Original POV:

Of course, I really didn't know where Sev wanted me to go. It seemed absurd to say so.

That had brought back odd memories. Well, mother would be proud. Her little girl could divert the attention by stating things point-blank. It'd also get them off of my case later, and off of my mother's. It'd be hard to see her, but my letter clearly stated that I would be able to visit her once a month. It didn't seem like much, but it was more than I could have asked for.

I know you're curious. What about my mother? Well... She's insane. Not my kind of insane, well, sorta... but she's fully insane, physically, mentally, and medically speaking. She can't remember me, Al, or dad. She can't even tell when a person enters a room. She has spasms, sometimes, and every day I saw her I'd take out an old binder full of pictures of her and dad, me and Al, the whole family together. When our family was beautiful. Perfect. My mother was beautiful, I can remember, before her disease took over. Because it is a disease. Huntington's Disease.

On genetic levels, a strand of DNA has several chromosome pairs. A person can have 10 CAG repeats on the fourth chromosome pair and be normal, no risk whatsoever. A person could have 20, 30, even 40 CAG sequencial repeats on the fourth chromosome and be fine. No HD. But anything above 40, and the body just can't handle it. Something screws up. The body shuts itself down, starting with the brain. You lose coordination, memory, and eventually, presence itself.

And since it's genetic, I could have it too, and not know until my eighteenth birthday. That's the age when you're of legal age to be tested for it. Alexander had it, he'd been 18 for only two days before he built up the courage to take it. And he had it. Al didn't just die, he killed himself out of fear. He didn't want that... Who would?

And so I tolerate people thinking I'm insane... and thinking I myself am insane... but the second a person voices it, I blow. Not just in anger, but in fear and grief. Huntington's Disease had taken two of my most beloved people in the world from me... I wouldn't let the word be so gently used before me like a careless adjective, when it could truly be real. That's what I'm afraid of. It could be real. They could be right. I could end up insane.

Like my mother.

And when I stop to think about it, I'm probably being a coward. Who cares, right? It hits, usually, when you're middle-aged. I have time. That's what I live for. Time. And every second I spent beating around the bush, I'm wasting what I live for. Might as well make the best of it, ne?

I look up and down the corridors, walking in the general direction of my compartment, from what I can remember. Maybe it'll just pop up in my mind like a radar sensor. Information beaming in from planet Xanther. Third car, fifth compartment.

I give up about three minutes later and go back to where I know my compartment is. Don't get me wrong, this is just a sober moment in between those loyal crazy moments. I want to see Sev. I want to hear his story. Hear about this place I'm going to. Learn about stupid places to go, and who to annoy. Rules of the trade.

But somehow I have a sudden dread in seeing him at all. He could be different. I could be different. What happens then? If he's suddenly all safe, and I'm a complete spaz? Or if he's some careless lackey and I actually study?

It's all too much to take in. So I open my compartment door.

Only do find a group of smirking teenagers, Sev among them.

I raised my eyebrows at him, his smirk widened. I growled and, seeing as there was no place for me to sit, sat squarely on his lap. His back stiffened for a moment before he chuckled and wrapped his arms around my waist. Taking it as acceptance, I grinned and leaned back into his chest.

"Who are all of you?"

Because now that I looked, I realized I didn't know any of these people. And, considering five pairs of eyebrows were nearly hidden behind hairlines, they didn't know me either. Or I was just unexpected.

"These, Ana, are my Housemates." Sev murmered into my ear, using another of my old nicknames, devised from my fifth name.

I looked from at the two other black-haired students, to the one silvery-blond and two brunettes. "Hello. Should I be intimidated?" Because, frankly, they were a little scary.

Their smirks widened, and I could feel Sev's mouth forming the same. I sighed a long- and hard-suffering sigh and put my hands over my eyes, waiting for introductions.

The white-blond male spoke up first, with an air of superiority. "I am Lucius Malfoy."

A black-haired female with a curvy stature, beautiful face, and heavy-lidded dark eyes covered a yawn and gave her name. "Bellatrix Black."

The other black-haired one, who was younger than most of them, had a slight resemblence to Bellatrix, but his skin was paler, his chin more dominant, and his nose ram-rod straight. "Regulus Black. Bella's cousin."

