If I could pull my thoughts together
I could then shake the thought you might be still breathing
others I haven't seen in months or years
now are here under a dimming light of circumstance

August 31st 7PM

After living for eighteen years I assumed that I had felt every emotion that was humanly possible. I have mourned in sadness. I have raged in anger. I have laughed in happiness and wallowed in regret. The emotion I felt as I traveled across the lake sitting next to Remus Lupin in a small wooden boat was like nothing I had ever felt before.

The first years were riding along in small boats next to us but I barely noticed. Remus would smile at me or shout at a particularly rowdy student once in awhile but I could barely hear him. My attention was focused solely on the gigantic castle in the distance.

My throat was tight. My stomach filled with butterflies. My heart felt as if it was pounding out of my chest but at the same time I was sure it had stopped. The wind that blew softly around us felt as if it would carry me away and I was sure that the dark water underneath us was going to swallow me and drag me down into its depths.

I wanted to laugh and I wanted to cry. In my heart I knew that everything that had ever happened in my life was only preparation for this one singular moment in time. My eyes began to water and a small choked sob escaped me. I felt elated but sad at the same time. A despairing ache settled over my heart as I realized that every emotion I would ever feel and every action I would ever perform would pale in comparison to seeing Hogwarts for the first time.

"I'm home," I whispered to myself. In my soul I knew it to be true, Hogwarts is my home. And from the moment I admitted it to myself something opened up inside me and I understood that the castle had always been and would always be my home.

"Jenny," Remus called out to me, "are you alright?" I answered with a disappointed sigh. We had crossed the lake and docked already, the moment was over and gone. Remus took my hand and helped me out of the boat.

Severus had wanted me to ride to the castle in one of the carriages with him but Remus informed us that Dumbledore wanted me to ride over the lake with the first years. I had protested at first, only because I was wary of anything Dumbledore would suggest, but after that ride I was glad that I had given in.

"Follow me first years!" Remus yelled with a smile and the first years crowded together to follow him into the castle and up a set of stairs towards a very cranky old woman standing at the top. She had gray hair pulled back into a tight bun which seemed to be pulling the rest of her face with it.

"Who is that?" I asked Remus as he moved off to the side to let the first years pass in front of us.

"Professor Minerva McGonagall," he whispered, "the Deputy Headmistress."

"What does she teach?" I asked.

"Minerva doesn't teach," he explained, "She used to teach Transfiguration but with all of the problems the school has been having Albus began to need her help full-time." Remus and I turned to look up at Minerva as she began to explain to the first years what would be happening.

"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said in a stern, yet kind voice, "Through these doors is the Great Hall. In a moment I will lead you inside to join your classmates but before you can take your seats you will need to be sorted into your houses. They are Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and Slytherin. Please wait here for a moment." She turned around and headed toward the two large doors that opened to the Great Hall.

"What do we do now?" I asked Remus.

"We'll follow the first years in and then walk up the side of the hall to the staff table at the front," he finished just as Minerva returned.

"Please follow me," she said and then turned around and headed into the Great Hall, the doors opening automatically to allow us entrance. The first years lined up side by side and walked nervously behind her. Remus and I waited until they had all gone through the doorway before following along behind them. I took a few steps into the hall and stopped to look up at the ceiling. I couldn't help but gasp as I found myself staring up into the night sky, stars and all.

"My God," I mumbled as I continued to stand and stare. Remus tugged on my arm and I stumbled slightly as he led me toward the staff table, my eyes still firmly trained on the ceiling.

Minerva was setting the Sorting Hat on the first student's head when we finally took our seats. Severus sat at the end of the table and I sat down in the empty chair next to him while Remus took the seat on the other side of me. I glanced around the table to get a better look at the other teachers.

Neville noticed me immediately and gave me a small smile and a tentative wave. I smiled warmly at him and waved one hand in return. The woman sitting next to Remus smiled at me and it took me a few minutes to realize that the short, green-haired, purple-eyed woman must be Nymphadora Tonks, Remus' girlfriend. I gave her a small wave and a nod.

