August 1972
St. Mungo's
The halls of St. Mungo’s had the same smell that every hospital possessed. It was a mix of antiseptic and illness. No matter how many chemicals were used, no matter how many disinfecting spells, nothing could cover the scent of death and decay. It was an attempt to make a dark reality seem cleaner, sterile, ignoring that death was neither of those things.
Julia tried to ignore the smell as she sat in a chair next to her father’s hospital bed. Over the past several weeks he’d developed a cough that wouldn’t go away, and he increasingly complained of being fatigued. He slept for hours during the day, and seemingly never felt well-rested. For a man of only sixty-two, he was terribly young to be wanting to sleep as much as he had been.
It had come to a head a couple of days ago, when he’d taken a horrible fall in his bedroom. One of the valets had found him on the floor, unconscious, with blood in his mouth. No sooner had the valet called for help, than all three of his adult children were surrounding him, a panic ensuing to get him to the healers as fast as possible.
Julia hadn’t left his side since that moment. She had slept and ate in the chair. Read a few of her books, and only got up when she needed to stretch. Most of her time had been spent simply holding her father’s hand and talking to him, willing him to hear her voice and open his eyes. Tests after tests were ran. Initially it was thought he had a bad case of pneumonia and hit his head during his fall. But once all three of the Laurence children, Edward, James and Julia were in the room together, the doctors and healers had given them the bad news.
Lung cancer.
Julia had felt the wind knocked out of her at the words. She and her brothers had all shared the same terrified, shocked look, Edward looking to her first, and then to James with more purpose. James had held her eyes longer and shook his head before squeezing her shoulder. It all felt surreal. The ticking of the clock on the wall. The puffing of the oxygen machine. The chime of the cardiac monitor. The only things louder than the screaming in her head.
December 1972
The Laurence Estate
“You look beautiful, my little jewel,” the man’s hoarse, but sweet voice filled the room as he stood in the doorway, a cane in one hand, propping him up. Julia smiled as she fixed her earring and she turned, to see her father, already in his nightclothes, his valet standing a ways behind him. “You’re not coming?” Julia asked, disappointedly, and she crossed the room to kiss his cheek, her necklace dangling from her hand. It hurt seeing her normally imposing but sweet father looking so broken down. He was so young, his hair still had flecks of brown in it.
“No,” her father echoed her disappointment, “The doctor said I’d be better off staying home. Said it could be too much.” He took the necklace from her hand, platinum, set with emeralds. It had been her mother’s, a gift from him on their wedding day. Julia turned, and her father handed his cane to his valet for the moment. He delicately laid the necklace around her neck, bringing the clasps together in the back, as Julia held her hair up.
“James tells me you’re sitting with the Stolbergs tonight?” William Laurence asked as his daughter turned back to him. He straightened the necklace, smiling at the gleam of the stones that played off her dark green dress. Julia gave a small shrug, “Edward wants me to entertain the youngest son. Says he was just promoted to the board of Durmstrang.” Her father pursed his lips and nodded.
“They’re brutes, the whole family,” he said, “The current head’s an idiot. Was an idiot as a boy and that never changed. No loyalty amongst one of them.” Julia shifted uncomfortably as her father spoke. “No little hints with them. No give and take,” her father said, holding up a finger to her and she nodded solemnly. “No Papa, I understand,” Julia said quietly. Her father, seeing the look on her face, smiled, placing his hands on her shoulders.
“Not to worry. Just play your wiles, and see if you can’t agree to get him to dinner here next week.” The man leaned in and kissed his daughter’s cheek. She smiled, but there was something else behind her eyes, something the man couldn’t place.
“Enjoy the Christmas ball, jewel. I’ll see you when you get home.”
April 1973
The British Museum Offices
Just BeforeThis “Julia, there’s a call for you. It’s your brother.” Millie, the department secretary stuck her head through the door of the meeting room. The department meeting regarding the upcoming trip to Cairo had just concluded, and everyone was gathering their notebooks, coffee and whatever else they had brought to the table. Julia nodded to Millie and gave her thanks as she jotted down a few last notes, in no hurry to drop everything for her brother. “Ask Thomas if he can leave next week,” Julia said to one of her peers, as she closed her notebook. “The university said they can host him as soon as we’re ready.”
