Author's note: Hi everyone, I hope you're all enjoying the story so far. I haven't had any feedback recently and it would mean a lot if I could get some reviews, comments or even constructive criticism - I don't even know if whoever is reading or following this story is enjoying it, haha! I'd really appreciate any type of comment, good or bad (within reason!)

Now that's the admin out of the way - onto the next chapter! So I know the end of the last chapter was a bit dramatic, this next one is the start of the fall out of that which will ripple on. Allegra has gone through something traumatic and it's a real eye opener, more than anything else about the war outside Hogwarts. As always, I own only my OCs and plot and (as mentioned above!) any comments or constructive criticism would be very welcome. Enjoy!

Chapter 20

Allegra was sitting quietly, legs wrapped under her; on a blue plastic chair; in some corridor; in St Mungo's hospital. The chair was cold, hard and uncomfortable – Allegra's back ached. She had no idea how long she'd been there – an hour, two, six? Mr Potter was sitting a few chairs down from her, he'd got up a few times and wandered around since they'd been there. James hadn't come to the hospital with them, although Allegra had not realised at the time.

Her father had arrived at some point. On hearing the news of Athena's death, he'd sunk to his knees, dissolving into tears whilst clinging to Allegra. She'd wanted to comfort him – but the sight of his tears, his distress – had turned something in her stomach. Allegra knew it was callous, but his weakness had nauseated her – something which she felt white hot shame for. She'd placed a hand on his back as he sobbed into her lap.

The healer had given Conleth something for the shock, after he had insisted on seeing his wife's body. Allegra did not need to return to that white, dank room and look at her mother's lifeless body again. When Conleth returned he spoke quietly with Mr Potter, tears still falling down his face – Allegra felt that nausea again at his tears. They were going to stay at the Potters, they couldn't return to the house. Allegra didn't think she could ever return to that house again.

On their arrival to the Potter's house, Mrs Potter was still awake, sitting on the chair at the dining table Allegra had sat on just a few hours earlier. Before.

Mrs Potter had an undrunk cup of tea in front of her, her eyes were red – she'd been crying.

'Thank you for allowing us to stay, Euphemia,' croaked Conleth.

'Of course, you're more than welcome here – for as long as you need,' replied Mrs Potter in a gentle tone.

Her father started crying again and Mrs Potter enveloped him in her arms.

Allegra was vaguely aware that James was nowhere to be seen. She wanted to ask Mrs Potter if he was alright, but the words got stuck in her throat.

Mrs Potter took Conleth upstairs, Allegra was still waiting in the dining room – for what, she didn't know.

'I need to tell my grandparents,' stated Allegra when Mrs Potter returned. She was mildly surprised at how calm her voice was.

Mr and Mrs Potter exchanged glances.

'Maybe that should wait until the morning, dear?' Mrs Potter's voice was even softer than it had been when consoling Conleth.

'No. They need to know,' she was adamant at that.

'I can send a Patronus for you, Allegra?' Mr Potter asked in a kind voice.

She shook her head.

'Can I use your fireplace? I'll call them through the floo network,' her voice sounded deadened.

'Of course, we'll leave you to it.'

Allegra moved into their living room. Picking up a pinch of floo powder, she got down on her knees and threw it into the fire.

'The Cottage, Pavia, Italy,' called Allegra as she stuck her head into the fire.

Seconds later, she could see the inside of the living room of her grandparents' house. It was in darkness, but there was a faint glow from under the door that Allegra knew led to the kitchen. She took a deep breath.

'Noni, grandfather,' Allegra called.

There was a scraping of chair legs, followed by footsteps. The living room door opened, and Allegra could make out the vague outline of her grandfather.

'Lumos,' she heard him mutter, 'Allegra?'

Allegra swallowed.

'Hello grandfather,' her voice was dull, 'where's Noni?'

'She's in bed. Allegra what's wrong?' Laurent's voice was gentle, and in that moment, Allegra was struck. For whatever reason, she felt like he already knew.

'It's mum. They got her. She's dead,' her voice cracked.

