"What in the fucking fuck…"

"Just happened?" Thorfinn finished Fenrir's question.

The witch had refused to answer any questions about the bizarre display they'd just witnessed. When no one, in their shocked state, had been able to hurriedly make up an ailment to make her stay, Lilith had left with the promise to return tomorrow.

"Dolohov, you ever seen that before?" Thor demanded of his ever pacing friend.

Antonin always paced when he thought, it just made his mind work better, pacing was how his best curses had been born. Subsequently he paced more hours than not because what else was there to do but think in that hell hole? Since their marks had begun itching his pacing had only increased, waiting and plotting, consumed with the need to be ready. They still had no idea what the plan was, only knew by the relentless itching that he was indeed coming. For years there had been no sign of him and though he'd been reported to be dead there was never a doubt that he'd return, their master always did. Dolohov paused mid step and turned to his fellow inmates with a devious grin.

"I've seen wandless magic but that was different, accidental I think. Which means the witch is very powerful..." he broke off, almost spacing out with his thoughts, eyes distant.

"What are you thinking?" the wolf demanded eagerly, rubbing his palms together. Dolohov's best ideas were born from looks such as that one.

He waited a long time before replying, drawing out the suspense, making sure that all were listening.

"If we could get the little one to trust us, we could guide her and teach her how to harness that power." his fingers stroked his scraggly beard thoughtfully.

"And why would we want to help her?" Rodolphus demanded caustically.

Antonin's head whipped around to look at his fellow wizard and let out a deep breath as if thoroughly disappointed and he grizzled a bit. No doubt Dolohov had risen to lead them because of his advanced intelligence but it never failed to leave Rod feeling like he was being lorded over and quite frankly stupid.

"You misunderstand, we're helping ourselves. What better way to prove to the dark lord that we are not only faithful but diligent by bringing him a new subject?"

Immediately there were half a dozen different reactions.

"Do you really think we could?" with a broad smile from Thorfinn, already thinking of ways to seduce the little witch and turn her dark.

"I don't know…" and a head shake from Fenrir. She was naive, yes, but probably too noble to take up their cause.

"That would look very favorable for us." Lucius mused, white-blonde brow quirked.

Rodolphus snorted and shook his head. "She's not strong enough, he'll laugh us back behind bars."

"I could help her." Draco piped up, looking excited. It was the in he needed if he was going to follow his father's instructions and woo Lilith. She was no Astoria Greengrass but she was lovely and pure blooded. Astoria wouldn't look at him twice now and if there was a bloke left out in the real world with a single brain she was likely already married.

"No, no, not Lilith." Rabastan declared in a low growl. He briskly strode to the front of his cell, eyes locking with Dolohov's. There was a million things going through his head all at once and all them began with NO. No, he wasn't going to let them taint her with darkness and no because the dark lord would eat her up and spit her out. Lilith was an angel, she was light in the darkness. He hadn't even realized how weak he'd become until he'd seen her cry and felt a surge of strength to protect her. He felt that same surge then as he thrashed his palm against the bars. "No."

Evening found Lilith staring at the very impressive Ollivander's wand shop in Diagon Alley. The halves of her grandma's broken wand lay forlorn in the bottom of her purse but there was no fixing it, she would need a new one. She was loathe to replace it, almost feeling guilty but a witch wasn't a witch without one and Lilith had a feeling she may need the protection it would provide.

The other medi-witches had all sworn there was nowhere else suitable to go in all of Europe. She hadn't told them what actually happened to her wand, just that a replacement was needed and so she found herself staring in awe at the brightly lit up windows and beautiful gold script. It was amazing, the magic just rolling off of it like a wave and making her extremities tingle. Lilith hesitated for a moment on the door stoop finding herself almost a little nervous, she'd never picked out a wand before. It was thrilling and nerve wracking all at once.

The moment the bell tinkled as the witch stepped inside an older man appeared behind the counter. He had a charm about him with his weathered face and wild white locks that made him immediately likable. Lilith assumed that this was Ollivander himself but was too embarrassed to ask. He didn't give her a moment to look around or even to greet him before diving head first into his passion.

"No," he said looking her up and down in a speculative squint, "Hazel is not for you, that can discharge unpredictably with strong emotions."

"How could you possibly…?" Lilith halted halfway to the counter and halfway through her question, an electric current working its way up her spine. It was almost as if he'd known what she'd done.

The merchant quirked his brow knowingly and nodded. Lilith was unspeakably grateful that he didn't ask any questions regarding the incident because she hadn't even had time to to work it out in her own mind. She hadn't even done accidental magic as a child, when it should have happened, why had it happened now?

"Larch...mmm perhaps, though it is considered temperamental. Are you a dueler?" he didn't wait for a response, waving his hand dismissively instead. "No, I didn't think so. Red oak isn't for you but Rowan might be a good match. Hmmm hmmm hmmm."

"My last wand was Dogwood." she offered with a shrug.

Lilith couldn't help but grin as he pressed his hands together, the tips of his pointer fingers touching his lips as he pondered over her wand. His enthusiasm was all consuming like wildfire and she kind of just wanted to run around and touch everything.

"I don't think you're ready for Alder…" his thoughts were interrupted by a distant fizzing sound from somewhere off to her right. Together their heads turned to see where it was coming from. The fizzing was quickly joined by a streak of blue light and then a poof that dazzled the air like a shimmery fog. It reminded her of the special effects they used for magic on muggle television. The merchant grinned as if the display pleased him immensely. "I'll be right back young lady."

Lilith strode closer to the aisle the merchant disappeared into, curiosity making her stomach flip and flutter. At the very end and around the side of the aisle she saw the blue light emanating, fainter than before, but still vibrant and gods it called to her. The light faded completely as he scooped it up and her heart heavied with disappointment, it wasn't hers. But then he turned back to Lilith with a bright smile and gave it a twirl and it flashed brightly one final time. She watched with wide eyes like a child on Christmas morning as he returned with the prize in hand. Her prize.

"Vine...I should have known immediately." he announced with a regretful head shake. "I suppose no explanation is needed that this wand considers you suitable."

"It's beautiful." she breathed, running her fingers over the smooth brown wood in wonder. "What core?"

"Dragon but you must be careful as you learn and grow as this is the most temperamental of the cores. We don't want anymore accidents!" he warned in a sing songy voice and proceeded to bop her on the nose with her new wand.