chapter 22

December 1995

Ever since Hagrid's lesson about thestrals, Hermione avoided Lilith even more than before, her two-way notebook laid forgotten on the bottom of her school trunk. She knew the logical way would be to talk it out but her pride got in the way of logic. It wasn't like she wasn't busy enough with the upcoming Christmas. Her parents wrote to her, telling her that their plan for Christmas break was skiing... which didn't really cheer her up. She didn't like skiing at all but her parents always forced it on her no matter what. So in summary, Hermione was in an emotional slump the whole month of November with no way out of it.

She finally had a chance to breathe when she slumped at the Gryffindor table for lunch. Supervising first and second years along with helping decorate the whole castle was starting to get tiring. Ron didn't understand why she sent him alone to get the details from Head Boy and Head Girl but he didn't ask which she was thankful for. She was in the middle of her lunch when an owl came flying out of nowhere, dropping an envelope right next to her plate before flying out of the Great Hall. She exchanged a look with Harry and Ron who also eyed the envelope.

"Doesn't mail usually arrive at breakfast?"

"It does." Hermione hummed as she took the envelope into her hands. She didn't recognize the handwriting on the envelope nor did she know who could write to her. Her parents already sent her a letter and their handwriting was messy and almost unrecognizable. This one was neat and elegant. She opened it, careful not to damage anything inside. After last year's hatemail, she tried to be as careful as possible. She had to blink a couple of times to make sure that what she was seeing was real but it sure was.

Hello Hermione,

I know it must be strange, for me to write to you but I thought it would be for the best. We've never truly talked properly but at least we have one thing in common. Well, one person. Lilith.

I have known Vala for nearly a decade, and even I don't know everything that's going on inside her head. The only person who truly did was Cedric. But I know one thing. I've never seen her in love... until you came along. She's head over heels for you, has been for quite some time now, and if Vala is one thing, it's loyal.

I know things may appear in one way but in her case, there is always some underlying reason. A good reason. So please, can you find it in you to try to be open for a discussion with her? I'm not asking as her friend but as her family. When she wrote to me, I could tell she was at her wit's end. She's miserable, Hermione. Please, just talk to her. Let her explain things, and if you don't find her reason good enough then at least you can break it off with a closure.

Please, just think about it.

Merry Christmas,

Fleur Delacour

Hermione gaped at the letter in shock. She certainly didn't expect Fleur to write to her, not in the slightest way imaginable. She quickly came to her senses when she spotted Ron and Harry leaning over to read it, and quickly pocketed the letter into her bookbag.

"Well, what was it?"

"My aunt," she blurted out. "She wants to know if I am going skiing with my parent during the break." she prayed that they wouldn't ask any other questions but Ron seemed satisfied by the answer and continued to eat his lunch. Harry on the other hand looked at her as if he was trying to decipher something. She shook her head, letting him know it was truly nothing but Fleur's words still played in her head on repeat. The letter was all she could think about the whole day.

Maybe it was finally time to talk to Lilith. Maybe Fleur was right and there was an underlying reason. Maybe she should've relied on logic instead of an impulse. In any way, Fleur was right. If she decided to talk to her and their talk ended in one way or another, she would at least get a closure.

She didn't even know what possessed her but her feet carried her on their own and before she knew it, she stood in front of the door to Astronomy Tower. She didn't for long she stood there, contemplating her next moves. She could turn around and walk away. But she was a coward for long enough so she pushed the door open and walked in.

Shock was written all over Lilith's face when she lifted her head and her eyes met Hermione's. She clearly didn't expect her to show up there but her expression quickly hardened as she closed her book and puffed out a cloud of smoke.

"Hi." Hermione said as she closed the door. Lilith raised an eyebrow and threw her legs over the parapet, sitting now directly across from Hermione.

"A month? You finally talk to me after a month?" she hummed and took a drag from her cigarette, her eyes boring into Hermione. "What brought you here?" Hermione bit her lip but stood her ground and pulled Fleur's letter out of her bag.

"You have very good friends." Lilith eyed the letter with a frown before looking away, letting out a small cloud of smoke.

"I didn't ask her to write to you."

