Verina walked to the boats clad, not in her fur lined uniform, but in a tailored long sleeve green dress. Her raven black hair hung idly in a curly pool down her back . A scarf was tied around her head so the wind didn't blow her hair and the sun wasn't too harsh on her pale face.

Her violet eyes were heavy with sadness although none could see it because they were hidden behind dark glasses.

Her angled features were saddened by the grief and worry she felt and her usually rosy cheeks were ashen.

Standing next to the strapping fellow holding her hand she looked like a tiny porcelain doll.

She had always been small for her age and small in comparison to her classmates. In heels she reached the young man's shoulder, otherwise it was barely to his chest. She leaned on him not caring what others saw or thought, and he held her close. Not only was she saying goodbye to her best friend for a while, she was saying goodbye during the time she needed him the most.

"Verina, I can take a leave of absence for just a week or so it won't kill the team. I can stay with you." He said whispering in her ear. She looked up into his chocolate brown eyes so sincere and caring. She jumped into his arms and just held on tight. He kissed her hair. "Lev, you need to go train with your team. I'll be alright." He sighed and pulled away. The boats had made their final call. He kissed her hand and boarded the boat. She waved until the boats disappeared and turned back returning to the castle alone. From there she flooed and arrived in her grandfather's office.

He was pacing the floor, her mother stood off in a corner and her grandmother sat in a chair.

They all looked at her with smiles.

Her mother ran to her and kissed her cheeks ecstatically. Verina hugged her and smiled. Beaming she looked around the old office.

She inhaled its familiar mint, paper, and pipe smoke. The furniture was sturdy and dark. It was home to Verina. Her grandmother was next she walked to her in a long green skirt and shirt with gold bangles hugging her and greeting her, and then her grandfather.

" My little princess has finally come home and without her attachment. It is a good day." He said winking and she blushed. She looked at her family and noticed they were all wearing the same dark green color she and her grandmother wore.

Verina knew what was coming next. "As soon as I get home?" she whined.

Her grandfather laughed. "No getting passed you? Yes, we go wireless in a half hour then we walk out to the balcony. The usual just put on your pin and your prettiest smile. Your mother will fill you in why in just a few moments" He said kissing her cheek. Her mother looked at her. " She'll need to go in makeup she looks ill. Minni is busy so I'll just have to do it."

Her grandmother clicked her tongue. " Seriphina she looks fine. So vain."

"Vera, don't scold the girl she just wants to help." Her grandfahter corrected as Verina was being lead out the door.

Verina rolled her eyes she was grandmother ,Vera, winked at her causing Verina to giggle.

Her mother just have an exasperated moan and took her by the hand and lead her to their conjoined rooms.

"You didn't sleep last night, young one." She said looking over Verina's face " Briony told you everything didn't she?"

Verina nodded there never was getting passed her mother. " Yes, in her letter last night."

Her mother's brow crinkled. Verina studied her face. Her jet black hair was now speckled with grey. She looked old all of a sudden. Her own violet eyes stared back at her. " You act like you've never seen my face before, silly child. Aww now you look much better."

Verina looked in the mirror and just shook her head no amount of makeup could ever hide truth.

"Do you want to talk about your Uncle? I know you disobeyed me and wrote him anyway. I also know you would see him on occasion. It must be hard for you to lose him."

Verina knew her mother had known and so she didn't feel too guilty. The pain in her chest however was telling to her grief. However, ten minutes before a press conference was not when she wanted to talk about the death of a loved one. "No, I do not wish to talk about it."

They joined her grandparents in the office. People were gathered with cameras and such as her grandfather sat down at his desk in front of a microphone.

The wizarding wireless network had begun in England and Bulgaria had adopted it. They had also utilized it to tell news that was immediate, whereas England used it's paper. English kings would speak directly into the homes of their subjects and then walk out onto the balcony beginning in the early 1900's, her grandfather had learned of this, and adopted this method. Instead of press conferences he simply said what he had to into the wireless while reporters took pictures, and then they all walked out onto the balcony and waved for a few minutes. It made the people happy and it avoided full contact with angry mobs. Verina did not know what her grandfather would say and she suspected neither did her mother. They simply sat there and listened like the rest of Bulgaria. Her grandfather cleared his throat and someone gave him a signal. He winked at her and began to speak.

" Last night the English ministry was attacked. The Dark Lord's suspected return has now been officially confirmed as more than five eye witnesses saw him in person last night. He and his followers attacked the ministry looking for classified information. It is clear his intentions are to over throw the government as he did years before. However, this time is different. It is is often we, Bulgaria, stay out of English matters, but it is clear that the Dark Lord is stronger than before. Bulgaria though not mortally wounded by you-know-who and his forces were threatened last time the English went to war, and it is our hopes to prevent that. No, we do not agree with the English and a lot of their methods, but even more so we do no support uncivilized wars, coups, and threats to organized government. England has come asking for our help, our support ,and our alliance in their time of need, and it is our help, our support ,and our alliance they will receive. Governments are meant to be ran in an orderly manner, not to be uncivilly over thrown. We, Bulgaria, unite with our English brothers as they try to protect their people and their government in hopes that this turmoil does not spill over to our own government and people. Thank you."

Verina was in utter shock. Her grandfather had just very civilly waged war on the Dark Lord and allied with the English ministry. She was so thrown off she had no idea what to do. Her own father had died fighting for the Dark Lord, her godfather was a double agent, her mother had once rallied for the cause, her cousins were now imprisoned death eaters. She agreed with her grandfather and grandmother in saying it was wrong always, but he now publicly disowned her father and his side of the family as well as his own nephew Dmitri Jr. . Her own cousin Draco, though no relation to her grandfather, had been very close to him, and now he spat on Lucius Malfoy's name. She suspected her mother to be furious, but instead she smiled and walked to kiss her father. Vera held out her hand to Verina ,and Verina walked to her. She leaned down. " I will explain everything later. Your job now is to go out there and smile and be brave."

Verina squeezed her grandmother's hand as the balcony doors opened. Verina did as she was told and walked out brave and waving. People were gathered screaming. She tried to gauge the reaction. She closed her eyes and inhaled. Her grandfather leaned down and Verina leaned up.

"Mixed emotions. Anger, fear, pride, and willingness to serve. Though the anger is harsh."

He nodded and held out his fist and yelled "Bulgaria." And the crowd followed.