Welcome to volume 2! 

Who's ready for another 200 not-so-short short stories -

Don't ask me why I keep killing off husbands, because I don't have an answer for that ... 

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Faint ringing echoed in my ears, drowning everything out. If there was anything to drown out, rather. It was persistent, drawing my entire focus so effortlessly to the sound that all I could do was listen to it as it blared as if it took on a corporeal form. It clouded my vision, my eyes a blurry haze, as I sat, motionless on the cold hardwood floor. My legs had begun to ache at some point, but I long gave up thinking about that. What did it matter when -

The ringing faded slightly, retreating from the core of my focus, slipping into the shadows but continuing to loom its fearsome head. But it had faded, letting my ears tune into the loud shouts that filled the room as dozens of wizards flooded in, wands ablaze and ready. I was uncertain what they were ready for, and what they were hoping to find, but I understood their trepidation regardless. My eyes, heavy and unseeing, refused to acknowledge the strangers in my home. Distantly, my ears heard something similar to my name, something that would have sounded like my name if my ears weren't still ringing.

I forced myself to stir, gathering what little energy I had left to move. My hand, trembling and stiff, lifted as I pointed to a wall on the other side of the room. The Aurors, because they had to be Aurors, glanced in the direction that my red-coated fingers pointedly. If they followed the silent prompt they would find shattered glass, far too much of it scattered all over the once beautiful front room and in the very middle of it all, they'd find the now lifeless body of my husband. He'd taken his final wheezing breath only minutes ago.

Breathing out shakily, I dropped my hand back to my lap, drawing it close to me once more. Clutching the fabric of my dress, I tried to stop my body from trembling. It was a difficult endeavour. Still, I persisted, clenching my fists so tightly together that my knuckles turned white from the sheer effort alone.

There was another call of my name this time, my first name in a familiar voice that cut through the ringing. It was a voice that held strength and promised protection, a voice that had without fail, always silenced the storms far easier than anything else ever had. Even now, when there was so much to think about when it was only right for my mind to be so fraught, he silenced those worries. Righteous Rowena, he should not have had this impact on me.

Except he did. And the impact of it was all the more powerful when Theseus, glorious Theseus with his wondrous eyes, crouched down in front of me. His hands were gathered in front of him as if he had caught himself partway through reaching out for me. Although he could not touch me like he wished to, his eyes had sought mine out, obliterating the fog that had overcome them and I could see clearly once more. His silent concern radiated out towards me.

When I didn't speak, when I gave no attempts at justification, he caved to his unspoken wishes. Theseus's hands, warm and steady, reached out and grasped me by the shoulders as if he expected me to slip away. "What happened here?"

I breathed out shakily once more, unable to speak. Shaking my head, I struggled to think of anything to say; what was there to say? My mind ran, trying to string together fragments of a sentence, to form something coherent to say. But the words never came.

Theseus's eyebrows drew together as he studied me closely. I had no doubt that, had we been alone, he would have given life to all the silent questions that ran through his mind. But we were not alone. My home was swarmed with dozens of his colleagues, with listening ears everywhere. So he held his tongue, his eyes darting down to where my hands had found purchase in his crisp white shirt, staining it red with my husband's blood where I grasped it between tight fingers. When had I reached for him? I wanted to apologise for ruining his shirt, but again, the words wouldn't come. When the absurdity of it all, of what I wanted to say, settled in a watery hiccuping laugh burst between my lips. I was quick to smother the sound, but it was too late, they had heard me.

Theseus gave another call of my name, this one more urgent than the last. He leaned in closer as if to block everyone else out as if his frame alone would shield me. He spoke in hurried murmurs, for my ears alone, "Tell me what happened. I need you to tell me what happened here and-"

"Step away from Mrs Esley, Scamander," another voice cut in, making Theseus's shoulders stiffen. For his part, Theseus didn't give in to the clear order. He remained firm, crouched stubbornly before me. "Now, Scamander. We need to take her down to the Ministry."

"There's no need," he insisted vehemently as he rose to his full height. He turned to face his superior, eyes ablaze and dangerous. "Mrs Esley is a witness. Our only witness to this incident."

The second Auror, smaller than Theseus, was not cowed and instead matched his stare. "Remember your place Scamander, follow the orders you're given."

Iron flooded into Theseus's shoulders as they stiffened; if anyone had ever claimed that Hufflepuffs backed down, then they had never met Theseus. Theseus whose will had always been steel and whose sense of duty was matched to no other. "You cannot-"

My attention was ripped away from the pair of men standing over me at yet another call of my name. But this one, hurried and fragile, was enough to snap me into action. It mattered not that seconds ago I had little strength, that I still felt weakened, because I was cleaning my hands of blood with a murmured spell, much to the protests of the Aurors in front of me. Forcing my aching legs to stand, I brushed past the two men, darting past two pairs of hands that reached for me for two very different reasons; one to stop me, the other to steady me. But I darted away from them nonetheless. My eyes locked onto the little boy who rushed down the stairs, and was barrelling straight for me; he couldn't see this.

I met him halfway, cradling him steadily against me when he wrapped his thin arms around me. Samuel held me tight and my hands, shaking slightly, ran through his short hair. My eyes darted across the room to where his brother still remained and put my body in the way, shielding it from his sight. Even when he lifted his head, trying to peer around me, I covered his eyes with my palm, reassuring him softly that it was all fine. Even as I spoke, my eyes darted to the two Aurors I had evaded. The older Auror's eyes weren't on me now, they were on Samuel, drinking in the knowledge that there was likely another witness to it all.

I spoke hurriedly, eyes locked onto Theseus. He would be able to hear everything I didn't say, "I'll come to the Ministry."

"No!" Samuel tried to protest, holding me tighter.

Speaking over the insistent 8-year-old, I was resolute, "Someone will have to stay with Samuel... away from here. Once that's been arranged, I'll come along with no struggle."

Theseus's eyes, solemn and searching, had me averting my gaze. It wouldn't do for him to read me the way only he had ever been able to. Still, I heard his resigned, "Of course."

