Untreated Wounds | Sirius Black

Chapter 72

LILLIAN COX'S POV:

Knockturn Alley was still cold despite the warm August night. With my hood shielding my face, I was unrecognisable as I passed through the empty alleyways of the dark magic-filled town.

By choice, I'd have never gone back there. But it was in the name of my daughter.

When I entered the full tavern, Mehen slivered out beside me and parted the sea of people in order to reach Narcissa Malfoy. It was only when I reached my old friend, I flipped my hood down. "Lillian," She whispered so softly, quickly pushing herself to her feet, "Come," Without a second word, she pushed her way out of the tavern and into the alleyway.

It was only once we were alone she turned to me to reveal her glassy grey eyes, "Cassiopeia is in danger," She reached for both of my hands,

I let her take my cold hands in hers as I stared silently with a dry tongue.

"Voldemort intends to take her from you," She went on in a voice so soft that if she were a step away from me, I'd have never heard her.

"He won't," I swallowed the lump in my throat, "He will never reach her,"

Narcissa tilted her head which only made tears well in my eyes.

I shook my head vigorously, pulling my hands from hers, "No, he won't reach her."

"Lil..."

"No, no, I won't let him," I continued to shake my head in denial,

"She is his heir,"

"She will never go through what I had to," I snapped,

"He will take Harry's life if she refuses." Narcissa whispered,

"She will not give in to him."

"Our children aren't like us, Lillian," Narcissa whispered,

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You had been fighting for your life since you were only a child. Cass has never had to raise a sheath let alone use one." She exhaled, "The moment he threatens her family, she will run to him. Just like you did, and if she doesn't, he will hunt her down and drag her back just like he did to you,"

"I won't let that happen,"

"No, I won't let you run back to him too," She took me by my shoulders, reading my mind, "You cannot go back there just to protect your daughter,"

"What else am I to do?" I scanned her face, desperately searching for an answer.

"I..." Her gaze fell to the cobblestone, "I don't know – Cassiopeia's too young to fight him... But I do know that you can't go back there – there will be another way,"

I went to say more but Narcissa cut me off,

"I have to go – Lucius cannot know where I've been, neither can the Order of the Pheonix know your whereabouts," She let go of me and stepped back, "I pray for you and your daughter's freedom, Lillian."

"Thank you, Narcissa,"

"And if you ever need anything, I will always be there,"

With that, she apparated away.

So, Mehen and I left Knockturn Alley and returned straight to twelve Grimmauld Place. To my surprise, there was still chatter rupturing the silent house from the kitchen. So, slowly, I made my way to the familiar room.

There sat everyone, in the middle of dinner.

Silence followed my appearance at the entrance of the room until Alastor Moody broke it. His wooden cane tapped the timber floors as he hobbled towards me, "Cox," His voice was cold, "Where have you been?"