Chapter 29: Whispers in the Snow

The following weeks found Violet dredging through her classes. The soothing hiss of flames underneath a cauldron, the leather and earth smell of old books in the library, even the intellectual challenge of Ancient Runes, all fell beneath her notice or interest. The dementor attack had awoken such deep and long lasting scars on her psyche that she just couldn't seem to shake. Memories that she could barely even remember clawed their way to the front of her thoughts and kept her locked away in the pain of the inescapable past. Even Erebus asking to bite, or at least scare, Dumbledore hadn't roused more than a small smile and a gentle shake of the head. The sounds of the man and woman...her parents... screaming just wouldn't leave her ears or dreams. Hermione, Draco, and Theo had become accustomed to her brooding phases so they had just left her to her thoughts. She'd still yet to write on the magical paper and for the most part kept it locked away in her desk drawer, only pulling it out on the bad nights where nightmares would chase her from sleep. The soft pulse of the electric signature was often enough to soothe her frazzled nerves as she lay awake in that unending suffocating darkness of night.

She normally would have thrown herself into her schoolwork and quidditch to escape having to think about much of anything but she just couldn't find the motivation. She felt stuck in an odd place of semi-existence where most of her time was spent staring out the window, lost in the muted colors of her thoughts, rather than paying attention to the life and world happening around her.

"Violet...would you mind staying after class?" Lupin asked as the rest of the DADA class began to file from the room. She jumped and looked around the now empty room. She hadn't even heard him dismiss the class; well she hadn't even heard most of the class, if she was honest with herself. Violet nodded anyway; curious to see what the man had to say. She'd yet to really interact with him outside of the incident on the train at the beginning of the year. He seemed a kind and quiet sort. Most of the student body and faculty agreed his teaching style was a welcome and much needed change from the obnoxious Lockhart and ineffective Quirrell.

"Would you like to take a walk on the grounds? I often find the castle walls to feel too restricting. I don't believe it's terribly cold out today."

"Sure," Violet said while packing up her school bag before leaving the room with Lupin. They were silent the entire way out onto the school grounds. The pair eventually ended up walking along the tree line of the Forbidden Forest. The late afternoon sunlight lit up the field in a calming golden glow providing a stark contrast to the darkness pouring out of the forest. She shivered as she thought of the dark creatures no doubt lurking within.

"I'm sure you're probably wondering why I asked to speak with you. I know I haven't been your teacher long but from what I've gathered there seems to have been a somewhat significant decline in your coursework and I just wanted to check in. More specifically I wanted to talk about your boggart." Lupin began in a soft voice, "If you don't mind my asking...who was that man?" His voice was so disarmingly gentle and at such odds with the wild energy that lurked around the edges of him. She couldn't quite figure him out.

Violet waited for the panic to arise at the mention of Vernon but to her surprise she felt nothing. She frowned as she realized she hadn't felt much of anything lately. She looked up at Lupin to try and discern where his loyalties lay. She was reluctant to place her trust in another adult. She knew Lupin was a good man but Snape was also a good man and that hadn't prevented him from reporting to Dumbledore but it hardly mattered anymore. She was never going to return to her relatives which would mean a very public custody trial. The whole wizarding world would soon know about her scars so it didn't really matter if Lupin found out a few months early.

"My Uncle. He enjoyed teaching me my own insignificance. The belt…," she sighed in agitation as she stumbled over the word, "...the belt was his favorite corrective tool. Much easier to leave scars I suppose." Her hair fell past her shoulders in long waves as she had been too tired lately to bother doing anything with it. The crisp December air caused her to draw her forest green cloak closer to her body as they walked. Lupin seemed completely unaffected by the cold and hadn't even brought a jacket with him.

"Do you know why dementors affect me so much?" She asked trying to subtly change the subject.

Lupin looked at her from the side of his eyes letting her know that he wasn't fooled. "They survive off of fear, itself. Those of us who have more painful, more potent, memories attract dementors. They thrive and feed on our pain."

