'So I just veered it down, slid along the field in front of their house and managed to put my foot on the, did you call it brakes? And we just kind of stopped,' Y/N finished.

'I know that Mr Weasley is fascinated with the ways that we live our lives, but honestly, some of the things you wizards come up with. It's a wonder most non-magical folk have no idea about your existence,' said Mrs Granger from the front seat.

'We have departments in the Ministry that tend to cater to the worst cases, Mr Weasley's especially. He's handled all sorts from what I know. I've only heard bits, but he's been up and down the country tending to all sorts of magical objects that find their way into mu- non-magical folk's possession.'

'You can use muggles if you want to,' said Mr Granger. 'I promise it doesn't offend us.'

'Right, sorry,' said Y/N with a weak smile. 'Just used to speaking to Witches and Wizards.'

'From the way Hermione has told us, her being Muggleborn is a point of pride. She's there to show that it means nothing. Therefore, we're happy to be known as muggles,' said Mrs Granger smartly.

'Well both she and you should be very proud. She's better than those several years our senior and is only getting better,' said Y/N, staring fondly at Hermione who went scarlet.

He was sat in the back of the Granger's car alongside Hermione. It'd taken him a moment to get used to idea of a seatbelt. It felt odd. Mr Weasley's car hadn't had one, and neither had the broom. But apparently, they were a muggle law.

They'd been driving for a short while now. Hermione had said her house wasn't far from the Leaky Cauldron but that they'd be driving for about twenty minutes. This did not phase Y/N as he was quite enjoying seeing exactly how muggle driving worked. He didn't think the difference between being in the air and ground would be that different, but it very much was.

There were around ten new features that Mr Granger was using as if they were second nature that Y/N hadn't even touched in Mr Weasley's Ford Anglia. Plus, with the other cars and the lights, crosswalks, and signs around he could see how it would be much worse for them.

'Okay so I get red and green,' whispered Y/N, leaning in towards Hermione, 'but what does it mean when it goes into that yellowy/orange colour?'

'It's basically a warning that it's about to change,' she whispered back, smiling endearingly. 'If it's just been green, it's about to go red and vice versa. It's warning people to either slow down or get ready.'

'This is weird,' Y/N said, turning his eyes back onto the window. 'Brooms are much easier.'

'They also can't hold as many people. And they're in the air. You know my opinion on that.'

'True, I mean I'm sure I'll learn with time but-'

'Learn?' asked Hermione. 'You're intending to learn to drive like a muggle?'

'Well, yeah?' asked Y/N confused. 'You're a muggle and we're dating. I'm going to need to know how to one day if we stay together. Can't exactly show up to your parents on a broom can we? What?' he added as Hermione threw him a radiant smile.

'Nothing!' she said happily, turning to smile at her mother who reflected the same look.

'I don't get what I've done?' said Y/N confused.

'Don't worry about it,' said Mr Granger from the front. 'She just appreciates you taking an interest in us.'

Y/N spent the rest of the car ride in a state of semi-confusion.

Finally, they pulled up alongside the Granger household. Y/N clambered out of the backseat and moved around to the boot where he grabbed his trunk. Hermione appeared at his side and scooped up Ves' cage and together, the two of them moved towards the Granger household.

'Just right at the top of the stairs,' said Mrs Granger warmly, indicating them as Y/N stepped inside. 'Hermione will show you which room, she's the only other door up that way.'

'Appreciate it,' said Y/N panting slightly from the weight of his trunk. He and Hermione made their way upstairs. There were only two doors on the right of the landing and Hermione opened the one on the right side. Y/N followed her in

The room itself was fairly bland, uncovered and painted a default light blue, but that was exactly how Y/N liked it. His room at home didn't reflect much of himself either. And besides, it was better than feeling like he was intruding. A bed lay in a corner with a chest of drawers alongside and a desk had been moved in just inside the doorway.

'I thought you might like the desk,' said Hermione brightly, indicating it. 'I know you have one at home and I'm sure you haven't really been able to get much work done. Otherwise, sorry there isn't really much to it. We don't get visitors often.' but Y/N shook his head.

'Honestly, it's brilliant. I like the minimality. And I appreciate you all having me for so long and early.'

'Of course!' said Hermione brightly as she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist. 'Thank you for coming. I know it's only been a couple of weeks or so, but I really missed you.'

