When Harry looked upon the drawing, it felt like someone had poured a pail of ice water over him. His mind went back to the day he had escaped and an echo of the cold, pain and desperation to escape crashed down upon him.

"Shh, it's okay," he heard Ginny whisper as she held him. "He can't hurt you here."

Harry brought his arms around her and breathed in the calming scent of her. The shaking in his body had nearly subsided when they heard footsteps coming into the room.

"Would you look at them, Ron," they heard Hermione say in mock disgust. "Who can't seem to keep their hands off each other now?"

Ron smirked and said, "That's enough, you two. I'll lose my appetite if I see a repeat of what I just—"

When they saw the expression on Harry's face both Ron and Hermione stopped abruptly.

Ginny said calmly, "Ron, please ask Nadia and Ivan to come in here."

"What—" Ron started to ask.

"Just go get them now."

Hermione asked, "Harry, what's wrong?"

When Harry did not answer, Ginny pointed at the drawing and asked, "What have you been researching?"

Hermione answered, "Ancient legends and magic. Voldemort likes to use old or obscure curses to guard his Horcruxes. After using the Mandora Amulet to help Harry, I wanted to look into the history and evolution of other spells and hexes. It really is fascinating. Why?"

Harry asked quietly, "What did you learn about this symbol?"

Ron came back in the room with Nadia and Ivan following quickly on his heels.

Hermione glanced at the page in the book Harry was pointing at.

Hermione answered, "Only that it is quite old and it might be the origin of the Dark Mark used by Voldemort and the Death Eaters."

Harry turned to Nadia and Ivan in time to see them exchange a concerned look.

Harry asked them, "Do you know anything about it?"

"Why do you ask, Harry?" Ivan queried back.

Harry replied, "Voldemort had a broken stone tablet outside the cell where he held me. Part of it was still missing but it had this mark etched on it. I didn't remember seeing it until just now."

Ivan said, "Hermione is correct. That symbol is believed to be the mark from which the Dark One derived what has become known as the Dark Mark today. The question then becomes what information he has obtained related to it."

Harry asked, "What do you mean?"

Ivan replied, "The legend behind the symbol is that it was the mark of the original Dark Magic sect. Long ago a group of Wizards started using their knowledge to gain power and wealth and to terrorize those who opposed them."

"Sound like anyone we know?" Ron asked.

Ivan nodded slightly and continued, "The legend says the sect crafted very powerful dark spells and rituals; possibly even some that could hold off death. Other than the drawing in this book there is very little evidence that the sect or such dark spells actually existed. There are only legends and stories."

Hermione stated, "But we know Voldemort has created Horcruxes in the hope of finding immortality, so a dark spell for that obviously exists."

Harry asked, "And the tablet with the symbol? Doesn't it sound like there really is something to the legend?"

"We do not know," Nadia answered. "But there may be someone else who can provide yu with greater insight."

"Who?" Harry asked.

"Mohamier," Nadia replied.

"Who is Mohamier?" Ginny asked.

Hermione answered, "He's an extremely knowledgeable wizard we met when we were here before."

Ivan said, "He has spent much of his life researching the origins and sociology of Wizard cultures. He has also studied the ancient Dark Sects extensively."

Hermione said, "But unfortunately he is no longer living in the village."

"Plus," Ron said looking pointedly at Harry, "wherever he is he is not alone."

Harry caught Ron's eye and message; Mohamier happened to be Lina's grandfather and the last they heard she had gone to live with him. But Harry's need to talk to anyone who could shed more light on the mark and what Voldemort might be up to overrode his need to avoid seeing Lina again. He would just need to have a long talk with Ginny before that possibility arose.

Choosing to ignore Ron's concern, Harry asked, "Do you know where he is?"

Ivan said, "No one knows where he has gone." Seeing the exasperated look on Harry's face, he continued, "But I will attempt to find a way to contact him as soon as possible. You will need to be patient."

