Chapter 9

Sunday September 1st, 1996
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
The Great Hall
6:00 p.m.

The rest of August passed in a quiet blur so to speak. Sirius, Ally, and Remus were living at Grimmauld until the first day of school, so Harry could have time with Sirius especially, but to also get a chance to know his Godmother, though to be honest Hermione seemed to spend more time with Ally than Harry did. But, the one thing the three made sure of was to talk about Jenny, so neither of the teens could be influenced by Ron's feelings towards his sister who wasn't just towing the line and going back to being little Ginny instead of the woman she had become in the past. Once a day though, Ally would visit Hogwarts, usually to spend lunch with Jenny so she couldn't completely draw into herself in her grief.

They only managed to get her actually out of Hogwarts once, shopping for school supplies, but even so it wasn't as happy an occasion as it would have been. The others knew, that only time could help Jenny, well time and perhaps the man she loved, but since they couldn't provide that, they resigned themselves to the age old healer that was time. It wasn't exactly a happy Jenny that woke the morning of September first, but she was a functioning Jenny, and that was a good start after all.

Remus was travelling by the Express with those coming from Grimmauld Place, so Jenny had been expecting the day to herself, until Ally showed up with Godiva and enough coffee for herself to kill a horse. So the day had passed not quite as slowly as Jenny had first expected, Ally telling stories about things after Jenny had left, how James had grinned like an idiot when Lily told him she was pregnant, and he'd been so excited he managed to fall down the hill they'd all been having a picnic on, how it took six tries for James to propose and in the end Lily finally said screw it and asked him. How the boys had gotten completely pissed after winning the Quidditch Cup seventh year and decided to go skinny dipping in the lake, at 8:30 in the morning... and had even tried to convince 'Minnie' to join them.

Eventually, night fell and Ally said goodbye, heading back to the flat she and Sirius had returned to now that Harry was gone from Grimmauld Place. Jenny got dressed in the simple robes, no markings as to what house she was in, another encounter with the Sorting Hat planned for the benefit of the current students.

She watched from the shadows as the First Years were sorted, before her Great-Grandfather rose and gathered everyone's attention, bringing back memories of when he did this before, two years for her, twenty for him...

"Before we begin the regular announcements, now that the First Years have been sorted," Professor Dumbledore began, "We have a special sorting. Jennifer Wheatley will be starting her seventh and final year with us this year, and has been home schooled for her first six years. Miss Weatley," he nodded towards where she was, and Jenny quietly made her way to where Minerva waited with the Sorting Hat, ignoring the whispers that were everywhere.

Once she was seated, she couldn't help but hide a smile when the Hat proclaimed she belonged in Gryffindor, before it ever had a chance to be placed on her head, just as quietly though, she made her way to the Gryffindor table as they clapped, not quite surprised when Neville waved a hand and moved over so she could sit next to him.

"Thank you Professor," Albus drew everyone's attention before Neville could even say hi to Jenny, "Also, before I begin the regular announcements, to avoid certain students being questioned endlessly. Miss Ginny Weasley won't be attending this year, she has gone on an exchange study for her fifth, sixth and seventh years, so please, do not fear something has happened to her or some such thing. She is quite safe I can assure you," he looked over where Ron was sitting with Harry and Hermione. "Now then, on to the usual announcements," he continued with a smile.

"Hi Jenny," Neville spoke softly, while Albus went through the same speech as every year pretty much.

"Hi…" Jenny said, trying to make it seem as if she didn't know who she was sitting next to.

"I'm Neville," he introduced himself, "Neville Longbottom. Sixth year," he continued as he held out his hand.

"Nice to meet you Neville," Jenny smiled, shaking his hand. "So you're in the same year as Harry and Hermione then?"

"You know Harry and Hermione?" he asked, playing dumb as well.

"Well who wouldn't know about Harry Potter," Jenny laughed. "I asked my grandfather about him when I came to live with him over the summer and he told me all about Harry and his friend Hermione."

"Your grandfather knows Harry and Hermione?" he asked with a smile, knowing that a few others sitting around them were listening in curiously.

"Of course he does," Jenny giggled. "He knows every student at this school."

"He does?" Lavender spoke up from her spot two seats over and across the table from Jenny.

"Uh huh," Jenny replied, still giggling, enjoying everyone's reactions.

"It's not Filch is it!" Dean stared at her aghast.

"Of all the people to pick, you think of Filch," Parvati stared at him.

"Eeewww!" Jenny said pulling a face at the thought.

"See, that's just wrong to even suggest to some poor person," Lavender nodded.

"Well, you can see why I was upset at the thought and had to ask," Dean shrugged. "Okay so that leaves Flitwick, Snape, and the Headmaster... Snape's too young."

Jenny started chocking on her drink when Dean mentioned Snape being to young to be her grandfather…that was just wrong seeing as she'd gone to school with the man for two years.

"Oh Gods, don't tell me he's your grandfather!" Seamus exclaimed.

"You know, technically you left out Professor Lupin," Neville pointed out with a smile.

"Gods no for one thing I'm too old to be Snape's granddaughter unless he had a child when he was like eleven or something," Jenny countered before turning and throwing a quick glare in Neville's direction. "No Professor Lupin is not my grandfather."

"The Headmaster then?" Neville countered.

Jenny gave Neville a large smile in reply.

"The Headmaster!" the others chorused, rather comically actually.

"Did he marry really late in life?" Lavender frowned.

"No," Jenny laughed. "I'm actually his great-granddaughter but it was always a mouthful for me as a child to call him great-grandfather so he suggested I shorten it and just call him grandfather."

"Ahh, that makes sense," Seamus nodded. "Well, welcome to Gryffindor," he continued with a smile.

"Oh," Neville began suddenly, "We forgot introductions," he continued quickly before pointing around the table, "Lavendar Brown, Parvati Patil, Dean Thomas, and Seamus Finnigan, all are sixth years with me, Harry, and Hermione. Which speaking off, that would be them two seats down from Seamus, and with them is Ron Weasley, he's the red-head."

