Here is the next chapter. Sorry it is so late. I just got a job… and I still haven't started to revise! Ah well, at least I'll have a job if I don't get into college!

I did a sequel to KISS IT BETTER, if any of you care to go over and have a look. It's called JUST ONCE and its hp/lm.

Words: 5,379

Chapter 11

Beyond The Grave

While Ryder may not have particularly cared about Ron or Hermione, they truthfully were very fond of their supposed best friend. When Harry disappeared from Gryffindor Tower the night of Dumbledore's murder, each of them had been frantic with worry, fearing that Harry may have been kidnapped in the attack. They were exceptionally relieved to find he had returned safe and sound, even if he was acting oddly. Of course it had been the golem to return to them. Hedwig had also been mysteriously absent, but both of the children were so relieved to have their friend back they never questioned that fact.

They had questioned Harry for hours of course. But the boy hadn't told them anything other than 'I was stunned' or 'he was wearing a mask'. Ryder had thoughtfully only imparted that much knowledge onto the golem this time around, just encase anyone used Veritaserum.

Neither was put off by Harry's odd behaviour, and even sent letter after letter to the brunette on their first day home. But none were answered. In fact, Harry Potter had ceased to exist as far as Ryder was concerned, so the owl's merely dumped the letters beside a Lestrange house elf, who set them on fire. As they were now a couple, Ron and Hermione were spending the summer at The Burrow – Ron's home.

Because they were together, it made it so much easier for the Gringotts owl's to find them. The two birds drifted in through the open window, bypassing Mrs. Weasley and flew straight over to the couple at the table. Ron didn't bother looking away from his breakfast. Hermione plucked the letters from the owls' beaks and offered them some bacon. With a ruffle of feathers, the two owls flew off, ignoring the bacon.

Ron mumbled something that sounded like "wahs athen?" which Hermione took to mean, "what is that then?" as she rolled her eyes at him.

The rest of the Weasley family looked very interested in the teenagers' mail. They all peered over Hermione's shoulder as she read her own letter, then Ron's.

Hermione's read: Miss. Granger; Hermione,

We Goblins at Gringotts invite you to the Will Reading of Albus P. W. B. Dumbledore. May your gold stay shiny.

And Ron's was similar, to begin with. Mr. Weasley; Ronald,

We Goblins at Gringotts invite you to the Will Reading of Albus P. W. B. Dumbledore. May you suffer an unfortunate accident, and leave us any gold you may have inherited.

Ron blinked; he looked around at his family and asked, "what?"

Hermione snorted at him, "I told you it would pay off to campaign for equal rights!" She gave him a grin and rolled up her letter. "I assume we are meant to go today then?" Ron shrugged and carried on eating, splattering his letter with bits of food.

XXX

Ryder gave a soft moan and shifted. His arm moved up to lie horizontally across his eyes, blocking out the sun that was streaming in through the gap in the curtains. Beside him on the bed, Draco shifted closer to Ryder. He pressed his face against the brunette's neck and hummed lightly. He licked his lips, wetting them, and his tongue flicked across Ryder's neck. The brunette gasped and rolled over to face his lover.

"Morning," he whispered, pressing a kiss to Draco's silver-blond hair.

A smile stretched across those pale pink lips, as Draco's eyes fluttered open. He blinked groggily and answered, "and what a wonderful morning it is." His smile transformed into a smirk as he ran his hand down Ryder's chest and his fingers encircled Ryder's morning erection.

The brunette arched upwards and moaned. Ryder had pleasured Draco before they finally made love, but Draco had never taken the opportunity nor been granted one to please his mate in return. With a smug grin, Draco wriggled his way down the length of the bed until his face was pressed against Ryder's hipbone. He pursed his lips, and let them brush against the flushed skin lightly.

"I love you, Ryder," he whispered before flicking his tone out to taste the head of the brunette's cock.

Ryder gasped and arched his hips up. "Love you too," he breathed as his hand came to clutch at Draco's blond locks. "More," he ordered.

