Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Warning: Some Angst/Minor Character Death

Chapter 29: Life's a Three-Ring Circus

"Is everyone ready?"

Draco groaned. That was the fifth time his father asked that question. The group decided last night that they will shop at Diagon Alley for supplies a little early this year to beat the crowd.

"Yes, we're ready father. Can we go now?"

Lucius rolled his eyes and grabbed the floo powder from the mantle; in a flash of green he was gone.

"Finally." Harry breathed. "Your dad didn't worry this much about us last year."

Draco shrugged his shoulders. "Well we're older now and that means more trouble for us to get into. Which is probably why we have more chaperones." Ava, Lily (under a glamor), Narcissa, and Kingsley were already there. Bella decided to stay at the manor to take care of Remus (it was the day after the full moon), and Severus and Minerva returned to school a few days ago. Harry still hasn't got use to sleeping alone.

Harry snorted. "Too true." He walked to the fireplace and grabbed the floo. Before he could throw it in Draco grabbed his wrist.

"How about we skip Diagon Alley and go to Knockturn instead?" he smiled.

"We don't all have a death wish such as you Draco." Hermione said straightening her cloak.

"We'll just be a minute. What do you think Blaise?" he said looking to his boyfriend.

Blaise just walked to the mantle and grabbed a handful of floo.

"Diagon Alley!" And threw the floo in the fire and pushed Draco in with it.

"That's what I think." he said earning a high five from Hermione.

OoOoOoO

After they flooed, they were met by their chaperones along with a sullen Draco, who was glaring daggers at Blaise. He put his arm around Draco shoulder's and whispered in his ear. After a few seconds Draco frown was replaced with a small smile and nodded to Blaise in understanding.

"Where to first?" Ava asked the group.

Not surprisingly they all said Madam Malkin's in unison. All of them has had a growth spurt over the summer. Blaise was now the tallest followed by Draco and Harry; who were near the same height, and Hermione who now began to develop a few curves much to Bella's amusement.

After leaving Madam Malkin's, they walked to the bookstore and saw a crowd standing outside.

"What's going on?" Ava asked a man beside her. He looked at her in surprised.

"Gilderoy Lockhart is what's going on madam. He's here for a book signing."

Ava groaned. Bloody Brilliant..

"You remember him don't your Cissa? He said grey eyes darkening.

Narcissa narrowed her eyes. "Don't. Even. Start."

Draco raised an eyebrow at his parents. "Who's Gilderoy Lockhart?

"A man who was interested in your mother years ago. " Lucius simply said.

"And, Ava finished, an author on dark creatures and among other things."

As they were finally able to get into the bookstore, Harry gasped as he felt someone's arms around his waist.

"Don't turn around. "

Harry remained still but put his hand on top of his. "Severus what are you doing here." he whispered.

"To see your of course." He pointed towards Lockhart. "He's been bragging about meeting the Great Harry Potter and I don't trust him."

"Is he a threat?" Harry asked.

"I don't think so, but he has become the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor which means you'll be seeing a lot of him."

Harry groaned. "Great first a teacher with a bad speech impediment and now a narcissist." He said as he saw Lockhart look in a small mirror for the umpteenth time while speaking to the crowd.

"At least no one hasn't noticed me." Harry said with a sigh.

"Thank Merlin. I must go before I am missed." He kissed Harry on the cheek and quickly left the bookstore.

"Maybe we should come back another time." Draco said obviously getting bored of Lockhart's speech.

"I'm with you there." Hermione agreed. "Let's get out of here."

The group began their journey to the door before they heard Lockhart's voice:

"! Ladies and Gentlemen let's give a round of applause for our little Savior!"

Harry stilled as heard the roar of applause. He saw the adults giving Lockhart a dirty glare.

Shite shite shite!

Harry turned around and gave his own dark glare to Lockhart.

"Harry Potter decided to come to the bookstore just to get a signed autograph. One of my biggest fans. Come on up Harry Potter!"

Harry's glare grew darker as he walked to Lockhart; Lucius and the rest right behind him. Lockhart grabbed him by the shoulders and he saw a flash.

"For the Daily Prophet." he muttered and gave him a signed autograph before pushing him away.

"Just wait outside." Lucius said. "We'll get your books.''

The children couldn't agree more and made their way towards the door.

"Well well well, it's it Harry Bloody Potter!"

They looked up to see Ron Weasley descend down the stairs.

Draco stepped in front of Harry. "Should you be begging for money on the street corner Weasley?"

Ron turned to Draco. "Aren't you missing a Deatheater's meeting Malfoy?"

Draco took a step forward but was held back by Harry's hand. "Let's just get out of here." He pushed Draco towards the door.

"Hey Potter! Been with your Uncle lately?!"

Before Harry could lash out Hermione's hands were already wrapped around Ron's neck.

"Mione!"

They don't know how long it took them but Blaise and Draco managed to pry her shaky hands from his neck. She growled at him before storming out of the bookstore.

"Jesus Christ!" Blaise exclaimed.

"She's been spending way too much time with Aunt Bella. She even growls like her now. " Draco breathed.

