Marked || ONEUS Leedo

13

It was two days before they wanted to leave the meadow behind. The pair had just gathered to have lunch. Their food was getting less and less as well. Soon, they would need more or limit themselves. In this case, it was ironically good that they hadn't been able to eat several meals after the funeral. They had no appetite.

The campfire was melting the thick snow around it. The furious flames were the only thing giving warmth outside of the tent. In thoughts, both stared at it. A small crack made the girl flinch. Looking into the endless white distance of the forest, her eyes recognised a male figure making his way to them. The witch was alarmed at once, but then she thought to realise who this male was.

"Is that Geonhak?" Enya dared to ask.

"Where?" the male next to her immediately jumped up from his seat. Then, he caught sight of the traitor as well.

Geonhak was still wearing the same black suit he had been wearing at the manor. Enya couldn't help but stare at the dark mark ruining his forearm. The black skull had a snake protruding from its mouth, alone the motive sent shivers down her spine.

The bitter feeling of betrayal came back. For some reason, it had been tempered. Had it to do with Keonhee? If so, shouldn't she be even more furious at him?

"What the hell are you doing here?!" the furious wizard yelled and walked over to Geonhak. The wounds were still fresh. Dongju's emotions were taking over.

Dongju flicked his wand in Geonhak's direction several times, each time summoning a weak spell that would push Geonhak further backwards with a small stinging pain. Geonhak didn't fight it. He didn't even hold his wand. He allowed Dongju to further push him away even though his body threatened to give up on him.

He deserved it.

Small scratches were all over his arms and face. Dongju didn't stop.

"Stop it, Dongju!" Enya had gotten up as well and tried to stop him before he would cast worse spells "That's enough!"

With one last flick of his wand, the youngest stopped and stomped back to Enya. She, however, made her way to Geonhak. Still not saying a word, the blond looked her straight into her eyes. It made her furious. It made her furious how his eyes hadn't lost a single bit of affection. How could he look at her now but not at the manor? Without any second thoughts and pursed lips, Enya slapped him across the face.

"What do you want here? How did you find us?"

"I ran away. They are coming to Hogwarts."

"That doesn't explain why you had to come to find us." Dongju hissed from behind. Then he added, "Do you know what all of this cost us? Keonhee's dead! Keonhee is fucking dead because that witch killed him!"

"I know." Geonhak's voice was lower than ever.

"This is all your fault."

"I know."

"We had to bury him with our own hands, we-" his voice broke.

Enya wanted to counter Dongju's emotional outbreak. The boy's feelings were getting in the way and after some time he would probably regret saying all of the things he was recklessly spitting out now. She wanted to protect Geonhak, but she couldn't get herself to speak up. Wasn't Dongju right after all?

None of the three spoke. Dongju had lowered his wand.

Dongju and the girl glanced at each other. Her eyes told him that she wanted to give Geonhak a chance. She couldn't just send him away again. By now, Voldemort must know who had the Elder Wand. If Geonhak had run away, they would be after him as well once they find Bellatrix's body. Still, the girl didn't allow herself to let her guard down.

"Okay," she started "You can stay. But not with us in the same tent. We don't trust you, Geonhak. You have betrayed us. You are a traitor." her voice was shaking "Nothing will make us forget what you've done. Time will tell where your loyalties are."

The male just nodded. He was thankful that he was not being sent away, but he didn't dare to speak up. Guilt threatened to eat him alive. Dongju and Enya silently retreated into their temporary home and left Geonhak alone with the fire. It would hold him warm.

Dongju was visibly torn inside of his mind and heart. The youngest was fidgeting with his fingers ever since they had come back inside. Soon, he began to study the map to distract himself. Enya sighed.

Some hours later, she peeked at Geonhak. He had found the cross in the snow, it was barely visible. Kneeling down in front of it, he paused, taking a moment to mumble something to Keonhee. The blond continued to silently sit at the grave for hours.

Enya shouldn't feel sorry for him. But if what she had seen and felt at the manor, were his true colours? Then, he wasn't the bad guy. He had tried to protect her, yet Enya hadn't dared to speak to Dongju about it because it seemed absurd.

Geonhak was grieving as well.