[Lake] The seen and the unseen [Will]

[Prof. Hannah Edgecombe]

Morning crept into her room, the sunlight steaming in through the window causing her to rouse earlier than intended. The weekends were meant to sleep in but the sun had other ideas and once Hannah's eyes opened she was hard pressed to close them and fall back to sleep. Checking the clock on her bedside table she saw that it was 7 am. Staring out the window secretly cursing the sun she slipped out of bed, threw on her robe and conjured herself a cup of coffee. She could not recall the last time she was up at this hour even during term she woke just before the start of class making it there on time.

Sipping coffee while standing by the window she saw how pretty it was outside. Something about it softened her a bit and her bad mood began to dissipate now a smile crept up on her lips as she drank the last drops of coffee. Perhaps she should take advantage of the early start she had gotten. It had been so long since she got in a good jog. Now that she was eating again her curvy figure returned but she had yet to begin working out again. That would lead to curves turning into something else something she didn't want...

After showering Hannah threw on a jog suit and some old trainers. People were just beginning to rouse, the caretaker was in the halls patrolling for some naughty kids Hannah put his mind at ease "There's no one you need to worry about that's even awake yet, you may as well go and do some relaxing, I don't foresee a need for you for about another two hours, make sure you have a really big mop and bucket." She told him and despite his shock at her knowing that he listened and went back to his office. Hannah's visions had been sporadic at best lately. Some days she could see things clear as day like now, then others she saw what could only be described as a fuzzy picture, the kind you see on an old fashioned TV with an antenna.

She wondered if this had anything to do with the stress she was under, the stress that had manifested itself into an eating disorder only months earlier. Despite telling herself over and over she wouldn't allow her father's mess to make her miserable she couldn't stop thinking about it. This was unfair of him he didn't care about her in the least her own father the man she looked up to most in the world. Hannah now outside started running the second she saw daylight. Running running trying to forget.

Round and around the lake she stopped counting after the third lap. She ad no idea why she couldn't stop she just kept running as if by running she could out run her problems. Her mind was blank she didn't want to see anything didn't want to know anything. She had closed it all out which was why she never saw his approach...She began to feel dizzy now, her lungs begging for her to stop. Unrelenting Hannah pushed on until her legs simply just gave way and she fell basically passing out.

[Professor William Vaid]

He awoke with a pounding headache. The night before had worn him out entirely and he looked like he'd been dragged through a hedge backwards, or should that be a tree? The Whomping Willow wasn't good at the best of times, but especially not when drunk. He knew if he went to see Dan he would be nursing his dead head too. That was the first, Will being the bad influence.

Luckily down in the Dungeons the sun didn't creep in anywhere, so that was a bonus for when you had a hangover. Opening his eyes was a lot of effort for him and he had to blink a few times to be able to focus properly. His vision was still slightly blurry but Will was hoping a shower would sort him out. Throwing back his duvet, his head threatened to explode as he stood up and walked over to the mirror on the wall. Pushing his hair back he looked at the state of his face, a deep scratch down his left cheek and he skimmed his finger over the cut lightly feeling the wound and he sighed. He looked down at his arms and his chest to see similar wounds in various places. What the hell went on last night? Will would probably remember soon enough, if not he was sure Dan would be delighted to fill in the details for him.

Jumping in the shower he washed and jumped out, feeling much more refreshed but still with the astounding headache pumping in his head like a wizard rock concert. He pulled on a pair of loose jeans and a tight shirt before opening his door and picking up the daily prophet on the floor. He needed fresh air, so pulling on his socks and shoes, he wandered slowly outside, stopping by the kitchens to grab a cup of tea before he found himself wandering to the lake.

It was then he saw her, she was just a few metres in front of him, and he instantly smiled. She was really back to normal, before all this stuff with her father, before she became ill, before she lost herself. Hannah was back, and looking as beautiful as ever. He stopped sipping his tea and placed the cup and the newspaper on a nearby bench before he saw her stop. He thought maybe she saw him in her vision but just a few steps behind her she collapsed, and Will ran to her side.

"Hannah, wake up sweetie, it's me" he set in a velvet voice. His voice calm and soothing, not panicy. He knew she had exhausted herself and maybe she was doing too much too soon. He cradled her head and scooped under her knees and picked her up, lifeless in his arms. Taking her over to the bench, he lay her down and placed her head on his lap. Conjuring the tea to water he tilted her head and urged her to drink.
"Come on Han, drink this babe..." he said as he stroked her cheek.

[Prof. Hannah Edgecombe]

The state she was in was much better than the one she had been living in for so long. No matter what she did her father's betrayal was too great for her to let go of. It was ruining her in ways she couldn't even imagine. Living with a lie of this magnitude could only eat away at you and it was eating away at Hannah who was tired of lying to everyone. In her present state there were no thoughts no lies nothing but sweet oblivion. Completely lost to the world Hannah felt blissful for the first time in months. If she could just stay that way...

