One of Them: Chapter Two!
Authors Note: There is a flashback in this chapter, it's in italics for all of you. Enjoy!
The pain in her arm seared again at the small girls bronzed fingers graced it. Although her eyes were shut, her head looking away, the pain in her arm was nothing compared to the pain that was within herself. Quinn knew this day would come - the day Rachel discovered who she truly was. But the mark had nothing to do with who she was. Who she truly was, was the person she allowed herself to be as she was around Rachel - she smiling, loving and that carefree ‘little girl’ that she used to be before havoc struck her family. Quinn shuddered; no, she wouldn’t think of it.
The blonde stood still, unable to comprehend the silence within the room. The tension was so thick that the sharpest knife could not cut through it. She didn’t know what to expect from Rachel; she was never this quiet. All Quinn knew was that Rachel must have been truly dumbfounded if she wasn’t saying a single word. And that, she admitted to herself, was nothing good.
It seared again and Quinn cursed, snatching her arm away from the little girl. Little girl, she remarked to herself, Rachel is not a little girl, she is a woman. Swearing mentally, Quinn grabbed her Phoenix Feather core wand, sliding it within her cloak. Rachel looked at her; her deep brown eyes glazed with something similar to tears and confusion.
“You…” Rachel whispered, her forehead still varnished with sweet sweat. Quinn almost felt as if she could still taste her. She wanted to feel her skin against hers once more, but no, she had to go. “I-I…you…”
“Rachel, I can explain…” Quinn walked forward towards her, but Rachel backed away. She truly looked scared. This expression Quinn had never seen on the feisty young woman. Usually Rachel was somewhat similar to a little kid doped up on too much sugar: constantly babbling about nothing, using incomprehensible vocabulary and knowing every single answer to every question. Her hand would shoot up within two point five seconds and even if she wasn’t called on, she’d answer. Her nose always seemed to be in the air, and whether it was pure arrogance or just a protective shell, Quinn still did not know. But as Quinn’s gold tinted green eyes gazed at her, Rachel’s face was anything but all knowing.
It was scared, almost cowardly. Her eyes were slightly shut, but her brown iris’ were still in perfect view. Her shoulders were close together, fingers laced, playing. The long, brown tendrils were framing her cowering head. She looked like a little puppy that had just been kicked.
“You’re…one of them…You’re…” Rachel whispered, still cowering in fear as she backed away. Quinn felt like her heart was falling into the pit of her stomach looking at the innocent and obviously terrified young woman. Within all the time Quinn and Rachel had known one another, Quinn had never seen Rachel cower from another person before. And it was her fault.
“Rachel, I really can explain if you just…don’t be afraid of me. I won’t hurt you. I promise.”
Rachel didn’t know what to believe. This woman in front of her, a teacher and a role model, had betrayed her trust not only upon her, but upon the whole school and perhaps even the wizarding world. Rachel knew what these Death Eaters were fully capable of. The brunette wanted to trust her, wanted to take that pale, outstretched hand and hold her close like she had done moments ago, but something inside of her was telling her to back away, and put those stone walls up around her.
“I…want to believe you but, Quinn…” Rachel leant up against the desk, her arms wrapped protectively around herself. Quinn understood. The younger girl didn’t even have to voice how she felt, yet the blonde knew. She too, felt like that one time. She felt weak and afraid, almost as if the world had turned it’s back on her. Quinn walked over to Rachel, pushing the long, brown locks out of her eyes and looked down into them. Rachel pulled her head away slightly, flinching almost as if her touch was causing her pain. Quinn’s heart broke a little bit more. She had really hurt her.
It was then when the Dark Mark’s burn became too much to bear. Quinn squealed out in pain, her hand slapping over the mark, hoping to tone down some of the burning. That attempt did not work; angered, Quinn walked to the closet and pulled out her all-black broom and mounted it. Rachel looked at her.
“Wait, you’re leaving?” She questioned.
Quinn eyed Rachel soothingly. “Yes, I have to unless I’ll be murdered…” The hazel eyes turned downward, hooded by pale eyelids. “I’ll…try to contact you, okay? Irregardless of this horrible situation, I…um…I’ll be okay. Stay safe, Rachel.”
