Chapter 12
Althea rested the back of her head against the stall decorated with brightly colored scarves of orange, purple, and scarlet. Her trembling fingers caressed the finely embroidered fabric draped behind her shoulder. She was alone. She closed her eyes.
"At least she didn't call me, 'Black's bitch,'" she murmured and heaved a great breath.
I did take it too far, though, she thought as her body slowly quieted itself. Jane's face—full of anger and disgust—appeared in her mind's eye. Althea winced at the feelings of anxiousness and guilt that bubbled in her gut. She felt as though she stood in her cottage and Jane uttered all those words Althea had endeavored to suppress. It was her fault Lily was dead.
"No," she whispered, her fingers clawing at the delicate fabric, "don't. Think of Prudence."
She inhaled deeply and forced her mind to imagine Prudence. Prudence's smiling and hopeful face slowly focused into view. It doesn't matter what that horrible woman thinks of us, she thought, relaxing her grip upon the scarf. Prudence knows the truth and believes it.
Calmed, Althea opened her eyes. She heard footsteps to her left and hastily lifted herself from the stall. A smirking Sirius was directing Prudence, dejected and mildly annoyed, toward Althea.
"You shouldn't be here!" she whispered heatedly.
"And young girls shouldn't be lurking about Borgin and Burkes," he replied and squeezed Prudence's shoulders.
Prudence folded her arms.
Althea furrowed her eyebrows. "Knockturn Alley?"
Prudence refused to look at Althea. "I wanted to see the shrunken heads."
Althea sighed. "I'm supposed to deliver you safely to your parents," she said, massaging her right temple. "You can't do that sort of thing."
"Indeed," Sirius agreed, letting go of Prudence's shoulders. "It's a dangerous place…full of the Dark Arts."
"The Dark Arts?" she repeated, her eyes wide. "I thought—"
Sirius nodded. "You understand, then?"
Prudence nodded. "I'm sorry," she said, looking from Sirius to Althea. "I'd heard stories—"
"And let them remain stories," Sirius said, "I'd hate to send you back in pieces. How would you receive top marks in all your classes?" He frowned thoughtfully. "Speaking of Hogwarts, where are your school things?"
"Oh," she said, tucking a curl behind her ear, "I haven't bought anything yet."
Sirius grabbed a purple scarf decorated with small silver beads and bells. "What about this?" he asked and shook the scarf.
Prudence wrinkled her nose.
"It is a bit ridiculous." He held up a saffron scarf. "Or this one?"
Prudence shook her head.
"This?" He held up a green.
Prudence made a face.
"Right," he sighed, unceremoniously tossing the scarves behind him. "You're exceedingly difficult," he said and winked at Althea. "What about a Goblin wrought tiara?"
Prudence giggled, "No."
"No?"
"No."
Sirius sighed, smoothing the black hair away from his eyes. "I reckon I'm useless," he said and teasingly shook his head.
"You're not completely useless," Althea said, interlocking her arm with his. "I could use some help shopping."
Sirius placed his hand atop Althea's arm. "But what about our dear Prudence?"
Althea pretended to size up Prudence. "I believe she's learned her lesson," she said, and Prudence beamed. "Shrunken heads are ghastly things."
"Still," Sirius said, playfully narrowing his eyes. "The Trace—"
"The Trace?" Althea gasped.
Sirius tilted his head to the side. "We'll know immediately if she misbehaves."
"Oh please don't," Prudence begged, rising on the balls of her feet. "I won't go in Spine and Dagger—"
Sirius clicked his teeth. "Know the names of the shops, do you?"
Prudence winced, looking about at the children going in and out of the booths. "I'll be good, I promise."
Sirius shook his head and held his wand before him. "Sorry."
Prudence huffed with resignation and pouted.
Sirius—with laudable effort to keep his smile at bay—cleared his throat and, in a grave voice, mumbled gibberish, giving a single tap to the top of Prudence's head. "Excellent."
"I didn't feel anything."
"You're not supposed to," he said and nodded solemnly.
"Remember," Althea said with a small smile, "two-thirty."
Prudence nodded.
"And under no circumstances are you to visit Knockturn Alley," Sirius warned in a mild teasing tone. "We'll know."
"I won't," she insisted, absently kicking her heel against the ground.
Althea watched Prudence's figure weave through the street until she lost her in a group of Hogwarts students.