**********

My interrogation suite - even if the Aurors had refused to refer to it as that - was cold. Almost unbearably so. As I sat, seated in a chair so uncomfortable that my bottom had begun to ache, I kept my silence and wondered if it was all by design, to encourage suspects to speak so they spent as little time in here as possible. In my case, it was failing to work.

From the moment I had been escorted into this darkened room and nudged into my seat with a pressing hand on my shoulder, I had not spoken a word. Not when the leader of the Auror team, Theseus's supervisor, had at last introduced himself as Auror Sutton, prior to starting this interrogation. Even if he had insisted that it was not an interrogation. But what else could it be? When he continued to ask questions of me, questions that I refused to answer. I was uncertain of how long we had been sitting here, but my fingertips became lighter in colour from the cold as I diligently picked at the dried blood from under my nails. My previously cast spell had not been as effective as I would have liked. But, it was hardly surprising given just how fraught my mind had been at the time. Perhaps that was the most frightening thing now - now that I had been taken away from the situation, my usually loud and whirring brain had fallen silent. I struggled to summon any coherent thought.

Auror Sutton, sitting across from me, sighed loudly. The sound pierced through my concentration and I abandoned my fidgeting with my fingertips. They'd begun to sting a little, and I briefly wondered if I'd managed to make it bleed. Lifting my head, I met the waiting eyes of the older wizard, holding them steady. Still, I said nothing.

"Do you have any intention of cooperating, Mrs Esley?" he asked at last. His hands were clasped before him, resting on the table. I wanted to point out that I had co-operated; I was here, after all. But I did not.

Instead, I held my tongue, watching as he sighed once more and rose to his feet. Pushing the chair under the desk, Auror Sutton strode determinedly to the door and left the room. He shut the door resolutely behind him without addressing me once more. Finally left alone again, I dropped my head into my palms. My fingers wound themselves into my loose hair, wrapping around the strands and tugging slightly. I used the pain to root me, to try and pierce through the strange blankness of my mind. I was now a widow, and there was so much to think about my new standing, about the means by which I'd become widowed. Still, my mind refused to function beyond shallow cognitions.

The sound of the door opening had me lifting my head again. Dropping my hands to my lap once more, I threaded my fingers together and turned expectantly towards the entrance. The Auror that now stood in the doorway watched me with solemn eyes, his presence so effortlessly filling the space around me that I struggled to hold my tongue. Theseus's eyes skimmed rapidly over me as if in search of something before he, at last, closed the door behind him. He crossed the room with long strides, settling into the seat Auror Sutton had vacated not long before. It appeared it was his turn to interrogate me.

I remembered distantly, that whilst he had been going through his training, Theseus and I had discussed the different interrogation techniques they taught the recruits. What sort of interrogator was he? The sort who bombarded you with questions, trying to break down your will until you caved and spoke? The type of interrogator Auror Sutton was. Or would he speak about the sentence I was likely to face? To reassure me that if I spoke, the sentence could be reduced?

I was uncertain what sort of interrogator he would be. But I had not expected him to rest his forearms against the desk as he leaned towards me, speaking lowly as if no one else would hear our shared words. We both knew otherwise. Still, he spoke softly, holding my gaze as he spoke. He sounded less like an Auror and more like a dear, dear friend.

"You know how this looks, Davison." My maiden name, a name I hadn't heard in so long had me starting, but still, I said nothing. Even when Theseus's words were steady. "You just need to tell me what happened and we can find the person who did that to ... your husband."

My silence lingered as I held his eyes meaningfully. He would read them regardless. And he did. Theseus's eyes shifted then as if he was looking back at someone who he did not recognise before he leaned back in the chair. Wordless, he raised a hand to his tie, loosening it as he waited. I was uncertain what he waited for, but all the while, he held my gaze. I didn't dare speak, to ask him the question on my mind - the first real question that had popped into my head since I had been escorted here; had the whispers about my husband's tendencies reached his ears too?

My fingers drummed an anxious rhythm on the tabletop; I hoped he didn't know. I hoped that Theseus had remained oblivious not only for my self-respect but also because if he had none and had done nothing -

Warm hands settled on top of mine, cutting off the movement. I flinched at the contact, wanting to draw my hands back. He lifted his hands without having to be asked but remained close, leaning once more towards me.

"If you tell me why," he started insistently, "I can help you mount your defence."

"That's not your job," I said, speaking for the first time.

He made no attempts to contest the truth of my words. Instead, he asked, "Why?"

It was a loaded question. One I did not fully know the answer to. And yet, there was an answer I could give him. The only answer I could give him. It would be so easy to become silent once more, to hold my tongue. But I couldn't. I needed at least one person, to believe in my words. And who better to believe in me than a man who had spent over a decade believing in me?

"I had to save myself," I said simply. He searched my eyes, trying to read everything that I had left unsaid, but there was no need for it. Forcing myself forward, I murmured, "No one would have been able to save me and that is what I did; I saved myself. All of a sudden I was overcome by this need to protect myself and the next thing I knew, he was crashing against the wall and bleeding out."

Theseus regarded me in solemn silence. He looked like he wished I'd said nothing, but I had. I had spoken and damned myself for it. His expression flickered for a second only, the picture of torment, before he wiped it of all expression.

When he spoke, he sounded every part the Auror who was rapidly making a name for himself, "I have to take your words as your confession."

"You do."

He wavered for a moment longer, looking reluctant to leave me. Theseus, my old friend Theseus, was likely warring with himself, struggling to choose between duty and a lifelong vow he'd made so many years ago to protect me. I made the choice for him. Crossing my legs at the ankles, drawing my hands over my chest, I looked away from him.

**********

The ministry had been lenient on me. Far more lenient than they should have been on a suspected murderer who was awaiting sentencing. They had placed me under constant watch, with members of the Auror department being placed on a rotating schedule to stand vigilant to make sure I did not abscond. Not that I had reason to, with Samuel relying on me as though he were my blood brother and not the brother of my late husband.