Hermione said under her breath, "You'd have better luck teaching me to play Quidditch."

Harry tossed her an annoyed look.

Ginny took his arm and said, "Take it easy, Harry. There is nothing more we can find out until Ivan contacts Mohamier."

Harry was not in the mood to wait to find out more about the mark or about the meaning of the tablet he saw.

Ginny winked and smiled at him, "After lunch I'll take you on another tour of the garden."

This captured both Harry's and Ron's attention. Her brother blushed but Harry grinned reluctantly, "Yeah?"

Ron turned to Hermione and said, "Remind me to stay out of the garden this afternoon."

The following morning Harry went down the stairs to find that everyone was at breakfast.

Hermione looked up at him and said cheerfully, "Happy birthday, Harry!"

"Yeah, mate. Happy Birthday," Ron said handing him several brightly wrapped packages. "Bet you thought we forgot, huh?"

Harry stared in surprise. Apparently, he was the only one who had forgotten that today was his 18th birthday.

Harry sat down next to Ginny and Ivan placed a small box in front of him. "Here is something from Nadia and me."

Still feeling amazed, he said, "Thanks, everyone."

"Well, open them!" Hermione insisted.

The first gift turned out to be a tin of Harry's favorite homemade cookies from Mrs. Weasley.

Next, Harry opened the box from Nadia and Ivan; inside was a silver man's ring with a small, flat dark blue and black marbled stone set in it. He took the ring out and slipped it onto the pinky of his left hand. It fit perfectly.

Hermione gasped and asked, "Is that really a vérité ring?"

Ivan smiled and said, "It is. It has been in my family for many generations but I believe Harry may find a greater use for it now than I."

Harry asked, "A what ring?"

"A vérité ring; a truth ring," Hermione answered. "Only five of them are known to still exist. A French wizard created a set of ten rings centuries ago. Each ring enables the wearer to detect when someone is lying, even if they are under the Imperious Curse. I read that the Ministry has tried to recreate them for years but they have not had any luck."

Ivan said, "You ask someone a question, invoke the magic by saying 'vérité', and if the ring does not change color when the person answers then they have answered truthfully. If the color of the stone changes, they have lied."

Ron said, "Give it a try, Harry! Ask me a question."

"Alright," Harry said.

He thought of several questions that would cause Ron deep embarrassment, but then settled on, "How old am I as of today? Vérité."

Ron answered, "Fifteen."

They all watched the marbling in the stone ripple and then the blue color quickly turned bright yellow. It remained this way for several seconds and then the stone changed back to its original color.

"Wicked!" Ron exclaimed.

Hermione handed him a gift from her and Ron that turned out, unsurprisingly, to be a book.

Hermione explained, "It's an encyclopedia of wandless charms and defensive spells. After I learned that Ivan had started teaching you wandless magic, I thought it would be perfect for you."

Harry smiled and said, "Thanks, guys." He turned to Ginny and said good-humoredly, "Leave it to Hermione to find something that will require me to read and study."

Ginny only smiled slightly and looked down at the table.

She had been quiet since he came down but before he could ask her whether something was wrong, Ron said, "We have also decided that we're taking you to the tavern tonight to celebrate."

Hermione said. "We always had a great time whenever we went there. Plus, it will be an opportunity to see some people that we haven't seen since we've been back and introduce Ginny to them."

Hermione and Ron explained to Ginny about the most notable quirks of some of the more interesting local characters they had met, which caused laughter to ring around the table.

After breakfast, Harry noticed Ginny still did not seem to be in her normally good mood.

"Hey, Gin, is something wrong?"

She said sadly, "I had something picked out for your birthday but with all that happened before we came here I wasn't able to get it. I'm sorry."

Relieved, Harry asked, "Is that all that's bothering you?"

She nodded and said, "You went so many years without proper birthday presents. I didn't want that to happen any more."

