I got a picture of you, I carry in my heart -- 15 December 1998

I could not help but laugh icily.  "Oh, but Juniper... I already have used it on him and he just realized it," I said loftily.  "Perhaps we should see if he's any stronger than he was back then.  You were always the weak one," I added, dismissing the boy.  I turned my attention back to my daughter, sneering at her.  "Of course she would use that curse on you... especially after I asked her to make sure that you both knew what was at stake if Draco did nto complete his task."  Oh yes, I had asked Bellatrix to help ensure that Draco would not get too nervous and distracted from the task the Dark Lord had given him.

<< In this, or the kid thread, let me know if you want me to change anything   I was not expecting Lucius to say he had tortured Linc... but at least in the scars thread she will already know where some of them came from >>

I was not planning on telling Juniper why I had stepped forward.  I would let it think that it was just merely to protect her -- when in reality, it was so much more than that.  Her warning had made me stop, just out of respect for her.  I knew she did not want me to get hurt.  I clenched my jaw when he taunted me.  The babies were crying and I put a hand on June's shoulder.  We really did need to get this to stop... none of us were going to be able to do that, though.  There was too much at stake.  I knew I wanted revenge.

I saw the twins start to cry and knew we had already over stayed our welcome. I walked up to my husband and put a hand on his shoulder. I wanted to get him out of here before anyone else got hurt. "I think we should get going dear." I didn't know if he would listen to me or not but I could always hope that he would.

<< no I like it! It could lead to interestingness..... >>

I forced my eyes not to widen when Father said he had used the spell against Lincoln. I wanted to look at him, to have him say that it was not true, but why would Father say something like that if he was lying? No, it couldn't be true, i had never let them meet before today, it couldn't be possible. Could it? I took a shaky breath and hardened my gaze at my Father as best as I could. I felt Lincoln's hand on my shoulder and that gave me the strength to not let his words effect me quite yet. "I don't know if that is true or not, but I won't let you hurt him today. You don't need to concern yourself with him Father. He isn't part of our family, it's still me you want to hurt, and you know it. Draco and I didn't need the reminder of what was at stake, Draco actually cares about me. He's the only one in this goddamn family that does." I knew that would hurt Mother but I didn't care about that right now, all I cared about was making sure no one else got hurt. I shook my head slowly at him, "I bet it almost killed you to not be the one to torture me but you could survive because I was still getting hurt, even if it wasn't at your hand. But deep down, you've always wanted to be the one to do that, to hurt me. You've always hated me." I heard Mother suggest they leave and I couldn't agree more, the babies were crying now and I had to make sure that Draco was okay, but she couldn't expect Father to leave that easily.

I forced myself to stand up, though that made me so nauseous that I nearly threw up all over.  I swallowed and took a deep breath, squaring my shoulders.  I took a step forward, trying to hide the fact that I was shaking, and stood on the other side of Juniper so it was the three of us standing there against Father.  I wanted to put my arm around my sister and lean on her for support, but I could not do that.  It would appear weak to Father and I wanted us all to look as strong as we really were.  "Go, now," I said to him, my voice a lot softer than I wish it would have been.  I could see Father sizing us all up.  He was always one to pick his battles.  I hoped he would pick this one wisely.

I eyed the situation, going between the three of them.  My gaze stopped on my daughter.  "Count yourself lucky for today, Juniper," I said to her darkly.  "There will come a day where I will have so much joy in taking away everything you have."  When I said that, I smiled evilly at Matthews.  I could always finish the job Genevieve could not.  I would be rather okay with that.  I turned on my heel, but stopped at the door, looking back.  "You cannot keep them from me forever, Draco.  I hope you realize that."

I let out a breath I had not realized I had been holding when the Malfoys left.  I had been preparing myself for the worst.  I moved around Juniper in time to get Draco's arm around my shoulders before he fell to the ground.  I got him into the chair, unsure how he had found the strength to even speak let alone stand.  The wound was horrible.  I wanted to speak to Juniper, but then again, I did not want her to see the truth in my eyes about what her father had said.  I was sure she knew it to be true; what else would have provoked my reaction like that?  I focused my attention on helping her brother at the moment, even though I was not entirely comfortable with being this close to Draco.  My hands were shaking slightly, I realized, and had a hard time figuring out if it was due to anger or the contact with someone other than Juniper.

Now that the shouting had stopped, the twins were starting to quiet down a little bit.  I was trying to comfort them but also check on my husband.  There was blood all down his front and he looked like he was going to be ill.  Juniper and Lincoln did not look much better, except for the fact that they were bloodless.  "Are you all okay?" I asked.  No, the other two did not get hurt physically, but I could see the emotional toll on all three of them.

I followed my husband out of the room, trying not to let Juniper's words hurt me. I had given her no reason to think I cared about her even though I truly did. Draco had always been the one to help her through everything and I was great for for that, at least she had someone. I was happy that Lucius was leaving, the children deserved some time to feel safe about everything although I'm sure our presents ruined that. I signed, hoping that they would all be okay. Draco didn't look particularly well but at least they could have healer look at him if they needed to.

