AN: Before we begin I'd like to address the comment one of my readers made about how I shouldn't put up a poll for a story if I'm just going to change what happens later. Well there are a few things I feel I should point out:

1. Is that J. K. Rowling openly stated that she regretted not having Harry paired with Hermione in the Canon books as that was how the story had developed but she didn't want to deviate from her original pairing plans from the first books so she kept it Harry and Ginny. I don't want to make the same mistake and actually pay attention to how the story evolves as it grows.

2. This is still MY story and, as such, it is my decision as to what happens. I do like getting reviews with suggestions about how it can progress as they often give me ideas I hadn't thought of or it allows me to see how my story is viewed by others…but the final decision is still and always will be mine.

AN2: To the person who pointed out how I should keep Anastasia in the pairing because she was the one Harry lost his virginity to then I'll just say that I am still making a plan for Anastasia. I can't think of who else I can pair her with besides Harry but I'm considering having Harry be a sperm donor for her so she can have a child that would be the new Heir Malfoy as…well to be blunt we ALL know that the other Malfoys in this story aren't intelligent enough to survive. Hey, maybe I'll pair her with Natalie.

Harry Potter and the Heart of Power

Chapter 17

-Susan-

She didn't move from her spot as she heard the door to Harry's room open, she didn't even so much as blink. She hadn't left Harry's side since her Aunt had brought her to the medical bay inside Harry's Casino, she had eaten the barest minimum from what the House Elves had brought her and whenever she did collapse into sleep she rested with her head laid down next to Harry. Such had been her life for the past three days as she stood vigil over the man she loved, the Howlett brothers standing guard within the room, having already captured a would be assassin that had come to kill Harry…her Aunt had promised to make them regret that decision.

She did look up though when she heard the chair next to her creak under the weight of someone sitting on it, thinking it would be her Aunt, as her mother figure was one of the only people that the Howlett brothers actually let into the room, but she was surprised to see Anastasia Malfoy sitting in the seat next to her. The last time she had seen the woman she had seen someone who was strong, confident, and beautiful…that wasn't even close to what she saw now. Sitting beside her was a broken woman, someone who looked like they hadn't slept for a week, the Malfoy woman's eyes were bloodshot red from what she could only assume was crying. The woman's hair was a tangled mess and there was no sign of any sort of makeup anywhere on Anastasia's visage.

"I…I just heard about what happened." Anastasia choked out hoarsely, the woman's voice dry and raspy.

At first she didn't respond, not sure what to say to the woman after what had happened between the Malfoy woman and Harry mere days before. After a few minutes of silence she sighed and glanced at the woman next to her and said one word "Why?". The second the word left her mouth she heard the Howletts move to stand guard outside the room to give them some privacy.

At the question Anastasia sighed and ran a hand across her face before answering "When Harry and I…slept together…we were both on a euphoria high from winning the case and that, combined with all the alcohol in our systems, made it seem like a good idea. After waking up that morning…I panicked and ran. I knew how much Harry cared for you, how much you meant to him, and I thought I had destroyed what the two of you had. So I went to a small cottage in Germany that my grandfather left me. When I returned this morning Ragnok told me about how Harry was injured and I rushed over.".

Taking in a deep, shaky, breath she began twisting the fabric of her skirt beneath her fingers as she nervously asked "Do…do you love him?".

At that question Anastasia gave a weak, watery, chuckle and responded "It's impossible to truly know Harry and not love him for who he is…but as for being in love with him? I…I honestly don't know. What I do know is this," at that point Anastasia paused before taking in a deep breath and staring her in the eye "his heart belongs to you…not to me. Just promise me one thing.".

"What?" she asked weakly as she blushed faintly at the woman's statement.

Smiling faintly Anastasia gave her shoulder a weak squeeze before standing up "Be good to him." Anastasia stated simply before leaning down and gently kissing Harry's forehead and then walking out, leaving her lost in thought about what had been said. That night her Aunt came to get her and took her back to Hogwarts, classes set to restart the next day. She didn't say anything to anyone when she returned, her mind still lost in thoughts of what had been said…and what could still come.

-Quirrell-

"I'm sorry master!" he cried as he thrashed about on the floor of his office, his body racked with pain that his master used to punish him for his failure.

"You fool!" the hissing voice of Voldemort snarled at him "Your plan not only failed to get me the stone but you failed to even see what the first defense was! What made you believe a weak willed cretin like yourself could control a force such as a Shinigami?!".

"The Journal of the one who created them!" he cried out as the pain lessened before vanishing as he could feel his master's intrigue.

"Explain." Voldemort ordered as he gulped before diving into his reasoning.

"During my journey in which I discovered your hiding place master I discovered a journal in an old antique shop. The Journal was written in code but after translating it I found the command phrases to control the different Shinigamis as well as how to tell the difference between each one. I…I must have mistranslated part of the journal.".

"Obviously,"his master hissed scornfully before humming thoughtfully "but such knowledge… the ability to have an army of Shinigami's at my command…very well then. Once my body has been restored by the Stone you shall give me this Journal and I shall use its knowledge to bolster my forces. Am I understood?"

"Yes master." He whimpered as his body still ached with the pain his master had forced upon him.

-Natalie-

Sighing she sat in a chair next to Harry's bedside, editing one of her articles for the Daily Storm as she simply tried to keep Harry company, even if he wasn't conscious. "Has there been any change?" a new voice asked causing her to jump slightly before looking up to see Director Ragnok as well as Amelia Bones standing in the doorway.

"None." She sighed sadly as she ran her fingers through Harry's hair, wishing desperately that he would awaken.

"Fear not," Ragnok said firmly as she looked at the Goblin Chief in slight surprise "Harry is strong, stronger than any of us…he'll make it through this.".

"I know he's strong," Amelia sighed "I just wish he was back with us…back with Susan.".

At the name of the red haired niece of the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement Harry groaned softly, stirring in the bed as everyone with the room stared at the comatose boy in shock, this being the first noise he had made since being moved here.

"Su…san…" Harry whispered softly in his sleep before there was a pause, sounded only by the deafening silence….and then Harry's eyes shot open, the emerald orbs crackling with power. Harry Potter…was awake.