Her eyes met the dark, brooding man's own. He was... Merlin. She didn't wait for any word from anyone around her. She passed Ava to Narcissa and rushed forward, engulfing the man in a hug. She was mindful of the bandages around his neck, but Merlin...
"I was so sure you were dead," Antha murmured, her face pressed against his chest. "You bloody idiot."
"And you believed him when he said I was?" Severus scoffed, his voice, though hoarse, amused. "I thought you knew better."
"I thought I did as well," Antha answered. She stepped back, observing the wrappings that covered his wounds. "Nagini?" she guessed.
"Of course."
"Lestrange," a voice snapped. Antha jerked, glancing towards the voice to see Molly approaching. Lestrange. Right.
"Do not lose hope, yet," Severus murmured.
"I cannot lose something I do not feel," Antha murmured. The red head woman grabbed Antha's arm sharply, pulling her towards the cots in which she came from.
"The Order is discussing where to put you before your trial."
"And the verdict?" Antha questioned, her eyes observing the way Molly was avoiding her gaze, her mouth set in a stern look, but her eyes were wary, as though she wasn't sure what to think.
"So far, until further observation can be made into your crimes, you will not be going to Azkaban. We're deciding, however, where you will go instead." No Azkaban? At least, not right now? It was... well, unexpected. Tom had warned her Azkaban was possible, and it was something she had known when she first stayed with him. He told her tips to make it as pleasant as possible, things his followers had told him. If it becomes too much, turn into the animagus form. She didn't want to tell him that she didn't have one, but at least it was something she could work on with her life spent in a cell. He advised her to eat every single meal, even if she suspected there's something in it. It was better to die a quick death, than that of starvation. "-Auror will give you the final verdict."
She blinked, trying to figure out what she had missed the woman say. She just decided to nod, instead, and returned her gaze to her two children - Narcissa bringing Ava back to Salazar. A group of Order members were huddled about a few cots, seemingly in a deep discussion. George was there, his face red as he argued something fiercely. Fred seemed to be in agreement with whatever his brother was saying... and Harry Potter. She wasn't close to the Potter boy. She had barely met him, despite being close to the Weasleys. They were more acquaintences than friends... but still, he argued as well. For her? She doubted so... but his actions today... he didn't seem too hostile towards her, at least.
She didn't know how long she was staring at her children, but she was interrupted when a throat cleared and a woman, someone Antha didn't recognize, stepped in her way. "I am Auror Penwell," she introduced herself. "You are Philantha Riddle, correct?"
"Yes," Antha said quietly.
"From this moment on, you are hereby placed under arrest for multiple counts of murder, unauthorized use of the Unforgiveables, as well as the association with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and his followers. The Order will keep you in their custody for an observation period before your actions are weighed with their severity, be it through trial or deliberations. Your dependancies will be put into Andromeda Tonks and Hermione Granger's care until a more permanent location can be found for them." Her children...
She was forced to her feet, and she didn't realize how tired she was until she swayed slightly. And then she was moved away - away from her children. "Wait-Don't I get to say goodbye to Ava and Salazar?" she breathed. The woman hesitated, but shook her head. Antha's breath left her and she struggled in the arms that were holding her. "No, but-but, wait! I could never-Please-"
The Auror brought her to a halt. "You have been stripped from any rights that you would have been previously given," her voice spoke firmly. "The Order will decide what will become of you."
"But, I have to-" She felt her breath catch as she was removed from the room. She felt the weight of their absence crushing on her and when the Auror released her, she couldn't help but just stand there, anchored to the ground. She could never see her children again... it was possible. She didn't want to think it, but it could happen.
Hermione appeared, followed by Draco. "Thank you, Auror Penwell," Hermione said sharply. The Auror hesitated, eyeing Draco uncertainly. "Auror Penwell!" The Auror scurried off and Draco snorted.
"You're a scary witch, Granger." He grabbed Antha's arm, shaking her slightly. "Hey, alright there, Antha?"
"I will never see them again," Antha murmured. "They're gone, aren't they?"
"I'm taking them to Andy's within the hour," Hermione said regretfully. "I'm sorry."
"Take care of them," Antha requested urgently. "Make sure they're happy and ... and fed and... loved, please... it's all I want for them-"
"They'll be in good hands." Antha knew that, but they wouldn't be in her hands. Maybe it was better that way... yes, it was better that way. They'd have a better chance at happiness if it wasn't a future with her in it.
Draco apparated her away and she was surprised when they landed at the Burrow, the home vacant. Hermione appeared just feet from them, gesturing for them to follow. She carried a silver key in her hand, which gave her access to the wards and unlocked the home.
"You'll be in Charlie and Bill's old room," Hermione informed her, walking up the stairs. Draco was behind Antha, trying to get the cuffs off of her hands.
"So, this is the Weasley home, huh?" Draco huffed. Antha realized with a jolt that he had probably never seen it... Not on the inside, at least. "I was expecting something in the ground, you know. The Burrow and all. Weasels live underground."
"Oh, shut up," Hermione huffed, but the usual hatred wasn't in it like before. What had happened between them. Hermione opened a bedroom door on the second floor and Antha peeked inside. She had stayed in this room before. When Angelina, Alicia and her would stop by the Burrow, this was their room. "Molly said you'd recognize it."