"I've been hearing my parents screaming," She admitted softly, "the only memory I have of them are their deaths. It just won't leave me."

"They wanted you more than anything, Violet. Even though they're gone…please know that they always loved you. I see them in you every day."

"You knew them?" She stopped walking and looked at him in surprise.

"James and Lily were my best friends. They were family," he said quietly while staring at the woods lost in thought. "James made it his mission in life to always drag me into trouble. I'm amazed he didn't get us expelled before we graduated. He got us rather close a few times with one or two pranks gone wrong, but there was nothing he wouldn't do for his friends," the corners of Lupin's eyes wrinkled as he smiled at the memories that he so rarely dared to visit.

"Lily was the kindest person I have ever met. She accepted everyone as they were without reservation. Truly, a more pure spirit has never existed. She...she picked up the shattered pieces of me more times than I can count. Oh, she was ready to put anyone in their place if they deserved it. The rows that she and James used to get into would make the walls shake." He chuckled. Violet smiled. This was the first time she had ever heard anything positive about her parents and she was trying to absorb as much of the information as she could.

"But they loved each other right? They were happy?" She didn't know why but it suddenly felt so important that the short lives her parents had were ones that were full of joy. Her entire knowledge about their lives revolved around that picture that never left her bedside table. She couldn't bear it if somehow they weren't truly as happy as the picture led her to believe. There had to be some happiness in her past.

"Oh, yes. Very much so. It took them quite a few years but once they reached that place of mutual love and admiration...well nothing could tear them apart. Their bond was truly unbreakable," Lupin said matter-of-factly.

Violet felt herself relax with that simple confirmation. "So pranks, huh? Any particularly memorable ones?" She asked with a genuine smile.

Lupin nodded with a soft laugh. "It would take me weeks to tell you them all. I suppose it best if I just start at the beginning…"

Violet and Lupin continued to talk about her parents for the rest of the afternoon before eventually saying goodbye. Both had found a much needed escape into happier memories. Violet walked to her dormitory feeling much lighter than she had in weeks. Any information she could find about her parents made them feel less like strangers to her. She felt more rooted here as she discovered more about them. It was the first night in weeks without a nightmare.


"I can't believe I let you and Draco talk me into this," Violet hissed from underneath her invisibility cloak while walking alongside Theo throughout Hogsmeade. The duo had convinced her to sneak into Hogsmeade for the day rather than remain in the castle.

She had to admit the little village was quite beautiful. The streets were lined with thatched cottages and shops with deep evergreen wreaths decorating each wooden door. Enchanted candles hung from freshly snow covered trees. Hermione had gone off to the bookstore while Draco left to get some potions supplies.

"It didn't take all that much convincing-"

"Is that Pansy?"

True enough farther down the busy street Pansy Parkinson was strutting along the sidewalk with Daphne Greengrass. The two girls were laughing and carrying several shopping bags, thankfully too distracted to look down the street. Theo groaned as he ran his fingers through his already messy hair.

"I told her I wasn't coming today. Move over!" he hissed while lifting up the cloak and hiding under it with Violet. She had to hold back her laughter at his franticness to avoid his sort of girlfriend. It was a rare sight to see him lose his calm and aloof exterior.

"Let's go in there. I wouldn't put it past her to have memorized your cologne," Violet whispered and pointed to a crowded pub a few steps away from them. Theo nodded and the pair quickly made their way inside. The pub was close to bursting with students and adults trying to chase away the bitter cold of the winter air with warm food and drink. Violet's eyes were immediately drawn to a fine dressed man animatedly whispering to the bartender while casting quick looks over his shoulder.

"That's the Minister," Theo whispered, "Odd to see him here."

Without hesitating Violet and Theo began to make their way over to the bar to see what had brought the Minister of Magic to this part of the country, not without stepping on several toes in their attempt to maneuver through the very small and very crowded place.

