The Not-So-Terrifying Truth

"Pandora, sweetheart. Calm down! Why is it such a horrifying revelation? I don't understand?" Astrid's concern was evident.

"Because he wants to kill all the Muggleborns. He's a mass murderer, how can you condone what he's doing?!" By this point Pandora was back to being hysterical. She couldn't believe her cousin was Lord Voldemort. It made her sick to her stomach.

"But, he's trying to save us? I suppose with the Ministry trying to cover it up, you wouldn't know that though. I think the best thing we can do to help you find the truth, is bring you to him so you can talk to him." Pandora just gaped at her mother in horror, before fainting.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ten minutes later, she awoke to find herself in her bedroom. Even more terrifying was the fact that it wasn't just her mother hovering over her, but also her cousin. She let out a shriek of fear, before launching herself across the room and away from him. The look of shock on his face would have been enough to make her laugh, if she wasn't so terrified.

"Pandora, calm down this instant!" Astrid was beginning to get frustrated with her daughter's behaviour. "You will sit down and be civilised and listen, or I will put you in a full body bind so you can't move!" At this Pandora burst into tears. She was in the same room as a homicidal maniac, and her mother thought she was the one in the wrong. How can her life have become so fucked up? She staggered over to one of her armchairs and plonked herself down into it unceremoniously.

Slowly and carefully, as if afraid his cousin would bolt from the room if he moved too quickly. Voldemort lowered himself into the armchair across from her.

"Pandora. I know what you must think of me. But I want you to know the truth. As much as you may not like me, the Ministry has been keeping everyone in the dark. It's time you learnt the truth, but I can't tell you if you won't listen to me." Pandora looked up at the man sitting across from her and nodded slowly. "For a start, I'd like it if you called me Tom, we are after all cousins. Now as I'm sure you've noticed. I don't look like I usually do. That's because my snake-like appearance is a curse. Something Dumbledore came up with to deter people from my cause. Family see me as I truly am, and those who agree with my beliefs also see me as I am."

"But that doesn't make sense, when I saw you a few months back in the Ministry Atrium, I saw you with the curse? But we're family, so shouldn't I have seen you without the curse?" Pandora was confused, and she didn't like the feeling at all.

"I'm assuming, because you didn't know you were family, it meant you saw the curse, now you know the truth, the curse can't hide my real appearance. Although it is an interesting point, and I definitely want to explore it!" This was all getting a bit bizarre for Pandora, here she was having a conversation with Tom bloody Riddle in her bedroom.

"Okay, so that could explain it. So, what exactly is it that the Ministry is trying to cover up?" Pandora hoped that getting back to a slightly more factual conversation, might help make the situation less odd.

"It's a bit of a long story so bear with me. As I'm sure you know, I'm a half blood. However, that isn't true, that's what Dumbledore wants you to believe... My mother Merope was indeed a pureblood my father Tom Riddle Sr however, was a Pureblood Wizard. But his magic was bound so tightly, no one could undo it, so everyone thinks he was a muggle. The Riddles were a pureblood family, and any squibs were often killed off, seen as a stain on the rich tapestry of the family. My father was a wizard, but only just. His magical power barely showed on the tests they do at birth, and by the time he was 18, when a witch or wizard's magical power has fully developed his was only slightly above a squib. His parent's bound what little magic he had and sent him to live with one of the few remaining squibs in the Riddle Family. This particular squib, took such great insult to having my father dumped on him, that he beat my father black and blue, and to the point of death, before throwing him in a ditch. My mother was the one who found him, and they truly did fall in love with each other, and I am the result of that love. My father died several months after my parents first met, due to a complication with one of his numerous injuries. My mother died of a broken heart shortly after I was born." Tom explained quietly, staring deep into the log fire as he told his story.

"I am not a good man, Pandora. That much is still true, and yes, I long for and will achieve control of the magical world, and eventually the Muggle world too, but my reasons for doing this are good, even if my means to achieve this are less so. Muggle blood does not mix well with Magical blood... Did you never wonder why all the achievements that are talked about in your lessons at Hogwarts are all achieved by Purebloods, or why you will only find Purebloods on the Wizengamot and high-level jobs in the Ministry?" He asked her quietly. Pandora just looked back at him blankly and confused, her mind a storm from the vast influx of information.

