AN: It has been a minute since I last updated. Unfortunately real life gets in the way sometimes. Sorry for the delay. I am still writing, I promise. This story will not be abandoned.

Brief recap: Last chapter Bones took Hermione to the Ministry. The Wizengamot asked questions, which led to her revealing the details of her visit to Malfoy Manor. She blames Bones for using her as a prop in her report out on Draco. Now they are headed to St. Mungo's so Hermione can see a Healer and find out if there was any lasting damage from her assault.

{ 42 }

{ Hermione POV }

The hospital room is painted in a pale green color. It's hideous. The window looks out at the brick wall of the adjacent building. The table I am sitting on is covered in foam and dark blue vinyl, but is still hard as a rock.

The healer's assistant that brought me in here spent at least five minutes staring at me. I stared right back at her until she finally left. For now I am thankfully alone.

I pulled the sleeves of my sweater down over my hands, wrapped my arms around my knees and leaned against the wall.

Every amount of effort that I have is going into keeping my mind blank. Keeping that wall safely in place.

The door opened and an older woman with graying hair and a bit of extra weight about her walked in.

Her eyes are sharp but kind. She pulled a chair close to me and sat down.

"Miss Granger, it is a pleasure to meet you." She folded her hands in front of her and smiled. "I am Healer Julie. How are you feeling today?"

I blinked. I was not expecting that particular question. I certainly cannot answer it truthfully, can I?

Like I have only been put on this Earth to suffer.

"Fine."

She tilted her head to the side and her smile dimmed.

I cleared my throat and forced my shoulders to relax.

"A little nervous, to be honest."

Her smile returned.

"Is this your first time having an exam? There is nothing to be nervous about, I assure you."

I disagree. There is plenty to be nervous about.

"Is there a particular reason for your visit today? Are you experiencing any pain or discomfort? Heavy bleeding? Anything like that?"

I wiped my palms against my jeans.

"No." I cleared my throat. "I'm worried that I might, though."

She raised one brow and waited for me to continue. The smile is gone now.

I averted my eyes and chose to stare at my fingernails instead. Today they are red with gold flakes. An homage to my house, and a reminder that I have courage, which I definitely need right now.

After a good long moment, she released a soft sigh.

"Miss Granger, this exam will be painless. I promise. It is done completely by spell work. You won't feel a thing."

Bones had told me as much.

That is not what I am worried about, though.

"I am more concerned about the results of the exam." I kept my eyes on my fingers. I can still feel her staring at me, though.

I finally worked up the courage to raise my eyes and look at her.

"Do you mind if I set up privacy wards?" I asked. I reached for my wand and was already casting them before she could respond.

"All of the rooms at St. Mungo's come equipped with privacy wards."

"Humor me."

Her eyes darted back and forth between me and the door several times before she settled on me and rolled her shoulders back.

"Alright. You value your privacy. I understand that, especially given your high profile status." She nodded to herself.

"Good. I do not want any written records of anything we discuss today. That includes anything I tell you, or the test results."

She sat back in her chair and licked her lips.

"You do realize this is highly unusual?"

"I'm not exactly normal, Healer Julie. And the last thing I need is to see my personal private life splattered across the front page of the Prophet."

She released a deep sigh and nodded.

"Alright then. Nothing in writing. Extra privacy wards. My oath as a healer forbids me from discussing your diagnosis or treatment with anyone other than you." She paused and waited. I released a relieved sigh and nodded my approval to continue. Only then did she ask, "Why don't you tell me why you are really here?"

Alright. This is it. Time to call on every ounce of Gryffindor bravery that I possess.

I swallowed against the sudden dryness in my throat and took a deep breath.

"During the war, I was sexually assaulted."

Her eyes widened, just a little. I looked down at my fingers again. I do not want to see pity on someone that does not even know me.

"It was an incredibly painful and traumatic experience." My hands are starting to shake. I closed my eyes and reinforced that wall in my mind.

This is not the time to relive that nightmare.

"At the time, I did not seek medical attention. Of course now that the war is over and I actually survived, I'm starting to think about the future, and I'm worried that there could have been lasting damage or something. There was so much blood…or that, if…when…if I choose to have sex in the future, it will be as painful as it was then…" A cold shiver worked its way down my spine.

