So sorry for the massive delay in an update.

As always please read, enjoy and please do leave a review!

Bella


"I will see her before she leaves," Rodolphus growled.

"It's not a good idea," Dora sighed, watching the man pace her room in his anger, "she doesn't—"

"She's my daughter, Nymphadora," Rodolphus snapped.

"And she's my daughter too," Nymphadora said more firmly, "so you should know that she's as stubborn as I am and will not talk to you until she is absolutely ready to."

"I'll take her back to Hogwarts," Rodolphus shook his head, "Bellatrix doesn't want to take them all back on her own, she needs more than one person with the three of them. She can't take them back on her own. I'll talk to Elara then, I'll—"

"You'll what?" Nymphadora raised an eyebrow, "Kidnap her to some secluded location to scare her even more? That will go down well."

The woman grunted in pain as she was soon slammed against the wall, the older man's hand at her throat.

"Careful Rod," Nymphadora spluttered, "abuse like this is what got you into this mess in the first place."

"You wouldn't tell her, I know you wouldn't," Rodolphus sneered.

"I don't need to," Dora said, "I—" she gasped for air as the man's grip tightened on her throat, quickly hitting his chest hard to try and push him away. He let her struggle for a moment before he finally stepped back, leaving the girl gulping for air.

"I'm going to find Bellatrix," Rodolphus said.

"She won't do anything but laugh at you," Dora scoffed, "besides, she'll be here in a minute anyway."

"What?" Rodolphus frowned, "Why?"

"Well, Teddy is here and he has to go to school too," Dora rolled her eyes, "besides it's like you said, she can't take three children to the platform on her own."

"Andromeda's going with her?"

"No," Dora shook her head, taking one of her nicer cloaks from her wardrobe, "I am."

"You've got to be kidding me?" Rodolphus laughed for a moment before his expression suddenly became more serious, "She hates you! She's just doing this to infuriate me, you realise?"

"Yes," Dora shrugged, walking past the man to get to her door, "but I can't help but get some amusement out of it myself."

The witch slipped out of the room before the man could retaliate, walking straight across the hall to her eldest son's room. Teddy was checking the last of his things, his younger brother sat on the bed watching him with a sad pout on his face. Dora rolled her eyes as she heard Rodolphus enter the room behind her, feeling his hand on her back until he saw their son and immediately took a step back.

"Boys," Dora smiled, walking over to Teddy as Reuben grinned at his father in greeting, "are you almost ready? Bellatrix will be here with Delphini and your sister any minute."

"Teddy isn't leaving," Reuben sniffled, "he's staying here with me."

"I have to go back to school, Roo," Teddy said to his brother, holding back a mischievous grin as he knew the boys father hated the nickname but would not berate him in front of the boy, "but I'll write to you and before you know it I'll be back."

"It's not fair," Reuben sulked, "I never get to go anywhere!"

"Shh, Reuben," Dora sighed, "calm down."

"No!" Reuben glared, "It's not fair. Elara and Teddy get to go to school and Elara runs around the manor and I—I—" the boy erupted into a fit of coughing, his little face quickly going red before Rodolphus rushed over to him and took him in his arms, rubbing his back even as the boy tried to get away in his annoyance.

"Reuben—"

"No!" Reuben said eventually as he calmed himself slightly, "I want to go to Hogwarts."

"I—" Dora hesitated as she felt Bellatrix enter the wards with Elara and Delphi, she gave Rodolphus a quick look before she looked back to their son, "Mummy will be back later, okay? We'll talk all about when you go to Hogwarts then, okay?"

Reuben did not look happy about this, though seemed to have been drained of some of his energy as he wrapped his arms around his father's neck and rested his head on his shoulder.

"Come on, Teddy," Dora said as she heard Bellatrix calling her name, taking his trunk from him, "let's go. Rodolphus—" Dora shook her head as he went to leave the room, looking to Reuben for a moment "Please . . . I'll try to talk to her."