Although none had said the words or confirmed my suspicions, I knew that it was Theseus's fervent interventions and persistent reminders that apart from myself Samuel had no legal guardian, that kept me out from behind bars. His sway over the department was working in my favour and yet, I was fairly certain it was casting him unfavourably amongst the older members of the department. His refusal to see me taken in, as was the procedure, had him on the edge with his team. It was a subject he did not let me speak freely of.

Samuel gave a call of my name, drawing me from my thoughts. When I met his eager waiting eyes - he was always so happy, in the way only a child could be, he gestured to the chessboard before us. It was my turn. Reaching towards the board, I contemplated my next move before I made it. Moving one of my pieces, I gestured for him to take his turn. Samuel, eyebrows furrowed, considered the board in front of him.

It was as he was lost in his contemplations that I studied my not-quite brother. At his young age, he had known such loss, having lost his parents in his infancy and now his brother too. He had no family left, save myself. Did I count as family? I had raised the boy in the a year since I'd married his brother at the tender age of 204and now, at the wisened and disillusioned age of 25, I regarded the 8-year-old who sat before me. He had lost so much and yet, he had never lost his smile. Did he grieve his brother? I wouldn't blame him if he didn't, but grief was something I wanted to help him through, even still.

Samuel prepared to make his move then, reaching for the chess piece. Before his fingers grasped his knight, the piece started moving with his uncontrolled magic. It levitated off the board slightly before he fully grasped it. My eyes flickered instantly to the Aurors who sat a short distance from us, looking bored. Before their attention was drawn to it, I murmured a spell. Magicking the chessboard to the end of the table, I effortlessly eradicated the trace of Samuel's magic; the last thing I needed was for the ministry to come hunting as a result of his underage magic.

Even whilst Samuel protested, I spoke over him, "It is almost time for lunch. You know you have that before lunch you have to do an hour's worth of arithmetic."

His complaints started instantly, "Wait! The game is far from complete, I don't want-"

"Samuel Esley," I started sternly, "We can return to the game after lunch. For now, run and do your arithmetic work and come find me if you need assistance. I will be in the kitchen."

He looked as though he would complain again, but when I regarded him with a look that brokered no argument, he sighed and agreed. With quick steps, he hurried to his bedroom, no doubt planning to go through his arithmetic work as quickly as he could. I waited before he disappeared out of sight before heading to the kitchen. I didn't have to look over my shoulder to know that the Aurors followed each step I took.

Once I reached the kitchen, I made light work of preparing a simple lunch for the pair of us. Making two plates, I hesitated and extended an offer of lunch to the two Aurors who were quick to decline the offer without so much as a thank you. Not that I could blame them; perhaps they believed me capable of poisoning them. Accepting their reluctance, I carried the plates to the dining table where Samuel was waiting with his arithmetic work. Once we had eaten, I would go through it with him.

Placing Samuel's lunch before him, I ran a hand over his soft curls when he thanked me and took my seat across from him. He tucked in eagerly, putting a forkful straight into his mouth. Samuel didn't fully wait until he had swallowed everything in his mouth.

"Do you think the Aurors will let us out?" he asked, the words a little difficult to make out. When I gave him a pointed look, he forcefully swallowed everything that was in his mouth and offered me a bashful smile. "Sorry. Do you think they'll let us go out?"

"You can go into the gardens at any point," I reminded him steadily. It was strange to hear him so nonchalant about my house arrest... and the reason behind it.

"But I want to go with you," he said so earnestly that I was left without words. "I want to tend to the vegetables together."

I was saved from having to answer him by the sharp crack of apparition. My eyes flickered to the clock; it was time for a change of jailer. The two Aurors who had been stationed at my home for the last 6 hours stood, all too ready to leave. But, upon seeing one of the two Aurors that had apparated in, ready for his shift, they hesitated. Theseus stood with his hands gathered at his back, surveying the room in the manner he always did before each shift. I had seen him here, more often than I had seen any other Auror; he had to have done something to ensure he had at least one shift here each day.

When he glanced at his colleagues, likely already knowing what they intended to say, he beat them to it. Gesturing to the younger Auror - a recent recruit if I recalled correctly - he spoke firmly, "I have a shadow with me, there's no need to fret."

I left the four Aurors to their exchange that was becoming progressively more heated and tried to focus on my lunch. Samuel at least appeared unphased and was eating with relish. It was strange how easily children acclimatised.

At last, Theseus and his young colleague were the only Aurors left, as the other two apparated away. Without waiting another moment, Theseus crossed the room and easily settled into the chair beside me. Unlike his partner, and unlike the rest of the Aurors, he saw no need to keep his distance.

"You should not be here," I said steadily, glancing briefly at the young Auror who settled into one of the chairs that had been vacated by the previous shift. "Your insistence on being here is distancing you from your colleagues."

"I am a grown man," he reminded me as if it was not evident that every part of Theseus Scamander was a grown very capable man. "I can handle my work."

Sighing with a shake of my head, I watched as he plucked the fork from my hand and speared a carrot that he raised to his mouth.

**********

My life had quickly settled into a strange rhythm that was highly dependent on the changing of my jailors. My daytime routine was highly dependent on which Aurors had been assigned to watch over me for the next shift, with certain Aurors being more lax than others. Going against his nature, and yet it wasn't surprising in the least, Theseus was the least strict of all the Aurors who watched over me. And yet, I wished, more often than not, that he would not be appointed to guard me. It was a strange and complicated mixture of emotions; on one hand, I craved the sight of him - I had done for over a decade now - but his recent presence tested every fibre of my being. Every moment spent in his company was spent battling the urge to tell him everything. Regardless of how certain I was that I could not tell him everything. The moment I spoke was the moment I damned us all.

As 6 o'clock approached, I found myself waiting, to see who would appear to relive the two Aurors who had stationed themselves separately, on either side of the room so they could keep an eye on the entire room. They had not spoken a word in the 6 hours they had been here, despite how determinedly Samuel had attempted to break their concentration. Not long ago, Samuel had given up and headed to his room after corralling a house elf into agreeing to play exploding snap with him.