That's enough. You are babbling. Shut the fuck up.

"May I ask, how long ago did this happen?" Her voice was much more subdued than it had been when she first walked in.

"About a year and a half ago, now." I looked at her once again. Her face had softened a bit.

"I see. And you have not had intercourse since?"

I shook my head slowly side to side.

"I will need you to lie down on the table with your hands to the side." She gave me a small smile and stood from her chair.

I stretched out on the uncomfortable makeshift bed and waited.

"Good. Now, lift your shirt up so I can see your stomach, and push your pants down just over your hips will be fine."

I followed her instructions. She gasped when she saw the scar on my stomach.

I waited several heartbeats for her to say something. Anything.

"Like I said, this will not hurt at all." She held her wand over my stomach.

I released a short puff of air, relieved that she did not ask where it had come from. I have scars all over my body. That is just one of them.

I held my breath as she looked through my skin to my internal organs and began her exam. It took several long minutes before she lowered her wand and looked back up at me.

"All done." She stepped back and put her wand away whilst I rearranged my clothes.

"I do not see any permanent damage that you need to be concerned with at this time, though there is a little bit of scar tissue."

Relief washed through me.

"In the future, when or if you become sexually active, you might notice a lack of sensation in that particular area, where the scar tissue is." She hesitated for a moment. Her head tilted to the side. "Am I correct in assuming that you had not been sexually active before…?"

"Before I was raped?" I lifted my brow. "No. I never…"

Good Merlin, this is humiliating.

"I thought not." She patted my knee gently. "Intercourse between two consenting adults is rarely painful. In fact, most people quite enjoy it. I would recommend working up to it, either by yourself or with your partner."

Oh, Gods! This woman is old enough to be my grandmother!

I can feel my cheeks flaming in embarrassment as she continued.

"I am assuming, of course, that you have a partner? I don't think you would be here if you did not have someone in mind for this potential future situation." She raised her brow and waited a moment.

I did not confirm or deny. Which she took as a confirmation.

Rightly so.

"Brilliant. As I said, work up to it. Get used to the feeling of having…"

"I got it." I stopped her. I swear my face is on fire right now. "Please, for the love of Merlin, stop."

I covered my face with both hands and took a deep breath. When I felt composed, I dropped my hands back to my lap.

The elder healer was watching me with a grin on her face.

"I didn't mean to embarrass you, dear. I can recommend a shoppe that sells…certain items…that can help you."

I released a nervous laugh.

"I can see the headline now. 'War hero makes stop by sex shoppe before returning to Hogwarts.'" I shook my head and relaxed my shoulders. "Thanks, but no thanks, Healer Julie."

"Of course, dear." She chuckled for a moment before giving me a gentle smile.

I bid her farewell, scheduled a check up in a year, and left the office.

[ - - - ]

Fortescue's is nearly deserted. It could be the early hour, or it could be the spitting snowflakes outside. Either way, Bones and I had the place almost to ourselves.

It was her idea to stop for ice cream after my appointment at St. Mungo's. She is trying to make up for the fiasco at the Ministry earlier.

She has not asked me how the exam went. Not that I would tell her. She keeps watching me, though. Concerned, perhaps, that I have not said a word since we left the Healer's office.

I have nothing to say to her. All of my focus is on keeping the wall in my mind intact. I can't afford to lose focus. This damn day is almost over. Only a little while longer.

The bowl of chocolate ice cream with strawberries, nuts and whipped cream on top was massive.

"Mum would be quite cross with me for eating this." I can imagine the look on her face. It would be something akin to scandalous. My lip tilted up on one side for a heartbeat, then fell.

She would never know.

"You don't talk about her often. The two of you are not close?"

My breath caught in my throat.

Fucking Hell. Did I say that out loud?

The last thing I want to do right now is talk about my parents.

I released a sigh and took another bite.

"We were, once." I scooped up a spoonful of the sugar filled concoction in front of me.

"Do you think you ever could be again?"

I blinked quickly.

"No."

I pushed the memories back. They were trying to break free of my mental wall. I can't afford that right now.

