Silent Night PV K. Derook Closed

@Kyle DeRook

Another holiday come and gone.

Illowy had spend the last few days with her auntie, uncle and Ky, which proved to be something of a relief to not have to be home. In true fashion, Auntie Kat had truly 'decked the halls'. Gaudy, glowing Christmas tree and garlands galore. Everything seemed to be touched with the spirit of the season. In a way, Illowy could appreciate that; a glimpse and effort at achieving normality in the family. Trying to keep alive the same traditions that had been going since before her and Ky were even born, she was sure. It all felt so fake now, even if she couldn't help but humor her aunt and play along. Even on Christmas Eve, pretending like she wasn't in agonizing pain from her own curse and counting the minutes until she was able to get up in the morning to have her bandaid of a potion that would just leave her exhusted and tense the rest of the day. And then there was Ky who never liked the holidays in any respect, especially not with what had happened at school this year. Everything that had happened this year hardly felt worth a celebration and Illowy had just wanted it over, overshadowing the good things that had happened.

At least now it was finally over. Christmas dinner had been eaten, presents unwrapped, gingerbread towns picked clean over of their candy and frosted bits. Everyone had retreated into their rooms to settle in for the night; though Illowy wasn't expecting to get much sleep. Instead, she sat on her bed, scribbling away in her journal by the lamplight as the wall clock ticked on into the wee hours of the morning. A fresh blanket of snow insulated nearly any sound that might try to awaken the sleeping household.

Nearly.

Her thoughts were pulled away when a flutter came at her window, and looking up, an owl was hovering, waiting to be let in as the young witch approached the window and lifted it open, the cool air wrapping itself around her in an embrace. The bird landed on her sill without hesitation, presenting a little note in its beak. The moment she relieved him of his parcel, the creature took flight again. Turning over the envelope, Illowy quickly recognize the familiar black wax seal of a waxing moon and peaking trees. Another letter from her father. A feeling of dread filled the pit of her stomach. Why had she convinced herself that maybe for once, just once, she wouldn't hear from him? This wasn't the first letter she'd received from her father since the start of this school year. Not even close. She'd received at least two a month congratulating her on her school successes, asking about her grades, or school events, begging her to reply back; though she'd never had.

Swallowing hard, she carefully broke the seal and read the short, simple contents:

My Illowy,
Come here.
~D.F

It felt like a steal cloth wrapped itself around her pounding heart as she leaned slightly out from her window, loose curls falling over her shoulder. Against the painted white background, it wasn't hard for her pale eyes to catch glimpse of the black figure standing in contracts a few years out from the tree line in the back yard.

What was he doing here?? Of all places! It had been nearly a year since the last time she'd seen him. However that had been out in town, back home in Dublin. Now he was standing in her cousin's back yard... and she'd yet to even tell him about the first instance.

Swallowing hard, the girl moved as quickly and quietly as she could, paying mind to grab her wand and holster and secure it around her waist as she slipped downstairs. Shoving her feet in her boots and pulling her heavy cloak around her shoulders as she crept out the backdoor. The last thing she needed was to wake the whole house and explain why her father was out there. As she moved through the shallow snow, she wondered if she was making a mistake. If she should have woken up her aunt and uncle... it was too late now though.

He looked just as she recalled from the year prior. Tall and looming, his dark curls, bright hazel eyes flecked with blue and gold, the unmistakable pair of scars that trails down and across his right cheek. Desmond Fillin. In all his infamous glory.

The mad stood there quietly as she approached, studying her. As she came closer, she noticed his brow furrow and when she was close enough, he chucked his knuckle beneath her chin, turning her face slightly to better see the ichor scarring along her cheek, "How did this happen?" he questioned before taking a couple sharp sniffs of the cold air, akin to Ky the first time she'd seen him after the attack on Slytherin "You smell like decay. You're cursed?"

Illowy pulled away, taking a step back out of arm's reach, "It doesn't matter. I'm fine." something of a lie, but he didn't need to know that, "What the bloody hell do you think yer doin' here?" she demanded, trying to keep her voice down, "After everything you've done, you think you can just come here? Leave." she spoke firmly.

The man simply stood there, studying here. He smiled softly to himself and gave a nod towards her necklace, "I see you're wearing my locket." he mused before holding his hands behind his back, as though he were some gentleman, "Illowy, I understand how you must feel. You're lost and confused and scared. You have so much going on, and it much be hard to deal with when you're so young." he shifted a bit, then started circling here, like an animal sizing up it's prey, "Your mother is hardly around, hanging out with your little friends, you're working so hard at school trying to understand things beyond your years... trying to save your cousin. But, my dear, you're so busy trying to save everyone, whose going to save you?"

Illowy tensed, turning in circles to always keep herself facing him. Was he threatening her? "I don't need anyone to save me. I'm a Magnard."

He chuckled, "You're a Fillin. That's who you were born to be. Even you're mother understood that after what you did to that little boy when your magic came in. Keeping you hidden away so you wouldn't hurt anyone else. But that hasn't stopped you has it? You may be the spitting image of Rose, but we're more alike then you think. You love that power of knocking someone down a peg, of having someone underestimate your strength just so you can beat them into the ground. You like intimidating people." he ceased circling her, "You may be a witch, but there's a little bit of wolf in you too, my dear. You are your father's daughter. And Fillins, we depend on no one but ourselves, because everyone will leave you eventually. As you grow more powerful, and remind her more of me, your mother will pull further and further away. When your family realizes you've been seeing me, speaking to me, do you think they'll want you here? Especially Kyle when he realizes who you really are." Desmond smiled handsomely as he approached his daughter again, "I'd never abandon you though. I love you. I always have. And I've always wanted to be in your life, no matter what you've done. I know your potential, my sweet Lily. And you'll always be able reach me if you need me." The girl stayed quiet as her father planted the seeds in her mind, trying to will away his ability to get to her.

"I won't let you be alone. And when you're ready, I'll be waiting for you to come home to me." with one last smile, he pushed a snow kissed tress of hair behind her ear before appariting into thin air, leaving her alone. The moment he was gone, she released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. Her mind was already swirling with his words, going over the darker deeds and aspects of herself, wondering if they were really as alike as he was suggesting. Even though she tried to be good, caring, protective... was she really just trying to compensate for a truer, dark nature?

Wrapping her arms around herself beneath her winter cloak, the girl turned, shakily making her way back towards the house, pale eyes cast down as she retraced her previous footprints in the snow.