Draco gave a soft chuckle before obediently opening his mouth wide and swallowing Ryder's straining erection to the root. One hand moved to encircle the root, while the other cupped the brunette's balls and began to roll them in his palm. As far as Draco was concerned, Ryder let out the most delicious sounding noises when he was being pleasured. Draco determined to suck him off more often, because the noises Ryder was making were enough to get him hard on their own.

Panting along with his mate, Draco began to frot against the bed. His hips moved in time with his mouth, as he slipped a hand off of Ryder's cock and down the front of his own trousers. He moaned around the flesh in his mouth as he gripped his own cock and pumped it slowly.

Soon Draco felt Ryder's balls draw up and he could hear the brunette's breath hitching. "Come for me love," he begged, softly. Ryder's hips arched upwards, further towards Draco's mouth, as he came with a cry filled with pleasure. Draco gave a moan as he came in his hand and his trousers. He pulled his head off of Ryder's cock, letting it fall from his mouth limply. He smirked as he looked over his panting lover. There was a sort of pride-filled warmth rushing through him right then – which could have been due to his orgasm, he supposed – at the thought that he, Draco Malfoy, had caused Ryder that amount of pleasure.

He was definitely going to suck Ryder off as much as possible now.

"You didn't," Ryder began, sitting up and reaching for the zip to Draco's pants.

"I did," he assured the brunette. Because he was still wearing the trousers he had on him last night, he was now feeling very sticky. "Can we have a bath?" He asked shyly. Ryder just nodded.

With a click of his fingers, Ryder summoned Suri. "Run a bath, would you?" He asked and the house elf nodded and disappeared. She popped back two minutes later and bowed to the floor, signalling the bath was ready. "Thank you," Ryder muttered as he picked Draco up off the bed, carrying him bridal style towards the bathroom across the hall.

While Draco had trousers on, Ryder was completely naked. Draco gave a squeak when Ryder opened his door and ran into Atticus. The Lord Lestrange raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "Glad to see you made up, boys." He nodded and walked on, taking a sip from his wine glass of blood.

"You're naked!" Draco squeaked again as the bathroom door closed behind him.

That bathroom was directly opposite Ryder and Rose's rooms. It was used only by those two; the only time anyone else was near that bathroom – even to walk passed – was if they were looking for either of the Twins, or if they were going to the attic. The corridor the Twins' rooms were on was the only one that led to the corridor. As opposed to the basement, some of the Lestrange's darker artefacts were kept in the attic as most Wizarding Manor's didn't have one: no Auror ever thought to check for one.

Ryder didn't bother to wonder why his Father was heading to the attic. He let Draco stand on his own two feet before pulling the zip of Draco's fly down. Draco pushed the trousers down his hips, before kicking them off and stepping into the bath. Ryder let his eyes roam over the blond before smiling warmly.

"You are beautiful," he purred as he climbed into the large tub beside Draco. It was the size of a moderate swimming pool – one of the smaller baths in the Manor. "So beautiful, my Dragon."

Draco blushed. "You were naked." He insisted again.

Ryder chuckled. "We are Vampyre, Draco. We enjoy blood and sex, and I have nothing my Father hasn't seen before." He smiled at the blond and shook his head. "We are not like mortals; while we feel embarrassment and shame, it never revolves around nakedness or sex. Do you understand?"

Draco's face screwed up into a mask of confusion. "Are you naturists, then?" He pouted adorably when Ryder laughed at him.

"A little, I suppose."

"Does Rose walk around naked?" He asked worriedly. He had no wish to see his mates Sister or his ex-Lord's Mate naked.

"Yes, but not as often." Ryder promised. "Rowena lived in a time where people bathed and dressed nobility. Many people saw her naked on a regular basis. Rose is a Vampyre so she is unabashed as well. But, I believe, she is more conserved because she knows how jealous her Mate is."

