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Post by Aurelia Krizova on Nov 26, 2009 12:52:18 GMT -5
After they had finished talking with the Headmaster about the incident with Danica, Aurelia and Henri went in to town for their talk over coffee. Aurelia was quiet during the walk over there. She was still trying to collect her thoughts and figure out just what she was supposed to say to him, knowing that he apparently didn't remember a thing.
The memory lapse worried her. It could have been a memory charm, but who could have done it? Pavel and his father probably would have wanted Henri out of the picture, but they were muggles. They couldn't perform a memory charm. She had also heard of people suffering memory problems after hitting their heads or having some other traumatic thing happen to them... but what could have happened to make him forget her?
When they finally entered the little tea shop in Hogsmeade, Aurelia ordered a cup of tea, then chose a seat near the back, so that they could talk in relative privacy.
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Post by Henri Gillet on Nov 26, 2009 18:39:14 GMT -5
The silence didn't really bother Henri. After all, he was trying to wrap his mind around why he wouldn't remember this woman. Her reaction told him that they had been close, but he wasn't sure as to what was there. Hoping that going for coffee could put some kind of perspective on the situation.
Arriving at the little tea shop, Henri opened the door behind her and ordered a cup of tea as well. Following Aurelia to the back of the shop, Henri waited until she was seated before taking his own seat. Once he was seated, he ran his hands down the top of his pants. He wasn't sure where to start.
Luckily, the waitress quickly appeared with their tea, and Henri thanked her. "I wish there was something I could remember about something, but there's nothing coming to me."
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Post by Aurelia Krizova on Nov 26, 2009 20:36:23 GMT -5
Aurelia didn't look at him for a moment as she took her teacup in her hands and blew at the steam. Her eyes were stinging again, and she did not want to cry. It was just such a strange predicament to find herself in--reuniting with the man she'd loved for so long, only to find that he had no memory of her at all. It made her wonder if she had somehow imagined it all; just dreamed it all because she couldn't bear to believe that Pavel was the closest she had ever come to love.
But no. Everything about Henri was so achingly familiar. Every movement, every gesture, the lilt of his accent seeping into his words... nothing had changed. Except, apparently, for her. Did he feel nothing when he looked at her?
Finally she raised her eyes to his. "I don't know how you don't remember," she said softly. "I can only assume that something happened... a memory charm, or an accident.... But we loved each other. We were going to run away together."
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Post by Henri Gillet on Nov 26, 2009 21:52:16 GMT -5
It wasn't that Henri didn't feel anything at all when he looked at her, but he didn't know how to describe it. Yes, Aurelia seemed painfully familiar, but he couldn't for the life of him place where he knew her from.
Hearing that they loved each other and were going to run away together made something in Henri ache. His eyes moved from hers to his tea cup. How was he supposed to respond to that? He had already said that he was sorry, but that didn't make up anything.
Raising his eyes, Henri looked directly at Aurelia. "Why were we going to run away?"
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Post by Aurelia Krizova on Nov 26, 2009 22:13:58 GMT -5
Aurelia sighed softly. This was so awkward... not at all how she had always pictured this reunion would go. How could she sit there and tell him what they had gone through together, if he didn't remember it?
"I was engaged to someone else. The marriage had been arranged since I was born. But I didn't love him. In fact, I hated him. He was cruel to me. When you and I met at school... at Beauxbatons... we fell in love instantly. But in spite of that, and in spite of the fact that I was a witch and he was a muggle, I was still supposed to marry him. So we were going to run away together. But you disappeared... and then it was too late. I couldn't get away, and I had to marry him. He hit me... so I took Danica and ran."
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Post by Henri Gillet on Nov 27, 2009 17:18:40 GMT -5
This was kind of awkward, Henri had to admit. This woman claimed that they had been in love, and Henri couldn't help but believe her. It wasn't his trusting nature, however, it was her actions.
As usual, Henri's hand went to his hair as he tried to piece everything together. "I remember going to Beauxbatons," he said, "and I remember moving with my mere and soeur one day, although I can't remember why. We just moved in with Julie, my aunt." He shook his head. "I don't understand why I wouldn't remember anything. I know that I wouldn't ever forget you, from what you are saying."
He figured that if he was someone else, he would have just run from the situation. But he wasn't anyone else. He was Henri. Pulling himself out of his thoughts, he felt a sudden rush of anger. "He hit you," he asked with his eyebrows furrowing. Just the thought of a man raising a hand to a woman like that, for no good reason (if it was in a duel (if the woman was a death eater) and self defense, that was a completely different story), baffled Henri to no end.
