I wasn't sure what was worse.

Being in Fenrir Greyback's grasp, or Voldemort's presence. His red gaze was cast upon me the moment I entered the dining room, yet mine was set upon another, crouching figure beside the standing Dark Lord.

'Mara.' it shook, and I stared at him, unsure of what to say, screaming in terror for him did not seem to be the right move, and it felt like I had to be very careful for my next.

'Come child,' said Voldemort in his high, clear voice that sent shivers down my spine 'do not be afraid.'

'Stay back, Mara.' Harold demanded

My lips pursed, but I stepped away from the watching Draco and Oscar behind me

Oscar's hand clamped down on my shoulder, his eyes pleading for me to go no further. I shook my head, pulled away from his grip and approached the tall figure in front of me.

It was not the time to show fear, to be brave, to not be a child any longer.

I left somewhat of a gap between Voldemort and I when I stopped, and I glanced down at my beaten looking father.

'Good girl,' smiled Voldemort, in a way that was unsettling to see 'I am sure, by now you are wondering why I have called you and your cousin here,' he began 'but then again, perhaps you have already worked it out?'

Many things ran through my mind, but only one thing stood at the forefront.

'My Father, My Lord.' I couldn't help the shakiness of my voice, and I fear it was noticed as a sort of smugness appeared on Voldemort's face.

'Yes, your father,' said Voldemort, his fingers wrapped firmly around his wand 'now that we have him, you are of no use to me.'

Fear froze me, and panic erupted inside my head, my heart raced.

Is this how it ends?

'You are free to go.'

My eyes widened and heart paused before restarting, and perhaps he saw the surprise on my face.

'I...I am?'

He smiled that unsettling smile again.

'Of course,' said Voldemort 'I am a merciful Lord, child. You and your cousin are free to leave. Unless, perhaps, you would prefer to stay in the manor you once called home?'

My head shook

'N-no, I mean-' I looked at my dad again 'but...what about...'

'What happens to him falls upon my decision,' said Voldemort 'you need not worry about him.'

My head turned from my father, shame falling upon me as I thought what would happen if I stayed, what would happen to my son, Maureen, Oscar? Would my son grow up without knowing his mother, like me?

'I-Thank you, My Lord.' Harold looked away as I bowed slightly, it felt like the right thing to do.

'You are welcome, child,' said Voldemort, and I paused as I turned for he continued 'but realise this,' the Dark Lord was behind me now, and I glanced as his fingers pressed against my shoulder, making them hunch up in distaste 'once the war is won, and Harry Potter is dead, you will be given to Fenrir as a prize for his services to our cause.'

Harold gasped, Oscar looked enraged

'You have, I believe, already sampled what that will be?'

I turned my head slightly towards my father, closed my eyes and nodded, daring not to see his reaction.

'But of course,' said Voldemort, removing his hand 'now go.'

I forced myself not to run away from the watching Voldemort, and Draco led us out of the room.

All three of us were silent upon the door shutting behind us, Oscar casting me a concerned look, Draco unsure.

'Draco,' I said, he turned towards me 'can I ask a favour?'

'Uh-'

'My wand, would you retrieve the broken pieces please?'

'Oh, er, alright, just wait here.'

'Thanks'

Draco gave me an awkward nod and turned towards the cellar, where we followed but waited in the hall.

'Mara?' Oscar asked, and I shot him a small smile.

'I will break down once we are home.' I said in a whisper 'we are still probably being watched.'

Oscar bit his lip but nodded.

Moments later we heard footsteps, multiple footsteps, heavy ones ascended the stairs.

Emerging was Draco with my broken wand, and holding his bleeding head was Greyback in toe.

'There you are,' he snarled, aiming his wand at me 'look at this, fix it! You're supposed to be learning to be a Healer aren't ya!?'

I glowered at the towering brute

'Why would I help you?' I sneered, hatred burning inside me

'It won't hurt to help, Mara.' said Draco

'Fix the gash!' growled Greyback

I glared away, my fists balling, I could refuse, let him bleed out everywhere, but it goes against my core values, to help people, even those who hurt me.

'Fine, Draco, lend me your wand would you?'

Draco looked unsure

'You want me to help Fenrir,' I said, surprising Greyback a little with the use of his first name 'lend me your wand, please.'

Draco sighed a heavy sigh

'Fine,' he reluctantly handed me his wand 'let's go in the drawing room.'

He led us towards the room, where Greyback perched on the armchair.

Blood was indeed running down his forehead, and it was quite heavy, Luna really did a number on him. Despite my instinct on wanting to help, I also hope it hurt like hell.

'It won't take a minute,' I said 'though it's a little difficult with another's wand, it feels all wrong.'