There was a sharp intake of breath followed by the tinkling of an ornament that had been knocked over. It hit the ground with a crash. Her grandfather had grabbed onto the cabinet to stop himself from falling.

There was silence.

'Where are you?'

'At the Potters.'

'Are you safe?'

Allegra answered in the affirmative, even though she had no idea if that was the case.

Her grandfather ran his hands through his hair and sat down heavily on the sofa. He let out a moan and began rocking back and forth.

Allegra could not bear to view this most intimate act of grief. She pulled her head back, and with a pop, disappeared.

/

Allegra awoke suddenly the next morning. The healer at St Mungo's had given her some type of potion to help her sleep – it had worked, her sleep had been dreamless. She got up and realised the only clothes there to put on were the ones she'd been wearing yesterday.

Allegra made her way downstairs; she could hear murmuring coming from the kitchen.

'Morning dear,' Mrs Potter was still speaking in that soft, reassuring tone.

Mr Potter was reading the newspaper. He lifted his head and smiled softly.

'Would you like anything to eat?'

'A tea just, thank you,' Allegra tried to return a weak smile, 'could I borrow your owl? Cassius was delivering a letter to Lily.'

'Of course, I'll fetch him now,' Mr Potter excused himself.

'Mrs Potter. I'm sorry, but would I be able to use some of your parchment and ink?'

Mrs Potter blinked.

'Allegra, you can use anything you want, and you don't need to apologise for it,' she ran her hand softly over Allegra's hair, and for a second – if she closed her eyes – she could almost imagine it was her own mother.

Allegra decamped to the dining room table with parchment and quill.

Dear Lily,

There's no other way for me to say this – my mother was killed last night. We're currently staying with the Potters and will be for the next few days. When I get confirmation of the arrangements for the funeral I'll be back in touch. You'd be more than welcome if you're able to make it, if not, I'll see you when we return to Hogwarts.

Allegra

She made two identical copies for Phoebe and Marlene and rolled each up. Allegra sighed deeply. She'd have to contact her Irish family as well, Conleth still hadn't left his room.

Allegra tied the letters to the Potters' owl, Pebbles, and instructed him. The grey owl hooted softly and took off.

Allegra repeated the same ritual as she had done last night with her grandparents and flooed her Aunt Ailish, who lived in Galway. It was a painful conversation, if only because her Uncle Bryan and cousins Colm and Dermot were all in the living room, looking down at her as she spoke. Ailish would be there in the afternoon, once she'd got a portkey sorted.

Mr and Mrs Potter seemed to believe it was best to leave Allegra to her grief. She left the living room, intending to return to her own room as James bound down the stairs. They both stopped in their tracks, Allegra suddenly found she couldn't look at him.

'How are you?' James asked in a voice Allegra had never heard him use before.

'You know,' she responded, 'have a lot to organise.'

She could feel, rather than see him nod. Again, she was struck with the desire to ask him how he was, but again the question died in her throat.

Out of the corner of her eye she could see his hand go to the back of his head.

'If you need to talk -'

'- Yeah.'

Allegra was grateful for Mr Potter's interruption.

'Allegra, there's some wizards from the Ministry here to speak with you,' he said softly.

She nodded.

'I should go and get dad. I'll be with them in a minute.'

Allegra called at her fathers' door for almost ten minutes, he'd locked it, but she could hear movement. Sighing before eventually giving up, she returned to the living room.

There was a man with a wooden leg, shoulder length, matted hair and a blazing blue eye whirling around its socket. He shook Allegra's hand and introduced himself, his two companions followed. One, a short, greying wizard with emerald green robes – the other a small witch with a round face and kind eyes. Her hair had been cut short to her head and Allegra recognised her but couldn't place her. They told Allegra their names, but they'd went out of her head almost instantly.

'We'll be the aurors investigating your mother's death,' the man with the blue eye pointed to himself and the young witch beside him.

'Do you have any leads?'

'Not yet, but with the mark above your house, it's obvious we know what type of people we're dealing with,' the auror's voice was gruff, but not unkind – he had an Irish lilt.