"Ryder," Draco asked hesitantly. He had wanted to know for a long time, but he had never worked up the nerve to ask. "Am I just a lover, or am I your Mate? Do you have a Mate?"

"As I am not a host, I do not have a Mate. As a Vampyre, I have a Destined One. You are mine, Draco; we belong together, we complete each other, we were made for each other. My Mother foresaw it and Father made sure Lucius had us engaged, rather than you and Pansy." Draco gave Ryder a look of distaste at the thought of bedding Pansy Parkinson.

"And to think, she used to be bearable." Draco muttered, leaning back against the side of the tub. It was true. Pansy hadn't been so bad as a child. Draco could even have stomached the idea of marrying her. Until she grew up and found an interest in boys; now she was a bit of a slut, and she had found out about their almost engagement and had taken up Draco-stalking as a hobby. He shuddered. With a smile he watched Ryder take a lap around the bath. "What were you going to do about Dumbledore, originally?"

"Originally, we planned to ruin him. Harry was going to let himself be interviewed by Rita Skeeter and in doing so he was going to spill all of Dumbledore's secrets. Then Harry was going to kill himself, or be murdered by someone we'd have pretended was working for Dumbledore. Rose and Voldemort would have mated, he wouldn't have kept killing, we'd have found a new Minister for Magic and then you and I would have got married." Ryder smiled at the thought, before swimming over to the blond. "And, before they moved on, we'd have let Rowena and Salazar tare Dumbledore apart."

"Why can't you still do some of that?" Draco asked curiously. He stood up and cast a drying charm over his body. He stepped out of the bath and pulled on the clean clothing he had borrowed from Ryder. Ryder followed his lead.

"We still will probably, assuming nothing goes wrong between now and when I turn seventeen." Ryder took hold of Draco's hand when he was fully dressed and pulled the boy from the bathroom.

They walked down the corridor between his room and the bathroom, heading towards the stairs that would take them to the dining room. When they arrived, they took their seats at the table and nodded in greeting to both the Lestrange adults and to Draco's own parents.

"Rose wasn't in her room," Violet said, sounding the slightest bit worried.

Ryder blushed guiltily when he realized that Atticus must have been looking for the Scyring Crystals. While not Dark on their own, they need blood to work. He must have been searching for Rose. Ryder never did tell his parents that Rose had gone out.

"Uh, I sent her to Voldemort." He bit his bottom lip.

"Told you," Atticus muttered to Violet, who glared back. "She wouldn't listen. Mothers," he added with a roll of his eyes. Ryder chuckled lightly, but Violet wasn't as amused.

"Well," Ryder started still blushing, "good morning."

"Good morning, Ryder." Lucius and Narcissa chimed with soft smiles. "I take it you made up," Draco's Mother stated, rather than asked.

"We did," Draco said softly anyway. He picked up his fork and started eating the scrambled eggs off the plate a house elf had left in front of him. Ryder didn't eat anything; he picked up the wine glass that had been laid in front of him and drank, what Draco could guess wasn't wine.

"So, when Rose comes back, we should begin a plan of action." Ryder said with a frown. "Shall Harry die or come clean?" Narcissa looked very confused and Lucius flushed.

"I wasn't sure if I was allowed to tell her," the blond excused himself. Violet gave a small laugh and stood up. Narcissa followed the other lady from the room to get an explanation.

"Keep eating," Atticus suggested. "We will continue when Rose is with us."

Draco's hand found Ryder's under the table. Their fingers interlaced. Draco used his other hand to feed himself, a small flush spread across his cheeks as Ryder's grip tightened possessively.

XXX

Riddle Manor had once belonged to Muggles. Because of that fact, there was no need to light candles or fires. The house was lighted with electricity and it was relatively easy for someone to install a central heating system in the Manor before Voldemort killed them. He even hired an electrician to install a 'clapper'.

Voldemort lay awake in his bed, in the semi-darkness. Curled against his side was his Mate. With a contented sigh he thought back on the night before. They hadn't gone any further than kissing and some light groping, but it was enough for him. He had waited around fifty years; he wasn't going to begrudge his Mate an extra few weeks.