"But she did," she pocketed the letter and decided to take a few steps forward. "So I want to talk."

"What about?" Hermione gripped the strap of her bookbag and looked at the ground.

"Why Greengrass? I know I didn't have much free time but... just why, Lilith?" she heard some movement so she looked up. Lilith was no longer sitting on the parapet but standing on the ground, leaning against it, rubbing her temple with her right hand.

"Hermione, you got this all wrong. There is nothing going on between me and Daphne, and if you'd let me explain it all in the first place instead of ignoring me, we could've avoided this a long time ago." she sighed and looked up. Up close Hermione could finally see the deep bags under her eyes, the tiredness finally visible to her. "She came to me because she needed my help."

"Do you two know each other?" Lilith shook her head.

"Not really." Hermione crossed her arms over her chest.

"She has friends, doesn't she? There are also teachers and her parents. Why would she come to you for help?" Lilith took a last drag from her cigarette and stubbed it out on the stone.

"You don't understand, Mione." she shook her head. "You could never understand."

"Then help me understand!" Hermione threw her arms up in the air in frustration. Lilith watched her for a little while before she nodded and took out her wand, pointed it at the door and whispered a quiet 'Muffliato' at it before pocketing it again.

"Your parents raised you with love, taught you to trust them and trust authorities. But our world doesn't work like that." she sighed and looked away from Hermione. "Do you know why the majority of the Slytherin students fear me? Because they were taught from a very young age to recognize power, to fear it, submit to it. My family is so prolific that I'm able to end a person's career or boost it with just a stroke of a quill." Hermione could feel something cold almost gripping the back of her neck. Lilith's tone was so uncharacteristically bitter. "The Sacred Twenty-Eight survived and thrived for centuries only because they enforced strict rules and set paths for their children even before they were born. If they diverged from that path, even if it was just minimally, they were cut off. The Black family is a shining example. You've seen the tapestry, haven't you?" Hermione thought back, remembering the burnt, black holes. "And it wasn't only the children. The head of the family has to present themselves to be in control. To show that they have enough power, that they are untouchable, and they rule their family with an iron fist. When that aspect starts to falter, the family pays the price." Lilith sighed. "Daphne came to me because she had no other choice." Hermione furrowed her eyebrows.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Her father is in a big trouble. He's a gambler who lost all his fortune." Lilith kicked the stone wall with her heel. "The problem is, that he's the head of their family and can't afford to be seen as weak, so he lashes out at anyone nearby." Hermione's anger started to slowly die down. "My family specializes in that field so I have a pretty good grasp on the subject. She knew that if turned to her friends, they'd use it against her as blackmail because that's what pureblood families do. If she turned to teachers, they wouldn't be able to help her. And she certainly couldn't turn to her parents when her problem was her father. So she came to me. I'm discreet, I have the expertise, and I was able to give her the best advice she could get."

"But why was she...?"

"My room is the only space at this school that I consider private enough for a conversation like that. It wasn't a pretty conversation, it never is. But that's all it was. Nothing more." Hermione felt her mouth drying as the realisation dawned on her. As she watched Lilith's hunched shoulders, she could feel the guilt eating her from the inside out.

"You know... it kind of hurts that you thought so low of me." Lilith chuckled humourlessly. "Sometimes it's good when people tell me that I remind them of my father. Sometimes it stings. But I promised myself, a long time ago, that this would be the only thing in which I won't resemble him." Hermione stared at her a deer caught in headlights.

"He cheated on your mother?" Hermione couldn't believe what she was hearing when Lilith confirmed her question with a nod. Everything she heard so far about Cassius Farrow painted a picture of a man that Hermione wouldn't want to meet in a million years.

"He did. Started doing that a few years before I was born. My Mum didn't know. She loved him wholeheartedly, he had been the love of her life since their years at Hogwarts. But eventually, she found out right after Avy was born." Hermione pushed her luck and outstretched her hand, hoping that Lilith would accept her support. And it worked because after a few moments of watching her hand warily, Lilith accepted her hand and Hermione gave her a gentle squeeze. "When she was little, she contracted Dragon Pox which left her with a very weak heart. Finding out that the love of her life didn't actually love her, that he betrayed her trust and cheated on her continuously for years... that's what killed her."

