|In The Dark|

77

ANNABELLE LUPIN-BLACK

When I arrived at the burrow, I was so excited to see my dad. I ran inside and set my stuff down. Ron and Ginny were saying hello to their family and I looked around, calling out my dad's name. "Dad! Where are you?" I called out. When I walked into the kitchen, dad was standing there with Tonks. "Dad!" I exclaimed. I ran over and hugged him and he spun me around. "There's my girl!" he said. I smiled and looked at Tonks. "Hi Tonks, good to see you." I said. She smiled. "It's good to see you too, Annabelle." she said. "Anna, please. Call me Anna." I said. She nodded. "Dinner!" Molly called out. We all sat down and ate. Dad was quiet. I think he's just sad. He misses dad. So do I. Later that night, after he finished talking to Harry, I went in. He was sitting with Tonks and they were whispering. They'd been doing that a lot tonight. "Hi dad," I said. "Hey kiddo, how are you feeling?" dad asked. I smiled. "I'm doing better, dad. I'm sober. And I'm sleeping better." I said. He nodded. "I'm proud of you. How are things with Theo?" he asked. I sighed. "He's happy." I said. He cocked an eyebrow. "He's happy with Astoria and I'm happy for them." I said. He just nodded. "I'm fine, dad. Really. Enzo has been there for me and I'm doing just fine." I said. He nodded. "That's good to hear because I have some news." he said. "What is it?" I asked. Him and Tonks exchanged looks. "Maybe you should sit down..." Dad said. I sat down and Molly ushered everyone into another room. "Dad, what's going on? Are you ok?" I asked. "Yes, kiddo. I'm fine. It's just- we have some news." he said. He reached out and took Tonk's hand. I looked down as he intertwined their hands and my stomach lurched. "Dad, what is this?" I asked. He smiled. "Tonks and I got married. And Tonks is pregnant." he said. My face paled and my eyes filled with tears. She kissed his cheek and I felt my chest constrict. I looked at him and tears fell to my cheeks. "190 days." I said. "Anna-" he started. "My dad- your husband has been dead for 190 days." I said. "Anna, please let us explain." Dad started. "No! Don't fucking bullshit me! Sirius has been gone for 190 days and you have already replaced him!" I yelled. "Anna, I'm not trying to replace Sirius. I could never-" Tonks started. "Don't talk to me!" I spat. "Anna, calm down." dad said. "You lied to me. You said nobody could ever replace him, that he was your soulmate. Now he's been gone for 190 days and you go and marry the first person you see! Not to mention the fact that she's a woman and dads old friend." I yelled. "Please Anna-" he started. "No! Are you even gay? Or was that a lie too?" I yelled. Tears streamed down my cheeks and I couldn't breathe. "I can't do this." I said. "Anna, let me talk- please let me explain-" he said. I looked at him and shook my head. "I'm so tired of putting everyone else ahead of me so they can be happy." I said. His face fell. "I'm glad you've moved on, dad. I just hope you can move on from losing me too because I'm gone." I snapped. Then I walked outside and slammed the door.

"Annabelle! Come back!" Dad yelled. Tonks and him ran outside and I kept walking. "Annabelle!" Dad yelled. I turned around and looked at him. "Please, kiddo. Don't go." he said. "I hate you." I spat. His face dropped. "Annabelle, look out!" Tonks yelled. I turned around and just as I did, I felt someone grab me. The man grabbed my wrists and I struggled and fought. "Help!" I screamed. Dad and Tonks ran out, drawing their wands. He clamped his hand over my mouth and dragged me back. I thrashed but all of the sudden, I was sucked up into apparition. Everything happened so fast. When we landed, I fell to my knees and emptied the contents of my stomach on the gravel beneath me. "Bloody hell." the man grumbled. My vision was blurry with black and spots and my head was spinning. "Get up." the man spat. I coughed and sputtered, still trying to catch my breath. "Incarcerous." he said. I felt ropes wrap tightly around my wrists and he pulled me to my feet. He held my wrists by the rope in front me and dragged me forward. My vision cleared and I immediately recognized where we were. Malfoy Manor. He opened the door and shoved me inside. My knees hit the ground and I barely was able to break my fall. "I got the girl!" he called out. When I looked up, I saw them. All of the death eaters standing there. Casually sipping drinks. I stood to my feet and wiped my tears away. "What do you want?" I spat. "Did you miss me, Dahlia?" a dark voice said. A body pushed through the crowd and my stomach lurched. Barty Crouch Jr. My birth father.

HARRY POTTER

"Give her back! Give me my daughter back!" Remus screamed. The death eaters evaporated into darkness and Remus watched in horror. "No! Annabelle! Anna!" he screamed. In the distance, the burrow exploded into fire. We ran back and watched it burn. Remus began to pace back and forth, frantically. "They have her. They took my daughter." Remus said. "We'll find her. Don't worry." Tonk said. Remus nodded. "I can't lose her too." he said.