When he felt his Mate stirring, he clapped his hands together and the lights flickered on. "Hello," he whispered against his – girlfriend's? – cheek. She smiled up at him, before stretching like a cat, a small yawn slipping from between her lips.

"Hello to you too," she said softly. "How are you?"

"Just fine, Madam." Salazar said as Voldemort's eyes changed from red to black. "And yourself, Milady?"

"I am well, thank you Salazar." She pressed a kiss to Salazar's forehead.

The black eyes bled to hazel green as Tom took control of the body. "How did you sleep, Miss. Hammond?"

"Very well, Tom. And yourself?" She asked with a giggle as he picked up her right hand and pressed a kiss to the wrist.

"I slept soundly, love." He gave her a roughish grin before his eyes turned from hazel to a forest green with a red outline. "MATE!" Marvolo screamed and wrapped his arms around Rose's waist. He rolled them over so she was pinned to the bed, before pressing kisses all over her face and neck. Voldemort's eyes were red again, "I apologize, Rose." He said as he rolled off of her. She just laughed loudly.

"It's fine. Really." She assured him, before pulling him to lie back on top of her. "Really fine, in fact." She breathed out against his lips before pressing them together with a soft moan.

Voldemort hissed against his Mate's mouth. His hands grabbed a wrist each and pinned them above her head. "Mine," he hissed as his lips released hers.

"Yours," she agreed as he dived back down for more.

Marvolo smirked, "see, I am helpful. I got her to kiss you, didn't I?"

"You are still an idiot." The other three replied mentally. Marvolo sulked, but Voldemort didn't care, as he kissed his Mate again and again that morning.

XXX

At around noontime, Rose finally went home. At the same time, five Order members – for safety reasons – were escorting Ron and Hermione to Diagon Alley; after all, Harry would have wanted them to be kept safe.

They headed straight to Gringotts, each of them clutching their summons to Dumbledore's Will Reading. The Order members stood around in various places inside the large building. Ron and Hermione approached one of the Goblins at the desk.

Coughing slightly, Hermione tried to get one of the Goblins' attention. "Yes?" It asked impatiently, it's quill still poised to continue its work.

"We were asked to come," she said, handing over the letter.

"It does not say today." The Goblin pointed out.

"Well I assumed it was today. Isn't it?" She asked one hand placed on her hips.

"I don't know." The Goblin said. "Ask him," he pointed at another Goblin, across the room. A scratching sound started up and when Hermione looked back at the Goblin, he had begun to write again.

With a huff, Hermione stalked across the room and slammed the letter onto the desk of another Goblin. "Is this Reading today? Please?" She added as the Goblin just stared at her.

"How would I know? Now, if that is all, I have work to do." He started to write again.

"Just find me someone who knows." She almost hissed. "Harry Potter is my best friend!" She almost shouted. "You have to help me."

The Goblin snorted with laughter, as did the other's that had heard her speak. They all knew, of course, that Harry was actually Ryder. They never forgot a customer, even if they were in disguise. Someone obviously took pity on Hermione and said, "It's today. It actually started a minute ago."

She looked around to thank the person who spoke, but found she was staring down at a goat. The goat in question was rapidly changing from one garish colour to another. Hermione's mouth dropped open and she seemed to choke on what she was about to say.

"My name is Goat. I belong to Aberforth Dumbledore." The goat said. "He really does perform questionable spells on me." The talking goat turned and walked towards Ron. With a snicker, the goat started to chew on the end of Ron's robes.

"Oi," he shouted and smacked the goat across the head.

Goat just huffed and wondered off. "Do you know what room-?" Hermione began, but Goat nodded in the direction of one door before she could finish. "Thanks?" She said uncertainly.

"Did that goat talk?" Ron asked a minute later as they walked into the room where the Will was being read. Hermione just rolled her eyes.

