Occlumency was damn useful, Rhea mussed. Not only did it keep meddling old geezers out of her head, with Rhea's defences giving said moron a splitting headache he would be enjoying for a few days, but it also kept her from contemplating murder for a few moments. Hermione had pulled her aside and mentioned that Henry might get a bit obsessed with keeping an eye on her and intruding into her personal life, something Draco had confirmed. Hermione had just been understating it by adding "a bit" to her comment. The damned egotistical moron would try to get her to sit with Gryffindors at every bloody opportunity. His Weasley from the Quartet had not only insulted her friends right to her face but even managed to insult Rhea because she was dating Fleur. Rhea had to send a gift full of catnip and cat toys to Professor McGonagall as an apology because she could no longer keep her promise from when she arrived at Hogwarts.

The Weasley brat and his friends would soon find their food tampered with, though the enchantment had the effect of changing anything they wore in Gryffindor colours into that of other houses, mostly Slytherin, though the emblem on their clothes had a clearly sad and disappointed snake on it. The Slytherins loved to see their tormentors suffering humiliation and the change in the emblem kept them from feeling too scandalized. Snape had experienced a moment of horror on his face for a brief instance and while he usually gave her fake detentions, the last one felt deserved. Rhea didn't mind at all. Hermione had to keep a balanced play of scandalized reproach and silent approval. Henry, above all, had not been amused. His day of wearing Slytherin colours had left him decidedly furious. Someone clearly has a problem separating a person from their Hogwarts House.

Rhea had also found the morons to be very grabby, especially when they tried to steer her away from her friends, something that had been a final straw for her. The next moron to grab her, Neville Longbottom, had gotten a good taste of unfriendly Death Magic into his system. Not enough to harm or terrify, but enough to make them feel cold. The longer they held on, the closer they felt as if they were in the presence of a Dementor. Safe to say everyone including Potter kept themselves away from her and Rhea got back to a more typical routine. She kept her Death Magic on the surface of her body though. The sudden hand on her shoulder and the ensuing yelp made that clear, but Rhea paled when she recognized the magic of the person who just touched her. She buried her magic deep before casting warming charms on herself and Fleur.

" I am so sorry, Fleur. I have been dealing with idiots all week and forgot to lower the effect. " Fleur relaxed as she felt her body grow warm from Rhea's attention to her hand as she sat down. She gently kissed Rhea on the cheek, getting a cute blush out of her. " I forgive you. That article must have made quite the stir here at Hogwarts. " Rhea's growl had the duel effect of raising her hackles and warming her skin. Her girlfriend's aggressive side was both terrifying and attractive. She really needed to decide which she would lump it with more. "Please don't mention that. I've been hounded every day for it and my parent's official statement is the only response anyone needs to understand." The Black's issued a formal statement through the Daily Prophet, making it clear to Magical Britain that despite how she was born, Rhea was a Black, the House of Black would take offence should the populace call Rhea by her former name and try to associate her with her former identity. The Prophet had tried to secure an interview but her Dad refused, saying that any interviews would wait till Rhea graduated and would be at her discretion. Rhea had no interest in ever having an interview but knew to keep her options open, though she was more likely to give one to Luna's dad than Rita Skeeter. Fleur nodded and hugged Rhea, both growing warm from the contact. Rhea knew Fleur wanted to be more touchy in public and Rhea… was not sure how to feel. She loved being physical with Fleur but didn't feel like sharing that part of herself.

"Did you manage to decipher the egg?" Fleur nodded but didn't elaborate, which made Rhea frown. "I am afraid I can't share anymore, Ma Cherée. The organizers sent the champions a message warning against further assistance in preparations for the tasks." Rhea had a bad feeling about that. "Isn't the Triwizard Tournament supposed to allow a level of cheating, even encouraging it?" Fleur shrugged, "Perhaps, but the organizers this time don't want to have the Champions relying on others. I can sort of understand, with the Tournament's dangers already toned down for the attempt at reviving the practice, they probably feel too much outside interference would make it too easy. Please don't ask me about the egg, Ma Cherée. I want to prove I can do it on my own." Rhea felt something about that note was wrong but she didn't sense anything wrong with Fleur. She could also understand wanting to prove herself. "I understand, just please, be careful. I've had a bad feeling about the Tournament from the start and I don't want to see you get hurt."