"D'you reckon I could get her to eat a Cockroach Cluster?"
Althea elbowed him. "You'll do no such thing," she said as the crowd milled about before them. "It'll only work once, you know."
Sirius shrugged. "Diagon Alley is once a year."
Althea smiled. "And you couldn't resist," she said, resting her head upon his shoulder.
"No," he murmured and kissed her forehead.
"You'd risk capture to see that Prudence buys her Hogwarts things?"
Sirius did not answer. Instead, he slipped his arm around her waist and held her close to him as the two walked.
"You don't have to prove to me—"
"Prove what?" he asked and kissed her cheek.
Althea stopped and took Sirius's thin hands. "Thank you," she said and tenderly pressed them in hers.
Sirius let go of her hands. He pulled her by the small of her back closer to him. "I never thought…" he began and rested his forehead against hers.
Althea closed her eyes and lifted her parted lips to his.
"Althea?" Remus said, his voice mildly stern.
Althea paused and giggled lowly at the sound of Remus's voice.
"You haven't told him?" she whispered, opening her eyes.
"No."
Althea turned to greet Remus—his expression one of utter bemusement.
"Oh, hello," she said and coughed to stifle the giggle swelling inside her. "I'm sorry that I haven't written you—"
Remus disregarded pleasantries and held out his hand for Sirius. "Remus Lupin," he said, his voice suspicious and faintly angry.
Sirius took Remus's hand. "Sirius Black," he said lowly with a crooked smile.
Remus, his eyes wide, stepped back. "What the hell?"
Althea gave in to her snickering.
"He was about to scold you," Sirius laughed, gliding his fingers up and down Althea's bare arms. "Well done, Moony. Glad to see where your loyalties lie."
Remus did not look pleased. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" he asked, and ran his fingers through his mousy brown hair. "Of all the completely stupid things you've ever done—"
"Relax," Sirius said, holding up his hands.
Remus cast him a dark look.
"Moony—"
Remus hastily surveyed the crowd as he stepped forward. "Why are you here?" he whispered through gritted teeth.
Sirius shrugged. "Shopping."
"No, in this bloody country, you idiot!"
Sirius sighed. "It's complicated."
Sirius grabbed Remus by the arm and led him away from Althea to a secluded spot under the awning of the cosmetics shop. Sirius looked around as he spoke quietly to Remus. Remus gulped and glanced back at Althea as Sirius continued to speak. Sirius, noticing, quickly turned Remus away so their backs were to Althea. Althea raised an eyebrow. We still have our secrets, don't we? The two men returned with Remus smiling pleasantly.
"Right," Sirius sighed and clapped Remus on the shoulder, "ice cream?"
"So…Gran knows, then?" Remus asked, and with his spoon scooped up a substantial bite of ice cream.
Althea nodded. "Discovered in Bermuda."
Remus shivered. "Ruined your holiday."
"She did her best to kill me," Sirius said, tilting his chair upon its hind legs as he sat across from Remus. His lips transformed into a twisted smile as he added, "Obviously confused me with my grandfather."
Remus frowned, placing the large spoonful of chocolate ice cream in the glass dish. "What?"
Althea leaned forward. "Gran," she began, her voice wavering from suppressed laughter, "shagged Sirius's grandfather—"
Remus produced a guttural noise.
"—and had his bastard son."
Remus paled. "A son?"
Althea nodded deliberately. "George."
"No."
"Yeah, mate."
Remus reclined against his chair and smoothed the hair away from his face. "I believe it," he said, frowning slightly. "She always had a special place in her heart for you." Remus smiled wryly at Althea. "And who knew it was hereditary?" Remus covered his face with his hand and shook with laughter. "It all makes sense now."
"Are you all right, Moony?" Sirius asked.
Remus lowered his hand. "I'm perfect," he said, smiling at the couple. "All those damn lectures."
Sirius nodded. "Still spoke highly of my loving grandfather after all these years," he said, folding his arms.
Remus's head jerked back. "No—"
"Yeah," Sirius laughed. "It is not Arcturus's fault. He was poisoned by his family," he said in his best impersonation of Gran. "Never gave me that same courtesy."
"Of course, not," he said.
Sirius laughed lowly. "Love, do you think Gran and my grand—"
"You'll never guess who I met in Diagon Alley today," she said over Sirius. She was not about to have her ice cream sundae ruined by Sirius's musings on her grandmother's sex life.
