"Please explain to me again why we must take this damndable mode of transportation?" Severus asked through gritted teeth as he stood waiting for the Knight bus.

"Because I don't trust Apparating or Floo Powder being seven months pregnant Severus," Nokomis replied rolling her eyes. "If you are going to be like this, perhaps you should stay home tonight."

Severus followed her onto the bus and took a seat beside her. "I was invited to this as well, you know how close Lucius and I have gotten recently."

"May I remind you that I'm not exactly thrilled at the circumstances surrounding that friendship?" she said to him as they made their way to Malfoy Manor.

Before Severus could respond, they were greeted by a House Elf who appeared before them suddenly. He was wearing a dirty pillow case and was shaking terribly. "Welcome to Malfoy Manor, I am Dobby. Master Malfoy is having the party in the back of the house and you is to go there for the party."

"Thank you Dobby," Nokomis said as she made her way to where the party was being held. Severus followed closely behind, almost as though he was uncomfortable being at the house.

"Glad to see you found the place rather well," Lucius Malfoy stated when they arrived in the back lawn of the manor. It hadn't been long since Abraxas Malfoy had succumbed to a rather severe case of Dragon Pox, leaving the sprawling estate in the hands of his only son while he was confined to a bed in the secluded portion of the mansion. "Come and meet my boy, we've named him Draco Abraxas."

The two of them followed Lucius pas the many small tables placed amongst the gardens and stopped only when they reached the ornate bassinet. "Oh Lucius, he's so precious," Nokomis said with a smile as she peered in to see the new baby. "He looks so much like you."

Lucius smiled proudly and reached in to pick up his son. "Here, you hold him for a while," he said handing the boy to Severus who held him uneasily. "You'll need the practice."

Severus stared at the small boy in his arms, afraid that the slightest move would hurt the child. He looked up for a moment to see where Nokomis had gone and had caught the eyes of Bellatrix Lestrange instead.

"Having fun holding the baby Severus?" Bellatrix stated with a sneer as she got closer to him. "I wouldn't get used to that feeling if I were you."

"Just because I care to keep my personal life private Bellatrix, do not assume that I am lacking one," Severus stated with a knowing smirk. "My fiancée should be returning any moment."

"Talking about me Severus?" Nokomis asked, putting her arms around his waist. "I do hope it's all good."

"Of course," he replied, guiding her to stand beside him. "Nokomis, this is Bellatrix Black, Narcissa's sister."

"It's Lestrange now," she snarled. "You seem to have forgotten that Rudolphus and I married quite a while ago."

"My apologies," Severus replied putting his free hand around Nokomis's shoulders. "It must have slipped my mind."

"I really don't trust that woman Severus," Nokomis said once Bellatrix was out of earshot. "Promise me that you will watch yourself around her."

"I promise," he replied.

"Why is it so important we meet here at this time Azreal?" Nokomis asked him. "Couldn't we have discussed this at my house?"

"I prefer here," Azreal replied. "Besides, this is family business and frankly I don't think Snape needs to know all of our secrets."

"He is family Azreal, whether you like it or not," Nokomis spat back. "You act as though he's diseased or something."

"Because he is," Corbett replied from behind her. "As is that growth in your stomach."

"My son is not a growth," she said as she turned to face him. "You watch, Cerberus will be a powerful wizard when he comes of age."

"I don't think he'll get that chance," Azreal said as he pulled out his wand. "Crucio!"

The pain was instant, causing Nokomis to cry out. She fell to her knees clutching her stomach, hoping that the curse wasn't harming her son. She struggled to open her eyes as the pain doubled, only to see that both of her brothers had their wands fixed on her, both with malice and disgust in their eyes. A sharp pain stabbed at her stomach and fear set in. The little strength she had remaining failed her at that moment and her world went black.

Nokomis awoke to a dull pain lingering throughout her body. She searched the ground for her son, but he was no where to be found. After fumbling through her robes for a while, she found her wand, surprised that she still had it and it was still intact. After a quick cleansing charm, she struggled to her feet and Disapparated.

"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic, how may I help you?" a young woman asked cheerfully.

"I need a portkey to the United States," Nokomis replied. "It's urgent that I leave tonight."

"I'll do the best I can," she said. "Just wait here a moment, I'll be right back."

Nokomis kept looking around, nervous that she might have been followed here by either her brothers or another of the Death Eaters. Every so often, a tremor of pain would course through her body, causing her to twitch.

"I'm so sorry to take so long," the Ministry Witch said upon her return. "This will deliver you to the Department of Magic in the US, New York Branch. You'll need to talk with the tourism office once you arrive."

"Thank you," Nokomis said before touching the smooth stone provided and vanishing.