A/N - Thanks to all who read, reviewed, favorited and followed. Getting those notifications have made it a bit easier to be keeping myself apart from family and friends. Thanks for helping me keep my sanity.

*TGE*TGE*TGE*

The spring thaw was well under way as the students of Hogwarts prepared for their final school break of the year. As was usual, a good number of students remained in order to prepare for the upcoming tests or chance to relax with their friends. This did not occur for the children who called Malfoy Manor or in the case of Hermione, the Malfoy lands, home.

In addition to Neville and Daphne, the three children sat in nervousness as the train barreled its way to Kings Cross. "Hermione, if you want, you can come by mine. We can even spend time in the library." Daphne saw Hermione start to deteriorate again over the last week. Something seemed to have hit her and it was dragging her down.

"Thanks Daph, I'll let you know." Hermione's gaze seemed unfocused as it looked out the window, barely moving to acknowledge her friend. "I'll let you know, I'm not sure how often they will let me see Draco." Harry put his arm around Hermione and allowed her to lean into him. He smiled at Daphne and mouthed 'thanks' to the girl.

Daphne gave Harry a smile before returning her focus to Hermione. Everyone in the carriage tried to help her over the last few days, but she seemed to be drifting off. The boys knew spending the break with Draco would help Hermione, but they couldn't say anything in front of Daphne. When Astoria appeared and asked Daphne to talk, the carriage was given a short opportunity.

"I don't want to talk about it. I'll see him soon." Hermione shook off her friends concerns and looked at Blaise. "Blaise?"

A couple of weeks earlier he received a note from Lucius giving the boy permission to admit what he saw in September. "I'm doing fine. I feel a lot better after being able to tell you all. I know you'll be on look out and it makes me feel better."

Hermione smiled with a bit more life, "We look out for each other. It's what family does." Blaise blinked the tears from eyes. He never had anyone like his friends before, his elf was great and Blaise loved him, but to have friends was something totally different. To have what he always thought a family should be with these people comforted him more than he could explain.

"Thanks Hermione. We will get through all of this together." As the train neared Kings Cross, Hermione began to get more excited. Each minute that passed, was a minute closer to being home.

*TGE*TGE*TGE*

Maria Zabini paced the empty house. After fleeing the muggle hovel, she returned to her family home. The only items in the entire building were a bed, a desk and her mother's portrait. "Have you succeed yet?" The portrait, a striking woman and the reason Maria was so beautiful, scowled at her daughter. "This is why you failed the family. You are not strong enough."

Maria glared at her mother, hatred coursed through her veins and finally her magic broke the hold. Broke the compulsion the old bastard put over her. "No mother, I'm stronger than you ever were. You are the reason our line ended with a son." Maria stalked to the far wall and waved her hand over it. The wall shimmered and a safe appeared.

Maria opened the hidden security feature and pulled out a diary. It was one the portrait recognized, "Where did you get that?"

With a malicious grin, Maria turned to her mother, "Father left it for me. When you died all the vaults you thought were given to charity, were opened to me." Maria flipped through the pages and found the entry she wanted, "This explains why our grand family line has ended."

August 4th, 1718

I have been told by Orphne, our long awaited child currently grows in her womb. The woman, my wife, believes I am unaware of her duplicity. No, if anything, I know more than she. The woman, the nymph, grows older as the days pass. She is nearing the end of her fertile years and that is why she allowed the child to be conceived.

She shall pass to the other side many years after me, when she does, she shall be met by her family. Only they will know she brought about the end of their storied history. The vow made over the dark river centuries ago, broken by her own mother, started the end of the darkness. Vows, even those made with deities believed gone, still resound in the earth.

My future long revolved around this day. The day I learned I would be a father. As a young wizard I learned of the future from Delphi herself. One of the only prophesies she made since the fall of the old gods and goddesses.

She prophesied I would be tempted by the darkness, but she did not mean the darkness of magic, no something more old. More ancient, a darkness known only to the Goddesses Styx and Nyx, so I waited until that fateful day. Waited for the day the lightness began to fade and I embraced the darkness.

I knew the moment I saw the rivers of black hair curling down her back. The chaos her eyes shone like a demented promise. I knew this nymph would be responsible for my death. Delphi, in her special way and for her own reasons, gave me a way to gain my vengeance. My daughter would appear as all daughters from this line did.

