A/N: So, I've done a little editing on the story. The biggest change would be combining the first and second chapters of the story into one. For those of you who haven't read the original, this is an idea I had after seeing Rufus threatening Vera.

o~0~o

1. Eglantine Rose (A Wound To Heal)

Vera Devenish stood among the trees, her eyes fixed on the imposing building in front of her. Frobisher Library normally represented a sanctuary for her, tucked away among the trees. Now though, all she could think about was the events currently taking place inside. Part of her desperately wished that Rufus would fail, and the rest of the world would never be subjected to his sadistic nature. She knew, however, that if he did not succeed, she would suffer his displeasure. She shivered, despite the warm air, and forced her mind away from such thoughts.

Something flashed across the window, and she gasped, moving closer. The majority of Anubis House was inside the library! Vera briefly wondered where on earth Victor was. As she watched, Nina Martin opened the case displaying the replica Mask of Anubis. She couldn't think why the girl would want it; it was common knowledge that Louisa Frobisher-Smythe had made a bronze replica of the real Mask for donation to the Treasures of Egypt exhibition. A blinding white light flared, and she reeled back from the window. Blinking fast in order to remove the spots from her vision, she returned to her place. She hated having her vision impaired; it reminded her of being frozen in the attic, only able to see straight ahead. She blinked hard again, sure she was seeing things. The Mask appeared to have turned gold, and Nina was wearing it! The girl was outlined in white, and seemed to be speaking. Vera cursed the thick stone walls, and resigned herself to not hearing one word of the conversation. Nina ascended the staircase, while her friends called out to her. She ignored them, which Vera found unusual for the friendly girl. What terrified her, though, was Nina throwing a bolt of fire at Fabian, of all people! If the Mask could make a person do that... She didn't finish that thought. Suddenly, she noticed Rufus and Victor in the library. She immediately felt cold. Rufus had proved he was willing to kill for the Mask. She didn't think she could bear it if anything happened to the kids. Or Victor... She shook her head. Victor was saying something. She would have given anything to hear what he was saying. She nearly fainted when Rufus put on the Mask. As it was, she fell back from the window and leaned against the wall. Another light flashed, red this time, and she hastily returned to the window. She could hardly see at first, then as the light receded, she saw the Mask fall to the floor. As she wondered what happened to Rufus, everyone gathered around Joy, who was collapsed on the floor. Nina handed Victor the Mask, and as he turned around, Vera could see a tear of gold glittering on the end of it. As he poured the tear into Joy's mouth, Vera felt a surge of love, which was swiftly quashed as she realised he most likely despised her now. Letting out a strangled sob, she ducked behind a tree, just before the students left the library. When she thought everyone had left, she finally let the tears flow.

"Vera?" a familiar voice asked.

She turned around. "Victor..."

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine." she replied, wiping away her tears. Seconds later, she froze, realising too late that she had wiped away some of her makeup.

"What happened to your eye?"

o~O~o

Victor stared at the woman before him. She looked exactly as she had the last time he saw her, apart from the reddish-purple pigmentation around her right eye. He had seen some cases of abuse in his years with the school, but he couldn't imagine how it could have happened to Vera. He wasn't even sure it was abuse, until he saw the fear in her eyes. Still, he was puzzled. She'd been at Anubis House, with him, until... It hit him with the force of a sledgehammer. She still hadn't answered him.

"Did Rufus..." The effect was instantaneous. She visibly tensed and her eyes widened. In short, she was terrified. He hastened to soothe her, hesitating a moment before putting his arms around her as she began to cry into his shoulder.

"Ssshhh, it's alright." he murmured, stroking her back. Absently, he noticed that her hair smelled like lilies.

"H-he...he was..."

"He's gone now." He couldn't think of anything else to say. He wasn't sure how long they stood there, holding each other, before she stopped crying and drew back.

"I'm sorry." she said quietly, wiping her eyes.

"Here." He handed her a handkerchief. She murmured her thanks, wincing as she touched the bruise around her eye.

"Shall I get you some ice?"

"I think it might be a little late for that." she replied with a weak attempt at a smile.

"Still, it will help bring down the swelling. Come back to the house with me."

"But won't the children still be awake?"

"If they are, then they know what happens if they do not observe their curfew, don't they?" She gave a real smile at that, before turning in the direction of the house. Victor noticed with a frown that she was limping. Wondering what exactly had been done to her, he followed suit.

o~O~o

Vera's mind was whirring as they walked back to the house. She couldn't tell if Victor was helping her because he felt sorry for her, or because he still... She shook her head, telling herself that it must be the former. Her musings were interrupted by their arrival at the house. Victor motioned for her to stay where she was, as he went inside to give his usual speech. She glanced at her watch, then smiled; ten o'clock had long since passed. He came back a few moments later, bringing with him an ice pack. She raised it to her eye, sighing slightly at the relief. She stepped inside the foyer, looking around as she did so.

"Do you want something to drink?"

She glanced over at him. "No, thank you."

"Would you like anything else?"

"I think I'd just prefer to go to bed."

"Of course. Will you need..."

"Most of my things are still here."

"Ah. Well, then."

She went upstairs, pausing at the top. Victor, who was behind her, looked at her with concern.

"Is everything alright, Vera?"

"Well, it just occurred to me that the children might question my still being here tomorrow morning."

"They're leaving in the morning, and then we will have the house to ourselves."

"Oh. Well, I suppose I should go to bed, before anyone sees me."

"Indeed. Goodnight, Vera."

"Goodnight, Victor." She turned towards the attic door, before pulling it open and climbing the stairs to her old bedroom. Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door. As it creaked open and the room came into view, the memories washed over her. Blinking back more tears, she turned and looked at the mirror. It was still broken. Victor clearly hadn't touched anything since she'd left. Looking at her shattered reflection, she bitterly thought that it summed her up completely. Broken. Moving towards the wardrobe, she changed into her nightclothes, before lying down on the bed and falling asleep.