"The rest are already inside, Sir" the bartender loudly whispered as she gestured to a side room in the pub. No doubt enjoying her spot in the limelight. The Minister nodded while quickly casting one last look over his shoulder to make sure they weren't overheard. He certainly had trouble looking discreet. Violet and Theo followed closely behind him as he hastily made his way into the side room.

Violet was surprised to see Flitwick, McGonagall, and Hagrid already sitting around a table in the small space. The room lacked any decoration and was rather rundown. Hardly the place one would expect to find the Minister of Magic and three Hogwarts professors. The Minister somehow managed to look even more out of place with his fine clothing and superior air as he stepped into the dim space. None of the room's occupants had even bothered to touch their drinks. Amber liquid sat still in small dusty glasses. The Minister quickly joined them at the table while Violet and Theo made their way to the corner of the room as quietly as they could. There was no way they are going to miss out on this conversation.

"Hello, everyone. So nice to see you all. How is the semester progressing?" The Minister spoke in short nervous breaths while turning his hat over in his hands several times. It was difficult to believe that this man had been elected to lead the wizarding world. There was hardly anything inspiring about him.

"It's not the time for pleasantries, Minister" McGonagall snapped, "I sincerely hope you're aware of what happened a month ago. I also sincerely hope you'll explain why it took over one month for you to manage to find the time to meet with us-."

"Your dementors attacked my student! More than once! They are a complete menace and should be removed from the grounds immediately. This is a school. Not a prison!" Flitwick interrupted with a surprising amount of ferocity in his voice. Violet smiled at the small man. He was incredibly protective of his house.

"Now, now. The dementors are a necessary evil, I'm afraid. We just can't risk it. Our Aurors are over-worked as it is. We simply can't have them all stationed here. No, the dementors are the best bet in capturing Black. I'm not even sure why this meeting was necessary to be perfectly honest. This seems more of an issue to take up with your Headmaster than your Minister."

"I assure you we've taken up with matter with him as well," McGonagall stated as she fixed the Minister with a severe glare. He continued to turn his hat in his hands as a small bead of sweat appeared on his brow.

"You think Black's still around here, Minister?" Hagrid asked breaking the increasing tension.

"I have no doubt of it. He is most likely biding his time and waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike."

As if on cue the door to the room burst open revealing the bartender holding a drink in her hand. She wore an expression of mock surprise even though it was fairly apparent to all those in the room that she had been eavesdropping outside the door for the entire conversation and had just been waiting for the perfect moment to insert herself. After all, gossip in a village as small as Hogsmeade was certainly hard to come by.

"Oh, it's all just so terrible! I can't believe Black escaped. I haven't felt safe in months. Ever since I heard the news I've been afraid to be out after dark. Just knowing he's out there," she shuddered dramatically as she placed the drink down. "It must all be so hard on the Boy who Lived…"

"Longbottom is handling it quite well, thank you," McGonagall replied with a curt nod, "I'm more concerned about Miss. Potter. This is the man who is directly responsible for the murder of her parents."

"But poor Neville is clearly the bigger catch. Wouldn't it make more sense for Black to be after the Boy who Lived?"

'No, I'm afraid it wouldn't," McGonagall posture slightly slumped making her look even older. "It's all such a tragedy. James Potter and Sirius Black were the best of friends but the Blacks are a Dark family. Always have been. Sirius turned his back on them to fight with the Potters and Dumbledore but it seems his heart was always with the other side. It's not easy to fight your innate nature. The war was at its most violent back then. Both sides were desperate to find some type of advantage or end."

McGonagall shifted in her seat before continuing. "We had received some intelligence that Grindelwald and his apprentice had specifically marked both the Potters and Longbottom's. I'm not completely sure as to why. It all happened so fast."

Violet and Theo shared a look from underneath the invisibility cloak. She could feel a knot developing in her stomach as McGonagall continued to speak.