I saw Father look at Lincoln and wanted to point out the I didn't have him for Father to take away, I never would. I couldn't risk him staying because of something I said though, Draco had gotten up and I had to make sure he was okay. I closed my eyes and took a shaky breath once Father and Mother left. I allowed myself to relax for a moment, knowing that the twins would be okay for now, before I opened my eyes and got to work. I had to distract myself for what had just happened, and I had to do it before it consumed me. I wanted to ask Lincoln about what my Father had said but that could wait for now, I wasn't sure I wanted him to confirm it yet anyway, I was okay in not knowing for sure yet. I saw Lincoln helping Draco and knew I had to take the lead. I was grateful that he was helping but I knew he was pushing himself between what memories Father might've brought up and the fact that I was the only one he was was somewhat comfortable with physical contact with. I took a deep breath and walked over to them, a bit unsteady on my feet since I had started shaky after our parents left. I gently pushed Lincoln out of the way and looked Draco over. Turning to Lincoln I asked, "Can please get me some scissors, gauze, tape and a damp cloth?" I head Pansy asked if we were okay and had to suppress my laugh. No, we we're okay but we had to pretend to be. We always had to be. "We'll be fine." I said, speaking more for Draco and I then the three of us as a whole. I wasn't sure how Lincoln was taking everything, he had been so quiet. "I'm just happy that the twins are okay."

I was grateful that someone had caught me and that our parents left. I was unable to stand much more than I did -- I did not realize that it had been Lincoln who caught me until he gnetly got me into the chair.  I heard Pansy ask that question and nodded. "Physically," I replied, knowing how we all must be feeling.  I knew that Pansy knew that we were not really okay, but she basically wanted to just know if we were alive and able to get through this.  I heard Juniper tell Lincoln to grab some things.  I shook my head slightly.  "I'm fine," I told her.  I did not need them to make a fuss about me.  I would be alright...

I was relieved when Juniper took over.  I got her the supplies, but did not answer Pansy when she spoke.  I did not say a word.  I took a deep breath and looked at June while she ignored her brother and started to patch him up.  "I'm going to make sure they're gone," I said, making up an excuse to leave the room.  

Once in the corridor and the door was closed behind me, I leaned against the wall, my eyes closed.  I was reliving what had happened; I could almost feel the pain I had felt when the curse hit me.  The scars, I coul dhave sworn anyways, were tingling.  I was not expecting this.  The way I felt pity towards the unknown children of that man... I never woul dhave guessed it would end up being the girl I was planning on marrying and her brother.  I felt tears threatening to break through the wall I built to keep myself in check when things like this happened.  I just had not expected this at all...

I heard Lincoln leave and clenched my jaw when June started to clean up my wound.  I put my hand over top of hers with a lot more difficulty than I thought.  "I'm fine... check him," I told her, knowing that was where she wanted to be.  I would be alright.  I thought that grabbing the trash can and throwing up in it sounded like a marvelous idea and then closing my eyes so I could block out everything sounded even better.

"Thank you." I took the items from Lincoln, grateful that he had listened to me and not Draco. "You will be fine, once we get you fixed up." I cut open his shirt and began wiping away the blood that had dried for the most part. I was almost done when Lincoln said he was going to make sure our parents had left. I looked over at him as he left the room. "Lincoln." I called to try to get him to stop, but either he didn't listen or he didn't hear me because he kept going and closed the door behind himself. I looked desperately at the door, then back as Draco. They both needed me right now. I had looked back at the door when Draco placed his hand on mine and said to go check on Lincoln. I bit my lip slight, debating for a moment what would be best. I sighed as I quickly but gently finished wiping away the blood from the wound and placed his hand on the cloth. "Keep this here if you can." I had put the cloth on top of the wound in hopes of Draco applying some pressure while I was out, although I wasn't sure how long he could hold it. I stood and walked towards the door but turned back to Draco, Pansy and the twins. "Call out if you need me." I said to both of them before I opened the door and left.

I braced myself to see Lincoln slight broken, just like at the cemetery. I didn't know what happened or if what my Father had said was true, but with how Lincoln was reacting, I didn't have much to contradict his words. I saw him leaning against the wall, he looked so vulnerable and small, not at all like one of the strongest people I knew he was. I sighed to announce my presents. "Lincoln," he turned to me and saw he had tears in his eyes and it made me sigh again, "Lincoln, I'm sorry." Whether I was apologizing for what my Father said today, what he might've done or both, I couldn't be sure. I thought it was probably both. It was my job to protect him from my family and it seemed I had failed that already. I felt defeated. "I'm sorry." I repeated. I wasn't sure what else I could say but sorry just didn't feel like enough to make up for my Father, nothing ever was. "Clearly you met my Father?" I was hoping he would at least confirm or deny that fact. "Do you want to talk about it?" I wasn't sure I wanted to know the story but I wasn't about to drop the subject if Lincoln did want to talk about it, not with the way he was reacting to everything.

I tried to keep my eyes closed so I would not have to see Pansy's worried gaze.  I tried to keep the cloth on my wound the best that I could.  What i failed at, however, was the ability to keep control of my stomach.  At least I as able to grab the trash can.  I stood up shakily and went to the sink that was in the room, washing out my mouth.  I leaned against the counter to keep myself from falling.  I knew what I wanted -- needed -- right now to calm myself down.  I took a few deep breaths and stood up straighter, trying to force myself into feeling like I could walk down the corridor and sneak a drink.