“Julia he says it’s urgent,” Millie interrupted again, obviously uncomfortable at having to. Julia stood up immediately. It was rare her brother would call for her at work. Even less so that he’d say it was urgent. Carrying her notebook, she rounded the corner to Millie’s desk, and took the phone. It’s spiral cord was tangled, and she almost cursed. Bloody muggle contraptions. “James?” Julia asked. “We need you home now. Edward screwed up,” James’s hurried voice came over the receiver. Julia sighed audibly. “Not the cabinet member,” she groaned, but keeping her tone low, in case others were listening. “Papa says he needs you here. Can you come now?” Julia, frustrated at having to leave her work nearly growled into the phone. “I’m on my way.”
At her apparition, she hurried down the corridor towards her father’s sitting rooms, ignoring the chattering of Edith that immediately met her ears. Something about how it wasn’t Edward’s fault and the politician deserved it. She entered her father’s rooms without knocking, seeing both her brothers waiting for her. They wasted no time.
“We need you to go to the ministry. There’s no time left today, but first thing in the morning if you can,” her father said. Julia looked back and forth between the three of them. “What happened? It was so easy,” Julia asked, the frustration in her voice now unavoidable. The three of them fell silent and stared at her, obviously not wanting to offer her an answer. It was obvious they thought she should just agree, and be done with it. “I left work for this, Papa. You have no idea how busy - “
“Enough,” her father snapped, not appreciating her argument. Silence fell over the room again. She looked to each of them, for some sort of explanation, amazed at the audacity of it all. “No,” Julia finally said, and she turned to leave. “He called the cabinet member a ‘mudblood lapdog’,” James’s voice sounded behind her, he too full of exasperation. Julia turned again, her eyes set on Edward immediately, her lips parted in surprise. “You did what?!” she hissed. Was he insane? Had he lost his fucking mind?
Edward’s face didn’t change or react. Their father gave James a cold look, and then turned back to Julia, “He needs a change of heart. He needs to understand that Edward didn’t mean what he said.” Julia almost laughed, “I’m not Edward’s keeper. Papa, this is not my problem.”
“My problem
is your problem, Julia Sybil!” Her father’s voice was cold, sharp, and unbending. She knew it well. She steadied herself and caught James’s eye who gave her a small nod of encouragement. Her father, steady on his cane, moved slowly towards her, Edward watching closely. “You will go. Charm him. Win him over. Get him here. This is no longer a request,” the coldness in her father’s voice piercing her sharply.
Julia’s eyes dropped, and she held her tongue. “Of course Papa,” she acquiesced, and nodded, “I’ll go first thing in the morning.” Her father’s unoccupied hand came up to stroke her cheek, “That’s my girl.” He turned slowly to make his way back to his boys. She was obviously dismissed.
“As long as he knows he owes me,” she said softly but direct and looked Edward dead in the eye. Her father paused and looked back at her, before looking again to Edward. A long silence followed before Edward finally nodded.
June 1973
The Laurence Estate
Julia’s eyes lifted from her notebook with the knock at her door. It was one of her rare days off from the museum, and as usual she was using it to work. “Come in,” she called, and scribbled the last few notes into her book. Her door opened, and to Julia’s surprise, Edith entered. “Oh,” she said and closed her notebook before setting it on her side table. She sat up in her chair, curious as Edith never approached Julia unless it was to complain about something. Usually, this was because Edith had caught her in the hallways or at dinner. She certainly never came to Julia’s rooms.
Edith’s eyes scanned the room, almost impatiently before she took a few steps in and observed it more closely. She inspected the wallpaper and touched the curtains, feeling for the type of fabric it was. She looked up at the crown molding and clicked her tongue, obviously unimpressed. She stomped her foot on the floor, looking for creaks or loose boards. Julia sighed impatiently, “Is there something you’re looking for, Edith?” She didn’t have time for whatever this was. Her latest exhibit was closing soon, and she needed to make sure it was coordinated perfectly.
“No,” Edith said thoughtfully, “Eddie and I are trying to decide what rooms we’ll use for the nursery.” Her eyes finally met Julia’s. Julia stared at her sister-in-law, trying to process what she meant. “What, mine? You’re deciding if you’re taking mine?” She laughed, it was a joke, surely. These rooms had been hers since infancy. “No, not taking,” Edith said absently, as she opened the door that led to the library, and she finally smiled at Julia, “Redistributing. We’re looking at a few rooms. The music room for one, and possibly the upstairs wing, although your father insists James and Amelia should have those.” Edith swung the door back and forth a few times, testing its hinges, before she closed it again. Loudly.
