Dora
As quietly as possibly, Andromeda opened the door of her daughter's room and saw nearly the same scene as before. Nymphadora lay sprawled on the bed, convulsing slightly as she struggled to breathe. She looked from the Healer that Rodolphus seemed to have called, to the man himself.
Rodolphus' face was clouded, and Andromeda couldn't tell whether he was angry or worried, but she did notice a small bruise on the man's face and wondered, just like all the rest, what had happened. He noticed her and said, "I found her like this. Poison." He pointed to the bottle and various potion supplies still strewn around the room.
Andromeda frowned, though the awful scene before her led to ask, "How did she get it? Is she going to be okay?"
Greer didn't answer, and Rodolphus scowled. "Apparently, she still remembers some of her Auror training," he said. "She brewed it herself. She tried to kill herself."
"She may yet succeed," Greer said mildly. "She'll need to go to St Mungo's."
"What?!" Andromeda gasped.
"She needs constant care," the man said in a detached manner. "And she needs to be watched so this doesn't happen again. Unless, of course, we decide to do away with her—though I'm sure we all know much easier ways."
"Then let's go," Rodolphus said sharply. "To St Mungo's, I mean."
Greer chuckled and moved to take hold of Dora, and Rodolphus looked at Andromeda. "Go with him. I'll tell the children."
Andromeda laughed at him and received a wary, impatient, and annoyed look in return. "You'll do no such thing," she said. "They already thought that you did something even worse to her, and none of them are going to take this well. Go. If I can visit later, I will."
"And if she dies?" Rodolphus snapped.
"Will you two stop bickering and move?" Greer said to them. "Honestly, like an old married couple."
"Get out of here," Andromeda said to the men. "Go."
Greer shrugged, and the three disapparated through the wards. Andromeda turned slowly and made her way to the edge of the ward, knowing that Teddy and Elara had gone with Roo. She was not sure exactly what she was going to say, but she did have to break the news to them—and no one knew if Nymphadora would survive.
"I can find my room by myself," Reuben said to Delphi politely, though his face was drawn and white as they left the Prisoners' Ward.
"I'm sure you could," Delphi answered, not breaking her stride.
"I don't want to waste your time," the boy said in his best winning manner.
Delphi was slightly amused, but didn't answer. A sound behind them made Roo turn and look, the boy saying, "Elara, don't!"
Elara was glaring at Teddy, and both of them had bright red hair, seeming ready to duel. "You should have known something was wrong with mum!" she hissed.
"How could I know he hadn't done something again, he's always doing something!" Teddy almost shouted at his sister. "I'm done with letting him hurt Mum. I'll kill him if I have to." Roo moved closer to his siblings and Delphi stopped a few feet away, raising an eyebrow at the three as Teddy muttered, "Someone needs to."
"You will NOT—" Elara began in fury, but both of them were shocked into silence at the sound of their little brother raising his voice.
"Stop it!" Reuben Lestrange was glaring at both Teddy and Elara, tears in his eyes. "Mum's dying and you two aren't helping anything!"
"She is?" Elara gasped, terrified that her worst fears were going to be confirmed. "Did you dream about this?"
Roo shook his head, then admitted, "I dreamed about Dad and Teddy dueling, and I knew Mum was dying then, but I didn't know I knew until now."
Teddy turned back. "We need to be with her."
"Well, if you hadn't picked a fight—"
"I SAID STOP IT!" Roo shouted, his magic crackling. "We can't help her."
"We can't let her die all alone!" Teddy said in outrage.
"Well, if you had let Dad help," Elara yelled, unable to hold in her rage, "she wouldn't be this bad!"
"That's not true."
The three turned to Delphi, finally remembering that she was there. "She's been poisoned," Delphi said. "I'm no expert on poisons, but they don't need any help to kill. Now come."
Elara and Teddy glared at each other, and Roo began to cry silently as they walked toward his room. His dreams meant nothing but pain and suffering for his mother and the rest of their family, and he was sure he'd rather not know what was going to happen. "Teddy," he sniffed after a moment, and the older boy put a comforting arm around the younger.
"I'm sorry, Roo," Teddy muttered, doing his best to hold himself together. "I just wanted to help."
"I know," the boy sniffed, holding out his other hand to Elara. After a moment, she moved to his side and he said, "Don't fight. Please."
Teddy's hands shook, but he said nothing, trying to make his face as stony as possible. Roo felt both of them squeeze his hand or shoulders, whichever they were holding, and he led them into his room, all of them saying goodbye and thank you to Delphi.
Elara sat in front of the fire, her hands clasped in her lap. "So what do we do now?"
Teddy sank down on the bed and buried his face in his hands. "Teddy," Elara whispered, but he didn't look up.
"You're getting better at dueling," Roo said to his brother, climbing up to sit beside him. "You did stop him."
Teddy made a sound of both rage and anguish, and Roo threw his arms around the older boy, hugging him tightly.
At that moment, there was a knock on the door, and it opened to reveal their grandmother. "Nan?" Elara barely whispered. "How's Mum?"
