One.

2002, London

Not a single tear was shed. Only numbness kept the pain at bay.

Nurse Fairchilde gazed at her patient with empathy. Such a shame, really. A young thing like her shouldn't have to suffer so much.

If the elderly nurse only knew...

Two weeks has already passed since that tragic night, sufficient time to heal her physical wounds but not enough time to start the real healing process.

He's back. And wasted no time in bringing hell back in her life.

She was standing by the open window, her long raven-black hair billowing around her shoulders, the red silk robe flowing with the wind. She stood staring at the vastness of the concrete forest of London. She breathed heavily then wrapped her arms around her stomach, as if to keep herself from falling apart.

The elderly nurse approached her, carrying a tray of teacups and biscuits. "Dear, would you care for a cup of tea?" She waved the wand in her hand and instantly, two chairs and a small table appeared beside a corner window.

Anne turned and smiled weakly at her. She nodded, moving slowly toward one chair. Her face remained blank and expressionless as she waited for Nurse Fairchilde to serve her a cup of the steaming tea. Her eyes averted once again to the open window, the gray landscape of the city providing a hypnotizing view.

"The Ministry called for you this morning." Nurse Fairchilde said in a conversational tone. She poured the hot steaming tea into the small cups and settled across from her charge. "Mr. Fudge was most adamant in wanting to come and speak with you but I refused to let him do so. "

Anne smiled wanly as she accepted a cup, "Thank you, ma'am. I don't think I would be very good company right now."

Nurse Fairchilde clucked her tongue, "But you are already feeling better, yes? "Her kind eyes caught the look of sudden despair and shook her head.

Anne lowered the cup and struggled to control her emotions. She still couldn't bring herself to speak of it without the threat of breaking apart. Instead of giving in to her grief, she did what she does best: get wrapped up in her cloak of numbness and hope that the pain would eventually die down.

But it never did.

The pain seemed to feed from her guilt, the guilt that she kept alive within her as a reminder of her failure to protect them. They died for her ... because of her. They died because she failed them.

A lone tear traveled down her smooth pale cheek as she stared unseeingly once again at the forest below. Voices of guilt and remorse plagued her being as she fought to hold herself together. Their screams continue to echo in her head, trapped in the dark chamber of her mind. She believed she would never know peace until she found redemption.

A sudden commotion momentarily distracted her and the nurse. Two men dressed in inconspicuous muggle clothing were creating a racket by the infirmary door. Sirius and Lupin...

"You cannot just barge in here, sir. Hospital regulations state that ..."

Lupin waved the young male Healer away, replying breezily, " We are here to see Miss Sinclair, and her alone."

Several more Healers approached, preventing the two men to walk past the door. "Please sir. Do not be difficult." They brandished their wands as a silent threat.

Sirius chuckled, "Now, now. There is no need for that. Just tell Anne that Sirius and Lupin are here. I am sure she would see us."

"Sirius! Lupin! What are you doing here?" Anne's startled cry broke the tight circle of Healers apart.

They looked at Nurse Fairchilde, who nodded her approval. They stepped aside, hiding their wands beneath their white robes.

Anne walked slowly towards the pair, still mindful of her injuries. Her two friends regarded her with concern and relief. By the time she reached them, she was soon enveloped in a crushing hug, sandwiched between the two.

"We came as soon as we heard. Dumbledore sent us both an owl. I'm so sorry for not having been with you. You see, we were..." Lupin began urgently.

Anne smiled reassuringly, " No worries, luv. I'm fine. Nurse Fairchilde is taking good care of me. In fact, I am to be discharged any day now."

Sirius made a face, "How could you stand the stuffiness here? They should have sent you straight to St. Mungo's!"

Lupin looked at her seriously, "Honestly, how are you keeping up?"

Her eyes clouded for a moment then she replied in a soft voice, " A bit slow in the uptake but I'll cope. I always do. I just wish that ... that they were ... spared ... somehow ..."

Lupin and Sirius continue to hold her between them as her body was immediately wracked with heaving sobs. There was just so much she could take, and in the presence of the two people she loved most in the world, she couldn't keep up with the pretense any longer.

