I stiffened as boots echoed throughout the hallway. I recognized them. Molly had only been gone for a minute, but already I had a visitor.

"Well, well, well, look who's defeated."

"Not defeated," I ground out. "Disgusted."

"With?"

I smirked, glancing at my father, "How you swear loyalty to the Dark Lord. And I find it amusing that the first moment you can get a glimpse into a blood traitor's life, you go running towards it. You see... I find it disgusting how you act like you hate blood traitors, when really, I think you secretly love them."

"How dare you!" he shouted. A slap was my reward for my clever remark. "That is not-"

"So defensive!" I gasped, still goading him. "What do you expect me to say?"

"You're going to regret ever talking back to me."

"I already have," I snapped. "And that's why I'm fine with talking back to you now. There's nothing more you can take from me."

His lip curled cruelly, "Oh? And your adopted daughter?"

"She's not yours, nor is she Greyback's."

"But she is Greyback's," my father spat in my face. "And she's going to be his for every day until her filthy cub is born and she dies."

My heart clenched in fear, "That's not going to happen-"

"Oh, but it will."

I swallowed, giving a defiant stare at my father, "What do you want?"

He gave a cruel smile, "You know what I want."

I pressed myself against the door, "That's not going to happen."

My father's eyes flashed maliciously, "It is if you want that cure."

"I'd rather die than-"

"Then you'll get your wish," my father spat cruelly.

I narrowed my eyes, "Then I guess I will die. Good."

"I really don't wish that upon you," he smirked.

"Yes, I'm sure you do," I snapped. "Because I look so much like Mum-"

I gasped at the slap I didn't see coming.

"Touchy subject?" I remarked. "I'm sorry, should I have said, 'I act just like Mum too?'"

"Shut up-"

"Mum would never have wanted any of this to happen," I told him. "The only thing Mum wanted more than us was kindness and peace. You're destroying her wishes with your behavior."

He smirked, "Your mother was nothing more than an easy cover."

"You loved my mother," I told him forcefully. "You still mourn for her."

He sneered down at me, "You like to make me out to be some tragic hero, but I don't care for her at all. I never have-"

"You wouldn't blame her death on me if you didn't," I continued.

He growled, "Your days are coming, Jules."

He thundered off and I gave a small breath of relief . Just then Josey's door opened and she gave me a hesitant smile, "Breakfast?"

"Come on," I insisted. I linked arms with her, and despite her being wet, walked down the stairs, keeping as close to her as possible.

Bellatrix was twirling her wand in her hand as she regarded us silently. I met her eyes and did not once look away as I passed her. She gave me a snarl of distaste, but otherwise stayed quiet. I half expected a curse.

Molly was placing dishes on the table, passing out silverware, as she waited for everyone to arrive. Bill would be the last. I pulled Josey into a seat beside me and on the other side sat Molly. Just to make sure she was okay. Greyback was standing beside the window, watching her carefully.

"Don't pay attention to him," I told her quietly as she began to hyperventilate. "If you begin to panic, it's bad for the baby."

She swallowed, "I don't know if I can help it."

I sighed, taking her hand with my own, "You'll be fine. I'm right here."

She nodded slowly, her eyes keeping on the table. "I can feel him watching me."

I turned my attention to Greyback, but he didn't seem to mind me looking at him. I shot him a dirty glare, which went unnoticed, before jumping as something touched my lower back. My father took a seat besides me just then, sending me a smirk.

"Where's Bill, Juliana?" Molly asked after everyone else was seated.

I shrugged, "He was getting dressed when I headed down. He'll be down soon."

"Very well, we'll start without him then," Molly sighed.

"Are you alright, Juliana?" Arthur asked. "Your arm-?"

I glanced down at my arm, cursing the fact I hadn't worn sleeves. It was spreading, but I gave a small nod, "Fine, Mr. Weasley. I still feel healthy."

"No cure, then?"

I shook my head, "No, but that's alright. I'll be fine."

Bellatrix gave a snort, "Filthy blood-traitors. So noble and willing to die."

I shot her a shrug, enjoying as she got even more annoyed by it, "At least we don't kill for sport."

"Like I said, noble."

I clenched my jaw to keep from retorting and put a sausage on my plate, as well as some bacon. Josey helped herself to some eggs and a piece of toast.

"Oh, Mr. Greyback," Molly began nervously, as her voice tremoured slightly. Greyback shot her an annoyed look. "There is more in the kitchen. I know Remus gets quite an appetite after a full moon. So please, help yourself."

"I don't eat this filth," he spat at her.

I winced in pain as Josey's hand clutched my own especially hard at his voice.

