Dumbledore was very unhappy.

He insisted upon the seriousness of my actions, and that he was astounded by them, he didn't think, considering what had happened with Greyback, that I would blatantly put myself in danger like that. He hammered into me that there were disappearances and deaths happening world wide, and said that Greyback could very well be lurking around, unnoticed, and Death Eaters were running amuck.

It was quite the lecture, and I was given detention for a week with Snape.

These detentions were compromised of me cleaning and dusting Portrait's in the tapestry corridor, cleaning bedpans in the hospital wing, and sorting out potions ingredients for later lessons in Snape's office, all without a wand. It was awkward, and we didn't talk, nor did our eyes meet, I was very much trying to avoid looking at him.

Oscar came by once or twice, and was reminded sternly that I was supposed to be serving detention, and that this wasn't a social gathering.

'So, how were your detentions?' asked Oscar when I got a free moment Sunday after dinner

'God awful,' my shoulders sagged 'my arms ache something rotten, and I could swear the scars on my arm were starting to hurt with the incessant scrubbing.'

'Did you complain?' Oscar asked

'No point complaining to Snape.' my head shook

'How's the pain now?'

'No pain in the scars now, just achy...' I sighed 'Merton feels bad, of course, thinks it's his fault I was kept out late, I keep trying to tell him but he won't listen.'

'Just keep reassuring him.' said Oscar 'So, what are your plans now?'

'I think a bath and an early night, I'm knackered.' I yawned

'Good idea, oh hey, uh, I have a question for you,' Oscar began 'my mum and I have been talking and, we thought, maybe, you'd like to come to our place for the Easter Holidays?'

'Really? I would love to!'

'Brilliant.' Oscar beamed 'I'll let mum know.'

'Where does she live?' I asked

'Oh, we live in a village in Devon, but don't worry, I'll lead the way, we'll be going by apparition.'

We bid each other goodnight, and I headed to my common room

'Are you ready?' asked Oscar, once we were outside of the castle's boundaries once the holidays were upon us, and my hand was firmly wrapped around his elbow.

'I'm ready.' and with a CRACK we disapparated, like last time, everything went black, and I couldn't breathe, once we landed and everything came back into view, I wobbled on the spot and doubled over.

'Mara?'

'Just-' I inhaled 'feeling-a little queasy.'

A reoccurring effect that apparition had on me.

'I've got something for that in the cottage, can you walk?'

I nodded as he helped me to rise to full height.

'Okay, then.' despite his words his eyebrows furrowed in a disconcerted manner.

We emerged from between two thatched cottages, one in which Oscar lead me to.

'I'm home, and with a guest.'

A woman emerged, she was plump and bespectacled with greying brown hair.

'This must be my niece!' beamed the woman, who pulled me into a tight hug 'Oh, you do look like your mother,' she held my cheeks in her hands, a sad look in her green eyes 'well,' she continued, clearing her throat 'you must be hungry? I don't suppose you've had any tea yet?'

'No, aunty.'

'Then come through to the living room, dear, and you may call me Maureen!'

We entered into the living room, where I noticed a big, but bulky television, with a VCR and a gaming console attached to it. The room was small, but a sofa and two armchairs fit nicely inside.

'You use technology?'

'Oh yes,' said Maureen

'And your magic doesn't interfere with it?'

'It's manageable,' said Maureen 'easier with us being muggles.'

'Is it hard? To keep your magic secret, being amongst so many other muggles?'

'We've managed,' smiled Maureen 'make yourselves at home, I'll grab our dinners!'

Oscar sagged down onto the sofa, and shot his wand at the open fireplace, where flames burst to life.

'Don't be shy.' he said as I remained standing, and I sat down next to him.

'Mara...don't be, well...I know this is all new to you, you haven't really been around a healthy family environment...try not to be nervous.'

I nodded, unsure of what to say.

'Hey, maybe I'll show you how to play video games and we can play together, I'm sure you'll be a natural like myself.'

'Consider yourself a natural, do you?' I smirked

'Course,' he grinned 'I've spent hours a day on Tekken-oh, it's a fighting game- (he added after my confused look) you know, when I don't have duties that is.'

'And you definitely aren't using magic to help you win?'

'Absolutely not!' he said, looking amusingly offended.

Maureen returned to the living room, with three, hovering plates of Shepard's Pie loaded with gravy, with tray's sat on our laps, we dug in.

'Hey mum, I was thinking,' said Oscar through a mouthful of pie 'maybe we could invite Merton over?'

'That man Mara is dating?'

'Oh, we're not-' I spluttered 'we're not exactly-it's complicated.'

'Can't be that complicated,' Oscar remarked 'you're practically boyfriend and girlfriend.'

I felt my cheeks burn up

'It's just...' my eyes focused on the Shepard's Pie, which was starting to look unappetizing 'well...' I hadn't exactly told Oscar what Greyback did to me back at Snape's house, and I hated having to relive it. 'I mean...I like Merton...very much, he's been really nice to me and seems genuine...things just, might get a bit complicated down the line and I don't want to have to involve him in anything that might be...well, too much for him to handle.'

A brief silence took hold, one in which Maureen and Oscar shot each other troubled looks.

'May I be excused? I'm feeling tired.'

'Oh, of course, you're not hungry any more?' asked Maureen, still looking concerned.

'No, I'm sorry.'

'Very well, I'll show you to your room.' Maureen rose onto her feet

'I can do it.' said Oscar

'No no,' Maureen gave him a stern stare as I rose

'Alright, alright.' he said 'I'll just fire up my game then.'

Maureen cast her son a small smile and she lead me away to the stairs, which were narrow as we walked along them, hovering my trunk as we moved.

'This is the bathroom,' said Maureen as we passed by it 'feel free to use it any time! And this is Oscar's room.' a bedroom with a double four poster bed, a computer, desk and chair.

'This is my room.' a bedroom with another double four poster with a television.

'This is the guest room, which will be your room from now on, I'm sure it isn't as luxurious as it was in the Malfoys' Manor, but..'

'It's perfect,' I smiled 'thank you.'

Maureen beamed, and stood by, watching as I unpacked my trunk, setting out my silk pyjama's on the bed.

I turned to face my aunty, who had a worried look in my direction.

'Is something wrong?' I asked, confused as to why she was hovering 'I can make myself comfy.'

'Oh, it's not that...' her lips pursed, her eyebrows furrowed, and I stepped away as she moved towards me, she patted the bed and sat down on it, I followed suit.

'I feel as if, there is something you aren't telling Oscar and I...' said Maureen, her eyes intensely set on me, as if scanning me 'about what you said earlier, that, your man friend might not be able to handle it...does this have something to do with the attack?'

My eyes drifted away from Maureen to the large mirror which reflected both of our figures.

'It does, doesn't it?' asked Maureen 'I'm not going to ask you to relive every vivid detail, I know it must be very hard on you, and please don't worry about any prejudice for being infected...' she frowned 'I am just worried there's something...else..what did that nasty man do to you?'

At this, I burst into tears, unable to help myself.

Maureen's arms wrapped around my shoulders and pulled me into a hug, I didn't mean to cry, but it was comforting to know I had people around me now that cared.