'You're from the East,' stated Allegra.

The auror looked momentarily taken aback, he nodded his head.

'Just outside Dublin,' he replied in that gruff voice.

'Galway,' Allegra returned, pointing to herself.

'We can speak with your father, if that would be easier?' The witch's voice was as kind as her eyes.

Allegra swallowed.

'I don't think he's in a fit state right now. You can tell me,' Allegra was glad that her voice sounded strong.

The aurors glanced at each other.

'I'm sure the healers informed you. Your mother was hit by the killing curse – there was evidence of a struggle beforehand, a duel -'

'- my mother was never good at duelling,' murmured Allegra.

'We don't think it lasted very long, going by the examination of Mrs Quinn's wand.'

'de Montmorency.'

All three looked at Allegra.

'My mother's name is Athena de Montmorency. Was. She never wanted to take my father's surname,' Allegra finished softly.

Allegra couldn't bear the pity in the witch's eyes.

'Allegra, was your mother exhibiting any strange behaviour before she died?' The witch asked, in that impossibly kind voice.

Allegra swallowed and glanced at the wizard in the emerald robes who'd yet to speak.

'Cedric, perhaps you could wait outside,' the witch offered.

The short man, Cedric, nodded his head and rose from the sofa before leaving the room.

'My mother never trusted people from the Ministry,' said Allegra, 'she didn't trust they were determined enough in the fight against Him and his followers.'

The Irish auror inhaled deeply, never taking his eyes off Allegra, he seemed to be sizing her up.

'I reckon I'd agree with her on that,' he replied.

'So why should I trust you?'

There was a hint of a smile on his face, before it quickly disappeared.

'If there's anyone that's serious about catching dark wizards, it's Alastor Moody,' the witch spoke.

Allegra presumed Alastor was the name of the Irish auror.

'I don't know much,' Allegra started slowly, looking between the two aurors, 'she didn't really want me involved. But I think she was working with some type of resistance.'

'You said your mother didn't duel?' Moody asked.

'No. But she was a potion-maker, a very good one, always in demand.'

Allegra sensed an understanding between the two aurors as they glanced at each other.

'Athena de Montmorency, of course…' Moody muttered under his breath.

'Thank you for your help, Allegra. You can go back to your house now, if you need to collect anything. And we'll be working around the clock to find the person that killed your mother,' stated the witch.

Allegra nodded. She would not be holding her breath on a capture and conviction – muggles and wizarding folk alike were being murdered and disappearing every few weeks and there'd barely been any apprehensions – she wasn't holding out hope her mother's case would be very different.

'Who is he? Cedric?' Allegra asked.

'He helps arrange…funerals and such things,' the witch said gently, 'we could get your father –'

'No. No thank you, maybe Mr Potter…' Allegra trailed off.

The witch nodded in understanding, she and Moody rose from the sofa and shook Allegra's hand, promising to be in touch.

A few minutes after they left, Mr Potter and Cedric entered the living room. Mr Potter sat beside Allegra, who assumed the female auror had told him what Cedric was there for.

'Like most witches and wizards these days, your mother had arranged a plan for her funeral,' Cedric started, in a monotone voice.

He spoke at length about what her mother had already chosen – music, an orator for the eulogy and where the funeral was to take place. The only thing Allegra needed to decide on was a coffin and flowers.

Mr Potter never spoke, but just having him there, beside her, gave Allegra strength.

Once she'd finished discussing what was required, Cedric informed her someone else from the Ministry would arrive to inform her of the contents of her mother's will after the funeral, which would take place in three days' time.

After Cedric's departure, Mrs Potter made lunch. Conleth had still not left his room and every bite of sandwich Allegra had eaten tasted like parchment. The three Potters and Allegra ate in near silence and she felt guilty for bringing this mood upon them.

Aunt Ailish arrived late in the afternoon, engulfing Allegra into a hug she promised to arrange the removal of their things from the house – she had a friend who worked in removals that would deal with it. Allegra was glad for the strength of her father's sister, but even Ailish could not drag Conleth from his room.