From her my eyes traveled to the middle of the table and my gaze was met by the brightest blue eyes I had ever seen in my life. I felt myself falling into them for a moment before blinking and realizing that I was staring into the eyes of Albus Dumbledore. He grinned at me, his blue eyes twinkling merrily and I answered with a sneer that would rival anything Snape or Draco was capable of combined.

My action didn't seem to affect him though. He merely nodded and turned back to watch the sorting, giving me time to study him further. I took in his white hair, long white beard, wrinkled face, and bright pink robes and I wondered how in the hell this man could be one of the most powerful wizards in the world. How could this man be the one that ruined my father's life? He didn't look evil or malicious, a little sneaky perhaps, but no more sinister than a devilish five year old.

The sorting ended and Dumbledore stood to address the students. I wasn't really paying attention though. I was still feeling slightly exhausted from the ride on the train and the only thing I wanted to do now was eat and then meet with Dumbledore so he could open my father's trunk. After that I would finally be able to get a good night's sleep in a completely stationary bed.

The feast appeared and everyone began to eat. I dug into my meal ferociously. All of my attention focused on the plate in front of me.

"You look a little pale," Severus commented quietly as he leaned toward me slightly, "Are you feeling okay?" I nodded and continued to eat. "Jenny, did you hear me?" he asked. I nodded again and built another pile of mashed potatoes on my plate.

"Hungry," I grunted between mouthfuls. Severus just shook his head and went back to his own meal.

When the feast was finally finished Dumbledore stood to make more announcements. I sighed happily and leaned back into my chair. I hadn't had a meal that good in weeks.

"I have one more announcement to make before you leave," Dumbledore said and all of the students quieted immediately, "We will have a guest staying in the castle indefinitely. Her name is Jenny Riddle." Remus motioned for me to stand and I waved a hand at him dismissively. If Dumbledore wanted to announce I was there then he could go right ahead, but I wasn't going to do anything to acknowledge it. "I ask that you show her the same respect as your professors. That is all, have a good evening."

Hushed whispers filled the Great Hall as the students made their way out. Dumbledore exited through a door at the back of the hall while Minerva walked over to stand behind Severus and myself.

"The headmaster would like to speak to you in his office," she said curtly. Severus stood up and began to walk away while I stood and ran to catch up to him. He led me through a series of hallways to stand in front of a stone gargoyle encircled with a spiraling staircase.

"Is this the way to Dumbledore's office?" I asked. Severus nodded and began to walk up the steps. At the top of the staircase was an old wooden door and before either of us could knock we heard Dumbledore's voice call out from the other side.

"Come in." Severus pushed open the door and stalked into the office. I followed behind him at a slower pace, taking in as much of the strange surroundings as possible.

Dumbledore's office was the oddest place I'd ever seen. Shelves of strange looking metal devices lined the walls along with portraits of sleeping wizards who would shift once in awhile or snore loudly. I recognized Fawkes sitting on a perch next to Dumbledore's gigantic desk. I rubbed the back of my head as I remembered the last time I had seen the phoenix.

Severus sat down in one of the armchairs across from Dumbledore's desk. I walked over to sit down in the chair next to him but stopped halfway as Dumbledore came to stand in front of me.

"Miss Riddle," he said cheerfully, "It is a pleasure to meet you at last." He held out a hand and I shook it roughly. "Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts."

"I know who you are," I ground out as I did my best to keep from punching the man right between his twinkling blue eyes.

"I'm sure you do," he said with a nod, "Why don't you take a seat?" He motioned toward the chair next to Severus and then turned around to go back to his desk. I glared at his back as I moved to sit down.

"Lemon Drop?" asked Dumbledore as he held out a candy dish. Severus groaned next to me and I shook my head. Dumbledore pulled back the dish and popped a lemon drop in his mouth with a shrug.

