What's the meanest you can be to the one you claim to love
And still smile to your new found friends?
In the same confusing breath,
You pull away and draw me in.
I wanted you. You wanted more.
I built this life and now it's mine.

September 8th 11AM

I walked slowly across the cemetery. Dumbledore and Draco followed slightly behind me to the right while Khalida followed on my left. Johnson and Perkins walked behind the rest of the group, surveying the area around us warily.

My heartbeat quickened as we neared my father's grave and my footsteps slowed slightly. It was the first time I had set foot in the cemetery since the funeral. Draco must have sensed my hesitation because he quickly walked up next to me and took hold of my hand. I offered him a tight smile in thanks and he squeezed my hand in reply.

Suddenly a loud pop sounded somewhere in front of us and I felt something hot brush my cheek. I reached up with one hand and was confused when I felt something wet on my skin. Time seemed to slow down as I pulled my hand away and examined the red liquid on my fingers.

The two agents were yelling something at us but I barely heard them as Khalida let out a shrill scream behind me. I turned around in time to see her crumple to the ground, clutching her shoulder tightly as blood ran down the front of her shirt.

"What the hell is going on?" Draco yelled loudly.

"Someone's shooting at us," I replied simply. I turned around quickly and grabbed his hand tightly as I realized what I had said. "Holy shit, someone's shooting at us!" I yelled and pulled him towards the ground.

He protested for a moment but didn't fight me as I pulled him with me to hide behind a large headstone. I sighed in relief as I looked back and saw Dumbledore lift Khalida up and hide behind another large headstone a few feet away.

Johnson and Perkins rushed across the lawn toward us. Both of them had their guns raised and were shooting into the forest in front of us. I peered over the headstone to try and get a glimpse at the gunman but the trees made it impossible to see anything. It was obvious that our attacker had the advantage.

"What the hell is happening?" Draco hissed.

"Do you know what a gun is?" I asked and he nodded his head.

"Well, someone is shooting at us with one," I replied

"Who would want to shoot at us?"

"I'm guessing the same person that has been trying to steal my father's body," I stated as I peered over the headstone once again. "Do you know any magical shield's that will stop bullets?"

"Of course," he replied, "a simple Protego should do it." I waited for him to cast the spell but instead he just sat there and looked at me dumbly.

"Well?" I asked.

"Well what?"

"Cast the stupid spell already," I hissed, "Unless you like the idea of having your brains splattered over the ground."

He quickly pulled out his wand and cast the spell. A soft yellow glow surrounded us. I looked over at the headstone Dumbledore was hiding behind and noticed a stronger golden glow surrounding it. I glanced at Draco questioningly and he immediately appeared offended.

"Well of course Dumbledore's is stronger," he snapped, "He's the most powerful bloody wizard in the world."

"I didn't say anything," I stammered.

"No," he replied, "but you were thinking it. Besides, my shield will stop the bullets just as well." He crossed his arms over his chest with a huff. "I'd like to see you throw up a shield," he mumbled, "then we'd see whose was more powerful."

Draco continued to grumble next to me as I peered over the headstone. Agent Johnson was crawling along the ground in attempt to get closer to the forest while Perkins fired shots off from behind a headstone a few feet away. Another loud pop sounded from the within the trees and I watched in horrified fascination as Johnson's right eye exploded in a burst of red.

"Holy crap!" I exclaimed as I dropped down next to Draco. "Johnson just went down," I explained and Draco gasped in shock. I pulled him back before he could rise up to look over the headstone.

"We have the shield," he said angrily as he fought my grasp.

"Please Draco," I pleaded as I stared up at him, "Please stay down here with me. I don't know what I'd do…"

"Okay, okay," he replied softly as he slid an arm around my waist and pulled me toward him.

I pressed my head into his shoulder as more shots rang out. Draco gently ran a hand over my head. Another shot rang out from the forest and the cemetery became deathly silent. Draco pulled away from me and rose up to look over the headstone. He dropped down immediately, beads of sweat beginning to roll down his forehead.

"Perkins went down," he stated in a hoarse whisper. "Maybe we should just let him have the body," Draco mumbled, "Harry wanted to die after all, what's the use in dying over a dead man?" I stared at Draco in horrified shock.

"How can you say that?" I asked angrily. "Didn't Dumbledore tell you why we're here?" Draco shook his head in reply. "If we don't get my father and bring him back to Hogwarts then not only will he die once and for all but Hogwarts will die with him," I explained and Draco's jaw dropped.

"That's right," I continued, "Whoever it is shooting at us knows what we're trying to do and is trying to stop us."

"Merlin help us," Draco exclaimed, "If they get Harry then they'll kill two birds with one stone, won't they? Hogwarts will be ruined and the Boy-Who-Lived will never rise again. It's got to be a former Death Eater."

"Who knows," I replied, "Right now I just want to get my father's body and get out of here alive."

As if on cue loud shots began to sound from behind us. I turned around to see a tall, brown-haired policeman running toward us, firing shots as he went. He spotted our hiding place and quickly dropped down next to us.