"I thought... I read somewhere that it was an unexplained health condition." she saw a spark of surprise in Lilith's eyes as she said that.

"They've written that because stating that the most powerful woman in the wizarding world died of a broken heart sounded ridiculous. But it's the truth. So I promised myself I'd never repeat that past." Hermione looked at the ground, feeling the guilt rising in her chest as her insides clenched.

"I'm sorry." she whispered. "I'm sorry, Lili. I... You were right, I just jumped to a conclusion without knowing anything." to her surprise, she felt Lilith gently squeeze her hand.

"I don't blame you. I have to admit, it must have looked bad in your eyes. But you should've talked to me."

"I know... I just," Hermione bit her lip. "I got jealous."

"Jealous of what?"

"I don't know." Hermione shook her head. "Daphne, I guess. She's pretty, popular, confident, pureblood." she almost whispered the last part. "My mind just jumped to the conclusion that she'd be a better fit for you. That with her, you wouldn't have to hide." there was a moment of silence before Hermione could feel Lilith's hand slipping under her chin, lifting it up so she was eye to eye with her. She didn't see any anger or the previous coldness, but warmth and vulnerability.

"Well, too bad. Because my heart already decided that you're the best fit for me." she smiled and Hermione could feel the warmth spreading through her chest. "I love you." she blinked in surprise.

"You love me?"

"I do." Hermione's silence must've scared Lilith because there was a hint of panic on her face. "Have said something wrong?"

"No, no." Hermione chuckled and squeezed Lilith's hand. "I love you too." After more than a month, Hermione's soul soared when Lilith leaned in and their lips connected in a soft, loving kiss.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Lilith thought she had finally caught a break. Hermione and her finally made up, Christmas was just around the corner and Aveline somehow managed to keep out of trouble ever since September. It was a bit shocking that she had gotten more detention than her younger sister, the back of her left hand now adorned with two carved-out sentences: Authorities must be obeyed and I must not question my superiors. She couldn't wait to pack her bags and go to Grimmauld Place with her siblings who unanimously decided not to leave Sirius alone for Christmas. But then it all went to hell.

It was almost the end of term, a day before it when she received the message from Hermione that the whole Weasely family left the school because Mr Weasley had been attacked. The strangest part of the message was that Potter left with them and that he dreamed about the attack as it happened. All of them were strangely silent as they travelled back to London. Lilith wrecked her brain about the meaning of the Potter's dream and she knew she needed more information. Information was everything to her. Her sword and armour, and she felt vulnerable when some pieces were missing.

Even though the mood in the Grimmauld Place was dim, it was clear that Sirius was ecstatic to have company. It seemed to rejuvenate him and brighten him up, and Lilith was glad to see her uncle in that mood. Once again, she shared the room with Hermione, thanks to Mrs Weasley's blindness so she was glad their issue was resolved. Hermione's silence during that month took its toll on Lilith. Even Sebastian wasn't inviting her to play chess with him anymore, claiming that he had too much homework. She understood, she did. But it seemed that once she finally cleared her schedule, people she loved started to avoid her. She almost didn't leave her room, and was so drunk most of the time that she couldn't concentrate during the classes or operate on any level. She thanked her high tolerance that her state wasn't very visible, only leaving others with the impression that her grouchiness and sleepiness were due to her stand-offish behaviour and insomnia. It was safe to say that she almost fell into the hole that she was in during the summer. Almost. Her correspondence with Fleur was the only thing keeping her sane. Were the first letters awkward and very uncomfortable? Maybe. But after three very heartful letters, their relationship went back to normal and Lilith at least had some safe space left.

Lilith waited the whole day until most of the occupants of Grimmauld Place went to bed for an opportunity to catch Sirius alone. She found him at the kitchen table going through some motorcycle magazine with a mug sitting in front of him. She had to smile to herself when she spotted the lit cigarette between the fingers of his right hand. It seemed she took the smoking habit after her uncle.

"Mind if I join you?" he gave her a bright smile when he spotted her and waved at the empty chair. She could feel his eyes on her as she pulled out her cigarette case and lit her own cigarette.

