Running into the least expected person

Chase walked with Gavrilo as though she was being sentenced to death. Her face was grim, but she immediately felt better when a little girl, no older then three came running out and Gavrilo lifted her up, the girl giggling and laughing. Chase felt immediately at home, and even managed a small smile as she stepped into the midst of the Angelova family. They were a very beautiful family, standing and being happy, talking and laughing as though what was about to happen didn't concern them. An old man stepped up to Chase, and asked her about the baby, and Chase smiled at him.

"Yes.. I had a child with Elijah... but after this last bit of cheating, I took her away.. her and his other adopted children.. they deserve to live in a family much better then the Krums.. and I feel I need to be here to help end the rule of the Krum family over your own.. if I can help in any way.. I will... Sir... I want to help set your family free from their rule over you.. I promise I will do my best." She said and bowed her head to him, showing that she wasn't like the other Krums, she wasn't like what they probably thought she was. She could just imagine their image of her.

A tall redheaded beauty, fire in her eyes, but the same actions as the Krums... as evil, and seductive, seductive enough to make even Elijah fall for her. She had to be clever, with a sharp tongue, and the ability to prove herself worthy of the Krum family... but here stood a girl, no older then seventeen, her mouth set into a grim line, her eyes sparkling with good humor. Not an evil air, not a seductive one, but a very kindly, almost mothering air that immediately make someone feel comfortable around her. She smiled at the older man, and looked around at the family, where some of the other people were fighting over what appeared to be tickets.

Chase jumped however, when suddenly there was a rumble from above, and the sky swirled with dark fog, a very heavy magical presence was descending upon them, and Gavrilo was making the children and woman get out of there, it was obvious that someone not nice was coming to where they stood. After everyone who was needed to was gone by portkey, the man appeared, and Chase felt her eyes narrow. She was sure she had seen him a few times, and by the looks of the others in the family, he wasn't liked, at all..

Chase watched the exchange without comment, and when he left, Chase could feel her heart hammering. Viktor Krum was coming... a nice man, who was extremely sentimental, and loved his family as much as she loved her own.. he would be fair would he not? He was who she wanted to speak to, she felt a bit better as there was more magic brewing, and then he stepped out of the very air, silently as he came within their midst.

Suddenly everyone was bowing, except for Chase and the old man she had been speaking to. It was apparent that he was a very high person, but Chase did not feel like dirting her robes on the squishy ground, nor did she feel he deserved to be bowed to. Suddenly Viktor was speaking to her, talking to her as though she were a child, ordering her around. She felt her rage brewing, she would not do as he said! There was no way! But without any reason that Chase could see, Viktor whirled around and sent a green flash of light at a boy, who was tackled to the ground before it could hit him. Chase's hand flew to her mouth. Had he really just done that?! Had Viktor just tried to kill that boy!? Chase could feel her fury building within her, and her fists were clenched tightly at her sides, her eyes glaring hard at the man she had once admired.

"You won't have the children.." Chase said softly in the silence that followed Viktors question directed towards someone else. "They are being taken very well care of, and you will not have them, nor will I let you ever see them." Chase could feel her voice and energy building, and she took a step towards Viktor.

"I once trusted you.. I thought you were a kind man, a nice man, but from what I have heard, you are nothing but a coward and a liar! You hurt people who do nothing but help you, you've hurt your own son in ways that are to horrible to even mention! I trusted you Viktor Krum!! I trusted your family, I trusted on what I saw, I didn't question, I was so madly in love with your son.. and then THIS comes upon me.. hunted like an animal, ordered around, I hear of children killed, a family shunned, I will not have it! I will be the one to stand up to you Viktor, because I have something you want, and if you kill me, well, I guess you'll never have what you want! I will not come with you.. and if you take me by force, I will not go quietly.. I will make sure that everyone in the world knows that I was kidnapped by the famous Viktor Krum, because I have children that he has no right over anyway.. in fact." She said softly, and she drew her wand.

"You can't have them.." She said and then her smile widened as she pulled a piece of paper out of her inside pocket of her robes. She held out the scroll to the man. "I adopted the two.. they are now officially my children, and you will never see even a hair on their head. So long as I am alive, and even if I am dead, they will be nothing to you, because they are in safe hands." She said and lifted her chin up defiantely, her eyes staring straight into the man's that she had once admired, the man she thought would be fair and friendly, she knew what she wanted, and there wasn't any way he could stop her. "Oh.. and don't worry about ripping that one up.. I have copies.. some in the bank, some in a muggle agency.. I have so many copies, you wouldn't be able to track them all down.. they are mine Krum... and you will never get what you want."

Chase stared at the man, her face troubled. He didn't seem nearly at all upset that she had said no. He had looked troubled for a second, but the look of glee replaced it, and Chase's heart beat faster, she watched as he made a very overdramatic move, paused dramatically, and then held out a piece of parchment that had some signatures at the bottom. For a moment, Chase wasn't sure what it was, but she moved a bit closer and examined it more closely. It appeared to be some kind of contract, for a boy named Gavrilo Angelova... Chase's hand went to her mouth, and she looked up at Viktor with anger and fear on her face now.