"It's because those not of Pureblood die before the age of 30. Muggle blood mixing with Magical blood causes something akin to cancer in magicals, but there is no cure, and its death rate is 100%. You can consider me the angel of death, but why for the sake of the future of our families, should we permit a risk to our very wellbeing and future, to live? Muggles pose that very risk to us, and every Muggleborn that makes it into Hogwarts is only perpetuating Albus Fucking Dumbledores's ideas. That man thinks that he is the saviour of the magical community. But he is allowing and encouraging magical families to breed with Muggle and Muggleborns. He is killing our future. The Muggleborns either need to be stripped of their magic, or killed. They pose an enormous risk to the future of Magical Kind." He finished, looking Pandora directly in the eye, daring her to challenge his comment about Dumbledore, and thoroughly surprised when none came.

Pandora was stunned. The Ministry had made it sound like he was a homicidal maniac with blood purity issues, who had a vendetta against her best friend. When in reality he was trying to save the wizarding world from its own equivalent to cancer. This certainly changed a few things in Pandora's eyes.

"Okay, so why is the Ministry covering it up? Surely they would want the public to be aware of this?" She queried.

"I can only assume it's because there are still plenty of half-blood and muggleborn people within the Ministry, even if they don't occupy high positions and roles. And, because we don't know yet if it's possible to pass the disease onto the next generation if a parent has the disease. It's possible they're scared it will cause fear of muggles. Let's face it, Wizarding Britain adored Dumbledore, and he was so blinded by his love of muggles, he didn't see the dangers they pose. Even with him gone, his legacy still remains. He's turned the world against me even though I'm the one trying to save it."

Pandora had always been dubious of Dumbledore's love of Muggles, it was almost as bad as Arthur Weasleys obsession with them. So, to hear that he was in fact endangering the wizarding world, didn't sit well with her.

"Okay, it's starting to make more sense now, so now I know the 'why', am I allowed to know the 'how'?" Pandora's curiosity was peaked, and she was desperate to know how the issue would be resolved.

"It's simple really, muggles aren't to know about our world, and Muggleborns need to be either removed from the equation, or stripped of their magic. There is no known cure. So those who are Muggleborn have a choice, either they don't have kids, or they have to be stripped of their magic, obliviated and leave our world. It's only those who fight back that will be eradicated. It's not a nice choice but we have to prevent this from becoming an epidemic. Purebloods also have to steer clear of Muggles and Muggleborns, because we can't let the disease spread. In an ideal world we could do without there being any Muggleborns. So, we need to slowly let them leave our world. The best way would be to have them choose to not have kids. Because then they still get to enjoy and use magic, but there's a chance that they may still choose to reproduce and go against the safety of the next generation!"

"So, in reality, the most secure way to prevent it passing on, is to either obliviate the muggleborns, or kill them." Pandora pondered over the situation. She was starting to think she was on the wrong side of the argument. Maybe Tom was right. But where would that leave her friendship with Ron, Harry and Ginny?

"How does all this affect Harry? And how does this link in to you killing his parents and trying to kill him?" Pandora asked, with not a little fear in her eyes, at what the answer would be.

"There is indeed a prophecy between myself and Harry, one that I actually know the entirety of. But it is not what he has been told it is. To put it simply, it states that for our world to survive, he must die. He is a Dumbledore supporter to the end. And, he will cause the downfall of our world. I didn't want to risk the prophecy being wrong, so I decided to end it before it could all begin, unfortunately that backfired." He explained simply. As much as Pandora wanted to disagree, she knew it was true in her heart. No matter what Dumbledore had done, Harry still worshipped him, and would have thrown himself off a cliff if Dumbledore had asked him to. He would never be swayed from his hero worship of the old man.

"I only have one major issue left, Ginny and I were in the crowd when Bellatrix and a few other Death Eaters - including Draco - attacked Spider's Nightclub. If you're not after attacking Muggles and Muggleborns, then why did the attack happen?"

"I'm afraid Pandora, that I am still a bad man, I said this earlier. And, myself and my followers have discovered our more blood thirsty side, this is how we alleviate that itch in the back of our brains, without risking killing Purebloods. No pureblood that's on the right side of the argument would be seen dead in a nightclub like that. I sincerely apologise that you and Ginny got caught up in that, however." Tom responded. Pandora could see that this argument was one he believed whole-heartedly, and in reality, she knew this was a war that they had to win, and one she would most definitely be a part of.

"Okay, I get where you're coming from. So, can I ask an unrelated question?"

