Myra awoke to unfamiliar surroundings and a dull ache near the base of her skull. She attempted to sit before a strong, familiar hand eased her back down.

"Honestly," Snape grimaced. "Would you at least try to rest for once in your life."

"Where am I?" she questioned.

"You're at St. Mungo's Hospital. Do you remember what happened?"

"Everything up until Lucius threw me at the wall," she answered honestly. Myra saw Severus' jaw clench and his hand grip into a fist.

"Perhaps you should start at the beginning."

"I went to explain about the baby, except he was furious from the moment I stepped into his office. It was almost as though he went completely insane and he kept telling me to leave before I got hurt. He literally collapsed to the floor in agony, so I couldn't just leave him there. I suppose something in him finally snapped because it was then that he grabbed me by the hair and threw me into a wall." Myra finished, shaking slightly.

"I swear to Merlin I'm going to kill that man," Snape seethed.

"Severus, what about the baby?" Myra demanded, ignoring his comment. He moved to sit in a chair beside her.

"Your children are safe where they belong; Lucius was unable take that from you," he explained gently. "The nurses demand you rest for a few days, though."

"Wait, did you say children?"

"Oh, yes, the doctor said you have two growing in there," he nodded toward her stomach.

"Well nobody can deny that I refuse to do things half-assed," she joked. Myra noticed that he rolled his eyes at her for the first time in ages.

"Severus, may I ask something?"

"Absolutely."

"Am I reading too much into this, or is it odd that Malfoy told me if I didn't leave 'it' would kill him?" She noticed Snape's composure change dramatically and he appeared paler than usual. The whole situation was bothering her and she wondered if perhaps he knew something she didn't.

"Are you certain those were his exact words?" he replied nervously.

"Trust me, the man was on his knees having convulsions; it isn't something I could easily forget."

"Myra I need to speak with Dumbledore before I can say more, but if Malfoy decides to pay you a visit, please make sure there is someone else here with you." He stated firmly, hurrying toward the exit.

"Severus, but --"

"Promise me!"

"Alright I promise, now please be careful!" He nodded curtly, his black robes billowing through the open doorway.

Myra had just dozed off into a restless sleep when she heard a chair squeak across the freshly cleaned linoleum floor. It was enough to make her sit upright in bed.

"Alana you nearly scared me to death!" she breathed, trying to slow her heart rate.

"I'm so sorry!" Alana squeaked in a way that resembled Lucius' house elf. "I thought I'd sneak in quietly while you slept, but this stupid chair wouldn't cooperate."

Myra settled back down in bed trying to relax. "I thought you were Malfoy."

"Oh boy, thanks for the compliment!"

"You know what I mean."

"Yeah, sorry, that probably isn't funny right now. Sorry." Alana attempted to sit without moving the chair.

"I don't fear him in the least."

"No? Well you didn't see what shape you arrived in, but I was there."

"It isn't exactly that simple," Myra shot back, regailing her friend with pieces of the incident at Malfoy manor. She watched as Alana absorbed all that was being said.

"Alright, you have a point, that is odd," she pondered. "However, it doesn't give him the right to beat you senseless."

"As the one beaten, I agree with that. In the long term it would give me peace of mind to know if the insanity was his own or if he's being controlled somehow."

"What does it matter?"

"It matters," Myra paused thoughtfully. "If there's a chance we can put him right. Think about how much easier that would be on everyone."

"Okay, but what if he simply is a crazy old git?"

"Then we lock him securely into Azkaban and throw away the key."

"Very sensible idea, very sensible indeed," Alana nodded. "So what's the next step?"

"I believe Snape has the answer to that question. When I explained the last bit he flew out of here as though he were on fire. He feels it's in my best interest at the moment to have company if Malfoy decides to 'drop by'."

"Right, like we'd leave you alone with the monster," she snorted.

"Could we just stop, please?"

"Fine. Then I want to know how you're feeling and I want the truth."

