Disclaimer - I don't own any of the Harry Potter Characters or settings. All credit goes to J.K and Warner Brothers. I only take credit for the plot and any OC's present in this story.

Hi guys! I know its been ages. Time got away from me again :( I'm so sorry for the ridiculously long wait. I've had some reviewers asking me not to abandon the story and i can safely say i don't see that happening anytime soon. If i do abandon it, i will post an A/N to let you guys know. I've also had a reviewer point out a mistake from a couple of chapters back. Thanks so much for that! For compensation for the long wait, this chapter is almost double the length of what i usually put out so...ENJOY!

REVIEWS MAYBE?

Chapter 19 – Home

A young girl sat crossed legged in the middle of her bed. All the bed curtains closed except for the one facing the large window that dominated the small dorm room. The young girl's thick and curly black hair was half up in a sloppy bun; the other half draped over her left shoulder, leaving her pale neck exposed. The soft pale glow of the lake saturated the room, making the small sliver scar on the base of the girl's neck glint. The girl sat stone still, the only movement was the steady motion of her chest and the slow flickering of her eyes behind her eyelids. She wore a plain white tank top and blue checkered pajama trousers, yet she looked ethereal in the weak glow of the lake; her skin shining brightly as the moonlight bounced off of it.

Ana suddenly cracked her neck, the sound vibrating through the almost silent room. Rolling her shoulders, she came out of her mediated state; her green eyes blank. She pulled out a piece parchment from her bra; her movements sluggishly, as if she was still dragging herself from the depths of her mind. Slipping out of bed, she moved across the room past her sleeping dorm mates and left. Stepping into the soft light of the common room, she moved towards one of the fireplaces. Standing in front of the roaring fire, she watched as tiny sparks of green and silver danced in the flames; the fire reflecting in her pale eyes until it seemed to consume them. Feeling the waves of heat pulse against her skin, she moved as if to throw the piece of parchment into the flames. Pausing suddenly, Ana turned round and tucked the parchment back into her bra. Not yet she thought darkly.

Walking purposefully through the long room, she waved her hand absentmindedly. In a gust of wind; a swirling grey mist danced around her body, before disappearing again just as suddenly, leaving Ana in a pair of dark blue skinny jeans and black boots under a plain black cloak; her hair having been ripped from her loose bun so that it fell in a tangled mess down her shoulders. Doing up the three silver clasps on the front of the cloak, Ana put her hood up as she swept out of the common room. Encountering no one as she walked through the corridors silently; she suddenly stopped in front of a door. She picked the lock and entered the still room. Looking at the sleeping portraits, she shot each with a strong spell to keep them sleeping well into tomorrow afternoon. Quickly entering the private rooms behind one of the sleeping portraits, she soon found her target.

"Wake up" she barked; dropping her hood and revealing her face to a startled Slughorn.

"What? Miss Harrow?" he stammered trying to cover up his hairy stomach, "What are you doing here? Breaking into my private quarters! I-I-I'll have you disciplined for this!"

"Don't you remember who I am?" Ana asked not fazed by the growing anger on Slughorn's pudgy face. "Who I am to you…? Come now Slughorn, it wasn't that long ago"

"Err…umm" Slughorn stuttered; bewilderment clear on his face as a thick haze crept through his mind, "Miss H-harrow…I…umm?"

"Enough" Ana snapped sharply as her hair began to lift slightly in the magical wind created by her aura; her patience very thin "I grow tired of this! Exictant"

Slughorn's back immediately stiffened; his brown eyes glazing over and mouth going slack.

"Mistress" he said emotionlessly, staring in her direction but not really seeing. "How may I serve you?"

"Your floo" she demanded, tapping her foot impatiently.

"The fireplace in the lounge area; the floo powder is in the black metal box" Slughorn said, pointing in the direction of his small lounge area.

"Wipe this conversation from your mind Slughorn. I was never here. No one was here. You never woke up" Ana said as she paused at his bedroom door. "Is that clear?"

"Yes Mistress" he said; eyes watering from not having blinked at all during the conversation.

"Go back to sleep" she commanded as she closed the bedroom door. Quickly locating his floo powder, she threw it into the flames watching as the previously orange fire turned a dark green.

