Wishes

by stardancer10

Marie, a witch who doesn't know it, finds herself facing unthinkable odds to save everything she has ever loved. After watching her family slaughtered by masked men, she wishes to go back and change it... people warn you to be careful what you wish for

9. Chapter 9

(Disclaimer: I own or claim none of J.K. Rowling's work or characters, the only character that I claim is Marie.)

Author's Note: Sorry it has been so long since I last posted. As I've mentioned before I'm bouncing back and forth between both of my stories. I'll update as often as I can.

Wishes

Chapter 9

The sun was rising over the horizon when Marie was finishing up her run around the grounds of Stone Manor. It had been five months since her birthday. The month of May was beginning to warm the green fields with each passing day. The vast fields and farmlands around the manor were beginning to come to life again. That wasn't to say that there wasn't rain, it was Great Britain after all, but that was the nature of things.

In the time that had passed Marie continued to exude the perfect well-off, cultured socialite. She moved easily through the different upper circles of Pureblood society. She was living the life of the ultimate European socialite by day and the occasional evening, but she was networking while doing so. Most nights were spent gathering information on the enemy and working to bring down their entire network down when the time came. She was also continuing her education and studying under Madam Raglan. Her Sorceress power level had been leaked and many were seeking her favor and to ally themselves with her. The whole situation was exhausting for her and was beginning to take its toll.

Marie and her Guardians were working with the Ministry and Gringott's to set up the foundation to bring down the Dark forces. For the first time in ages the Ministry and Goblins were working together to set up those that were truly loyal to the Dark Lord to lose everything. Their coming and goings were watched carefully. All monetary movement was tracked and duplicated copies were sent to the DMLE. The contract that Marie and her allies had signed saved those working on the inside from facing the same fate. The way that they got Gringott's to agree to this was by promising them a certain percentage of the funds recovered as well as the artifacts found, such as the Goblin wrought items.

Marie made her way swiftly through the halls of her home towards the master suite. The blues and purples complimented the warm wood tones chosen for the room. The room was a bit more feminine than the typical master suite would have been furnished, but as she the owner and Head of her families it didn't bother her. There was a tasteful sitting area and a window seat looking out towards the Irish Sea. While her property didn't border the sea, she was close enough that she could see it from the western facing side of the Manor.

Walking through her room she stepped through the adjoining master bath and connecting walk-in closet. She tossed her clothing in the hamper and stepped under the warm spray of the shower. Rinsing away the sweat on her body she took her time, relishing the relaxing feel of the water pouring over her skin. When she was done she stepped out and grabbed a nearby fluffy towel. Once dry she donned her bathrobe and stepped into her closet to choose an outfit.

Perusing the clothing there, she realized that she would need to choose carefully. Flipping through the clothes hanging in her closet, she was feeling a little frustration. While things were going well and according to plan, she was getting tired of the carefully played game. Finally deciding on a ruffled blouse and a high waisted skirt, she grabbed a set of undergarments as well as a camisole and a pair of silk stockings. With a wave of her hand her hair dried and she shrugged off the robe. Dressing quickly she arranged her clothing carefully. Leaving her medallion over her blouse, she selected a simple pair of earrings. She sat at the vanity in her room and pulled her hair back into a chignon and dabbed on a little perfume. With one last look in the mirror, she summonsed a pair of black pumps.

Summoning her travel cloak with her left hand, she looked around searching for her wrist holster. She quickly fastened the holster and grabbed a clutch and made her way down to the front hall to floo. She mentally steeled herself for the upcoming afternoon and went over the plan that had been carefully discussed with her Guardians. Calling out her destination, she swirled away in a flash of green light. In a polished movement, Marie stepped from the floo into a room and smoothed her clothing and hair. With a wave of her hand the soot disappeared from her body and she smiled impishly at those present on the room.

"Ah Marie, good of you to join us," one of the gentlemen present greeted her as he bowed over her hand.

"I was charmed to receive an invitation Lord Cranston," Marie said demurely.

"Come, let me introduce you to my wife," he said drawing her in the room. "Ah over there is Lord and Lady Potter, but of course you know them."

Lord Cranston led her into the main solar of his home. His wife was hosting afternoon tea and he was having the gentlemen over for billiards, cigars, and aged port. The two groups would reunite for an early luncheon to discuss a charity even for St. Mungo's Hospital. Marie though not considered Pureblood, was accepted because of her association with the other elite, but also because she was heiress to two very ancient and very powerful Houses. There were many families vying for the chance to get their hands on her fortunes.

Marie certainly fit in with their social elite groups. She transitioned smoothly in whatever setting she was in and many were hard pressed to find any fault with her bearing or comportment. Those that had any sort of disagreement or problem with her presence never expressed their feelings, not when so many of the Ancient and Noble Families approved of her. Families from both sides of the fence respected the young woman.

Marie nodded at those present and kept up small talk with the ladies. She answered the questions asked of her love life coyly, though they all knew that she was not seeing anyone seriously. Many of the women were interested in arranging contracts with their sons or single male relatives. Here was a powerful single young woman, set to inherit big and be Head of two of the many lost Ancient families of old.

Marie mingled and spoke quietly with the other ladies present. She could tell that while most of them accepted her there were those that merely tolerated her presence, like Walburga Black for instance. The sniffs of disdain when she was near and the snide comments were not unnoticed by the others, who made a point of keeping Marie clear of that crowd.

The afternoon wore on and the luncheon wound down until it was time for everyone to depart. Marie thanked the host and hostess and made her rounds. Men from both sides subtly waved with their right arms, showing almost identical wrist watches. Marie grinned and waved to them happily.

Her network was expanding and she was making good progress. Over time she was silently bringing in groups to her side of things. She wasn't giving them ultimatums or threatening their families. She wasn't demanding money or their first born. Marie's side was offering freedom for all; freedom to choose and do what they must to protect their families. While she was staunchly against the Dark, she wasn't completely in the Light either. She was publicly and proudly declaring herself Gray. With her plans to eventually formalize a group of her allies into a Coven, she knew that she had to continue on with her work. Formal Covens had fallen by the wayside and while weren't considered illegal, many thought that they were Dark. Marie thought this was ridiculous of course. She and those loyal to her would be the middle ground and turn the tide of what was to come.

Marie was brought out of her musings by a gentle nudge from Dorea. The group chatted politely for the remainder of the gathering. In a surprising outcome, both sides were able to amicably pool together their resources for St. Mungo's. Marie knew that it was a political move for many of the families gathered, but whatever the reasons the hospital would have additional funding now.

She accepted her cloak and allowed Elena and Franco Zabini to escort her to the floo. The Potters and other members of her Guardians followed shortly thereafter. In a move of solidarity, the group took their leave and whispered their destination for the floo. One by one they all stepped out of the fireplace at Stone Manor.

Marie led the group the front parlor and called for one of the house elves to provide tea and refreshments for the group. She shrugged off her travel cloak and handed it to her house elf with an affectionate smile. She really did care for the loyal little creatures. Now that she fully understood the magical bond between them and their masters, she was more inclined to be accepting of the arrangement. At first she balked at the idea of having servants. Once her Guardians had explained the mutually beneficial relationship, she relented.

Sitting carefully on one of the couches she observed the group with a swell of warmth and a slight pang of sadness. This group had become her family in the short time that she had been there. It had been nearly two years since she had appeared and in that time the group had taken her under their wing and protection. They attempted to shield her from the worst of their society, while carefully grooming her to fit in. They had given her every opportunity and bit of training that they possibly could. Her upbringing with her family had given her an advantage in that she already knew how to behave in most social settings, her Guardians only needed to brush up on what she already knew.

When Charlus had floo'd the others to help Marie, none of them had batted an eye. They rallied together and quickly assembled a group to stand between the poor girl and any that would seek to exploit and use the girl for their own means. While many looked to and respected Dumbledore for all that he had done, they also saw that he held too much sway and more often than not it was his way or people were blacklisted. The wide spread ramifications of their actions were still rippling through society, reaching far and wide.

Each of them knew the risk that they were taking when they had openly allied themselves with the young woman. While she had declared herself as Gray, many were of the Light or Gray parties themselves, though some leaned toward Darker tendencies. They all knew that they were making themselves some powerful enemies, but at the same time realized that they would have been targets eventually regardless.

Marie cleared her throat to get everyone's attention. "Well I would say that today was a success. There were a few more people that approached and dropped names, but I will wait and see before I make my move."

"A wise choice my dear," Alphard said with a slight smirk. "How you weren't part of my old House I will never know."

"I also think that we need to accelerate our original timeline," Marie said with a slight huff. "I have no way of knowing if I will be going back home this coming December or not. I want everything ready just in case."