"I feel like I've been trampled by an entire quidditch team. Not to mention that this stupid headache won't go away."

"Yeah well the candy-coated Lucius fractured your skull, so I'm not surprised."

"Now you're just being flippant."

"I had to get that last joke out of my system or I might explode," Alana winked. "Are they going to let you out of here soon?"

"In a few days," Myra admitted, folding down the crisp linen sheets. "They want to make sure the babies are okay."

"The what?"

"Babies -- didn't anyone tell you?"

"Is this expression that of someone who might be well-versed on the news?" she stated, pointing at her shocked demeanor.

"Not really, no" Myra chuckled.

"Perhaps you're hiding baby hippogriffs under the bed?"

"No, I'm pregnant."

"What, multiple times?"

"Twins -- Severus had the pleasure of breaking that bit of news."

"I suppose I can't hold out hope that they're his?"

"Not unless he impregnated me by way of a handshake, but I have a feeling it doesn't work that way."

"Very cute, Myra. I take it this is how you ended up in here?"

"Yes, I went to see Lucius to explain about the pregnancy."

"I imagine this is a ridiculous question, but you're going to keep them?"

"Of course I am! They are part of me now."

Myra looked up and noticed someone standing in the doorway. She felt a mix of fear and relief to see that it was Lucius. It looked as though he were waiting for someone to leap out and strangle him. Alana followed Myra's gaze, moving her chair more closely toward her friend.

"Do you want him to stay?" Alana whispered.

"Yes."

"Well, Mr. Malfoy, come in if you're going to come in," Alana demanded curtly.

"I'll make this brief," he began, removing his scarf. "I want you to come back with me."

"Are you out of your tree?" Alana broke in astounded.

"I am quite well equipped to take care of her."

"Oh sure you are. You've already fractured her skull -- come to finish the job perhaps?"

"Alana please," Myra begged. "I can't leave with you Lucius, they won't release me for a few days."

Malfoy leaned in as closely as he could manage. "The master has requested your presence and I'd rather not tell him no."

"I need to speak with Lucius alone for a moment."

"But what about --"

"Just a few minutes, I'll be fine."

"But --"

"Alana!"

"I'll be right outside if you need me," Alana shot daggers to Malfoy before slowly making her way into the hall. Myra shifted her gaze back to those grey eyes.

"Okay now explain why Voldemort needs to see me?"

"I wouldn't know," he stated simply.

"Can you give me any reason at all why I should go with you?"

"I'm delivering a message, Myra, that is all."

"And what if you try to kill me again."

"If I wanted you dead, you'd not be lying here, believe me," he drawled. "However, I give you my word that I will not harm you."

Myra stared at him suspiciously. "Well --"

"I do not give my word lightly, it is my bond, my honour -- and even I have certain standards," he extended his hand to her.

"I'm not supposed to exert myself. You may not care about these children, but I do."

"Children?" Lucius raised an eyebrow inquisitively.

"They tell me its twins," she muttered shifting her blanket.

"Fine," he sighed. "I'll carry you then."

"Unless you have a miracle hidden in your coat, how are we to get past my friend?"

"Not a miracle -- a portkey." Malfoy pulled a green scarf from his pocket. He lifted Myra into his arms, wrapping one end of the scarf around his hand and the other to hers.

Outside Alana continued to pace, wishing Myra would call her inside. 'I don't trust that man and I never will,' she thought firmly as several pairs of footsteps rang out on the marble floor. She whipped around to see Snape, Dumbledore and McGonagall approach.

"Where is she?" Snape questioned.

"Inside with Malfoy."

"You left her alone with him?" he snapped.

"I didn't like the idea any more than you do, but it was her wish, and I refuse to upset her anymore than she already is!"

Severus almost knocked McGonagall over, flying past into Myra's hospital room. Within moments he rushed back to the group. "She and Malfoy are gone," he reported. "They must've used a portkey."

"I imagine he's taken her to Voldemort," Dumbledore informed the group. "We must track them -- and quickly."