Charlie groaned internally when Alex reached out and grabbed her arm. She definitely wasn't in the mood for this. She was going to wrench her arm away and tell her to go tear someone else apart for the evening when she heard Alex's last statement. It wasn't exactly the other girl admitting that she missed her, but it was probably the closest she would ever come to admitting it. Charlie was tired of it however, she was tired of feeling the way she did about Alex and feeling like she would only be the girl's play thing.

"You're tired of doing everything on your own, huh?" she asked irritated. She glared at Alex, remembering their fight on New Years. All she was, was a tool for the shorter girl. Someone who would always care about her no matter what, someone to follow her. Charlie cared about Alex desperately, but she wanted Alex to care back. It was hard feeling like she would always love the other girl and knowing that the most she would get back in return is just some sex to shut her up. "Maybe you should have thought about that before bitching me out at New Years Lex."

She frowned, her eyes softening a bit. "I really miss you Alex, but I can't deal with you thinking that you can just shut me up by sleeping with me. You don't even care about why I'm upset! All that matters to you is yourself!

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Though she tried to tell herself that she was prepared for how ungrateful Charlie was acting lately, the coldness behind the glare that the other girl shot her way caught Alex off guard. There was something more to this, something more than her and that stupid girl, and she had a feeling that she knew what the problem was. When Charlie brought up New Years, Alex was already rolling her eyes up into her head. Of course it would be about that night. "Oh, will you drop that already? It's been three months, get over yourself! After everything I've ever done for you, Charles."

Shaking her head, she tried her best to look serious as Charlie said she missed her, ignoring the odd feeling that it caused in her chest. Flutter of something, perhaps pity or maybe even sympathy. "I've always cared about you, everything that I do is for you.. it's not my fault that you don't listen until it's too late. I said to you, that girl was bad news, you didn't listen. I said focus on Quodpot, you didn't listen. Charlie, I can't do everything for us!"

Groaning, Alex fixed her friend with a stern expression. "If sleeping with you doesn't suffice, then what exactly do you want? To be with me? For us to be like those girls, those two little sappy bitches and their ugly friends?" she asked, waving her hand dismissively at the thought. "You're not like those girls, Charles, and you're never going to be like those girls. They would never accept you. That whore didn't even want you, so.. perhaps it's just better if you just open your eyes already and seen all that I've done for you."

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Charlie's frown deepened as Alex gave her speech about everything she did for her. It was true, as much as Charlie wanted to tell the other girl it wasn't. Alex protected her in her own way she supposed, cared about her in much the same way, but Charlie wished that instead of just telling coldly that she "told her so", that Alex would just hold her. She wanted the girl's sympathy for some perverse reason, she craved it, wanted to hear that she would always love her and that things would be okay.

"Yes, Alex! That's exactly what I want!" she yelled, getting exasperated. She was angry and hurt, she just wanted someone to love her as much as her father had. "I want you to fucking love me, to show that you care instead of just being a royal bitch all the time! Maybe I don't care about social standing, or pureblood, or any of that bullshit!"

She was getting too worked up, and she could feel her eyes starting to water, could feel the lump in her throat rising. She wouldn't cry for Alex, she couldn't trust the girl with that level of vulnerability right now. "Let go of me," she demanded harshly. "I don't want to fucking be here anymore."

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She had been being so sarcastic and vindictive about her question, she was genuinely taken back when Charlie informed her that she was quite serious. She did want to be like those girls, sappy and in love or whatever they claimed to be. She had always figured that Charlie's affection for her ran fairly deep, it was something easy and convenient to take advantage of, but perhaps she had taken it too far now. Even as Charlie tried to hold it back, Alex knew what was coming, and released her arm quickly as if burned.

"Don't say those things," Alex warned her quietly, looking around to make sure no one was listening in on them before she spoke again. "You've come a long way from the little mudblood I took under my wing all of those years ago. You've got some nerve, just giving all of that up, after all we've been through.. what else is there to care abot? I made you popular, I made you pureblood, I practically made you captain! I made you, Charles, and now you're just being ungrateful."

Crossing her arms over her chest, Alex glared at her friend a little. "Go then," she relented, turning her eyes away. "I don't care. Get out."

It was, surprisingly, untrue. It brought on that unfamiliar glow of feelings and emotions when she saw Charlie about to cry, that was why it was easier to look away. Easier to tell her off, cut her losses, and move on. Gemma had told her that some people would just be too thick-headed to change, or too stubborn. There were ways to fix them, apparently.

