Bill's Bill

Chapter 18: A Set Up

Minister of Magic's Office Tuesday 9:40 PM

Hermione and Kingsley met in the hallway outside his office. During the Battle of the Seven Potters, Hermione and Kingsley flew together on a thestral. Kingsley had flown like a quidditch star, outmaneuvered Death Eaters twice his size, and displayed his terrifying hard-earned skill as an Auror all whilst sitting squeezed against a terrified Hermione on the back of an invisible flying horse.

Kingsley had earned Hermione's eternal respect and devotion that day, however, nothing compared to the look on his face now. Kingsley Shacklebolt was terrifying when he was in Auror-mode. His jaw tight and his shoulders broad, Kingsley Shacklebolt looked like a harbinger of Death and Hermione was doing her damn best not to shrink away from him in fear.

He was flanked by ten aurors, his companions so silent Hermione had almost missed them. I guess there was a reason they were called the 'silent guard.' Hermione rarely saw them, even though she knew they were always with Kingsley no matter if he was at home or in his office.

The group shifted into a V and began approaching Pamela's desk. Hermione was subtly pushed to the rear, two additional Aurors at her side. She strained her neck, but she was unable to see over Kingsley's raised shoulders. If Pamela was here and Greyback…

Images of Lavender Brown's mutilated body filled Hermione's mind as fear overtook her body. "Please not Pam, not sweet Pam," she whispered to herself. She should have been at the office filing the junction for the Wizengamot and Pam, kind innocent Pam should have been at home.

Hermione's mind raced through different scenarios in which Pam was not in her office, though she knew the Aurors had already cleared the entire Ministry and Hermione herself checked the loo.

Please let her be stunned behind her desk. Please let the spy have been Travers. Please let him have been alone.

Hermione's prayers to every known and unknown deity came to an abrupt halt when she saw Kingsley's shoulders harden when he was within view of Pam's desk.

"No," she breathed. Grief took hold of Hermione and she froze.

Kingsley, being the trained Auror he was continued his assault regardless of the palpable grief in the room that was felt by all. He signaled two of his fingers to the Aurors around him. They fanned out, covering every possible exit and sealing Kingsley's adjoining entertaining suite.

"Hermione, I need you to stay back," he whispered when she approached. "We don't know what's behind that door."

"Kingsley, you need me to release the runes. We set them together because we needed the two timed protection, in case you weren't near your wand when the alarm was triggered." Kingsley nodded and Hermione raised her wand. There was a loud clanking from behind the door and Hermione stumbled earning a hiss from the Auror behind her who caught her elbow.

"Hermione, I need you to… if Pam…" Kingsley's voice shook though if it was in fear or anger she wasn't sure. His voice did not at all reflected the predatory gaze in his black stormy eyes and the hardened stance of his body.

"I'll release the runes and go straight to Pam." She promised, knowing that it was unlikely Hermione could do anything if Greyback was involved and that if Pam could be saved they would need top healers and not a solicitor that always carried dittany in her pocket.

The charm visibly shook the door frame as the traitor attempted to break free of the sticking charm. Senior Auror Torren arrived with a second group behind Hermione and although she could not see him, she could smell Ron's cologne and it calmed her.

She met Kingsley's eye and he motioned three fingers towards the door and then again as a countdown. She nodded back and Hermione and Kingsley let the runes fall as they rushed forward into the room in carefully calculated steps.

Hermione's heart squeezed when a quick cursory glance of the room showed no sign of Pam. She took a step forward but found two Aurors standing in front of her, ready to put their lives down for hers. It was a humbling thought that grounded her and brought her back to the situation they were in.

While all fifteen Wizards and Witches were sending stunning spells, Hermione was glad she had the presence of mind to set up a bubble charm to protect the intruder when she set up the wards initially. Ten Stupefys could put someone in a permanent coma in the best case scenario.

Amid the shouting and the blinding red streaks of light, Hermione heard a terrified high pitched scream. It was definitely not the scream of Greyback or any Death Eater she had heard of. Kingsley must have heard it as well because he waved his hand knocking all his Aurors to their feet. To their credit, they got back on their feet immediately but none as fast as Auror Torren.

"STOP!" The Minister of Magic roared.

Everyone froze, including the huddled trembling figure, with one hand holding onto Kingsley's desk for dear life. Kingsley hurried over despite the protests from every Auror in the room. As he passed Hermione, she heard him mumble.

"- for damn straight, I know that voice."