"Hermione…"

I can see the next question forming on the tip of her tongue.

Damn it.

"My parents don't know who I am."

I have told her that before. I hope she gets it this time around.

"I know it can feel that way…"

"No. You are not listening to me." I released a deep sigh. Can't I just enjoy my ice cream? Why does she care so much anyway? It's none of her business.

"I know it can be difficult…" She reached across the table and patted my hand.

I pulled it back quickly. My eyes narrowed and I glared at the older witch.

"Listen to me." I don't know what I was thinking. Something inside of me just snapped. I don't want her asking any more questions. I just want her to leave me the hell alone. "They do not know who I am. They do not know they have a daughter. They do not even know their real names."

Her eyes searched mine as a growing look of horror and understanding filled her eyes.

"What did you do?" She asked quietly.

My heart froze in my chest.

Bloody fucking hell. You complete and utter moron. What in the actual fuck did you just do?

I just confessed to an auror that I used magic against muggles.

I held her gaze. She knows. I don't have to say anything more.

"What I had to do to protect them." I blinked once, then returned to my ice cream. After the morning I've already had, I feel numb rather than the anxiety I normally feel. Maybe it's good that she knows. Maybe now I will finally get the punishment that I deserve.

I had taken three more bites when she cleared her throat.

"When?" Her voice was still quiet.

She knows I'm a monster now. She'll never be able to forgive me.

I should be upset by that. But still, nothing. It's been awhile since I locked down my emotions. It seems it's a habit I can still fall back on when needed.

"After sixth year." My voice sounds flat. No emotion there at all.

She closed her eyes and scrubbed her hand across her face.

"Oh, Hermione." She moved from the seat across from me to sit beside me. She put her arm around my shoulders.

I lay my head against her shoulder and took the comfort she was offering. Still, I held tight to my emotions. This is not the time nor the place to unleash those.

I put my spoon down and pushed away my bowl. I'm done.

"Are you going to arrest me?" I asked after a long moment.

"Do you know why I became an auror?" She kept her arm around my shoulder. Without waiting for an answer, she continued. "I want to see the evil in this world locked away where it can't hurt the good."

Finally a bit of emotion bled through. A handful of tears escaped and slid down my cheek. I let them fall.

I am the evil in the world.

"Will you let me say goodbye to Draco first?" My voice cracked.

"You are not evil, Hermione." Her hand squeezed around my shoulder. "You are not evil. You are the light in the darkness."

[ - - - ]

Hogwarts loomed in front of me. Professor Bones walked beside me. She kept giving me worried glances, followed by deep sighs.

But no words.

What words are there?

I feel numb. Hollow. My brain cannot process everything that has happened today. It isn't even trying.

One foot in front of the other. That is all I am thinking at the moment. That is all I am capable of right now.

The noise emanating from the Great Hall tells me that lunch is just starting.

The thought of food makes my stomach turn almost as much as the idea of being around other people right now.

I just want to be alone. That's all.

At the staircase, I ducked into a small alcove. I didn't say a word to Bones. I've talked to her quite enough already today.

My hand closed around my pendant. I pictured the study upstairs and vanished, reappearing a second later four floors above the entrance.

Draco will find me here. He will want to know what happened.

What am I supposed to tell him?

The coin in my pocket warmed against my leg. I thought I would have a few more minutes to collect myself.

"Where are you?"

Straight to the point.

I ran my thumb across the words. I thought about ignoring him. Putting the coin back in my pocket. Or laying it on the table and walking away.

Despite the mood I am in, I can't do that to him. I won't.

"In the study." I gave him a few seconds to receive that one before I followed up with, "I just need a minute."

Of course I need more than a minute. I have no intention of going downstairs. Not tonight.

Maybe not ever again.

"On my way."

I sighed. He should finish his lunch. I'm not going anywhere. And I am going to be shite company tonight.

Before I could respond to tell him so, I heard him pop into the room behind me.

Damn it.

I didn't turn around. I stood right where I was, behind the loveseat, staring into the fire.

He didn't say a word.

Neither did I.

Should I? Again, what the hell do I say?