"Dumbledore urged both families to go into hiding with the use of a fidelus charm. We had no idea when the attack would come but there was a sense of urgency in the air. Something big was coming but we had no idea what. We were scrambling-"

"Fidelus Charm? I've never heard of that." the bartender interrupted.

"It's a concealment charm so powerful that it can only be broken by the Secret Keeper whom the spell is bound to. James insisted that it be Sirius even though Dumbledore begged him to choose anyone else. It seemed he always suspected Sirius of secretly serving the other side but James and Lily wouldn't listen. A week later Black sold them out to Grindelwald. We're only lucky that he couldn't find Violet when he killed the Potters. Such an awful night," McGonagall trailed off. Her eyes dimmed until they matched the bleak emptiness of the room.

"Everything happened on the same night? How?" the incredulous bartender asked. Her lack of knowledge didn't surprise Violet. The more she discovered about the inner workings of the wizarding world the more she realized just how much information was kept from the public about the war. The average citizen had no idea how close the entire world had come to falling into complete chaos and destruction.

"None of us saw it coming, believe me. The Longbottoms had yet to choose a Secret Keeper. No one was expecting Grindelwald and his forces to attack so quickly and with such organization. After the Potters...he found Alice, Frank, and young Neville at their home and well...you know the rest. Meanwhile, Black had broken into the Light headquarters and begun to torture one of the members inside. He set the place on fire when the aurors arrived. All of our documentation, information, all of it was destroyed. We can only assume he was waiting for his Lord to finish with the Longbottom's." McGonagall deflated the more she talked as the awful memories of that night came to the forefront of her mind.

"And now…he's searching for his goddaughter to finish what he started all those years ago. Both Violet and Neville are valuable targets. They represent the legacy of all those who fought for the Light. A burden such as that should not have fallen on those children. Yet another casualty of the War, I'm afraid."

Violet tried not to gasp. Theo grabbed her hand in shock. They had known that Sirius Black had betrayed the Potters, but to discover that he was Violet's godfather was devastating. Her parents had trusted him completely. They had wanted Violet in his care should anything happen to them and he had betrayed them, betrayed her. He was the reason they were dead, he was the reason why she grew up never knowing love, he was the reason her back was covered in thick deep scars. His treachery had started it all.

"What of Grindelwald's apprentice? He didn't take up the mantle?" the bartender asked.

This time it was the Minister who answered, all nervousness vanishing from his voice. "There's been no trace of him since well before Grindelwald's defeat. His little cult have all gone silent as well. Probably gone into hiding with the rest of the Dark followers. It seems he wasn't as legendary or ferocious as the other side liked to claim." He said smugly before taking a long sip from his glass.

Both Violet and Theo had heard enough and quickly departed from the room under the invisibility cloak. They didn't care when the occupants of the room jumped as the door seemingly opened by itself. They didn't care when patrons in the bar gasped as they were pushed out of the way by a seemingly invisible force. They didn't care about the trail of footsteps left in their wake as they walked all the way back to the castle in silence before Violet ripped off the cloak.

"Are you alright?" Theo questioned as Violet and he took a seat on the stairs right below Ravenclaw tower.

"Not really." She admitted. "None of them bothered to tell me that he's my godfather. They never bother to tell me anything. My parents trusted him…that much to leave me in his care. They depended on him and he just betrayed them. He used them." Violet began to think of the journal she had read in Slytherin's library. "How can we trust anyone when so many people are just willing to turn on one another for a piece of power?"

Theo exhaled heavily. Most of the students were still in Hogsmeade so the corridor and stairwell were completely empty. The sounds of the bronze knocker rambling to itself echoed down the stairs.

"That's a big question. I'm not sure anyone really has an answer to it. I guess we just have to hope that the people we put our trust in are worth it. If we don't take that chance then we're all just going to end up alone. A life without friendship seems terribly lonely."

"At least you wouldn't get hurt," Violet said quietly. There was so much she wanted to tell him, Draco, and Hermione. Pieces of her past, the supposed future that she was destined for, what she'd learned in Slytherin's study, but she couldn't. Those were her burdens. Not theirs.

