Love Moves the Pain

Declan Hurst sat in his garden and enjoyed a few hours of down time. These days when most news was bad news, it was rare for him to take a few moments for himself. As the head of the most mysterious room in the Department of Mysteries, Declan worked hard to remind the wizarding world of hope and love. After losing loved ones to the darkness spread by the Death Eaters and Lord Voldemort, it was hard for many people to remember what it was like before death and catastrophe spread through every week, if not every day.

Binne Hurst, his wife, was working on keeping weeds from invading her garden, just as Declan worked on keeping the weeds of despair and sadness from overtaking hearts and souls of those he administered to, which was everyone he met. Binne looked up from her work and paused in her work. Declan followed her gaze down the lane. An adolescent blond-haired girl was walking wearily down the lane. She seemed lost and loneliness and despair radiated off of her like a grey cloud. If anyone could use Declan's specialties, this girl could.

Declan rose and walked to the gate separating his walkway from the main lane. As the girl drew closer, he saw a resemblance to his neighbor and cousin in her body build and color. This had to be Colleen's one surviving granddaughter, Aria. No wonder she seemed lost: she had recently lost her father and twin sister to the Death Eaters in just one blow.

Colleen had been living in Ireland when she had received the news of the attack on her son-in-law and granddaughter. She had not seen her granddaughters too often since they had started at Hogwarts. It was not surprising that their father wanted the summer and winter holidays with his daughters. There had been some tension between her and her son-in-law since her daughter's arrest as a Death Eater and later death in Azkaban. Until the girls attended Hogwarts she had gotten to spend two weeks during the summer with them at her home in Ireland. Wanting to make things as easy for Aria as she could, she moved back to England. Declan had known of a protected house just down the lane from him, and Colleen had gladly taken his help and moved in to the cottage.

"Well, well, well. . . It is nice to finally see Colleen's Aria out and about. I was starting to think you would never come wondering this way," Declan said as the girl reached the gate.

Aria jumped and looked about with a start. "Ah, sorry. . . I didn't see you there. Nana didn't mention anyone living down this way. I thought we were miles distant from any neighbors."

Declan looked into eyes as green as his, but clouded by loss. "My name is Declan and this is my wife Binne."

Binne still knelt in the worked soil and blushed with a look of fear running across her face. Declan watched as she took a deep breath and tried to control her fear of strangers. Looking back into the startling green eyes in front of him, he tried to give Binne time to collect herself.

"Colleen is my cousin, so that makes us family as well. I helped her find the cottage you are living in so that you could stay in England." Declan offered his hand for a hand shake.

Aria looked at the offered hand a moment as if wondering what was expected of her and then slowly raised hers to meet his.

Declan watched as her eyes widen in amazement as their hands met. Warmth and joy radiated from his hand and into her. It was one of the many things he had learned how to do behind the locked door in the Department of Mysteries.

Aria had closed her eyes and seemed to be taken the warmth as if it were rays of sunlight falling down around them. Slowly, Declan watched as the cloud of despair eased and dissipated from around the girl. After a few moments, she opened her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Wow, not sure what that was, but thank you! Life has been a bit of a clouded path to me since Aurora and Dad died, veiled by my sadness and despair...it has been almost as if I died with them." Pain entered her green eyes again, but Aria seemed to have regained some hope for the future.

"Healing the spirit is one of the things I'm best at. Sometimes all the spirit needs is to feel the warmth of hope to break out of the despair caused by the pain of loss. I can't get rid of the pain, but I can help people move into a place where they can learn to move on." Declan opened the gate and made a gesture to invite Aria into the garden. "Time is the only thing that can truly heal the heart and spirit after such a loss. I've been in a similar position before."

A flash of true pain and loss flashed across Declan's features as he talked. It was something that seemed alien on this joyful and loving man. He felt a strong hand grab his and squeeze it with love and tenderness. Glancing down, he saw Binne standing by him.

"Now is not a time to hear about me. You must focus on yourself so that you can come back to yourself before you need to head back to school. There you will find too many distractions to be able to truly heal." Declan smiled his big, shining grin down at Aria.

"May I offer you some tarts and lemonade? I baked the tarts this morning and the lemonade is fresh." Binne offered as she pulled her wand out and used it to clean the dirt off of her hands.

