Summary: Scarlett Potter vanquished Voldemort and won the war, but felt dead inside ever since. After being murdered by muggles, she finds out what the title of Mistress of Death really means and uncovers the many benefits that come with it. Starting again in a Universe where Grindelwald is the Dark Lord that killed her parents, what will Scarlett do differently?

Pairings: TMR/Fem!HP

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. Some scenes were inspired by other fanfiction writers... if anything has been done before I most likely have gotten my ideas from there.

A/N: Thank you for all of you that have been reviewing, favouriting and following this story. I'm glad you are enjoying it so far. Here is the next chapter!

Part 1 - Chapter 6

Scarlett was the first to enter the Defence classroom, choosing to sit in the middle of the front row. Hermione and Neville sat on either side of her, whilst Draco, flanked by Crabbe and Goyle, took the table behind her. Ron, not finding an empty seat next to them, had sulkily gone to sit at the back with Dean and Seamus. Scarlett wasn't really paying attention to the seating arrangements though, she was too busy engaging Riddle in yet another staring match. Scarlett's focus was abruptly diverted when she heard hissing coming from somewhere behind her, immediately followed by panicked shrieking.

"Don't mind Nagini," Riddle smirked. "She's my familiar and will join me in lessons from time to time."

By now Nagini had made her way to the front of the classroom and had proceeded to wrap herself around Riddle's shoulders. Scarlett couldn't help but admire the snake. She was very beautiful and extremely deadly. The perfect combination.

"Master! I scared the hatchlings for you." Nagini declared proudly. "You now owe me two juicy mice."

Scarlett had to stop herself from laughing out loud. Riddle had planned for the snake to scare the class, probably hoping to frighten them into submission. It certainly seemed to have worked. The room was deathly silent as everyone stared at the Defence professor and his familiar.

"Yes, Nagini. I'll get them for you later. You did very well. This will guarantee that I continue beating Severus as the Scariest Professor in Hogwarts," Riddle sounded rather smug, even in Parseltongue. "Now get off. I have to teach."

Riddle and Snape had a running competition of who was considered the scariest professor. Scarlett bit her lip in a valiant effort to remain composed. This was amazing material for future teasing.

Meanwhile, Nagini was looking affronted. "Master," she wailed. "How could you be so cruel? After all I have done for you!" Said Master did not appear to be at all impressed.

"Off. Now." Riddle ordered. Nagini gave him one more petulant glare before sulkily slithering off him and going to curl up in the corner of the room, hissing in displeasure the whole time.

Whilst the whole class had been shuddering in varying degrees of terror, Scarlett had been trying to maintain a completely blank face throughout the conversation. It would be highly suspicious if she started laughing after all and she wanted to keep her Parseltongue ability to herself for the time being.

"Just ignore the snake. She's harmless." Riddle effectively called all attention back to himself.

"Alright then. As you know I'm Professor Riddle and this is my assistant, Professor Quirrell," Riddle introduced, waving a hand in Quirrell's general direction. "Professor Quirrell will be assisting in classes, supporting students who require additional help. You may go to him if you need any form of assistance or support with your Defence Against the Dark Arts work. He will also be happy to answer any questions you may have."

Scarlett had been surprised to hear that Riddle wanted an assistant professor; however, it now made much more sense: he didn't want to have to deal with students outside of the classroom nor did he want to be bombarded with questions at all times so he hired someone to do that for him.

"M-my d-do-door is al-always o-open," Quirrell's smile seemed rather strained. Scarlett inwardly smirked: Grindelwald would be hating this.

"Now that's been sorted, let's go over a few things," Riddle said. "This class will be completely practical and I expect you to learn the theory in your own time. Each week you will also write an essay about the spells we used in class. I expect all of you to work hard and put forward your best effort. If any of you think that you can get by doing the bare minimum you are sorely mistaken. I will be able to tell if you are slacking off and I warn you now, you will not like the consequences."

Scarlett saw a few students gulping, Ron amongst them, whilst others, Hermione included, had a determined look in their eyes, obviously eager to prove their worth.

