I woke up sometime later after I heard Adley begin to whimper from the bassinet.
I noted right after I gave birth to them that they had different sleeping patterns. I was relieved for that for the most part. Though I sometimes wondered if I should be keeping an eye on them more often, than not.
They were barely a few days old and they were already showing signs of magic.
My guess is that since Tom is their father, and he is an expert wizard then they're already showing signs of magic within them. Not to mention that our bloodlines may have something to do with it.
Arlo for instance managed to move a book from my nightstand to the floor, and his dark hair has changed at the tips since then.
Adley's curly darkened locks began turning Emerald green, they change depending on her mood.
I had just finished feeding, changing, and rocking Adley to sleep when I heard the familiar sound of someone apparating.
Pop!
I froze in my spot for a brief second before I snapped out of it, quickly putting a sleeping Adley in the bassinet next to her brother.
I flicked my wrist and put an imperturbable charm in the room, adding the silencing spell.
Then I turned down the lights, aware that the babies were sleeping.
I sat down next to their bassinet, breathing slowly, hoping that whoever it was would leave soon.
Closing my eyes, I felt as tears began to form, as the onslaught of memories from the last year sprung to the front of my mind.
I appeared in the outskirts of the familiar dreary town, tears began to form in my eyes as I slowly walked into the underdeveloped township.
My eyes flicking around, taking in the streets, and small structures.
Memories began to slowly suffocate me. I made my way towards the dried-out trees and dead shrubbery.
My eyes tearing up as I saw the path open to reveal the small dilapidated shack.
I could hear the fire crackling in the fire pit as I got closer.
The familiar decapitated serpent staring at its own body in shock as it died, still nailed to the hollowed out, rotting door.
'Who's there?' the man hissed.
'It's Sophia.' I hissed back.
'Ahh...the girl who came here with my worthless sister's spawn.' He hissed back amused.
'I've already almost killed a man for calling your sister foul names, don't make me hurt you too, because I won't hesitate to do so. Besides, I need you to answer one question for me and I'll leave.' I hissed back.
'Why would I possibly want to do that?' He hissed back in reply, letting out a chuckle in amusement.
'Because I'll hurt you if you don't .' I replied, looking at him unblinkingly.
'Do you know for sure if your sister is alive?' I asked him when he stayed quiet.
He laughed, rolling his eyes at me, 'No, I don't. The last time I saw her she stole the locket and ran away from here. She married that muggle, tainting our bloodline, and probably died after she starved to death' he replied truthfully.
'Locket, as in the Slytherin locket?' I asked.
He nodded in response before turning back to look at the fire. 'You can leave now, that's all I know, child.'
I nodded, looking back at him. 'Your bloodline wasn't tainted. The Riddles are simply Squibs.' I finally said before leaving.
I quickly made my way back onto the main road, quickly getting into a cart.
I slowly made my way back towards London. Where I took a cab to my parents' old home. The address that Professor McGonagall had given me clutched in my hands. I was about a mile out when I exited the cab and began walking the long path that leads to the home. It was surrounded by thick, dark woodland.
Moments later, I arrived in the house, as I stepped into the home I let my eyes roam, taking in every wall, ceiling.
When my eyes landed on the enchanted family portrait. I watched as the familiar couple held a familiar-looking little girl with dark curls on her head, laughing.
A choked sob left my lips echoing in the large room, as I slid down on the wall onto the ground, crying in pain when I realized I had just abandoned Tom.
As the realization hit another wave of pain hit me, and all the control of my emotions I had in the past slipped through my fingers and I felt as the carefully structured walls around my heart and emotions collapsed to the ground in a heap.
I was crying so much I didn't even notice or realized that I had company until I was being pulled into a pair of comforting arms.
"If this was going to be so difficult for you then why did you run from him? Why are you even hiding?" He whispered.
"H--he said, he didn't want any--any children. H-- how do I tell him, that he--he's going to be the one thing he would detest to be?" I asked, sniffling.
"You could've always waited until you give birth and surprise him. Though nothing beats a good kick in the arse too, and you're more than qualified to do it..." He suggested, chuckling.