The first of the deep brunettes, who was also male, lowered his eyebrows suggestively and spoke. "Jacob Pucey."

And the second of the brunettes, who was female and relatively pretty, if it weren't for the scowl on her face, looked at me like I was an indifference. A pest, almost. "Jeanine Montauge."

I nodded. Then something hit me, and I looked to Bellatrix and Regulus. "Do you two happen to be related to Sirius Black?"

Immediately, I found this to be a mistake. Bellatrix's dark eyes took on a sadistic glint, and Regulus looked quite pleased about something.

"Unfortunately."

Sev spoke into her ear, "You'd do best to stay away from him. He's a complete blood-traitor. Not to mention the fact he's in Gryffindor." The word fell from his lips like a curse told scarcely, with only due cause.

"You'll have to fill me in. Gryffindor? Blood traitors? I'm afraid I get none of this."

"There are four Houses at Hogwarts," Lucius began. I had a feeling he thought I might be a good alliance, or he could use me. Either way... "Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. Gryffindors are brave, biased, and sometimes rather stupid. But some are intelligent. Ravenclaws are smart as Hell, most. They stick to the rules and despise anyone who doesn't. Hufflepuffs are all for justice, peace, equality, and loyalty.

"Slytherin. Slytherin is our House. Slytherins are ambitious, as everyone knows. We want power and we want to keep it. But we're not stupid. Most anyway. We use our heads, and save our asses before our enemies'. But, we're also connected. Slytherins have loyalty, cunning, and emotional strength."

I found myself undeniably comfortable in Sev's lap, and snuggled closer, stifling my own yawn. Slytherin didn't sound like a bad House to be in. To hell with how to get into a House. It sounded decent.

I scooped my hair over my shoulder so it wouldn't be in Sev's face, then looked at each Slytherin in turn. "And of blood traitors?"

"There are high ranks in the Wizarding World, dear." Bellatrix said, talking to me as if I was below her. Which, strangely enough, it seemed I was. It was comforting, oddly, to have a superior unlike a father. "There are the old Pureblood families of England. The Malfoys, Blacks, Puceys, Dolohovs, Halliwells, Falls, and Potters. There used to be more, until people of our kind started intermarrying with Muggles. Results of these pairings are called Halfbloods. And magical people devised from full Muggle parentage are called Muggle-borns, or, to some of us, Mudbloods."

I nodded. Kind of like how blacks were still called funky names by whites in the States. There was no real law stating they were separated, but they were, out of unfamiliarity.

My hands covered Sev's around my waist. It'd been a while since I'd been this comfortable. I was almost in a haze with this new information. "So the Pureblooded families are of higher rank than Halfbloods or Muggle-borns?"

I wonder if I'm Muggle-born. Or Halfblood. My father never told me if my mother was a witch. He'd never told me of his heritage, either, now that I think about it.

"Unfortunately, that power is slowly ebbing as more Muggle-borns are immigrating to the Wizarding World."

I yawned again. I shrugged an apology, before Lucius got up, extended his hand, and spoke. "What is your name, by the way?"

I looked over my shoulder at Sev, who had an eyebrow raised. I smirked devilishly, then turned and stood. Regally placing my hand in Lucius's, not shaking, I announced my name very quickly. "Mckinseydanniellelehananirveianammikazayneorearoehling."

Lucius blinked, but that was his only sign of abashment as he placed a chaste kiss on my hand. Man, this guy was good.

"Would you mind repeating that, one syllable at a time?" This coming from Jacob. I smirked again.

"McKinsey Danielle Lehana Nirvei Anammika Zayne Orea Roehling."

"You're a Pureblood, I take it? With a name so regal, it could only be so." Lucius had a silvery eyebrow raised, grey eyes looking, almost earnestly, into mine. It was only now that I noticed how powerful Lucius Malfoy was. And as I tuned into it, I could feel Sev's power, not overall, but power in some extent. Not to mention Bellatrix.