Sirius shrugged.
"Jane."
Sirius wrinkled his nose.
Remus pulled a face as he swallowed his ice cream.
"Indeed," Althea said. "She was downright vile."
"And you let her walk away unharmed?" Remus asked.
"I don't hex defenseless creatures."
Sirius laughed loudly.
"Misplaced charity," Remus muttered.
Althea shrugged. "If I see her once every twelve years, I'll be happy," she said, picking up her spoon. "Had nothing but the finest words to say about our dear Sirius."
"Jealousy," Sirius sighed. "I am, after all, the most eligible bachelor in all of Wizarding Britain with my unrivaled fortune and extensive property."
"Probably still angry at the lifelong ban from Madam Puddifoot's," Remus said, smirking to himself as he dipped his spoon into his ice cream.
With a large huff, Prudence heaved a towering armful of books upon the table, ratting their bowls and spoons. She swept the spiral black tendrils from her eyes and sighed.
"I've got it all, I think?" she said, eyeing the books. "You'd think they'd place a charm to lighten them—Professor Lupin!"
Remus was unnaturally pale.
"Found him lurking about Gambol and Japes," Sirius said, "up to no good."
"I hope you aren't cross with us?" Althea asked as Remus's expression became quite peculiar—as if about to vomit. "Is it okay he joins us?"
Prudence looked to Remus and nodded. "I don't mind," she said and hooked a curl behind her ear. "It's nice to see you again, Sir."
Sirius snorted and Althea violently nudged him.
"Likewise," Remus replied hoarsely.
Sirius leaned over Althea and poked at Prudence's haul. "Rather slim," he muttered, running is forefinger down the stack of books.
"But I bought—"
Althea smiled. "I think he intended for you to spend it."
"But there's so much left!" she said, wide-eyed. "I can't—"
"Go ahead and spend it," Sirius said and smiled at Prudence. "It's yours."
"I've known him long enough to know that he doesn't understand the word no," she said and Sirius nodded. "I promise you that Professor Lupin will be here when you return," Althea said and smiled pleasantly at Remus.
Remus gave a slight nod.
Prudence bit her bottom lip and looked to the burgundy purse atop the stack. "I could buy something for Oliver's birthday," she said and grasped the purse. "Something to replace that stupid hat."
Althea watched Prudence leave the ice cream shop. "Don't buy him Dungbombs," she whispered, wrinkling her forehead.
"I stand corrected," Remus said and Althea shifted to face him. "This is the stupidest thing you've ever done." He shook his head—his mouth contorted to utter words but he could not speak.
"Blame the Death Eaters at the World Cup," Sirius said.
"You attended the World Cup?" Remus asked, sitting forward. "Do you realize—"
"No, I didn't attend," he said, waving his hand dismissively. "Althea did, though."
Remus, open mouthed, stared at Althea. "You didn't—"
"Kidnap her? No," she replied, picking up Prudence's Charms Grade Two textbook. "I learned my lesson long ago…. She witnessed the debacle at the World Cup and Gran took her to Northfield. She's been with us ever since."
"And the Parkers?"
"Are okay with it," she said.
Remus rubbed the side of his face. "And she knows it's you, then?"
Sirius nodded.
Remus developed a strange look. "I won't even ask."
Althea opened the book and thumbed through the crisp pages. "Whenever I had the chance, I'd perform these charms for my father," she said, smiling sadly at the demonstration of a Dancing Charm. "He always looked so pleased."
Sirius peered over Althea's arm. "My parents could've cared less how I did," he said, turning the page for Althea. "These sorts of spells were expected…with the first attempt, of course."
Althea sneered. "No wonder you were a bully."
Sirius narrowed his eyes. "I'm not proud of it," he said and grabbed for Prudence's Transfiguration book. "Better at Charms or Transfiguration?"
"Charms," Althea said, closing the book.
"Nah, Transfiguration," he replied and tapped the page. "I'll teach her this tonight. God, will McGonagall be impressed. Ten points to Gryffindor."
"We hope," she sighed and furrowed her eyebrows. "The Parkers don't want Prudence to return to Hogwarts—"
"What?" Remus interrupted. "It can't be."
"Yeah, it is, mate," he replied and closed the book.