"Rolling your own, huh? I can respect that."

"You enjoy it more when you put in the work." Lilith smiled and shrugged. "Plus it's cheaper." Sirius let out a laugh that almost sounded like a bark.

"As if you had to worry about money."

"It doesn't hurt to be frugal." Sirius shook his head.

"You just want to look cool."

"I'm neither confirming nor denying that." Lilith smirked. Sirius watched her for a while, making her a bit uncomfortable with his silence until she heard him chuckle and look back down at the magazine.

"You're in love." she gaped at him, feeling her heart miss a few beats.

"I... What?" How could he know? Sirius gave her a cheeky grin as he took a drag from his cigarette, leaning back in his chair.

"You have that twinkle in your eyes that your mother used to have." Lilith blinked a few times. "She had it ever since she saw your father for the first time. Afterwards, it never left." he smiled. "You had it even during the summer." Lilith felt her cheeks warming up.

"I..."

"It's not Harry, is it? Otherwise, it'd be weird..."

"NO!" she cringed at the thought. "Merlin, no. No offence, uncle, but I fancy girls." a Cheshire grin spread across Sirius's face and Lilith instantly paled.

"So, Hermione then." she must've let her guard down because Sirius grinned even more. "Well done, my beautiful niece. She's a good one." Lilith blushed.

"I know." she smiled sheepishly. "But Sirius, you can't tell anyone. We're keeping it very quiet." he nodded, as if he immediately understood what she meant by that.

"You can certainly count on me." he pushed the mug towards her. "But cheers." Lilith lifted a mug, eyeing it suspiciously before taking a sip and feeling the familiar, delicious burn in her throat and chest.

"Firewhiskey, of course." she smirked and took another sip before pushing it back to Sirius who watched her, shocked.

"You didn't even cringe! That's top-shelf firewhiskey, you should've at least coughed." Lilith shrugged and took a drag from her cigarette, bringing her leg up and resting her chin on her knee.

"I need to ask you something."

"Anything."

"What exactly Potter saw in his dream." Sirius froze. "I know he confides in you so I know he told you everything." Sirius sighed and tapped his cigarette, letting the ashes fall into the glass ashtray nearby.

"I should've known you'd ask about it."

"Sirius, I need to know."

"So you can document it like your father?" Lilith flinched slightly at the sudden bitterness of his words.

"So I can research it. If he had some seer blood in him, it'd be normal. But nothing about what he saw was normal. There is something more to it, so I need to know. Please." Sirius was silent for a moment before taking a sip from the mug and took his time before putting it back.

"What do you need to know?"

"Was role did he play in that dream? Spectator? Victim?" Sirius shook his head.

"No. He said he was the snake."

"Snake?"

"Nagini. Voldemort's pet snake. It was the snake that attacked Arthur." Nagini? That name sounded familiar. She was sure she read about it somewhere.

"Anything else?" it was clear that Sirius was uncomfortable with her question.

"He said that when he was about to leave Dumbledore's office..." Sirius paused and took another sip of firewhiskey. "He said that his scar started hurting and that he felt like that snake. That he wanted to attack Dumbledore." he almost muttered his answer but Lilith heard it clearly enough. Her body froze.

"He felt like that snake?" Sirius nodded. Lilith tapped her cigarette, gears in her head running a thousand miles per minute.

"Did you get your answer?" Lilith shook her head.

"I feel like you just confused me even more."

"How do you think Harry feels? He's fifteen. He feels like he's going mad." Lilith hummed in agreement.

"I'm not surprised. It's a lot. I don't think..." Before she could finish, her right forearm started to hurt, interrupting her train of thought. She let out a small hiss out of surprise as she looked down at her arm. Sirius followed her gaze.

"Duty calls?" Lilith put out her cigarette and pushed back the sleeve of her t-shirt. Her runes were slightly glowing.

"I think there is a problem." she muttered and touched the runes. A girl's scream rang through her mind along with a flash of blond hair. Daphne. Lilith quickly stood up.

"Sorry, uncle. I think we'll have to talk later. If anyone asks..."

"Emergency problem with Gringotts?" Lilith wanted to cry at how quickly her uncle adapted to the situation.