"I'm sorry. I wish I could fix everything," he said casting his eyes downward as he leaned back in his chair.
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Post by Aurelia Krizova on Nov 27, 2009 23:30:06 GMT -5
That was her Henri. She had known, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that if he had ever known that Pavel had abused her, that he would have found her and got her out of there immediately. She had always told him about the other ways Pavel used to torment her, and he'd always been so outraged. But Pavel had never laid a hand to her directly until after Danica was born. Something had changed, and Aurelia always wondered if it was because he suspected that the girl might not be his child.
The way he was talking, it sounded very much like a memory charm. She was not sure if memory charms could be reversed; they were not something that was generally taught. Only specialized people could do them. But maybe she could bring him to St. Mungo's... maybe Kieran could help.
"I know it's a lot to ask, and you probably think I'm crazy, but would you consent to be checked out in the hospital? I have a friend who is a healer, and he might be able to help, to see if there was a memory charm placed on you."
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Post by Henri Gillet on Nov 28, 2009 7:19:23 GMT -5
Henri didn't know a lot about memory charms, other than just the spells themselves. His eyes raised up to look at Aurelia again. "I don't think you're crazy," he said seriously. He wondered if the memory charm, or whatever could be reversed. He wondered what would happen after that. Would things happen like they would have had there never been a memory charm?
Henri's curiosity was getting the best of him. "If it can be reversed, or anything, then oui. I give my consent. I want to try to remember anything at all." He grew quiet for a moment before speaking again. "However, if it cannot be reversed, maybe we could start over?" Henri hadn't known this woman for even a day, but there was a certain attachment to her there. As cheesy or cliche as it sounded, love wasn't that easy to destroy.
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Post by Aurelia Krizova on Nov 28, 2009 13:03:16 GMT -5
She felt like her heart was going to burst. She and Henri had always been able to understand each other, often without words. They frequently had found themselves to have the same idea, the same thought. And even now, they were still doing it. She had been about to suggest that they try to start over, to get to know each other all over again. Even if it was a memory charm and it could somehow be reversed, it was still a good idea anyway. So many years had passed, and they had both gone through so much, that it was a good idea to see if they could fit together again, the way they once had.
"I would like that very much," she said, smiling almost shyly.
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Post by Henri Gillet on Nov 28, 2009 15:06:21 GMT -5
Just like Aurelia was thinking, Henri knew that even if the memory charm could be reversed, they would have to get to know each other all over again. Henri hadn't changed completely. Sure, he had gotten a Ministry job, finally got his own place (even though he did go visit his mother every other day, if not everyday), and gotten older, but not much else had changed.
"What has happened with you since school, other than having Danica, and being abused by that so called man?" There was almost hatred in his voice at the last part. Even though Henri could not remember the man that Aurelia was engaged to, the one thing that never changed was his dislike for him. "Danica said that you work at Ambrosia."
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Post by Aurelia Krizova on Nov 28, 2009 16:59:21 GMT -5
Aurelia nodded. "Yes, I work at Ambrosia. I play the piano. I used to play for you...." She sighed. He wouldn't remember, of course. But his favorite piece was also Danica's favorite piece, which was the reason Pavel hated it when she played it. She used to tease Henri about it all the time, and after he disappeared and she married Pavel, she would cry when she played it.
"Perhaps you could come and see me play some time," she suggested.
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Post by Henri Gillet on Nov 28, 2009 17:28:27 GMT -5
"J'aimerais vous entendre jouer du piano," he said. The piano was probably his favorite instrument to listen to. He loved to listen to all of the emotions played on it, from the long flowy notes to the sharp staccato notes.
"I'd love to hear you play piano," Henri translated. He wasn't sure if she knew what he said. "How often do you work?" He knew that he could make time to go see her play, that would not be a problem.
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Post by Aurelia Krizova on Nov 28, 2009 23:52:16 GMT -5
She didn't need the translation; she always understood what he was saying, even when she didn't recognize the words. Perhaps it was something about the language of love--there was something instinctive about it.
"I work every night, except for Wednesday and Sunday," she replied. "I'm actually supposed to be there now... I told them I had a family emergency."
She paused to take a sip from her tea, looking at him through her lashes. She had so many things she wanted to ask him, and it was all so overwhelming. But it must have been worse for him, to have a strange woman tell him that he had been in love with her, but he didn't remember it.
