The Ties That Bind

The Ties That Bind

Part 1, The First Rise

By Laura ([email protected])

Chapter 3: A Budding Friendship

She hit the counter curse, and Casey was released.

"You're getting better," he said quietly.

She nodded. "I think so too."

"Are you ever going to use it on him?" He asked.

"If the time ever comes up."

"Use what on whom?" The siblings turned to see Riley Haderson enter the "barn." On the outside, to the Texan Muggles, it looked like a barn. To the witches and wizards, it was an Auror Training House. The particular room they were in right now was a complete contrast to the outside appearance, with its silver walls and clean cut look. The room was empty with the exception of the maps, the mirrors, and the training weapons and almost had the guise of a Do-Jang.

Riley Haderson was one of the top Aurors in America, Jessica's Uncle Daniel Montgomery probably being the only one better. Riley was in his early thirties, with longish darker brown hair, goatee, and intense brown eyes. Even his glasses did not take away from his roguish appeal. Right now, he was wearing a black wizard's robe and dark hiking boots.

"Use what on whom?" He repeated, stopping and putting his hands behind his back to look between the two.

"A levitation spell on Jack Ronson," Jessica answered then without hesitation.

"You're lying to me." The corner of Riley's mouth went up in a barely noticeable grin.

"Every day of my life," Jessica murmured. Riley gave an even bigger smile.

"Seriously, what were you two doing?"

"Playing," Jessica responded with a completely serious face.

"Smart ass." Riley turned to Casey, who was starting to smile himself. He pointed to the boy. "Don't take any lessons from her."

"Too late."

"Arghh," Riley growled. Both kids giggled. "How do you like Hogwarts?" He asked Jessica, changing the subject.

"It's fine." She got quiet again.

"Just fine?"

"Alright."

"Just alright?"

"I feel like I'm talking to a parrot." Jessica glared at him.

"I just thought you'd like it better..." Riley seemed to realize what he was going to say and thought it best to shut his mouth.

"Better than what?" Casey asked innocently. Jessica didn't say anything.

"Better. Just better," Riley answered quietly.

"It's fine," Jessica finally spoke.

Riley gave her a concerned look for a long time before nodding slowly. "Okay. I have to go. Danny and I are going over plans for an infiltration tomorrow night. Silence, capeesh?" Both kids nodded, use to having inside information and not talking about it.

When Riley left, Casey turned back to Jessica. "What was that about? Better than what?"

"Better than being with dad."

Casey thought about that for a long minute. "Is it?" He finally asked.

Jess shrugged. "Kind of. It's school, and my housemates leave a lot to be desired..." she smiled to herself, "One is pretty cool though, once he warms up to you."

"What's his name?"
Jessica looked over at Casey. "Severus Snape. Don't say anything though."

"Will people know him around here?" Casey asked as they started out of the barn and back to the mansion they called home.

"The wrong people, I'm guessing."

Casey nodded. They were silent the rest of the way home, looking at the ground as they crawled up the hillside at a slow pace. Casey was two inches shorter than his sister, who was short herself. He was small and skinny, with spiky brown hair and silver wire-rimmed glasses. A boy with an inquisitive nature, he was dripping with the mannerisms that many associated with such a type of personality. All thought they knew him, could tell you all about him with just one look, but Jessica knew there was a different side to her brother's calm, patient surface, a side that had been and would always only be released when the time was perfect for it. No one had any idea how powerful 10-year old Casey Ziners really was, and he would just as soon keep it that way.

Jessica, on the other hand, did not get any of the Montgomery patience, calm, or self-control. She inherited her father's anger, aggression, and demand to have things done her way or else. The only thing that made her different from her father in personality and self-claims was that small part that she had deeply inherited from her Montgomery side, the side that dictated all of what she was. It was a part of her that her father could not touch, a part she would not let him touch. Though he liked to pretend otherwise, she knew that that infuriated him.

All seemed well when they entered their house until one of their house elves walked past them. It was Malf, one of their oldest house elves and one of the very few that were more loyal to the kids than to their father. It was probably because he served the Montgomerys long before he served the Ziners.

Malf nodded towards the dining room. It was near suppertime, but why would he point that out to them? He gave them a long look, and that's when they understood. They had a visitor. More so, they had a visitor they would not like.