Fleur kissed Rhea on the cheek. "Thank you for understanding. Any plans for us from now to the Second Task?" Rhea hummed, "I know you will be training hard, so just leave a few lunches open to have them elsewhere. It would also honour me, my fair lady, if you leave Valentine's Day open. I know you don't particularly celebrate it and neither do I, but a day just for each other will be quite nice." Fleur leaned into Rhea's ear and whispered, "Just the day?" Rhea's face went deep red, "The night too, if we are both in the mood." Fleur kissed her cheek. "Then it's a date." The two chatted about Fleur's time back home and her sister Gabrielle who loved her presents, stuffed animals and all. The matching necklace had also been well received.

The next few days fell into a routine for Rhea, from keeping Henry and his posse away, studying with the group, to just exercising with Fleur in the mornings. Both Rhea and Fleur slowed down their physical intimacy, feeling like they had progressed a bit further than expected, though Fleur continued to be physically close, something Rhea enjoyed begrudgingly. Rhea did notice that all three Champions were focusing a lot on swimming, which made Rhea look towards the Black Lake. Knowing the Wixen, it would probably have something to do with the Merpeople living there. Rhea prayed they didn't follow the stories about hostages with these. They had avoided it with the dragons because those were more non-magical embellishments and dragons were too dangerous for anyone to be kept in close proximity to them. Merpeople could be conversed and negotiated with. Rhea wasn't too sure if that counted as a good thing right now.

Just before Valentine's Day, the Quidditch teams finally got into a proper game. The coaches and instructors had spent the first term training up their teams, getting them to work well together. The Hogwarts Team had a heavy lineup of Gryffindors, covering the three chasers and the beaters, which didn't surprise Rhea at all, as their performance last year had been decent, at least until the matches got bloody. At least Diggory got the Seeker and Captain position and the Keeper was a Slytherin. She would, however, always remember the panic of watching Draco's catastrophic impact with the ground. She had vowed to not watch another Quidditch game, which was the reason she was tending the Hospital Wing while Pomfrey was at the game with Healer Smyth, keeping an eye out for their students.

So of course she would get an unwanted visit from a Potter. Rhea stilled when she sensed a partly unfamiliar presence enter the Hospital Wing, watching as Lily Potter entered through the doors. Rhea would rather be anywhere else right now but she had a duty to maintain. "Is there anything I can help you with Professor Potter? A Headache potion perhaps? Madam Pomfrey's supply of Menstruation medication?" That got a blush out of the redhead. "I would appreciate a bit of the latter actually." Rhea nodded and moved towards the Potions Cabinet, pulling out the specific medication while feeling a pair of eyes looking at her from behind. Rhea sighed and brought out the potions on a tray, placing them next to the bed Lily decided to sit on. "I imagine you have enough experience with these to know how to take them?"

Lily nodded, took the offered potions and chugged them back quickly. "Not many witches would trust a potion served to them by someone who suffered because of them. Then again, you are a Gryffindor, not a Ravenclaw." Lily just looked at her, her body language showing shame and resignation. "While I doubt you'd go through it and ruin your Healer's reputation, there is a part of me that feels that I would deserve it." Rhea took the empty vials to place next to the Washing station. She'd get them clean and ready to refill soon enough. "Then I suggest you refrain from ever accepting any food or drink from my mother. She in particular took everything that happened, including the article, quite poorly and would not be above dosing you. By the time she'd be done with you, you would welcome death." Lily looked at her in the eyes, "You admire her for that?"

Rhea laughed humorlessly, "Of course I do. My parents are not above poisoning, murder, war or dying themselves if it means I get to live a happy and well cared for life, knowing full well how much they loved and cared for me, though I would be awfully crass with them on the last point. Does that clash with society's views on proper parenting? Maybe. Doesn't matter to me though I love them with all my heart and I know they feel the same. Can't have it better than that." Lily looked like she wanted to argue but just looked away from her. "Dorea would have loved you, I think. She never objected to me, but I could see she didn't really like me all that much." Rhea nodded, "Sirius talks about Grandma Dorea all the time. Madam Pomfrey does too, since she studied medicine with her." Rhea allowed a wistful smile, "A part of me would have loved to have had her in my life. She and mom would have been inseparable in the Potions lab. As for her problems with you, my guess is that she would have preferred someone with a more commanding presence. Potters do have an ego problem."