Kneeling down several feet in front of the trembling figure, he whispered. "Is that you?"

The lump of clothing nodded its head. Its actual face turned towards the desk, effectively obscuring its facial features. Hermione noted that its wand was lying uselessly by its feet, too far to be reached by the spy. Hermione was glad she had used the disarming charm George had invented when setting the trap. An armed foe stuck in a trap was a deadly one.

The lump slowly started to shift towards Kingsley and Hermione zeroed in on the other hand that was gripped around a very familiar elephant. Hermione sent a petrifying spell before Kingsley reached the intruder.

"Hermione!" he shouted.

"Look into her left-hand Kings, whoever it is, is holding the elephant." Kings face went white as he stumbled backward. Hermione and Gabriella slowly moved forward, the other Aurors having already cleared the room and now stood around with no idea what to do as the scene unfolded.

"But… why?" Kingsley asked in shock. The famed ex-Auror and now Minister, the man who was a champion of masks, had let his delicately assembled composure fall as he stared at the spy in a look that could only be described as heartbreak and complete and total shock.

Hermione looked at Kingsley in confusion. Why was he so broken up over the spy? Did he know him or, most likely her? Had Rebecca Fawley, the suspended Wizengamot found a way into Kingsley's office?

Hermione reached Kingsley's side and like her mentor, froze at the sight in front of her. Gabriella Torren walked out from behind Hermione to see what the commotion was about. She had the same reaction when she joined the two of them, however, she had an easier time vocalizing her thoughts.

"Well, fuck me stupid. This is going to be a mess."

Reminiscent of Neville Longbottom in Hermione's first year, frozen as solid as cardboard and a face full of fear was Pamela.

Diagon Alley - August of 1998

Kingsley Shacklebolt walked passed number twenty-four Diagon Alley for the third time in the last ten minutes. The large brown and gold sign indicated that Adelaide's Apothecary was open for business, however, Kingsley Shacklebolt, the newly minted Minister of Magic couldn't bring himself to walk in her doors.

It wasn't the first day he obsessively walked by the store. It was actually the fourth time that week. He was a coward. A bloody coward. What kind of coward couldn't walk into an apothecary? All he had to do was walk in there! He didn't have to say anything or-

"Mr. Minister?" Kingsley turned around and almost had to shield his eyes from the riot of colors emanating from Luna Lovegood. Her bright orange robes were thrown over a tye-dye shirt and yellow sunflower peasant skirt. Her hair hung down her back but was pulled back by a crown made up of brightly colored… teeth?

Ironically, the only conventionally normal thing in her ensemble was her trademark radish earrings. An item she had repeatedly offered to make him. She had mentioned that they attracted some mythical creature but Kingsley was very sure whatever the creature was, it didn't exist.

"Ms. Lovegood, how are you?"

"Quite well, though I don't believe you feel the same."

"Oh?" Kingsley's stomach was doing a painful dance as it attempted to free itself from his body. It had been an all morning affair, walking back and forth in front of number twenty-four Diagon Alley. Honestly, he was a fully grown wizard who should have been able to walk into any store when he wanted to! If he happened to catch a glimpse of a certain witch that worked inside the store, it would be all the better.

"The Wrackspurts are nesting on your head, it must be terribly distracting," Luna replied sadly.

"Oh."

"What's a Wrackspurt?" Came a light silvery voice that made Kingsley's heart stop. He knew the owner of the voice, as he had come to know it better than his own. Her giggle was soft like small tinkling bells, hung on a door in a summer home by the ocean. Her steps were soft like a small child's pitter-pattering footsteps, they matched her tiny frame and resembled what Kingsley imagined a princess would look like. She was pretty small, especially compared to Kingsley. He often he sat up at night and wondered what she smelled like. Wondered what it would be like to draw her into his chest and nestle his face in her shiny ebony hair. And just breathe.

She came to his office every Tuesday at eleven o'clock for lunch with her roommate. No matter how hard he tried, Kingsley spent from eleven to noon every Tuesday listening to her giggle and whisper to her friend. Sometimes he would gather his courage and walk out of his office, passing the two girls. They would smile and wave but never had he been introduced.

Kingsley's mum always told him that love was all-encompassing. It was your first thought when you woke and your last thought before you fell asleep. Most of his life, Kingsley thought his mum was wrong. Love was fleeting, like ships in a dock. You both meet and if you can make your ship sail long enough side by side without crashing, well then you might consider starting a lifelong voyage together.