He took her hand and said, "I don't need people to give me things to enjoy my birthday. Besides, maybe I think you gave me a pretty brilliant present already."

"I did?"

He nodded, "Sure. Couldn't you tell how much I enjoyed that tour of the garden after lunch yesterday? If it would make you feel better about not getting me something, you can give me another tour today."

He raised his eyebrows suggestively and she replied, "Why, Harry! I didn't know you had become so fascinated with gardens."

"Well, I have. Especially when the tour guide is such a spectacular kisser."

She slapped his arm in mock shock but walked happily toward the garden with him.

They arrived at the village tavern early that evening to find many of the locals already there and in high spirits. Old acquaintances were renewed and greetings exchanged when Harry, Ron and Hermione introduced Ginny to the many people they had met during their previous stay.

Harry could not remember feeling so happy on his birthday, other than the time Hagrid came to take him away from the Dursleys to introduce him to a whole new life. His spirits were also high since Ivan had informed him that he had derived a way to get a message to Mohamier; it gave Harry hope that they might soon unravel the mystery of the old Dark Mark.

During a pause in his conversation with Ivan, Ron approached him and tapped him on the shoulder.

Ron said, "Hey, Harry… I was wondering if I, um, could have a word with you."

"Sure, what's up?" Harry glanced across the room to see Hermione and Ginny in what seemed to be a deep conversation.

Ron continued haltingly, "Well… we were wondering… actually, Hermione was wondering… apparently today is an anniversary of sorts for us and you know how girls can be about these things… well she was hoping you wouldn't mind…" he trailed off, having difficulty finding the right words to phrase his question.

Harry listened to Ron struggle for a few moments and then asked, "Ron, what are you trying to ask me?"

Ron started to turn red and he said hurriedly, "WouldyoumindhangingwithGinnyforabittonight so 'Mione and I can spendsometimealoneinthegirl'sroom?"

Harry stared at Ron trying to decipher what he had just asked. "Would I mind doing what so that you and Hermione can what?"

Ron's face went a deeper shade of red, and he said more slowly, "Would you mind staying up with Ginny for a while tonight so that Hermione and I can have some time alone in the, um…"

"Bedroom?" Harry asked and started to grin; he was enjoying Ron's discomfort. Then he continued as if a brilliant idea had just come to him, "That might be fun for us, too."

"Harry!" Ron growled. "I'm not saying you should do anything like that with Ginny! Just… well… normally I wouldn't ask you about something like this, but it's an anniversary after all, and it's been a while since we, you know…"

"An anniversary, huh?"

Ron nodded, his embarrassment still growing, "Apparently the first time we told each other 'I love you' was on your birthday last year and Hermione thinks it's a big thing to celebrate."

"So let me get this straight," Harry said. He was trying to decide if he felt more annoyed or amused. "You want me to baby-sit your sister so that you can 'you know' with your girlfriend but I'd better not do anything 'like that' with Ginny. Did I get that right?"

Ron stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans and looked down at the floor.

Finally Harry said, "Fine, Ron," causing Ron to look back at him with relief showing on his face.

Harry continued, "As long as Ginny doesn't mind, you two can 'celebrate your anniversary' for as long as you like."

Ron broke into a smile and said, "You're the best, Harry! Thanks—"

Harry broke in and said, "But Ginny and I will decide for ourselves what my baby-sitting duties will entail, got it?"

Ron looked past Harry's shoulder to see Hermione and Ginny heading their way and said reluctantly, "Okay, Harry, sure."

Hermione looked from Ron to Harry and asked hopefully, "Well? All set?"

Harry assumed that Hermione had just finished asking Ginny to aid them in their rendezvous plans and was trying to gauge her reaction.

Ginny said with a wink at Harry, "It's getting late and Nadia and Ivan have already left. Why don't we head back and we can continue to celebrate your birthday there?"

Harry smiled back at her and took her hand. They had nearly made it to the door when a voice called out, stopping them.

"Harry! You are back!"