"Lets get out of here." Harry said. They nodded in agreement and walked out of the bookstore leaving a coughing Ron on the stairs.

OoOoOoO

"Bloody hell Hermione! What were you thinking?!" Ava yelled.

Hermione said nothing as they made their way back to the manor.

"I thought it was brilliant!" Blaise said. "This time it was no Dumbledore to save his arse!"

Draco laughed. " Maybe instead of putting all his energy into making fun of Harry, he can watch his back for the future Mrs. Hermione Jane Black."

"Granger-Black!" She threw over her shoulder.

Ava opened the door to see Remus and Bella on the couch. Remus eyes were red and puffy while Bellatrix face was sullen.

"What the hell happened?" Lucius exclaimed, but they stayed silent. There was a sound of fluttering wings and Ava looked over to see a familiar owl.

"Why is my husband's owl here?" Ava asked.

"Kids go upstairs." Kingsley said.

They went without argument though Blaise went with a little reluctance. No one spoke until they heard the respective doors shut.

"What. Is. Elijah's. Owl. Doing. Here?" Ava asked again.

Bella puts her face in her hands put said nothing.

"I'm so sorry Ava." Remus said.

Lily helped Ava to a chair when her breathing became labored. Lucius snatched the letter off the table and read it quickly.

"I can't breathe!" Ava said grasping her throat. Lily got on her knees in front of Ava, took her hands in hers and put them over her heart. "Ava, do you feel my chest go up and down?" She got a nod. " I want you to breathe like that okay? In and out. In and out."

It took a couple of seconds but Ava's breathing finally evened out. But the tears came soon after and Lily could do nothing but hold and rock her gently. Narcissa put her hand on her husband's shoulder but he violently shook it away.

"Don't touch me! No one touches me!" He stormed out the room.

"I have to tell Blaise." Ava said voice cracking.

Lily brushed her fingers through her hair to soothe her. "I'll tell him okay? You're not in any state to tell him yourself." Lily stood up and walked upstairs.

"How did he die Remus?" Ava asked wiping her eyes.

"Heart attack according to the letter."

Ava stopped and looked at him.

"That's not possible."

OoOoOoO

Lily knocked gently and opened the door. He saw Blaise and Draco sitting on the bed silently playing Exploding Snaps.

"Blaise." She started.

"My father's dead isn't he." He said not looking her her.

Lily nodded. "I'm sorry."

Blaise sighed. "How's my mum."

"She's dealing. You're taking this well."

Blaise threw the cards on the bed and looked at her. " I didn't know him well. I mean he was a good person and I loved him, but he was never there. He was gone two weeks out a month. Barely here for birthdays and holidays. Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape were more of my fathers then he was."

"I'm sorry to hear that." she said sitting at the edge of the bed.

Blaise shrugged his shoulders. "At least you're here. She can be happy now."

Lily raised an eyebrow at this. "You mean she wasn't?"

Blaise shook her head. " Mum can put up a good front. She'll be her happy nutty self but for many nights she'll cry herself to sleep. When I was five, I woke up one night so I got out of my bed and talked to mum's room. She was sitting on the edge of the bed holding a knife to her wrist. She was facing away from me so she didn't know I was there. She held the knife to her wrist so many times before she threw it away from her. I waited for a few minutes before I went back into my room. A while later she came into my room and held me. Told me that I was the only reason she was still here. I never told her what I saw, but I've watched her carefully since then."

His confession was met with silence.

"Merlin!" Draco gasped. "Why didn't she tell anyone about her problems?"

Blaise snorted. "You have met my mother right?"

"Well, Lily started, I am here now so you don't have take care of her anymore." she said patting him on his shoulder.

"Good." he said dryly. "I need a vacation."

Lily laughed and left the room.

OoOoOoO

Severus was startled as his fireplace flared green and Lucius stepped out. He ignored Severus and instead retrieved a calming potion from his bathroom.

"What's the matter Lucius?" Severus asked as his friend sat down.

"Elijah is dead."

Shell-shocked Severus slumped down on his couch. Lucius closed his eyes briefly before he spoke again.

"Heart attack the letter said." Lucius laughed bitterly. " Heart attack my arse. That man could have been the poster child for health. Exercised regularly. Lean muscled. Barely drank. Hated sweets. He was a goddamn vegetarian for Merlin's sake!" He yelled.

"You think something was put in his drink or his food?" Severus asked.

Lucius nodded. "Definitely. A man like that would not just have a heart attack out of the blue. His body will be shipped in a few days to Zabini Manor. Maybe you can run some tests?"

But Severus shook his head. " Most potions like that never leave a trace."

"Do you think Dumbledore had something to do with this?"

Severus sighed. " I honestly don't know. According to Minerva he still does not know of the event with the Dursleys. And Elijah was not a Deatheater so why would he want to kill him?"

"Guilty by Association." Lucius' voice cracked.

Severus looked at Lucius, face grave. "I honestly hope not."

