Disclaimer: I do not own any of the character's of Harry Potter. I do own Zariah, Audrey and the few other random characters I have added.

Chapter one

Zariah stared at the white ceiling and frowned. She could not remember how she had ended up in a strange room. The last thing she remembered was watching her mother duel with Ginny, Hermione, and Luna. There was a quiet ticking noise from the left. She turned her head and saw the door and a nightstand with a clock, lamp and water pitcher on it. Turning her head the other way she saw a chair by the window, occupied by someone with blond hair.

She slowly sat up and reached for the water pitcher and the glass next to it. She watched as her fingers collided with the glass, knocking it to the floor. "Zariah?"

She recognized the voice and turned her head to look at him. "Draco, where am I?"

"You are at St. Mango's. We were notified two days ago that you were here. Mum is out trying to get you released."

"How long have I been here?"

"A few months it is July now, how are you feeling?"

"I am stiff, sore, hungry, and a little confused."

"I'll see if I can find mum."

Zariah watched him leave and swung her legs over the side of the bed. She slid off the bed and fell to the floor. Tears welled up in her eyes as she used the side of the bed to lift herself up. She was shaking and panting by the time she was on her feet. She noticed her belongings on the table by the fake window and slowly shuffled over to it. She sat in the chair and pulled her jeans on. She had just finished putting on her shirt and was grabbing her wand when Draco came back into the room. Narcissa pushed her way in behind him, followed by a Healer. The Healer moved by Narcissa and said, "Ah Miss Lestrange, it is good to see you awake. You should have called one of us to help you dress dear."

"I would like to be discharged today."

"Of course Miss Lestrange, but first I will call the other Healer and we can check you over before you go. I will also send for a meal."

Narcissa scowled at the Healer and said, "That will not be necessary. We will feed my niece at home and see to her care properly."

The Healer looked taken aback and said," Of course Mrs. Malfoy, I recommend plenty of rest and daily walks."

Narcissa nodded her head dismissively and waited for the lady to leave. "Are you ready to go dear?"

Zariah nodded her head and slowly stood up, using the table for support. "Draco dear, help your cousin."

Draco took her arm and she leaned heavily against him as they left.

At the Malfoy Manor, Zariah was seated at the table in the breakfast nook off the door to the basement kitchen. The new house elf brought her a small light meal. Draco sat across from her and Narcissa stood near the window, watching the birds flit from tree to tree in the late afternoon sun. "I am happy to have you home. Draco can take you for walks in the back garden, no need for the neighbors to talk. Your room is ready with fresh sheets and has been aired out. I believe everything is as you left it. I will have the house elf send up another meal a little later. Draco dear, take your cousin for a little stroll in the garden. Do put on a jacket though it looks to be a tad cold out."

"Thank you Aunt Narcissa. It will be good to be somewhere familiar."

"I am going to the Ministry to see Lucius and to pick up anything that my sister may have left you."

Narcissa left the room and Zariah continued eating. "Is the Dark Lord gone?"

Draco nodded his head. "There are still a few Death Eaters out there that escaped and are looking for him. Potter is the one that found you. He said you were staring up at the sky barely breathing."

"I really don't remember much except that I was inside before everything went dark. I suppose things will come back later. Shall we walk a little?"

"Outside?"

"No inside will be fine for today."

She stood up slowly and used Draco for support as they wandered around the big manor. They walked up the stairs and made their way to her room. Draco opened the door for her and she entered the room. "Thank you for a lovely walk cousin."

Draco nodded his head and left her to her own devices. She sat down on the bed and gazed out the window. Clouds were making their way in, bathing the room in shadows. She reached over and turned on the light on the nightstand before lying down on the bed. Zariah awoke with a start to find the curtains drawn and a fire going in the fireplace. She noticed a packet on the table by the windows and used her wand to bring it to her. She had just sat up and started to open the packet when a knock sounded at the door. "Who is it?"

"Draco, mum wanted me to bring up dinner for you."

He opened the door and walked in carrying a tray of food. "I thought that maybe you'd like some company too."

He set the tray on the table and helped her to a chair. He placed the tray in front of her and they started eating. "Are you planning on doing anything tomorrow?"

"No I hadn't planned on anything really, except resting and packing."

"Packing, you're leaving?"

"Yes, I have a house to move into and things to do and a job to hunt for and decisions to make. Did you think I was going to stay here forever?"

"Not really I just didn't think you'd be going so soon. Where are you moving to if you don't mind me asking?"

"I am moving to a small cottage in Godric's Hollow. You'll have to visit often cousin. Are you going back to Hogwarts?"

Draco shrugged his shoulders and continued eating. "Are your mum and dad still up?"

"They are probably up watching the television in the room downstairs."

"That's good that they do things together."

