Scorpius smiled as he stood between his mother and father in front of the small country cottage that was at the edge of the village they called home. His mother had her arms around him while his father stood next to her with one arm around her and the other resting on the shoulder of his only child. The trees next to the house were filled with green leaves and small fruits of every kind. It was a lovely spring.

Letting out a sigh, Scorpius placed the picture back on the nightstand and looked over at the bed where Frank was sound asleep. Downstairs, the clock chimed three times and Scorpius sighed softly before getting out of the bed and walking over to the door of the small bedroom he shared with Frank.

Scorpius quietly left the room and wandered into the living room of the small flat, where he sat on the small loveseat in front of the small fireplace. He slipped the afghan off of the back of the couch and draped it over the oversized pajamas Hannah had given him to wear. For a moment, he sat in silence.

"Mum, I don't want you to hate me because Professor Longbottom took me in and he and his wife are treating me like a son," Scorpius whispered in a quiet voice as he looked down at the carpet. "I've thought about you and Dad every day since Dad disappeared and you died and I know you're not coming back, but I don't think Dad is either…"

Tears filled Scorpius's eyes and he lay on his stomach and allowed himself to cry into the cushion as hard and as quietly as he could without waking anyone. Crying felt like a sort of incomplete release for him.

Suddenly, Scorpius heard a door open and he heard soft footsteps walk across the floor, but he didn't stop crying nor did he sit up. A hand gently touched his back and gently rubbed it for a moment.

"Who's there?" Scorpius asked groggily, sniffling as he tried to stop crying. "I know I'm out of bed…"

There was a soft chuckle and Scorpius slowly sat up to find that Neville was standing there in striped pajamas, a dark red robe, and red slippers, "The silent Sensory alarm went off as soon as you got out of bed and I was awake anyway," Neville explained softly as he sat on the couch. "Trouble sleeping?"

Scorpius said nothing and continued looking at the floor, "You've been here nearly a month and haven't done a lot besides homework and help Mrs. Longbottom downstairs in the kitchen," Neville commented in a gentle voice as he looked at Scorpius. "I reckon summer holidays are supposed to involve fun with friends…"

"Molly and Albus won't be allowed," Scorpius replied in a quiet, toneless voice. "I'm a Malfoy, see."

Neville sighed, but said nothing, "When I got hit with that curse in the Forbidden Forest during our detention, all I could think of was protecting them," Scorpius whispered softly. "Albus, Molly, and Adeleina cared enough to talk to me when nobody else would because of whose child I am."

"Scorpius, you are a very different sort than your father was when he was at school," Neville said in a gentle, yet very clear voice. "I don't know much about your mother, but your father…"

Suddenly, a small scroll of parchment appeared in thin air and rolled open in front of Scorpius and Neville, revealing some very shaky, but legible handwriting on it. Scorpius, my beautiful son…I do not know where I am or how long I will be here, but know that I love you very much. – Father was all Scorpius was able to make out despite the note being long. He reached out to touch it, but Neville stopped him.

"It could be a Portkey, Scorpius," Neville said in an anxious voice as he got his wand out from his pocket and quickly conjured a bottle around the note. "I'd better call someone from the Ministry to come."

Scorpius nodded and silently watched as Neville levitated the bottle to the coffee table and set it gently on top, "I'll Floo Minister Shacklebolt straightaway," Neville said in an anxious voice as he grabbed some Floo Powder from the jar on the mantle and quickly lit a fire with his wand and threw the powder in. "I need to speak with you immediately, Kingsley! Scorpius just received a rather unusual message…"

"Neville, I'll be there momentarily," Kingsley replied as his face appeared. "I'll put out an Auror alert."

"Harry, wake up!" Ginny said in an anxious voice as she gently shook her husband's shoulder.

Harry, who had been enjoying a pleasant dream about James playing Quidditch next fall, opened his eyes and was alarmed to see Ginny standing beside the bed in a pink nightgown that was covered by a dark dressing gown, "I was down in the kitchen getting a drink of water and Kingsley's Patronus showed up with a message," she explained worriedly. "Diagon Alley's been put on a full Auror Alert and he…"

"A full Auror Alert?" Harry asked in a worried voice as he sat up in bed. "Did Kingsley say why?"

Ginny shook her head, "Kingsley only said that every available Auror is to report to the Leaky Cauldron as soon as possible," she replied in a worried voice. "Harry, do you think Neville and Hannah were…?"

"I don't know," Harry said in an anxious voice as he got out of bed, quickly changed from his pajamas into travelling clothes, and grabbed his wand off the nightstand. "I hope nobody was hurt."