The group stiffened, but listened to her reasoning and plans for the coming months. She had just over six months to continue cultivating her network and allies. As it stood now her group had the majority of Muggleborns ready and waiting to do what was necessary. They would slip between both worlds and gather resources. The Squibs she had brought in were just as keen on making a difference. The werewolf faction was growing with the number of attacks that were taking place. Marie was providing them sanctuary and employment as well as a place to live, something that neither side had been previously been willing to do. She treated them like people and with dignity.

Then there was the rest of her network. There were witches and wizards from the Light, Dark, and the Gray all ready to see the devastation end. With each passing day people were disappearing and families were being attacked and targeted. Many of the Pureblood families were coming to realize that even they were not safe from the Dark Lord. Since the war had started a number of Pureblood families were wiped out, just because they disagreed with the Dark Lord and refused to join him. Even those that believed in the Pureblood dogma were realizing that the upstart Dark Lord wasn't above killing or torturing those that were among his followers. For some the realization was too late, but for many they were actively looking for a way to ensure the safety of their families. Many of his most loyal followers were looking for a way to protect their children and the next generation.

Marie snorted at that thought, more like the Dark tosser. Lord indeed, she thought spitefully. He was nothing more than that bastard child of a near Squib and a Muggle. Oh she knew exactly who he was, and took great amusement in informing as many people in her group as she could. Alphard and Nikolai had been miraculous in what they found about the self-proclaimed Lord. Hogwarts had also revealed quite a bit of information to Marie when she had knowledge passed to her in the ritual. She knew a great deal about the Dark Lord and Dumbledore. Dumbledore, while not Dark, was manipulative enough to do whatever he deemed necessary all for the Greater Good, or his version of it. When the masses found out the truth there would be a reckoning.

Tidbit, one of Marie's house elves approached with a letter in hand for her. Marie shrugged and opened it. She was startled to discover that it was from Darius Myers from the Arrows. He and some of his teammates were going to be in London that evening and were wondering if she would be going out to Trinity. They wanted to know if she would enjoy company.

Marie flushed and grinned. Looking up she noticed the looks that she was receiving from her Guardians. In the months since passing her NEWTs she had lived the life of a well cultivated Pureblood socialite. To blow off steam she would enjoy the night life from time to time, enjoying music and dancing. She had run into Darius and some of his friends a few times and they had kept an eye on her to make sure that she was safe for the evening.

"A friend has invited me out for the evening," she explained.

"Who is this friend?" Franco asked with a furrowed brow.

"Darius Myers," she replied with a grin.

Nikolai sputtered on his drink a bit, "The Seeker for the Arrows?"

When Marie nodded, there was an immediate reaction from the male members of her "family". She rolled her eyes at their reactions. The raised voices differed from saying he was too old to they knew nothing about him. It was Dorea and Elena that finally settled them all down. The group discussed Marie's plan for the evening.

After a bit of a heated debate, the males caved and conceded that Marie would be going out and meeting up with Darius and his friends at Trinity. The only stipulation was that Miles and Brett would be there to keep an eye on things. Not that it bothered Marie. She had gone out with her friends a number of times previously. The security force for the night club consisted of a few members from her task force and a couple of the male werewolves that lived at the compound. She knew that she would be perfectly safe there. While she could understand their concern, it was a bit stifling at times to answer to so many people, males in particular.

The group bid her good evening, though Elena and Franco stayed behind to see her off. Marie went up to her room to prepare and change for her outing when the others had left. She perused her wardrobe when there was a knock on her bedroom door. Elena stepped in the room and walked over to her.

"I know that you're a bit frustrated with the males," she said softly. "They're just concerned and they care about you. I know that Franco and I have come to see you as one of our own. He's just being over protective."

"I know," Marie admitted quietly. "It's not that I don't appreciate it because I do. It's just that I'm still adjusting to being stuck as a teenager again. I've already gone through this and gone to college. I'm not used to answering to anyone anymore."

"We are trying to remember and understand that Marie. However sometimes it is hard to remember when you appear to be a teenage girl, a very attractive and unattached one with no family to protect her at that," Elena pointed out.

Marie made a face. "It's not like I ask for the attention. I certainly cannot begin a relationship knowing that I'm going home. I've turned down a number of suitors. Going out with friends is one thing, but I cannot allow myself or someone else to become attached," Marie told her.

"Don't sell yourself short Marie," Elena cautioned. "While it is smart and honorable for you to understand your situation, you shouldn't stop living your life because of it. You have no way of knowing when you'll go home. So live, be happy, and enjoy what time you do have with us."

Marie mused over what Elena had said while looking through her clothes. She was startled from her thoughts when Elena handed her a deep purple knee length halter dress. The A-line cut of the dress would be very flattering and perfect for a night out dancing. Marie looked through her closet and found a black shrug and her black clutch. A pair of black pumps would complete the look.

Elena took her hand and squeezed it comfortingly, "Go and have fun Marie. Enjoy being sixteen again and make the most of it. It is a rare thing that one has the chance to relive their youth."

With that Elena took her leave and left Marie to finish getting ready. She curled her hair and put on make-up. The smoky eye shadow gave the look a dramatic feel and accentuated her green eyes. She spritzed on her rose scented perfume and made her way downstairs once she was satisfied with her appearance.

Franco and Elena greeted her when she entered the main parlor of the house. Franco looked like he wanted to protest her leaving in her current attire, but Elena nudged him in his side. They told her that she looked lovely and let her know that if she was amendable, they would stay at Stone Manor that evening to make sure that she made it home alright. Marie grinned and nodded, knowing that they would have spent the night up worrying if she didn't agree. She didn't mind them staying and after everything that they had done for her, it was easier to just go along if it made them feel better about things. With a final wave she stepped into the floo and whirled away to the public floo station in Diagon Alley.

Marie stepped from the floo and dusted herself off. Looking around she saw that the Alley was full of the hustle and bustle of the night life. In the sky she noticed that though it was dark, it was a clear night. Turning towards the sound of her name, she found Darius leaning against one of the buildings opposite the floo. He stepped forward and bowed over her hand, kissing her knuckles. She grinned at him and laughed a bit breathlessly. He winked at her and turned to introduce her to his friends, which turned out to be his teammates and a few other players on other teams.

"We should be heading out if we want to be able to get into Trinity," Darius said, offering Marie his arm.

Marie grinned at him mischievously, "Oh, I don't think we need to worry about getting in."

He looked at her with an eyebrow raised. "Really? How is that? This club is always packed and very exclusive."

Marie snorted, "As it should be. Trust me, when we get there we'll get in."

"If you say so," he said with a curious look on his face.

The group stepped out of the Alley and made their way through the Leaky Cauldron to Muggle London. From there they hailed the Knight Bus to Trinity. With a bang they were off careening through London and just a few short minutes away they arrived at the club. Marie stepped down from the bus and towards the club. Darius and the others followed her as she walked past the line, despite the shouts of protest from the waiting crowd. Marie smirked at them and the group that was accompanying her.

"Marie!" a deep voice called out when she reached the front of the line. "How are you, love?"

"Micah!" Marie exclaimed as she hugged the burly man waiting at the door. "It's wonderful to see you! I'm well, how are you?"

"Doin' fine love, doin' fine. You headin' in this evenin'?" Micah asked. His amber eyes flashed as he observed the group with her.

Marie grinned at the werewolf and nodded. "Yes my friends and I are going to head in for a night out. Come join us when your shift is over, I'll buy you a drink," she said with a wink.

Micah grinned and let her and the ten young men with her into the club. The music was blaring and the lights were flashing. Marie grinned as the guys all tried getting her to tell them how she managed to get them all in. She just shrugged and told them it was her little secret.

The group headed downstairs past the wards to keep Muggles separate. While the club was willing to host both, Marie and Alphard had felt that it was better to discretely have a separate floor for magical clientele. There were subtle wards that would keep the Muggles upstairs, while the Magicals, if they chose could go down to a separate part of the establishment. They didn't have to, and were more than welcome to mix and mingle with the non-magical people.

Marie and her group went with the non-magical crowd for the start of their evening and later chose to head downstairs. Walking towards the bar she waved to another of her friends working there that night. With a wink and a grin the bartender pointed her to one of the VIP tables that had been set aside for her and her group. Darius looked at her in question but she just smiled and shook her head.

Darius and the other waited until Marie was seated at the VIP table before inquiring. She just grinned at them with a shrug. For the time being they chose to enjoy the night and leave the issue, but Marie knew that at some point they were going to ask again.