"Aach Taverne" she intoned; flicking up her hood and stepping into the green flames. The oddly cold flames spat her out in a dark, dingy but surprisingly clean pub. Whipping off the ash left from the trip, she tipped the pub owner, before leaving quickly. Walking swiftly through the dark streets of the small German wizarding town Aach, Ana turned quickly into a dark alleyway before turning on her heels and disapparating with a muted crack.

The black haired girl suddenly appeared in front of a massive set of black wrought iron gates; the piping swirling and curving into many different intricate and obscure shapes. The gates seemed to hover in the middle of nowhere; only miles of sprawling grassland in any direction. Placing her palm on the concealed rose in the middle of the gates, she waited as the wards tested her before opening inwards slowly.

Walking up the small cobbled road, as the gates shut soundlessly behind her; she gazed up at the imposing castle before her. Home she thought calmingly; the comforting wards washing over her sensitive skin like a cleansing balm. Finally letting free her magic for the first time in months; she grinned as she watched it dance around her. The gold, silver, and white sparks emitting from her fingertips. As she continued to walk up the cobblestone driveway, she dug her nails into her palms; releasing blood that she smeared over the tiny set of runes that had suddenly appeared on her wrist. Whispering ancient Latin words to herself, she sighed in heavy relief as she felt her glamours start to drop for the first time in months.

First her legs lengthened slowly, pushing her from previously small height of 5 ft 2 to 5 ft 7. Next her skin changed colour, darkening ever so slightly so it no longer reflected the moonlight, but glowed softly in it. Her black hair grew until it reached mid back and straightened so it only curled slightly at the ends, creating a relaxed wavy effect. The black colour slowly seeped out of her hair leaving it a very light blonde. Little, almost nonexistent freckles appeared across the bridge of her nose. Her pale green eyes were the only things that didn't change; they remained as piercing and eerie as ever.

Reaching the large imposing black metal doors of the castle, she traced the engraving of a blind sphinx clutching a white rose with her eyes. Pushing forward, the massive doors opened easily to show the impressive entrance chamber beyond. The floor was almost blindingly bright; the moonlight from outside bouncing off the white marble flooring. A pop suddenly echoed through the silent castle.

"Mistress you are back!" a female house elf exclaimed, "Solly is missing you, she is."

"Thank you Solly" Ana said softly, giving her cloak to the overexcited house elf. "I missed you too, and everyone else."

"Is Mistress back for long?" Solly asked, her big watery blue eyes staring up at Ana hopefully.

"No Solly, not this time" Ana replied, frowning as she watched the house elf's ear droop dramatically; "I'm only here for the night."

Standing amongst the stained glass windows that dominated the back wall of the entrance hall, Ana's eye was drawn to the large archway to the right of her. She could see clearly into the room beyond; the engraved windows, the bright white hard back armchairs and the cream and soft gold rug that dominated the floor. She could see her mother as clear as day, standing in the middle of the room as she did in her dream; her voice echoing off the walls in Ana's head as she said "You shall always end up where destiny wills you to be. Embrace yours, darling."

"Is something wrong with the room, Mistress?" Soppy asked anxiously; following Ana's eye line but seeing nothing out of the ordinary in the sun room.

"No-no" Ana said, shaking her head lightly; "I just had a dream about it, is all."

"Is there anything I can be doing for Mistress?" the house elf asked eagerly, rocking back and forth on her feet.

"Yes, alert the gang that I'm here and waiting for them" Ana answered, as she began to move towards the oversized staircase at the back of the hall. "Tell them to get here as soon as possible. I'll meet them in my private quarters."

"Yes Mistress" Solly exclaimed, clapping happily.

"Before you go…" the now blonde witch said, making the house elf pause in mid-action "are there any new house elves I should know about?"

"No Mistress" Solly said, shaking her head violently. "Solly is doing as you asked Mistress. Solly remembers, she does. Mistress said no new house elves!"

"And?" Ana prodded; a black boot perched on the bottom of the marble staircase.

"Mistress said not to trust other house elves!" Solly said, nodding fiercely. "No house elves will get past these wards, they won't!"

"Good Solly" Ana said, smiling down at the small creature. "I don't trust any other house elves bar the ones that serve the castle. Now off to your duties; I don't want to be here too long." Watching the house elf disappear, Ana continued up the winding stairs until she reached the top floor.

Turning right, Ana opened the large double doors to the East Wing of the castle. The family wing. Walking down the large corridor, she stopped when she reached a smaller set of double doors. Gripping the silver handle of the dark ebony doors, Ana felt a light feather go up her spine as she waited for the wards to accept her. Ana smiled as the doors opened inwards, to reveal her personal chambers.

