I never understood why Ginny hated me so much. I thought that maybe it was because I was bad, but then I realized something during the Silent Years: I was innocent in all of this. I was the one who was done wrong. Not Ginny, not my father, not Mummy. I was the only one who was allowed to hurt during this. Because they all made their decisions without thinking about how I would feel about it. Mummy tried to include me in everything, but I was six, what did I know? Even she had times where she would be selfish, she was only human.

James hated me. He was raised to hate me. Every time I'd look at him or even try to hold him he'd cry like no tomorrow. It's a humbling thing when your own brother hates you. Ginny did nothing to stop it. She's only croon and pretend to be sympathetic but she'd smile at James a second later as if he was the cutest thing ever.

She got pregnant again. I just turned seven; James was one. She was pregnant again and when my mum found out she locked herself in room for about two and half days. When she came out, her eyes all splotchy and red-her skin pale, she told me to never let a man get me to lock myself away for three days. I'd remember because she locked herself away for two and a half days after the divorce was final, and after his new marriage-that neither of us went to-and after James was born.

"Mummy?" Maleah walked into her mother's darkened room. Lately, all she did was stay in her room and in bed. Her skin was always pale and her hair was limp. Her smile wasn't full of life anymore. She wasn't the same person.

"Baby," her mother called to her in a weak voice. She patted the spot next to her and coughed.

Maleah climbed onto the bed and cuddled with her mother. "Do you want me to get you some medicine?"

Katia laughed before breaking into coughs. "No. Medicine can't fix this."

It was another weekend at her father's. Her mother was too sick to take her so her auntie Ayanna took her to her father's. Ginny wasn't there, but Harry was. He took Maleah out to the pool while he worked on something on a lounge chair.

"Daddy?" Maleah asked quietly.

"Hmm?"

"Mummy's sick."

Harry looked up at Maleah with urgent eyes. "What do you mean she's sick?"

"She can't get out of bed," Maleah said quietly. "I'm scared."

That was the first time father and daughter bonded alone. He had taken Maleah out of the pool and held her I his lap for a while, but the moment was broken with the return of Ginny.

That Monday, on Harry's way to a meeting, he dropped Maleah off at home. He went inside and saw Katia asleep on the bed. Maleah couldn't be left unsupervised so Harry called Tonya to come stay with her and called a doctor to come see Katia.

"You call me tonight and tell me what the doctor says, okay?" Harry told his daughter.

Maleah nodded and sat to watch Wizarding Television while she waited for Tonya to come.

That afternoon, after the doctor visited, Harry returned. He walked into his ex-wife's room and stood in the doorway, waiting for her to acknowledge him.

"I'm dieing," she said a moment later.

Harry nodded. He didn't want to cry in front of her so he blinked a few times to keep the tears from coming. "Yeah," he said hoarsly.

"Harry," she said after another pregnant pause. "Come here."

Harry kneeled before her and took her left hand.

She reached out with her right and caressed his face, sadly. "Promise me something."

"Anything," Harry swore.

"Take care of Maleah," Katia begged.

"Of course!" Harry exclaimed.

"No," Katia shook her head. "Take care of her. Don't let her suffer, please."

Harry kissed the palm of hand sweetly. "Okay."

"Harry?"

"Yeah?" he didn't let go of her hand.

"I love you, you know that, right?"

He nodded.

"Don't make me regret it."

"I won't," he promised. He took a deep breath. "Kate-."

"No! I don't want explanations and I don't want apologies. It'll only make this harder," Katia sniffled and tried not to cry.

He nodded. "Okay."

"Go get Maleah, please."

Maleah walked in a moment later. Harry had set up the couch in the living room, promising to stay there that night.

"Leah," her mother whispered.

Maleah sat on her mother's bed, afraid to touch her.

"I love you so much," her mother whispered. "I always will love you and I will always be with you in your heart."

"Mummy, you're scaring me," Maleah whispered.

Her mother ignored her. "Remember what I've told you and remember that you are beautiful inside and out."

Maleah only nodded. "Come, sleep with me tonight." She lie next to her mother and fell asleep to the ragged breathing of her mother.

Maleah felt cold. She stared at the black earth before her and couldn't feel any warmth. Her mother was gone.

"Mummy! Mummy, wake up," Maleah sobbed. "Mummy, please wake up!"

Maleah wanted to be in the earth with her mother. Why did she have to be left behind? She stared at the face of her mother in the open coffin. In a minute they were going to lower her into the ground and place her picture on her grave. Maleah wanted to memorize everything about her mother.

"Harry, we have to go," Ginny said.

Harry nodded. He looked at Maleah. "Maleah, let's go."

Maleah shook her head. "Not yet, please."

Harry looked at Ginny with a resigned look.

Ginny huffed. "It's about to rain Harry. We can't leave James and Sirius out in the rain like this. They can catch their deaths. Don't be selfish, Maleah!"

Maleah's head shot up to glare at Ginny. "It is my birthday and my mother's funeral. Excuse me if I don't exactly want to go start a new life yet!"

"Maleah!" Harry admonished. "She's right. We have to go in."

"Please, just a few minutes, that's all I ask," Maleah begged.

"Why don't you take the portkey and Maleah and I will follow," Harry suggested.

"No! Harry you can splinch yourself if you apparate with her. Plus, I can't just take the boys and show up at home alone!"

Harry nodded. "Maleah, let's go."

"No!"

"Just grab her, Harry," Ginny snapped.

Harry picked Maleah up and carried her wile she screamed to the portkey. "Please! Let me go! Mummy! Mummy!"

"It's okay, Maleah," Harry tried to sooth her.

"Mummy! Mummy! I want my mummy!"

Her mother couldn't save her now.

This chapter is really short. Normally I'm like a pro at writing angst but I actually started crying so i had to stop. I think I'm going to change the story to angst until it gets happier, and to tell you the truth I haven't even begun to write the happy yet and I have the next 5 chapters practically written except for a few edits. Thanks a lot to all my reviews, nuthin much it up Suzy. I'm just chilling. I'm not sure what the point was of your review Ali, but I guess thanks anyway. As for gg- ginny will be redeemed but I think she's just a little insecure.