Athena's friend Anne Horn had also been in touch, reassuring Allegra that her grandparents could stay with her when they arrived for as long as they needed to. She also sent a homemade steak pie, and Allegra was touched by the gesture.

Ailish, not one to mess around, left for the Quinn house not long after she'd arrived, bringing back fresh clothes for Allegra and Conleth. She'd fought back Mrs Potter and insisted on staying in a B&B a short way from the house. At this point, Allegra offered to stay with her aunt in the B&B, Mrs Potter, however, was having none of it.

'Mrs Potter, you've already done so much –'

'- I've not done much at all,'

'- We're putting you out, you don't need all this hass –'

At that point Allegra was cut off, Mrs Potter spoke to her in the firmest voice Allegra had ever heard her use.

'You're not putting anyone out. You'll stay here until you've to go back to school, and that's settled.'

Allegra, sensing the argument was lost, decided it was better not to say anything more.

The days before the funeral were busy with arrangements, people visiting and sending condolences. Allegra's friends had written her, but she didn't have the energy to respond properly, just informing them of the funeral arrangements. Conleth had barely left his room, and when he had, contributed virtually nothing.

As busy as she was, Allegra seemed to move as if her body no longer belonged to her. She ate food that tasted of nothing, attempted to make conversation when required and still hadn't cried for her mother. She was beginning to think there was something wrong with her, even recalling memories of her mother, she could not cry.

Allegra wondered if it would always be like this, would she every truly feel something ever again?

/

Merlin, he should have invested in some new dress robes, these were so tight against his neck he could almost feel himself asphyxiating.

Sirius Black was sitting halfway back in a congregation full of witches and wizards at the funeral of Athena de Montmorency. Three days ago, he'd received a letter from James informing him Quinn's mother had been killed – and suggested the old Quidditch team should get back together to go to the funeral, for solidarity. Sirius had been hesitant, Tiberius Hodge and Caradoc Dearborn hadn't – they'd agreed to it right away, as had the others, so not wanting to be the odd one out, Sirius went along with it.

Only thing was, Quinn got on well with the rest of the team. With him, on the other hand, well they didn't so much converse as hurl insults at each other any chance they could get. Sometimes those insults would turn into a hex or two. All in all, Sirius had argued to James, on the day Quinn was to bury her mother, surely she wouldn't wish to have the company of a person she detested there also.

James had been adamant, he wanted them to put on a united front.

So here he was, sitting with the rest of the team, Mr and Mrs Potter were sitting a few rows ahead of them. Sirius looked around and noticed Evans, Hawthorne and McKinnon further up front, they were each holding tissues. A further scan of the room and he observed the Ravenclaw, Saxon, sitting with someone who appeared to be her mother.

They were in the countryside, outside London. A large gazebo had been erected beside a lake. It had been somewhere important to Quinn's mother, according to James.

The gazebo was packed full, so much so that many people were left to stand. Sirius recognised a few of the teachers from school. There was a low murmur.

'I know you were trying to be a mate, but I don't half feel awkward,' Sirius muttered to James.

'I know, but today isn't about you Sirius,' murmured James.

There was no malice in his tone. Sirius had found James holding up remarkably well considering he'd been with Quinn when they'd found her mother. He hadn't gone into detail, said Quinn was distressed enough without him blabbing about the whole thing, but Sirius could tell he was shaken.

'How's Quinn been?' Sirius asked, under his breath.

James let out a soft sigh and shrugged.

'She's organised this all you know. Spoke to the aurors and she's been trying to sort the house out. Her dad's barely left the room at mine. I haven't seen her cry or anything,' Sirius noted a hint of concern in James' voice.

'Well you know Quinn, she's not really one for emotional outbursts,' stated Sirius awkwardly.

'I know, but…' James trialled off.

Sirius noticed his friend's eyes kept darting to Evans' head a few rows ahead.

