it was rare for marlene mckinnon to get any kind of communication from her brother, gaius, who decided long ago to take a quiet job and stay out of the state of the world. the last time she heard from him was on her birthday, a quick parchment written to wish her warmest regards. it was a late night at the department of magical law enforcement, as marlene worked steadily to try and piece together leads from oliver jacks, the missing child they had found just two nights before, hoping to find the other missing muggleborn child. she was pulled from her study when a pheasant patronus appeared in her office. she'd know that patronus anywhere - she had taught gaius the fine art of creating a patronus just a few years ago.

"in case something happens!" marlene had jested to her younger brother, hoping and praying with all her might that he'd never need to call a patronus out of desperation. he had laughed and assured her that he never intended to get mixed up with those pesky aurors.

without thought, without any second of hesitation, marlene apparated to her family home.

something was wrong. blood overwhelmed her senses as she stood in the entryway of her family home. she rounded the corner to the living room and saw the window smashed from the outside.

"gaius!" she yelled, suddenly frantic, afraid of what she'd find. had death eaters gained entry?

marlene ran, terror coursing through her as she ducked from room to room. she found her father first, facedown in a pool of his own blood before noticing her mother, mangled by w

a low howl came from the basement. "GAIUS!" marlene screamed, flying down the stairs as if her own life depended on it.

gaius was cornered in the

she fought, tooth and nail, sending off curses in rapid fire as the wolf stepped ever closer and closer.

gaius was bit. "shh, gaius, shh," she whimpered, cradling his head in her hands, brushing his blonde hair out of his face. mungo's wasn't the safest option and marlene knew it. being bit by a werewolf nowadays was a death sentence in the wizarding community but it was better than him being dead, true and proper. gaius let out a moan and marlene bit her lower lip. she had to save him.

summoning all her strenght to not splinch them both, she apparated them to st. mungo's, collapsing in a bloody heap with gaius in the beautiful, marble entryway.

-- she stood at the window, staring out at the overcast skies and st. mungo's courtyard. she watched as patients and guests came in and out, strolling pleasantly in the gardens. instinctively, her hand reached over her stomach to protect the child growing inside. she hadn't anticipated any of this - losing her parents, gaius infected with lycantrophy, and least of all, her pregnancy. how had she been so blind as not to notice?

marlene lost her parents. she still had gaius, though, and teddy and his unborn child.

when there is nothing left to burn, you have to set yourself on fire.