Aria studied the couple a moment before answering. "Sure. I am feeling a bit hungry, now that you mention it. I haven't had much of an appetite lately."

Binne led the way into a very homey kitchen. There were pies and tarts lining the shelves around the window.

Declan smiled as Aria took in all the smells and delicious looking sweets. There was a reason that he had a little more weight than was probably good for him. So far it hadn't slowed him down. Most of the people in his department were always complaining how hard it was to keep up with him. It helped that every piece of pie was served up with a generous supply of love from the quiet little lady that baked them.

Binne ushered Aria into a seat and quickly had a cool glass of lemonade in her hand. Declan was always amazed how his fearful wife came out of her shell when there was an obvious need for her ministrations.

"This is a beautiful garden! It seems to reach wide in all directions!" Aria declared, reaching for a strawberry tart as Binne placed a few plates of various tarts down on the table.

Declan took a chocolate tart as he waited for Binne's reply.

"Gardening is my second passion. I have worked all the way back to the forest line in one way or other. The garden stretches for a few acres around the house." Binne paused and a knowing grin spread across her face as she met Declan's eyes before continuing, "If you ever need some place to think or spend some time by yourself, please feel free to wander the gardens. I am never far from the house, so you are welcome to stop by for a visit if you need an ear to listen."

Aria finished her tart as she thought over the offer. "I would love to explore your gardens. You have so many beautiful and unique flowers just in the front. If I am ever a bother, please let me know."

Declan and Binne shared a few more tarts and told some airy tales while Aria just sat and enjoyed being in a happy home. After a while, she excused herself and wandered her way back down the lane, eying the garden as she passed.

******************

Rays of sunlight tickled at Aria's eyes the next morning when she woke. It was the first night since their deaths, Aurora and her father's, that she had not been continuously plagued by nightmares. Aurora had disappeared off the Hogwarts Express on their return from Hogwarts for the summer at the end of their fifth year. A fortnight later she had shown up back home. She was so calm, even when the Death Eaters appeared only an hour later. She had known her death was coming...but even though Aria had begged her to hide, to go somewhere with their father that was safe, Aurora would not go. She spent that last hour just holding Aria and sitting next to their father discussing the good moments of their lives together after apologizing for being a fool.

Aurora had calmly stood when angry voices arrived at the house. Almost immediately, spells had started flashing past the three of them. Aurora had looked at their father who grabbed Aria's hand and pushed a Portkey into it that had immediately transported Aria to Nymphadora Tonk's house. It had taken Tonks only moments to Apparate to her colleague's house, but Aria's father and sister were already dead and the Death Eaters were gone, the Dark Mark high in the sky above the house. Tonks had searched the house and finally returned to Aria at the apartment...breaking the news about the death of her sister and father. Tonks then explained that Aurora had left a package at her house just a few hours before. She must have stopped by the apartment on her way home. In the package Aria found Aurora's journal and poetry book. They looked empty to anyone who did not know the correct spells to reveal what was within...and Aria knew them well. She had similar books in her own room.

Tonks contacted Aria's Nana who came as quickly as she could to collect her devastated granddaughter. They stayed a couple nights at the Leaky Cauldron before her Nana moved them to a beautiful cottage in the country. Aria had spent those days just existing, unable to eat, drink, cry, or react. Her Nana was worried, and in the end Aria ate just to make the older lady happy. Aria was walking outside yesterday only because of her Nana.

Aria thought back to the day before when she had met that peculiar couple...Declan and Binne. Their garden had called to her, the unique plants begging to be looked up in her botany and herbology books. Her sister's journal and poetry book had also begged to be read...and her own called to be written in. So far Aria had been aloof... which wasn't fair to her Nana who had been trying to draw her out, who was also suffering with the death of her son-in-law and granddaughter. She had already lost her daughter years before when she betrayed the family and became a Death Eater...then died in Azkaban after giving birth to her twin daughters. They only had each other now, and though a large part of Aria had died with her father and sister, she was still alive. She needed to find a way to continue living, to find something worth living for.

Aria pulled herself out of her bed, got cleaned up, grabbed her knapsack packing up the journals and poetry books and a quill and bottle of ink, then went to the kitchen to eat. She did not see her Nana's eyes fill with tears and relief when she saw Aria moving about the house without strong coercion. Colleen helped her granddaughter to find breakfast, which she still only nibbled at, and watched as she went outside and down the lane towards Declan's house. She had known that her cousin would help her granddaughter heal from this devastating loss. She had hope again herself, because of Declan's calm, warm love. Binne's garden was a healing place. Colleen had healed herself there after the loss of her husband and later the loss of her daughter. She knew Aria would find her purpose and will to continue living there, too.

