Here it is, I tried to do this really fast (though it was basically all written 4 months ago...) because I think I got a little scared everyone would stop reading my story because I, um, killed off a main character... Hence me adding that note at the end of the last chapter. *blushes*

To wake

Cynthia

Lights flickered, orange and weak, over the two faces. A woman stood at the foot of a double bed, cast in shadow. The lit skin of the occupants of the bed was shallow, pasty, sick, but still their hair shone and sparkled. The room was dark.

I stood and stared at my children. My children.

I had put them both in Alex's bed and the sheets, like my hands, were stained with blood. This world was dark and cruel. It was cruel for a man to throw curses at his only children. It was dark for a woman to be too cowardly to fight for their safety.

It was late in the night, time had passed like the ticking of a clock, stead but mostly unnoticed. I hadn't noticed the sun going down and I wonder what time it had happened. Had it gone down as I stood outside the hall in tears? Or as I tended my children? Maybe it had gone down as I stood here? I didn't really care and I didn't waste too much of my effort trying to figure it out but it was a strange thing to miss. Nor had I noticed the candles in this room come on. Had I lit them? The elves perhaps? Or had they been on before I even came in?

I didn't matter.

Images were descending before my eyes like slide shows and each one sent rocking shivers down my spine.

Walking into the hall I saw them, on opposite side of the room. It struck me that it was unnatural to see them so far apart and yet so similar. Each was on the floor, collapsed with their faces to the sky. I remember thinking then, with the force of an anvil, I remember thinking: 'Oh my Merlin, he's killed them. He'd murdered my children'. I remember the moment the world stopped as I processed this thought.

I saw his face. The man I loved, had loved, do love – do I love? That didn't matter either. He stood between them with a face so... I couldn't describe it. He was so angry, so shameful, so... quiet. I didn't look at him as he gave me orders and stormed away. I was in a state of shock.

Once upon a time he had been my stable, my one thing that didn't change around me. No, my delusions had been powerfully built.

The world was closing around us and I cursed the power behind it. My shame was complete and overpowering. To think, that I had once supported this. To think, that even when I had realised the truth, I'd stood back and let it happen until it was too late.

My children, bruised, tortured and bloody, should never have been here. They were so strong but what could they have done? Nothing, not as the events went. I could have done something. I could have.

But I didn't.

At least they were alive. At least they have a chance. At least I have one more chance to do what I should have done a long time ago.

I wept. I could have stopped this. The tears stained my blouse. I could have sent them away. I was filthy and their blood stained my hands. I was a coward.

But not anymore. He could kill me if he wanted, torture me or slice me to shreds. I would no longer be a coward. It wasn't bravery though, I wasn't brave, I was terrified and I just didn't care. That wasn't bravery.

In the morning he will come into this room, ready to take his children to the Dark Lord and he will not find them. He will expect to find them here with his dutiful wife but he will not. The blood-stained sheets will be empty and I will be standing here ready for whatever punishment he believes is necessary.

I had awoken from my naive trance.

I will not be a coward.

Alex

I woke to pain. My body throbbed in every place possible. My head was pounding and my arms and chest felt like thousands of needles had been beaten into place there. My muscles felt feeble and exhausted.

Where was I? What had happened to me?

It came back to me in snapshots. Small pieces of memory that eventually built up to make a picture of –

"Lara!"

I sat up suddenly and every inch of me vibrated with complaint. The room was dark around me apart from the feeble light of a dozen candles. A hand was laid on my chest and gently pushed me back into the pillows.

"Easy, take it slow. Lara's fine. Or at least as fine as yourself, with... additions." A gently voice said, breaking.

"Lara... she's alive?" I asked not quite sure to whom I was speaking but not caring apart from that vital fact I needed to know.

"Yes, she's completely unconscious but alive."

Unconscious... that's why I could not hear her. That and I must have been fairly disillusioned. She was alive.

It was then that I recognised the voice.

"Mother?" I gasped, of all the people!

"Yes. It's me" she said with a sigh "and we need to get you out of here. Soon."

I gentle pulled myself into a sitting position, noticing in the process that Lara lay next to me. I gasped.

"Her face! Will it heal? How long is it?"