Not long before 6, the sound of apparition sounded and I glanced up briefly from the book I had spent the greater part of my evening reading. My two vigilant shadows turned their heads just as eagerly as I did. I prepared to acknowledge the new Aurors before returning my attention to the chapter that I was midway through. But, when I spied only a single Auror who arrived with a piece of parchment clutched in his hands, I marked my place with my finger, closed the book around it and held it in one hand. Shifting in my seat so I could see everything, I watched as Theseus wordlessly gestured for his colleagues to approach him. They went easily to his side. Without acknowledging my presence, the three Aurors exchanged words that I struggled to make out. Whatever they discussed had them all reaching some agreement and the two Aurors who had kept me company for the last 'shift' left me with one single guard.

At last, Theseus's eyes searched the room, finding me settled in the armchair. He greeted me at last with that smile of his, the one that promised warmth and security. Crossing the room to my side, Theseus stood before me. Lifting my head to hold his gaze, I struggled not to lose myself in those eyes of his; that was always the risk whenever he was around. Him and his magnificent eyes.

He reached into his suit pocket, drew something out and held it out towards me. My eyes left his then, glancing curiously down at the object extended towards me. Mouth parting in surprise, my eyes shot right to his as my greedy hand reached for my wand, curling around the handle. I held it securely in my grasp, feeling whole again. My thumb curled around it properly; I hadn't expected to have it returned to me so soon. Or rather, at all.

"What does this mean?" I asked, struggling to comprehend anything. Even when Theseus handed me the parchment he had brought with him, I did not read it. I was waiting for whatever only answer he could give me.

"We are uncertain of who murdered your husband," Theseus said steadily. He was watching my response closely, likely searching for relief in my features. Not that he would find it. His words had not given me relief, rather they had done the opposite. My fist curled even tighter around my wand. "It was not you who cast the spell, was it? What happened, Davison?"

I did not answer his question. How could I? Instead, I repeated once more, "What does this mean?"

"The investigation will continue." Theseus lowered himself to his haunches then and my eyes followed him, my neck no longer tilted. Our eyes were level now as he spoke probingly, "Your magical trace was not found."

"I never said I used magic," I said quietly, not wanting Samuel to hear me. He could turn up at any time to investigate who the newest Auror watching me was. He had no reason to listen to such a morbid conversation. Still, I kept my tone level. "I pushed him. He was inebriated and fell. That's what happened, Theseus."

"This is not you," he said so insistently that I wanted to reach out to grasp the Auror by his lapels and shake him. How many more times did I have to say the same thing before he finally understood?

"You do not know me as well as you believe you do." His eyes narrowed, just briefly, silently contesting my words. "It has been over a year since you last saw me; since my wedding."

It was a sensitive topic for Theseus, and I knew exactly why it stung in the centre of his chest to talk of or to think about. He breathed out sharply, adjusting himself on his feet as if he wanted to rise to his full height. I certainly would have expected him to stand, to turn away but he did not. Theseus remained crouched out in front of me. He outstretched a hand that hovered over mine. My eyes flickered warily between his hand and his eyes; he halted himself. I wondered briefly if he remembered the way I had flinched away from him in the interrogation room.

Reluctantly, he drew his hand back towards him. "I refuse to let you take the fall for a crime you did not commit."

"You should give this up," I said, at last, opening my book once more. I turned my attention to the written words as if they held all my attention when it could not have been any further from the truth. "The longer this continues, the longer you prevent my late husband from being granted justice."

**********

Once more, I found myself under the careful watch of Theseus who settled across from me with all too observant eyes. Had I been granted my way, Theseus would have been barred from entering my home until I was locked up in Azkaban. I had penned a letter to the head of the Auror department, asking for as much. But my request had been denied and I had the faintest inkling that he was aware of what I had asked. Not that he had ever raised the issue with me. He wouldn't do that.

Although occasionally I did find him watching me, as though he could no longer understand me. He did not need to understand a murderer. He absolutely had no reason to know that I struggled to have him so near to me. Every moment he spent with me was another moment I fought every urge to reach out to him and seek comfort. That was something I could not do. I had to hold firm in my resolve. Even if every part of me wanted to run to Theseus, to seek solace in the surety of his protection. It had always been the case at school and the knowledge that at every turn, I would have his support and shelter was a much-needed source of comfort. But once we had left school, it had been less of a guarantee.

He was seated at the dining table, waiting for me to join him after I had seen Samuel to bed. I briefly contemplated leaving him seated, knowing from his posturing alone that he had something he wished to discuss with me. But I also knew him well enough to be certain that he would follow me. There would be no escaping this discussion. With a resigned sigh, I joined Theseus at the dining table, settling across from him.

"Is Samuel asleep?" he asked, rather than delving straight into business.

"Not yet. But he will be."

Theseus nodded, a brief flicker of a smile on his face. "He's an incredibly bright child."

"He wasn't always," I said softly before shifting in my seat. Propping my clasped hands on the tabletop, I prompted, "There is clearly something you wish to talk about. Go ahead."

"I was speaking to your legal representation," he started, words heavy. He reached into the inner pocket of his suit jacket.

"That's not your place," I reminded him pointedly, watching him retrieve a folded piece of parchment.

He acted as though I said nothing. Unfolding the parchment, he put it on the table and flattened it before sliding it across the table towards me. "One of us needs to be in contact with them. They say you have not been communicating with them."

Sighing heavily, I didn't attempt to read the parchment. "Theseus."

"They believe they have scope for your defence." He spoke so earnestly as he leaned across the table towards me as if it were him facing a life behind bars. "They spoke of hospital records of bruises - bruises you hide behind glamour charms. The research is there about witches who have been brutalised by their husbands and how it can reduce responsibility - should you use it as part of your defence-"

"I refuse," I cut off so sharply, he fell silent. Drawing out a shaking breath, I tried to hide my shuddering hands. He knew the realisation of his knowledge, and the remorse in his eyes was too much. Forcing myself to speak through a trembling voice I insisted, "I don't want people to know the truth of what happened within the walls of my home. These things do not need to be made public."