***************

Binne tried to hold the injured kneazle as Healer Corby Burr tried to exam the poisoned leg. "I hope that you can do something. I hate seeing him in such a state. I'm not sure what he was doing to get attacked, but the snake must have moved amazingly fast."

"I can't make an instant cure for him, but I can do some spells to pull the poison out. You will have to dose him with this potion for the next three days, but after that he should be fine." Corby handed Binne a violet potion in a beaker. "Three drops every six hours should do. I'm hoping he reacts to it like a human does. Animals aren't my specialty."

Binne blushed as she said, "I'm sorry, Corby. You are the only Healer I know, and you understand my problem with strangers. I didn't know who else to call."

"It is quite all right. I'm starting to get good with kneazles, owls, and rats thanks to you!" Corby smiled warmly at Binne.

Binne glanced out the window to see Aria watching them from under a tree. A book of some sort was open across her knees. Aria had been coming and spending hours in the garden. Color and health were spreading through her, and Binne knew the garden was working its magic. She watched as Corby followed her gaze.

Aria seemed embarrassed to be caught watching them and turned quickly back to her book, but Binne realized she was still watching them from the corner of her eye.

"Is that Declan's cousin's granddaughter Faylinn had told me about?" Corby asked.

"Yes, she spends a lot of time out beneath that tree. I have been working up front so I don't disturb her. I figure she'll come to talk when she is ready." Binne winked at Corby. "I have a new journal I have made for her, but I'm waiting for her to come up to the house before I give it to her. I figure she'll be well on her way to healing by then."

"She is lucky to have such great family and neighbors. With the attacks growing more numerous everyday, I have seen many kids that haven't the support or space to heal from such losses." Corby's eyes grew shadowed as he thought about the war.

Binne studied the middle aged man as he stood in front of her. "You know that you and your family are welcome to come visit at any time and to visit the garden for healing purposes. I know that Faylinn's brother was killed by the Death Eaters. You could send his family by too. They could even stay in the extra room for a while if they don't feel safe at their house."

"I'll pass on your message. I'm sure Laura would be glad to have somewhere to take Dylan and the twins to heal from David's loss. I better get going. Faylinn is probably wondering where I'm at." Corby gave the kneazle one last pat, gathered his things and headed out.

Binne gave Aria one last look and then headed to her craft room to finish the book she had made for her.

**********

Aria sat beneath her favorite tree, a Fagus sylvatica, or Beech tree. In centuries past, the wood was used to write upon before paper was perfected. The tree was also located to the side of Binne's garden and the shade was very relaxing when the sun was at its highest. She had tears in her eyes as she read from her sister's journal, learning of the confusion and trials that her sister had during her years at Hogwarts. It explained a lot about how she could become a Death Eater herself, but also her own doubts and fears. Aria also saw it as an apology, beyond the words that her sister had been able to utter before her death. The journal had the facts about Aurora's life and the poetry book shared her feelings.

As she sat deep in thought she felt something splatter against her skin, shocking her back into the current world. More splatters followed and Aria quickly gathered up the journals that lay around her and rushed towards the house. Just when she was about to knock, Binne pulled the back door open and ushered the now wet girl into her kitchen.

"I saw the rain starting and figured that you would come in to shelter from the rain. Would you care to join me for some tea?" the older woman asked with a shy smile upon her face.

That smile was just what Aria needed right now. Her emotions had been all over the spectrum from despair to anger to surprise at the inner workings of her sister's mind during the last couple of weeks. She wasn't ready to talk about her feelings and findings with anyone, maybe she never would be, but that warm smile reminded her that there was still goodness in the world, even a world at war.

"I would love some tea, Binne. I haven't had anything since breakfast; guess I lost track of time," Aria explained as she looked back out the window and realized that it was tea time; she had missed lunch.

"Well, then I'll have to add in some sandwiches and fruit to the offerings," Binne replied with a knowing grin.

"Don't go to any trouble for me! I'm not very hungry," Aria exclaimed as if she were being a burden.

