A/N: I'm sorry this took so long to post. I've been swamped with homework, as well as with a sick two year old and the tiredness of the last few months of pregnancy. As soon as my law class ends in the middle of October, I hope to be quicker in updating.

Chapter 14

London, England

"I am sorry, sirs and misses," the old, wrinkled house-elf said to Harry, Hermione, Ginny, Ron, and Velika as they stood on the threshold of what had once been Hepzibah Smith's home, "but I can't let you in. Master is ill." The elf kept his wary, terrified gaze on Velika as he spoke.

"But we need to speak with him," Hermione told the elf, her tone kind.

Velika rolled her eyes. "I could always curse him," she whispered into Harry's ear. He shook his head vehemently. Velika rolled her eyes again and glared down at the elf, who was visibly trembling.

"Please let us talk to Mr. Smith," Ginny begged.

"No!" the elf cried, hiding behind the door and peeking out at them. "I mustn't let you in! We don't allow that kind here!" His eyes widened as Velika sneered at him.

Hermione looked from the elf to Velika suspiciously. "What kind?" she asked.

"This is a waste of time," Velika said. "We should go." She turned to leave, with Ron and Ginny following.

"What do you mean, you don't allow that kind?" Hermione asked the elf again, but was answered by a slamming door. She sighed, glaring at Velika's retreating back, and leaned into Harry. "What do you suppose he meant? He was looking at Velika."

Harry shrugged, more upset about not being allowed into the house than about what an elf thought of Velika. "How do you think we can get in now? That house has got to have a hundred wards at least?"

Hermione sniffed, annoyed that he was ignoring her question. "I don't know, Harry. Let's just go to the Leaky Cauldron and figure this out."

Velika, Ginny, and Ron were already seated when they arrived. Ron was arguing with Ginny about her choice of drink, while Velika looked on with an amused expression. "Leave her alone, Ron," Velika said as Ron forcibly tried to take Ginny's firewhisky out of her hand.

"She's just a kid!" Ron argued, his hand still gripped firmly on Ginny's wrist.

"She's a woman, Ron, one who is out fighting Voldemort the same as you," Velika said calmly, sipping her own whisky. "So let her be."

Ron reluctantly let go of Ginny and took a gulp of his whisky, slopping a bit down his front. "Thanks Velika," Ginny said, smiling at Ron sweetly.

"No problem," Velika answered, holding Hermione's narrow eyed gaze as she took a seat next to Ron.

"So what're we going to do?" Harry asked dejectedly.

"If the old man is ill, you can always wait until he's dead," Velika said. The others stared at her in surprise. "I'm only joking," she laughed. "Seriously, I think we just need to figure out what kind of wards there are and neutralize them. It won't be that hard."

"It will be very hard!" Ron cried. "You can't just neutralize someone's wards."

"Do they teach you nothing at this Hogwarts?" Velika asked, shaking her head.

"Neutralizing wards is a feat only the darkest of Dark wizards are capable," Hermione said. "Not even Voldemort would take the time and energy needed to perform that kind of magic, especially if the wards are from generation after generation of those in the same bloodline."

Velika laughed. "If you insist," she said.

Harry looked from his friend to Velika with a furrowed brow. "Are you saying that you can neutralize the wards?" he asked.

"Harry!" Hermione cried.

"What?" he asked. "We've got to get in there!"

"I can make the attempt," Velika told him, taking another sip of her drink. "If Miss Knowledgeable Goody-goody over there will allow me to."

Hermione glared at her and opened her mouth to speak, but Harry beat her to it. "If what Hermione says is right," he said, "and Dark wizards are the only ones who can do this . . ."

"I know what you want to ask," Velika said. "Does it make sense to you, that if I were a follower of Voldemort, I would be here destroying his Horcruxes? If I were a Death Eater, Harry, believe me, you would all be dead by now." The casual way she said the last part sent chills down the other's spines.

"That's true," Ginny said quickly. "Why would she be helping us if she was a Death Eater? And if she was just a Dark witch who wanted to join, I don't think she'd be helping us."

Harry nodded. "Yes. But how do you know how to neutralize wards?"

"I learned from a family member," Velika said stiffly.

"A Dark family member, I'll bet," Hermione sniffed.

Velika drained her glass. "You are correct."

The others stared at her. "So . . ." Harry began.

"Do you not know anyone who was a member of a family who were all Dark wizards and witches?" Velika asked.

Harry nodded, thinking of Sirius. "I do."

"Then what is your problem?" was Velika's next query.

"I don't have one, I just . . ." Harry began.

"Then drop it," Velika snarled. "I am on your side so long as you wish to pursue Voldemort's Horcruxes. Let that be all you need to know. Now I am going to bed." Tossing her mane of curly red-brown hair, Velika stood up and walked upstairs without another word.

"Countess," said Lord Gaunt, "your beauty dazzles me."

Erzsebet smiled. "And you, Lord Gaunt, are rather handsome yourself. Are all Englishmen as good-looking as you?"

"No, my lady. I am the most handsome."

The two began to laugh. When the laughter had subsided, the Countess looked up into his eyes.

"What is your family like?" she asked, leaning her chin on a graceful white hand.

"I am the descendant of a noble personage," Lord Gaunt said proudly. "He was one of the founders of a school in England, for . . . special children. He left his descendants with a noble name and a rich inheritance."

Erzsebet's eyes widened slowly. "By special, do you mean . . . they practice magic?" she asked.

Lord Gaunt stared at her in surprise. "Why do you ask?"

She laughed. "What sort of wand do you carry, Lord Gaunt? Mine is willow, with a vela hair core."

"You . . . you are a witch?" he asked incredulously.

She nodded. "I am. Very few in my family are, though. We are noblemen, Lord Gaunt, and have servants to perform every wish. Why should I ever use magic?" She laughed cruelly. "I find it more fun to own Muggles and force them to do my bidding!"

Lord Gaunt stared at her with desire. "My lady, it is too bad you are already wed," he said, his eyes shining with cruel humor. "I think we would have made an excellent match."

Erzsebet smiled and touched his hand. "My lord, whatever makes you think having a husband would prevent me from having what I want?"