Hello Everyone!

This is the last chapter (weeps) but if you noticed the title...

Disclaimer: I still don't own it.

Chapter 19: The Journey Begins

Kali approached Malfoy Manor, the letter from her father tucked safely away in her jeans pocket, and rang the ostentatious bell. She hadn't anticipated walking into this house anymore, but was determined to do what she must. Lucius Malfoy answered the door, the haughty sneer on his face dying away as he laid eyes on her.

"What are you doing here?" he hissed as he pulled the door closed behind him, eyes darting over his shoulder through the gap.

"We need to talk," she answered in a grave tone.

"This is not the plac, Narcissa's home." He had a look of outrage on his pointy face.

"Well, by now your wife has realized there's someone at the door. It's only a matter of time before she comes to investigate," she said, smirking. "Shall I wait to speak to her instead?"

His cold gray eyes narrowed. "Get in here and be quick about it!" he hissed.

He peered around the crack in the door then ushered her into the first room by the foyer. Kali had been in this room, the library, only once when she stayed a few years ago. It had given her a bad feeling back then, with its ancient pureblood tomes in neat rows on the bookcases and its dark, grisly objects on full display. As she looked around, she noticed the questionable relics were gone.

"Trying to look the part of respectable man, are you?" she asked as she strolled around the room.

"What do you want?" he said forcefully, ignoring her comment.

"I need you to tell me where Celestia is hiding," she said casually.

He looked at her incredulously but with what Kali noticed was a little relief on his face. "I've no idea," he stated coldly.

She knew he was lying (he lied about everything). He'd helped Celestia escape; her grandmother had all but told her their plans just before she disappeared. She'd wanted Kali to go with her but she refused.

"Perhaps Cissy knows," she stated cheekily.

His face contorted to a mask of outrage once again. "I don't think you want to play that game with me," he said in a low, menacing tone, approaching her.

"No, I don't," she said truthfully. "I just want to know where my grandmother is."

"Why do you care all of a sudden?" he asked her suspiciously.

"That's none of your business." She wasn't about to explain her motives to the likes of Malfoy, although, in truth, she really couldn't fully explain it to herself. All she knew for sure was that she needed answers and Celestia was the only one to give them.

He scoffed loudly. "I beg to differ," he drawled.

Kali closed the distance between them and looked up into his cold pale eyes. "You will tell me what I want to know," she demanded in a voice barely above a whisper but with menacing force behind it.

He shoved her back. "And why's that?" His voice was dripping with sarcasm.

She moved away and circled him, forcing him to turn and follow her movements. "A man like you, a powerful, wealthy man," she began, "an evil man," she paused, "to you appearance is everything. You've survived family scandals, accusations of being a Death Eater, your wife's family's reputation," she continued, circling the room as she spoke, "but do you really think you could survive me?"

"What in Merlin do you mean?" he demanded, though the break in his voice told her he knew exactly what she meant.

"I could wreck you, Lucius," she said, "and you know it. Helping Celestia, having an affair with my mother – and me, I was just an innocent little girl – "

"You were seventeen!" he shouted, "hardly a child and never an innocent – "

"Oh but I was," she interrupted with a devious smile. "I was just a young girl of fifteen, no – twelve," she laughed, "That's even better."

"Do you honestly think anyone would believe your lies?" he asked, his pointy face looking suddenly older as he struggled to control his anger.

"Well that's the beauty of it, there's just enough truth to make it believable."

He glowered but seemed rooted to the spot; still stuck on incredulous, he couldn't think clearly. Kali knew all he needed was a little push.

"It's your choice," she stated, "respectable," she said, turning out one hand, "or reviled," she finished, turning out the other.

As he pierced through her with menacing eyes, the door to the library opened, and Narcissa stood at the threshold.

"Am I interrupting something?" she asked haughtily, matching her husband's previous stance.

"Of course not, dear," Lucius said shiftily, "Miss Del Fuego just dropped in –"

"To say goodbye," she interrupted, "and to get the address of a mutual friend." She turned to Lucius, feigning a smile. "If you'll just write it down, I can get out of your way."

He hesitated for a moment as his wife's eyes scrutinized him, then walked to the writing desk and extracted a slip of parchment from the drawer. As Lucius scribbled briefly and walked around to hand her the slip of paper, Kali engaged Narcissa in mindless conversation.

"There you are," he said, thrusting the bit of parchment into her hand a little too forcefully.

"Appreciated," she said as she slid it into her pocket. She turned to Narcissa and smiled. "Well, I must be off," she said cheerily.

Lucius walked her to the front door as Narcissa watched from the foyer suspiciously. "You have nerve," he said viciously but low enough so only she could hear him.

"Thanks," she answered, smirking once more. She stepped out onto the stone steps and turned to face him. Standing in the doorway with an ugly look on his face, it struck her just how vile he really was.

"Don't think I'll forget this," he hissed.

"Oh, I don't."

"You will need me one day," he continued, " but when you come back to me, you'll have to crawl." With those words, he took a step back into the house and slammed the door shut.

Kali stood at the door, a feeling of relief sweeping over her. She hadn't gotten the last word, she hadn't told him all she'd wanted to say, but still, she felt a weight lift from her. She turned around and walked away, deciding to enjoy the warm, sunny day.

As she strolled down the street, thinking over all the choices that lay before her -- the ones she still had to make, the ones she didn't know about yet -- she felt calm and she knew -- she still had a chance.

One day, she, too, could finally be free.

I had to leave this fic with Kali, who, despite toning down somewhere in the middle, is still the manipulative girl she's always been. Let see if she changes when Voldie comes back...(even I don't know the answer to that one!)

I hope you all enjoyed my first fanfic -- ever. Please let me know.

The Sequel -- which I hope isn't hit by the sophomore curse (did I spell that right?) -- is on its way.

Coming Soon - 'Living Eternities' - the sequel to this fic, which picks up March of '95, set near the end of GoF.

Thanks for all your feedback! Hope you stick with the story...Bye!