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Charlie stood rooted to the spot, unable to find it in herself to move until Alex told her she didn't care. She wanted to be able to just walk away, to coldly tell Alex to fuck off. Alex had done a few of the things she claimed, although Charlie had never been socially inept. Charlie didn't know what to believe anymore. Alex was her best friend, her protector but now Charlie was beginning to wonder what it was that Alex claimed she was doing for her. No one else seemed to care that Charlie was muggle born, she didn't have a hard time talking to people. It didn't make sense in the blondes mind.

"I wish you did," she choked in response. She wished Alex cared, she wish that Alex would come after her as she turned away, tears falling from her eyes. She exited Kings hall, breaking into a run as she made her way towards the forest. It probably wasn't the smartest idea to go for a run along the edge of the forest but she was still buzzed, and boy was she angry. She ran along the tree line towards the quod pitch, it was always where she felt focused, calm, and in control.

She entered the dark stadium, slowing to a walk, only panting slightly as she walked towards the middle of the pitch. "Fuck!" she screamed, dropping to her knees as she let out a sob. She wished that Alex would suddenly walk up behind her and comfort her, but she was alone in the darkness.

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Gemma had been underestimating the power that the muggleborn girl seemed to have over Alex's abilities. Alex was a promising pupil, one she thought would make a world of difference in her army but there was something keeping her mind unfocused, she had distractions... so many distractions. Gemma wasn't one to just sit around and wait for change to happen though. She saw the problem and she'd be damned if ll fshe didn't try to fix it. She had let Alex try to fix it on her own but she was fucking it up royally. Gemma had to take action.

With a few silent footed soldiers she tip toed through the forest toward the garden party. The whole thing was in full swing as they watched from the outskirts of the forest. She wasn't entirely surprised when she saw that familiar blonde hair running along the edges of the forest. She followed, telling the others to follow but to stay far away enough so that they wouldn't scare her off.

Gemma moved like a stealthy little fox not even calling attention to herself until she was right next to Charlie. She smiled brightly. "You know, you've really been quite a pain in the ass," her wand was at her side but ready to stun the girl if need be. "Alex could be great but you my dear, are just getting in the way. I have a solution," there was a strange tone in her voice, a deluded sense of logic. Her eyes lit up darkly. "It's an excellent solution if I do say so myself." It was going to happen either way but she figured she would give Charlie an option to volunteer before she knocked her out and dragged her back to her cabin.

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Charlie felt her heart nearly burst out of her chest when Gemma spoke. She spun around to face the woman, eyes narrowed warily. She had seen Alex hanging around with Gemma before, but she hadn't known who she was. Her tone was threatening however, and Charlie took a step back. She didn't like the vibe this woman gave off.

"What do you want?" she demanded, taking another slow step away from the woman. She hoped that she might be able to outrun her. Charlie was in peak physical condition, but the way Gemma had appeared had her questioning that plan. Who knew what this woman was capable of. "Leave me alone."

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"What do I want? The answer to that question is kind of a loaded gun," her eyes flashed dangerously as she studied the young girl. There was something about her that she found attractive, perhaps it was the fact that despite her earlier show, she seemed able to fight back.

"What I can do," her lips twitched into a smile. "That's the question you should have asked darling. That answer is simple," she paused for effect. Scaring was half the fun. "I can fix it all. I can make it better and give her what she wants. I can make you better."

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Charlie stumbled slightly as she took yet another step away from the woman. She didn't want to turn her back on her. The way her eyes flashed made Charlie sure that she wouldn't hesitate to stab her right in the back. "What do you mean, fix it all?" She asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Her? You mean Alex?" She tried not to let the desperate tone creep into her voice. "W-what...what does she want?"

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"Of course I mean Alex," she said, her tone softening. "She's a good friend of mine and she's been trying to save you for months now. It's really quite exhausting," she didn't let her annoyance show on her face though as she waited out the next few moments.

"She wants you back if that wasn't obvious. Some of us are not graced with the poor manner to wear our hearts on our sleeves. It's obvious her work is suffering though. She's tried to save you, turn you into something you are not but you'll always be a muggleborn," her lips twitched involuntarily when she said it. It had taken all her effort not to call the girl a mudblood.

"She wants you on our side."

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Charlie frowned, mulling over the information that Gemma had given her. She hadn't really known what Alex had been up to in the last few months, she had either been mad at her for badmouthing Jenny or just spending time with Jenny in general. She didn't want to trust Gemma's word, but at the same time, her words had some truth to them. Alex was never upfront with her emotions, she always denied she even had them. Gemma had to know Alex well enough to have realized that.

