free me from the lies of these lonely eyes

free me for the fall of the prophet's sight

free me to a place I can not see,

free me from my own self prophecy

you've never been here,

you've never seen this companion crier

you've only seen a man held higher

and the cross he bares is his only home

-

November 26th 7AM, Saturday
Riddle Mansion, 2nd Floor Bedroom

"I'm dead aren't I?" Draco asked in a hoarse whisper as his eyes fluttered open. The green sheets underneath him rustled slightly in the darkened bedroom as he shifted to see me better.

"No, you're not dead Draco," I chuckled softly. His eyes widened in surprise as I leaned down and gently brushed my lips against his.

"Great Merlin I must be dreaming!" he exclaimed before letting out a loud cough.

"Not a dream either," I replied as I lay down next to him.

"What the bloody hell happened?"

"Do you remember anything?" I asked hesitantly and Draco nodded in reply.

"Just bits and pieces really," he responded uncertainly, "I remember being at Azkaban and then the Dementors…the Dementors returned to Azkaban…" Draco's voice trailed off into quiet mumbling.

"That was my greatest fear while I was there you know?" he added in a fearful tone, "I do remember thinking about that when I was in my cell. I kept telling myself how lucky I was that the Dementors were no longer guards there and then they floated up to my door and I think I fainted."

"You did…and you've been out ever since."

"I had the strangest dream," Draco continued, "You were there and so was Khalida and…and…"

"And what?" I asked curiously.

"And my father was there too," he replied with a nervous chuckle, "That's silly, I know it is. My father's dead."

I decided to tell Draco about what had happened while he was unconscious but left out any mention of Lucius. Draco seemed to accept my explanations and I felt a small twinge of guilt for lying to him.

"So what was the Dark Lord planning for your brother?" Draco asked curiously.

"I don't know," I replied with a shrug, "Evelien said that Voldemort never told her."

"Someone must know…"

"Voldemort does, but somehow I doubt he'd tell and hopefully we won't get the chance to ask him," I responded with a shudder.

"The Dark Lord is dead," Draco stated adamantly, "Harry made sure of that."

"My grandmother doesn't seem to think so."

"Well your grandmother is wrong."

"We don't…"

"She's wrong Jenny," Draco interrupted sharply, "The Dark Lord is dead."

"Evelien did say that there was another who could tell us and apparently they're still residing in the mansion," I explained hesitantly.

"That's wonderful, then all we need to do is find them."

"It's not going to be that easy," I stated, "I don't think they'll be too helpful and I'll be the only one they'll talk to."

"Why only you?" Draco asked in confusion, "Another lost family member or something?"

"Something like that," I replied nervously. "I'm pretty tired and you need to rest so why don't we get some more sleep."

"You'll stay with me won't you?" Draco questioned as he gripped my hand tightly and pulled me closer to him.

"Of course," I replied softly.

A few moments later I stared up at the ceiling while listening to the sound of Draco's rhythmic breathing. I felt like a coward for not telling him the truth. He would find out eventually after all so what was the point of keeping it from him.

I hadn't told Draco or Khalida that I had a pretty good idea why Voldemort wanted Oriel's son, although I think Khalida already figured it out as well, she just wasn't saying anything about it. Voldemort had wanted an heir, someone to follow in his footsteps, a boy that he could mold and shape into exactly what he wanted.

"You are meant to be our one, true master. The Dark Lord's daughters were not able to take on this responsibility."

That's what the Dementors had said and now it all seemed to make sense. It did explain the darkness within me and it also explained why the Dementors had accepted me as their master. It was my birthright.

The wind whipped through the trees outside and I leaned closer to Draco as a stray branch scratched against the window. Draco's arm shot out and he pulled me to him possessively before mumbling something about being attacked by a giant chicken. I remained completely still and silent until I was sure he had gone back to sleep.

Tomorrow was already upon me yet I still could not sleep. I knew what the day would bring. One of my biggest secrets would be revealed and I wondered if Draco would despise me for it. There was no other way though. I closed my eyes and resigned myself to the fact that I really had no other choice.

After breakfast was done the three of us would start our search. Nagini would hopefully be able to give me the answers I needed.

November 26th 9:30AM, Saturday
Riddle Mansion, 2nd Floor Bedroom

A small girl of fourteen stared up at me. Her long brown hair was held neatly in a tight braid. I looked into her clear, blue eyes and was taken aback by the innocence residing there. She held her tiny hand out to me and her face lit up when I reached out to take it in my own scaly, white palm.

The eyes reminded me of another pair. Not blue like the girls, but a bright emerald green. Eyes that looked upon me with fear instead of loving adoration. I shuddered at the thought of these blue eyes staring at me in fright.

