Whitish grey clouds flooded the morning sky. No beautiful sunrise greeted Marietta when she woke. Propping herself up on an elbow, she rubbed her eyes, clucking her tongue. With a heavy sigh, she repositioned herself. Her eyes narrowed, and her nose wrinkled. At the very end of the bed was a large green curtain, separating her from Teddy. She frowned lightly, and shut her eyes. Swinging her legs off the hospital cot, she barely winced as she set her feet on the ground and stood.
There were low murmurs from behind the curtain, so inaudible she struggled to even guess at what they were saying, much less who was speaking. "..Trust him… He's family. I'm only being sure…" Said a whispery voice. It was so feathery and light, it made Marietta unconsciously lean forward. Her bare feet made no sound as she stepped forward, trying to get closer to the strange voices. "There's no need. He's smarter then that." Ridiculed a deeper voice. He sounded older, though his voice was gravelly and crude. The same man cleared his throat. Another, final voice chimed in indifferently. "Well, if anyone even bother to ask me, I talked to her for hours. She got all embarrassed when I even mentioned where she lived. Her face was red as grandmum's hair."
Marietta closed her eyes. Dominique. Why did Dominique always speak so stupidly? The man chuckled lightly. "No need to be so angry, Vic." Someone laughed, presumably Dominique. "I know why she's so angry. It's because she fancies-" She was quieted with a low hissing sound. The man sighed. "Girls, please. You'll wake hi-" He was interrupted by Teddy's own voice. "I've been awake for a while… You might as well take down that bloody curtain. There's nothing wrong with Dolohov, Victoire."
Marietta's ears grew hot. She quickly ran to her bed, barely managing to rest her head on the pillow without a sound. She shut her eyes tight. She was an expert fake-sleeper. She'd often pretend to be stunned longer then she should've been by her father to avoid more torture. The man's footsteps made their way to Marietta's bedside. "So, this is Dolohov?" He whispered rhetorically. Victoire snorted in the background. "Sadly." Marietta was completely still. Not a follicle of hair moved. Dominique sat beside her on the bed. "Want to meet her? She really is quite nice." The man sighed. "Sure… I'll just step out. I think it would be a tad strange if I was just looming over when she woke up.." He chuckled slightly and his footsteps receded. "Well I don't want to be here." Victoire huffed before her heavy, angst-ful breathing vanished.
Dominique poked Marietta's shoulder. "Marietta? Wake up.." Marietta shifted, ever so carefully, then opened an eye. " 'Morning to you, too…" She uttered as groggily as she could manage. Sitting up, she sighed. Dominique's smile was wide. "Come on, then. I've brought you a visitor." Marietta quirked an eyebrow. Dominique laughed. "Don't worry. You'll like him. He's my dad." Marietta swallowed something. She always felt uncomfortable around other people's fathers. She had no idea why. Perhaps she felt guilty from some wanting sort of jealously. Regardless, Bill Weasley pulled back the curtain, stepping in.
Marietta moved her right hand subtly to her left wrist, making sure her mark was covered. It was a constant judgment of decency, and she always felt she inevitably failed. " 'Ello, Marietta." The man smiled. The three long scars along his cheek rippled and adjusted to his grin. His long, bright red hair slipped down his shoulders. "Dom here has told me quite a bit about you." He extended his hand to shake. Hesitantly, Marietta complied, murmuring a faint 'Hello, how are you, sir?'. Bill chuckled. "No need to be shy, kiddo." He slid the chair against the wall beside the bed.
Dominique broke the silence, talking mindlessly about Quiddtich. Bill glanced once or twice at her mark, Marietta growing anxious and still. He would quickly return his eyes to his daughter, who had moved on, with enthusiasm to the next subject. "So, what classes are you the most interested in?" Bill smiled again. Marietta was slowly warming up to him, but resented the man for being so infatuated with her scar. "I fancy potions and charms. Herbology can be fun, but mostly it's a bore." She nodded. Dominique laughed. "I remember latching on a Rigglebee Root to the professor's trousers." Marietta smiled, laughing faintly. "Professor Longbottom thought he was trying to steal it!" They both erupted into childish giggles, Bill himself chuckling.
The conversation afterwards was much more pleasant. Bill told stories about shell cottage, and Dominique whined in want. "Oh, I wish we could go.. Can we invite Marietta over sometime? Please?" She batted her eyelashes, clasping her hands together. Bill rolled his eyes. "You know I don't mind whoever you have over. It's your mother and that pigsty you call room that's your only restraint." Still, his eyes trained back to Marietta's wrist. Annoyed, she picked up her pillow, setting it on her lap with her mark underneath. Bill looked away immediately.
