They say time heals everything. But I'm still waiting.

Vena looked at the elder Malfoy for a moment before she replied. "Vena Riddle." Cassie nearly choked on nothing hearing that, it took her a moment or so to calm herself slightly. Vena rolled her eyes, which she did quite a lot, it was only a name after all.

Lyssa's face darkened quite a bit. "So you are related to the thing that took my daughter away from me for so long, are you?" Nicole looked at her mum, knowing well enough that Lyssa could have a nasty temper, since she had it herself. "Mum, leave it alone." Lyssa turned to her. "No, I will not."

Vena's eyes glinted, she actually found angry people rather amusing. "Not by choice but yes. I am." She was amused at her calling Tom a thing, which in a way kind of was true. Because he wasn't really human.

"Wipe that amused look off your face," Lyssa snapped. "I want to know just what the hell you people were thinking, taking a 12 year old girl and just what was she needed for anyway?"

"First off," Vena replied still looking amused. "I had no idea she was getting kidnapped until she had been, secondly, in a way it is your fault. As it was your punishment for not joining Tom when he summoned you."

"That doesn't quite answer my question. I want to know the purpose. There is more than one way to punish someone, so why do this? I know you know, and I want to know."

"Most of the Death Eaters are either old or dead, your daughter was going to replace you as one. She's actually quite quick with a wand once she decided that she was going to pay attension and not stand there and do nothing."

"So Nicole was kidnapped in order to replace me?" Lyssa asked, not quite believing it. "How did that work out for you?"

Vena looked at her. "A mix of patience, kindness and brutality. Which actually makes quite an interesting mix when you get down to it." Brutality didn't really seem to fit into that sentence but it had been true, Vena had had to have been a little harsh to get Nicole to actually listen.

"Brutality?" Lyssa repeated, raising an eyebrow. This was Nicole got fed up with them talking like she wasn't there. "Yes, mother. I was quite the stubborn little thing back then. Didn't want to listen or do anything for that matter. I'm better now, though, I think." She looked at Vena for her opinion.

"Marginally," Vena said with a slight twinkle in her eye. "You actually listen now."

Lyssa blinked for a moment then looked at Nicole. "You're actually going along with what they say?" she asked. Nicole nodded at her. "Yeah, I am."

"Why?" Cassie asked her. "Why would you listen to what rubbish the Death Eaters are spouting."

"What other choice do I have?" Nicole asked her, answering her question with a question.

"Fight it?" Cassie suggested. "Then you'd just end up dead," Vena said rather bluntly. "Better dead then a Death Eater." Cassie replied narrowing her eyes. She did not like that girl, not in the slightest.

Nicole shrugged. "I rather think I prefer to be alive. It's much nicer than being dead." Then she nodded.

"I'd have to agree with that," Laurie said quietly. Cassie's eyes narrowed furthur as she looked at her daughter. "I'd rather neither," Severus said with a shrug. Vena smiled amused at the boy. "I'd agree there Kid, neither is better. But only few really get that choice when surronded by a room of Death Eaters."

"You definitely don't get a choice at what happens to you when you're 14," Nicole muttered sourly.

Vena frowned slightly. "Well most people don't," She said softly. "I was that age when I first came face to face with him. Had an absolute fit over that fact. Got my way, eventually." "What are you two talking about?" Laurie asked, confused as to what they were going on about.

"Yes, well you're related to him, now aren't you?" Nicole asked with a scowl. "Makes you somewhat special."

"What are you talking about?" Laurie asked again, interupting whatever Vena was going to say.

"We're talking about the Dark Mark," Nicole replied as if it should be obvious.

"The what now?" Severus asked confused as to what that was. Laurie blinked, unsure of what to say and Cassie's eyes widened. "He marked you?" She asked. "He marks all his followers," Vena said as if it was obvious. Which it really was.

"Yes," Nicole said, "he did." Then she frowned, remembering the day. Then she couldn't help but be amused at what she was about to say. "Would you like to see it?"

Cassie nearly choked on air again. "Uhh..." Laurie said running a hand through her curls. She shrugged.