And with that, Quinn flew into the studded star sky. Rachel still couldn’t believe her eyes as Quinn melted away. She watched her professor leave her, a wave of emotions overcoming her.
Anger. Hate. Confusion. Hurt…Love? No, not possibly love.
Rachel shook her head. It couldn’t be. She promised herself she’d be contempt with loneliness. Love simply wasn’t worth the risk. She’d tell herself that over and over again as she walked into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom that Quinn ruled with a steady hand, but whenever their eyes met, she felt something that she’d never felt before.
It was almost like someone had kicked her in the gut - her stomach would fly up into her throat and it’d be hard to speak. Her heart would then race; her palms would sweat as Quinn walked near. Her voice, oh, that sweet voice made her quiver with want. She would zone out and just stare. Every now and then she caught herself daydreaming about the smart blonde; dreaming about her smile and her laugh. Rachel loved it when she made her laugh - it usually happened when the petite girl made an error and kicked herself for it. Then her face would turn a flush of pink, and she knew Quinn noticed it. She just decided not to pay attention to it.
Rachel knew there were definite feelings for the elder blonde, but she shook her head. It wasn’t love. She knew that for a fact. Perhaps infatuation, but not love. The two were very different.
But then again, her heart fluttered whenever she thought of her fingers lacing through her hair or their lips meeting in indubitable passion. And tonight, it had actually happened. A smile crept up on Rachel’s lips before it was wiped away.
Had Quinn been sneaking away every night? Was it Rachel’s fault Quinn had to leave the building? What if she had never seen the mark?
She felt guilty for yelling at the young woman. For, she didn’t even know why she was on the other side. Some people joined You-Know-Who out of fear, and Rachel guessed that that was the reason Quinn had joined - out of fear. But then again, most Death Eaters are good liars.
Quinn, a liar? It just didn’t seem to fit. She was nothing but honest in her lectures and ruled with a firm grip. She seemed heartfelt as she spoke to the students, and being a Gryffindor herself, was nothing but loyal. But loyal to whom? Both sides?
It simply did not fit.
“Rachel, are you okay?” Kurt looked down to the young girl, almost knocking into her as he swerved into the hallway, holding his books closely to his chest, his arms crossed. Rachel gave him a sweet smile before nodding, remaining quiet as they walked in the halls. It was way after curfew, and Rachel was secretly dying to prod and poke at her friend to find out why he was out so late. Of course, it was her business.
“You don’t seem okay.”
“Why are you out after curfew? You were supposed to be in the Common Room hours ago.” Rachel fired back, getting more edgy. How dare he keep prodding her.
“I could ask you the same question.”
“Hey dwarf!” a sinister laughter came across the corner as three goblets of pumpkin juice greeted Kurt and Rachel in the face. Malfoy and his two accomplices, Crabbe and Goyle, laughed loudly as the orange liquid dripped off the tips of their noses and chins. Rachel, who had dealt with the punches multiple times before, had enough and just felt like running away and crying. But her, being strong, wouldn’t let then see her falter. “Nice face mask, homo.”
“What is your problem?” Kurt yelled, standing up in Malfoy’s face. “What the hell have we ever done to you?”
“Well, for one, you were born, and two, drawfy here is just fun to make cry!” Malfoy laughed in Rachel’s face as they strode away, still laughing as if it was the funniest thing in the world. Rachel allowed the pumpkin juice to just run down her cheeks as she kept walking, leaving a grumbling Kurt behind.
“Rachel!” He called after her, jogging up. “What is up with you? You usually don’t take crap from anyone.”
“Just leave me alone, Kurt…”
If Quinn were here, Rachel thought despondently to herself, she’d defend me.
She was singing silently to herself; Rachel, who was taking down the daily essential questions in the cool Britain morning, seemed to be content. She had slept well, gotten all her homework done, and had managed to outsmart Hermione Granger twice in Ancient Runes. Today was simply the best day, and, to top it all off, she had double Defense Against the Dark Arts.
“…little miss didn’t do right, went and ruined all the true plans. Such a shame. Such a sin…”
“Hey Dwarf! May want to shut your mouth before all the little elves pray for mercy!” Malfoy than began to taunt her with all the dwarf jokes in the world.