'I missed you too, 'Mione. But I'm here now and I'm here till you kick me out.'

Hermione gave him a squeeze then looked up at him.

'I'm going to go check in with mum and dad, find out what the plan is. Feel free to unpack and use anything. This is your room until you leave,' and with a warm smile, she slipped out of the room.

Y/N folded down his trunk and snapped it open before scooping up some of his muggle clothes and beginning to put them away in the top drawers. His robes and Hogwarts stuff would go in the lower ones, he'd have no need for them whilst staying with the Grangers.

He knelt down to begin putting them away and felt his hand wrap around something a bit more solid. He looked down to see his wand holster in his hand. He'd hardly need that either. He reached over to drop it into the drawer… and felt himself pause.

It just looked like a glove whilst he was wearing a shirt. There was no harm in it was there? I mean if he wasn't using magic then he didn't need to use it, but he couldn't get told off just for carrying it.

'Better to have it and not need it,' he said, attaching the holster to his wrist. He'd felt oddly naked without it over the last weeks and the Granger's were far less likely to tell him off for wearing it than his mother was.

'How's it going?' asked Hermione around ten minutes later as she stepped back inside and looked around.

'Good,' said Y/N. 'Clothes are all away. Everything else, cauldron, books and stuff are in the trunk under the bed, and I've used a couple of the drawers on the desk. Store some loose scraps and stuff. What's the plan?'

'Nothing for today!' said Hermione brightly. 'Mum and dad thought it would be good to let you settle in and get your bearings. New house and all that. Let you wind down and us spend some time together, though they'd like a chat later if you're up for that. Just getting to know you.'

'Of course! But until then,' and Y/N plonked himself down on the bed, patting the spot next to him which Hermione happily took and begin speaking animatedly about the work she'd been doing over the holidays.

Much like Y/N, Hermione had begun attempting extended revision, attempting to prepare themselves for any and all outcomes.

Following Harry's declaration of Trelawney's prediction, both had been somewhat on edge. Whilst they weren't expecting anything to come of it anytime soon, the prediction had declared that Voldemort would return. And whether that was five or fifty years from now, they'd need to be ready. Neither was panicking, but they were both now attempting to plan for the inevitability. And worst case, if he never returned, they'd have a few extra spells.

'What did you manage to get?' she asked as she came to a stop.

'Right. You can't tell mum about this,' said Y/N cautiously. Hermione's eyes immediately narrowed in suspicion. 'I'm not doing anything wrong! I just don't think she'd approve. I was using my ability to do it and she always gets really worried whenever I push myself too far with it. But I was being careful!' he added as Hermione's eyes got even narrower.

She let out a sigh and then nodded.

'I trust you. I promise I won't tell her.'

Y/N got up and moved over to the desk, pulling open one of the drawers and withdrawing from inside his illustrations of the enchantments surrounding his house. He splayed them out across the surface and gestured Hermione over.

'Woah…' said Hermione, awestruck, as she gazed down at the illustrations and incantations. 'These are really complex, Y/N. Beyond N.E.W.T complex. You've even got the Protean Charm in here! How did you find these?'

Y/N explained the new step to his ability that he'd found and the visions that rolled through his brain when he focused in hard enough. By the end of his explanation Hermione was wide-eyed.

'So, you just focus on an existing enchantment and as long as it's not too overwhelming, you can see who cast it and how?' summarised Hermione.

'Pretty much, takes a bit more out of me if the caster did it non-verbally, but as long as I'm careful and don't push myself too hard, I can pick out most things.'

'That's incredible!' squealed Hermione, hugging him so tight that Y/N felt something crack. 'Just think about all the amazing things you could do with this! You could find out all about Hogwarts enchantments!'

'I was thinking that,' said Y/N, 'alongside those at the Quidditch World Cup and any they might have put up around the Burrow. Should give us a big head start.'

'This already has,' said Hermione, looking back at the notes. 'And here I was trying to learn Protego Duo like Remus showed us.'

'I think we still should. Horribilis looks ridiculously complex and as though it's better suited to houses and things. I doubt we'd need something that powerful for duels. The spell would probably hit us before we even got the cast off. Might be worth trying non-verbal magic as well like Remus told us about.'

Hermione nodded along.

'I wonder what defences the Burrow actually has up,' she said thoughtfully. 'They're a full wizard family so I imagine it's got some, especially with how big you've told me it is.'