McKinnon turned to look around the gazebo, her eyes caught his, widening slightly, she immediately lent over to Hawthorne and Evans – likely to discuss what she'd just seen.

Sirius suppressed a sigh. He didn't blame McKinnon for being surprised to see him, it wasn't like he and Quinn were on the best terms. He felt bad for her, obviously, anyone could see she was close to her mother, and to have been the one to find her as well…but him being there, it felt hypocritical. And if there was one thing Sirius hated, it was a hypocrite.

Those inside the gazebo quieted as Quinn entered, wearing robes of black velvet. She was practically carrying an old woman beside her, he presumed that was her grandmother. They were followed by an elderly man who could only be Quinn's grandfather and a man with brown hair cut short to his head, he was tall, but seemed just about able to walk, no older than forty and wearing elegant black dress robes. Even from where Sirius was sitting, he could see tears on the man's face – that must be the father.

The four took their place at the front in the first row. Quinn was sitting, her back ramrod straight, hair tied up in a ponytail, hands covering her grandmother's who was sitting beside her.

The ceremony began. A squat man in black robes stood at a podium behind the coffin. He spoke about a woman full of grace and elegance, who touched everyone she met.

Sirius found his eyes wandering back to Quinn, she hadn't moved the whole time, her face turned towards the coffin, she wouldn't look away. Not a stray tear fell down her face.

Her father, on the other hand was crying quietly further down the front row. He was being comforted by Quinn's grandfather, who himself had tears rolling down his cheeks.

'Now, we're going to hear from Athena's husband, Conleth,' the squat wizard closed his book and descended from the platform.

Quinn's father, Conleth, took his place at the podium. He'd barely spoken three sentences before dissolving into tears again but seemed determined to continue. As Sirius looked around, he could hear sniffling from all over the gazebo – Evans, Hawthorne and McKinnon were crying quietly, arms around each other.

By now Conleth was sobbing, unable to get a word out. Quinn's grandparents were also crying. Suddenly Quinn stood up, smoothing down her dress robes, she climbed up to the platform. Her father turned to her and practically fell into her arms. Quinn stroked his back and helped guide him back down to the pew at the front before returning to the podium.

'No words will ever be able to do my mother justice, so I'm not going to try,' her voice was eerily calm, the Irish lilt soft.

'Instead my family and I would like to thank you all for coming, I'm sure my mother would have appreciated it.'

At that, she descended from the platform and re-joined the rest of her family.

The squat wizard returned, lifting his wand out and pointing at the coffin, it burst into flames and burned quietly. An eerie lament began to play. Finally, the wizard thanked everyone for their attendance and announced there would be refreshments served after.

Sirius turned to James; whose eyes were glassy.

'Nice ceremony,' he muttered.

James cleared his throat, before agreeing.

Mr and Mrs Potter joined them and the rest of the team after, Sirius noticed they were holding hands.

'Allegra handled herself remarkably,' Caradoc muttered.

'Certainly better than I would have,' agreed Tiberius, 'you staying for a while?' The question was directed to Sirius, who caught James' eye.

'Not too long,' he shuffled his feet.

Mrs Potter had let go of her husband's hand and engulfed James in a tight hug.

'Shall we get a drink?' Edward Macmillan asked – the rest of the team followed back inside the gazebo, which now had erected tables and refreshments where the podium had once been.

Evans, Hawthorne and McKinnon were sitting with Saxon, talking quietly.

Sirius glanced Slughorn and felt pity for Quinn, having to deal with that old walrus at her mother's funeral.

The Quidditch team managed to grab a free table as Macmillan went to get some drinks.

'You lot got your NEWT results then?' Sirius asked Dearborn, Hodge and Goshawk, just for something to say.

Dearborn smirked.

'Unfortunately. Seems like those famous Quidditch teams decided I was too good for them, none came calling, so I'm settling for an internship at the Department of Magical Games and Sports.'

Sirius snorted.

'Could be worse,' intoned Goshawk, who nodded darkly to the far side of the gazebo, where Quinn was being bombarded with people giving their condolences.

