FROM THIS DAY FORTH

FROM THIS DAY FORTH

Part 4

Chapter 16 – Introductions

Lily, James, Sirius and Remus had been instructed by Horace Thump, their immediate superior, to report to the Royal College of Aurors for a training course in the first week of March.

"Why do we have to go on a course? We spent a year training, and they were supposed to teach us everything we needed to know then," James complained.

"Stop whining," Lily told him, "they taught us all we needed to know then. In the interim there have been advances. New spells, new technology, new strategy, hey, probably even new leaders, I really don't know. Muggles go on courses all the time."

"Good for the muggles," James grumbled. "Are you sure we have to go?"

"Positive."

"Thrills." James sarcasm was both droll and cutting, but in reality he didn't mind learning more any more than Lily did. Well, at the end of the day, what they learnt could mean the difference between life and death for them.

On the Monday at the beginning of the week they all turned up at the college. Looking at them, Lily smiled.

"You do realise you all look exactly the same as you did when we joined the Royal College of Aurors first time round, don't you?" she told them.

"Right down to the jeans and baggy sweatshirts, yeah, we know." Sirius informed her.

"And, my dears, we're to report to Mr Kithley. Why do I have a feeling of déjà vu?"

"Come on guys, there's no time to gossip. What are you waiting for?" Lily led the group towards the office of the head of the Royal College of Aurors, William Kithley. Tentatively, she knocked on the door.

"Come in." They entered. At the desk sat a man whose grey hair was fast turning white, and whose clear eyes were as sharp as they had been when he had been the same age as those before them.

"Miss Trevallion, Mr Potter, Mr Black and Mr Lupin. Shouldn't you be in classes?"

"Um, we don't actually know where we're going." Lily informed him. "You're supposed to tell us. Thump said so." Kithley saw her nose wrinkle at the mention of Horace Thump and he smiled. Lily Trevallion had been one of the brightest and best of her year, and had never allowed anyone to discriminate against her purely because she was female. Kithley knew of Thump's attitude towards female aurors, and he was almost certain that his chauvinism had earnt him an enemy.

"Ah yes, Mr Thump." Kithley's eyes twinkled. "Not a graduate from here, Miss Trevallion, so stop scowling." Lily blushed. "Now, you're here for training. Professor Seranad will be taking you. She's new here, but has ample experience. You're in block 12. Good luck."

The four of them disapparated to block 12. When they appeared a young woman greeted them. The block was crowded. Clearly all the regional offices had sent some aurors to the course, as well as the central office.

"Hi. I'm Roberta Gillymedows but you can call me Bobbie. Most people do."

"I'm Lily Trevallion." Lily offered her hand. "These are James Potter, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. We were at school together."

"I went to school in Italy. Mum's Italian you see, but I came back here four years ago to train as an auror. I'm 23."

"We all went to Hogwarts. James, Remus and I are 21 but Sirius is 22, just."

"Why are you on the course?" Bobbie asked, curiously.

"Thump sent us." Lily said, grouching.

"Who's Thump?"

"Our superior." James explained. "Lil thinks he's a M.C.P."

"M.C.P."

"Male Chauvinistic Pig." Lily enlightened her. "What exact-" she broke off as another girl of her age flung herself upon her.

"Lily! Guess you weren't expecting to see me again so soon! How're you and lover boy doing?"

"Emily! Why aren't you in the States?"

"Daddy sent me over here. Said this course'd be useful. Who'm I to disagree. I'm not gonna complain anyway. Guess I'll be around for your wedding. Hey Sirius, Remus, how're you?"

"Fine Em. Lil and Prongs said you were back with the big wigs now. Where're you staying?"

"In a hotel." Emily replied promptly. "Horrible little place, but it's not like I've got anywhere better to go."

"You could come and stay with me." Lily suggested. "Oh, and Em, this is Roberta Gillymedows. We just met her. Bobbie, this is Emily Samuelson. She's a friend of ours from America."

"Any relation to Joseph Samuelson?"

"He's my dad." Emily explained.

"Cool!"

"Bobbie, where're you staying?"

"In a hotel. I suppose I could apparate from home, but I figured I make the most of the opportunity and take a look around London."

"You can stay with me to if you like. I've got enough room for three."

"Where're you situated?" Bobbie asked.

"BSA H.Q digs." Lily replied.

"Pardon?" Bobbie said, slowly.

