you might feel I'm feeling all the guilt
dragging out the hours, all deceived
well, both are harmless and haunting to me
now remember your heroes
as a cancel out zero
like you were young again

September 4th 10AM Sunday

"Jenny!" Khalida called out from the living room, "Draco's disembodied head is floating in the fireplace and it's asking for you." There was something that I never thought I'd hear.

I checked my appearance one last time in the bathroom mirror before opening the door and heading down the hallway. "I'll be right there!" I yelled.

"She's coming," I heard Khalida say to Draco; "She just needs to freshen up a bit. It may take a little while though, she looks frightful in the morning, hair a mess and don't get me started on her breath." I walked into the living room just in time to see Draco's floating green head shaking with laughter.

"Think that's funny do you?" I snapped. Draco quieted immediately but Khalida kept right on giggling until I glared directly at her. "I think you left the oven on again."

"Of course," Khalida smirked, "I'm doing that a lot lately. Please excuse me." I watched her leave before turning toward Draco. "What's up?"

"I don't even get a 'good morning'," he joked, "how rude."

"You must have forgotten that I'm American, it's what we're known for."

"True," he chuckled. "I just wanted to let you know that I spoke with Neville and he will floo to Sanctuary at six. I told Khalida that I think you should have dinner there, it's still not safe for you to be out and about."

"I suppose you're right," I admitted with a frown. I had almost forgotten that most of the wizarding world thinks I'm the next Dark Lord.

A sudden commotion in the kitchen drew my attention away from the fireplace. I held a hand up to keep Draco quiet. A moment later Khalida came rushing into the living room clutching a thin, brown envelope to her chest.

"This came for you," she stated as she held the envelope out. I took it from her hesitantly and she rushed back into the kitchen. I studied the envelope for a moment and noticed a strange wax seal on it which reminded me of the Hogwarts seal.

"Do you recognize this seal?" I asked as I held the envelope up for Draco to see.

"Yes," he said with a nod, "It looks like the Gringotts seal."

"Why would Gringotts send me a letter?"

"Who knows," replied Draco, "go on and open it." I began to open the letter when Draco's head turned in the fireplace as if he was looking at someone behind him. A moment later his head disappeared.

"Draco!" I called out, "Where the hell did you go?" Draco's head appeared once again but he no longer appeared cool and collected. His eyes were wild and his breathing was labored. "What's wrong?" I asked nervously.

"We have a big problem," he stated while shaking his head.

"What's going on?"

Khalida must have been eavesdropping because within seconds she was sitting down next to me. Suddenly Draco's head shifted over to one side of the fireplace and Severus' head popped up next to him. Khalida and I both backed away from the fireplace in surprise which caused Draco and Severus to roll their eyes at the same time.

"Okay," I said shakily, "this is starting to freak me out."

"Quiet," barked Severus, "This is serious."

"Maybe it would help," I hissed, "if someone would tell me what the hell is going on." I threw my hands up in the air to show my frustration. "Why do I feel as if I'm constantly in the dark?"

"I know how you feel," Khalida commented next to me as she gripped my hand supportively.

"This will explain," Severus snapped. His head disappeared and a rolled up newspaper came flying out of the fireplace. I went to catch it but Khalida beat me to it. She unrolled it quickly and began to read.

"How did this happen?" she asked, her eyes widening in shock.

"Give me that." I pulled the newspaper from her hands and nearly dropped it after reading the headline.

JENNY RIDDLE, HEIR TO YOU-KNOW-WHO OR DAUGHTER OF THE BOY-WHO-LIVED?

By Danny Chang

"Do I even want to read the rest of this?" I asked nervously and Draco shook his head.

"Probably not," Severus stated dryly.

"Who is this Danny Chang anyway?" Khalida asked as she peered over my shoulder.

"Possibly a relative of a friend of yours," I stared Severus directly in the eyes.

"Cho Chang's older brother," Draco broke in, "I've never met the guy though. I think he studied at Drumstrang."

"I told Cho nothing about you," Severus stated indignantly, "Besides, I've barely said two words to the woman since I returned to Hogwarts."

"Then how did the Daily Prophet find out?" Khalida asked curiously.

"The only people who know are the Weasleys, Dumbledore, and you three," I said thoughtfully, "Do you think the Weasleys would have said anything?" Draco and Severus both shook their heads at the same time which surprised me. I assumed they would have accused the Weasleys without a second thought.

"The Weasleys have gotten very good at keeping secrets since Arthur became Minister," explained Draco, "There is no way that they would've mentioned this to the press or anyone else for that matter."

