The days that followed the summer of year 1996 were too many to be contained, overlooked or even evaded. It was as if all of the sudden there was too much happening at once. Now that the truth was out in the open, Voldemort acted and retaliated with such force that many did not even know how to handle it. Or better yet where to hide in order to not be in his path of destruction and death.

As for the other side? Well there was not much they could do. When Ollivander's Wand Shop was attacked many knew that was just the very beginning of everything that followed.

In the second week of July the The Brockdale Bridge was brought down by Death Eaters, killing several Muggles in the process. The West Country followed, Talia starting to wear herself thin, fighting back whenever there was just a rumour of another attack, saving as many as she could alongside the help she received. But a few people were no match for the incredible force of the Dark Lord and his army.

It felt as if anywhere they turned, death followed. So many lives were destroyed during the first war, the memory still lingering in the heads of those who survived. Having to go through everything once more felt like far too cruel of a punishment.

Running was never easy in the past, it did not get easier as they continued to move from location to location just to stay alive. Sleeping was out of the question on most days. Panic set in despite many of them being cut out for the situation, having the necessary skills to endure.

It took a toll on even the brightest of souls, snuffing out any hope they might have had for a better future. With everything falling apart, shattering right before ones very eyes, which choices are the right ones and which ones had the ability to end in devastating failure?

Grim was not even enough to describe everything.

It felt as if the Death Eater outnumbered them, as if for every person they saved and who wished to join their cause, ten more followers of Voldemort appeared. How could they decide when to act and when to fall back? Which lives mattered more and who deserved to be sacrificed? Or left behind to fend for themselves by whatever means necessary?

Who became the informant and who would risk more in order to ensure the rest survived?

Thoughts were hectic, too many, too much happening all at once. The safe houses were filled to the brim, people cowering in fear while those few who still were willing to try, scavenged for food and supplies.

And by the end of summer, something was bound to give.

Or better yet change.

If felt that layers of her own persona were being peeled back slowly with each passing day. It was as if she was numb for a while, the vacant stares, lifeless eyes, blood and dirt, nothing registered. But when layers closer to her still beating heart were touched, it was as if Talia was struck by a sudden realisation.

She knew she could not continue.

Not in the same manner at least.

So she went ahead and took a more defensive side for once in her life, directing from inside one of the safe houses missions and plans, rarely joining them out into the open. She decided enough was enough for her. The pain of having to see people dying, the cries of everyone when attacks happened, the number of cuts and bruises on her aching body, everything started piling up to the point she actually remained inside for an entire week, locked in her room, sleeping when she could and not speaking to anyone, not until she felt a modicum of normality.

And then she made another choice.

Not to counter with fire, but to help in another sense.

So she became the healer, or better yet the Light Healer as many started calling her, bringing people back from the brink of death with her magical touch. She refused to hide her story, her scars or her powers any longer. If she was to at least take something out of her entire ordeal, she wanted to try for once in her life to do good.

Talbott ventured between two worlds, hers and the outside one, one in which she was near despite their past, the very idea of returning back to her making him fight another day and the other carving inside of him horror after horror. He still followed closely with the members of the Order of the Phoenix, but decided to take his own stand and do things his own way, at his own pace.

For him it was the right decision.

For Talia as well.

Dumbledore did come through, Felix being released, him joining to fight against Voldemort despite Talia wanting to arrange for him to leave the country. It was Talbott who reminded her he still thought she was dead, but if she wanted to see him he would not hold it against her. It would be only a matter of time until he found out the truth.

All of the sudden the past and what happened before the war became so irrelevant as if it did not even occur. Each played their part, each kept the other grounded despite their differences and it was through that they managed to pass each day.

Together in their twisted world, apart due to the war.

But it was just the beginning.

And Talia knew they needed a plan.

With this chapter we mark the end of arc 4 for this story. This doesn't mean it's over yet. There are still 20 more chapters left to be told, in the form of arc 5 which will begin publishing by the end of this year, hopefully ending this story by the time the clock chimes midnight and 2023 comes around. This has been an incredible journey and while we are on the last stretch for it, it could not have been possible without you and your support. So thank you, from the bottom of my heart.