I have no doubt of how powerful I truly am. There is no one who can stand against me. Yet everyone must have a weakness, and she is mine.

A bolt of lightning pierced the sky as rain poured down upon me. It was dark but I could feel someone standing next to me. Something metallic is reflecting the light a few feet away and I begin to take a step towards it. Thunder rumbled off in the distance and white-hot pain lances through my stomach.

Someone's yelling my name. Black hooded figures are rushing through the night. I fall to the ground with my hand on my stomach. There's something wet there, but it's warm, not cold like the rain. Suddenly I can't catch my breath.

The room seemed to spin around me as I woke up gasping for air. Draco helped me into a sitting position and rubbed small circles on my back. Once I was able to breathe normally again I waved him away and pushed myself out of bed, silently cursing the cold, wood floor underneath my feet.

"Just a nightmare," I explained.

"What kind of nightmare?" he asked in a suspicious tone.

"The scary kind," I replied sarcastically. "I'm going to go take a shower and get cleaned up. Evelien said a house-elf would come by to show us to the dining room around ten. If I'm not out by then just go on without me. I'm sure I can find my way."

"I'd rather wait for you," Draco responded.

"I'm fine, I don't need…"

"I'm not waiting because I think you need my help," he interrupted, "I might need your help getting there. I'm still feeling pretty weak." I studied him for a moment while he glared at me as if daring me to argue with his explanation.

"Whatever," I replied with a shrug before heading into the bathroom and slamming the door behind me.

My courage seemed to melt away once I was in the confines of the small, porcelain filled room. With my back to the door I slid down until I was seated on the cold white tiles. I choked back sobs and without thinking I laid both of my hands over my stomach.

November 26th 1PM, Saturday
Riddle Mansion, Dungeons

"We've searched everywhere," Draco whined pitifully, "and there's no sign of anyone else living here. And it would help, you know, if you'd at least tell me what this man or woman looks like or even if you'd tell me whether it is a man or a woman."

I ignored Draco's complaining and quietly moved through the darkened hallway. Empty cells lined the walls on each side of us. I made sure to keep my eyes firmly trained on the path ahead of me. I felt a small tug on my ponytail and I turned around quickly to glare at Draco.

"What? What is it?" I snapped angrily.

"Nothing, I just was won…" Draco's voice trailed off and his eyes widened in fear. He took a small step back, grabbing my arm to pull me along with him.

"Do you hear that?" he asked quietly and I shook my head in reply.

We stood in complete silence, both of us listening intently for any small noise. A loud crash echoed down the hallway and I choked back a scream. Draco held his wand out defensively and pulled me to his side.

"Who's there?" he called out sharply. A moment later a familiar pale figure appeared in front of us and we both sighed in relief.

"Sorry," Khalida apologized sheepishly.

"Stupid bloody vampire," Draco spat, "Don't you know you scare…"

"Did you hear that?" I interrupted.

It sounded as if someone or something was coming towards us from the other end of the hall. A soft hissing escaped from the shadows and I knew our search was over.

"I need to tell you something Draco," I stated hesitantly, "I'm a Parselmouth."

"What!" Draco exclaimed loudly and Khalida shot me a sympathetic look. I opened my mouth to explain why I had kept the information from him but was interrupted by the sound of a soft, weathered voice.

"Who dares to enter my Master's home?" the voice hissed.

"His granddaughter," I replied nervously, "Jenny Riddle."

A gigantic black snake, with glowing red eyes, slowly slithered out of the darkness and stopped a few feet in front of my feet. I unconsciously leaned away as it lifted its head and tasted the air.

"I am Nagini, the Dark Lord's familiar," the snaked stated solemnly, "I am pleased to see you here. The daughter disposed of the leader, but now Jenis has come."

"Jenis?" I asked in confusion, "Who is Jenis?"

"Why, you of course," Nagini hissed loudly

"No, my name is Jenny," I stated. The giant snake reared up angrily and displayed its large fangs.

"What's wrong Jenny?" Khalida asked worriedly.

"I'm not sure," I replied while shaking my head in confusion, "This snake is Nagini, Voldemort's familiar but she's very hard to understand. She said the daughter disposed of the leader, but now Jenis has come. I told her my name isn't Jenis, its Jenny."

"Are you sure she said Jenis?" Draco asked curiously.

"Why do you call me Jenis?" I asked Nagini and the snake seemed to shake its head in annoyance.

"Not Jenis," Nagini replied, "Genesis."

"I guess I got it wrong," I explained to Draco and Khalida, "Genesis is what she called me."