He stepped up behind me. His hand wrapped around mine. Without saying anything, he tugged on my hand and guided me in front of the loveseat. He sat down first.

I stared at him for a moment. Rather than sitting next to him, I sat across his lap and leaned my head against his shoulder. Without hesitation, his arms enveloped me.

As it turned out, I didn't have to say anything. All I needed was for him to hold me.

[ - - - ]

We sat there for what felt like hours. The only noise in the room was the crackling of the fire.

My thoughts spiraled. I kept expecting to feel something. Anything. Sadness. Anxiety. Despair.

All I feel is numb. Perhaps I have finally broken completely. Shattered to the point of no return.

Now that thought was truly depressing.

I cleared my throat. The first noise either of us had made in hours. Draco jumped, just a little, at the sudden noise.

I felt my lip tilt up a fraction and a small release of air, not quite a laugh, escaped.

I moved back just far enough that I could look into his eyes. His silver gray depths stared into me, searching for something. The concern swimming in his eyes only grew deeper.

He knows. He can see that I am done. Finished.

Shattered.

I inhaled deeply and blew it out slowly. Then I told him. Everything. From being interrogated at the Ministry, to the exam at St. Mungo's, to telling Bones about my parents.

All of the worst wounds that I sustained during the war, exposed in one day.

Draco didn't say anything, but he got more and more tense as I talked. I kept my eyes on the fire. I don't think I want to see the moment he realizes that I am a lost cause.

I sighed deeply and leaned back against him once more, taking the comfort he was offering while I still can. As I leaned into him, he tightened his hold on me.

He hasn't given up on me.

Yet.

I don't know that it matters.

I have given up on myself.

[ - - - ]

{ Draco POV }

I don't know what to say to her. I don't know what she needs to hear.

The way she spoke, rather than her words, is what sent chills down my spine. Her voice is cold, devoid of emotion, even as she speaks about reliving the worst days of her life.

Her walls are up, stronger than ever. Reinforced with steel and topped with barbed wire.

I swear to Salazar, I am going to kill Bones when I see her.

This is her fault.

Hermione said she needed a minute. I respected that. I've given her hours. Too much time, maybe. I need to pull her out of this funk that she is in.

"Tell me what is going on in that brain of yours." I spoke softly so as not to startle her. She didn't respond for a long moment. I thought, perhaps, she had drifted to sleep. But then she turned to look at me.

Her eyes are still devoid of emotion. Cold. Dead.

She blinked. For a second I thought I saw some hint of emotion there, then it was gone.

"Don't you see, Draco? I can't be the one that brings Light to the Darkness. I am the Darkness."

My heart froze in my chest.

Hot anger flushed through me.

"That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard." I rolled my eyes. Honestly, isn't she supposed to be the smart one here? "You are listening to those damn demons again, aren't you?"

Her eyes flashed. Only for a second. But still.

It's something. A shred of emotion. Even if it is anger.

"No." She shook her head. "I'm listening to myself."

She sighed.

"You should have seen the look on her face when she figured it out. It was sheer horror."

She ran her hands through her hair and pulled on the roots. For the first time in hours, she moved from my lap. She stood and took several steps before turning back to me.

"She saw it, Draco. She saw the evil that is inside of me. And she's right. I am evil."

"For Salazar's sake! Are you listening to yourself? You are not evil!" I followed her, put my hands on her shoulders. "You listen to me, Hermione Granger. You did what you needed to do. You saved your parent's lives. Your little brother is alive because of what you did."

Her eyes widened and she gasped.

"What's done is done. You can't go back and change it. You can't fix it. You need to figure out how to forgive yourself, accept it and move on." My eyes searched hers. Somewhere in the back of her eyes, I can see proof that I am breaking through. "Otherwise, it will eat you alive. It will keep feeding those demons and making them stronger. You have worked so hard to fight them. You have come so far. You cannot give up now. Don't let them win, Hermione."

She blinked once. Twice. The third time, tears began to leak from her eyes.

"I will never be able to forgive myself." Her voice was barely louder than a whisper. The tears fell harder.

I remember telling myself the same thing. Asking over and over again how the hell I was supposed to forgive myself for the awful things I had done.