"So you will face a lifetime in Azkaban!" he shot back through gritted teeth. His hands flexed as though he wanted to reach for me; he did not. Eventually, he demanded, "Why? Why marry him in the first place? Why not tell me the sort of man he was? I would have helped you in a heartbeat, you know that."

"I married him because I needed to," I said firmly in the face of his questioning. It had been a difficult decision to make, especially when I had wanted nothing more than to merge my life with the man seated across from me. But life was a strange thing, and circumstances made the decisions for me. It had been a crippling family debt that needed paying off and when my father's creditor - my now late husband - had approached me with an alternative means of payment, I had taken it. "You were always off on missions, and I had a debt to pay back."

"Debt?" he echoed back uncertainly, not having expected the truth of my answer. He shifted physically under the new knowledge. "You could have waited for me to help you-"

"I needed you, and you were not around."

The statement, the hurtful truth of it all had Theseus tightening his jaw. Still, he insistent, "Then the moment the first struck you, you could have come to me then. Had anyone tried to hold you to your vows and I would have sheltered you from it all. To think of you suffering when I could have done something-"

"When?" my soft question had him falling silent once more. My words had already struck him once, but I kept going. Despite never wanting to cause him pain, it was now something I needed to do. If only to keep him at bay. "When amongst all the missions you were going on, would you have been able to aid me, Theseus? He struck me, you are right, he struck me so harshly and cursed me so frequently that even now, some of my skin is still marred with his marks. I needed you, every day of my godforsaken marriage I needed you, but where was I to find you? So I took matters into my own hands and now my husband lies dead. Despite all the vows you made to me, you were not around and that is the simple and honest truth."

Theseus recoiled as though he had been physically struck. His eyes, aflame with his regret and ashamed, glanced away from me. When he said nothing, and the silence lengthened, I hoped that at last, he had given up.

"I intend to plead guilty, so please, do not waste your time on me." Everything within me wanted to reach for him, to comfort him, to reassure him that he held no blame for the disaster that my life had become. I smothered that desire until nothing remained but the hollow ache of what could have been. "You should stop standing guard over me and return to your duties."

**********

The trial rapidly approached and with my legal team and the Auror were aware that I intended to plead guilty, leaving no time for dawdling. No doubt they wanted to free up their staff to apply them in more useful endeavours, as opposed to having them acting as some strange combination of jailor and guard. It made sense why they had decided to speed things along, but that did not mean that I wished for more time. I wished, more than anything, that they had dragged their feet a little longer before deciding that Samuel would need to be separated from me. It was something I knew would have to happen, especially as I was anticipating spending the rest of my life as a prisoner, but I'd wanted more time. I wished for more time with the young boy to reassure him that there was at least one person that thought of him. But, there was little time left.

Perhaps I could have hoped for the Auror department to have more tact when announcing the decision to look into appointing guardians for Samuel. But tact was not something Aurors were known for. It had to be drilled out of them during their training because I could not comprehend how else they would deem it correct or appropriate by any stretch of the imagination to turn up to our home and announce that likely by the end of the week Samuel would be in the care of strangers and would not see me again. Understandably the boy was distraught, wailing and screaming that it was not fair. He was inconsolable. The small group of Aurors who had relayed the message stood around and watched, for the first time uncertain of how to proceed.

I paid them no heed as I crouched down before Samuel who continued to sob. Throat thick in the face of his tears, tears I had not seen him shed even upon the death of his brother, I raised gentle hands towards him. Cradling his face in my hands, I wiped his tears away with my thumbs. His sobs eased at my touch, but still, he hiccuped as he tried to catch his breath.

"It will be okay," I said with a faint smile, that I struggled to form. His eyes, drowning in unshed tears, stared heartbroken back at me when I nodded encouragingly. Clearing my throat to try and remove the lump that had formed, I tried to make it all better. "This is a good thing Sam, you'll be able to do so much now."

Righteous Rowena, I would miss him when I was in Azkaban.

My words had little effect. He burst once more into tears, crying in deep sorrowful wails that made me want to embrace him. I gave in to the urge, knowing I wouldn't have many opportunities left to do it. Samuel came all too willingly into my arms, winding his arms around his neck and clinging to me with all his might as if fearing he would be ripped away from me. Securing him to me with one arm, I used a hand to smooth the hair at the back of his head. Hushing him gently, I rocked him side to side. My own eyes prickled with tears but I blinked them away; I could not falter.

"Come now," Auror Sutton's voice broke the moment, as the older man approached us. My eyes watched him approach and I tried to silently plead for him to give us this moment, but he didn't. He continued on his path towards us, speaking insistently, "You must leave us with your sister-in-law, we have much to discuss."

Samuel started shouting into my shoulder then, in panicked exclamations that they could not take me from him, he would not allow it. But the Aurors surrounding us paid no heed. Auror Sutton glanced at Theseus, gesturing for him to intervene but when he stood firm and did nothing, Auror Sutton motioned for someone else.

The Auror approached us at once, reaching for Samuel, grasping him by the shoulder and attempting to drag him away. The boy held on firm, his hold on me tightening so harshly around me that I struggled to breathe. Through it all, I kept soothingly patting his head, reassuring him that it was all okay and that I would not be going anywhere today. It was no use.

A second Auror joined the first, and together they both pulled Samuel from me, ignoring his pleas which had escalated in desperation. He clawed at them, trying to make his way back to me and when it became evident that he was no match for their strength, it escalated. A single sharp burst of uncontrolled magic erupted out of Samuel, throwing the two Aurors off of him and across the room. He didn't wait a second longer; running straight for me, Samuel corralled into my chest.

I moved in a heartbeat, standing and drawing Samuel behind my back, shielding him from the eyes of the Aurors. My gaze settled on the two wizards that had gone flying, watching as they righted themselves. Relieved, I reached behind me for Samuel who clung to my hands. I didn't dare meet Theseus's eyes which were baring into the side of my head. Slowly, I forced myself to regulate my heartbeat, knowing that I could not let my mind spiral right now. It was an extremely precarious situation, and I had to navigate it delicately.

