Chapter Twenty-Three: Without You

Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling. The underlined portions are taken directly from the novel; I do not own those parts. They belong to J.K. Rowling.

Author's Note: This fanfiction is going to be different from my other stories. This picks up where "The Heart of Everything" and "The Heart of Everything: Shallow Bay" left off. The time in the books also changes. So, pay attention the time, so you don't get confused. Some of the chapters are other Marcus Flint/Katie Bell stories, just with more changes and deleted scenes added.

Time: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Genre: Romance, Drama, and Friendship

Rating: PG-13

Katie crossed her arms over her chest and stared at the front door. She and Marcus were going to have a serious talk whenever he did manage to find his way home. She had warned him not to get to involved with the Death Eaters and this was what happened. Did he really not talk her words to heart?

She looked over at Emily, who was playing with a toy. If only Marcus was like Emily and Katie could keep him at home by her side.

The front door opened and Marcus stepped in. "We really need to something about those barriers. I think they're getting weaker."

Katie just nodded. "Is there something you want to tell me?"

Marcus stopped in front of her. "Is there something that you know that I don't?"

"About Muggles and you."

Marcus's eyes darted around the room. "Um, how did you find out about that?"

"You're not the only one who talks to people."

Marcus didn't answer.

Katie frowned at him. "I told you what would happen."

"I know, but I can't exactly say no. They already suspect that something is up." His thick Irish-Italian accent was coming out. As much as Katie enjoyed an accent, his was very difficult to understand. Most of the time, he kept it hidden.

Katie nodded. She knew it was the truth. "So, what are you going to do about it?"

"I'm still working on that one," Marcus muttered.

"You can't blow your cover or they will not hesitant to kill you."

"You think I don't know that?" Marcus's voice got higher with each word.

Katie sighed. She knew he was scared, but she really didn't know what to tell him. She didn't want to lose him either and couldn't even think about her life without him. She knew that he felt the same way.

Marcus sat down on the coach. "They're getting inside of Adrian's head too. I didn't think they would be able to get through his thick head, but they did find a way."

Katie sat down beside him. "Just don't let them get in your head."
"I'll try not to."

Katie gave Marcus a pointed look. "You better not."

"I won't."

Katie looked at Emily on the floor. She wished that she could be like Emily, living in the world without a care. Those days were long gone.

"What do think about the plan?" Marcus asked.

Katie sighed. "I think it's suicidal. There's just too many gaps for me to actually consider the plan. Even if we are correct, a lot of people are going to get hurt."

"I've never heard of this supposed hiding spot and that really makes me wonder." Marcus paused. "It could just be a way to draw the Order out and kill us all."

Katie nodded. He did have a good point. "How can we talk them out of it?"

"I don't think it would be hard to convince Mum to back out. She's already not wanting to go."

"Jenna thinks that getting out of the country is going to be more difficult than she thought. They're stuck in Northern Ireland. The Death Eaters are keeping tight tabs on everyone coming in and out of Great Britain and Ireland."

Marcus looked down at his feet. "What about going through France?"

"It's harder to get into Europe. Jenna and Dad looked into it, but it's too risky." Katie closed her eyes. "The Americas are currently the safest place in the world."

"It wasn't hard to get Haley out, but she's pureblood."

"Exactly. I kind of wish Harry would appear so we could know they were staying hidden so well. The Death Eaters always seem to find whoever they are looking for and Harry just seems to have stumped them."

"He's probably hiding right under their noses," Marcus pointed out. "No one's seen him since September."

"Unless, they're not talking."

Marcus and Katie looked at each other, thinking the same thing. Katie could not believe they had been so stupid. It made since for the Order or one certain member not to be talking.

"He did seem less talkative at the last meeting. I thought that was because of what's been going on between him and Tonks," Marcus said.

Katie sighed. "We just didn't think of the possibility."

"I wonder if it's been an occurring thing or if it was just a onetime deal."

"I don't know." Katie got to her feet and started to pace the room. "For all we know if could have been months ago."

"I know, but you think he would have said something."

Katie nodded. "I know. Maybe he was doing it to protect Harry. Protecting someone you care about does tend to mess with your head."

"I know." Marcus got to his feet and went over to Katie. He took her hands into his. "Which is why I think it's best if you take Emily and get out of the country. It's going to get ugly."
Katie looked into his pleading brown eyes. She did not want to be one of those females who ran at the sight of danger. She wanted to fight alongside her husband. However, there was Emily to think about and with Katie's family leaving the country, it did make her wonder.

Marcus kissed her lips. "It would be easier if we left separately."

Katie eyed him. Was he for real? "What about the Death Eaters?"

"Screw the Death Eaters."

Katie gave him a look. "You can't say stuff like that. It'll get you killed."

