The Owlery

'not going to try and curse me again?' I ask, slightly wary. i didnt know how angry he was.

"I would never hurt you River. That Auror Boy, however, I would gladly kill."

'He's not the auror boy at the moment.' I step into the room slowly. 'He cant remember anything.'

"Oh, how convenient," he murmured disgustedly. "So how are you two holding up? Have you decided that you like him more than me? Is he easier to deal with?"

'death...' The pain showed in my voice. 'dont. please. this isnt eay for me eeither.'

"Well I certainly hope not. You chose this after all, I hope you'd feel just how uneasy this all is."

'I love you. but thats the problem. My heart holds everyone in there, and i cant helpbut love him too. i dont know what to do, death. you have to understand...'

"You've made your choice Riv. You chose him. He's probably nicer to you, doesn't make you make hard decisions. Hell, he probably treats you like the fucking muggle queen!"

OOC Arty: ehhh -nervous laugh-

I flinch and look away from him, remembering the way artemis had spoken to me. he didnt treat me well...not really.

He nodded. "I knew it. So, instead of apologising to me why don't you take this," he took his wedding ring off of his left hand and offered for her to take it, "and go give it to the guy who was better than me."

He held his hand out, waiting for her to take the ring.

I shake my head, instead, folding his fingers round it. 'you keep it...'

"No, River. Take it. I don't want it any more!" He opened her hand and thrust the ring into it.

'So youve given up on me? just like that?'

"I'm not the one who gave up," he whispered.

'Im sorry.' I choke out, taking a small step towards him. 'Im sorry...im sorry...im sorry.'

"What do you want me to do River? Take you into my arms and whisper sweet nothings to you? This isn't going to go away just because you apologize."

'I know. I want to explain...but i dont know how.'

"Why don't you try from the beginning? That usually helps a bit. How'd this all happen? How did our lives go to shit in just a few days?"

I shake my head. 'If i say anything....you will hate me more than you already do.'

"Well not communicating never solved anything Riv. Talk to me damn it. I want to know what's going on."

I close my eyes briefly, taking a breath before going to sit on top of a table. i glance up at him before looking at my hands. 'There are 3 people i love in my life. Crouch. You. and...Artemis.' I shake my head. 'Did you ever wonder why i hated...being what i am? it wasnt just because i felt like i was betraying some of my friends, but other people I loved. Do you know what it is like to have your heart torn in two directions, and not knowing which side to follow?'

"No, I honestly can't say I do."

'this is so hard to explain...' I sigh. 'I just kept hurting and hurting artemis, but i just hurt me too. He wiped his memory because i, as his best friend, hurt him that much. i just do everything wrong!'

"You do a lot of things wrong, but not everything. You're human, screwing up is natural."