Mumbled voices were talking all around her, whispering, and discussing... something she couldn't hear. But she wasn't on the train, she knew that. The location was... it was warm and there were heavy blankets on top of her, as if blocking her from escaping. She didn't want to... it was warm.

"She should wake soon," a familiar voice insisted. "The potion only lasts for a few-"

"I'm trying to sleep," Aquila murmured. "Shhh."

There were a few laughs and Aquila opened her eyes, blinking rapidly at the sudden bright lights that were flooding the room. Andromeda stood there, a pleased smile on her face, and Tonks was standing a bit further back with Remus. "Bloody hell, who died?"

"We thought you did, for a moment," Tonks laughed. "When Minerva called... scared me gray, it right did-"

"At least you can change it to a more attractive color," Aquila quipped quietly. "What the bloody hell happened to me?"

"I'd like to talk to Aquila alone, please," Andromeda requested and Remus took Tonks' arm, pulling her out before the bubblegum haired witch could protest. When the door clicked shut, Aquila began to wonder if it was bad. Merlin... she wasn't dying, right? She couldn't be dying. She hadn't played in the World Cup yet, for Merlin's sake.

"Please tell me I have at least eighteen more months to live," Aquila said when Andromeda sat at the foot of her bed.

"What?" Andromeda questioned. "Of course you do." Aquila sighed in relief and sank down into the warm bed. This must have been the guest room, the one she only had been in perhaps once or twice in her entire life. "Can you describe what happened? By the time I got to the train, you were passed out-"

"I was on fire," Aquila explained. "But... I wasn't. I just remember my insides were burning, and Katie Bell said that my skin was really hot, and... I felt like I was going to die."

Andromeda nodded slowly. "Yes... I'd imagine you would."

"What was it?" Aquila questioned. She bit her lip, trying to think of any possible explanation. It wasn't poison or a spell... And judging by her look, the marriage contract typically played very little in this. "Andy... I'm not... dying, right?"

"No," Andromeda promised. She sighed quietly. "How much do you know about Veelas?"

"Not much," Aquila admitted. "They are bird-like creatures. My grandmother's full, my mum half-"

"As a Veela... you emit these hormones that your mate can smell."

"What?" Aquila asked, confused by the change in topic. Well, sort of. It had nothing to do with the pain she was in.

"These... hormones change your mate... not mentally, but physically. It makes them... healthier. So that they'll live longer lives than normal. If it were a werewolf, they'd be driven to take care of themselves on instinct, eat a balanced diet that includes raw meats... Vampires the same for blood. Muggles..." Andy paused, biting her lip. "Well, the same would go I suppose. A balanced diet will be chemically programmed into their daily intake... they'll crave that instead of unhealthy alternatives. They'll be fitter. So perhaps its some mental change, but not a large part... it doesn't change their personality. It's almost as if they have never changed a single thing about them. They don't notice. And you haven't either, apparently. Fitness will be... common. Um, have you noticed anything?"

"With ... Is this about Dudley?" Aquila questioned. "What does this have to do with anything-"

"Answer the question."

"He's just different looking. I haven't … I haven't seen the change, really... It's … it's just … a change I noticed."

Andromeda nodded. "Yes, it won't be a big and sudden change. It'll be very gradual. It could take years for anything to be noticeable to others."

"But it's written off as …. just being healthier," she said quietly.

"That all it is, really. The hormones he smells... makes him want to be healthy. It's not magic really... It's Muggle science."

"You've been reading Ted's things, haven't you?" Aquila teased. She sat there a moment, spinning the mug in her hand as she contemplated. "You're saying that my Veela recognizes Dudley as my mate?"

"Yes."

Bloody hell. This changed things... a lot. It meant that ... that her and her mother... it would be a similar concept. If he moved on, found someone else, she would be just like her mother. And if ... if he died... She couldn't even think about it. It made her feel sick again. Was this what her mother felt like all the time? "I don't want to change him. I like him just the way he is."

"Chances are, he is already changing... But it's only phsyical, Aquila."

