Vacation

Thud! Thud! Thud!

"I think its dead." a voice behind me said softly.

"It's not obliterated." I shot back.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

"You'll hurt yourself before you hurt the bag, love." the voice interrupted my punching combo. I growled and showed my teeth.

I let out a primal scream before I round house kicked the punching bag. It swung back and forth violently, mocking me. It was sneering about how it was still alive.

"They didn't win, Henny." Mark walked over to the bag and stilled it.

"Yes they did." I growled. Sweat dripped off my chin. I could feel it sliding down my arms and legs, "Where is dad?"

"The house. God Henria that looks painful." he came over to me. His finger was gentle as he followed the jagged lines on my shoulder.

"It was." I whispered before I left.

"Dad!" I yelled as I entered our house.

"In my study, love!" I heard him call.

i'He won't be calling me that in a few minutes,' I thought./i

As I entered his study, I stopped and just stared at my father. His features were strong. His jaw and square and powerful. His dark brown hair was thick and close cropped. He had dark skin. My father looked Native and so young. A contrast to his age.

The only emotion I had ever felt for him was love. Because he only showed me love when I was young. Discipline was never a part of his parenting. He was my only parent so I naturally did as I was told. Love is what kept me from blowing up this house.

"How did Lucius Malfoy know mother?" I did not do bullshit well.

My father sighed heavily and put down his papers. He placed his elbows on his desk and rested his chin on his laced fingers. At this moment, he looked like he carried the world on his shoulders.

"Voldemort likes to recruit young people. He hand picks those from the House of Slytherin. Lucius Malfoy is no exception. He is old blood, like your mother and your Uncle." I sat in the cushy chair in front of his desk, careful not to let my sweaty body touch the expensive leather, "The Order used to do such things too. They needed support from those children in the other houses and also from their parents.

"Your mother knew all about such things since she was very small. It happens when your favorite Uncle is the leader. She used to sit in his lap and put tiny braids in his beard. Same as you when you were her age, you know." admiration shone in his eyes like the sun. He loved to gloat about his two favorite ladies, "Your mother is only a few years younger than Lucius.

"She was fresh out of Hogwarts and was patrolling with some of the Order. They stumbled upon a group of young Death Eaters. Unfortunately, you did not acquire your mother's gift of tongue. She was trying to coax these young people over to help them. But that only made matters worse.

"A wizard's duel broke out. Stunners, killing curses, Imperius curses and jinxes were thrown about. Your mother is quite skilled in Defense, hence your keen ability to learn such things quickly. Out of a group of six people, two were dead and three were stunned. Your mother was the only one left standing, barely. She was tired. So were the Death Eaters. Two stunned, and by her wand. She could feel them closing in on her." my father started to fidget. He did not like this part of the story, "You do have her knack for getting into impossible situation, you know.

"This one was no exception. I do believe the leader; Lucius called her some sort of awful name. She doesn't take well to name calling. So, she proposed a deal. They duel and if she wins, she gets to gather those wounded and perished. If he wins, they get to kill her. Nothing could go wrong, she was terribly tired and it was unfairly matched. Your mother credits this one encounter with Lucius' fall from Voldemort's graces. Because, to be frank, she kicked their asses." my father showing his less eloquent side, "And it wasn't with a wand. She did it with her fist.

She went dodging and weaving, the first one to go down from her right hook and then the second and then the third. Soon, Lucius was the only one standing. I think this is why he doesn't let anyone get away from anymore. All your mother had to do was brandish her fist and Lucius was aparating away." father leaned back in his chair, "As I have heard, he does not show hesitation anymore. He cannot afford to show such weakness. Because he did with your mother. And that is how he has always remembered her. The scrappy young Gryffindor who didn't need a wand to best him."

"He met her once, and was scared of my tiny mother because she could throw a right hook? He hasn't gotten over it yet? All this time?" I said sarcastically, "Does he not have a hobby? Or some sort of project to work on?"

"Are you not doing the same?" my father shot back.

"Kadie told you?" I said, shocked.

"Of course. Does that boy deserve to be ridiculed for his mistake?" he got up from his chair, "Did I ridicule you for all your mistakes?'

I stared at him, dumbfounded. He watched me from behind his desk as I processed what he telling me. I should forgive Draco? Dad loved Uncle as much as I did. How could he talk such crazy?

"You want me to forgive him? For all that misery he helped cause?" my voice cracked with anger, "I should just forget? Like that?"

"You should try to understand and work it out inside of yourself. Anger is part of the grieving process. But understanding is also a part of it too. Did he ever explain why?" he walked in front of his desk and leaned a hip on it.

"Of course not. I wanted to strangle Draco and he knew it." I growled.

"And this is how everyone knows you are young." my father chided, "Albus was trying to teach the world equality and justice. You judging Draco and not letting him explain himself is the opposite of your Uncle's teachings." I started to feel guilty. He had that effect on me. My father saw it seep into my eyes.

"That is the real challenge in life, isn't it?" I felt the tears form in my eyes, he walked over to me and wrapped his arms around my body, "Trying not to judge and to just understand? Forgiving wrongs and treat everyone equally." I buried my face in his chest.

"Yes, milove." he murmured, "Those are all challenges that we face and must overcome."

I started crying. I cried for my mom, for my Uncle, for Draco and for myself. I was so very tired of being an adult. I was so very tired of this war. All the fear and panic. Everyone was so unsure if they would come home at night. It made me pissed off.

"I'll take her to her room." Kadie said slightly. I felt my father nod.

Kadie's warm hands gently pulled me into her embrace. I felt her lead me up the stairs and down the hall. She led me into my room and over to my bed. I tried to stop crying, but I could not. I was releasing all my frustration.

I lay down in my bed and Kadie lay down beside me, holding me. I then felt Mark lay down behind me, his arm around myself and Kadie. I heard Kadie sniffle and knew she was crying too.

That is how we laid for hours. All three of us, a family. We held each other. We knew that might not all survive. I was betting on myself to end up dead. I was careless when I got angry and out of control.

With these thoughts swirling throughout minds, we drifted off into sleep, haunted by a war so far away, but so close.

A/N:

I know, this was a short chapter. But when I was done with them falling asleep in the bed, I just couldn't think of anything that would make sense. It was the perfect ending. So, here is the newest chapter! I hope you enjoy, my loyal readers! :D

Henny, that lucky Penny!