"I do," Antha admitted. "I've stayed here before."
"Then I'll leave you here with Draco... I have to get back to the castle."
"Bye, Granger." Hermione left the bedroom door open and Antha waited until she heard the sound of apparation before she questioned Draco.
"What happened between you two?"
"Well, we sort of ran into each other in Battle. I was with Zabini and Goyle... don't ask," he said quickly when she grimaced. "I was trying to get them to defect but they wouldn't. I ran into Granger and Weasley... They had heard the argument, but Goyle set the bloody Room of Requirement on fire... Goyle died in the flames, Zabini was really burned... Potter took Zabini on his broom, Granger took me - though in all honesty I was the one keeping the broom up. She was petrified on the broom. Rescued me."
"And just like that seven years of animosity is gone?" Antha questioned quietly.
He smirked. "I think she has the hots for me." He frowned, looking down a the cuffs still on her wrists, tucked behind her body. "I'm sorry, I can't get them off. I don't know what spell it is, and I don't want to make them any tighter."
"It's okay," Antha said quietly. "What's another few hours?" She fell back on the bed, uncomfortable with her arms behind her, and bit her lip at the thoughts in her head. "Draco... I'm glad you're okay."
"I'm glad you made it, too. Had me worried for a minute there when you stepped forward... I didn't know you were going to surrender, I thought you were going to take Potter yourself. You looked angry enough."
"I looked angry?" she questioned, surprised.
"Oh, yeah," he nodded, leaning against the wall. "Like furious the Dark Lord was dead. But when you announced the surrender of the Death Eaters you just... you kind of collapsed."
"I... I wasn't angry. I was just..." She had felt worried for what she would say. "I thought Harry might kill me, or the Death Eaters would ignore me... I was worried."
"I'm glad you're okay."
"You too, Draco."
Slowly, the Weasley family trickled back into their home, going to their bedrooms to sleep off the adrenaline that had pumped through their system during the war. It was a good idea and one Antha wished could could take, but she couldn't sleep with these cuffs digging into her back.
A knocking sounded at Antha's door and Draco glanced up to see Molly hovering in the doorway. "You can leave now, Draco. Your mother is waiting for you in the living room." Draco nodded and glanced at Antha, but she wasn't looking at him. She stared at Molly, waiting for some verdict that the woman would hold.
Once Draco was gone, Molly shut the door and stared at the nineteen year old. "You saved George."
"I made a promise," Antha said quietly. "I would return him to you."
"Thank you," Molly admitted.
"I didn't do it for you," Antha said sharply. She stared at Molly and the mother stared back with unconcealed hatred.
"Yes, well, it's amazing what people will do to save their own necks." Molly sniffed as though she was insulted. "Breakfast is at eight sharp. If you aren't there, you will miss it and no one will save some for you."
"Understood," Antha said stiffly.
She flicked her wand at the cuffs, wordlessly casting the mystery charm to unlock them. They fell to the floor with a thud. Molly picked them up quickly and moved back towards the door, as though getting any closer to Antha would infect her.
Another charm was soon to follow, knocking Antha back a few inches in surprise.
"A binding charm. We don't want you to run off," Molly said. Like she really thought Antha was going to run? Molly left, shutting the bedroom door behind her. Did Antha truly have the capability of running? She had no where else to go. Malfoy Manor was no doubt being raided by the Ministry. Riddle Manor was no doubt confiscated... She had no where. No one.
She stood from her bed once she knew Molly wouldn't return and gazed around her room. She had lived here in the summers, knowing she couldn't return back to the home she grew up in - Malfoy Manor. Being sorted into Gryffindor had strained her relationship with the Malfoys, who had to keep up their reputation of being heartless Death Eaters in case of the Dark Lord's return. She would stay there some nights, but was more than welcome to the Burrow, and this room had become her second.
Once Tom had risen once more, this room was her permanent home. There was only one bed, and when Angelina and Alicia visited, they would all squeeze onto the bed together, giggling and talking late into the night about the Weasley twins, the object of each of their affections.
Looking back, Antha realized how foolish she had been. The girls were her best friends, but such information couldn't be trusted with anyone. It did Antha little good.
She walked towards the cupboard, pulling it open to reveal her school uniform, old school books. She knelt down quietly, so as not to make a noise in the living room below her - where she could hear the only Weasley and Order members awake, congregated. She scanned through the school books, and then stopped at the end of her Transfiguration textbook.
George, can you please stop doodling in my textbook?
Sorry, Anth, I'm bored.
Then pay attention, she had written.
You could go with me to the Yule Ball. I'd have plenty to think about instead of doodling, then.
The Yule Ball? she had asked. Why should I go with you?
Because I'm the more irresistable twin.
Fine, but only because I simply can't resist you. If Fred had asked, I may have been disgusted.
She shut the book quickly, closing her eyes. She was so different, then... She couldn't be like that. She doubted ever again.
"I'm sorry," she murmured aloud. And she wondered if everyone she would ever disappoint in the future would know that. Would know how sorry she was... or how sorry she truly should have been.
Molly's look of hatred flashed before her eyes and Antha's hand went to the cheek that had been slapped earlier. And the Aurors, they all hated her. The people of the Wizarding World. People hated the things they feared the most. The things that made them uncertain. And Antha was exactly what caused the most fear. Who was she?