'Whatever.' grunted Greyback, my head shook and I rifled through his greasy, white hair until I found the gash, I aimed Draco's wand at it.

'Episkey'

The gash slowly began to seal itself

'Draco,' I addressed 'would you retrieve Oscar's wand? I forgot about it for a moment.'

'I suppose so,' he said with an eye-roll, and he left the room.

'There, it's sealed,' I said after carefully inspecting the wound 'I suggest you rest up here for awhile, you're probably still a bit groggy, take a wiggenweld potion if need be.' I said 'And wash the blood off you.'

Greyback's eyes were intense on me so I turned, he had that same leer he had before.

Draco returned, Oscar's wand in hand, however I froze in my walk away, as a hand pressed against my shoulder.

'I will have you one day,' Greyback whispered in my ear, his hand resting on my hip and rounding on my behind, forcing me to squirm as his fingers slid a little too deep for my liking 'when the Dark Lord wins, you'll be my loyal, little wife, I'll have you all to myself. And you'll be grateful, never having enough of it.'

'You piece of shit!' Growled Oscar, he swung his newly returned wand and Greyback fell away from me, slumped into the chair unconscious once more.

'Mara, come on, we're getting out of here.' Oscar said, incensed, dragging me past an uncomfortable looking Draco towards the exit, where we disapparated for home outside the protective boundaries.

The fresh breeze, and the sound of the gentle sea nearby was a welcoming change from the dark dreariness of Malfoy Manor.

'Mara?' Oscar asked, as I pressed my head against the wall of the cottage, my hands against the bricks. My chest heavy.

Oscar's hand pressed against my shoulder as it shook

'Mara-don't feel bad, you did what you had to..'

I nodded and wiped my nose on my sleeve as tears fell.

'But I do...' I sobbed 'I do feel bad...there was nothing I could do for Harold, for Luna, and the others locked there...'

'Mara...' Oscar continued 'if you didn't, You-Know-Who might well have killed you right there...then Artemas would have been without a mother...'

I breathed out a slow breath, taking control of my crying and turned to Oscar, nodding.

'I'm scared, Oscar.' he looked worried 'If You-Know-Who wins, which, at the moment, that prospect looks to be...well...' my head shook 'I'm promised to Greyback, both he and You-Know-Who said so...he'll find out he has a son...what if-what if-'

'Don't think like that, Mara.' Oscar's hands pressed on my shoulders once more, and he pulled me into a tight hug 'I'm sure we will prevail, we have to! We have to think on the bright side.'

My eyes closed as I leaned snugly into Oscar's arms, allowing all my tears and fear to come to the surface.

'You're home now, safe...and, Mara..' he pulled me from the hug to look back at me 'you aren't-you know...going back to Hogwarts are you?'

I glanced away, uncertain.

'Well...' I wiped my eyes once again 'I-don't know...I promised Merton I wouldn't.'

'Then don't, please.'

I nodded and he sighed in relief.

'Come on, it's about time we showed ourselves.'

Upon the door opening I could hear the television playing, and rustling sounds in the kitchen.

'Mum?'

The rustling stopped, and Maureen emerged, the potato masher dropped from her hand and shock appeared on her face.

'O-Oscar! Mara!' she cried 'Merton! Merton, they're back! Come quickly!'

Maureen locked us in a tight hold, we were unable to escape as she let out cries and tears of joy.

Merton bounded down the stairs

'Oh thank god!' Merton boomed 'Thank god you're both alright! Mara!'

Maureen allowed me to escape her grasp and she hugged her son tightly, Merton took me in his warm, comforting arms and held me close. I pressed my nose into his chest, smelling his cologne, familiarising myself with it once more.

Merton followed me to the bedroom, where Artemas was sleeping soundly in his crib, I stroked his perfect face and planted a kiss upon his head.

'Don't even think about kissing me until I brush my teeth.' I said to Merton, who laughed as I pressed my fingers on his closing in lips, he settled for a peck on the forehead.

Once we were all gathered around the Christmas tree in the living room, I told everything that had happened to me during these past few weeks to the attentive Merton and Maureen, then Oscar took his turn to tell everything from his side. They were both shocked and appalled at all that had transpired.

'Maureen, do I have any clean clothes?'

'Oh yes, there are some ready for you in your room.'

'Thanks.' I sighed 'I need a nice, long bath. Then I'll probably turn in.'

'Aren't you hungry?' asked Maureen

'A little, we didn't have much in the way of food in the manor...but I'll eat tomorrow, I'm too tired.'

'Well, alright, if you're sure.'

I hugged Maureen goodnight, Merton remained in the living room talking intensely with Oscar. I wasn't sure if I would be able to sleep, but I was glad to be home.