"Yes. Thank you."

"Be careful."

"Of course." she waved goodbye and quickly made her way out of the door, disapparating out of there to Cave Hill. She had to rush because now it was a race against time but at least she had everything prepared.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Daphne felt the metallic taste of blood in her mouth as she kneeled on the ground. Her side hurt, her head hurt, and tears blurred her vision. Astoria laid on the ground behind her, already unconscious, and her mother was in a similar position as Daphne. Her father towered over them, red in the face, his fist clenched and ready for another strike. All of this just because of a stupid Christmas card he found in Astoria's trunk. A Christmas card signed by a Mugleborn Hufflepuff.

Daphne closed her eyes as her father pulled his hand back, ready for another strike, when the cracking of the fire nearby rang around the silent room, interrupting him.

"Who...?" her father roared but suddenly fell silent.

"I think that's quite enough, Mr Greengrass." Daphne's eyes snapped open in shock. She knew that voice. The first thing she saw was her father. His mouth was tapped shut, his arms were bound behind his back and his eyes were fixed on the fireplace, widened in shock and surprise. Daphne heard light footsteps and looked towards the direction the source. She couldn't believe her eyes. Lilith Farrow stood inside her family's manor in all her glory. Her wand was pointed at her father as her eyes scanned the room. When her eyes landed on Daphne, she gave her an almost unnoticeable nod and Daphne felt like she could finally breathe. Lilith was here.

Lilith waved her wand and wordlessly pushed her father back into the chair behind him near the dining table. Her father still stared at her, and Daphne could see the shock, the anger and the confusion mixing in his face. Lilith was silent as she put her wand down and walked towards Daphne and her mother, offering them a hand and helping them back on their feet one by one.

"It's very nice to meet you, Mrs Greengrass, although I have to admit, the situation is not ideal." Lilith's voice was calm and collected, letting everyone know that she was in control of the situation. Daphne watched as she pulled the cloak from her shoulders, offering it to her shivering mother who reluctantly accepted it, leaving her in black trousers, white shirt and black vest.

"How rude of me to enter your house without introducing myself. You must forgive me." She turned to her father, her eyes boring into his as she slowly unclasped the cuffs of her shirt and rolled her sleeves up carefully. "My name is Lilith Farrow." The reaction was immediate. Daphne could hear a silent gasp from her mother who reached out and clasped Daphne's hand tightly. Her father, on the other hand, stared at her in shock and fear. Lilith smiled at the reaction, her smile almost sinister, cruel.

"Lady Farrow." her mother whispered in awe and Lilith gave her a slight bow before turning back to her father.

"Yes, that's right. Lady Farrow." even though Lilith was probably the shortest person in the room, she now towered over her father, going around his chair and leaning on the backrest, with her wand lazily hanging from her hand.

"Some things were brought to my attention, Mr Greengrass. And let me tell you, it doesn't look good for you." for the first time in her life, Daphne saw her father tremble in fear. Lilith chuckled and ran the tip of her wand over her father's neck. "Oh yes, you should be scared. I have to admit, it's quite satisfying to see you like that after the ordeal you put your wife and daughters through. You thought you were within your right, of course you did. After all, there aren't laws specified for domestic situations, and my reach is limited. But, well, there is one thing you should know." she buried the tip of her wand into his neck. If Daphne didn't know any better, she'd be as scared as her father and mother who was still shivering under the borrowed cloak and was gripping Daphne's hand for dear life. Lilith looked terrifying, with her sinister smirk and low, mocking tone in her voice. "You hurt someone under my protection, Mr Greengrass. And I simply cannot let it slide." Her eyes found Daphne who gulped. Her mouth felt dry. This was it. She knew it.

"Daphne," she heard a broken whisper next to her. When she turned her head, she was her mother staring at her, her eyes widened in shock. "What have you done?"

"Your daughter did what she thought was necessary, Mrs Greengrass." Lilith answered for her as she buried the tip of her wand even deeper into her father's neck, making him cough under the tape. "Your downfall is the result of your own doing, Mr Greengrass." she left the wand there for a few more moments before pulling it away. She reached towards the leather bag hanging over her shoulder and pulled out a few pieces of parchment along with a quill and ink.