Julia sat with an almost amused expression, tapping her fingers lightly on the arm of her chair. “I see,” she responded. She stood up and joined Edith at her side, pretending to also take in the room. “The light really is beautiful in here,” she said, and Edith hummed in agreement. “Perfect view of the orchards. The scent of cherries in the morning is….incredible.” Edith grew quiet, and looked sideways at Julia, whose normally soft voice had hardened.
Julia turned to face Edith. Future duchess or not, Julia still had seniority over her, until the inevitable happened. She would rethink her game then. “My father’s still alive,” Julia spoke, finally turning her eyes to meet Edith’s. Her voice dripped venom and ice. “Until he’s not, tell my brother that he can put your spawn in the horse stalls for all I care, and for all their blood merits,” Julia’s eyes flashed, while Edith’s widened in fury.
A smile crossed Julia’s face, calm and polite. Edith huffed and hurried for the door, likely to tell Edward all about the offense. “And sister,” Julia called. Edith turned back to her, rage flashing in her eyes, “you’re looking a little worse for wear. A little eye cream might help. Let me know if you need some.”
Edith walked out of Julia’s room with a slam.
Late June 1973
The Laurence Estate
“Edward, if Papa doesn’t improve soon, it has to be you. Someone has to represent our family at the The Wizengamot,” James argued with his older brother, as Julia sat in silence, watching the two of them go back and forth as they often did. Edward was resisting having to do anything that didn’t involve managing the day-to-day affairs of the estate. In truth, he had very little interest in anything to do with the ministry or political affairs; that was always James’s strong suit. But the Wizengamot was only interested in the Head of each noble pureblood family, and since Papa was unable to travel, that left Edward.
“I have more important things to attend to here,” Edward’s dismissive reply came as he shuffled through bank notes and financials on their father’s long mahogany desk. He barely looked at James, tossing document after document aside. “Goddammit, where did he put the bloody thing?” Edward slammed the drawers open on the desk and began emptying them.
“You could just ask him,” Julia offered quietly, watching her brother’s tantrum, “Or do you already know he won’t tell you?”
James and Edward turned to her simultaneously, but she kept her eyes on Edward. “Julia,” James hissed at her. “I don’t remember asking you for advice,” Edward snapped, as he slammed shut another drawer. The slam shook the entire desk, sending papers falling over the side of the desk. Julia merely blinked and sat back in her chair. Her eyes moved to James and he shook his head at her, warning her to keep quiet. She obliged, resting her elbow on the arm of the chair and her chin in her hand.
Edith entered the room at the sound of the commotion, and she looked quickly between the three of them and then settled on her husband. “What is it now?” she asked. “It’s the will,” Edward barked. “The breakdown of inheritances and trusts.” He waved his wand, attempting to summon the document, but of course, nothing revealed itself.
“That can wait,” James started again, growing exasperated with his older brother, “Look. If you want our family to retain the power we’ve had during this transition, you have to show strength and presence from the beginning. I already have people in my ear saying – “
“I don’t give a damn what your little birds tell you!” Edward shouted, and Edith, sensing this was not a fight she cared to be involved in, immediately retreated out of the room. “You don’t understand. If we don’t have the will – “
“Then you can’t alter it,” Julia finished for him. Her light brown eyes darkened as Edward stared at her for a moment, and then rounded the desk. In two long steps, he was upon her. James immediately put himself in between his older brother and younger sister. His hand pushed back on Edward’s chest, who shoved him off, but didn’t come any closer to her. Julia sat, unmoving, never removing her eyes from his. Edward pointed his finger at her, “You know where it is.”
James turned and looked at her, the question on his face. Julia didn’t answer. “She knows where it fucking is,” Edward said coldly to James. James’s mouth opened to protest, but Edward’s hand immediately went up to silence him.
“Deal with her.”
August 25, 1973
The Wedding of James & Amelia Laurence
Immediately Following This The last of the guests filtered out of the reception as Julia and Edith stood side by side, thanking them for coming. The bride and groom had already departed for their honeymoon, and little was left to do but head back to the main part of the castle and their respective rooms.
“You’ve finally stepped in it,” Edith’s voice came low, through tight lips, as the two women waited on Edward to finish the last of his conversations. Julia didn’t respond. “He’s furious, Julia. And I’m not going to stop him.” An unamused smirk crossed Julia’s lips, and she scoffed quietly, “As though you could.”