"Of course, my dear, we're family. I will answer anything you ask me, as long as I know the answer."

"Why am I a Gryffindor? You were a Slytherin, everyone who is on your side is a Slytherin. So how did I end up in Gryffindor?"

"Ah, that I can answer! Not only does the hat take into consideration your own preferences, it also considers your capabilities, your mindset, but it also acknowledges family. Take the Malfoy's for example. They're Slytherin through and through. Other than the fact that Draco IS cunning and sly, it will have taken his heritage into consideration. Because you thought you were muggleborn, you had no known heritage, had you known your heritage, you'd have been a Slytherin for sure." Tom smiled warmly at Pandora, he loved her inquisitive nature, and her hunger for knowledge was incredible.

"Sweetheart, would you want to be in Slytherin, I'm sure with Dumbledore dead, there wouldn't be anyone who could truly oppose your choice to be resorted? Maybe then you could mingle with the other Death Eater children? I'm sure you'll be attending plenty of Tom's gatherings now you know the truth. After all you are the daughter of two Death Eaters. It could be advantageous for you, if you knew more of the pureblood way?"

Pandora stared at her mother in shock. Not only had she just suggested changing houses, but she'd also just admitted to being a Death Eater. This day was getting weirder and weirder.

"Will it be known amongst your followers that I'm your cousin? If I were to join up, would I be at the bottom of the pack and have to work my way up, or would they at least show me a bit of respect. I'm sick of being treated as the lowest of the low. I've always hated being a muggleborn. And now that I know I'm not, I want people to know. But I don't think it would be safe for me to be known as your cousin to the outside world. Being known as a pureblood is fine, but being known as a potential Death Eater, isn't such a good idea."

"You my darling, would be my heiress. If the worst were to happen, I'll need someone to take over for me, if I were to die. I'd rather it be a family member, if I'm honest. You'd receive training from my Inner Circle, you'd also be taught the ways of the purebloods, so you don't have any social faux pas. You'd become my second in command, and you'd demand respect from all beneath you. In some respects, you'd be my equal. That is, if you want to be of course?"

Pandora didn't even have to really think about it, she knew that this was where her heart was. She belonged with the rest of her family, she belonged on the side trying to save Wizard-kind.

"I want to be resorted! I want to take the training. I want to help fix this mess. So, does that mean that Harry isn't actually supposed to defeat you?" She queried.

"Harry isn't supposed to defeat me, I am supposed to defeat him. It was Dumbledore's meddling that caused my little accident in 1981." He explained with a scowl, remembering the pain caused by the meddling old fool.

"Oh Pandora, I'm so proud to have you as my daughter sweetheart, I'll write a letter to McGonagall straight away. I'll tell her you've discovered you're a pureblood and that you want to be resorted, I won't say anything other than you're a pureblood called Pandora Dagworth. I won't mention anything about the Gaunts or that you're related to Tom." Astrid beamed at her daughter and nephew.

"I think it might be a wise idea that I throw a gathering tomorrow night, I know it's short notice. But will you come? I need to make sure the Slytherins know that you are not to be bullied or abused. That you are higher up in my eyes! I'm quite sure you'll get a kick out of putting them in their place. You are a strong warrior Pandora, never forget that. I would recommend a nice green dress and dress robes tomorrow, if you have them of course, if not I can ask Astrid to get you some if you'd like?" Tom asked.

"Of course I'll come! Mum will be delighted. And we went out and bought everything today, I know I definitely have dress robes, and I think I have an emerald green dress. It's incredibly 'dressy' will that be okay, I don't want to be too stiff and formal?" Pandora said, starting to panic that she wouldn't fit in.

"Pan.. is it okay if I call you Pan?" After receiving a nod from her, he continued. "Okay, Pan, stop panicking. The more important and powerful you look, the more they'll accept you. I'd recommend wearing the best thing you've got!" He bent slightly to pull her into a hug. "I know most think I'm incapable of love, but I do love people; my family being the most important. Just know that I love you Pan!" He smiled softly at her and she found herself smiling back.

"One last thing before you go and organise the gathering. Am I allowed to bring Enuva? It might help convince them that we're really related?" She grinned at him slyly.

"And who might I ask is Enuva, and how will they help you?" He asked her, slightly confused by his cousin.

"Enuva, come and meet my coussssin, he can undersssstand you too..."