"Genesis?" Draco asked thoughtfully.

"The beginning," Khalida stated. Draco and I gave her a confused look. "Genesis is the beginning or origin. The first book of the bible is the book of Genesis."

"The Bible?" Draco questioned.

"It's a book used for various muggle religions," Khalida explained and Draco nodded in understanding.

"Why do you call me Genesis?" I asked as I turned my attention back to the snake.

"Because you are the beginning."

"You called my brother the leader, wouldn't he have been the beginning?" I asked curiously.

"Of course not," Nagini hissed, "He was meant to rule the world. He was meant to lead. Now there is nothing to lead. Now there is only the end."

"But you just said I'm the beginning?" Nagini simply stared at me for a moment before replying.

"You are the beginning," the snake said softly, "The beginning of the end."

"The end of what?"

"Everything."

I gasped loudly after Nagini's reply. Draco and Khalida gave me a concerned look but I merely waved them off.

"Tell us," Draco urged.

"Later," I answered in a sharp tone.

"Why am I supposed to end everything?" I asked angrily.

"Because it is the Master's wish."

"Your master is dead," I replied simply and Nagini let out a sound that was a cross between a hiss and a chuckle.

"My Master lives," the snake replied and I shook my head furiously, "It is true. I can feel him even now."

"Where is he then?" I asked curiously.

"I do not know," Nagini replied sadly, "But I know he will return."

"My father defeated him."

"You are right," the snake agreed, much to my surprise, "Harry Potter defeated my Master, but defeated and killed are two entirely different things. There are worse fates then death. It was the one thing Harry Potter understood yet my Master did not."

"So how did he defeat him?" I asked and Nagini seemed to shrug in reply.

"I do not know," the snake replied absentmindedly.

"Why do I feel there is something you are keeping from me?" I questioned.

"I have many secrets."

"Tell me your biggest secret," I urged.

"Why would you assume I would tell you anything beyond what I have already said?"

"Because your Master is not here which means that I am your Master," I replied angrily. Nagini seemed to consider this for a moment before nodding slowly.

"Then I shall tell you," the snake stated, "The maker's lair is located at negative seven point three two three and negative thirty-six point one six one six."

My jaw dropped open and I stared at the snake in stunned silence. I went over Nagini's reply a few times in my head while Draco and Khalida called out to me. I turned toward them but spun around quickly when I heard Nagini hiss a soft farewell.

"Wait!" I hissed loudly but the snake ignored me and continued down the hallway, disappearing into the shadows a moment later.

"Are you alright?" Draco asked worriedly and I nodded dumbly in reply.

"What did it say?" Khalida questioned.

"She gave me the coordinates for that place in Brazil," I replied sadly, "You know, the ones that Hermione worked out for us."

"But why would Nagini know that?" Draco asked in confusion.

"It's quite obvious really," Khalida replied smugly, "Nagini is the secret keeper."

I shuddered uncontrollably and Draco wrapped a comforting arm around my waist, as we turned to head back upstairs. I buried my face in the crook of his neck and attempted to calm myself.

"What's wrong?" Draco asked worriedly, "Are you cold?"

"No, I'm not cold," I stammered, "I'm just scared."

"Scared of what?" Khalida questioned.

"Who would have made Nagini their secret keeper? There's only one person I can think of," I explained as another shiver ran down my spine, "The only other person who speaks Parseltongue."

"Harry Potter?" Draco asked and Khalida smacked him upside the head.

"No you idiot," she snapped, "She was talking about Voldemort." Draco's mouth formed into a small 'O' shape as his eyes widened in surprise.

"Lucky me," I said sarcastically as we stepped off the staircase leading up from the dungeons. "It's going to be just like a family reunion."

-

-

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I was surprised that so many people forgot about poor little Thomas. Shame on you all. That's okay, I take notes on my own story just to keep up with everything :) Thanks for all the kind reviews, I'll try to update soon!

Tweeny-weeny: Thanks for the review. I'm glad you loved chapter 18.

Serb-Maco: Don't I always update soon? Thanks and I'm glad you liked it.

Jussy: I hope you can do more than just blink. If you can't then you're probably dead by now and you'll never be able to read the next chapter.

RaeBaeBananers: You think that's a cliffie? Not even close. I think I've done better than that in previous "cliffie" chapters.

LaRohaZeta: I'm glad you loved this chapter. I know I haven't talked about Oriel much but really so far the only people in the story who knew her are her mother and Harry and Harry's really not talking…yet. Also, I plan on writing a prequel once I'm done with the main story. I've never watched Smallville before. If it has Lex Luthor does that mean it involves Superman? Maybe I should check it out, I always did like comics.