"Now, before we go any further, I'm going to need a few signatures from you, Mr Greengrass." Lilith sounded almost unbothered at the atmosphere in the room. "This is the list of people you owe money to," she said as she put one parchment in down on the table. "This is your will, where you leave everything to your wife and daughters after they reach the age of seventeen," she put another parchment down. "And this is your suicide note. Explaining how you lost all your money and couldn't handle the debt." Daphne stared at Lilith who presented the papers to her father with a sinister smile, as if she was just putting together a business deal. She had it well planned, already prepared, counting in the fact that her father liked to play cards. Daphne almost wanted to laugh.

"I'm going to free your hand and I'm advising you not to do anything stupid." her father gave her a weak nod and Lilith freed his right hand, pushing the quill into it. "Sign here, here, and here." Daphne watched in astonishment as her father did as he was told before Lilith bound his hand back with a simple flick of her wand.

"Thank you very much for your cooperation." she said, put the quill and the ink back into the bag, and pulled him up on his feet. It was almost comical. Her father was at least two heads taller than Lilith but as she gripped his bound hands and pointed her wand at him, Lilith somehow stood taller than he ever did. "I think it's time for a little field trip." her eyes went from her father to Daphne. "Daphne, come." Daphne blinked in surprise and could feel her mother's grip on her loosen. She took a few careful steps, wheezing a little bit from the pain in her side but managed to walk towards Lilith. She accepted her outstretched hand that still had a wand in it, and avoided her father's eyes, feeling Lilith squeezing her hand gently.

"I'll deliver Daphne back here in one piece, Mrs Greengrass, don't worry." and with that, they apparated. Daphne never liked the feeling, it left her disoriented and dizzy, and if it wasn't for Lilith's hand keeping her upright, she would end up on the ground just like her father who was laying there, squirming like a turtle. Daphne looked around. It was dark, she couldn't see much but she could feel the strong wind, could smell the salt and could hear waves breaking against the rocks.

"Where are we?" Lilith turned to her. She no longer saw the sinister, sadistic smile she previously wore. She just looked tired.

"White cliffs of Dover." she said as she reached down and pulled her father to a kneeling position, pointing her wand at him. With her other hand, she reached under her vest and pulled out the familiar silver dagger.

"Daphne, this is is." she said as she turned to look at her once more. "I won't tell you to kill him, but you have to be here to see it. You are in my service now so this won't be the last time you see death. Do you understand?" Daphne could feel her hands trembling but gave her a nod. Lilith switched her hands. Her right now held the wand while her left held the dagger.

"Lumos." she whispered and the tip of her wand now illuminated their surroundings. Daphne wanted to laugh as she saw the tears on her father's cheeks. So he was capable of emotions after all. Seeing the man who tortured her her whole life reduced to a trembling mess brought satisfaction to her. Lilith stood right in front of him.

"Theodosius Benedict Greengrass, you put your hand on a member of my inner circle. You hurt the person who's under my protection. By the old law, that bounds us from the beginning of our time, I, Lilith Valentina Farrow II, the Head of the Farrow House, sentence you to death." If Daphne blinked, she could've missed it. But she didn't. She saw as Lilith's left hand moved swiftly. She saw how the blade of the silver dagger buried itself in her father's chest, right where his heart should be. She saw the crimson blood leaking through his shirt and through the tape over his mouth. And she saw the life leaving his eyes as Lilith pulled the dagger back. It didn't take long before her father's lifeless body fell on the ground, unmoving. This was it. She asked for his life, and Lilith gave it to her. She freed her.

Daphne fell on her knees, kneeling before Lilith who turned around and cleaned the dagger against her black trousers, the black absorbing the crimson red perfectly, leaving no sign of the act that was just performed.

"Thank you, my lady. Thank you." she whispered, her voice trembling. Lilith offered her a hand like she did earlier that night and Daphne took it, standing up once again.

"It's alright, Daphne. It's over." Daphne's eyes flickered towards the body.

"What if somebody finds him?" Lilith shook her head and hid the dagger, switching her wand once again into her left hand.