Lily winced at the jab at her husband and son. "I suppose I deserve that." Rhea's voice went cold, "No, you deserve far worse. And if I had been raised by anyone else I would happily start showing you what you really deserved." Lily felt a shiver of fear as she saw Rhea's eye glow with power, anger and pain clearly visible in her gaze. They eventually dulled, the light fading just a bit. "But I am not cruel enough to make Henry an orphan as you did me, or to end him just to watch you both suffer. Death would be a mercy to all of you right now… the last months' worth of guilt and shame you have felt have been a good start in paying back the debts you owe to me and to your son. Know this, Lily Potter, neither you nor James will ever be more than the sperm and egg donors to me. You have already failed as a mother to me, and you have been failing your son as well. You are running out of time with him too. I suggest you don't waste what precious little you have left."

Rhea watched as shame and guilt fought with indignation over her words but eventually, Lily Potter just stood up and left the Hospital Wing quietly. Rhea watched her leave as her mind started lessening its hold on her emotions. There was a part that would probably always want to kill Lily and James Potter for the part they played in her suffering. That same part wanted to do terrible things to them first. But the rest of her just wanted them gone. Had they been there before Sabrina, had they given her the love and attention she needed, she might have cared about them again, in some twisted way. But they never did, and her Mom refused to let her lose herself in her pain and hate. She had wanted Rhea to have a childhood, even if a bit late, to know a mother's unconditional love and the warmth of a happy home. Rhea got that and more. She would never regret not caring for the Potters, and she would just let her hate fizzle out. They simply weren't worth it. Not at all.

Fleur readjusted herself to a more comfortable position, spooning Rhea's body as the two rested after a long night of physical activity in Fleur's bed. Valentine's Day had been perfect. Rhea had gotten the elves to adorn Fleur's room in the Beauxbatons' carriage in her sleep and filled it with flowers and scented candles, her favourite breakfast laid out on the table under stasis and a wonderful note sitting on top of it. Rhea was a romantic and Fleur would always grow warm at how thoughtful she was. After meeting her for the morning exercises, Rhea pushed her a bit harder, focusing on Fleur's arms and legs. After finishing up some of her classwork and NEWT studies, Fleur found herself getting portkeyed away. It took her a moment to see that Rhea had brought her to France, on the Mediterranean coast. The water was a bit cold, but the warming charms were enough to let them both have a short dip, before settling down and eating a picnic lunch.

Rhea's eyes had bugged out a bit as Fleur had changed into a swimsuit after the Veela deciphered the hint from the note her girlfriend left with breakfast. Fleur smirked at how Rhea struggled to not look at her body with clear interest, she loved teasing her girlfriend a lot. The lunch went quite well itself as the two enjoyed the quiet moment at the beach, though Fleur had grown a bit worried. Rhea had been making comments and observations that were clearly about the Second Task, even if she never outright voiced it. Fleur eventually got a bit irked and snapped at Rhea who looked worried but resigned. She dropped the matter entirely. For the rest of the day, Rhea just switched gears and devoted the entire time to Fleur and it had made Fleur deliriously happy. No subterfuge, no questions, just attention and affection. When dinner came along, Fleur had already been thinking about dessert. The kind of dessert that required a bed and her girlfriend in it.

While Fleur had usually taken the lead in their physical moments, Rhea decided to be the one in charge tonight, pouring her concerns and feelings for Fleur into her every action. Her ministrations had left Fleur with a dazed look, out of breath, warm and in desperate need of a shower. Fleur didn't complain one bit. It wasn't until they both settled in for the night that Fleur really started to think. Rhea was a great girlfriend. Scratch that, she was terrific. Thoughtful, attentive but not pushy or overly clingy. But there were moments when they just didn't click all that well. Fleur was in the Triwizard Tournament for private reasons, wanting to prove something to herself. But Rhea had it in her head that something else was going on and she had wanted to keep Fleur safe. It made Fleur feel warm inside with the fact she clearly cared, but it irked her to no end when it felt like she didn't trust her to know what she was doing.