"Can we get down to business?" I asked abruptly.

"Severus told me in his letter that you have Harry's trunk," he replied, "and you would like me to open it. Is that correct?"

"Yes," I said with a nod. Severus stood up and pulled the miniaturized trunk out of the front pocket of his robe. He set it on the floor, pointed his wand at it and mumbled a few words that I couldn't make out. Almost instantly the trunk returned to its normal size.

Dumbledore didn't move from his seat behind his desk. Instead he just stared at the trunk for a moment and then shook his head.

"I'm sorry to say," he said with a sad smile, "I cannot open Harry's trunk."

"What?!" Severus and I both exclaimed at the same time. Dumbledore chuckled and shook his head once more.

"The only person that can open that trunk is Harry," he explained, "and even if I had the power to break the protective spells he put on it, I wouldn't know where to start."

"Why not? I don't understand," I stammered.

"The spells on Mr. Potter's trunk can only be lifted if one very specific event comes to pass," he said ambiguously.

"And that event would be?" asked Severus irritably.

"The death of Harry Potter," stated Dumbledore plainly as he popped another lemon drop into his mouth.

"But my father is dead!" I exclaimed, slamming one fist down on the desk in front of me. Severus jumped slightly.

"If that were true," said Dumbledore, "then Severus or even Draco would have been able to open the trunk." Dumbledore's mention of Draco reminded me that I had yet to ask if there had been any headway made in the search for him.

"Is there any news on Draco?" I asked quickly, "Have they found him yet? Do the aurors have any idea what happened to him?" Dumbledore calmly raised one hand to stop my questions.

"Draco has not been found," he stated, "Minister Weasley informed me this morning that the aurors have been working day and night and they have not been able to find any clues as to Draco's whereabouts." As if on cue my cell phone suddenly began ringing.

"What the hell?" I asked as I dug through my bag for my phone, "I didn't think electrical stuff worked inside of Hogwarts."

"It doesn't," Dumbledore stated. I glanced at the phone number displayed and then looked up to give Dumbledore a pointed glare.

"Well," I sneered, "obviously there's something wrong then because someone is calling from MY HOUSE!" I quickly pressed the 'Accept Call' button before anyone could say another word.

"Who are you and what are you doing in my house?" I asked immediately.

"Miss Riddle, this is Officer Wilkes. I'm sorry to bother you but we have a situation here," Officer Wilkes said in a shaky voice. In the background I could faintly hear what sounded like someone yelling.

"Give me that bloody thing," the muffled voice called out, "I know how to use a fellytone dammit."

"Who the heck is that?" I questioned and waited for the officer to reply.

"We're not quite sure," he replied, "One of my officers was doing a routine patrol of your property and he noticed a light on in the master bedroom. He told me that this guy just walked out of the bedroom like he owned the place. He won't tell us his name and he demanded to talk to you."

"What does he look like?" I asked.

"Blonde hair, gray-blue eyes and I'm pretty sure he's British," he replied.

"Let me speak to him," I blurted out excitedly.

"Are you sure about…"

"Yes, yes, just put him on," I growled. There was a brief sound of movement over the phone along with a few growls and grunts.

"Jenny, is that you!" Draco's voice came through the phone's speaker loudly and I had to move the phone away for a second.

"Don't yell Draco, I can hear you fine," I answered.

"Thank Merlin it's you," he replied and I flinched slightly as I thought about what Officer Wilkes must think of that statement. I could only hope that he would attribute it to some kind of cultural difference.

"Is Officer Wilkes still standing there?" I asked quietly, "Just answer yes or no."

"Yes," Draco said slowly.

"I need you to tell him that you are a friend of my father's from London and you came to visit without knowing that I was gone on vacation," I explained, "Do you understand?"

"Yes," he replied softly.

"Can you apparate back to England?" I asked.

"No."

