Katie and Helena were bored of summer already, and hardly a day had gone by when they had to leave Hogwarts for the Summer holidays. They were slightly relieved to finally escape the castle, but by no means was Helena's house any better. Though, they were pleased not to see certain people with their time at home. Even Anna was getting bored of being home, as she kept wandering around the house and often preferred to be outside. The limited space could hardly compare to the amount of space for her to roam around Hogwarts and her tireless wandering quickly turned into boredom. So she took the first opportunity that she got and leapt out the window, wandering the world. This made Helena deeply worried, and hoped that Anna would return home soon. She knew how difficult it was for her to stay indoors all the time - but Helena didn't truth the harshness of the outside world for Anna to be in. After all, Anna was still young.

Apart from dwelling on Anna, Helena and Katie had other problems - they were due to start their OWLs (Ordinary Wizarding Levels) for their fifth year. They were meant to be hard - but not as hard as the NEWTs (Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests). Helena unusually treated them with the utmost importance, as she hoped to get good subjects for her sixth year - which she and Katie will be starting next year. They were both highly nervous for both of these, as it would all depend on their future. Though, Helena would rather not spend a future with Voldemort in charge. But it was starting to look more and more that she had no choice in what she became, and she had no doubt that Voldemort wanted her to be a Death Eater. She couldn't help it that she was this powerful.

But what if I could limit my powers? Control them, even?

But she knew the instant she thought that, that it would never be possible - purely because Voldemort already knew how powerful she was. He just hasn't seen her full potential. But even she didn't know her full potential, and she had no desire to find out.

Actually - she was highly surprised that he hadn't come by. Yes, it was suspicious. Katie was relieved but Helena felt uncertain for the first time in a while.

However, all of this was pushed out of her head when she was forced to go to Diagon Alley, as Katie insisted that Helena's robes were far too small for her. She also said something about needing a new cauldron. So sure enough, Katie dragged her to Charing Cross and entered the Leaky Cauldron. It was rather full - which was a relieve as they didn't want to be looked at more than once. They went behind the pub so they faced a brick wall. Katie tapped the third brick up from the bin as though she did this everyday.

Diagon Alley was a lot busier than they were last here. People were taking their time to look through shop windows and even stopping in the middle of the street to have a chat.

Helena was about to go into Potage's Cauldron Shop when Katie brought her to a halt.

"What?" she said.

"I need gold."

"Okay..."

"But I got disowned. Remember?" said Katie, saddened by the thought. She missed her family deeply - but she didn't belong there. They hated her for what she was.

Helena scowled.

"Do you think I could go into your vault?" Katie asked timidly.

Helena stared blankly at her.

"I didn't bring my key..."

Katie's hand dove into her pocket and brought out a small key.

Helena glared at her.

"Glad one of us remembered. Ok, fine. Let's make it quick, though."

So Helena kind of reluctantly turned out of the shop and followed Katie to Gringotts and she was stiff in her movements. Helena thought that she was acting weirdly - but she said nothing.

x

They came out of Gringotts roughly 40 minutes later and Helena hadn't really enjoyed the ride on the Gringotts kart. She felt like throwing up afterwards - and she almost did too, but she managed to keep it down. Katie was less stiff in her movements now, but she still looked awkward about this.

Helena strongly suspected that she wasn't fond of asking people for things. Helena knew what that felt like because she always felt that way - it may even be the cause to her independence. They both visited Madam Malkin's and mercifully, they were the only ones in there. Katie pursed her lips as Helena chose her robes and said nothing to discomfort her - unlike last time, where she complained about almost every aspect of her clothing. But she obviously thought it was best to keep quiet.

They soon left the shop and visited others in order to buy potions ingredients, and Helena said something about needing a new cauldron, as her copper one was becoming battered.

They left Diagon Alley at about 13:20 PM with their arms being weighed down a lot more than they were just a few hours before - with their pockets feeling slightly emptier also. They decided to take the Floo Network back to Helena's house as it was a far way away from London - the house was in Manchester.

Helena disliked the sensation of the Floo Network, but it was a lot faster than going by train.

Helena stepped into her living room and Katie soon followed. Helena proceeded to look out of the window and then sighed, as she hadn't spotted Anna anywhere.

"She'll turn up," Katie said reassuringly.

"Yeah.. maybe," Helena replied vaguely, but her mind was elsewhere. Then, her heart dropped.

What if Anna isn't going to come back? What if she wanted to leave, because I've been such a poor owner to her. What if she's dead?

The thought of Anna being dead brought tears to Helena's eyes - she dearly hoped that wasn't the case.

No. I'm overreacting. She's fine. I know she is. She thought sternly. She shook the thought off. I'll go out the back door then call her name. Yes, that'll bring her to me... If she's in the range, that is.

Helena thought that it was best, so she unlocked the back door and opened it.

What she saw made her scream in despair.

Anna lay on her side, not breathing, with her eyes wide with shock. There was matted fur on her, where her fur had been cut and her skin sliced open. The dried blood was glued to her black fur, making it look awfully patchy. It was obvious that she suffered a great deal amount of pain and Helena immediately dismissed the possibility of an animal attacking her, she knew fully well who did this - she wanted revenge for all the pain he's caused her.

But now, Helena could do nothing, and she felt the tears stream down her face as Anna lay lifeless in front of her.

Katie rushed to Helena, and comforted her, as Helena shivered in her arms with the last trace of the animal she loved, finally gone from this world - and the dreading thought that Helena would never be able to associate with her again.