"While this class is called Defence Against the Dark Arts, I will endeavour to teach you Defence against wizards and Defence against creatures. There are three main branches of magic: Light, Grey and Dark. You have to be able to defend yourselves against all three of them as they can be equally deadly in the wrong hands. If you learn nothing else during the next seven years, I hope to at least make you understand that there is no good and evil, there is only power and those too weak to seek it."

'And there's Voldemort's motto,' Scarlett thought amusedly. She had to admit though that he was a very good motivational speaker. No wonder he'd amassed such a large following!

"Moving on, we will begin by learning a simple spell that could serve multiple purposes." Riddle flicked his wand and green sparks burst from its tip, flying into the air and harmlessly dissipating. "Can anyone tell me the incantation for this spell?"

Scarlett noted fondly that Hermione's hand was in the air before he'd even finished speaking, something that seemed to amuse Riddle.

"Yes, Miss Granger?"

"Verdillious, sir." Hermione answered eagerly. "It's identifiable by the green sparks. It's similar to the Vermillious charm which emits red sparks instead."

"Correct. Take five points for Gryffindor," Riddle said. Hermione beamed. "Now who can tell me why this spell could be useful if you find yourself in a dangerous situation?"

Hermione's hand shot in the air again and Riddle chuckled. "Yes, Miss Granger?"

"You could use it to call for help by shooting sparks in the air, in the hope that someone will locate you and come to your aid, sir."

Riddle nodded slightly. "That is one way of using it Miss Granger, but not the one I had been thinking of," he looked directly at Scarlett, challengingly. "Can anyone give me another example?"

Scarlett slowly raised her hand.

"Miss Potter?" Riddle practically purred the words.

"You could aim it at your opponent to distract them or, if you overpower the spell, it can be used to cause burns and mild shocks," Scarlett said dreamily, then she smiled sweetly. "At close range the spell can cause untold damage, it might even permanently scar your opponent. For example, if you aim for their eyes, they might never see again."

"Exactly. Ten points to Gryffindor." Riddle's smirk was sinful. "It's important to be able to think outside the box when faced with danger. Use everything in your arsenal to your advantage. Take what could be perceived as harmless and turn it into something deadly."

Scarlett couldn't help but smirk right back.

When the Potter brat had sauntered into the classroom, Gellert Grindelwald had barely managed to restrain himself from attacking her. The only thing that had stopped him was the knowledge that he wasn't strong enough to get away with something like that.

Gellert was irritated to note that Potter didn't seem the least intimidated by Tom's giant snake, rather staring interestedly at the conversation it was having with its owner. Even Gellert was unnerved by the beast, so how the eleven-year-old girl could remain completely impassive was beyond him.

Gellert noted with displeasure that Tom seemed to be fascinated by the Potter child, something that he would have to put a stop to immediately. He couldn't have his apprentice fraternising with the enemy after all. Gellert hadn't missed Tom's hungry eyes when Potter talked about how she would basically torture someone using a first-year spell. Gellert had to admit that was rather bloodthirsty for the Girl-Who-Lived.

He watched her now as she practised the new spell on a lifelike dummy. After demonstrating the correct wand movement and pronunciation, Tom had instructed the class to practise the charm on the training dummies that had materialised in front of each student.

Gellert watched interestedly as Potter faced her dummy. She flicked her wand, it was more of a twitch really, and green sparks flew towards the target. She had nonverbally cast the spell correctly on her first try. Gellert couldn't contain a quiet gasp when the spell connected with the dummy and left a deep, charred mark on it. She must be quite powerful, he thought rather disgruntled. Gellert glanced at Tom who had obviously also seen what Potter had just accomplished and was now staring at the girl as if she were a difficult puzzle that he couldn't work out. The girl in question simply smiled sheepishly back, but Gellert thought he could see a shadow of something darker lurking behind her eyes.

He tried to feel Potter's magic with his own but immediately withdrew in disgust. How revoltingly Light.

Tom watched the students file out of the room as soon as he'd dismissed them. It had been a good lesson as far as he was concerned. He reluctantly had to admit, if only to himself, that he'd enjoyed watching Potter decimate her dummy with what was widely regarded as a harmless spell. Tom had to wonder how Potter would look doing the same to an actual person.

