Masquerade (Discontinued)

Masquerade (Discontinued)

Sequel to Inside My Mind
Original by Sistergrimmlover
Hermione's in Azkaban, Draco's alive, Blaise is sad, Luna is ok, Bella and Tom are getting ready to get married, the Wars just begun.

WARNING: Violent and Sexual content
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
WARNING: This story is discontinued by author.

London, England, Great Britain, United Kingdom

Tuesday the 8th of August 2000

1:00 AM

He was watching, unable to say anything as he watched the woman stand in front of a long mirror, admiring her visage. The man could not deny that he was admiring her curvy body as well, because she was a thing of beauty even if he could not quite see her face.

She sported a form-fitting crimson battle robe. A porcelain pale mask painted with red lips covered her face. Black eyes stared out of the holes and she tilted her head as she looked in the mirror. Suddenly, she clapped her hands together and pulled them apart, a stone staff appearing between her hands and she pulled away. It hovered for just a moment before she grabbed it out of the air.

He could have sworn that he head a clap of thunder when she touched it.

As soon as her gloved fingers touched the stone, marks along the long staff glowed brightly before it slowly dimmed down to look just as it had before, yet slightly pronounced. He watched in fascination as she turned around and grabbed a cloak off a large bed and threw it around her shoulders. She walked quickly from the room and he was quick to follow her, somehow well aware that she wouldn't be able to see him.

The woman was turning sharp corners and such and he didn't make an effort to remember anything. He only watched and followed as he finally came into a large, open space. She stood in the doorway and he watched in surprise at the group of characters that stood in the room.

It was a small group of people though they all wore the strangest masks and costumes of sort.

The nearest woman was dressed in all black and a frightening mask. It had three long horns sticking and curving up at the top and she had on a black feathered headdress. She had on black fur around the collar of long black and brown tattered robes and what looked like a katana was strapped to her back. The mask looked almost tribal and had bared teeth and a black tongue lolling out of an open mouth.

"Very theatrical, Jabberwocky," the woman said and though he could not see her face, he could hear the obvious amusement in her voice.

"I try, my Lady," Jabberwocky commented in a distinctly feminine and wicked sounding voice. She gave a little cackle though sounded quite monstrous if he was being honest. Jabberwocky cleared her throat and turned to the man standing next to her.

He wasn't sporting a true mask but an intense mask of make-up. His face was caked with white and there were deep circles of purple around his eyes. On top of his head was a large top hat that was half-falling of his head. He was wearing a long velvet coat over leather trousers and a dark top. He could see the hilt of two knives just sticking out of his sleeves.

"My Lady…when do we go?"

"Patience, Hatter. We wait for my siblings. This is as much their mission as ours," the Lady said, patiently and Hatter nodded, slowly. He looked over to the two other people that were dressed in various costumes as well.

"It's too bad that Pa—" Hatter started.

"Careful, Hatter. You do not know who eavesdrops. Codenames alone," the Lady chastised, sternly and Hatter blushed underneath his caked on make-up. He nodded in understanding before looking stern and resolute once more.

"It's too bad that Alice, Dodo, Caterpillar, White Rabbit, and the Tweedles can't be here," Hatter said, reluctantly and the Lady gave him a soft look with her eyes alone as her face stayed frozen. She tilted her head.

"They are intelligence and special operations. I shall save them until they are needed. And in this particular instance, they are not," the Lady said, calmly. Suddenly, she stiffened and glanced to the doorway just as it swung open to reveal two figures.

The first wore a white mask with a square jaw line, a large nose, and no mouth. He had on a thick black hood over his head, revealing nothing but the mask. His black cloak wrapped around his body completely and only his hands were distinguishable from his body, being wrapped in silver. His left hand was grasping the staff of a large double-bladed scythe.

The man next to him wore a large black hat, a long black cloak, and plague doctor mask. He had what at first appeared to be a staff but then he saw that it was in fact a spear. He had white gloves and he remained unmoving as the one with the white mask moved forward.

"Thanatos," the Lady spoke with a smile.

"Nikolai," Thanatos greeted and the Lady Nikolai looked over to the unmoving man.

"Apollo, are you all right?"

"Quite fine," Apollo said, softly and he nodded towards the Lady Nikolai before moving fully into the room and closing the thick wooden door behind him.

Lady Nikolai looked around at the small group that stood in the room before she turned to look towards the door. Her dark eyes flashed though not in any type of anger, as far as he could see. She looked almost cautious as the door swung open once more.

He barely restrained his gasp and came out at quiet strangled sound instead.

There, standing in all his Dark glory, was the terror that was currently threatening to take over the Wizarding World of Britain.

Lord Voldemort.

Even though he did not say them aloud, he shuddered in fear.

And by his side, was Gellert Grindelwald, looking younger than he had in any of the pictures and photos that he had seen at his job. The young man had wavy blonde hair, navy eyes, and he appeared to be in his mid-thirties at the moment, which was disconcerting, as he could clearly remember an interview long ago from Bella Potter about him. He had looked like he was in the twenties, he was sure.

The Dark Lord walked up to Lady Nikolai in all of his snake-like magnificence. His slitted crimson eyes stared upon Lady Nikolai's mask and she did not move from her stop as she stared up at the tall man. His bald head shined dimly in the low light and his lipless mouth was set in a hard line.

"Are you quite certain you want to do this?" the Dark Lord asked, carefully.

Lady Nikolai tilted her head.

"He's coming awake. They all are. The Virtues, I mean. It'll be unbalanced if we don't get her. We can't…we need her. We're losing," Lady Nikolai insisted and he was inclined to disagree with her.

Hogwarts, Unplottable Location, Scotland, Great Britain

Saturday the 26th of June 1998

5:00 PM

Bella wore the ring on her finger proudly as she walked through the gobsmacked crowd, her hand entwined with Tom's. He had a smug smirk on his face and he looked like he was filled with complete and utter satisfaction. Bella couldn't quite begrudge him of that yet. He had worked so hard.

Bella came up to Maya and Sirius. Sirius was staring with a raised eyebrow and Maya looked quite ready to pass out from the excitement on her face. As soon as Bella was fully in front of them with Tom by her side, Maya threw her arms around her. Bella returned the hug whole-heartedly, a smile upon her beautiful face.

"You're getting married! I'm so proud of you," Maya squealed and Bella grinned.

"Yes, I'm rather proud myself though strangely enough…it was Gianna who made me realize that I was being a total idiot," Bella said, jokingly and Tom snorted. Bella looked up at him with an amused expression on his face.

"I knew there was a reason I made that girl my Heir," he said, quietly and secretively, only to those in front of him. Sirius' eyes widened.

"What about Bella?"

"She's going to be my wife. Not my Heir. That's the equivalent of my child and it's just odd," Tom snapped, rolling his eyes at Sirius' 'stupidity'. Sirius glared at him, annoyed. He sighed, shaking his head.

"Are you sure you want to marry this bastard?" Sirius asked. Bella smirked.

"He's my bastard."2

"I'm not a bastard. And by the way, I want my ring back," Tom said and Bella spun to look at him, shocked. She put a hand on her hip and her eyes narrowed in anger.

"You want the ring back? Then what's the point of giving it to me?" she snarled and Tom rolled his eyes, pulling out a familiar blue box. Now that Bella could fully see it, it was a very pretty blue. Maya gasped.

"That's Tiffany blue…" she breathed and Bella raised an eyebrow.

"Who the hell is Tiffany?"

"A jewelry maker. Daphne picked it up for me. That ring will be your wedding ring. The ring in the box…is a bit more…appropriate," Tom said, choosing his words carefully. Bella raised an eyebrow and only gave him a disbelieving look as she took the box. She turned to look over at Sirius whom didn't seem too pleased.

"Oh, Uncle Sirius give me break. I'm an adult. I'm moving out…"

"You're moving out?" Sirius blurted out, shocked. Bella rolled her eyes again.

"Yes. I'm seventeen, graduated, and I've been accepted into my Law program. I'm living at One Hyde Park. Tom gave it to me as a congratulatory gift for passing my Masteries and N.E.W.T.s and securing the spot as student speaker. I haven't toured it yet but…" Bella trailed off as she finally took a good look at the ring that sat inside the box. People around them craned their necks to see, as they had long since broke into murmurs and whispers about the newly engaged couple.

Bella tried to ignore the looming reporters.

At least no one had tried to take pictures of her and her ring yet.

The ring was absolutely gorgeous though Bella preferred her onyx ring. But, this ring gave it a run for its money.

It was platinum and the band had diamonds all around it that twinkled brightly in the bright sun, almost to the point where it blinding. The center diamond was large and had to be 1.5 carats. It was a gorgeous ring but…

"Tom…how much did this cost?" she asked, her mouth dry. Tom raised an eyebrow.

"In Muggle money?"

"Sure…it'll take me time to work out how much it is in galleons. I'll live longer that way," she answered, almost dreamily and she sounded reminiscent to Luna in that way. She wondered, detachedly where Luna was.

"£18,100."

Maya's eyes widened.

"Oh…that's…that's…3620 galleons, you moron!" she shrieked.

There were sharp intakes of breath and then with that shout, hell broke loose.

"Miss Potter! How do you feel about your future husband wasting your fortune?"

"Miss Potter, where has this come from exactly? For how long have you been in love with your fiancé?"

"Miss Potter! Miss Potter, how long have you been in a relationship with your professor?"

"Ex-professor! And I don't think it's any of your damn business!" Bella snarled and Tom rolled his eyes as more questions were fired at them. He grabbed her hand, snapped the box shut and began dragging her from the crowd, shooting glares at anyone that even tried to touch them.

"We have another engagement to attend to. Please excuse us," Tom said, sharply and he shoved through the crowd, passing the shocked Weasleys and Lavender Brown. They were staring wide-eyed and both Gideon and Ginny looked close to tears. Tom smirked at Gideon and ignored Mrs. Weasley's fury.

"Come on, love. We have a party to get to," Tom snickered and Bella's eyes widened at his cruel behavior.

Instead of being annoyed, she was simply amused.

"You're horrible, Tom," she said, gleefully though she allowed him to pull her away and pass the heartbroken faces of the youngest Weasleys.

Ginny watched as the young, beautiful woman walked, hands entwined with the handsomest man that Ginny had ever had the pleasure to see in her life. He was staring down at her with a half-smile upon his face and Ginny knew that that was a rare occurrence. In her entire six, going on seven, years at Hogwarts, she had never seen Professor Riddle smile once.

And Bella had made him smile like that, something Ginny could never do.

Ginny knew, deep inside, that she'd never truly had a chance with Tom Riddle. He was much older than her and undoubtedly smarter. Ginny had done her research and knew that he had a Mastery in just about every subject that Hogwarts offered and that he knew several languages, which included but was not limited to, French, Druhir, and Russian. He was also cold and Ginny had honestly thought that he just wasn't interested in women.

The Slytherin Manor, Unplottable Location, England, Great Britain

Saturday the 26th of June 1998

7:30 PM

"Presenting Mister Ronald Weasley, Sixth Son of the Weasleys and his…plus one, Miss Lavender Brown," announced the person at the door and Ronald made a face as he was announced and he looked around for his brothers, curious if they had been invited once more. He couldn't spot any of them and he looked over at Lavender.

She fixed her pink, feathered mask onto her face once more and she looked around in wonder at the masked figures dancing the traditional waltz. Ron cringed when he remembered that he couldn't waltz very well. Or dance in general.

"Look at all of this…it's so beautiful," Lavender breathed and Ron looked around and couldn't disagree. He looked forward, next to where the band was and frowned when he saw a long table. It seemed that the most important guests were to sit there along with the hosts, as was custom.

But…the hosts weren't there.

"Who do you think they are?" Lavender asked, staring in wonder at the front table and Ron looked, scanning over the table.

In the dead center were two empty, large golden throne-like chairs. To the right of the second throne sat at a little girl. Ron couldn't help but compare her to a fairy of sorts for she was so pretty. She couldn't be older than seven and Ron recognized her as Gianna, the little girl that played the piano with Bella.

She wore a silver dress and her long brown curls were pulled back into a ponytail with an silver ribbon. She was leaning over the table, watching everyone dance and sitting next to her was a man with golden robes and a matching mask, fastened in the middle by a blazing sun.

Sitting next to the other empty seat was a woman that couldn't possibly be anyone but Luna Lovegood for she was wearing such a…loony dress. It was a bright and almost obnoxious green and purple. Her mask was checkered purple and green, lined with gold. Sitting next to her in robes of black and a mask that resembled a Death Eater's mask couldn't be anyone but Draco Malfoy.

Ron's jaw clenched tightly.

"Ron?"

Ron turned and blinked when he saw Neville Longbottom with one…Daphne Greengrass attached to his arm. Daphne was looking at the two, coolly but at least she wasn't looking at him as if he were muck on the bottom of her pristine shoes.

"Neville," Ron greeted and Lavender smiled.

"It's such a beautiful ball," Lavender complimented and Daphne raised an eyebrow and nodded in agreement.

"I should think so. Bella has been fretting about it for months now, though I didn't quite know it was her doing this all until I took a second look at the invitation the other day. Really, I should've known. Who else could have been Lady Slytherin?" Daphne said, almost kind if she had not sported a frigid smile.

Ron couldn't understand how his kind ex-roommate could think that this woman was worth anything. She was a stupid, rich Slytherin. It slipped Ron's mind that Neville was rather well off as well.

"She helped him, did she?" Lavender asked, interested and Daphne cleared her throat, leaning forward with narrowed eyes.

"I heard what Luna said to you. She told me. I advise you not to speak of them with ill will, either. Tom and Bella are both my friends. I'd hate to have to…tell them. They both have such great political standing," Daphne threatened and Ron almost felt panicked. He glanced at Lavender and she looked almost confused by Daphne's quiet threat. Ron was a pureblood despite being considered a blood traitor and he knew that he would have to handle this.

His father had essentially quizzed him on this before he had left. He couldn't bring shame to the family.

"Oh, none of that. It's party…we will go to find our table," Ron said, almost nervously and Daphne's quiet smile curled into something more vicious. Neville frowned and gestured towards the doors.

"You're at the back table."

"Where are you sitting?" Lavender asked, leaning forward curiously. Daphne smiled.

"Near the band. I am…playing tonight."

"Oh. What instrument do you play?" Lavender asked. Neville smiled as Daphne suddenly looked reluctant. Neville sighed and shook his head.

"She plays the cello, viola, and violin. She's so well rounded," he smiled down at her and Daphne looked up at him with a warm grin on her face. Ron blinked. He had never seen such a foreign expression on her face before. Suddenly, her grin disappeared.

"Yes well. Bella wanted us…close. Did you hear about what she did earlier?" Daphne asked and Neville frowned.

"What?"

"Well…Tom, apparently, is a vegetarian and he is disgusted by all meat besides, chicken to an extent. She requested a vegetarian meal for the both of them. She's so thoughtful," Daphne said and she glanced at Lavender whom was shocked to hear this little tidbit. Ron hoped that she didn't let her curiosity get the better of her.

"When did they…enter a relationship?"

And there she goes…

Daphne frowned.

"It is…complicated. So very complicated. I don't think you can quite call it a relationship. I'm sure you'll hear something in the tabloids. I think Michael was right. They'll have to deal with the press soon. It's too soon to hear about everyone's reactions," Daphne said, calmly to Neville and Ron found himself nodding in agreement, strangely enough. Daphne cast him a frown before looking back at Neville.

"I think…I think Bella's a little headstrong and that Riddle better keep her temper under control because I think she's going to like what she finds tomorrow morning," Neville said, earnestly and suddenly, a wicked grin spread across Daphne's face. Ron was almost alarmed by her lecherous look.

"I'm pretty sure she'll love what she's waking up next to tomorrow morning. If I didn't have you, I'd sure be pretty damn happy to wake up next to that fine man…" Daphne said and Neville flushed before casting her an annoyed look. He looked over at Ron and Lavender, not surprised at all by their shock and he sighed, shaking his head.

"If you'll excuse her. I think she's had too much to drink."

"Too much to drink? I'm always like this! And I've only had one glass."

"Of straight liquor. Daphne…please," Neville said, pulling her away. Daphne looked over her shoulder and winked, maliciously before allowing Neville to drag her off. Ron and Lavender were left shell-shocked.

"I thought purebloods were snobby and stuck up. She's kind of…crazy," Lavender murmured. Ron couldn't help but nod in agreement.

He frowned and walked towards their seats. Lavender sat down, pushing her big pink skirt down as she scanned the crowds for the hosts. She looked at their tablemates with distaste. Old people surrounded them.

The Burrow, St. Ottery's Catchpole, England, Great Britain

Sunday the 28th of June 1998

10:00 AM

Gideon stared at the cover page of the Daily Prophet with a blank expression on his face. He felt nothing as he stared down at the gigantic picture of Bella entwined with one Tom Riddle, sucking face. The picture moved so that they separated and Bella looked dazed and Riddle looking triumphant. He could hear his sister looking over his shoulder.

"I can't believe this! Mum! Do you see this?" Ginny shouted behind Gideon. Gideon didn't have to turn to know that his mother was standing behind him as well. It wasn't necessary. Her anger was practically palpable.

"I saw it! How could Albus and Sirius allow this to happen?" Mrs. Weasley demanded, angrily and Gideon wasn't too sure if she was angry on Bella's behalf or not. Gideon frowned down at the paper and caught sight of a ring on her finger.

"I can't believe this! They're getting married! She's marrying her professor!" Ginny spat, angrily and Gideon's brow furrowed.

"Ex-professor," he contributed, quietly. He looked up and over his shoulder and saw the two redheaded women giving him strange looks. Mrs. Weasley's eyes softened as she moved away from the fireplace and the Floo and towards him. She gave him a look full of pity.

He hated it.

"I'm sorry Gideon. That wretched girl…"

"That wretched girl is in love with that man and we can't do anything to change that," Gideon said, softly and he stood and walked away from the kitchen table, his appetite permanently ruined.

Prague, Czech Republic, Central Europe

Monday the 29th of June 1998

2:00 PM

"They're here! I'm telling you, Rita."

Rita looked at her niece in disbelief, shaking her head. Belinda nodded, frantically and she sighed, tapping her wrist slowly, as if to remind Belinda that Rita was actually on a deadline for a damn story.

Well more of a sighting of the elusive and newly engaged couple that everyone in the wizarding world was talking about anyway. They were a story in itself and Rita wanted to be the first to know when all of this had occurred. But, then when she had been about to go out into Diagon Alley, Belinda had appeared in her Floo and had dragged her to Prague.

"Belinda. We're in Prague. Why would we be in Prague?" snarled Rita, angrily. Belinda knew.

Belinda knew that it was hard for Rita's stories to get front page now. It was hard enough to get rehired by the Daily Prophet after Potter and Riddle had humiliated her by calling her out on her more…embellished pieces. No one had trusted her not to…make things up but now that she was back, she was not going to let it go. She was going to be bigger and better and her one way ticket back up would be at least a photograph of the couple together.

Even Belinda knew how much a picture of a kiss between the two would be worth.

"I swear they're in Prague. Christine told me. I don't know but she said that they would be here today because her friend, whom is supposedly close to them, said she was going with them. And remember, Prague is like the capital of music. Bella plays an instrument, right?" Belinda asked and Rita nodded slowly in agreement though she was still doubtful.

They were wandering wizarding Prague but the couple still stayed hidden from their eyes and Rita's beautiful camera. Her fist clenched ever so much before she remembered that her nails were a bit too long for that. She relaxed and sighed before looking to her niece.

"Belinda, sweetheart, you know you can't trust everyone. I thought I taught you that. It's a dragon eats dragon world. You must be the bigger dragon and you let this Christine girl trick you…" Rita started and then she stopped, realizing that Belinda wasn't even listening to her. Which she couldn't understand why.

Belinda always listened to her. But now, the girl seemed in quite a state, eyes wide and such.

"They're in Muggle Prague…that must be it. They wouldn't show up in the wizarding world because they don't want to be seen, right?" Belinda pointed out. Rita stopped before a crocodile smile spread across her face. She nodded and grabbed onto Belinda's frail hand before pulling her out of the way of several wizards and witches. They walked quickly towards the portal to the…Muggle world.

Rita tucked her quill into her large crocodile bag and she made sure that she didn't have any wizarding objects sticking out of her pockets. She frowned and then slid her wand into her bag. She was glad that she had decided to wear her new green skirt and suit duo. Rita bit her painted red lips and strutted towards the portal before stepping through, her wispy blonde niece in tow.