A daughter, a daughter to carry on the line of bringing misery and hatred. A daughter who embraced her destiny with vigor and zeal. A daughter, who in time, would bring forth the end of the line by producing a son. This boy, my future grandson, a boy I will not see, will be the fruit of the broken vow.

My child, my daughter, when you read this, you will find your heritage. What your mother hid from you. As the old beliefs started to fade into more modern ideas, those living above and below Olympus began to adjust. Because people no longer believed, it does not mean those part of the old beliefs disappeared. No, they adjusted, reimagined and migrated into the mortal world.

Your mother, her name is what you need to search. With her name you shall discover why you kill. Why the darkness comes so easy to you and does not seem to leave any marks. I shall leave you with the ability to do so, as it is the only way for my vengeance to be fulfilled. You my daughter, shall be the one to end the line started eons ago. The second son of the Orphne line will be your curse. I am proud to be the one who ends this travesty.

Maria finished the entry and glared at the canvas on the wall. The witch in the painting stood shocked at the implications of what she heard. "How did he know?"

"It seems Mother, Delphi has a bit of a sore spot against our family. Do you want to know why?" Orphne glared at her daughter, she didn't need to be told, she knew. She was the result of the reason after all. "Ah, so you do know. I went to Delphi, she spat at me. Said I was the last of the nymph who called the underworld home. She cackled when I asked about my child." Maria paced.

The pair continued to glare at each other. "You can correct this girl. Why have you not?"

Maria's laugh was bitter, "Why mother? Because of the Orphne curse, ONE child and only one. It was the deal made with those who still rule the underworld. The reason Orphne's granddaughter was allowed to leave. The vow that allowed our grandmother to leave Hades and enjoy the pleasures of the flesh, also forbade us to use our powers over those whom the gods have marked."

Maria suddenly looked older, the youthful visage seemed to melt away, "Delphi stated I had no chance to continue the line. I tried, but a moment before I could cast the curse to end the dreaded pregnancy, Delphi's minions removed my magic. I had to swear a vow to raise the boy. Swear to ensure my family was totally and completely destroyed."

Maria huffed and faced down the last link to the history no one would know. "Of course, having taken that vow, it made my decision on how to proceed all the easier." Maria waved her now bare ring finger in a mocking manner. "I have far exceeded any of the family. I will be long remembered as the Black Widow."

The madness that slowly consumed those descended from Orphne, raged in the witch's black eyes. "None will know my power, —" Maria waved her hand and the skin around her face became more firm, more supple. Her eyes shifted from black to a violet so stunning the portrait could hardly look away. Her nose became smaller, almost petite with the smallest tilt upward at the tip. Her lips darkened to an unnatural red. The dark hair traditionally marking the family, lightened to a soft brown with the barest hint of red. Her breasts lifted, became more full. Her stomach flattened. Her hips rounded into a figure desirable in the current age. When the portrait looked again, the daughter she knew was not standing before her "— I will have more death before I cross over."

Maria pulled her wand from the safe, the wand she had as a child and left when it was time to grasp her destiny. The other items, presents from her long dead father, allowed her to live the life she desired. "This will be the last time you see me before I cross over mother. Enjoy your family knowing you brought this about." Maria flicked her wand and watched as the portrait erupted into flames.

A moment before the flames touched last of the canvas, the older woman whispered a curse and disappeared. Maria, not noticing, cackled in glee knowing she was now the most powerful of the old magic. No man could deny her. She ran her fingers over her new body and smiled.

Pulling the final items from safe, Maria packed a bag and disappeared. Not knowing where she wished to go next, she allowed magic to guide her. She only had a couple more countries in Europe before she killed at least one man in each country. She knew with the time she still had, she could move onto the next continent. Continue to cause more damage.

*TGE*TGE*TGE*

Neville chuckled at Aggie as she practiced her moves. "You know Crooks won't go anywhere he doesn't want to go?" The youngest Longbottom placed her hand on her hips and gave her brother a long suffering look.

"Crooks loves me. He told me." Aggie continued her ducks and dives as the rest of the family sat in the garden.

"Maybe having Crooks visit was a bad idea." Alice watched her daughter and shook her head. "Only seems to have made her more determined to steal Hermione's familiar." Frank, laughing at his daughter's attempt at a somersault, nudged Alice.