"They won't." she made a few flicks with her wand, and the body suddenly wasn't there. Instead, a small rock sat in its place. Daphne gaped at the sight. Lilith wordlessly transfigurated it. She walked towards it, lifting it up and without hesitation, she threw it off the cliff.

"Nobody will ever find him." she said and walked back towards Daphne, outstretching her hand once more. "Let's get you home, alright?" Daphne nodded and the uncomfortable feeling of apparition came back. She almost wanted to throw up as they appeared in her home but held it back. She could feel Lilith letting go of her hand and felt her mother's hand on her back, stroking it gently.

"It seems your husband fell deep into his gambling habit and couldn't find another way out than ending his own life. My sincerest condolences, Mrs Greengrass." Daphne lifted her head to see her mother watching Lilith with awe mixed with fear.

"Everything is taken care of. Your fortune, that your husband lost, has been moved from your vault to an anonymous vault where it will be safely held until the investigation of your husband's death is over. Afterwards, it will be moved back quietly, and I have a faux contract prepared and waiting for your signature that will serve as proof that the gold in your vault is in fact borrowed from me. None of which is true of course, the gold is yours in every way but the paperwork is necessary." Daphne stared at her.

"How... How long have you planned this?" It was a rather elaborate plan but it covered everything to a detail.

"Ever since you approached me. I just needed a catalyst to put it in motion so I had to wait, which I'm sorry about." she reached towards her breast pocket and pulled out a white handkerchief, offering it to Daphne who almost forgot about the blood coming out of her mouth and nose. She took it, and started wiping the blood away, staining the handkerchief.

"His will is on the table, drafted by my very trusted associate who's written it generously in your favour, along with his suicide note detailing everything. The names on the other lists are the people who will provide evidence of your husband's debts. As I said before, everything is taken care of." Lilith said as she pulled her sleeves back and cuffed it again, looking impeccable once again.

"Now if you excuse me, I must get going. It's quite late." She said before turning around and walking back towards the fireplace.

"Thank you, Lady Farrow." Daphne's mother called out after her. Lilith didn't say anything, only gave a small bow to her mother and Daphne before grabbing a handful of flood and calling out 'Cave Hill'. They both watched her as she stepped inside the green flames and disappeared, leaving them in silence.

"Daphne," she heard her mother whisper as she stroked her back. "My sweet girl, what have you done?"

"I didn't have a choice, Mum." she shook her head. "We both know he'd kill Tori sooner or later. I didn't have a choice." she was pulled into a loving embrace, feeling her mother running her fingers through her hair.

"You can't tell her."

"Of course I won't tell her. Nobody can know you're bound to Lady Farrow." she pulled back and took Daphne's face between her hands. "My sweet, brave girl."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Lilith's hands trembled as she quietly closed the door of Grimmauld Place, and made her way up the creaky stairs. It was late, very late and she made sure not to make any noise. She took a life. Another life. It always left her with a heavy heart and darkened soul. She couldn't show it in front of Daphne or the Greengrass matriarch but once she came back to Cave Hill, took off her work clothes and hid the dagger, her body began to tremble and never stopped.

She carefully opened the door to her room, closing the door quietly. At least she thought she was quiet.

"Lili?" she heard a quiet voice coming from one of the beds. Hermione watched with her eyes half-closed as if she had just woken up.

"Go back to sleep, Mione." she whispered gently but could feel her voice trembling. Hermione was still watching her.

"You're shaking." Lilith bit her lip, as she watched Hermione lift her blanket. "Come here." Lilith couldn't say no to the invitation. She needed that, she needed something to hold on to, to ground her. So as she laid down next to Hermione and felt her arms going over her torso, stroking her back and her head, calming her shaking form, she felt like she could finally breathe. Hermione could never know what she'd done. Technically she didn't lie to her. Daphne's father was in big trouble. He did lose his fortune when he crossed her. But Hermione could never find out that her words had a double meaning. She could never find out about that part of Lilith's family business.

So as she laid in the warm cocoon of the blanket, wrapped up in Hermione arms with the girl's warm breath hitting her neck, she pitied her. Hermione had no idea she fell in love with a monster.