"What about you? You said you left with your mother and sister, but what do you do now? What has happened in your life?"
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Post by Henri Gillet on Nov 29, 2009 11:12:25 GMT -5
"Je serai là," he said with a smile. It might be a little awkward whenever he would go see her play, but what was life without any awkwardness? That would be what his mother would tell him anyway.
"I'm an auror. I started training soon after we moved here. My mere started to bake a few things from Aunt Julie's and sell them. Marie is off in America now with an American. They married about a year ago." He paused for a moment to take a sip of tea. "I help mere whenever I go see her and Aunt Julie. Other than that, nothing has really changed."
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Post by Aurelia Krizova on Nov 29, 2009 18:31:49 GMT -5
"An auror?" she repeated, smiling. It suited him perfectly. She had always thought of him as her knight in shining armor... it was only appropriate that he would choose a heroic sort of job. "That is very impressive."
He had always been unsure of what he wanted to do when he finished school, but he had always talked about a job where he could help people.
"It's a dangerous job, yes? I hope you are careful. The situation... it has been frightening lately. One of my friends... she lost her husband and daughter in the Hogsmeade attack. Her son also lost his fiancee. I just can't understand why people would want to hurt children like that..."
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Post by Henri Gillet on Nov 29, 2009 19:48:17 GMT -5
For the first time since he could remember, Henri felt heat rising in his cheeks. "Merci," he said. He bit the inside of his cheek, then nodded. "Oui. I try to be careful." That wasn't really a lie. He started to be careful once he got in, but then again he wasn't worried about himself.
"Je ne sais pas," said Henri with a shrug. "The whole world is starting to become dangerous. Promise that you'll be safe whenever you go out?" He knew that he probably didn't have to ask, and he knew that it was probably odd that he would already ask that of her, but then again their situation was different from everyone else's.
"They're out there, somewhere and we don't know when they'll be back. That's the main reason I'm patrolling the school. Although, I do have to say it was fun the other night. Danica is a very sweet petite fille."
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Post by Aurelia Krizova on Nov 29, 2009 22:42:16 GMT -5
"I will be careful," she said, blushing slightly. "And I feel so much safer, knowing that you are patrolling the school. You can help protect Danica when I cannot."
At the mention of Danica, Aurelia broke into a smile. It was impossible for her not to smile when talking about Danica. Her daughter really was the light of her life. "She is, isn't she? She's very special... It's just been her and me for so long..."
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Post by Henri Gillet on Nov 30, 2009 6:59:12 GMT -5
Danica was very special, that Henri could admit. Her curiosity was something else. Henri didn't mind answering the questions he could answer, and carrying on a conversation with her was something he found he liked.
Seeing Aurelia's face as she started to talk about her daughter made Henri smile. He liked the way her face lit up. "She's brave, that's for certain, and very trusting. You've brought her up very well." His smile was soft as his hands went around his tea cup.
He let his smile fade after he drank from his cup. "The two of you are safe and happy here, n'est ce pas?" Henri felt pretty protective of Danica, and now of Aurelia. Of course, he would feel protective of almost anyone when the time came that he had to be, but those two were different.
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Post by Aurelia Krizova on Nov 30, 2009 15:59:49 GMT -5
Aurelia smiled. Although every mother would say that her child is special and perfect, Aurelia knew it to be true. Almost everyone who met her adored her. “Thank you,” she said. “She is everything to me.”
Life had been difficult in the first few years after they left Pavel, but Aurelia was strong and stubborn and she did whatever she could to make sure that Danica was safe and loved. In return, Danica had been her wonderful, sweet self. She made things so much easier, and whenever Aurelia had felt about to give up, Danica always inspired her to keep going.
“We are safe… as much as anyone can be these days,” Aurelia assured him. “I don’t think my husband is coming after me… it’s been so long.”
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Post by Henri Gillet on Nov 30, 2009 17:09:21 GMT -5
"Bien," he said. Henri couldn't imagine what would happen if her husband did ever come after her. If he didn't care about raising a hand and actually hitting her, there was no telling as to what else he would do.
"Let's hope he doesn't decide to at all." He would hate the thought of anything happened to either Danica or Aurelia. Henri didn't want anything else to stop him from getting to Aurelia again. He was willing to start over and see where things went and something couldn't prevent that from happening, could it? Something prevented them before, but the world couldn't be that mean, right?
"When do you want to go to the hospital? I have to work tomorrow, and I did promise Danica that I'd bring her a couple of things. I could bring you some aussi, if you would like."
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