I opened my eyes the next day and the shock set in. I couldn't move, I didn't want to move. I just wanted to stay in this position until the day I died. I placed a hand on my stomach and began to cry again, shaking with the sobs as it really hit home that I had lost my baby. I could see people moving around in front of me. When I say see, I mean I just knew they were moving, I wasn't taking any notice of who was there. I could hear the sounds of whispers, but not what was being said and I could feel someone holding my hand, but I had no recollection as to whom it might be. I was a body with no soul and even when they forced me to drink a potion to wake me up, I didn't want to be there. I didn't speak to any of my visitors, not even Oliver. I looked at him, held eye contact with him and leant my head against his but I couldn't put the way I was feeling into words. Oliver was very patient and he wouldn't talk to me, he would just hold my hand and look back at me. Unless it was Oliver who was around, no one else even got a look. Draco came to see me, but I had a panic attack because all I could see was his father's menacing eyes. Harry, Ron and Hermione came to visit me too and despite their best efforts, I still wouldn't respond. It was like my mind had given up yet my body was still very much alive. Madam Pomfrey said she couldn't find anything physically wrong with me, other than the marks Lucius had left.

Whilst having my eyes open was bad enough, closing them was even worse. I wouldn't close them unless Oliver was in the bed with me, simply because without his arms around me and him whispering 'I love you' into my ears, all I could see was Lucius Malfoy. Those cold, angry grey eyes, his menacing voice. Every time I closed my eyes, I could see, smell and hear every last thing about him. Madam Pomfrey had to give me a heavy sleeping potion on numerous occasions simply because I couldn't stop screaming.

It was Christmas Day before I made my first journey from my hospital bed. Oliver helped me down to my room before we headed down to have dinner with any others that were still in School. I was most upset when I couldn't see Harry, Ron or Hermione anywhere.

'Where?'

'Ron's dad was attacked by a snake. He's in hospital and they've all gone to see him.'

'Is he ok?'

'He'll survive, it's only because Harry dreamt about it as it happened that he was found in time.'

'That means they get to spend Christmas with…' I stopped short, remembering that Oliver didn't know about Sirius.

'It's ok, Harry informed me about Snuffles and told me the whole story. Harry said he'd say hello to him for you.'

'He better not tell him about what Lucius did.'

'Too late, Harry already did and Dumbledore had to intervene to stop him hunting Lucius down. He was determined that if he was going to go back to Azkaban, it may as well be for something he really did do.' I looked up at the staff table. Professor's Snape, Sprout and Mcgonagall were sitting there with some other students.

'Where's toad face?'

'She was called away by the ministry. Snape is in charge in the mean time.'

'Even though Mcgonagall is here?'

'Umbridge doesn't trust her, reckons she'll try and get Dumbledore back in whilst she's away. I think you can guess why Draco hasn't gone home.'

'Where is he?'

'He said he would be having his dinner with those of his house that were left.' I began to feel faint and Oliver sensed it so he led me up to the top table and we sat down next to each other.

'Welcome back Miss Black. It is good to see you around again.'

'Thank you Professor Snape. I thank you for well, you know what you did. All three of you, thank you.'

'We would have done the same for any student Miss Black.'

'Not every student is stupid enough to mix with Lucius Malfoy.'

'It was a mistake and whilst you are here at Hogwarts, you will safe.' I thanked the teachers again and sat down, looking at the food in front of me. For the most part we ate in silence or I listened quietly to the conversations going on around me. I ate as much as I could and waited for Oliver to finish. He looked at me and smiled softly. I smiled back and took his hand as he stood up to help me get up.

'I'm sorry that I must go so soon but I am still tired. Merry Christmas.' Everyone replied with 'Merry Christmas' and Oliver helped me out of the Great Hall and into the entrance hall. I stopped and looked at the main doors.

'Can we go outside for a while?'

'We can do anything you want. Sit here and I'll go and get our cloaks.' I sat down on one of the steps on the grand staircase and listened as Oliver's footsteps disappeared up into the castle. He didn't take too long to reappear with my cloak and he helped me put it on. He led me to the doors and opened them. The cold air hit my like a ton of bricks but I was determined to go outside. It had been snowing and all the grounds were covered in a thick, crisp covering that made the landscape seem so much more magical.

'Where shall we go?'

'To our usual spot?'

'Are you sure you're ok to go that far?'

'I'll be fine Oliver. It'll make me feel better.' He led me down to the tree trunk we usually say on. I watched as Oliver wiped it clean and sat down on it. Oliver created a small fire to keep us warm and I cuddled up to him, just wanting to sit in silence. I looked up to see there was some mistletoe above our heads.

'Hey, how did that get there?' I looked at Oliver who turned red.

'I had forgotten about that. I put it up there, before everything happened. I was hoping we might be spending a happy Christmas underneath this tree, so I put it there for an added touch. I'll take it down.'

'Don't, it is a lovely thought and I'm sorry our Christmas hasn't been a bit happier.' I cupped his face and kissed him softly, enjoying the feeling of our embrace and warmth suddenly flowing through my body.

'You still love me then?' Oliver asked softly as he hugged me.

'Always will. Nothing will ever change that. I know that I've been a bit off the last couple of weeks…'

'And you had every right to be after what you've been through. I wouldn't have been mad if you could never have brought yourself to love me again.'

'Why would I stop loving you?'

'I didn't stop Lucius, I let him…'

'No you didn't! You had no power over the situation and he wants you to feel like this. I love you more than I have ever done because of what he did, seeing you there, knowing you protected me to the best of your abilities. Does anyone else know?'

'About?'