"I'm afraid I have to get going. It was nice meeting you, Marietta." Bill extended his left hand to shake. Marietta stared at it for a moment before looking back up at him. Hatred filled her eyes. "You too." She said curtly. Bill held his hand out for a few seconds longer until he realized she wouldn't oblige. With a heavy sigh, he looked at Dominique. She cocked her head, frowning. Bill sat down again. "Marietta... Might I have a word with you?" Dominique sighed exasperatedly. "No one ever tells me anything." She muttered, stalking out. Teddy was, by now, asleep in his cot. Stomach down, his head was facing the window. Bill closed his eyes before he spoke.
"Marietta, I know you've been through a lot, and that's why I need to ask you something." Marietta bit her lip, staying silent. Bill nodded slowly, his green eyes filled with pity. "If you would be alright with it, may I see your dark mark?" Marietta blinked. "W-Why?" She quickly stammered, more aggressively then she intended. She saw no reason for him to look at it. "I mentioned I was a cursebreaker, earlier, remember?" Marietta nodded slowly. "Well, it relates to that. The Death Eaters have been taking down the protective spells around Hogwarts. More and more has the 'Morsmorde' spell been coming to my attention. It's been used as a signal." His voice was a whisper as not to let anyone overhear. "It would help if I could look over it.. They say that the tattoo will slither just like a snake. It could tell us when they're planning on infiltrating the school… Please?" He added. Marietta was still hesitant, staring down. "I won't comment. It will help solve this whole situation. I just need to see it."
Marietta sighed. It wouldn't solve the whole situation. Solving the whole situation would mean that she would never again have to see her awful father. Charlie would return to her. Her mother would be back. The Death Eaters would be gone. What's more, Bill wouldn't be asking to see her mark. Everything would be perfect. But that would never happen. Bill wanted to see the proof of that. Closing her eyes, she moved away the pillow, holding out her wrist. Bill's warm hands ran over the mark slowly. Marietta chewed on the inside of her cheeks to keep herself from crying. Finally, Bill spoke. "Thank yo-" Marietta frowned, opening an eye to see why he stopped.
He was still staring at her arm. Marietta followed his gaze, biting back a whimper when she saw the black serpent and scull thickened, in inky bold, slithering back and forth hypnotically. She swallowed, shaking her head quickly. This meant the worst of what she feared. Tom was near. His Death Eaters were near. Her father was near. She wanted to jump out of the window and end it all. Bill put his arm around her shoulders. "You're okay, alright? The school is in good hands." He nodded quickly. He had just told her that the Death Eaters were going to attack. Hypocrisy wasn't the most comforting thing to her right now. Marietta frowned. Teddy was sitting up. "What is it, Bill?"
Bill glanced down at Marietta before looking back up at him. A fearful tension was beginning to build in her chest. She could almost feel the cold stare of a murderer behind the Death Eater mask. She could almost hear the screams of agony. She could almost taste the blood. She whisked away the memories and images, shivering. It hadn't happened. It hasn't happened yet. She thought to herself. "Stay here. Keep each other safe. I need to speak with McGonnagal." He stood quickly, dashing through the curtains.
Teddy waved Marietta over. She grabbed her sleeve, pulling it down and dashing over. He opened his arms, patting the bed beside him. The clouds outside were darkening. "Marietta, what's going on?" She shook her head. She didn't want to show him her mark. He was the one person who didn't judge her for being what she was, and if he saw her mark, he may never forget. Teddy placed his hand on her arm. "Marietta… It's alright."
She's barely realized she was shaking. Tears were pricking at her eyes. Her feet bounced off the bottom of the cot. In that moment, Marietta froze. Her vision blurred slightly. In that moment, she realized what a child she was being. How resentful and unwilling to face her fears she was. How naïve and impulsive she often would be. Marietta closed her eyes. Teddy whispered. "Marietta..?" She didn't hear him. In her mind, she pulled up every last memory and stone she'd left unturned. Things that had made her cry and scream. People that made her cringe as their filthy, blood stained hands grasped her shoulder. Awkward and sickening. Agonizing and tearjerking. Her final memory rested on Charlie. His pale face and snowy eyes. His choppy, pan black hair. His thin lips curled into a grin.
At first, Marietta felt nothing. She wasn't crying, or holding herself. Her eyes were closed, but her vision was bright, as if she was looking into a pleasant light. Her lips curled up. All of it had lashed at her, but none of it had made any difference. She smiled. She felt the soft corners of her pink lips lift. Then she felt cold, wrinkled hands on her cheeks. Several pairs of tight hands gripping to her arms. Someone was saying her name. It was distant, at first, the voice echoey and indistinct. As it repeated, it gained volume and force. It was directly in her ear.
"Marietta?!" Her eyes snapped open. She was surrounded by people. Madame Pomfrey was about to put a potion to her lips. McGonnagal was bent close to her. Bill was directly behind her, his hands on her shoulders. Teddy's fingers were so tight around her arm, his knuckles were white. A heavy rain pounded against the window. They all sighed as her eyelids lifted.
"Was she cursed?"