Casey and Jessica looked at each other before taking a deep breath and heading towards the dining room. Jessica's skin crawled at the sight that greeted them. Her Godfather's smile zeroed in on her immediately.

"So, Jessica. Hogwarts. How was it?" His voice was thick and oozy.

She slowly took her place at the table. "Nice. Not as far advanced as I would like it." He would enjoy those words, she knew.

Tom Riddle leaned back and steepled his fingers as the house elves brought in the food. When they left, Riddle remained in that position, his eyes boring into Jessica.

"Slytherin, I presume."

Jessica could not find a smart retort inside herself, so she just nodded. She could feel her dad's proud eyes on her and Riddle's intrusive ones. They both made her feel like an experiment, rather than an 11-year old girl.

Tom looked to the other side. He, of course, sat at the head of the table while Jeffery Ziners sat across from his daughter. Jeffery and Riddle had been best friends growing up, but nowadays Jeffery served as Riddle's most loyal servant and major financial backer. Oh, and Jessica almost forget to mention, father of Riddle's supposed weapons. Though some part of her knew that it was deeply wrong, she couldn't wait to turn those weapons on their maker. Too bad she couldn't turn them on the idiot at the head of the table right now.

"Jeffery, I still believe that it might be better to train her privately rather than sending her to Hogwarts."

"I see your point, Tom, but imagine. That old fogey Dumbledore will become attached to her. He didn't kill you when he had the chance. He will not try to kill Jessica until she becomes too dangerous and good enough to hold up against even him."

Tom smirked. "I like the way you think."

The table went silent for a short time afterwards. A house elf poured Casey some pumpkin juice, and he reached for his glass. Jessica saw it a second before it happened. His fingers were a bit too low. Her hand was already halfway there when three of Casey's fingers knocked into the glass, and it tipped. Jessica caught it just as one drip dropped. After she righted it, she went back to her own pumpkin juice, and as she sipped the glass, her eyes moved to Tom's. The smile he was giving her made her not want to know what was going on behind those eyes.

* * *

"So, how is Hogwarts going, Son?" Michael Snape asked. The Ministry worker was home for one of his brief stints. Even so, of his two parents, Michael was Severus's favorite. As Severus looked at his mother, he thought that that was no surprise. She was a smallish, ugly woman, the Muggle looking version of a witch. But it wasn't just her appearance that was ugly. She was mean and vindictive, always looking for ways to get back at Michael for having a job other than doting on her one hundred percent of the time. Severus had a strong suspicion this anger had started with Severus' own birth.

Michael, on the other hand, was a tall, good-looking fellow, with long black hair and a crooked nose. He wasn't full of charm like Marcus Potter or grace like Ignatius Malfoy, but he was hard working and smart, two qualities Severus greatly admired.

"Hogwarts is a good school. I like it." The last part was a lie but not a big one.

"Any friends?"

Severus shrugged and started to answer when Salazar answered for him, "He has a girl friend."

Michael looked humored, but that wasn't what bothered Severus. It was his mother's interested look.

"Who is this female friend?" Michael asked with a smile.

"Jessica Ziners," Severus answered casually, looking at his father but keeping a cautious eye on his mother. She smiled. Uh oh.

"Jessica Ziners?" Michael asked with a smile, but the smile seemed forced and a mite nervous. Severus had a slight idea as to why his mother was smiling, but what exactly would make his father nervous? Michael's response didn't help clear it up any more for Severus.

"Nice girl. I met her once about a year ago. Pretty too."

Severus shrugged. "She just hangs around me."

"How are your classes?" Michael asked further, seeming to understand that Severus didn't want to talk about Jessica.

"Interesting," Severus replied quietly.

Michael nodded. Severus watched him out of his peripheral vision and noticed Michael give him a long, unreadable look. Severus just kept to his meticulous task of cutting his food into small bites.

* * *

"Marcus," Dumbledore smiled as Marcus Potter walked into the large doors of Hogwarts.

"Why is it again that we cannot Apparate within a mile of Hogwarts? It would make things a lot easier on the brooms."

Stephen and Minerva walked in to hear Marcus's question. Stephen smiled. "Do not tell me a great Auror is questioning the splendid security of Hogwarts School."

Marcus laughed as the two old friends shook hands. "No, Stephen. This great Auror is just merely whining. How was another Christmas at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?"

