Chapter 35: You Are Mine

                                    

                                          
April, 1944
                          
After Abraxas left the Astronomy Tower, Corinne lost track of how long she remained glued in place, despite her attacker being long gone by now. Her entire body was numb and in shock. Part of her feared that if she moved an inch, Abraxas would return and the nightmare would continue. 
                          
She knew she needed to tell Headmaster Dippet, or even Professor Dumbledore, who she trusted more. She could possibly tell Euphemia. But the shame she felt kept her from doing so.
                          
Only when the moon was high in the spotless night sky did Corinne feel she'd hidden long enough and forced herself down the tower's spiral staircase, the creak of each wooden step making her wince. She'd almost forgotten she was supposed to meet Tom down at the Black Lake tonight. Without her wristwatch, there was no telling what time it was or how late she would arrive. 
                          
For once, she found herself dreading facing Tom. 
                          
But she would dread it even more to disappoint him.
                          
Corinne would have to brave it. She would have to act as though she wasn't just assaulted mere hours ago. Because if Tom found out...
                          
She didn't want to imagine what would happen to her if Abraxas found out. She didn't want to imagine would Tom would do.
                          
Putting on a faultless mask for him would be a challenge. After all, she was dealing with the ultimate master of deception.
                          
* * *
                          
The chill cast off from the Black Lake sent rivers of goosebumps across Corinne's exposed areas of skin as she approached. Fog obscured the horizon above the lake. Moisture dampened the grass, causing cold dew to seep into Corinne's shoes, making for a very uncomfortable walk. She reached the apex of the moor leading down to the lake and paused.
                          
Her eyes landed on Tom, legs stretched out as he sat on a blanket gazing out at the lake. He must have been deep in thought, for he had not noticed Corinne's presence. For a moment she watched him, wondering what was going through that brilliant mind of his. At the same time, she did not want to know. 
                          
Corinne took a deep breath as she headed down towards Tom, readying herself for her performance. Although unknowingly, she kept her head down and tugged at her shirt sleeves nervously.
                          
Her footsteps caught Tom's attention and he turned his head to watch her stride over to him. He opened his mouth to greet her but faltered and frowned, his brows scrunching with something that appeared to be concern. Corinne mentally scolded herself, hoping the darkness would blur any evidence that she'd been crying.
                          
"Corinne," said Tom, standing as she came closer. He noticed her avoiding his eyes. "Something is wrong. What happened?"
                          
Corinne's bottom lip wobbled, and that's when her dam of emotions shattered. She let out a choked sob and almost collapsed on her knees if not for Tom catching her, bringing the two of them in a kneeling position on the ground. His whole body immediately tensed, as if unsure how to react, out of habit. After a moment of hesitation, Tom relaxed and wrapped his arms around her. Corinne herself stiffened, his touch a troubling reminder of what occurred in the Astronomy Tower.
                          
She couldn't help but cry harder at the memory.
                          
Slowly, Tom pulled away and looked at Corinne, his eyes studying her as if he could detect what was wrong. His hand reached up to gently brush her tears away with his thumb, making Corinne flinch. She averted her gaze from his, which she could feel boring into her.
                          
"Tell me what happened," Tom whispered. When Corinne still wouldn't make eye contact, distracting herself by picking at the grass, his fingers grazed her chin and tilted her head up to meet his concerned-filled eyes. "Please."