Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to JK Rowling's characters. Any characters that are not from the world of Harry Potter are of my sole creation and I own the rights to them. This is a slightly AU story. Contains a piece of dialogue from HBP – but rewritten to go with this story.

Special Thanks – DamonSalvatoreLover

Chapter 12

The Jorkins family sat in their living room. Mr. and Mrs. Jorkins sat on a red and gold brocade sofa lined with black walnut and an ornamental cabochon on top. Oberon and Thomas sat opposite them on matching armchairs. The floor was dark cherry wood lest for an oriental rug that lay underneath the furniture. The home was rich, inviting, and definitely cozy even without the fireplace crackling behind Oberon.

The family sat across from Oberon and Thomas, their faces sober yet sincere. Lara watched from a distance as she leaned on a wall in the hallway. Ulysses stood across from her a few feet away, keeping her company. She glanced sidelong at him and heaved a heavy sigh.

"What's wrong?" He inched forward but stopped, still keeping a respectful distance from her.

"I haven't seen my parents for months." She looked down, "Do you know how long I've been away?"

"You never told-"

"A year." Lara looked back at him. Her eyes bore into his, "One. Whole. Year."

Ulysses looked away, "You didn't try to escape sooner."

"I was stupid." Lara shook her head, "There were many times I could have escaped but he had this strange hold on me. I thought I was a strong person but," she sighed again, "I don't know what to think anymore." She pinched the bridge of her nose between her thumb and index finger, "I was stupid. I was very stupid. I believed in love. How stupid is that?"

"You don't believe in it now?"

Lara looked down and shrugged. She could have sworn she heard disappointment in his voice but pushed that thought aside. She did not think she could ever love anyone again. She looked at Ulysses again. He was very handsome. She studied him without him knowing. His eyes reminded her of gunmetal and despite everything, she could not take her eyes away from his strong, broad shoulders. His chestnut hair was a little too business-like for her taste but she found herself liking his style because it was different from his. When he looked back at her, she looked away, visibly flustered.

"Have they decided anything yet?" She looked down again, trying to hide her blush.

"It looks promising." Ulysses looked confused by her sudden shyness, "They just want to make sure that they'll be safe."

"I feel awful." Lara said, her words shaking. "I brought this all on myself. These people are innocent and have nothing to do with him. I should not even be asking them to do this for me. I wouldn't be surprised if they kicked me out now."

"You don't understand. People are good. There is still some good left in this world."

"I've seen too much to believe that."

"Right now, you don't believe me but you will," Ulysses peered down at Lara. "You need to heal and to forget about him."

"Him." Lara laughed sharply, "It always goes back to him."

Ulysses smiled mischievously, "You can't even escape him in conversation."

"Oh!" Lara laughed softly, "That was horrible."

"But, I got you to smile."

"Yes, you did," she smiled again.

Ulysses placed a strong hand upon her shoulder, "We're all here for you. All of us."

Lara's shoulders slumped, "You have no idea how much that means to me. You'll be here for me too?"

"Of course I will," Ulysses smiled back.

"Will I ever get to see my parents again?"

"Truthfully, I don't know," said Ulysses.

"I miss them so much."

"I know."

Oberon's voice from the other room called Lara and Ulysses over. Lara and Ulysses exchanged worried looks. Lara instinctively grabbed hold of Ulysses' hand before crossing the threshold into the living room. Thomas raised both eyebrows with a smile upon his features and nudged Oberon in the shoulder. Oberon pretended not to notice and cleared his throat.

"Mr. and Mrs. Jorkins have decided to welcome you into their home."

"Thank you very much," Lara addressed the Jorkins.

"Under one condition," Oberon continued, "that they receive some protection in case something does happen. They would like to help you Lara but, they would also like a sense of security in their home."

"That is understandable," Lara spoke up. "What is their proposal?"

"They would like an auror to stay here with you."

"Do I get to pick the auror?" Lara asked.

"No." Oberon said, "They will pick either Thomas or Ulysses."

Mrs. Jorkins noticed how Lara cringed when Oberon mentioned Thomas and smiled to herself. It was clear that Thomas was out of the question.

Mrs. Jorkins spoke up, "I would like to pick Ulysses." She eyed the fact that Ulysses and Lara were still holding hands and smiled a knowing smile.

"So then it is settled," said Oberon.

Thomas and Oberon stood up, ready to leave. They walked out of the living room. Thomas walked outside and closed the door behind him. However, Oberon stopped and motioned to Lara to talk to him in the hallway. Lara followed him to the hallway and turned towards her brother, "Will I see mum and dad again?"

"I don't know, Lara."

"Can I write to them?"

"Too dangerous." Oberon shook his head.

"Does this mean that I can never come home again?"

Oberon's brow wrinkled with emotion. He shook his head, "Too dangerous for now."

"Will you visit me?"

Oberon smiled, "Dangerous is my middle name."

"Do you think that when you come visit that you could try to bring mum and dad?"

"I'll try." Oberon hesitated, "Maybe I can see if we can get the Floo Network here but that might be too dangerous too. Maybe. I'll ask. I don't want to give you false hope."

Lara nodded solemnly, "Try to get them to visit. They're not angry at me, are they?"

"No. They send their love."

Lara smiled, "Tell them how much I miss them."

"I will."

Oberon gave his sister a quick hug, "Take care of yourself. I don't want to hear that you haven't been."

He turned to leave; however, he looked back at her and said, "And Lara, Ulysses is a good man."

With those last words, he left.

Tom Riddle sat outside an office in Hogwarts. A brown briefcase clutched in his hands; he waited nervously tapping his long fingers upon it.

The door opened and Albus Dumbledore walked out of the office. He clearly expected to see Tom here. It would appear that an appointment had been made. Dumbledore opened the door further, and tilted his head towards the room as if to tell his former pupil to come in.

Tom obliged and shut the door behind them. Dumbledore sat down, "Good evening, Tom. Won't you sit down?"

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