"Digs for the British Society of Aurors. It's not as bad as it sounds," Lily noticed Roberta wrinkling her nose. "I've decorated it and everything. I've been living there for three years. It's my home away from home."

"Cool." Bobbie replied. "Well, if you're sure."

"I get the feeling we're going to get on. Plus, we're up against James, Sirius and Remus. Believe me, I need all the help I can get." Lily informed her. Emily and Bobbie smiled at each other, and then the two of them turned towards the boys who had somehow managed to attack someone already.

Chapter 17 – Training

Lily was seated between Bobbie and James, and facing Emily. She was chewing her quill thoughtfully as she studied the board that Seranad had been conducting the lesson from.

"I reckon that the best thing to do would be to go through that gate there, and the James, you could levitate the boulder while I used the countercharm for that hex- that wouldn't work. There is no counter charm for the hex. Bobbie, any ideas." She turned to Roberta, and saw only a mass of chestnut hair. Bobbie, it seemed, like to work with her nose on the table. Then she heard snores. "Bob? Bobbie? Roberta Gillymedows wake up!"

"What?" Roberta raised her head and blinked sleepily.

"Bobbie, we're supposed to be using our newfound skills to figure out how to get through this joint, not use the morning to catch up on sleep." Emily chastised her. "Sirius! What are you doing?" She raised an eyebrow at Sirius who was seated to her left, and muttering a spell.

"Turning Hilanius' hair green?" he replied hopefully.

"Go for it." James told him, grinning. Sirius raised his wand once more, but was interrupted by Lily.

"Okay, so the guys almost as bad a Snape. We all agree that, but I don't think you should curse him. You never know, you may have met your match."

"Spoil sport." Sirius poked his tongue out at Lily, but he could see her point. Eutychius Hillianus had made his presence known to them two days before, and he had taken an instant disliking to Sirius, probably because of Sirius' cocky attitude. Anyway, the result was a sort of cold war between the two of them.

"Right, guys, I think I've got it." James said, triumphantly.

"Okay, someone make a note of this. James actually worked in a lesson." Lily teased.

"You two are made for each other." Bobbie said. "Why aren't you together?" At that the whole table burst into gales of laughter. "What? What's so funny?" Emily managed to stop choking for long enough to explain.

"They've been together since they were 16 years old." She informed their new friend. "They're getting married in May."

"Oh." Bobbie looked sheepish. "Well no one told me."

"Sorry Bob." Remus apologised. "We're sort of used to it. It's not something we think to tell people." James cleared his throat, and everyone turned to look at him.

"Oh, yeah, the solution." Bobbie shot him a stunning smile, and raised her eyebrows.

"Yes. We've all been looking at this the wrong way." James began. "We've been trying the let's not get caught approach, and that's how the traps are bugging us. If we go along here," he traced a corridor with his finger, "then we get to this door here. Now, apparently, you need the key to open the door, but one of the things we've learnt is how to transfigure something to fit a lock, so it'll be dead simple. So we're past the first obstacle. Then, if we go along here, we come to a secret passage. But we need the password. Simple. Use the Entrio spell, and the portrait will tell it to you. So then, you've got a direct route to where you want to go."

"Yeah, but James, while you're doing all this, anyone could see you. And I doubt that they'd agree you were a death eater." Lily informed him.

"So you use the invisibility cloak." James informed her. Bobbie opened her mouth, but he beat her to it. "Yeah, I know you don't have one. Try the disintigria charm. That should work."

"Exactly Mr Potter. Well done. You've cracked it." The six of them looked up to see Professor Seranad. "I think you've picked up the basic theory of the course. So, between the six of you, you've managed to solve the puzzle. Admittedly, Mr Potter did the final part, but I've been observing, and it took Miss Trevallion, Mr Black and Mr Lupin's input to get into the building in the first place, and then it was Miss Gillymedows and Miss Samuelson who found the way past the enchanted door. I think you're ready for some practical testing.

"Jolly." Roberta said happily.

"Bobbie?" Lily began.

"What?" Bobbie asked.

"Do you mind telling me what's jolly about practical testing?"

"Hey, if it's practical, I don't think I'll be sleeping." Bobbie informed her. "Besides working things out on paper is one thing. Actually carrying them off is a completely different kettle of fish."

"Thanks for that observation." James said, dryly. "Anyone would think that we're doomed."

