Disclaimer: I own very little.

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Leaving Once and For All

"We're getting out of here, mom," I grumbled to her, hearing the noise growing louder.

Between sobs, she spoke to me," I just didn't want you to know this way…"

By the sounds of the roof above, we had very little time before whatever it was came down. Immediately, I sprinted over and literally grabbed my mother before dodging toward the exit, where all of the Deatheaters had already left through. Quickly, I pulled myself through the tiny window before turning and grabbing my mother, as well.

As we escaped and were safely out of the home, I was absolutely speechless. We tromped over to the our home, I heard her tears still pouring from her eyes.

Without speaking to her, I stormed to my room and starting re-packing all of my trunks. The news was still so fresh that I was being a little rash, but I certainly was not staying here with this devil of a woman that I was unfortunately gifted with as a mother. As I pressed all of my belongings back into their respective trunks, she kept on trying to speak to me as though she had a chance of changing my mind.

"Lana, please-" Mother tried, but I had no interest.

"Don't try to make it better," I shot at her as I tossed my blouses into the trunk.

"I certainly can't make it any worse, now can I?" She exclaimed, clearly frustrated as she crossed her arms.

"I'm getting out before anything else can happen-" I told her firmly, looking her straight in the eye as I packed the last of my clothing and slammed my trunk shut.

"You think you can run from him?" She asked me as I carried my trunk passed her, moving into the hall. "You can hide from me, Lana. You can take your trunk and go live with your father for as far as I'm concerned, but if you think for one minute that you can outsmart him. You're fooling yourself."

I let the silence hang for several moments as I grasped what she said. Sure, the thought was frightening, but at that moment I wished for nothing more than to leave her presence.

"You should have told me. You should have prepared me for this," I whispered harshly to her, looking her straight in the eye.

"How does a mother tell her child that she is bound to a life of servitude to the Dark Lord?" She asked me, tears coming to her eyes. "I tried getting you closer to what was going on with him, but your father was and is not supportive of that. He wanted nothing to do with me after he learned of the trade, but we made it work for you, Lana."

"You should have never had me then if you had such a deal laying on your shoulders," I shot back at her. "He didn't deserve this and neither did I."

"You don't understand the pressure I was under, Lana," She said pleadingly as I continued to the door, pulling my hood over my head as I did so.

She knew there was nothing more she could do, but she continued to babble helplessly as I forced my eyes away from her. I adjusted my grip on the end of the trunk and turned the door handle, feeling the cool breeze of the outside world blowing into the house. It seemed to fit the mood perfectly.

"Don't try to get me back. Have fun with your little boyfriends," I snipped at her before pulling my load and entering the porch.

"Lana, I'm just telling you," She called as I stormed off into the night. She yelled after me. "You're not doing yourself any good! You're hindering yourself! I haven't done anything-"

She finally stopped yelling after she knew that I wasn't turning back around. In all honesty, I didn't know exactly how I would get to my grandparent's, but for now I was going where I knew I was safe and that was at the Flockton's house. At that moment, there was absolutely no regret in my action. She knew that she had wronged both me and my father. Why would anyone try to have a family when such a curse lay upon her family?

Looking back, however, I didn't understand the severity of her bond to the Dark Lord. I certainly wasn't going to try to be reasonable, however, for I was fuming. When I arrived at the Flockton's front porch and knocked on the door, I may have taken out some of fury on the door. When Mrs. Flockton came to the door, she had this panicked look on her face like someone had attempted beating the door in.

"What in God's-oh Lord, Lana!" She immediately recognized me and cocked her head. "Dear, what's going on?"

I didn't have to say another word before she draped her arms over me," She finally-"

"Yes, Mrs. Flockton. I know," I said simply, feeling tears burn in my eyes as she squeezed me tightly.

"Dear, I'm so sorry. I can't even tell you how many times I wanted to take you out of there," She whispered in my ear as she held my head close to her, as if I was her child.

I swallowed before forcing a smile," I don't need to stay here for very long because I don't want to burden your family, but I do need to get to my grandparents."

She nodded, though I knew she was protesting on the inside," We can set you up on the Floo tomorrow morning, dear."

With that she gave me one last pat on the back before inviting me into their home. Inside, it was warm and inviting as it always had been. I noticed, however, that it was rather quiet. I looked around expecting, someone, anyone from the Flockton family to come into the main room, but no one did.

"Where is Ben?" I asked, looking around as she took my trunk from my hands.

"Oh, he is off with Anna for Christmas vacation. He wanted to meet her family and this was a perfect opportunity for them," She said simply, wringing her hands nervously together as if she sensed this was an awkward topic. "I'm going to put these in Benjamin's room. You can stay there for the night."

"Thank you, Mrs. Flockton," I said with a smile on my face as she scurried off with my trunk.

"It's my pleasure, dear!" She called over her shoulder as she dropped my luggage in a nearby room.

Within several seconds, she was back in the room letting out a sigh as she thought of something else to talk about.

"Would you like any tea or-"

"No, no I'm fine, really," I answered with a smile on my face as I took a seat on their couch.

She exhaled and took a seat across from me in one of the loveseats. After several moments of silence, she began to speak again.

"So, um, Benjamin tells me that you're dating someone at Hogwarts?" She asked with a raise of her brow.

I swallowed hard, finding this conversation may be taking another turn for awkward. I knew Mrs. Flockton, however, and knew that she was just genuinely concerned for me and cared to know about my personal life. She used to hear all about my life and now that Benjamin and I hardly speak, it must have been strange for her.

