After opening all of our presents, the eight of us sat down for breakfast, cooked to perfection by Alma.

I had received packages from Lily and Marlene, and Alice and Frank. Jolie had gotten me a silver locket, with a rose etched beautifully onto the front of it. Sirius got me a cool, color block, corduroy jacket, that was absolutely amazing. Remus got me a stack of first edition books, and addressed them to Mrs. Prongs. Regulus got me an assortment of coffee, each from a different country, and a new mug.

My mother and father in law gave me a hand-knitted sweater, in royal blue with a golden D letter, and had given James and me some money.

Molly Weasley had gotten Euphemia hooked on knitting.

Lastly, James got me a sterling silver bracelet with a ruby pendant, and a star map from the date of our wedding.

We all sat happily around the table, chatting away about tonight's party. Some of our friends were coming, which was exciting since James and I hadn't seen any of them since our wedding.

The table contained a spread of food, with everything from bacon and eggs to crepes and pancakes. My plate was piled high with crepes, fruit, and bacon.

It was a good Christmas, even if I hadn't heard anything from my family.

The morning went off smoothly, and most of us spent the better part of the day lounging around, looking for things to busy ourselves with.

James and Sirius went outside to fly on their brooms, despite the cold temperature and the snow.

Jolie went upstairs to write to her family, and to thank them for the gifts, and Regulus tagged along, presumably because he didn't want to get roped into cleaning.

Remus and I were tidying up the living room for the party, talking away. We were laughing at my cat, Romeo, as he pawed at the wrapping paper, throwing it up in the air and rolling on it.

There was a sharp rap on the window, scaring Romeo, and sending him flying up the stairs, probably to hide under someone's bed.

I quickly looked over at the window and saw an owl flying just outside the window, tapping its beak on the window pane. There was parchment attached to its leg.

Realizing whose owl it was, I ran over to the window and opened it.

My family's owl, Khione, flew in the window and perched herself on the windowsill. She ruffled her feathers and stuck her leg out for me to untie the parchment.

Not waiting for me to read it, or to write back, Khione gave a hoot and flew back into the sky, quickly disappearing out of my sight just as quickly as she had appeared.

Remus was standing behind me anxiously, "Is that from your parents?"

I looked down at the handwriting on the envelope, "No, it's Bea's."

"So they didn't forget about you?"

I shrugged, "I guess not."

I pealed off the wax seal of the envelope carefully and pulled out the letter inside.

Daphne,

Our father was working late last night and never came home. We had someone from the Ministry come by this morning to tell us that on his way home from work last night, dad was attacked and killed on the spot.

His body was found late last night, and identified this morning.

I'm so sorry to have to say this in a letter, especially on Christmas, but dad is dead and you need to come home. Mum is losing it, and Henry won't get up from where he was sitting when we were informed.

I need you, please come home as soon as possible.

Bea

I read the letter over at least three times before I began to process it. My knees buckled and I fell to the floor, clutching the letter so tightly that the parchment ripped.

Remus caught me, and lowered me to the floor, his honey eyes filled with concern.

I pulled my knees up to my chest and let the sobbing begin.

Remus kept trying to talk to me, but I felt as if I couldn't hear him. The world around me went silent, and all I could hear was the ringing of my own ears.

I let Remus pry the letter out of my hands, quickly scan it over, and yell for someone.

Jolie and Regulus came running down the stairs, their faces etched with concern. Remus said something to Regulus, and he ran out the door to get James and Sirius.

Euphemia emerged from the ballroom, followed by Fleamont.

Within a matter of minutes, I was surrounded by people. I knew they were talking, and talking to me, but I couldn't say anything back or comprehend anything.

James came running into the living room, his face flushed from the cold, his broom in his hand, and his boots covered in snow.

Remus moved aside from me, making room for James to kneel down beside me. Without even asking questions, James wrapped his arms around me, and I leaned my head onto his shoulder, letting the tears fall freely from my eyes, and the sobs escape my mouth.

I registered Fleamont returning, with a vile in his hand, saying something to his wife.

"She's having a panic attack, she needs to sleep."

"What about what her sister said?"

"I'll write back to Beatrice, she needs to calm down first."

"Daphne, breathe."

The voices coming from those that I love came flooding in all at once, flooding my senses.

James loosened his grip on me, just long enough to grab the vile from his father. His eyes reflected the pain that I was feeling, almost as if his heart was breaking for me.

"Daph-," James mumbled, "Please drink this."

I nodded through my tears, and let James press the vile to my lips, and pour the potion into my mouth.

The last thing I saw before my eyes closed was all of my loved ones bearing looks of utter pain.

• • • • •

When I woke, nearly twenty hours later, James was sitting on our bed beside me holding my hand tightly. He was muttered something under his breath.

"James-,"

His head shot up, and his eyes met mine. James had been crying, but right now his eyes were full of relief.

