I'm sorry I couldn't get to you -- December 2018

I knelt down.  "Well, I want to make sure everyone -- your familiy and the Wizarding world -- knows what will happen if they ever do wrong to the Dark Star." I stood back up, turning away from her.  I looked at Charlie.  "I'm getting bored of this... it's time for the end..." I waved my wand and the gag was removed.  She spoke again, before I could make him scream in agony.

"But you said you could spare us!" I said, not wanting CHarlie to go through anything else.  "Please... how...?"

"Your lives... for the life of another.  I would still succeed in hurting this family," I said.  My eyes flashed evilly as I looked at each of them.

I readied myself as the protection spell still held up.  I knew that I would be going after whoever stood outside my door to go to my parents' aid.  I could hear them speaking in the living room and I realized what that man was saying.  Me or my parents... who to live?  I could not believe it.  I wanted to get out there so badly to help protect my family the only way that I could... the only way I knew how to...

"Never," I said, the realization dawning on me.  "leave our daughter alone!" I struggled against my bindings, wanting to tear him apart.  I knew that they were trying to get to her, but now... every fiber in my body wanted to protect her even more than that.  I needed to save her life -- not just protect her from harm.

I was horrified.  I looked over at Charlie, never wanting to cause our daughter any pain.  We did everything we could for Quinn.  This would be the ast thing we did -- protect her and save her life.  Would she ever understand...?  Could she hear any of this...?

I was not surprised.  A parent would do anything for their child.  I called out to the Death Eaters trying to get to their daughter, there was no need now.  I heard them Disapparate.  Charlie was unbound and I gave him back his wand -- I wanted a fair fight.  "I can at least give you a chance.  Greyback, make sure she watches," I added, enjoying seeing Charlie struggle to stand.

I tightened my grip on the girl, keeping her head up to watch her husband die.

This was my chance.  I would get one shot -- maybe two -- and that was it.  I was not daft, I was no match for the Dark Star... not in my current state, anyways.  I stole a glance at Des, our eyes met and it broke my heart to see the tears in her eyes.  I would never see Quinn again.  I gripped my wand tightly and waved it.  Instead of pointing it at Riddle, I pointed it at Greyback, making him fly backwards and letting go of Desdemona.  Her eyes were the last things I saw... and they were as beautiful as on the day we met.

<< Yay!  300!! >>

The men at my door Disapparated when I heard my parents say they were willing to die for me instead of letting them harm me.  Tears were falling down my face and I tried so hard to break down my door.  I heard nothing else but silence.  I was, at last, able to break through my door.  Dad had been the one to cast the protection charm and when he died protecting us, it had lifted.  I saw his body fall to the ground, freezing me in my tracks.  I could not move.  It was like everything else was in slow motion...

I screamed for Charlie when he did not try to fight Riddle.  His one chance... he gave to me.  I would do my best to make it not in vein.  I scrambled to my feet, unsure where my wand was, but I had to get to Quinn -- her protection was gone now that Charlie was.  I ran towards the hallway and saw my daughter standing there, stunned.  I would not let him hurt her.

I pointed my wand at Charlie Weasley and the green flash was almost blinding.  He freed his wife with his last moment alive.  How touching.  I stepped over his limp body as I went towards Desdemona.  The fire was spreading and I was finding it harder and harder to see... but I saw figures in the hallway.  I moved towards them, throwing my hand up, stopping her blow to my head.  My hand found her throat.  I would choke the life out of this one.

I knew running would get me nowhere, really, not when I was up against the Dark Star.  But I needed to protect my daughter without magic... I did the best that I could to distract him, hopefully Quinn would run.  Run to Shell Cottage down the lane.  But I could not even say a word to her... I could not breathe.  My eyes closed and a tear ran down my cheek.  I am so sorry Charlie... Quinn....

I tossed her limp body on top of her husband's.  I waved my wand, awakening the werewolf.  I pointed my wand upwards, whispering, "Morsemorde."  The Dark Mark twinkled above us... all the while I saw the redheaded teenager standing, frozen, at the end of the hall, her brown eyes shedding tears.  I looked into them as I Disapparated from the ruins.

When he Disapparated -- all protection from our house now gone with the ruins surrounding me -- it seemed to unfreeze me.  I ran forward, screaming, "No!" I collapsed next to my parents' bodies and held onto both of them, the fire crumbling more walls around us.  I did not care.  They were gone... they were dead... what was I going to do?