"I get the feeling that we aren't talking about Black anymore."

Violet shrugged her shoulders and gave him a weak smile. "It doesn't matter. So… how are things going with Pansy?" She asked in an attempt to change the topic.

Theo closed his eyes and took a steadying breath before answering. He was always so careful never to reveal too much. The world assumed him aloof, uncaring, and perhaps even a bit cold. And sometimes he could be.

"Things are fine."

Violet wasn't so sure. She couldn't begin to imagine what it must feel like to have another person select your future spouse. Theo was so independent that a decision like that couldn't have been easy to accept even if he and Pansy were somehow perfect for each other which she very much doubted.

"Really? Most people don't spend most of their day hiding from their-," Theo hastily stood up from off the step and rubbed his eyes in agitation before beginning to pace back and forth.

"What do you want me to say? That I'm ecstatic? That this is everything I've ever hoped for? Well it's not but what can I do? Nothing. My father made the decision and that's that. Pansy's…," he sighed and stopped pacing. "We have absolutely nothing in common but she's not so bad when it's just her."

"Not so bad? That doesn't exactly sound like a glowing testimonial." Violet frowned. She wasn't sure if he was trying to convince her or himself.

"Don't do that. Don't look at me with judgement in your eyes. I know you mean well…but just don't. You and Hermione don't know what it's like in the Pureblood world. Marriage isn't about love here. It's about power. Getting it and keeping it. Muggleborns can't even begin to imagine the pressure that comes with trying to uphold the Family name. No expectations, no pressures, no contracts...must be nice."

Violet rolled her eyes but didn't take the bait but a gasp from behind Theo told her that someone had.

"Must be nice? Oh yes, Theo. My life is just so simple and easy. Being a Muggleborn is just a walk in the park. Everyone's just been so friendly and accommodating. My blood doesn't matter at all here. Thanks so much for putting things in perspective," Hermione said as she pushed past him to make her way up to Ravenclaw. "Maybe you're just afraid of standing up to your father-"

"Don't you dare," Theo hissed. Violet knew very little about Theo's relationship with his father. He seldom spoke of it but the impression that she got was that it was distant at best.

"You get to leave Hogwarts and do whatever you want. You get to be anything that you want. You think you have the answer to everything but you don't. You're a Muggleborn. You can read about Wizarding customs in your books but they're just facts to you. Lists of information for you to memorize. You haven't lived in our world long enough to understand."

Violet jumped up off the stairs. There was almost nothing for her to do to deescalate the situation so her best bet was just to try and separate them before too much damage had been done. They both had such awful tempers and they were both hurting.

Hermione scoffed and turned her back to them. "Our world? Why don't you just say it. All I ever will be to you and your world is a mudblood. You and Pansy aren't so different after all."

Theo clenched his hands into fists before turning from them and walking down the corridor without saying another word. Violet tried not to grimace as Hermione threw one of the books she had been carrying from Hogsmeade down the hall at him before storming up the steps. The hardcover slamming onto the stone floor was the only sound that could be heard as they walked away from one another. Violet turned to follow after her but only found a now irate door knocker at the top of the stairs. When she reached the dormitory she found Hermione's bed curtains closed. Violet sighed and lay down on her own bed. She had a feeling that Theo and Hermione weren't going to reconcile anytime soon.


Violet watched the snow softly falling from her favorite window seat inside her bedroom at the Malfoys. Narcissa and Lucius had invited her to spend the winter break at the manor and she readily accepted the invitation. Between the dementors, Hermione and Theo, and Dumbledore's machinations, she was anxious to get some distance and much needed relaxation away from the school. The sun had begun to set and Violet had decided to retire to her room to allow Narcissa and Lucius ample time to get ready for their annual winter ball. It was Yuletide and much of the day had been spent feasting and enjoying the company of the Malfoys. Overall, it had been a very peaceful day but soon the manor would be full of activity. The Malfoy's threw one of the largest parties in the Wizarding word with all the richest and most influential individuals in the country in attendance. It began at sunset with the formal lighting of the Yule fire in the center of the ballroom and would last well into the morning. The softest hint of magic could already be felt pulsing through the air making every magical creature feel slightly giddy as their veins began to taste that immortal nectar.