"They've taken her to St Mungo's," Andromeda answered quietly. "Teddy, Elara, Roo..."
"She's dying," Roo said, tearing up again. "We know."
"It's not just that," Andromeda whispered. "Your mother made a poison and drank it on purpose."
"Why?" Elara and Roo cried together. "We need her!"
Teddy said nothing, fighting back tears as he thought about his poor mother. It didn't matter that he'd finally managed to floor his mother's abuser if she was going to die the same day. He should have done better, should have learned faster.
"Teddy?" his grandmother said, but when she touched his arm, he jerked it out of her grasp and refused to look at her. She didn't say anything more, but he was only more upset when he heard Elara crying too.
Unable to stand being in the same room with the others, Teddy got to his feet and walked out in spite of Roo and their nan calling him. He blindly moved through the corridors, as far from his siblings' rooms and the Prisoners' Wing as he could. He did not pay attention to anything until he heard a voice say, "Teddy, what are you doing over here?"
Teddy looked up into Delphi's eyes, but couldn't speak for the weight of fear, anger, and guilt that plagued him. "Shall we walk?" she said, leading the way down the hall, and he fell in step with her. She had been considering training him even further, but she needed to draw him in, to make him more loyal, like her mother was loyal to her father.
"I saw that you managed to curse Rodolphus," Delphi said in slight amusement, though there was no such expression on Teddy's face. "Not in the mood to celebrate, Teddy Bear?"
"Mum's dying," Teddy said through clenched teeth. "How could I?"
Delphi seemed to consider this, then said, "It isn't your fault, you know."
Teddy shook his head, though he frowned when he realised that Delphi was leading him out into the grounds. "I should have learned faster," he muttered. "I could have kept this from happening."
"Mother said when we learned of Dora's attempt on Reuben's life, that it was only a matter of time until she tried to kill herself," Delphi said quietly. "We will soon receive word of what has happened."
Teddy could not speak again, and they walked for a few moments until they stood near a row of trees. "If your mother survives, the Healers have instructions to fix her mind a little bit," Delphi told him, deciding to share some encouragement with the boy. "They'll remove some of her awful memories and help to keep her sane. She's not going to be coming home for a while, even if she's okay. Dora's got to be watched for a while to see how much help she needs."
The boy did not speak, continuing to stare at the row of trees. He jumped when she touched his arm and murmured, "She would be at peace if things go badly. She deserves a rest after all she's been through."
"We need her," Teddy barely breathed, pain coursing through him and making him almost sick. "She's our mother."
"I know," Delphi said quietly. "But you've known for years that you're the only one that can help you, Teddy."
"Mum's the only one who cares," Teddy snapped, barely able to control his temper. "Elara and Roo aren't like me. They've got a father. They've got someone who can, once in a while, help them out. Mum's the only person who understands me, and not even Nan could take her place!"
"Your mother cares too much," Delphi said, and Teddy glared at her before quickly looking away. She wondered how he would respond if she acted sympathetic, and added, "We have the most talented Healers at our disposal, Teddy; let's hope for the best."
Teddy didn't move, and she watched for a moment before moving closer to him and watching the tears trickle down his cheeks. "Oh, Teddy Bear," she sighed after a few moments when she realised that he wasn't just going to cry a few tears. She reached up and wiped a tear from his face, looking at it on her hand. "Don't cry for what might happen," she said. "There's no need to mourn the questionable future."
"But what if it does?" Teddy whispered, seeming not to care that he was crying in front of the Dark Lord's daughter.
"You're strong, and you'll help your brother and sister," Delphi answered. "And soon you'll be caught up in tasks with me, and perhaps Elara."
"I don't want to be alone," Teddy breathed. "I mean, I'm already isolated, but if Mum—" he bowed his head. "I'm not like the others."
"You're my Teddy Bear," Delphi said, placing her hand on his arm. "Being different isn't bad, in spite of what you've heard." He refused to look at her, closing his eyes, and she sighed close to his ear, whispering, "I'll make sure news gets to you quickly once we receive it."
He mumbled his thanks, freezing in place as he felt her breath on his face. "You'll be all right," she whispered, her lips nearly touching his cheek.
His heart pounded as he reached for her without thinking, and she placed her hands on his arms to stop him from fully embracing her. "Oh," he said in shock, realising what he had done. "I'm sorry, I—"
"Let's not put on a show for the rest of the manor," Delphi laughed as he backed away, his face turning bright red.
Teddy opened his mouth to say something, then closed it again, and she smirked. "You will come to my room at seven tomorrow evening," Delphi said quietly, though with the most intense gaze into his eyes.
Teddy stared at her, completely unsure of what to do, and she smiled. "I wouldn't be late if I were you, Teddy Bear."
They stood there for a few more minutes, Teddy still embarrassed by his attempt to hug the Dark Lord's daughter. He was relieved when Delphi dismissed him, and immediately made his way back to the Prisoners' Wing so that he could regain his dignity. Teddy considered himself lucky that she hadn't been angry—or had she wanted him to try something?
