Hellooooo! Bella here!

Dora and I have been talking and decided we will mass upload what we have so far, we do have a plan on how this story ends and are working towards it, but seeing as we are awful at remembering to upload we're going to mass upload now.

This chapter is Dora's - Enjoy! :)


Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap.

Andromeda Tonks glanced at her fifteen year old grandson, who was unknowingly making noise as she tried to read a book about healing magic. Teddy was staring off into space, unconsciously tapping his foot on the floor, his quill and parchment forgotten as he seemed to be thinking very hard.

"Teddy?" Andromeda said quietly, but received no response. She was about to call him again when she felt someone enter the wards.

The boy jumped to his feet and hurried from the room with Andromeda following him. They had almost reached the ward when the door to Dora's room opened and the witch stepped into the hall, her eyes searching the hall madly. "Delphi," she whispered, and Andromeda went to her side.

"Teddy," Delphi said, not taking her eyes off the boy's mother. "Come with me."

Nymphadora stared at her son and Delphi, her face very pale. "Teddy," she whispered.

"It's okay, Mum," he murmured. "I'll be back." He couldn't bear to look at her any longer and turned away, following Delphi from the wards.

Delphi said nothing to him as they walked along, and Teddy was glad to reach the solitude of her room. "I have decided I'll continue to work with you," she said, a smirk spreading over her face. "I hope you're ready."


Roo sat cross-legged on Elara's bed as she told him stories of her and Teddy and Delphi at school. He was amused by her tales of school for a while until their conversation inevitably turned to their mother.

"She's very sick," Roo said sadly. "I didn't want to leave her, but they made me."

"It's not your fault, and it's not her fault," Elara said, and Roo agreed. "You still go and see Mum, right?"

"Yes, when Dad or Nan takes me," Roo answered. "But she's always sad, and cries a lot, and she always says, 'Sorry' over and over when she sees me."

The boy looked at his sister. "How can we help her?"

"I don't know, Roo," Elara whispered. "I don't know."

"Can Dad help her?" Roo began, then heard a knock at the door.

Elara scowled, then cleared her face. "Come in."

Rodolphus Lestrange stepped into the room, seeming pleased to see both of his children together. "Reuben," he sighed. "You scared me...you weren't in your room."

Reuben didn't reply to this. "Mum needs help," he said clearly. "She's sick—can you help her? Or get someone to help her?"

"Roo!" Elara hissed, but he didn't look at her.

Rodolphus sighed, taking a breath after his surprise. "She's pretty sick, Reuben," he said, "but she'll be fine." He motioned to one of the games on Elara's bookshelf. "Shall we play?"

"Not that one!" Elara said quickly, moving to take it from her father. "Delphi and I altered that one to hurt the players."

"Why would you do that?" Roo asked in astonishment.

Elara sighed. "It helps to teach logic and cause and effect of decisions and magic," she answered.

"Let's play it," Roo said.

"Absolutely not," Rodolphus said firmly, biting back an accusing few words at Elara for leaving it out. "That's a very bad idea. Elara, why don't you choose a suitable game for us?"

Elara resigned herself to having to entertain her father for a while and settled in for a while. Near the end of their fourth game, Rodolphus frowned and said, "I'm being Summoned. I've got to go."

They said goodbye and shared a look as their father left the room.


Teddy gingerly rubbed his arm that Delphi had just healed as she said, "Rodolphus will be taking you back to the wing. He's just over in Elara's room."

Delphi walked out of the room with the boy, and seconds later, Rodolphus walked out of Elara's room. "Rodolphus," she said. "Take Teddy back to the wing."

Rodolphus walked off, leaving Teddy to follow. When they were out of earshot, Rodolphus smirked at the boy who had easily caught up to him. "Do you always entertain Delphi in her room, boy?"

Teddy frowned. "No, but it's easier there than in the training room," he answered.

"A bit awkward, don't you think, to have you closeted away in Delphi's room?" Rodolphus mused. "You've become quite the little pet, haven't you? I wonder what Bella would think about that?"

"It's none of her business," Teddy said sharply.

"Her daughter is none of her business?" Rodolphus raised an eyebrow.

Teddy did not answer, but his hair shot red, and Rodolphus continued, "Bella might need to make sure things stay...proper between you two."

"We're just kids," Teddy retorted. "I—"

"You're a child, but Delphi's nearly of age," Rodolphus said quietly. "She's grown up a lot this year."

"I know," Teddy sighed, immediately blushing when Rodolphus laughed raucously. "Shut up!" Teddy yelled, and whipped out his wand, sending a spell at the man.

Rodolphus toyed with the boy for a few moments before cursing him and leaving him writhing on the floor. "If you want to continue this," Rodolphus sneered, "I'll be with your mother."