"Terrific, you're wonderful to help," I muttered sarcastically, smacking him on the arm. Hard.
"Hey, I'm just trying to be helpful. Anyways, I've got to go back to check on Myrtle, I'll visit again later this week with Grisha, and the others, possibly. For now, get some rest, and stop crying that can't be good for your health or the little squirt you're carrying in there." He said, as he pulled me to my feet and lead me up the stairs towards the first room on the left.
Once we were in the room he helped me get onto the bed, settled in, and kissed my forehead.
"I have to go now, Sophie, we'll be back soon, don't worry." He said.
"Alright, thank you, uncle Sea, tell Myrtle I sent my regards. I'll be alright, I promise." I said as he left.
I snapped back into the present when I heard a specific knock on the door.
I quickly removed the spells around the room and slowly opened the door to peek outside.
Standing there was Andromeda, a very scared looking Torin, along with Remus and Ted Tonks.
"We've got to get you out of here, Anna. Please tell me you haven't unpacked." Remus urged.
"No, I-- I haven't. Just the twin's bassinet." I said.
"Good. Grab the twins. We've got to go before they-" Ted urged before a large blast was heard on the southern part of the house.
"Go!" He said, looking at Andromeda and nodding once.
I ran towards the bassinet, pulled both of the twins into my arms, before slipping them into the safety of their sling, and looked over at my bag.
I quickly twitched my finger and shrunk the bassinet, watching as it flew into the bag.
I slipped my shoes on and ran towards the door.
Remus was now waiting for me with Torin by the door.
"What is going on? Where are we heading to?" I asked cautiously as they lead me into the small shrubbery.
"Safehouse," Torin whispered.
I nodded as Remus took out an old battered boot, and looked over at Torin.
Her dark hair hung in disarray, her cloak was ripped and her arm had a small gash on it.
"Are you alright, Torin?" I asked, worried as I felt Arlo nuzzle his nose into my aching chest.
"I'll be better when we reach the safe house." She said, looking over at Remus, before looking down at the muddied ground.
I shook my head amused at them, watching as they twitched every few seconds.
"Grab onto the boot," Remus said as he placed it between all three of us.
I nodded, grabbing on as we teleported a few feet away from the safe house.
I heard two resounding pops and turned to see Andromeda holding onto little Nymphadora and a very badly hurt Ted.
"Holy Helga Hufflepuff!" Torin gasped, as she ran towards them to help but was quickly pushed out of the way by a scowling Remus.
"Wouldn't want to bother you, Miss. Potter." He retorted as he half carried, half dragged a practically unconscious Ted into the house. While he shook his head muttering something under his breath.
"What happened after we left?" I asked Andromeda.
"We were just about to leave the house when two men showed up, at first we thought they were friends of Tom, but these guys were far more lethal, they said someone by the name Kuz- Kuznetsova sending them." She muttered confused.
I stiffened. "Nikolai." I gasped, grasping the twins.
"We have to round everybody up! This could be dangerous!!!" Torin cried, rushing into the house.
I nodded and looked towards Andromeda. "We have to go and get Tom," I said, my eyes tearing up.
They all nodded in agreement, looking worried as I sighed tiredly.
"Protect my babies, both of you. I'll be back as soon as possible. I need to get to Tom before Nikolai does." I said, with trembling lips.
With one last look, I handed them each one of my babies and turned.
I closed my eyes and opened them concentrating on my location.
I apparated in front of the eerie Malfoy Manor, taking a deep breath before I walked up the stone path, and up the cobblestone steps.
Just as I was about to reach for the gold knocker on the black doors, the doors flew open, and there stood the person my heart ached to see again.
"Anna?" He gasped, in shock.
I nodded in response. However, before I could even open my mouth he pulled me towards him, wrapping his arms around me, and holding me close to his body tightly.
I feel him as he loosened his hold on me after a few moments.
He bore a heavy traveling cloak and an old rucksack.
His expression told me everything I needed to know as I took on his appearance.
"Hello, Tom," I whispered.