Trust. That was something the two of them were having trouble with and Fleur now just realized it. She was sure Rhea knew it too, at least in some way. Rhea had trusted Fleur with a secret, but only after they had both signed a contract. In the time since, they had gotten much closer and Rhea had made it clear that there would be no intimacy between them without them agreeing to a full relationship, even if it left Rhea suffering for longer. Everything she had seen of the 14 year old that was way too mature in some ways for her age had left Fleur with deep respect and a lot of longing. They had both satisfied their needs for intimacy, though Fleur could still see some echoes of Rhea's past in her face and body evening the throes of ecstasy. But despite everything so far, trust was still far away. It took an article for Fleur to know more of Rhea's secrets and her girlfriend still refused to explore or discuss anything about the article with her. Fleur wondered if Rhea would ever truly trust her.

Fleur bit her lips in thought. She could make the first gesture and trust her first. She could tell Rhea about the Second Task and her concern that it could involve someone as a hostage. Someone who could very well be Rhea, as right now she definitely is the person Fleur would miss the most. But Rhea didn't like the Tournament and was paranoid to a fault. If Fleur told her, she might end up disrupting the task and Fleur didn't want to do that, as it could end her chances of being Triwizard Champion. So instead of telling Rhea, warning her about what the Task entails, Fleur hugged her girlfriend tighter. She would trust in the organizers and in herself. Everything would be fine. She fell asleep, hoping she hadn't made a mistake.

Rhea turned to look at the clock on the wall. Last night had left her feeling conflicted, but she refused to regret it. They had no right to involve her in the blasted Tournament. She had been quietly walking back to her dorm room after she had finished working in the potions lab, restocking the many potions used up after the Hogwarts and Durmstrang Quidditch game. Hogwarts' victory over Beauxbatons had given enough of the game away that the Durmstrang team felt they could lose the competition. So instead of playing their best, they went on the offensive. Rhea was glad she hadn't been there, she might have frozen the entire team mid air. No player in either team left the pitch without injury, with everyone having some broken bones and most people suffering from a concussion. Madam Hooch had been absolutely livid and the Board of Governors had issued a formal protest and reprimand against the Durmstrang Institute. Headmaster Karkaroff had not looked happy, though the issue would take a while in the ICW courts.

So, after several days of heavy work in the infirmary and the potion's lab with Professor Snape, Rhea had been hoping to actually have a restful night of sleep in her room, even if it meant taking a Dreamless Sleep Potion. As she made her way towards Ravenclaw Tower, she was intercepted by Remus Lupin. "Miss Black, would you kindly accompany me to the Headmaster's Office? There are some important matters to discuss." Rhea had wanted to laugh at the former DADA professor. As Dumbledore's added measure of security since the First Task he had to be aware that Rhea had successfully avoided all of Dumbledore's summons since January, something that she knew was driving the old coot furious because he simply couldn't force her to leave class or find her when she was out of class. Without her parents' approval, he simply couldn't get her to go to the office, and he simply never bothered to ask her parents.

"Mr Lupin, in the last two months, I have been unsuccessfully summoned to the Headmaster's Office every time. Unless he has contacted my parents and arranged a proper meeting, which I know he hasn't, I have no business being there. Good evening." Rhea turned to head towards the entrance to Ravenclaw Tower when Remus pulled her arm back, which really pissed her off. She hates it when people do that. "This isn't a matter of academics or your family Miss Black. You are required to attend." Rhea turned her eyes at the Were and the man flinched, goosebumps spreading down his arm. There was only so much she could take before her anger slipped. Rhea did take a moment to think about Remus' words though. "Is this about the Second Task?" The man nodded, "It is Miss Black. Your presence is required."

Rhea allowed the situation to run through her head. Mermaids, Black Lake, Three Champions and she is required. She didn't have to hide her anger or disgust, let alone the foreboding in her chest. "Your boss is honestly going forward with a Task requiring you to place Hostages in the Black Lake? Hostages whose participation wasn't covered in the selection process for the Tournament?" The former professor sighed, "Be that as it may Miss Black, the Task has already been selected and prepared. We can assure you everything will be perfectly fine and you will be free to go in the afternoon. Now if you follow me." There was no means of preventing what came next. Rhea honestly couldn't be bothered. She laughed. "Mr. Lupin, nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing in this world or the next would ever convince me to place my life in Headmaster Dumbledore's hands. Now if you excuse me, I have a good night's sleep to prepare for."