“It’s not a joke. He’s…
uncontrollable,” Edith’s hand raised to rest protectively on her round, perfect belly. Julia’s eyes glanced down at it briefly, before turning her attention back to her brother. “I appreciate your concern, Edith. But I’d rather you worry about yourself.” Unexpectedly, Edith’s hand flew to Julia’s and clutched it tightly. Julia’s eyebrows creased in confusion at the touch and she looked at Edith, who was staring at her with fear in her eyes. Julia’s other hand closed over Edith’s softly, and she gave her sister-in-law a light squeeze.
Normally, she and Edith could barely stand to be in the same room together, but in that moment, they were just two women, at the wrath of the same man. Julia felt guilt plague her for the first time. While she had to deal with Edward as her brother, Edith had to deal with him as her husband. Julia had never given this much thought, and now she could imagine no crueler fate. Perhaps she had been too brash with Edith, previously.
As Edward said his final goodbyes, he turned and walked swiftly towards the two women. They dropped hands, and Julia stared at him, defiance still written across her features, while Edith shrank into herself. Edward stopped in front of both of them, his cold, wrathful eyes trained on Julia the entire time. He offered his arm to Edith who took it quickly. “Ladies,” he said and led them from the reception back to the castle.
“Tomorrow at breakfast, Julia,” Edward said over his shoulder as they walked. Nothing further. Nothing else needed.
Julia knew exactly what her brother meant.
August 26, 1973
She hadn’t slept. Despite her reassurances to Nabih the night before, Julia wasn’t sure how the conversation with her brother was going to go, and it made her nervous. Normally, she would take comfort in knowing James would be there as a buffer. But with him away, and her father too sick to leave the bed, Julia knew she was on her own.
It wouldn’t be the first time she’d have to stand up to Edward, but it would be during the most hostile and volatile period she had ever seen him in. Normally, she didn’t bother to carry her wand around the house, but something told her today she would need it. She slid it quickly into her pocket and headed for the dining room.
Edward was already seated, drinking his coffee. Edith sat next to him, buttering a piece of toast. Silence. Julia sat down quickly and looked at Edward, who met her with the same cold stare he had worn the night before. He set his cup down and studied her for a moment. She stared right through him.
“I don’t think I need to explain to you what an embarrassment last night was.” His voice came steady. “To have my sister publicly throwing herself into the arms of a man she barely knows – “
“Like you have me do at every event,” Julia interrupted, her own strong voice now breaking the tense air in the room. Edith stopped buttering her toast and froze, mid-swipe. Her brother’s stare remained unchanged. “Interrupt me again,” Edward warned a low growl starting in his throat. “I’m not your wife,” her sharp retort came, and Edward’s eyebrows raised in surprise. “I’m not one of your brutish thugs that you can order around. I am your
sister.” Silence fell around the table, and Edith’s hands began to shake. The woman’s face had gone pale, fear plain in her eyes. Julia glanced at her and then sighed, “Let her go lay down, Eddie. The stress will send her into an early labor.”
Edward looked to his wife, and a momentary bit of reason must have come over him because he nodded for Edith to go. The woman could barely get out of her chair fast enough before she tore out of the room.
When the siblings were alone again, Edward tapped his hands impatiently on the table, looking down at it as he thought. “My
sister,” he finally said, folding his hands together and holding her gaze again. “Yes, you are my sister. Unmarried. Which means, that as long as you benefit from
this duchy, from
this family name, you belong to
us.” He stood and paced back and forth along the table. “And when you belong to us, we do with you what we like, when we like, how we like.”
“Who is ‘
we’?” Julia asked, her eyes narrowing at him, “I answer to Papa. Not to you.” Edward’s cold face turned to stone as he stopped his pacing and fixed his stare on his defiant little sister. “Papa is upstairs unable to get out of bed, Julia. Who do you think is running this family? A half-dead shell of a man?” His answer was heartless, emotionless, and it tore right through her.
She, stood, kicking her chair back, and slamming her hands down on the table. “What is
wrong with you, Eddie?! It’s as though Papa being sick has turned you into a lunatic! You’ve never behaved this way before. Not to this extent.” A smirk appeared across Edward’s face as she continued, “Is it not enough to know that this will all be yours? You have to torture me and James in the process, as though losing our father isn’t the greatest form of it?”