She took off her shrug and placed her clutch on the table and allowed Darius to lead her out onto the dance floor. From there she danced with each person in their entourage throughout the night. Micah came in and spent some time with the group and took Marie for a spin on the dance floor. She got him his promised drink and the group had a great time all around. A few times during the night she spotted Miles and Brett, they were with their other halves and staring down the males in Marie's group.

Soon it was last call. Marie couldn't believe that it was already close to one thirty in the morning. She grabbed her shrug and clutch and allowed Darius and his friends to lead her through the throng of people departing from the club. They had tried to get her to explain how she was able to get them into the club, but she smiled mischievously and told them it was her little secret. She really couldn't let people know that it was in fact her club. She let them believe that she was a regular who knew the owner.

Darius and his group cleared the way through the crowds now bustling in the streets as most bars and clubs were closing for the evening. The group protectively made a barrier around her as they passed the rowdier and more intoxicated crowds. Around the corner Marie discreetly summonsed the Knight Bus. They boarded the bus and made their way back towards Diagon Alley. Darius bid his friends good night and insisted that be made sure that Marie made it back home safely. He stayed with her on the Knight Bus and exited when the bus stopped outside of the wards of her property.

At first he couldn't see the property, but Marie took his hand and whispered the code and address to him and the property shimmered into sight. Darius held her hand and followed her past the ward lines and gasped when he felt the tug of the wards as he crossed their perimeter. His eyes bulged when he felt a series of perimeter wards every few feet for the first fifty feet from the property line. He glanced at the petite young woman next to him and wondered what was really going on. He was drawn to her. There was something about her that he just couldn't put his finger on.

Marie held Darius's hand in companionable silence as they made their way closer to Stone Manor. As they neared, they could see some of the rooms lit up in warm welcome. She smiled softly as they walked quietly, getting closer to her home. She knew that Franco and Elena were waiting for her and would most likely be a bit surprised that Darius was returning with her. A burst of wind swirled around them and Marie shivered in the cool night air. Darius put his cloak around her shoulders and drew her closer to his side as they walked. There was a damp heaviness in the air, it would rain soon.

She could feel him glancing at her curiously ever so often as they neared the manor. As they got closer, the size and scale of her home became evident. Darius slowed and stiffened a bit as the front doors opened and Franco and Elena waited for them to walk up the steps. She met their quizzical looks with a shrug and a grin as they greeted Darius. The quartet entered the foyer and walked to the main parlor just off the entrance.

Marie told the Zabinis that Darius had escorted her home to make sure that she had gotten there safely. The young man looked a little uncomfortable under the gaze of the tall and broad Italian man. Marie laughed softly seeing the male interplay and winked at Elena.

Turning back to Darius and handing him his cloak she said, "Thank you for inviting me out tonight, I had a lovely time."

He accepted his cloak and carefully folded it over his arm. "It was our pleasure to have your company, Marie," he told her.

"Will you be fine using the floo?" Marie asked politely, hoping to avoid too many questions.

He regarded her for a moment and nodded. "Using the floo would be perfectly fine," he said while looking at her carefully. "There's more to you than you let on, isn't there Marie?"

Marie shifted uncomfortably and looked to Elena and Franco for some sort of guidance. They looked just as unsure as she did. With a sigh she took his hand and led him to sit on one of the sofas. Nervously she looked up to see him watching her quietly, waiting for her to answer his question.

"You'll need to swear an oath and take a vow of secrecy before I tell you anything," Marie told him quietly.

"I don't understand," he said.

"Darius, I cannot say anything to you without it," she said to him tiredly. "They'll hunt me down and kill me if you don't. If they find out, everything will fall to pieces."

"What is going on Marie?" he asked in concern, clutching her hands. "Who will kill you?"

"Darius!" she barked out, stopping his rant. "You need to swear the vow and oath, and then I will tell you everything."

He looked at her for a moment and nodded. Taking out his wand he swore on his life and magic not to reveal anything that would harm or endanger her. He took it a step further when he said that he would do what he could to help and protect her. There was a flash and her medallion thrummed with power and his family crest appeared along the edge with the many others there.

Marie had a watch in her hand and held it out to him. He looked at it for a moment and then looked at her in shock. There had been many people wearing identical or similar watches for months now. It was becoming a bit of a fashion item, a who's who sort of trend. These were custom watches and exclusive. The magic behind them was impossible to duplicate or copy. He had seen a few gentlemen at his father's cigar night wearing them and young men in the clubs or Diagon Alley had them as well. There had even been a few young women that had the more feminine version of the watch.

He accepted the watch and held it as he listened to her pour out her entire story. From the very beginning there was no doubt in his mind that she was telling the truth. As far-fetched as it all seemed, it also clicked and made perfect sense to him. He knew that she and the others played a dangerous game. Darius carefully put the watch on and felt the thrum of the magic on his pulse point in his wrist. In doing so he realized that he had agreed to and accepted both her and that he meant to help her in whatever way that he could.

"So you're nearly seventeen here," he said, "but you were twenty-one in the future. How does that work?"

Marie smiled ruefully, "I have no idea and believe me I would have much rather stay my actual age rather than showing up here as a scrawny fourteen year old kid again. However, it has given me the advantage of reaching out to those who will be key players when I return home. I'm hoping that I've got enough of a foundation to help when I go back."

"What do you need from me?" he asked her seriously. "What do you need me to do to help?"

Marie shrugged, "I don't expect you to put your life on the line. Information is just as important as actual fighting, if not more so. You're in a position to hear and see many things while flying under the radar."

He nodded thoughtfully. "How does this affect your decision about Quidditch," he asked.

"Darius, in all honest I'm probably going to disappear come December," she told him quietly. "I don't have much time to get everything ready and in place before then."

"So while you want to play, you can't?" he asked.

Marie nodded, "There's nothing that I can do. Things are going to get very complicated and confusing when suddenly 'poof' I'm gone and then twenty years later 'poof' I'm back."

They sat talking in the parlor for another thirty minutes. Elena and Franco listened and added their insight as well. It was nearing three thirty in the morning when Marie called Tidbit and had two suites readied for her guests. The Zabinis would be staying and Darius would be staying as well. They would continue their discussion in the morning.

Marie trudged up the stairs to her rooms once she was sure that everyone else was comfortable and settled in for the night. She stripped off her dress and cleaned off the make-up. She shrugged on a nightgown and climbed into bed. Marie let herself drift off to sleep. It had been a long hard day for her and she prayed that everything that she was doing would be enough.

Elena sat up quickly and jumped up from the bed. Franco mirrored her actions when they heard the blood-curdling screams tear through the manor. They ran out in the hall and met a wide-eyed Darius there as the group made their way to Marie's rooms at a run. They threw her doors open and found her thrashing around on her bed. Elena made it to her side as she fought off unseen foes with tears pouring down her face. Her whole body was trembling and she was sobbing as Elena held Marie to her.

Franco sat next to his wife and rubbed Marie's back soothingly. He murmured to her that everything was alright and that she was safe. Darius knelt next to the bed and watched helplessly as his young friend struggled to calm down. It was obvious to him that this wasn't just a nightmare, she was remembering, which in his opinion made it so much worse.

Marie took a shaky breath and released it. She angrily wiped away her tears. It had been a long time since she had such a terrible reminder. Most nights she could sleep peacefully, but apparently telling Darius everything brought it all back to her mind. She could still hear the screams of her family and smell the blood and smoke in the air. The mocking laughter of their tormenters and murders rang in her mind even now.

Looking around she realized that she had woken the others. When she tried to apologize they waved it off and told her that it was fine. Darius asked her if she was alright and she nodded to him tiredly, telling him that she was fine. Darius nodded to her and the Zabinis and made his way back to his room, leaving them to speak privately.

"Piccola, are you alright?" Franco asked her gently.

Marie nodded, "I'm fine, just memories."

"Do you need anything Marie?" Elena asked.

"No, I think I'll try to get some more sleep and if I cannot I'll go down to my training room," she told them.

They took their leave and went back to their own rooms leaving Marie tucked in her bed haunted by memories of the past. Nothing that she could say or do would change the fact that her family was now gone. Even if by some miracle she managed to end up back where it all began, there was no way that she alone could take on all of the Death Eaters herself. Help had shown up, but after the bedlam and after almost everyone was dead. The cold harsh reality of it swamped her once more as her grief over washed her senses. Curling into herself, she rolled over pulling the blankets in around her shoulders tightly and cried herself to sleep.

Late the following morning Marie stirred awake in her rooms. She stood and went into the bathroom to shower. After spending a solid half hour with the steaming hot water pouring over her body and washing away her grief and tears, she stepped into her closet to get dressed for the day. She chose a simple pair of gray trousers and a bottle green blouse. She grabbed undergarments and a black camisole and began getting dressed. Pulling her hair up in a simple pony tail, she made her way down the stairs where she found her guests waiting in the eat-in kitchen. They were talking quietly when she entered the room.