"It's nothing, young lady. I've seen the long hours you sit out in my garden and know that you aren't getting enough to eat. You'd be more then welcome to come join me for lunch and tea every day. I'd love the company," Binne invited.

"I know I should go home and spend more time with Nana, but I've had some reading and processing to do," Aria said as she eyed her bag.

"Colleen is well aware of what you are doing, and has come to join me for lunch and tea a few times herself. She knows that you are hurting and that you miss your family. She is thrilled that you are getting up and moving about again. Now she just worries that you'll waste away on her from not eating," Binne said, watching Aria's gaze which had moved towards the hearth and the Bengal kneazle that was bathing himself there, a bandage on his right back leg.

"Go meet Perth. He is very friendly. Got his name from the thorn bush thicket I found him in; a snake bit his leg there. My friend Corby, a Healer, came to help me get him well. He does not like the potion Corby gave me, but is doing much better now," Binne informed the lonely girl.

Aria held back a few minutes, but this meeting seemed destined as Perth jumped down from the hearth and moved towards her. He meowed and then pushed Aria into a chair that was behind her and quickly jumped into her lap. The girl looked a bit amused by his antics, but found herself petting the cat-like creature, nonetheless. His purr quickly filled the kitchen as Binne set about making tea and sandwiches for the girl and herself. She added a few sweets and baked goods to the mix, too.

Aria just sat and petted the kneazle who seemed to have adopted the lonely girl.

"I think he has found himself a new owner." Binne winked at the drowsing girl.

Aria started at the voice that came from next to her. "What, oh, no I couldn't take him from his home!"

"I have several other pets in the house, which I've had to protect from his prowling. I'm sure you will find that he will follow you when you leave. When kneazles attach themselves to someone, they tend to stay attached," Binne replied as she studied Aria's face. "You look like you want to ask something; don't be afraid of asking questions. If I can't answer them, I will try to help you find the answer," Binne responded to the look of curiosity that had appeared on Aria's face while petting Perth.

"Well, I was just wondering about the potion that the healer made for Perth. What are the ingredients? Why does it work? Are there other potions that could have helped?" Aria's enthusiasm was very apparent as questions just burst forth from her.

Aria had never really wondered about such things before, but being surrounded by so much death and destruction, she felt the need to be able to fight back. She had a strong interest in herbs and was near the top of her class at Potions. She enjoyed Charms, Transfiguration, and Care of Magical Creatures, even when Hagrid was teaching. She had even learned a lot in Defense Against the Dark Arts, at least before Professor Umbridge. That year she had joined the DA at the urging of her friend Luna Lovegood and learned a lot from Harry Potter. She did well in all her classes and when she met with Professor Flitwick to begin planning her future before taking her O.W.L.s, she had no idea where she wanted to go after Hogwarts. She had a wide variety of interests and her scores were good all around. She felt pretty confident about her O.W.L.s. that she had taken in the spring, although the results were not back yet. She expected that owl to come any day now. Something seemed to spark in her heart and mind when she thought about the possibility of becoming a Healer.

Binne saw the spark that ignited behind Aria's eyes and knew that the girl had found a calling. "I can't answer those questions for you, but I could invite my friend Corby back to meet you. I'm sure he'd be delighted to talk to you about becoming a Healer."

"That would be great!" the girl replied as she gently pushed Perth off her lap so she could dig into the food that Binne had placed beside her. Binne noted that the girl's appetite might be coming back, too.

**********

A few days later, Corby Burr found himself back in Binne's kitchen. When young people showed an interest in becoming Healers, he always did his best to help them out. With the war going on, there was always a need for Healers. There had been fewer youngsters showing interest in the healing arts for the past few years, and he was worried that it would cause a lot of problems in a few decades.

When Aria entered the kitchen from the back garden, Corby saw the intelligence shining in her eyes, which wasn't surprising since Binne told him she was in Ravenclaw house at Hogwarts. Corby also saw the marks of great loss. This also wasn't surprising, but he also realized that she had started the long healing process when she gave a bright smile in welcome. Seeing these small things were one of the things that had made Corby a great Healer; those that could deal with the mind as well as the body were better able to help their patients.

"I hear that you were showing some interest in becoming a Healer." Corby smiled warmly as he ran his hand down Perth's soft coat when the kneazle greeted him. "It seems that our patient here is doing better, and doesn't hold grudges against those he knows to be helping him."