"And the hormones... does it make him like me?" She didn't even know what made her ask the question, but she didn't want to know the answer. She tightened her grip on the blanket across her lap, leaning against the headboard as her head spun. Dudley only liked her because of a pheramone her body emitted?

"Oh, not at all," Andromeda said, surprised. "He could hate you, he could love you, he could never notice you. You don't have that much Veela in you, and what you do have doesn't make him like you. You don't emit that pheromone. Fleur, for example, does. That's why when her and Bill first met, they began to get to know each other through letters. They wanted to like each other for who they were, not the pheromone. The same goes for you, though, in regards to scent. You aren't attracted to him because he's your mate. You're attracted to him because of his personality... because of him. You'd have never have known he was your mate... if it wasn't for the notice in a change of some habits."

"How do I know that he's not just changing his diet?" Aquila asked. "And since I was at school, I missed it?"

"No, you know, Aquila," Andromeda said firmly. "The Veela in you knows."

Aquila closed her eyes for a second, as if she was trying to connect to her inner Veela. She didn't know if she truly could or if she was just answering her own thoughts. "But if I'm just trying to appease myself?"

"I've dealt with Veelas in my career," Andromeda sighed, almost frustratingly. "I've seen Muggle and Veela mates. Once the two are attracted to each other – no matter how long a period of hatred, anonymity, or whatever – they are … they are ..."

"Unable to be seperated," Aquila finished.

"Precisely. This past year, it was the most difficult year you've ever lived."

"Well, stressful," Aquila agreed.

"And you couldn't stop thinking about going back to Little Winging. Once a consummation of a relationship is made... the Veela is restless. It's... longing for it's mate. Your mother, for example. She's gone fifteen years without your father, and she's as restless as a shark smelling blood. She yearns for your father. You're yearning for your mate, even though it's not as bad as your mothers. You can live without a mate, but it's not pleasant. It hurts... I've seen Veelas whose mate dies when the Veela is... in their teens – especially with this war. They're in pain. Are you in pain?"

"Not really," Aquila admitted. "It feels uncomfortable to be attracted to other men. I mean, not in a relationship stand point. I've been attracted to other guys while dating others before. I mean uncomfortable as in a phsyical sense. I feel like I'm … awkwardly sitting in the corner at a party. Or sick to my stomach. And ... I just feel ill all the time. And sometimes I'll have dreams where I'm sitting in a dark room and … and there's these pin pricks on my skin every where. And they get sharper and sharper until it feels like knives... And I wake up with my limbs aching. And during the day, sometimes my chest will hurt like I'm winded. And then the train ... Oh, Merlin, I was on fire, Andy."

Andromeda winced. "What did it feel like?"

"I was burning on the inside," she admitted. "It... it was painful. I don't know what it was. I thought I was dying... I thought I had drank some poison. Do you know what that was?"

The woman hesitated. "It's just a side effect of the bond... Now that the relationship is consummated, it's a mutual recognition that you're mates, even if neither of you knew it. So... in essence, you're bonded. You can feel what he feels-"

"He has said that he's had some breathing problems," Aquila admitted. "But why would I have them, too?"

"Maybe... he's just ... has a cold or something," Andromeda said quietly. "You should get your rest. The Ireland team is giving you a few days of rest, before Amos gets here to pick you up-"

"It hurts to sleep," Aquila admitted, cutting the woman off. "I get only a few hours, and then I wake, feeling intoxicated, but I know I'm not. And ... if what you say is true, then would I feel his intoxication? But he hates parties... I mean, he sort of does. And... it's not like he's drunk, though... it's... it's like when you first wake up in the morning, and you're running late, and your eyes haven't adjusted and it's just like white spots that cloud your vision for a few seconds. That's what it feels like. Then I'm lightheaded, winded... I feel sick, all of the sudden. And no pepper-up will get rid of it. I don't know what it is. I've nearly vomited on multiple occassions, it's been that bad-"

"Perhaps he has the flu?" Andy offered. "You're just feeling it."

"Maybe... But I feel better today... Maybe it's gone? But... if it's the flu, I've been feeling it since I've gone to Hogwarts."

"Possibly," Andy nodded., "Get as much rest as you can, then."

Aquila watched the woman as she stood up. She could try to rest, at least. "Andy?"