That was apparently the wrong thing to say to a staunch Dumbledore supporter like the Were. Remus forcefully grabbed her upper arm and made it as if he would be pulling her along. "I am afraid you will have to put your family's personal issues with the Headmaster aside, you were selected to participate in the Second Task and you will-" The man's mind began to fog, his vision narrowing. He felt cold. "You should pay more attention to the students you're protecting, Mr. Lupin. You would have noticed that I. Don't. Like. Being. Manhandled! You and the others can find another puppet to string up, as I refuse to be anyone's pawn. Oh, and do enjoy your nap, I'll make sure you reach the Hospital Wing safely. I do hope you learn from this though. I never had a problem with you Professor and I won't take tonight personally if you don't. Sweet dreams." That was the last thing the former DADA Professor heard as he fell into a deep sleep.

Concerned over other attempts, Rhea informed Flitwick that she'd be seeking different accommodations for the night, and told him about the incident outside of Ravenclaw Tower. He was clearly bothered by it and her reaction, but Rhea's expression made it clear. She really couldn't care right now. So Rhea spent a quiet night in the Ravenclaw Chambers, reading a bit more into the Necromancer's Book she received in Egypt before finally falling asleep. She spent a quiet morning with Helena talking about the authority she technically held and what she could get away with. Never hurts to be too careful. It wasn't until after midday, when she felt the multitude of students return to the school that she stepped out and made her way to the Beauxbatons carriage. The staffer mentioned Fleur was with her family and he would let her know Rhea was there to see her. When Rhea sensed Fleur's presence, she stood up and turned to look at her.

SLAP

…

…

It took Rhea a few seconds to clear her mind since all she had felt was a pain that had gone from her face straight down her back. She was also pretty sure her heart had stopped beating again, which really was getting annoying. Her eyes were having issues, shifting from grayscale to colours repeatedly before settling into colour. The physical pain in her cheek was quite easily forgotten. Fleur's anger fueled words started spilling out, " How could you! The Headmasters informed me that you had refused to be the Hostage and they couldn't find you. Because of you, Gabrielle was picked in your place and she was injured! If it hadn't been for you she'd never have been down there! Your brother had been the one who ended up saving her before the worst could happen!"

Rhea did her best to keep her mind clear of anger. She cared about Fleur. She cared. "Fleur, all I was told was that I had been selected as a Hostage, not for whom. I refused because I didn't trust the Headmasters or the organizers to keep anyone safe. I had no idea that this would put Gabrielle in trouble." Fleur's anger felt like a hot fire against Rhea's face. " The Task was perfectly safe for you! It was my sister who was placed in danger because they couldn't guarantee a Veela in a Merpeople village. If you hadn't been such a coward, nothing bad could have happened. " Rhea's anger was building, even as her body grew colder, "Damn it, Fleur, I keep telling you this Tournament isn't safe! It was never going to be safe! But if you had told me about the task, I might have helped you! I would have known about the Hostage thing and planned accordingly."

Fleur yelled at Rhea again. " I already told you I couldn't confide the details of the Task in you! You just had to trust in me and the organizers that everything would have been fine! But you are just too broken to trust anyone!" Rhea just stared at Fleur, her eyes losing all emotion. Her body had always been cold. She had never been bothered by it. It was comforting. Though she came to love the warmth too. She likes the warmth of her mother's love and the warmth of her Father's smile. Everything about Fleur had made her feel warm for the past few months. Her smile, her laugh, even her teasing. Everything had been so warm and wonderful. So why? WHY? Why did all that feel cold now? Why did Fleur make her feel so cold now? She couldn't understand why it felt that way now. She hadn't done anything wrong! Her instincts had told her to stay away and she did. So why! Why … did everything hurt now?

Horror appeared on Fleur's face as she realized what she had done and said. She had been so worried about Gabrielle, so angry that her sister was endangered because her girlfriend refused to take part in the Tournament. The words had slipped out of her mouth before she realized it and the moment they registered on Rhea's face she knew she made a mistake. She could see the effects of occlumency keeping her from collapsing but the pain was clear. Fleur's words had hurt her deeply. "Rhea, I… '' Fleur tried reaching out to Rhea but her girlfriend's eyes focused on Fleur's hand. That hand had been so warm, a joy to hold, to feel against her skin. Now it felt wrong. Memories of just a second ago began to mix with older ones. Memories of people who hurt her. Why? "Don't!" Rhea felt her body falling apart inside of her. Why? WHY? Her words were cold but emotionless. She hated how mechanical they felt but nothing else came out. She was sooo cold! "Fleur, believe me when I say that I never wanted Gabrielle in danger and that I am sorry about everything that happened. Maybe if we had both been more trusting, this would never have happened." Rhea wasn't sure about that. A part of her was telling her it would have happened one day. But it didn't matter anymore. Her heart felt like glass, cracking and grinding. She was soooo cold! WHY? "But it did. I … I know why you said it and I forgive you for it… but I can't trust that you don't mean it. That you never would… feel that way… that you'd never hurt me again." SO COLD! Why did it hurt? The cold could never hurt her before! So why? WHY?