'Speaking of, have you heard from Ginny at all?'

Hermione shook her head.

'She doesn't have an owl and neither do I. I imagine Errol could make the trip, but she probably knew it wouldn't be long before you got here.' Y/N took out Ginny's latest letter and Hermione's eyes scanned it quickly.

'We- we're sharing a room?' she stammered, going slightly pink.

'Yeah, as long as you're okay with it,' said Y/N. 'It'll only be for sleeping, I'll go into another room whilst you two are changing and stuff.'

'Yeah, yeah of course it's fine,' said Hermione quickly, 'just unexpected. To be honest, I was worried you'd be sharing with some of the Weasleys.'

'Is that a bad thing?'

'Well no… I just… I like being able to come and speak to you if I can't sleep. Like we could at Minerva's or we can here. I know we can't really at Hogwarts, but it's nice to know I could call you down to the Common Room or something.'

'Well I'll be in the same room as you,' said Y/N brightly, 'and I'm sure Ginny won't care as long as we aren't too loud.'

'What's this bit at the top?' asked Hermione, spinning the parchment around and pointing to it. 'What are you meant to know that she doesn't?'

'Right, so, you can't tell any of them this either. Not 'till we get to Hogwarts. Mrs Weasley made me promise I wouldn't tell anyone. Just… y'know. You get special treatment.'

Hermione glowed.

'They're hosting the Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts this year.'

'What?' cried Hermione. 'Isn't that the tournament that got banned because people kept dying?'

'Yes, and I'd keep it down before your parents hear,' hissed Y/N. 'Hardly want them knowing we're going back to that. But they're putting an age restriction on things this time. No one under 17 can enter and it's all optional. You have to be the one to put your name in. They're doing everything in their power to keep things safe. Mums been working like mad since we got back, that's why she ended up so busy.'

Hermione was biting her lip looking very nervous and she ran her hand through her hair.

'I don't like this, Y/N. It doesn't feel right.'

'No. It doesn't,' agreed Y/N. 'But there's not much we can do. Luckily, we aren't forced into it, or I'd be a lot more worried, we're just going to have to wait and see. There's also… well… um…'

Y/N could feel himself getting very hot under the collar. Surely it wasn't that difficult to ask her?

He felt Hermione wrap her hand around his and he looked into her eyes. Those deep brown eyes that he loved so much.

'Come on, you can talk to me,' she said gently.

'They host a Ball. The Yule Ball. They host it around Christmas time. Your letter from Hogwarts will ask for Dress Robes for it. I was wondering if you maybe wanted to go with me?'

Hermione's face cracked into a wide joyous smile.

'Of course I would! That would be wonderful. It'll be nice to have an excuse to get all dressed up. Have you already got your dress robes then?'

'Mums ordering them, they'll be arriving soon,' said Y/N, feeling light as a feather. It was nice to know that was already sorted. Would save him a lot of stress in the build-up. 'I can colour change them if I don't agree.'

'I'm going to have to get a dress! Looks like you aren't coming with me when I go to do that,' said Hermione with a wink. 'Want to keep it a surprise for the big night.'

Y/N leant in and kissed her, he could feel her smiling into it and hoped she was as happy as he felt. She certainly looked it.

'I love you.'

'I love you too, Y/N,' and she beamed.

'That turned out a lot easier than I thought it was going to be,' said Y/N, letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding. 'Been trying to psyche myself up for that one for a while.'

'Did you think I was going to say no?' asked Hermione.

'Well… kind of. I'm not great at dancing and I thought maybe someone else would have caught your eye or-' he was silenced as Hermione kissed him.

'Shut up, Y/N. I've danced twice in my life and both of them have been with you. I want the third to be as well.'

'Wait. That time in front of the fire-?'

'Was my first-time dancing as well, yes.'

'But you made it look so easy.'

'Because I was doing it with confidence. It's easy to fake it if the other person doesn't know what they're doing either. Besides, you showed me up at Nick's party.'

'Then I guess the Yule Ball is our chance to both get it right,' Y/N couldn't help the smile creeping back up his face. Luckily, neither could Hermione.

'Come on,' she said after a few moments, 'Mum and dad want to get to know you a little bit.'

Y/N spent a very lovely afternoon with the Grangers. They asked him all sorts of questions around his upbringing and life in the wizarding world, whilst he in turn threw out the occasional question to some of the things around the house. He could definitely see why Mr Weasley found this stuff fascinating. How could they have a box that just kept things cold without magic?