"I doubt it." Emily said. "Hey, you two pretended to be Death Eaters and got out of it alive."

"They did?" Bobbie said. "When?"

"When Emily's pal's in the United States of America required our help." James told her. "And we saw Voldemort."

"Weren't you scared?" Bobbie asked. "And why don't you call him 'you know who' or 'he who must not be named'? Every time I say Voldemort at the office they practically kill me."

"Were we scared?" Lily asked. "Um, yes. Why Voldemort? Because that's his name. And using someone's name gives you power. Hence you use it to your advantage. Plus it scares his henchmen."

"Do you reckon I could join you guys if I applied for a transfer?" Bobbie asked. "I mean, considering I'm older than you lot, you all seem to have loads more fun than me."

"Bobbie, I don't call listening to Voldemort rambling on about how great he is fun, but never mind that. You could always apply. You never know."

Chapter 18 – Practical Testing

"Right, so, what's the scenario?" Bobbie asked. They were at the beginning of the practical test, and Bobbie, being Bobbie, had been late, and missed the briefing.

"Well, we're rescuing a woman, Eleonora Sweets, from this castle." Lily gestured towards the castle.

"And?"

"And that's it." Lily replied. "Seranad gave us a map, the rest is up to us. James, Sirius, Remus and Emily are pouring over it as we speak. It might be a good idea to join them."

So, six people, three male, three female, had a conference of war at a makeshift table hidden in a leafy glade in the forest close to the castle. After half an hour, Bobbie began to get restless.

"How long do we have to do this?" she asked.

"Three days maximum. We're hoping to make it one, because I really don't want to spend the night in there." Lily told her, shivering.

"Why not?" Bobbie asked. "It could be cool."

"Bobbie, how many times have you been on the receiving end of a full blown unforgivable?"

"In training." Bobbie replied.

"Okay, it wasn't full blown then. Well, I've been subjected to them more often than I'd like to admit, and both times the castle looked a lot like this. The sooner we're out of there, the better. Someone'll give you the full scoop when we've finished."

After 45 minutes, they finally figured out how they were going to get into and out of the castle. They couldn't apparate or disapparate because there were wards around the castle that prevented this. However, they could get in.

"We have to swim to the entrance." James informed them.

"Swim?" Lily asked. "What's wrong with walking?"

"Nothing, but can you walk on water Lily?"

"Okay, I see your point. Come on then, lets get this over with."

So, they slowly and stealthily made their way to the castle, and eventually made it to the river. Then, the six of them swam to the entrance, a good 50 metres.

"It's just as well all of us can swim." A soaking Lily muttered when they were all at the entrance. "I don't think this is the best place to practise that kind of lifesaving."

"Lil, instead of moaning, try drying yourself off." Emily told her. "Unless you actually want pneumonia." So Lily used the drying charm to rid herself of excess water. Then they entered via the smuggling corridor.

"Okay guys, we're getting to the tricky bit." Remus, the map-reader, informed them all. "The enchanted door. This one goes with riddles, so I hope you're good at them."

"Marvellous." Sirius told him. "Come on Moony, get a move on."

The door, when they reached it, was huge and made of oak. When they stopped in front of it, a face appeared.

"Halt. Before you may pass you must answer a riddle. You have five minutes to complete it. Are you sure you want to continue?"

"Yes." Remus replied, firmly.

"What flies, has arms and legs, and can cast spells?"

"A bird?" James looked at Lily, willing her to know the answer. "James, how many birds do you know with arms and legs, that can cast spells."

"Okay, if it can cast spells then it's magical. And if it's got arms and legs, the chances are it's humanoid." Bobbie said. "But it flies. That counts pixies out."

"Pixies." Emily said, the light dawning."

"No Emily, it can't be pixies, they can't fly."

"No, but Pixies are fairy folk. And fairies can fly. They have two arms, two legs, fly and cast spells. The answer is fairies."

"Is that your answer?" the door asked.

"Yes." Emily replied. The door creaked open. "Oh hallelujah. We were right. Come on chaps, onwards and upwards." Emily gestured towards the stairs.

"Um, Emily, we have one small problem. We don't know what stairs do what." Lily said, tentatively.

"Yeah, but there are six of us. I'll go first, and you guys can come behind me. That way, if I'm falling, one of you can catch me." She climbed the fist step tentatively. Nothing happened. She was about to go on, but Lily suddenly had a brainwave.