Darius stood when she entered and went to her side to see how she was doing. Everything that she had told him and then seeing her reliving her memories brought it all home to him. He hadn't slept well after he left her rooms earlier that morning and had spent most of that time up thinking about what he had been told.

The pair walked to the nook where Elena and Franco were sipping their coffee watching the pair. Elena winked at Marie while Franco regarded the young man with a serious look on his face. Marie smiled reassuringly at them and sat at the table. She accepted a cup of coffee from Elena with a smile and the group settled into their breakfast quietly.

Marie could feel the weight of Darius's gaze as they sat eating. She told him that she was fine and smiled shakily at him. They finished their meal and the Zabinis departed for their villa. Marie and Darius floo'd Diagon Alley to run errands and meet with some of Darius's teammates. They had gone to the Quidditch supply store, the Apothecary, and the bookstore before stopping to have a light lunch at an outdoor café.

Darius and Marie sat talking quietly in hushed tones. Darius was trying to get her to agree to let him be more active in her plans and help her more. She was emphatic that he just stay in the background and be her ears in certain circles. Their discussion continued for a while longer before Darius suggested something that completely threw Marie off kilter a bit.

"What if you and I started seeing each other," he said, "I mean, we would really just be friends, but what if we started being seen more together in public; give people the impression that we're together. It'll get you into some of the circles of society that you want information on and it would give you a chance to travel to other cities to supposedly see me, but really be a chance for you to network more."

"Darius," Marie said sadly and guiltily, "I couldn't possibly do something like that. What would you be getting out of it? This doesn't sound like a very good plan to me."

He leaned in closely and took her hand. "My father has decided that it's time for me to settle down and choose a bride. Easy, I'm not thinking of making anything permanent with this. It would give me time and breathing room before doing my duty as heir, but also give you the chance to branch out more," he told her. "Just think about it."

"Darius, it really wouldn't be right," she told him softly. "I don't know that I could even be in a fake relationship with anyone right now. If you really want or need my help though, I will do it."

He grinned at her tiredly. "So we're going to be seen together more publically. I would appreciate the help. It would give me more time to find someone that I find compatible. The ladies my grandfather have suggested leave much to be desired."

Marie looked at him still very unsure of his suggestion. It had its merits. They would both have the safety and relative protection from their pretend romance. She didn't want anyone to be hurt though, and she knew that the whole situation was bound to end badly. Looking up she found him regarding her with a tired and hopeful expression and nodded cautiously.

"Brilliant, love!" he told her in relief. "The boys will be here to meet up with us soon, I would expect."

"Darius," Marie said softly, "we need to set up some basic rules so that no one gets hurt in the end. You've been a good friend to me and I don't want to lose that friendship."

"You're a sweet girl, Marie," he told her while kissing her knuckles. "Friends first and always. Now, we'll just go with things and let people make their assumptions."

Their conversation was interrupted by the boisterous and rowdy voices of Darius's friends and teammates. The group made their way over to the pair. Friendly bantering, joking, and ribbing was directed at Darius. He waved it off good-naturedly and smile mischievously at Marie. She winked and grinned back. The group drew their own conclusions and slapped in on the back on congratulations. Their outburst had drawn the attention of other people nearby and shoppers in the Alley.

Marie already noticed some of the speculative stares directed her way. She plastered on a demure smile and turned back to Darius. He was looking at her with a concerned expression, but she just smiled and waved it off. He leaned over and told her that if she didn't want this that they could put a stop to it before it started or end it whenever she wanted. She just shrugged and sat talking and enjoying the company of Darius and his friends.

They stood when she made to get up. Ever the gentlemen, despite their playboy attitudes, they escorted the young woman and walked in a protective group around her. These were darker times, and just the other day another witch had been snatched and disappeared from the Alley. None of them were taking any chances with the petite witch in their company. Especially not when it seemed that the little lady and Darius were beginning to start a relationship together.

The group were heading to the training grounds for their practice and had talked Marie into joining them. They went so far as to bribe her with being able to fly with them. She looked up at Darius with her green eyes sparking in excitement and nodded. After a brief pause, she looked down at her clothes and realized that her attire was not suitable for Quidditch or flying. John Mickelson threw his arm around her shoulder and assured her that they would find something suitable for her to fly in and she could borrow one of the spare brooms.

Darius grinned at Marie as they landed in the locker room of the pitch. He held his hand out to her and led her to a separate area of the locker room that was typically designated for the female players, though his team had none currently. He handed her some of his extra practice gear and shooed her to change. He turned back and went to get into his own gear before going in search of Marie.

He found her sitting on the bench tying up a pair of trainers that her house elf had apparently brought her. Trying to smother his laughter, he saw the change of clothes there for her as well. Her house elf did dote on her, as did many people in her life. There was just something there that inherently brought out the protective streak in those around her.

"Ready for this?" he asked.

Marie smiled up at him, but she had a troubled look in her eyes. "I'm ready to play, but I still have doubts about our previous discussion Darius. We can go out as friends, but I don't think it's a good idea to tell people we're together. If they assume it then that is on them."

"Agreed," he said. "I know that this is asking a lot of you, but think of it this way. Worst case you get to visit me and different places for a little while."

She nodded to him, still not sure that it was a great idea. "Let's go play some Quidditch, though don't be surprised if I fly circles around you," she told him with an impish smile.

The responding catcalling to her declaration had her blushing. His teammates were leaning against the lockers nearby watching the two grinning outright. They made their way out on the pitch and Marie marveled at the size of the stadium. The thrill of anticipation shivered down her spine as one of the team's assistants brought out the brooms and other gear. The Manager Mr. Quintin excitedly made his way over to Marie when he saw her standing among his team.

"Finally come to your sense and decided to play?" he asked jokingly.

Marie shrugged and grinned at him. "Darius invited me along and bribed with a chance to fly."

"Did he indeed?" Quintin asked. "You and Darius are friends then?"

Marie flushed at the implications of his words. "Yes, we're friends," she answered.

"Easy there Mike," Darius warned. "We're friends and seeing what happens from there. She's not yet of age and it would be inappropriate for things to be more than that." He said reminding them that she was just sixteen. "Besides if things were leaning towards a formal courtship, there are rules to be followed. My family is pushing me to settle down, but I'm not ready for that yet. She's a good lass Mike, a good friend."

Mr. Quintin and the rest of the team regarded the two carefully. They all caught the meaning behind his words loud and clear. She was a friend and nothing more at this time. That she was spending time with him and would be for the near future wasn't a surprise, especially with his family pressuring him. They nodded and agreed to keep things quiet. It was clear to them that she was essentially just going to be helping a friend out.

Marie listened and watched the interplay between the teammates carefully. She was startled from her thoughts when she heard the sound of a few cameras clicking. Turning towards the edge of the field she saw that there were members of the press present. Catching Darius's eye she scowled and nodded towards the reporters.

"You could have warned me," she said to him flatly.

"Surely a little press isn't a problem for you," Mickelson teased, "word has it that you're quite the socialite and little lady."

Marie snorted, "People see what they want to see."

She stopped herself from elaborating, but pasted on a carefully schooled smile on her face, completely changing her appearance from the friendly open young woman, to the little lady they had referred to her as. They watched her politely answer their questions, while charmingly chatting away with the sports reporter like he was along lost friend. Her coquettish smile and changing of topics skillfully redirected the more personal questions. Mr. Quintin watched as she led the reports to the bench on the sidelines and talked to them a bit more before turning back to the field, leaving the press on the sidelines.

They watched as the little lady socialite persona slid off of her features. Looking up at Mickelson she grinned and winked. "And that is how you deal with the press and let people see what they want to see," she told him with a laugh.

Her behavior baffled many of them, but they soon realized that she presented herself to the rest of the world how she wanted to be seen in that moment. Seeing her so relaxed in their presence was rewarding for them because she was so uninhibited with her laughter and smile. She relaxed and seemed to enjoy herself throughout the practice and through the flying drills. Their reserve and practice squads were called in to join and an impromptu game was begun.

Marie was indeed flying circles around some of her competition. She could hear the snapping of the camera, but she shut the sound out and searched for the Golden Snitch. Mr. Quintin was letting her play Seeker for the team playing against his starting Arrows. A glint of gold caught her eye and so casually flew around above for a moment before she was off like a shot. The colors of the other players blurred past her as she pushed the broom going into a vertical dive straight down. She heard the shouts of warning and pulled up ten feet from the ground following the Snitch.

