A/N: Greetings, dear readers! I am back! So sorry for not posting as soon as I know you all would have liked, but I was severely lacking inspiration on where to go next.

And also too busy trying to find Sanubis fluff in the Throne of Fire (there was like, one kiss scene. Only one. I am so disappointed in you, Rick Riordan).

But since I've been hit with a tidal wave of the stuff, Chapter 15 should be coming...

...soon.

I do not own Harry Potter (although the rights would've been an awesome Christmas present). I don't even own his family and friends. I am not getting money from this, but you get to read it nonetheless. So enjoy! :D

Chapter 14
Memories… and a Promotion

Draco's POV

Potter was staring at me blankly after I'd recounted my entire unpleasant experience with the Dark Mark and my legitimate concerns. Damn him, did he not understand the gravity of the situation here?

"Potter!" I yelled in his face, snapping my fingers before his eyes. "Someone is trying to regroup the Death Eaters and all you're going to do is stare at me?"

"Whoa, whoa!" he exclaimed, recoiling. "Don't get your knickers in a twist! Besides, it didn't even work!"

He's right, I thought, willing myself to calm down. Unlike some people, I couldn't concentrate under pressure.

It didn't work this time, another part of me said, clearly more pessimistic.

Quickly brushing that thought away, I shifted my focus back to Potter and voiced one of the deeper concerns I've had for a while.

"He's not coming back, is he? I mean you did kill him properly, didn't you?"

"Well one, we did make sure all his horcruxes, even that bit of soul in me, had been destroyed." Wait, Potter had Voldemort's soul in him? "I'll explain later," he added, when I'd raised my eyebrows at his last comment. "Two, I did check after the battle. There really was no life left in that disgusting snake-like shell of his. And three, I didn't kill him. The Dark Wanker killed himself with his own killing spell. Again," he mused.

"And a piece of his soul was stuck to you, because…?"

"He tried to kill me as a kid, remember? Apparently, his soul had been so unstable from all that splitting and horcrux making that a small piece broke off and created my scar." He answered. "Gave me a connection to his mind. A painful advantage," he said, wincing slightly, "but an advantage nonetheless."

"But you lost the connection?"

"Yes, when he attempted to kill me. He destroyed his own horcrux."

"And, connection or not, you're certain he's dead?"

"Well, the bastard's got nothing left anchoring him to the mortal world. So yeah, pretty much."

"But you're not certain?"

"Malfoy," he sighed. "No one is ever certain of death. But even with the resurrection stone, he wouldn't be in a fully corporeal body, so I wouldn't be too worried about him trying to come back. His remains were properly and completely disposed of after the war. Cremation," he answered, just as I was about to ask how. "With a rather impressive fire charm from Luna."

"Lovegood-?"

"Not important," Potter interrupted. "But since you have told me that highly disturbing piece of news, there is something I must tell you too."

And then he explained to me the story of Ava Synn and her sister.

Now it was my turn to stare at him.

"The Dark Lord had a child?" That was the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard! He was so against the idea of love, so convinced that anyone who believed in the concept was foolish and weak. Why would he knock up a girl?

"Her mother was a rape victim. Apparently no one says no to Tom Riddle," Potter laughed dryly.

"Except you," I pointed out.

"Why, a compliment from Draco Malfoy!" Harry grinned. "What an honour! I'm so flattered!"

"Oh shut up, Potter."

"If I did, who'd be the one to tell you that the one who's probably the sole reason for your distress is now called Athelina Riddle?"

I froze with shock. Athelina Riddle? Where had I heard that name before?

And then I remembered.

I'd been about to start my sixth year of Hogwarts when I was forced to become a Death Eater. That's when I met her.

I kept my head low and focused on the ground before me, hastily making my way of the headquarters by myself. Father had ordered me to return home first, as the Dark Lord still had some "business" to discuss with him.

I wasn't stupid. I knew that by "business" he meant his own punishment.

I must stay strong, I told myself silently. Malfoy men are not weak. I must stay strong.

"Hello, young Malfoy."

Her words were cold, emotionless. And yet a small smile graced her modest features.

"Ma'am," I nodded to her. "Careful," Uncle Sev had once told me. "Do not underestimate any of our allies." I didn't know who she was, so I decided to go with a polite, respectful greeting. One that hopefully wouldn't get me crucio-ed or avada kedavra-ed.

"Ah," she said, still smiling. It didn't quite reach her eyes. "I see you have joined us."

I nodded stiffly, desperately wanting to get home. Away from here and her cold gaze. Where I would be safe.