Belinda blinked when she came into contact with Muggle Prague. She had never actually spoken to a Muggle before and this was all new to her. She looked over at her Aunt Rita and saw that the woman looked less than impressed but that wasn't new. Aunt Rita was very rarely impressed by things.

They walked through the narrow, winding streets of Muggle Prague decisively. Belinda would do anything to get her Aunt Rita back on top where she belonged. The young fifteen-year-old absolutely adored her aunt to her mother, Anita's annoyance. Anita was nice and all but she was boring compared to her Aunt Rita.

"Belinda, get your head in the game and keep your eyes peeled, kid," Rita said, her own eyes narrowed behind bejeweled spectacles. She patted her hand to her blonde beehive, just to make sure it was still in place before she began to take longer strides. She frowned when something pricked her ears.

It was the sound of a buzzing crowd, getting ready to listen to something beautiful. It was the sound of front page worthy news. Rita was instantly distracted and she made her way towards the sound, despite the fact that she was not looking for Muggle news. She pushed her way through the crowd, never letting go of her wispy niece and what she saw made her lips fall open.

Two familiar women sat across from each other in folding chairs, a chestnut colored cello in front of the shorter and dark haired woman. The taller, blonde woman had a black cello with a matching bow. They were grinning at each other. Next to them was a white grand piano with a beautiful woman sitting at it. Sitting next to the piano was an open guitar case that was filled with paper notes of the Czech currency. Strangely enough, there wasn't a guitar. They were all very familiar.

Daphne and Astoria Greengrass.

Bella Potter.

Tom Riddle.

Blaise Zabini.

Draco Malfoy.

Luna Lovegood.

Number 12, Grimmauld Place, London, England, Great Britain

Friday the 3rd of July 1998

2:00 PM

"She is here?"

Maya pursed her lips as she stared at the two Hogwarts professor. Her arms were crossed, debating whether she should tell the two if her daughter was here or not. The pleading look in Dumbledore's blue eyes seemed to win and Maya nodded. Minerva looked relieved.

"She's upstairs. In her study."

"She has a study?" Minerva asked in surprise. Maya shrugged and tilted her head as she led the two professors from the Floo and towards the stairs.

"Not a study, per say. She doesn't really live here in anymore. I mean, occasionally, she sleeps here, but she really sleeps at the Slytherin Manor. She's actually preparing to move into her flat in London. However, her piano is large and she needs space for it," Maya explained as they began to make their trek up the old and creaky stairs. Minerva nodded in understanding and they fell into an uncomfortable silence again.

Maya sighed as she led the two professors up the stairs. She had mixed feelings about all of this.

Maya Wilkins was not stupid.

She knew why they were there.

They were there to make a deal with Bella. They wanted to make amends but they also wanted something from her. Maya hoped that Bella knew what she was doing.

They finally reached the final landing, the attic. Maya opened the door and suddenly, music emerged from the soundproof room.

It was soft and sounded quite innocent although it sounded as if Bella was simply playing around with notes. Maya tilted her head and held up a finger, listening to how Bella created music. She was never really present when that happened but now, she was genuinely curious as to how Bella composed.

And then, suddenly, Bella was playing out chords as she messed around. It sounded absolutely wonderful and then Bella stopped. There was the quick sound of a quill on parchment before the playing resumed once more. Maya walked inside as quietly as possible, beckoning Dumbledore and McGonagall after her.

Maya's eyes widened when she caught sight of her daughter.

Bella's eyes were closed as her fingers drifted up and down the white piano, creating a run. She didn't even look like she noticed what she was doing. Maya couldn't help but notice that she didn't have her gloves on, exposing the numerous scars on her left hand. Maya hated seeing them, knowing that most of the scars had been caused by people who wanted to hurt Bella.

But then again, some she had made herself.

The young woman stopped, suddenly before hesitantly continuing on with lighter strokes of the keys. She continued to play on the high part before she frowned and slammed chords down, bringing a new depth to her playing. She sighed, a slow smile spreading across her face as she made another run from one end of the piano to the other end.

With that run, her fingers began strange dance as they twisted on the ivory with such complexity that Maya couldn't possibly keep up. Bella was treating the piano like one would treat their lover. There was undoubtedly a passion within her that made Bella continue to play like that.

The woman was shifting forward as her left hand made runs and she played the melody with her right. Bella was grinning, unashamed with her eyes closed. Her expression was so free and beautiful that it took Maya's breath away and made her smile. Bella's zeal for music was so strong…

And she was surprised that she had never noticed how strong it was.

The intensity of the song died down and Bella's fingers simply caressed once more, no longer dancing as they had been before. The increasing simplicity obviously meant the end and when Bella's fingers made one more run up the keyboard, Maya knew that meant the end.

"Knock, knock," Maya said, calmly. Bella's eyes flashed open and she looked over her shoulder, expressive green eyes staring out from behind large horn-rimmed glasses. They were falling down the slope of her nose and she moved to push them up.

"Yes?"

"Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall have something to speak to you about," Maya said, softly. Bella nodded, slowly. She blinked and tilted her head, observing the two professors.

"Oh…okay. Thank you. Have a seat. I'm sorry about the mess. I wasn't expecting…guests," Bella said, ending rather snidely. McGonagall looked around and noticed for the first time that the floor was littered with balls of parchment and there were piles of sheet music in strategic places on the ground.

McGonagall stooped to pick up a ball of parchment and she uncrumpled it and was surprised to see that it had bars of music on it but then had been scribbled on and tossed away. McGonagall lifted her wand, about to clean up when Bella held a hand up.

"Leave it on the ground. I get back to it eventually and edit it," Bella explained. McGonagall nodded, reluctantly and she crossed to the couch and sat down. Dumbledore followed her and they sat down. Maya gave Bella a look.

"I'll be fine, Maya. You go back to your writing," Bella murmured. Maya nodded in understanding and she closed the door behind her as she walked away. Bella turned back to her guests and crossed her arms.

"What is it that you need of me?"

"Your playing was exquisite, Bella," Dumbledore complimented and despite Bella's frigid disposition, a smile, albeit a chilly one, spread across her face. She tilted her head in curiosity.

"Thank you but I doubt that is why you are here. I ask again. What is it that you need of me?" Bella asked and McGonagall leaned forward.

"We, well, I came to apologize for making assumptions and attempting to make your decisions. We would like to restore our relationship with you. I do remember what happened after that man's head was delivered to you and I know you've already suffered abuse. I was simply worried about you," McGonagall said, sincerely and Bella raised an eyebrow. She leaned back against her piano before she turned and shut the lid. She turned back around and sighed.

"I'm…thank you. But, I can take care of myself. I would never let anyone take advantage of me like that. You think that I cannot take care of myself. You have never seen me in true battle and I believe you will be surprised when you do. I know many of the Order have their doubts," Bella said, finishing sourly. Dumbledore nodded, confirming his thoughts and he leaned forward, his fingers laced together and sitting in his lap.

"That's true. Many of the new members have expressed doubt," Dumbledore admitted and Bella sighed.

"I'm not surprised. I bet they also think I'm only a theoretical Master of Defense Against the Dark Arts," Bella said, sarcastically and she gaped when she saw both Dumbledore and McGonagall nodded, confirming her sarcastic comment. She shook her head in disbelief and sighed.

Level X, Azkaban Prison, Isle of Azkaban, Atlantic Ocean

Wednesday the 22nd of July 1998

10:30 PM

She frowned as she recalled the whispers of the other prisoners. She knew that they had been whispering about her earlier and she hated it. She reminded herself to kill them when Bella finally decided to break her out of this hellhole that she called 'home'. Her expression curled into one of slight distaste. She shook her head and sighed. Hermione stood from her previous position and she cleared her throat, picking up the long stick that Bella had smuggled in for her.

Hermione centered herself, clearing her chaotic yet analytical mind, before she spun with absolute control and she slashed down. If there was any time to practice her katas, it would be then. She had time anyway.

Loads of time, she thought bitterly.

Hermione shook her head, reminding her on the task at hand. She could remember the words that Tom had shouted at her when she had first took up the art of the sword and she grit her teeth as she recalled them.

"Do not swing! Arch! It is an extension of yourself! Of your arm! It does not control you! You control it! You are its master! Control! Control! CONTROL!"

The woman could feel the difference in her slashes and strokes now more than ever as she felt absolute control. Inside, her head was screaming with voices that did not belong to her. They were screaming knowledge that she tried to store as fast as possible. She had no control in there. All of the other things…other voices did. Her mind was not her own. At least, she didn't think it was.

But on the outside, she was calmer than she had ever been before. On the outside, she was in control and it felt so damn good.

Her movements were graceful and fluid. She spun and slashed and thrust as if she and the sword were part of one being just as she had always aspired it to be. The hilt was an extension of herself and her utmost fury at being trapped in this cage was her blade. She felt the anguish and rage well up in her as she continued on and she remembered the shouted words again.

CONTROL! CONTROL! CONTROL! CONTROL IT! CONTROL IT! CONTROL IT!

She harnessed that anguish and rage and began to unleash furious slashes that would strike down men when she was finally unleashed. Her fury reached a whole other level when she felt it.

There was another presence and she looked up in surprise at the man that stood before her.

His shining bald head glistened in the dim moonlight. Eyes the color of rubies contrasted greatly with his pale, pale skin. His long, spider-like fingers were clutching a wand. Hermione knew the core was Acromantula Web and the wood was ebony. He stared at her with fiery eyes but a cool expression, a strange and abrupt contrast. She appraised him again and her eyes widened suddenly upon what she had assumed to be an empty hand.

She was wrong.

In his other hand was a scabbard holding a sword.

"The Dark Lord approaches my lonely prison cell. I should count myself luck…" Hermione said, cuttingly and the man sneered at her. He tilted his head as he stared at the young woman before he leaned forward.

"You should count yourself that they didn't find out about your other crimes. Otherwise, your life would have been forfeit. I come here with an offer," the Dark Lord said, coolly and Hermione logically knew that this man was Tom Riddle but she couldn't help but feel utter disdain for his alter ego. The alter ego reminded her of his greatest betrayal. But, no…she couldn't dwell on that. There were more important matters at the moment.

Hermione tilted her head with blatant and almost childlike curiosity.

"What?"

"We're going for a ride."

Hermione looked up as a man stepped from the shadows and her eyes widened in shock as she took in the sight of him.

The man wore a stranger mask that Hermione immediately recognized. She had taken to learning about Venice after Bella had returned from her day-trip. The plague doctor masque was one that could be easily recognized. Atop his head was a large black wide-brimmed hat. His gloves were black and he looked more akin to an executioner than a Healer in Hermione's eyes. Eyes that appeared golden in color stared back at her, conveying the emotions that he kept off his face. Love.

Pure and utter love.

"My love," she said as a way of greeting and the man took a step forward, tilting his head ever so slightly.

"Mia cara," he murmured softly, placing a hand to her bare cheek and he she leaned into it. She frowned, slightly.

"Hmmm…where are Nikolai and Thanatos?"

"She's with the family. She knows there's a raid and she's making sure that the man doesn't take part. She acknowledges that it is not yet time for her to enter the battle. On the off chance that someone discovers your disappearance Thanatos is with his parents. He needs an alibi," Apollo said, softly and Hermione looked at the Dark Lord as he lifted the sword and scabbard towards her, hilt first and Hermione's hand flew through the bars and she drew the sword.

The gleaming steel shined in the dim moonlit night.

She watched as the Dark Lord pulled from his pocket a rod of vine wood that looked just polished and new. The convict felt an ache within her that was quickly sated as she pulled it from the man's hand. The power rushed through her, reuniting with her core and she felt calm for the first time in ages.

She looked up with dark and vengeful eyes.

"Lets ride."

Number 12, Grimmauld Place, London, England, Great Britain

Thursday the 23rd of July 1998

10:00 PM

"Why aren't you at your flat?" Maya asked in surprise as she saw her goddaughter standing near the Floo. Bella frowned in annoyance and she shook her head, not willing to say apparently. Her green eyes flashed with something unknown and she yanked on a long ebony lock of hair.

"Don't want to talk about it."

Maya sighed, shaking her head. She assumed that Tom had said something stupid.

"Okay, sweetheart. Sirius is in the shower now. He'll be ecstatic to know that you're here," Maya said, sweetly and Bella gave a distracted and almost forced smile before she nodded in agreement. She shuffled forward, slowly before she collapsed onto the couch. She curled up in the corner of it, looking more tired than she should.

Number 12, Grimmauld Place, London, England, Great Britain

Friday the 24th of July 1998

4:00 AM

"Love?"

Bella groaned and swatted angrily at whomever had addressed her. She turned over, long thick hair entangling with her pale arm. She felt a large hand caress her face, lovingly and she leaned into it and let out a sigh of content.

"Love, come on. Wake up."

Bella cracked open a green eye and could only see a tall and fuzzy shape standing over the bed that she had slept in since she was three. She groped on her night table for her glasses and she frowned when she didn't find it. She sat up, her cheeks flushed from sleep and her eyes glassy.

"Whuzzgoinon? Whersmaglassez?"

"Here, sweetheart."

She felt that same large and gentle hand slid her glasses into her hand and she placed it on her face. It slid down the slope of her aristocratic nose and it was crooked but she could still see. She frowned when she realized that she had failed to pull her hair back into either a ponytail or a braid for the night. She stared up at her fiancé and her eyes widened at the sight of him.

He was pale and there were the beginnings of dark circles beneath his eyes. His expression was strained and the crimson in his dark, dark eyes were even more apparent. He looked exhausted and ready to collapse on his feet. He still donned his black battle robes and her eyes widened when she saw that it was burnt. His hands were bloodstained but she could tell that it was not his blood.

"Tom?" she murmured, her voice hoarse from sleep. Tom nodded and he held out his hand. Bella grabbed it and stood from the bed. Her knees gave out from under her and she fell against Tom, clutching to him weakly. Tom frowned before bending and grabbing Bella up from her under knees and pulling her to his chest.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face into his collarbone. He walked slowly from the room and he kicked the door open, softly. His eyes widened when they fell on the Lord Black.

"I knew you were here. I sensed the Darkness enter the wards," Sirius murmured, softly. He looked almost accusatory. Tom raised an eyebrow as he stared at the man whom despised him so much.

"Yes. Why are you here?"

"Why do you have my goddaughter?"

"I'm taking my fiancée home. Where she belongs," Tom said, sharply and Sirius glared at him, fire in his grey eyes. He had a challenging look upon his face and Tom stared down at him, harshly.

"This is her home."

"Maybe. But she's mine. I fought to make her mine and I'll keep it that way. Now get out of my way, Black," Tom spat and Sirius stared at him in shock though he didn't move from the doorway. Tom rolled his eyes and pushed past him. Bella made a whimpering noise and Sirius looked up sharply as she made the noise again. Her face was screwed up into a frown.

Riddle stopped and he leaned against the wall, looking down at her with something akin to worry on his face.

"Sweetheart?" Riddle whispered and Bella made the noise again. Her eyes cracked open and she stared up at her fiancé. Sirius watched as her eyes welled with tears and her arms tightened around his neck.

"Tom…Tom, you hurt me…" Bella muttered under her breath and Riddle frowned. He was looking down at her with a strange look in his eyes. It looked almost…regretful. Sirius stared with a frown.

Riddle had hurt her? He had hit her?

"What did I do?" Riddle said, his voice strained with tiredness and…was that pain?

Sirius wasn't sure.

"You…liar…"

Riddle looked stricken for just a second before his emotionless mask was back up and he cast a look in Sirius' general direction. Riddle swallowed, thickly before he looked back down at Bella whom was staring at him with glassy eyes.

"I'm sorry."

"I…I know. I forgive you," Bella whispered before she yawned and snuggled into his chest and tightening her hold. Her eyes closed, slowly and she gave a great sigh. Riddle stared down at her with an emotionless expression upon his face. He closed his eyes, slowly and didn't move from his position. Sirius looked him over and saw that the man looked positively dead on his feet.

"Tom…take me home."

Riddle's eyes opened, slowly and he looked down at Bella. One eye was open and she looked almost annoyed. Riddle's lips curled into a genuine smile and he nodded, slowly. He looked over at Sirius whom was frozen. Riddle frowned.

"She's still your goddaughter. She still loves you. But…she loves me more," Riddle said, carefully and Sirius couldn't help but give a bitter smile. Riddle looked at him with blank eyes as Sirius gave a quiet laugh.

"I know."

One Hyde Park, London, Great Britain, United Kingdom

Sunday the 26th of July 1998

12:00 PM

Bella rolled over and hummed when she felt the hard body underneath her. She groped the side table for her glasses and slid them onto her face. She looked down at the peaceful sleeping face of Tom Riddle and couldn't help but smile. Even in sleep, he looked beautiful and she reveled in the fact that he was all hers. She rolled off of him and yawned. She passed the mirror and caught sight of her tangled hair.

She rolled her eyes and grabbed a hair tie from her side table. She pulled it up into a messy ponytail and shrugged when she that it hadn't improved what she looked like at all. The young woman walked out of her bedroom and walked down the long corridor, passing numerous doors.

And then she heard the voices.

"Are we supposed to be here?"

"She gave us keys for a reason."

"But they don't seem to be here."

"I'm here. What are you doing here?" Bella said as she walked into the large sitting room and her eyes widened when she saw Draco, Luna, Daphne, and Neville lounging on her pristine white couches.

Well, more like Daphne and Draco were lounging. Daphne was lying across one couch, her head in Neville's lap and Draco was draped over one couch, Luna tucked into his side. The young woman had a dazed smile upon her face and her smile brightened when she caught sight of Bella.

San Clemente Palace Hotel, Venice, Italy, Europe

Saturday the 1st of August 1998

4:25 PM

The first thing she noticed that it was blindingly bright in her motherfucking room. She let out a shrill scream that was met with other groans and yelps of agony. Her head was pounding and she slammed the pillow over her eyes and nestled into the body she was laying on top. She groped the hard stomach and pecs and instantly recognized her fiancé. She swallowed the bile that was rising in her throat and let out a sob as she cracked an eye open.

Her eyes flashed open and she stared around at the trashed room. Empty bottles of wine and vodka and Firewhiskey littered the floor. Daphne was curled up in the corner, cradling a half empty bottle of Smirnoff in the crook of her arm. Legs were sticking out from underneath the couch and there was obviously someone in the bathroom. Someone was snoring like a giant.

And then, she actually looked in the direction of the light and screamed, the light blinding her. She felt Tom jerk from underneath her and she was suddenly yanked underneath a bundle of dark blankets and sheets, for which she was thankful. She heard the screams of others that she woke with her screams and then the blissful sighs as someone yanked the curtains closed. Bella pulled the blankets away, cautiously and saw a shirtless Tom standing by the doorway with narrowed eyes.

He looked around as everyone woke up, sleepily and he glared. He stalked towards the windowsill where the Daily Prophet had been dropped off earlier. He flipped it open and his eyes narrowed at the front page. He turned to all of them and glared, angrily.

"You're on the front page," he snarled and he threw the paper at Bella. Bella barely grabbed it and she groped for her glasses. She slid them on and had to concentrate extremely hard on the words but her eyes were red and watery and the words looked jumbled.

Tom shoved a small potion bottle in her hand and she downed the nasty potion in one go. Her vision cleared and her headache lessened incredibly though it didn't completely disappear. She looked down at the paper.

HIGH-SOCIETY GONE WILD

And there were an assortment of pictures on the front page from Astoria Greengrass snogging some girl that looked vaguely familiar to Bella, and Neville chugging a bottle of Firewhiskey with three others beside him on the bar. There was even a photo of Draco and Luna dancing rather raunchily. Bella groaned.

"What the fuck happened last night?"

Tom's glare intensified.

"I don't know. You tell me. Now give the rest of your friends the damn hangover potions. I have to go fix your fucking mess. I'm Flooing Lois. The girl might as well start with this massive screw-up."

Bella nodded, absently as she ran her hair through her knotty hair and she looked down at her sleek and sexy dress…well, it was sleek and sexy when she had worn it the night before.

Not so much when covered in sweat and alcohol.

What the fuck happened last night?

Number 12, Grimmauld Place, London, England, Great Britain

Friday the 31st of July 1998

9:30 AM

"Good morning all!" Bella called, cheerily as she pulled her less than cheery fiancé from the fireplace in the kitchen. Maya, Sirius, Hermione, Draco, Blaise, and Luna looked up with bright grins. A large breakfast spread was set on the table and a seat was available at the head of the table and to the right of that seat. Bella took her seat at the head and Tom trudged forward, looking more than little tired.

