Work Text:
Something Has Changed
The beginning of 5th year saw a shift in Sookie Stackhouse, previous beliefs and desires crumbling before her eyes. She supposed it was the hormone shift as her body continued growing, the mental change as her mind expanded, the natural way that young women were meant to change and grow and expand as they aged. Wanting the things she’d wanted in 1st year would be childish, immature.
That didn’t mean she didn’t feel guilty for the way she could watch herself evolve every day. 3rd year Sookie had fallen in love with a gentlemanly Gryffindor, one that her grandmother was happy to invite into her home over the holiday break. 3rd year Sookie thought she’d marry that boy one day as she watched his blue eyes dance while he charmed the one woman who’s opinion she would have placed higher than her own. Her brother didn’t love him, but they shared a dorm room and there were bound to be disagreements. Her best friend didn’t like him, but Tara didn’t like much of anybody. Now, in 5th year, she realized that she didn’t like him much either.
Bill Compton was a Gryffindor in the way that he respected bravery, but he didn’t have much of his own. Sometimes she thought he’d been sorted into his house purely because the hat knew he didn’t belong in any of the other ones. Or maybe he’d begged the hat not to put him in Slytherin, determined to hide his ambitious and cunning nature. Whatever the reason, she’d realized recently that he wasn’t the man she thought he was.
His deep voice cut through the cloud in her mind as she considered her feelings for him, interrupting her just before she reached a decision. “Have you been listening to me, Sookie?” His eyes were darker than usual, the blue looking navy.
“Of course, Bill.” She hadn’t been. Not for a single second, her eyes focusing and unfocusing on a figure in the distance getting closer and closer. She hoped he wouldn’t try to quiz her on his words. “I’m just a little tired today. Tara and I stayed up all night working on our papers for Charms.”
The wind cut through her robes, the winter chill starting early this year. Not even halfway through October and she had considered wearing her winter uniform this morning, deciding against it at the look Jessica had given her, like she’d grown an extra head or something.
“I would have let you look at my paper from last year,” Bill offers, leaning in closer to her. “The professor never changes the assignments.”
The figure she watched in the distance turned into two as they continued to draw closer and closer. A tall blond and shorter brunette in green robes, the two laughing about something as they walked. She found herself watching them more and more often lately, not that she would admit that to anyone.
She pulled her gaze away and refocused on the boy beside her. “I appreciate that Bill, but you don’t learn anything from copying off of others. And Tara would throw down if she knew I'd even considered cheating on my homework.”
“Fuck Tara. She just wants to keep you away from me.”
Sookie’s head swam at his words, unsure of what to say in response. “Language Bill. You know I hate potty words. And Tara is my best friend and has been since we were little girls. You’d do well to remember that.”
He seemed to bristle at her words, certain she would have just ignored them like she used to. She’s grown sick of ignoring his insults. When they’d first started dating, she chalked it up to him wanting to spend time with her, him being a little attached and possessive of his new girlfriend. Now she saw it for what it was, Bill trying to control her.
“Or what? You gonna leave me if I say something you don’t like about one of your friends?” Anger seemed to roll off of his shoulders as he tried to draw himself up, trying to intimidate her into backing down. She wasn’t backing down.
“I am going to leave you Bill, but it isn’t going to be because you insulted my friend once or twice, it’s because you seem to think you can scare me into staying. That said, you and I are done.” Sookie grabbed her bag of books as she stood, pushing off the rock she’d been leaning against and starting towards the figures that were now not so in the distance.
A cold hand clamped around her wrist, Bill pulling her back towards him. “I don’t know what you think you’re doing, but you’re Mine. You don’t get to just say we’re done.” His face was filled with barely contained anger, violence shining in his eyes.
“I can do whatever I want, Bill Compton, including breaking up with you. I don’t need your permission. Now let go of me.” She struggled against the hand on her wrist, dropping her bag to pry his fingers off with her free hand. The wind picked up again, sending her hair flying around them as she tried to push herself away.
Pulling her in close, the Gryffindor tightened his grip on her, winding his free hand into her hair and wrapping it around his fist. “You aren’t going anywhere, Sookie. This is why I hate you hanging out with Tara. She’s twisted you against me, whispered her thoughts into your head. You really should stop hanging out with people that don’t have your best interests at heart.”
Her skin seemed to vibrate at his words, her nerves ramping up as he hissed into her ear. Heat built up across her face and chest, the rest of the world falling silent as she dropped her focus and allowed his thoughts to float through her head.
Does this bitch really think I’ll let her go? I’ve put too much time into this relationship to just let her end things.
“Let go of me Bill Compton, or this bitch will show you what she’s really thinking.” She could feel her facial features changing, contorting in her rage, her hands elongating and shifting into claws, her eyes vibrant and flaming in her fury. “Piss off a Veela, see what happens.”
Bill released her quickly, shoving her to the ground as she backed away. “You’re supposed to stay out of my thoughts Sookie, we had a deal.” She needs to be taught a lesson.
The laugh that escaped her throat was hoarse and rasping, her body still shifting to accommodate her rage. “And what kind of lesson would that be, exactly? You going to give it to me, you cowardly lion?” Her claws dug into the earth, wishing they could bury themselves in something warm and wet as she looked at the man above her.
His confidence, false that it was, seemed to have left him. Fuck fuck fuck. She’s going to kill me.
She’s going to kill him. Should we help or watch?
Finally she sees Bill Compton for the sniveling shrub that he is.
Different thoughts floated over to her, letting her know that the figures once in the distance had gotten close enough to watch the show. She peeked over her shoulder, her eyes flitting over the bloodthirsty Slytherins watching behind her. Standing quickly, she grabbed her bag in one clawed hand, sending the two boys a wink before drawing closer to Compton.
“The next time you think about teaching me a lesson, you’ll be the one learning something new. Maybe it’ll be how your intestines feel in your own hands, or how difficult it is to ride a broom with one eye. Stay away from me Bill Compton, unless you want to see just how big of a bitch I can be.” Her clawed hand gripping his chin, pulling him down to her height. She dug in until she broke skin before pushing him away, turning away as he hit the ground.
Eric offered her his hand as she drew closer, her claws shrinking away as her anger left her. “Hello Miss Stackhouse. Tormenting the local pussy cats?” Amusement danced in his eyes as she took his hand, wrapping her free arm through Godric’s, turning them away from the scene she’d just left. You’re all the more enchanting when you’re angry. You look like an avenging angel, giving into your base instincts.
“Simply chasing one off. It’s been following me around, mewing and whining. It got annoying after a while.” It was a strange feeling, the way her features shrank and shifted as her anger flooded away, yet she could feel the glow in her eyes still burning bright.
Those eyes entrance me every time. Godric watched her with an intensity that only he could manage, patting her hand with his free one as they walked back to the castle. “Hopefully it got the message, but we are always happy to reinforce your will, if needed.”
“Thanks boys. I’ll let you know if he keeps sniffing around. Now how do y’all feel about lunch? That little display has left me ravenous.”
Sookie took a few deep breaths as they walked, feeling her control snap back into place. Eric and Godric loved being able to speak to her in her thoughts, keeping the conversation between the three of them. She looked forward to putting that ability to use. The Great Hall, however, was far too busy for her shields to be down. Maybe she’d release her control again later, back in the dorms.