"I know, but it was fun to say it."
Katie laughed, then stopped. "But you can't leave the country."

Marcus put his arm around her. "We'll figure something out."

"Something that hopefully doesn't involve you getting killed."

Marcus nodded. "Hopefully."

Katie looked at the giant main window down into the lake. The mist was just beginning to form. She sighed; she really did hate foggy nights, but it did make for the prefect loving night.

She pulled away from Marcus and looked evilly up at him. "What do you we put Emily to bed early and have some fun for ourselves?"

Marcus kissed her forehead. "I like the way you talk."

Katie giggled and bent down to scoop Emily up. She was just about to stand up whenever Marcus forced her back down onto the ground. Katie opened her month to yell at him, but the sound of breaking glass stopped her.

The glass shattered over them in a rain of sharp needles. Katie held Emily underneath her and the glass rained down on the floor. Marcus put his hand over Katie's face as the glass flew closer to them.

The cries of ravens filled the night air as they landed with a loud pop on the longue floor. Katie felt bile form in the back of her throat as she realized that the ravens were dead.

Just as quickly as they had come, the ravens disappeared, leaving behind their dead brothers.

Marcus and Katie slowly got to their feet. Katie looked down at Emily and was relieved to find that the baby was unharmed. She looked over at Marcus and saw that he had several small cuts, but nothing major.

Marcus put his hand to Katie's arm. "You're lucky."

Katie looked down at her arm and saw a long, but not deep, cut on her left arm. "So, are you."

Marcus and Katie shifted through the glass and ravens to the window. Most of the glass had been broken out.

Katie looked out over the hills and quickly stepped back. "Marcus, look!" She pointed to a hill that was a kilometre of so away.

Marcus's eyes got big. "We have to leave."

Katie nodded.

The Dark Mark lit up the night sky. It's green glow casted a sickness and feeling of dread over the land. Katie closed her eyes. This was just too close.

Marcus tugged on Katie's arm. "We have to go."

The wind was starting to pick up and the glass was threatening to blow again.

Katie nodded and followed Marcus out of the house.

"We'll get Emily to my parents, then come back and try to board it up." Marcus paused as their reached the end of the enchantments. "You don't have to come back and help if you don't want to."

Katie just nodded as she took Marcus's hand and Apparted them to Flint Manor.

Katie winced as the alarms went off that surrounded the property. Marcus ignored it and kept pushing forward. Katie looked out and saw Marcus's parents pushing across the lawn with their wands out.

"Stop!" Jasmine barked as she pointed her wand at Marcus's chest.

Marcus froze. "It's just us."

Jasmine didn't lower her wand. "What are you doing here?"

"Don't I get a better welcoming?"

"Not until you answer the question."

"Death Eaters, ravens, and broken window." Marcus looked at his mother. "Do I need to say anymore?"

By now, Brad had caught up with them. "What happened?"

"Basically, the Death Eaters attacked Hundred Valley. Before you ask, we didn't see them, but we did see the Dark Mark."

Brad rubbed his face. Katie could read his expression well: someone had died tonight.

Jasmine looked down at Emily. "I think you should get her out of the night air."
Katie nodded. "Yeah, it's pretty damp out."

Jasmine nodded toward the house and the rest of them followed her. Katie kept looking down at Emily. This latest attack was just too close for Katie's liking. She didn't want to admit it, but she really was considering following Marcus's advice, at least for the time being.

Jasmine lead them into the longue room. "If I look, I still might have some of Haley's old things for Emily. We have a crib upstairs for when the boys visit."

Katie nodded.

"We do probably need to go back and board the house up," Marcus said. "If it looks empty, people are going to start asking questions."

Brad nodded. "What I can't figure out is why there."

"Me neither. There's a high population of wealthy purebloods living in the area and the Dark side is all about saving magical blood." Marcus paused. "It's not like there's a bunch of Muggles in the area right now either. It's the off season."

Jasmine nodded. "There must be something there. It's next to the ocean so maybe it's an escape route."

"It could be," Katie chimed in. "My parents are using small towns to get out of Great Britain. The Death Eaters do seem to stay closer to higher populated areas."

"It would make sense," Brad said.

Katie looked ahead. She knew it was important to figure out why the Death Eaters were hanging out in certain areas, but felt that they should focus on the big picture. An innocent person or family was killed tonight.

Brad got to his feet. "We should go over and fix your house up."

Marcus and Katie got to theirs.

Jasmine took Emily from Katie's arms. "I'll stay here with her. Besides, she's almost asleep and there's no point in waking her up."

"Yeah, that would be great," Katie said as she followed the two men out the door.

Jasmine grinned. "Besides, one of us needs to go with them to make sure that they accomplish what they are doing."

Katie laughed while Marcus and Brad just stared at her.