He was wrong. So very very wrong. Often when Kingsley woke up, he could swear he heard her giggling in his empty home. He had been dreaming of her for so long, he couldn't remember a time when he dreamt of anything else. Often they were innocent enough dreams, laughing whilst making breakfast for each other, spending the day at the beach, or sitting and having dinner together while they discussed their days. Sometimes the dreams really weren't innocent and Kingsley found himself blushing around her roommate when he finally made it into work that day.

"Oh, hello. I'm-"

"We've met, Luna. At the effort to clean up Hogwarts, remember?" Kingsley turned in time to see a delicate flush creep up the object of his sleepless night's cheeks as they met eyes. She was wearing her green robes and pink shoes today. Was it really Tuesday? Or maybe she decided to switch up her routine?

"I'm going to get some ice cream," Luna said brightly. "The two of you look very uncomfortable. Have a pleasant day." With that Luna floated away as if she hadn't been there in the first place. The two watched her receding orange robes and Kingsley noticed, belatedly, that she was wearing two different colored trainers.

"I really love that pink converse she was wearing. I wonder where she got it." If it had been anyone else Kingsley would have scolded them for poking fun. With her, Kingsley knew she was being serious. She liked muted shades and despite the other riotous colors that made up Luna's outfit her blue and pink trainers were light in their color tone.

"I know she likes to shop in Muggle London with Hermione Granger. I could ask if you would like."

"Could you?" She clapped her hands together in a display of almost childish delight. Her eyes were wide and smile transformed her already beautiful face. It was enough to take Kingsley's breath away.

"It would be my pleasure. I can give it to Samantha when you come on for lunch on Tuesday."

"Oh, have we met? You look familiar but I can't place you." Kingsley extended his hand in greeting. She reached out to shake it and Kingsley was pleased to find her grip was firm but her hands soft.

"Kingsley Shacklebolt." Her smile froze and she withdrew her hand immediately pulling it close to her chest. No. No. No. That was not how it was supposed to go. She was supposed to smile and introduce herself. No. No. No.

"You're the Minister of Magic?" She gulped. Profanity threatened to spew from his mouth as his mind raced through every way to save this moment. Humor, Sirius used to use humor to pick up birds even after he was an escaped convict from Azkaban.

"Yeah, tell that to my neighbor. Maybe she'll stop making me come round to de-gnome her garden once a week."

She lifted her hand from her chest and covered her mouth. Kingsley was nervous she was going to cry when all at once she burst into a fit of giggles worthy of an angel's choir. When her laughter finally subsided and her tears had been wiped from her eyes, she asked.

"Do you really de-gnome your neighbor's garden?" He nodded, his pride swollen from being the one to make her laugh. She was as curious as she was beautiful, it was something he learned from eavesdropping on her conversations with his secretary, Samantha. "But… but you're an Auror. You fought You Know Who!"

"Honestly, my neighbor scares me more than You Know Who. I live in constant fear of the day she bakes for me again." She giggled again and Kingsley wondered what it would be like to wake up to her laughter every day.

She was about to respond when her wand made a short buzzing noise. "Sorry, I'm needed at home. It was an honor meeting you, Mr. Minister."

"I'll have the answer on Tuesday." He promised, not entirely liking that she wasn't using his given name.

"I couldn't bother the Minister of Magic, really." She gasped.

"It would be my pleasure, Miss." They went back and forth for several moments until he wore her down.

"Only if you're sure it's not a bother, Mr. Minister."

"It would be my pleasure. Please, call me Kingsley."

"I couldn't possibly, Mr. Minister!"

"What about Mr. Shacklebolt?" She looked around nervously as if she was scared she was going to be caught using his surname. Baby steps. He would start with his last name and work up to his first name.

"Alright, I cave." She said throwing her hands up in the air. "I'm Pamela Sitnick by the way, a pleasure to meet you Mr. Min- I mean Mr. Shacklebolt."

The young witch hurried off unaware of how off-kilter she had thrown the Minister of Magic's world. Kingsley skipped all the way back to the Ministry and proceeded to give his secretary, with extraordinary taste in friends, off the rest of the day. If Samantha thought there was something wrong she didn't mention it.

After two months of strategically planning his week so that he was free every Tuesday at eleven, he was ready. He was going to ask Pam out. He could do it. He had gone out the night before and got liquid encouragement from his mates and then his Floo called his sister, Audrey. He was still embarrassed about that. What thirty years old drunkenly Floo calls their little sister to ask permission to ask a witch on a date?