"Em, mark the stairs that are safe." She handed her friend a piece of chalk. "That way the last person to come up will be safe."

"You carry chalk around with you." Emily looked at her, startled.

"Hey, you never know what might come in handy." Lily replied, with mock hurt. Emily bent down and drew a star on the first stair. They worked their way up, the only serious problem occurring when Emily nearly fell through one of the stairs. Luckily, James, who was behind her, grabbed a flailing hand, and with Sirius' help, hauled her up to safety. Eventually, they all reached the top in one piece. Sirius pushed the door at the top of the stairs open, and they came to a gallery.

"Right." James said. "One of these pictures is the entrance we're looking for."

"No, you don't say." Emily said, sarcastically. "The question, smarty, is which one?"

"No idea." James said cheerfully. "Anyone?"

"My guess is that one." Lily said, pointing to a picture showing a bird's eye view.

"Any particular reason why?" Sirius asked, curiously.

"Nope. Just a hunch." Lily replied, cheerfully. "But this, she held up a ribbon, just in front of the portrait, "suggests that I'm right." The others agreed.

"Entrio" Lily aimed her wand at the picture. In black letters, the words Jiminy Cricket showed up. "Jiminy Cricket." Lily said, as the words faded. The portrait opened to yet another fight of stairs. The six of them repeated their earlier performance, and five hours after the start of the mission, they reached what was, according to the map, their final destination. James pushed the door open. Inside the room was a girl of about eighteen years.

"Eleonora Sweets?" Lily asked.

"That me." She said, tearfully. "What do you want now?"

"To take you home." Bobbie told the girl.

"Um, Bobbie." Emily said, tentatively. "How're we getting out of here?"

"Transfiguration." Bobbie replied. She used some kind of karate move to chop the chair into four pieces, and then muttered a spell to produce four odd looking brooms. James and Sirius looked at each other and then butted in.

"Bob, that is hopeless." Sirius told her. He muttered a spell, and four normal brooms materialised. "Much better," he said, satisfied. He, James and Remus each mounted a broom. Emily shrugged and took the first. James smiled at Lily, who jumped up behind him. Bobbie joined Remus, and Sirius took Eleonora. They arrived back at the College seven hours after arriving at the castle, exhausted but cheerful.

"Well done." Professor Seranad greeted them. "I was expecting you to take longer figuring it out. You've just set a new record. Are you okay Eleonora?"

"Fine." The girl replied. "And I won't miss classes tomorrow. Thanks you lot. Can I go now?" she asked Seranad.

"Off you go. Thanks El. Well, you lot, you've finished the course, which means you have two days to do what you like in. I'll let your superiors know you've passed with flying colours. Ta ra."

Chapter 19 – Emily

Emily Samuelson liked her work as an auror. But she had felt that she wasn't working to her full potential once her father had been reinstated as America's Senator for Sorcery. Her job lacked the excitement that it had once had. She suspected that it had something to do with her meeting Lily Trevallion and James Potter again after several years. They were and extrovert pair, and somehow, wherever they were action followed. Not that Emily envied them. Far from it. She knew that every time they embarked on a mission they put their lives on the line, but to her that was what being an auror was about. And as the Senator for Sorcery's daughter, she felt the American Association of Aurors mollycoddled her. Sighing, she waited for her father's head to appear in the grate of Lily's fire. She didn't wait long.

"Emily?" Joseph Samuelson regarded his only daughter and youngest child critically. Emily had two elder brothers, Gareth and Nathaniel.

"Hi Daddy!"

"How're you, sweetheart?"

"Fine. You know the course I went on? Well, Lily, James, Sirius and Remus were there too. And we met this other girl, Roberta Gillymedows, and now she wants to join the BSA's central office."

"That's nice honey. So you're enjoying yourself then?"

"Yeah. And that's what I wanted to talk to you about. Daddy, I want to stay in Britain."

"For how long?"

"I don't know. A year, two years, forever? All I know is that here I feel like I'm helping. Back home, well, to be honest daddy, they're so scared of what you'd do to them if I did something dangerous, that I honestly feel I'm in the way."

"Emily, it's your life. Your mother and I will always support you, whatever you chose to do. Even if you choose to do something that takes you halfway around the world. We can respect that. Are you sure this is what you want to do?"