"S-she...she wants me back?" she asked unsure. She didn't like the way Gemma said muggleborn, but Alex had always said that people would judge her before knowing her unless she was pureblood. She chewed her lip anxiously, her eyes never leaving Gemma. "What do you mean, on your side? What would I have to do?"

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"Of course she does," Gemma replied. Gemma usually wouldn't go so far to appease a follower but there was something about the way Alex burned in her aggression that made her an exceptional student. She wanted to keep the girl focused and happy. She could be powerful, dangerous even, but Gemma knew if Charlie was on the other side Alex would hold back. She needed to make Charlie stronger, invincible, she had to make sure Alex wouldn't have to worry about her. "Why else would she bother trying to win you over again? Why would she bother getting upset?"

"Alex has become a part of something big. Bigger than you or me, bigger than this damn school. A revolution," she said with bright eyes. "A change is sweeping us up and trust me, you don't want to be caught on the other side," there was an edge to her voice as she took a step closer. "Muggles and muggleborns aren't safe anymore. This is the only chance you got."

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Charlie mulled over Gemma's questions, her initial distrust of the woman starting to wither away. It was true, she supposed, why would Alex go through so much effort to keep harassing her if she didn't want her back? Gemma seemed like she knew Alex fairly well at this point, and Charlie figured that if Alex trusted her, why shouldn't she? Alex had never really lead her astray before, she had always cared for Charlie in her own little way. If she thought about it instead of getting instantly angry, Alex's constant put down of Jenny could have been jealousy, right? "I...I guess you're right," she said quietly, brow still furrowed in thought.

She wanted to run when Gemma stepped forward, the look in her eyes coupled with her words made the blonde girl uneasy. What did she mean muggles and muggleborns weren't safe anymore? What about her family, her mother and the twins? She was shaking slightly from nerves, but she decided that if Alex was so involved in this, then she should be too. What else did she really have to loose at this point?

"I-I'll come with you, but only if you promise me something," Charlie began nervously, her voice wavering. She felt like she was making a deal with the devil. "If I join you, and go back to Alex, you have to leave my family alone." It seemed like a shot in the dark, a futile attempt at making this whole event on her terms. Her father had left her in charge of the family though, it was her job to keep them safe. She would do that at all costs.

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Gemma watched as Charlie's distrust melted away. Gemma let her words linger in the silence between them for a few minutes before nodding. "It's a deal," she said smiling. She was quite pleased with herself, it had been a lot easier than she expected it to be. She extended her hand for a shake. There would be no turning back after that, it was as good as contract.

"Come with me," she said turning toward the woods. "There's something we have to take care of first. It may cause slight discomfort but in the end, if you want your family safe, if you want Alex safe..." she let that settle between them before finishing. "What's a little discomfort for that security right?"

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Charlie looked at the out stretched hand, still slightly unsure. Everything her father had taught her was advising her against making a deal with this woman. She had to keep her family safe though, at any cost. Keeping Alex safe was an added bonus, if Gemma was being honest with her, then she would go through anything to make those to things happen. She reached out and grasped the other woman's hand firmly, looking at her with a flash of determination. "I'll do anything to keep them safe."

She followed Gemma towards the woods, only feeling slightly regretful as she looked into the darkness. It was all for a purpose, right? At least her family would be safe, just like she promised her father at his funeral. She would keep everyone safe if she could.

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That flash of determination was enough to confirm in Gemma's mind that she was making the right move. She could see why Alex was attracted to her in the first place.

Gemma met with a small group of scouts at the edge of the forest, with one silent motion she sent them ahead to get things prepared in the cabin. It wouldn't be a long walk through the woods, in fact they could get there in matter of minutes if they were sprinting but she didn't want to give Charlie the chance to run away if she would take it. Following behind at a slower pace, she kept right next to Charlie, after a few minutes of silent walking, a rear guard fell in a few paces behind them.

"I appreciate your determination but pity your attachment," she said simply. She had been struggling with her own attachments. Edwin was easy because he would do whatever she wanted him to do, he was loyal to the end but her real problem lay in Ellie. That bitch was on her moral high horse but she couldn't stop loving her little sister. Gemma shook off the thought. "You're strong though, you might even survive this war," she said cheerfully.

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Charlie watched the scouts disappear into the darkness. She wanted to ask Gemma what exactly they had gone ahead to do, but kept her mouth shut instead. She didn't really want to know what she was getting herself into. If she waited until it was upon her, then it would be over quickly, like ripping off a band-aid. She tensed as she sensed that they were being followed, but like before kept her mouth shut tightly. She was grinding her teeth a bit, the muscles tense in her jaw.