By now Darius had caught up to her, but just barely. She leaned forward, putting her body almost parallel with the broom and urged it faster still. She banked hard left and pulled up. Reaching out her gloved hand closed around the Snitch and Quintin blew the whistle. There were hoots and hollering around the pitch. The Beaters wrestled the Bludgers back into the case and Quintin took the Quaffle.

"Where the bloody hell did you learn to fly like that?" Darius asked with wide eyes. He was breathing hard and clearly out of breath from the game.

Marie touched down and was picked up and spun around by Darius. She laughed when he passed her to John Mickelson, who was now trying to convince her that she needed to play, for his team, any team really. Marie laughed it off and told him that she wasn't sure that Quidditch was in her future.

"Are you daft lass?" John asked. "You can outfly people on this team. You beat Darius and I know he wasn't holding back. Quidditch is yours for the taking when you're of age."

Her reply was cut off when she noticed a few familiar figures making their way towards her in the middle of the pitch. It was like a cold splash of water and she instantly went on alert. They wouldn't be here looking for her without sending word ahead if there wasn't something wrong.

"Marie, correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it decided that you wouldn't try out for Quidditch until you're at least seventeen?" Alphard asked calmly.

"Tryouts?" Marie asked startled. "Who said anything about tryouts? I was just here to fly and play a quick game of Quidditch."

"Don't play coy piccola," Franco said with his eyes sparking in amusement.

Mari fought the urged to stamp her foot or poke him in the eye. "I have not now, nor have I ever tried out for Quidditch. I would appreciate it if you stopped accusing me of lying," she told them sharply. "Was there something that you gentlemen needed?" she asked carefully.

"There's been a bit of a minor crisis," Franco said evasively. "Elena thought it best if I fetch you before you made your way to the charity luncheon this afternoon. It has been postponed for the time being."

Marie stepped forward in concern. "Is everything alright? Is everyone safe?" she asked urgently.

"I don't think this is the time or place Marie," Alphard said.

She let loose a stream of curses losing her composure. "I would expect more information from you when you hunt me down and tell me there's been an incident gentlemen, regardless of the company that I keep," she chided them. "I need to shower and change and then I'll be right with you."

"Marie," Franco said softly, "there's no time your presence is needed immediately."

"Tidbit!" Marie called out. With a pop the elf appeared. "Please take my things from the locker room to where we're headed."

She straightened and turned back to the very confused Quidditch players. Only Darius seemed to know what was going on or what it meant because he had gone pale. She stepped to him and told him that she was fine and that she would owl him later. He hugged the petite girl who could easily steal his heart had it been in another time and place. He tried to make her promise that everything was alright but she couldn't meet his eye.

Pulling away she thanked Mr. Quintin and the rest of the team and walked towards her Guardians. In the background she could hear the clicking of the cameras and dreaded what may be printed. Swallowing down the fear and panic she let them apparated her away. First they landed in an alley in London. From there they portkeyed to Dorcha Gaol where chaos ensued. There were anguished cries of pain and agony. She raced through the halls towards the infirmary.

Brett and Miles had been out on a recon mission that apparently went very wrong. They were ambushed and a quarter of their team had died in the attack. Half of the team was injured severely. She ran to her rooms and quickly changed into a tank top and her combat pants before returning to help. Three hours later everyone had been treated and seen. Marie was magically and physically exhausted. She had poured as much of her power into helping as she could, severely depleting her reserves in the process.

She was helped back to her rooms at the compound. Elena helped her out of her soiled clothing and into the bathroom. She feared for her young charge. The girl was far too pale and cold to the touch. The elves had a steaming bath drawn and Elena helped Marie into the warm waters. She added splashes of various scented and healing oils to the water. Taking a large dollop of shampoo she washed the young woman's hair. When Marie was washed and scrubbed clean, Elena helped her from the bath back to her room. She tugged on a nightshirt and tucked the girl into her bed.

Elena sat in a chair near the bed and watched they young woman sleep. The girl took every loss and injury personally and blamed herself for it. She had used her powers almost to the point of no return in healing what should have been fatal injuries that day.

She was startled from her musings by a knock on the thick oak door. Franco poked his head in the room tiredly and made his way to the seat beside his wife. He looked to find Marie in what he could only imagine was a deep healing sleep. He and the other Guardians had run interference and made sure that Marie wasn't linked to anything. Their contacts had given them enough of a warning that it wasn't a complete loss. Marie's plans were beginning to take for and shape into something tangible and hopeful.

It came at a great price and cost though. One small slip up would lead the Dark right to them and they would be completely wiped out and everything would be lost. They were already under scrutiny over their association not only with Marie but with her other Guardians as well. While many saw the interactions as a careful political arrangement, there were those that still regarded the situation with distrust and speculative gleams in their eyes.

"How are the others?" Elena asked.

"Tired, but safe. We were able to get them out just in time," he told her wearily. "It is a dangerous game we play my love. I fear our neutral stand will not last the things to come."

"We haven't been neutral since the moment we agreed to help her Franco," she chided. "It was a family agreement to help her and we will stand by it, come what may."

"Yes, of course we will," he assured her. "You should get some rest, I'll watch for a time."

"Nonsense," she objected. "I'll be staying right where I am until I'm certain that she's going to be alright."

Marie stirred from a deep slumber eighteen hours later to the muffled sounds of a heated argument. She recognized the voices of her Guardians, Darius, and her boys, as she had come to call them. Yawning hugely, she stretched and felt the ache deep in her joints. Her body protested her movements, but she forced herself to move. She knew that it was foolish to use her magic in such a way, but she couldn't let any others die because of her.

Stumbling a bit from bed she shrugged off her nightshirt. Grabbing a pair of underwear and a sports bra, she pulled on the undergarments and searched for a fresh set of clothes. She tugged on a dark gray tank top and a black pair of lounge pants. She pulled on a pair of trainers and a warm bathrobe. Braiding her hair as she walked, she made her way down the halls towards where the argument was still going.

Marie shuffled a bit slowly, leaning on the wall from time to time when her limbs trembled in protest. Gritting her teeth, she fought off the exhaustion and made her way slowly to the Great Room that served as the central gathering location for Marie and her Guardians when they were all there. She leaned heavily on the door frame as she watched her friends face off against Darius with mutinous expressions on their faces. Her Guardians had grim looks on their faces. Thing were beginning to look like they were going to become violent when she snapped out of her stupor.

"If you're quite finished," she snapped out, startling the group. "We don't have time for this, nor can we afford to have our side splinter."

Francis stalked cross the room towards the young woman and stopped in front of her. His expression was dark and he looked at her in concern. They had spent numerous hours together talking and hanging out during her time in Italy. She had snuck out with him and went for a joy ride on his new motorcycle. They had numerous adventures together and had formed a close friendship.

"You are well?" he asked her gruffly.

She closed her eyes and nodded. "Just very tired at the moment," she assured him.

When she went to walk, he scooped her up despite her protests and walked with her towards one of the larger couches. Gently he sat her on the cushion and tugged the blanket from the couch around her trembling body. He glared at her briefly, but nodded as he crouched in front of her.

"You'll not do anything so foolish again piccola," he told her calmly.

"Excuse you?" she asked, flushing in anger.

"You heard me Marie," he told her coldly. "You'll not deplete your magic like that again. It could have killed you!"

"Why don't you step away and stop yelling at her?" Darius suggested firmly.

"You stay out of this!" Francis shouted. "What business do you have being here?"

The argument started back up again and was yet again looking like it would turn violent. Marie viciously waved her hand freezing everyone in place and they were unable to speak. She rubbed the bridge of her nose and her temple for a moment before shakily standing.

"Shouting will get us nowhere," she spoke softly, but with a chilling quality. "You're going to listen and listen well because I will not repeat myself. You are all here as you should be. There are many more that should be here but cannot for their safety and ours. You are my allies, friends and family. You are the foundation and backbone of what's to come. Too much is at stake for childish bickering. It's not a pissing contest, this is life or death. You heed my words here and now because I won't go through this again. I'm not a possession or a thing. I do not belong to anyone, none of you own me and no one ever will. You will behave like the respectable people that you are or so help me I will show you the mean of fear. If you're done being idiots I'll let you go, but one more outburst and I drop you in the sea!"

She released them with an agitate wave of her hand and they all stopped and looked at her stunned. Marie slumped back against the couch and pushed away the hands that reached out to her. She grumpily tugged the blanket tighter around her shoulders and glared at the young men still looking gob smacked at her. She looked at Darius with a glint in her eye and stared him down.

"Darius my friend, what are you doing here?" she asked quietly.

"Your young man showed up at my home demanding to see you when he hadn't heard back from you yesterday," Alphard said in amusement.

Marie raised an eyebrow at Alphard. "He's not my young man Alphard," she corrected him.

