It was her fault. She knew it was her fault. Someone was being attacked because of her, because of her family, well not this time. Marie decided the moment she heard that scream she wouldn't stand by and let someone else get hurt again, wouldn't let someone else take on the responsibility for her family.
Despite the general confusion there was still one thing the young witch could trust to point her in the opposite direction, normal people running away from danger. Fine, they ran away, she ran towards, and in her mind, it didn't matter what the threat was, so long as no one elsewas hurt in the process.
Rounding a corner, Marie Rosier paused at the entrance to an alleyway. Halfway through was a single body on the ground, a cloaked individual unmoving on the cold stones beneath her feet.
Marie moved without thought, rushing forward to see if she could help. She had studied up on some simple medical techniques and spells and just maybe…
The moment she reached the downed figure and whispered out that it was going to be okay the truth became obvious.
From beneath the cloak, she could see the glimmer of fangs, the taunting smile of a hunter whose trap had yielded results.
Another figure leapt from a nearby corner, obstructed from view until that very moment. Two Lycans, an ambush perfectly concealed, and her own fate had been decided.
Or at least that was how her few thoughts went until the attacker froze in midair before being violently slammed against an opposing wall. The prone attacker pushed her out of the way a second later, obviously preparing to retaliate against the one who had struck their packmate when a flash of light send them sprawling as well.
Harry Potter stood at the entrance, chest rising and falling as he drew in deep breaths, eyes glancing about with cautious uncertainty and Wand raised, still glowing with Magic.
"We're leaving" he commanded, voice so full of resolution the witch wasn't even aware she had moved until she found herself next to him. One of the Werewolves pushed itself up, looking ready for another attack but with shouts of Aurors close by it had no choice but to grab its companion and depart. Moments later the two teens were found by the authorities, along with four very concerned and irate parents.
*****
"Do you have any idea how much trouble you are in!?" The young girl flinched and opened her mouth to reply but was cut off by an enraged glare. "Not only did you put your own life in danger to run off and pull some outrageously stupid stunt, but you could have gotten your cousin hurt as well!"
"I didn't ask him to…"
Marie found her lips magically sealed shut, her mother in no mood to hear her arguments. "And if he hadn't been there?" Sirius questioned, voice lacking any of the usual playfulness or warmth normally attributed to him. "Or if he had arrived late? Or if he had gotten there and been so worried about you, he didn't think about himself? Merilyn, Marie this is…" he shook his head before standing and pacing back and forth, unable to contain the anxiety which was still burning through his veins.
"This is unacceptable in every way." Sylvie continued, "This is not some stupid prank one of your cousins talked you into or a foolish Slytherin act backfiring. One or both of you could have been killed ." The older witch was nearly trembling with anxiety and was forced to take a few calming breaths before continuing. "You are grounded. No friends over, no owls, no leaving the house until your father and I agree you can be trusted. You will stay in your room and study until it is time to go back to Hogwarts and then I will be contacting your teachers to ensure this is understood there as well."
With that she pointed to the girl's room, the young witch nodding in defeat before slowly turning and accepting her punishment.
****
The silence between the two parents stretched on, both trying to figure out what to say, both struggling with the situation.
"I… think I understand now." Lily didn't reply, didn't even move, but her husband could sense the slight change in her posture. "Last year it wasn't necessary and on the train… it felt like he was just fighting to fight you know? Trying to protect some nameless idea."
"Delphini?"
James snorted, "Nah fuck that spoiled brat. But Marie? If something had happened to her, if we were at St. Mungos waiting to hear whether she would make it or not, if we had to watch Sylvie and Sirius pacing without knowing if their child would make it…"
Lily finally nodded, "I'm still angry at them, mostly at her, but I understand."
"If it was reverse, if she had saved him what would we be saying?" the man continued, forcing himself not to get choked up. "How dare your child put herself in harm's way to save ours? She should have just stood by and let him go because her parents thought she was more important?"
The redhead walked over before taking his hand and guiding them both to the couch to sit, cuddling up almost on instinct. "This year has been a mess."
"They all have," he easily corrected, before a sobering. "Not that I blame Harry in anyway. If it wasn't for him…" he trailed off willing away all the horrible ideas of both not having the boy in their lives and what it might have meant without someone there to do what the adults should have. It was followed by a spike of horrified disappointment that he would even consider Harry protecting their daughters with his own life as acceptable.
All three should be wrapped up in blankets and kept safe and sound without so much as a scratch on them. But such a dream couldn't happen, at least for an extended period. Sure, all three of their children were currently safe at home with enough wards to make Gringotts mutter 'overkill' but it was only temporary.
They would be meeting up with Riddle in a few days to spend time with her, and while both parents trusted the woman to keep him safe there was still an unease of letting their son walk away and not seeing him for a few days.
Then the holidays would be ending, and the trio would be going back to Hogwarts. Hogwarts, where they were supposed to be safe but where was proven to be quite the opposite. Hogwarts, where neither Lily nor himself could check on him and make sure they were sleeping right, eating healthily, and staying in locked dorms far, far away from the dangerous outside world.
Maybe someday, but for now it is a few days of peace and then worry and stress until summer.
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