"I—"

"Dad," Reuben sighed, "Elara already said goodbye, we can stay."

Dora smiled sadly at the boy, kissing his dark locks as Teddy left the room before she quickly followed after him.

"About time," Bellatrix rolled her eyes, though Dora was mainly focused on her only daughter stood behind Delphini looking as if she wanted to be anywhere but the Prisoner's ward right now, "come on."

Bellatrix didn't wait for the witch to respond, holding her hand out for Teddy and taking him past the wards as quickly as possible. Elara didn't speak the entire journey through Malfoy Manor, not even looking at anybody until they exited the gates and her mother quickly grabbed her hand. Dora ignored Bella's comment insisting she didn't detour with the children, apparating straight behind her.

"Teddy," Dora sighed, not letting go of her daughter's hand as she gave the boy a one armed hug, "stay safe. Write to me."

"As always," Teddy grinned, hugging the woman back before he looked sympathetically at his sister and ran off towards the train.

"Elara," Dora sighed.

"I won't write to him," Elara spoke firmly, "if that's what you're going to ask."

"I wasn't," Dora said simply, brushing a stray hair out of the girls face, "though maybe it would help—I'm not saying to write to him like you usually would, maybe put your feelings down on parchment."

"I don't want to speak to him," Elara said defiantly.

"Well, that wouldn't be speaking to him directly, would it?" Dora winked as the girl rolled her eyes, "Though maybe the best way to get your feelings across to him would be to write them down, that way neither one of you can let your anger get the better of you and say something you don't mean."

"I—"

"I'm not going to force you," Dora sighed, giving the girl a hug, "stay safe."

"You too," Elara said as she hugged her mother, "don't let him hurt you."

Dora couldn't help but let out a huff of laughter, kissing the girls head before she stepped away from her, "I can look after myself, sweet. Now go on, I can feel Bellatrix glaring at me and I doubt she'd be too happy if I held you up any longer. Go, I love you."

"Love you too, Mum," Elara gave the woman a quick smile before she ran off to meet Delphini on the train. Dora couldn't help but let out a sigh as she watched her two eldest children sat on the train ready to leave her, trying not to think of Bellatrix as she walked back over to her or Rodolphus waiting for her back at the manor.


Teddy was sat in the Great Hall casually reading a book as he sat alone eating his breakfast, as per usual. The hall was mostly quiet for the weekend, with mostly only the younger students about as the rest of the school prepared to go to Hogsmeade. He didn't mind it though, if anything he saw the advantages of staying behind in the peace and quiet of the castle mostly undisturbed.

"Teddy Bear!" Delphi exclaimed as she plonked herself next to him unannounced, she laughed as the boy nearly spilt his pumpkin juice over his book, "Anything interesting?"

"No—Oi!" Teddy huffed as the girl snatched the book out of his hand, "Give it back."

"You do seem to have a lot of interest in the war, Teddy," Delphi shook her head, passing the boy back his book, "Don't snatch! You should be careful reading those sorts of things, people might begin to think you're up to something."

"Well those people are stupid, aren't they?" Teddy sighed, putting the book away in his bag nonetheless, "What do you want Delphi?"

"Rude," Delphi teased.

"Sorry, how may I help you today oh Dark—dark one? Dark daughter? What is it?" Teddy asked.

"Dark daughter? That's a new one," Delphi laughed, "I'll accept either. I like you Teddy, you've gotten sassier in your old age." She smirked as the boy blushed noticeably, reaching over and taking a glass of pumpkin juice for herself, "I'm bored."

"So why don't you go entertain yourself?" Teddy asked, "Don't you usually end up going to Hogsmeade with one of your father's Death Eaters?"

"My armed guard," Delphi sighed dramatically, "well, they accompany me and whatever little following I've decided haven't annoyed me enough to be able to join me. I take it you're not going?"

"No," Teddy laughed.