Ginny nodded and followed Harry from the room, "Mum, Dad?" Albus said as he suddenly came out of the small bedroom across the hall in nothing but pajamas. "I had trouble sleeping and I heard you…"

Harry and Ginny looked at each other worriedly and then back at Albus, "Dad, where are you going?" Albus asked in a tired, yet worried voice. "Did something bad happen somewhere?"

"Albus, the Minister wants all the Aurors to report to the Leaky Cauldron," Harry replied calmly, not willing to lie to Albus just to protect him. "I want you to go back to bed and stay there for the night…"

Albus frowned, "Dad, do you think Scorpius is okay?" he asked in a worried voice. "What if…?"

"Albus, why don't you come with me to the Leaky Cauldron and you can keep Scorpius and Frank company while I see to business?" Harry suggested in a gentle voice. "You're a good friend..."

Albus nodded and silently disappeared into his room, "Harry, do you think that's wise?" she asked in a soft, but worried voice. "Scorpius might not want anyone near him if something has happened…"

"I know, but he may need a friend right now," Harry replied softly. "If things become too dangerous, I'll simply send Albus and Scorpius to the Burrow. I'm sure your parents wouldn't turn them away."

Ginny nodded as Albus came out of his room in jeans, a sweater, and trainers with his wand in one hand and a cloak in the other, "Now, Albus, you must do exactly what I say when we get there," Harry said in calm, but commanding voice as he looked down at Albus. "I don't want you getting hurt, all right?"

"Okay Dad," Albus replied obediently. "How are we getting to the Leaky Cauldron this late at night?"

Harry sighed, "Side-Along Apparition, I think," he replied calmly. "We're running low on Floo Powder."

"Okay," Albus said as he took his father's arm and held it tight. "I'm…I'm a little nervous, Dad."

Harry nodded and smiled, "Just be yourself," he replied in a reassuring voice. "That's all you can do."

Ginny smiled as Harry and Albus Disapprated, "Mum, what's all the noise out here?" James asked as he suddenly poked his head out of his room. "I heard you, Dad, and Albus talking and then I heard a pop…"

"Let's get you back to your bed, James," Ginny replied calmly. "I'll tell you everything there, okay?"

James nodded and allowed his mother to lead him back to his bedroom, "Mum, I have nightmares," he explained in a scared voice as he returned to his small bed in the corner of the room. "I didn't just wake up cause Dad and Albus were making noise; I woke up because I thought I was back in Malfoy Manor."

Letting out a sigh, Ginny walked over to the bed and sat on the edge of it, unsurprised when James reached for a hug and cuddle, "Alison told me of a spell that would make the pain go away, but…"

Sniffling, James suddenly began to cry, "It sounded bad," he whispered anxiously. "I didn't want to do any spell that I didn't know because you taught us never to do that and Fred would kill me if I tried it."

Ginny frowned, "What spell was it?" she asked in a worried voice. "Why is it making you so upset?"

"It was called Avada Kedavra, Mum," James whispered anxiously. "She said it would take the pain…"

Ginny sighed, "You were right not to try that spell," she whispered, making a mental note to talk to Harry about Alison bullying James at the earliest possible opportunity. "Thank you for telling me."

"I'm scared to go back to sleep, Mum," James said in a pained voice. "Can you stay with me for a bit?"

Again, Ginny sighed and gently rubbed James back while trying to think of why on earth Alison Longbottom, a first year Gryffindor, would know the Killing Curse and tell James to use it on himself.

"Neville, what's going on?" Hannah asked as she came down into the pub and saw Neville leaning against the wall, silently watching as Kingsley and Scorpius sat in armchairs near the fire and chatted quietly while Kingsley held the bottle with the letter in it. "Why is the Minister here, darling?"

Neville sighed and gestured to the bottle that Kingsley was holding, "A message for Scorpius showed up out of thin air and it seemed suspicious, so I called the Minister," he explained in a tired voice. "Aurors are either being dispatched here or to different patrol points around Diagon Alley as a precaution…"

"Was the message from Draco?" Hannah asked in a nervous whisper. "Do you think it's…?"

Suddenly, the fire got higher and Harry came out leading a tired looking Albus with one hand while he held his wand in the other, "Ah, Potter, you got here quickly," Kingsley said in an official voice as he stood up and moved away from the fireplace. "I was just talking to Scorpius about the message."

Harry looked down at Scorpius and saw nothing but fear and tiredness in his eyes, "Scorpius, I brought Albus with me so that you'd have a friend here with you," he explained in a gentle voice.

"Hey Scorp," Albus said in a quiet voice as he walked over to Scorpius's chair. "Late night?"

