get hurt in the process. That they would still be together, that she wouldn't run from him when she realized exactly how his family could be.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

"Do you think you're dad will ever change?" She asked. Michael had changed afterall, so she wondered if it was possible for others as well. She assumed it would be harder since his Dad had been envolved for so much longer, and wondered what, if anything could cause him to change.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael shook his head, "No, I really don't think so." The thought didn't sadden him, though it should have. His father had been so harsh to him in the past that Michael felt no sympathy for the man.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

"Oh. I'm sorry Michael." Annabelle looked into his eyes and was glad to see that she hadn't upset him with her question. She was curious how his mother could be with such a man, from the way Michael talked of her, it seemed like they didn't have anything in common.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

"Don't worry about it. I see him dying, and however it happens will probably be some underhanded way." And he deserves it, he thought to himself, but he didn't voice it, it would only have brought about a questioning on how he could wish his father dead. "He's not one of the most respected in the ranks." He was close to the Dark Lord, but he wasn't in favor with a large number of the members.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Annabelle felt bad for the fact that she hoped Michael was right, and that it was soon. She didn't like the picture he'd painted of his dad, and thought Michael would be better off without him. She didn't know how to polietly reply to what Michael had said though, so she sidestepped around it. "I don't think I ever want to meet him."

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

"I hope you don't ever have to come in contact with him." Especially if his father found out she wasn't a pureblood, barely a halfblood. "I'm sorry I pulled you into all of this." As he said it, Michael tightened his arms slightly around her. He was sorry, but he didn't want her to leave either.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

"I'm not." Annabelle declaired. Even with all that they'd have to go though with his family, he couldn't blame him for it. Nor could she imagine not wanting to be with him because of it. She snuggled up close to him, resting her head against his shoulder. She loved being held by him, it made her worries melt away.

[Michael Blackwood-Hardt]

Michael smiled and kissed the top of her head. The way he felt with her cuddled against him was enough to make him forget it. She was ok with it, he would just have to learn to accept that fact. If she were ever hurt, he wouldn't forgive himself, but for now, for that moment, with her held against him, he was able to forget all the "what if's."

[Annabelle Hennessy]

They sat in silence for a while, enjoying each others company. To Annabelle, it just felt right. She didn't even realize the time passing until a cool breeze started. With a shiver she turned her head up to meet him. "We should go, it's getting late." Reluctantly, she stood and gathered her book while Michael did collected his things, and they headed up to the castle together.