Edward stared for a moment and he nodded, amusement on his lips, “Very well," he replied cooly, seemingly unbothered at her outburst. "Perhaps I’ve been too harsh. This time has been stressful for all of us.” Julia didn’t believe him for a second, as he rounded the table and placed himself a few feet from her. She wanted to back away, but she knew shrinking from him would only embolden her brother.
“Last night will never happen again, Julia.” His voice lowered to almost a whisper, and a chill ran up her spine. He was dead behind the eyes, void of anything but a lust for control. Julia shook her head and a smirk formed on her lips, “I have always done everything this family has ever asked of me. My loyalty to you and James is unmatched.” Edward was unmoving, and Julia didn’t cower. “But tell me that you own me one more time,” she moved a step closer to him, so he could truly hear her, “And I will burn this place and everyone in it to the ground.”
She could see Edward’s eyes change at her words, and as fast as he was upon her, she had her wand out, pointed directly at his chest. He stopped as abruptly as he had started and took a step back. Tears of hurt and betrayal formed in her eyes, but she didn’t move, holding her wand still. “You
owe me,” she said quietly, reminding him of the deal they’d made back in April, “I don’t want us to be like this, Eddie. You’re my brother.” Edward’s eyes seemed to soften slightly. Whether it was the tears in hers, her words, or her wand on him, she didn’t know.
A moment that felt like hours passed between them, and finally Edward sighed and shook his head. “I owe you,” he agreed, his voice calmer now, and he pulled out a chair to sit down. “Put your wand down, Julia.” She did, slowly, but kept it in her hand. “You’re playing a dangerous game,” he continued, his warning even and casual now. Typical of the mood swings he’d been displaying consistently over the past several months.
“We’ll consider the debt paid.” He laid his arm on the table and looked up at her, “James will be back next week. I know you have your move coming up in a few days. Let’s plan to sit down and talk, the three of us. We need to make plans. And I need that will.” His eyes pierced hers. She didn’t respond. He nodded her towards the door, dismissing her.
She turned, relief flooding her. She almost made it to the door when Edward’s voice met her ears again. “And Julia. If I ever hear that you’re messing around with Nabih Al-Azma again, I’ll kill him myself.”
Sunday, February 3, 1974
The Laurence Estate
The Birth of Adira Elizabeth Laurence
The house, if you could call it that, felt utterly cold to Julia.
With the absence of her father roaming the halls, his once powerful voice reverberating amongst the walls, it all seemed empty and lifeless. The long walk down the main corridor to the rooms that used to be her fathers felt miles long, her legs seemingly moving her in slow-motion. Her father’s love for her had always been unconditional, and hers for him in return. As the only parent she had ever known, she had been able to pour all of that daughterly admiration into him alone. Now that he was gone, there was nowhere for this love to go.
She’d not been home since the funeral last month. Between Hogwarts and the overwhelming need to not accept he was no longer here, there hadn’t been a reason to. Until now. Edward and Edith’s child had arrived. The long-awaited heir had finally come. James had sent an owl to Julia earlier this same morning, asking her to come. It seemed a cruel joke that her father had not had the opportunity to meet his first grandchild, but some part of her thought maybe he had. Just shortly before sending the little soul down to them.
Julia couldn’t pretend that she had been looking forward to this. She and Edith had suffered a tension-filled relationship for the majority of the time they’d known one another. It had caused some ill-feelings between the women. With Edward’s drastic shift in personality, Julia had started looking at Edith and her situation differently, almost with pity. What a trade it was, to have the title of ‘duchess’ one day. Julia knew it wasn’t a price she would have been willing to pay, but not all women had the luxury of choosing their lot in life. Even social-climbers.
An infant’s cry sounded from the other end of the door, as Julia knocked softly and pushed it open to see Edith sitting up in bed, shushing a tiny bundle in her arms. Edward stood off to the side of the room talking quietly with James and Amelia. As they noticed her, she walked to James first, kissing his cheek in greeting. “Jules,” he said. A quick hug to Amelia. As she turned to greet Edward the same, James excused himself and Amelia, stating he had a meeting at the ministry and would be back in the evening. Edward patted her shoulder absently as he nodded the two off.