Scorpius nodded, but didn't say anything, "Potter, I think that you should either send Albus and Scorpius upstairs or somewhere safe until morning," Kingsley said in a commanding voice. "When the rest of the Aurors arrive, I'll be assigning a few to see if they can determine the source of the message…"

"Dad, can I take Scorpius to Grandpa and Grandma Weasley's?" Albus asked in a slightly nervous voice, seeing how tired and scared Scorpius looked. "That's a lot safer than Diagon Alley, right?"

Harry was quiet for a moment and looked to Neville and Hannah, "They won't want me," Scorpius said in a sleepy, yet clear voice as he silently hugged himself. "Weasleys are supposed to hate Malfoys."

"Molly doesn't hate you," Neville commented gently. "In fact, Molly will be happy to see you."

Scorpius, however, didn't move, "Scorpius, dear child, why don't you go to the Burrow for the night and I'll come get you in the morning when it's safe?" Hannah suggested in a gentle voice as she walked over to the chair Scorpius was sitting in and gently placed her hands on his shoulders. "Why are you scared?"

When Scorpius shrugged, Hannah moved around the chair and, when Albus moved out of the way, she knelt down beside Scorpius, "I promise that Alison won't hurt you because you got to go visit with your friend and she didn't," she whispered in a voice that only Harry and Albus could hear. "All right, honey?"

"Okay," Scorpius whispered as Hannah stood up and backed away. "Albus, can we go there now?"

Albus looked at his father, "I'll get you boys some Floo Powder," Hannah spoke up as she walked over to the bar and crouched beneath the counter. "Neville, why don't you get Scorpius a cloak to wear?"

As Neville walked off to the closet to see if there were any cloaks that would fit Scorpius, he failed to notice that Alison was lingering in the stairwell with a scowl on her face. Not wanting to be discovered, she quietly went back up the stairs to vent all of her frustrations into a message and send it to Adrian.

Despite the early hour, Mr. Weasley was awake and quietly preparing basic Potions ingredients to send to Severus so that the man would be able to keep making his living. Most of the preparation was chopping and storing the various juices and pieces, but it took a long time because he was careful.

Severus, of course, also prepared potions ingredients and potions at his vast mansion, but he had come to a deal with Mr. Weasley because, even now, the Ministry didn't pay well and the salary had to be stretched with Percy unable to work and Molly and Lucy needing supporting; Mr. Weasley had agreed to help with preparing ingredients and was receiving a fair amount of money for his labor in return.

Mrs. Weasley, Percy, Lucy, and Molly were all upstairs in their rooms and sleeping soundly and for that, Mr. Weasley was very grateful because it meant he could work in absolute silence and concentrate.

There was a cough and footsteps suddenly came down the stairs, "Who's down here?" Percy's tired and slightly raspy voice asked as he came into the kitchen in oversized pajamas, slippers, and a housecoat with his left hand holding tightly with his cane. He immediately froze upon seeing his father there.

"Percy, are you all right?" Mr. Weasley asked in a quiet, but worried voice, seeing how loosely Percy's horn-rimmed glasses sat on his pale face. "I was just doing some work for Severus…"

Percy nodded and promptly coughed, "I was just wondering if Mum still kept some of that special tea on hand that she used to give us when we were sick as kids," he replied in a quiet, yet clear voice. "I woke up feeling a bit strange and I decided to come down here so that I wouldn't risk waking anyone…"

"Sit down and I'll check," Mr. Weasley said in a calm voice as he set his chopping knife aside and turned to the small cupboard where all 'sick-remedies' were kept. "Maybe you should ask Severus for a…"

Percy sighed as he took a seat at the table, "I'm sure Professor Snape has better things to do with his time then make me remedies for sleeping issues," he replied in a tired voice. "I've been trying to fill my days with working on doing spells with my left hand, looking over Molly's homework, and also helping Lucy with basic schoolwork, but it's a lot harder at night when I'm alone with nothing to comfort me."

Mr. Weasley nodded, but before he could reply, a soot-covered, fully dressed Albus came out of the kitchen fireplace leading a nervous looking, pale blonde boy who was dressed in pajamas by the hand.

"Albus, what are you doing here?" Mr. Weasley asked worriedly. "Who is your friend, by the way?"

Albus yawned, "There's something going on at the Leaky Cauldron and Dad and Professor Longbottom said I could bring Scorpius here," he replied in a tired voice. "I told Scorpius he'd be welcome here."

Mr. Weasley was quiet for a moment as he studied Scorpius, "Scorpius, would you also like some tea?" Percy finally asked as he stood up and leaned heavily on his cane as he smiled at Scorpius.