"Why not?" Delphi raised an eyebrow, "Your mother not sign your permission slip? Poor Teddy bear, no wonder you look so sad today."

"That is not why I'm sad," Teddy snapped.

"Ouch," Delphi smirked, "so you admit you're sad?"

"I—" Teddy sighed, "Why do you care?"

"I'm a very caring person, I'll have you know," Delphi smirked, "Come on, spill the beans."

Teddy considered the witch for a moment, he knew she wouldn't leave him alone until she got it out of him now. It wasn't worth the hassle. "Mum wrote to me today," Teddy sighed, "Roo's sick."

"That boy is always sick," Delphi rolled her eyes, though after a moment she frowned at the boy's expression, "it's different this time?"

"He ended up in St Mungo's last week—he's fine . . ." Teddy looked away from the girl, staring down at his half eaten breakfast, "he just needs to see a specialist, he has an appointment next week. Mum said not to worry, but . . ."

"You're his brother, of course you'll worry. Besides, you care so much you're like a sensitive little girl," Delphi smirked as the boy glared at her, "Come on, Teddy bear."

"Stop calling me that, I—" Teddy froze as the girl took his hand, going to pull him from his seat, "Let's go on an adventure, that will cheer you up. You'll love running around the sweet shops, I'll give you some money. Maybe you could send something to your brother, that will make you feel better. Or just gorge yourself on chocolate—you like chocolate, don't you? Elara said."

"I—Delphi—" Teddy was blushing furiously, barely grabbing his bag as the girl pulled him from his seat and out of the hall, "Where are we going? I can't go to Hogsmeade, Rodolphus said—"

"Your mother signed your slip, didn't she? You handed it in?" Delphi asked as she continued to pull him from the castle, "Well, not that it matters when you're with me."

"Well, she did but I don't think they kept it, I—" Teddy almost tripped over his own feet as she dragged him down the steps, "Delphi I can't."

Delphi didn't say anything, pushing the boy in front of her and nodding for him to follow her as she walked towards the path the Hogsmeade and the guard waiting for them. Teddy could do nothing but follow the girl, watching as the other children stepped out of her way to let her to the front of the line where a Death Eater Teddy did not recognise stood waiting next to Amycus Carrow.

"Professor," Delphi smirked, walking straight past him.

Teddy went to follow, his whole body shaking with nerves until the man put his hand out to stop him, "And where do you think you're going?"

"I—"

"To Hogsmeade," Delphi turned on the spot, raising an eyebrow at the man, "that is generally where this path tends to lead."

"I—Well—Yes," Amycus stuttered, composing himself after a moment and looking back to the young Metamorphmagus, "this one isn't on the list."

"Oh," Delphi frowned, "is that a problem?"

"Well," Amycus seemed to struggle to find the words, not daring to look straight at the Dark Lord's child, "you need to be on the list."

"And tell me, how do you get on the list?" Delphi asked, though she did not wait for an answer, "Your parent signs a permission slip, which his mother did do. Whether you are incompetent enough to lose that slip is entirely up to yourself. Who said he can't go?"

"Bellatrix is in charge of him," Amycus said, "I suppose . . ."

"Well, I think you'll find I outrank my mother," Delphi sighed, "so he'll be coming with me."

"But—"

"Do you want me to call her?" Delphi asked with feigned innocence, "I'm sure she'll clear up the situation—or better yet I could call father. I'm sure he would be more than happy to talk to anyone that decides not to listen to his daughter. Would you care to lend me your arm so I can call him?"

"No—!" Amycus shook his head, standing away from Teddy, "I mean, no, I'm sorry, my mistake. Go on Mr Lupin."

"Come on," Delphi said after a moment, the boy having been watching the exchange with nervous shock, "hurry up."

He quickly stepped forward, rushing to follow the witch, though he remained silent as they walked towards the small town of Hogsmeade.

