Chapter 3

Karen completely ignored everyone that day. She skipped all her classes and even ignored Dumbledore's request to speak with her. She spent the entire day on her bed, enclosed in darkness. She threatened to curse anyone who disturbed her. She even missed all the meals.

Dumbledore wasn't worried though. He knew that this would happen. Karen wasn't the first to lose a relative while he was teaching. Many had reacted just like her. Some went on with life, some stayed up in their dormitories, refusing to speak to anyone, for days. He knew Karen was alright when he saw her at lunch the next day.

At three-thirty Dumbledore called Karen to his office. He wanted to speak to her before she left. "Please sit down Karen." He said when she had entered his office looking rather worn and slightly frightened. "Are you alright?"

"Just fine." She muttered.

"It wasn't your uncle I brought you here to speak about, as you're probably aware of."

"Quite."

"Karen, I still would like to know one thing."

"What's that?"

"Did you participate in Mr. Potter's torture?"

She snapped her head up, as though not expecting the question at all. "No, why?"

"Just an old man's musings." he said, smiling. "Now go on, Miss Cunningham should be here any moment. You are to meet her at the main doors."

"Yes, Professor." Karen said as she got up and left.

Dumbledore sighed. He had been debating about what to do about her for hours. He had decided that based on the answer to that question would be what he would do. She had not participated in his torture, so had therefore definitely been forced into the position. Severus had already told him she hadn't, but he wanted to hear it from her lips. He knew that if she had wanted to participate or had he would have had no choice but to inform the Ministry and let them handle it. He was only glad he did not have to.

-------------------------------

Karen met Artemis Cunningham at the main doors, just as Dumbledore had told her. Mrs. Cunningham was a very cheery woman who seemed to never stop smiling. She had light brown hair and seemed to be only in her thirties. Karen didn't bother even talking to her. The overly-joyful witch had a Port-key that would take them directly to the cemetery near Hogsmeade.

Wow, thought Karen, what wonderful 'transportation'.

In only a few moments Karen found herself standing at the gates to the cemetery. Mrs. Cunningham led the way, pushing them apart. "Come now, bird. It's alright. After it's over I'll fix you a nice cup of tea."

"No thanks." Karen muttered.

Mrs. Cunningham sighed. "Alright then dearie, suit yourself. You'll be sorry later."

Karen didn't think she'd be sorry at all. The sooner she got away from everyone in the world, the sooner she'd find a little peace.

The sermon was conducted by an elderly wizard in black robes. He wore a cross on a silver chain, so Karen guessed he was a pastor. Religious leaders were rare in the Wizarding Community. Witches and Wizards found false comfort and security in their magic.

There were few people there. A few relatives that Karen had never before met, and she was sure wanted nothing to do with her either. The funeral didn't last long, to Karen's relief. She didn't want to be there. At least not with everyone else.

----------------------

Bellatrix Lestrange stood near the back of the crowd. She was using a Polyjuice Potion, but she had her hood up just in case. She didn't want anyone she didn't know recognizing her. Once the crowd slowly started to move away from the freshly dug grave, Bellatrix moved toward Shan. The woman who had brought Karen was making her way to her as well. Not wanting Shan to leave before she could get to her, she took a chance and talked to the woman.

"Excuse me Miss...?"

"Mrs. Cunningham!" the woman said cheerfully as she grabbed Bellatrix's hand and shook it. "It's a pleasure to meet you! I didn't get your name though."

"Meyers...Kelly Meyers." Bellatrix said hesitantly, taking the first name from the top of her head. It had been her best friend's name. Or at least it had been before she had been forced to kill her.

"It's a pleasure, definitely a pleasure. Are you related to Karen?"

She nodded, pulling her hand away from the woman's grip. "Yes, I am. I'm distantly related though. I come from her aunt's side of the family."

"Oh, how sweet of you to come! This has been the hardest for Karen, the poor dear." Mrs. Cunningham said with only a touch of sadness in her voice.

"Yes, yes. If you don't mind I would like to speak to Karen alone before she leaves."

"Oooh! Go ahead, dear! You aren't thinking of becoming her guardian are you?"

Bellatrix smiled slyly. "In a way, yes."

-------------------------------------

Karen didn't recognize the woman who walked up to her. She was young, but she definitely didn't know her. The woman silently herded her toward some trees.

"My dear, don't be frightened. I am your aunt's cousin. I was wondering if you would like to come live with me. I could become your legal guardian. I've never had a daughter, or much family at all. Would you consider it?" The woman asked as she put her hand on Karen's shoulder.

Karen stared at her as though she were offering her a million dollars. No one had ever offered to become her guardian. Even in the case of her Uncle Thomas, they had had to do a little persuading.

"You're serious?" Karen asked.

The woman smiled. Suddenly something didn't seem right. Everything seemed to be pulling. It wasn't until her surroundings had completely changed that she realized she had been tricked. She recognized the place. She had been there before.

Voldemort's mansion.