She was the answer. She is my salvation.

I pulled her against me and held her close. Her hands gripped my shirt. I can feel her trying to hold back her tears.

"You have to keep fighting, Hermione." I slid one hand up her back and neck to tangle in her hair on the back of her head. With my other hand, I rubbed her back gently, up and down.

She took a deep, gasping breath and buried her face further into my shoulder.

"What if I can't?" Pain lanced through my chest at the despair in her voice. Still, it's better than the monotonous drone from before.

"Then I'll keep fighting for you." I pressed my lips against her temple. "I won't let you give up. I'm not ready to lose you."

Finally, she let her tears fall. I held her as she cried, as she gasped for air, as she allowed herself to grieve the loss of her parents all over again.

It's been awhile since she cried like this. She is getting better, but the wounds are still there. I forget sometimes, with everything else going on, that we are both still healing.

Once her tears ran dry, I led her down the spiral staircase to the sitting room and into the bedroom. It was already well after midnight when I settled beside her under the covers.

At least another hour or two passed before she slipped off to sleep. Dawn was nearly breaking before I fell asleep myself.

My dreams were plagued with nightmares.

The next time I opened my eyes, the sun had risen behind dark clouds. Hermione was not beside me, nor was she anywhere else in the suite.

I found her on the third floor balcony. One look and I can tell that she didn't sleep any better than I did. Dark circles surrounded her red-rimmed eyes.

She has taken a shower, though, and is dressed in her uniform.

"We should take today off." It's Thursday. There isn't anywhere we need to be.

"I agree. We should eat breakfast first." My hands settled on her waist and she leaned back against me. "I don't think you ate anything yesterday."

She made a non-commital noise in the back of her throat, which I took as an agreement. Fifteen minutes later, we walked into the Great Hall together.

I can feel eyes on us as soon as we walked in. Most of the students are ignoring us. We are not gossip-worthy any longer.

We are being watched, though. Professor Bones is tracking our every move.

Not our every move. Hermione's.

Swiftly, I positioned myself between the two and glared at the older witch.

She had the decency to at least look ashamed. She should be.

We trusted her.

I trusted her.

"Both of you look like hell." Theo noted as we sat beside him. "Rough night?"

"Rough life." Hermione huffed under her breath.

Theo's eyes darted to mine. He raised his brow in an unspoken question.

I shook my head, just barely, just enough that he would know not to ask more questions.

She put two pieces of toast on her plate and spread them with raspberry jam. Her go-to when she has no intention of eating.

Theo noticed it, too.

Again, I shook my head at him. I threw in a glare for good measure.

Owls swept through the Hall and deposited letters, packages, and the Daily Prophet to students throughout the room. I paid them no mind and kept eating my eggs benedict.

Until Blaise elbowed me in the side and dropped the rag on my plate.

I choked on my food, which drew Hermione's attention.

On the front page of the paper was a picture of my Father in magical handcuffs, being led into the Ministry by four aurors. Beside his picture, there was a picture of Hermione taken after the final battle, and another that was taken recently. Yesterday, I would guess, standing in a courtroom addressing the Wizengamot.

Beside me, Hermione's knife clattered to the table.

The headline read, "Malfoy Patriarch Taken into Custody. House arrest revoked."

I skimmed through the article. There are details in there. Details that no one needs to know. Details about her time at Malfoy Manor.

Fuck!

Hermione's hand clamped down over top of mine. She is shaking. So am I, for that matter.

Brilliant.

My eyes darted around the room. Everyone is reading the article. The main entrance is between the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor tables. We would have to walk past half of the school. There is a side entrance, though, that is hardly ever used. I don't know where it leads. I do know that it will get us the fuck out of this room.

My hand tightened around hers in a quick pulse. My eyes met hers for an instant. I turned and looked at the door behind us, then back to her. She nodded once in understanding.

As quietly as we could, we turned on the bench. We stood together and walked towards the door. My hand rested on the small of her back. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Professor Bones and Healer Edinfield moving towards us quickly. I pushed Hermione to move faster.

Thankfully, the door opened without a noise. Hermione slipped through first and I followed. I kept my hand on the small of her back as we escaped down the corridor.