"Wonderful, just wonderful," Stephen answered for the group, looking intently at Marcus. "But my old Auror's sense is sensing that Minerva's and my presence are not required for this visit. Just make sure to stop by for a small chat."

Marcus nodded and Minerva smacked a laughing Stephen's shoulder as the two professors walked away.

Marcus turned to Dumbledore then.

"And my very old Auror's sense is sensing that I am the required one for this visit," Dumbledore said quietly.

Marcus gave a slow nod. "Yes, it is, Professor. If we could go to your office...?"

Dumbledore nodded and Marcus followed him to the small room at the top of the twirling staircase. Once settled in there, Marcus started quietly.

"The circumstances of a certain student here have been brought to my attention. I have been researching on my ability to do anything in this case governmental but my wife suggested a better course."

"To forget the fact you are an agent of the government and work on this case as a friend?" Dumbledore suggested lightly.

The corner of Marcus's mouth went up a little bit. "Exactly. So here I am, a friend."

"Might I ask as to the identity of this student?"

Marcus nodded but took a long time to answer. Finally when he did, his hazel eyes never left Dumbledore's old blue ones. "Jessica Ziners."

The headmaster nodded. "I suspected as much."

"That brings me to my point. What are your thoughts on this matter?"

"I'm sure my thoughts are the same as those that were brought to you. Her change in her demeanor around her father. Do you mind if I ask what it was that brought Ms. Ziners' situation to your present attention?"

Marcus looked away. "No, that's fine. It was Arthur Weasely. His wife Molly is Jessica's Godmother. Jessica was staying at their house when Molly noticed her treating a wound on her back that looked a lot like a Crucio wound."

Albus nodded slowly. "Do you think it was a Crucio wound, Marcus?"
Marcus looked back at Dumbledore. "Let's just say it wouldn't surprise me if it was."

* * *

Christmas break was over and Jessica was waiting in the back of the crowd for the train. Everyone left her alone, and Jessica would have rather kept it that way, but even her young mind was cynical enough already to know that that wasn't to be had. Even though she knew that, she had no escape plan ready when Lily smiled at her and started over. Jess put her mouth close to the Styrofoam cup and spit. She looked at the blood to make sure no teeth came with it. Get distracted Lily, Jessica prayed silently, not looking at her in hopes it would discourage her, get distracted, Jesse thought again. She liked Lily and all but did not want her already suspicious friend to get even more suspicious as to Jessica's sometimes-mysterious wounds.

Jessica's prayers were answered when Alice Bolmond walked up to her. Lily stopped to greet her newer friend. Jessica looked back at her cup, and when she looked up again, Severus was walking up to her. He glanced at her and nodded, looking down again. She did the same thing, thinking he didn't really care why she was holding a Styrofoam cup so close.

But Severus did take notice and noticed a lot more than Jessica would have liked. He glanced at her again before casually looking around. Everyone was excitedly reuniting with friends and could care less about the two loner Slytherins. Seeing that no one was paying them any attention, Severus laid a hand on Jessica's shoulder and guided her behind a post. He took the hand off her shoulder and gently guided her Styrofoam cup down. He put his other hand on her forehead and pressed her head back against the post.

"Open wide," he instructed quietly.

As he moved his hand away from the cup and reached for his wand, she asked, "Why?"

"Just do it."

She did. He looked closely for a minute before asking, "Did you spit out any teeth yet?" Jessica shook her head. "Okay, good. Just a little spell then." He murmured one with his wand pointed at her mouth. When he was done, she closed her mouth and felt around with her tongue. No blood.

"Won't you get in any trouble for using magic?" Jessica asked quietly as he put his wand away.

Looking anywhere but her, he shook his head. "No. Lucius's father cleared every Slytherin on the books at the Ministry. If we do magic, they won't be notified."

"Even me?"

He nodded. As they started back around the post, he looked at her and asked, "Mother or father?"

She gave him a confused look. He nodded toward her mouth. She looked away and her voice went quiet. "Father. Mother died when I was seven."

"Was it by your father?" She looked away and didn't notice him cringe. "Sorry. I'm insensitive sometimes."

"How about you? Mother or father?" He gave her a surprised look. "Most eleven year olds don't learn how to heal a mouth because they're bored," she said.

He nodded. "True. Mother."