A bright red cut travelled from her left temple, down to the corner of her mouth and then down her neck and shoulder, vanishing beneath her robes. In the light it looked grizzly although I could see mother had preformed some semi effective healing charms on it to seal it and stop it bleeding.

"I tried to heal it but it was a dark spell that doesn't heal very well. She'll always have a scar there. And as for how long it is... it goes down to her hip" she sniffed and nervously ran her hand through her black hair. It was a habit Lara was partial to and I stared as I saw the familiar gesture.

I shook my head in disbelief. He'd broken all his boundaries tonight.

"Why did you marry that monster?"

She gave a quiet, humourless laugh.

"Why? Because I loved him. Because I didn't know what he would become. He was charming, handsome and intelligent and all my family approved. Even I am not a fortune teller, I failed at Divination. No, by the time I even had an inkling of what he was becoming I had a family, with two growing children who needed a sta- a stable life, I didn't think... this would happen." She bowed her head and I realised this was the most emotion I had ever seen in her. The cold woman I'd known had broken and this was what was inside.

"How are we going to get out?"

She looked at me and I saw tear tracks striping her face.

"Your father is asleep, I have your wands and you trunks are down stairs. I'm going to sidelong apperate you both to Hogsmeade and send a message to the school. That's the only way it will work, I'm not going to send you on the Night bus." She said with a determined voice. She was straightening and dusting her clothes down.

"Can you stand?"

I swing my legs over the side of the bed and place them on the floor and though they are shaking uncontrollably I'm happy to feel they support my weight.

"Good. We're going to have to support your sister."

Later I would not be able to recall the details of our escape. I had been too weary and my brain could not absorb the memories.

We crept about the house nervously. We'd managed to wake Lara and I was carrying her in my arms. It was hard work and my torture weak arms and rickety mind did not like carrying her weight but I had to because she was completely out of energy. Something about the curse had drained her and I was anxious to get her to Hogwarts.

Darkness was everywhere; it was trying to cling to me like the desperate fingers of beggars. The shadows stretched on in this too large house. The corridors were too long, to cold and too empty. We walked passed to many doors to count and the stairs of ice stone twisted surreally.

Mother was leading the way through the cold corridors with a light bobbing before her and she kept nervously looking behind her shoulder and around corners as if she expected him to jump out suddenly on the next bend. I found myself wanting to do the same, each prick on my shoulder made me shiver and want to spin around. I didn't have the energy to perform my wishes though.

When we reached the front door where our trunks were waiting she pushed me ahead of her and out into the cold night. The wind seemed to blow straight through my robes and I shivered violently. Lara curled up tighter in my arms and I hugged her to me tightly.

We were together at least. I didn't think about the dark seconds when I believed her to be... no, I couldn't go there...

The stars glinted in the sky and the moon, close to full, lit the path through the front garden. Mother had explained that we have to get out of the grounds before we could apperate so I headed towards the break in the fence.

Mother was just behind me and her agitated state did no good for my own nerves.

Albus and Minerva

Dumbledore was sitting in his office with Professor McGonagall. It was late into the night (or early in the morning you could say) and it may have seemed like a strange time to be having a meeting but this was important.

The news, as it most commonly was, did not bode well for the Order of the Phoenix.

"Albus, what are we going to do?" asked Minerva, the strain in her voice apparent.

He raised his head and met her eyes.

"There's not much we can do. Get Fenwick and Dearborn to cover their shift, I believe they have that evening free otherwise..."

Minerva gave a quiet sob and the room descended into silence. They sat there for about ten minutes before they were suddenly interrupted.

A protronus in the form of a Gazelle burst into the room its silvery light eliminating the sober faces of the two professors. McGonagall jumped to her feet while Dumbledore passively looked at the silver form.

Then the Gazelle opened her mouth and a female voice echoed around the room.

"Help them. They're at the gate of the school. I tried my best."

And then it vanished.

Dumbledore, motionless before, suddenly got to his feet and strode from the room, McGonagall close behind.

"Who do you think she meant; whoever she was" she asked at his heel.

"I have a guess"

Alex

"What will happen to you mother?" asked Lara, her voice quiet. She shivered and I wrapped my arms around her.

Mother seemed to hesitate but answered all the same.