"Happy birthday, Bella," Sirius said and he rose from his seat, laying a kiss upon her cheek. He gave her a strained smile and Bella grinned. She watched as he cast Hermione a wary look before turning back to Bella.

"Sister, you're as old as me now," Hermione said with a slight smile. Bella nodded in agreement and she leaned forward with wide eyes.

"But you'll always be older than me."

Hermione smirked. Bella was right. In more ways than one.

"Happy birthday, Bella," Draco, Blaise, and Luna chorused. She grinned at them and relaxed in her seat, looking at the wide spread meal and all of the kippers, sausage, and bacon. She glanced at Tom and saw that he looked slightly green.

"Tom, eggs and tomato? Do you want me to have Kreacher make you something…fried mushrooms?" Bella asked, softly. Sirius glared at Tom who looked rather pale. He crossed his arms, self-righteously and grinded his teeth together.

"Maya made this breakfast and you're not going to have any of it. She slaved over the stove for Bella and everyone," Sirius snapped. Bella sent her godfather a sharp looked that made him sit back in surprise and he swallowed.

"Tom's a vegetarian, Uncle Sirius. He's having a mini-heart attack just looking at it all," Bella said, carefully. Sirius flushed in embarrassment and Maya's eyes widened in shock and she frowned.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't know. It's just that Bella loves sausage and kippers and bacon…"

Tom grimaced and said, softly, "I know. It's fine. She doesn't eat it at home because I don't particularly care for the smell. Eat it, love. I don't really care as long as you brush your teeth before you kiss me."

Bella grinned and reached forward towards the meat. She shovelled mounds of it and Tom turned away, still green around the gills. Hermione leaned forward, leering.

"Is she bothering your delicate sensibilities?" she asked, mockingly. Sirius looked at her, alarmed by her behaviour.

"Hermione…he's the Dark Lord," he hissed. Hermione snorted and rolled her eyes.

"I know who he is. The Dark Lord asked for my help during the raid and I so graciously offered it to him. He doesn't scare me. I'm above and beyond him. Perhaps not in a political way but power wise…"

Bella glared at her sister.

"Hold your tongue, Mórrígan. We are not doing this now. Not today. Not on my day," Bella said, sharply. Hermione looked down and nodded, submissively. Bella looked over at a pale Sirius and he glared at Hermione before turning it onto Bella.

"About the raid…why was I not informed about it?"

"Because I didn't wish you to be informed about it," she said, simply and Sirius' eyes bugged out in horror and shock.

The Leaky Cauldron, London, England, Great Britain

Saturday the 1st of August 1998

5:00 PM

Daphne laughed as she and Bella emerged from the fireplace, feeling rather refreshed after a few potions and a shower. Tom was currently trying to get in touch with Lois so that she could handle the press. He seemed to believe that she'd be able to and Bella had left him to it, not too concerned by it all. She believed that people would talk and he believed that this would negatively affect their campaign despite the fact that their 'campaign' was essentially being the Dark side of a war.

He had said something about politics but she had simply ignored him.

"That party was wild…was I really that drunk?" Daphne giggled as they moved to a table to get some lunch and Bella nodded, gleefully. They sat down, picking up the menus and ignoring the looks of shock on the faces of the other patrons. A Greengrass tended to eat in high-end places. And Bella Potter had not eaten at the Leaky Cauldron in years.

"You were. I was laughing at you for most of the night. Then you got Neville drunk and you two were walking around, giggling about the weirdest things," Bella snickered. Daphne laughed before clearing her throat.

"What do you want?"

"Just a coffee and some toast. Black."

"The toast?" Daphne asked, her nose wrinkled and Bella snorted.

"No, you daft girl! The coffee. Toast and jam…yes, jam," Bella said, enthusiastically and Daphne nodded with a smile upon her face. She stood and began to walk towards the bar before she froze, staring at the staircase with a look of fury on her face. Bella's eyes widened in shock as she took in the image of Astoria Greengrass and Christine Jackson coming down the stairs in the same clothes as they had donned yesterday.

Astoria was laughing, a look of pure happiness on her face and Christine still to seemed to be in post-coital bliss. The smile of adoration on her face was clear. But, the clearest expression was the rage contorting Daphne's face. Her lips were pressed into a thin line her and eyebrows were pulled down into a frown. Her fingers were curled into claws and she was shaking with suppressed violence.

"Astoria…"

Astoria froze as she heard her sister's hiss and Christine took a step back as she took in Daphne's sudden appearance. The flush from Christine's face drained away, leaving her ashen and Bella stood, slowly.

"H-hello, sister," Astoria said, keeping her eyes on the ground as she waited for her sister's reaction. She tried to memorize every crack in the rickety wooden staircase. Daphne gave a cold smile to Christine whom was unable to move. She was too terrified to do so.

"So, this is where you've been. I thought you had left our hotel room earlier. We were supposed to stay in Italy but I thought you had just gone home. But, you've been here all night and all day. Wearing the same clothes…YOU LITTLE WHORE!" Daphne shrieked and Bella gasped as Daphne lunged forward, her hands outstretched and she grabbed Astoria tightly by the shoulders. Her grip looked so tight that Bella was sure that Daphne was going to hurt her.

Daphne shook the younger girl hard and Astoria looked rattled as she looked up at her sister.

"How DARE you? HOW DARE YOU TOUCH THIS FILTHY MUDBLOOD?" Daphne screamed in fury. Astoria babbled out apologies but Daphne heard none of them as she simply squeezed her sister's shoulders even tighter.

"You touched filth! YOU…you, you're a disgrace! A whore! How dare you touch this Mudblood?" Daphne asked, her voice falling to a whisper, a broken whisper, as she gazed at her sister. Astoria shuddered under her older sister's fearsome gaze and she flinched as Daphne's grip grew tighter, still. Christine cleared her throat, gathering her Gryffindor courage and she shoved Daphne away from Astoria.

"That's enough," she said, sharply and Daphne's lips pressed into a thin line as she stared at the Muggleborn woman. She closed her eyes and she shuddered before opening her eyes again.

"That's enough? Shut your filthy Mudblood mouth. You don't get to tell me how to discipline her."

Christine glared at her.

"But you don't physically hurt her! That's not discipline! It's a punishment. You were hurting her."

Daphne growled, viciously and Christine seemed shocked that the ice queen could make such a noise.

"I will fucking kill you. Do you hear me? If you touch her again, I'll kill you," Daphne warned and Astoria hid behind Christine, nervously. Christine's eyes narrowed at the challenge and Bella almost groaned.

"If she will have me, I'll touch her as much as she wants," Christine said, softly.

Daphne's eyes narrowed and suddenly, she was running back towards someone's table and she grabbed a butter knife off the table. She threw it with such skill and Christine dropped to the ground as it landed in the wall, just where her head been before. Christine was ashen again and her courage seemed to have disappeared.

"I'll kill you," Daphne hissed and suddenly her wand was in hand and she was staring at Christine with fury. Christine pulled her own wand from her small purse and surprisingly, she was the first to drop into a low bow. Daphne followed and Astoria gasped, shaking her head.

Bella watched, expressionless as Christine fired the first spell, a simple Expelliarmus. Daphne flicked her wand, redirecting it to the ground and Tom, the bartender darted forward, his own wand out.

"NO FIGHTING IN THE PUB!" the bartender shouted and Daphne flicked her wand, Silencing him effectively. She shot a curse at Christine.

"Protego!" Christine shouted and the spell flew away into the wall. Daphne shot a volley of spells at her but Christine seemed adept at dodging them. The older woman seemed to grow tired of staying too far away it seemed as she began to run at Christine. Christine's eyes widened as the woman leaped on her, knocking her to the ground.

Daphne straddled the younger woman and let her fist fly forward into her face. Her eyes glowed in satisfaction as heard a sickening crunch and her sister's scream. Blood streamed from Christine's nose and the woman's wand rolled from her hand. Daphne's fist flew down again despite her split knuckle and Christine coughed, gurgling blood. Her eyes narrowed and the young Gryffindor spat the glob of blood onto Daphne's face.

Daphne's eyes widened as she felt the blood drip down her cheek and fall back onto Christine. Christine's open palm clenched into a fist and she threw her fist forward with all her might and caught Daphne in the jaw. Daphne flew off her with a grunt and she clutched her bruised jaw in pain. Christine sat up and leapt at her and swung again. It caught Daphne again in the jaw and the older woman gave another grunt.

St. Mungo's, London, England, Great Britain

Tuesday the 1st of September 1998

8:20 AM

Blaise Zabini stood in the doorway of his boss's office with obvious confusion. Healer Radbury was filling out paperwork for an emergency surgery that he had just completed days ago and Blaise knew that the patient was waiting to be discharged. But, that wasn't what was so strange about the entire scenario.

The gift surgeon had called him in two hours before his official day started.

"Healer Radbury?" he asked, quietly and the older woman looked up, serious brown eyes staring up at him and she gave a slight smile as she placed her quill back into the inkwell.

"Ah, Zabini. I did summon you early, didn't I?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Come and sit down. Lets talk about your progress in this program," Healer Radbury said, pushing her paperwork to one side of the desk and she reclined in her seat, waving her hand towards the chair across from her hair.

Blaise frowned but did as she requested. He sat in the chair, ramrod straight. Blaise had been raised to look as people expected of him. That was how his mother hunted. She became the ideal woman for every single one of her victims and he though he didn't wish to follow in her footsteps, he had picked up a few skills. Namely, becoming what people wanted you to be.

"What is it, Healer?" Blaise asked, quietly.

Healer Radbury laced her fingers together and she leaned into her desk with a stern look in her eyes. There was the smallest glimmer of amusement in her eyes but besides that, she was probably one of the most stoic people that Blaise knew.

"Zabini…Blaise, you're bloody brilliant. I hope you know that. You're a great student and you've known all the theory for what seems like years. This is very good. So, this means that you'll be working with patients next," Healer Radbury continued and Blaise's eyes widened and he knew that his eyes were the only thing betraying his utter shock at what Healer Radbury was telling him.

"So…I'll be skipping the seminar?" Blaise asked, monotonously and Healer Radbury nodded, with a smile playing at her lips.

"Of course. And you'll be working with our newest junior Healer. She doesn't aspire to be a mediwizard and a Healer like you. Most don't. It's probably why I took you on as am apprentice. To be honest with you, out of most of the applicants, you were one of the only ones that knew the difference," Healer Radbury said with a slight smile and Blaise couldn't help but look at her with a raised eyebrow and he shook his head.

"Then they don't have a passion for this. A Healer is a normal physician. A mediwizard is a field medic. Obviously," Blaise said, a sneer interjecting his voice and Healer Radbury chuckled, softly, a fond look in her eyes as she watched her favourite student in a very long time.

"Despite the fact that she isn't so ambitious compared to you, she's extremely gifted. Honestly, she could rival you," Healer Radbury said, bluntly and she watched as Blaise's eyes flashed and he smirked at her, accepting her sharp challenge as the most gifted student at St. Mungo's.

"I'm sure," he said, blandly though it was clear that he didn't believe it.

Healer Radbury restrained herself from bursting out into honest laughter and her eyes widened when she saw Blaise flash her a slight smile. It was a small smile but it was an honest to God smile on his face. It was the first time she had ever seen him smile.

There was a knock on the door and Healer Radbury's lips twitched into a smile.

"Ah, she's here. Enter!"

The door swung open and Healer Radbury frowned when Blaise stiffened, his nostrils flared and his eyes shining with malice. She turned to the young Asian stared at Blaise in confusion, her long dark hair falling to her waist.

"Blaise, this is Junior Healer Ch—"

"Cho Chang. I remember her. She played a prank on my sister when my sister and I were in our fourth year and she was in her fifth. Her little prank caused my sister's skin to peel off," Blaise said.

His voice was more frigid than Healer Radbury had ever heard it and she had heard Blaise become cold with patients whom didn't like to cooperate. They cooperated immediately after, fearful of him. Blaise only did that with the older patients that thought they were invincible. He was always so kind to the children.

But, Healer Radbury was really surprised that Cho Chang had ever done something like that. The young woman was usually the sweetest and she was always in the paediatrics ward. She was a kind young woman and she always did her work. It was almost as if she had some kind of healing touch with her patients.

"I…I did do that. But, I was younger and jealous. I hope that it won't interfere with our working relationship," Chang said, earnestly and Blaise turned to her and gave her a hard stare.

Healer Radbury almost shivered at the powerful hatred in his gaze. He hated this young woman with the burning of a thousand suns. She may have done his sister harm but to warrant all that anger and abhorrence she must have done something so much.

"It will not."

Healer Radbury couldn't help but feel that that was a lie.

Ministry of Magic, London, England, Great Britain

Tuesday the 1st of September 1998

8:30 AM

She ignored the stares that she received from the Ministry workers that swirled around her to their Departments. She felt a reassuring hand on the small of her back and she grinned over at Fay whom had a tentative smile upon her face. The girl's auburn hair was pulled back into a loose braid and she had a big bag thrown over her shoulder. Bella was sure that she had her battle robes within there.

"Daphne said that they're leaving around one-thirty, so stick around okay?" Bella said, softly and Fay nodded with a tense smile upon her face.

"It's just orientation today. I'll be in and out and then shipped off to the training academy for a couple months," Fay said, softly and Bella nodded a slight grimace upon her face as she thought of how all her friends were leaving her to go do their own thing.

Parvati and Padma were coming later to bid Neville and Daphne farewell before they proceeded to the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes. There they would be tested to determine whether they were skilled enough in mind magicks to be Obliviators. Bella knew they would be even if no one else did. Anthony and Michael were both already in the Department of Mysteries, having been recruited just weeks after graduation. Bella hoped that Sirius would be their mentor.

Hogwarts, Unplottable Location, Scotland, Great Britain

Wednesday the 2nd of September 1998

8:00 PM

Astoria sat across from the older woman's desk, glaring balefully at the desk before her. She ignored the woman's eyes. Astoria was angry but she wasn't angry enough to glare at her teacher, especially when the woman was such a good one. She was probably no where as good as Riddle, but she was a good teacher in her own right. Apparently, she had been training to be an Auror.

"Mademoiselle Greengrass?"

Astoria's eyes slowly rolled onto the woman's face.

"Yes?" she bit out, bitterly.

Professor Delacour gave her an apologetic look and she sighed, as if she had no one idea what to do with the younger Greengrass.

"You sound very much like you seester. You are angry with me, yes?" Delacour asked, softly and Astoria snorted in amusement, rolling her eyes at the woman's simplistic comparison.

"No. Of course not."

"Your sarcasm iz not appreciated, Mademoiselle Greengras. But, I can see 'ow I deserve it. Ze boy was taunting you. I can see zat now. But, alas, zere is nothing I could do, especially when I couldn't hear what 'e was doing," Delacour said, softly and Astoria leaned forward, her eyes narrowed in righteous anger.

"He said that he was fucking my mother. And he called my girlfriend a Mudblood. He insulted my religion. I should have dislocated his face for those comments," Astoria spat, not even caring anymore for her bad language and Delacour actually looked incredibly sorry now.

"I am so very sorry," she murmured and Astoria shrugged.

"So, what is it that I'm going to do for detention?"

"Nothing. We can sit 'ere and talk, if zat is what you want," Delacour said, hesitantly and Astoria looked at her with a raised dark eyebrow.

"Talk?"

"Yes…well…I know zat your sister has left ze country. Would you like to…talk about it?"

"Not particularly. No."

Delacour sighed and leaned forward with sad eyes.

"Professor Riddle said zat your 'ouse would need to be talked to. 'E said zat zey would not be tolerant of your choices and zat you needed to be protected because 'e would not let someone under 'is protection be treated unfairly. 'Is protégé…" Delacour said, hesitantly and Astoria's eyes widened. She understood what the woman was saying, even though the French woman herself seemed slightly confused by it all.

"His protégé was my sister's teacher. My sister's best friend is his fiancée. He's doing it out of a sense of obligation. He doesn't care," Astoria spat and she was shocked when Delacour laughed, coldly. Astoria frowned at the Frenchwoman in confusion and she waited for Delacour's giggles to subside.

"You…expected 'im to care? I am surprised zat 'e even suggested it to be 'onest. 'E does not strike me as a caring man. 'E seems cold to even his fiancée. I did read ze papers. 'E cannot even admit zat 'e loves her. It's sad."

The utter conviction in her voice made Astoria frown. Her irrational anger at Professor Riddle subsided and she thought about Bella Potter. Sweet, passionate, dangerous, cruel, and protective Bella. Bella, whom had been her first crush, and she couldn't help but frown at the assistant DADA professor in admonishment.

"He is cold. But he loves Bella. I know it and just because he doesn't announce it, doesn't mean that he doesn't love her," Astoria snapped and Delacour's eyes widened at Astoria's defensiveness. Astoria grew confused once more when Delacour smiled at her.

"You are defensive of Riddle and 'is Bella, aren't you?"

"Bella is my sister's best friend and she's a good person, no matter what people say about her. I'm not going to let you speak ill of the person she loves. Even if you are a teacher."

Delacour's smile only widened.

"I see. Well, Mademoiselle Greengrass, you may go. I believe zat I will see you tomorrow for your first DADA class of ze year?" Delacour asked and Astoria nodded, sharply and she looked over at the woman with suspicious eyes. She waited for Delacour to add anything, but when she didn't, Astoria simply stood and walked away.

Colette stared after the contradictory girl with a strange expression upon her face. At first glance, Astoria was a soft-spoken girl that had been pushed too hard since the moment she arrived. It was a hard thing to come out in a small school like this where everyone seemed to know each other. There were only about five hundred students at Hogwarts with it being rather expensive to attend and only certain gifted children being chosen to attend upon a scholarship.

And this brave little girl had walked into the Great Hall, side-by-side with her girlfriend. She was out and proud and it was more than Colette could say. At Beauxbatons, it wasn't anything like this, with the purebloods' self-righteous bigotry, but it hadn't made it any less hard. Especially when Colette had decided to tell her family. She was sure that despite Astoria being the second-oldest, thus not the heir, it'd still be hard for her. She was a pureblood, a pagan, and was a lesbian.

The little girl was brave.

Braver than she had been.

Hogwarts, Unplottable Location, Scotland, Great Britain

Thursday the 3rd of September 1998

8:00 AM

Christine was still being stare at, but she wasn't exactly unused to it. After Michael's accident, she had been stared at a lot. People wanted to know how she was taking it. She had taken it rather well, seeing as someone she had trusted and respected has had run one of her best mates through. Ginny had cried a lot, but Michael Brown had been her boyfriend. She could completely understand that. They weren't together anymore and Michael was still on intense physical therapy, and thus wasn't allowed back to school that year.

He would still graduate, officially. But, he just wasn't doing well enough. The year before, he had been doing relatively well, but the scar continued to fester. He had been in almost constant pain, despite the many potions that his parents had sent him. Lavender, his cousin, had practically been in tatters about it when she wasn't wrapped around her boyfriend, Ronald Weasley. No one knew what it was, but Christine had entertained the idea of Hermione's sword being a cursed blade.

Training Rooms, Level 2, Ministry of Magic, London, England, Great Britain

Monday the 14th of September 1998

1:00 PM

The Auror Instructor Williamson frowned at the beautiful young woman that sat behind the glass, watching Fay Dunbar train. She had a slight smile playing around her red lips. Her eyes were an electric green that reminded him a bit of the Killing Curse. She was wearing high waisted dark trousers, a button down white shirt and a loose black bow around her neck. Her heels looked excessively tall and he wondered if they were uncomfortable. Long black tendrils of hair almost went over her horn rimmed glasses.

Williamson moved over to the woman whom sat in the stands watching as Dunbar shot charm after counter-curse at Auror Mitchell. Williamson had found it odd that he had specifically requested to train with Dunbar and be permanently transferred to the office after he had practically begged to guard Azkaban. Williamson had had to take it to Madam Bones and Moody but they had grudgingly agreed after Mitchell pointed out that his Patronus Charm wasn't as great as it could be.

"Hello, ma'am," Williamson greeted.

The woman looked up and Williamson's eyes widened when he saw the lightening bolt scar settled right in the middle of her pale forehead. The woman blinked and looked up at him with a wider smile now.

"Hello, sir. What can I do for you?"

Her voice was soft and lilting and he knew that this girl…this woman wasn't as soft and sweet as she was pretending to be. Williamson was a rather high-ranking Auror and thus, he had high clearance. He had heard about what happened in the Department of Mysteries and Bella Potter had only been fifteen when that whole fiasco had started.

"I was simply wondering what a pretty woman like you was doing down here. I'm sure that there are a lot of more entertaining things that you could be doing," Williamson said, calmly and he wasn't flirting with her and the woman knew it. He was trying to understand what she was doing here and how she had got to a secure part of Level 2.