“Shut it, Malfoy!” Rachel shouted back, standing up and putting her hands on her hips. “Little arrogant, selfish and egocentric boys like you need to learn when to shut their mouths.”
“Yeah, ditto dwarf.” Malfoy threw a small cup of what looked like melted metal all over Rachel’s robes. All the Slytherin’s in the Dark Arts classroom were laughing hysterically, and as Rachel ran her fingers over the metallic fluid, she realized that it was Unicorn’s blood. She then glared at Malfoy, tears running down her cheeks.
“You son of a bitch! You killed a Unicorn?!”
“What is going on here?”
The class went silent as their attention was suddenly turned towards the young blonde professor dressed in all black robes. She fled down the stairs like a cloud, noticing Rachel’s distraught state and wrapped her hand carefully around her shoulder. “What is going on? Anyone care to explain?”
“I was singing and Malfoy was being an egotistical maniac and then he threw Unicorns blood on me and now I’m going to keep having nightmares about all the little baby unicorns begging for their blood back…” Rachel rambled, feeling like a small second grader ‘tattling’ on a bully. She knew she’d get beaten for it later.
Quinn’s glare was directed towards Malfoy. “Is this true?” Quinn gave Rachel’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Three weeks detention Mr. Malfoy. I’ll be seeing you after school.”
“What? Three weeks? Are you a nutter?”
“Obviously I wouldn’t be talking if you’re the one who knew where to find Unicorns blood and have the mental capacity to want to throw it on an innocent girl. Now Rachel, let me escort you up to the common room so we can get you some new robes…Everyone turn to…”
Her heart was pounding in her ears, her breathing was extremely ragged and she thought that everything would be over soon. Rachel thought that maybe if she ran from Malfoy, ran from Kurt, and ran all the way up to the girls bedroom that she may be running away from her problems, leaving them behind for someone else to deal with. She thought she’d feel better, but the plan backfired. As Rachel Barbara Berry laid in her canopy bed with cascading blood red curtains, all she could think about was making love to Quinn Fabray and touching that permanent tattoo upon her arm. A sharp sting seared across her chest making her flinch in pain before she turned over in bed, and let the tears fall.
The pain in her arm seared again at the small girls bronzed fingers graced it. Although her eyes were shut, her head looking away, the pain in her arm was nothing compared to the pain that was within herself. Quinn knew this day would come - the day Rachel discovered who she truly was. But the mark had nothing to do with who she was. Who she truly was, was the person she allowed herself to be as she was around Rachel - she smiling, loving and that carefree ‘little girl’ that she used to be before havoc struck her family. Quinn shuddered; no, she wouldn’t think of it.
The blonde stood still, unable to comprehend the silence within the room. The tension was so thick that the sharpest knife could not cut through it. She didn’t know what to expect from Rachel; she was never this quiet. All Quinn knew was that Rachel must have been truly dumbfounded if she wasn’t saying a single word. And that, she admitted to herself, was nothing good.
It seared again and Quinn cursed, snatching her arm away from the little girl. Little girl, she remarked to herself, Rachel is not a little girl, she is a woman. Swearing mentally, Quinn grabbed her Phoenix Feather core wand, sliding it within her cloak. Rachel looked at her; her deep brown eyes glazed with something similar to tears and confusion.
“You…” Rachel whispered, her forehead still varnished with sweet sweat. Quinn almost felt as if she could still taste her. She wanted to feel her skin against hers once more, but no, she had to go. “I-I…you…”
“Rachel, I can explain…” Quinn walked forward towards her, but Rachel backed away. She truly looked scared. This expression Quinn had never seen on the feisty young woman. Usually Rachel was somewhat similar to a little kid doped up on too much sugar: constantly babbling about nothing, using incomprehensible vocabulary and knowing every single answer to every question. Her hand would shoot up within two point five seconds and even if she wasn’t called on, she’d answer. Her nose always seemed to be in the air, and whether it was pure arrogance or just a protective shell, Quinn still did not know. But as Quinn’s gold tinted green eyes gazed at her, Rachel’s face was anything but all knowing.
