"Mama?" said a small voice, the owner of which was no where to be seen. "Mama, is that you?" the child whispered a second time.

"Merope? Where are you?" she said, voice cracking, ending in a ragged cough.

"Mama!" the little girl whispered, emerging from the shadows in the corner of the room. She made her way carefully to her mother, keeping her steps light despite the slight limp.

"Merope, there you are." She smiled down at the little girl, the expression feeling strained. "Were you-" she broke off with another ragged cough. "Were you good today?"

"Yes, Mama," she murmured. "I was really quiet." Throughout it all, her expression had remained serious, and her eyes downcast. Perhaps there was a time when she would have been concerned to see such a young child so sombre, but that was certainly no longer the case.

"You didn't bother your father?" she asked.

"No, Mama."

"Or your brother?" Merope remained silent. "Merope?"

"But, Mama, he-"

"Merope," she said, "you know you mustn't upset your brother."

The girl nodded her head slightly, her unwashed hair falling in front of her face and hiding her still downcast eyes from view.

Her mother sighed, watching her daughter with a look filled more with pity than love.

"Let me see your leg."

.oOo.

Trembling fingers unclasped the locket from around a thin neck.

"How much can I get for this?" she croaked, holding the necklace over the counter. The man looked at her in disgust, before turning his attention to the piece of jewellery and eyeing it hungrily. She coughed, bringing the hand with the locked up to cover her mouth.

"Ten galleons," he said immediately, almost hoping she would refuse his offer and simply leave though he knew the necklace to be valuable.

"Ten?" she asked, her voice cracking, tightening her grip.

"Mmm," he agreed. He could see the curve of her child under her shapeless clothing and he might have relented, but then this woman was not his responsibility and probably had no one to blame for her predicament but herself.

She nodded, resigned, letting the locket drop to the counter, and stood, eyes downcast, as he counted ten gold coins.

She left as soon as he had handed her the money, not once looking back. He gingerly picked up the necklace, being sure to handle it as little as possible, and locked it into the storage box he kept under his desk. It would be easy enough to re-sell, once he had it cleaned.

.oOo.

"Give it to me," the boy demanded, holding his hand out and glaring at his younger sister.

"No. Mama gave it to me, so it's mine," she said, clutching the large pendant in her small fist.

"I want it," he said, stepping closer to the girl.

"No. It's mine." His eyes narrowed further and his hand shook with rage.

"I don't care. I want it." It was unclear what had happened, but there was a loud bang and the next thing either of them could remember was Merope on the floor bleeding from a large gash in her thigh.

Her brother claimed that it had been intentional, but she could still remember the look of shock and fear on his face before he had been able to hide it.

"Fine. It's worthless, anyway."