"Samuel," I said quietly, looking between every Auror so I knew where they stood. It was essential that I could keep an eye out for any who approached us. "Go upstairs, I'll be right behind you. I swear."

Something in my tone earned his obedience. With hurried steps, my brother alighted the stairs and ran up to his bedroom. I waited until I heard the sound of the door slam before my shoulders deflated. Wordlessly, I watched as the Aurors drew together into a single group, speaking to one another in hushed words, even whilst keeping their eyes on me. Any hope I had of navigating the situation diminished the moment I heard one of them talk about bringing someone here to test Samuel's magical trace.

I resolutely kept my eyes on them, even as I backed myself up towards the staircase. Standing on the bottom step, I planted myself firmly. If they had any intentions of climbing the stairs, of getting to Samuel, they would need to approach me first. My hand grasped the bannister, curling tight around it to keep me steady. I had tried so hard to make sure this didn't happen and I had been so so close.

At last, Theseus broke away from the group of his colleagues and made his way towards me. He stopped a short distance from me when my hand shot out warningly to halt his progress.

"I cannot let you go up these stairs," I said faintly. I tried to shield my disappointment; I had wanted the words to come out stronger than they did.

Raising his hands in surrender, Theseus reassured me, "I don't intend to go upstairs."

Searching his features for any deceit and finding none, my hand lowered to my side. The Auror, standing powerful and for the first time looking like someone I needed to be wary of, closed the space between us at last. Theseus, standing in front of me, regarded me with eyes that held dozens of unanswered questions. They were not questions I could answer yet.

"Tell me the truth," he said, his words nothing more than a whisper. I was certain his colleagues would not hear anything he said to me. "Speak the truth Davison, did Samuel do it?"

He offered me the chance to speak the truth, even though he already knew it. But I could not bring the words into existence and curse the boy in that way. Instead, I reached out, grasping one of Theseus's hands in both of mine. He startled at the contact, glancing briefly down at my hands with wide eyes.

"Make this disappear," I pleaded earnestly in a tone so soft only he would hear it. "He cannot - he's so young, Theseus."

His second hand, warm and steady, came up to rest on top of mine, even as he said, "I cannot. I cannot let you do this."

Squeezing my hands briefly, Theseus released them before returning to his colleague's. I watched his retreating back in horror, terrified of the upcoming reality. Unable to comprehend how things had gone so catastrophically wrong, of how I could possibly proceed, I turned on my heels and fled up the stairs. Heading straight into Samuel's bedroom, I found him curled anxiously on his bed.

Climbing onto the bed beside him, I cradled him close. I let him take comfort in me, even as my hands shook slightly, even as I burrowed my nose into his hair and tried to calm myself with his scent. Screwing my eyes shut, I tried in vain to stop a frustrated tear from falling, but it was no use. One fell, regardless.

**********

It felt as though suddenly, without any warning, time sped up and the days blurred together. Everything had happened so quickly that I struggled to comprehend what was going on. The Aurors couldn't take Samuel away yet, he was far too young for that, but that did not stop them from putting him on trial. They sought to find the truth, to understand just how my husband had met his untimely end. And to do that, I had been compelled to submit a memory, even though I wanted no part in it all. It was only when Auror Sutton reminded me that they were showing me goodwill by allowing Samuel to remain with me, that I complied. Perhaps that had been a mistake also. Perhaps I should have allowed them to take him away from my care because at least then my memories were not being used as a weapon against him. But it was too late for those speculations.

Instead, I sat wordlessly, holding Samuel's hands in mine and preparing for the memory that would be presented to all those in the room. Samuel, not quite grasping the gravity of the situation, bounced his knee as he sat. He was young, far far too young to spend a life in Azkaban and he had not intended -

My memory, although feeling like it was a lifetime ago, was broadcast for the room to see.

An almighty crash started me, drawing me from the papers I was consulting. Heart thundering in my chest and fearful of what he had done to Samuel, I rose to my feet and hurried down to the drawing-room faster than I had believed myself capable of moving. My feet came to an abrupt halt in the entryway, my eyes zeroing in on the prone figure lying across the room, bleeding out in a field of grass. Breathing out a stuttered gasp, I forced my feet forward.

I stopped a short distance from my husband, watching with increasing horror as the blood seeped out of him. Seeing a man who always boasted greatly about his strength, who loved to use that strength against those he was meant to protect, so fragile, was jarring. Despite all his claims, he was easily bested, after all. His chest moved in shuddering inhalations; it would be so easy to start administering first aid. I could save him -

Turning my back to him, my eyes found Samuel who stared at his brother's body in fright. His young eyes were brimming with tears as he took in shuddering breaths, trying to stop himself from crying. I knew then, without needing to think on it a moment longer, what I needed to do. It mattered not what happened to me, all that mattered was what happened to him.

Crossing the space between us with slow steps, I held my arms out in front of me, trying to reassure him. He crumbled all too willingly into my open arms, clinging to me and murmuring incomprehensible words into my shoulder. Unable to make out any of it, I knelt before him, wiping his face dry and reminding him to breathe. When he settled a little, his eyes flickered past me.

Grasping Samuel by the chin, I spoke forcefully, "Eyes on me, Sam. Just keep your eyes on me. " When he nodded and swallowed forcefully, I asked, "What happened?"

He spoke hurriedly, but his words were blurred, the memory useless now.

I breathed a sigh of relief; it had worked. The charm I had cast worked. Squeezing Samuel's hand tight, I searched the room, as everyone started speaking at once. Their words overlapped and I tried to hold my tongue. Surely, surely it was ll over now. Surely there was nothing more for it.

My hopes were dashed in the very next instant when a second memory was played out. Helplessly, my eyes shifted to the boy beside me who could not watch his own memory play out. When had they gotten this from him? How could they possibly have gotten this from him without my consent? It was a war I would have to wage with the Auror department another time. For now, I reached for my brother, drawing him to my side and allowing him to burrow his head into my shoulders. This was all so immoral, how could they expect a child to sit and watch this all?