"It was a fine idea, Rich mentioned how the cat seemed quite pleased when Jean told him of the most recent visit. Jean thinks the cat is up to something." Frank chuckled, the cat did seem to have his own agenda, "I just think it's probably time we get her a pet. Maybe not a familiar, but something for the family, not sure a cat would be a good idea." Alice shook her head.

"No from what Jean mentioned, Crooks isn't a fan of other animals. He only tolerates the boys's owls. That is on a good day." Alice looked at Neville and his concerned expression, "No worries about Trevor. Whatever we get will be smart and understand Trevor's importance."

"Thanks Mum." Neville took a bite of food and started to chew when his expression changed. Frank noticing the shift opted to not say anything until Neville made the decision to explain. "Dad?" Frank waved Neville on, as Frank bit into his meal. "This summer, do you think we could go back to that place we found in the West Country?"

Neville didn't notice the looks his parents gave each other, instead he continued with the request. "I told Professor Sprout about a couple of the plants and she wanted to see them. Would that be ok?" Frank hadn't thought about what the summer would bring, there were still so many loose threads.

"Let's wait until school's over and I know what the summer is like in the new department. I don't think it will be a problem, but I don't want to agree and then have to tell you no."

"Thanks Dad. I'm going to check on a couple of sprouts I saw yesterday in the garden." Neville jumped up and headed toward the garden gate without looking back.

"When are you going to tell him?"

"Not sure, but I think he is actually feeling the same thing I am. There is this draw to go back there. Telling Professor Sprout and using her as a reason is probably the easiest way for him to ask. He doesn't understand why he wants to go, just that he does." Frank's gaze shifted to Aggie who now was hiding behind a tree and darting to the safety of another. "But to your question, I will wait until he is older, seventh year, but probably after he graduates."

Alice laid her head on Frank's shoulder, "Whatever you think is best."

*TGE*TGE*TGE*

Gellert Grindelwald paced. He needed information and was at a loss as to where it would be. He knew of the family, but when he visited Little Hangleton, the property was vacant. Well, there was an old house, in fact it was the cottage in which he currently stood, but nothing to indicate where the family went.

After searching the house for weeks he was no closer to the location of the stone. He didn't even know what happened to the family. In the middle of his rant, the man heard a knock at the door. With his wand at the ready, Gellert opened the door to find an old man. "Who you? What you doing on Riddle land?"

Gellert, not recognizing the name, but knowing an opportunity when he saw it, smiled at the muggle man. "I'm looking for my cousins. We are distantly related and I just made the connection. But when I got here, the place was empty." The old man's snort brought the wizard up short, maybe he would just kill the muggle and be done with it.

"They are gone. Have been for decades. The property was gifted to the Riddles by the daughter." Gellert nodded, hoping there was more information. "Don't know why, but Lord Riddle is trying to sell it. Has been since he received the notification. Though all the buyers seemed to be chased off. Until he sells it, I'm supposed to watch out for vagrants."

The man looked a bit suspiciously at Gellert. "I assure you, I'm not a vagrant. I apologize, I didn't realize my cousin passed on or that she bequeathed the land. I will leave now." As Gellert passed, he obliviated the man and made sure he would never remember seeing the fugitive. Killing him could only led to questions Gellert wasn't ready to deal with, at least not yet.

After slipping behind a tree and watching the caretaker leave, Gellert sat and wondered just the significance of this muggle family. What was so special about this Riddle? With at least a name to go on, Gellert decided it might be better to leave England for a bit. He wanted to go and plan originally, but Albus swore his idea was better.

By the time May rolled around, Gellert Grindelwald masked his appearance and arrived at a small building. When Gellert waved his wand and placed it in a small hole, a door appeared. Gellert stepped in and found the building just as he left it. With a base of operations, Gellert began to work out what he needed, what he knew and what he suspected. He hoped to have a plan in place by the fall.

*TGE*TGE*TGE*

The spring hols came and went. Hermione found it more difficult to leave when it was time to return than she did after the Yule hols. Her magic knew she would be apart from Draco and it didn't like that at all.

To evidence how the separation was affecting Hermione, she opted to not take the new muggle technology course to the surprise of absolutely everyone. While she was a bit slower on completing her homework, she still finished it well before it was due. No one could complain about her work, but it was obvious something was wrong.

Severus watched and wondered just why Hermione was so impacted. It was worse than when Draco was in the magical coma. Worse than when they didn't know anything. So he continued to monitor her and have Harry provide updates on things that happen when they were in the Tower.

