Sorry this took me a while to update, my life has been hectic. Please
Review!!!
Remember HARRY DOES NOT WIN. IN FACT HE DIES A HORRIBLE DEATH AT THE END.
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She stood in the back of the main room of Dethart Manor. The room was crowded with people. These were the wealthy, the pureblood circles that her family ran in. Near the front she could see several rows of Slytherin blazers.
There was a picture of her at the front, surrounded by half a billion flowers. Draco stood near the picture. His eyes were red and he had on the most formal mask that Tania had ever seen on him. He was talking about her.
"Tania could always be counted on to help a House-mate. No matter what else she was doing, she would assist any of us. She took everything it meant to be Slytherin and lived it." Draco spoke to the crowd.
Tania saw all the Slytherins nodding in agreement. They were spaced out, Upper-classman, lower-classman. The older ones had hands on the shoulders of the younger. Tania frowned. Draco was speaking in the past tense, he had been crying and all these people could only mean one thing, they thought she was dead. This was a memorial for her!
She laughed silently. While there was nothing funny about the pain her House-mates must be going through, believing they had lost her, the idea of her being at her own memorial was amusing. Tom would have laughed.
She started pushing her way through the crowd. No one paid her much attention. She was wearing her Blazer and was assumed to be just another Slytherin. She had reached her House-mates as Draco was finishing his speech.
"Those of you who went to Hogwarts and were in Slytherin will understand. Tania was a House-Mate. Being Slytherin creates bonds of friendship that will last a lifetime. Each of us has a place within this group and...."
Draco trailed off as he noticed her. "Tania?" he whispered. She smiled gently. Everyone turned to where Draco was staring. The House-mates nearest her, tentatively touched her, to see if she was real. She smiled at them in reassurance and stepped to the front.
"Yes, Draco, it's me. I am so sorry that I was gone." She reached out and touch his tear stained cheeks. That seemed to break him out of his shock. He suddenly pulled her into a tight hug, burying his face in her shoulder. She could feel his silent sobs, he was shaking with them. She held him, stroking his hair. She glanced at the crowd, while whispering comforting words to Draco.
Her family was in shock, though she noticed that Hunter was standing with the Slytherins, not the family. Her Father looked ready to explode and Lucius Malfoy looked as if he couldn't decide whether to explode at Draco for his weakness or was just too embarrassed or ashamed to speak.
Tania had a hard time reconciling the Lucius and Kent she knew with the men standing in front of her. Many of her House-mates had tears in their eyes or falling silently down their cheeks. She was glad to be home.
As much as she ached for Tom right now, she knew that this was where she should be. Finally Draco stopped shaking and released her.
"Where have you been?" he asked.
"Yes," her Father added, barely controlling the fury in his voice, "Where have you been for three months?" Tania shot Draco a look, the one she used when lying to a teacher. He nodded slightly in understanding.
She faced her Father and the rest of the crowd. Her Slytherins fought smiles as they recognized the mask she was wearing. They too wouldn't take anything she said next at face value. She bowed to the group.
"Please, I beg your forgiveness. I do not know what happened to me, where I was, or how I got back. I was walking behind Hunter, passing through the barrier from Platform 9 ¾. Most of you know the momentary disorientation you feel when going through. I felt that, then felt like I was falling. I could see nothing, hear nothing, feel nothing."
"The next thing I remember was finding myself in a long hall. I don't know if I passed out and woke there, or it just appeared. There were doors lining the hall, but they were all locked except the one at the very end. I entered that door and found myself in another hallway, identical to the first. I kept walking. I tried to count the halls I had passed through, but lost track somewhere after 1,000."
"Finally, the last door opened into a different room. There was a arrow pointing to a wall. I touched the wall and it felt like the barrier does. I wasn't about to go back to the halls, so I stepped through and I found myself here. I am so sorry you all believed me dead. I tried using any spell I could think of to help me get out. Even if they didn't help, I was hoping that it would alert the Ministry of Magic, since I was outside school, and when they came to take my wand they could get me out." Tania let a little desperation creep into her voice in the last few sentences.