"Positive." Emily replied earnestly.

"Then I'm proud of you sweetie. Good luck. Em, I've got to go now. Duty calls."

"Okay Daddy, I'll see you later. Write soon. Love to mom. And Dad, Thanks."

"For what? See you Em."

"Bye Dad."

Once her father had disappeared, Emily did a victory dance around the room. Then, she found herself a piece of parchment and began a letter to Bobbie.

Dear Bobbie,

How're you doing? Are you still looking for a partner to join the BSA central office with you? If so, look no more. Seriously, Bob, I'm staying in Britain. I've cleared it with my father, and he's behind me all the way. What do you think chum? Shall we make the alliance of the century, and knock them dead with our dare devil stunts? Obviously, we need to find somewhere to stay, but Lily's moving out of her apartment when she marries James. Actually, James is moving out of his too, but Lily's is nicer. They're getting a house. Write back soon.

Luv

Emily

Emily went to the nearest Post Office, and sent the letter with an owl to Bobbie's current residence. Within two hours, she had her reply.

Emily!

Long time no see! How are you? Em, I love you! No one here wants to transfer, and I really think I should. And to be your partner! That'd be fantastic. Good on you for doing what you want to. Sure, we can stay at Lily's place, once she leaves it. It really is fabulous that you're staying here. We'll apply in writing, and see what happens. Good Luck!

Bobbie

While Emily was reading this missive, she heard the door slam shut.

"Lily? Did you have a nice time?"

"I don't know about Lily, came a gruff male voice, "but I plan on having a good time, yes."

"What the-! Who the heck are you?" Emily asked, brusquely.

"You don't need no names little lady. Let's just say I'm a friend. And you'll be coming with me." Emily moved her hand towards her wand.

"I wouldn't advise doing that. I might get nasty."

When Lily arrived home half an hour later, her apartment, normally spic and span, was a mass of broken furniture and blood. Lying on the floor was a lifeless form. Emily.

"James!" Lily screeched, loud enough to get the attention of the entire block of aurors. Fortunately for her, James was close enough to her home to hear her.

"Lil? Lily!" he entered the room to see Lily cradling Emily in her arms, attempting to stop the bleeding. "What happened Lil?"

"I don't know." Lily told him. "I've only just got in."

"Um Lil, I don't think that's working."

"No you don't say." Lily replied sarcastically. "Try phoning 999."

"Lily, you don't have a phone. Why don't we apparate to St. Samuels?"

"Because that's sensible." Lily replied. Then, holding tightly to her battered friend, she disapparated. Satisfied that they were gone. James disapparated as well.

Chapter 20 - At St Samuels

The Accident and Emergency department of the hospital was always busy, but when Lily turned up, all eyes were fixed on the limp burden she had stumbled to the floor with. Emily, though slight, was both taller and heavier than Lily, and while Lily was strong, she didn't have the muscular capacity to carry her friend wherever she needed to go. Fortunately for her, James Potter was close behind.

"Lil? Let me take her." He stooped, and gently took Emily into his arms as though she weighed no more than a rag doll. Lily stood up, and the two of them made their way to the triage nurse. Seeing the bundle in James' arms, she gasped.

"I'll get someone onto it straight away. Room 4. First on the left."

They had been waiting for five minutes, when a rather dishevelled looking Felicity turned up.

"Flick! I thought you worked on paediatrics." Lily exclaimed.

"I do, but all the A&E doctors are busy, and I'm the most qualified person to relieve them. What are you two doing here?"

"It's Emily." James explained, sombrely. "Lil found her like this. We went out this evening, and Em wanted to stay in to speak to her dad. So we left her. Well, this is what we found when we got back."

Felicity made a brisk examination, and began to mutter simple spells to heal the body in front of her. After half an hour, she looked at her friends calmly.

"Right, I've stopped all life threatening bleeds, and done my best to patch her up, now I'm going to try and get a bed in intensive care. She's not out of the woods, but if we're lucky she'll make it. You two might want to go home and get changed. Oh, and Lil, perhaps you could get hold of Mr and Mrs Samuelson. I'm sure they'll want to know."

"Okay. Flick; tell mum that I'll be around tomorrow indefinitely. I want to sit with Em until her parents show up." Lily told her friend. Then she and James apparated back to her apartment.