"I am, yes," I said as color came to my face.

"Well, love," She pushed, not satisfied with my answer. "Who is he?"

I chuckled at her persistence," Oliver Wood. He's the captain of the Quidditch team and a good kid. I've only just started dating him really so we're just getting to know each other."

She tilted her head and cooed like every other female," How splendid. I'm truly happy for you. Benjamin has told me that you seem satisfied so I guess I'll have to trust that. You should know that I always thought of you like my second child; therefore, if the boy ever tries anything-"

"You'll be the first to know," I finished before she could.

She smiled at this before another silence engulfed our conversation.

"So, um, how are Benjamin and Anna?" I asked quietly, knowing this would be another topic that would keep her talking.

"Oh, they're spectacular, dear. Anna is a perfectly sweet child, as I'm sure you know," She started; mentally, I had to roll my eyes, but made no outward notion of disagreement. "She is just a joy and quite a complement for Benjamin. She's intelligent, witty, and cute in her own little way."

"That's great," I said with a smile on my face. "I'm glad they're happy."

"Yes, yes so am I," She said and surprisingly enough…that was all she had to say on the manner. This shocked me slightly as she stood up to go "tend to other chores". I sat in the main room for several moments before strolling back to Benjamin's room where I was staying.

It had been quite a while since I stepped in his room. Immediately, I felt my childhood flushing back into my head. The small room was just as I remembered Benjamin. He had books upon books stacked nearly everywhere. I picked up a couple and flipped through them, allowing the old scent to fill my nostrils. Some of them I believe were there even when we were children. Apparently, his interests in decorating his room still remained low. I noticed a couple of posters on the wall of various famous wizards whom presumably did something great for witchcraft. I certainly didn't recognize them.

On his desk, there were, as expected, more books, but also more pictures. There were pictures of him as a little boy, pictures of him with his parents, and pictures of him and Anna. Many pictures of him and Anna. I picked up each of the moving pictures and watched as they spun around in various places. Good God, it looked as though they were already married. They were absolutely perfect together.

Just as I was setting down one of the pictures, I picked up an older one tucked in the corner of the desk.

A smile instantly curled on my lips for I was looking at a scene from our childhood. I was on top of Benjamin's back as he ran around in circles, proud that he could hold me on his back. The sight even made me chuckle for I remember begging him to put me down, but he never would until I was absolutely desperate. It was a fond piece of my memories that even as I sat the picture down, I wished to keep on looking at it.

Behind me, I heard a knock on the door frame.

"I brought more blankets in," Mrs. Flockton said chipper as she dropped a stack of blankets on the bed. "Benjamin complains about it being a bit drafty in here."

"Thanks," I said, nodding to her. Before she could slip out, I asked her one more question. "Mrs. Flockton, where is your husband?"

"My husband?" She asked, arching a brow before the reality of the question hit her. "Oh, yes, Mr. Flockton is out of town on a business matter."

"Oh, alright," I answered simply with a nod. "Just curious."

"Right, well, sweet dreams, Lana," She said quietly before quickly disappearing.

How strange of her to be so secretive or shocked rather that I would ask about her husband. I tried to push this aside as I made myself comfortable and tried to prepare for bed. Though rest was uneasy, I at least was able to get a couple of solid hours of sleep.

Early that next morning, Mrs. Stockton woke me and had a hefty breakfast prepared. We spoke casually as we always had and it was almost normal. Other than the fact that I still had flashes of both my mother and the Dark Lord that would periodically pop into my head. I tried to repress the thoughts, but sometimes…they just slipped in and I couldn't do much about it.

After several conversations and lovely moments with Mrs. Stockton, she finally prepared the Floo in their home. She explained to me that she was able to get in contact with my grandparents and father early that moment. She was sending me to one of the port towns nearby. Apparently, one of the shops had a more popular Floo destination that would ensure safe and sound travel.

"Dear, I wish you the best," She said to me as she hugged me for one last time before placing my trunk back in my hands.

"Thank you, Mrs. Flockton. Do tell the rest of your family hello when you get the chance," I said simply, looking straight into her eyes.

"Of course, dear," She said with a nod before patting me on the back. "Tell your father hello for me, as well."

"I will," I said with a smile before taking a hand of the powder as I stepped into their fireplace. "Thank you for everything."

"It was my pleasure," She answered with a smile. "Take care."

And with that, I said the name of the village loudly as I threw down the powder. With many twists and turns and bright flashes of color, I was standing in this shop in a matter of seconds. In the transition, my trunk must have slipped from my hands for as I stumbled out of the fireplace, my luggage came tumbling after me and bumped into my legs as we came to a stop. Every time I travelled by Floo, I felt an incredible headache afterward. Of course, it was safe and all, but I just felt a little woozy and disorientated after to say the least.

"Lana?" A voice cried, and I looked to see my lanky father standing at the edge of the little shop.

Immediately, I forgot about the bag at my feet and ran to embrace him. He wrapped his arms around me and I felt his lips on my forehead as he said," I'm so glad you're here."

Seeing him in this setting was spectacular and I felt overwhelmed with a rush of emotions as he held me tight. After several seconds, I forced myself to look straight into his eyes," I'm not ever going back to her."

"Dear, you don't ever have to," He whispered in my ear, understanding that I must have discovered the secret. "We have much to discuss."

A/N: I'm back! And ready to give you guys the rest of the story Let me know what you think!