I know we haven't had these talks...TBD

I nodded, I couldn't believe it had been two years. I thought back to everything mum and I had been through during the imprisonment. I could only imagine what dad had been through, at least mum and I had each other, dad had no one. I shook my head to clear it and smiled at him. "I'm so glad everyone's doing well. You all deserve it after everything." I smiled down at Lyla, "She's so cute."

I smiled at Faith, taking a drink of my wine.  Harry and Evan were being quiet, but that was probably for the best.  I could feel their hatred towards each other radiating off of them - though Evan seemed to be better since he was holding Lyla.  "She takes my breath away," I said, speaking of my youngest.  "I'm proud of you, Faith... for catching up and being able to handle everything you've had to go through.  It takes a lot to be able to do that."

I tensed up more so seeing Evan holding Lyla. Call it mistrust I don't care. Mum had called Ginny in the kitchen with her a little while ago. Mum probably got Ginny to tell her what had happened. Which made me grasp my fork so tightly as my knuckles went white. I would not cause a scene. I want to really badly, as I heard some whispering in the kitchen for a moment. It was Ginny sobbing, I let a breath out as I knew the sound as sometimes she still had those nightmares of what he had done to her. I wouldn't be able to forgive him for that and neither would Gin, I wouldn't expect her too.

I was happy to hear James say he was proud of my sister.  She deserved it.  I expected no kind words from anybody here, really.  Not even from Lily or Faith... I barely knew who I was, so how could they know?  Just because I was blood?  Clearly that did not work on everyone.  I would try, though, for Lily.  "Faith has done really well with everything," I agreed, trying to make conversation but being horrible at it.

I pulled away from her as I wiped my eyes off. " I do owe you an apology...I can't come here and then tell you something like that. " I took a deep breath to attempt to calming myself down. I looked to her, " I am so sorry.." I said quietly as I put strawberries onto the tiramisu.

I shook my head at Ginny, " Yes you can tell me this...it would have tore you apart if you didn't tell someone." I said as sympathetic as I could. I felt so bad for her, I wish there was something I could to make her feel better. The only thing that would, is time. " You don't owe me anything Ginny." I said to her with a smile. " I owe you the apology for that happening to you." I said, " When you feel like coming out, you can." I said as I took the desserts for everyone. I smiled to the group as I let Ginny catch her bearings, she'll come out when she's ready too. I know she didn't want to have attention put on her so I'll give her that time to herself.

I looked between dad and Evan, not really sure how to react. I was used to talking to one person but never two people giving me praise at the same time. I was still kind of getting used to being around more then one person, but I was getting better at it. It was times like this thought, where I couldn't help but let the old side of me show a bit. I shook slightly but forced a smile at dad and Evan. "Th..thank you." I stammered. "Like I said though, a lot of people are helping me and I couldn't have done it without them. Like you Evan." I smiled over at him. It was true. Between Evan, Professor Lupin and Jetty, they were helping me more then any of them could know. "I wouldn't be where I was now without them. Evan's doing really well to though. He is the one who will be graduating soon." I wanted to put my twin in a good light. He deserved it.

I smiled looking at the two of them. "I know... and I couldn't be more proud," I said honestly.  I wanted them both to know it, too.  I saw that Lyla was starting to fuss slightly in Evan's arms.  I stood up.  "Do you want me to take her?" I was not entirely sure how Evan would handle it.  "Or perhaps the loving arms of a big sister might be what the little girl wants?"  I looked at the twins, though Evan seemed perfectly fine with handling my youngest.  I glanced over at Harry and took a deep breath.  It was still highly tense in the room.  I grabbed the bottle of wine and topped off my glass and poured some into my eldest child's.  I gave him a pointed look.  I really wanted him to relax a little bit.

I was startled into a slight smile by hearing the compliments from both Faith and James.  I could not believe that I was nothing but evil to James and he was still proud of me.  I looked up at him when he offered to take Lyla.  "It doesn't matter... whatever you or Faith want," I said.  I saw him pour some wine and bounced Ly in my arms a little bit.  She started to quiet down easily but I would give her to Faith if my sister wanted to hold her.

I was happy that Father had said he was proud of Evan as well but I tensed slightly, not sure how to respond to holding Lyla. I wanted to hold my baby sister but Evan was being so good right now and I had a feeling it had to do with him holding Lyla. I forced a smile. "She seems to be doing fine with Evan but if you want a break I don't mind holding her." I said looking between dad and my twin. I felt like I could use some of the wine dad had put in his and Harry's glass with how tense things still were, but I knew that wouldn't be happening.

I was grateful when Lily stepped back into the dining room, though things were not nearly as bad as what I had expected them to be.  "Here, let me help, love," I said to her, passing out the desserts since she seemed to have lost Ginny.  "Everything alright?" I asked barely above a whisper.

I smiled to the room, I wanted to out right tell him. " Ginny needs to compose herself..." I answered him back hoping if he was curious enough he would go into the other room. It explained why Harry was acting the way he was.

I raised an eyebrow and left the room.  I would ask Ginny -- well at least make sure she was alright.  I found her in the kitchen where Lily had left her.  Even though it was my house, I tapped the doorframe lightly to at least let her know I was there.  "Hey... are you arlight?" I asked her softly, wondering if I was going to be crossing a line or not.

I handed out the desserts, " So what did I miss?" I asked the kids as I looked over to Evan who was holding Lyla. I couldn't believe he caused Ginny so much pain. My child....well, not my child since he was five years old. He was a captive to the same man who had us.

I looked up at my mum and shrugged, trying not to wake Lyla.  "Well, we were discussing school," I answered honestly.  I was not sure what all had happened in the kitchen, but I almost felt as though Mum was looking at me differently.  And that told me everything I needed to know.  I had only been doing as I was told because if I disobeyed Peter, I would have been locked away in my room when I got home like I used to be when I had been little.  But then, I guessed that the memories I had may not be real in the first place.