The Black Lake

After a few long seconds I realize what I'm doing and immediately stop. No... This isn't me... I start to shake, falling to my knees, a wave of shame and guilt washing over me. I was acting like my dad... Like Crouch... I'm terrible...

-She was hesitating, now was my chance.- "CRUCIO!!"

I scream out, knowing I deserved it for being like my father. I may hate Crouch, but I don't want to be similar to him in any way... I deserve this... Punishment...

-I wake up and see what is happen. I tackle Crouch to the ground and begin to muggle fight with him.-

Crest... He wouldn't have wanted me doing that... I'm terrible... Horrible... Worthless... I don't deserve a guy like him... How'd I get lucky enough to have a guy like him? I'm beyond grateful... But all I do is worry him... I probably hurt him by letting Crouch do this to me. I'm terrible...

"Muggle combat is simply barbaric and of no amusement." -I curse Crest back and run back to the castle.-

Crest: "Sam... are you alright?" -I run over to her beyond worried.-

My eyes are filled with tears. "I'm sorry, Crest... I'm so sorry..." Pathetic... Weak... Idiotic...

"You have nothing to feel bad about.." -I hug her closely.-

"Yes... I do... I fought with him when I knew I wouldn't be able to beat him... When I knew that I wasn't skilled enough..." I get choked up with tears and sobs the more I say, "When I knew you'd be worried and that I'd hurt you by doing this..." I cry into his chest, feeling like the worst person to ever walk this planet.

"But I know why you did it. You did it to feel stronger, to not be seen as a stepping stone."

"I've never seen you as such. You're a lot stronger than you know. And it looked like you were handling yourself quite well."

I look up at Crest, my eyes a bit red and watery from crying. He's not mad... He's calm. He's here. Comforting... I hug him tightly, "Thank you... For everything..."

-I wipe her tears and smile at her.-

I smile back at him, feeling so grateful. "I love you, Crest. I love you so much..."

"I love you too Sam... and I'm very proud of you." -I smile at her and wonder if I should do it.-

OOC

IC My smile widens, "Really?" Now I have that wonderful feeling you get when someone you love and care for deeply is proud of you... Amazing how I can go from depressed to happy in a matter of seconds when Crest is with me.

"Sam..."

"Yes?"

"You're the most precious woman in this world."

"I used to think the world was cold, harsh, unkind. I too became that, thinking that was the only way. But you showed me I was wrong."

I look up at him, smiling, blushing a little bit with happiness. It looks like he's going to go on, so I don't say anything, just smile at him happily.

"I'm not very good with words, but I am good with actions... therefore..."

-I drop to one knee.-

My heart races. What's going on...? I remember Topher's proposal to Potion, that having been the first I've seen, and it hits me. Is... Is he proposing? Down on one knee, telling me what he loves about me... I smile, anxious, but excited.

"Samantha Nuel..."

I'm so happy my eyes start to water a little, "Yes...?"

-I reveal to her a ring. It was silver and had diamonds surrounding it. Artisan has really outdone himself this time. Not that I'd ever tell him that. Lord knows his ego is big enough to deal with.-

"Will you marry me?"

His words have striked me speechless. So I nod, grinning, so surprised at hearing the question I thought I'd never hear. Eventually, I manage a "Yes", feeling like I'm going to explode in tears of joy; it's like nothing can ruin this day.