After a particularly strong hangover potion and changing his robes three separate times, Kingsley came to the office. He smiled and went into his Tuesday morning nine-thirty, with more chipperness and energy than all other thirty-three people in the meeting combined. When the meeting was over an hour later, he hurried back to his office. Half an hour and then she would be in his office.

He had the entire scenario planned out for at least two weeks. He was going to send Samantha on an errand to get a judiciary report from a 1901 Crumpled Horned Snorkack incident from the clerk's office at ten to eleven. He happened to know that the file was actually several boxes and due to their fragility could not have magic used on them. They would have to be walked up via several trips in the lifts.

That would give him until at least eleven twenty, in case Pam was running late he would still have time to ask her. If she was really running late he was planning on begging sweet Samantha to bring him a coffee on her last trip up. There were eleven boxes, though. He should have more than enough time.

He had imagined how he was going to ask out Pam since the first time they met. He was running late for a Wizengamot hearing when she asked him directions for the lifts. He ended up taking her all the way to the lifts, listening to her chatter how her flatmate worked for the Minister of Magic and what an honor it was to work for someone who fought bravely in the war.

She hadn't realized he was, in fact, the Minister of Magic, as he had just returned from an Azkaban inspection and was wearing Azkaban issued Auror robes, rather than his usual Minister robes. After she was safely in the lift, he forgot all about the Wizengamot and stormed into Ian's office. Ian choked on his coffee when Kingsley demanded he go upstairs and do recon on the beautiful girl in the elevator.

Ian laughed at him for over a month. It was worth it though. His whole body was attuned to the tiny witch. Even his heart started beating to the sound of Pam's laughter-

"Kingsley, could I have a word?" Kingsley looked up from his desk. When had he gotten back in his office? He glanced at the clock. Shite, it was ten-fifty.

"Sure, Sam I was actually about to ask you if you could get the 1901 Crumpled Horned Snorkack incident files from the filing office. I sent a notice ahead this morning."

She nodded and scribbled it down on a piece of paper. For the first time since he had started working with Samantha, she looked uncomfortable and if possible of an Irish girl, paler than usual. "Samantha, is everything alright? You look… pale. Do you need to go home? I can apparate for you if you don't feel well enough."

"I… Kingsley, I wasn't completely honest as to why I took off work yesterday."

"Oh." The clock was ticking and Kingsley found himself only half listening. What about his plan?

"I was at Saint Mungos, but I'm not unwell." Kingsley raised an eyebrow. What the buggering hell was she talking about? "I needed to confirm some tests. I… I already spoke to Heather in HR and-"

"Are you quitting?" Kingsley stood in alarm. She definitely had his attention now. Pam was not forgotten but shelved for the moment.

Had he been a bad superior? She had been coming to work a tad late in the morning but he hadn't said anything, had he? No, he would have remembered. There wasn't much for her to do bright and early in the mornings and it wasn't completely out of hand. Should he have reprimanded her?

"No, please calm down Kingsley. You've… you've met my parents." Kingsley took a good look at his secretary. Her eyes were rimmed with bags from a severe lack of sleep and her clothes didn't sit right on her. They were baggy and while she looked ill, Kingsley knew she wasn't. He remembered when Audrey looked just like this and immediately he understood why she was so unhappy.

"We grew up two blocks away from each other, Samantha." What else was he supposed to say? She would tell him when she was ready.

He knew why she was hiding it. Everyone knew Samantha's father had a temper and her mother was as snooty as a Pureblood was, without having the family tree to back it. The couple hated muggleborns and supposed blood traitors as much as any actual Pureblood family. Remarkably, they hadn't been involved with Voldemort. Kingsley knew, he had them thoroughly investigated. "Is something wrong, Sam? You can tell me anything you know that right?"

Samantha, stoic and tough Samantha burst into tears. She buried her head in her hands as Kingsley hurried around the desk to comfort her. He spent several minutes attempting to calm her down, Pamela now completely forgotten. After summoning tea and some biscuits she kept in the top drawer of her desk, he was able to calm her enough to speak.

"What happened? Is it your father? The Aurors will arrest him before you-"

"No, it's not. He hasn't done anything yet, Kingsley."

"But you're scared he will?" she nodded, her eyes large on her pale and gaunt face. "Can you tell me what you think will make him so angry?"

