The Nuel Household

'Im sorry...' I say softly. 'I am. But...hes not the only one with scars. He has the same kind of histroy that Crouch and I have. We were beaten. I got my memory wiped at the age of 7 because our father hated that crouch and i were so close. Thats why Crouch iis the way he is...'

"So then you should understand more than anyone why Jack is the way that he is.  I know that he can be hard to deal with, but he does his best to hold back his insanity every day.  He may not always succeed, but he tries.  Jack hates himself.  Sometimes he can't even face me knowing all that he's done to innocent people.  He is filled with regret.  That's what makes him different from Crouch."

'If he hates himself he should understand why i cannot do what he sugggests. Because if i walk that line, what stops me being like crouch?'

"Because you're stronger than that.  You don't seem like the kind of person that would give in to madness.  I know it's hard to work with Jack, but he's only trying to help prepare you for what this fight is... It's the fact that he understands how Crouch's mind works because his mind is similar."

'But its not helping me. its just stopping me wanting to do anything.'

"And he doesn't know any other way to help you understand his view..."  Sally sighs.  "I know it's hard, but Jack is bringing up good points.  I can never fight anyone because it hurts me to hurt even the most tortured soul.  He's just trying to show you that Crouch and his friends won't play nicely, they won't play fair.  They'll try anything to stop you, and he just wants to make sure that you can fight back without holding back."

'I know they wont play fair! I married a death eater, im sister to one. I know that they would kill me quicker than i could blink.'

"I'm not saying you didn't know. But Jack thinks you don't because it sounds to him that you want to play fair, which he believes won't stop them."

'We both have different ways of going around this problem...but that doesnt mean one of us is wrong. BUt i cannot hut people for no reason...'

Sally puts a hand on her shoulder. "It will be okay. Jack just doesn't know any other way. Everyone has always hurt him, so he hurts everyone else. But with the practice, he wasn't asking you to hurt any innocents. In his own, twisted way, he's just expressing that he cares about your safety."

I sigh. 'Im sorry i shouted at him....and im sorry that its likely to happen again as well, but i will try not to'

"It's okay. We just need to make sure he doesn't get too angry. It can and usually does trigger his insanity..."

'...I seem to make him angry a lot...are you sure you want him to help me?'

"I think it will be good for him... And for you too. He has never worked well with others, and you both have a common goal. This is a learning opportunity for the both of you. But don't be too hard on him... And I'll talk to him too."

'Im not beeing to hard on him though!.'

"I never said you were..." Sally walks to the door. "I'm going to go calm him down. You wait here for a few minutes." She goes inside, leaving River out alone.

After Sally leaves, a figure steps out of the shadows. "Well well, look who's teaming up with the Nuel family..." From bottom to top, she wears black combat boots, black, ripped jeans, a black shirt with a purple skull on it, spiked bracelets, black hair with purple streaks, complete with piercing, confident, purple eyes.

'Let me guss. Crouch'sfriend?'

Raven smiles and nods. "Yes... His best apprentice as well." She grins at the memories she's now thinking of. "And he tells me you have something that he wants..."

'I have quite a lot that he wants. A heart, for started, even though he wont admit it.'
I was acting smart- but this girl did scare me, even if i didnt show it. I knew crouch, i knew what he would and wouldnt do. But Raven? I had no idea

Raven laughs. "How would you know about everything he wants? It's not like you two are close..."

'No but we were once.'

Raven chuckles. "A long time ago.... Not anymore. He's even fine with me killing you..."

'he says that...but hes not. He has to want to kill me because i am against him. But that little girl he used to help fly around the meadow? Yeah, you make her die and he will never forgive you.'

She laughs again, harder this time, starting to get out her wand. "That's not the words that came out of his mouth... I believe he said something like: if you could kill them both, that would be great!" Both, meaning you and Jack..."

'Its interesting he said if. Has he actaully told you that...im just as stong as him? Go ahead, Raven. Kill me.'