Thank you Anne (you know who you are) for inspiring me to write these chapters and get them out quickly. It's thanks to her that everyone can read these chapters so quickly. And No, I'm not getting into trouble for writing so much- my school is on Fall Break and I'm getting a much-needed rest.

Last Time:

Danger started crying as well, and leaned into Remus. Three years, my love. We have three years with our Cubs.

Remus lifted her onto his lap, and held her as tears started to flow down his own cheeks. If all we have with them is three years, then let's make the most of it. If all we have is three years, let's not waste them.

Chapter Five

The rest of the day was spent with the Cubs playing together in their rooms and the adults downstairs or out of the house, coping- each in their own way. Danger was cleaning, baking, washing, and generally doing stuff that needed to be done but no one truly wanted to do.

A small voice interrupted her work, and she turned to face the young girl- Dove. "Yes Dove? Can I help you?" The child looked down, as if expecting to be beaten for speaking.

"I'm sorry Lady! But you're working, and that's my job. And please call me Girl, Lady. It's what I've always been called."

Danger frowned slightly, and answered. "Dove, Girl is no name for a child. And while you will be expected to help with chores, it's not 'your job'. I like to cook and clean, and it's what I'm good at. Would you have me do things I didn't like, and be sad?"

Dove looked horrified at the thought. "Oh no, Lady! Never! You're too nice for me to ever want you to be sad!"

Danger grinned, but her face fell when she saw that Dove hadn't taken the slight joke well. "Dove, child, I wasn't serious. I know that you'd never want me to be sad." She made a quick decision. "Come on. You can help me if you want, and I can get to know you while we work. And please, don't call me Lady. My name is Danger."

She stood and helped Dove to her feet, and turned to do more dishes. "I'll wash if you'll dry…" She offered, and gave Dove a towel as the small girl acquiesced.

They worked in silence for awhile- a stark contrast to when Harry or Neenie helped with dishes. While they chattered and could hardly stand still, Dove did her share of the work silently. Danger finally broke the almost uncomfortable silence.

"So Dove," She began, her voice soft and gentle, "how old are you? Do you know?"

Dove looked down, as if ashamed to answer. "I'm not certain, Lady, but I know I'm older than Master Draco, and I was born later in the autumn then he was."

"How do you know this? How do you know when you were born?" Danger dreaded the answer, already guessing. Her suspicions were confirmed when Dove answered.

"Master Lucius would come every year, and the only time he would ever let his skin touch me was when he would…" she faltered, but continued when she saw the 'Lady' waiting for her to continue. "…When he would beat me. Every year he would come after the leaves fell from the trees, and… and he would beat me." She shivered, caught in the memories. "He would come other times too, but he always carried a cane then- with a silver knob on the end. It was pretty, and I always wondered how something so pretty could cause so much hurt…"

Dove trailed off as she remembered that the 'Lady' was still standing next to her. She looked down, mortified that she had let so much slip. She was such a bad Girl, they would never want to take her into their service now…

She was startled and let out a small cry when Danger dropped to her knees and caught her up in a warm embrace. She stiffened, but as Danger held her, she slowly relaxed. After all, it didn't hurt… it even felt… nice. And warm. Dove searched for a word to describe what she felt as Danger held her close. Safe, she supposed, but there was a better word. It came to her, suddenly.

As she laid her head on Danger's shoulder, for the first time in her short life, she felt loved.

End Chapter

So, a little insight into Dove… I'm not sure how I did expressing her- and I want to know… Does anyone read these things? If you do, can you leave a little note in your review? I'm looking for suggestions for Dove's first name. Dove will be her middle name… and I want to know, who thinks Remus and Danger should legally adopt her? God Bless

RiverSong DreamShadow