"Any relation to Fred and George Weasley?" asked Jenny curiously, continuing the game she and Neville had started.

"The last of six brothers. Fred and George are number four and five," Neville nodded.

"Ginny's the only girl and number seven," Lavender added. "Smart girl, going on exchange. I'd run from that many brothers, especially Ron who is hyper-protective when it comes to Gin and boys. Though I've heard the eldest two are cool, one's in Egypt I think, he's seeing Fleur Delacour who was the champion from Beauxbaton during the last Tri-Wizard Cup two years ago, it's been mentioned in a few of the papers about the two of them. The other is in Romania, they got as far from the family as possible if you ask me. Fred and George are cool, total jokesters, geniuses too really they got their own shop in Diagon Alley, didn't even do their NEWTs, just went into business. The last one is Percy, he was Prefect when we started, Head Boy the year after. Rather pompous but he's still okay, not as crazy as Ron can get."

"Lav, you're rambling," Dean rolled his eyes.

"I'm not rambling," she argued, "I'm explaining, there's a difference."

"Rule of thumb is if you breathe at least three times then you're not rambling," Jenny pointed out.

"You didn't breathe, therefore you rambled," Dean nodded.

"I swear he's saying 'so there' without actually having to say it and sound like a child," Lavender rolled her eyes.

Jenny looked over at Neville and rolled her eyes.

"Anyway," Neville nodded, "So, tell us about you. Any friends who you're going to miss like mad?"

"Well I was home schooled so not really that many, there are a few though," Jenny shrugged.

"Well tell us something," Parvati ordered. "Before the Seventh years get a hold of you and we never see you again!"

"Well then ask me a question and maybe I'll answer it," countered Jenny in irritation. She had always hated talking about herself.

"What are your NEWT classes," Neville spoke up quickly.

"All the core classes plus Arithmancy and Care of Magical Creatures," Jenny said.

"You're brave. Hagrid, while we all like him, is scary in Magical Creatures. He comes up with the most dangerous creatures that to him are adorable and basically just like a puppy dog. His first year he had Hippogriffs for our year..." Seamus shuddered. "I mean they were great and all but... dangerous as everything you know?"

"Well it is Care of Magical Creatures isn't it? Shouldn't we be learning about all the magical creatures out there not just the soft and cuddly ones?" countered Jenny.

"Well yes," Seamus nodded sheepishly.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you or anything. My parents believed that a person should speak their minds," Jenny shrugged.

"You didn't," Dean spoke up, "You were just speaking the truth," he grinned. "So what's the Headmaster like as a Grandfather? He acts a lot like one to all of us as is but..." he trailed off with a shrug.

"He's great. Full of stories and stuff. You also develop a taste for lemon drops," Jenny giggled.

"We can bet," Parvati and Lavender giggled.

"Okay does he always eat like that?" asked Jenny pointing down the table at Ron. "Cause that's just disgusting."

"Oh Gods, always," the two girls shuddered.

"You should see him at breakfast," Dean whispered conspiratorially.

"I think he needs to slow down a bit don't you guys?" asked Jenny quietly.

"That would be a miracle," Seamus agreed.

"Well I'm no deity but I wonder if this might work," Jenny snickered as she drew her wand under the table and pointed it at Ron, over whom a large bucket appeared moments later only to have it tip over, dumping it's entire contents of water over Ron's head.

"Oh my God," those around her gasped before breaking out into giggles and snickers as Ron looked around confused as to how it was he was wet.

Jenny couldn't help looking up towards the head table and winking at Remus who was trying to stifle his laughter.

Unfortunately that wink made the man lose his fight, and his head fell to the table his shoulders shaking as he laughed into his napkin.

"Uh is Professor Lupin alright?" questioned Jenny, drawing attention to the Head Table and away from her.

"Is he laughing?" Neville asked curiously.

"I think he is mate," Dean nodded.

"Maybe he saw Ron," Parvati giggled, the boy doing a rather good impersonation of a drowned rat.

"Yes but at least he isn't eating anymore," giggled Jenny.

"That's true," Neville nodded. "You can perform miracles," he grinned.

"I do the best that I can," Jenny shrugged.

"Well it was bloody fantastic," Seamus grinned.

"I got more, I just don't want it known that I'm the one doing it," Jenny said.

"You'll have to share later," Neville smiled before pointing past her. "Ahlanna Wilson, Head Girl and Gryffindor coming your way. They're probably taking the First Years up soon, wouldn't want you to have to walk with them I imagine."

"I just need to know the password," Jenny shrugged. "I spent the summer here with my grandfather so I know where the common rooms are."

"Well, considering none of us know that yet," he shrugged. "Hi Ahlanna," he greeted.

"Neville," the girl had stopped next to them, "Seamus, Dean, Lavender, Parvati," she continued before focusing on Jenny. "Miss Wheatley, I'm Ahlanna, the Head Girl. Welcome to Gryffindor and Hogwarts," she smiled.

"Thanks," Jenny smiled in return. "I don't need you to show me the way to Gryffindor Tower, I just need to know the password."

"You're welcome, and it's Lion's Pride," she dropped her voice to a whisper before continuing at her normal level, "we went easy on the First Years," she smiled.

"Makes sense," Jenny smiled.

"Thank you," Ahlanna smiled, "Well, have fun," she continued before continuing down the table to tell the password to others.

"So any gossip I should be in the know of?" asked Jenny curiously turning back towards the other Gryffindors.

"Well," Lavender leaned forward; this after all was her element. "Do you want like dating gossip? Or gossip about people? Or just major gossip in general?"

"Well anything major I should know about? Anyone I should avoid or steer clear from?"

"Well, usually you should stay away from the Slytherins in general; they tend to pick on the other houses."

"Course honestly we could bring that on ourselves, everyone treats them like Death Eaters in training so they could be just responding to how we treat them," Parvati argued quietly.

"Better make sure Ron especially never hears you say that Parv," Dean whispered before focusing on Jenny. "Honestly most of us aren't sure if her theory is true or not, but we don't get along with the Slyths in our year, Draco Malfoy especially, and they don't get along with us. It simply is what it is..."