Remus shook his head as he muttered, "No, no, they can't do this."
"Well—" Sirius began but Althea stepped on his foot to quiet him.
"I'll visit them—"
"Visit them at the full moon," Sirius muttered.
Althea cast Sirius a warning look.
"God, if it's because of what I am," he said and covered his mouth.
Althea placed her hand upon Remus's hand—she felt it faintly trembling. "It isn't because of you," she said and tenderly squeezed his hand. "We don't know why."
"I will talk with them," Remus said, looking from Althea to Sirius. "You have my word."
"Thanks, Moony," Sirius said, resting his arm on the back of Althea's chair. "You were her teacher, they'll listen to you…more so than her mad parents."
Prudence returned to the ice cream parlor with three wrapped packages, more books, charmed drawing paper, two sketchbooks, and one large box.
"I still have loads left," she said, placing the large box upon the floor. "It never empties!"
Althea smiled for Sirius had charmed the purse to be a direct link to her vault. Even your cleverness amazes me, she thought as Prudence sat across from Althea.
"Keep it," Althea said as Prudence frowned at Sirius's absence. "He'll return soon, I promise."
Prudence looked upon her things. "I feel as though I've spent his entire fortune."
"That's impossible," she said and nodded toward the strawberry sundae before Prudence. "Now eat your ice cream."
"Did you enjoy your summer?" Prudence asked and lifted a large spoonful of ice cream to her lips.
Remus nodded. "I traveled a bit—"
Prudence gasped happily.
"Nothing too exotic, though."
"Oh."
"Enjoy any dancing?" Althea teased.
Remus frowned. "Dancing?"
Althea smirked. "I guess it wasn't, then?" she murmured and concentrated on the half empty sundae before her to keep from laughing. "Enjoy your time with Afina?"
"My what? Oh," he replied and laughed quietly. "I did, actually." He scratched his unshaven chin. "Has she left?"
Althea shook her head. "No," she said, and heard Sirius's deliberate footsteps behind her. She smiled when Sirius stopped behind her. "And where have you been?" she asked and winked at Prudence.
"Hello, lovely," he murmured and kissed Althea's cheek.
He placed a bouquet of neatly tied red roses in her lap. Althea's fingers touched the richly colored velvet petals—she blushed. She sniffed the fragrant flowers and murmured her thanks.
"Your rose gardens are safe," he said with a satisfied look.
"They're lovely!" Prudence said, leaning over the table to look at them.
Althea presented the flowers to Prudence for inspection. Prudence smelt them and smiled.
"Oh, they smell so lovely, too!"
Sirius quickly turned to hide something from Prudence.
Prudence raised her eyebrow as he kept his hands behind his back.
He playfully frowned. "This just won't do," he said, shaking his head at Prudence's things.
"What? Why?" she asked, looking a little panicked. "I tried to spend it!"
He grinned, lifting a silver cage with a large pink bow upon the table. Prudence gasped and enthusiastically peered inside—her books and other items jostled upon the table. Sitting upon the perch was a small fluffy brown owl with white spots. It was adorable. Althea cringed at Sirius's extravagant gift.
Remus looked toward the ceiling and let a small smile escape.
"You needed an owl," Sirius said, tugging at the satin bow.
"It's mine?" she breathed, her forefinger curled around the silver bar.
"Of course!" he laughed.
"I don't think they'll bend the rules," Althea said, partially covering her face with her fingers. "Think of Violet."
Sirius shrugged. "Just say it's Althea's owl," he said. "What do you think?"
Prudence, her eyes transfixed upon her new pet, slowly smiled. "It's perfect," she said and turned her face up at him. "Thank you."
Sirius smiled crookedly. "Right," he breathed.
Althea tugged upon his shirtsleeve. "Eat your ice cream."
Sirius sighed happily and sat next to Althea. He leaned his chair back on his hind legs, pleased with himself. You will have that winged horse, she thought as Prudence cooed at the fluffy owl. Althea smiled at Sirius, who coached Prudence in proper owl etiquette. However, she could not suppress the nagging feeling in her stomach—her smile faded. You deserve to be a proper father, she thought as the tiny owl flapped her wings. Prudence calmed him. He was gentle. He was that young man thirteen years ago who sang softly to the pregnant Althea. She'll return to them at the weekend and how will you feel then, my love?