*TGE*TGE*TGE*

The rest of the school, eager to learn about muggle technologies, spent the half term talking about all the amazing things the muggles accomplished. The few muggleborns in their first and second years became quite the popular students. They understood it was simply due to their knowledge.

As the course moved from things students raised in the magical could easily understand, like radio compared to wizarding wireless, they found themselves unable to imagine airplanes or space travel. Pictures that didn't move seemed to amaze the students more than muggles seeing the pictures that moved in the magical world.

When the topic of television was brought up, the students who knew about them sat at the edge of their seat. For each of the topics, the school was given an evening to fully appreciate the technology. For airplanes, a variety of models were brought in and a simulator that allowed them to feel the difference between a plane and a broom.

For space, the hall turned pitch black and they watched a space shuttle take off and spent the evening floating through space seeing the Earth and Moon from the different perspective. For art, the hall was converted to a gallery. Examples of the greatest of the muggle art masters lined the temporary gallery. In addition to a variety of cameras the students could use to take muggle photographs, a sample of oil and water color paintings and sculpture also were available for the students to inspect.

Finally there was television, Harry and Blaise waited to hear what night the school would be granted their evening to watch the telly. Everyone in the school knew the finals were scheduled for the second to last day of the television section. Matt, who along with Lucius, taught the class, seemed to be dragging out the announcement.

The boys knew it was on purpose and probably on Lucius's command. Matt was too nice to torture children like this. Finally the man chuckled, "It seems as if there is something on most of your minds today." He wanted until Harry huffed and sent a bit of a glare. "Harry, is there something you'd like to ask?" Lucius snorted at the boy's expression.

"Thanks Matt, yes there is. For all the other topics, we've been given the chance to see and use many of the items." Matt smiled and nodded, as if that was all Harry wanted, "So are we going to get to watch the telly? If so, when?" Matt couldn't hold back the laugh any longer.

"Of course you will and I suspect you wonder if the television demonstration will be the last night of the section, as all the other areas have been." It was the point and why Lucius planned everything as he did. The students who suddenly looked bereft at not getting to watch the finals sat quietly, waiting for their hearts to be broken.

Lucius, who was attempting to continue with the plan he and Draco set up, stepped into the conversation, "There are a variety of shows available on Friday. In addition to live television broadcasts, there is a way to record shows and watch them later. It's actually the next section topic." Harry glared, he knew Draco was part of this now, "I don't suspect you have the most recent broadcasting schedule, so does it matter?" Harry, red in the face now, only wanted to watch the finals. Was that so difficult?

"Lucius, the students are getting agitated, please stop." Lucius looked over his shoulder and saw Minerva with crossed arms and slight glare. It was an expression and stance he recognized from his days at the school.

Lucius bowed and turned back, "The television demonstration will be showing the Quid —" the rest of Lucius's statement was drowned out by the yells and screams indicating how excited the student body was. He thought about continuing the joke but Minerva would probably hex him.

As the students noise quieted, Lucius saw Harry and Blaise hugging each other and laughing with tears of pure joy and happiness. "Now your attention, prior to the start of the finals, we will be airing some of the muggle Olympic events from February. For those of you not familiar with the event, we will discuss it a bit tomorrow in class."

At their dismissal, the students rushed out to tell their friends who were in the other sessions. Harry remained and gave Lucius a look. "Thanks Lucius, I'm sure you didn't plan that alone." Since Draco was still believed to be in his coma, his name was not mentioned. Lucius played down his normal nature, which was noted, and most suspected it was the unknown state of his son. But a valiant attempt at continuing their life for when Draco returned.

*TGE*TGE*TGE*

The hall was filled hours before the finals, some were there to start their cheering early, others to watch the Olympics. It seemed quite a few of the students found the idea very interesting and wanted to see just what muggles could do on skis and skates. Only a few events were shown, as they did have class that day, but enough to make an impression.

Hermione sighed and studied between events. She'd watched a number of them over the spring holiday with her father. But that was more for research purposes. So the ice skating, biathlon, and luge were just because she liked those events. Their group decided to meet in the hall instead of their common room just to see different events.