Draco nodded his head and Zariah pushed away from the table. She yawned and Draco said, "I suppose I will let you rest some. I will see you in the morning."

Zariah nodded her head and watched him leave the room with the tray. She made her way back to the bed and opened up the packet. She dumped the contents in front of her and rummaged through it. There was some jewelry that she assumed her mother had been wearing the day she was killed. There was also her mother's will, which named her as the sole beneficiary to the Gringotts vault and any of her belongings that were at the Malfoy Manor. She put the vault key with hers inside her purse and shoved everything back into the envelope. She stood up and made her way to the bathroom off the bedroom and got ready for bed. Standing there looking at herself in the foggy mirror she realized she looked a lot like her mother except for the pale blue eyes. She hurried and dressed avoiding the extremely skinny figure staring at her. Climbing into bed she turned out the light and laid there staring at the flickering shadows on the ceiling.

Zariah woke the next morning stiff and a little sore. She dressed in jeans and a blue sweater top, before heading down the stairs at a very slow pace to the kitchen to get something to eat. She made her way to the breakfast nook where her food appeared a few minutes later. She finished just as she heard movement upstairs, letting her know that Draco had gotten up and was moving around. She didn't hear anything from the room down the hall. Glancing at the clock she figured she should be on her way before she met with Lucius on his way to work. She made her way out of the house and walked slowly to the end on the lane before raising her wand. The Knight Bus appeared a second later and she climbed aboard, telling them she wanted to go to the Leaky Cauldron. She received a few wide-eyed looks as she made her way through the Leaky Cauldron and into the alley that led to Diagon Alley.

There were quite a few people browsing the shop windows as she made her way to Gringott's. She made her way to the back of the bank to the goblin and the taller desk. "I would like to transfer some items from Bellatrix Lestrange's vault into mine."

"You are?"

"Zariah Lestrange, her daughter. I have both keys."

"Very well."

The goblin gestured to a couple other goblins after inspecting her keys and they escorted her to Bellatrix's vault. Unlocking the door with the one goblin she looked around the vault and said, "I'd like to have all the money, jewelry and paintings transferred to my vault. You can do what you will with the enchanted cups and goblets."

"Of course Miss Lestrange, did you wish us to contact you if we find anything other than the items you have requested to be moved?"

"Yes, that would be fine."

She was escorted to her vault to open it and retrieve some money, before being led out to the atrium. She left the bank and made her way to the ice cream shop. Zariah ordered a soda water and sat down at one of the tables outside, watching the people mill about. She was tired and exhausted. Zariah noticed Hermione, Ron and Ginny enter the bookstore. She scanned the rest of the faces, but didn't see Harry anywhere. She decided to head home and spotted Draco coming from Gringott's. She ducked into the bookshop and collided with Hermione. "I am so sorry, I didn't see you there. Zariah?"

Zariah was promptly hugged. "Oh I am so glad to see that you are well. Although, you do look a little peaked and paler than normal. Are you doing well?"

Zariah nodded her head and said, "I feel fine, just a little under the weather. How have you been?"

"I have been fine. We should get together for lunch sometime."

Zariah looked over Hermione's shoulder and spotted Ron walking in their direction. "That sounds wonderful. How does tomorrow sound at that café we like?"

Hermione nodded her head and Zariah turned to go as Ron said Hermione's name. She hurried as fast as she could keeping her head down as she slowly made her way back the Malfoy Manor. Once back, Narcissa cornered her and made her sit down and eat a late lunch at the dining room table, while she lectured her about leaving the house in her condition and not notifying anyone. Zariah nodded her head at the appropriate points and finished her food, before asking to be excused. Narcissa folded her arms across her chest and nodded her head. Zariah made her way slowly up to her room. She closed the door and found Draco sitting by the window. "Make yourself at home cousin."

"This came for you while you were out."

He handed her a letter that smelled of jasmine and vanilla. "She included it in my letter."

"I didn't know that Audrey wrote to you."

Draco shrugged as she opened the letter and scanned its contents. "So you two are seeing each other. That is nice; I bet her mother is so proud."

Draco smiled and said, "She's trying to plan a wedding for us. Are you going to go to the dinner at her house tomorrow?"

"I suppose I will go. A formal affair I take it?"

Draco stood up and patted her on the cheek. "Yes cousin dear, try to wear a dress."

Zariah swatted at him as he was leaving the room. She put the letter on the nightstand and climbed into bed to nap for a little while.

Zariah jumped awake, she grabbed her wand under her pillow and turned on the lights. Looking around she saw nothing out of place and no one in sight. She attributed the scare to the dream she had been having about her mother. She decided to get up and shower since she was now wide awake and the sun was just starting to light up the sky. She dressed in jeans and a gray blouse, pulled a brush through her curly hair and made her way down to the kitchen. She was sitting in the living room eating and watching television when Lucius poked his head in the room. "I thought I heard noises in the room next door."