"Are you Molly's dad?" Scorpius asked, immediately seeing Molly's features in Percy's face and eyes.

Percy nodded, "Dust yourselves off and take a seat at the table," he said in a calm voice. "Dad…?"

"Scorpius, how have you been doing?" Mr. Weasley asked in a gentle voice, suddenly remembering that Scorpius had lost his mother earlier in the year and that Draco was still missing. "Did you do well in…?"

Scorpius sighed, "I'm surviving, sir," he replied softly. "School's become somewhat of a comfort."

"Percy, sit down and relax," Mr. Weasley said in a gentle voice. "Albus and Scorpius, sit at the table."

Percy gratefully sank back into his chair and assumed a neutral facial expression when Albus and Scorpius joined him at the table, "What was your favorite subject this year, Scorpius?" Mr. Weasley asked in a curious voice as he got some mugs out of a nearby cupboard and began putting together the special tea for both Percy and Scorpius. "Albus, would you like some hot chocolate before bed?"

Albus nodded, "I like all my classes except flying, sir," Scorpius replied nervously. "I'm not good at it."

"I wasn't that good at flying in my first year of school either, but I got better at it with time, practice, and encouragement," Mr. Weasley said in a reassuring voice as he added some water to the mugs and carried the mugs over to the table. "I warn you, this tea will probably make you want to sleep."

Percy immediately picked up the tea with his left hand, "Molly mentioned that you lost your hand, sir," Scorpius said in a quiet, nervous voice. "Do you ever still feel pain from it or anywhere else?"

Percy looked at Scorpius for a moment, "Yes," he replied gently. "However, I have help with that."

Scorpius nodded and silently looked at the table while Percy slowly drank his tea, "Scorpius, maybe James can help you with your flying," Albus said as he looked at Scorpius. "He wants to try out for the Gryffindor Quidditch Team in the fall and he's going to help me so I can try out for Slytherin's team."

Mr. Weasley chuckled as he prepared a hot chocolate for Albus, "Dad, I think I'm going back to bed," Percy said in a tired voice as he slowly stood up using his cane for support. "Thank you for the tea."

"Come here, son," Mr. Weasley said in a gentle voice as he walked over and gave Percy a gentle hug before releasing him. "Why don't you take the bedroom just off the living room for tonight?"

Percy sighed, "I can make it up the stairs before this takes effect," he replied calmly. "I think it's better if Albus and Scorpius take that room for tonight. Mum will have kittens if I don't sleep in my room."

"Take the couch," Mr. Weasley spoke up anxiously. "I don't want you going to sleep on the landing."

Even though Percy knew he'd be all right, he kept his mouth shut for the sake of Albus and Scorpius and slowly left the kitchen. Mr. Weasley handed Albus a mug of hot chocolate and then silently cleaned up the counter and the ingredient scraps while he waited for both boys to finish their drinks.

Adrian smirked as he looked out the window of the small Diagon Alley flat Slughorn had taken him to from Hogsmeade out of pure fear over being too close to Hogwarts over the summer holidays in case of an attack and saw several Aurors walking down the cobblestone paths with their wands out.

"Adrian, my boy, are you burning the midnight oil again?" Slughorn asked in a gentle, but worried voice as he came into the small bedroom and saw Adrian looking out the window at the Aurors. "Ah, I see you're curious about why there are patrols around the Alley? I don't know very much, I'm afraid, but…"

Adrian sighed and pretended to look forlorn, "Professor, I'm afraid," he whispered in a fake scared voice as he continued looking out the window. "You said we had to leave Hogsmeade because it was dangerous and now everyone's acting like something bad is going to happen in Diagon Alley…"

"My dear boy, there is no need to be scared," Slughorn spoke in a soothing voice, unaware that he was being mentally controlled from a distance by Lucius Malfoy. "We are perfectly safe in this flat."

Adrian nodded and turned to face Slughorn, "Perhaps you should stop worrying and go write a letter to your father," Slughorn said in an anxious voice. "You can use my private study to write if you want…"

"Father said that he would write to me and that I shouldn't initiate contact while he was away," Adrian replied, remembering his father's last letter to him. "He said it would draw suspicion from others…"

Slughorn suddenly chuckled, "Adrian, you have remembered your training," a deeper voice suddenly spoke in an amused, impressed tone. "I was the one who moved you here, not that idiot Slughorn."

"Is Professor Slughorn all right, Father?" Adrian asked worriedly. "You didn't kill him, did you?"

Slughorn's form grinned, "No, your professor is back at your little flat in Hogsmeade and will have no memory of you being here," Lucius's voice replied calmly. "I wanted to talk to you in private."