Teddy was confused, but he knew that he needed to make sure that he never tried something that stupid ever again...and then he remembered the time he had Cursed her to see what she would do. He grinned stupidly at the memory, the image of a black-haired Delphi filled with rage Cursing him until he could barely move. She was beautiful, especially when angry—Teddy shook his head at his own thoughts.
His mother was dying, and yet here he was, thinking about the only time he'd ever seen Delphi morph. Teddy scowled at himself and shook his head, trying to clear it. He wouldn't think about it: he'd just be more careful in the future.
Later that evening, Elara and Roo were picking at their supper when their father turned up and walked into Roo's room. "Dad!" Roo cried, nearly throwing his fork down. "Is Mum okay?"
"She's very sick, but they think she's going to live," Rodolphus answered, looking very tired. He was shocked when Roo ran to him and hugged him as tightly as he could, followed immediately by Elara. "It's okay. I found her fast enough—in spite of the cub."
"It's not Teddy's fault," Roo huffed. "Teddy's very upset, and you ought to leave him alone. Mum's his mum too."
"As he's often told me," Rodolphus muttered to himself.
"When can we see Mum?" Elara asked.
"No one's allowed to see her," Rodolphus told her, shaking his head. "They're going to alter her memories."
"They're what?!" cried Elara. "What do you mean?"
Roo looked alarmed, and Rodolphus quickly explained. "They're...taking out some of the memories that are making her sick."
His son looked up at him. "Memories about you?"
Elara froze, both concerned for her brother and worried that her father would blame her for Roo's accusation. Rodolphus looked back at his son and answered, "Yes."
"But she'll remember some things?" Roo asked in concern. "She'll know me and Elara?"
"Of course she will," said Rodolphus soothingly. "The Healers are going to be keeping her for a while until they're sure she's a lot better than she has been in the last couple years."
"So I can stay with her again!" Roo said excitedly, and Rodolphus sighed. "We'll see."
Teddy was very uncomfortable when he approached Delphi's room the next evening, and he felt even more awkward when Elara looked out of her room and said, "Teddy, did you hear? The Healers think Mum's going to be okay, but they're keeping her to—"
"To modify her memories," Teddy finished. "I know. Look: I'm meeting Delphi; I can't talk."
"Oh," said Elara. "Then go. Go!"
Teddy hadn't even stopped walking, but continued down to the room he knew to be Delphi's. He was about to raise his hand to knock on the door when it swung open, and he entered the room to find the girl standing in the middle of the room, waiting. "A few minutes early," she smirked. "Well. Let's work on refining some of those skills Elara and Roo were talking about this morning."
"Were they?" Teddy frowned, then said, "I mean, yeah, okay."
Delphi turned away to hide a smirk and cleared the room for them to duel. "I told you you had potential."
"Please," scoffed Teddy. "I was the one that came to you and asked to learn."
She spun around and attacked, Teddy jumping aside as spells soared through the air at him, his wand out, parrying as well as he could and attempting to retaliate. This training session felt very different from other times, as he was far more aware of her being close to him than ever before. And when she had cursed him to the floor as usual after several minutes, he looked up at her through his pain and could not help feeling like his suffering was worth it.
When she had healed him, he got to his feet and tried even harder than before to defend himself and fight back, but it was rather difficult when he saw the fire in her eyes. He found himself pinned to the wall by a spell, and Delphi advanced on him with a smirk and looked straight into his eyes, much too close for him to breathe normally. "Failed again," he saw her beautiful red lips form the words, and in that second, she placed her hand on his chest and pain tore through his body so violently that he forgot where he was.
Then, he heard her shout at him in annoyance and felt himself hit the floor, still writhing and yelling in pain. Delphi was watching him from near the wall where he had been, wondering why he seemed to always reach for or grab onto her when she tortured him. "I thought it was an accident in the hall," she huffed at him. "Keep your hands to yourself."
Teddy, blinded with pain and shock, his head ringing with the force of hitting the ground, gasped, "But you don't."
"Oh?" Delphi said, striding over to him and binding his hands to the floor. "Would you like to experience more of that, Teddy Bear?"
He looked up, barely opening his eyes, and gave a cry as he saw her reach for him. "No-sorry, I shouldn't have-I didn't mean-"
Her hand touched his face, but there was no pain, though Teddy did not relax. "I know exactly what you mean," she whispered. "Even though you don't. I suggest you don't talk back to me."
"I didn't know what I was saying," Teddy groaned. "Your spells hurt."
Delphi watched him for a couple minutes, then began to slowly heal him, laughing at his response to her tracing her wandtip down his side and chest. "I didn't know Teddy Bears were ticklish," she smirked.
"I'm not," Teddy insisted. "I'm just tied up."
She laughed, soon finishing up the healing spells and saying, "Shall we go again?"
"I'd say yes if you let me up," Teddy said. "I'm don't think I'd be much fun tied up."
"Oh, you never know until you try," Delphi mused, and Teddy gave her a look of sarcastic horror, making her laugh again. She waved her wand and released him, tossing him back his wand before he'd got to his feet. Teddy was barely able to avoid her first volley of spells, and did not get back to the Prisoners' Wing until much later that evening.