They were two of four people in the room. They sat down and nodded at the Goblin standing at the front of the room. The fourth person had a beard as long as Dumbledore's but rather short hair. His beard was white but his hair was red – like Dumbledore's used to be before he aged. The man appeared to be at least fifty years younger than Dumbledore. He was Aberforth.

He waved at the two teenagers. Then his attention was focused on the Goblin again.

With a glare the Goblin stood up onto a stool. He leant over the podium in front of him and unrolled a long sheet of parchment.

He cleared his throat and began to read. "To my younger Brother, Aberforth, I leave all my worldly possessions. May you find collecting lemon drops a better hobby than casting inappropriate spells on Goat. I will miss you.

"To Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, you have been with Harry in his times of need. You have been steadfast and true," – Hermione cut in with a look at Ron, who blushed, – "and excessively brave. In his time of greatest need, Harry will require your help. He will not ask for it, but you will have to make him accept it.

"It is a long story, but you both deserve the truth. Harry is the only one who can defeat Voldemort. Without Harry, our world is doomed. Yet there are forces that would interfere. You must not let them take Harry! There is a girl named Rose Hammond, she is the Mate of Voldemort. You must not allow them to bond before her seventeenth birthday or all is lost.

"Hermione, I assume you know what a Host is? Both Hammond and Voldemort are Hosts. Their souls must not be bound together! It has been the work of my family for generations to protect the world from the Dark souls of Salazar Slytherin and Rowena Ravenclaw. They have been driven mad by years inhabiting others' bodies. If they were to mate now – when they have never had the chance before – they would undoubtedly kill Hammond and Voldemort and take the bodies for their own.

"Then, I fear, they would go after Harry. You must not let them. Only Harry may kill Voldemort, or he will never be vanquished for good. I trust you both with this enormous task. I leave all of my family's previous records regarding Hosts in your care. Use them well.

Aberforth, you have my permission to help them. Please do. With my deepest regard; Albus P. W. B. Dumbledore."

The Goblin cleared his throat again. "Here is the trunk with those journals." He pointed to the floor. Ron moved over to pick up the small black box. Aberforth took hold of the key the Goblin held out. "The Dumbledore Vault key."

The Goblin left through the door and headed straight to his desk. He penned a quick note to one of Gringotts' best customers before sending it off with an owl. Hermione, Ron and Aberforth remained behind in the room.

"We need to help Harry," Hermione said worriedly.

"What's a Host?" Ron asked but the other two ignored him.

"Yes, I agree." Aberforth shook his head sadly. "That poor young man."

Ron frowned, "hey, do you think Harry knows what a Host is?" They ignored him again. Ron shrugged, and followed the other two as they left the room.

"We may as well go shopping," Hermione suggested when they met up with the adults. "I need a few new books anyway. I have money left over from last summer, anyhow." When everyone agreed, some left to withdraw money and others waited until they returned.

XXX

Lucius walked back into the dining room at about twenty past noon to find Rose was already waiting at the table. His Wife, he noticed, had still not returned.

When he had told her everything he knew about Ryder and Rose she had slapped him hard across the face, accused him of betraying her trust and even insinuated he was having some sort of threesome with Ryder and Draco. Then she stormed out of the room in a snit. The last he heard of her, she was heading to the Parkinson's through the floo.

After ten stiff drinks, Lucius figured he had given her ample time to calm down and return.

"We'll start without her." Atticus said and indicated that Lucius should take a seat. He blinked once, rubbed his eyes and blinked again checking to make sure that he was seeing clearly. Atticus laughed. "Yes I invited Severus." Lucius blinked once more.

"Right," he said. "At least I'm not seeing things." He muttered under his breath but Atticus and Rose heard him anyway. Ryder was too busy flirting with Draco to pay attention.

"Rangok informs me that Dumbledore's Will started being read ten minutes ago. His Brother and that Weasley boy were there, along with the Mudblood." He fiddled with a piece of parchment in his hands before laying it on the table and sliding it towards Ryder and Rose – who were seated next to each other.