Adrian nodded, but said nothing, "Lord Kadir wants a new victim to question about his son's activities and supposed involvement with Severus Snape," Lucius's voice explained. "Lord Kadir believes that Kaysar's weakness lies in his family and that if he were to lose family, he might be more apt to…"

"Deputy Headmaster Linnis doesn't spend a lot of time with his family, Father," Adrian replied in a nervous voice. "He's the Head of Slytherin, but he mostly keeps to himself outside of classes."

Lucius forced Slughorn's aged face to smirk, "Reclusive brat," he hissed. "Snape's brats are more valuable to Lord Kadir than Kaysar based on what they know, but Amythest evaded capture."

By this point, Adrian was clearly confused and Lucius could see that, "You are doing well, dear boy," Lucius said in a calm voice. "You wrote that you were making friends and learning lots of spells?"

"The older kids taught me and Alison spells," Adrian replied calmly. "I'm not good at them yet."

Slughorn's head nodded, "You're still a bit young to become involved and Lord Kadir even says that, but you might be ready in time," Lucius's voice said softly. "Just keep doing what you are doing, all right?"

Adrian nodded and Lucius quickly made a Portkey out of a book that was on the floor, "Take this back to the flat you share with Slughorn and pretend that you woke up needing a drink of water," Lucius's voice said in a commanding tone. "I have other business to attend to in Diagon Alley this evening, my son."

"Good night, Father," Adrian said softly before he grabbed the book and disappeared in a flash.

Lucius assumed a neutral facial expression and chuckled as he lugged Slughorn's body downstairs to get to his intended location before the dose Polyjuice Potion he had taken to sustain his disguise wore off.

As Lucius reached the bottom of the rickety stairs, he saw that the Aurors were standing at their posts and, although their wands were out, they all looked tired. Slipping past them as Slughorn would be quite easy, Lucius thought amusedly; hopefully he would have time to check to see if the lead on LeighAnn having a house in Diagon Alley was true. Or was it possible that Charlie had lied through Legimency?

"Father?"

Severus looked up from the cup of tea he was swilling in his hands and saw LeighAnn standing there in Muggle clothes looking exhausted, "Michael's asleep and there's a Sensory Charm on the crib in case he tries to get out," she explained in a tired voice. "I appreciate you letting Michael and I stay here…"

"Do not make it sound as if it is an inconvenience," Severus replied calmly. "You are right to not stay anywhere public in light of the situation. Kadir and his followers might try and use Charlie's attempts at a relationship with you to try and capture you. LeighAnn, you are so much like your mother and…"

LeighAnn nodded and sighed just as she heard footsteps on the stairs, "I suggest that you get some rest and not worry about your safety while you are here," Severus said calmly. "Have a pleasant night."

Understanding that the conversation was only over for the time being and would continue later on, LeighAnn nodded, gently gave her father a hug, and silently left the room, "Amythest, have you not yet learned that you cannot get away with eavesdropping?" Severus asked softly. "Do come in, dear girl."

There was a sigh and Amythest came into her father's office in pajamas, a dressing gown, and slippers with her dark hair in a tight bun, "Kaysar is having his usual bout of summer insomnia and is refusing to talk about it or refuses to take any potions," she said in an exasperated voice. "Why are you still up?"

"I also experience bouts of insomnia periodically," Severus replied as he stopped swilling his tea and slowly took a sip. "I often rely on Mrs. Weasley's tea to allow me to get a decent sleep."

Amythest nodded, but didn't speak, "The news of Kadir's survival is obviously distressing to Kaysar," Severus stated as he took another sip of his tea. "I think nothing can help but the love of a mother."

"I don't understand," Amythest replied in a confused voice. "Kaysar never knew his mother…"

Severus sighed, but before he could reply, an erratic beeping filled the office, "Someone has entered LeighAnn's Diagon Alley residence without authorization," he said in a concerned voice as he set his teacup on the table beside his chair and got to his feet. "I must alert the Ministry to this…"

"Why not send a Patronus to scout the area?" LeighAnn suggested as she came back into the room with her wand out. "I couldn't help but overhear your little discussion and I think sending a Patronus is safer."

Severus smirked, "Your ability to eavesdrop without being detected is very Slytherin of you, LeighAnn," he replied in an amused voice. "If you would feel better about sending a Patronus, please do so."

LeighAnn nodded and silently flourished her wand, smiling as a silver wolf shot out of her wand and into the fire, "Nobody will be able to trace my Patronus to me or this place," she said in a confident voice.