"Well has anyone tried to get along with the Slytherins?" asked Jenny curiously.

"Er..." Seamus and Dean looked at each other while the two Gryffindor girls looked at each other guiltily.

"Honestly, no," Neville spoke up for the others. Our year at least," he waved at himself and the four others, "From day one Draco Malfoy was an arse and we've all responded in suit. And every other Slytherin, except perhaps the seventh years, look at Draco as a God and whatever he does, they follow."

"And the rest of you don't look at Harry Potter that way?" countered Jenny.

"That's true," Lavender sighed, "He hates it though, Draco seems to relish it."

"Course Harry hates it, everyone expects him to live up to some really big standards and ideas because he's the Boy-Who-Lived," Parvati offered.

"Anybody stop to consider that maybe Draco's father has similar expectations for his son?"

"Er, no..." Seamus and Dean exchanged another look.

"His dad isn't here though, so shouldn't he be able to be nice if he really wants to?" Lavender pointed out.

"Lucius Malfoy is a school Governor, he'd probably have some way of knowing what Draco is up to," Neville pointed out.

"So maybe Draco is the way that he is outwardly because it's expected of him to act superior to everyone around him," Jenny shrugged. "Trust me I know what it's like to an extent given the fact that I'm related to Albus Dumbledore. I'm just grateful I don't carry the Dumbledore name in that sense. Does his father stop by often?" she asked, hoping her worry didn't come through in her voice.

"True," Parvati nodded, "And no, I think I've seen him at most three times a year unless there's something going on where the Governors are needed, which doesn't happen that often honestly. He comes to the first and last Slytherin Quidditch games usually, but really that's about it."

/-/Note to self, avoid quidditch/-/ Jenny thought. "So anything I need to know?"

"Well," Lavender looked at the other four before leaning closer to Jenny, "We haven't heard for sure of course, but there's a chance a student organization might be renewed. Last year it was in secret, we had this horrid witch of a DADA teacher and then she got herself made Headmistress, it was all a mess. But you've probably heard about all that," she waved her hand, dismissing it all, "Anyway so we had this student organization led by Harry and Hermione was really the force behind it I think. We all got together and practiced defensive spells and learned the practical things we weren't being taught in DADA. It may or may not be renewed this year, no one's gone and asked Harry or Hermione yet, but if it does..." Lavender shrugged as she sat back, the other four staring at her in shock.

"Well I passed my DADA O.W.L with top marks so I don't know if it would really make any difference for me," Jenny shrugged. "Besides, I don't know how comfortable I'd feel taking advice from a sixteen year old boy."

"Well," Neville began quickly before the others could have a fit. "Honestly I think Harry would welcome the help of a seventh year, we never had anyone higher than our own year last year. This of course is all dependant on whether or not the D.A. continues. Though I will admit, he is rather amazing at DADA, but I think that's more to do with the fact that he has to know this stuff, what with You-Know-Who after him year after year. He's gifted at it too but... he's also the first to admit he's not better than us, he just had to learn quicker but hates being the leader and in charge and everything you know?" he trailed off with a shrug.

"Yeah well I have a few tricks up my sleeve that even the boy wonder can't do," Jenny mumbled quietly.

"Anyway," Neville continued as he looked around, "Everyone's heading to the Common Rooms..."

"Well then I guess that's our cue to head upstairs," Jenny said.

"Yeah," Lavender nodded before rolling her eyes at Ron who was arguing about leaving as there was still desert left.

"A galleon I can get Ron out of the Great Hall in record time," Jenny smirked.

The five exchanged looks before grinning, "Between us, we got a galleon," Neville agreed.

Quickly glancing around herself and throwing a wink in Remus' direction Jenny drew her wand out under the table once more and directed it at Ron, silently casting the charm to turn his hair Slytherin green and silver before silently casting the charm to change his robes to those of Slytherin house.

"Ron," Hermione began rather conversationally, as the six watched for Ron's reaction and heard every word, "Did you decide to change houses?"

"What?" he looked over at her like she was insane.

"Well, you're not wearing Gryffindor robes," she continued.

"Of course I'm wearing Gryffindor robes," he rolled his eyes.

"No you're not," she countered before looking at Harry, "He's wearing Slytherin robes right?"

"She's right Ron," he nodded.

"You're both loosing your minds," he argued as he finally looked down at his robes, and ended up on the floor as he jumped in shock, tripped over the bench he'd been sitting on, and really provided quite the show for the rest of those still in the Great Hall to be honest. "I'm wearing Slytherin robes!"

"We noticed," Hermione rolled her eyes as she got up, Harry following her. "Matches your hair rather wonderfully actually," she continued before turning and making her way from the Hall.

"Looks like she's reached her breaking point with him today," Neville mused.

"I'll get my part of the galleon to you later," Lavender smiled before rising and making her way to a shocked Ron who was staring at the strands of hair he managed to hold out where he could see it, in growing horror.

"Gods save us all," Parvati moaned. "She's still got that thing for him, and never listened to Padma and me about how horrible a date he is or the fact he's an idiot and ga ga over Hermione but won't do a thing."

"Ron's never going to know what to do with a girl," Seamus countered with a smirk.

"Lay off guys, maybe he and Lav can have something. Especially since we all know Hermione wouldn't give him a chance after the Yule Ball and watching him all last year do nothing," Neville shot the three of them a look before focusing on Jenny, "Ron's had a thing for Hermione forever, and he went completely psycho at the Yule Ball two years ago when she went with Viktor Krum."

"They were so cute together," Parvati sighed with a smile. "She was gorgeous."

"Anyway, she didn't date anyone last year, and it's no secret she got asked," he glanced at Seamus, "More than a couple guys actually, and she turned them all down, waiting for Ron."

"Personally I think she and Harry would be perfect for each other," Parvati shrugged.

"I always figured Harry would get together with Ginny after we broke up last year," Dean countered. "Course that's kinda hard now with her on exchange..."

"We should probably head upstairs ourselves," Jenny said changing the subject.