Prudence placed the cage on the floor next to her. "Does it have a name?"
"You can name her," he said. "I think she'll get on well with Violet, too. Good tempered."
Remus rubbed the side of his face and laughed quietly at Sirius.
Sirius sat forward. "Moony's a voracious ice cream eater."
Prudence wrinkled her nose. "Moony?"
Sirius gestured with his eyes toward Remus.
Prudence gasped. "Oh, that is dreadful!"
Remus shrugged. "It was a childhood nickname," he said, slowly twirling his spoon in the empty bowl.
"Did you have a nickname?"
"Padfoot," he answered proudly.
Prudence made a face and Althea found it difficult not to snicker.
"I liked it," Sirius said, folding his arms. "Do you have a nickname?"
Prudence shook her head. "My brother calls me, 'Dunce,'" she said and stuck out her tongue. "Just to be awful."
"That's right foul," he said and all agreed. "I have to think of something better." Sirius screwed his eyes up in thought. "I've got it, 'Pip.'"
Prudence wrinkled her nose. "Pip?"
"Yeah, Pip."
Remus laughed. "Padfoot, Pip, and—"
Althea kicked Remus' shin underneath the table.
"And you?"
Both men looked upon Althea, smirking.
"We called her, 'Morrigan,'" Sirius said, his expression one of mock apprehension. "She was too frightening to have a nickname."
"No," Prudence breathed.
"She would hex and curse me everyday—everyday," he said, fighting a smile. "A horrible bully."
"I don't believe you," she said, narrowing her eyes.
Sirius dropped his spoon in mock amazement. "What? She was merciless in her taunting."
"Merciless," Remus agreed.
Prudence leaned forward. "I read the detention cards."
"See," Sirius said, sitting up, "evidence."
"Likely," she scoffed.
"Right, as if your behavior could be blameless," Althea said and looked slyly at Sirius. "Those were detention cards with me, just imagine the piles and stacks of detention cards he had with his friends."
"Not something Prudence should aspire to," Sirius muttered.
"I'll make an effort to avoid detention," she said, and stuck out her tongue, "especially with Snape."
"Such a slimy git—"
"There will be no disparaging talk," Althea warned and Sirius laughed loudly. "He's a colleague—"
Remus coughed to disguise his laughter.
"Grow up," she said, fighting a smile.
Prudence giggled.
"He is awful, isn't he?" Sirius remarked.
"Yeah."
"So greasy—"
"Yeah."
"—and slimy—"
"Yeah."
"—and boring—"
"Yeah."
"—a terrible teacher—"
"The worst."
"Professor Lupin, what was it we'd call him?"
"What didn't we?" Remus remarked. "Snivellus, for one."
"Ah ha! Snivellus!" Sirius said with a mischievous grin. "Always sticking that large nose of his in our business. Scuttling about like vermin—"
"Sirius, no," Althea warned.
"Oh, and Snivelly," Sirius said and laughed. "He really hated that one."
Prudence giggled.
"Don't call Professor Snape any of those," Althea said.
"Not to him," Sirius said.
"Definitely not to him," Remus said.
"But with your friends—"
"No," Althea said, her eyes widening slightly.
"Oh, don't get all soft on Snivelly," Sirius said with a placating smile. "He might be a colleague, but he's a right foul git…especially to our Pip."
"I wasn't about to defend him," she said, folding her arms. "It's just those names are very specific to their creators."
Remus nodded with understanding. "I think it's best you create your own names for him," he said and frowned faintly. "Damn."
"What?"
"Don't turn around."
Althea felt sick. "Ministry?" she said barely audible.
"No, Malfoy."
Sirius grasped Althea's hand under the table as Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy passed their table. Her breathing shallow, and her heart pounding violently against her chest, she attempted to maintain a pleasant smile for Prudence.
"What class are you most looking forward to this year?" she asked, looking out of the corner of her eye at the Malfoys whispering.
Althea's eye met Narcissa.
"Charms, I think," Prudence said and lifted a spoonful of ice cream to her lips.
"Well, you're very good a Charms," Remus said, "and Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Really?" Sirius breathed, tightening his grip upon Althea's hand.
Narcissa raised her eyebrow at the four. Althea stiffened.
Prudence nodded.
"Very talented," Althea said, eyeing warily the Malfoys as the walked past.