"Who knows? Your father will be angry and I guess this will be the real test for our fragile relationship. He loved me once and he has never raised his wand to me but I have disobeyed him and I don't know how he will take that" She said uncertainly.

She didn't sound scared, even though she was risking all for us. She just looked relieved, like she had finally done the right thing. Her change in her mind suddenly became clear to me for I could now recognise the twisting feeling in her as guilt.

"The man who did this to us will never be our father. But you, you will always be our mother, remember that" Lara said and she reached out and kissed our mother on the cheek.

I went forward and wrapped my arms around the woman who'd never really looked at me or spoken to me. She responded to us by wrapping her own arms around us and for the first time since we'd been small we hugged each other and it felt like we had family.

She pulled back reluctantly and I grabbed Lara to stop her falling.

"I have to go"

"Why? Why could you not stay here too?" I questioned, surprised to hear my voice breaking.

She smiled sadly.

"Because I must. He's my husband and I have to believe he can change back. Good bye. Never come back to us, okay? You can't do that anymore" she stared at us.

"You've both grown so much. I'm so proud of you both. I love you, don't forget that"

And then she was gone with a small pop and we were alone in the night.

Albus and Minerva

Dumbledore saw the two figures and his suspicions were confirmed. They saw that the girl was leaning heavily against her brother who additionally was gripping the fence to hold himself up. As they got closer they saw the mark across her face and Minerva let out a shocked gasp.

Anger was boiling in Dumbledore's eyes as he saw the exhaustion and pain in the clammy faces of the twins and the identical eyes that looked older than those of many mature men and women. These two had been through a lot, too much.

Minerva rushed forward once the gates had been opened and we helped them up to the castle and the hospital wing. No questions were asked, save for the silent ones in their eyes.

Poppy had come running up to us, still in a night dress and had had helped us lay them in two beds. Both fell asleep instantly and the matron had erected a screen to hide the pair while she checked them over.

The two professors waited in silence for Poppy to return, neither knowing whether they wanted to know the results of the diagnostic.

When she did come back her face was pale and grim.

"Where have those two been?" she asked as they walked into her office.

"At their parent's house I believe" replied McGonagall with a frown.

The matron shook her head and stared at her hands.

"Well somebody's been torturing them, that for sure, and used dark magic. Larissa has a cursed cut from her temple to her hip which I can't heal. She'll always have that scar. They both have the word GREY carved into their arms with the same curse. She has also been tied up and gagged, if the marks on her are anything to tell by. They both show effects of the Crutiatus curse. And thenthere is Alexander who looks like somebody has been hacking into his memories as well. For what it worth, I hope this was not done at home"

That sat I silence and digested this, their faces grim.

Sirius

It was odd without the Grey twins around, we had all got used to their presence in our conversations. There quirking duo personality, the way they spoke the same sentence between them, or the way they responded to your feelings. It was just us Marauders, as it had always been, but something had shifted in our group.

We were all worried about the Greys, Remus and I the most, naturally. Alex's empty bed ominously reminded us of their situation and I spent hours brooding nervously. It wasn't fair that almost half an hour after we had kissed he had to whisked away to most likely be tortured. I cursed myself constantly for not locking him in his bed or putting a full-body-bind on him until the train left. My tension was becoming so bad that I had a permanent lump of stone in my chest and my breathing was messed up. Me! Sirius Black, reduced to this! And it had only been three days!

We were at breakfast, Padfoot and Lily had had their ritual argument as way of saying 'good morning' and I was eating. What? Just because I'm scared shitless about the Greys doesn't mean I can't eat. The house elves had done themselves proud, as they usually did at Christmas, and Remus was looking at me with a bemused face as I consumed more and more food.

At this moment, however, something happened to make me completely forget the cinnamon and raison fruit loaf.

Tiny Amy Farmer came running into the hall (which wasn't really that unusual) and halted with a skidding stop in front of us Marauders. As expected Tabby soon came panting into the hall, her face pink from trying to catch up with the ball of energy that was Amy.

"Remus, Lily, Sirius, James. People. Guess what I've just heard. Guess! No you won't get it. I've just heard from somebody – can't remember who, a teacher, I think or maybe it was Ellen and Mary, I don't know – but I've just heard, or at least me and Tabby did, hey Tabs! You caught up! Anyway, we just heard! Alex and Lara are back!"