As soon as James and Amelia were out the door, Edward beckoned Julia over to the bed. Julia smiled genuinely at Edith, and her sister-in-law returned it in kind. Julia bent over and kissed the top of Edith’s head, the first true sign of affection the two had shared. She sat on the edge of bed, “Edith, look what you’ve done.” Her soft, gentle words came as she brushed the back of her finger against the tiny infant’s forehead. “She’s a girl,” Edith’s hushed reply came, and Julia caught the faintest glimmer of tension cross the woman’s face. Julia knew what this meant. A girl couldn’t be the heir; they’d have to try again. Until a boy came, James would continue to be next in line.
“I love girls,” Julia reassured her with a soft smile, and she took the baby into her arms as Edith gently passed her over. The baby, already alert and taking in the world, looked up at her aunt. A small beautiful pink bundle. Blonde hair like Edith. Edward’s little mouth, and –
“She has your eyes, Julia.” Edward’s voice sounded behind her. Julia smiled, brushing her hand against the little one’s cheek. “Hello poppet,” she said softly, admiring how perfect the little girl was, astonished at how much love she suddenly felt for someone that she had just met. Someone whose arrival she had been effectively dreading. Now that she was here, Julia couldn’t ever imagine her not being. “What are you calling her?” she asked, unable to take her eyes off the little one.
“Adira,” Edith said with a smile, “A little unusual. But it means ‘noble’ and ‘powerful’.” Edith looked up at her husband tentatively and then looked away again quickly. Julia pretended not to notice. “And she will be,” Julia said, more to the child than her siblings, “As the daughter of a duke how could she not be?” Silence fell over the room, but Julia just rocked back and forth with the little one, letting her eyes drink in every bit of her new niece.
A little kindred spirit, she thought. Hopefully, Edward would be kinder to her, than he had been to the other women in his life. At the thought, a chill ran up Julia’s spine, and she held the little bundle closer to her.
Later That Evening
“I’ve got to get back,” Julia said, as she tucked a fresh clean blanket around Edith. Adira slept in the little bassinet next to her mother’s bed. She propped up Edith’s pillow and said, “I’ll try to visit this weekend. Let me know if there’s anything you’d like from Hogsmeade.” Edith grabbed Julia’s hand and looked up at her, her eyes wider than usual. “Do you have to go?” her sister-in-law asked. Julia’s eyebrows came together in confusion, and she sat down on the edge of the bed.
“What’s going on?” she asked lowly. They were alone in the room, but she didn’t trust anything. Edith hesitated and looked at the baby sleeping soundly next to her. “He’s angry,” she whispered. Tears fell from Edith’s eyes, and Julia quickly wiped at them with the back of her hand. “It was supposed to be a boy.” Julia shushed her, and squeezed her hand tightly. “He’s going to love that girl,” Julia reassured her. “Maybe,” Edith agreed, “but not me.”
Julia wrapped her arms around the woman and hugged her tightly. “Don’t you worry,” she said, holding Edith, in a way she never thought she would. “He’ll come around, you’ll see. And I’ll be back on Saturday. I promise.” Edith nodded into her shoulder. Julia lowered her head to whisper into her sister-in-law’s ear. “If anything happens, you send me an owl right away. Do you hear me?” Edith murmured a yes, and Julia withdrew with a smile.
She stood, tucking the woman in again, and she ran her hand across Adira’s little forehead.
In the same moment, Edward stuck his head through the door. “Julia, before you go, see me in the office.”
Later
Julia sat against the wall, her hair sticking to her forehead from sweat. Dried blood covered her lips and she was breathing heavily, grimacing with the remnants of the pain that still twitched in her muscles. Her light eyes, now completely black with emptiness stared up at her brother who sneered at her, victorious.
For a moment, Julia imagined the time they were five and twelve. They were running through the gardens, playing hide and seek, chasing each other around trees and hedges. “I'm going to catch you, little jewel,” her brother’s voice had rung out into the morning air, before he had snatched her, swept her up in a hug and she had curled into him, safe in his arms.
Tears ran down her face, but she felt nothing inside. Her brother was dead. She didn’t know who this man was.
He knelt down beside her, and brushed her hair from her face. “There now, little jewel,” he said quietly, and Julia had never hated anyone or anything more. “I’m glad we understand each other. Yes?” She narrowed her eyes, but only gave a small nod.
“That’s my girl,” he sneered, using her own father’s words against her. He held out his hand and helped her to her feet. She held in any noises of pain as she struggled to her feet, before yanking her hand away from his. He smirked and handed her her wand. “I’ll send you the owl.”
Julia turned to leave the room, battered and broken in every way someone could be.
She needed to get to Nabih.
-fin-