Chase's eyes drifted over to the family that was looking stricken at the site of the paper. One little piece of parchment, and this whole boy's life could be thrown away... Gavrilo trailed after Viktor like a lost puppy, staring at the paper that held his fate. If Chase didn't do as Viktor wished... Gavrilo would be killed... if she did.. the children would be made to be used by the Krum family, she would never be free of them.. and either would Gavrilo. Chase stared at Viktor in such a way that it was hard to understand her feelings. It was a mixture of shock, horror, sorrow, and pain, such great pain already creased her face for one so young.

Chase watched as Gavrilo held the parchment, so sorrowful, so distraught, his family was crying, his mother was sobbing, comforted by the rest of the family. All Chase had to do, was agree to Viktor... agree to let him do as he wished.. and she could save their family so much grief, so much heartache.. Chase was trembling as she stood there. She wasn't restrained, but she felt like she was. This family.. around her.. already felt like more of a family then the Krum's ever had.. well besides Fauve, Thierry, Elijah and Chase... they had been a family, a small loving family, until Elijah had betrayed her.. and she had taken the kids.. even though she had been in the family's presence for no more then ten minutes, she liked them better then the whole of the Krum family combined.

So he wanted to know where the kids were.. so that it wouldn't spark Elijah's memory.. so that he would be under the Krum control... Chase needed to make him remember.. everything she needed to know was right there in what Viktor said.. and in a way, it almost sounded as though he were helping her.. he sounded almost scared, tired, and weary of the entire mess. Chase felt like an animal, trapped, and confused, upset and scared. The family... the children.. Elijah, and the Krums.. she would never be free of them if she told him where they were.

But she had to... Gavrilo couldn't die.. she had told them she would help them.. and she would.. but this was something she hadn't intended to happen.. Something she had never expected. And now? Now she would lose her freedom, and the children's freedom for them.. he only wanted to know where they were... he wouldn't hurt them would he? "If I tell you where they are.. will you leave us alone? I come with you now.. and let them pick up the children.. and after that.. may I leave? Will you leave us alone?" She asked softly, tears building behind her eyes.

Chase stared at Gavrilo, her eyes locked on his. He may be older then her, he may be stronger, tougher, and smarter then she was... but his life rested in her hands.. someone she had barely known, was now being told that she held his fate, by a simple yes or no... Heart hammering, Chase stared at Gavrilo for another moment, before she had to turn her head away, she couldn't look at him.. couldn't stand it anymore. She felt like a prisoner, without bars and without the cage.. but the cage was there... waiting for her to walk into it willingly, and when she did, the door would snap closed behind her and she would be trapped forever.

But she had to do it.

Slowly, and very carefully, Chase's eyes ran over the Angelova's... if she said yes, she could let Gavrilo stay with them.. she could let Gavrilo do as he wanted, and she could help him along the way.. if not.. Chase felt tears burn her eyes, and her face lowered to look at the ground, feeling so small and pathetic, only 17, to young to be making this decision, but it was hers to make no one elses.

After a moment's pause, Chase nodded slowly, and looked up at Viktor. "Fine...I will go with you." She said softly, small tears trickling down her face, but she wiped them away quickly, and stared at him, not moving, her eyes only on Viktor, and not on the family anymore. She would save Gavrilo.. and then they would get out of this together.. It was their only hope.

Chase knew things were changing around her, as soon as she nodded her head, and gave her assent, she could hear the family celebrating. They hadn't believed that she wanted to help their family... they hadn't believed her, but they did now.. she didn't blame them though, when being in the clutches of the Krums for so long... she hadn't realized the power was so strong in the bond that family shared with the Krums. She watched happily as the family rejoiced in her decision, and suddenly there was an odd yellow light that left Viktor, and for a moment, it was as though she could see and hear everything Gavrilo felt and heard.

His joy, his amazement, everything flooded into her, not to mention the fear he had just felt, the unexpected surprise, the doubt, the questioning, it was all there in her for a split second, but just like that the bond that connected them sunk into Chase's skin and it was all cut out again. Suddenly she was picked up and half flung into the air, Gavrilo's arms wrapped around her as though she weighed nothing. He held her up and she felt dizzy with the sudden height, but suddenly she was down on the grass again, and he was kissing her full on the mouth.

It wasn't expected, but Chase felt as though she had been plunged into a warm bath.. it was a familiar kiss, if from different lips, but it was the kiss of a Krum, even if he didn't have the last name. Chase gasped slightly, and was to shocked to do anything before he finished the kiss and placed two kisses on her cheeks, and ran off to rejoice again. Chase watched them happily, running a finger thoughtfully over her bruised lips before she realized she was holding the paper that kept them bound, it was clutched in her hand, although she wasn't quite sure how it had gotten there. Looking at it, she bit her lip, and then tucked it away, there may come a time when her new bond with Gavrilo would be useful... so she'd keep that safe.