Gideon snorted acerbically. "Right like you weren't wearing his practice jersey on the Quidditch pitch love," he stated sarcastically.

"What?" Marie asked in confusion. "What does that have to do with anything? I didn't have any clothes and I certainly couldn't fly in my trousers and a silk blouse!"

"Marie do you know what it means when a bird wears a bloke's Quidditch jersey?" Fabian asked.

"Love that's basically a declaration that the two are an item," Francis explained quietly.

Marie turned to Darius and glared. "Friends?! You knew and went about doing it anyways. Us spending time together and being seen together in public is one thing. You all but announced that we're together you numpty! Why would you do that?" she almost shouted at him.

"At the time I honestly didn't think anything of loaning you the practice gear Marie," Darius answered. "When I saw the article in the Prophet the next day I knew that the damage had already been done. It'll give us the flexibility that we were both looking for, but unfortunately you've been thrust into the spotlight."

"Thrust into the spotlight?" Lucius asked coldly. "They're speculating when 'Lady Stone fell for Darius's playboy charms.' Bloody Hell Marie! The papers are speculating that you're contemplating being his missus and that was the nicest that some of them said."

Marie listened with dread pooling in her belly. She knew it was a bad idea, but it appeared that there was no going back now. She knew that she could use this to deflect the advances of some of the males who were vying for her hand in marriage and control of her fortune. She also knew that this could spell trouble that she didn't need at the moment.

Pushing herself up a bit, she let the blanket fall away from her shoulders. They protested when she went to get up, but she waved off their concerns. She looked at Darius and regarded him carefully for a moment.

"Our brief relationship will be done and over by the end of July," she told Darius seriously. "This will give you three months to figure things out on your end and give you until the beginning of the next season in the Fall to figure out your future family. I'll give you that long. It will need to be a rather public and final separation. We can remain friends afterwards, but we will essentially need to go our separate ways."

"Why July?" Darius asked curiously.

"Because I have plans to be elsewhere starting in August," she answered. "It will give me a perfect cover to go to the continent to seek solitude, space, and to heal from a break up."

"Until July then," he agreed. "Marie you must know that I didn't know or plan it to happen this way."

"I know Darius," she told him quietly. "I did try to warn you that wasn't the best of ideas. I really can't afford to be distracted. There will be times where I'm going to have to just go and you can't question it."

"Piccola," Antonio said, drawing her attention to him. "You are sure about this? Any one of us would be willing to do the same. How well do you trust him?"

"I trust him enough that his family crest is on the medallion and he's wearing a watch now Tony," she replied.

Marie carefully reached over and placed the blanket back on the couch. Her limbs felt heavy and she was becoming lethargic. She made her excuses and allowed Elena to help her back to her rooms. The rest of the males stood around watching Darius carefully. They discussed the slight change in plans and what that would mean for each of them. Darius listened in complete disbelief at the elaborate ruse that Marie was plotting. He was beginning to finally understand the young woman a bit more and why she was reluctant to become involved with him, even if it was only a public performance. She and her group were toeing the line between Light and Dark and making the necessary plans and sacrifices for the end game.

Lucius watched the Quidditch star carefully. His mind was racing with the implications that the article published. He was trying to think of the best way to deflect as much of it as possible to the others. Theo Knot was particularly put out by the article and photo of Marie wearing the practice jersey. It was a flash of a camera that captured everything that was Marie. She flew past, slowing her broom and hefted the Snitch in the air, smiling coyly over her shoulder towards the camera before touching down. The shot of her looking over her shoulder showed the jersey slouching across one side, showing her left shoulder where just a hint of her tattoo was visible. Her face was flush and her hair was just beginning to come out of the braid. She looked windswept and her eyes sparkled mischievously.

The article showed a photo of her from the latest charity luncheon that she had attended. She was sitting demurely dressed carefully to match her station. She looked every bit the proper little lady socialite. But there was a spark in her eyes. Right there, just a hint of that same mischief and a slight smile tugging at the corner of her mouth as well. If she hadn't been making waves before she certainly was now.

Lucius drew himself from his thoughts and nodded to the others of his particular faction of the group. They were her inside men and sworn to do what they could to aid her. They weren't able to get news of the latest attack out soon enough because the Dark Lord was becoming paranoid and suspected everyone of treachery. It was only by chance that Lucius had been able to get word to Regulus, who subtly passed word to Sirius.

The group of young men followed Lucius out. They each timed their departures and arrivals to their destinations with a tenacity and vigilance that the others marveled at. Later they found that the boys had worked directly with Marie in planning and timing things to ensure that everyone was safe and survived.

Three days later Marie was sufficiently recovered enough to leave the compound. During her time there she had stayed with Brett and Miles and the rest of their team. She met with the families of the fallen and helped to make arrangements for their funerals. She urged them all to lie low for a while and to let one of the other teams take the next mission. When they tried to protest she told them that it wasn't up for discussion, none of them, herself included was in any shape to fight.

The weeks that followed were a blur of activity and public outings with Darius and others. She attended a number of social events and continued cultivating her network. There were a number of Quidditch players that now bore a very distinct new watch on their wrists. Marie's medallion was a cluster of tiny, delicately carve family crests. Her appearing out with Darius was all the buzz among the gossips.

It was two weeks later in the third week of June that Marie stepped through the floo at Stone Manor and made her way to her rooms. After a shower, she changed into a long flowing skirt and a camisole with a shear blouse over it. Her medallion hung down her chest and she wore large hoop earrings. She had her hair pulled up and tied with a silk scarf. She looked a bit like a gypsy with her leather sandals and outfit.

With a pinch of floo powder and a shout of her destination, Marie floo'd to the public floo in Diagon Alley. The people nearby watched her curiously as she waved her hand over her clothes and the soot disappeared. She brushed her hand over her hair to make sure that it wasn't all over the place. Straightening she looked up and noticed the speculative looks that she was getting from the crowd. It was rather crowded now that school had let out for the year. She exited the area and made her way down the Alley.

Walking swiftly through the crowds she made her way to the small exclusive café. She saw a flash of blonde hair and grinned. Stepping through the door she made her way to the table where Narcissa Black was waiting. There were two other young women there and Marie recognized them to be Serene and Sophia de Luca. Smiling brightly at the other girls she hugged each of them in greeting and sat in the remaining chair. She grinned when she thought of Lucius setting up this little meeting. Narcissa was her friend as well and missed seeing her.

The young women exchanged pleasantries before Narcissa turned to Marie with an impish grin. "So what's this I hear you're now seeing Mr. Myers?" Narcissa asked causing the nearby tables to pause and listen for an answer.

'Oh well played,' Marie thought to herself before answering. She smiled coyly and looked around as if to see who was listening. "Well you can't say anything, but we are beginning to see each other," she answered. "He's ever the gentleman and has agreed to a proper courtship to see if we're compatible."

"How did you two meet?" Sophia asked her former roommate.

"Oh, well you remember the managers of Arrows, Puddlemore, and the Vultures came to school last year?" she asked. "Well, after passing my NEWTs I was in the Alley one day when I bumped into Mr. Stretton and Mr. Quintin along with Darius, John Mickelson, and Adrian Ryan. I've hung out with Darius and his teammates off and on for months."

A snide voice cut into the conversation. "Well you certainly work fast don't you?" Priscilla asked.

Marie wrinkled her nose in distaste. "Charming as ever Priscilla," she said coldly. "How ever did you manage entry into the café Priscilla? I was under the impression that the owner had standards."

Narcissa snorted into her teacup. Serene and Sophia stared down the younger Gryffindor. Priscilla had made it her mission to try to destroy Marie's reputation and standing in school. Most people ignored the bitter and vindictive half-blood. There were however, those that listened to her, or let her words begin to plant the seeds of doubt.

"I have just as much right to be here as you do," Priscilla stated petulantly.

"You may want to look up the dress code Prissy," Marie state coldly. "What have I told you about displaying the goods in such a way? It makes you look like a cheap, easy whore."

"How dare you!" Priscilla screeched. "You're one to talk running around with Quidditch players and all of those young men you spend so much of your time with."

Narcissa set her teacup down and dabbed her lips with the crisp linen napkin on the table. By now the owner and manager had come to see what the problem was. Seeing Miss Black and her friends being disturbed by Miss Priscilla Barret was not going to end well. The de Luca twins had also stood next to the soon to be Lady Stone. The last of the group had the owner most concerned. Marie Stone had friends in very high places and if the look on her face was any indication, this altercation was not going to end well.

"Miss Stone, Miss Black, Misses de Luca, please let me handle this," the owner said coming forward. "Miss Barret I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

"Get your hands off of me," she spat viciously. "I have just as much right to be here as anyone else."