Tom's expression was priceless as he stared at his cousin in surprise. He watched as a 4ft boa appeared from the hallway and slithered over to Pandora, who bent down to let her slide up her arm.

"Ssso you're a Parssselmouth too then? Well thisss will make converssssationsss much more interesssting at the gathering!" He returned her sly grin. "Of courssse you can bring her along!" With a last smile and a wink, he apparated away to organise his party.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The following evening, Pandora and Astrid were getting ready to attend Tom's party as his special guests. Pandora's nerves were making it impossible to do her makeup, and in the end, she had to ask her mother for help.

"Oh sweetheart, you have nothing to be worried about, they will love you! Just remember to be polite, but if someone starts badmouthing you, you don't have to stand for it! You are his soon to be second in command. I just hope Bellatrix will behave; I don't know how she'll feel about you taking her place. Now let's sort out your makeup, then I'll do your hair."

An hour later, both women were ready. Pandora wore a stunning corseted emerald green dress, with silver detailing on the bodice. It had a floor length skirt that kicked out ever so slightly at the hips, and it accentuated all her new curves. Her dress robes had arrived earlier that day and she looked absolutely stunning. She wouldn't be out of place sat upon a throne. Her mother's dress was similar except it was sapphire blue, with gold detailing. Her dress robes were also made of Mulberry silk, although they didn't have the same patterning on as Pandora's did.

As Tom had insisted the Party be at the Dagworth Estate, Pandora had to wait until all the guests had arrived to make her entrance. With Enuva up her sleeves again, she was perched on one of the loveseats, waiting patiently for Leena to fetch her.

15 minutes later and there was a soft pop in the room.

"It's time for you to go downstairs Mistress. Your mother is waiting at the bottom for you. Everyone will see you descend the last 3 quarters, so she recommends you put Enuva on the hand rail so she can slither down beside you. It will make quite the entrance." With a cute curtsey and a smile, she popped away again.

"Enuva, when we get to the stairsss, I will put you on the hand rail. You are to glide along it next to me. Mother thinksss it will make a good entrance, ok?" She hissed to her familiar, and it nodded back to her.

She marched out of her room and stood at the top of the stairs, her mother could see her, but the guests couldn't. Astrid nodded to the announcer that Pandora was ready, whilst Enuva slithered into position.

"Announcing, the long-lost daughter of Astrid Dagworth, and cousin to the Dark Lord himself; Mistress Pandora Dagworth!" At the mention of her relation to Tom, hushed whispers spread through the ballroom like wild fire, as they all angled their necks trying to get a look at the beauty that was descending the staircase.

As she came into view the whispers dropped away. They couldn't believe the absolute beauty in front of their eyes. Nor could they believe the Boa that was gliding down the banister rail next to her. She was full of grace and poise.

As she reached the bottom, her hushed hisses to the snake could be heard in the complete silence, as it slid up the outside of her dress robe sleeve, across her shoulders and down the other side so it was perfectly balanced. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that she was related to the Dark Lord now.

"My Loyal followers, please welcome my cousin Pandora into our family. Not only is she my cousin, but she will also be my second in command once she's finished her training. She is also my heir, as I have no children of my own. Now, why don't you all make her feel welcome, and let the music begin!"

Pandora blushed slightly at being made the focus of everyone's attention, but she remained strong and looked everyone in the eyes. There must have been at least 300 people in front of her. She walked over to Tom and he took her arm in his, as he led her around the room, introducing her to family after family. After several she didn't know, he brought her to the Malfoy's as well as Bellatrix Lestrange, who was standing next to her sister Narcissa Malfoy.

"Lucius, Narcissa, Draco, I'd like you to meet Pandora, my cousin." Which was followed by a chorus of hello's and how are you's.

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Of course, I've heard all about you, but I've never before been graced with your presence." Tom beamed down at Pandora, incredibly impressed with how eloquently she spoke.

"Pandora, I'd like you to meet Narcissa's sister, Bellatrix Lestrange. She is currently my second in command, and will be teaching you everything she knows."

Bellatrix smiled down at her new protégé, ecstatic to be training the Dark Lord's cousin, even if she would be taking her place. She knew she would still be his highest Lieutenant, and therefore still important and close to her idol.

"It's also a pleasure to meet you Bellatrix, would you prefer Bellatrix, Bella or perhaps Bell? I cannot wait to start training with you. I've heard many amazing things about you! I'm sure you won't prove me wrong." She grinned up at her new mentor.

