"I'm sorry Jill, we just can't trust you. You have too many secrets, none ofwhich you're willing to share with us. I think it's best if we just, you know..."

"Yes I understand, Hermoine. It is allright."

I understand completely. If I were you guys I wouldn't trust me either. Too much dark history and besides, I'd only endanger you all somehow. I'm just a burdan you shouldn't have to deal with. Don't worry about me, I will be fine. I'm always fine. I'm used to it by now, the Blacks, the Snapes, we were always hated, shunned...why should now...be any different?

"Are you off to see your mom Jill?"

"Yes, Draco. My godfather is ill and my mother needs me at home for a little while."

"What about school?"

"The teachers are allowing me to work on what I can when I get home but some of the other stuff I will have to make up when I get back."

"I-I'll miss you." Draco said ackwardly scuffing his foot on the stone floor as Jill smiled and hugged him.

"I'll miss you too, but I'll be back before you know it."

"Be careful."

"I will, you be careful as well." Draco nodded and stepped back as Dumbledore approached the two. Dumbledore placed a hand on Jill's shoulder and regarded Draco with a compassionate look.

"I am sorry to interrupt Master Malfoy but I am afraid that it is time for Jill to leave."

"Yes sir. I understand. It's allright, really." Dumbledore smiled and his eyes twinkled as Jill bid her cousin farewell sadly and followed Dumbledore, wherever it was he was leading her.

Suddenly he stopped in front of some ugly gargoyle-esque statues and muttered "I want candy" just as Jill was about to ask what they were doing in this weird place. Then the Gargoyles slid to the side exposing a revolving spiral staircase that went up beyond what could be seen at their angle. Jill's jaw dropped but obediantly shefollowed the Professor onto the stair case.

When they arrived at their destination Jill once again followed Dumbledore into the room and looked around in awe as Dumbledore went to his desk. He muttered an incantation softly but Jill paid no attention, she was petting the odd bird perched on a piece of branchof some sortand studyingthebirdintently.

"Jill. Jill Remus." Dumbledore spoke softly so as to not frighten her and she looked back at him.

"It is time for you to go Jill Remus."

"Oh, yes. I am sorry Professor, I just really like your bird is all sir."

"That is quite allright Jill. His name is Fawkes he is a Pheonix. Do you know about the Pheonix, Jill Remus?"

"Oh yes sir, I used to read books about them when I was really little. They're birds of rebirth, right?"

"You are right Jill. Pheonixes can survive almost anything and when it is time for them to die they are reborn from the ashes."

"From the ashes of a life..." She whispered quietly more to herself than anyone else and Dumbledore nodded.

"That's right. Well, it is time, please come here Jill." She nodded and walked up to Dumbledore who held out a tea cup to her.

"Sir?"

"Take the teacup Jill and soon you will be home." Before she placed her hands on the teacup Jill bowed to him and thanked him with all her heart then she placed her hands around the cup.

Jill felt an odd pulling at her insideswhile the room with Dumbledore went black and soon she was back in the Black Manor outside the library. There was a heated discussion going on so Jill decided she would listen in.

"You talk as if it is Sabine's fault that Jill is so adventurous."

"I am not saying it is Sabine's fault! If anyone's it's that oaf Sirius Black!"

"Severus! That is my husband you are talking about!"

"So! You don't seem to care either considering your relationship with his best friend!"

"Severus what a horrible-"

"Oh don't give me that rubbish I bet you don't even think twice about him when you're screwing each other's brains out! Not a care in the world for poor old pathetic Sirius."

Remus stood up in rage and Severus stood as well but they stopped before they could fight because at the door stood a distraught young girl whose eyes were haunted.

"Jill-" Severus began but she shook her head furiously, tears spilling out as she spun around and ran away.

What he was saying was horrid. How dare he say those things! But he was right, no one cared about him anymore, he was nothing more than a horrible memory. A burdan to all, just like me.