As the evening rolled in, they shared a meal together. Once finished, Hermione and Y/N bade goodnight to the Grangers before retiring upstairs.

'See you in a second,' whispered Hermione with a wink before she slipped into her bedroom.

Y/N stepped into the guest room and was immediately greeted with a cacophonous twittering.

'I told you I'd be here!' he said, looking up at the very indignant looking grey barn owl sat on top of the desk. 'I mentioned- what?' he added as she clicked her beak at him and then he saw it. Resting on the desk in the room was a letter.

'Oh right!' He withdrew one of the drawers and threw a treat to the owl who caught it and immediately changed to a look of extreme smugness. 'Such a drama queen,' he added as he sank onto the chair. He picked up the letter and his stomach did a somersault

The writing was Remus'.

'Did you go looking for him?' and Ves gave a satisfied hoot. 'You didn't need to do that!'

Ves was still supporting the same smug look.

'You're learning from me too well girl. You really are my owl' and with a laugh, he threw her another treat. He waited quietly until there was a soft knock at the door. He got up and opened it and Hermione practically threw herself at him.

'You saw me five minutes ago!' said Y/N happily as he returned the hug.

'Yeah, but I felt like doing it,' said Hermione happily, before looking around at the quiet hooting and squealing with delight when she saw Ves had returned.

'Speaking of,' said Y/N as Ves fluttered down to greet Hermione. 'Where's Crookshanks?'

'Out there somewhere,' said Hermione, gesturing vaguely with a slight smirk. 'He's smart. He'll find his way back. It's easier to just let him come and go as he pleases.'

'Well,' said Y/N pointedly before moving over to his desk and picking up the letter. 'Ves brought it, it's from Remus.'

Hermione's eyes widened.

'Have you heard from him?'

'This is the first time. From the sounds of it, Ves went looking for him. Reckon she overheard me talking about writing to him if I didn't hear from him.'

Ves hooted.

'She's such a good girl,' cooed Hermione.

Y/N gave a laugh before sliding open the envelope, withdrawing the parchment inside and reading aloud.

'Dear Y/N,

I hope you are well. I am sorry I had not been able to write before this, but I have had no means of getting in contact with you. I have been on the move constantly since Hogwarts. I saved up the majority of the wage Albus paid me and it's allowing me to survive, but places are still refusing me and it's growing slightly more stressing. Albus has of course offered work up at the castle, but I couldn't willingly do that to the students.

But please don't take this as an excuse to begin worrying about me. My life has been this way for years and I have no doubt will be for many more. I'll get by. I hope you are well and Hermione if you have seen her. Even if I do not write, my thoughts are with you both and I'm keeping my eyes on the Daily Prophet for any news.

Both of you keep on top of your studying. You have a truly wonderful intellect and I trust you both to do wonderful things.

Hoping to see you soon,

Remus.'

Y/N exhaled slowly.

'How can he say all of that to me and then not expect me to worry?' he said, looking up at Hermione. 'He's a good guy, he doesn't deserve this.'

'The prejudice in the wizarding world is disgusting,' said Hermione, looking downtrodden. 'It's purity of blood all over again, just wearing different clothes. Muggleborns, werewolves, even house-elves to a degree. They all have it so badly.'

'Hey Ves. You up for another job?'

The owl hooted softly.

'What's up, Y/N?' asked Hermione as Y/N withdrew his quill and some parchment.

'I can't just sit here. I have to at least try. Even if he's not struggling yet, he's going to be. I can't just leave him to his fate.'

He turned to his desk and began to write.

'Dear Professor Dumbledore,

I am sorry for bothering you. I know you're incredibly busy and this may just be yet another in a long list of impossible requests, but I feel as though I need to try. Remus has written to me recently. He's told me about the situation he faces, the struggles he goes through, and it hurts to read it. I know he's a good man. He deserves better.

Is there anything that can be done for him? Not even necessarily by you or at the school but is there anything I could do in order to help him? I know that's probably more my choice, but any suggestions you had would be most welcome. I am at a loss, and I just want to help.

I understand there may be nothing and if this is the case then so be it. But I want to help.

Hoping to hear from you soon,

Y/N L/N.'

He read the letter out once to Hermione and then folded it up and tied it to Ves' leg. She gave another soft hoot and took off through the open window.