"He seems to have chosen me as his human. I'd say owner, but I don't think you can ever truly own a kneazle," Aria laughed.

"I think that you are right in that assessment." Corby watched the kneazle and girl curl up in a comfortable chair by the fire. "Binne has told me that we could use her laboratory for me to show you a few of the simple potions we use at St. Mungo's. The one I've been giving Perth there can be one of them."

Aria looked stunned for a moment and then excitement showed on her entire body. "I would love to learn a few of the potions! That sounds like so much fun."

"I'll come by every Saturday until the school term begins. We will only be able to cover a few potions, but it should be enough for you to get an idea of what we have to deal with when it comes to potions. It will also give you some time to ask me about other parts of the job." Corby smiled at Aria's delight.

Binne had been right in suggesting he come and spend some time with her.

********

The rest of the summer had some good days and some bad during which Aria just dwelled deep in that part of mind that held self-pity and suffering. Those dark days she often hid away in her room until Perth pushed her out and forced her to face the world. Sometimes courage can be found in the most bizarre places, Aria thought to herself on one of those occasions. Every Saturday Corby had Aria assist him in restocking a few of his potions, taught her a few healing charms, and even got permission for her to come in and shadow him one day at St. Mungo's. Corby even talked to Madam Pomfrey at Hogwarts about allowing Aria to assist her occasionally in the hospital wing after classes started up again in the fall.

The beginning of August Aria received an owl bringing her O.W.L. scores. She had received six O's and four E's, better than even she had hoped. Her O's were in Ancient Runes, Charms, Potions, Transfiguration, Care of Magical Creatures, and Herbology. Her E's were in Astronomy, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Arithmancy, and History of Magic. That day brought her into a deep depression as an hour after receiving her own scores, another owl came bearing Aurora's scores, as Aria was the next of kin and the Department of Magic thought she'd want to know how her sister did on her exams. Aria couldn't bring herself to look at the scores herself, but her grandmother told her that Aurora had done fairly well. When Aria shared her scores with Corby later that week, he was very impressed and told her that she was definitely where she needed to be with her scores to become a Healer.

As the end of August approached, the darkness from the beginning of the summer once again clouded Aria's world. Depression and fear settled over her and she almost missed her last Saturday with Corby. She realized that she was afraid of going back to Hogwarts. Only those in her year or older would realize that Aurora and she were sisters, but facing those who did know dragged her down. She didn't want to answer questions that she hadn't totally digested in her own heart and soul. She wasn't ready to be interrogated by those who saw her sister's fall into evil as they weren't there to see her rise back up just before her death. Aria realized that as much healing as she had done over the summer in Binne's garden, some of her wounds were still fresh and had barely stopped bleeding.

At moments like this, finding a friend who had been there, who recognized the fresh scars and knew the pain that could linger sometimes helped. In this moment of despair, as she shrunk back into her shell, just such a person came and reminded her that she wasn't alone. That people did care, and even though they didn't share her exact circumstances, they could feel pain like hers. Aria was burrowing into the darkest corner of Binne's garden, trying to become invisible when Declan found her...guided by Perth.

******

Declan knew that he was needed when Perth came in and meowed at his feet. It was something that he had been expecting once he realized Aria would be returning to school soon. Watching from the window looking over the garden, Declan had watched as healing and light became a part of Aria's world again. He had also watched as she struggled with the darkness that wanted to pull her back down. That darkness had tried to pull him back down at one time too.

Declan cautiously approached the sad girl. He didn't want to take her by surprise and was even surprise to receive a small grin from the Aria as she sat hugging her legs to her chest.

"School starts back up in a few days. How does that make you feel?" Declan asked as sat on the ground across from her.

Aria contemplated just a moment and replied softly, "Scared."

Declan studied her a moment before talking again. "I figured as much. . . I won't say that I understand how you feel; however, I can tell you a story of my own."

Aria's attention was grabbed now and she relaxed a bit as she lifted her head to watch him as he told his story. Declan leaned back against a tree as he started to share. "The summer after my fourth year at Hogwarts is one I'll never forget. I was a bit of a wild youth. Speed was the thing that gave me the biggest thrill and I did everything I could think of to move faster. I talked my parents into buying me the fasted broom available, and I would race it all around out backyard. My younger sister, Chelsea, would cheer me on and loved to just watch as I thought up ever crazier ways to achieve the speed that thrilled me.