Said girl had been packing her things extremely slowly and Tom saw her wave her friends out of the classroom and nod reassuringly at the ghost that was loitering outside the door, obviously wanting to be left alone. Tom still couldn't believe that the ghosts escorted her everywhere she went, especially the Bloody Baron. The Slytherin House Ghost spending all his time with a little Gryffindor. Unbelievable. The unlikely pair could often be seen conversing together as they strolled through the corridors. Tom was rather annoyed that Potter had managed to get the Baron to open up to her when he'd never really spoken to Tom more than absolutely necessary.

Soon only Potter and Tom were left in the room. He was curious to see what she wanted to speak to him about. Usually he never indulged students, simply pointing them to his assistant professor; however, he'd make an exception. It would be a good opportunity to learn more about the little puzzle.

"How may I help you Miss Potter? Were you not listening when I said that Professor Quirrell would handle all questions?"

"Well Professor," Potter begun, smiling mischievously. "I don't think Professor Quirrell would be able to help me. You see, I was wondering if you'd let me pet Nagini. She's such a beautiful snake and she seems so intelligent! You were having a conversation with her, right?"

Tom had definitely not been expecting that. The girl liked snakes? Would she ever do anything that was remotely normal? Nevertheless, Tom didn't see any harm in humouring her and called his familiar over.

"Nagini," he hissed, staring at Potter. "The little puzzle wants to pet you. She thinks that you are a beautiful and intelligent snake. Be gentle."

There was a strange gleam in Potter's eyes but he was unable to decipher it before she focused all of her attention on Nagini who was preening smugly.

"Beautiful? Intelligent? Me? Finally, someone who can appreciate me, unlike you Master!" Nagini had always been very vain for a snake. "Wait a minute. Little puzzle? Is this who you are always muttering about?"

Nagini had slithered over as she'd been talking and raised herself up so she could look at Potter properly.

"Hello lovely." The girl slowly extended her hand and started gently scratching Tom's familiar under her chin, in the exact spot that he knew she liked best.

"Yes, she is a little puzzle indeed." Tom murmured, not knowing how to feel about the scene taking place in front of him.

"I like her Master," Nagini declared, hissing happily. "The hatchling has very pretty eyes and she is very good at scratching. Tell her that she may come visit me whenever she wants."

Tom snorted and those pretty eyes snapped up to meet his.

"What is she saying?" Potter asked curiously.

"She says that she likes you and that you can visit her whenever you want." Tom translated.

Potter smiled brightly.

"I think I'll take you up on that, my darling." She whispered as she lovingly stroked Nagini who closed her eyes in contentment.

Tom was starting to think that it might have been a bad idea to introduce the two.

Ron Weasley had never owned anything that had been solely his. His wand had originally belonged to Charlie, his school robes had been worn by all his brothers before him, even his pet had once been Percy's; but he always took care of his possessions even if they were all second hand.

For example, Ron might wish that he had an owl rather than an old, fat rat that looked like it was dead half the time, but that didn't mean that he didn't care for Scabbers, who'd kept him company for a while now. So when he woke up one morning to find Scabbers missing he'd been extremely upset. Now he would have no pet at all!

Scarlett Potter had been unexpectedly understanding and had comforted and reassured him. Ron hadn't really spent much time with her as she preferred to pass most of her time in the library. The two were only acquaintances at best, so he'd been surprised when she'd gone as far as assembling the ghosts and starting a search party around the castle. All for his Scabbers. Scarlett really was as sweet and kind as everyone said she was.

Unfortunately though, not even the many Hogwarts ghosts could locate the little rat and Ron mourned the loss of his friend. On the bright side, maybe his mum would finally get him an owl now.

It couldn't hurt to ask…

At the same time, Amelia Bones, Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, was heading to her office after a very long and tiring day. She was just going to grab her things and finally floo home for a well-deserved rest.

However, as soon as she entered her office, she noticed a gift-wrapped box on her desk that definitely hadn't been there before. Amelia cast a few detection spells to make sure the present wasn't cursed, she'd been a target of attempted assassinations far too often for her not to take precautions, but she found nothing aside from a strong hex that prevented anyone who wasn't her from unwrapping the gift.