Kicking off her shoes as she wandered into her private lounge area, Ana greeted the portraits of her favourite ancestors before collapsing on her white chaise longue. Relaxing back against the chaise, Ana closed her eyes, basking in the gentle pressure from the ancient and powerful wards that protected the castle. The lounge area was decorated in pale greens, white and pale gold; a theme that was carried on throughout the whole of Ana's personal rooms. The lounge was filled with three large white sofas with pale golden legs and stitching that faced each other. The walls were painted a pale gold, while the floor was covered in a very pale green carpet. Floor length windows took up the whole of the back wall; a glass door hidden within them that lead to a small balcony outside. A dark ebony door to her left lead to her bedroom, which was connected to her en-suite and closet; whilst the ebony door to her right lead to her personal study area. Snapping her fingers, Ana lit the marble fireplace and the few candles that were dotted around the room. A quiet pop caused Ana to flinch; her eyes flying open to spot a tray of tea, biscuits and cakes sitting on her coffee table. Smirking at the efficiency of her house elves, the blonde haired girl went back to dozing.

Sometime later when the moon was still high in the night sky, a dark blonde male slipped quietly into the room. Spotting Ana sprawled on the chaise longue; he smirked as his eyes drank in every inch of her. Starting at her bare feet, his eyes moved up past her toned jean covered legs to the tight white tank top that stretched over her small waist and enviable bosom. Her long blonde haired flowed over her shoulders and into the valley of her breast; her breathing slow and steady. Moving quietly across the room, he reached the chaise, climbed onto it and lowered himself gently onto her.

"If you don't stop, I will punch you in the face" Ana drawled, opening her eyes to reveal a grinning Leo.

"Ahh don't be like that" he pouted, lowering his head into her neck "I've missed you."

"Leo…" she sighed, as she felt his hands move to stroke her hips and waist. "We've talked about this. Friends remember?"

"We are friends" he breathed in her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. She scowled when she felt him smirk against her neck.

"Friends don't do this" she reasoned, trying to sit up but only succeeded in bringing her chest flush against his.

"But we're best friends" the dark blonde said, his honey brown eyes staring into her pale green ones.

"It makes no difference, Leo" she snapped, "We're still not going there again. We agreed to stop."

"Yes I know" he sighed, shifting so he was sitting on the edge of the chaise.

"You're betrothed and I've got…well I've got Slytherin" she said, smiling sadly.

"He doesn't deserve you" Leo said, pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear.

"I know" she said; the two lapsing into silence for a minute or two.

"How long have you been waiting?" he asked, lifting her feet into his lap. Glancing at the gold clock that stood on the fireplace, Ana saw that it was a little past two in the morning.

"About half an hour" she replied, "the others will be here soon."

No sooner had Ana said that, her large double doors opened to reveal a slight Chinese girl.

"Mai!" Ana exclaimed, standing up and embracing the shorter girl. Mai laughed in Ana's arms as she hugged her back.

"I've been missing you too!" Mai said, flicking her long black hair over her shoulder. "You as well Leo"

"Oh there's some cakes and tea if you want some" Ana said, gesturing to the coffee table. "You know how Solly gets."

"Yeah, she thinks all of us are far too thin" Leo said, reaching for a pastry. Mai instead chose to pour herself a cup of tea.

Just then the twins arrived; Cass and Tom sweeping into the room gracefully.

"Yes food!" Tom said, ignoring everyone in favour of the sweet treats. Rolling her eyes, Ana greeted Cass; complementing her on her new shoulder length blonde curls.

"We're just waiting for Eva?" Cass said, sitting next to Mai on one of the white sofas.

"Yess" Ana hissed, her face suddenly going stony. Everyone shifted minutely in their seats, well aware of the shift in Ana's persona. She was no longer a friend; she was now their Lady.

The group spent five minutes in silence, until the double doors opened again. In walked Eva, her tall figure gliding in softly.

"My Lady" she said, bowing her head in Ana's direction; her face not betraying her nervousness.