"Miss not only is your attire fit for the present company, but it goes against our dress code," he told her firmly. "Moving on from that, you're disturbing the other patrons with your vitriol and unseemly display and lack of manners."

The young woman flushed nearly puce and struggled from the manager. She lashed out and went to slap Marie across the face, but Marie's eye flashed for a moment and she threw her hands out in front of her stopping Priscilla in her tracks. Marie's hair crackled with power and her hands glowed a soft white-blue light. Priscilla's eyes went wide and she paled in fear.

"Here's how this is going to go," Marie stated softly in a deadly quiet voice. "You're going to apologize, and then you're going to leave. From that moment forward you will stay the Hell away from me and mine. This is your one and only warning Priscilla. Be sure to relay the message to your little posse, you won't like the outcome if you lot don't heed my words."

Marie flicked her wrist and Priscilla backed away with wide eyes. She watched as Priscilla and her group scrambled out of the building and took off running down the Alley. Marie fought back the power that was ready to be unleashed. Her hair still had sparks of power dancing in it even as Narcissa approached her cautiously, calling her name to get her attention. She closed her eyes and focused on her breathing. Once she was calm she opened her eyes and she noticed that the other patrons were looking at her. Many of the women nodded to her in respect, others looked at her fear. She was given speculative glances and some of the ladies quickly left the establishment to spread the word Marie was sure.

Sighing she sat back into the seat next to Narcissa. The small group talked quietly for a short while longer and enjoy another cup of tea and some pastries before they made their way out of the door. The owner told them this visit was on him as an apology for the disruption to their visit.

Marie stepped out into the bustling Alley and Narcissa looped her arm through her own. Sophia and Serene looped arms and the four young women strolled through the Alley stopping at some of the shops along the way. Marie felt a trickle of dread shiver down her spine and she paused. Looking around she didn't see anything out of the ordinary, but she couldn't shake the feeling. She quickly lead Narcissa and the de Luca's to the Leaky Cauldron and urged the girls to floo home. They went to argue but something in Marie's appearance had them nodding.

Marie addressed the twins quietly, whispering Serene that there was trouble in the Alley and that she needed to let Antonio know. The girl nodded and tugged her twin sister's hand. Serene and Sophia went through first and whirled away in a flash of green. Narcissa stepped forward and Marie pulled her into a hug. She held her friend and whispered to her to sound the alarm and contact Lucius immediately. Narcissa stiffened and nodded before turning to hurry through the floo. Marie went through quickly and rushed through the halls of Stone Manor. She quickly yanked on her combat gear and cast a glamour charm on her appearance. She made sure she had a dagger in her boot and her wand was secure in her wrist holster before she twisted away, apparating into an alley near the Leaky Cauldron.

As Marie stepped through the door of the pub, she heard the screams ring out in the Alley. She and the patrons rushed to the Alley entrance. Pushing her way through she saw the Death Eaters storming down the Alley seemingly looking for someone. She grasped her medallion in her hands and said a silent prayer to keep her friends safe and raced out in the open firing of a chain of spells. Along the way she pushed a few children behind a wall out of the way of harm. She knew that she had hit one of the Death Eaters when she heard the scream of pain as she dove behind a building. Crouching down she used use the reflection on the glass of the window nearby to see where the Death Eaters were located. With a deep breath she ran out and let lose another three chains of spells in rapid fire dropping another two Death Eaters. She moved methodically, making her way to the innocents that were in trouble, herding them away from harm as best she could. Some of the store owners and patrons were helping as best they could but it wasn't enough.

The Alley was chaos. Aurors were descending on the scene but they were trying to help the citizens. People were running and screaming everywhere. Marie was hitting Death Eater after Death Eater but she knew that she was being backed into a corner and out-numbered. There was a shout up the Alley as Marie's task forces were now on the scene and the fight was turning in their favor. It still didn't help the immediate problem of the leering Death Eater who was now in close range. She was effectively cut off from the others.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Miles come hauling around the corner with Brett and the others not far behind. They shouted something as three of the Death Eaters' spells impacted and the world started to fade. Ever nerve ending raced with fire and she felt nothing but pain. It hurt to breathe, and she could get enough air. She heard a body impact on the ground near her and felt strong thick arms pick her up and the twist and pinch of apparition. She heard frantic shouts of help before she drifted off and knew no more.

Marie drifted in and out of consciousness for days. Her Guardians and friends kept vigil in rotation at her bedside. It was like a morbid reunion of sorts, everyone from her last stay in the Dorcha Gaol infirmary were present. She had been hit with the Cruciatus, a Bludgeoning Hex, and another unknown Dark curse simultaneously and it was wreaking havoc on her body. She would whimper in pain and cough up blood at times. Madam Pomfrey had been called in, but there wasn't much more that she could do to help.

It was a full week into her stay at the compound infirmary that Madam Raglan and Marie's Elemental mentors appeared. They were dressed in ceremonial robes and made their way quietly through the halls with candles and herbs. A Druid priest from her ancestors' lands was also present. They smudged the room burning sage and lighting incense. Marie was carefully lifted from the bed and laid into the ceremonial circle that Madam Raglan had prepared.

"What are they doing?" James asked in concern.

"Hush James," Dorea scolded. "They're going to try to help her."

Madam Raglan addressed the group and asked the boys who had helped Marie in the initial ceremony to come forward. It had taken a bit of time and finagling on Lucius's part, but he managed to get Regulus and Rabastan present within the hour.

"There are four among you that are Elemental," Madam Raglan addressed them. "You have begun your tutoring with us and will be a great help in anchoring and calling Marie back to us, for she is locked in a Dark place. The spell has her locked in her Darkest most horrific memory and won't allow her to heal."

The group looked ill thinking about what she could possibly be reliving. Antonio, Lucius, the Prewetts, Regulus and Rabastan all stepped forward and allowed the Elders to prepare them for whatever ritual or ceremony to help Marie. The Marauders watched in concern as Marie lay rasping on the cold stone floor, her body wracked with shivers.

"What will this ceremony do?" Sirius asked. "How will this affect Marie? How will it affect the others?"

"Sirius," Alphard started to scold.

"No, it is right for him to ask," Madam Raglan said in an eerily haunting voice. "They are already linked to her with a bond that is stronger than any of us can begin to know. There are two other elementals present, but they are far too young," she said pointing to little Marcus and the recently born Viktor Krum. "When they are old enough they will join her and the other Elementals to form the New Coven, the Gray Coven."

"The Gray Coven?" Dorea whispered. "There hasn't been an official Coven in centuries."

Madam Raglan nodded, "Long has it been since such power walked this earth. They will set the balance between Light and Dark. It is for them to make it right. She needs to be well and healed to face what is to come. This ritual will help to heal her. It will strengthen the bond that they all feel for her and she them."

"What sort of bond?" Remus asked inquisitively. "Like a marriage bond?"

"No child," Madam Raglan said with a smile lining her weathered and wrinkled face. "There are some bonds that run much deeper. She sees them as family and they see her as such. Though there is one that will have a much deeper bond with her someday. There will be a marriage bond and eventually a soul mate bond for her someday, but not for years."

"Who?" James asked.

"James!" Dorea chided sharply. "That's enough. Whatever bond is meant for Marie it is her business."

That declaration ended the questions as the ritual circle was complete. The six young men were led to sit in the second inner circle with Marie in the center. The each held ceremonial daggers and rune tablets and waited. The Druid priest and Elemental mentors formed the third and outermost circle. At the Druid's nod, the young men cut their palms and placed them on the ruin tablets. The Elders began chanting in a language that none quite understood.

Marie's body jolted in the center and her eyes opened wide. Her mouth opened in a silent scream. A white light arced from her body to Regulus, then Rabastan, then Gideon and Fabian. A different color light, a softer blue arced to Lucius and Antonio. Finally and most surprisingly another white light arced to Marcus and Viktor. Marie's body began thrashing around on the floor. Blood began trickling from her nose and the corners of her mouth as the chanting picked up.

Objects around the room began to tremble with the force of the magic and pour that was swirling around the room in a maelstrom. One by one the young men in the ritual slumped over onto their ruin tablets, losing consciousness. Little Marcus cried reaching out towards the circle and Viktor waved his little fists angrily and squalled loudly before they both fell asleep suddenly in their mother's arms.

There was a flash of blinding light and the swirling power picked up creating a tornado like vortex with Marie in the center. Her back was arched off the floor and she was levitating, spinning in the air. The Druid priest crescendo the chant and the Elders fell to their knees in exhaustion as the chanting died down. They simultaneously cast a spell in a language that the others didn't know and there was a flash of light arcing from one person to the next and finally to Marie.