"Yes, dear?"

"Why him?" Aquila said quietly. "Why does my Veela choose Dudley?"

"Only your Veela will know that, dear," Andy smiled gently. "But I'm sure you do as well."

She felt like she did. "He's kind to me... He's interested in things I like, just as I am to him. I don't know... He makes me smile... And he makes me happy... we have so many things in common, and so many things to teach each other."

"And your Ravenclaw mind enjoys that."

"Yeah, of course it does," Aquila admitted. Andromeda left her alone and Aquila sighed, knowing that she would have a few days break, at least, from training, but she would be expected to be right back at it soon.

**

"Alright, there, Aquila?" Quigley questioned as Aquila sat in Lynch's home, Maeve's cooking all around them for the Christmas Day feast. Lynch was seated beside her, telling her what had happened in trainings the other day, while she was out, and it involved Morgan running into a pidgeon.

She laughed, taking a Butterbeer from Lynch's hands and passing it to Mullet, who approached her, a grave expression on his face "What's wrong, Mullet? Maeve upset about the broken china and blamed it on -"

"The Burrow's been attacked." She felt her smile drop off of her face, her fingers becoming weak. The Burrow... was ... "Bellatrix burnt it down. Everyone's all-" She pressed the draft to Quigley, grabbing her wand and apparating in a flash.

Privet Drive was stormy, the lightning flashing overhead. But she didn't pay it any mind. The small family that resided here, targeted because they were family of Potter, was her concern. If they got into the Burrow, did they get into the barely guarded home?

She stood on the doorstep, not wanting to enter, and leaned against it, her breath leaving her shakily. Merlin, where they alright? The image of them... of them piled in the four seasons room, bloody... dying... "Alohamora," she murmured before she could stop herself. The door clicked open so quietly she doubted anyone could hear.

She pushed it open, the lightning giving a particularly loud clap of thunder and she shut it quietly behind her, carefully moving and struggling to keep the breath leaving her from reaching the stage of hyperventilation. Aquila could hear the television, blaring loudly their favorite programme, but it didn't mean anything. She continued to the end of the hall, her steps quiet, and she stopped once she was in the kitchen, glancing into the living room, just as Vernon roared with laughter.

They all sat, just as she remembered them, seated around in their usual seats, and it filled her with so much relief that she didn't notice she was grabbed until she was being shoved into the room, a wand pressed to the back of her neck. Merlin, she didn't think of bringing ... did she lead them here? The wand was plucked from her hand, and a voice demanded. "Who are you?"

Aquila was painfully shoved into the dining table and Petunia gave a cry of alarm. "Bloody hell! Angelina, have you gone blind?"

"Aquila?" Angelina murmured. The hand released Aquila and the Black heiress straightened up, glaring at the girl that had taken up residence in her room. Aquila snatched her wand back, hearing the television programme turning off. "What are you doing here?"

Aquila glanced towards the Dursleys, before rubbing her face and dropping her gaze. "The Burrow was attacked. Bellatrix burned it to the ground... I wasn't thinking right... I shouldn't be here-"

"The Burrow?" Angelina demanded. "George?"

"I don't know," Aquila admitted quietly. "I left the Lynch residence before Mullet could tell me everything-" But Angelina was rushing past her, towards the radio that was tuned into Order frequencies. Aquila remembered Dudley's letter, telling her he had moved it to his room. Why was it back downstairs?

She sucked in a breath before facing the Dursley family. Merlin... she shouldn't be here... She was going to get extra trainings... double? She didn't know. She didn't know if she could have handled more than six months without them, though. They were staring at her, confused, but a bit surprised, as well.

"Hey," she said feebly, giving a sheepish smile. "Sorry, for, uh, barging in... I got a bit worried."

"THE BURROW HAS BEEN ATTACKED, I REPEAT, THE BURROW HAS BEEN ATTACKED. ALL ORDER MEMBERS ARE ADVISED TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES, THE SAFE HOUSES, OR TO REMAIN IN ANY SAFE LOCATION. BELLATRIX LESTRANGE AND FENRIR GREYBACK HAVE INFILTRATED THE BURROW'S WARDS AND HAVE LURED HARRY POTTER, GINEVRA WEASLEY, REMUS LUPIN, AND ARTHUR WEASLEY INTO THE FIELD. AS WE ARE REPORTING, THE BURROW IS ENGULFED IN FLAMES."

