Epilouge

As I sat on the dark black leather lounge in the dimly lit room shadows encasing the walls, I looked down at my daughter, she was only 10 months old I cradled her in my arms as she slept, I wanted her safe and here she wasn't safe, not with Jade around. I gently lay the small child on the lounge her dark black hair blending with the shade of the cushions. I silently stood up and looked out the window, it was open, the breeze slowly drifting in, I glanced back at Tara. She shivered as she felt the wind blow past her, I walked to the cupboard and grabbed a thin blanket and draped it over her young frame. The clock chimed the hour, I looked towards the Grandfather clock that stood against the wall beside the open window it showed 12:00 AM, it was time to leave I slowly picked Tara up and held her to my chest, with my free hand I grabbed our suitcase and headed towards the door.

As I walked through the dark dimly lit halls I, thought of Jade, she wasn't due home for another two hours, at another meeting. How had she drifted so far, once she had been a kind woman but now she was a cold-hearted Death eater, she belonged to the cause, the pureblood cause. Stop wallowing we need to get out of here I said to myself, I almost stumbled as the lush white carpet that covered the hall floors turned into dark timber flooring, for the sake of my daughter I quickly regained my footing. Even though I sneaked through the halls, there wasn't any immediate need, very few people came during the night especially at these late hours although it never hurts to be cautious.

We neared the dark wooden door, it had intricate carvings of runes along the frame all in bright shimmering gold. I was glad that Jade had people care for the house, the door opened without so much as a creak, as I stare towards the night I allow myself one last look at my old house as I vanish into the night. As soon as I believed we weren't in any harm I checked Tara, she still slept her face snuggled into my shoulder, breathing at a steady pace. I pulled out the port key and said "Hogwarts".

We appeared at the gates, I huddled Tara closer to me as the rain dripped down my face, my boots pressing into the mud, I pulled down my hood and entered the ancient building eager to be away from the harsh weather. As I passed the halls that had been my schooling years I saw a familiar face. The tell tale red hair of a Weasley, the youngest one at that,

"hey" I said, softly not wanting to wake Tara up, Ginny flashed around, she looked a bit tired she had bags forming under her eyes, "Harry" she said with an eager voice, she glanced down towards the almost miss able bundle I held in my arms, She reached towards Tara, she looked up to me silently asking permission to touch my daughter, I gave her a quick nod and she shot me a smile. I had missed Ginny she had once been a key person in my life before we had the fallout over many insignificant things, it has caused our relationship to shatter, much like glass being smashed with a rock. Looking towards her now I knew we could get past it, I was already falling for her again, her bright red hair down to her hips, her slender waist , tall yet fragile looking, as if one touch would make her disintegrate. Her eyes shinning, reflecting the lights around the room, a smile graced her lips as I heard movement down the hall.

Ginny quickly moved her hand back and raced down the hall, something gave me the impression that she wasn't supposed to be present for our current situation. I shot her a glance and then walked towards the three figures that loomed at the door. I looked at them, they had changed since our last interaction, the faces of the three men looked weary and old, as I examined them, they seemed entranced as they continued to stare at Tara. She squirmed in my hold, her body wriggling against my chest, her small hands clutched my cloak. One of the three gestured to the door and I joined them in the old room, dust coated the desks and the room's shadows hid in the corners as the fire blazed, letting warmth touch my body, It tingled as the wet damp clothes began to dry.

I gently set Tara down on the lounge, I quickly cast a warming charm and turned to the other occupants in the room. "It's been a long time kiddo" the man with dark black hair and a slight stubble on his skin exclaimed, "Indeed it has Sirius" I replied as I embraced him in a hug, "you seem tired" The man with dull orange faded hair said, I turned to Remus and he offered me his hand, I shook it a grin overcame my face as our eyes met. "not tired, just worried, when she finds out she'll flip" I said my expression changing to a worry some one, "She'll have to find you first" The third man in the room interjected, as I looked at him I could make out his features in the shadows, his orange shaggy hair, his small build, but mostly his magical eye. Moody gave me a nod, "what Jade wants Jade gets" I replied knowing it was true, If Jade were to come looking she would most definitely find us, most likely kill me in the process, these thoughts worried me as I shot a glance towards my daughter, I quickly shook those thoughts from my mind and remember why I was doing this. "Harry if what you say is true, if she truly wishes the best for her child she'll know Tara will be better of without her" Sirius said trying to put my worries to rest. I hoped what he said was true because an angry Jade is like running with one leg, your eyes closed and being in a grassland being chased by a Lion, she was dangerous.