We moved swiftly. Up ahead there was a room with an open door. We ducked inside and closed the door behind us. As soon as it was closed, I cast a locking charm and my standard array of wards. Luckily I have cast them so many times that I can do it without even thinking about it.

In the middle of the room Hermione turned around and wrapped her arms around my waist. She gasped for air as she clung to me.

I hate to admit it, but I'm not in any better shape. My chest is burning. I can't breathe. I held onto her and buried my head in her shoulder.

We can't both fall apart right now.

"Breathe." She whispered. "Just breathe."

I honestly don't know if she is talking to me or to herself.

Regardless, I inhaled at the same time she did.

"Good. Again."

I followed her instructions and took another breath.

I don't know how long we stood like that, clinging to each other, breathing together, muttering encouraging words to each other.

Slowly, she relaxed against me. I pulled back far enough that I could look into her eyes.

"Alright?" I asked quietly.

"Not even a little bit." She took a shaky breath and huffed a short laugh. "You?"

"Same." My lip tilted up on one side. I rested my forehead against hers.

"Everyone knows now. About the Manor." She swallowed hard.

She sees it as a weakness.

"Everyone knows now what a complete badass you are."

She almost smiled. Almost.

"Your Father is going to Azkaban."

I closed my eyes. Took a deep breath.

"It's about damn time." It's where he belongs.

She released a deep sigh and collapsed against me once again.

"Gods, Draco. This is a nightmare."

"We'll get through." We don't exactly have a choice, now. Do we?

"We always do." She sighed again and reluctantly took a step back. "Where are we, anyway?"

For the first time, I took a look around.

The room is empty. Completely, utterly empty.

"I have no idea." I turned in a circle and inspected the area. Only the one door led into the room. There is a window directly opposite the door, which opens to the courtyard. As I pondered the possible uses for such a room, I turned back towards Hermione.

She is also taking in the empty space around us. However, she is also rubbing her temple.

Her hand is shaking.

"Are you alright?" She looks like she is ready to fall over.

"Can we just…go?" She leaned her head against my shoulder. She looks exhausted.

She should sit down. She is crashing. She hasn't eaten anything yet, and it looks like she is getting a migraine.

"Of course." I slid my arm around her waist. With a flick of my wand, the wards around the door dropped. A moment later I apparated both of us to the suite on the fourth floor.

Hermione gripped my shoulders and held on tight.

"Are you okay?" I rubbed her back.

"A little dizzy. Just give me a minute."

I did. She can take all the time she needs.

"I need my medicine."

Her medicine. Right. Her bag is always close by, but I looked around and didn't see it anywhere.

"Where is your bag?" I had a sinking feeling in my stomach. I don't remember seeing it. Not since we sat down for breakfast.

"I had it this morning." Her brow crinkled.

"I'll find it. You need to lie down before you fall over." I guided her towards the bedroom.

"I'll be fine." She stopped short of the bedroom door. "I think I left it at the table. When we snuck out the side door."

Her hand lifted to her own pendant. I reached up quickly and stopped her. She got dizzy from apparating once. The last thing we need is for her to splinch herself.

"I'm going. Lie down. Please."

She blinked up at me. I can tell she wants to argue. She wants to be stubborn.

"Fine." She grumbled with a deep sigh. I waited until her head was on the pillow before I returned to the third floor. I moved quietly down the empty staircase and entered the Great Hall.

[ - - - ]

{ Professor Bones POV }

Hermione and Draco disappeared. Literally. They vanished.

Jeremy and I followed them into the corridor from the Great Hall. We were thirty seconds behind them. Apparently thirty seconds was all they needed.

This section of the castle is only used for storage. The rooms leading off of the corridor used to be packed full of holiday decorations and extra tables or chairs for the Great Hall. Items that were only brought out for special occasions.

The vast majority of these items were destroyed during the Final Battle. Now the rooms are empty, waiting to be filled again.

We checked every room. They simply are not here.

With a resigned sigh, we returned to the Great Hall just as the students were leaving for class.