"Don't you dare!" Teddy yelled after the man, but was in no condition to stop him. "Stop!"

A moment later, he heard footsteps and looked up to see Delphi approaching him. "What did you say?" Delphi sighed. "Honestly, if you're going to pick fights with him—"

"Then I need to learn—" Teddy began before remembering Rodolphus' threat. "Could you heal me? I've got to go—he's threatened to hurt Mum," Teddy breathed. "Please, Delphi."

Delphi eyed him critically for a moment, but the boy sensed nothing. She offered a few healing spells and marched the boy down to the Prisoners' Wing, sending him off and leaving quickly.


Rodolphus was amused at what he had just done, taking a moment to calm himself before entering Nymphadora's room. She was lying on the bed, watching her fingers curl and uncurl, stroking the sheets.

"Nymphadora?" he said gently, and she startled, soft whimpers coming from her lips. "It's okay," he murmured, sitting down and drawing her into his arms.

She cried out weakly, but didn't fight him for long before going limp in his arms. He turned her more toward him and cradled her carefully, kissing her head gently. "R—Rod," she whimpered.

"Shh, Dora, shh," he murmured, wondering at how thin and frail she seemed. "You're going to get better. It's okay."

"Roo," Dora sniffed. "—is he okay?"

"He's fine, Dora," said Rodolphus.

"He was so sick," whispered the witch. "I was scared…."

Rodolphus sighed, wondering why Dora was worried about old problems. "He's doing well, Dora," he told her. "Reuben is fine."

"S—sorry," Dora wept. "Didn't mean to—"

"Roo's sickness was never your fault," he said in her ear. "You're a good mother." Rodolphus was shocked to feel her arms slip around him, the woman holding onto him tightly.

"Sorry," she sniffed.

"It's okay," he reassured her, and felt some of the tension leave her body.

About two minutes later, the door burst open and Teddy strode in, wand drawn. Dora shrieked in fright, clinging to Rodolphus. "Teddy, no—!"

"Let her go," said Teddy angrily. "You've hurt her enough!"

"Teddy, go!" Dora cried. "Just go away!"

Rodolphus did not release the woman. "She's fine here with me," he said to Teddy. "You're frightening her."

Teddy was outraged. "I'm—no I'm not! You're a monster."

"Teddy!" his mother nearly shrieked, grabbing Rodolphus' wand arm. "Teddy, please go!"

"You heard your mother, boy," Rodolphus said sternly.

Teddy hesitated, then backed out of the room. Dora broke down in tears, crying, "Don't hurt Teddy. Please don't hurt Teddy."

Rodolphus wrapped his arms around her. "He's fine, Dora; I didn't hurt him."

Dora cried only a couple of minutes more, then quieted down, sighing in relief as she felt his hand rubbing down her back. "Mm," she hummed to herself, and continued humming softly until she fell asleep.


Rodolphus woke up, confused at first why someone was lying next to him until he recalled the previous night and realised that he must have fallen asleep comforting Nymphadora. He quickly discovered that she was awake, as she was curled into his side, one of her legs over his, her hand resting on his chest as her fingers twitched erratically.

"Dora," he murmured, beginning to stroke her back gently. "How do you feel?"

"Why did you stay?" she whispered.

"What? Oh..." Rodolphus yawned slightly. "I didn't mean to, but I was warm and comfortable and just fell asleep."

"Oh." Dora hid her face from him, and he embraced her slightly before pulling her further up and holding her on his lap.

"Don't be sad," he said, pressing his lips to her head. "I might stay more often now."

Dora slipped her arms around him. "You were gone for a long time," she murmured.

He sighed. "It couldn't be helped, Dora, but I missed you." He cuddled her for a few more minutes, then tried to put her off of his lap so he could freshen up and leave.

"No!" Dora pleaded, clinging to him. "Rodolphus, stay with me!"

"I have duties," he said with a small smile, touching her face. "I'll be back."

"Promise?" she breathed.

Rodolphus stifled a groan of annoyance and embraced her reassuringly. "I promise, Dora," he said, his hands rubbing down over her body. "But I do have something for you to do in the meantime...something that would please me greatly."

"What is it?" she asked fearfully, yet curiously.

Rodolphus purposefully touched Dora's hips, ribs, and legs. "You're unhealthfully thin, beautiful," he said. "I'm going to have good meals sent to you and I want you to eat."

Dora shook her head. "Not hungry."

"Hey." His hand lifted her face with the gentlest touch, and he murmured, "I know what that's like, but you have to eat to live, Dora. It's one day at a time, just like I forced myself to do in Azkaban." He shivered at his suppressed memories. "You're going to die if you keep refusing to eat."

He set her on the bed and got to his feet. "We're going to wash up and go eat breakfast," he said firmly. "Then I'll be back to check on you...perhaps every day."