Looking at Viktor, Chase felt a grimace cross her face. The worry about the Angelova's was done, but what she had done to secure Gavrilo's safety, was now coming full into view. Chase took a deep breath, she had to be strong now.. and she had to do something, and something fast, so with a look at the rejoicing family, she winced slightly. "Gavrilo.. can you come with me?" She asked, in as kind of a voice as she could, while still being firm. She wasn't quite sure what the power of the bond did, and she didn't know what to expect from Gavrilo, but she knew that for now.. she needed his help.

Chase watched the happy reunion with a small sad smile on her face. If only her family was that loving.. she had the kids, but it was important to her, that they grow up as more then just another part of the family, she wanted them to develop, and change, and learn from mistakes. She wanted them to know what was like to need certain things, and to know how to deal with the struggle between want and need. Chase looked at the family and smiled slightly. She was happy she had saved their son, he was a good man, and he did his family good. It revolted Chase that Viktor would just.. kill him off if she didn't do exactly as she was told. Lives were at stake, and that was not something she would handle lightly.

Viktor looked pleased that Chase would cooperate, but Chase was nearly dying inside. It was like the small smile was nothing but a shadow over her face. Her forehead was crumpled, and there was an odd dead look behind her eyes. She wasn't used to being ordered around like this, in fact, she had never had to make such a heavy decision, maybe for her own life sure.. but for the life of another.. it weighed her down. Money didn't mean the end of your problems, it just meant that you had to deal with bigger ones. A relationship with the Krum's might sound heavenly.. but in the end it was worse then going to Azkaban until you died.

Chase stared at Viktor for a long moment, and then looked at Gavrilo, who had moved closer to her. "Thank you." She said softly, so that only he could hear. Chase watched the interaction between him and Viktor, and the revolted look on her face returned. He would only speak to him now that he wasn't below him.. because Chase made him above that station.. because cared whether he lived or died... Gavrilo was someone now.. the rest of the family hadn't changed.. but Gavrilo could help Chase make that happen... and she had a feeling she would be getting a lot of Gavrilo's advice from then on. He would never be a House-elf to Chase.. no.. he would be her friend.. her advisor... her equal, in everything but papers. Chase bit her lip and stared at the coin, and finally, she reached out her hand firmly.

"To the manor." She said and put her finger on the portkey.

Chase felt her feet leave the ground, and they were flying through the air. It felt like an eternity before they finally hit the ground, and she fell onto her butt. Somehow Viktor had been able to stay standing, and he was already striding up to the manor before she had even gotten to her feet. It was fast, but it almost felt like slow motion, as two people left the house, and said something rather animatedly to Viktor, who suddenly disappeared with a crack. Chase bit her lower lip and glanced at Gavrilo, her hand moving to find his arm, to keep her upright. She was shaking like a leaf, and wasn't sure how she would be able to do all of this now..

Suddenly the woman was upon her, speaking quickly and talking about food dishes, and Chase was swept away up the grounds, but before they could make it even halfway, there was a sudden sound from behind them, and Chase spun around to see Gavrilo and the other man brawling it out on the grounds. Chase was about to tell them both to stop it, and she had nearly said it to, when the woman shushed her, and pointed at them, silently telling her to let them fight it out. Chase stood anxiously for a long moment until the woman figured it was okay and made them stop. Chase ran to help Gavrilo and held onto his arm lightly, staring into his beaten face. "Gavrilo..." She said softly, her voice tight. "I need you in one piece okay? Please..." She looked up at him pleadingly, and looked at the woman.

What did they think of her? It was the biggest question on Chase's mind.. before she had been welcome with open arms, happily invited, put up with, encouraged.. now all she saw was anger.. hatred even... nothing like they had before... no there was something else there.. maybe it had always been there and she had been to blinded to see it, but now.. no.. they didn't like her at all.. they never had... only this time she was here as her normal self, not pregnant, not clutching Elijah's arm.. no, she was here because she had tried to get out, and they hated her for it.. it was her fault Elijah was hurt.. it was her fault all this was happening... but she couldn't do anything about it now.. but give them what they wanted.

Puffing out her chest, Chase strode up to the man who had been fighting Gavrilo. "I understand that before he was nothing to your family... but now you are all equals understand? I will not tolerate any fighting like that again! Do you hear me? Not another punch! You are both human, and though you may have been born to different lines of blood, that means nothing more then two different families who grew up as neighbors! So I demand you stop any unpleasant thoughts in your head, and suck it up! He is a person, and you sir.. are probably less then the man he is...I demand you apologize to him!" She said angrily, her hair puffing out with the indignity of it. She didn't care if she insulted every single Krum in the entire estate, she would not stand for anything being treated with anything less then the respect they deserved. Especially a person like Gavrilo.

"Now.. I am here not to eat, or do whatever the hell you wanted to madam... I am here to settle what is going on with this family. I'm not hungry.. and I would rather talk to Gavrilo alone for a bit if you don't mind.. is there somewhere I can go to talk to him?" She asked, her head held high, trying to gain back what little control she had. She needed to talk to Gavrilo. "I will take care of his wounds when I am alone with him...I was studying to become a healer before I got chased into hiding.. if you don't mind.." She said and held tightly onto Gavrilo's arm, staring at the two other people with a mixture of strong dislike, and indignation written all over her face.