"Wouldn't have a reason to fight if I didn't have things to love," she replied tersely. She didn't like he cheerful tone of the other woman's voice, feeling as though her compliment was a double edged sword. "What do you mean, survive this war?" she asked, her eyes narrowing. What did Gemma possibly have planned? Did Alex know about this? She trusted her best friend with her life, she just hoped that Alex knew what she was getting them into.

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She shrugged. "I had things to fight for little one and those things were taken from me. I've learned the hard way that if your heart is in the battle, then there's no sense in fighting at all," it was the most honest she had been with anyone and it was probably because she hadn't had time to prepare for this sort of conversation. "Your heart can betray you, it can bring you to your knees. I won't do that again," she said, her voice taking on a darker tone.

"Aren't you tired of being made to live in secret? As if we've done something wrong?" she asked. "It's bullshit is what it is," she snapped. "We are fucking elite, we are an evolution of man capable of anything so why should we run and hide in the face of inferior beings?" she nearly scowled.

"You are a witch, a powerful one. There is nothing for you to be ashamed of. Muggles, who have no power over us, are being allowed to control every aspect of our lives. We can't reveal ourselves, we live in shadows while they toil away and destroy everything in their path with their technology and their wars. If only we could take over... the things we could do," she turned away from Charlie when she heard a twig snap. Looking carefully she saw a fox curting along the bushes. "Just a fox!" she said, chipper voice back in place.

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Charlie remained quiet, the darker tone that Gemma's voice took making her frightened. She didn't know if she agreed with the woman or not. Jenny had always told her that she shouldn't wear her heart on her sleeve so much. The older girl had claimed that it had been one of the things that Alex used to manipulate her. Charlie wondered if that was why Alex never showed her true emotions to people. Was she afraid of losing what she loved? "But what's the point of fighting if you don't have anything to fight for?" she asked, a frown on her face as she furrowed her brows in thought.

The blonde girl wanted to argue against Gemma's claims, because that was what she was supposed to do, right? Gemma was evil, or at least, Charlie assumed she was. Why else would she be talking in such a way? She was going to do something big, something that would hurt a lot of people. Charlie couldn't necessarily disagree with her reasoning. She had to lie to her extended family whenever they saw them, tell them that she went to some fancy private academy for art. Why shouldn't she be able to tell her family what she was?

"You...You're not going to hurt anyone, are you?" She bit her lip nervously, what about people like Jenny and Ella's parents? She had guaranteed her own families safety, but there were so many muggle born students at Blue Ridge, who would protect them?

She jumped when she heard the twig snap, not relaxing a bit at how chipper Gemma was back to sounding. She looked around and realized that they were deep into the forest. It was dark and Charlie had no idea where they were. She was starting to wish that she hadn't stormed away from Alex now. "W-where are we going?" She asked, shivering unintentionally.

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"I'm fighting for my dignity and pride kiddo. I'm fighting for my rights," there was a little piece of her that was fighting for the things she had lost as well but she would never admit that aloud. "You have yourself to fight for," she said firmly. "Who else is gonna fight for ya?"

"Not gonna hurt anyone?" she smiled, a sadistic thing on her sweet face. "Sweet girl, the cost of revolution is bloodshed. If you're not willing to spill a little blood for the greater good then I don't know why I'm still hanging on to ya."

"See that light?" she asked, pointing ahead of them toward her cabin. They were almost there now, having passed through the deepest part of the woods. "That's my home, a rare thing that I'm bringing someone who I'm not sure is one hundred percent on my side," she paused thoughtfully. "I hope Alex is right about you."

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Charlie remained silent once again, drawing her arms tighter around herself. Gemma had a point, there couldn't be change without a little bloodshed. During her muggle schooling, she had learned about the American revolution. She supposed it was kind of like the same thing. Although, she didn't think that anyone was really being oppressed, wasn't it more for their protection? She didn't know what to think any longer.

She looked up, her gaze following Gemma's pointing finger. It made her feel better to see the light breaking through the darkness. The mention of Alex made her tense up, did Alex know what Gemma was pulling her towards? She was her best friend, she had to know what was best, right? Who else did Charlie really have left?

"She is," Charlie said with finality. Her jaw was set and her heart was pounding. She had to protect the people she cared about. "I don't want any trouble, I'm just here to protect my family. And Alex."

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