"Oh, well, if you change your mind, then," Molly said, trying to keep her voice strong. The poor mother turned her gaze to her plate, remaining quiet for the meal.

Bill arrived near the middle of breakfast, looking disgruntled.

"Where have you been?" I asked him curiously as he sat between George and Ginny.

"Wrote my boss to inform him I couldn't head into work today," he shot an annoyed look at the Death Eaters that were eating. "I, apparently, cannot have a wand for going to work."

"Oh," I sent him a sympathetic smile. "Well, too bad. You're still injured."

He ran his fingers along his scars as he rolled his eyes, "I'm healed."

"Yeah, thanks to me,"I returned. I took a bite of some toast, rolling my eyes, "So grateful.

I ignored my father's probing stare and Josey did well to ignore Greyback, who seemed to be angrilly mutilating a few sausages on his plate. Was he ever just civil?

But the teasing and lightheartedness stopped as no one else offered conversation. Perhaps I was on the edge of comfort because I had grown up around cold-hearted, angry, and hell-bent people. But I could never let my guard down.

"Can we study more spells?" Josey asked me as she finished her breakfast.

I nodded, "Yeah, though we don't have wands, so we'll just have to practice movements and stuff."

"I'd like that," she admitted.

I rose and helped her climb over the bench, before dismissing ourselves and taking our plates to the kitchen. I herded her to the living room and gestured for her to sit. "So, let's see... where did we leave off?"

She remained standing, thinking, "Um... Alohamora."

I smiled and nodded, "Perfect. Now, do you remember..." I trailed off as she frowned. "It's okay if you don't-"

"No, my stomach... hurts," she said quietly, her hands coming to her abdomen.

"Josey..." I stepped towards her, gently guiding her into a seated position. "Where does it hurt?"

"Right here," she took my hand and pressed it to a spot near her appendix. "Ow!"

"Okay," I said quietly. "Just breathe deeply... That's it. In. Out."

"What's happening?" she whimpered.

"Shh," I said quietly. "Don't panic. Everything's fine. Really."

She started to tear up, "Juliana, you're scaring me."

"It's fine," I promised her. "You're going into labor-"

"But I still have a month left-"

"Werewolf pregnancies tend to be faster than human ones, because the werewolves need the cubs able to adapt to their surroundings immediately after birth. Just... stay here... I'll be right back."

"Don't leave-"

"I'm only going to the dining room," I promised her. "I'll be right back."

She whimpered once more and I kissed her forehead before getting up and hurrying quickly to the door, "Molly," I said, catching her attention. She glanced up, hearing my urgent tone. "I need your help."

"With what, dear?"

I glanced around the room cautiously, "Um, well... Josey has some stomach pains, and since I don't have a wand, I can't cast the proper charms to properly diagnose the issue." I shot the Death Eater's a glare. "But I think... I don't know for sure, but she might be going into early labor."

"But isn't it too soon?"

"I know, I know," I waved off her panic. "But the stress she's had in the past few days has caused her to stress the baby out and well... it's going to happen soon... likely within the day."

Greyback was alert now, staring at me, but betraying no emotion. I gave Molly a pleading look, "Usually, I have about five healers with potions and things ready in case of emergency, but..." I groaned. "I don't exactly have that and all the potions are at home. So... could we please hurry up here?"

She rose immediately, tossing her napkin onto her plate as she rushed after me. "What can I do?"

"Get some cool water," I told her. "And some towels. I'll need her nightgown from her bag."

"Where-?" Molly began, but I cut her off, sitting besides Josey as she breathed deeply and kept her eyes shut.

"Not quite sure yet. Her water hasn't broken-"

"It might have in the shower," Josey whispered. "I don't know... But I felt weird in the shower."

"Okay, then her water might have broken," I corrected. "Josey, did you have any pains at all during breakfast?"

"Just one, but I blew it off as nerves."

I frowned in concern, "Alright, let's get you up to our bedroom, then. Just to keep you comfortable and in a familiar surrounding."

Molly was already off doing as I commanded, and Ginny was there, looking anxious, "What about me?"

I didn't even glance at her as I helped Josey to her feet. "Keep everyone away from the bedroom. I need her to be relaxed."

"But-"

"Try your best," I informed her, cutting off whatever she was going to say. "Keep everyone-"

"I'll do that," Ginny breathed, running off.

I helped Josey up the stairs, her going a little faster than I expected, but quite slow at the same time.

"And get me a wand!" I shouted after her.

"No promises!" she cried back.

So sorry for the long wait! But here ya go! Lots more where this came from:)

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Anastasia