My apologies for the long wait, enjoy~!
Celosia sat on a park bench beside the playground many hours after she had seen Harry and Severus. She was surprised they had found her so quickly and figured that the park was the first place they looked. It made her happy inside that her nephew knew her so well.
Apparating away from them both broke her heart, but was the natural thing to do. She didn't get any sleep at all and spent the entire night crying uncontrollably within the trees over Severus. His words cut through her like a knife and a sharp pain was in her chest when she recalled the awful things that were said. It wasn't her fault she was a Muggle- she was born one for Merlin's sake. She didn't ask to be a witch, it was just graced upon her. What she did with her life was her business and meant nothing unless it made her happy. Her decisions made up to that moment were to make her happy- being in both the Muggle and wizarding worlds brought her that happiness.
The exhaustion was getting to her and she immediately regretted leaving without her wand. She was tempted to go back, but there was no way she could step into that house anytime soon, let alone look at Severus and give him the opportunity to give her another reason to run again. If he really didn't mean what he said to her, he would come back. He came today, after all.
After an hour of sitting on the bench, Celosia stood, walking slowly back up the path. Her stomach was growling and she could ignore the hunger no longer. She had a few bills of Muggle money in her pocket. It wasn't much but it would get her a few meals.
Stepping into the fancy restaurant that she grew to love, the man at the front greeted her immediately. "Just for you, Celosia?" He asked, leading her to a table in the far back.
"Yes, thank you Andrew." She smiled gently, trying to mask how hurt she was. The man merely nodded and left. He was used to Celosia's moping, especially after Alexandre had died. She had become a regular and would sit alone in the same spot every day.
She didn't get much to eat- just a soup and salad as well as a small pasta dish. Halfway through she couldn't even stomach food any longer, memories of Severus haunting her with every bite she took. Andrew checked up on her often, sensing her discomfort.
"I'll wrap this up for you." He said, picking up her plate.
"Don't bother, it's fine." She murmured, throwing some bills on the table and standing up. "Thank you."
"Of course." He nodded. "I haven't seen you here in quite a while. It's nice to see you again."
"You too." Celosia smiled before walking out immediately. It hurt to try and be nice to people who she knew without letting it slip how broken she was inside.
Walking down the path slowly, she noticed that it had gotten dark quickly. She was sitting and eating at least for a few hours. Once she got to the park again, she huffed, crossing her arms as she stared around. Surely Harry and Severus would have come back? They knew where she was. She had only Disapparated within the trees a few ways away to hide from them. There, she had almost burst into tears again. She wondered how much of a mess she looked.
Sitting on the bench again, she watched the area grow darker as the hours passed. She did nothing but sit there- waiting for Harry or Severus or both to get her. She ached even more inside. Why had they not come? Did they not care?
It hurt even more to know that Severus hadn't come to her. He had done the damage. He knew where she was. Did he really not care for her at all? Did he mean what he said? Perhaps he needed a witch who knew what she was doing and what she wanted. Perhaps he needed a witch who would be just that- a witch.
Her eyelids began to droop from the constant hours of being awake. It was clear that they were not coming to get her anymore- she would have to take care of herself. Standing up, she slowly made her way over to a set of trees that were conveniently high and clumped together. Staring up at them, she huffed. How she wished she had her wand so she could conjure herself a tent.
Rubbing her hands together, Celosia lurched upwards, grabbing onto any part of the tree she was in front of. She felt her grip slip and she dug her nails into the wood, cringing at the splinters that were digging into her skin. She would definitely regret that one in the morning.
She dug her heels into the bark, gaining leverage as she took her left hand and brought herself higher, digging her hands into the tree once again. Soon she slowly began to ascend, pain radiating off her body from grasping the tree and the physical strain. She had eaten very little and had no rest- she was surprised she was even climbing a tree at all.
Several minutes later, she reached the top, panting as she sat herself on a large, thick branch. She stared up at the sky, seeing stars where the leaves were not blocking her way. Looking down, she began to get dizzy. It was quite a ways down there.
Knowing she was in a secure spot, she allowed her body to give out, immediately passing out.
The next morning she awoke in surprise. She hadn't tossed or turned in her sleep and was successfully leaning against the branch. Part of her scolded herself for not thinking her plan through- surely she could have slept on the ground.
After climbing a bit down the tree, she leaped the rest of the way down, landing on her feet and standing straight. Staring back up at the branch she was previously lying on, she shook her head. If she had fallen, it would have been a long way down.
At that moment, Celosia didn't have time to think as a burning sensation pierced itself into her neck. The woman let out a scream, but it was muffled with a large hand covering her mouth as sharp teeth released their hold on her skin.
The figure let go of Celosia, the woman falling to her knees and grasping at her neck in pain. She looked up, narrowing her eyes and scowling. Fenrir Greyback stood above her, grinning madly. "I thought you were dead." She sneered.
"For the boy who defeated Lord Voldemort, he doesn't know how to go through with murder very well." The werewolf replied with far too much glee.
"How did you find me?" Celosia looked at him with disdain, trying to stall him from killing her at that moment. Surely Harry and Severus were here searching for her again. It was ironic how much she now wanted so desperately to be found by the duo.
"I have to admit, you tried your best to avoid exposure very well." Fenrir looked down at the witch, towering over her powerfully. "It was only a matter of time until you would drop your guard. Where's your wand, witch?"
Celosia frowned, glaring up at the werewolf with as much hate as she could muster. The bite in her neck was burning like wildfire, and she could feel it spread. She hoped upon hope that she would not end up with the same fate as Fenrir.
"Tsk tsk." He shook his head. "Even you know better than to go out without a wand. Did you and poor Sevvy get into a fight again?"
The rage in Celosia doubled and she picked herself up off the ground, lunging herself at the werewolf and wrapping her fingers around his neck. They both stumbled for a few seconds before Fenrir clawed at her torso, breaking through the fabric of her clothes and scratching at the skin, blood beginning to pour from them.
She refused to let her grip go, her thumbs immediately pressing down on his Adam's apple. The werewolf let out a choke as he growled, taking his fist and punching Celosia right where her wound was, successfully allowing the woman to let go and fall to the ground again.
"You bothersome woman, I would have Avada Kedavra-d you already if that stupid Potter boy didn't cause me to lose my wand." The werewolf growled, stepping towards Celosia menacingly. "The good old physical way that Mudbloods do should suffice in getting rid of you. I can't wait to see Severus' face when one of your fingers is sent to him in a box."
Before she could say anything else, a kick was sent straight to her abdomen and she let out a whimper, staying where she was as pain radiated from her torso and her neck, spreading to every inch of her body. She immediately scolded herself for not having brought her wand with her, and how much she could have avoided this mess.
A magical force brushed past her and sent Fenrir flying, the werewolf crashing into a tree and falling to the ground unmoving. The fading green light gave Celosia the hint of exactly what spell was used.
Arms wrapped themselves around her, fingers pressed against the inside of her wrist. Harry's face appeared in her view and she heard his muffled voice as he spoke to her. "Auntie Cel, it's ok, we're here. Hang in there, you'll be ok, I promise."
The hands around her began petting her head softly and she instantly knew they did not belong to the boy. Before she could register what was happening, her eyes closed and her body gave into the pain that spread throughout her.