Harry turned to see a dark-haired girl crossing the room and coming quickly toward him. She threw her arms around his neck and before he could pull away, she captured his mouth with hers in a very enthusiastic and ardent kiss. Harry pulled her arms from around his neck in an attempt to extricate himself from her embrace. Finally succeeding, he stepped back to see her beaming at him.

Without smiling back Harry said, "Hello, Lina."

Lina's hair was as black as Harry's and it hung in a long shining veil past the middle of her back. She was nearly as tall as Harry and she was wearing a dark blue, low-cut sleeveless blouse that provided a provocative view of ample cleavage; a long matching skirt accentuated her small waist. Ginny had seen catalogs filled with famous Muggle underwear models in her brothers' rooms on several occasions. Lina had a figure that any of those models would envy.

Looking at him coyly, Lina said, "Oh, Harry! It has been months since vee haf seen each other and I haf missed you terribly. After all vee shared, is that all you can say?"

Stunned, Ginny looked from the girl to Harry for an explanation. Apparently, they knew each other, and quite well from the look and sound of it.

Lina reluctantly tore her eyes from Harry to hug Hermione and Ron in a familiar greeting and then she turned to Ginny.

Looking directly into Lina's face, Ginny's apprehension grew further. She had the bluest eyes Ginny had ever seen with long black lashes; her perfect, dark eyebrows framed her eyes beautifully and they angled up slightly to give her an extremely exotic feline look. Her skin was creamy and flawless. She was positively gorgeous and the epitome of what Ginny always thought to be many men's fantasy.

Awkward silence filled the air between them until Hermione found her voice to make the introductions, "I'd like to introduce you to Ginny… um, Ron's sister. Ginny, this is Lina, one of the friends we met while we were here the last time… So, what are you doing here? We heard you had gone to live with your grandfather."

When Hermione introduced them, Lina's smile faltered slightly and Ginny thought she saw a flicker of irritation flash in her eyes.

Recovering quickly, Lina smiled brightly at her and said, "It is very nice to meet you, Geany. I do hope you are enjoying your stay in our quaint village. I know Harry had a vonderful time ven he vas here before."

Trying very hard to smile back, Ginny said, "It's nice to meet you as well, Lina. I have been having a very nice visit, thank you."

Harry eyed the exchange warily and mentally kicked himself for postponing his discussion about Lina with Ginny. There just had never seemed to be an appropriate time to broach the subject. However, Lina's unexpected appearance had given him an idea; perhaps he could get in touch with Mohamier sooner and survive the night without Ginny sending bat bogeys after him.

Answering Hermione's question, Lina said, "I haf bean living vith Grandfather for several months, but it does get boring. Grandfather vill probably keel me, vonce he knows I am gone. He has not vanted me to go very far from him lately."

She turned back to Harry and grabbed his arm to hug it to her and continued, "I heard that you vere back and I just had to see for myself; especially ven today is your birthday!"

Uncomfortable with her clinging, not to mention being concerned with what Ginny's reaction was going to be, Harry attempted to pull his arm free from her grasp.

He said coolly, "You shouldn't have troubled yourself."

Lina held on to him more tightly and said, "But, Harry, I haf bean receiving the English papers and reading the articles about you! Near death for so long in the hospital! I vas so vorried about you! I had vanted to go see you, but Grandfather vould not let me. And hafing survived that, you fight Death Eaters! You haf become an even greater hero!"

Harry was finding it impossible to free his arm from her grip and he replied, "You shouldn't be too impressed by what you read in the papers. They tend to exaggerate. And would you mind giving me my arm back?"

Ignoring his request, Lina rubbed her hand familiarly across his chest and smiled at him, "You are too humble, but I am relieved you haf recovered and are looking very vell."

Harry glanced at Ginny and saw her face darken. His eyes met hers briefly and his heart sank when he saw questioning hurt there.