My friend, it has come to my attention that the bee plots from beyond the grave. It seems the loss of its stinger was not enough to stop its flight. Your twins are doing well? I hope it continues in that manner. How ever, they should beware the sixth red and try not to get blood dirtied. Snake-Dono should look out for predators; it has a family now. I hope the bee doesn't sting again, my friend. May your gold never lose its value. Rangok.

Most of the people at the table creased their foreheads in thought, desperately trying to unravel the code. "I didn't get a word of that," Draco was the first to admit defeat.

Rose giggled and explained. "He says Dumbledore is manipulating someone again. Even though he is dead, he has found a way to make sure certain plans are carried out. He says Ryder and I are in danger from him. The sixth red refers to the sixth Weasley child, Ronald. Dirty blood loosely translates to Mudblood, meaning Granger."

Ryder took over. "Dono is a Japanese honorific for Lord. He says Voldemort should watch out for Rose. Meaning Dumbledore is trying to stop their bonding. He hopes we all stay safe and Dumbledore fails. He also hopes our gold never loses its value, but you probably got that bit." He grinned.

"Well," Severus drawled, "things are never dull around you, are they Potter?" He asked with a sneer.

"I am not a Potter." He hissed back.

"Potter or Hammond, I hate you both equally." Snape gave him what could be considered a smile, if you squinted and tilted your head to the left, maybe. The smile did though, to be fair, look more like a grimace.

"Let us not talk about such things," Violet offered, standing up. "Let us go shopping!"

Unknown to them, as they made their way to Diagon Alley, Narcissa in her self-absorbed anger had made a very big mistake. Sighing and pitying herself and the fact that she had been the last to know, Narcissa had told everything to her friend Adriana Parkinson. Now, Adriana had been sworn to secrecy. It was a pity no one thought to put up silencing charms, because listening at the door was Pansy. A very happy Pansy, who couldn't wait to tell Draco that Ryder was really Harry Potter and had been lying for years!

"Now they'll break up and Draco will marry me." She grinned as she pulled on an outer robe over her dress. "Going shopping," she called in to her Mother. "Mrs. Pansy Malfoy," she muttered as she stepped into the floo. "Mr. Draco Parkinson," she considered as she began to spin. She let out a squeal of happiness when she arrived at the Leaky Cauldron and saw Draco's familiar blond head bobbing out of the door.

She ran after them. "Hey Drake," she purred against the blond's ear as she grabbed onto his arm. They walked through the stonewall separating the Muggle world from Diagon Alley. Draco tried to get his arm back but Pansy was holding on tight. "Have you missed me? I have something so important to tell you!"

"Get off me, Parkinson." Draco ordered.

"But Drakey!"

"Don't call me that!" He hissed. He looked over at Ryder for help but the brunette just snickered at his dilemma.

"You won't believe it, but I'll be there to comfort you, don't worry. Ryder doesn't love you." She mock whispered shooting a smug grin in the brunette's direction. "He isn't even Ryder Hammond."

"I know you silly girl," he sneered finally freeing his arm. He waved it a bit, trying to get the blood circulating again.

"But Drake! He's not Ryder Hammond…" Draco began to walk away, the rest of their group having walked ahead. "He's HARRY POTTER!" She screamed when she realized she was losing his attention.

Everyone in Diagon Alley froze. "I am NOT Potter. Potter died, and you were all so foolish never to check on him. Harry Potter doesn't exist anymore. And you Parkinson better keep your fucking hands off my fiancé. Understood?" He had her by the collar of her robe, dangling about three inches in the air. She nodded frantically and he let her fall to the floor in a pile. His arm wrapped around Draco's waist.

"How did she know?" Draco asked confused.

Pansy gave Draco a simpering grin, thinking he would be pleased if she answered. "I overheard your Mother was telling mine. She took a Wizard's Oath of course, but I think they forgot I was home." She fluttered her eyelashes at Draco. Ryder growled low in his throat before his hand came out and struck her across the cheek.