That wasn't going to happen. She could feel someone near her calling her name, feel someone's hands on her hands she wanted on her. Even in her unfit state she knew it was Will and as much as she wanted to see him she still didn't want to wake up. He said her name but she didn't respond even when he picked her up she lay lifeless in his arms laying her on the bench. The man was persistent though he wouldn't let Hannah stay that way. He was determined to bring her back try as she might to fight it off.

Lifting her head he poured some tea down her throat, the instinct to swallow brought her back. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked up at him. Happy to see him but unhappy to be awake because now...A tear formed in her eye then slid down her face. This was so out of character for her and she hated herself for it. Hannah was slowly loosing herself over this lie. Shutting her eyes tight she couldn't bear to have Will see her be so weak.

Trying to keep her voice steady she tried to get up "I just um, I guess I, just overdid it. Maybe I should go back..." she tried to scurry away from him, Hannah sucked when it came to her feelings and having him see her breakdown that way was almost too much more for her to take.

[Professor William Vaid]

Will watched as her eyes began to well up and a tear slid down her perfect cheeks, even if they were red and puffy from all the running. He turned her around and wiped the tear that was rolling down her face before kissing her lightly on the lips and as she stood to get up he stood up too and pulled her into a hug.

"Han, I know you better than that. I know what's happened remember? I can't watch you go back to how you were just a few weeks ago, I won't let you. You became so ill and fragile, that wasn't the Hannah I liked. You were so different, and it scared me how ill looking you were. Your better now, don't drag yourself back down again"

It was visible by the look on her face she was still hurting over her fathers lie. As far as he knew, Will was the only other person to know about it, and seeing what it was doing to her was sending him crazy. It was splitting her apart, and it was then and there Will realised he needed to do something. But what?
"Hannah, I don't know how I can help to stop you feeling like you do" he said before pausing for a long time, his brain cogs ticking away thinking up ideas on what they could do to get her mind off it, or even better solve the problem all together.

"What if we go and visit your father?" he suggested, looking down at her, her eyes still closed, although he knew she was awake. As soon as he said it, he knew she would say no, but Will couldn't help but think it would be the best thing for her, an explanation from him.

[Prof. Hannah Edgecombe]

How could she have been so stupid. Hannah of all people should know that Will was unlike her previous suitors or past flings. Most of them were looking for a good romp in the sack and she was more than happy to provide herself for a night or two but Will had shown her proof from their very first meeting that he wanted so much more of her and from her. Hannah actually mattered to him and he mattered to her more than he would ever know. That was why she confided in him the one secret that was killing her to keep. He knew of her father's betrayal and of his insistence that his eldest daughter keep the horrible truth to herself

Hannah had done nothing but suffer for it ever since. As Will wiped away her tear she tried not to look at him for if she did the tears would continue to flow. His lips touched hers and it took all her strength every ounce of it not to ball like a baby. Even as she tried to get up and leave he wouldn't let her. He too stood wrapping her in his embrace. She couldn't walk away. She held onto him too but weakly.

She knew this was hurting him too seeing her like this. She remembered the way he was with her just months earlier when she looked emaciated and on the verge of collapse. There was nothing she wouldn't give not to put him through that again. He wanted to make the pain stop but Hannah didn't think he could. Only thing that could change all of this was her father's confession and she couldn't foresee him doing that anytime in the near future. Or maybe a forgetfulness potion.

Will suggested going to see him and this time Hannah opened her eyes and looked at him. "No and only because it wouldn't do any good. My mother is not a woman to be toyed with she is scary at the best of times she would murder my father. It's his fear of her that keeps him from coming clean. I wish i had never found out but I know and it's killing me to know it and to lie about it and to see this girl everyday knowing who she is." All this deceit was making her sick literally.

[Professor William Vaid]

Will was usually an understanding kind of guy and would try and help people with anything, but with Hannah she would be hard to read and she wouldn't open herself up to Will as much as he wanted. He wanted to be with her so she could feel like she told him everything, but to him it still felt like she was keeping a million and one secrets in that pretty head of hers. He tried so hard to understand why she wasn't opening up, but he just couldn't.

He remembered back when they first met and how she had been drinking away her problems in the bar. Not the best of first meetings but a meeting nontheless, so why didn't he see it then? She was stubborn and defiant and he didn't know how much more he could take. The fact that she wasn't sharing her problems was beginning to tear them apart, and Will knew if she didn't open up soon that it would lead to mistrust. He did not want that to happen, but he was saddened deeply that she seemed to not trust him enough to tell him exactly what she was thinking.

With a deep sigh, he looked away from her before processing the thoughts buzzing around his mind. Where should he start? Many would say from the beginning but where was it?
"Hannah... I don't understand why you won't open up to me. I'm here for you and I always will be but I can't help but feel your trust issues of your father are spreading to mistrust of me. Is that how you really feel? That you can't trust me?" he sighed again, unsure of where exactly he was going with this. The poor girl had enough troubles and this wasn't going to help her by piling on relationship issues was it?