Harry smirked as Hermione cheered for the French Women's relay as they beat the Norwegian Women by almost two full seconds. Harry glanced at the piece of parchment in front of Hermione, he realized she was drawing out a course that included a target range. Suddenly Harry seemed quite interested in the idea of skiing and being about to cast spells. Something to think about for after they got home this summer. When Matt flipped on the live feed, the hall quieted and everyone, with the exception of Hermione, focused on the screen.

The witch turned her total focus to her studies. She'd been having a difficult time focusing recently but found if she was uninterested in what was going on around her, she could power through. So as the hall yelled and screamed for the match, Hermione remained in the zone and finished all the assignments she still needed. She then turned to do some studying for the year end terms. Her timetable for the end of the year was packed.

Instead of letting it bother her, Draco would kill her if she had a panic attack and he wasn't around again, she tried to remind herself that each day was one closer to going home. After finishing her Transfiguration, Hermione looked up and noticed everyone leaning on the edge of their seats. Glancing at the television, she saw the camera chasing the seeker who apparently saw the snitch. A moment later the hall erupted again as the snitch was shown in the seeker's hand.

Hermione started to pack up her things and placed her head on the table. Maybe she'd take a quick nap until everyone was ready to return to the dorm. That of course didn't happen, Harry pulled her up and hugged her and screamed in her ear. She smiled and hugged him back.

*TGE*TGE*TGE*

The time between the quidditch finals and the year end tests flew by and before Hermione realized it, the tests were set to start the next week. She rubbed her eyes and not for the first time, she felt horribly behind. She missed Draco and felt his absence everyday. Harry and Blaise both tried to help and even Neville spent more time with her. But none of them filled the hole and for the first time in her life, she wanted school to be over.

"Hermione" She looked to her potions professor and nodded. She not only felt behind in her studying, but was not as far along with her extra potions course as she wanted to be. "I think slowing down is a good thing. I may have been pushing you to go too fast."

"No Professor Snape, it helps me. I just feel so, —" She didn't know how to explain what she felt, but it was distracting her. "I just need to focus more. I'm sorry, please continue." Severus looked to Blaise and Hermione before shaking his head.

"Blaise, please go find Harry and come back here immediately." The young wizard quickly left in search of Harry and found him studying with Daphne. After figuring out a way to get him away from Daphne without her suspecting anything, the two boys returned to the dungeons.

"Good, come on you three, I shouldn't do this, but you are all in need of this." He ushered the trio to his quarters, "Go to the Manor. Cissy is waiting." Hermione didn't pause before she was spinning away to toward Draco. After the boys left Severus gave Aurora a kiss. "I'm going as well, there is something I want to mention to Lucius."

*TGE*TGE*TGE*

By the time Severus arrived, the children already escaped the receiving room and he found Narcissa standing in the room shaking her head. "You would think they hadn't seen each other in years." Severus decided it would be best not to respond. "I worry about," Narcissa paused not knowing how to continue her thought.

"Yes, she has been very unfocused these last couple of weeks. I know the boys and Miss Greengrass have been helping her, but it is worrisome."

"Thank you for bringing them Severus. Draco has been bored as of late and I'm worried he will stage a coup and take over the company from Lucius. I'm not ready for Luc to be home all day everyday." Her attempt at lightening the situation worked and the pair laughed at the image.

"That would be a sight but I suspect he would happily hand over the reins so he and Rich could focus on their personal line." Narcissa hummed in agreement and waved Severus toward the door. "I told Sophie we would be back after dinner."

The pair made their way to the parlor where the family gathered for a few hours.

*TGE*TGE*TGE*

Luc paced outside the office of the French Minister, ever since discovering Dumbledore's apprehension, Luc had the distinct feeling something wasn't right. He knew if Frank could help him more, he would. Frank assured Luc he was fine and he could still work with Henri on the other topic but that he couldn't be of help with Dumbledore. He did mention a few books that were noted in Dumbledore's personal library that seemed unusual. Luc spent the last couple of weeks reading the oh-so-dark books.

The evening before he finished the last one and shuddered at his conclusion. If this is what Dumbledore did, then more than the ICW would want to know and that is what worried Luc. He'd been able to keep the role of the hallows secret, but this would be something else the public was better off not realizing was possible.

"She's ready Luc, go on in." Nodding at the assistant, Luc entered the room and found the Minister in a frazzled state.

"Minister" she rolled her eyes and waved him into the room.

"I know your contact in the British Ministry has his hands tied, I was able to confirm that with the man who fumbles his duties as their Minister. You mentioned he gave you some potential help. What of that?"