"Eva" Ana greeted, standing up. "In my study." Swallowing thickly, Eva followed Ana to her personal study area. Like the lounge, the floor was covered in a pale green rug and the furniture was all white, except for the large chair that sat behind her desk. That was a soft sage colour. All the walls were dominated by large white bookcases, filled with hundred of parchments, journals and priceless books; bar the wall the desk faced which instead was a made entirely out of glass. Standing in front of her desk, Ana folded her arms under her chest and pierced Eva with a cold look.

"My private business has been blasted all over the Daily Prophet for all of Britain to enjoy!" Ana began, her voice low in anger.

"I cannot express how sorry I am for my failure" Eva began; her throat dry. "I'm well aware of how important it is for me to keep a tight hold on the media."

"And yet, you continue to fail me!" Ana replied sharply; her green eyes flashing dangerously. "It's almost as if you want him to find me…Is that what you want, Eva?"

"NO!" the modelesque girl pleaded desperately, flinching back at the insinuation. "I would never…I couldn't…" Sighing tiredly, Ana rubbed her face; she could never stay angry at Eva for long. She was too good a friend.

"Hush Eva" Ana said softly, a frown marring her face. "I know you wouldn't betray me like that. I have never doubted your loyalty to me. Not once."

"Good, cause I would never. Ever." Eva replied vehemently, her light brown eyes filled with unshed tears.

"I remember the first time I saw you in Morocco" Ana said, smiling to herself. "I remember thinking that you were perhaps the saddest girl I had ever seen and that maybe we would have that in common."

"Yeah, you came up to me and said that we were going to be friends and that friends shared each other's burden" Eva replied softly. "We were twelve and yet, so tired of life."

"You told me about your father and how he planned to marry you off to some cruel tyrant for gold" Ana continued; the two of them now perching on the edge of her white desk.

"And you told me how your father was forcing you to become some kind of mindless weapon" Eva carried on.

"And we both promised each other that we would get stronger, and we would break free of our fathers control" Ana said, trailing off into silence as she stared out of the large windows into the surrounding gardens that enclosed the castle.

"I'm well aware of what my life would be like if you hadn't helped me; if we hadn't of met that day" Eva said, gripping Ana's hand. "A slave to my husband; a slave to his family. Beaten and ridiculed every day. You saved me from that fate. My undying loyalty will never be enough to repay you for that debt."

"We helped each other" Ana stated, "Believe me Eva, you have helped in ways you will never know."

"Still" Eva said, "I know I must pay the price for my failure."

"You're forgiven Eva," Ana replied "I'm putting Tom on the case with you though, perhaps the task was too much for one person." Nodding her head in shame, Eva accepted her decision. "Come let's go back to the others."

Going back into the lounge area, Ana sat down and addressed the people closest to her heart.

"I haven't called you all her because of the situation in Britain" Ana informed them; her hand irritably flicking her hair out of her face. "I gathered you here, because of this." Ana pulled out the small sheet of parchment from her bra and threw it onto the coffee table. The gang glanced at each other, before Leo picked up the parchment and read it out.

"Thalia, my dear dear thalie" Leo began, coughing uncomfortably, "Oh how I've missed you so much, my child. Where are you? Why are you hiding from me? Is this a game? Thalia, it is a game? Because I have no desire to continue this nonsense. You will come back to me and you will face your punishment for your stupidity. I hope for your sake that you have not decided to leave me, because I will hunt for you and I will find you. And once I've found you, I will make sure that even the mere thought of leaving my side will be most, unpleasant. Looking forward to your speedy return. Lots of love, Daddy." Leo suddenly whipped out his wand and began casting revealing charms on the letter, before casting the parchment into the flames of the fireplace.

"I've already checked it for tracking charms, you idiot" Ana hissed, her eyes blazing in fury and a little fear. "There was nothing. Not a single spell. Not even one to make sure only I could read it."

"H-how did he send it?" Mai asked worry lines etched into her young smooth face from frowning.

"The ankle bracelet I used to always wear" Ana answered, noticing when everybody's eyes snapped to her now bare ankle. "It had a locket which we would use to communicate when I was away on missions. It appeared in there. I didn't think to take it off when I left. I had it on for so long that I didn't notice it anymore."

"Could he find your whereabouts using it?" Cass asked anxiously; her grey eyes intense.

"I engraved cloaking and protective runes on it years ago to prevent that" Ana replied; "I've destroyed it now, so it no longer poses a threat."

"What are we going to do?" Tom asked, looking around at the group for answers.

"Where was he last seen?" Ana asked; ignoring Tom's question completely.