"What about Father?"
"Not around a lot, but don't get me wrong. He's a good dad. Just not around a lot."

To his surprise, she didn't criticize. "What's he do?"

"He works at the Ministry. Head of International Magical Cooperation."

She nodded. "Cool."

"What's your dad do?"

She laughed sarcastically. "I'm surprised you haven't heard yet."

Severus gave a small smile. "I have; I just thought it would be polite to ask."

She snickered. "Business man in both the Muggle world and in the magic world, a sort of double identity. My mother had the cooler job though. She was an Unspeakable in America."

Severus smiled. "That would be cool. My mother is a Potions Mistress. Sells her potions to local shops. Makes a real good living doing it, though both she and dad come from family money."

"Mom came from family money. Dad didn't. Earned his way up from average living. Guess that's why he likes him so much. Reminds him of himself."

They boarded the train then and found a compartment to themselves. Jessica smiled to herself as they talked the whole way to Hogwarts. Maybe Hogwarts was going to be a little better than home. Maybe Riley was just going to be a little right.

* * *

"Seven arrests," Riley smiled. "Doesn't hurt."

Danny shook his head as they walked into the main building of the American Department of Magic. Andorra Dumbledore brushed past them on her way by without ever saying hi. Danny gave her a curious look. The sister of Albus Dumbledore, the witch was the Head of Magical Law Enforcement in America and one hell of a witch, a force to be reckoned with. Also, at 5'6", with brown hair, blue eyes, she was a pretty witch, and even though she was older, she was one that, Riley thought with a smile, had definitely caught Daniel Montgomery's eye.

"What's wrong?" Danny called out aimlessly.

"Another attack in England," Derrick Reimer answered. He was an older wizard, with glasses, thinning hair, and a bum leg. His prime days as an Auror had passed and now he just worked in the department as one of Andorra's strategists. "They believe this to be by that wizard...the one that goes by Lord Voldemort."

"What specifically happened?" Riley asked.

Derrick looked at Andorra as she walked around the other end of the front room barking out orders before he answered. "A Muggle's house was attacked. No one was killed, but they had to put one hell of a Memory Charm on the Muggle son of the household. According to the report, he was pretty frightened."

Riley looked at Danny to see him still looking at Andorra.

"Do you think this may be a time to offer our services?" Riley asked.

Danny shook his head. "Not now. We have enough trouble on our hands with what is starting to occur over here."

Riley nodded. "True. And the Brits are one up on us even."

Danny gave him a curious look.

"They have a name, whereas we have no idea who is trying to plan attacks here."

"Voldemort?" Danny said. Riley nodded to which Danny snorted. "That's not a name. That's a costume to hide behind. Lord Voldemort. It's the crockiest costume I've ever heard in my whole damn life."

Riley bit his lip as Danny walked back out still mumbling under his bath. "Yeah, Lord Voldemort Smoldemort. I know what I would call him if I saw him..."

Riley followed him with a smirk.

* * *

"We're going to win again, so instead of cheering, I'm going to save my strength for my homework," Jessica told Severus as they sat in the Quidditch stands.

She laughed when his jaw dropped from its hinges.

"Gosh, before I talked I shoulda bet someone I coulda shocked you," Jessica smiled.

"I cannot believe you are going out of your way for your homework."

"I imagined that's what you thought from the jaw drop."
"My jaw did not drop."

"It did too."

"It did not."

"Did too."

"Did not."

"Did too."

"I am not going to continue this!" Severus had to shout the last as cheers rang up when Slytherin scored another point.

Jessica smirked.

"You're incorrigible," Severus muttered.

"I'm a what?" She gave him a bewildered looked.

"Incorrigible. It means that nothing really stops you, you're persistent."

"That's a good thing, isn't it?" She asked.

"Some of the time. In the context in which I used it with you, it was not a compliment."

"I like to listen to you talk," she said suddenly.

"What?" Severus finally looked at her.

"It's so proper," she said. "I like listening to you." When all he did was sit and stare at her like she sprouted a third head, she turned back to the game.

* * *

Jess-

Are you and Severus Snape dating? I rarely see one of you without the other. It makes me laugh.

I've heard some rumors about Snape though. They say that his mother works for this Lord Voldemort. Does she? Does Snape know who Voldemort is? Everyone here says he does. They say that you know too, but I don't believe that. You wouldn't keep something like that a secret.