"You can breath now, Teddy," Delphi laughed, looking to the Death Eater a few feet behind them before she slipped a few galleons into the boys pocket.

"I—I can't—"

"Just say thank you," Delphi said.

"Thank you . . ." Teddy breathed, "Would you really call your parents?"

"Merlin no," Delphi laughed, "Could you imagine? I mean, mother would have gone with it because I do technically outrank her, but she would be furious at it all. Nothing she could do though. But father . . . Yeah he would have been best pleased."

"Are we going to get into trouble?" Teddy asked.

"No," Delphi shrugged, stopping as they arrived at Hogsmeade, "though maybe you should morph. Stay out of trouble, I have things to do. See you later."

"But I—" Teddy sighed, the girl was gone before he could protest.

He quickly stood out of view, morphing his features slightly before he walked out into the town on his own. It was an amazing feeling. Yes, he had been outside of the Manor and Hogwarts before, though the feeling of being trapped and controlled had always remained with him; this was different. He could walk around the small town as he wished, he would definitely take advantage of the fact. He started in Honeydukes, taking Delphini's advise and grabbing a chocolate frog for his brother along with a few small sweets for himself, then went to various other shops buying nothing until he ended up in Zonko's taking far too long to decide if it was worth getting a prank to play on Rodolphus. He eventually left the shop with a small paper bag, smiling to himself and looking up and down the busy street. He knew he had not taken half as long as he thought he had, as not a single student looked to be making their way up to the school. Though the boy had no plans to spend anymore of Delphi's money and no desire to give up his freedom and return to the school so quickly. He stood in thought for a moment before he knew what he had to do.

He felt even more nervous than when he had left the school as his feet led him away from the main street. The boy had heard so little about the place, but he knew what it had meant at one point. He knew it would probably be ruins, or even torn down so many years later, but he had to see it even just to be near where it used to stand. Teddy Lupin stopped in his tracks as the Shrieking Shack came into view. So many years after his father had hidden there, so long before he was even born, the Shrieking Shack still stood strong. Well, strong would perhaps have been the wrong word as the building looked as if it was almost swaying in the cold January breeze. Teddy looked around, as if he was scared he had been followed, before he made up his mind and strode towards the building.

The door creaked horrifically as he gently pushed it open, but Teddy didn't let anything stop him. He gave the old wood a push and quickly went inside before he could be seen. The building looked as if it was about to come down at any moment, though from stories he had heard he was sure it was safe—well, as safe as anything else in his life was. He looked around the corridor, his breath catching in his throat as he saw what looked to be claw marks against the walls. Was this the work of his father? He reached out, tracing the indents with his own fingers as so many thoughts rushed through his mind. That was until he heard it.

He quickly jumped back as he heard what he was sure were footsteps from above, he bit his lip, thinking for a moment before he took a deep breath.

"Hello?" He called out, instantly cursing himself for his stupidity, he had lost his advantage of being an unknown visitor.

He took a deep breath, clearing his thoughts before he drew his wand and decided to climb the stairs.

"Lumos," he muttered, his heart beating hard and fast in his chest as he looked around. There were many doors around him, all wide open and in various states of disrepair, that was apart from one. He slowly walked towards the closed door, his hand reaching out to turn the handle.

"Ah!" He yelled out in surprise as something jumped on his back, pinning him to the floor, "Get off! Get off!"

"Oi!" A woman's voice yelled, "He's just a kid you idiot! Be careful!"

Teddy didn't realise the wand in his back, too busy in getting away "Delphi said I could go out! I'm not breaking the rules! Get off!"

"Stop yelling!" A man's voice sounded in his ear, though he did not listen as he continued to struggle.

"Wait . . ." the woman that Teddy could not see paused for a moment, though the man did not stop restraining him against his struggles, "Teddy?"

The boy paused momentarily, confusion joining the array of emotions suddenly coursing through him. Though as a spell coursed through him and his eyes closed he had no time to process anything in that moment.