Nymphadora nodded, and they went to shower, soon drying off and getting dressed. Rodolphus helped her to the breakfast table, finding Andromeda and a very sleepy Teddy there. The boy instantly looked angry, but Rodolphus helped Dora get seated and served her the food.

"Had a decent rest, Dora?" Andromeda asked.

"Yeah," she said, drinking a bit of the juice from the cup Rodolphus gave her. "No dreams."

Teddy still had a sullen look on his face, and his mother said, "Teddy, what's wrong?"

The boy didn't answer, even as Rodolphus glared at him. Dora looked concerned, and Andromeda gave Teddy a stern look. "I'm fine, Mum," he said. "Just tired."

She seemed to accept this, and Rodolphus stayed with her until she was finished eating, helping her back to her room.

Teddy Lupin was shaking in rage. "What's he done to her?" he growled, clenching his fists. "She's too happy around him-it's like she doesn't remember what he's done!"

Andromeda sighed. "I know it seems off, but maybe he'll help her somehow."

"Help-?!" Teddy nearly shouted in outrage. "He needs to stay away from her! He-"

"He seems to have helped her a little," Andromeda answered. "Her mind seems more calm this morning."

"He'll hurt her again!" Teddy cried. "Don't you care?"

"Teddy," Andromeda said sternly, "if he's helping her for the moment, you need to leave them alone."

Teddy glared at his grandmother. "That's not right! We've got to protect her!"

Andromeda frowned at him. "Sometimes we have to take advantage of things," she told him. "Yes, he's awful, but she'll recover better if she's calm."

"No!" said Teddy loudly.

"Sometimes, you have to play their game in order to survive," Andromeda snapped at her grandson. "Have you not learned this at school? Or from Delphi? Rodolphus isn't making her any worse at this point, so let him keep her calm, and keep her from starving herself. She won't listen to me-someone else has to help her."

"You give up too easily," Teddy accused her.

"I don't waste energy," Andromeda replied. "I've had this same conversation with your mother, and she also refused to listen. If you want to play with the grown-ups, Teddy, you need to learn the game." She pushed her plate away, got to her feet, and left him alone at the table.


Teddy was retrieved by Delphi later that day and could not hide how upset he was. The moment she closed her door, she inquired as to what was bothering him.

"I-" he began, then looked away from the girl. "Rodolphus stayed with Mum last night, but this morning, she seemed happier and quieter...I don't understand. Nan said that Mum hadn't been eating, and that he was helping her, but-" Teddy shook his head angrily.

"Nymphie's starving herself?" Delphi asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I don't know," the boy sighed. "Nan said she was, but Rodolphus is supposedly 'taking care' of her."

"Good," Delphi said.

"It's not good," Teddy snapped.

Delphi frowned at him. "Watch your mouth, Teddy Bear," she said quietly. "I'm starting to think that I let you get away with far more than you should."

He wanted nothing more than to run back to his mother and protect her from her abuser, and Delphi sensed this. "Your Nan may be correct, but I understand your concern," she said quietly, then realised he was shaking. "Teddy, do you need a Calming Draught?"

"No," the boy muttered. "Sorry."

"Perhaps we should play that game Elara and I made," Delphi mused. "I'll retrieve it. Have a seat." She motioned to her bed and left the room.

Teddy sat down on the bed to wait, and Delphi returned fairly quickly. "Here we are," she said, setting the box down and beginning to open it. "There are several modes, but we'll start...somewhat easy at first."

"How does it work?" Teddy asked, looking down at the box.

"We're going to play the dueling part," Delphi answered, drawing her wand and tapping it on the box. "This connects your wand to the game," she said. "It'll monitor spells and tell who wins."

Teddy tapped his wand obediently on the game, the two quickly beginning to cast their spells. Delphi laughed after barely a few seconds. "I win. Teddy, you put too much energy into your shield spells and don't intensify your curses and other spells well enough. Attack me-or do I need to upset you in order to make that happen?"

The boy scowled, willing and ready to try again. It was not enough, and Teddy lost over and over until Delphi threw a curse at the boy in real life. He shielded it, glaring at her, and she smirked. "Do you have any real fight in you, little cub?"

He growled and attacked her, but she soon had it all under control. "Stop toying with me!" he snapped, one of his curses striking the wall behind her and shattering the lamp.

He attacked yet again, and Delphi grinned, thoroughly enjoying herself as they went round and round until he got too close and she disarmed him with a painful spell and pinned him to the wall.

"There may be hope for you yet, Teddy Bear," she whispered, looking into his face.

"I'll do whatever I have to," he breathed, shocked as she stroked his hair out of his eyes. "Delphi-"

"I expect nothing less," she said quietly, her hand on his cheek for a moment. "You will be strong. But you must go back for now."

Teddy took a painful breath and nodded.