The Werewolf's Daughter

Lending a helping hand

It had been exactly two weeks since Cedric Diggory had died, and Harry had announced the return of Voldemort. The school was shut down for Summer the day after the third task, the day after it transpired that the Mad-Eye Moody that had been teaching them all year was actually a death-eater called Barty Crouch Jr. Son of top ministry official Barty Crouch Sr – who was dead, by his son's hand.

Maya woke up on the morning of 8th July to gentle tapping on her door and a soft voice telling her it was time to get up as they had to leave soon. Their holiday. It felt crazy to be going on holiday when all of this had happened, but the family insisted.

'Sweetheart, we need to get away for a while' Remus had said to his daughter. 'I know it feels awful, but you and Draco need to see something other than what's going on here. It may not feel like it, but you deserve some fun.'

'What about Harry? Do you think he will be ok?' she asked, worried for her friend.

'I don't know. Sirius is staying here in case anything happens and the Order are keeping an eye on him.'

'What if he's not ok and something happens while we're gone? Dad, Harry has gone through so much already – what happened at the end of last year should have broken him and we did nothing to help other than to let him be whisked back off to his evil aunt and uncles again.'

'Maya, Harry HAS to go back there – I know you don't understand it and I know you don't like it, but he has to.'

Maya nodded, that's what all the adults had been saying.

Now, it was the morning of their holiday. Maya wanted to go but didn't at the same time. She was so confused – how could she possibly go away and have fun after everything that had happened?

She looked up when her bedroom door opened and Draco came in, looking quite tired.

'Morning love. You ok?'

Maya smiled at Draco and nodded. Then, she shook her head. 'Sorry Draco, I'm just a bit confused. I'm so excited for this holiday and for going to Disney World with you, but how can I be happy after all this?'

'Maya, you are allowed to feel happiness.'

'Cedric won't get to feel happy ever again. His parents probably won't get to feel happy ever again. I bet Harry feels like he'll never feel happy ever again.'

'Maya, you feel guilty. That's not a bad thing – it shows you have compassion for other people. If you don't want to go on this holiday, I will put our families off.' He said.

'No. That's just it, Draco – I can't wait to go. I start to feel happy for a few minutes and then I realise what is going on in this shitty world and I feel guilty for being happy.'

'You can't feel guilty love. There is nothing you can do here just now anyway. There was nothing anyone could have done for Cedric.' He said, kissing her. 'Please don't feel guilty. You've so been looking forward to this holiday and I don't want to push your feelings to one side or make you feel rubbish for having them, I just want you to be happy.'

Maya sighed and kissed him. 'How are you so clever and so bloody nice?' she asked.

'It's obvious isn't it?' he grinned.

Maya frowned, confused. 'It's you, you donut! You bring out the best in me.'

Maya snorted 'Noo!' she cried, laughing.

'It's so true.' He whispered, kissing her again. 'I love you Maya Jones – you definitely bring out the best in me and I am so grateful for you.'

Maya looked up at him through her lashes. 'I love you too. So, so much. I guess I could say the same about you – you definitely bring out the best in me!'