"Good idea," Neville agreed as he stood, the others following. Fighting back laughter they moved around the still in shock Ron and Lavender who was trying to soothe him, before heading up to the Tower, telling Jenny about the teachers and other staff members, though not all that surprised when she pointed out she knew them because of her 'Grandfather'.

Once they were in the Common Room, after the Fat Lady stared at Jenny in shock for a good minute until she finally listened to the other four who were repeating the password incessantly and moved aside, the group separated a bit, Parvati going to join her fellow dorm mates other than Hermione who was sitting with Harry. Neville, Seamus, and Dean headed towards the fire where Harry and Hermione had claimed the couch in front of it, Jenny with them, Dean and Seamus claiming chairs immediately, leaving Neville with the job of introductions.

"Hey Harry, Hermione," Neville smiled as Jenny sat down, Neville claiming a spot on the floor near the final chair she had laid claim to.

"Hey Nev," Harry nodded.

"Neville," Hermione smiled, "Hi Dean, Seamus," she looked over at them. "Hello," she focused on Jenny.

"Harry, Mione, this is Jenny Wheatley, Jenny, this is Harry and Hermione," Neville explained, fighting back a laugh as he did.

"Nice to meet you," Jenny said with a smile, no hint of her internal laughter anywhere in her voice.

"Nice to meet you too," Hermione smiled.

"Nice to meet you," Harry echoed, a bit distant but not exceptionally so.

Hermione shot him a quick look before rolling her eyes and focusing on Jenny, "We'd introduce you to our friend Ron, but he's probably still down in the Great Hall, or else he may have gone to Madam Pomfrey to see if she has a way to counteract his new hair style. I doubt he's going to want to keep it long, though really I think he deserves it."

"Oh?" Seamus sat forward a bit eagerly.

"Yes, he's been a prat since Ginny left for her exchange program," she rolled her eyes once more.

Dean snorted, "Probably cause he can't dictate who she dates or what she does like he tried to do last year. I thought he was going to kill me more than once when Gin and I were dating... If it weren't for Ginny threatening him with that bat bogey hex I think he might have tried something..."

"Not that you're afraid of him of course," Seamus smirked.

"Course not," he agreed. "On the other hand, it were my baby sister I probably would have been intimidating to the bloke dating her, so I couldn't quite fault him. He just took it a bit too far, over zealous..." he shrugged. "Anyway though, why are we even talking about Ron?"

"That was odd how his hair suddenly changed colour," Jenny agreed. "Any idea how it happened?"

"No clue," Hermione shrugged.

"Although, it did sound familiar," Harry smiled slightly. "I heard something similar happened to my dad and his best friends when they were at Hogwarts," he explained as he looked over at her before shrugging. "Maybe someone read it in a book in a library or something," he offered.

"That must be it," Jenny agreed.

"Definitely," Neville nodded, sharing a glance with Dean and Seamus to find the two trying not to laugh.

"I hope Professor Lupin's alright, I mean he was laughing pretty hard earlier and I hope he didn't hurt himself. Ron must be cursed or something. First the water, then his uniform and hair…" Jenny trailed off, trying to hide her laughter.

"Well, if someone cursed him, and it's to be tormented by pranks..." Hermione began with a decisive nod, "then I say he's getting what he deserves. As long as the pranks don't affect his school work or put anyone in danger or anything."

"Ahh there we go, was starting to wonder who you were and what you did with our Hermione," Seamus chuckled.

"I just reached my breaking point with Ronald over the summer," she shrugged before focusing on Jenny. "So what do you think of Hogwarts so far Jenny? Or do you prefer to be called something else?"

"Jenny is fine. Hardly anyone calls me Jennifer. Hogwarts is Hogwarts. I've known the castle practically my whole life," she shrugged.

"Jenny it is," Hermione smiled, "You have? You're lucky, sometimes I wish I had been able to be here before I was eleven, it's so..." she trailed off, then shrugged, "it's home."

"In more ways than one," replied Jenny. "So did you guys really do everything my grandfather said you did last year? Did you really break into the Ministry of Magic?"

Hermione and Harry glanced around before looking at her, "Yes, but we're trying to keep it quiet from the general population," Hermione answered quietly.

"So we're not part of the general population?" Dean smirked.

"No, you're part of the D.A.," Neville replied.

"I guess that means I'm part of the general population," Jenny said quietly standing up. "I should probably head up to my dorm anyway and get ready for tomorrow. Goodnight," she said as she started to walk away from the group.

"Jenny, wait," Hermione hurriedly rose and followed after her, catching her arm so she'd stop, "We wouldn't have said anything if you were part of the general population," she whispered. "You my not have spent your sixth year in the D.A., but you're still a part of it..." she continued softly. "You're still one of us," she added so only Jenny could hear.

"Ginny was one of you Hermione but I'm not her anymore," Jenny replied just as quietly.

"You're right, you're not the Ginny we knew three months ago," she agreed, "But that doesn't mean Jenny isn't one of us. You were our friend, time apart doesn't change that. Give us a chance to know Jenny, please..."

"Do you really want to know the real Jenny? I'm not going to try to be someone I'm not Hermione. My time in the past changed me. It changed me more than anybody save a few people realize. Gods Hermione, I went to school for two years with Harry's parents, they were two of my best and closest friends. Not to mention there were others that now can't stand the sight of me."

"I can't speak for Ron, obviously since he's being an arse, but me? I want to know you, the real you. Three months ago you and Luna were the only female friends I had, and I've known you longer than her... Two years apart isn't going to change that, you're still my closest female friend, I just need to get to know you again, and I want to..." she shrugged slightly, "We left you out a lot, we shouldn't have I realize that now, you were still my friend and you had just as much right to be involved as us, perhaps more than Ron or I really... And Harry... honestly he's having issues with the fact you got to know his parents and such but he'll get over it... And that may not have helped my argument..." she realized and sighed heavily.