Violet was relieved that she did not have to attend. It would be a night full of dancing, music, and feasting, but many used the ball to network and expand their political influence. The social graces and cunning needed to successfully maneuver the ballroom of the wizarding elite was not something that Violet was ready for. She almost pitied Draco who would be forced to spend the night greeting guests and watching people suck up to his parents. It was bound to get dull rather quickly. She leaned her head against the wall while continuing to watch the snowflakes slowly fall outside her window. The soft glow of enchanted candles in the garden caused the snow decorating the grounds to sparkle and softly shimmer. Violet slowly closed her eyes as the peaceful scene lured her into a light sleep.

She awoke a few hours later with a stiff neck and sore back. "Damn," she muttered while rubbing her muscles and getting up from the hard wooden bench. Violet cast a quick tempus charm which revealed the time to be well past midnight. She stretched her arms out in front of her while frowning at her bed. There was no chance of her falling back asleep now. The sun had long since set but the enchanted candles were still glowing brightly throughout the grounds. She assumed that meant that the ball was still in full swing. She still had no interest in attending but the gardens did look quite inviting. Violet grabbed a black wool trench coat from her closet and threw it over her long ivory nightgown before sneaking down the back staircase that led outside. The night was cold but not unbearably so; the Malfoy's must have had warming charms cast over the grounds to keep them relatively comfortable for guests.

The towering shrubs and trees were all coated in the pure white of fresh snow. The warm glow of floating candles illuminated the pale gray stone pathways that weaved and twisted throughout the gardens. She wandered aimlessly not caring where the paths would take her. The train of her ivory nightgown gently swept behind her like falling snow, as she walked along the cool stones. Her hair lay in loose dark waves; the ends becoming lost in the darkness of her wool trench coat. The soft bubbling of nearby fountains were the only sounds in the silent winter night. The ball, the music, the people, all disappeared. It was Yule and there was pure magic in the air. She closed her eyes and followed the soothing sounds of lapping water until she eventually came upon a small courtyard with a marble pool in the center. Tea candles lazily floated along the top of the water which reflected the silver starlight of the clear night sky.

She smiled as she saw the silhouette of a man sitting on one of the many marble benches that lay around the shallow reflecting pool. His gaze was on the sky while his legs lay outstretched before him. He seemed completely at ease by himself surrounded in the darkness of night. She didn't need to hear him speak to know that it was him. As Violet approached, she saw that his glamour was the same as it had been in the summer. It must have been his public persona. How many masks did he wear? There was so little she knew about him, all she had was a name that belonged to a face that wasn't even his. And yet there was something about him that called to her, a soft whisper that tugged on her magic reminding her of a time and place long since gone.

The magic that pulsed through the air on Yule was enough to calm her nerves as she took a step and then another towards him. Without a word she took a seat on the bench next to him and joined him in gazing up at the stars. The world dissolved around them until all that remained were the dark blues and purples and golden glowing starlight of the night sky above them. They could have been sitting for minutes or hours. She didn't know. She didn't care. Her thoughts were in color and in light. The gentle sounds of lapping water and the stirring whispers of snow blowing against the frozen leaves and shrubs were the only sounds emanating from the courtyard.

He eventually drew his gaze from the stars and looked down at her. His eyes were dark, the darkest she'd ever seen them. For just a moment they reminded her of another pair of black eyes. But that would be impossible. They changed back to that boring familiar mud brown color before she could dwell on it.