"Oh, Fay won't let me leave without her and Auror Mitchell is going back to Azkaban after this. I'm going to go with him to visit my brother at work and perhaps check up on Hermione," Bella Potter said, innocently though there was nothing innocent in those cold and calculating green eyes. She was gauging his reaction about her mentioning Hermione Granger whom was probably the most powerful and deadly witch in Azkaban.

"I'm sure that they will both appreciate it," Williamson said and Bella's smile curled into a cruel smirk.

She went back to watching Fay whom was being knocked back. The woman was talented, Williamson acknowledged this. She would be set to take her DADA Mastery in just a few months time. She seemed to know exactly what to do next and Williamson wasn't sure if that was instinctual or whether she was just that strategic in her thinking.

"Her defence is weak."

Williamson looked over at Bella in surprise and the woman looked harsher now. She was frowning and Williamson looked to Fay. Fay had just been knocked back but Mitchell was sporting his fair amount of wounds.

"You think so? She's quite good for a trainee," Williamson said and Bella snorted.

"Your trainees must not be very good. I trained her better than this."

Williamson's eyes widened and he looked over at her with a frown.

"I'm sorry? I thought that she was so good because she was in Riddle's extensive class."

Bella laughed, coldly.

"Oh yes. She was in my fiancé's class. We all were…Hermione too. But…you see, Hermione, Blaise, Draco, and I were still better than them. So, we took on our own students. Daphne…Daphne Greengrass was Hermione's favourite. Daphne was so hurt when Hermione murdered those children. She left for Japan as soon as she could after we graduated. But, that's besides the point. I trained Fay and I trained her better than that."

And with those words, the woman stood and kicked off her shoes. She dropped the large tote that had rested in her lap. Bella sauntered towards the door and before Williamson could even call out to stop her, she swung the door open, causing all of the other Aurors and trainees in the room to stop and stare. Only Fay and Auror Mitchell continued. Williamson could only watch as Bella broke out into a sprint towards Fay and jumped. Williamson's mouth fell open and he watched as Bella's bare foot collided with Fay's cheek, causing her tumble backwards.

Bella landed, solidly and watched, unimpressed as Fay rolled to a stop. Williamson's eyes widened when he saw Fay spit out what looked like a bloody tooth. Bella kneeled down in front of her and wrapped Fay's hand around the tooth.

"I'll put it back in later. Now get up and fight. I taught you better," Bella hissed and Fay nodded, sharply and shoved her tooth into her pocket as if it were nothing but a candy wrapper.

She stumbled up and dropped into a low bow. Bella gave her own bow and Williamson watched as he spun and shot a lightening curse at Fay. Fay tumbled towards the side and threw out a Shield Charm to protect herself. Williamson watched as her Shield cracked underneath the force of the lightening but Bella finally let up. The beautiful woman growled and threw a red spell at Williamson. He wasn't sure what it did but it seemed that Fay knew.

She ducked underneath the spell and tackled Bella. Bella fell backwards and her head cracked against the mat. Williamson gasped but it didn't even seem to affect Bella. Fay was holding onto her leg and Bella kicked her in the head with the other foot. Fay jolted but didn't relinquish hold on the woman. She ripped something from Bella's leg and jumped back, holding it up threateningly.

Bella cowered. "You've found my weakness…it's small knives."

Williamson frowned as he stared at the small silver knife that Bella seemed to have attached to her leg. Then, the Potter woman let out a loud cackle and she swung herself up. Bella shot a Disarming Spell and Fay barely kept her grip on the knife. Bella darted forward and easily dodged Fay's slashing. She kicked the knife out of Fay's hand and wrapped her legs around the woman's waist. Fay stumbled back and slammed Bella into the wall. Bella's hands found their way around Fay's neck and she squeezed. Fay stumbled from the lack of air and she gasped, clawing at Bella's fingers.

Bella released her hold and as Fay's hands flew to her throat, she delivered a swift uppercut. Just before Fay fell, Bella jumped off and spun into an amazing kick that swung her body completely around. It connected with Fay's stomach and the woman gasped and blood bubbled out of her mouth. Fay weakly tried to get up and she shakily raised her hands. She fired a spell that caught the ends of Bella's hair. The ends of Bella's hair caught on fire.

The woman gasped and Williamson let out a shout of shock when Bella's hands wrapped around the ends, tightly. Her eyes hardened and she pulled hard. The flames seemed to come off onto her hands and she blew, softly. The flames went out and she tilted her hand over, watching as the ashes of her hair sprinkled the mat.

Diagon Alley, London, England, Great Britain

Saturday the 31st of October 1998

11:20 PM

"I prefer the term…Mercy, for now."

Voldemort stared at his fiancée whom was decked out in a white and crimson uniform. The only way to describe the expression on his face was utter disbelief. His fiancée looked nothing as he would have imagined. She was not how she was to be. She was not…Victory. She was not this Charity that her siblings spoke of. She was Mercy. Voldemort's lips twitched.

He saw what she was doing. She was still the Angel. The Angel of Mercy, it seemed.

She cared not for the fact that Voldemort disagreed with her. She had somehow broken free from his enchantments and had shown up. As he looked at her clothing, he knew she had not done it alone. Luna had helped her, considerably, it seemed and Voldemort would have to chastise her for going against his wishes, later.

"You will not hurt these people any more, Voldemort," Mercy said, coldly, her voice echoing through Diagon Alley and Voldemort regarded her with wide eyes. He wiped his face of any emotion and simply stared at the challenging woman.

"And why ever not?"

"Because I will not allow it."

Mercy threw a punch and Voldemort caught it and twisted her fist. Mercy spun with it and yanked, hard. Voldemort released her hand before she could pull his arm out of its socket. Mercy pulled her wand, the Wand of Elder and Voldemort wondered if that was entirely safe. He wondered if people would expect his fiancée to have the Elder Wand and the only person that could even possibly know about it would be Dumbledore.

She didn't seem too worried about it.

"Expelliarmus."

Voldemort blocked the spell easily and he shot off a few curses of his own. Mercy spun out of the way of those spells and was hit by Voldemort's Disarming Spell. She kept hold of her wand, but flew back, crashing through the glass windows of Flourish & Blotts. Voldemort almost took a step forward and he cast a glance at the three Horsemen that were trying to sneak away from Dumbledore as the old man was distracted by Mercy.

Mórrígan looked stricken, but Apollo was trying to pull her away. Thanatos was beginning to move closer, most likely to retrieve his sister and Voldemort wondered if he should get the foolish girl himself. Voldemort heard something move and watched with narrowed eyes as the movement within the shop ended.

Voldemort's eyes narrowed when a brave Death Eater approached the window, most likely to check if she was dead. Voldemort's eyes widened when a gloved hand flew out from the darkness and gripped his neck, cutting off the air that was attempting to reach his lungs. The Death Eater was whimpering and Voldemort watched with pride as Mercy stepped out from the shadows, still holding the man's throat. She was looking straight ahead and she didn't look worse for wear even within the rips in her clothing. Mercy slowly turned her head to look into the frozen Death Eater. Dark green eyes bored into the blue eyes and Mercy could practically taste his fear.

"Try that one more time and I might not be so lenient," Mercy whispered.

She tossed the man to the ground and the Death Eater practically crawled away. Mercy turned her eyes back onto Voldemort and the man was watching her, patiently as the Order members attacked the slightly distracted Death Eaters. Mercy looked over at Dumbledore and he seemed to be staring at her, the doubt and fear for her in eyes transformed into surprise. Mercy's lips curled into a cocky smile underneath her mask. The woman turned to look at Voldemort again and she swept into a dramatic bow. Voldemort glared at her and fell into a duel stance and he beckoned her forward, challengingly.

Mercy leaned forward, her muscles coiled up, tightly. And then, she charged Voldemort again, weaving in and out of the spells that flew at her, with only a few seconds in between each spell.

Mercy snarled when a fireball that had emerged from Voldemort's wand hit her in the shoulder. The woman snarled and quickly put it out without even stopping. She felt the red skin tighten and sting and she knew that she would have to get it treated. But, that wasn't her priority at the moment. Her priority was stopping Voldemort and his followers from killing innocents.

The masked woman began to run harder and in mid-run, she bunched her muscles and then jumped, flying forward. In mid-air, Mercy disappeared with a loud crack. Voldemort seemed surprised by her sudden disappearing act when there was a crack behind him and his lips curled into a cruel smile as he realized what was happening. He felt her land on his back. Mercy wrapped her legs around his middle and wrapped him around the neck, her biceps crushing his throat and her wand pointing at the back of his head. As soon as she had him in a position to submit, the fighting stopped and there was dead silence. Mercy stared at everyone and they stared back. She could see Bellatrix preparing to run her throat and Mercy's hold tightened on the Dark Lord. Mercy leaned down and pressed her lips to the nub on the side of Voldemort's head.

"Tell your men to stand down or I'll tear your heart out," Mercy threatened and Voldemort gave a quiet laugh as he looked up at the girl perched on his back. He looked back at his Death Eaters and how they were sneaking back around to strike Mercy from behind.

"You think yourself the Angel of Mercy, love?" Voldemort challenged.

"I am sparing your cruel Death Eaters right now, am I not?" Mercy snapped.

Voldemort chuckled.

"You're just as. Hypocrite. Trying to clean the red out of your ledger? It won't work. There's too much of it," Voldemort said, smugly and Mercy unconsciously tightened her arm around her love's throat. Voldemort cleared his throat.

"Call. Them. Off."

"Very well. Death Eaters! Stand down!"

Dumbledore's eyes widened at the words and the Death Eaters took a step back and stowed their wands away. The leader of the Order couldn't help but feel that the fight was now unfair though the Dark's unlimited spell use gave them an unfair advantage as well.

"Order! Stand down!" he called.

Mercy looked at the old man in surprise but Dumbledore simply smiled at her, benignly, as if he knew what she wanted to. She shook her head and jumped off Voldemort's back. The man straightened immediately and she walked in front of him, unworried by the possibility that the Dark Lord would shoot her in the back.

Mercy tossed back her shoulders and she stared at him with a challenge in her eyes. He nodded, respect in his bloody eyes. She was the runner of the show now and Voldemort had practically handed her a microphone. She looked into Dumbledore's sparkling, blue eyes before turning to address the group of fighters as a whole, disregarding their allegiances to the Dark and Light for a moment.

"I am Virtuous Sin. I am Mercy. And I will not have any more blood shed here. I am not Dark nor am I Light. I am gray. I am magic. And I will not allow you to oppress each other nor will I have our kind bear arms against one another. Leave now or I will show that I can be just as merciful as I can be unmerciful," Mercy commanded and everyone looked at her as if they could not quite believe what she was or what she was doing. Mercy's eye twitched when someone fired a Killing Curse at her. She ducked and spun, her wand pointed at the perpetrator.

Number 12, Grimmauld Place, London, England, Great Britain

Monday the 1st of November 1998

11:00 AM

The stillness of the house was almost unnatural and Maya stiffened as the large clock in the entrance hall to announce the hour and she relaxed at her desk. She looked over her typewriter with a strange look upon her face. She shook her head and pushed back. She had writer's block. The older woman decided that it would probably due well for her to get some food in her before she tried to return to her writing.

Maya walked quickly towards the kitchen. She didn't feel like calling for Kreacher. He rarely did as she asked anyway. She wondered if she should go out into London to relieve some of the intense writer's block, but decided against it. She didn't really feel like going anywhere. The older woman began rummaging through the cupboards for a small snack when the beautiful sound of piano music floated through the air.

Maya's head jerked and she narrowly escaped banging her head against the cupboard shelf. Maya pulled away, slowly, her eyes narrowed in confusion. The piece was beautiful and sounded almost like it was inspired by Chopin. Maya's confusion turned into quiet joy and a slow smile spread across her face. The young woman began to make her way towards the sound and she found her adopted daughter in the drawing room, her piano right next to the large tapestry that took up most of the wall.

The song was quickly coming to the end and Maya knew that Bella realized that she was standing there. She simply didn't acknowledge her yet, and it was fine with Maya. She was fine with simply listening to the beauty that Bella was creating. And then, suddenly it stopped and Bella was looking up. The young woman didn't turn around right away. She stared down at her fingers for a long moment. Maya wasn't sure if the moment lasted only a few seconds, a few minutes, or several sun-lit days, but then Bella let out a long sigh.

Bella finally turned to look over her shoulder at Maya. Maya smile at her and Bella tilted her head.

"Hi, Bella-child," Maya greeted and Bella grimaced at the suffix before she made a vague gesture to the darkest corner of the room.

"Hi, Maya. Won't you say hello to your daughter?"

Maya's eyes flashed and she watched as a thin, gaunt looking woman emerged from the shadows. A shiver ran down Maya's spine as she recognized the unhealthy, tall, wraith-like woman with dark chocolate brown eyes and a small smile. The thick mass of curls were tangled and looked quite dirty despite Maya knowing that prisoners from Azkaban were now allowed to shower once a week, on Sundays. She also knew that was only possible because Draco didn't want his sort-of-sister smelling when he visited her.

"Mum," Hermione greeted, a quiet rasp in her voice.

Maya frowned. "How are you here? Won't they notice that you're gone?"

Hermione shook her head as she took another step into the room. Maya noticed that she was barefoot and her toenails were long and yellowing. Her hollow eyes and cheeks matched with the insane glint in her eyes. It was frightening to realize that the woman before her was her child.

"They won't. I used a Time-Turner. In the future, I'll turn it back to just the right moment and they won't even notice I'm gone. There will be a lapse of six seconds, most likely, but they won't notice. They never do," Hermione said with a light smile. Maya nodded and then rushed forward to envelop her daughter into a tight hug.

"Oh, Mione, I've missed you so much," Maya whispered into her daughter's hair and Hermione's arms came up around her mother. She leaned into the taller woman and sighed.

"I've missed you too, Mum."

Maya leaned back, holding Hermione by her shoulders and she shook her head as she saw how the robes hung on her thin frame. Her shoulders jutted out, showing that Hermione was truly all angles now. She had lost so much weight and she looked as if she were at death's door, though her eyes said another story.

"You've lost so much weight. You're too skinny. Come eat some lunch," Maya commanded and Hermione laughed as Maya led her into the kitchen, Bella following quietly.

Maya pushed Hermione into a seat and the older woman promptly began searching for as many leftovers as she could find to shove in her daughter. Bella sat down next to her sister and she leaned back, crossing her legs. She linked her fingers together and tilted her head.

"Maya, do you mind if we talk business while we eat?" Bella asked, carefully and Maya shrugged.

"Do as you need. I have no one tell," Maya said with a slight smile and Bella grinned before nodding and looking over at her sister.

"I'm sending a list to Daphne and Neville," Bella said, softly.

Hermione froze and she stared at her sister for a long moment before sighing.

"They're needed already?"

"Yes. We've been sloppy, Mione. People know and we can't have that," Bella explained as Maya set two large meat sandwiches in front of the young women.

Maya folded her arms over her chest.

"Brush your teeth before you go, Bella. We don't want your Riddle to be throwing a fit if you taste of meat and then blaming, yes?" she said as she sat down and Bella snickered loudly at her pseudo-mother's words. She nodded in agreement and took a large bite, groaning in delight at the taste. She swallowed hard and cleared her throat.

"I don't want to hear him either," she said before her expression grew serious again. "I'll handle two of them. They don't know enough, but the other two, perhaps three, will have to be eliminated."

Hermione stared at Bella in disbelief.

"Those two? Wouldn't it be easier to simply kill them?" Hermione demanded and Bella shook her head. She let out a long sigh.

"It would be too suspicious. I won't put Tom in danger like that. Hogwarts is so secure…for two students to suddenly die. No, we can't. This is the only way. For now. But, I won't rule out permanently taking them out of the game at a later time," Bella said, not entirely callously.

Maya leaned forward.

"Who are you talking about?"

Both Horsemen stiffened.

"It's...Mum, it's better if you find out after, so that you don't try to stop us," Hermione said, softly and Bella nodded in agreement.

"The two that I'll be taking care of...Ginny and Gideon Weasley. The others...the others you'll hear about in the news. Trust us, Maya. The less you know, the more you'll be protected," Bella explained and Maya shook her head as she looked at the two.

One Hyde Park, London, England, Great Britain

Tuesday the 2nd of November 1998

3:00 PM

As the two men Apparated into the room, they stared at the woman whom lounged in the large armchair, a stack of letters in her lap. She didn't even looked up to greet them as she tossed the junk post onto the ground and placed the good letters on the table. Her lips curled into a smile as she ripped open the cream-coloured envelope and pulled out a stiff piece of parchment. She nodded and placed it delicately on the glass table.

"Tom and I got invited to Fleur and Bill's wedding. Did you?" Bella asked, conversationally and she finally looked up at the two formidable men, without any fear in her eyes.

"Yes. Luna and I will be attending. We've already sent our acceptance to the bride and groom," Draco said, coldly and Blaise shook his head, with a frown upon his face.

"I was invited. However, I will be working that day," Blaise said, sharply and Bella shrugged. She slowly stood and turned her back to the two men, showing how utterly unafraid she was. She clasped her hands behind her back and her dressing gown dragged with her, giving her the appearance of the great Lady that she was.

"How unfortunate. But, I suppose, Hermione wouldn't want to attend. She never cared for Fleur," Bella said, softly and Blaise inclined his head in agreement.

"Indeed."

Draco growled, his silver eyes flashing in annoyance and a growing rage. He took a step forward, his arms crossed over his chest and he shook his head.

"Enough with these pleasantries. I want to know what's going through your head! What the hell was that on Samhain? Mercy? Really, Bella? What the fuck did you think you were doing?" Draco snarled, angrily and Bella looked over her shoulder at him, her lips curled into a smile of bitter amusement. Draco's anger didn't falter though confusion poisoned it somewhat.

"Fixing our mess," Bella said, softly. "We were so arrogant when we were children. We went around, proclaiming who we were as if were invincible and had not a single care in the world. And you've spent so many years protecting me. So, I've only done what I could to protect you."

Draco's anger drained from him and he stared at Bella in confusion. She turned fully to face him and she waited for him to speak. His mouth opened, but he promptly shut it once more, speechless. Bella looked at Blaise and he was staring at her in confusion.

"What did you do?" Blaise asked, calmly.

"Parvati and Padma broke into Hogwarts and modified Dumbledore's memories about us and the Horsemen. There's no way he can make the connection. Yesterday, I had them do that once more and they modified the memories of Ginny and Gideon Weasley. I set Neville and Daphne to their first mission as well. They will be eliminating two people that know our identities. I will not have you killed," Bella said, harshly and Blaise looked at her for a long moment before his lips curled into a wide smile. Draco stared at his brother and sister in confusion before he scowled at Blaise.

"What are you smiling for? She stopped us on Samhain. She wasn't herself. She wasn't Charity nor was she Victory. She was something very different," Draco spat, angrily.

Blaise nodded in agreement.

"She was," he murmured before he looked over at his brother in confusion. "Who is Charity?"

Bella hummed.

"So, you haven't come together with your inner Horseman?" Bella asked and she raised an eyebrow when the typically unemotional man pursed his lips and grimaced.

"No. It's proving difficult. Apollo is full of…passion and I am not. We are polar opposites and he doesn't wish to be one with me, nor do I wish to be one with him," Blaise said, flatly and Bella shook her head at him.

"You'll have to quickly divorce yourself from that aversion. You are one and the same, and yet not. He is you, but not. He is another side of you that simply remains dormant. You'll have to reconcile that soon. Now, Draco, how about you answer the question," Bella prompted and Draco stared at her for a long moment before he turned back to look at their brother, his expression grave.

"Charity was Victory, before she was Victory. Charity was a Virtue. And then, Charity fell," Draco said, softly and Blaise looked vaguely surprised before his expression resumed being neutral. He leaned against the sofa opposite Bella and he hummed as he looked into her eyes.

"I see. You're buying us time," Blaise murmured and Bella's lips curled into a dark smile as she looked at her two brothers.

"Yes. But, there never seems to be enough. Time is not something that we have a great supply of, I'm afraid," Bella whispered and Draco nodded, slowly and he tilted his head as he looked at Bella. There was a long moment of silence, but it was not an uncomfortable one.

"We will trust you."

"You should've trusted me from the start, Draco. I'm an adult. I must be one. It's my turn, Draco, Blaise. It's my turn and I've got a plan. I know what I'm doing. I know what I'm supposed to be. I've accepted that. Now, it's your turn to accept that I'm not just your little sister anymore," Bella said, solemnly and Blaise stared at her, a look of triumph entering his hazel eyes as he stared at the woman that little, scared, self-deprecating Bella had become.