'It's good of you to be trying to look after him like this. That's your compassionate side shining through again,' said Hermione smiling fondly.

'He's talented. No one taught Defence Against the Dark Arts as well as he did. He really knows his stuff. There has to be something we can do. And if anyone knows it, Dumbledore does.'

'Come on,' said Hermione, gesturing towards the bed. 'No more worrying about this now. Let's just chat for a bit, yeah?'

'Of course,' said Y/N. 'You able to turn around though? Ves distracted me and I couldn't get changed.'

Hermione nodded and turned to face the wall.

'No peeeeking,' said Y/N smugly.

'Or what?' said Hermione.

'Or you might see more than you bargained for.'

'And what if I saw exactly what I wanted to?'

'Then turn around and face me.'

He wasn't expecting it. He was just saying it to get the rise out of her. So, when she did turn to face him, smiling smugly with her hands on her hips, he felt the blush creeping up his face, despite the fact he hadn't even begun changing.

'I… umm…'

'Thought not!' sang Hermione as she turned back away from him. 'Now hurry up and change before I get impatient and peek anyway.'

Y/N changed quickly. He didn't think he'd mind if she looked, but no one had ever seen him like that before. Not even the other Gryffindor boys. He always made sure he was behind his curtains when changing and only ever washed when they were all out. He still had some faint bruising from the troll back in his first year.

He just didn't want her to hate what she saw.

Once he'd changed, the two of them lay down on the bed and Hermione slunk in over his arm with her head on his chest and let out a contented sigh.

'We don't even lie like this that often, but it feels right,' she said happily. 'You don't know how much I've been daydreaming about just having you in the room across from me. I'm just able to walk across and poke my head in as often as I want to and you're just here.'

'You can just move your desk in here if you want,' said Y/N with a laugh, 'you're practically going to be in here every day any way to do your work.'

'Well… that… kind of… ismydesk.'

'I really hope I did not just hear what I thought I just heard,' said Y/N, looking down at the mane of bushy brown hair on his chest.

'So plan for tomorrow-' she began quickly.

''Mione,' said Y/N warningly.

'I know you had one at home, and we didn't really have anything like that spare. It was only mine so I thought you could have it 'cause I'd be doing most of my work in here with you anyway.'

Y/N shook his head.

'You're too good to me. You're using it whenever you're in here.'

'We'll take turns,' said Hermione stubbornly. 'It's not like I haven't used a textbook to write on before.'

'It's better than you just giving it to me so fine. What's the plan for the next few days then?'

'Well, mum and dad have booked the next few days off work. They couldn't really get much more than that off, but they wanted to spend the time with both of us. We can head out shopping, head out to the beach, anything you want to do really.'

'I don't really know. I haven't really ever gone anywhere bar Hogwarts. I don't tend to go shopping and I've never been to a beach or park or anything.'

Hermione gasped as her head shot up to look at him.

'Well I know what we're doing then! Probably not tomorrow 'cause we'd need to prep some bits but maybe the day after. We should probably get you a swimming costume as well! Although I don't know how much we'll use it past this summer. Maybe it'll be worth just skipping on the ocean. But you need to try it! Oh! I know! We could-'

''Mione. Breathe. I'm not going anywhere.'

'Right, yeah. Sorry. Just excited, so many things to show you!'

The two of them spent the rest of that evening happily chatting about all the things Hermione was intending to show Y/N. There was little chance they'd manage to get through them all during his stay. This did not stop her from getting up from his chest and making a list of all the things instead, stating that they were some form of a "bucket list" and that she'd make sure he did all of them over the coming years.

It was endearing to see. He knew him and Hermione hadn't been together for long, but he honestly couldn't picture his life without her. It felt like she'd always been there, and he'd be happy with it being that way for a long time.

After a while he insisted Hermione went to bed, otherwise she'd be up all night worrying over specifics. It took her a few attempts to agree but she finally conceded and with a kiss and a wave she was gone. Y/N settled himself into bed and felt sleep overtake him.

Of course.

Of course, it would be tonight.

Not the night where he'd wanted it. The one where he'd specifically prepared himself for it. But the one where he'd seen his girlfriend for the first time in a while and wasn't prepared at all.

His eyes scoured the treeline, the wind whipping up his robes. He felt detached, removed from how the dream usually was.