Noticing the exchange and wanting to spare her two friends as much as possible, Hermione said, "It's been good to see you again, Lina, but it really is getting late and we were just about to leave. Maybe we can visit with you another time."

She took Ron's arm to lead him toward the door.

Upsetting Ginny further was the last thing Harry wanted to do but he could not miss the opportunity to talk to Lina about contacting her grandfather. Finally pulling free from Lina's grasp, he went to Ginny who had turned to follow her brother and Hermione out the door.

He bent down so he could whisper in her ear, "I'm sorry about Lina and I'll explain everything later. I just want to talk to her—"

Lina came up directly behind them and said, "If they are tired, vhy do you not stay, Harry? Vee can haf a drink and catch up for a bit."

Ginny looked at Harry and said quietly, "Go ahead and stay with your friend. We'll see you later."

She turned away from him and without giving him a chance to stop her, she started walking up the street toward the library.

Ron said, "Come on, Harry. I think we all had better go now."

Harry turned to Ron and Hermione and said, "I want to speak to Lina about our research first. I'll be along in a bit."

In the meager light shining from the tavern windows, Harry could tell that Ron was angry. He had obviously seen the hurt expression on his sister's face and had not understood the message Harry had tried to give them.

Hermione on the other hand frowned disapprovingly but said, "We'll see you soon then."

Hermione turned to follow Ginny, but she had to give Ron's arm a yank to get him to move.

Once they were gone, Lina took Harry's hand to lead him back into the tavern and said, "Can I buy a hero a drink, then?"

Harry pulled his hand away before she could get too tight of a hold on him again and said, "I don't want a drink, Lina. I just want to talk to you for a moment."

"Shall vee sit then?" she replied, taking a seat on a bench on the tavern porch.

Harry sat as far away from her as he could on the opposite end of the bench.

Lina said, "She is very pretty. You haf decided to go back vith her and you are happy?"

Harry replied tersely, "My relationship with Ginny really isn't any of your concern."

Lina got up and sat back down next to him. She placed her hand on his knee and slowly began to move it up his thigh.

"I can make you happy, Harry. I know you enjoyed our time together. Vot can she give you that I cannot?"

Harry replied brusquely, "Trust?"

Lina pulled her hand back. "I haf apologized many times for trying to give you that potion. I haf svorn to you that I vill never do anything like that again. I vas just so upset that you vere going to leave ven your research vas done, especially after vee had bean—"

"I told you all along we wouldn't be staying in Romania," Harry cut in gruffly. "You were the one who pushed for our relationship to go farther than it should have, so don't go bringing that up again. I'll get straight to the point. I want you to help us to get in touch with Mohamier."

"Vhy?"

Harry answered, "We have discovered a piece of research that he definitely will want to know about and we need to discuss it with him as soon as possible."

"Grandfather does not vont anyone to know vhere he is and I cannot tell you," Lina said.

Harry replied, "I'm not asking you to tell me where he is. I just need you to take a message to him for me."

"He knows you hurt me ven you broke up vith me," Lina said looking down at her hands. "Perhaps my grandfather does not vish to see or hear from you."

Harry replied, "Perhaps your grandfather is a lot more understanding than you think."

Lina looked up quickly and narrowed her eyes at him, "Vot did you tell him about us?"

"I didn't tell him anything."

"Then vhy…?"

Harry said, "Wait here a minute."

He walked into the tavern, and asked the bartender for a piece of parchment and a quill. He jotted a quick note and, drew the old Dark Mark as best as he could. He was by no means a good artist but he thought his rendition of the mark was fair and Mohamier would understand what mark he referred to in his note. He tapped the parchment twice with his wand and the writing and drawing disappeared. He walked back out to the porch to find Lina still sitting on the bench.

Handing her the parchment he said, "Take this to your grandfather and let him decide for himself whether he wants to see to me or not."

She took the parchment, turned it over, and observed, "It is blank."

"I used one of Mohamier's own charms. Only he will be able to read it."