He closed his mouth before opening it again trying to find the right words but they just did not come. In defeat he closed it again and pouted slightly.
"Deceit is a thing many people do, even without realising it. Maybe you should just try to live your life and forget what your father has done. I know your sis-correction- half sister is around, but that can't be helped. It is your dad's problem to deal with, not yours."

[Prof. Hannah Edgecombe]

Hannah needed him more than he knew, more than she could say. Will was the first man in years she felt close to and she thought things were going well between them, or well as could be expected with her. IF she had any inkling that there was something wrong she would have done her best to fix them. Seems as if the seer couldn't see this coming. When he pulled away from her she simply stared wondering what caused this change in him.

He felt as if she didn't open up to him. Hannah opened her mouth then closed it again. No words would come out this was completely unexpected. Sitting back down on the bench Hannah was just trying to find the words. She told him the one secret she never told to anyone else. Not another soul knew about her father and his betrayal but Will. Did he not know how much it took for her to confide in him about that. What did he feel she was keeping from him now?

With everything going on in her life Will was the only constant and the last thing she wanted to do was loose him. Looking up her eyes tearful she simply asked him "What is it you think I'm keeping Will. I've told you my darkest secret how can you think I'm holding myself back from you." For pity's sake it seemed as if she couldn't do anything right anymore.

His last words made her look up and take notice "live my life, Will this is my life. He lied yes, and from that lie came a child a child I'm related to one that I hate without even knowing. A child that can ruin everything I've ever known. My parents flawed as they are have always been an inspiration to me. Despite everything they've remained together these many years and..." And what she started to think. Her father unhappy once went off and cheated how happy could they be. The realization hit her like a ton of bricks. "Lord what a mess" came her next whispered words. This lie was effecting more parts of her life than it ought to.

[Professor William Vaid]

He knew how much this lie was tearing Hannah apart inside and how much she was hurting. He was just glad that he did not have to go through something like that and feel torn between both parents, even the thought of it made his heart skip a few vital beatings. Giving a deep sigh he stopped cradling her and quickly altered his position so he was leaning forward on his knees with his mouth warming his hands as he rubbed them together. He was unsure exactly what to say next, but recently his mouth had been running away with him and had been saying really whatever it wanted. Will seemed to anger quickly at present and Will turned back to look at Hannah.

He could feel she needed him more than she was letting on, just by the look in her eyes but a darkness clouded over Will and he stood up quickly before pointing at Hannah angrily.
“You are going too far with this Hannah, your obsessing over it. I think you like the attention you get from me because of this ‘problem’ with your parents. Quite frankly I’m sick of just being here for you when you want me to be and i’m sick of being good old reliable William Vaid” he spat as his face contorted as he poked her in the chest. He gritted his teeth in anger as hundreds of feelings overwhelmed him at once, and he was doing well to keep angry tears from falling. He turned away from her before balling his fists up as another wave of anger flooded him.

Closing his eyes tight he turned around and opened his eyes slowly as his irises found her face once again. His eyes unknowingly to him had turned a deeper shade of brown and were harsh yet vacant. The anger rose up inside of him as he stepped closer towards Hannah seeing red as he raised his hand to her. As he was about to slap her he stopped, unsure why he was about to ruin everything. His heavy breathing with the pressure of the anger and the sheer shock of what he was about to do to his girlfriend made it irratic. He turned away from her once again as he saw the hurt in her eyes...
“Hannah, just get out of here” he sighed with remorse.

[Prof. Hannah Edgecombe]

Something was very wrong with this picture. Will was acting so unlike himself that Hannah's worry about her own issues vanished. She wanted to go to him but just then she had a vision. It stunned her into silence as she watched in her mind Will lift his hand to her. He actually wanted to slap her. Hannah thought she was going out of her mind. Will would never do such a thing to her or anyone else. Her had reached out to touch him but he turned first.

The look in his eyes had actually frightened her because she knew this was not her Will. He spat venom at her with every word spoke so she felt as if she had been slapped a hundred times though he was merely poking her. This was not him this was something or someone else. Hannah had to believe she hadn't fallen for a monster. Then it was over he turned away from her again and Hannah was left standing there stunned, confused, and hurt. Hannah was trying to make sense of this make sense of him he was balling his fist at his sides. Maybe this wasn't the time to approach but she had to find out what was wrong here.

Next thing she knew he was turning to her again and suddenly her vision replayed in her mind. He opened his eyes which now were cold and distant when they had once been warm and inviting. Hannah knew what was to come next and sure enough he raised his hand to her as if to strike. Hannah's eyes stayed glued on his she did not flinch or back away. He did not hit her she knew that but just the simple fact that he even attempted it made her sick.

He sopped himself as she had foreseen but he also told her to leave. She was out there first why should she leave. Her stubborn streak was making her say but her heart that was almost broken was telling her to just go. For some reason her mere presence upset him. In a small voice so unlike her she said "I'll leave then if it's what you want." Shaking from shock and on the verge of tears Hannah looked at him and then away again staring to walk back to the castle.