"When I was a child, I used to spend every night just staring up at the sky. Usually falling asleep right at the window." He lifted his outstretched hand up and began to brush the skyline with his fingertips as if he could actually reach out and touch it. "That never-ending expanse of blackness never ceased to amaze me. Every night, it swallows up the sun until all that's left is the darkness of night. The light of the moon and stars comes and goes. It's inconsistent, unreliable. But the darkness…it always appears, always endures, even if it's just for a few short hours. It rules uncompromising in its total eclipse of the light." She closed her eyes as he began to speak. The deep velvet allure of his voice washing over her and pulling the strings of her tattered soul with each word.

"You weren't at the ball. Poor Draco seemed so bored that he looked ready to jump from a window to escape all the social posturing."

Violet could feel her lips pulling into a soft smile. "No, I wasn't. Narcissa was kind enough to let me skip out on the party."

"Do anything interesting, instead? You practically had the manor all to yourself, excluding the ballroom, of course."

She leaned back against the bench and crossed her arms. "I'll answer one of your questions if you answer one of mine," she responded with a playful edge. She was determined to find out more about him.

To her surprise, he said, "Very well." The corner of his eyes wrinkled with amusement no doubt remembering the last time they played this game two summers ago.

"I took a nap," she said with a pleased smirk. She may not have the upper hand long but she was going to enjoy every moment of it.

"What an exciting life you lead."

Violet snorted. If only he knew. She bit her lip as she thought about what she wanted to ask him. The truth was that she didn't know him. She didn't know which topics were safe and which to avoid. May as well start at the beginning then.

"What were you like…when you were a child?" Everything about him was so careful, so well put together. Every word felt rehearsed and was spoken with such disinterest, as if he knew how every conversation was going to go. She couldn't imagine him young and careless without a purpose.

"Hungry," he said with disinterest.

She turned her head to fully look at him to find his gaze once more on the sky. His face betrayed nothing. "For food?"

"Among other things. The place I grew up is not worth mentioning or even remembering. It's long since gone now. I was hungry for…knowledge….for power. I wanted to see and experience everything but there was so much that was out of my grasp. It was maddening. I wanted the world," he said softly before looking down at her. For just a heartbeat their eyes connected and there it was. Loneliness reflected back into loneliness. She could see it as plain as day yet the word stayed unspoken. "Why did you run away from home?"

Violet had to look away before answering. She wanted to keep those memories buried but she knew it was useless. "It was never home for me. They made sure of that. If I had stayed there…it would have killed me. You saw the condition I was in when I left. I didn't want them…I didn't want them to have control over me anymore. For that matter I don't want anyone to control me anymore. If I could just walk away from it all…I would," she breathed talking more to herself than him. "I'd let the world burn if it meant I could be free."

"Going to run away from it all, Violet?" It wasn't quite a taunt but there was the slightest hint of a challenge in his voice. A challenge to stand and face it all.

She gave a humorless laugh. "Why do you even care?" She countered. It was the question she most wanted the answer to. He was silent for a moment before responding.

"I don't know." There was no amusement in his voice then, just simple honesty. "I've asked myself the same question before and I don't have an answer."

Snow began to fall around the courtyard which startled Violet out of the conversation. She had no idea how long they had been there. She hoped none of the house elves had tried to check in on her. Narcissa would have had a fit if she found out that Violet had been wandering the gardens in a nightgown during the most important social event of the year.

"What were you doing in the gardens anyway," he asked as if he had somehow read her thoughts. She wouldn't have been surprised if he had.

"I try to catch my breath when I can. Peaceful moments never seem to last long," she said while picking a snowflake off of her heavy wool trench coat. It turned to water in her palm.

"Things are undoubtedly going to get much worse in the days to come. Enjoy all the calm moments while you can." He then stood and began to adjust the lapels on his suit. "My absence has probably been noted. I should head back inside. Blessed Yule, Violet." He turned his back to her and began to walk back towards the manor with long purposeful strides.

"Blessed Yule, Marvolo," she said. He did not look back but Violet noticed his steps had slowed when she began to speak.