I can't believe the antics of James Potter and his two friends, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin. Sometimes they're funny, but mostly they are just plain annoying. And you won't believe what James did the other day! I was having a fight with Narcissa Black when Malfoy walked up and started insulting me. James walked up and started into a fight with Malfoy. A physical fight! When I asked James why he fought with Malfoy, he said it was to protect me! The nerve of him!! Urgh!

I've got to get back to my homework. Hope all is going well with you!

Your Friend,

Lily

* * *

Severus reclined against the tree to read their Transfiguration textbook. Jessica laid next to him on her stomach reading their Potions textbook.

"This is boring," she said.

"Keep reading quietly," Severus murmured.

"Why?"

"Because I want to do my homework, and your talking distracts me."

She giggled and pushed his knee before going back to her work silently. It was about a minute later when a frog leapt onto Severus's textbook. He just sat and stared at it in confusion before he heard a voice and a few running feet.

"Hey, slimy Slytherin," Sirius Black said. "Give us that back." Standing behind him were the rest of the Gryffindor boys.

Severus started to hand it back up, but Sirius, in the guise of trying to grab it, slapped it out of Severus's hand. The frog went flying. Upon landing, it took off jumping again.

"Ah, now look what you did," Black said. "Go get it."

Severus started to stand up, but Jessica put a hand on his knee. Without looking up from his textbook, she said, "It's his frog, his problem. Leave it be."

"Shut up, Ziners," Black quickly retorted. When Severus looked at him again, Sirius pointed to the direction the frog had leapt.

"Severus, no," Jessica finally looked up at him, but it wouldn't be the command that kept Severus still. It was Jessica's eyes. They were a deep, stormy blue, and they were getting darker by the second.

"You taking orders from a girl...Snivellus?" Sirius asked with a self-satisfied smirk. The Gryffindor boys snickered.

Severus started to get up again, but this time Jessica followed. "Sirius Black, get your own frog before I make you do it," she growled.

Sirius started to retort but was caught short when he noticed her normally bright eyes. They were so dark that you couldn't tell the pupil from the rest of the coloring in the eye.

"What is wrong with you, Ziners?" Black asked, disgust in his voice.

Before she could answer, James grabbed Sirius's shoulder. Severus noticed something on Potter's face that confused him. He was looking at Jessica's but some nervous understanding was there. Finally though, James turned from Jessica, whose eyes never left Sirius'. "Let's leave Ziners and her man-servant. He probably couldn't find the frog if it was still in his lap."

"Next time I see that frog, Potter," Jessica said, "it'll be cooked before I stuff it down Black's throat."

The boys were already moving on though.

When Jessica turned to talk to Severus, he was gone. She scanned the area and found him stomping back up to the castle, his bag slung over his shoulder. Jessica sighed before picking up her things and following him inside.

* * *

Severus ignored her for about a week before just surrendering to letting her hang around him. There was only one time when either spoke aloud about what happened with Black.

"Never defend me again."

She pretended she didn't hear him though they both knew that she had.

* * *

Lily-

James and his friends can go jump off a cliff for all I care. All of the Gryffindor boys can join them.

Don't hold me with such high aspirations, Lily. Many of the rumors about me, my father, and the Ziners have some truth to them. Don't talk to me about them and don't ask about them. The last thing I want to do is lie to you.

Don't rag on James for defending you. He was probably just jumping at the chance to beat on Malfoy. I know those two hate each other. They pretty much have as long as I've known them.

Well, I better go before Severus rags on me for not doing my homework.

Your Friend,

Jess

* * *

"We won the Quidditch Cup. Can you see my surprise?" Jessica smirked at Jeff Rin as he walked past. Jessica and Severus were out on the lawn doing homework. Well, Severus was. Jessica was lying back on the green grass, staring up at the big blue sky.

Jeff chuckled. "That we did, and your immense surprise pleases me. Question though. More of a statement actually, but you will see my question within it."

"Yes?"
"We will be short a Beater and Seeker next year."

"I will be trying out for Seeker," she said then smiled at Severus, who was hunched over, engrossed in his book, "and I just might have a Beater to bring with me."

Jeff glanced at the oblivious Severus before looking back at Jessica. "Do you think he would be any good?"
"I think he would have an eye for it and some good quick judgment."

Jeff nodded, sparing Severus a look before he left.