It was scared, almost cowardly. Her eyes were slightly shut, but her brown iris’ were still in perfect view. Her shoulders were close together, fingers laced, playing. The long, brown tendrils were framing her cowering head. She looked like a little puppy that had just been kicked.
“You’re…one of them…You’re…” Rachel whispered, still cowering in fear as she backed away. Quinn felt like her heart was falling into the pit of her stomach looking at the innocent and obviously terrified young woman. Within all the time Quinn and Rachel had known one another, Quinn had never seen Rachel cower from another person before. And it was her fault.
“Rachel, I really can explain if you just…don’t be afraid of me. I won’t hurt you. I promise.”
Rachel didn’t know what to believe. This woman in front of her, a teacher and a role model, had betrayed her trust not only upon her, but upon the whole school and perhaps even the wizarding world. Rachel knew what these Death Eaters were fully capable of. The brunette wanted to trust her, wanted to take that pale, outstretched hand and hold her close like she had done moments ago, but something inside of her was telling her to back away, and put those stone walls up around her.
“I…want to believe you but, Quinn…” Rachel leant up against the desk, her arms wrapped protectively around herself. Quinn understood. The younger girl didn’t even have to voice how she felt, yet the blonde knew. She too, felt like that one time. She felt weak and afraid, almost as if the world had turned it’s back on her. Quinn walked over to Rachel, pushing the long, brown locks out of her eyes and looked down into them. Rachel pulled her head away slightly, flinching almost as if her touch was causing her pain. Quinn’s heart broke a little bit more. She had really hurt her.
It was then when the Dark Mark’s burn became too much to bear. Quinn squealed out in pain, her hand slapping over the mark, hoping to tone down some of the burning. That attempt did not work; angered, Quinn walked to the closet and pulled out her all-black broom and mounted it. Rachel looked at her.
“Wait, you’re leaving?” She questioned.
Quinn eyed Rachel soothingly. “Yes, I have to unless I’ll be murdered…” The hazel eyes turned downward, hooded by pale eyelids. “I’ll…try to contact you, okay? Irregardless of this horrible situation, I…um…I’ll be okay. Stay safe, Rachel.”
And with that, Quinn flew into the studded star sky. Rachel still couldn’t believe her eyes as Quinn melted away. She watched her professor leave her, a wave of emotions overcoming her.
Anger. Hate. Confusion. Hurt…Love? No, not possibly love.
Rachel shook her head. It couldn’t be. She promised herself she’d be contempt with loneliness. Love simply wasn’t worth the risk. She’d tell herself that over and over again as she walked into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom that Quinn ruled with a steady hand, but whenever their eyes met, she felt something that she’d never felt before.
It was almost like someone had kicked her in the gut - her stomach would fly up into her throat and it’d be hard to speak. Her heart would then race; her palms would sweat as Quinn walked near. Her voice, oh, that sweet voice made her quiver with want. She would zone out and just stare. Every now and then she caught herself daydreaming about the smart blonde; dreaming about her smile and her laugh. Rachel loved it when she made her laugh - it usually happened when the petite girl made an error and kicked herself for it. Then her face would turn a flush of pink, and she knew Quinn noticed it. She just decided not to pay attention to it.
Rachel knew there were definite feelings for the elder blonde, but she shook her head. It wasn’t love. She knew that for a fact. Perhaps infatuation, but not love. The two were very different.
But then again, her heart fluttered whenever she thought of her fingers lacing through her hair or their lips meeting in indubitable passion. And tonight, it had actually happened. A smile crept up on Rachel’s lips before it was wiped away.
Had Quinn been sneaking away every night? Was it Rachel’s fault Quinn had to leave the building? What if she had never seen the mark?
She felt guilty for yelling at the young woman. For, she didn’t even know why she was on the other side. Some people joined You-Know-Who out of fear, and Rachel guessed that that was the reason Quinn had joined - out of fear. But then again, most Death Eaters are good liars.
Quinn, a liar? It just didn’t seem to fit. She was nothing but honest in her lectures and ruled with a firm grip. She seemed heartfelt as she spoke to the students, and being a Gryffindor herself, was nothing but loyal. But loyal to whom? Both sides?
It simply did not fit.