"Stay away from my Mate," he growled. "I won't warn you again."

He turned, pulling Draco with him, and continued down the length of Diagon Alley with his and Draco's family. He tried very hard to ignore the whispered comments and the stares.

Two voices, however, he couldn't ignore. "HARRY!" Hermione screamed as she ran behind him.

"MATE!" Ron called, panting. "WAIT UP!" He yelled when he had his breath back.

Ryder turned to face them and sneered. "Did you not hear me? I am not a Potter. My name is Ryder."

"Dumbledore said you wouldn't accept our help," Hermione sobbed around her words. "But we love you Harry. We're your friends and you have to trust us. We'll make everything ok. We'll fix this. What ever Malfoy has done to you, we'll fix it! And we wont let that Host anywhere near you."

"Yeah mate." Ron nudged Ryder with his shoulder. "We'll get rid of that bitch and you can kill Voldemort and we won't have to worry about any Hosts ever again. Then we'll sort Malfoy out. How dare he curse you?"

"I am not cursed. You will not touch my Sister. Nor will you interfere with her bonding. You will not try to separate me from my fiancé. And, if you have even a modicum of common sense, you will disregard anything and everything Dumbledore said to you."

"But Harry," Hermione whined, "Dumbledore said you'd be like this. And Dumbledore was a great Wizard, of course we should listen to him." Hermione reached out to touch Ryder, who pulled away with a snarl.

"Do not touch me Mudblood," he hissed. "Your very presence offends me. You are an abomination." He ignored the protests made by Ron and he couldn't care less about the way Hermione's eyes watered. He took Draco by the hand and dragged him back towards the Leaky Cauldron. The adults followed, casting furious looks back at the two teenagers.

When they arrived at Lestrange Manor, Ryder's first action was to punch a wall. "That fucking bastard! He's dead, god damn him, he's dead! Why is he still ruining my life? Why won't he just die and leave me alone!" Ryder screamed. With a frown, Draco pulled the brunette into his arms and let him cry against his shoulder. Everyone else ignored the small sobs emanating from the usually composed young man.

When Lucius flooed home later, he was met by a very sheepish Narcissa who even tried to floo into Lestrange Manor to apologize, after Lucius told her Ryder was angry and upset. She was advised that it wouldn't be the best time, right then.

Rose ran straight to Voldemort when they arrived home, allowing Rowena to come into control of their body and assure them both that neither Salazar nor Voldemort were injured in anyway.

Ron and Hermione headed back to The Burrow, having lost the battle but refusing to give up the war. They were determined to save Harry from the Malfoys and Hammonds alike. To do that, they knew, they would have to read everyone of those journals in that little black trunk. When they opened it up, unsurprisingly, neither Kerrigor's nor Emmanuel's journals were inside. Both had been hidden shortly after Salazar's death, they could only be summoned by someone with Dumbledore blood; both were the only two that contained the truth about the Dumbledore vendetta against the Hosts.

After all, if people knew the truth – that Emmanuel Dumbledore and his get were driven on by jealously and spite – no one would be as willing to help him in his task. All evil had to be wiped from the world, in Emmanuel's opinion, and what was more evil than someone who seduced another man's intended?

Both Salazar and Rowena would pay the price for humiliating a Dumbledore! No matter who had to perish in the crossfire.

XXX

Did you hear about the goat in the Sudan? In North Africa, I think?

Apparently some farmer caught this guy shagging his goat and reported him to the Village Elders. The Elders made the man marry the goat, and he had to pay a dowry and everything for the goat. The farmer was pleased though; he got to keep the dowry. Lol.

Thought it seemed appropriate considering Aberforth Dumbledore's goat makes an appearance.

I decided not to be cliché. Ron and Hermione won't be 'evil-Harry-betraying-friends'. They really, genuinely do care for Harry. And think he has been brainwashed or cursed into believing he is Ryder. They want to 'save' their 'friend'; not ruin his life.

Anyway, please review!