"I-" I stopped, pondering. What would it hurt to tell them I'm Pureblooded? They seem to be welcoming me with open arms. "Yes. My great grandparents moved from Germany decades ago, and married into an old American Wizarding family. I only learned of my magical ability, in truth, around eight months ago."

They seemed taken aback by this, so I elaborated. "My father wanted me as unassociated with magic as possible, so I could have better political right in the future. Apparently, he thinks there is a War raging in this world, and didn't want me to have to make a decision at such a naive age. "

This seemed to satisfy them, for the time being. Lucius said, "Good day... What should I call you?"

I grinned slightly. "Pick one."

"Severus has taken Ana, so I shall call you.. Zayne. It has a Slytherin ring to it."

"Such a good memory, Mr. Malfoy. I shall remember that."

"As you should." He smirked and left the compartment. Bellatrix sneered slightly and nodded politely to me. Regulus followed his cousin's example. Jacob took my hand and gave a repeat of Lucius's departure, and Jeanine, who'd kept silent mostly, shook my hand briskly.

This left me and Sev in blissful silence. I looked at him apologetically and yawned again. "Do you mind if we catch up later? I am in serious need of a nap." Sev scooted down the leather upholstered bench and I lied down.

"Hey, Oreo?"

"Hmm?"

Sev ran his long pale fingers through my hair. "Have you changed?"

I was nearly unconsious. I barely heard him. My mouth mumbled, "No, Sev... I' m still your Ana-Banana."

Then I slipped into blissful unconsiousness.

I awoke to the sound of rattling wheels. I lifted my head in confusion, and I found the wonder warmth that had been my pillow get up. I whimpered and huffed, annoyed at whatever would take my beautiful lump of comfort away.

My eyes were really blurry as I sat up painfully. Really, those seats should be damned to Hell. Most uncomfortable things I've slept on, ever.

"What in the name of Bloody Zeus! An effing warning, perhaps!" No, I am definately not a morning person. Though, by the looks of it, it's probably just around noon.

May the Devil curse them.

I heard a laugh and glared, trying to focus that evil thing we call vision. "What are you laughing at you pompous tub of lard!"

That probably wasn't the most consice means of greeting, particularly when you can't see the person.

They weren't fucking kidding when they said, "Oh, how the pendulum swings."

When my vision cleared, I saw Lucius, looking slightly angry, and highly amused. "Pray you repeat that, milady."

"I'm not your lady, you atrocious means of an alarm clock!" I nearly screamed in annoyance.

That's when I noticed Sev was standing in the doorway, facing the corridor, talking to someone I couldn't see. Eh, screw them, I'm freaking tired!

He turned, fighting laughter, and tossed me a long tube of something orange. "Iced Pumpkin Juice. It should wake you up, Ana."

"I'd prefer to sleep, thanks!" I would think that obvious, you lot of numbskulls!

"Unfortunately, dearest, you've been sleeping for over an hour---"

"And that gives you mongrels an excuse to WAKE ME UP!"

They shared a glance. Sev chuckled. "Still the same Ana," I heard him mutter.

"Damn right, I am. And if you remember, I prefer JELLO AND WHIPPED CREAM AFTER VERY TIRING SITUATIONS!"

"Calm down, woman, Merlin. What in the bloody hell is jello?"

"Sounds like something naughty..." Lucius said, smirking.

Oh, no. He did NOT just insinuate that I, of all people--! "You sick perverted---" I blinked...then sighed, groaning. "-- damned hormonal teenage boy. Damnit, and here I though I was tired. You lot really get to the nerves."

Lucius grinned, which looked genuine. But this is the act-god of acting, from what I can comprehend with my fuzzy little insignificant mind. "We know, dearest. That's why you love us."

I snorted and once Sev sat down, and quickly scrambled and laid back down, my head on his lap. "Thank you Numero Nueve, now shut your arse up and be quiet. I'm sleeping," I declared and closed my eyes.

Only to be dumped on the rather hard seat a second later. I whined and repetitively hit my head, very hard mind, on the seat. "Damn you. . . Is my comfort that much of a demon?"

The compartment door opened and I muttered obscenities. A polite but firm "Excuse me," could be heard.

"WHAT! Does anybody in England have respect for the unconscious!" I screamed.