Madam Pomfrey and the other healers rushed forward checking on people. They check the vitals and pulses of those that had lost consciousness and helped the Elders and Druid priest to nearby hospital beds to recover. They then went to the infants and unconscious young men. It had to be done in a certain order, for the ritual circle needed to be cleaned and opened in a specific fashion. Finally they made it to Marie and found her breathing easier. There was a gray sludge-like substance on the ground near her. Whatever was in her system before had been purged. As instructed by the Elders and Druid, they collected the mess in a ceremonial bowl and clean the inner circle and Marie.

Caius stepped forward and lifted the petite witch off of the floor. He had seen and felt the magic arc from her to his son. Whatever happened in the future she was now tied to his family. Even now as his heir regain consciousness he reached his little arms towards Marie. The other young men who were awakening were going to her side as well. The white light seemed to have been the Elemental bond of the future Coven members.

Caius laid her gently on a bed in the middle of the young men. They gingerly made their way to her side and each placed a hand on her. Matilda made her way to the bedside carrying little Marcus. The small child was incessant that he be near Marie. Once near the bed he all but launched himself at Marie. He landed on her stomach with and oomph, waking Marie. She clutched the infant for a moment and was extremely disoriented. The group let out a collective sigh of relief seeing her alert and awake.

Madam Raglan stepped forward and took one of Marie's hands into her own. "Child there will come a time when we pass the torch to you and yours. In the meantime we will do what we can to prepare the others and make the necessary plans to aid you when the time is right," she said in a soft voice. "It will be our last act before we go on to the next big great adventure."

Marie tried to speak, but her throat was bone dry and it came out as a gravely rasp. She tried to deny that they would die in aiding her. Madam Raglan smile tenderly at the young woman, assuring her that it would be some time yet before it came to that. She told Marie that it was their choice to pass who and what they are to the Gray Coven when the time comes. When Marie tried to protest, Madam Raglan told her to hush and rest. It was their choice to make.

"Marie child," Madam Raglan said tiredly. "We have waited many long years for the next to come. It is our duty and honor to prepare those that come after us. The Gray Coven will lead the world into peace. Now rest young one, your body needs to recover."

The tired elderly little witch was helped to one of the nearby beds where she would recover for a day or so. Marie was lying tiredly in her hospital bed surrounded by her friends and Guardians. Her body was sore and achy. She could barely move, much less use her own strength to push herself up into a sitting position.

Matilda took her gurgling son from Marie's side and settled him on her lap in a nearby chair. Caius stood beside her and looked down at their son who was happily sucking on his fingers and cooing. They both felt the magic of the ritual thrumming through their connection to their son. It worried both of them that even at such a young age he was now linked to something far greater than they had imagined. Caius had hoped that by agreeing to join and help Marie, that his son and wife would be kept safe and away from the pending dangers of the war. Now he was far more closely linked to it than either of them had ever anticipated.

Marie laid back and looked around. Her friends looked exhausted from the ritual, yet they were at her side trying to check on her. She smile tiredly and weakly at them and told them that she was fine and that they should try to lie down and get some rest. She saw the Marauders across the room watching the whole situation with concerned looks. Sirius particularly looked concerned for his younger brother. James kept glancing at Marie as if checking that she really was alright.

She saw that her Guardians were rotating in and out of the infirmary in shifts. Each of them stopping in for a few hours at a time. The Minister had stopped in to see how Marie was doing and to thank her for her quick actions and the warning in Diagon Alley. He told her that while there were some losses, that it would have been much worse if they were caught completely unaware.

Dorea and Charlus approached her bedside later that night when most of the others had retired for the night. Dorea clasped her hand in her own and asked her how she was doing. Marie told them softly that she was fine, but very sore and tired. They told her that it had been a close call for a while and that she almost didn't make it. Charlus looked like he wanted to sold her, but Dorea looked at him sharply.

"Marie, love," Dorea said quietly, "we would like to speak to you about a few things when you're feeling up to it. Darius Myers sent us a letter all but demanding to come see you to make sure that you're alright himself. We had to remind him that publically, you had already left the Alley before the fighting took place and that no one knows of your presence there outside of your team."

"Oh dear," Marie muttered. "He needs to understand. I told him this relationship, fake though it is, would complicate things. This isn't going to work or end well, especially not when he's making demands."

"You just focus on healing Marie," Charlus urged her, "and let us handle him. You have enough on your plate at the moment."

Marie sighed and closed her eyes. Her whole body hurt, even her hair ached. She was alive, and at the moment that's what mattered. Mentally scolding herself for becoming distracted, she drew a shaky breath. It had been a close call and it would have all been for naught. Opening her eyes she looked up to see the Potters regarding her in concern. She tried to smile but it came out as more of a grimace and she shift in the bed, straining her ribs, which throbbed where the spells impacted.

The sound of footsteps alerted them to other joining them. Franco and Elena were coming in to check on her as well. Behind them was Nona Zabini, the little matriarch of the family. Dorea and Charlus nodded to them and sat down in chairs on one side of her bed, leaving the other for the Zabinis.

"How are you feeling piccola?" Franco asked.

"I'm alright," she murmured sleepily. "I'm very tired and sore, but I'll be fine soon."

"Rest now Marie," Elena told her softly. "We'll keep watch over you and the others for the night. In the morning we'll make sure Lucius, Regulus, and Rabastan make it home safely ourselves. We sent letters to their parents informing them of a dinner party with the Minister that they would be attending this evening. It wasn't a complete lie as the Minister did have dinner with them this evening while you were sleeping. It was enough of an excuse for their parents to allow them to stay the night with us with no questions."

Marie breathed a sigh of relief. She had been worried about her friends who were sleeping deeply in the beds nearby. The Elders and Druid were also sleeping. The ritual had apparently been exhausting for everyone involved. Looking around she realized that the Potters and Zabinis had dark circles under their eyes. She felt a wave of guilt and affection wash over her.

"You should also get some rest," Marie told them tiredly. "We are safe in the infirmary here. The village and Dorcha Gaol are on high alert, so we will be fine. You need your rest as well. If you will not seek your own beds this night at least go rest in one of the beds here in the ward. Please?"

Not long after they agreed and went to the nearest empty beds to rest for the night. Marie listened to their breathing evening out. She let the sound of silence in the ward sooth her frayed senses. Taking a deep calming breath she willed herself to fall asleep, but alas it was elusive for her.

Pushing up in her bed, she gritted her teeth and painstakingly forced her limbs to work despite the ache and shooting pains in her limbs. Tears welled in her eyes as she inhaled sharply against the pain. With a ragged sigh, she leaned back against the headboard. She opened her eyes and held her hand out, summoning paper and a pen. Her magic jolted at first, but then complied. Once she had what she was looking for she began writing. It was better to get it all out on paper than to delay the inevitable. She and Darius would need to talk in person sooner rather than later, but for the time being a letter was the best that she could do.

It took her a few moments to keep her hands from trembling as she wrote, but she was able to get her digits working correctly. In the letter she told him that she appreciated his concern and friendship. He was a great person and young man, but he needed to remember the larger picture. She reminded him of who and what she was and urged him to remember himself. The letter went on to remind him that in just a few short weeks they would, as agreed, be publically going their separate ways and she would be going to the continent for a time. She let him know that she did care for him, but he needed to focus on his career, his future, and keeping his head in the things to come.

All the while, Marie angrily wiped away tears that were forming in her eyes. In another time and place Darius was the type of man that a girl could easily fall for. But this wasn't the right time or place and he was not the right man for her. She didn't belong here and any attachments would be painful and dangerous for her and those involved. It was too much of a risk, and she wasn't willing to take that risk. There was too much at stake.

Marie finished the letter, having gently let Darius know that he would indeed find happiness someday, of that she was sure. And though he did not want to settle down right away, perhaps he could begin courting or at least getting to know other young women that his family would find suitable. She even suggested her friend and former roommate Sophia. Her cheerful and friendly disposition was alluring to any who met her. She had the poise and grace that his Pureblood family would recognize and appreciate and she came from a respectable family. Marie also pointed out that Sophia was loyal, and that she had always been there for her. With a few more words of encouragement, she signed the letter with a flourish and sealed it with her magic. Weaving a charm onto the parchment to only allow him to see and read it, she called for a house elf to drop the letter off.

Banishing the writing supplies, Marie fought back a whimper as she scooted down in the bed again. She was finally able to fall asleep soon after. Getting her thoughts on paper had let her clear her mind and conscience. She worried for Darius, but knew that he was a good man. She only hoped that he would heed her advice and words and remember the plan. With a silent prayer in the dead of night, she hoped that everything would be alright. There was so much to do and so very little time to do it all in.