"I cannot be a Beater."

Jessica looked at Severus's back. He kept his eyes locked on the book. She knew though he had been listening. "Why not?" She asked calmly.

"I would not be any good at it."

"All you have is to strengthen up your arms a bit. You already do that by helping out Professor Rum lifting all that stuff in the Potions Supply Room."

This time, Severus did turn to look at her. "How did you know I do that?"

"Just because I talk a lot doesn't mean I don't notice anything. You would be surprised if you knew all of what I do in my spare time."

"I know what you do. You follow me around constantly," Severus growled.

"I do not!"

Severus gestured at her beside him. "What do you call this?"

"I'm sitting next to you."

"Why?"

"Because we were walking and then you wanted to sit and do you homework, so

you came over here, sat, and I fo--I sat next to you."

Severus pointed at her. "You even almost said it!"

"I do not follow you around," Jessica said with a haughty tone as she looked away.

"Yes, you do, Ziners, and I am only going to say this one more time. Stop it!"

"I am not taking this from you," she said and sat up, grabbed her bag, stood up, and took off back towards the school.

About two minutes later, Severus realized he had stopped reading and was rather just staring at the page stewing.

* * *

Jessica sat across from him that night in the library. They didn't talk, but, for some reason, it was all right between both of them. They studied for their Potions final. She even asked him a question about one of the potions, and he answered. There was a little tension, but Severus really didn't want to address it. Thankfully, Jessica didn't seem to want to push it either. She was giving him his space. It was as if she already knew that he wasn't the apologizing kind, and she respected it.

But that was just plain insane. She understanding him?? Anyone understanding him was an insane thought. She was accommodating his desire not to talk or apologize. Someone going out of their way for him? Nonsense.

Then a thought struck him that shocked and surprised him.

He actually was thinking of apologizing to someone.

Severus just dug his nose deeper into his Potions book.

On the way back to the Common Room, Jessica whispered to him, "Are we okay?"

"You aren't," he whispered back quietly.

She rolled her eyes at him. "I mean, are you still mad?"

Severus returned the roll of the eyes as they went through the entrance.

Jessica smiled. She didn't think he was really mad with her anyway. She actually thought he was beginning to like her. That was good because she was really beginning to like him.

* * *

Jessica didn't get a chance to see Severus on the way back to Platform 9 and ¾. His mum had desperate need for him at home and had sent for him the night before.

When Jessica got off the train, she had expected to see Uncle Danny. She yearned for the sight of his friendly face above the crowd, but it was not to be had. Curious and confused, Jessica went to retrieve her luggage and then go search for her ride, but that was not to be had either. As soon as she turned from retrieving her trunk, there stood her escort back to America. Tom Riddle smiled down at her.

"Your uncle was temporarily disposed of at the moment so I told him I would come in his place."

"You haven't done anything to him, have you?" She asked angrily. Her voice was too quiet for the other kids to hear.

"No, no, my dear. Though annoying he may be, he still has his uses." Tom turned away but stopped and waited until Jessica was ready to follow him. The 11-year old may hate him but both knew that now was not the time and here was not the place to let the world know the truth. Therefore, Jessica did the obligatory thing--she followed her Godfather to the portkey.

As they walked through the London streets, she muttered; it wasn't low enough though that the noisy streets covered it.

"Don't mutter, dear. It's not very proper and not very becoming of you."

"I thought that you thought all Americans were savages and bad and overall worse than the English." As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Jessica regretted them. There was only one way she could have known that he said that...

"You're lucky that other people are around," Tom said as casually as though they were discussing the weather. "I will make sure your eavesdropping does not go unpunished."

Jessica remained quiet for the next minute. Tom finally spoke again. "I would like to pick up on our previous conversation..."

Jessica rolled her eyes.

"As I said before, Riddle, I won't tell you. It's my duty to protect them."

"Even me from them?" Tom asked after a pause.

"If you weren't the one I was protecting them from." Jessica answered as she turned down the alley. Before he followed, she touched the sign on the edge of the building with a determination that she didn't even put into a tough piece of homework. She was scared, and he could smell that. She didn't care. All she wanted was to get home to a place where she could at least run and hide for a bit from the terror that occupied her home at night, and whenever he Godfather visited.

Riddle followed her actions with a smug smile.

to be continued..........