"One weekend towards the middle of summer, I went to visit some cousins. That evening, we received a call that changed my life forever."

Tears filled Declan's eyes as he took a moment to breathe. "Chelsea had been killed while trying to surprise me by brewing a speed potion. She had added a few of the ingredients in the wrong order, and it caused the back of the house to get blown away. Not only was Chelsea killed, my mother had been in the next room and was also killed when the house fell on her. I was inconsolable for the rest of that week. I found some comfort in standing in Chelsea's room which stood at the opposite side of the house. That was where I found her plans for the potion and figured out what had happened.

"Father was still around, but he was always at work. I think it was his way of dealing with the pain. The problem was that it left me with no one.

"When out walking a few weeks after their deaths, I met a beautiful girl that seemed to sense the pain that surrounded me. She offered me some tea and cakes and managed to make me forget my pain for a few glorious hours. I spent much of the rest of summer with her. Whether we were in her mother's garden or kitchen, we were enjoying the company of each other. That was when I learned that love could hurt, but it was also what could heal the pain.

"When school was to start back up, I was scared of what the other students would say and do when they heard what had happened. Most of them would have learned about the accident in the Daily Prophet. I was surprised that the reality wasn't near what I had thought it would be. I had discounted the support I would get from my true friends. Though some did give me a hard time, I could get by because of the support from those whose opinions I truly valued."

Declan sat back up and looked Aria in the eyes. "It was that experience that started my path towards working in the Department of Mysteries."

The two sat in silence a bit. After a few moments Aria spoke up, softly at first, then with more finesse as she realized the truth of her words. "I've received a couple letters this summer from my friend Amber. She heard about what happened and she understood more than most my other friends. She knew that though Aurora and I had been fighting a few years, we were still twins and had a bond closer than normal sisters. I've talked to her about it, and though she doesn't totally understand, she's seen looks pass between Aurora and me at school even when we weren't getting along. We just understood each other without speaking. It wasn't conscious, it just was.

"I know that she'll help me through those first few days at school. I also know that things are going to be different this year. Something deep inside is telling me that this year is going to test our community, that of the wizards and witches. Harry Potter is out there somewhere. I hope that this is the year he defeats He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

"Aurora and Dad aren't the first deaths in this war, and they aren't going to be the last. Maybe I can use my experiences to help other students through the trying times. Take with me what you, Corby, Nana, and Binne have shared with me this summer. Perhaps I had to have this loss to learn from it, to grow from it, to use it and find my calling to become a Healer.

"I hope that I can continue to move on from the pain, to remember Daddy and Aurora without so much pain in my heart, to become a more empathetic listener and Healer from this experience. It is funny that this happened right before I had to choose my N.E.W.T. classes. Perhaps I can benefit from Daddy and Aurora dying now and not at some other point in my life."

The two sat side-by-side, listening to the sounds of the garden a while, and contemplating Aria's epiphany. After a few minutes, Binne came out of the house and brought a tray laden with tea and cakes. "I thought that you could use some refreshments."

Aria watched Binne a minute and then Declan as she placed the tray down on a nearby stump. 'That was also when you met and started falling in love with your wife, wasn't it?"

Declan chuckled as he saw the sly look on Aria's face. "Yes, that girl was Binne. If my sister and mother hadn't died when they did, I would have never learned the importance of love, and my relationship with Binne would have been very different. Unfortunately, my father wasn't as lucky as I to find love through the pain."

The light in Declan's eye faded a bit as he looked at Aria. "I had to watch as he worked himself to ill health and loneliness. By focusing on the loss for so long, he lost lots of happy moments with me. Sometimes I wonder if he had missed his time to die as well. Death is a blessing when it comes at the right time."

Aria wiped a tear from her cheek as she looked at Declan. "Aurora struggled through so much darkness in the years we were at Hogwarts. It was only the beginning of this summer that she had found her way out. At least she was able to work herself out and share with me what she felt needed shared before she died. I guess that was pretty lucky, wasn't it?"

"That it was, my dear. Not everyone gets the chance to make wrongs right before they die." Declan said with a caring look on his face. "You're feeling braver about going back to school now, aren't you?"

When Aria nodded, Declan smiled again as he turned to partake in the wonderful tea his wife had brought for them to share.