"He's currently in Hong Kong" Mai answered, "He'll probably turn back now, no doubt having realized he's following a false trail. I have intelligence which suggests that he'll stop in Singapore to pick up some artifacts before going back to Europe."

"Make it difficult for him to acquire these artifacts" Ana demanded, "We need him away from Europe for as long as possible." Before Mai could reply, the door to Ana's bedroom opened and a large elegant Siberian tiger entered the lounge area.

The large cat stretched lazily, eyeing all the occupants of the room, before making its way over to Ana slowly. Wrapping her arms around the cat's large neck, Ana squealed in happiness as she stroked its white and golden stripped fur; the cat purring to show its joy too. The cat suddenly broke away from Ana to growl angrily at Leo; baring her sharp teeth at the young wizard. Sighing, Leo got up from his spot next to Ana and instead sat down next to Tom. The tiger jumped up on the chaise and draped itself comfortably over the blonde haired witch.

"Oh Kaia, I hate it when we are apart" Ana mumbled into the tiger's fur; sighing contently when she felt their familiar bond hum strongly.

"Damn cat" Leo muttered, frowning at the glare Kaia sent his way.

"Don't be mean about my familiar" Ana warned, shooting him a stern look.

"I think we're done here, guys" Ana announced, "Tom you're now helping Eva with the Prophet, but other than that, I want you to continue doing what you're doing. Keep him away from Europe for as long as possible and keep my name out of social circles. I can't have him becoming interested in the future Lady Slytherin." Saying goodbyes, everyone began to leave, but not before Ana called out "Leo stay, I need to speak to you." Nodding the dark blonde youth sat back down and watched the others leave. Noticing Tom hovering by the door, Ana asked "Is there something wrong?"

"No" the grey eyed male said quickly, smiling brightly at her as he shut the door behind him.

"What is it?" Leo asked concerned, "Did Eva say something?"

"No" Ana replied, chuckling humorlessly, "No nothing like that."

"Then what?" he asked, "You seem worried."

"I-I had a dream" she began; her fingers gliding through Kaia's hair. "At least I think it was a dream. I was in my mindscape, so I can't be sure, but it was about my mother. She was here in the Sun Room. She spoke to me."

"What did she say?" Leo asked softly, curiosity evident on his face.

"She said to embrace my destiny" Ana answered; her voice thick with emotion "That I should give Slytherin a chance to make me happy." Silence descended upon the room; the popping of the fire the only thing heard for a while.

"Do you believe it was just a dream?" Leo finally asked; his brown eyes piercing her green ones.

"That's thing, it didn't seem like a dream" Ana huffed in confusion, "but it defiantly didn't feel like a vision. I've never had a vision whilst sleeping. Sometimes I get snippets, but they're blurred and impossible to decipher. Thi-this felt like something else. It felt real. But mama's been dead for over ten years. Can she reach me from beyond the veil?"

"I don't know" Leo answered honestly, scratching the back of his head "Maybe the circumstances were just right for her to reach out to you. Maybe it was something your subconscious created, because you needed it."

"Yeah" Ana said sadly, her whole persona deflated. Kaia leaned further into Ana, comforting the blonde witch.

"What was it like to talk to her?" Leo asked.

"Oh Merlin Leo" Ana gasped, "I-It was amazing. I had so much to say, but I ran out of time."

"The time will come when you can spend forever talking to her" Leo said, gripping her hand lightly and rubbing his thumb along her knuckles, "but as long as I have my way, that chance will be far far away."

"Thanks" she said, smiling softly up at him. "Now go, your fiancé will be missing you."

"Yes, my Lady" Leo said mockingly, hugging her and then disappearing out of the door quickly.

"Come now Kaia" Ana said, pushing the large tiger off her and standing up. "We'll be together properly again soon." Hugging the white tiger, as it nuzzled her neck; Ana then slipped her shoes back on and summoned Solly.

"My cloak" she asked, slipping it on when the elf fetched it for her.

"Mistress is leaving so soon?" Solly asked, sniffling in despair.

"Yes Solly, I have to get back to my mission" she explained, "You're doing a good job looking after the other elves and the castle. Keep it up." With that Ana turned on her heels and disapparated away from Seher Castle; her first and only home.

Did you like? Any questions? Spotted mistakes? Was it difficult to read, should i change the layout a bit? (Hit the review button!)

Seph

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