'Me and you?'

'Mcgonagall, Snape and Sprout.'

'What did they have to say?'

'Nothing really, they all knew it was inevitable and they would much rather you were with me than him. We have to be careful though, Umbridge doesn't know and I can only imagine her face if she did.'

'She would only sack you and would probably expel me. I'd rather keep it quiet for now anyway, I've had enough of people gossiping about me behind my back. I suddenly know how Harry feels and I have even more respect for him now.'

'Can I ask you something?'

'Sure.'

'Well, I heard that your parents were killed by Voldemort. I knew they had died but you never told me how.'

'My father and mother were strong supporters of Voldemort, right up there with Lucius Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange, but when I was born, my mother didn't want so much to do with it, she wanted to concentrate on raising me. My father told Voldemort this and he saw it as a huge betrayal so he hunted them down and killed them.'

'How did you survive?'

'I wasn't there. As you might know, Professor Snape used to follow Voldemort but he secretly came back to our side. He informed Dumbledore that Voldemort was out for my parent's blood. Sirius over heard and stole me away from them. Voldemort assumed I had been killed when he blew up the house so never came looking for me and Sirius took good care of me, kept me well hidden. It was only when Voldemort came to his end when he tried to kill Harry and Sirius was framed for killing all those muggles that I was left with my horrid grandmother and it didn't matter that I was still alive, Voldemort was gone.'

'Why hasn't he been coming after you as well?'

'He has bigger fish to fry, in his eyes; killing Harry is the most important thing at the moment. That and regaining his power, he probably doesn't care that I exist and personally, I prefer it that way.'

'But what if Lucius…'

'Lucius can say what he wants, when he wants. I have people on my side, strong, powerful good witches and wizards and I know I'm powerful too. The fact is, I could just as easily tell the ministry what lies in his mansion and he'd be carted off to Azkaban quicker than you could say 'pure blood' and he's worried about being found out before Voldemort has come back to his full strength and that's because he's a coward.'

'So that's how you and Sirius became so close?'

'I was three years old when he was taken to Azkaban and whilst I may have been young, I still remember what he was like. Reckless yes, but kind, generous and loving at the same time. He became my father and I loved him like I was his daughter. That's why I was so worried when he escaped two years ago. I was mortally afraid that the dementors would catch him and do whatever.'

'Is that why you were so withdrawn?'

'Yes. When I heard that he had tried to break into Gryffindor Tower, I knew he was around, so one night; I slipped on my invisibility cloak and sneaked down to the grounds. I waited for ages and suddenly; this big black dog was strolling up to me. He changed briefly and told me why he had escaped, that Ron's rat Scabber's was really Peter Pettrigrew and that it was he who betrayed Harry's parents. It seemed the dementors had sensed him because they came sliding across the grass. He changed and carried me on his back to the entrance hall doors. He ran away and I got into the castle before they caught me, that's why I was shivering when you found me in the common room the next morning because it had scared the living daylights out of me. But from that moment on, I snuck downstairs to feed him and talk to him.'

'It all makes sense now, like how happy you were when you heard the he had miraculously disappeared that night Snape caught him. I remember seeing you hugging Harry and cheering. Why didn't you tell me?'

'I knew you wouldn't understand. Everything about illegal Animagi's was so far fetched even I couldn't believe it at first. Plus I knew you would shout at me for putting myself in danger and you were still on a high because we had won the Quidditch Cup. It all seemed better if you didn't know. I'm sorry.'

'It doesn't matter now.'

'I know we shouldn't keep going back to this, but why did you finish it? Five years of what I thought was true love and you suddenly finish it, saying that you couldn't see it working.'

'It is true love Destiny; surely this year has proved that beyond any doubt. It finally hit home that I wouldn't see you until Christmas, maybe even the summer and I was scared. I knew that the tri-wizard tournament was taking place and that there would be an abundance of strapping lads from Hogwarts, France and Bulgaria who would be more than happy to look after you. I was scared that you would write to me and finish it and I felt I had to do it first.'

'How could you have ever have thought that? Surely the fact that I broke down and sobbed my heart out told you that I would never, ever run off with anyone else, not whilst we were together.'

'Don't you think I know that? When I saw your reaction I hated myself but couldn't say anything because I didn't want you to think I was messing with your emotions or saying it on purpose just as a test. I lost my nerve and although I wanted to hold you in my arms and comfort you, I couldn't because it was me who had done that to you and I felt ashamed. I'm so sorry Destiny.' I looked into his eyes and saw them glisten as tears formed. I felt a tear trickle down my face and took a deep breath.

'It's all ok now, we're together again and that's all that matters.' I kissed him again and we stayed in the embrace for a long while, kissing and cuddling until eventually, I began to shiver. Oliver stood up and took my hand, leading me towards the Quidditch stadium and his small home. It was warm and cosy inside and I gladly lie on the bed and shut my eyes.

'Are you tired?' Oliver asked softly as he snuggled up to me, stroking my hair.

'A bit, all that food and sitting out there.' I smiled softly and kissed him again, this time letting passion take over. I let my hands run down his chest but was surprised when he pulled away.

'Are you sure?'

'Oliver, I love you and I have been cooped up in the hospital wing for the last three weeks. I want you more than I ever have done at this precise moment.'

'If you're sure…'

'Shut up!' I kissed him again and smiled softly as I felt him relax and his hands and mouth take over. It was probably the best time I had ever had, it was slow, sensual and Oliver was so soft and careful that I think I fell in love with him all over again. Afterwards we lay cuddling and kissing and I soon fell asleep, safely wrapped in his arms.