"I wasn't referring to Ron, Hermione," Jenny sighed, rubbing her face tiredly. "I never really felt like I was a part of anything here before. It was always you, Harry and Ron and I was the annoying, pain in the butt little sister who Ron only ever paid attention to when he found out I was dating Dean. But the Marauders…they made me a part of their group Hermione, along with Lily and Ally. I just…I don't want to be pushed aside again, treated like I'm not worth anyone's time…"

"I can't speak for Ron, and I won't speak for Harry, but I have no intention of doing that again Jenny. Like I said, we were wrong, you deserved to be a part of everything, especially the stuff that involved You-Know-Who," her voice dropped to an even lower level for a second as she glanced around quickly, "then Ron or I."

"Well it's not like it was ever widely talked about at home," Jenny said. "Look Hermione, I do want to try to rebuild our friendship but right now I'm really tired. I'm finding today quite tiring and I think I'd like to lie down for a while. Would you thank Neville for me for what he did for me during dinner? And Ron's hair will be back to normal come morning."

"Of course, and okay about Ron's hair, though honestly I think you could have left it in longer," she rolled her eyes quickly, "Get some rest Jenny, I'll see you tomorrow or whenever. And have fun meeting your roommates," she smiled.

"The charm only lasts for twelve hours. I never had a reason to try to make it last longer," Jenny shrugged. "Night."

"Goodnight," Hermione smiled once more before heading back towards the four boys.

Wednesday September 11th, 1996
The Current Headquarters of Lord Voldemort
12:07 p.m.

Dozens of Death Eaters were gathered in the building that was serving as headquarters for Voldemort for this period of time until it was likely located by either the Ministry or Dumbledore's precious Order. The two were surprisingly good at locating them, easily blamed on some Death Eater being especially stupid one day, but… there was sadly no such thing as a perfect man.

The remaining members of Voldemort's Inner Circle, since the recent re-arrest of Bellatrix, Rabastian, and Rodolphus Lestrange in the incident at the Department of Mysteries, were gathered together along with the rest of the Death Eaters. A murmur travelled through the crowd as more than a few men and women jumped when they felt the large snake slide along their legs, moving steadily towards the chair that sat at the front of the room that was empty from any other furniture. And then with a crack, He was there…

"My followers," Voldemort began with what only a few recognized as a smile, the hall falling silent as he glanced around. "Today, we are joined by one lost to us many years ago," he continued, raising his hand quickly when some started to speak, "Silence!" he ordered, his red eyes even brighter than normal as he glared at those gathered until the quiet was restored. His eyes grew darker before he nodded and waved his hand, the doors opening to reveal a figure hidden in a black cloak that slowly made its way towards the chair where he stood, the crowd parting to let it through.

The figure stopped just in front of him and sunk to the floor in an elegant move, a feminine voice speaking from within the hood, "My Lord…"

"Rise my dear girl," he once more smiled before the woman stood. "Reveal yourself," he instructed, black gloved hands and arms appeared from within the folds of the fabric and lowered the black velvet hood, a gasp echoed through the crowd from those who recognized the blonde-haired woman, who's focused remained on the Dark Lord. "Ah yes, I see some of you recognize her," he chuckled, "Lucius," he called, and a moment later a figure separated from the crowd and moved forward to stand beside the woman. A moment later Voldemort waved his hand and the mask disappeared, the hood fell, revealing the man with identical hair to the woman who stood a head shorter than him. "I trust you recognize our guest."

"Yes my Lord," he inclined his head, "Forgive me though, while she appears identical, my sister died the night of her twenty-first birthday."

"Actually, you would be wrong Lucius," Ally drawled lazily, causing another murmur to filter through the crowd, and she to roll her eyes.

"I may stand corrected my Lord, only my sister would have the gall to make such a comment in front of you," Lucius spoke after a moment. The last thing anyone was expecting though was for the Dark Lord to chuckle.

"As you can see, Anastasia is as feisty as ever Lucius," he smiled once more, reaching out to cup her cheek in one hand, Lucius raised an eyebrow when she turned her head to his palm before lowering it quickly. "Most of you," Voldemort began as he dropped his hand, "will remember that twenty years ago Anastasia fought by Dumbledore's side. She is in fact a member of his precious Order of the Phoenix; she even bears the mark of the Phoenix as proof." His hand reached out to rest on her right hip, fingers brushing against the material that hid her skin from view before he caught her hand in his and walked around her side, the side away from Lucius, Ally turning with him as he walked until she was facing the group. Dropping her hand he moved out towards those gathered. "And now, she has finally come to her senses and come to us, to her rightful place as the only daughter of Abraxas Malfoy."

"Forgive me my Lord," a squeaky voice drew everyone's attention, even Lucius and Ally turned as well towards the man who had stepped out from the gathering. "She was one of Dumbledore's most trusted members, the betrothed of Sirius Black, Godmother of Harry Potter… how can we be sure she is not here merely working on his orders?"

"If I may, my Lord," Ally spoke up quietly; Voldemort turned slightly to nod in her direction, before she stepped forward from Lucius and made her way towards the man. "It would seem to me, Peter," she began rather conversationally, "That there was a time when you too were one of Dumbledore's most trusted members, the best friend of Sirius Black, James Potter, and Remus Lupin. You were the one the Potters trusted to be their Secret Keeper, a mistake to be sure on their part, but one they can certainly never make again, though likely would."

"I was loyal to the Dark Lord, not those who would rise against him," Peter countered quickly as she circled him.

"Perhaps, but what was it, that made you turn to the Dark Lord over Dumbledore who you had followed so blindly for so many years?" she smirked as she stopped in front of him, "Oh no, don't tell me. After all, I already know. I've known you since you were eleven years old Peter Pettigrew, I know you better than anyone here except for our Lord… It wasn't belief, love, or anything like that. It was the same thing that first led you to following around at Sirius, James, and Remus' shoes like some sort of lap dog. Power, you wanted it then, you want it now, and you follow the person with the most… That's the only reason you are here, that and you know our Lord can kill you in an instant."

"What's your reason," he hissed, before taking a step back when she smirked.