"Then who are you?"

"I am the Lady Nikolai, the Horseman of the Apocalypse. I am your leader and I shall lead you to Victory, even if it leads me to my death. And this I promise you," Bella said, slowly standing from her seat and she stared at both of them silently.

She watched as Draco and Blaise looked at each other before dipping their heads at her, the amount of respect radiating off of them. Bella stared at them for a long moment and she took a step forward, a smile upon her face.

"Now, I've located a headquarters for us. I think that it will be quite adequate."

One Hyde Park, London, England, Great Britain

Saturday the 4th of December 1998

10:00 AM

Bella looked at the large stack of bridal magazines, a blank look on her face and she looked up at Luna and Hermione in slight confusion. They rolled their eyes at the look upon her face and Hermione sat down on the floor opposite her sister and slowly pushed a magazine towards her, as if Bella was a skittish animal. It was Bella's turn to roll her eyes and the young woman grabbed the magazine and flipped it open.

Luna sat down, pulling out her sketchpad and watercolour pencils.

"The wedding's in June. A June wedding would be beautiful and Tom can take time off from work. He has enough vacation days and Professor Delacour won't mind," Luna said, her voice commanding and Bella looked up at the woman with a raised eyebrow. Luna stared back, her expression stern, but not overly-dominating.

One Hyde Park, London, England, Great Britain

Friday the 24th of December 1998

12:00 PM

She was bent over the white grand piano, plucking the keys softly, her brow furrowed. Her fingers ghosted over the keys, brushing over the stainless ivory with feather-light touches. She ignored her quietly waiting audience, completely enamoured with what she was seeing, or what she wasn't seeing. She began to play, slowly, her lips twisted into a mixture of a frown and a smile.

As she added her right hand, a sombre look appeared on her face, but it was not full of sorrow. She looked at peace and calm as she played the piece. It wasn't a long one, but it was beautiful all the same. As she came to an end, she was met with a burst of applause and she grinned at her audience. Her eyes fell on the young woman, her head leaning against the Elvish woman's shoulder.

"Astoria, will you play with me?" Bella asked, softly and the young woman's lips curled into a smile and she gave a sharp nod, pulling away from Luna and standing, lugging her cello case towards the chair sitting besides the piano.

"What do you want to play? Requests?" Astoria asked with a smile and Lalita leaned forward, her eyes wide with excitement.

"Something Christmas-like. An old Christmas hymn," Lalita declared and Astoria's lips curled into a wide smile and she nodded in agreement.

"Do you think you can keep up, Bella?" Astoria grinned as she pulled out her cello and the bow that went along with it and Bella snorted, amusement in her eyes as she heard Astoria's words.

"Of course."

With those words, Astoria pulled her bow along the strings, a beautiful strong sound emptying into the quiet room. Her head was bent over the cello, an intense look on her face as she played. Bella joined in, her face serious once more. The two played, not quite as in sync as it would be if Bella was playing with Daphne, but quite close. It was clear that the two women were playing for the missing link that they felt in their hearts and it was that one woman that connected them in such a profound way.

The two look at each other and there was a spark in their eyes. Bella looked deep into Astoria's blue-grey eyes and in them, she could see the reflection of a young woman that was so far and yet so close.

Astoria began to pluck the strings as Bella got her solo and Astoria began to play once more, harmony ringing out in everything that they played. The pure simple beauty of it all was overwhelming and as they came to the end of the piece, Bella couldn't help but smile blindingly at the young woman whose head was still bowed over the neck of her bow, her hair falling into her face.

Bella stood from the bench and she placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"I miss her too."

Slowly, Astoria turned to look at the woman, her eyes glazed over with tears. There was a long moment of silence when the two young women simply stared into each other's eyes before Astoria launched herself at her, wrapping her arms around her. Bella stared down at her stunned for a moment, slowly looking over the girl's head at Luna. Luna gave a soft smile that caused Bella to smile. The Potter looked down at Astoria and wrapped her tight in a hug even as tiny sobs wracked the sixth year's body.

"It's not fair…why did…why did she have to go?" Astoria sobbed, softly and Bella sighed as she ran her fingers through Astoria's hair.

"I asked her to. She wanted to. She wanted to explore the world before the war got any more serious. But, also, she did it so she could be stronger for you. That's why she's fighting with him. Maybe somewhat she believes in the same ideology as me, but in the end, everything she does it to make the world a better place for you," Bella explained gently even as Astoria sniffled and pulled back, wiping her tears away furiously.

"But…it's not fair."

Bella smiled, sadly. "I know, sweetheart, but life isn't fair. That's the point of it."

Number 12, Grimmauld Place, London, England, Great Britain

Saturday the 25th of December 1998

10:00 AM

"Good morning!" Bella crowed after she almost tumbled out of the fireplace and onto the ground. Sirius laughed as she dusted herself off and jumped up, rushing to press a quick kiss to his cheek and then to Maya's. She turned around, looking at the fireplace that had turned green again in their distraction and she rolled her eyes at the tall figure that stood in the fireplace hesitated.

"Come out," Bella called and Sirius frowned as Tom Riddle stepped forward, looking stiffer than he ever had before.

There was a long moment of silence as Sirius stared at Tom Riddle with an expression of long-suffering that the other man returned. Bella pretended not to notice the awkwardness in the air, dragging her fiancé towards the dining table and shoving him into the seat next to the one that she usually occupied. Throughout the exchange, Riddle hadn't removed his glare from Sirius and Sirius glowered back, daring the man to say something.

"Oh, stop it, Sirius," Maya snapped, smacking his arm as he sat down and she turned to Bella, a smile upon her face once more. "Now, do you know if Hermione is coming this morning, or will it only be us?" she asked and Bella frowned, shaking her head slowly.

"I think she's with Blaise and his family this morning. But, they'll be joining us for dinner," Bella said and she began to pile her plate high of meat even as Riddle leaned back in his seat, his gaze directed onto his empty plate.

"Professor Riddle, won't you eat?" Maya asked through clenched teeth and Sirius snorted at her forced politeness. Maya glared at him, her lips pursed. He rolled his eyes.

"I'm not particularly hungry. Thank you. Perhaps later," Riddle said, stiffly, his eyes piercing. Slowly, he turned his gaze over to Bella whom was pointedly ignoring the whole exchange, digging into her meal with an abnormal amount of gusto.

Maya looked down at her own meal, swallowing hard as a stiff, awkward silence descended on the table. She wished that Hermione had been there to get her through this. Sirius liked Blaise, mostly because Blaise had pulled him out of a coma. There was also the fact that Blaise was a nice boy with a strange sense of humour that was actually slightly endearing. Riddle was a jackass that was older than Sirius and was planning to get married to his goddaughter. That did nothing to endear the older man to the man that had raised Bella Potter.

"How are your classes going?" Maya asked with false enthusiasm.

Bella looked up, and her eyes were piercing, as if she could through Maya. Thankfully, an empty grin spread across her face.

Hogwarts, Unplottable Location, Scotland, Great Britain

Tuesday the 8th of February 1999

5:30 PM

"What are all these children doing here?" Bella hissed under her breath at her fiancé and the man smirked at her, looking more than a little amused by the number of students that were sitting in the enlarged classroom, waiting for the fight to commence.

"They all must be made aware of what goes on in the war. Who better to show them that Mercy and Voldemort?"

Bella snorted at Tom's answer and shook his head.

"They don't know that."

"Well, then who better to show them than the Girl-Who-Lived and Tom Marvolo Riddle, two of the most powerful magic-users the world has ever seen," Tom challenged and Bella nodded, slowly, conceding that the man did have a point though she still didn't appreciate all of the students being present.

"I suppose. But there are even fourth years. Should they really be exposed to such violence?" Bella asked, worriedly and Tom rolled his eyes.

"You were."

Bella glared. "That was mostly your fault. And I never wanted to be. I never wanted to know war so young. Even now…even now, I still don't want to know war."

Tom snorted and rolled his eyes. "You're such a pacifist."

Bella grinned as she pulled off her high-collared white and blue shirt in favour of the white tank top she wore underneath. She made sure that her pants were comfortable before she slowly pulled off her heels and tossed them on top of the bag that rested on Tom's desk. She slowly pulled her hair back and winded into a tight and severe bun. The young woman jumped off the platform, pulling off her glasses and putting in her contacts.

Bella jumped back onto the platform and looked around at the eagerness and the innocence of the students and she frowned.

"This…this is going to be too much for them."

"I'm sorry. I didn't hear you," Tom said, looking up from where he was quickly disposing of his outer robes, leaving him in slacks and a button down.

Bella pursed her lips, knowing full well that he had heard her.

"This is…this is going to be too much, Tom. You should've used Draco or Blaise. Even Morgan would've been better if you couldn't get them."

Tom smirked but it slowly slipped away into a solemn look. "Morgan would've been too much. You'll show them what it means to fight. And if we must get violent, then we must. Because this is war and they must know war for what it is. They think it's something to be glorified, but both you and I know…that it is not. And thus, as the elders, we must teach and they must learn."

Bella stared at him for a moment, in silence, and it was clear that she was making her decision before she sighed and nodded. She walked slowly on the platform, pulling out her holly wand. She began to dance along the edge, swinging her wand around so that wards began to form around the wide platform. She turned and crossed paths were her fiancé as he constructed his own wards. She brushed her fingers against his and she watched as his lips twitched. A soft smile appeared on her lips and as she finished creating the wards, she looked over at the students whom were staring in awe.

It seemed that the other DADA teacher, Professor Colette Delacour had come to observe, though it was clear that she didn't like this just as much as Bella disliked it. Bella turned her attention onto Gideon and Ginny. Gideon looked shocked to see her there while Ginny appeared almost sullen for some reason. Bella's lips curled into a grin when she saw Astoria practically in Christine's lap. She waved and Astoria waved back. Luna was sitting right next to Astoria, a strange look upon her face and Bella nodded at her. Luna nodded, slowly before turning to give Tom a harsh stare. Bella frowned but she cleared her throat and prepared to speak.

"Hi. I'm Bella Potter. I graduated from Hogwarts last year. Professor Riddle asked me to assist in a demonstration with him. It'd be much appreciated if you remained in your seats until the fight is over. You must not make any sudden movements. You may not get up or enter within five feet of the wards. You must do as I say because some of the spells we'll be using could seriously harm you and we wouldn't want that. I hope you understand," Bella said, softly and there were loud sounds of agreement from the more enthusiastic students and Bella could see that some looked rather sceptical of the whole thing.

Bella turned to look at her fiancé and he nodded at her.

Bella nodded back as they met in the middle of the platform before she walked to the opposite end of the platform. She tossed her head back as she made her way to her end of the platform before she spun around and faced her fiancé.

Tom dropped into a low bow, so low that it was more than just duelling protocol. He was showing her the utmost respect and Bella did the same in kind. She slowly pulled up and lifted her wand, considering what she should do next.

Bella fell into a crouch before she ran forward just as Tom did. She propelled herself upwards, using his shoulders and she flipped over his head even as the crowd let out sounds of awe. She stuck out her heel, ignoring how she was about to get splinters and she let it crash down onto the wood, watching with satisfaction as the wood splintered underneath her.

The young woman fell to her knees and ripped up a piece of wood just as Tom cast the first curse at her. She rolled out of the way and lunged forward, grabbing his ankle. The man yanked at her hair, pulling out pins and she let out a vicious snarl in pain. The young woman bit down on his leg and Tom grunted as Bella's teeth broke his skin and she pulled back, grinning ferociously.

"That's the best you got?" Tom hissed, angrily.

"Definitely not," Bella grinned.

"Brilliant," Tom snarled and he kicked his foot out, catching Bella in the jaw and she let out a yelp as she bit down on her tongue, filling her mouth with blood.

Bella stumbled and she put a hand to her jaw before letting out a hiss of pain. The woman stared at Tom and the man had a vicious grin on his face. To him, it was only a game and really it was supposed to be that. Yet, something in Bella burned with the need to beat the man into submission. Tom moved towards her until he was just in front of her.

"Would you like to yield?" he asked, mockingly.

She gathered the blood in her mouth and then expelled it. She watched with satisfaction as blood showered the man's face and his mocking smile turned a grimace. Bella threw herself backwards and reminded herself that there was an audience. She could only used legal spells. Yet, she didn't have such a massive repertoire of legal spells.

Hogwarts, Unplottable Location, Scotland, Great Britain

Saturday the 19th of February 1999

2:00 PM

Tom stormed through the halls of Hogwarts, looking frantic. He knew he looked insane, but he was a man on a mission, and he wasn't going to stray from it.

"Professor! Professor Riddle!"

Tom spun around at the voice and he froze. Ariana looked up at him, worried.

"Ariana," Tom said, sharply.

"How's Miss Potter? It was a bit of a shock, seeing us, wasn't it? I mean, you haven't trained anyone since her sister. She must feel a little betrayed," Ariana said, and Tom swallowed hard, nodding slowly.

"Yes…she left me." Tom wasn't sure why he told her that, but he knew that he had to. The accusation was clear in his voice and Ariana became ashen.

"Why? You're training me! We weren't doing…she didn't think we were…I'm not your wife! You adore her. All you talk about is her and her sister!" Ariana crowed.

Tom nodded, his eyes wide and blank. "Yes. Miss Goode, I will be taking an extended sabbatical. I'm sorry to say that our apprenticeship will have to be terminated."

Ariana shook her head.

"Wait, Professor! No! I've learned so much from you, and I can't give that up. What if they come for me? What if they kill me because of my father?"Ariana asked, fear ripping across her face and Tom swallowed hard.

"I am sorry, Miss Goode. Tell Professor Delacour to meet me in the Headmaster's office," Tom said, quietly and he turned away, continuing up the stairs even as his student watched him leave. When he got to the Headmaster's office, and he said, quietly, "Lemon drop."

The gargoyle leapt out of the way and he went up the steps, quickly. Dumbledore stared at him in surprise.

"Tom, my boy, I'm surprised you're here. You're usually with Bella on the weekends," Dumbledore observed. He paused when Tom began to pace, shaking his head and worried, like he was a child once more. "Tom?"

"Bella…Bella's gone. I need…I need a sabbatical. I can't…I can't…Dumbledore!" Tom barked and he looked the man in the eye then. "I need to leave. I can't be here. Not until I find her. She left…she left, and I—"

His voice broke, and he shook. Dumbledore was reminded instantly of the little orphan boy that Tom had once been, and what a long way he had come. He had gone from emotionless to hedonistic to this person who was so in love.

"All right." As Dumbledore agreed, the door swung open and Colette Delacour stepped through the door.

"'Eadmaster what izit? Miss Goode said zat Professor Reedle requested me," Colette asked. She paused when she saw Tom, and the man collapsed into the chair in front of Dumbledore's desk.

"Tom is in dire need of a vacation," Dumbledore said, carefully. "He's overworked himself. I suppose he asked for you because he'd like to request that you teach all of his advancecd classes until his return."

Colette's eyes widened. "No. 'Eadmaster, I don't even know what zey are learning. I don't 'ave ze curriculum. 'E changes it every year, and I've never 'ad zat workload."

Tom looked up.

"Please," he said softly. He sounded exhausted. "I will owl you everything they're learning. I just…I have something to do."

Colette's mouth dropped open. Stunned, she said, "Okay."

"Then it is settled. Tom, you may take your leave," Dumbledore said carefully.

Tom nodded and in seconds, he melted into the shadows.

The man reappeared in the flat he had just left, and he swallowed hard. Blaise, Hermione, and Draco were gone, probably scouring over all of England for the Lady that didn't want to be found. Tom sat down in the middle of the room, uncaring that he was sitting on the floor and he crossed his legs. He laid the locket and the ring the side of him..

"Accio map."

The map flew into the room and settled neatly on the floor in front of him. He opened up the chain and dropped the ring onto it. He swung his Horcrux locket over the map, and began to scry.

The Plaza Hotel, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States of America

Sunday the 20th of February 1999

10:00 AM

Felicia was used to rich people. She worked at the Plaza, so of course, she was used to rich people. She was used to rich people using their money to build their confidence, and she had been working at the Plaza for a while. She was pretty adept at seeing through rich people at that point. And then, she walked in.

She had long black hair falling down her back, and big sunglasses covering half of her face. Her lips were painted red, and she wore a tight pair of jeans and floaty white shirt. It was puffy, like a poet shirt, Felicia expected, but tight around the wrists. The young woman had an expensive bag tossed over her shoulder and a trunk was being tugged beside her. Brad shot her an exasperated look as he pulled along the enormous trunk.

"I'd like to request a room," she said in a crisp British accent.

"Ma'am, there are usually reservations. This is the Plaza," Felicia emphasized. The woman whipped off her sunglasses, and glared. Her bright green eyes were surrounded with red.

"Look, you may not know who I am, but I'm sure your boss will. My name is Anastasia Potter-Slytherin. Lady Anastasia Potter-Slytherin. I want the Royal Terrace suite. I'll pay out anyone that has a reservation on it. In cash," the woman spat, ripping out bound stacks of crisp dollar bills and settling them on the desk.

Felicia's eyes widened and she nodded, quickly. "Of course, Lady Potter-Slytherin. Brad, bring her up. Immediately."

Anastasia Potter-Slytherin gave a nasty smile and she slowly slid on her sunglasses again. "If anyone named Tom Riddle, Lord Slytherin, tries to come up, call the cops. Same with the names Blaise Zabini, Draco Malfoy, and really anyone that says they're associated with me. Thanks."

With those words, the woman stalked towards the hallway, and she put a hand on her hip. She looked over her shoulder and Felicia blinked.

One Hyde Park, London, England, Great Britain

Sunday the 6th of March 1999

1:30 AM

Bella giggled as Tom popped open a champagne bottle, and the bubbling mess rolled down the neck of the bottle and dripped onto the floor. The man cursed, even as Bella pulled the bottle from him and poured it messily into two champagne flutes. She pulled him down onto her armchair, sitting in his lap and downed the whole thing in one go, her body warmed by the taste of sweet alcohol.

"You guys are crazy. This way and that, always breaking up and getting back together. It sounds exhausting," James sighed. He grinned over at Lily. "Lucky we didn't have that problem, did we?"

Lily pursed her lips. "Don't think I didn't consider it in the beginning."

"What? Why?" James demanded.

"You were getting between Narcissa and I. We were like sisters, and then here comes this utterly charming idiot-boy with the attention span of a teaspoon. Yes, truly, you're quite lucky I decided to keep you," Lily laughed. James pouted, spawning Lily to laugh even harder.

"I wouldn't let Hermione's hatred of him get in the way of us," Bella said, looking over at her mother.

Tom blinked. "Hermione hates me?"

"Oh, darling, so much. Despises you, actually."

"Since when?"

"I don't know. Perhaps around the time you broke my heart, and then added salt to injury by getting her thrown in Azkaban for life," Bella said, lightly. She smirked over at Tom to assure him that she was not still hurt.

"But, I have no intention of leaving her there!" Tom protested.

"You should tell her that yourself," Bella rasped against his neck, licking a long line. Tom groaned, tilting his head just so.

James grimaced. "I think that's our cue…Lily?"

"Yeah, I'm not too interested in sticking around," she murmured.

The two didn't even notice the dead duo disappear. Bella pulled away, and stood up, holding out her hand. Tom grabbed it, and Bella smirked, leading him back to their bedroom. She dropped his hand as they entered, like wildfire. She swallowed hard, staring at the large bed before she broke away from him to stare into the mirror. She looked exhausted, she noted. She looked older. So much older, as if she had seen too much, and impossibly young, all at the same time.

"Tell me one thing…why did you stare at her for so long? You held her. Why?" Bella asked, her back facing Tom. She stared at her feet, and when she looked up, in the reflection of the mirror, he still stood in the doorway, creating a long shadow.

"In her eyes, I saw you. I saw everything you are, everything you could be, everything you will be, and I saw me. In her…I saw what we could be. What we could…have."

Bella swallowed hard, and closed her eyes. She heard what he was saying, what he really couldn't say.

She wrapped her arms around herself and when she looked up again, Tom stood behind her, visible in the reflection. She shivered when he ran his hands down her bare arms. He wrapped his arms around her waist and dropped his head onto the top of her head. She leaned back into him and sighed. She stared at the picture of them as Tom took a deep breath, taking in the scent of her hair. She touched tentative fingers to his large hands and cleared her throat.

"Are you tired?" Tom asked, quietly.