Using the pain she felt at losing Tom, she let one tear run down her cheek. Her grandmother put her arms around her shoulders.
"We believe you, Tania. Don't worry, we understand. Of, course you did your best to get back. You have been through quite an ordeal and should rest." Grandmother shot a look at her son, Tania's Father, as if daring him to contradict her.
Grandmother had only had sons, and she had given up having a girl descendent to pass on the Matriarchal power to, when Tania was born. Grandmother Dethart was the only Family, other than Hunter, that she liked. Falon, she tolerated. Tania smiled bravely at her Grandmother.
"Maybe you're right, but I should stay here with the guests. I don't want them to think I'm rude." Her voice took on an exhausted tone. Grandmother shook her head.
"No, my dear, I am sure everyone will understand. You go rest. Hunter, would you be a dear and take your sister upstairs. And you, young Malfoy, why don't you go with." Grandmother winked at Draco. Tania could read the expression in her Grandmother's face. 'I know you love my granddaughter, young man, and I approve.' From the look on Draco's face, he had read that message correctly and was trying not to laugh. He nodded.
"As you wish, Mrs. Dethart." He replied, politely. Hunter took one arm and Draco the other. They had walked a few steps, when Tania turned around, suddenly, pretending panic.
"Three months?!?!" she exclaimed. Everyone turned back to her. "But, but, that means school is starting soon. Can I still go back? I need to buy my books! I don't know what books I need! I'm never going to be ready!" she put her hands to her cheeks, letting the panic in her voice reach her eyes and face. Grandmother moved swiftly back to her side.
"Hunter, get your sister something to drink and put this relaxant in it." she commanded. Hunter nodded, but glanced at Tania, who shook her head minutely. He hurried off.
"There, there. Of course you can go back to Hogwarts. Your Father will write to Dumbledore tonight. You still have a week before the beginning of Term and we can go to Diagon Alley in the next day or two. Your year mates are here and I am sure they will share a list of the books you'll need. Don't worry, dear, Grandmother will make sure everything is done." She paused as Hunter returned with a goblet.
Tania drank about half under her Grandmother's careful eye, certain that it was just pumpkin juice, without the relaxant.
"There, that will help your nerves. Now off to bed." she ordered. Tania turned, catching Justin Cromwell's eye as she did. She made a small motion with her hand and he blinked twice in acknowledgement.
She, with Draco and Hunter, left the room and walked upstairs to her bedroom, keeping up the act until the door was shut. Then they all broke out laughing. Tania sprawled on her bed, Draco and Hunter pulling up chairs.
"So, Tania, tell us what happened? Where did you really go?" Draco asked. She shook her head.
"Wait. We need to wait for Justin. It's a long story and he needs to know." She noticed something on her brother's blazer.
"Hunter, you made Prefect?" she asked, grinning.
He smiled back. "Yes, and guess who our other Prefect is."
She shook her head. "Who? Your year doesn't have a lot of girls and I don't know of any of them that qualifies as a Prefect." Justin entered the room at that last comment and smiled.
"I am." he said.
She frowned. "But, doesn't it have to be one boy, one girl?"
All three boys shook their heads. "That's tradition, but not a rule." Draco said, smugly.
"So, for the first time in Slytherin's history, we have two male Prefects, who happen to also be your highest Lieutenants." Justin finished. Tania's eyes lit up with the possibilities.
"This is perfect." she said, "Considering all we have to do this year. Boys, if you thought last year was intense with training, you haven't seen anything yet. We have a new mission and if we can't complete it, then By Merlin, I'll know why!" The boys leaned closer, becoming excited by her passion.
"First, you need to know where I've been." she started. Tania talked until her voice was horse, telling them all about her latest trip.
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Tania swore and slammed her quill down onto the table. She rubbed her eyes, trying to relieve some of the tension. She felt strong hands on her shoulders. They started massaging her shoulders and neck. For several moments, Tania allowed herself to believe it was Tom, that she was back in his time. Then she looked up at Draco's smiling face.