He forced himself in that direction, towards the castle wall. He needed to know. He may not be prepared, but he was hardly going to let that stop him. His wand shot out of his holster as he leapt into the treeline.

'Lumos!'

The wand-tip ignited.

There! The cloak whipping out of sight. He began to give chase, shooting spell after spell at the retreating cloak. He knew more now. Far more than before.

Depulso, Immobulus, Flipendo. None had the desired effect. They all seemed to pass straight through the cloak as though it was vapour. He supposed it made sense. It was a dream after all, no matter how realistic it felt.

He willed himself to speed up. Surely if this was a dream, then this was him lucid dreaming? And that would then mean he could control everything. The figure in front of him would slow and he could speed up.

But of course, that would be too easy. He wasn't allowed to do that. That would fix all his problems and that wasn't okay. Apparently.

He charged onwards. The slithering was getting louder now, whether the cloaked figure wanted him to or not he was gaining on them. And then in the distance, he saw it again. The flash of flame and something slowly descending into sight. A moment later and he saw something be thrown through the opening. He figured that must be… well. Him.

'ARRESTO MOMENTUM!'

The yell split through the sound of Y/N's footsteps and ragged breathing. That was his dad's voice. And that…

'So that's how I knew it,' he snarled as he pushed himself further. He'd learnt more again already, this couldn't be it.

'What did you do?' came a shrieking voice from the trees ahead. A woman's voice. A new voice.

'Stopped you from ending the lives of one of the greatest wizards of our time,' called his father's voice. He could hear his voice shaking.

'I'm coming, dad.'

'You dare defy his will!' shrieked the woman's voice.

'Hell yes I do! In the same way I defy yours, Bellatrix! Stupefy!'

There was a flash of red light ahead of him. So that was Bellatrix? That shrieking mad sounding woman was the one responsible for Neville's parents and Y/N's father.

'Sounds as evil as I've heard.'

He kept pushing forward, the sound of battling getting louder and louder. He was gaining on the figure in the cloak. And then, he heard it. There was another noise now. Another slithering. From even further ahead. Then the figure ahead of him darted off to the side.

That wasn't meant to happen

Y/N hesitated for a split second before tearing off after the figure that had split away. He had a feeling he knew who the other rustling was. Knew what was going to happen in a few moments. He didn't need to see that.

And sure enough, a few moments later and the high cold voice rang out.

'So. My faithful Death Eaters, my loyal Death Eaters. Couldn't even stop one man from getting a child away from me?'

The malice was evident. Y/N pushed around. He'd lost sight of the other cloaked figure, too distracted with the voice's arrival and declaration.

He was now tailing the edge of the clearing. And ahead of him stood Voldemort, or what he assumed must be Voldemort. He certainly looked the part. The snake like eyes, pale face, and the slits for nostrils. And there, bound and kneeling on the floor a short distance away. His father. He'd never gotten this close before. He could see the resemblance in the face. It hurt to see him like this, even without ever knowing him. Especially without ever knowing him.

Voldemort dropped the Cruciatus curse on his followers as his dads' bindings fell away. He watched as his dad got to his feet and stood there. Staring down Voldemort. And then the flash of green light…

But the dream did not end.

He saw Voldemort stare down at his father's corpse before saying, 'Fetch me Wormtail. If I cannot deal with that child tonight, I shall deal with the other instead. Let us see if the Potter's prove as defiant.'

And in a flash of black smoke, he vanished, the other four Death Eaters present following suit.

'Trust my luck to not see that bit before we met, Pettigrew,' snarled Y/N.

And yet the dream had still not ended. He stepped forward and looked down onto his father for the first time. The resemblance was there, despite Y/N only being fourteen. He could see it in the cheeks and face. His father looked at peace, as though he'd accepted his fate. Happy that he'd at least gotten his son to safety.

'Thanks dad,' whispered Y/N, feeling the tear begin to slip down his cheek. 'I won't ever forget what you did for me. They'll pay. I swear it.'

Something snapped behind him. Y/N span around-

And his heart skipped several beats.

Stepping out of the bushes was the wearer of the second cloak, the one who had darted off the path as he'd been giving chase. She had shoulder length blonde hair that looked as though it had been cut roughly with something sharp, a jagged cut ran along her cheek and the front of her robes were ripped open. She looked as though she'd just been in a fight herself.

But Y/N was drawn to her eyes.

Her (E/C) eyes.

'Mum?'