"Following in your father's footsteps, are you? Good, good." She seemed genuinely pleased by this. "My Lord has informed me of your mission. Should you fail, young Malfoy," her smile grew even wider, "well, I'm sure he'll let me play with you. We'll have lots of fun together, you and I."

I shuddered. This was not good. I was talking to a woman who just about as deranged as my Aunt Bella.

"Athelina!"

Both the lady and I turned to greet the newcomer. Speak of the devil, I said to myself bitterly.

When Aunt Bella spoke, her voice was practically dripping with malice. "The Dark Lord has summoned you," she said, glaring at the woman venomously. Yet the lady called Athelina remained unfazed and, if possible, even more amused.

"Why, Bella, I thought you said he couldn't get enough of you?" she mocked.

"Why you little-"

"Ladies," another voice interrupted before a vicious one-sided cat fight could break out, one that I'd probably be in the middle of. I sighed. Finally, someone who wouldn't crucio me at the first chance!

"Well hello, Severus," Athelina smiled. "I was just making my way to see my lord. Although it seems that Bella here might have some, ah, unresolved issues."

Aunt Bella growled in response.

"I'd better make my leave now," she continued. "It is never good to keep my Lord waiting. I'll leave her at your hands now."

Then there was a sharp crack and she disappeared.

"The little bitch!" Aunt Bella swore, stamping her foot in frustration. "When I get my hands on her, I'll-"

"Come, Draco," Uncle Sev said to me quietly as Aunt Bella continued to rage and fume. I complied, and he took me back to Malfoy Manor at once.

"Malfoy? Malfoy!"

I blinked. Potter was waving his hand in my face. "Malfoy! Are you okay?"

"I… I'm fine," I decided.

"You look pretty out of it," Potter said, eyeing me warily as if he expected me to collapse or faint.

"I'm fine," I insisted. "Listen, I… I've met her before."

"Ava Synn?"

"No. Athelina Riddle."

Potter nodded, as if he was expecting this all along.

"Caramel coloured hair and sort of pale, ice blue eyes," I told him. "She was rather delicately built in fact. Petite frame, had a height of no more than 160 centimetres.

And yet you cowered under her gaze, the voice in my head mused dryly.

"Rather pale skin," I continued, ignoring it. "As if she hadn't seen the sun in a long time. That's… that's all I remember"

Potter nodded once more. "I'll send my men after her at once. But there is one more matter I would like to discuss with you. I've had a few… unexpected visitors."

"The impertinent brat," I realized. "Siri-something?"

"Sirius," Potter corrected. "Sirius Black, in fact."

"Sirius Black…" The Azkaban escapee! "What in Merlin's name?"

"Yes, Sirius Black. Alleged mass murderer of twelve muggles and a wizard by the name of Peter Pettigrew."

"But the rat's alive!"

"He was framed," Potter replied, a look of sadness in his eyes. "Framed for the murder and betrayal of his best friend by that traitor," he spat, green eyes blazing at the mention of Pettigrew.

"So he was a blood traitor? But he's a Black!"

"He was disowned. Ask your mother and she would know."

"But he's here! He died-" Potter's eyes darkened slightly, but I ignored him, "but he's here, right now!

"Why, thank you for pointing that out, Captain Obvious."

"He… he called me a Death Eater!" I exclaimed indignantly

"Were you not one?" Potter smirked, laughter dancing in his eyes.

"But- no- he's here- what- how?" I spluttered incoherently.

"Time turner mishap."

"And you're telling me this because?"

"Well, Athelina Riddle is on the rise and out for my blood, because I killed the Dark Lord. It isn't safe for them to be here."

"Them?"

"Sirius. Professor Lupin. My parents."

"Your parents?"

"Yes. As their seventeen year-old selves. And let me tell you, Malfoy, I want to be born."

"But how am I supposed to help you?" I asked. "I'm only Deputy Head. And I'm pretty sure Hendrikson's not going to let you do whatever you want just because you're the bloody savior of the Wizarding World." John Hendrikson was the current Head of the Department of Mysteries, and he was adamant about the whole sticking to rules no matter what thing.

"Oh, well," Potter replied, his smile growing wider as his green eyes sparkled, as if he knew a secret I didn't. "I guess congratulations are in order."

"What?"

"Hendrikson's retiring."

I blinked. "Hendrikson's what?"

"Retiring," Potter repeated, amused. "Maybe you should get your ears checked, Malfoy. Or, rather, Mr new-Head-of-the-Department-of-Mysteries."