Samuel said nothing, even as he burrowed his face into my arm, shielding it all from his sight. I did not blame him; it was difficult to watch for even the Aurors in the room. But they did watch. We all watched as my late husband, more than twice the size of Samuel, picked him up by the collar and threw him across the room. The Samuel from the memory cried out in pain, as he hit the floor with a whimpered call of my name, asking me to save him. Had I been there, I would have done it in a heartbeat. I had lost track of the number of times I'd thrown myself in the path of my husband's fist to keep him safe.

Even as tears brimmed in my eyes, I forced myself to keep them peeled and watch the moment I'd failed to protect Samuel who cowered on the floor with his brother - a man fully grown - standing tall over him. I couldn't stop myself from whimpering as he rained down blow after blow to the fragile child; how had I heard none of this? Theseus, a silent companion seated on my other side, reached his hand out to steady mine as they trembled.

We watched together as a single burst of aggressive magic burst out of Samuel, sending his brother tumbling and hitting the glass windows which shattered around him. The young boy rose warily to his feet, eyes on his brother as though expecting him to stand and harm him. It all played on from there; my entrance to the room and my insistence that I would handle it all. The image of myself in Samuel's memory, looking so fragile and yet like someone who gave the young boy hope, handled the situation quickly. After sending Samuel to his bedroom, my Patronus called for the Auros and I cast harmless spell after spell, trying to write over all traces of Samuel's magic. Once it was done, my knees buckled and I waited for retribution.

It was over, far too suddenly, it was all over. Slowly, the occupants of the room faded out to make their deliberations and when three of us remained, Samuel, at last, lifted his head. His eyes were red-rimmed from the tears he had smothered into my arm.

"I did not mean to," he said in a soft voice that broke on the last word.

"I know," I assured him, reaching out to rub a hand soothingly over his back. "We all know that."

"What happens now?" Samuel aimed this question at our near-constant companion.

Theseus considered the boy for a moment before admitting, "Now we have to wait."

Samuel accepted the answer, facing forward and waiting to hear his fate. It was a small mercy that we did not have to wait long for the verdict; it was self-defence. But, Samuel's magic was clearly powerful at such a young age and would need tight regulation. He would have to be taught from an early and his magic would be closely monitored but it was a much more acceptable solution than the alternative. He did not need to see what Azkaban looked like. No, he just needed to grow as a child, safe in my custody.

As soon as we were given permission, I allowed Theseus to escort us out of the courtroom. With an arm cradling the boy close to me, I apparated us home.

**********

For the first time since this entire mess had begun, Samuel all too willingly agreed to go to bed, when it was time. He settled into his bed and when I checked on him not long after, he was already slumbering, snoring faintly. Perhaps, now that he could breathe easier, he would have his first night of undisturbed slumber. Tucking the blanket around him, I lingered just a little longer. My eyes flickered over his youthful features, perhaps now he would be able to grow without fearing if his brother would be rounding the corner in a foul mood. Rather than worrying at every turn, he just needed to grow healthy.

Leaving his bedroom, I closed the door quietly behind me and made my way downstairs. Settling before the roaring fireplace, I asked one of the house elves to prepare me something to drink. Left to my own devices, without someone stationed as a guard, it settled heavily into my bones just how overbearingly large the entire home was. For the first time in months, my eyes lingered in corners, hackles raised at the ghosts of abuse that still remained. I was uncertain how long they would remain if they would ever leave. Would it be better to leave?

I was drawn from my musings when a glass was outstretched towards me. Accepting it from the house elf with a smile, I thanked them for the bottle of wine they saw fit to bring with them and poured myself a generous glass. I was never one for drinking, but tonight needed it. Taking a sip, I closed my eyes and rested against the chair that propped my back.

The doorbell, a now unfamiliar sound, had my eyes snapping open. Lifting my head, I set my glass aside, pushed myself to my feet and made my way to the little-used front door. Pausing for a moment longer than necessary, I eyed the door uncertainly, this was hardly a time to receive guests. My hand delved into my pocket, securing itself around my wand, just in case. Gathering a deep breath to steady myself, I opened the door, prepared to face whoever was on the other side.

"Theseus?" I called his name in surprise, abandoning my hold on my wand. His presence, so unusual on my front doorstep had me lost for words. Stepping to the side, I ushered him in from the cold. "Are you - why did you not apparate in like you've been doing for months?"

"The investigation is over," he said as if carefully considering his words. "It is not ... right to burst in that way."

Shutting the door behind him, I watched as he remained standing uncertainly. But he held my eyes as if waiting for me to speak. Not that I had much to say. Rather, not much that I would feel able to say right now.

Remembering my manners, I hurriedly said, "Thank you, Theseus for all of your help. I know it must have caused you a lot of trouble."

"No trouble at all," he reassured me. His voice was steady and meaningful. "Not for you."

"I-" Averting my eyes from him, I gestured for him to follow me into the study. When I reached my previous spot, I settled once more on the floor beside the fireplace. "Was there a reason you stopped by? Theseus?"

He remained standing over me, looking down as though it was the strangest sight. Perhaps it was. Eventually, he removed his coat, resting it across the back of the chair I was propped up against. Lowering himself to his knees, Theseus joined me on the floor. He averted his eyes just briefly.

"I had news to deliver, but perhaps considering the time, I should have waited until the morning." He adjusted his positioning, sitting cross-legged.

"Oh please, Theseus." Reaching for my glass, I raised it to my lips again. I considered him from over the glass. "This is hardly the first late night we have spent in one another's company."

"True." A small smile curled at the corner of his mouth; was he also remembering all those nights spent in one another's company during our school years? "But I've been given my next assignment."

"Oh?" I tried to keep the bitter twist from my mouth. "Where shall you be disappearing off to now?"

"Nowhere." Theseus considered me for a moment. "Alongside my work, I shall be supervising Samuel's lessons."

"You don't have to do that," I said abruptly. "There's no need for you to take on more work. Not for me."

"I don't have to, but I will. We both know that." His leg darted out briefly, so it brushed against mine before he drew it back towards him. "The truth is, that I have been slack when it came to you."