My voice was rough from dehydration, caused by the crying and being asleep for almost a day.

"My dad-, he's dead?"

James tightened his grip on my hand, "Yes-, he is."

I sat up in bed, the comforter falling down to my waist. Someone had changed my clothes into something more comfortable.

"I need to go," I announced, "Beatrice and Henry need me."

James placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, "Hey, hey, don't worry. You can go see them, but let's get some food and water into you, they can wait a few more hours."

I nodded, my head pounding as a million different thoughts ran through my head.

"I wrote back to Beatrice," James added, "I told her what happened, and she's got it under control, and said to take your time."

"Will you come with me?" I whispered. "I don't want to go alone."

James nodded, "Of course, I'm your husband, I will always be there for you."

I gulped, "When's the funeral?"

"It's tomorrow."

I got out of bed quickly, too quickly. The lack of food and water caused the room to blur as I stood up, but James was there to steady me.

We headed to the kitchen, where we found everyone else seated or standing around the island.

Jolie stood quickly and pulled me into a tight hug. I instinctively hugged her back.

"I was so worried," Jolie whispered.

I pulled away from the hug, "I'm sorry for scaring you."

Euphemia smiled at me sadly, "Are you hungry? I can make you whatever sounds good."

"I-, I'll just have some toast with marmalade and butter," I replied softly, "And some water."

Euphemia nodded at me and began to busy herself with making toast.

Sirius kissed me on the forehead, "I'm so sorry, Vixen."

I smiled sadly, "Me too."

Regulus got me a glass of water and handed it to me with yet another sad smile.

"Thank you," I mumbled.

Remus's face was indifferent as he gazed at me. "Let's go talk," He said softly as he hugged me."

I nodded, and followed Remus into the living room. He sat down on the couch, and I sat down beside him. Memories of the last time I was in this living room came flooding back, but were quickly pushed aside as Remus spoke.

"How are you?" He asked.

I shrugged, "I don't know, I feel kind of numb. It hasn't set in yet."

"I'm sorry, Daphne, I really am."

"I don't even know what to do," I whispered.

"Welcome to the dead parents club," Remus stated, "I'm truly sorry that you're a part of the club now, but I know that most people don't understand-,"

I interrupted, "They pity us, and I hate being pitied."

"Exactly," Remus replied, "But I just want you to know that I'm here for you, I always have been, and I always will."

I kissed Remus on the cheek, "Thank you, Moony. I love you."

Remus grinned at me, "I love you too, Vixen."

• • • • •

Beaufort Manor, Scotland

I stepped out of the fireplace and into my old home. The living room was the same, and the house felt familiar, but it was no longer home.

It hasn't been for awhile.

Just as James stepped out of the fireplace behind me with our trunks, Beatrice came into the living room.

My not-so little sister smiled at me before running into my arms. She was as tall as me now, but I still think of her as a child.

Seeing her with dark circles under her eyes, a baggy jumper, pajama pants, messy hair, and red eyes from crying made me realize that she's all grown up.

Beatrice looked different than she did a week ago, but that's what grief does to a person.

When Beatrice and I finally parted, I could really see up close how much she was struggling.

"How are you?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

"Better than Henry and mum."

I nodded, "And Sebastian knows?"

"I wrote him as well," Beatrice replied, "He hasn't been able to get out of work, but he was able to get tomorrow off for the funeral."

James stood behind me silently. He didn't need to speak, his presence just made me feel better.

"Hey James," Beatrice said, "Good to see you again, but not good circumstances."

James agreed, "Yes, is there anything I can do?"

"Can you cook?"

James nodded.

"Can you cook lunch? None of us have been eating
much," Beatrice admitted.

James nodded again and disappeared into the kitchen, leaving our trunks in the middle of the living room.

"Where's Henry?" I asked, trying my best to keep my voice steady.

Beatrice started up the stairs, "I finally got him to lie down last night, he wouldn't get up off of the couch."

I followed Beatrice up the stairs and into Henry's bedroom.

The curtains were drawn, the lights were off, and the only light in the room came from a single candle in a wall sconce.

When my eyes adjusted to the light, I was able to make out Henry on his bed. He was laying on top of his blankets, staring at the old glow in the dark stars on his ceiling.

"Henry?"

My brother didn't even flinch at the sound of my voice. I saw the steady rise and fall of his chest as he breathed, and took a step towards him.

"He's dead."

Beatrice flinched at Henry's words.

I sat down on the edge of Henry's bed, "Yes, he is."

Henry looked at me, his blue eyes completely empty. It looked as if the spark had gone out.

"Daphne," Henry whispered, "I'm not okay."

My eyes teared up, but I furiously blinked them away. Sebastian can't be here, which means that I'm the oldest. I'm the protector now.

"I know, Henry," I replied, "But you will be eventually. We all will be."

Henry let out a sob, and I pulled my brother into my arms, letting him cry into my shoulder as I had done yesterday.