Bella felt her cheeks heat up for the first time in a long time. She swallowed hard.

"Uh yeah," she murmured, just as quiet as him and Tom stepped back, brushing his fingers against the hook of her halter and he hesitated on the back of her neck.

"Would you like help taking this off?" Tom asked and he had a wicked smirk on his face that made the flush spread down to her shoulders. Tom snickered under his breath and Bella shrugged him off and turned around to face him. She backed up until her back pressed against the cold glass.

She stared at him, her eyes full of challenge despite her flush. "You first."

Tom raised an eyebrow before he began to unbutton his robes. He did it all by hand and let the soft silky fabric slide off his broad shoulders. He shimmied his trousers and pants down and Bella caught sight of the most pretentious silk pants she'd ever seen and she threw her back and laughs. Her laugh caught off abruptly when she caught sight of her husband naked and her mouth dried. She redirected gaze and Tom snickered.

"You've seen my cock before, love. You've had your mouth on my cock before," Tom said and Bella snarled at him, keeping her eyes trained on his face.

"Yes, well, I haven't seen it with the intent to be in me!"

"It was in your mouth!" he protested.

"Oh, shut the hell up," she snapped. "Your cock wasn't going in my twat!"

Tom raised an eyebrow. "Such dirty words from such an innocent girl." He sounded so teasing and Bella glared at him.

Swiftly, she unhooked her halter and let the robes pool to the ground, revealing the emerald and black silk boned corset and the matching thong she wore. Tom blinked, staring at her with wide eyes and Bella smirked. She took a step closer, her eyes narrowed and she tilted her head, tauntingly.

"Thought you said your cock was in my mouth already. Not so innocent am I, love?"she taunted and Tom closed the distance swiftly, crushing her against his body as he seized her mouth in a searing kiss.

He pulled back, and stared down at her again, wide-eyed. "When the hell did you get this?"

Bella laughed, low and slow. "When did it ever matter to you what I wore under my clothes?"

"It would've mattered a hell of a lot more if I had know that you wear things like that regularly," Tom snarled, hoarsely and he backed Bella up against the bed. Bella threw her head back and let out a throat laugh as Tom lowered his lips to the column of her neck. Her laugh slowed into a low groan, and she grabbed him, pressing herself tightly against him.

"Are you going to fuck me with my lingerie on or would you like to see me naked?" she asked, softly.

"These are hard questions," he whispered as he trailed kisses down to her shoulders. "I'm not in the right state of mind to answer those types of questions."

"Don't worry your precious head, Dark Lord," Bella said, teasingly. "I'll do all the work."

She twisted her fingers over the boned corset and moved forward to remove it. Tom settled his hands over hers, stopping them in their place. Bella looked up, confused and uncertain. Tom stared down at her, intensity in his charcoal eyes.

Delicate Gardens, Haven Alley, London, England, Great Britain

Saturday the 25th of March 1999

12:00 AM

Lois waited, patiently, messing with her quills. She looked up, every time someone entered the beautiful dining area. She looked down, disappointed. She had thought that working as press liaison for Bella Potter and Tom Riddle would actually mean that she would speak to them more. She had been severely disappointed by the reality.

Until they had contacted her just last night. She had dropped an important meeting with her editor, citing an emergency tip-off. He had glared at her, but she knew that whatever information she was given would placate him. She stirred her tea absently and took a long sip, glancing at the door. Her tea nearly spilled from her mouth as she stared at the two of them.

They looked as glamour as ever.

He looked dashing in robes, though his hair was a tad overgrown, though tamed into a ponytail. She wore tight trousers, tucked into leather boots, and she wore her glasses. Her hair fell loosely around her face, and Lois shivered. Lois hadn't seen Bella Potter in person in a year or so. In that time, she had shed all of her baby fat, so much that she looked almost gaunt. She possessed the strangest beauty. It was almost intoxicating.

Bella sat down across from Lois, a small smile painting her voice.

"Lois, we meet again," Bella greeted softly.

"We do. It's been a long time," Lois said, trying her best to hide her disappointment in that fact. From the way Riddle smirked, she hadn't quite done it. She flushed.

"It has. We've a wish to utilize your services at this time," Riddle said so formally.

Lois had to hide her smile. Bella didn't have that problem. She grinned at her fiancé, leaning into his side.

"Yes…cup of coffee, no milk, two sugars and a cup of Earl Grey," Bella intoned. She only waited seconds before the drink appeared and she took a long sip of the coffee.

Riddle carefully drank the Earl Grey, casting a strange look at Lois. "We would like to announce or wedding date," he said, calmly.

Lois nearly choked on her own saliva.

"Is that so?" she asked, strangled.

"It is," Riddle said, just as calm, as he hadn't seen Lois make an ass of herself as she choked on saliva. Bella smirked at her, and nodded.

"We think a June wedding would be nice. Don't you think?"

Number 12, Grimmauld Place, London, England, Great Britain

Saturday the 25th of March 1999

8:00 PM

Bella fidgeted, uncomfortable surrounded by so many Order members. Tom settled his hand on hers and she squeezed hard. She ignored the looks she was getting. They tried so hard to be subtle, but failed terribly. Neville sent a wink from across the table and Bella snickered behind her hand. Tom smirked and rolled his eyes at the pair of them. Bella looked down the table, and saw Sirius and Maya deep in conversation.

"Why couldn't we sit with my parents?" Bella muttered under her breath.

"Because we got here late. You wanted to cut my hair," Tom snorted.

Bella huffed. "Well, it was long."

"We didn't have to have sex afterwards," Tom teased, lowly.

Bella smiled. "Yeah, well you looked so damn sexy. It was a congratulations to myself for doing so good."

Tom snorted. Tonks cleared her throat, and leaned forward, despite Remus' warning look.

"What are you doing here, Bella?" Tonks asked. "You haven't been to a single meeting since last year. Actually…what are you doing in this country? You disappeared for ages!"

"I'm back now. That's all that matters," Bella said, shortly.

"Is it? You abandoned us for so—" Tonks debated. A hand fell on her shoulder and Tonks looked over at Remus. He frowned and turned his gaze onto Bella.

"Bella has been through a lot," he said, quietly. "She's supported us. Now, she's here to fight with us. That's all that matters now."

Bella smiled, grateful at Moony and he smiled back at her. He looked lined and grey, and she looked over at Tom. He inclined his head towards her.

"Why does he look so tired? What's wrong with him?" she hissed, gently.

"He's been trying to infiltrate the werewolves. But, Greyback is not a fool, and he's very much inclined to align himself with my own goals," Tom explained. He smirked at the stricken look on Bella's face. "Don't be alarmed. Your Moony will not be harmed."

"He better not be," Bella grumbled. She leaned back looking over at everyone. Her gaze fell on Neville again, and she leaned forward. "How is Daphne?"

"She's all right. Looking for a job, right now, actually."

"Greengrass is going to work. That's a laugh," Tom snorted. Bella elbowed him in the ribs. "What is she going to even do?"

"She's Slughorn's Apprentice. They just put the apprenticehood on hold until she came back from Japan. She's going to be a Potions Mistress. You can't deny her talent," Bella defended and Tom grumbled, giving a conceding nod. Neville snickered.

"Are you both attending Theo's engagement party?" he asked, curiously.

"I can't not go, and of course Tom will attend," Bella smirked.

"Theodore Nott?" The three turned to look at Tonks again. The woman flushed at being caught eavesdropping, but she leaned forward, intensity in her eyes. "You still speak to him? His father is all but a confirmed Death Eater."

"Further reason to keep in contact with him," Neville said, quietly. Bella nodded, firmly.

"We're friends, no matter the war. I helped my brother set the man up with Lalita," Bella said, sharply.

"Nott is marrying Lalita Singh in order to gain power for his family. It is how these marriages work," Shacklebolt said in his low and kind voice.

Number 12, Grimmauld Place, London, England, Great Britain

Saturday the 12th of June 1999

8:45 AM

Slowly, Bella opened her eyes to the bright sun streaking across her bedroom and she slowly sat up in her bed, pulling the comforter up to her chin as she looked around. Slowly, she stood from her bed and she looked around, silent.

This was her home. Even when she had moved out, it had always been her home. She had grown up in Number 12, Grimmauld Place. Every good experience and every bad one had roots in the hidden townhouse and she couldn't help but feel like she was kissing away her home along with her childhood. It was a heavy feeling, though not entirely a bad one.

Shaking the weighty thoughts from her, she slowly walked towards the window and peered outside, her lips curling into a wide grin when she saw how beautiful it was outside. She turned away from the window, annoyed at herself for doubting Luna when the other woman had said that it would be beautiful outside. She turned away and quickly walked towards the bathroom, turning on the shower and undressing.

Bella stepped under the hot water, feeling the scalding water running down her skin and she looked down at herself, a grin spreading across her face as she came to terms with the fact that it was her wedding day. And soon it would be her wedding night and it was strange how her body heated up at the thought of it.

She and Tom had already had sex, but it seemed different now. Having sex with her ring officially on her finger would make everything different, though she didn't know how.

As she finished washing, she stepped out and dried, her wet hair dripping along the marble floors and on the woods floors of her bedroom. She slid her glasses on and sat back down on her bed, pulling out the textbooks she needed. She was nearly done with school now, only a few months or so left, and though she knew she wouldn't be able to practice her Mastery until well after the war was done, she thought she might be able to push some legislation through as a way to jump start the changes she wanted to bring about.

She got so lost in her readings, she didn't notice when the door cracked open.

"Good morning."

Bella slowly looked up from her scrolls, her glasses sliding down her nose and her hair up in a messy ponytail. She looked silently at the man in the doorway, her eyes narrowed as she stared at his bittersweet smile and she slowly gave a small smile in return. Sirius quietly entered the room and he sat down on the edge of the bed, his own dark hair pulled back in a similar ponytail.

"Good morning, Uncle Sirius," Bella said, softly.

Sirius sighed. "You're getting married today."

Bella's lips curled into a wider smile and she nodded in agreement. "I am."

"Are you nervous? Getting cold feet?" Sirius asked, though he didn't sound as eager as Bella thought he would be about the idea. She knew that Sirius wasn't exactly happy about what was happening, and yet he sounded worried about her suddenly backing out of the marriage.

"My feet are quite warm. Nervous? No. Overwhelmed? Very," Bella said, her lips curling into a smile and Sirius laughed, quietly and he scooted closer to her until they were shoulder to shoulder. Bella leaned her head on his shoulder as they sat next to each other.

"It's soon going to get a lot more overwhelming. Maya said she'll be in here in two minutes. She wants to get food in you and you apparently have a spa treatment to get to. Hair, makeup, dress, the whole thing," Sirius said, with a snort and Bella rolled her eyes and she fell across his lap, staring up at him with pursed lips.

"Funny how I have to be out the house by ten, but Tom won't have to be out of the bed until fifteen minutes before the thing," Bella snorted.

Sirius smirked. "Actually, he's supposed to be up in about fifteen minutes."

Bella scoffed.

"Good luck with that. He rolls out of bed at one on a good day. He's the laziest arse I've ever met," Bella mumbled and Sirius' smirk softened into a little smile.

"And yet you're marrying him."

Bella's lips curled into a proud smile. "And yet I'm marrying him."

"Yes, you are, and you have to prepare now."

The two turned to look at Maya whom stood in the doorway, a smile on her face. Bella nodded in agreement and she slowly climbed out of bed, straightening her sweats and tank top as she walked out of the door, Maya and Sirius flanking her. As she went into the dining room, her lips curled into a wide grin as she spotted Hermione and she rushed over to her, throwing her arms around the other woman.

"Hermione! You're here!"

Hermione laughed as she hugged her sister back, "I'm in the wedding, Bella! Of course, I'm here!"

Bella pulled back just enough to grin at her sister and kiss both of her cheeks.

"And so am I!"

Bella turned and grinned at Daphne whom sat on the right of the empty seat at the head of the table.

"And so you are. But, I saw you yesterday so it doesn't count. I haven't seen Hermione in two days," Bella pointed out and Daphne rolled her eyes.

"Oh, so long," she teased and Bella snorted as she sat down at the table and stared at the wide breakfast array that decorated the table and she looked around in curiosity as she saw her rather large bridal party. Her incomplete bridal party.

"Where's Luna and Fay?" Bella asked in curiosity as she poured herself some coffee.

Padma swallowed her waffle before answering. "She's making sure everything's in place at Slytherin Manor. She just finished the wedding dress last night and Fay is picking up your wedding breakfast dress. Don't worry about it. Everything's going to be fine."

Bella shrugged.

"I'm not worried."

Daphne snorted.

"Well, you should be. Luna is parading around Slytherin Manor like a dictator, yelling at the staff for basically breathing the air that is necessary for your wedding. Merlin, she's mad," Daphne snickered and Bella raised an eyebrow as she regarded her best friend.

"Sounds like how Hermione is about homework."

There was a round of laughter even as Hermione punched Bella in the arm, and none too softly.

Hogwarts, Unplottable Location, Scotland, Great Britain

Friday the 18th of June 1999

8:20 AM

"You're set to win," Gideon cheered as he looked over at Christine's messy copy of the duelling rankings for Ravenclaw and Gryffindor. Ginny smirked down into her pumpkin juice and lifted a shoulder, nonchalant, but Gideon could read the smugness in the drop of her shoulder.

"Of course she is. Her repertoire is ridiculous," Christine murmured. "Gryffindor got knocked out by some random Slytherin on a cheap shot—"

"I was the random Slytherin," Astoria put in with a tiny smile and Christine looked at her, wide-eyed. Astoria pecked Christine on the cheek, sliding her own copy of the Slytherin rankings out onto the table. "But, I got knocked out by Luna because I underestimated her. She's a mean bitch when she wants to be, isn't she?"

Christine laughed. "That's how I got knocked out," she said as she scanned the rankings. She paused, frowning down at the sheet. "Wait…Slytherin is knocked out too. That means you're going against a Hufflepuff."

"How did a Hufflepuff make it to the top?" Gideon asked in shock. Ginny sniffed.

"Sheer dumb luck. I don't think they'll be much of a problem. Do you?" Ginny asked and she was satisfied when none of them answered, unwilling to admit that they agreed with her. She glanced down at her watch and nodded. "Time to go. Ready?"

They stood with her and they went with the sea of students that were heading to the Duelling Platform in Professor Riddle's classroom. Ginny tugged on her duelling robes, straightening them. They were a gift from her brothers, Fred and George, and she was going to win in them. She smirked as she walked inside and headed straight for the platform, blocking out everyone else's reactions.

"Are you ready, Miss Weasley?" Professor Riddle asked.

"Yes, sir," Ginny said sharply.

Riddle hummed. "Look to your opponent then."

Ginny stared wide-eyed at the young woman at the end of the platform.

"This is a joke," Ginny laughed, shaking her head as she looked at the young Hufflepuff.

Professor Riddle didn't even crack a smile. "I assure you, it isn't. Now, this Duel will be scored on multiple points as opposed to the last duels you've participated in. This Duel has fewer rules. To win, you must render your opponent unable to do battle. All spells except for the Blackest and Darkest may be used now. You know the ones. Otherwise no restrictions. You will receive points for spellwork, footwork, and, of course, on whoever wins the duel. I will not be interfering. Not unless one of you is on the brink of death. You may begin whenever."

Luna giggled from her spot at Professor Riddle's side. Ginny took a step forward, raising her wand.

"I don't want to hurt you, Ariana. Forfeit," Ginny said sharply.

Ariana didn't smile. "You shouldn't worry about me."

The door creaked open and both young women turned to look. Ginny's eyes widened as Bella Potter-Riddle walked into the room, decked out in jeans and a large t-shirt, the collar too stretched out to belong to her. Her hair was completely slicked back and it put all of her strangest features on display.

"Sorry I'm late," Bella said softly and she looked from Ginny to Ariana.

Ginny turned her gaze onto Ariana, and the Huffelpuff looked strangely at Bella. Ariana suddenly noticed Ginny staring, and she fell into a low bow. Ginny's bow was just as low and when the two students straightened, there was a moment of no movement.

No one even breathed.

"INCENDIO!" Ariana roared, rolling forward with her spell. The fire seemed to form a spiral around her and shot out at Ginny.

Ginny's eyes widened at the clear spell manipulation and she raised her wand in front of her, casting a silent Shield Charm. The fire blazed against it and Ginny repelled her Shield Charm, turning the spell back on the other girl. She watched, wide-eyed as Ariana placed the tip of her wand on her bottom lip and blew. The fire erupted around them, momentarily blinding both as Ariana expelled it away.

Ginny jerked back as Ariana charged. "Reducto," Ginny cast.

Ariana fell onto her knees and slid forward to avoid the spell. She reached back with her hands and kickflipped up. Ginny hissed as the girl's foot collided with underneath her chin, causing her to bite down on her tongue. Ginny felt the hot blood fill her mouth and she stumbled back. Arian fell to the ground again and swung her legs, knocking Ginny onto her back.

"Forfeit," Ariana said, her voice completely emotionless and still mocking.

Ginny grinned through the blood. "Not in my nature. Reducto."

Ariana flew back into the wards and the magic sent rampant bolts through her. She shook with it, but didn't scream.

"Diffindo," Ginny cast and Ariana jerked, though not far enough. The front of her battle robes, though strong were ripped and blood seeped out onto the mahogany ensemble. They were powerful robes, Ginny could see. She has put enough power in the spell to know.

Ginny jumped forward and punched the girl in the face. Ariana stumbled back, blood pouring from her broken nose. Ginny darted back, raising her wand defensively. Ariana stood there, looking slightly dazed before her gaze hardened and she looked emotionless as she slowly turned her nose back into place, setting it without a single cry of pain.

Ariana tilted her head, and Ginny couldn't help but feel insignificant, like a bug.

Softly, the younger girl said, "Sanguis Rumpat."

Ginny blocked the spell messily, getting caught in the arm. She fell to her knees, her stomach tolling and she vomited blood. When she saw the blood she vomited again, actually bile emerging. She stumbled, holding her head as she stared down at the mess. It wasn't as much as it would've been if she had been hit full-on, but it was still…

"Professor! That spell! It could've killed me!" Ginny snarled.

"Anything can kill you. From Wingardium Leviosa to slipping in your own mess," Ariana said harshly. She lifted her wand, her eyes narrowed.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Ginny bit out, her stomach cramping painfully.

"I don't like being underestimated," Ariana said. "I may be a Hufflepuff, but there's a reason. I don't fucking give up. Before I was a Hufflepuff, I went to Durmstrang. At Durmstrang, you get tortured for looking at someone the wrong way. You could do anything to me and I'll just return it ten-fold."

Number 12, Grimmauld Place, London, England, Great Britain

Wednesday the 30th of June 1999

1:30 AM

Sirius looked from Draco to Hermione to Luna to Maya and then his eyes skipped over to Tom. The man stared into the fire, lost in thought. He didn't even seem to care about the implications of what had happened that very night. Sirius sneered.

"What was that magic? What have you taught her?" Sirius barked, angrily.

"I didn't teach her how to do that. I don't even know how to enact binding curses. It's a blood trait," Tom said, quietly. He rubbed his arms, and shook his head. "She was enraged. I brought her to the battle, but I didn't think that she'd curse him."

"Do you feel bad for Dumbledore?" Draco sneered and Tom cut his eyes towards Draco and sneered.

"No," he snapped. Tom's gaze softened. "Her words were very specific, and I…I fear what his heart's blood is. It won't be…she doesn't realize what she's done."

Hermione shrugged, falling back into the chair her mother sat on and curled up into her side, taking a sip of her wine. "Gods, this is stressful…I need a cigarette. Anyway, who cares? Dumbledore will be out of the way."

"No, he won't," Luna murmured.

Tom hummed. "He doesn't care most for himself. He…she implied he was selfish, but he's not…not really. He's not as self-involved as he pretends to be. Albus is complicated. He cared most for his—fuck."

Tom stiffened and glanced at Luna and only she saw the brief glimpse of panic in his eyes. There was a question on his face and Luna tilted her head.

"Yes," Luna said simply.

"FUCK!" Tom hissed.

"What is it?" Draco asked. "Is Bella in danger?"

Tom pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head. "No," he finally snarled. "It's a problem that I will have to clean up. Keep yourselves uninvolved. I'll take care of this."

Hermione snapped, "Fuck no! Bella's our sister!"

"No, we have a right to—" Draco began.

"YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO HER."

The room fell silent and Tom was breathing hard, his nostrils flared. He could feel his magic stirring and he knew that his eyes burned red from the look in Maya's eyes. He had scared Bella's mother, a woman that he was quite friendly with and was nearly always in his corner, giving him the benefit of the doubt in a family that had no more chances for him. Tom swallowed hard.

