virgin s n o w {open/mature}

[jonathoncampbell]

St Mungo's, honestly he didn't know what he was thinking, he just wanted to help. He wasn't stupid enough to believe they could heal her completely but he was struggling to figure out what to do in this situation, he could always help her home. "Prudence I don't...if you would rather not go to St Mungo's...maybe you want to go home?" he asked a little unsurely.

Before she could reply, or had even gotten a couple of steps away from the bench, she seemed to buckle, her knees giving way her hand shot out and gripped his arm tightly. Before his hand could reach out to help her though, Prudence snapped her own back and straightened. Sighing Jonathan shook his head, deciding if she wasn't going to let him offer physical help, he'd stay close incase she fell again as they began to walk.

[prudence]

Home, that sounded like a better idea. The bruises would sort themselves out, and then she wouldn't have people pestering her about what had happened when she had a difficult enough time speaking as it was. She could attribute her hoarseness to being ill, wait to tell her father until she was good and ready. But Prudence didn't want to be alone, and as much as she didn't want to be in the care of a stranger, being alone seemed a million times worse. There wouldn't be anyone in the house, her father wouldn't be home for at least a few hours.

She glanced at her wrist to check the time, though found that in addition to what they had done the men had stolen her watch. Prudence instead focused on keeping herself stable, she didn't want to have to lean on Jonathon again. The watch could be replaced, her bruises would fade with time, though her keen memory would never let her forget what had happened. She nodded finally after a pause, she could suffer through being alone a few hours, unless Jonathon was going to invite himself along. "Home s-sounds... good," Prudence struggled to say.

[jonathoncampbell]

Jonathon saw Prudence glance at her arm, as though looking to check her watch but when he to looked there was no such thing there. When she told him that home sounded good, he sighed quietly and nodded his head. Rubbing a hand over his face he moved slowly with her, close but hopefully not close enough to make her too uncomfortable. "You have someone at home?" he asked.

Simply helping her to the fireplace and sending her back home, if she was to only be alone for some reason didn't feel right with him. He needed to know she was going to be okay,m but inviting himself along, he couldn't do that, or could he? Would she accept his company or rather he not go? "I wouldn't want you to be alone..." he admitted, shoving his hands into his pockets and looking at her.

[prudence]

Prudence shook her head when Jonathon asked her if there was anyone at her house, unsure of why she was doing it. Her heart wanted her to ask him to come with her, stay until her father came home, but her brain was telling her that wasn't a good idea, especially after what had happened. But now would be a time where only her cat's company would not do. Prudence knew she wouldn't be in any danger at home, though what she wanted more than anything was someone there who could protect her. Her stomach was tying itself in knots again.

She nodded when Jonathon said that he didn't want her to be alone, only further adding to her heart's side of the argument. He was a nice guy, caring and concerned about her when nobody else was. You don't know him! her conscience insisted, though she decided at the moment to not let her mind dominate her heart. Not that time. "I don't want to be alone, either," Prudence said very softly, though it was the clearest sentence she had spoken since Jonathon had first approached her. Ever so slightly her grasp on her wand loosened to what was normal.

[jonathoncampbell]

Jonathon frowned when she shook her head in answer to his question about whether anyone would be there with her, he made a decision, he just hoped she'd comply with it. Before he could open his mouth to tell her he'd go home with her, stay with her until her parents returned, Prudence spoke and it was the clearest he'd heard her talk since they had met. She didn't want to be alone, that settled it then, she wouldn't be, he'd be there for her.

"Then you won't be alone, I'll be there...at least until you grow bored of me and send me packing," he said, adding the last bit in a vain attempt at a small joke. He was glad he didn't have to leave her just now, it didn't sit right with him, he doubted he'd like leaving her when her parents returned but he would. Jonathon knew though, now there was no way he would be able to walk away after this day ended, he wanted to be part of Prudence's life, he wanted to make sure she was okay, keep her safe.

[prudence]

Prudence still felt shaky, and as uneasy as ever, already beginning to regret the decision to put her trust in a stranger when they hadn't even made it to the shop they would be taking Floo from! She silently told herself to stop being so doubtful, and that if Jonathon too was going to take advantage of her he would have done so already. At least now she had found her strength, and even if she was walking slightly slower than was normal, Prudence could at least support her own weight. She could only nod as Jonathon spoke again, her voice was likely done for the day.

She was grateful that he had agreed to come along, allowing himself to suddenly become so involved in the life of a stranger- one that was going to have quite a bit of emotional baggage. Prudence had been hurt before, of course, but it was never anything like this. She stumbled again, though this time she was able to catch herself without needing to rely on Jonathon. At least the shop was close, Prudence could even see its fireplace, hosting a merrily crackling fire through the window. Just a few more steps until home.