Two days. That's how long it took for Rick to find out. The day after Lauren came to stay in the Cursed Pig, two men came into the bar. And not just any men. Death Eaters. 

"How can I help you gentlemen?" Rick asked cheerfully, as he always did. The men exchanged a glance and turned back to the bartender with stone cold faces. 

"We're looking for a couple of people,"the first one said. The other pulled out two pieces of paper and handed it to Rick. They were the wanted posters for Harry and Lauren. "Seen any of them?" Rick studied the photos, keeping his face emotionless. Sirius once said that if Rick didn't want you to know what he was thinking, then you would never find out. And he was right. Rick handed the poster back to them. 

"Well, I've definitely heard of him," he began, pointing to Harry's photo. "But then again, who hasn't? I don't know the girl, but her name sounds familiar. Wasn't she in an article in the Daily Prophet?" he asked. They nodded. 

"About three years ago. The two of them had some sort of scandal or something." the Death Eater said. 

"Ah, that's it. She looks awfully young to be so dangerous. I'll keep a look out for them though."he promised. The Death Eater stared at him for a moment. 

"Alright, well, Permission to hang up some of these for other people to see?" he said mockingly. Rick smiled.

 "Granted. Anything else I can do for you?"he questioned. 

"No,"they replied. After hanging up the posters, they left. As soon as they were gone, Rick grabbed one of the posters of Lauren and marched into the back room. 

"Did you know about this?!"he demanded, throwing the paper at her. Lauren picked it up and studied it. She slowly looked up at Rick. 

"I knew they wanted me, but I didn't know that they'd go this far." she confessed. Rick pressed his forehead against the wall and sighed, shaking his head. 

"Lauren..."he began. 

"You don't have to tell me," she insisted. "I'll be gone by tomorrow morning. I promise." Rick stared at her with rue filled eyes. 

"Sirius will kill me if he finds out I made you leave." She smiled at him. 

"Don't tell him them. Just give him this."she said, handing him a thick envelope with Sirius's name written on it. Rick took it and smiled at her. 

"Be careful."

"I always am."

Meanwhile, at Hogwarts.....

Colin sat at breakfast, staring at his food. He had barely eaten anything since Lauren left. Across from him Marian was reading a letter, looking more and more confused by the second. Finally, he had to ask.

 "What is it?"Colin questioned. 

"This letter from my mum,"she said. "It doesn't make any sense. Here, see for yourself." She handed Colin the letter. It read,

Dear Marian,

I hope you are having much fun. I know I am. Every long day. Did you remember not to smile in your favorite circle? I hope so. 

-Mum

Colin frowned. A memory tugged in his head. Suddenly, it clicked. He remembered, years ago when Lauren had told him about a code the order used to send hidden messages. They had written some letters in a different way and those letters spelt out the message. 

"What do you think?" Marian asked. Colin whipped out a pencil and paper. 

"I think,"he said while decoding the message. "That this letter isn't from your mum." Marian frowned. 

"What do you mean?" Colin handed her the decoded letter. 

Dear Marian,

I am fine.

-Lauren :)

"How did you know she put a smiley face? And why would she bother to add that?"Marian asked. Colin grinned. He thought about the notes he and Lauren had passed back and forth. Every one was signed with a smiley face. She had added it to comfort him, to let him know that she was truly alright. That's my Lauren, he thought.

The Next Day....

Just as Lauren had predicted, Sirius went to the Cursed Pig. He was swallowed by grief and he needed a pick-me-up. But as he sat down at the counter, Rick looked suspiciously guilty. 

"Hey Rick," Sirius said. And, for the first time ever, Rick handed him a menu. "Rick, I've been coming here for 15 years. I don't need a menu." Sirius sighed. Rick looked him dead in the eye. 

"Open the menu." he ordered. Sirius opened the menu and found a thick envelope inside. The name on the outside was written in Lauren's handwriting. He gasped and quickly slipped it into his pocket. 

"Where did you get this?"he demanded. Rick looked around casually and whispered 

"I had a visitor a couple days ago. She insisted I deliver that." Sirius nodded and thanked him, leaving the bar. At his house he tore open the envelope and read it. One sentence stuck out more than all the others she had written.

I'm sorry, I was wrong. It wasn't your fault. It never was and it never will be.