Intrigued, Amelia slowly opened the box. Inside she found an old rat in a glass jar. Confused, she picked up the note that had been included.

Madam Bones,

10 years ago, an innocent man was sent to Azkaban without a trial.

The animagus in the jar should be able to clear up the misunderstanding and answer any questions you might have.

It was unsigned.

Amelia sighed and called in a few Aurors.

"Animagus Revelius!" Amelia intoned clearly after placing the rat on the floor.

Imagine her surprise when she found Peter Pettigrew, alive and well aside for a missing finger.

It looked like Amelia wouldn't be getting her rest just yet.

INNOCENTS THROWN IN AZKABAN WITHOUT A TRIAL!

My dear readers, we all know Sirius Black: the man who betrayed the Potters to the Dark Lord Grindelwald; the man whose actions made his own goddaughter an orphan; the man who blew up twelve innocent muggles whose only crime was to be in the wrong place at the wrong time; the man who murdered Peter Pettigrew, one of his own best friends, in cold blood.

My dear readers, we all know Sirius Black as a traitor, a murderer and a Death Eater. We rejoiced at the news of his capture, we celebrated his imprisonment in Azkaban and we felt that his suffering at the hands of dementors was the least that he deserved for his crimes.

My dear readers, we were wrong.

We've been wrong for the past decade.

For ten long, cold, lonely years an innocent man, the Lord of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black has been falsely imprisoned, framed by none other than Peter Pettigrew who was awarded an Order of Merlin First Class after his 'death'.

You read that right my dear readers: Sirius Black is innocent.

Last night, an anonymous tip led to the capture of Peter Pettigrew, a man who had been declared dead over ten years ago. Pettigrew was found hiding in his unregistered animagus form. A rat, my dear readers. A very fitting form, as that is what Pettigrew really is, a traitorous rat. He is the one who betrayed the Potters to Grindelwald, he is the one who blew up those twelve muggles, he is the one who cut off his own finger in order to frame his one-time best friend.

An emergency trial was held early this morning, exonerating Lord Black of all crimes and sentencing Pettigrew to life in Azkaban.

The Ministry has been quick to try to make amends for the debacle, Minister Fudge issuing a public apology to Lord Black who will also receive ten thousand galleons for every year he spent in Azkaban and complimentary care from St Mungus to ensure that there are no side effects from his exposure to dementors.

But I have questions, my dear readers. Who was to blame for Lord Black's unjust imprisonment? Why did he never receive a trial when even the most notorious Death Eaters did? How many more innocents are being tortured by dementors unjustly? My dear readers, we deserve answers and I will strive to get them for you.

Rita Skeeter

Scarlett had to contain her smugness as she read the Daily Prophet. She'd finally gotten her hands on the filthy traitor and, managing to overcome the urge to torture him to death, had sent him straight to Amelia Bones. Scarlett trusted the Head of Magical Law Enforcement to get things moving quickly and to not attempt to cover the whole thing up. And she'd been right. Madam Bones had acted even faster than Scarlett had imagined possible.

'Sirius is finally free,' Scarlett thought happily. One of her biggest regrets had always been her godfather's death which had stopped the two from truly getting to know each other. Scarlett had cleared Sirius' name after the war but by that time it had already been too late. The man had already died, Sirius had already given his life for hers. That was something she wouldn't forget and she hoped that this Sirius would become just as important to her as the other one had been.

Scarlett had been relieved to read that Sirius would be getting professional help from St Mungus and she hoped that it would be enough to allow him to formally adopt her and take her away from her relatives. As much fun as it was to torment the Dursleys, she would very much prefer to spend her holidays around people that actually liked her and, more importantly, in a magical environment.

Either way, Scarlett could now relax and enjoy Hogwarts without having to worry about her godfather suffering needlessly. She was sure that everything would work out in her favour. She would make sure that it did.

A/N: Another one done! What do you think of Tom's lesson? I love reading your comments so please leave a review! Till next time!

Coming up: Broomsticks and trolls.