"What's going on?!"
"SOMEONE! PLEASE FEED THE GIRL!"
"Pomfrey, be quiet!"
"Are you alright?! What happened?!"
Marietta shook her head quickly. "I'm fine! What's happened?!" She looked around, unsure of where the urgent tone came from. The adults were still bickering, and Teddy leaned to her ear. "Your mark is still moving. You've just been sitting there for an hour… You wouldn't respond at all." He whispered. His voice was shaky. Marietta hugged him tight. "I'm alright. I'm alright." She assured him. Her voice was much more confident now. She began to feel that everything truly would be fine. Teddy sighed. "I was worried sick."
Bill noticed Marietta first, and pulled her away from Teddy. "We need to talk to you, kiddo. It'll be quick." Marietta nodded. " 'Course.." She said. Bill pointed back to her cot, and Marietta hobbled over, insisting to do so on her own. She climbed up by herself, and folded her legs beneath her. Bill sat on the bed beside her. "Hogwarts isn't the only place being stormed. The Ministry is in a state of hell right now, and so is most of the Wizarding world. We're going to need you to just stay focused, okay? We can't have you falling asleep like that again." He gripped her hand, looking into her mossy eyes. She nodded affirmatively, but frowned slightly. "What do you need me for?" She murmured, not wanting the bickering teachers by Teddy to overhear.
Bill shook his head. "I haven't the slightest. You seem like you may be of some help. Dom and James insist on it, anyways. You're the only Death Eater we have, Marietta. You just might be the loophole to extinguishing Lord Voldemort altogether. If your mark can direct us, then we might be able to save lives." He was gripping her by the arms now, his face only an inch from hers. Marietta glanced out the window, as the rain pelted against it furiously. Though she was growing fond of the Weasleys, she only wanted her brother back. Her dream made her realize how much she did long for him.
"I'll leave you to rest, now. Madame Pomfrey says you should be out by the end of the week." He enveloped her in a grizzly hug, and Marietta managed to hug him back. "Thank you, Mr. Weasley.." She said quietly. It felt better, to actually be thanking someone. The last few months had forced her into a dramatic setting of pain and angst. She'd barely had time to react to anything. Everything happened immediately after the next, like an evil, unceasing row of dominoes. Marietta was growing tired of sitting in her cot. She was forced to be blatantly lying around, as the world around her was rising into war and submitting itself to evil. As the adults left, she hopped out of her bed, sitting beside Teddy.
"I'm leaving." She didn't need anytime to consider this. Her mind had long been made up. She needed to find her brother. Bill himself had said that she could help. She knew all the secrets. They would be of no use to her on the outside. The only way to help was to destroy Tom. Teddy bolted up. She held her hands up as if to push away his objections. He held her face in his hands. "Then I'm coming with you." He smiled. Marietta arched her eyebrow. "Are you.. Sure you've fully considered that? Because changing your hair might not be the most helpful thing right now.."
Teddy rolled his eyes. "Oh, shut up. I'll get the Weasleys to join in on the fun. Then we can really cause some hell." He winked. Marietta shook her head. "Alright, alright.. I just… I don't know what exactly what it is we have to do. I doubt we can stop them, Teddy. You don't even know any dark magic." Teddy shrugged. "Well… You never know. James is pretty handy with a wand. Talk to him sometime." He chuckled mischeviously. "What? What is it?" Marietta narrowed her eyes. She didn't like secrets being kept from her. "I shouldn't tell you. Just ask him to come along and see what he says. I'd help, but I only have a few hours 'til I can walk properly, and I'm not going to risk it."
"You're bloody mental…" She said under her breath. Teddy threw his arm around her neck, scruffing up her hair with the other. "OI!" She laughed, pulling at his arm. She wished he would stop, as she desperately needed to get away and speak with James, but he only kept on tickling her until Victoire walked in. Her bright, blue eyes darkened, and she scowled down on them. "Hiya, Vic!" Teddy grinned up at her, still holding Marietta hostage. She turned up her nose and walked back through the curtain. "She's probably jealous. I shouldn't be tickling other girls if I'm her boyfriend and all."
For the most peculiar reason, it hurt Marietta when he said that. He was dating Victoire? Marietta, of course, was supposed to be dating Jason, but never took that seriously. She was never really interested in romance, but it still felt strange, knowing that Teddy was. She laughed a final time before standing. "I'll see you, alright? I'm going to go find James." Teddy chuckled, wrinkling his nose, much how she always would. "See you later!"
She walked out of the room, and past the many students who were crammed, side by side, into infirmary beds. Her hand made it's way up to rub her scar, and she walked quickly, sighing in relief when she made her way out. No real effort had been made to clean up the halls. Chunks of stone and loose rock were scattered along the floor. Down the hall, an entire part of the wall was missing. Marietta shook her head, and began for the dungeons. Little did she know where she was really headed.