"I want you both to get some rest for the remainder of the evening," Severus stated calmly. "Amythest, please tell me where Kaysar is and I will help him with his insomnia as I have done so in the past."

Amythest suddenly looked nervous, "Kaysar took the upstairs fireplace to the Phoenix Center," she replied in an anxious voice. "I told him not to, but he was so adamant about having some time alone."

Severus scoffed, "Remain here and I will go and fetch Kaysar myself," he replied in a stern voice.

"I'd best go see if Adeleina is still sleeping soundly," Amythest said in an anxious voice. "LeighAnn?"

Even though LeighAnn wanted to stay and wait until Severus returned, she went into the foyer with Amythest, leaving Severus alone in front of the roaring fire with a determination beyond everything.

Fury filled Lucius's heart as he maneuvered Slughorn's body through LeighAnn's Diagon Alley residence and quickly discovered that nobody was there. The furniture was dusty and books were everywhere; the only thing that stood out was a photo of the entire Snape family that hung above the dark fireplace.

Suddenly, a silver wolf appeared in the fireplace and it stared at Slughorn's form, "What do you want, wolf?" Lucius's voice snapped, aggravated that he was being disturbed. "Away with you!"

"Intruder, you will not be so lucky as to find where I am," the wolf spoke in LeighAnn's voice. "Leave."

As the wolf dissolved, Lucius silently swore and quickly Apprated out of the dilapidated looking house before he was discovered. Almost immediately, he found himself standing in a room where Kadir and another Death Eater were standing next to a very badly battered, trembling Charlie Weasley.

"Weasley has been given an assignment," Kadir stated in a cruel voice, not caring that his voice was slightly muffled by his Death Eater mask and robes. "He is going to capture his brother because Percival would be of more use to my plans. Percival has served you well in the past, Lucius, has he not?"

As Lucius slowly began to change back into himself, he nodded, "I put Percival under the Imperius Curse and then made him kill Filius Flitwick last autumn," he replied nervously. "Percival is weak, however…"

"I will contact Percival through our minds," Kadir spoke in a calm voice. "Weasley, listen carefully."

Even though Charlie was in pain from being tortured both physically and mentally, he nodded and continued to tremble as Kadir pointed a wand at him, not daring to even let out a faint whimper. Suddenly, Charlie collapsed to the ground in severe agony.

"Drag that idiot back to his cell," Kadir hissed, his mind still connected to Percy's.

Percival Ignatius Weasley, I am in your mind so you cannot escape me. Percy suddenly heard a dark voice whisper as he lay on the couch trying to sleep. You are alone in your suffering; nobody cares for you.

Percy let out a quiet gasp and slowly sat up, taking great care to grab his cane. I'm in your mind, you stupid Mudblood Lover he heard the voice say. I was in the courtroom the day of your trial…

It was if something in Percy had snapped and he suddenly felt nauseous, "D-Dad," he said in an anxious voice as he looked around and realized the house was now quiet and dark. "Oh Merlin, I need help…"

Nobody will help you, Percival, and it's because of you that your brother, Charlie, is my prisoner the voice said in a menacing tone. Charlie is very angry that LeighAnn prefers you over him and he is going to help me get LeighAnn's help in avenging Voldemort. You're a weak child and you always have been…

"Uncle Percy, are you okay?" Albus, who had been in a light sleep when he heard Percy whimper for help, asked as he came out of the back bedroom and saw Percy sitting on the couch looking like he wanted to throw up all over the place. "I was sleeping and I heard you ask Grandpa for help."

Percy froze and looked at Albus, "I-I don't know," he replied in a shaky voice. "I feel a little sick."

"Should I wake Grandma or Grandpa?" Albus asked in a concerned, but very calm voice.

Percy swallowed hard and releasing his cane, he covered his face with his left hand. Albus waited for a moment and then silently went upstairs to wake his grandparents and tell them that something was wrong. Knowing that he needed more help than anyone in his family could give him, Percy grabbed his cane and slowly got to his feet. He slowly walked over to the fireplace and promptly set the cane aside.

"Sorry Mum and Dad," Percy whispered as he reached into the jar, pulled out some Floo Powder, and threw it into the small fire before picking up his cane and leaning on it. "The Phoenix Center."

As Percy stepped into the green fire, he threw his cane back into the living room and quickly got his wand out from his housecoat pocket where he often kept it. He coughed anxiously as he vanished.

Kaysar sighed wearily as he took a seat behind the desk in his private office and promptly picked up a small photo of himself, Amythest, and Adeleina that had been taken in Diagon Alley not long before Adeleina had left for Hogwarts last fall. His family was everything and he'd do anything to protect them.