"My dear, dear, Peter," she chuckled, "What reason do I need? The deaths of three of my best friends can be traced to that man. The death of my son can be traced to that man, he kept my Godson from me, and if that wasn't enough he left me in muggle America in the absolute middle of nowhere until just recently. Not to mention he took my wand, placed anti-apparition and anti-magic wards extending a hundred miles in every direction, left me in a valley surrounded by mountains so I had no chance of escape. One would think simple anger at the man you followed for many years without question is more than enough reason to go to his enemy seeking to help destroy him."

"Destroy his enemy?" Peter perked up.

"Destroy the man you hate," she rolled her eyes, "Really Peter, how did you ever manage to pass your O.W.L.s and N.E.W.T.s… oh that's right, you had all of us to get you through," she chuckled, spinning on her heels so her cape flew around her before she strode back to where Lucius still stood, watching her and Peter.

"As you can see, Anastasia has reason for being here. And anger is certainly more than enough to destroy someone. Besides, at the heart, even with her time in Gryffindor, she is still a Malfoy," Voldemort smiled as he made his way back to Ally who had rejoined her brother. "She shall be our new spy in Dumbledore's ranks, along with you Severus," he looked off towards where the other remaining member of the Inner Circle stood, Severus merely inclining his head in response. "Unlike Severus though, for now you shall not bear my mark," he continued, his hand brushing against the hip where her tattoo of a phoenix rested, "It would be impossible to explain to the fools."

"Sadly they aren't as stupid as we would like to think they are," Ally nodded.

"Too true," Voldemort nodded. "Lucius, you will be Anastasia's contact, I expect you to help her in any way she might need. Welcome her back to the family so to speak…"

"Of course my Lord," Lucius inclined his head in acceptance.

"All of you will give Anastasia respect as a fellow Death Eater, though she may not bear the same mark as you, for now," he added quietly, "She is still one of you, she has gained my trust, and therefore will have yours." With one more look around the room he nodded one last time, "Leave," he ordered before everyone began disappearing left and right, Lucius reaching over to grab his long believed dead sister's hand and pulling her to his side.

"I can't apparate," she pointed out quietly. "Father placed wards on the house against me remember? And apparitions can be tracked," she continued. "I would prefer no way of being tracked if for some reason Dumbledore and the Order decide to doubt me."

"Alright Ally," he nodded quickly leading her to the only Floo Point in the building that would be sealed behind them, taking them to his study in the Manor. "How did you even know we were coming here?"

"The fact I'm not as stupid as some people liked to think I was," she offered with a smirk.

"Still as sassy as ever I see," his eyebrow arched as he watched her, to others it would appear she was simply wandering around the room, but he could see how she was taking in every detail, cataloguing it, analyzing it, likely comparing it to the way the room had been when their father was head of the family.

"Fourteen years on my own in the middle of nowhere, with nothing, not even a muggle television for company… It's a miracle I'm still bloody sane," she countered with a glance that barely qualified as one, to him. "Then again, that's debatable," she laughed, reminding Lucius scarily of his sister-in-law for a moment.

"So, what he said is true, you're here because of anger at Dumbledore? Somehow I never saw you turning on him and the others, Black and Lupin…"

"What can I say my dearest brother," she turned towards him and shrugged, "Family trait. Besides, Albus lost the one thing that bound both of us to him years ago, he just never realized locking me up from my love and remaining friends would be the thing to drive me over the edge."

"So you just left? Left Lupin and Black too?" he countered as he sat down; waving a hand towards the door to activate the wards and extensive silencing spells that surrounded the room.

"Hmm, awfully caring about them aren't you?" she mused as she lazily wandered around to a chair across from him. "Want to know a secret Lucius?"

"Do I?" he countered quietly, watching her as she finally sat, curling her legs underneath her like she used to when they were children.

"Perhaps, perhaps not," she admitted, beginning to draw images in the air with her wand, green smoke staying in the air after she drew before fading away slowly. "It's actually surprising I didn't cross to the dark side ages ago…"

"Because they drove you mad?" he suggested with a smirk.

"No," she shook her head, her eyes rolling to look at him though her head remained turned from him, before she looked back at her drawings. "Because I planned down to the last detail, how to kill our dear father."

"Excuse me?" he blinked at her a few times, then shook his head slightly, trying to shake away whatever dream world he had just entered.

"Oh yes, dear, sweet, innocent Anastasia was going to murder her father in cold blood," she nodded, though it was the smile she wore that worried him more than her words, "Do you know why?"

"I imagine there could be any number of reasons Ally, or would you prefer that I call you Anna again?"

"I've missed hearing you call me Anna," she admitted quietly.

"Anna it is then," he nodded before stopping, then after a moment releasing a quiet sigh, "And I've missed it too." She looked back at him and smiled, before focusing back on her writing, writing her name through the air, only to write his underneath and look at them a moment. "So…" he prompted after watching the letters fade away, "do you plan to share your reasons for planning patricide?"

"March fifteenth," she replied, causing him to look at her in confusion once more. "That was the day I found out I was pregnant," she continued before he could ask. "And to this day, I have no idea how our father found out I was pregnant. Though I can't help now but suspect Peter…" she mused for a moment before snapping out of it. "We decided to put off getting married as long as possible, figured I'd get better protection from the Malfoy family if it came down to it, then I'd ever get from the Blacks. Put too much trust in the bonds of blood," she chuckled humourlessly.

"Anna…" he began before stopping.

"I was just past the twenty-third week mark, the last day to be exact. Siri and James were on a mission, and no I'm not sharing details, and it's not like they'd matter after sixteen years anyway," she rolled her eyes, "So it was just Lils and I at the house. Remus came by and was keeping us company, no one wanted to leave the two of us alone for long, and she was due in just about eight weeks, so they weren't taking chances. None of us expected it to be me who went into labour. You know, it's simply amazing what the Healers at St. Mungo's can do. The whole reason I went into labour was because of a very specific potion, poison really. I learned this all later of course," she looked at him.

"Of course," he mumbled, not wanting to hear this but somehow knowing he had to, that he owed her this much.