Tears slipped from Rhea's eyes as she looked into Fleur's equally tearful face. "From the moment I met you, I liked you, Fleur. I was happy with you. You had made this the best winter I could have ever asked for… Goodbye, Fleur. I honestly wish you find happiness out there. It just… won't be with me." Rhea couldn't stand there anymore. She allowed the cold to swallow her up and she vanished from before Fleur, who collapsed on the floor as her legs failed her. Fleur cried. She felt her parents pull her up and take her back to her room. She kept crying. Rhea had been the best part of her winter too. Her smile, her laugh, even her pouts. She never allowed Fleur to feel unwanted or unwelcome in Britain. And now… she had thrown all that away. One moment where she was blinded by her worry and anger. One moment and it was all over. At that moment Fleur realized something that she knew Rhea had already known. Had always known since before they met. The Tournament meant nothing. It was an act of pride, nothing more and nothing less.

Fleur had always been prideful. She knew that. She had to be. Her pride as a Veela made the hardships feel less painful. It had made her feel a part of something more, something special. Being selected as a champion for Beauxbatons, Beating the First Task and coming out on top of the others. She had felt special. But none of that compared to how Rhea had made her feel. At the Yule Ball, her eyes never wandered onto other girls, even if the friends she had started to admire were there. Her eyes and attention had been on Fleur. Only her. Rhea, who had baulked at being intimate for no reason beyond her own healing, had allowed herself to be intimate with Fleur early so that their Yule Night would be perfect. It had been perfect. All for her. Fleur had the undivided attention of one of the most wonderful women in the world and she'd squandered it. All for her bloody pride. So Fleur wept on her mother's shoulder. She wept till she collapsed. She knew in her heart that she had found a chance of actually falling in love and she lost it. Rhea's eyes had said it all. There was no going back.

Sabrina knew something was wrong. She had felt Rhea's emotions before, especially as a child. The night her daughter had spoken to her Grandmother Selene, Sabrina had felt the onslaught of emotions through the bond the moment she returned from the Veil. She had felt it again when her girl talked to Dorea and woke up. At her wedding, the absolute warmth and joy that flooded through the bond never allowed Sabrina to waver. She had made the right choice in loving Sirius and the joy her daughter felt at seeing the two most important people in her life bound in marriage was like a sun blazing in Sabrina's mind. But what she felt now chilled her to the core. It was raw, cold and sharp. Pain. A heartfelt pain that consumed all other sensations. Something terrible had happened to her daughter. She pulled out her communication mirror and called Sirius. His connection to Rhea was thinner, but still there. Even he felt the change too. The moment she closed the mirror and prepared to head for the Floo Sabrina found herself rushing forward and cradling her daughter, who had just materialized in front of her, dropping out from the Veil. Her daughter had never felt this cold. Not on the nights of Samhain, not on the many nights her daughter invaded her bed, all but consumed by nightmares. Not even on the night she carried her tiny form through the door.

"Kreacher, tell Sirius Rhea is home and she will be staying for a while." The elf looked at the young mistress and grew worried. "Kreacher will inform the Lord Black. Kreacher will ask Typsy to help with the young Mistress. Typsy knows how to care for the young Mistress when she is filled by Death's Cold." Kreacher popped away. Sabrina ran her hand through Rhea's hair and she felt her daughter take a breath. Then another. And another. She then began to weep. Hard, uncontrolled and desperate sobs broke from her daughter's heart. Sabrina was going to be asking Kreacher for some throat repairing potions. Her daughter was going to cry herself hoarse. She remained seated on the floor, her daughter's face crying and screaming in pain onto her mother's lap. Sabrina enveloped her daughter in her magic again, as she had done the first time they met. She knew it wouldn't stop the tears. Not this time. But she wanted her daughter to know. She was there for her. No matter what.