"Sorry uncle Lucius. I turned the volume way down so I wouldn't disturb you both."

"It is fine dear. I was already up and getting ready for work. You have a good day Zariah."

"You too uncle."

She watched him leave and decided to go for a walk outside. She grabbed her coat from her room and made her way into the backyard. She wandered around the rose garden and decided to sit under the oak tree. Draco found her still sitting there a few hours later. "Mum was worried that you had left again, until she saw you from the window. How long have you been out here?"

"A few hours why?"

Draco shrugged and sat down next to her. "Are you staying home today?"

"No, I have a lunch engagement with an old friend. Then dinner with another old friend."

"Are you going to tell mum you're moving out today?"

"Yes I will, why do you want to be there?"

Draco shrugged and she said, "Is that your answer to everything, to shrug?"

Draco smirked and got up leaving her sitting there. "You are horrible cousin."

She got up and made her way inside, finding Narcissa in the breakfast nook. She sat down at the table and said, "Auntie I am moving out today."

Narcissa looked up at her and said, "Why would you want to do that? Lucius and I have plenty of room for you and Draco here."

"Thank you for the thought auntie, but I have a place of my own and would like to move in to it."

"A place of your own, how did you manage that?"

Zariah sighed and said, "I saved money that was given to me to buy a cottage in Godric's Hollow."

"Godric's Hollow that little muggle town?"

"Yes aunt Narcissa, I like it there. So I am going to pack and move out today."

"I think you should discuss this with Lucius before you move."

Zariah shook her head and left the room to pack. Draco was waiting for her in the doorway to her room. "I could hear her up here. Boy did you upset her badly."

"I am not staying here forever, but apparently you are."

Zariah smiled as she entered her room and closed the door in his face. She opened the closet and pulled out her two trunks. She threw her clothes into the trunk and started on the dresser. By the time she was finished it was almost noon. She rang for the house elf, giving him detailed instructions on dropping her clothes off at her new house before grabbing her bag and leaving to meet Hermione for lunch. She arrived at the café a few minutes before Hermione and asked to be seated. She browsed the menu while watching the exits and the few people enjoying their meals. Zariah spotted Hermione and waved her arm over her head when Hermione looked in her direction. Hermione smiled and walked over seating herself across from Zariah. "It is really good to see you. Have you ordered yet?"

"No, I was waiting for you. It is good to see you too. I thought you wouldn't want to talk with me after what happened before Voldemort attacked the school."

Hermione waved her words away and browsed the menu that was handed to her. "I knew you were forced to do the things you did by Bellatrix, besides we are friends. I figured that had to count for something right."

Zariah glanced up as someone entered the café. "So what's Weasley doing here?"

Hermione sighed and put down her menu. "I believe he followed me here. He wanted to see who I was meeting with and I told him to butt out."

"Apparently he didn't listen very well, but then again when does he ever."

Hermione and Zariah laughed as Ron joined them. "This is who you are meeting; you do know who she is right?"

Hermione nodded her head and said, "Yes Ronald, I do know who she is, her name is Zariah and will you stop making a scene."

"Good thing I told Harry to meet me here, maybe he can talk some sense into you."

Hermione shook her head and pulled Ron into the seat next to her. Harry entered a few minutes later and stood at their table. Zariah looked up from her menu at him. She remembered why she did not want to see him. She remembered spotting him a few yards away from her dueling with the Dark Lord. She had turned to go wanting to escape before she was taken in but she had caught the eye of her father. She had pushed her way through the crowd of people watching the duel and had made it outside and down the stairs before her father had caught her. Everything went black after that.

Hermione touched her hand, bringing the room back into focus. "Are you alright?"

Zariah nodded her head and said, "I was just remembering something that was all."

The waitress was at their table and Harry had sat down next to her. They ordered their food and sat in slightly uncomfortable silence. "Are you going back to Hogwarts Hermione?"

"Yes, I am going to finish my last year there. Are you going back?"

"I haven't really given it much thought. I probably won't though."

Their food arrived and conversation was forgotten while they ate. Zariah looked up at Ron and said, "You are overly quiet Weasley. Are you going back to Hogwarts?"

Ron nearly choked on his drink; he cleared his throat and said, "No."

Zariah nodded her head and picked up her glass of water with shaky fingers. "I'm not going back to Hogwarts either. I already have a job with the Ministry of Magic in the Auror department."

"That's good Potter. Must be exciting work?"

Harry shrugged his shoulders and Hermione asked the passing waitress for the checks. They each paid for their meals and exited the café. Ron and Harry were walking a little ahead of them in a heated discussion. "We'll have to do this again Zariah, without the boys."

She turned to Hermione and nodded her head. "It was good to see you again."

They parted ways, Zariah made her way to her new house in Godric's Hollow.