Hospital Wing

Odessa sniffed and nodded. "Steven and I were at the table talking about our days, reading the newspaper. All of a sudden there's a knock on the door and I, stupidly, open it. The moment the door opened I knew who the people were, I knew they were wizards. I hadn't used magic in 15 years so I did the only thing I could do: I slammed the door and ran. And then, I, I saw Steven!" she gasped. "It was so quick and painless. They were merciful and used avada kedavra, but Steven....One moment we're talking an laughing, and then one second later its all gone!" she cried out, her tears soaking everywhere.

Eglantine rose an eyebrow on the unforgiveable's mention but chose not to say anything about it.
"It was not your fault." she assured her. She almost patted her arm, but refrained due to the shaking hand. "Were they wearing masks?"

Odessa shook her head. "I can't be sure, I couldn't see their faces very well. I don't have my glasses, you see. The next thing I know stunners are being shot towards me. And then I heard-" she paused, as though she was contemplating what she had witnessed. "Arguing."

"Arguing?" Eglantine repeated. "Do you remember what they said?"

"Vaguely. One of them was Amaranth, you see. She pulled one of them aside, the leader, I suppose and the other kept his wand on me, ensuring that I wouldn't do anything. Amaranth- she, she saved me life...She was yelling at him, telling him to get away, that this didn't concerned him and to leave me be. He laughed and called her a whore, laughing at her methods with You-Know-Who, I think that's what he called them. Said that if what he was doing bothered her then she should find a tighter outfit, assuming she could, and try and sway You-Know-Who with her 'methods'." she said shakily, shivering and weeping at the memory.

(brb in about 15 minutes)

"Lord Voldemort cannot harm you here." Eglantine stated, patting Odessa's shaking arm. In her mind she added...and neither can your sister.
She was well practiced in Legilimency, to the point where she could use it nonverbally. Not sure if Odessa would have any practice in Occlumency, Eglantine looked into the woman's eyes and then into her mind.

Luckily the potion Viper had poured into her earlier that evening was one of her own making, one that was known to only Viper, designed to function like the imperius curse, but that didn't leave any trace. All that would be seen by a legilimens would be a person acting on their own thoughts and of their own free will.

Odessa stiffened. Her grandfather had bombarded her mind several times before, so she was well known to the intrusive feelings. She raised a bewildered eyebrow to the older woman.

Eglantine left her mind as soon as she saw her stiffen. Paling greatly, she closed her eyes. Everything was happening to quickly. Odessa's loss felt terribly familiar. Were all witches destined to see their muggle husband's butchered? she asked herself.

"I needed to be certain." she whispered to Odessa.

Odessa nodded sympathetically. "Of course. It's perfectly understandable. I know who my family is." she eyed the doorway where Viper had vacated earlier. "And I suppose Amaranth does nothing to ease your fears."

Kiara nodded.

"I never would have thought you two as sisters, your nothing alike. Now your sister asked if you could stay here, so you may stay as long as you want"

Odessa nodded, tears still lingering and flowing. "Thank you, Kiara.That is very kind of you. The reason for our differences is that I was lucky. Much luckier than Amaranth was..."

"How were you? Luckier?"

Odessa smiled softly, reminiscing about memories. "I was a mess when it came to magic, no special talent at all. And I'm not even that pretty, so when I do get a second glance, I know that all they see is me. she bit her lip as fresh tears flooded down. "That's what I loved about my husband. He saw me. He loved me. Not for my name, not for my talents. But for me." she sniffed lightly, willing herself not to break down completely in front of the others. "Amaranth will never know that feeling. When people see her they either see her name, her looks, or her talents. Never the real her."

Eglantine had to agree. She had tried without success to make it clear to Professor Viper that she would not judge her by her family or her house, but rather by her actions. However it seemed impossible, due to the fact that Viper herself judged herself by her family and house.

"You should rest." she murmured.

Odessa shook her head, tears still streaming down her face. "I don't think I could. Not just because of the nightmares. But because I'd wake up without him by my side, and the pain would be as harsh as ever. Worse, even."

"Where do you live?" Eglantine asked suddenly. She did not have the strength to execute the idea she had, but she would try nonetheless.

Odessa laughed bitterly as she laid against the bed. "I never quite had a home to begin with. It's ironic, really. I tried so hard for all these years to move around so my grandfather would never know where I am, and now its all for nothing. He sent houseelves after me, did you know? The last one I saw was a few years back when I lived in London. Forgive me, Professor. For I do not know how to answer your question. I no longer have a home."

Eglantine sighed, angry at herself for bringing up bad memories.
"I meant where were you when you were attacked." she elaborated.

Odessa eyed her oddly. "At my cottage..."

Eglantine blinked as her vision dimmed slightly. "Where is your cottage located?" she sounded oddly desperate. Time was crucial.

"In the suburbs." Odessa replied, a bit wary, wondering why this woman was so desperate to know where she lived.

"And precisely where are these suburbs?" Eglantine was close to cursing the woman for being so slow.

"Bristol!" Odessa sputtered as tears spplatered everywhere. "Why are you so intent on knowing?"

Eglantine brought her mouth close to Odessa's ear and whispered the answer.
"Because, I can bring him back." and without waiting for her reaction or response, Eglantine limped out of the room.

((Deepwell Cottage is where Professor DeLanuqar can be found))