Chapter 3; Potions And Presents:

Elladora and Blaise walked down to the dungeons, and then filed in to the potion's classroom along with the rest of the class. And, of course they had potions with the Gryffindors. Blaise went to take their usual seats in the very back of the room, but Elladora grabbed him by the arm and dragged him up to the front of the room, in the two closest seats to the board.

Blaise asked: "Why are we sitting up here?"

"Because I want to see the board!"

"OK, then…"

Elladora sat down and waited patiently for class to begin. Potions was her favorite class, she loved the relaxing sensations she got everytime she stirred the gently simmering concoctions, and she was good at it too.

"Get out your ingredients and start brewing the potion on page 127." Slughorn said after the class had settled down.

They were brewing a mild truth serum today. And Elladora didn't want to mess this up. So, first she did was read through the directions carefully. After that she began to prepare all of her ingredients, and then read the directions, again. Then she began brewing, and read over each step, again, right before she performed it.

When class was almost over, and her potion completed, Elladora bottled up the slightly clear liquid, hoping she had done well. It wasn't as clear as she would have liked, but she had done her best. She got into line to give her finished product to Slughorn, and stood behind Granger, the 'perfect', little, mudblood. When she handed over her potion over Slughorn said "Well, good try, but this isn't quite perfect Miss Black."

"What? No… I- I followed all of the directions perfectly!" she stuttered, why did this keep happening?

"Well, clearly, you didn't, because this potion is 2 shades darker than it should be." Slughorn said disapprovingly. "But if you would like some help, you might consider asking Potter for some help, since he has such a knack for the craft."

Elladora turned on heal and walked back to her seat glowering. Then hissed at Blaise: "The day I ask Potter for help in Potions, is the day I'll marry a muggle!"

The bell rang, they shuffled to their next class, and the day went on just like any other. The rest of the month went on without anything special happening. Then came the last weekend of term, and the last Hogsmead weekend before the break. So Elladora bundled up in a cloak, and set off for the village, with Blaise, in the snow.

"So, what are you getting your parents?" asked Blaise as the walked down the main road, lined with shops.

"I don't know… got any ideas?"

"You're asking me? The person who just gives his parents chocolate for Christmas?"

"That's not true… I thought you got your mum a quill a few years ago?"

"Yeah, but I really liked that quill, so I kept it for my self and gave her candy."

"Nice… you're a real sweet-heart, you know that?" She sighed, "hmmm… I could get my mum a photo album, and fill it with pictures of me, from when I was younger."

"She should like that." Blaise thought for a moment then spoke. "Maybe I'll do the same for my mum."

"Oh, so now you're stealing my ideas?"

"Yes, got a problem with that?"

"I suppose not." She sighed, " just asking."

They walked to the book store and purchased their photo albums. Then stood outside uncertain of where to go next.

"Now where?" Asked Elladora.

"I don't know… maybe if we just wander around for a while we'll see something."

"OK, sounds good to me."

They wandered the streets looking in shop windows, and unsuccessfully finding anything for their fathers. Then they turned down a road that seemed to have more houses than shops. But Elladora didn't say anything, until they got to a house. It looked just like all the others. Except for the fact that it was unmistakably empty. She stopped dead in her tracks. And said softly: "Ummm… maybe we should turn back around."

Blaise turned back around and looked at Elladora. She had a blank look on her face, and was staring at the ground. He knew something was wrong so he said: "OK, let's go to Three Broomsticks, and get something to drink."

Then they walked back towards the main part of town. And Elladora took one last look at the house from over her shoulder. It still looked normal, but it caused so many memories, freshly suppressed memories to come flooding back. Her memories of that 'meeting' that changed her life.

((Flashback)):

Elladora looked down at her watch. It was almost 9:00, she had better leave now, or she would be late. She called to Blaise, who was looking at some Acid Pops in Honeydukes.

"I've got to go. I'll see you at dinner."

"Wait, where are you going?" he asked, but it was no good, Elladora was already out the door.

Elladora walked as quickly as she could without causing herself to look suspicious. She gripped the letter in her pocket, that instructed her to go to a certain house in the village at 9:00 am, and told her she was being summoned. Anticipation and nervousness overwhelmed her as she stood outside of the house. She took out the letter and checked that she was at the right house, she was. Elladora walked up to the door. 'Should I knock? Or just go in?' She thought she'd take her chances and just walked in, knocking as she opened the door.