"I apologize," he murmured to her, never tearing his eyes from her blue orbs.

Maya slowly nodded and she reached out a hand, squeezing his wrist tightly and pulling his hand from his face where his nails had been digging harshly into the bridge of his nose. Tom gently pulled away from her, tucking his back against the wall and he glanced at Luna. Luna looked unsurprised by his outburst.

"You can't save her," Luna murmured.

Tom's head fell back and he didn't care that they were watching him come undone. He didn't care that they were witnessing one of his human moments.

"Fuck," he rasped.

Hermione stepped forward, confusion on her face. "The 'her' isn't Bella, is it?"

"No," Tom whispered. He looked back at his shadow and plunged his hand into his own shadow, reaching and searching through the shadow world. His brow furrowed as he felt around for her.

"What are you doing?" Sirius asked, walking forward. Hermione hovered over his shoulder, curiosity in her eyes, that old little girl still in the flickering shadow of her face.

"Looking for your daughter. Bella!" he snarled into the shadow world and then his hand gripped a wrist tight. He pulled her forward and Bella stumbled forward, rage in her eyes and she snarled wordlessly at him. She reached forward to slap him but he grabbed her wrist tight.

"Why the fuck did you bring me back here, you fool? You pulled me straight through the shadows! I wasn't even in the shadow world. You could've trapped me there if I didn't just trust—" Bella snapped at him and then she fell silent when she saw the look on Tom's face. She looked at him, almost afraid to ask what she wanted to. "What's wrong?"

"When you cursed Dumbledore…you sentenced Ariana to her death. Heart's blood, Bella. I spoke to Gellert. Ariana is infused with the magic and blood ties of Ariana Dumbledore. His sister. You told him that his heart's blood would dry up. All that he cared for most, would die. It's her," Tom whispered and he watched the dawning horror on her face and she shook her head, her hands trembling. She looked to Luna in horror.

"You…you're lying," she whispered.

Luna hummed. "No. He's not."

"WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME?" Bella roared, ripping her wand out but Luna did not flinch. Draco pulled his wand on his sister, a warning look on his face.

"Hey! Don't yell at her! Someone tell me what the fuck is going on. Now!" Draco roared, but Bella didn't turn to look at him, her intense gaze on Luna's face.

"How was I supposed to know you were going to do something so stupid?" Luna asked serenely. She looked around Draco where he stood in front of her like a human shield. Bella stalked forward, shoving past Draco and looked up into Luna's face.

And then she slapped her.

Hermione shouted and Draco sent a curse at her. His eyes widened when Bella swiped the spell away with a swift flick of her wrist. Tom reached out, pulling Bella back and Bella didn't fight back. She just stared in horror at Luna.

"You're a fucking liar! You knew! You knew, didn't you?" Bella hissed.

"Of course I knew. I know all of the Abominations," Luna said, working her jaw. "But, don't be a fool, Bella. If you had used that brain a little more, you would've realized too."

"So, that's what this is? A lesson?" Bella spat.

Luna nodded once. "A lesson you needed to be taught. Your words hold power. Now more than ever. You condemned your precious beastie to death. She was always slated to die. She's an Abomination. You happen to be the Mistress of Death. She is not."

Bella shook and she shrugged Tom off of her. She took another step forward but Draco raised his wand higher, shaking his dead.

Wyndcliff Road Westcombe Park SE7, Charlton, London

Monday the 12th of July 1999

10:00 AM

"What are you making?" Anthony asked, peeking over Padma's shoulder in excitement. Padma spun around, shoving her friend away and she held up her spatula dangerously.

"This is the last time I'm going to warn you, Anthony Goldstein. It's a surprise. Go bother Pavati instead of me," Padma sighed.

Anthony pursed his lips and sat down, falling into his chair again and speaking quietly with Michael. Padma sighed and looked over at Parvati. The young woman shook her head.

"Still not talking to you?" Padma murmured.

"Yeah…can't blame him though. I wasn't as serious about the relationship as he was and I let it go on, knowing that, for like a year and a half. Should've ended it when you told me," Parvati huffed and Padma shrugged, not wanting to say 'I told you so' but from the way Parvati looked at her, she didn't need to say it aloud. "Shut up, Padma."

"I mean…I think he'll be okay. I would've preferred you two together but you saw how he was with that girl," Padma said, sounding apprehensive and she cast a calculating look over at Anthony and Michael. Maybe she could weasel something out of her own boyfriend…

"Right. The girl," Parvati said, her eyes hard.

Padma snorted. "You can't dump him, break his heart and still be jealous, Parvati. It just makes you look like an asshole."

"Then maybe I'm an asshole," Parvati said sharply. She sighed as Padma gave her a piercing look. "Gods, I don't know, Padma. She was just…beautiful and disturbing and so much. Too much for him. Like she'd swallow him whole and still be starving, unsatisfied."

"He's like that too, Parvati. He's never satisfied," Padma said pointedly. "He fools himself into thinking he was happy with what you could give him, but he's the kind that wants the love you die for. You're not that girl. You're a survivor. He wants someone that burns too bright to martyr themselves. Just like him."

Parvati nodded, knowing how that true that was.

They continued to cook in silence, only looking over their shoulders when they heard the fireplace roar. Padma looked over her shoulder and she grinned as Linda, Theodore, Lalita, Neville, and Daphne ambled in, one after the other. They were chattering loudly, with Daphne being the loudest of them all as she tended to be. Lalita walked over kissing both Padma and Parvati on their cheeks, Linda following suit as she dropped a platter of croissants on the table.

"I said not to bring anything!" Parvati whined.

"I didn't listen. Do I ever?" Linda grinned as she spoke over Daphne as the woman hugged and kissed the people that hadn't been late to breakfast.

"What's her problem?" Padma asked as she finished up the bacon and fried bread.

"Oh…oh. Uh, Fay," Lalita said, unable to hide her snickers.

Daphne looked like she had just been getting started as she stripped off her long over robe. "You should've seen her, Anthony! She put herself between us like she needed to protect Bella from me. From me! Her best friend! Who the fuck does she think she is?"

"She's her bodyguard…" Michael said, providing input. He fell silent when Daphne glared at him and Neville batted his hand at him, a warning that it was better not to respond to any of Daphne's questions. Padma grinned. He knew his girlfriend well.

"I'm her best friend," Daphne spat. She snarled. "She sat at her feet like a fucking dog. I like Fay, I do. We're comrades. We're friends, but I'm not going to sit there and put up with her being a simpering sycophant that's panting like a bitch in heat for Bella."

Daphne barely noticed Padma's snort or how Parvati squealed a little before going back to cooking.

"Good morning."

Daphne looked up and paled.

"Oh…" Daphne whispered, trailing off as she stared at the smirking redhead standing in one of the bedroom doorways. Her arms were crossed over her chest and she looked strangely pleased.

"Apologize," Neville muttered, his cheeks flushed in embarrassment for his girlfriend.

Fay waved it away, smirking. "No, no. Actually, I didn't catch all of that. What was it you called me again? A bitch in heat. Nice, but not the best part. Hmm…yes, a simpering sycophant. Nice alliteration. Truly, a poet."

Daphne sneered. "I didn't see you come in, Dunbar," she retorted.

"Uh…she lives here," Padma said gently.

Daphne's cheeks turned pink. She didn't apologize. An awkward silence continued to fill the room. Fay ignored it, waltzing into the kitchen and leaning her head on Padma's shoulder for a moment. Padma pat her cheek.

"Coffee?" Parvati asked, offering Fay a cup.

Fay shook her head. "I can't drink coffee."

"Why? You always have coffee," Padma asked.

Fay shrugged. She reached to grab a bottle of water and drank at least half of it before stopping. She glanced at Daphne and laughed again.

"Don't stop talking on my account," Fay smirked. She turned towards Padma, her gaze softening. "I need something non-greasy. Are the eggs runny at all?"

"What kind of question is that?" Padma demanded. "You like runny eggs."

"I can't eat runny eggs," Fay said.

Parvati rolled her eyes and cast a look at her twin. "I bet it's some weird Auror thing."

The suspicion around Padma's eyes didn't soften but she nodded and began to dole out foot onto plates. Linda smirked at the group of them.

"So, Lalita was fitted for her wedding dress yesterday," Linda contributed.

Daphne leaped onto the bait. "Really? What material? What does it look like? I'm your best woman, right, Theo?"

"No," Theodore said shortly as Lalita said, "It's a sari. White and gold. I'll be wearing the same thing for both the Hindi ceremony and the English ceremony."

"I still can't believe we're not invited to the Hindi ceremony," Michael groaned.

Lalita's gaze hardened. "Linda is invited and only just. My father does not…like non-Indian people."

Nott Manor, Unplottable Location, Great Britain

Sunday the 8th of August 1999

7:37 PM

The bride was beautiful. Bella was unsurprised. Lalita Singh had always been beautiful, though gawkish when she had first met her. Lalita Nott was even more so despite the plastered grimace posed as a smile. She was stunning in her red and gold. Lalita glanced up at Theodore and smiled down at her with that same pained grimace. Bella hummed and looked up at her husband. He seemed unaffected but she knew he saw it too.

"It's necessary," he said out of the corner of his mouth.

Bella hummed. "Necessary for whom?"

"Me."

"You're selfish," Bella said without any venom in her tone.

Tom nodded once. "It benefits everyone. They're permanently tied—to each other and to you, double-fold. Theodore is a Slytherin. He possesses ambition and sees you as his way to power. Lalita won't stray from him. The Indian Minister now provides me with the services promised to me. Minister Singh can now enter the magical textile industry through the Notts' business. We all win."

"Except for them," Bella said quietly. Tom nodded once more.

"We all must make sacrifices," he said coldly before he began to walk forward, Bella still on his arm.

"You are right," Bella conceded. Quietly, she said, "What's done is done."

The queue to congratulating the couple had gone fast and they were up next.

"Lady," Theodore said, warmly.

"Congratulations, my dear friends," Bella said with a cheerful smile.

Lalita nodded, demurely. "Thank you, my…Bella." Her correction was delicate.

"Thank you for coming," Theodore said quietly, not quite looking into Bella's eyes.

Bella leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Lalita's cheek first and then Theodore's. Her lips lingered on Theodore's cheek, and she whispered, "Fix your faces. You both look constipated."

"Yes, my Lady," he breathed and then Bella pulled back.

Neither of them tried to grin. Their smiles were more content and Bella nodded, deciding that that was enough. Bella jerked Tom away and they glided off to their own table. Bella continued towards the table as Tom stopped short before the father of the bride. Bella pulled away from him and frowned and Tom made an aborted gesture that made Bella snort and continue onwards.

"Minister Singh," Tom said quietly.

The man winced and looked at his ally. "Mister Riddle."

"Join me for a drink, sir?" Tom asked, handing over a crystal tumbler and gesturing towards one of the large glass doors leading out onto the grounds of Nott Manor.

Reluctantly, Minister Mayur Singh followed Riddle out to the gardens. His knuckles were white where they clutched the crystal tumbler Riddle had given him. He downed his whiskey quickly, focusing on the burn. It would keep him from the potential unpleasantness the coming conversation could bring him.

"Muffliato," Riddle said, raising his wand.

Mayur knew that Riddle didn't need to cast the spell. It was supposed to be reassurance. It was only foreboding to the Minister of Magical India.

"How are you, sir?" Mayur asked carefully. "Also, congratulations on your nuptials."

"Thank you, Minister Singh. I am well. Though...perplexed," Riddle said in a gentle voice. It was so much more than those years ago. He was so much more. Mayur had been intimidated by Riddle, but he had not seen the threat in every line of his body. This man was venomous.

"Perplexed? How so, Mister Riddle?"

"I find myself in need of gold and forces, and yet, I do not have it. After all, I've written you twice in the past month, and no reply. Must I remind you of the binding contract we have both signed?" Riddle said, lightly.

The man did not push. He had no need to explode in rage. Mayur was already properly terrified into doing his bidding and bound by a magical contract at that.

"No. There's no need. What do you need, Mister Riddle?" Mayur asked sharply.

Riddle gave a snake's smile. "Your unending support."

Theodore brushed a tendril of hair from his wife's face and she barely seemed to notice. She never noticed and Theodore didn't mind that—couldn't possibly mind the love that was there at the corner of her eyes as she looked at the red-haired beauty. Linda spun with her dance partner across the floor, giggling, but she looked at Lalita, just as much as her counterpart returned the gaze.

Theodore spun his wife out and in and she jerked, laughing quietly.

"Theodore…I thought you couldn't dance," Lalita teased.

"I can't," he teased back. He looked over at where Daphne stood, beautiful in her gown. Her cornsilk hair was slicked back, spilling over her bare back like a waterfall. Her silver robes were just daring enough, conservative and covering everything except for her neck and her back—so Daphne. She winked at him and he winked back. "I'm going to dance with Daphne. Are you okay with that?"

"Don't get too drunk and lose your virginity to her again," Lalita cackled quietly. Theodore rolled his eyes even as he flushed and left his new wife. He went towards Daphne. He grabbed Neville's hand in a tight grip and Neville squeezed back, grinning.

"May I have this dance, Miss Greengrass?" Theodore asked, teasingly.

Daphne laughed and took his hand from Neville and nodded. "Just try and keep up, darling," she called and she dragged him onto the dance floor. They fell into a waltz, a comfortable pattern that they had acquired when they were just children, learning traditional dances in lessons together.

"Your wife is stunning. She's almost more beautiful than me," Daphne said.

Theodore snorted. "Aren't you generous?"

"Aren't I?"

"I find myself constantly surrounded by beautiful women—you, our Ladies, the twins, Fay, Lalita…Linda," Theodore said, his gaze following the voluptuous redhead. She winked at him from where she was flirting with two men, Lalita leaning into her side, their fingers entwined.

Platform 9¾, King's Cross, London, England, Great Britain

Wednesday the 1st of September 1999

9:55 AM

September 1st, 1999.

Ariana thought she was a good person. She thought there was good in everyone, except for those inherently evil like Gellert Grindelwald—and maybe, just maybe, her Godmother, though she was holding out on that one.

Anyway, she had thought there was good in nearly everyone.

But, here she was, first day of her seventh and final year of schooling.

She looked around at all of the kids around her and she knew that they must have been innocent at one point like every kid, but all she could hear were the insults.

Freak.

Slut.

Stuck-up.

Dyke.

Whore.

Ariana rolled her eyes, and she grunted as someone elbowed past her. "Ugh!" she cried out. The enormous fourth year, glowered at her, and Ariana remembered something from Bella about keeping her head down. "Sorry!"

She thought about Bella who had told her to keep her head down. She glowered to herself as she thought about her untrustworthy Godmother. She sighed, shaking her head.

Welcome to Hogwarts, she sighed.

She was already counting the days down until graduation. Ariana didn't know what she wanted to do after Hogwarts, but she couldn't wait to get there. It would be paradise if she wasn't dead by June. It looked like she'd be dead soon enough.

Thanks to her Godmother.

Ariana tried not to groan again. She was being morbid again, something she had picked up from that no-good woman. She shook thoughts of Bella out of her head. She knew that life could be beautiful. Bella had taught her that too. She prayed for a better way. Everything could be absolutely beautiful.

Ariana boarded the Hogwarts Express and nearly tripped over a third year that had been knocked over by a few fifth years.

"Are you okay?" Ariana asked.

"Get away, weirdo!" the third year shouted. Ariana rolled her eyes.

She stalked forward. In times like this, she missed Durmstrang, which was something she'd never thought she'd wish for. Durmstrang was hostile, but at least it wasn't a petty kind of hostile. These kids weren't feuding because the outside war. They were feuding over stupid shit that didn't matter.

"Get out of the way, Hufflepuff!"

Ariana was pushed out of the way roughly as she watched the annoying Slytherin dart down the long hall towards his compartment.

Harper. Seventh year Slytherin. Giant dickhead.

"What did you say, bitch?" Harper barked before he could step into his compartment.

Ariana jumped. Shit, she had said that out loud.

"Ah! Nothing!" she shouted, ducking her head. She scampered down the compartment, and looked into one of the first. She looked out for Ruby. She spotted the girl in the compartment directly adjacent and she grinned, sliding open the door. "Hey, Ruby! Brina! Astoria!"

"Hi," Astoria said with a small smile. She leaned back into her seat, tucking her legs beneath her as she scanned the massive book in her lap. Ariana shook her head as she looked at her bookworm friend. Sometimes, Ariana thought that Astoria would've done well in Ravenclaw.

"Hey! Excited to get back?" Ruby asked, pushing a few locks of hair behind her ear. She was leaning into Sabrina, a sweet Ravenclaw that Ariana was friendly with, but was really Ruby's friend more than hers.

"Eh, not really. I'm a little exhausted. I had an…eventful summer," Ariana said, slowly.

Sabrina sat up. "What did you do?"

"Uh I had a few duelling lessons and a few dates with Gideon Weasley early in the summer, which didn't really go too well, though I've learned that I do have a thing for all redheads," Ariana said.

"How do you know that?"

"Accidentally made out with his brother Fred Weasley. Or maybe George. Then, fucked them both," Ariana said, shortly. "Gideon is still a virgin. Wasn't feeling it."

Astoria snorted. "Are you serious?"

"No," Ariana deadpanned. Ruby and Sabrina exchanged looks before cackling. Astoria cracked a wide smile. Ariana leaned forward, her eyes sparkling. "Or am I lying? Who will ever know?"

Ruby opened her mouth to respond when there was knock on the glass. The four girls looked up to see Alex Cross, the seventh year Ravenclaw prefect, standing there, miming like he was giving someone a blowjob. He pointed to Ruby.

Ruby looked away, embarrassed. Ariana jumped up, pulling her wand out, and her eyes narrowed.

"Hey! Stop that!" she snarled, pushing open the compartment door.

"I'm sorry. Are you actually talking to me?" Cross asked, wide-eyed.

"Yeah, I am. You're a has-been waiting to happen. A future mindless bedpan cleaner at St. Mungo's," Ariana spat. She looked around. People were peeking out of their compartments to see what the commotion was.

Cross' eyes narrowed and he leaned forward. "I can see your roots."

Ariana hissed as the corridor jeered. She stepped back into the compartment, slamming the door shut.

"I'm sorry that happened," Ruby whispered.

"Don't apologize for that creep," Astoria snarled. Ruby looked at her in surprise, but Astoria continued to sneer at the door.

"He tricked you into thinking he was a nice guy. Fuck him," Ariana said, leaning out to look out of the window. Her eyes widened as she saw the three of them strut down the hallway.

They had ignored her for the rest of the summer after they had spoken at pub—or Ariana had ignored them in a fit of rage. She wasn't sure why.

St. Mungo's, London, England, Great Britain

Tuesday the 14th of September 1999

2:09 PM

Severus Snape was agitated.

"W-what's happening?" he wheezed. Severus was hoarse and his eyes burned, and he felt his muscles ache. He tried to lift his arm, but found himself unable to, too weak to do anything. He looked down at his body. Tucked tightly into a hospital bed, the sheets showed that he was far thinner than he had been only hours ago, and though he could feel the magic of a stasis charm slipping off of him, he still felt atrophied.

It had been longer than the six months a stasis charm allowed, he realized. And this was not the Hospital Wing of the Hogwarts School.

"Hello, Professor Snape," a young man with golden eyes and tanned skin said. He smiled gently down at Severus. It was a familiar smile. Severus' lips curled back into a sneer. "You're in St. Mungo's Hospital. How do you feel?"

"Who are you?" Severus barked before wheezing again.

"Professor, it's me. Blaise Zabini. Welcome back, Professor," the young man said and Severus stared, wide-eyed. He went to say something and wheezed.

"Oh, sorry, Professor. Here's some water," the beautiful young woman said. She was familiar, in a vague way. She summoned a cup and muttered. "Aguamenti."

She offered it to him and Severus despised being fed like a child, but he accepted it, gratefully. The water both burned and relieved, wetting his dry throat.

"Thank you, Healer," he rasped.

"Cho Chang, Professor," the young woman reintroduced.

Severus looked between the two of them and finally to the head Healer. His eyes narrowed.

"What is happening? Why are my students my present Healers?" he barked at the severe looking woman. The woman's lips tilted into a small smile and there was no small amount of in awe in her eyes when she glanced at Blaise.