"Hey," he said.
She grinned. "Hey, yourself. How is everything coming? Will we be ready to begin soon?" He slid into his seat at their table.
"Yes, we'll be ready in a few minutes. Professor Snape and the first years have left for their orientation." He chuckled. "I feel sorry for them. Professor Snape does not like this part of his job." Tania chuckled, remembering her orientation.
Snape had not been in a good mood and had scared every single First Years within five minutes. He had terrified her, acting too much like her Father. About halfway through her first year, she had realized that there were some major differences between the two men.
"So, what were you upset about?" Draco asked, breaking into her thoughts. Tania looked at him.
"I was going to work on this spell. I thought it would be a good one for the seventh years to learn. But it requires Katrer leaves and I don't have any. As far as I know, they can only be found in Knockturn Alley and I can't possibly get there until Christmas Break!" Tania sighed. Draco chuckled and she looked at him with narrowed eyes.
"What do you know?" she asked. Draco grinned.
"We don't have to wait until Christmas. I made a deal with two shops in Knockturn Alley and they let me because I'm a Malfoy and I said that it was for a Dethart, too. I can order supplies from the bookstore and the potions shop and they will send them here. It will cost me 1 ½ times the price, but that's cause they're taking a risk, sending it to Hogwarts. During the summer, I'll only pay ¾ of the price, since I'll be stocking up for the next school year." Tania laughed.
"Draco, that's wonderful! I knew there was a reason I liked you." she teased.
"Excuse me," Justin said. They both turned. "We're ready to start if you are." Tania nodded and stood. The whole House had gathered in Common Room, except for the first years. She didn't want them here, right now, anyway. They would be brought into the group slowly. Each Slytherin had a blank sheet of parchment in their hands. She held up a hand for silence.
"Welcome back to another year of training. Like last year, we will be holding classes for other subjects or more advanced subjects than what is being taught to us during the day. These will not be based on year, but on skill. By the end of this year, everyone will be up to the same levels. We will be working harder than last year. Draco and I have improved the barriers around Common Room and added an alarm to go off when a first year, teacher, or the Headmaster comes by."
"No one must now what we are doing here. And I will tell you why. The Dark Lord is returning. Voldermort is coming back. Yes, I called him Voldermort. And he will need our help. We want to be able to use our 'Dark' Arts, to have and use the powers we want to, right? Do you really think Dumbledore will let us? Or how about the Ministry of Magic? No, they won't. But he will. All of his Death Eaters are dead, in Azkaban, or old, like my Father. He needs young, strong wizards and witches. That's us. Are you up for the challenge? Are you?" she waited.
There was a silence. Then a Second year stood and raised his wand. "Hail Slytherin's Daughter!" he called. "I will follow you." Another two Second years stood and raised their wands.
"Hail Slytherin's Daughter. I will follow you." Soon the whole room was shouting, waving their wands. Tania smiled and motioned Draco over.
"Slytherin's Daughter?" she asked, quietly. He nodded. "Over the summer, when we thought you were gone, someone made the comment that you were truly a daughter of Slytherin. The name stuck. I forgot to tell you." She let the shouting continue for another moment, before calling for quiet.
"Thank you. I am glad and proud to see such devotion. I am honored by the title you have given me, but please, do not use it outside Common Room. Now first, tap you parchment with your wand and say your name. It will reveal the nights we are studying what. Once you activate your parchment, it will only activate for you. Say your name again to wipe it clean. Please be careful where you leave this. It wouldn't do to have a teacher stumble across this."
"Second, there will be no more infighting. You will learn to fight by yourselves, with small groups and as a whole house. I am the leader, with Draco as my second. Justin Cromwell and Hunter Dethart, our Prefects will be right under Draco. That is the chain of command."
"I expect excellence from all of you, but I will not ask you to do something I am not willing to do myself or have not already done. And no word to the First Years. They will be included into our group as we decide they are ready, just like last year. Any questions?" There were none. The group split up, each to begin preparations for the coming term. Tania and Draco returned to their table to start a list of supplies they would need for the next few weeks.