I scanned the students as they walked by. Near the doors a small group of students had gathered. Harry Potter. Ron Weasley. Theodore Nott. Blaise Zabini. Luna Lovegood. Ginny Weasley. Neville Longbottom. Pansy Parkinson.

All of their friends.

They talked quietly amongst themselves for a few moments before leaving the Great Hall.

Jeremy and I followed them to the hallway. As they ascended the stairway, we turned and entered my office.

"Damn it." Jeremy slammed the door shut behind him. "Both of them should be under supervision right now."

He ran his hand through his hair and paced back and forth in front of the desk.

"What in Merlin's name happened yesterday, Amelia?" He stopped pacing and turned to stare at me. His eyes pierced through me. I don't know that I have ever seen him this angry before.

I took a deep breath, then I told him about our trip to London the previous day. The courtroom. The hospital. The ice cream shoppe.

"Damn it, Amelia. She is not one of your puzzles that needs to be solved. Didn't I tell you not to press her for answers? Especially regarding her parents?" He ran his hand through his hair. "I have spent the better part of two months getting to know that girl. She is at a very dangerous point in her recovery. She is not ready to handle the truth about her parents, whatever that truth may be. She is not ready to handle the news of her torture being on the front page of the damn newspaper."

He tightened his hands into fists at his side.

"Hell, she has not even broached that subject during our sessions. If she can't talk about it in a safe space, how is she going to be able to listen to an entire school talking about it for the next six months?"

I narrowed my eyes and crossed my arms over my chest.

"What do you mean by that? Whatever that truth may be?" I lifted my brow and waited. He froze. I can see his mind whirling. "She told me she obliviated her parents and sent them to another country to live. What other truth is there, Jeremy?"

He scrubbed his hand over his face and through his hair. He released a deep sigh and turned away from me, pacing over to the table where he took his seat once again. Then he motioned for me to join him.

He waited until I was sitting before he answered me.

"By all accounts, other than Hermione's that is, the Granger's died in a car accident eighteen months ago." He folded his hands together on top of the table and watched me expectantly. "There were multiple eyewitnesses that saw the accident and verified that both of her parents were in the car at the time, along with Hermione. They were both declared dead at the scene. She was the only survivor."

I don't understand.

"Are you saying…" I stopped and gave myself a moment. "You think she is making up a story about obliviating her parents rather than accept that they have died? Is that what you are saying?"

He covered my hands with his own and held firm.

"There are photographs in the newspaper of her at their funeral, Amelia."

Silence resonated through the room for several long minutes.

"She covered her tracks well. I believe that was the point, was it not?" I blinked. And I waited. "You are the one that told me she does not lie. If anything, she downplays or avoids."

"I know," he sighed.

"She did not make this up." I know it in my heart. The look in her eyes when she asked me if she could say goodbye to Draco before I sent her off to prison, it sent a cold chill down my spine. "She is carrying so much guilt inside her."

"That she is. Along with anger, anxiety and depression. It is a volatile mix." He sighed again and leaned back in his chair. "And now she has to contend with the fallout of this article. I just hope she does not do something stupid."

I may have rolled my eyes at his dramatics.

"Draco is not going to let her do anything stupid."

He sat there and stared at me for several long minutes. Long enough for me to start questioning myself. I can see in his eyes that he wants to tell me something, but he can't.

I started to get a sinking feeling in my gut. What was it he had told me?

"One wrong move could reverse all of the progress she has made. Or worse."

"I can't imagine what could be worse." I whispered it.

His eyes rose to meet mine.

"You can, Amelia. You simply don't want to."

Oh. My. God.

My breath caught in my throat. My eyes lifted to meet his.

"Now ask yourself this. If she was capable of removing all traces of herself from her own parent's memories, changing their names, faking their deaths and sending them to live a new life far away, and that was almost two years ago…then what do you think she is capable of now?"

In a moment of sudden clarity, I understood.

"You are not scared for her." I pulled my hand from his and shook my head in disbelief. "You are scared of her."

He did not deny it.

AN: Once again, sorry for the long wait. I don't do posting schedules, but I will try not to let it get to two months between updates again!

Please leave me a review and let me know your thoughts, or just that you are still with me.

Until next time.

-mezy