"Professor Snape, I am Healer Radbury. These two brilliant Healers are my students. Blaise is the one that recovered you from your long comatose state. Professor, it's 1999, two years after Hermione Granger put you in a coma with Black magic," Healer Radbury said. She did not put on any airs and Severus appreciated that, though he was shocked by her words. "Do you remember what happened two years ago on June 18th 1997?"

"Yes," Severus barked.

Merlin, he remembered. The chaos. Voldemort's cold snake-like sneer. The sound of flying magic buzzing in his ear as he cast down Death Eater after Death Eater, revealing himself as the double agent that he was.

Hermione Granger's black eyes and the burning curse that had coursed through his veins, setting his world on fire with agony.

"Good," Healer Radbury said. She leaned over him, her eyes shrewd as she scanned his body.

"Professor, when you were first brought into St. Mungo's, you were suffering from Blood Magic used upon your body. But, you woke up at some point responded well to treatment. However, you fell into a coma. Or rather, Hermione Granger has confessed to putting you in a coma. Professor, do you remember how you were sent into a coma?"

Severus frowned, and muttered, "No."

Healer Radbury nodded again. "That is common with trauma."

"Not with my Occlumency shields," Severus retorted.

Blaise nodded in agreement. "It isn't. Professor, your Occlumency shields were still intact. Perhaps you were sent into your coma when you were asleep."

Severus frowned but nodded.

"We have alerted Albus Dumbledore to your awakening and he shall be here shortly," Chang said as she looked over his charts and continued to cast diagnostics spell. She looked at Blaise in awe. "I can't believe you did it. I had doubts."

Blaise sneered. "Of course you did."

"I want to see Bella Potter," Severus said shortly.

Blaise looked at him in surprise, dismissing Chang immediately. He looked at Severus with a frown.

"Why do you want to see my sister?" he demanded.

Severus' grimace deepened. "Are you still using that childish moniker?"

"She's my sister, Professor," Blaise said with finality.

"And is that mongrel still your girlfriend?" Severus spat out.

Blaise's eyes narrowed. "Yes. Hermione is."

"After what she did to me?" Severus retorted.

"Professor, I hold no loyalty for you. Hermione is insane. She is quite literally out of her mind. She had no control over her actions. So, I would appreciate—"

"Blaise!" Healer Radbury snarled. Blaise fell silent, his golden eyes still glittering with malice. "You are upsetting the patient. My patient. If you can't avoid doing that, I will remind you that stepping outside is always an option."

Blaise nodded once, and turned on his heel, stalking towards the door. He pushed it open with all his might and didn't flinch when he was met with electric blue eyes. He heard the buzzing of a fly by his ear as he looked into the Headmaster of Hogwarts' eyes, and he sneered, his own eyes flashing orange like flames before dying down to its normal gold.

"Don't try to get into my head, Headmaster," Blaise barked before storming off.

Healer Radbury's eyes widened at the implication and spun to face Albus Dumbledore. The man looked properly chastised under Healer Radbury's glower and Professor Minerva McGonagall's scowl.

"He just looked…upset," Albus Dumbledore said weakly.

Healer Radbury crossed her arms. "I will remind you that Legilimency without any medical reason or permission is strictly illegal, Professor. Do not try that on my patient or I will know and there will be dire consequences. Chang, out."

"Yes, Healer," Chang muttered and she dashed out the room, Healer Radbury just behind her.

Severus frowned when the door shut behind his colleagues.

"Oh, Severus. You're finally awake. How are you feeling?" Minerva asked briskly as she moved to sit in one of his bedside chairs. Albus sat on the end of the bed, his cheeks hollowing as he sucked what was most probably a lemon drop.

Sofia, Bulgaria, Europe

Svetlana was alone.

She had never been alone before. She had always had Stasya and her father. And when she didn't have Stasya anymore, she and her father had gotten on as best they could without her. Svetlana was alone, and she didn't know how to deal with something like that. Even at Durmstrang, surrounded by all of those students, she felt so utterly alone. Svetlana Goranov was alone.

She was the bastard orphan. She had no one. She could not afford Durmstrang, not without her father's steady salary. Svetlana wasn't sure what to do. She had always had someone to guide her, and now she had no one except for a mother that couldn't even afford to have her sent over to England. Svetlana closed her eyes and thought about the mother that had given her up—abandoned her—when she was only a baby. Svetlana sneered.

She did not want to meet that woman.

And yet, she didn't want to be alone. If there was anything she was more afraid of than meeting Raina, it was being alone. After all, Raina wasn't really her mother. When she was thirteen, her real mother—though maybe not by blood—had died, holding her. And she remembered Stasya well. Stasya always smiled. Stasya always told her to write her little heart out.

Svetlana froze.

She looked around the library and swallowed hard as she ripped out a piece of parchment, digging in her satchel for an inkwell and quill. When Svetlana found she was looking for, she nodded to herself. She smoothed the parchment, ironing out the creases. Svetlana took a deep breath, and when she exhaled; she felt the pressure of her lungs bursting from her chest.

She'd write her way out.

Svetlana Goranov was many things, but she was not cruel. Her circumstances had made her closed off and stony faced, but never cruel. She worked hard but was always alone, but loneliness bred only courage. So when her prayers to the gods were only met with indifference, she picked up her quill, and wrote her own deliverance.1

She'd write her way out.

I take up my quill to give you an imperfect account of one of the most dreadful lives that memory or any records whatever can trace, which happened here in the heart of Bulgaria.

This life began with a violence, born into theworld, washed with blood and hatred. Born to a mother that raged upon her the moment eyes were set. She was abandoned to the world without another thought, a mother crawling back to a wretched country awash with rain, rain to wash the memories of the Unwanted away. A father found her, and named her Svetlana Goranov. The first because her presence was a blessing, the last because the lineage and blood above all. And this girl, Svetlana Goranov, lost everything but her name.

I take up my quill to tell you my story, for this is my deliverance.

Hogwarts, Unplottable Location, Scotland, Great Britain

Sunday the 31st of October 1999

11:32 PM

She paced the length of Tom's office, trembling, her mind still on the scene she had been witnessed to before she had to run. Bella had wanted nothing more than to run to Ariana's crumpled body, but instead she had run to the Forbidden Forest and Disapparated. She had realized her mistake nearly immediately and Disapparated back with her Invisibility Cloak in hand. She snuck back into the chaotic castle, ignoring the whispers and gossip of what had happened to the transfer student. The teachers were running around, trying to figure everything out, and that had been Bella's chance. She had ducked through the shadows to Tom's office and waited, sequestered away and warded. Nagini hissed soothingly at her, but Bella only wanted to vomit. Compulsively, she stroked the line of Sasha's body, her familiar curled up around her neck.

"Your snakeling lives. Why do you fuss?" Sasha questioned, and Bella could not find it in herself to explain to her simple snake that surviving was not the same as living—Bella knew that better than anyone, really.

Instead, she thought about Ariana on the ground, her eyes closed, her chest barely breathing. Romilda Vane had nearly vaulted over the Gryffindor table, tripping over benches to get to her side. She had neatly crashed over the Ravenclaw table as she had stepped onto the table and fell, but she hadn't cared about her bloody knee. Her singular goal was to reach Ariana's side, with Heather Sutter and the Delacour girl not far behind her. Two little girls skittered over as well, but Romilda ignored them, screaming for help even though the professors were rushing forward, waving their wands. The Gryffindor has sniffed at the air and roared with rage.

Bella twitched when she felt her wards slowly being dismantled and she pulled forth her holly wand immediately and threw her Invisibility Cloak around her. She was thrumming with power, all the Deathly Hallows on her person and she waited with narrowed eyes and baited breath.

"Anya?"

The quiet hiss made Bella sigh in relief. She dropped her Cloak, the silver liquid cloth piling at her feet and she threw herself forward, grabbing at him desperately. Bella tried to swallow her sobs, but aching, horrible noises croaked out of her anyway. She pressed her face to his chest and Tom's arms wrapped around her, crushing her to him.

"Anya, please…do not weep. Anya…" he whispered.

"What…what happened to her? Where is she?" Bella rasped and Tom ran his hands over her back, attempting to calm her. Only when her breath steadied did Tom decide to form an answer.

"They've taken her to St. Mungo's. I think Dumbledore knew what had happened. He entirely skipped over a stay in the Infirmary. He thinks it's serious enough that she needs to be in a real ward. They'll keep her healthy. She'll be okay until we find a solution," Tom said reassuringly and Bella nodded, attempting to steel herself from her rocky emotions and the problem she had created with her own foolishness.

Bella pulled away from Tom and took a deep, steadying breath. "Okay…okay…what happens now?" she murmured.

Tom frowned. He pulled out his pocket watch and shook his head.

"It's nearly midnight. We have to perform the Samhain ritual," Tom muttered.

Bella frowned. "Ariana is in a coma and you want to perform the Samhain ritual? Really?"

"The world does not revolve around your beastie, Bella. I hope you realize that," Tom snapped, irritated.

Bella sighed, nodding. "I know. I know…."

"Good. Come on," Tom snapped, and Bella nodded. She took a deep breath, gathering herself before she straightened and turned to her husband, nodding again, steeling herself.

Tom wrapped his arms around Bella and then they were doused in the shadows, travelling towards the Chamber of Secrets. When they emerged, Bella looked around. It was already set up. The silver unicorn blood glistened, drawn into the shape of the great pentacle, the holy symbol. Tom conjured the five candles once more and Bella took them from him in silence. The silence reigned as she placed the candles for Spirit, Water, Earth, Fire, and Air. When they all stood at a point, a flare of magic passed through the grand Chamber, and the candles were lit.

Exactly what the title says.13

St. Mungo's, London, England, Great Britain

Tuesday the 14th of September 1999

2:09 PM

Severus Snape was agitated.

"W-what's happening?" he wheezed. Severus was hoarse and his eyes burned, and he felt his muscles ache. He tried to lift his arm, but found himself unable to, too weak to do anything. He looked down at his body. Tucked tightly into a hospital bed, the sheets showed that he was far thinner than he had been only hours ago, and though he could feel the magic of a stasis charm slipping off of him, he still felt atrophied.

It had been longer than the six months a stasis charm allowed, he realized. And this was not the Hospital Wing of the Hogwarts School.

"Hello, Professor Snape," a young man with golden eyes and tanned skin said. He smiled gently down at Severus. It was a familiar smile. Severus' lips curled back into a sneer. "You're in St. Mungo's Hospital. How do you feel?"

"Who are you?" Severus barked before wheezing again.

"Professor, it's me. Blaise Zabini. Welcome back, Professor," the young man said and Severus stared, wide-eyed. He went to say something and wheezed.

"Oh, sorry, Professor. Here's some water," the beautiful young woman said. She was familiar, in a vague way. She summoned a cup and muttered. "Aguamenti."

She offered it to him and Severus despised being fed like a child, but he accepted it, gratefully. The water both burned and relieved, wetting his dry throat.

"Thank you, Healer," he rasped.

"Cho Chang, Professor," the young woman reintroduced.

Severus looked between the two of them and finally to the head Healer. His eyes narrowed.

"What is happening? Why are my students my present Healers?" he barked at the severe looking woman. The woman's lips tilted into a small smile and there was no small amount of in awe in her eyes when she glanced at Blaise.

"Professor Snape, I am Healer Radbury. These two brilliant Healers are my students. Blaise is the one that recovered you from your long comatose state. Professor, it's 1999, two years after Hermione Granger put you in a coma with Black magic," Healer Radbury said. She did not put on any airs and Severus appreciated that, though he was shocked by her words. "Do you remember what happened two years ago on June 18th 1997?"

"Yes," Severus barked.

Merlin, he remembered. The chaos. Voldemort's cold snake-like sneer. The sound of flying magic buzzing in his ear as he cast down Death Eater after Death Eater, revealing himself as the double agent that he was.

Hermione Granger's black eyes and the burning curse that had coursed through his veins, setting his world on fire with agony.

"Good," Healer Radbury said. She leaned over him, her eyes shrewd as she scanned his body.

"Professor, when you were first brought into St. Mungo's, you were suffering from Blood Magic used upon your body. But, you woke up at some point responded well to treatment. However, you fell into a coma. Or rather, Hermione Granger has confessed to putting you in a coma. Professor, do you remember how you were sent into a coma?"

Severus frowned, and muttered, "No."

Healer Radbury nodded again. "That is common with trauma."

"Not with my Occlumency shields," Severus retorted.

Blaise nodded in agreement. "It isn't. Professor, your Occlumency shields were still intact. Perhaps you were sent into your coma when you were asleep."

Severus frowned but nodded.

"We have alerted Albus Dumbledore to your awakening and he shall be here shortly," Chang said as she looked over his charts and continued to cast diagnostics spell. She looked at Blaise in awe. "I can't believe you did it. I had doubts."

Blaise sneered. "Of course you did."

"I want to see Bella Potter," Severus said shortly.

Blaise looked at him in surprise, dismissing Chang immediately. He looked at Severus with a frown.

"Why do you want to see my sister?" he demanded.

Severus' grimace deepened. "Are you still using that childish moniker?"

"She's my sister, Professor," Blaise said with finality.

"And is that mongrel still your girlfriend?" Severus spat out.

Blaise's eyes narrowed. "Yes. Hermione is."

"After what she did to me?" Severus retorted.

"Professor, I hold no loyalty for you. Hermione is insane. She is quite literally out of her mind. She had no control over her actions. So, I would appreciate—"

"Blaise!" Healer Radbury snarled. Blaise fell silent, his golden eyes still glittering with malice. "You are upsetting the patient. My patient. If you can't avoid doing that, I will remind you that stepping outside is always an option."

Blaise nodded once, and turned on his heel, stalking towards the door. He pushed it open with all his might and didn't flinch when he was met with electric blue eyes. He heard the buzzing of a fly by his ear as he looked into the Headmaster of Hogwarts' eyes, and he sneered, his own eyes flashing orange like flames before dying down to its normal gold.

"Don't try to get into my head, Headmaster," Blaise barked before storming off.

Healer Radbury's eyes widened at the implication and spun to face Albus Dumbledore. The man looked properly chastised under Healer Radbury's glower and Professor Minerva McGonagall's scowl.

"He just looked…upset," Albus Dumbledore said weakly.

Healer Radbury crossed her arms. "I will remind you that Legilimency without any medical reason or permission is strictly illegal, Professor. Do not try that on my patient or I will know and there will be dire consequences. Chang, out."

"Yes, Healer," Chang muttered and she dashed out the room, Healer Radbury just behind her.

Severus frowned when the door shut behind his colleagues.

"Oh, Severus. You're finally awake. How are you feeling?" Minerva asked briskly as she moved to sit in one of his bedside chairs. Albus sat on the end of the bed, his cheeks hollowing as he sucked what was most probably a lemon drop.

Sofia, Bulgaria, Europe

Svetlana was alone.

She had never been alone before. She had always had Stasya and her father. And when she didn't have Stasya anymore, she and her father had gotten on as best they could without her. Svetlana was alone, and she didn't know how to deal with something like that. Even at Durmstrang, surrounded by all of those students, she felt so utterly alone. Svetlana Goranov was alone.

She was the bastard orphan. She had no one. She could not afford Durmstrang, not without her father's steady salary. Svetlana wasn't sure what to do. She had always had someone to guide her, and now she had no one except for a mother that couldn't even afford to have her sent over to England. Svetlana closed her eyes and thought about the mother that had given her up—abandoned her—when she was only a baby. Svetlana sneered.

She did not want to meet that woman.

And yet, she didn't want to be alone. If there was anything she was more afraid of than meeting Raina, it was being alone. After all, Raina wasn't really her mother. When she was thirteen, her real mother—though maybe not by blood—had died, holding her. And she remembered Stasya well. Stasya always smiled. Stasya always told her to write her little heart out.

Svetlana froze.

She looked around the library and swallowed hard as she ripped out a piece of parchment, digging in her satchel for an inkwell and quill. When Svetlana found she was looking for, she nodded to herself. She smoothed the parchment, ironing out the creases. Svetlana took a deep breath, and when she exhaled; she felt the pressure of her lungs bursting from her chest.

She'd write her way out.

Svetlana Goranov was many things, but she was not cruel. Her circumstances had made her closed off and stony faced, but never cruel. She worked hard but was always alone, but loneliness bred only courage. So when her prayers to the gods were only met with indifference, she picked up her quill, and wrote her own deliverance.1

She'd write her way out.

I take up my quill to give you an imperfect account of one of the most dreadful lives that memory or any records whatever can trace, which happened here in the heart of Bulgaria.

This life began with a violence, born into theworld, washed with blood and hatred. Born to a mother that raged upon her the moment eyes were set. She was abandoned to the world without another thought, a mother crawling back to a wretched country awash with rain, rain to wash the memories of the Unwanted away. A father found her, and named her Svetlana Goranov. The first because her presence was a blessing, the last because the lineage and blood above all. And this girl, Svetlana Goranov, lost everything but her name.

I take up my quill to tell you my story, for this is my deliverance.

Hogwarts, Unplottable Location, Scotland, Great Britain

Sunday the 31st of October 1999

11:32 PM

She paced the length of Tom's office, trembling, her mind still on the scene she had been witnessed to before she had to run. Bella had wanted nothing more than to run to Ariana's crumpled body, but instead she had run to the Forbidden Forest and Disapparated. She had realized her mistake nearly immediately and Disapparated back with her Invisibility Cloak in hand. She snuck back into the chaotic castle, ignoring the whispers and gossip of what had happened to the transfer student. The teachers were running around, trying to figure everything out, and that had been Bella's chance. She had ducked through the shadows to Tom's office and waited, sequestered away and warded. Nagini hissed soothingly at her, but Bella only wanted to vomit. Compulsively, she stroked the line of Sasha's body, her familiar curled up around her neck.

"Your snakeling lives. Why do you fuss?" Sasha questioned, and Bella could not find it in herself to explain to her simple snake that surviving was not the same as living—Bella knew that better than anyone, really.

Instead, she thought about Ariana on the ground, her eyes closed, her chest barely breathing. Romilda Vane had nearly vaulted over the Gryffindor table, tripping over benches to get to her side. She had neatly crashed over the Ravenclaw table as she had stepped onto the table and fell, but she hadn't cared about her bloody knee. Her singular goal was to reach Ariana's side, with Heather Sutter and the Delacour girl not far behind her. Two little girls skittered over as well, but Romilda ignored them, screaming for help even though the professors were rushing forward, waving their wands. The Gryffindor has sniffed at the air and roared with rage.

Bella twitched when she felt her wards slowly being dismantled and she pulled forth her holly wand immediately and threw her Invisibility Cloak around her. She was thrumming with power, all the Deathly Hallows on her person and she waited with narrowed eyes and baited breath.

"Anya?"

The quiet hiss made Bella sigh in relief. She dropped her Cloak, the silver liquid cloth piling at her feet and she threw herself forward, grabbing at him desperately. Bella tried to swallow her sobs, but aching, horrible noises croaked out of her anyway. She pressed her face to his chest and Tom's arms wrapped around her, crushing her to him.

"Anya, please…do not weep. Anya…" he whispered.

"What…what happened to her? Where is she?" Bella rasped and Tom ran his hands over her back, attempting to calm her. Only when her breath steadied did Tom decide to form an answer.

"They've taken her to St. Mungo's. I think Dumbledore knew what had happened. He entirely skipped over a stay in the Infirmary. He thinks it's serious enough that she needs to be in a real ward. They'll keep her healthy. She'll be okay until we find a solution," Tom said reassuringly and Bella nodded, attempting to steel herself from her rocky emotions and the problem she had created with her own foolishness.

Bella pulled away from Tom and took a deep, steadying breath. "Okay…okay…what happens now?" she murmured.

Tom frowned. He pulled out his pocket watch and shook his head.

"It's nearly midnight. We have to perform the Samhain ritual," Tom muttered.

Bella frowned. "Ariana is in a coma and you want to perform the Samhain ritual? Really?"

"The world does not revolve around your beastie, Bella. I hope you realize that," Tom snapped, irritated.

Bella sighed, nodding. "I know. I know…."

"Good. Come on," Tom snapped, and Bella nodded. She took a deep breath, gathering herself before she straightened and turned to her husband, nodding again, steeling herself.

Tom wrapped his arms around Bella and then they were doused in the shadows, travelling towards the Chamber of Secrets. When they emerged, Bella looked around. It was already set up. The silver unicorn blood glistened, drawn into the shape of the great pentacle, the holy symbol. Tom conjured the five candles once more and Bella took them from him in silence. The silence reigned as she placed the candles for Spirit, Water, Earth, Fire, and Air. When they all stood at a point, a flare of magic passed through the grand Chamber, and the candles were lit.

Exactly what the title says.13