"I hope she sees it that way" I replied, the three men gave a nod as to say they do to. The three, began conversing about what was the best possible way to hide Tara and I. As I normally would at this time, I look up at the stars, they shine brightly against the black sky, bringing light to the scenery, this reminded me of the patronus charm, how it fought away the evil dementors and stopped them from devouring my soul. I heard a yawn I looked at my daughter, she rubbed the sleep from her eyes as she sat up, "daddy" she said looking around the room. I grabbed her hand and looked into her eyes, and stroked her dark hair that stuck out against the red couch, "go back to sleep dear, it's ok" I said soothingly as she closed her eyes and drifted of to the world of dreams, I spared her one last look and began to join my company's conversation. "what about staying here" Remus supplied, "argh to much risk towards the students" Moody replied, "how about Grimmauld place, it is situated in a muggle community" Sirius said, his hand swept over his face as he pushed his hair out of his eyes, "to many possible casualties, she'd rip through them" I said, they sighed, although my words were true Jade would kill any one she wanted to she didn't care for begging or loyalty, if she wanted someone dead they were dead. "what about ah fidelus charm boy" Mad eye said in his gruff voice.

There was a possibility it could work but I didn't want people at risk in my current situation, I didn't want more people to die in my name, enough had perished in the war with Voldemort already. "no, I don't want anyone else involved it's to dangerous" I voiced sternly, "Harry don't be absurd if Jade finds you she'll shred you to pieces" Sirius said worryingly, "I'm well aware of that" I replied as I emotionlessly, "Remus just stared at me, he shook his head "Sirius, Harry's right we don't need anything big". I was glad Remus was here, he could persuade Sirius to not do something idiotic, he looked at me frustrated like he was going to say something but Remus sent him a glare and he sat down. "I can stay with the Weasleys surely they wouldn't mind" I exclaimed, I was getting tired, I wanted this soughted out sooner rather than later, "well Arthur and Molly live in Europe now, Hermione, Ron, there two sons and Fred and George reside at the Burrow now" A puzzled expression graced my features, so where did Ginny live, "what about Ginny" I asked trying to mask the eagerness from my voice, you learn a few tricks living with the Dark Lady. "Ah yes miss Ginerva Weasley lives on her own in a house not to far from here, a nice house secluded from the public but only 15 minutes from town" Remus supplied, Ginny was still single, "I could stay with her, we could put some wards around the property, I'm sure she wouldn't mind, it's the best option so far", the three looked at me wearily and then Sirius sighed. "you can go in the morning" he said with defeat, "shouldn't we owl her first" I said slightly confused, "Ginerva has already offered the use of her home, she is still in the building actually, she never left" Remus said as he showed me the Marauders map.

The three men left the room, as I was about to begin my search for the youngest Weasley she walked through the door, "Hey" she said with a smile, "long time no see" I replied, my gut filled with butterflies and it felt like 5th year again, "seems like you've been up to lots" she said with a inquisitive grin, I for what seemed like the 100th time tonight glanced at Tara, "how old is she" Ginny asked, "ten months", In four days. "She looks just like you, um but what of her mother" she prodded awkwardly, I didn't want to lie to her but she'd chuck a fit if she found out, "she passed away" I said with a fake sadness plastered on my face, "your welcome to stay with me you know, it's just me", I was grateful for Ginny selfishly I was glad she hadn't moved on. "you wouldn't mind" I said sheepishly, "not at all, but it might be a bit awkward because I still have feelings towards you" she blushed, "It's ok, I do to, maybe we could, um, try again, I, uh, I" I stuttered as I muddled up words, "yes" the red head replied happily, "but what about Tara, I can't have her grow up without a mother Ginn, not like I did" I said dampening the mood, what she said next surprised me, "well I'll be her mum" she said determined, I could already see that Tara was indeed growing on her. "are you sure" I voiced, "yes, we don't need people picking on her or causing trouble about her real mother, we can say we kept it private" she smiled, a grin plastered my face, "Ginny your amazing", "I know" was the reply.

"what do you think your brothers will say" I said with a mischievous grin, "Ron might try to kill you but other than that, you should be good" she laughed, "Ron kill me, in his dreams" I replied glee coating my words, "Yes well that boy did always like to sleep" the read head joked. After we conversed about what we had been doing over the past four years, me obviously lying through my teeth, thank merlin she didn't notice, we sat down on the red couch, Tara in my arms and Ginny asleep on my shoulder, I slowly drifted of with the sounds of Tara and Ginny breathing steadily against me.

...

Plz Review if you think it's any good, Shadow.