Holding his eyes, I studied his features. From so close, with the fire illuminating them, he looked so much like that youth who had captured my heart all those years ago. Offering him a rueful smile, I admitted, "I have been horrible to you. Saying words I didn't need to, but using them as weapons to keep you away."

He offered me a similar smile, asking gently, "You think I didn't know that? You said those words to hurt me, yes, but the truth is still the truth."

We settled into an easy silence then. Occasionally, I drank sips of my wine and realising that I had already finished a glass, I poured myself another healthy portion. Before I could raise it to my lips, Theseus stole it from my fingers. He glanced down at the dark liquid.

"What is the occasion?" he asked, taking a drink from it. He made a face as though he approved of the choice.

"As morbid as it is, I wanted to celebrate."

"You have cause to celebrate," he assured steadily. "Samuel is your legal ward and you have both been declared not guilty."

"That is not the only thing." Accepting the glass from him, I swirled the liquid around. "I wanted to celebrate our freedom."

He nodded, solemn, before dropping his head with a heavy sigh. "You should never have had to marry that ... beast. I dread to think what you had to suffer."

"I don't want to think about it," I said at last.

"Well," he probed, voice gentle, "What do you want then?"

There were dozens of answers I could give him. Searching his eyes, I wondered which I could give him, which I dared give him. At that moment, I was unsure if I could give him any.

Instead, I offered him the glass again, "I think, I would like to talk. To my oldest friend."

His smile softened, "Of course."

**********

3 YEARS LATER

There were moments were life passed by so slowly, that each day felt like its own lifetime and then, there were moments like today, that took you by surprise at the realisation of just how much time had actually passed. Already, in the blink of an eye, Samuel was preparing to board the train for his first year at Hogwarts. He stood before me, no longer a boy who reached my waist, dressed smartly and ready to continue his education. No doubt, out of all the students who crowded the busy train platform, he was one who had the most control over his magic. He had practised for three years to control it, after all. And yet, despite all of his teachings, he still looked around the station in wonder.

It was overwhelming to see him so ready to leave, to enter the next stage of his life. He still seemed so much like that young boy who had entered my life and then never left it.

Samuel, standing tall in front of me, offered me a mildly exasperated smile when I stepped towards him to straighten out the collar of his shirt. He caught my hands when I dropped them, holding them steady and squeezing just once. From his expression alone, I knew he wanted to embrace me, but no doubt he did not want to be seen to be the first-year student that was spied embracing his sister.

"Do you have everything?" I asked, finally. I wanted to reach up, to smooth out the flyaway hair at the top of his head, but restrained myself. He would not appreciate it.

"I do." Samuel gave me a good-natured eye roll. "You have asked me that at least a dozen times now."

"And I will continue asking you and then, when you are at school, I will pester you with letters every day."

Samuel's eyes narrowed at my declaration. The corner of his lips twitched, as though fighting a remark. But rather than saying it, he instead looked to the man standing silently at my side, a rather reluctant spectator to all of our squabblings. Samuel's eyes implored Theseus to intervene. It was the only prompt the older man needed.

Theseus drew forward then, reaching out to grasp me by the arm and drawing me back to his side. He shared an exasperated look with Samuel, holding my hand steady as though he expected me to pitch forward again. Although he was managing to keep me effortlessly at his side, the steady weight of his touch was always welcome. It grounded me in a way that nothing did, if only for the fact that every gentle touch, every soft kiss was proof that this was not a dream I was using to escape a life of pain. This was real, he was real.

"It is almost time for him to go," Theseus reminded me, speaking by my ear. Then, he spoke louder, addressing his words towards Samuel, "I will ensure she doesn't write too frequently."

"Thank you." The two shared a grin. I struggled not to roll my eyes. This was perhaps the part I least favoured of their relationship; the two were more often than not pitching together against me.

When the train whistle blew, signalling the upcoming departure, Theseus released my arms once more. Grasping Samuel by the face, I lifted his head slightly and he obliged. Pressing a lingering kiss to his forehead, I embraced him, holding him steady. I expected him to fight against it, but he did not. Samuel returned the embrace, burrowing his face into the crook of my neck; he was still that young child. But, when he remembered where he was, he drew away as though wary of who could see his movements.

Holding me at arm's length, Samuel addressed his words at both Theseus and myself, "Remember, I will be back for the winter break, do not finalise any plans until then."

"Of course not," Theseus assured him, "We need you measured for your dress robes, for when you stand at my side."

"Oh." Touched, by attempting not to show it, Samuel cleared his throat and averted his eyes. "Thank you for considering me, sir."

Theseus fought a smile, "Think nothing of it. Now do remember to write."

"Of course."

There was another whistle and then Samuel was hurrying towards the train, waving as he made his way through the platform. I tried to follow him, to keep an eye on him but the crowd became far too dense for me to keep up. Straining onto my toes, I tried in vain to catch a glimpse of him.

"Come."

Grasping me by the hang again, Theseus drew me through the crowd. His towering frame easily parted the crowd, with the other families moving out of his way. Moving me before him, Theseus stirred me through the crowd by the shoulders, all the while making sure that I could see Samuel, right up until the moment he clambered onto the train. He hesitated once more, searching the platform.

My eyes locked with Samuel's and he waved a final time before turning and heading into the train. Taking in a deep breath, I reached up to put my hand on top of Theseus's, squeezing it just once. I watched in silence as the train departed the station.

"Are you alright, my love?" Theseus asked quietly, dropping a lingering kiss on the back of my head.

"In honest truth? No." Once I could no longer see the train, I turned to face Theseus, now standing so close to him that my chest brushed against him. Tilting my head up to meet his eyes, I admitted faintly, "Now that he is gone, I have no idea what to do."

"There is still a task at hand." Theseus's voice was just as soft as he reached out to tuck some of my hair behind my ear. He peered down at me steadily, taking both of my hands in his. "There is still a wedding to plan." 

____________________

Thoughts?

For some reason, I wanted to start this volume with Theseus.

The next one shot should be out on the 10th. Here are the hints:

* A model student 

* Only son

* Appointed as Prefect