"I wondered why the higher ups suddenly pulled all of my officers away," he muttered as he stared at us. "Maybe you two would like to tell me what the hell is going on here."

"I'm Jenny Riddle," I explained, "and this is…"

"Draco Malfoy," the officer replied, "I figured you'd be back to cause more trouble."

"You're Officer Wilkes aren't you?" I asked in surprise.

"Yep," he responded grimly, "and you're lucky you asked for that promise or you four would be dead in the water."

"I highly doubt it," Draco replied smugly, "My shield should hold…hey, what was that for!" Draco rubbed his side gently as I pulled my elbow back.

"A shield?" Wilkes asked in confusion. "That's what the glowing is, isn't it?" he asked and I nodded my head slowly. "You can explain all of this to me after we get out of here. Until then, I don't care as long as it's keeping our heads from being blown off."

"It will," Draco responded, "but it won't hold forever. We have to get out of here."

"No," I hissed, "We can't leave without my father."

"I thought your father was dead?" Wilkes asked in disbelief.

"He is," I stated, "but not really…it's a long story. The point is, we cannot leave without him. If his body is stolen, well, I can't even explain to you the horrible consequences that would bring."

Suddenly there were loud cracks sounding all around us. Wilkes jumped in surprise but I held him back. The three of us peered around the headstone. Wizards and witches in blue robes covered the lawn in front of us. Each of them was surrounded by a golden glow and they shot curse after curse into the forest.

Dumbledore rose from behind the headstone where he was hiding and rushed toward the group. He pulled a witch toward us and she tossed an empty soda can in our direction. Draco caught it easily.

"The password is 'protection'," she shouted at us, "It will take you someplace safe."

"But what about my father," I yelled.

"We will make sure that your father's body is protected," the witch replied.

"And Khalida?" I asked in concern.

"I will make sure Khalida is taken care of," Dumbledore responded solemnly. I stared at him for a moment, unsure as to whether I could really trust him with Khalida's safety or not.

"We have to go," Draco hissed.

Officer Wilkes looked confused but followed Draco's direction and put one finger on the portkey. As I looked at the portkey in hesitation, Draco took matters into his own hands. He quickly grabbed my hand, placing it on the empty can in front of him.

"Protection!" he yelled quickly and I growled in frustration as we were whisked away from the battlefield.

We reappeared a moment later in what I assumed was a hospital. A group of healers descended on us immediately and began inspecting us for any signs of injury. I felt a slight tingling sensation as one of the healers cast a spell on my cheek. I reached up to find the scratch I received from the bullet was gone.

"I'm fine," Draco snapped at one healer as she began to look him over. Another healer began to lead Officer Wilkes out of the room and I grabbed the officer's other arm to stop them.

"He stays with us," I stated sharply.

"But Miss Riddle," the healer replied and I held a hand up to silence her.

"He stays with us," I growled. The healer shook her head slightly but released the officer's arm.

"What was that all about?" Wilkes asked in confusion.

"You need to stay with us for the moment," I explained, "At least until Dumbledore gets here." I pulled him down to sit next to me. "Stay close to me no matter what," I reiterated.

"Jenny," Draco warned in a low voice, "he's a muggle."

"I know that," I hissed, "That's why he needs to stay here. If they take him they'll obliviate him."

"But he's a muggle," Draco whispered once more.

"And I'm not deaf," I replied, "or stupid."

"Can someone tell me what the hell is going on?" Wilkes asked irritably.

"Not now," I whispered, "I'll explain after Dumbledore gets here and we can get rid of these healers. I don't trust them."

"And you trust this Dumbledore fellow?" he asked.

"At the moment I trust him more than I do these people," I replied simply.

There was a commotion on the other side of the room as Dumbledore and Khalida portkeyed in a moment later. I could hear Dumbledore quietly explaining the situation to the healers. They looked nervously at Khalida but nodded in reply and he laid her down on one of the beds.

"Is she alright?" I asked Dumbledore as he walked over to stand in front of us.

"Khalida will be just fine," he stated, "Vampires heal very quickly. Once the healers remove the bullet she should be up and around in no time."

"Who were those wizards that apparated in?" Draco asked.

"American aurors," Dumbledore replied.

"And my father?" I asked.

"He was removed from the cemetery and is resting comfortably in the room next door," he responded and I stood up to leave. Dumbledore shook his head and pushed me back to sit on the bed. "He is safe for the moment and right now we have a more pressing matter to deal with," he stated while motioning toward Officer Wilkes.

"I don't want him obliviated," I said angrily.

"I'm afraid it is not up to you or even me," Dumbledore replied sadly.

"Can you explain what obliviated means and what you people are?" Wilkes asked in confusion.

"Those were wizards and witches you saw back there," I explained quickly and Draco gasped in shock. "Draco's a wizard, Dumbledore's a wizard and I'm a witch. My friend Khalida over there," I said as I pointed across the room, "is a vampire. Does that explain things well enough for you." Wilkes was silent as he processed the information I had given him.

"It's funny," he responded slowly, "but somehow that makes sense to me. Why are you so hell bent on getting your father's body though and why was someone trying to stop you?"