Draco and Severus began to argue back and forth as to the identity of the Daily Prophet's informant while Khalida read through the article once more. I was about to suggest that Draco and Severus end the firecall if they were only going to bicker but then I suddenly remembered the Gringotts' letter. I carefully lifted the flap on the envelope and pulled out the piece of parchment inside.

Miss Jenny Lillian Riddle,

This letter is to inform you that on September 1st, the security on Gringotts' vault #501, owned jointly by Mr. Harry James Potter and Miss Jenny Lillian Riddle, was breached.

Your presence is requested at Gringotts on September 6th at 3PM to review the contents of vault #501. If you are unable to attend this appointment please contact Gringotts by owl no later then September 5th.

We here at Gringotts would like to extend our deepest apologizes for the inexcusable lapse in our security. You will be reimbursed for the value of any and all stolen contents.

Ragnok

Gringotts Head Goblin

"Hey Guys," I said softly as I read through the letter once more. No one seemed to notice so I cleared my throat loudly and yelled, "HEY GUYS!"

"What?" Severus and Draco snapped at the same time.

"According to this letter I have a vault at Gringotts," I explained while passing the letter to Khalida, "It's in Harry's name too. And apparently I have an appointment on Tuesday at three to review the contents."

"Do you think that's how the Prophet found out?" Khalida offered, "Perhaps someone at Gringotts told them?"

"I doubt it," Draco shook his head, "The goblins don't get along well with wizards and they protect the privacy of their customers fiercely."

"What do you think Severus?" I asked.

"I think Draco and I have classes to teach in ten minutes or so," he stated quickly, "which means we really should be going." Severus' head disappeared and Draco looked at me apologetically.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, "I wish I could help you more with all of this."

"Don't worry about it. I'm sure we'll figure this all out eventually," I said with a wide grin, "or die trying."

"Don't say that," Draco snapped, "It's not funny." Khalida stood up next to me and brushed the dust off her dress with her hands.

"I think I hear the oven on again," she said innocently, "I better be going." After she was gone Draco gave me a confused look.

"How can anyone hear the oven on?"

"Who knows," I shrugged, "I think she's just running out of excuses to leave the room."

"I better get going," he said sadly and I nodded in reply. "Why don't I accompany you to Gringotts on Tuesday and then I can take you out to dinner."

"Did you ask me to dinner?" I asked nonchalantly, "I don't recall that."

"Of course I did and I'll pick you up at two," he stated angrily, "If you can have dinner with Longbottom you can surely have dinner with me."

"Aren't you worried that Neville might try something?" Draco raised an eyebrow and smirked in amusement.

"I'm not worried about that at all," he stated cryptically, "I made it clear that if he is anything less than gentlemanly toward you he will have two very angry Slytherins to deal with."

"And you think that's enough to hold him back?" I asked with a wry grin.

"Severus may have also reminded him that he used to be a Death Eater," he replied with a wink, "I think that was enough to have him shaking in his socks."

"Shouldn't that be shaking in his boots?"

"That's what I said," snapped Draco, "Now I really have to go. Remember I'll pick you up at two on Tuesday and if Longbottom does try anything then just let me know and I'll take care of it." He winked at me once more and I blew him a kiss before his head disappeared and the fire went out.

I fell back on the floor and stared up at the ceiling contentedly. A small sigh escaped me and I closed my eyes. A few minutes later I could hear Khalida walking across the floor toward me. I opened my eyes and offered her a warm smile. She smiled down at me in return and offered me a hand up.

"Ah young love," she said in an awed tone as she grabbed me around the waist to twirl me around the room, barely missing the couch and table.

"Draco's not young," I stated.

"Of course he is," she scoffed, "In my eyes you are both no more than babes. Babes in love…love….love…" She sang the word as she twirled me around a few more times. We finally stopped spinning and I stood still for a moment as the world seemed to sway back and forth around me.

"I was wondering if you'd help me with something," I said hopefully as Khalida headed back toward the kitchen. She stopped mid-step and nodded her head in reply. "Don't you want to know what I need your help with?" I asked disbelievingly.

"Doesn't matter," she said with a wave of her hand, "I have no prior engagements this afternoon so I'm free to help you with anything you need."

"It's won't be hard work," I explained, "I'd just like you to be there when I unwrap my father's paintings." Khalida gave me a confused look before shaking her head.

"I don't think that's a good idea," she replied, "You have no idea what those paintings might depict and they could be extremely personal. Why don't you unwrap them and if you'd like me to look at them later with you I will."

"Okay." Khalida disappeared into the kitchen and I cautiously eyed the two packages sitting on the floor next to the couch.

I picked up the first painting and laid it across the coffee table. My fingers slowly untied the string holding the paper in place. Once the string was removed the paper slipped off easily. After the painting was fully unwrapped I held it up to get a better look.