Luc sat down and sighed, "Minister, what is it about that school? What causes apparent normal witches and wizards to go so drastically off the rails?" She shrugged, it was a common conversation recently. "The unusual books Frank mentioned belonging to Dumbledore are the darkest things I've ever come across. I believe the man made a horcrux."

"No"

"Unfortunately I have no way to confirm or to determine what object was used to house the torn portion of the soul." Luc leaned back and closed his eyes, "I would think the event happened a long time ago, everything we have on him, shows a very consistent attitude and behavior patterns. There is no change indicating something so major occurred. So that leaves us with a time that is undocumented, a time where very few people who knew him are still alive."

"I agree, I have been going over the letters you were provided and some of the other documents relating to his relationship with Grindelwald. If what you suspect did occur, I feel it had to happen during that time. Some of the comments, they are strange about his attitude. I feel the secret is there. What else do we know?"

"Frank mentioned a brother. I believe he lives close to Hogwarts. I'll see if we can get him to speak with us. What has been decided about Amelia?"

"The ICW finished speaking with her yesterday. I believe they are going to recommend she be provided with additional support and also some therapy to deal with the attitude that is assuredly the collateral damage from Dumbledore's machinations in her career."
"She's a good auror, but she needs something, I just don't know what. Plus she hates me." Luc shrugged in a way that reminded the Minister of a younger man.

"You look like that second year who got caught running a dessert scam and offered to split the profit with the prefect." That made Luc laugh loudly.

"You made out quite well with that deal. Don't deny it."

"I won't, but it's why I trust you and that was what I reported to the ICW when they asked my opinion on her."

"Thank you Michele, she probably won't see it, but I believe that was the correct move. Not that this advances the investigation, but at least we have one of the escapees. Dumbledore cannot escape and we suspect what Grindelwald is trying to locate." With her nod, Luc left the office relieved his counterpart wouldn't lose her job.

*TGE*TGE*TGE*

Luc thought about his theories and felt it was time to discuss them with someone else. He requested a meeting with Dora that afternoon and laid out what they knew, what they suspected and what they thought they didn't know. After getting Frank's buy-in, Luc planned to let Dora in on what the pair really knew about the hallows.

"Mum always said, you don't know what you don't know. But this is a pretty good list." The pair sat at the large table and went over every bit of evidence. "What about those books from Frank?"
"Ah yes," Luc pushed the stack closer to the witch, "some very dark work really. The books deal with theories on eternal life. Most conclude it's not possible."

Luc picked through the stack and set two off to the side, "These are the two I found most interesting." Dora skimmed the books and paused about halfway through the first.

"Is this what you think he did?" Luc hummed and allowed Dora to continue to read. She stopped and pulled some of the notes and a piece of blank parchment. This is why he asked Dora for her assistance, she wasn't his second in command, but the witch was quite skillful in dissecting clues. Luc watched her focus sharpen, her hair typically bright pink only shifted when her emotions became too much. At least that was the explanation given to him.

But, he knew when she was totally focused her hair shifted to black, grew longer and curled. He once asked Andi about it, the older witch smiled and admitted the black was her daughter's natural color. The hair that linked her to centuries of Blacks. Andi also mentioned it only appeared when she was totally focused or deeply asleep. Both were rare events.

After noting Dora's dark hair, Luc began to put his concerns on a different aspect of the situation on paper when he heard the telltale tapping of Dora's quill. Looking up, the black hair returned to its usual pink hue. "I think he did it. Everything we have talks about how the death of his sister caused him to fundamentally change. He spun it to mean he stopped his quest with Grindelwald, but that isn't the case."

Luc agreed, he hadn't thought about the younger sister. "Michele and I decided we need to speak with his brother. I believe Aberforth lives in Hogsmeade." Dora clicked her tongue.

"I don't like how everything revolves around that blasted school. I'm so glad Mum and Dad moved." The pair started to organize the paperwork and store it for the evening. "What do you think it was?"

"That is a good question, from what the other book says, the spell is almost immediate so it has to be something on hand, or close. Until we speak with Aberforth, I have no idea what may or may not have been around."

"Let me know when you go, I'd like to go and I'll get Remus as well. There is something odd about that village and I'd prefer to have him close. He at least spent a good bit of time there during his school years."