Me, Remus and Lily jumped to our feet.

"They are?

"Where?

"Are they alright?"

We all said at once.

Amy held out her hands.

"Easy! Too many questions! They're in the hospital wing apparently. I don't know why. I hope they're ok! Do you think they are? Tabs said their father- hey! Where you going?" she called after us but we were nearly out of the hall by now. I heard James and Wormy run after us.

"Oh no. Oh no. Oh no!" Lily muttered several octaves higher than usual as we neared the double doors of the Hospital wing.

Remus

We stopped in front of the doors. Sirius was all for charging straight in but I held him back. I couldn't stop thinking about Lara. Was she ok? What had happened? How had she got back and when and why?

I knocked on the door, trying to not break it in the process, and we waited. Sirius was shifting from foot to foot and Lily was still muttering. The other two had caught up and were leaning against the wall panting for breath. It felt like an age before the matron final pulled the door open, when in actual fact it had been less than a minute.

Her strict profile came into view and she surveyed the group of teenagers warily. There was a tired feel about her – as if she'd been awake all night and I felt my chest clench.

"Rumours really do seem to get around fast don't they? I know why your here. I don't know if there's much point in you coming in however – they're in an enchanted sleep and nothing going to wake them for a while yet." the five of us moved into the room regardless "But then you lot never do seem to be able to listen to sense." She said, closing the door behind us with a sigh.

I knew this room well. Every month I'm in here, every month I wake up after a full moon in this large airy room. That's why, as soon as I enter the room, I head towards the screens at the end, the big new screens hiding approximately two beds.

I'm suddenly nervous though.

Lara is in there for a reason and whatever that reason is I'm not going to like it. I'm scared. I'm scared of what I'll see. Is she ok? Or is she... not?

I can't not go in though, not after everything.

We're all completely silent as we walk in. Poppy is fussing around inside, doing whatever it is healers do when their patients aren't actually in need.

I see Alex first, he has dark rings around his eyes and his arms and chest are wrapped up. He's fast asleep and his chest is rising and falling gently.

And then Lara is there. Her silver hair is spread out around her pillow and her pale arms are on the top of the sheets. Her left arm is bandaged from the elbow to the wrist. Her face, deep in sleep, looks peaceful and delicate and it occurs to me that I've never seen her sleeping.

When I see her though, I cry out in pain. I rushed to her side, almost stumbling, and I stare at her beautiful face. And the cut that ran across it.

It's a livid red that stands out clearly on her pale skin and it runs from her temple to... I didn't know. It spread all the way down her face, her neck, her shoulders and then disappeared under the covers. It was ugly and a felt tears run down my face at the disgusting piece of work. Her eyes had dark shadows under them and her cheeks were shallow from fatigue.

He did this. He, who was meant to protect her. He, who had watched her grow up. He, who had fathered her. He did this.

I was so angry. The wolf inside me growled and snarled and I gripped the bed in my hands until my knuckles went white. I bit back the roar of anger trying to force its way through and I felt blood in my mouth.

I couldn't stand it. I couldn't sit here and do nothing. I stormed out of the enclosure around the beds and out of the hospital wing.

Lily

We walk behind the screens and I see the two beds next to each other with the two sleeping twins. Remus gives a small gasp of pain as he sees Lara and runs to her side. I stare shocked at the cut across her face and chest and whimper.

Somebody body has wrapped an arm around my waist and I gratefully turn into their shoulder and sob. Who would do that to their own child?

The person I'm leaning on pats me gently on the back and I feel ashamed for ruining their shirt with my tears. Their hard chest is beneath my hands and a familiar smell is coming from them. I try to think of what it reminds me of but my mind turns up blank.

I pull back to look at my comforter and I'm surprised (and a little horrified) to find its Potter. Ugh. I pull back and turn back to the twins, trying to convince myself its not to hide my blush.

Sirius is standing at the foot of Alex's bed. Just standing there, staring. He's shoved his hands into his pockets and his hair shields his face from me.

Remus suddenly gets up, his face screwed up with anger and he speeds out of the room. I begin to follow but Potter puts a hand on my shoulder and goes instead. I sigh.

Sighs, the last few chapters have just been tooo stressful if you ask me :) thank Merlin we're back at Hogwarts!