"You really do not trust me now," Lina said, pouting slightly.

Harry shrugged, "Perhaps I've learned to be cautious."

Lina stood up, folded the parchment and placed it in the pocket of her skirt. She took a step closer to him and reached a hand out to caress his face. "I really haf missed you…"

Harry grabbed her wrist and purposefully placed it down by her side. "Will you take the message to Mohamier?"

Lina looked into his eyes a moment and then sighed, "I vill do as you ask."

Suddenly, there was a rustling off to the side of the porch that caused them both to jump. Harry quickly pulled out his wand.

"Lumos!" he said and jumped over the railing.

He pointed his wand in the direction of the sound and looked around for several minutes but found nothing.

Walking back to the foot of the steps, Harry said, "Must have been an animal or something, but there's nothing there now."

He looked up at Lina and said, "When you see him, tell your grandfather I wish him well and that I am looking forward to hearing from him."

Lina walked down the steps to stand directly in front of Harry. Before he could take a step backward, she leaned forward and kissed him.

At his lack of response, she stepped back and asked, "She truly has captured your heart den?"

Harry responded, "Good night, Lina," and turned to walk back to the library.

x x x x x

In an old mansion, a rat with a silver paw convulsed as it morphed into a human form. He scuttled down a dark corridor toward one of the largest chambers. Wormtail raised his hand to knock upon the door but froze when he saw his master's large snake, Nagini, slither past his feet.

The door opened and he watched the snake halt in front of Voldemort who was seated before a large fireplace. His master's long, skeletal fingers stroked its head almost affectionately; then his fingers came to rest on the snake's bejeweled collar that was a recent adornment.

When the door opened wider Wormtail saw Severus Snape was also in the room.

"That is all for now, Severus. You may go." With this dismissal from Voldemort, Snape bowed and turned to leave. A withering glare was the only acknowledgement Snape gave Wormtail as he passed.

Without looking at him Voldemort said, "You have news, Wormtail?"

Bowing as he entered the room, Wormtail replied, "Yes, master! Y-you were correct. The granddaughter went back to the village."

"Then you know where the old man now resides," Voldemort stated.

"I- I d-did not g-get that information, Master—"

Voldemort stood up and pointed his wand at Wormtail, "Then you should not have yet returned! Crucio!"

Wormtail dropped to the floor screaming and writhing in agony until Voldemort finally released him from the torturous curse.

Wormtail gasped for breath and pleaded, "P-please master! I have n-news. Harry Potter was with her! I-I thought this to be information you w-would want to k-know!"

Voldemort looked down at Wormtail in surprise, "Potter was there?"

Wormtail said, "Y-yes, Master! And my old owner, the youngest Weasley b-boy, and also his sis—"

Voldemort's mood changed abruptly and he cut Wormtail off, "So that is where he has disappeared to. This is a fortunate turn of events."

Wormtail could still feel the pain from the curse but he was encouraged by his master's interest.

He continued his explanation, "At f-first I dared not g-get too close, so I could not hear their entire conversation; but he gave her a piece of parchment with a message for her grandfather."

"What was the message?"

Wormtail's face fell and he admitted, "I'm s-sorry, Master, I couldn't see it. He charmed it so no one else could read it."

Voldemort was quiet for a moment then said almost to himself, "I have heard many find the granddaughter beautiful."

"She is very beautiful, Master," Wormtail nodded.

"And Potter? Does it seem he finds her so or that he cares for her? Perhaps she could be used as a tool against Potter as well as the old man."

"I think not, Master," Wormtail replied. "It seems he doesn't trust her."

"Too, bad," Voldemort said.

Apparently, Potter was able to resist what others could not. Many times a beautiful face had been the downfall of an otherwise powerful wizard; that particular weakness in others had proven extremely advantageous in the past.

"You have done surprisingly well, Wormtail. Go back to the village and keep an eye on Potter until I am ready to bring him in."