"Holy shit," Aquila murmured. "They've got Potter?" she demanded of Angelina.

"Oh, bloody hell," Angelina whispered. "He's our only hope... if they've-"

"Order members that were at the Burrow are currently heading to Headquarters and there is a air that suggests no one was kidnapped, nor killed, in this attack. It is suspected that it was purely for the intent of luring Harry Potter out of hiding-"

Suddenly the voice changed and it was Remus. "Harry Potter is safe." Aquila sighed in relief, leaning on the dining room table for support. "Everyone is safe. We advise no one in the Order leave their homes unless absolutely necessary. We don't understand what exactly the motive of this attack was, but it is possible it was just to lure Harry out of hiding, or... or it was more central on any particular number of Order members. This line will be quiet until more information can be found."

And then the line was silent, and Aquila and Angelina glanced at each other. "What the bloody hell were you thinking, coming here?" Angelina demanded.

"I'm sorry, I'm not the one that was having a pretty alright Christmas party and then was given the news that a heavily warded home was attacked - what do you think I'm donig here? If they can get in the Burrow, they can get in here," Aquila said, gesturing towards the Muggle family.

"And so you had to scare me half to death when I think that someone actually is sneaking in here to murder them?" She supposed that's what it might have looked like. Angelina sighed. "Sorry for attacking you... It's been a little tense."

Aquila snorted. "Please. I think we all know that." Her gaze traveled to the family once more.

"You're shaking," Petunia said quietly. Aquila sucked in a deep breath, pressing her hands firmly to the table underneath her.

"I swear I locked the door," Vernon insisted.

Aquila smiled apologetically. "Sorry... magic. I... I just-" She attempted a smile. "I got worried."

"This violates your training," Angelina warned.

Aquila groaned. "I hate training. It's pointless." She glanced at the older woman, her best friend. "How many times do I have to practice falling off my broom until I realize that it's a possibility? From my count? Three hundred every evening."

Angelina grimaced. "I do have to tell Lynch you came here."

Aquila sighed. "I know..." She dropped her gaze and took a deep breath. She could smell something sweet... apple pie? Petunia had made it this Christmas, it seemed.

"You need to leave," Angelina said firmly. "Before Lynch has my ass for letting you stay here."

She stood, straight, and gave Angelina an eyeroll before looking at the small family she had grown so fond of. "Happy Christmas," she said quietly. She looked over the family one last time until her training was over, noting how... Dudley was ill looking. Perhaps he was down with the flu? He was pale, and different from the Dudley she had seen that previous summer. And thinner, much thinner, almost startlingly so. He had lost weight unnaturally fast, whereas before it had been a more subtle change. It made her worry. Was he alright?

Petunia looked the same, bright, vibrant, tall and thin with a passion for gossip. And Vernon. He looked worried, so worried that he looked ill as well. And the darkness under his eyes told her that he hadn't been sleeping.

But her observation was barely even a few seconds and she moved towards the hallway.

"Wait," Dudley said suddenly, grabbing her arm. She turned to face him and he gave her a soft smile. "It's good to see you."

Aquila smiled brightly, her heart bursting. "It's good to see you... I read every letter." He swallowed, nodding, but didn't seem to know what else to say. She didn't know either, but his grip on her arm didn't falter. But he looked like he wanted to say something. "I... I have to go."

He nodded, dropping her hand and looking down. "Be careful."

"Any hint of something wrong and I want you ... all three of you... to defend yourselves as well as you can, until Angelina can call for help." Dudley nodded almost immediately. "Stay safe... Don't do anything stupid. And don't..." Aquila bit her lip, dropping her gaze. "And don't die."

"Happy Christmas," he murmured, but Aquila was already turning, walking away. She heard, but couldn't acknowledge. She had to leave. She needed to leave. She apparated before she even stepped onto the doorstep, not taking any chances.