Several minutes passed. The three of them simply stood there, openly comforting each other. When Anne's tears were finally spent, Sirius conjured three chairs at one corner and gestured for them to sit.

Silence reigned for a while, the three of them silently communicated with each other. Lupin broke the quietness and said, "You do know you were not at fault there."

Anne snorted, "How could I think that? I was the one with the power to stop him. But I failed! Even now, I can still feel him, feel him wandering, gathering strength and preparing for his next strike."

Sirius shook his head, "So all the better for you to begin arming yourself now and prepare to fight the next battle. The Order is working harder than ever. Why don't you come back to headquarters with us so you'll see the bigger picture? You know he won't stop until he absorbs your power and holds your heart in his hands. Among other things... "

Anne fell silent. She could feel the weakness her fear and insecurity was causing crawl inside her limbs. "I don't think I can do it anymore..."

"DON'T SAY THAT!" Sirius bellowed. " Anne, you're the strongest person I have ever known. From no other wizard or witch have I witnessed the courage and strength that you have kept alive within you. From no other have I seen the power of the Light radiate more fully than in you. Much blood was shed and numerous lives were sacrificed. Are you just going to walk away from that? Will you let their deaths become a waste? So what if he won this round? The war isn't over yet. And no matter how many times you may deny it, YOU are still the only one who can stop him. You alone have the power, if only you believed in it yourself."

Anne stared at him, recognizing the truth in his words. Her tears dried as her eyes took on a new light.

She was never frail and pathetic. She always knew that. But finding the will to move on has always been her weak spot.

"Don't quit now. Don't give up on us, pet." Sirius looked at her, his tone earnest. "I know you. You're much stronger than you let on. Don't let him destroy you."

Lupin added, "And no matter what happens, always remember that you're never alone in this. You never have been. You still have us, the Order, and even your three crazy pets."

She instantly smiled at this, finding her heart lightened. She knew in her heart that they meant well and that they spoke the truth. She had to continue fighting the good fight, keep her guard up for the next clash with He Who Must Not Be Named.

Anne looked at her friends with a grateful grin, "I don't know how you do it, but I thank you for being here when I need you two the most."

Sirius shrugged, grinning back, "Well, we do have our moments."

"Won't you be missed from your work?"

"Fudge already knows we've set off. I left a note saying we'll be gone for the day." Sirius explained, smirking. Anne clucked her tongue at the two, acting like a schoolmarm.

"Don't worry, we were absolutely careful. I'm sure our presence wasn't detected by anyone." Lupin assured her.

Anne's eyes clouded once again. " I just remembered. How is Harry? I haven't seen him since the Triwizard Cup..."

Sirius had a hard look on his face at the mention of his godson, " He's at the Dursleys'. The safest place for him to be, so says Dumbledore." He said in a clipped voice.

"I'm sure the professor's right. Gramps wouldn't let anything happen to him." Anne used her nickname for the old professor who always treated her as his own. "I was hoping I could say goodbye to him and my other students... before I move on."

She reached inside her robe and took out a letter. Showing it to them, she remarked, "It's from the American Ministry of Magic. They're offering me a new job, one that's a continent away from here. They said they'll be needing help now that You-know-who's back."

Lupin grabbed the said letter and quickly scanned its contents. Sirius asked curiously, "Are you going to take it?"

Anne shrugged, "Gramps said I should take it. I could still work with the Order, and an international collaboration would be most helpful. I'm still thinking about it. It may prove to be another challenge, especially since its located on holy ground." She smiled, "You were the one who said I should start preparing myself."

"It says you are to patrol and report the activities of the Evil Lord's minions. A Witch on Patrol?" Sirius grunted. "I mite dangerous, I should think."

"It's a low profile job, one I need to regroup before I join in the fray again."

Lupin rolled his eyes as Sirius continued to protest. He turned to Anne and asked, "Are you sure about this?"

Anne nodded, "I guess so. "Looking at Lupin, she said wryly, " You forgot to read the part where I have to '...form an alliance with the Slayer.' That's where it gets interesting."

"Wait... a Slayer? But that means..." Lupin started, his eyes widening. He shot a look at Sirius, also sporting a look of shock himself.

Anne sighed, "Yes. I shall be transferring to the Hellmouth. "