LeighAnn and Michael were also family, Kaysar reasoned, but he suspected that LeighAnn was trying desperately to be different than her sister and also yearned to raise Michael independently and safely.

Of course, Kaysar thought, he had made that promise many times before and keeping it had sometimes been beyond his ability; he had seen friends, spouses of friends, and people whom he considered family been killed despite him doing all he could. He had been involved in the cleanup efforts at the Battle of Hogwarts as a young Healer and many critically injured had died because he couldn't do enough.

The sound of footsteps suddenly filled Kaysar's ears and instinctively, he grabbed his wand and stood up ready to duel if it was an enemy, "Do you really think that you could best me in a duel, Mister Linnis?" Severus asked in a dry voice as he came into the open office. "Amythest expressed her concern…"

"I just needed some time alone," Kaysar replied tonelessly. "My office is a place where I can think."

Severus raised an eyebrow, "Isolating yourself from those who care about you will only make it easier for Kadir to get to you," he said in an unimpressed tone. "He tried that once before he almost…"

"I know, Severus," Kaysar replied calmly as he set the photo on the desk. "I have been Occluding…"

Severus nodded, but before he could reply, there was a loud crash that echoed throughout the entire center followed by a loud string of anger-filled profanities, "That sounds like Percy," Kaysar commented in a concerned voice as he came around the desk. "That's impossible, though; he should be at home…"

Without waiting for Severus to follow, Kaysar hurried from the office and was shocked to find Percy huddled on the floor near the emergency fireplace and trembling uncontrollably, "…I-I remember e-everything about that d-day," Percy said in a trembling voice as he gazed at the floor. "M-My t-trial…"

Severus frowned, but Kaysar looked slightly confused, "Trial?" he asked in a confused voice. "For what?"

"I will not talk about that," Percy replied in an unusually snappish voice. "You already saw the scars."

Kaysar was silent for a moment and nodded, "I heard an evil voice in my head," Percy hissed. "Help me."

Swallowing hard, Kaysar sighed and knelt down next to Percy, "I know a spell that will keep the voice from bothering you again, but it'll probably make you sleepy and a little nauseous," he said in a concerned voice as he saw how pale and tired his friend was. "Do you trust me enough to let me…?"

"I scared poor Albus, I think," Percy replied in a faint voice. "He probably woke my parents and I…"

Kaysar sighed, "Okay," he said in a gentle voice. "I'll do the spell, but I need you to stay completely still."

Percy nodded and quickly looked at the floor as Kaysar waved his wand and began to speak quietly.

"I want to kill Kadir Linnis and Lucius Malfoy," Amythest said in an unusually angry voice as she stood in the doorway of the nursery watching LeighAnn check on Michael, who was sound asleep in his crib.

LeighAnn flinched as she gently adjusted Michael's blanket, "Do you realize what killing someone does to a person?" she asked softly as she turned to face her sister. "I wrestled with my conscience for a long time after killing Alecto Carrow until I finally realized that I had to do it in order to help James and Fred."

"I hate how much both Kadir and Lucius hurt Kaysar," Amythest replied in a calmer voice. "Kaysar doesn't even talk about his father to me much because I see how much it hurts him to talk about it, but maybe now that he knows Kadir is actually alive, he'll want to talk about his problems more with me."

LeighAnn sighed, but before she could reply, Amythest stalked out of the room and a few seconds later, a door down the hallway opened and closed. LeighAnn immediately cast a protective spell over the nursery as she left it and walked down the stairs; she was deeply worried about Amythest's demeanor.

It didn't take long for LeighAnn to get some Floo Powder and throw it into the living room fireplace that was always kept lit in case of an emergency, "The Leaky Cauldron!" she yelled as she stepped in the fire.

As LeighAnn vanished, she cast a silent barrier spell so that Amythest couldn't leave the house in anger until someone was able to talk to her. Doing such an impulsive thing would only lead to trouble.

Hannah came down the stairs after making sure that Alison and Frank were still asleep and the first thing she she saw was Neville and Harry sitting at one of the tables, carefully looking over what appeared to be a map of Diagon Alley.

"…All the Aurors will be at their posts until morning and all residents have been notified as to what's going on," Harry was explaining as Hannah approached the table. "Albus and Scorpius are fine…"

Suddenly, the fire flared up and LeighAnn stepped out of it, "Oh, what's going on here?" she asked, surprised to not only see Neville and Hannah awake, but also that Harry was there. "Oh, hello…"

"You look upset," Harry commented, seeing the distress in LeighAnn's eyes. "Is everything all right?"