Looking at the scene of desecration in front of him, James wrinkled his brow. Once clean and shiny, it was now little more than rubble. He turned to a suspiciously red-eyed Lily.

"Lil, you can't stay here. For one thing, it's not exactly habitable, and for another, whoever attacked Emily could easily get to you. Come and stay with me tonight."

"What about clothes?" Lily asked.

"You can borrow some of mine."

"I'll need turn ups of about six inches." Lily complained. "Thanks James. I really didn't relish the thought of staying here."

"It's all right."

From James apartment, Lily owled Emily's parents. The reply came swiftly. Mr and Mrs Samuelson were coming at once.

The next day, Lily arrived at the hospital wearing James' jeans and a sweatshirt. Both items of clothing drowned her, but the alternatives were to wear nothing, or top wear yesterday's blood stained clothes. Her first stop was the paediatrics ward, where Flick was working as normal. The brunette raised her eyebrows at her friends' attire.

"What's wrong with your wardrobe?" she asked her friend.

"It's non-existent." Lily replied. "How's Emily?"

"She's doing okay." Flick told her. "She's stabilised since last night, and we're pretty sure she'll make it. But the first 24 hours are critical."

"I'm going to see her." Lily said.

"I suggest you take yourself home to Aunt Evie and Uncle Hugo, and change into your clothes before taking residence at Emily's bedside." Flick told her.

"Nope. Em's mum and dad will be here soon. They said they'd be here as soon as they could when I owled them last night. James has gone to the airport to meet them. It's too far to apparate. Anyway, I don't want Em to be alone for any longer than she has to be."

Lily made her way to the Intensive Care Unit, and found her friend. Emily, long and lanky, was gaunt and white against the bedspread.

"Hey Em! How're you doing?" Lily asked, softly. "You're mum and dad'll be here soon. You've got to get better as fast as possible; otherwise you might miss the wedding. Not that it's that big a deal, but I thought you might like to come. I was going to invite Bobbie too. She's a nice girl. My mum would approve. I'm staying at home until you wake up, to give your parents moral support and everything." She sighed gustily. Lily hated hospitals with a passion, but she wasn't going to leave Emily alone in this one. She thought back. The last time she'd been here was to visit Amy Militaris, and the little girl had long since been released. She and Kat were still best friends, and saw each other at least once a week. Lily smiled. Kat was dead set on Amy being one of Lily's bridesmaids, but Lily cautiously declined from saying anything before speaking to Deborah and Paul Militaris about it. Then she came back to the present, and Emily. She realised that she was going to meet her friend's parents, and only wished that it were in better circumstances. For hours she sat there, talking to her friend, willing her to be strong. She was in the middle of telling Emily every detail of her wedding plans when a strong hand fell on her shoulder.

"You must be Miss Trevallion." Joseph Samuelson regarded the petite redhead with interest. "I'm Joseph Samuelson. Emily's father. Thank you for waiting with her."

"It was nothing." Lily informed him. "I mean, if it was me, I'd hate to be by myself."

"My wife's coming later, she's taking care of the hotel and notifying our sons of Emily's condition."

"She is getting better," Lily told him, "and everyone agrees that she's a fighter."

"She wants to stay here you know." Joseph told her. "I spoke to her about it last night. She felt that you guys over here needed her. Now look at her. Lying in a hospital bed. If she'd just come home, she'd have been safe."

"We're already investigating." Lily soothed him. "James, my fiancé, he met you at the airport. Anyway, he and Sirius and Remus are analysing at the moment. As soon as Emily is well enough to talk, we'll have enough information to lock whoever it was up for good."

"God bless you." Joseph took one of Lily's hands. "You're a good girl. My Emily thought the world of you and your friends. The English gang, she called you. She was ever so excited at the thought of seeing you again."

"Em's the best." Lily agreed.

Emily grew steadily better in the week that followed Joseph Samuelson's arrival, but she did not regain consciousness. Then, exactly nine days after she was admitted, her mother and father were with her.

"Come on Em. Wake up honey, mom and dad are here for you." Fiona Samuelson pleaded with her daughter.

"Mom?" Emily's eyes flickered open, and she looked at her mother. "Where am I? What happened?"

"You're in hospital sweetie." Fiona explained. "You were attacked."

"I 'member." Emily replied, thoughtfully. "It was horrible mom, and then he left me, and I tried to scream, but I just couldn't." Emily burst into tears, and her mother held her.