'I never thought I'd feel pity for Quinn,' Sirius murmured.

Not long after, the Potters joined them.

'Sirius, would you like to stay with us for dinner?' Mrs Potter asked kindly.

'I couldn't impose –'

Mrs Potter waved her hand dismissively.

'Nonsense, when have you ever imposed on us?'

'Every summer?' Sirius grinned.

Mrs Potter smiled at him indulgingly before she and Mr Potter were drawn into conversation by an elderly witch.

'You're gonna get whiplash if you keep doing that,' quipped Sirius as James kept craning his neck to catch a glimpse of Evans.

'Don't know what you're talking about,' muttered James, whose ears went red.

Quinn had just left the other Gryffindor girls, making her way over to their table. Sirius felt himself stiffen slightly.

'Thanks for coming,' Quinn's breath caught in her throat as she looked around the table at her old Quidditch team, eyes widening.

'I didn't realise you'd all be here,' for the first time that day, Sirius thought he heard a quiver in her voice.

It was alien to him, hearing her that vulnerable.

As quickly as it had come, the vulnerability had gone, she was making small talk with those at the table before departing.

Soon after, Hodge, Dearborn and Goshawk said their goodbyes – Macmillan had spotted an acquaintance and was speaking in the corner whilst James had been roped into a conversation with the elderly witch that was still speaking with Mr and Mrs Potter.

'- poor girl, I'm surprised she's not deranged with grief.'

'- did you see how she handled the father?'

'- it's all a bit strange, she hasn't even shed a tear –'

Typical, thought Sirius. Even at a funeral people couldn't stop from gossiping. While he'd love to be able to leave now, he couldn't apperate yet, and he'd be leaving with the Potters, who were still deep in conversation.

Sirius looked around the gazebo again, his eyes finding Quinn at the drinks table, alone. She looked so small standing there. Sighing, Sirius got up and made his way over, he hadn't offered his condolences yet.

Sirius cleared his throat.

'Quinn.'

She turned.

'Hello Black,' her voice was forced politeness.

Despite the tan she'd gained over the summer, there were dark circles under her eyes – she seemed to have lost weight as well.

Before he could say anything, Quinn had started speaking.

'Thank you, for coming… I wasn't expecting… I mean… the whole team… well,' Quinn sighed, 'you didn't need to.'

'James insisted. Show a bit of solidarity, you know?'

She nodded.

Sirius took a bite out of one of the sandwiches he'd lifted.

'Merlin Quinn thought the grub might have been a bit better,' Sirius froze, he'd forgotten for a second, why they were there. For the first time in his life, Sirius wanted to take back whatever insult he'd spewed at her.

Then she did the last thing Sirius would have expected. She snorted.

'I'll remember for next time then,' she replied sardonically.

And Sirius did the last thing he would have expected. He grinned.

Quinn offered a small smile. Sirius was reminded fleetingly of a conversation he'd had with Remus some time last year. They'd been talking about girls in their year and Remus had ventured Quinn was one of the prettiest. It was only now that Sirius supposed he'd been right.

Quinn cleared her throat.

'Anyway, I should get back to…' she waved her hand at the crowd behind them, 'thank you again, for coming.' The forced politeness was back in her voice.

'I'll see you at school,' replied Sirius.

Quinn nodded and departed.

Sirius returned to the Potters, who had finally managed to extract themselves from the elderly witch.

'Let's get out of here mate, before someone else latches on,' James grabbed Sirius by the arm.

'Must be your animal magnetism, charming all the OAPs,' Sirius winked.

James grinned.

'What can I say, when you're this handsome and charming –'

'Your over inflated head can just about fit inside this gazebo?' Mr Potter supplied.

Sirius snorted.

'I've got a casserole on at home, let's get going – I hate funerals,' Mrs Potter hurried them out of the tent.

Sirius took one last look around, catching Quinn talking with Evans, who seemed to be crying. How weird it was her mother's funeral, yet she seemed to be the one consoling everyone.

The thought disappeared from his head as they left the gazebo, into the night.