OoOoOoO

Nearly two weeks later Elijah was laid to rest at the Zabini Mausoleum next to his father. Everyone who was anyone were there, including Albus Dumbledore and the Minister of Magic. Ava wanted to have a small funeral with family and close friends only, but Elijah's mother, Tessa Zabini had other plans. Even at the expense of her son's death she wanted to be in the spotlight as the grieving mother.

After Ava,Blaise, and Tessa laid lilies ( it wasn't Ava's idea for flowers) on Elijah's coffin, he was carried on the shoulders of Severus, Lucius, Kingsley, and Remus to his resting place.

By the time the reception started Ava was anxiously to get back to Potter Manor. Not only she wanted to get back to Lily, but she hated her mother-in-law. Tessa believed that hitting children would make them better adults. She walked in her slapping Blaise and suffice to say she barely saw her grandson again and moved them to the other side of the manor. But now because Elijah was gone she was in control of Zabini Manor and it's occupants. That made Ava grin like a Cheshire cat.

"Don't even think about it."

Ava looked innocently at Remus.

"You will not evict your mother-in-law. Let the old hag take her last breath here."

"Some fun you are Remus."

Remus laughed and went to find Kingsley.

Ava was busy staring daggers at her mother-in-law she didn't see Severus and Minerva walk up to her.

"Ava stop that."

Ava startled out of staring turned to them.

"Minerva and I have to go. Dumbledore only let us until after the funeral for us to stay."

Ava sighed. "Very well. I'll see you both later."

"How's Harry?" Severus asked. "We've been talking telepathically but how is he really?"

"He's fine. He's been having trouble sleeping alone so Lily's been bunking with him a few nights a week."

Severus closed his eyes and sighed. Only a few more weeks and he'll be in my arms again.

"We must be going Severus. And Ava I suggest you wait two months before kicking Kurtessa Zabini out on her arse. Let's go Severus." She looped her arm under Severus and nearly dragged him out the Manor leaving a shocked Ava.

She shouldn't be though. Everyone knew Minerva and Tessa were the worst enemies at Hogwarts in their time. Hell even Tom Riddle himself did not get in between those two when they dueled!

Ava let out a small laugh and went to greeting her guest.

OoOoOoO

It wasn't until late when they returned to Potter Manor hands full of plates. They walked in to see Lily and Bellatrix playing chess while Harry and Hermione looked on. They dropped the plates on the table.

"How was it?" Lily asked.

" A three-ring circus." Ava said taking off her shoes and throwing them in a corner. " My mother-in-law invited EVERYONE including the Daily Prophet, The Minister of Magic, and Albus Dumbledore." She said the last name with a growl.

"Of course he would show up there." Lily muttered after commanding her knight.

Blaise yawned. "Well I'm off to bed. Draco c'mon you are about to fall on you feet." He grabbed his hand they slowly walked up the stairs to their room.

"Well I think it's best that we go to bed as well right Kingsley?" Remus looked at his boyfriend to see his chin has fallen to his chest. Remus laughed and snapped his figures in front of his face. Kingsley jumped and nearly pulled his wand out. Remus laughed and dragged his boyfriend to their room chuckling his goodnight. Lucius soon followed.

"What about you?" Ava asked Narcissa.

"I'm hungry." Narcissa simply stated. "Open one of those plates."

Soon she, Harry, Hermione, and Bellatrix were eating while Ava went to sit with Lily.

"How are you?"

Ava sighed. "I'm fine. It's still hard to grasp that he isn't here anymore. We were nothing like a married couple but he was my best friend."

"I know." Lily said as she rubbed Ava's shoulders. "Let's get to bed."

OoOoOoO

Harry flipped though his History of Magic book looking at the moving pictures. How does she do it? Hermione recommended that he get started on his books early but he rather stab his eyes than read this book.

"Harry."

Harry closed the book and turned to Lucius.

"Mr. Malfoy, how are you?"

Lucius shrugged his shoulders and sat down. He had taken Elijah's death hard and it was taking a toll on him. He skin was paler than usual, he had black circles under his eyes, and he was practically a walking skeleton. He reached into his robe and pulled out a thin book and gave it to Harry.

"I know Dumbledore did something to Elijah. Whether or not it was directly or indirectly we will never know. I know this is your fight Harry, but maybe it's time for you to read about someone who fought the same fight you are about to embark. Maybe teach you a few things. Happy Belated Birthday Mr. Potter." Lucius stood up and left.

Harry watched as Mr. Malfoy left with a confused expression on his face. That was until he read the title of the book.

The Diary of Tom Marvolo Riddle.

OoOoOoO

I can't believe I haven't updated this story since February! Everytime I get an email that someone has alerted or favorite this story, I feel so bad because I'm so busy. School's tough and starting Monday I'll have at least two test a week until April 17th. I'll be going to Nursing School in the Fall of 2010 ( and I definitely know I won't have time to write) so I really want to finish this story by next summer.

I decided that I want to play a little guessing game with everyone. I am going to put a clue on who will be Minerva's mate. I will give the clues after so many chapters and after this character has already entered the picture, the guessing game is over. It will be just getting them together.

So first clue:

Former Quidditch player.

Vague I know. That's the point :)

Next chapter: The kids return for their second year. Harry gets to know Tom Riddle.