"Okay," I muttered as I tried to think of a way to bring Draco back. Severus broke into the conversation with his own suggestion.

"Tell him Dumbledore will send him a portkey that will take him to Hogwarts," said Severus quietly and Dumbledore nodded his head in agreement.

"Are you still there Draco?" I asked.

"Yes."

"Dumbledore is going to send you a portkey to bring you to Hogwarts. I'm assuming that it will take a day or two to get there," I said and Dumbledore nodded his head, "and he'll be sending it by…owl." Dumbledore nodded his head again. "Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Okay," I said with a sigh and then added, "I miss you." There was a moment of silence before Draco replied.

"I've missed you too," he mumbled quickly, "I'm going to put the please man back on again, just wait a moment." I could hear the sound of the phone being passed on once again.

"Can you tell me what's going on now Miss Riddle?" he asked.

"Sorry Officer Wilkes," I replied, "Draco is an old friend of my father's. He didn't know that I was off on vacation. He's welcome to stay at the house though and I'd also like you to give him those two paintings that you've been holding onto for me."

"Are you sure about this?" he questioned suspiciously, "This Draco character seems a bit odd."

"He's just English," I said with a nervous laugh, "My father was just as odd."

"Well if you're sure," he said slowly.

"Yes," I stated firmly, "He'll be returning to London in a few days and I really want those paintings."

"Well, they are your paintings so it is up to you," he relinquished, "Maybe you can explain all of this to me when you get back."

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said, trying to sound as innocent as possible.

"Sure you don't," he replied with a chuckle.

"Good-bye Officer Wilkes."

"Good-bye Miss Riddle."

I ended the call and stuck the phone back into my bag. Severus was glaring at me and Dumbledore was staring at me curiously.

"It seems Draco has ended up at my house for some reason," I explained, "Since my house was robbed there has been police officers patrolling my father's property and they found him there. They were still there when I was trying to talk to him so I wasn't able to ask him how he got there."

"We'll have to wait until he gets back then," Severus said with a resigned sigh.

"At least we know where he is," I offered, "and we know he's okay." Severus and Dumbledore nodded in agreement.

"Well," Dumbledore said merrily, "since that is out of the way let's get back to the problem at hand." It took me a few moments to realize what in the world we had been talking about before the phone call. That's right; Dumbledore said my father wasn't dead before my phone rang. But my phone isn't supposed to work inside of Hogwarts.

"My father was buried," I stated as Dumbledore lazily conjured up a pot of tea and three cups. "And unless the mortician was a crook," I added, "he was embalmed as well."

"Embalmed?" asked Severus. Apparently wizard funerals and muggle funerals must be different.

"They replaced his blood with embalming fluid," I explained as Severus grimaced in disgust, "It's to preserve the body." Dumbledore just shook his head and chuckled that annoying chuckle that made me want to throw the cup of tea in my hand right into his face.

"My dear," he said merrily, "Harry Potter has magic in his blood so I truly doubt that any mortician would be able to replace it." My jaw dropped in shock.

"Are you saying that my father was buried without being embalmed?" I asked incredulously.

"I am saying," said Dumbledore as he eyed me over his half moon glasses, "Harry's blood is full of magic and just like his magic it is connected to him for all time and could never be replaced."

"Then if the trunk won't open," I replied shakily, "he's not dead and we buried him alive."

"It would seem so," he replied, "Although I'm sure he's not truly alive either."

"Explain," I said sternly as I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned back into my chair.

"How much did you tell her about Harry's life after his fifth year of school?" he asked Severus. Severus shifted nervously under his gaze.

"I told her about Potter's many deaths," he replied as he stared at his feet. Dumbledore sighed and I suddenly realized how old and weathered he truly is.

"I can understand why you hate me Miss Riddle," he said sadly, "You must think me to be a horrible monster who manipulated your father to do my every bidding. But the reality of what happened is not that simple I'm afraid."