"Not a bad idea, I may have to make him an honorary auror before this is all said and done. But there is something else you need to know. Something Frank and I kept back." Dora didn't say anything and allowed Luc to continue, "You know how we think he is searching for the hallows. But what I didn't explain when I brought the rest of the team in was, —" Luc seemed hesitant, but determined, "— We know the hallows are real Dora."

"I don't understand Luc. How do you know?"

"Think about the morning of the stakeout, what did that little elf tell me." Luc saw the moment she remembered, the moment she figured it out, "Yes, and when I disarmed him, I took the elder wand."

"Is it…"

"It's safe and somewhere completely out of reach. What we need to do is figure out the other two. I have no idea how to find a cloak or stone after all these centuries." They sat in silence for a couple of minutes, "Henri is trying to follow up on an idea Frank had but is running into problems."

"What's his angle?"

"Tracing the families to current times. To see if the gifts were handed from parent to child. If they still exist." Dora closed her eyes and thought about what Luc said. What they needed to find.

"I think I should know something Luc, like it's right on the edge of my brain. Is it ok if I speak with Remus on this?"

"Only in the secured room, but yes bring him in as well. Frank and I feel you both could help us." The pair of French aurors cleaned up and left the meeting room. There was nothing more talking could do.

*TGE*TGE*TGE*

After completing their end of term tests, the students of Hogwarts stood anxiously waiting for their carriage to take them to the train. It had been a long term and like the year before, some of the students much preferred the newer school. Especially the new half term class on muggle technology.

While most of the students had a firm grounding in the muggle world, there were nuances of the culture they didn't know. This introduction was the start and Sophie planned to review the Muggle Studies course over the summer. It seemed to be woefully behind the times.

"I know you're excited Hermione, but they will wait until we get home." Harry loudly whispered. The family decided it was time to release the joyous news of both Hannah and Draco's miraculous recoveries. With that decision, Hermione was given permission to decide how to release the story at school.

After some planning sessions with Harry, Blaise and Neville, the four students came up with a rather plausible story. One that again made the elder Malfoy acknowledge the children were getting too intelligent for their own good. And for his ability to keep a close eye on them.

"They better not, Mum promised." Daphne, who had been standing with Astoria, realized something was going on.

"Hermione, what are you talking about?"

Hermione looked around, trying to act like it was a big secret, knowing full well the action would cause the rest of the students to pay even closer attention. "Mum sent me a letter. I got it just before I finished packing." Hermione pulled out a letter and returned it to her shoulder bag without allowing anyone to read it.

"She said the Healers finally found the cure. He could be awake by the time we get home. Mum said they won't release him today, but I worry about not being there when he wakes up. She made it sound like they would wait for us before they started to wake him. But she didn't say they would."

Hermione, trying to put forward the correct expression, swallowed a bit uncomfortably, "I told him I'd not leave him. That I'd be there. And I haven't been Daph. I've been here and he's been there." Hermione's tears weren't fake, the feelings of abandonment she felt were real. She didn't realize how much she believed her words until they were spilling from her lips.

Daphne hugged Hermione tightly trying to hold in her squeal. She was a Slytherin, but there isn't a protocol about discovering your friend, who was cursed, was now or would soon be cured. There should be a protocol for that, Slytherins did have a history with curses. So the young witch thought on what she did know and decided to play it cool to the rest of the observers. She whispered excitedly, "That is so great. I know you will want to be with him, so let him know I'm glad he's back. Once you are ready share him, send me a note and I'll be right over."

"Thanks Daphne." Hermione heard the whispers start and knew by the time they got home everyone and their distant cousin would know about Draco. It was a relief.

When their group reached the train, she saw Cedric who smiled a wide grin and cocked his head to the side. It looked like he was asking a question and when he mouthed Draco, she understood. Looking around, still trying to put out the idea it was a secret, she smiled and nodded. Cedric seemed to relax knowing both of the younger children were now out of harms way. He smiled once more and jumped on the train.

*TGE*TGE*TGE*

When the Express arrived at Kings Cross, the children didn't notice the DMLE presence, they just searched out their parents and left to start their summer. In a few short months they would return to Hogwarts, ready to face whatever the old building wanted to throw at them.

*TGE*TGE*TGE*

This is the last chapter for the third year. I've started on year four and hope to start publishing by this fall, we will see how the spring and summer go. As I have with the other years, I will post an update to this story when I start to publish year four. Thanks again and see you again next time.