LeighAnn sighed, "No," she replied in an anxious voice. "Amythest is terribly angry at Kadir and Lucius Malfoy tonight and I'm worried that she might do something drastic if given an opportunity. I put a protective spell on Michael's room and also put a spell on the house so that Amythest can't leave until she talks to someone about how she's feeling. When my sister's angry, she acts rather impulsively…"

"It is one of the unfortunate parts of my personality that you and your sister both inherited," Severus said in a dry tone as he suddenly stepped out of the fireplace. "I will talk to her in the morning."

LeighAnn nodded and frowned at seeing the exhaustion in her father's eyes, "Father?" she asked softly.

"Kadir tried to get into Percy's mind this evening but failed," Severus explained, ignoring Harry, Neville, and Hannah's horrified reactions. "Healer Linnis handled the situation appropriately and has taken Percy back to the Burrow for the evening. What is happening at the Leaky Cauldron this time of night?"

As Neville and Harry began to explain that evening's scare to Severus, LeighAnn silently walked over to the fireplace and sat in one of the chairs to collect herself before she went home to be with her son. She also needed to be there for Amythest and Adeleina.

"Thank you so much for helping Percy and bringing him home," Mrs. Weasley said in a gentle voice as she came down the stairs and saw Kaysar standing next to the fireplace. "He's safely tucked into his own bed upstairs where he'll be most comfortable."

Kaysar nodded and silently brushed some soot off of the cloak he had put on before bringing Percy back to the Burrow through the Floo Network, "I was at the Phoenix Center doing some work anyway," he replied in a tired voice. "You should go back to bed, Mrs. Weasley; I'll just take the Floo elsewhere…"

Mrs. Weasley, however, walked over to the fireplace and gently took Kaysar's arm, "Kaysar, child, listen to yourself," she said in a gentle voice. "You look ready to fall over and you sound as if you need a rest."

"I do need a rest, but how many terrible things will happen if I don't stay awake?" Kaysar asked in an anxious voice as Mrs. Weasley led him into the living room. "Amythest and Adeleina need…"

Mrs. Weasley clicked her tongue, "Amythest and Adeleina are staying at Severus's home with LeighAnn and Michael, right?" she asked in a gentle voice. "Severus's house is well warded and they will be fine. Stop being stubborn and allow yourself to rest."

Kaysar sighed and removed his cloak as he sat on the couch, "I'll get you some old pajamas of Bill's from the storage space so that you don't have to sleep in that suit," Mrs. Weasley said as she took the cloak from him and tucked it under her arm. "You really have been working much too hard lately, dear child."

As Mrs. Weasley walked off towards the storage space, Kaysar lay down on the couch and only managed to stare up at the ceiling in contemplation for a moment before his eyes fell shut and he knew no more.

It was nearly dawn when Harry finally arrived home through the Floo Network and, as he stepped out of his fireplace into the living room, he was surprised to see James asleep on the couch with a blanket over his pajama-clad body, a fluffy pillow under his head, and a bucket on the floor beside the couch.

There were footsteps and Ginny, who was still in her pajamas and dressing gown, came into the room holding a small cup of special tea in her hands, "Harry, you're back," she said in a relieved voice as she walked over to the couch. "James, sweetie, I have your stomach tea all ready. Do you want it?"

James sighed sleepily, opened his eyes, and froze when he saw his father standing there, "Hi Dad," he said in a nervous voice. "I was in bed, woke up scared, went back to bed, and then threw up a lot."

"Why did you throw up on the bed, James?" Harry asked in a concerned voice. "Are you getting sick?"

James cringed as Ginny handed him the cup, "I want you to drink all of that tea," Ginny said firmly.

"Alison Longbottom told me to use Avada Kedavra on myself, Dad," James whispered painfully.

Harry's eyes widened, "When was this?" he asked in a concerned, horrified voice. "Was it at school?"

James nodded and tears filled his eyes as he quickly drank his tea, "I'll owl Neville in the morning about it," Harry said in a gentle voice as he sat down on the couch near James's feet. "Come here, James."

Quickly handing the cup of tea to his mother, James grabbed his pillow and blanket and slowly moved over to where his father was sitting. Harry gently took the pillow, set it on his knees, and patted it.

"Lie down and go to sleep," Harry said in a gentle voice. "Ginny, I can stay with James for a while."

Ginny was silent for a moment and then nodded, "I'm going to try and get a few hours of sleep before Albus and Lily get up," she replied in a tired voice, smiling at Harry. "I love you both, Harry and James."

As Ginny left the room and went upstairs, Harry gently stroked James's hair and smiled when the boy slowly fell into a deep, but very relaxed sleep. All was calm again, even if it was only for that moment.

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