"Hello?" Elladora asked.

"Come in." said a soft, voice. The words were almost hissed, by a male voice. No doubt it was Voldemort's. Elladora shut the door softly behind her. And walked into the sitting room, where sat a dark figure facing the fire, with their back to her. 'This is it.' She thought.

Elladora took a deep breath, and bowed out of formality. But her voice slightly quivered as she spoke. "My Lord. You wished to see me?"

"Yes. Come sit with me Elladora."

Elladora walked cautiously over to the chair situated next to her master's. She sat uncomfortably strait, but looked down at her hands in her lap.

"We have much to talk about." He said after a few moments. Elladora just nodded, still not looking up.

"It's strange, isn't it? That we haven't really been properly introduced. And yet, you come here, without question, as any other of my Death Eaters would."

"Very, my Lord." Elladora said in a small voice.

"You haven't seen Bella, or Rudolphus yet, since they returned, have you?"

"No, my Lord."

"Well be assured that Bella really wanted to be here, but she was busy on a mission for me. And, well, Rudolphus doesn't even know about this." he chuckled softly, and it sent a chill down Elladora's spine.

"Well let's get down to business."

'Great, he's going to ask me to spy on Potter, just what I want to do!' Elladora thought in a sarcastic way.

"There is something I need to tell you. I thought this would be an appropriate time, because it gives us privacy, and I think you are old enough to know, soon as your 17th birthday is in a few weeks…. I don't know exactly how to say this, which is a first for me, so I'll just tell you strait out."

Elladora was intrigued by now, she looked up at Voldemort. His red eyes seemed to be glowing in the light of the fire. He continued, "About 18 years ago, I decided that, even though I was determined to become immortal, that I wanted, needed, an heir." he paused, and stared into the fire as he went on. "Naturally, I wanted my heir to be of my own flesh and blood, not just someone whom I considered to be faithful, and 'right' for the position. No, what I needed was someone, who could give me a child."

Elladora was flooded with fear. 'Is he asking me to do what I think he is? OH! God I hope not!'

"So," he continued, "I went to your mother." 'Oh, thank God!' thought Elladora. "And I told her what I needed of her, and she complied, of course, and…. Well I'm sure you can fill the blank…Anyways, then 9 months later, in December, Bella gave birth to a baby girl, my baby girl."

"Are you trying to tell me…"

"Yes, Elladora, I am your father."

Elladora was so shocked, she laughed. She couldn't help it, she just laughed.

"No… no way…. What?" she mumbled, clearly confused.

"You heard me."

"Does Rudolphus know?"

"No. None but me and Bellatrix, and now you, of course."

Elladora nodded, stunned, starring into the fire.

"I need you to do me a favor." He said, "I need you to not tell anyone. Only for your own protection, of course. I don't want to risk anything happening to you."

"Oh, uh, OK, I promise."

"That was all I had to tell you. You may leave now, if you like."

Elladora nodded, in a kind of stunned state. Then stood up. And bowed. "Thank you, for telling me. It has been a pleasure, to get to speak to you." she said in monotone.

"Your welcome. I'll see you soon."

"OK, er… goodbye."

"Goodbye Elladora." Voldemort said with a soft chuckle.

She left the house still stunned, and walked back to the castle. Unable to believe what had happened.

((End Flash back))

Elladora entered Three Broomsticks, with Blaise, and took a seat in the back while he got them some Butterbeers. When he returned, with their drinks he asked: "What are you thinking about?"

"Oh! Nothing." Elladora said realizing how quiet she had been. " I was just thinking that maybe candy is the best thing to give my father."

"See! Candy is a good present!"

"Ya, if you have no idea what to get someone." He just shrugged, and smiled.

When they finished their drinks, they paid, and left for Honeydukes. Where they each purchased large boxes of candy for their parents. But as they headed up the hill towards the castle Elladora thought: 'Oh no! I got my present for Rudolphus, but not for my father! And I can't give him candy! Looks like I'll be shopping over the break.'

A/N: I hope you liked this chapter! Please review! I'll try really hard to update again tomorrow! Thanks for reading! Please review! Please review! Please review!