Lucius let fall four Knuts from his hand. The small bronze coins bounced against the floor and came to settle near Prudence. Althea grabbed the table—her mind and stomach reeled with humiliation.
"No," she said weakly as Prudence bent to pick up the coins.
"Don't bother," Remus said, reaching for Prudence's hand as she stood.
"He lost them," she said, shaking off his hand.
"Prudence, sit down," Sirius said, rising from his chair.
Prudence did not listen and scooped up the coins.
"Fuck," Althea whispered as Prudence walked toward the leaving Malfoys.
"Sir?" Prudence said, a few feet from them. "Sir, I believe you dropped these?" she said, holding out her hand.
Lucius turned—his expression slightly horrified. Althea stood with her hand in her wand pocket.
Prudence thrust her arm toward him. "These are yours," she said as Althea rested her hand upon Prudence's shoulder. "Take them, please."
Narcissa smiled cruelly.
Lucius sneered as if he had tasted something quite foul. "No—"
"Take the money," Althea said, nodding toward Prudence's hand.
"I will not take the charity of some upstart Muckblood," he replied and looked over Prudence's head. "The half-breed," he murmured and smirked, "Snape was correct."
"Come on," Althea said, pushing Prudence away from the Malfoys. "Let's collect our things and—"
"That Dumbledore would let such filth into Hogwarts—half-breeds, the Muckblooded tarts that love them, and Mud—"
Suddenly, Prudence let out a rather girlish growl and, with all of her might, kicked Lucius Malfoy's shin.
Lucius yelped.
"How dare you?" Prudence yelled and threw the Knuts toward the door.
Althea felt a fleeting pride until Lucius, his face red, raised his wand to strike. Althea leapt in front of Prudence.
"Filthy little—"
Lucius's eyes widened for Sirius tightly grasped his wand arm. Without saying a word, Sirius slowly forced Lucius's wand arm to his side. Narcissa paled. Her eyes flickered from Sirius to Althea.
"Go!" Althea whispered to Prudence. "Collect your things!"
Prudence hesitated.
"Do it now!"
Remus softly spoke to Prudence and guided her toward the table.
"Blood traitor," Lucius sneered as Sirius let go of his arm.
Sirius eyed the livid Malfoy with an air of boredom. "After thirteen years, is that the best you can do?"
"You reek of that Muckblood."
Sirius leaned close to Lucius. "And wouldn't you love to taste her?" he whispered and laughed quietly, knowingly as Narcissa went pink. "Always want what I have," he said as he pulled away.
Narcissa placed her thin hand upon Lucius's arm. "We should leave," she said, stroking his arm. "Let them have their happy family outing."
Lucius looked toward Prudence. "Yes, let's," he said and smirked at Sirius. "Pity you won't remember them."
Sirius, his demeanor cool, spoke, "Your friends shout for you in Azkaban."
Lucius swallowed. "Kiss them goodbye, Black."
"Go to hell," he sneered.
Once the Malfoys left, Althea grasped Sirius' shirt. "They're going to alert the Ministry!"
Sirius rested his hands upon her shoulders. "It will be all right."
"No, it won't," she said, holding the fabric between her fingers. "We're in Diagon Alley and—"
"No one saw!" he growled and looked toward Prudence. "Listen to me, I'll take Prudence and go—"
"No!"
"I know a safe place—don't argue," he said quickly. "I'll send for you. Go to Northfield—anywhere—"
"We're ready," Remus said and nodded to Sirius. "I've taken care of our little problem," he added and gestured toward the only other table occupied.
The teenage couple happily chatted away as they ate their ice cream.
"Excellent," Sirius breathed and kissed Althea. "I promise you, she'll be safe."
Althea inhaled a shaky breath.
"I'm sorry," Prudence said, her lower lip trembling. "I shouldn't have—I should apologize—"
"No," Sirius said and cupped her face with his hands, "you were perfect."
"But—"
"I'm very proud of you," he said and sniffed. "Here, take my arm."
Prudence did as she was told, and with a pop, the two were gone.
"I'll take her things to Northfield," Remus said, placing his hand upon the small of her back.
Althea nodded.
"I was wrong about him," he said quietly. "He won't let anything happen to her."
AN: Thank you so much for reading! I hope you're enjoying it so far. Please feel free to leave criticisms, comments, and reviews. What is in store for Althea? A bit of polo.