The next day, after getting Rhea to bed and finding some comfort in Sirius' arms that night, Sabrina opened the door to Rhea's room. It was once Sirius' room and had been partly decorated in Gryffindor colours, posters and band posters. When Sirius moved into the Master Bedroom, they had spent a bit of time redecorating the room before she moved in. Sabrina had said it would be best that it wasn't a perfect copy of her room back at her old place, but to make it her room a Black. Sirius had changed the colours to be a bit more Ravenclaw in the scheme, with Blue wallpaper with elegant patterns, the desks were a warmer oak colour, and the bedframe was the same. The sheets today were blue as well. Rhea was currently on the bed, her back against the headboard, her hands nursing a warm cup of hot chocolate. Her eyes were red, her nose looked raw and her skin pale. Sabrina moved slowly into the room and sat down at her side, giving her a one arm hug.

The two sat there for a few minutes, Rhea never once drinking from the chocolate. Sabrina wondered if she was trying to get used to the sensation of warmth. She was still unnaturally cold. "I think… I think I could have loved her…" Sabrina had learned about the reason for her daughter's pain. The Delacours weren't as old as the other Families in Europe, but even they had been jumpy when they heard their daughter was dating a member of the Prasinos family, even if she didn't carry the name. They had sent a letter last night explaining what had happened and offering their sincere apologies. Sabrina had assured them that no offence would be taken and that she gave her own apologies about their daughter's condition as well. That was the best she could do. She also sent a letter to Seraphina. Best not to let any plans for revenge form in the Matriarch's head, even if Sabrina herself could never forgive the young Veela for the words she used. Any retaliation would only hurt her daughter more.

"Is that why it hurts so much? Because it was real? Because it could have led to something like you and Dad?" Sabrina rested her head against her daughters. "Yes. It hurts worse when it's people we care about. When it's the ones we love, there is no greater pain." Sabrina watched her daughter lift her hot chocolate and drink from it. She stopped and looked at it. "It's weird… not seeing colours right now, or tasting anything. I feel it's warmth though." There was a part of Sabrina that was deeply terrified about what Rhea described. She had mentioned something similar after the New Year's newspaper debacle. It faded away and eventually Rhea recovered, but the idea that her daughter could lose part of her senses and that one day it could be a permanent loss, absolutely terrified her.

"We will go over the Peverell Grimoire and journals again, but it should fix itself on its own. Until then, you've been cleared to stay with us. Also, Flitwick said you could technically take the rest of the term off if you complete your OWLs." Rhea nodded, "I think… I would like that. Could also look at Peverell Castle… might have more books there… about this." Sabrina nodded and the two sat in silence for a bit. "Do you … do you think I will ever … feel love for anyone?" Sabrina wanted to cry at how desperate and broken her daughter sounded. Her daughter would forever be a dichotomy of maturity beyond time mixed with a child's insecurities. She hoped she could one day feel certain. Then again, the world her daughter knows is a cold and painful one. Family is her one and only comfort. It truly broke Sabrina's heart to know her daughter may never look at the world without doubting if the hope she felt was false. "Yes. I know you will. It will happen. You could meet at a bank on the other side of the world, at a beach in the Caribbean or even at a Hospital as they get placed in front of you for treatment. You may even be able to fall in love with someone at school still. The person who will love you, all of you is still out there, somewhere."

Rhea rested her head on Sabrina's shoulders, feeling warmth spreading through her cheek, a bit of colour appearing in her vision for a second. "I … would like to… fall in love again. I … just hope it doesn't hurt… like this." Sabrina silently agrees. She feels Rhea slipping back to sleep and catches the cup of chocolate. She helps her daughter into a more comfortable position and heads to step out of the room. She takes one last look at her sleeping daughter's face and silently wishes Persephone would watch over her daughter for the next few nights. The next few days Rhea wakes up and manages to make small talk with Sirius, Bella and Dora, sending out a few letters to her friends at school. Her nights, however, are spent quietly in an endless field of stars. She had loved running in her dreams before, but these nights Rhea spent them more on her back looking at the lights fading in and out. It was odd though. For some reason, she could remember who she was and what bothered her. That had never happened before. Even this place, a refuge from the world beyond now carried the scars of her life. Rhea couldn't help but cry as she felt her last refuge taken from her slightly.