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Remember HARRY DOES NOT WIN. IN FACT HE DIES A HORRIBLE DEATH AT THE END.
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She stood in the back of the main room of Dethart Manor. The room was crowded with people. These were the wealthy, the pureblood circles that her family ran in. Near the front she could see several rows of Slytherin blazers.
There was a picture of her at the front, surrounded by half a billion flowers. Draco stood near the picture. His eyes were red and he had on the most formal mask that Tania had ever seen on him. He was talking about her.
"Tania could always be counted on to help a House-mate. No matter what else she was doing, she would assist any of us. She took everything it meant to be Slytherin and lived it." Draco spoke to the crowd.
Tania saw all the Slytherins nodding in agreement. They were spaced out, Upper-classman, lower-classman. The older ones had hands on the shoulders of the younger. Tania frowned. Draco was speaking in the past tense, he had been crying and all these people could only mean one thing, they thought she was dead. This was a memorial for her!
She laughed silently. While there was nothing funny about the pain her House-mates must be going through, believing they had lost her, the idea of her being at her own memorial was amusing. Tom would have laughed.
She started pushing her way through the crowd. No one paid her much attention. She was wearing her Blazer and was assumed to be just another Slytherin. She had reached her House-mates as Draco was finishing his speech.
"Those of you who went to Hogwarts and were in Slytherin will understand. Tania was a House-Mate. Being Slytherin creates bonds of friendship that will last a lifetime. Each of us has a place within this group and...."
Draco trailed off as he noticed her. "Tania?" he whispered. She smiled gently. Everyone turned to where Draco was staring. The House-mates nearest her, tentatively touched her, to see if she was real. She smiled at them in reassurance and stepped to the front.
"Yes, Draco, it's me. I am so sorry that I was gone." She reached out and touch his tear stained cheeks. That seemed to break him out of his shock. He suddenly pulled her into a tight hug, burying his face in her shoulder. She could feel his silent sobs, he was shaking with them. She held him, stroking his hair. She glanced at the crowd, while whispering comforting words to Draco.
Her family was in shock, though she noticed that Hunter was standing with the Slytherins, not the family. Her Father looked ready to explode and Lucius Malfoy looked as if he couldn't decide whether to explode at Draco for his weakness or was just too embarrassed or ashamed to speak.
Tania had a hard time reconciling the Lucius and Kent she knew with the men standing in front of her. Many of her House-mates had tears in their eyes or falling silently down their cheeks. She was glad to be home.
As much as she ached for Tom right now, she knew that this was where she should be. Finally Draco stopped shaking and released her.
"Where have you been?" he asked.
"Yes," her Father added, barely controlling the fury in his voice, "Where have you been for three months?" Tania shot Draco a look, the one she used when lying to a teacher. He nodded slightly in understanding.
She faced her Father and the rest of the crowd. Her Slytherins fought smiles as they recognized the mask she was wearing. They too wouldn't take anything she said next at face value. She bowed to the group.
"Please, I beg your forgiveness. I do not know what happened to me, where I was, or how I got back. I was walking behind Hunter, passing through the barrier from Platform 9 ¾. Most of you know the momentary disorientation you feel when going through. I felt that, then felt like I was falling. I could see nothing, hear nothing, feel nothing."
"The next thing I remember was finding myself in a long hall. I don't know if I passed out and woke there, or it just appeared. There were doors lining the hall, but they were all locked except the one at the very end. I entered that door and found myself in another hallway, identical to the first. I kept walking. I tried to count the halls I had passed through, but lost track somewhere after 1,000."
"Finally, the last door opened into a different room. There was a arrow pointing to a wall. I touched the wall and it felt like the barrier does. I wasn't about to go back to the halls, so I stepped through and I found myself here. I am so sorry you all believed me dead. I tried using any spell I could think of to help me get out. Even if they didn't help, I was hoping that it would alert the Ministry of Magic, since I was outside school, and when they came to take my wand they could get me out." Tania let a little desperation creep into her voice in the last few sentences.