"Do you remember the Friday lunch place?"

"The muggle fish and chips restaurant in muggle London?"

"Yes, it's a small business run by two brothers, Mark and Ethan. Ethan and I… we…"

"Got on?"

"Yeah. He's sweet and kind and he makes me laugh so much Kingsley. I… I feel like I can hear him guiding me through my nightmares. The ones from the war. It's like he's my guardian angel."

Kingsley hung his head. "Your father won't approve."

"No." she laughed bitterly. "No, he won't. Not that it matters anymore."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm pregnant Kingsley. I… he took me to a muggle Healer on Friday. They confirmed it. I went to Saint Mungos with Pam yesterday to be sure."

Kingsley was stunned into silence. His first thought was just how good those fish and chips were. It was quickly doused with worry for his childhood friend.

"Well first off, stand up so I can give you a proper hug."

"Hug?"

"Well, how else am I supposed to congratulate you on becoming a mum?!" Samantha threw herself into Kingsley's arms her tears forgotten and a huge smile across her face.

"I have a picture. Muggles can take pictures of the babies inside your body. Do you want to see?" Kingsley nodded as she pulled out a small white picture from the pocket of her robes. It was grey with two large black beans amidst a black sea of static. Kingsley knew it was a sonogram. He had all of Audrey's. "See those two black beans? Twins."

Kingsley beamed and swung her around before promptly setting her down. "Oops. That's probably not healthy for the baby."

Samantha giggled. "Yeah, Ethan's mum is a midwife and she wants me to move into their home and rest more. I was able to explain parts of the situation to her. Told her my father was a religious fanatic and he was going to kick me out of the house when he found out."

"What did she say?"

"She asked Ethan when he was going to propose and wanted to know when I could move in. She's great really. Reminds me of your mum if I'm being honest."

"So kind, nurturing, and loving?"

"And everything my mum isn't." Kingsley chuckled as he poured her another cup of tea. Samantha carefully stowed the picture back in her pocket. "I've been making arrangements. The muggle Healers want me to be on bed rest. They think my body will need more time to adjust, what with me carrying twins and all."

"Don't worry about a thing Samantha, just take care of you and those two little tykes there."

"I can't leave you stranded Kingsley. I spoke with Heather about a replacement yesterday. She met with her this morning and has been vetting her references ever since. Honestly, though, Hermione Granger sent her a reference letter so I can't see them not accepting her."

Hermione and Pam went out for drinks on Sunday after Hermione stayed at Pam's because her place was being fumigated.

No. No. No. Please, not her. Anyone but her. Not-

"Pam's really excited. She got canned from the apothecary last week so she was looking for work…" Whatever Samantha was saying was completely lost on Kingsley. Pam was going to working for him. Pam, sweet sweet Pam was going to be his subordinate. He couldn't have a relationship with her unless he fired her or had her moved to another department. If he did that everyone would suspect they were together while she worked for him.

Kingsley felt his heart actually sink through his chest and pass into his stomach. Pam was so close and now she was gone. He wouldn't… Should he have asked her earlier? That day at Diagon?

"... she really does know the job better than anyone else. I mean she was my roommate since after the war. Kingsley? Kingsley, are you listening?"

"Yes." His voice sounded hollow and empty, much like chest. "When is she starting?"

"I'm going to start training her tomorrow, Kingsley. I'll owl you pictures from my next sonogram at the muggle healer?"

"Yes, please. I also want the address to your new home. I'm going to station an Auror guard there for the next eleven months. I'm also putting you on a high-risk target list. Can you cast a Patronus?"

"No, and that was without crazy pregnancy hormones."

"Weasley Wizarding Wheezes makes a Patronus charm bracelet. I'll have George send one over. Please take care of yourself, Samantha, it's not just you anymore."

"Oh, I'm going to miss you Kingsley Shacklebolt," Sam murmured as she hugged Kingsley tightly "Promise you'll come to visit?"

Kingsley made his promises and then he stumbled into Ian's office to deliver the news. Being the good friend Ian was, he rubbed his shoulders in sympathy and the two made plans to meet up later at Ian's house. Ian spent the afternoon setting up Samantha's extra security and then met Kingsley in his flat. As Kingsley stumbled home later that night, his eyes hit the pillow and his last thought was that he finally recognized what she smelled like. Pie. Pam smelled like apple pie.

Kingsley Shacklebolt was in hell, literal hell.