"Did you know, it's actually quite painful to have your uterus detach from your body, and it's amazing just how many blood vessels there are, tiny damn things too," she nodded, more talking to herself now. "I remember, well aside from the sea of pain… I remember feeling like I was loosing a part of myself, until I heard this little cry, downright anger… And I smiled, because I knew that he or she was okay. I could feel Reme, holding my hand, feel Lils brushing the hair from my forehead and she was saying something, something about him being small but strong, 'just like Siri, just like me'… I remember those words. But it was like hearing through a tunnel I guess you could say, and while I could feel them, it was more like the feeling when your hands have fallen asleep, or your legs, and you're moving around and touching things and you know that you're standing on your foot or picking that item up, but it just doesn't feel right. So I focused on that little cry, and the blood rushing in my ears slowed down. I couldn't hear the baby anymore and for a moment I panicked, thinking it had stopped crying, that something was wrong with him or her, until I realized, I couldn't hear a thing anymore. Everything was silent, and it wasn't cold anymore, course it wasn't warm either, it was… comfortable. And I had the distinct impression I was floating, but I knew the baby was okay, and I knew somewhere Sirius and James were okay, knew Lils and Reme were fine, and I even knew you were okay, you weren't perfect but… you were okay, and you were going to be fine…"

"You knew about me?" he frowned.

"I knew about all of my family, those most important to me," she shrugged slightly, "For a moment, there was simply peace, and I knew I wanted to go back but… If I couldn't, it would have been okay. Then there was… well it was almost like when a flash of lightening hits right outside the window, you know how everything lights up, and for a moment you still see the light even though it's gone… It was just like that, and when I could see again, there was pain again, and Lily was there talking and Reme was there and I could hear the baby crying and the medi-wizards and witches yelling back and forth at each other, casting spells, and everything went numb. And I don't know how many potions they forced into my system, but I can say I'm so thankful for the fact they can administer that one type of blood replenishing potion through the blood stream…" she chuckled, "And eventually the majority of those present left once I was stable, and they brought in the special bed for the baby, and told us the things we needed to know, like it was a boy, and he was two ounces more than a pound, that he would be fine, they'd cast the spells to strengthen his lungs and heart and speed up his growth just so he'd get to the point he should have been at nine months, course it would take a few days but… the big thing was that he was going to live, that he would be fine.

"Reme left then, to go track down Sirius and James, and Lily sat with me. But all I could do was stare at him as he lay in that bed. He had just the smallest amount of hair, fluff really, but it was that pale blonde that we know so well. And he opened his eyes once; Lily saw them, grey just like Siri… And I was content, I felt like death warmed over, which was pretty good when you considered the fact I think I was in heaven for a few seconds there. But he was there and he was fine and I was going to be okay with time, or so they assured us before they left. Reme was going to get Siri, and you know it never even crossed my mind, about the ancient magic, that my son was a Malfoy instead of a Black. Not until the moment Father appeared in the doorway, and Lily didn't move but I saw her eyes darting between the three of us and knew she was frozen. And I watched as he walked to the crib, bed, whatever you want to call it, as he picked up my son who I had remembered thinking would barely fit in his father's hand, and low and behold barely fit in his grandfather's hand…" she trailed off with a small sigh, quickly raising her hand when he opened his mouth.

"Let me finish Lucius, if I don't…" she sighed once more, "He went on for a few minutes, with this horrible speech about how my son was a Malfoy, Sirius and the Blacks had no claim, etc etc, etc. I tried to get up, failed miserably, and in the end watched as he went to leave. A Medi-witch almost stopped him, but he stunned her, and all she saw was a man in a black cloak, face hidden, taking the baby out of there."

"Why didn't you ever report anything?" Lucius asked curious, something he'd wondered for years actually.

"Wouldn't have mattered would it?" she shot him another look that just called him an idiot, an imbecile, and a dumbass all at once. "Sirius and I had no claim to Scorpius; nothing we could do could get him back as long as Father was alive. All it could possibly do was make Father angry, hurt Siri, cause an unholy scene that would have made Father go from angry to beyond livid… and I'm sure you remember as well as I do, what he did when he got that angry…"

"Don't," he hissed when he saw the image she was drawing with her wand. "Don't Anna," he continued, voice low and she stopped, her hand still raised to look at him, before nodding slowly and in essence, scribbling over the image so it disappeared.

"Anyway," she began after a moment, "Dumbledore showed up first, unfroze the poor Medi-witch but made her tend to us before sounding the alarm. He had a suspicion the moment he heard I had gone into labour so early, hated being proven right… I told the Medi-witch to write the death certificate instead, and then drew into myself. Sirius, James, and Remus heard from Albus that the baby was gone, though he never said dead, I have to give him that. Lily explained that later of course… Then the news came out that your son was born…" a low chuckle escaped, "Nice name, Draconis, I never knew, what is his middle name?"

"Abraxas," he answered quietly.

"Figures," she nodded, "It had been James, of course," she shrugged. "I was all set to fight Sirius over the fact I gave his son a name after a star, low and behold, the poor boy ended up with two…" she laughed as she sat up, laying her wand down finally. "So tell me brother, was it hard? Did he try to feed you some line that Narcissa had been pregnant and had the baby early? Did you remind him that you had vowed to never lay with her, that the line would die with you? Rather stupid of us to actually believe he'd let that happen, especially when all he had to do was wait around for his useless daughter to provide an heir," she chuckled disparagingly.

"Stop this Anastasia," Lucius growled as he rose, her eyes flicking up to his. "You're making a scene of yourself…"

"And you think I care?" she countered quietly, evenly. "I lost my son, so my brother could raise him. Sixteen years I've had to live a lie that my child was dead, because of some stupid ancient magic, and a father who hated me just because I and the man he bound me to when I was born were both Gryffindors and wouldn't follow his great lord and master."

"Funny, considering you are following his great lord and master now," Lucius shot back.