Using the pain she felt at losing Tom, she let one tear run down her cheek. Her grandmother put her arms around her shoulders.
"We believe you, Tania. Don't worry, we understand. Of, course you did your best to get back. You have been through quite an ordeal and should rest." Grandmother shot a look at her son, Tania's Father, as if daring him to contradict her.
Grandmother had only had sons, and she had given up having a girl descendent to pass on the Matriarchal power to, when Tania was born. Grandmother Dethart was the only Family, other than Hunter, that she liked. Falon, she tolerated. Tania smiled bravely at her Grandmother.
"Maybe you're right, but I should stay here with the guests. I don't want them to think I'm rude." Her voice took on an exhausted tone. Grandmother shook her head.
"No, my dear, I am sure everyone will understand. You go rest. Hunter, would you be a dear and take your sister upstairs. And you, young Malfoy, why don't you go with." Grandmother winked at Draco. Tania could read the expression in her Grandmother's face. 'I know you love my granddaughter, young man, and I approve.' From the look on Draco's face, he had read that message correctly and was trying not to laugh. He nodded.
"As you wish, Mrs. Dethart." He replied, politely. Hunter took one arm and Draco the other. They had walked a few steps, when Tania turned around, suddenly, pretending panic.
"Three months?!?!" she exclaimed. Everyone turned back to her. "But, but, that means school is starting soon. Can I still go back? I need to buy my books! I don't know what books I need! I'm never going to be ready!" she put her hands to her cheeks, letting the panic in her voice reach her eyes and face. Grandmother moved swiftly back to her side.
"Hunter, get your sister something to drink and put this relaxant in it." she commanded. Hunter nodded, but glanced at Tania, who shook her head minutely. He hurried off.
"There, there. Of course you can go back to Hogwarts. Your Father will write to Dumbledore tonight. You still have a week before the beginning of Term and we can go to Diagon Alley in the next day or two. Your year mates are here and I am sure they will share a list of the books you'll need. Don't worry, dear, Grandmother will make sure everything is done." She paused as Hunter returned with a goblet.
Tania drank about half under her Grandmother's careful eye, certain that it was just pumpkin juice, without the relaxant.
"There, that will help your nerves. Now off to bed." she ordered. Tania turned, catching Justin Cromwell's eye as she did. She made a small motion with her hand and he blinked twice in acknowledgement.
She, with Draco and Hunter, left the room and walked upstairs to her bedroom, keeping up the act until the door was shut. Then they all broke out laughing. Tania sprawled on her bed, Draco and Hunter pulling up chairs.
"So, Tania, tell us what happened? Where did you really go?" Draco asked. She shook her head.
"Wait. We need to wait for Justin. It's a long story and he needs to know." She noticed something on her brother's blazer.
"Hunter, you made Prefect?" she asked, grinning.
He smiled back. "Yes, and guess who our other Prefect is."
She shook her head. "Who? Your year doesn't have a lot of girls and I don't know of any of them that qualifies as a Prefect." Justin entered the room at that last comment and smiled.
"I am." he said.
She frowned. "But, doesn't it have to be one boy, one girl?"
All three boys shook their heads. "That's tradition, but not a rule." Draco said, smugly.
"So, for the first time in Slytherin's history, we have two male Prefects, who happen to also be your highest Lieutenants." Justin finished. Tania's eyes lit up with the possibilities.
"This is perfect." she said, "Considering all we have to do this year. Boys, if you thought last year was intense with training, you haven't seen anything yet. We have a new mission and if we can't complete it, then By Merlin, I'll know why!" The boys leaned closer, becoming excited by her passion.
"First, you need to know where I've been." she started. Tania talked until her voice was horse, telling them all about her latest trip.
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Tania swore and slammed her quill down onto the table. She rubbed her eyes, trying to relieve some of the tension. She felt strong hands on her shoulders. They started massaging her shoulders and neck. For several moments, Tania allowed herself to believe it was Tom, that she was back in his time. Then she looked up at Draco's smiling face.
"Hey," he said.