"That's a longer story," I replied.

"And right now it's one we don't have the time to tell," Draco interrupted as President Curtis burst through the door.

"Thank Merlin you're alright!" he exclaimed as he crossed the room toward us, "I had a bad feeling that something might go wrong so I sent the aurors to check up on things. It's a miracle that they got there in time."

"Yes," Dumbledore replied as he studied the president over his half-moon glasses, "It was quite the miracle that they appeared right when we needed them Robert." The president's worried expression faltered for a moment and Dumbledore raised one eyebrow slightly.

"Yes…well…everyone appears to be alright and Mr. Potter's body was recovered," he stated nervously, "It is unfortunate that the gunman escaped."

"He escaped?" I asked in surprise and Robert nodded his head sadly.

"I'm sorry Miss Riddle, but he ran off before the aurors could capture him," he explained. He turned to look at Officer Wilkes and his expression changed to one of annoyance.

"Healer Madison!" the president called out loudly and a short, blond-haired witch quickly rushed toward him.

"Yes Mr. President?" she asked hesitantly.

"What is Officer Wilkes still doing here?" he asked harshly and she flinched slightly.

"That would be my fault," I broke in, "I insisted that he stay here with me." Robert gave me a puzzled look. "He wanted an explanation and I gave him one," I explained. The look on Robert's face was almost comical.

"But he's a muggle," he stammered, "He'll have to be obliviated." Wilkes appeared ready to bolt and I laid a calming hand on his arm.

"No," I growled, "He will not be obliviated."

"Jenny," Draco whispered and shifted nervously next to me.

"Miss Riddle," President Curtis responded curtly, "I'd like to remind you just what country you are in. I don't know how they run things in England but we have laws here in America and it is not acceptable to have unauthorized muggles running around with knowledge of the wizarding world."

"Mr. Curtis," I replied in a quiet but threatening voice, "Perhaps you need to be reminded of who you are dealing with." The lights began to flicker slightly and the beds began to vibrate as I stood.

"And just who would that be," Robert asked, oblivious to what was happening around him.

The healers began to slowly back away toward the other side of the room. Dumbledore pulled Draco and Wilkes away from me and led them over to the bed where Khalida was resting. My eyes narrowed significantly as I glared up at President Curtis.

One of the healers let out a scream as the windows shattered. Robert's angry expression turned to fear as the glass rained down upon us. He flinched slightly as a particularly large piece dug into his neck. I stood like a statue, unwavering, without a hint of trepidation at what was going on around me.

"Jenny Riddle," I stated coldly, "daughter of James Riddle and Harry Potter."

"Mr. Curtis," I continued, "my father was a good man. He fought the good fight and always tried to do the right thing. He would have never hurt anyone unless they truly deserved it." I stepped closer to the president until we were almost nose to nose which usually wouldn't have been possible since I was at least a foot shorter than him. But since I was now floating at least a foot off the floor I was able to look him directly in the eye.

"So let me warn you right now," I whispered, "I am not my father."

President Curtis backed away from me quickly and nearly tripped over his feet in the process. He ran out of the room with the healers trailing along behind him. Dumbledore approached me cautiously and gently grabbed both of my shoulders.

"Jenny," he said softly, "You need to calm down." Draco walked over to stand at my side. He gently held my hand and rubbed my arm soothingly.

"Please calm down Jenny," Draco whispered.

Something inside of me snapped and my body dropped to the floor with a thud. I fought to sit up but found myself to weak to move. Draco lifted me into his arms and cradled me like a child.

"Something is really wrong with her," he told Dumbledore, "She's been sick for awhile and I don't think it's only stress that is causing it."

"I agree," Dumbledore replied, "We have to get her and Harry back to Hogwarts."

"We need to get out of here first though," Wilkes interrupted, "I don't know anything about what's going on, but I know enough about bastards who think they know better and that guys going to be back and he'll bring backup with him."

"I agree," Khalida replied as she rose from the bed slowly.

"Are you sure you're alright to travel?" Wilkes asked, "That's a pretty nasty wound."

"The bullet is gone," Khalida shrugged, "It will heal quickly now."

"How are we going to get out of here then?" Draco asked anxiously, "This place has got to be crawling with aurors by now." Dumbledore smiled mischievously and pulled a thick, wool sock out of one of his pockets.

"It's an emergency portkey," he explained, "Arthur gave it to me before we left. He seemed to be a bit nervous about our trip. Unfortunately it's only set to take us to a place here in America."

"Where will it take us?" Draco asked as he eyed the sock curiously.

"A safe place for British wizards who run into trouble here in America," he stated. "It's usually only used by Ministry aurors and Order members."

"Let's get going then," Wilkes said quickly.

"My father…" I said weakly. Dumbledore looked down at me and nodded.

"We will bring him with us," he replied, "I would not leave him behind."

"Because…Hogwarts…" I snorted softly.

"No. I would let Hogwarts fade into nothingness if fate decided," he said sternly. "We will bring him with us because he is Harry Potter, not the Savior of the Wizarding of the World, or the Heir of Gryffindor, but because he is simply Harry Potter…just Harry."