“Rachel, are you okay?” Kurt looked down to the young girl, almost knocking into her as he swerved into the hallway, holding his books closely to his chest, his arms crossed. Rachel gave him a sweet smile before nodding, remaining quiet as they walked in the halls. It was way after curfew, and Rachel was secretly dying to prod and poke at her friend to find out why he was out so late. Of course, it was her business.
“You don’t seem okay.”
“Why are you out after curfew? You were supposed to be in the Common Room hours ago.” Rachel fired back, getting more edgy. How dare he keep prodding her.
“I could ask you the same question.”
“Hey dwarf!” a sinister laughter came across the corner as three goblets of pumpkin juice greeted Kurt and Rachel in the face. Malfoy and his two accomplices, Crabbe and Goyle, laughed loudly as the orange liquid dripped off the tips of their noses and chins. Rachel, who had dealt with the punches multiple times before, had enough and just felt like running away and crying. But her, being strong, wouldn’t let then see her falter. “Nice face mask, homo.”
“What is your problem?” Kurt yelled, standing up in Malfoy’s face. “What the hell have we ever done to you?”
“Well, for one, you were born, and two, drawfy here is just fun to make cry!” Malfoy laughed in Rachel’s face as they strode away, still laughing as if it was the funniest thing in the world. Rachel allowed the pumpkin juice to just run down her cheeks as she kept walking, leaving a grumbling Kurt behind.
“Rachel!” He called after her, jogging up. “What is up with you? You usually don’t take crap from anyone.”
“Just leave me alone, Kurt…”
If Quinn were here, Rachel thought despondently to herself, she’d defend me.
She was singing silently to herself; Rachel, who was taking down the daily essential questions in the cool Britain morning, seemed to be content. She had slept well, gotten all her homework done, and had managed to outsmart Hermione Granger twice in Ancient Runes. Today was simply the best day, and, to top it all off, she had double Defense Against the Dark Arts.
“…little miss didn’t do right, went and ruined all the true plans. Such a shame. Such a sin…”
“Hey Dwarf! May want to shut your mouth before all the little elves pray for mercy!” Malfoy than began to taunt her with all the dwarf jokes in the world.
“Shut it, Malfoy!” Rachel shouted back, standing up and putting her hands on her hips. “Little arrogant, selfish and egocentric boys like you need to learn when to shut their mouths.”
“Yeah, ditto dwarf.” Malfoy threw a small cup of what looked like melted metal all over Rachel’s robes. All the Slytherin’s in the Dark Arts classroom were laughing hysterically, and as Rachel ran her fingers over the metallic fluid, she realized that it was Unicorn’s blood. She then glared at Malfoy, tears running down her cheeks.
“You son of a bitch! You killed a Unicorn?!”
“What is going on here?”
The class went silent as their attention was suddenly turned towards the young blonde professor dressed in all black robes. She fled down the stairs like a cloud, noticing Rachel’s distraught state and wrapped her hand carefully around her shoulder. “What is going on? Anyone care to explain?”
“I was singing and Malfoy was being an egotistical maniac and then he threw Unicorns blood on me and now I’m going to keep having nightmares about all the little baby unicorns begging for their blood back…” Rachel rambled, feeling like a small second grader ‘tattling’ on a bully. She knew she’d get beaten for it later.
Quinn’s glare was directed towards Malfoy. “Is this true?” Quinn gave Rachel’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Three weeks detention Mr. Malfoy. I’ll be seeing you after school.”
“What? Three weeks? Are you a nutter?”
“Obviously I wouldn’t be talking if you’re the one who knew where to find Unicorns blood and have the mental capacity to want to throw it on an innocent girl. Now Rachel, let me escort you up to the common room so we can get you some new robes…Everyone turn to…”
Her heart was pounding in her ears, her breathing was extremely ragged and she thought that everything would be over soon. Rachel thought that maybe if she ran from Malfoy, ran from Kurt, and ran all the way up to the girls bedroom that she may be running away from her problems, leaving them behind for someone else to deal with. She thought she’d feel better, but the plan backfired. As Rachel Barbara Berry laid in her canopy bed with cascading blood red curtains, all she could think about was making love to Quinn Fabray and touching that permanent tattoo upon her arm. A sharp sting seared across her chest making her flinch in pain before she turned over in bed, and let the tears fall.