She grinned. "Hey, yourself. How is everything coming? Will we be ready to begin soon?" He slid into his seat at their table.
"Yes, we'll be ready in a few minutes. Professor Snape and the first years have left for their orientation." He chuckled. "I feel sorry for them. Professor Snape does not like this part of his job." Tania chuckled, remembering her orientation.
Snape had not been in a good mood and had scared every single First Years within five minutes. He had terrified her, acting too much like her Father. About halfway through her first year, she had realized that there were some major differences between the two men.
"So, what were you upset about?" Draco asked, breaking into her thoughts. Tania looked at him.
"I was going to work on this spell. I thought it would be a good one for the seventh years to learn. But it requires Katrer leaves and I don't have any. As far as I know, they can only be found in Knockturn Alley and I can't possibly get there until Christmas Break!" Tania sighed. Draco chuckled and she looked at him with narrowed eyes.
"What do you know?" she asked. Draco grinned.
"We don't have to wait until Christmas. I made a deal with two shops in Knockturn Alley and they let me because I'm a Malfoy and I said that it was for a Dethart, too. I can order supplies from the bookstore and the potions shop and they will send them here. It will cost me 1 ½ times the price, but that's cause they're taking a risk, sending it to Hogwarts. During the summer, I'll only pay ¾ of the price, since I'll be stocking up for the next school year." Tania laughed.
"Draco, that's wonderful! I knew there was a reason I liked you." she teased.
"Excuse me," Justin said. They both turned. "We're ready to start if you are." Tania nodded and stood. The whole House had gathered in Common Room, except for the first years. She didn't want them here, right now, anyway. They would be brought into the group slowly. Each Slytherin had a blank sheet of parchment in their hands. She held up a hand for silence.
"Welcome back to another year of training. Like last year, we will be holding classes for other subjects or more advanced subjects than what is being taught to us during the day. These will not be based on year, but on skill. By the end of this year, everyone will be up to the same levels. We will be working harder than last year. Draco and I have improved the barriers around Common Room and added an alarm to go off when a first year, teacher, or the Headmaster comes by."
"No one must now what we are doing here. And I will tell you why. The Dark Lord is returning. Voldermort is coming back. Yes, I called him Voldermort. And he will need our help. We want to be able to use our 'Dark' Arts, to have and use the powers we want to, right? Do you really think Dumbledore will let us? Or how about the Ministry of Magic? No, they won't. But he will. All of his Death Eaters are dead, in Azkaban, or old, like my Father. He needs young, strong wizards and witches. That's us. Are you up for the challenge? Are you?" she waited.
There was a silence. Then a Second year stood and raised his wand. "Hail Slytherin's Daughter!" he called. "I will follow you." Another two Second years stood and raised their wands.
"Hail Slytherin's Daughter. I will follow you." Soon the whole room was shouting, waving their wands. Tania smiled and motioned Draco over.
"Slytherin's Daughter?" she asked, quietly. He nodded. "Over the summer, when we thought you were gone, someone made the comment that you were truly a daughter of Slytherin. The name stuck. I forgot to tell you." She let the shouting continue for another moment, before calling for quiet.
"Thank you. I am glad and proud to see such devotion. I am honored by the title you have given me, but please, do not use it outside Common Room. Now first, tap you parchment with your wand and say your name. It will reveal the nights we are studying what. Once you activate your parchment, it will only activate for you. Say your name again to wipe it clean. Please be careful where you leave this. It wouldn't do to have a teacher stumble across this."
"Second, there will be no more infighting. You will learn to fight by yourselves, with small groups and as a whole house. I am the leader, with Draco as my second. Justin Cromwell and Hunter Dethart, our Prefects will be right under Draco. That is the chain of command."
"I expect excellence from all of you, but I will not ask you to do something I am not willing to do myself or have not already done. And no word to the First Years. They will be included into our group as we decide they are ready, just like last year. Any questions?" There were none. The group split up, each to begin preparations for the coming term. Tania and Draco returned to their table to start a list of supplies they would need for the next few weeks.
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