"What choice do I have left Lucius?" she countered, voice deadly as she stared at him. "I lost everything I ever loved, I can't get back at Father, he's dead and buried, so my options are getting back at Dumbledore, or getting back at Voldemort… only one of those gives me a chance to even be able to see my son from afar. Which would you pick?" Lucius remained silent, lips pursed together as he watched her rise from the chair. "I guess it's only fair, you lost your daughter, I lost my son," she shrugged before stepping around him, her wand flying to her hand as she made her way towards the fireplace, stopping next to it. "Tell me something…" she asked softly, not turning to look at him though. "What was his first word?" she asked even softer.

He stared after her a moment before sighing, "Mama. Strange thing was he was with me at the time…"

She smiled slightly before looking over her shoulder at him. "For you," she held up an envelope before it floated towards him to land on the desk, "I'll be in touch brother," she nodded before disappearing into the fireplace amidst the green flames, leaving him to stare after her before sighing and collapsing into a chair, summoning a bottle of firewhiskey and a tumbler a moment later.

"What the bloody hell did she mean about a daughter?" he asked himself some time later before looking at the envelope on his desk, a flick of his wand and it came flying towards him. He stared at the envelope a moment, his name written across the front in familiar script he hadn't forgotten in twenty years, and there were water marks, but why… Looking up at the fireplace he regarded the mental image of his sister, even after all this time, he didn't think she would lie to him, so this had to be from Jennifer, but why would she keep a letter from him for twenty years? On the other hand, there was the letter Draco had sent home, that Dumbledore's Great-Granddaughter, a girl named Jennifer Wheatley, had started her seventh year in Gryffindor no less.

Sighing, he flipped the envelope over and opened it; he wouldn't know what was inside until he actually looked. Pulling out the sheets of paper, he unfolded them and after a quick drink of his 'liquid courage', he began to read.

August 15, 1996

Dear Mr. Malfoy,

Gods it seems so strange to address you like that. I feel like I should be writing this to your father, not you but I guess that's what you are to me now. What you will always be. Mr. Malfoy.

I want you to know that I don't regret a moment of our time together as that would be denying the depth of my feelings for you and I love you too much for that. I do regret though the way in which I disappeared from your life. I'm not going to try and explain it here in this letter, just know that leaving you in the way that I did was the last thing I ever wanted to do and it was not my choice. Although I'm sure after my sudden appearance in the Department of Mysteries you're starting to figure out where I went the night of your graduation ball and why. I'm sure my grandfather; sorry I mean Professor Dumbledore can answer any questions you might have about my disappearance and reappearance nineteen years later.

As for the diary, yes I remember that, grandfather, I mean Professor Dumbledore, returned all of my memories of being Ginny Weasley so I now remember everything about my life as Ginny and my time as Jennifer, which can be quite confusing at times. But I've gotten away from what I was trying to say. I don't blame you for giving me Tom Riddle's diary Mr. Malfoy. If you hadn't then I never would have ended up at the Department of Mysteries in the first place and I never would have met the handsome young Slytherin Prefect who stole my heart by the lake after a quidditch match.

That first Valentine's Day when you sent me the sterling silver roses, I was quite surprised when your sister told me they meant love at first sight. Ally and Lily asked me how I felt about you, whether I loved you in return. I told them I wasn't sure, that I had strong feelings for you but I didn't know how love felt. After a series of questions we realized that my feelings for you truly were love. One of the questions your sister asked me was if I would willingly walk away from you even though it would kill me to do so because you would be happier, safer and better off without me in your life. As you know, I tried to do that once already, the summer you proposed. This letter is my way of doing so now.

You don't have to worry about what my intentions are towards you Mr. Malfoy. I know that you are married to Narcissa and that the two of you have built both a family and a life together. I'm not going to try to interfere with that and this letter is not meant to do that either.

I'm sure by now you're wondering why exactly I'm sending this letter to you if I have no intentions of interfering in your life. I'm writing this letter because I have something I have to tell you. Something you have every right to know. Something you deserve to know. I would be belittling what we once shared if I kept this from you any longer and I love you too much to do that to you.

I had a special gift to give you on our wedding night. I was afraid of what you might think when you found out as it was not something we had planned on right away but had hoped to have in the future. Gods why is this suddenly so hard for me to say, well put down on parchment anyway. Maybe it's because I fear your reaction now more than I did before since I knew you better then. You've moved on with your life and I don't want you to think that I'm trying to force my way back into your life, into your heart or make you feel obligated to me in any way. I'm sure you'll hate me for the rest of your life anyway and that's your right. Gods Luc, sorry, Mr. Malfoy, how does a girl tell the man she loves with every fibre of her being and who has made it perfectly clear to her that he doesn't want anything to do with her ever since he first saw her again for the first time in what for him was nineteen years, that she was pregnant the night they were to marry. You read that right Mr. Malfoy. I was pregnant the night I disappeared. The night we were to marry. It was to be my wedding gift to you.

There's a reason why I've been speaking in the past tense when I refer to being pregnant Mr. Malfoy. For you see, I lost the baby a number of days ago. Madam Pomfrey believes my miscarriage was caused by an undo amount of stress in my life for the last three months since my return. I won't go into the details about what my life has been like since I appeared in the Department of Mysteries as I'm sure you really couldn't care less about what's happened to me. Just know that had things been different, you would have been the father of a beautiful baby girl. I took the liberty of naming our daughter as I couldn't bear to bury her without one. I hope our little Persephone finds peace where she now lays. I know it's the one place that always brought me peace.

If you remember anything about me at all Mr. Malfoy, hopefully you'll remember that I'm a girl of her word. I told you I would not interfere in your life and I will keep my word. This is the only letter you will ever receive from me and I will do my best to avoid you should I see you in public. I will even do my best to avoid your son while we are both at Hogwarts this coming school year.

I wish you and Narcissa much happiness in your future together.

All my love,

Jennifer

He re-read it twice, before looking up at the empty fireplace, then back down at the paper. It couldn't be… it just couldn't… But Ally had said…

Narcissa found him there, hours later, just staring at the fireplace, papers gripped in one hand as he held tightly onto a half-empty glass of firewhiskey.