That was the last night he slept properly. The first day was hard, much harder than he thought it would be. It was like breaking up with someone and then being forced to see them every day. Except, as Ian kept reminding him, they had never been in a relationship and she had no idea what the smell of her cucumber melon hair shampoo did to his heart every time she walked into his office.

Despite the misery she bestowed on his heart, she was a good assistant and did everything that was asked of her. During her second week, Kingsley spent half an hour after her lunch break looking for her. He finally found her in the DMLE training room surrounded by Aurors in middle of a practice drill.

Kingsley almost had a heart attack. He had to use every single bit of his willpower not curse every single Auror that had wands pointed at her in the room.

The door framed to the Head Auror's office rattled as he slammed it shut. Ian threw up the silencing charms he knew as soon as he saw Kingsley's face. "What in the actual fuck, Ian?!"

"She's your assistant Kingsley. You are a prime target for rogue Death Eaters or terrorists. She has to know how to protect herself, in case she is attacked for the job she keeps." Kingsley saw red and then he was temporarily possessed by a berserker. It was the only reason he could explain picking up one of his oldest and closest friends by the collar and smashing them into a wall.

It had taken a bit of coaching on Ian's part to calm him down. Eventually, he was able to breathe without wanting to break everything within reach.

"Are you composed, Kingsley? You can't leave the office unless-"

"I'm fine Ian. You are right, she needs to be trained. I can't do it. You have to do it."

"I am trying, Kingsley. It's what I was doing before you came barging in here and-"

"No." he snarled. "You train her, personally. I want your word."

Ian gave his word and Kingsley swallowed his tongue and returned to his office. He clenched his fists under his desk until they bled and plastered a smile on his face when she checked in at the end of the day. He had spent hours stewing, staring at his bookshelves.

He went home that night ready to go to sleep and forget the entire day. Swallowing miserably, he doubled the suggested amount of sleeping draught and got into bed but sleep would not come. His mind was a mess of thoughts of her and how she brandished her wand at the Aurors. Her small dainty wrists quick but not fast enough to outmaneuver her three opponents. Hell, they weren't fast enough to outmaneuver one.

At about five thirty in the morning he finally dozed off but his sleep was anything but peaceful. He dreamed of Luna in her colorful clothes right before they formally met. He turned to look at Pam, but when he did he was transported into a dark forest. There were screams and blood everywhere. He was searching for something, for someone.

He could hear the voice that was holding his heart captive in not just his dreams but in the waking world as well. She wasn't singing or laughing, though. She was screaming. Not just any scream, a scream that curdled one's blood and made their hair stand on end. A scream that spoke of death and misery and the loss of will to survive. The voice that once enchanted his dreams was now haunting them, gnawing at his psyche.

His legs took off towards the direction of her voice. He tumbled over tree roots, his wand sending shields and hexes out into the wilderness. He needed to find her voice. He needed to help her before it was too late. Her screams stopped abruptly and Kingsley felt his blood run cold. A loud howl pierced the silence. Kingsley looked up at the shining moon. Greyback.

He took off running towards her direction. There was a shout and a dark mark filled the air in the direction he was running. No. No. No.

He stopped running when he made it into a clearing, it overlooked a small town below it. The normally peacefully wizarding town was in flames. Unmoving bodies littered the cobblestone streets while a creature prowled towards the northwest quadrant. He vaguely heard someone shouting orders behind him, or was it him? Had he brought back up?

His shoulders were tense as he stealthily snuck into the town. There was just so much blood and death. He needed to find her. The girl with the scream. She had to be alive. He knew it in his bones. He was scaling the side of the burned out pub when he found her. Her face was smeared with dirt, her black hair limp and clotted with a red gooey substance he knew to be blood. Her pink and purple polka dotted pajamas were torn and her grey robes were barely visible, they were caked with so much blood and dirt. She was barefoot and hugging her knees in terror murmuring to herself.

Greyback howled and she screamed again. Kingsley wanted to rush forward but he was frozen on his spot. Why wasn't he moving? She was in danger! Her screams ceased as she fell face forward onto the ground.

Kingsley ran towards her but it was no help, he was swallowed by blackness as he screamed her name. He whirled around looking for her but all he saw as Luna. Luna Lovegood in her colorfully odd clothes, looking clean and serene as she always did. Confused, he reached forward but he was transported back to the forest.

The dream had reset itself and Kingsley watched himself lose her over and over again.

This is my favorite chapter by far. This was my favorite ship of the story. -C