"You my dear, may call me Bell, my family and Tom call me Bella. Everyone else must call me Bellatrix. And I hope I live up to your expectations. I cannot tell you how much of an honour it is, to get to train you!" Bella gushed at her. Pandora got the feeling Bell was being a kiss-arse, but she liked her so far, so didn't bother mentioning it.

Pandora nodded back politely before Tom led her off to meet other people. After an hour and a half of introductions, couples started to dance.

"Pan, would you allow me the first dance? Then you may dance with whomever you like, although by the looks of the men in here, I don't think you'll get a chance to stop!" Tom inquired.

"Of course, Tom, and should they try, I shall simply put my foot down!" She grinned up at her cousin, as he pulled her to the dancefloor and waltzed for the duration of the song. She for once was thankful for the Granger's getting her to take up dancing as a hobby.

As the song finished, Tom was tapped on the shoulder by non-other than Draco Malfoy. "Might I cut in my Lord?"

"Of course, Draco, I was wondering why you hadn't already asked." He chuckled as he winked at the now blushing teenager. He gently summoned Enuva onto his own shoulders, before he handed Pandora over to Draco, and wandered over to where Bella was talking to her husband.

"Ah, my Lady. Are you enjoying the party?" He enquired politely before frowning as Pandora chuckled at him.

"Malfoy, you can cut the polite crap out. I know you far better than that, and stop with the 'my Lady' stuff as well. Just call me Pan." She smiled at him, watching him squirm under her gaze.

"Of course my la.. Uh Pan." He blushed at his slip up. " Could I ask a question?"

"You just did, but fire away!" She chuckled

"Well you called me Malfoy, and I was wondering why? Most people would use first names in a situation like this?"

"Ah, that would be because that's what I've always called you, even to your face!" She chuckled again at his confused expression.

"So, we've met before? How, I'd know for certain if I met someone as beautiful as you before...?"

"One word. Hogwarts!"

"There's no way you go to Hogwarts, I'd have noticed you if you did! What year are you in then?"

"I'll be going into my 7th in September. And you forget. I had a glamour charm on, so of course you wouldn't recognise me!"

"Oh, so will you tell me who you are then? Or do I have to guess?" He was starting to look a little uncertain at the prospect of having to decipher who she was.

"I hadn't thought of making you guess! Well, you'd better start guessing! This will be fun!" She giggled again in delight, which made him crack a smile.

"Damn I wish I'd kept my mouth closed. Well can I ask three questions, and then try to work it out from there?"

"I'll condone three, fire away!"

"Okay, well I guess the first one would be what house are you in?"

"I was in Gryffindor, however I'm possibly getting resorted with the first years at the beginning of term. So, I'll probably end up in Slytherin with you!"

"That's fantastic! We'll show you the ropes when it comes to being a true Slytherin, although I can't believe you're a Gryffindork! That's terrible! Stuck with Pothead and the Weasel!" At the glare she gave him at his nicknames of her friends, he had the decency to look ashamed of himself. "Sorry, so I guess you're friends with them then..."

"Okay, next question, you only have two left!"

"Okay, favourite pass time?" At this Pandora blushed, knowing full well it would probably give her old identity away.

"Reading, there's just nothing better than a good book, both fact and fiction."

"Well that narrows the field down dramatically, most would have said Quidditch." She inwardly berated herself, why didn't she think of saying that. Draco was actually being nice; she knew full well he'd drop her like a sack of potatoes when he finds out who she used to be.

"Okay, final question?"

"When you were glamoured, did you know you were a pureblood, or did you think you were something else?" Shit, this was going to be the giveaway.

"I believed I was a Muggleborn. I was brought up by Muggles on Tom's side of the family."

"But... that would mean that you're... oh fuck! Granger!" He dropped her like she had burnt him, and stalked away leaving her alone in the middle of the dancefloor.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A/N - SO MUCH EDITING IN THIS CHAPTERHAT IT'S TAKEN ME 2 HOURS TO WORK MY WAY THROUGH IT D:

I swear my chapters are getting longer and longer!

I could have gone on, but it seemed like a good place to stop.

No disclaimers except it all belongs to J.K.R all except Pandora and the Dagworth's and Hawke's (Aurella is a Hawke, so are her daughters and husband)

I hope you liked this chapter, and remember, reviews are my bread and butter!

Much Love

Az xXx