She recovered, slowly. It took weeks for what would have only taken a few days at St. Mungo's. She'd never thought that she'd be denied healthcare because of the Dark Mark, that just wasn't one of the many things that had gone through her mind while the abominable symbol was being burned into her skin.

Whenever she opened her eyes either Remus or Fenrir were sitting beside her, sometimes both. She felt good to have the two people she cared about most sitting with her. She was also thankful that Remus never mentioned the Dark Mark during their hushed conversations when she was conscious. In fact, he wouldn't even look at it. No doubt she would eventually have to jump that hurdle.

After she had recovered, she began to realize they spent less time in bed, but she wasn't worried about it because they spent more time talking together. They shared all the darkest moments of their lives, forging a connection so strong that sometimes they could just look at each other and know what they were saying. Sometimes the conversations felt like a slow, dragged out version of the torture the Dark Lord had put her through, but he went through just as much pain as he revealed to her his despair.

When Christmas came she was filled with loneliness. Remus had informed her that he would be leaving her for two weeks. It would have been the first Christmas they'd spent together since Hogwarts, since he'd bitten her, but he had to go. He explained that his mother was still alive but was in poor health and he wanted to spend what might have been her last Christmas with her. It was endearing.

So she endured it and spent Christmas with her pack; her family, ignoring the sensation that half of her soul was missing. He was her mate and no one would ever be able to replace him or to fill the hole he left in her when she was gone. She'd fallen in love with him all over again in the previous few months even though Fenrir's sometimes jealous stares weren't lost on her.