It was a picture of my mother. She was sitting regally on a black, wooden chair. Standing next to her was a woman with long, brown hair and hazel eyes. She appeared to be a few years older than my mother. Perhaps an older sister or her mother, I couldn't be sure.

In my mother's arms was a small baby, which I could only assume was me. My father must have done the painting after I was born using an old picture of my mother. That still left the identity of the other woman a mystery. I moved to put the painting aside when I suddenly had an idea.

"Khalida!" I yelled, "Can you come here and help me for a minute?"

"I told you I don't want to see those paintings until you have a chance to look at them privately!" she called back.

"I know! I opened the first one and I need your help taking it out of the frame."

Khalida rushed into the living room to stand next to me. I could tell the anticipation and curiosity had been eating her alive.

"Why take it out of the frame?" she asked, "It looks nice in that frame. And who's that woman next to your mother?"

"I don't know," I said while rolling my eyes. "That's why I want to take it out of the frame," I explained, "People usually write on the back of photographs to keep track of who is in them. Maybe my dad did the same thing with his paintings."

Khalida and I began to carefully remove the painting from its frame. We were halfway done when Khalida stopped and gave me a funny look.

"Why didn't you tell Draco and Severus about your vault?"

"I did tell them," I replied as I continued to pull at the frame.

"But you didn't tell them everything," she stated, "You didn't even mention the break in."

"I didn't want to worry them," I explained, "Draco will find out when we go there on Tuesday anyway." She accepted my answer with a small shrug.

We finally removed the frame and I carefully leaned it against one side of the table. The painting was quite large so we each grabbed an end and lifted it from the protective wood backing. Once it was turned over we both stood over it to read what was written on the back.

"Oriel Elita Riddle," I read aloud, "seated next to sister Adrienne Jordane, holding son Thomas Gautier." I did a double take on the last name. "What the hell?!" I exclaimed, "Am I seeing things or does that say son?" Khalida shook her head.

"No," she replied as she traced the name with her fingers, "I see it to. I assumed that baby was you."

"I did to," I said as I stared down at the name, "This is getting weirder and weirder by the second."

"I wonder what happened to him," Khalida mumbled, "Do you think he died or something?"

"Who knows? Don't you think the name is kind of odd though?"

"What do you mean?" she asked in confusion.

"Thomas Gautier Riddle," I answered, "sound familiar?"

"Not really," she admitted and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

"Tom Riddle," I stated, "That would make his name the same as Voldemort's." Khalida gasped in surprise and took a step back. "There's no reason to be afraid of it," I said with a sigh, "It's only a name. The middle name is a little strange too don't you think?"

"Hmm…Gautier," Khalida said quietly, "It's French I think. Your mother's name is French too, as is her sister's as well."

"So maybe that's where my mom came from," I offered.

"It would seem so," she replied with a nod, "Although her middle name, Elita, is Latin."

"Latin?"

"Yes," she answered, "it means 'chosen one'."

"Wow," I said softly, "Do you know what her first name means?"

"No, my knowledge of the French language isn't very good," she replied, "Do you think we should put the painting back in the frame?"

"Nah. I'd like Draco to take a look at it when he comes on Tuesday. Why don't we lean it up against the wall somewhere out of the way?"

Khalida lifted the painting from the table while I grabbed the backing and the frame. She leaned the painting against the wall and I covered it with the back and then placed the frame in front. I could see her eyeing the other package as I walked toward it.

"You don't have to leave," I stated as I carried the package to the table, "Actually I'd like you to be here for this since I may need your help again." She looked uncomfortable but nodded in agreement.

The string was removed easily but the paper was wrapped tighter around the second painting then it was around the first. After Khalida and I both fought with it for a bit we decided that a knife or scissors might get the job done faster. Khalida disappeared into the kitchen and returned holding a gigantic carving knife.

"Holy cow!" I exclaimed, "Is that the smallest one you've got?"

"Stop complaining," she muttered, "and move over so I can cut this thing open."

"Just be careful that you don't cut the painting," I pleaded. She nodded her head absentmindedly and began to cut cautiously through the thick brown paper. Once she was done I carefully peeled back the paper and the world disappeared around me.

I was in my father's workroom, surrounded by his paintings. My eyes wandered to the painting directly in front of me. I gasped in fright and then stared at it silently. Two gigantic red eyes surrounded in black stared back at me

"Jenny!" Khalida called out as she shook me roughly. "Jenny, are you okay?"

"It's him," I stated as I stared down at the painting.

"Him who?"

"Voldemort…" I replied. My voice trailed off into a whisper and I began to fall.