The Ties That Bind

The Ties That Bind

Part 1, The First Rise

By Laura ([email protected])

Chapter 8: A Whole New Game

Disclaimer: I don't own much of what is in here. I do own the original characters (so, in other words, what you don't find in the Harry Potter series!). Blah, blah, blah. I'm not making a red cent (or a cent of any other color). You know the drill.

I apologize for the lateness of this chapter. It was finals then I had to move back home.

No new characters in this chapter. Isn't that amazing?

I'm going to start including quotes at the beginning of each chapter, so don't let that confuse you J LOL

Now, I'll shut up and let you get on with the chapter you all have waited so patiently for...

"The consummate truth of life is that we alter our destiny by altering our thoughts. The mind is our most crucial resource, our crowning asset, our ultimate arena of battle."

~Dennis Deaton~

"All of it?"

"All of it?"

"Too many middle names," was the raspy response.

Rohan chuckled. "Okay, just your favorite middle name then."

"Casey Jackson Ziners."

Marcus couldn't believe it. Rohan was speaking to Casey Ziners, who lay flat on his back in bed, his eyes open.

"And your birth date?" Rohan asked.

"August 6, 1961."

Marcus walked in further so he could look at Jessica, who still lay next to her brother in the same bed. She was lying on her back, her arm encircled with her brother's. She gave her uncle an exhausted smile.

Daniel, who was sitting next to his nephew, a huge smile on his face, returned her look. When Casey gave him a smile as well, Daniel asked, "How you feeling?"

"Like sh...crap." Casey smiled.

Danny chuckled. Danny then looked over at his niece. He reached out a hand, and she grasped it with the hand Casey wasn't currently holding. "How you doing, Jessica?"
"Happy," she whispered, "but tired."

"Get some sleep," Casey told her. "I'll run interference for awhile."

Jessica smirked at her brother. "I think I'll stay up for a bit. We weren't sure about you for awhile."

Instead of responding to his sister, Casey's eyes surveyed the people that had entered the room.

"Hi, Mr. Potter, Professors, Riley." His eyes met Malcolm's, but he didn't say anything as he glanced at his sister.

"Mr. Black," Jessica answered his silent question.

Casey did slow work of turning his head back and nodded at Malcolm. "Hi, Mr. Black."

"This is one unusual child," Rohan said with a chuckle. "Just lived through something that kills stronger wizards, and he greets everyone in the room individually."

Casey gave him a grin.

Rohan smiled but turned and did his own glance over the people in the room. "Okay, we've let you see for your own eyes, but I'm going to have to ask for you to leave. Both these children need their rest."

The adults nodded and started dispersing one-by-one. Marcus and Riley were the last to leave. Marcus was going to say something to the children but stopped when he noticed Jessica turn her head abruptly. He barely got a glimpse of a pained face before she hid it with a turn to her brother.

Marcus looked to his right to see what had caused her to get such a pained look and was surprised to find Riley Haderson standing there, a confused look on his face.

* * *

"What are you doing, John?" Marcus asked as he and Malcolm entered the administrative area of the Ministry. Malcolm and Marcus had been on their way to Amelia to tell her the good news about Casey.

"Amusing myself," the Head of the Unspeakables said, a smirk on his face as he kept his eyes still on the center area of Administration.

Marcus and Malcolm turned their heads curiously to that area to find it devoid of people - because they were forming a circle around the two remaining people in the center: Ignatius Malfoy and Gina Longbottom. Ignatius looked a bit disheveled while Gina was still her prim and proper self, with a prim and proper smirk on her face as she waited for Ignatius to reply.

"Mrs. Longbottom, if we could just continue this in my office," he tried tiredly.

"I think this is a conversation most everyone here has a right to participate in," she replied haughtily. "Many of those here have children in Hogwarts."

Gina waited until Ignatius started to reply before she continued, her wait being solely for the purpose of interrupting him.

"Mrs. Long--"

"We, the parents and workers at the Ministry, should have a right to talk with our Minister," she spat the words as if they were a mockery in her opinion, "when we think he should throw the support of the Ministry behind the school governors' decisions."

"Mrs. Longbottom--"

"Personally, Malfoy," Gina said as she approached him. Malfoy looked as though he struggled not to back down. "I think you're just afraid that little Lucius couldn't take Jessica on in a duel."

Malfoy started a scathing response, but strangely, when his eyes caught something over Gina's shoulders, he bit his tongue. Marcus looked to about where in the crowd Ignatius had looked and was surprised to see Tom Riddle there. Tom's eyes caught Marcus', and he gave Marcus a half smirk as he nodded towards the fight. Apparently, Gina was amusing him too.

Ignatius straightened and wiped imaginary dust off his robe. "If you'll excuse me, Miss Longbottom--" No one missed the change of the prefix or the fact that it was meant to make a mockery of her widow status. "I must get back to my work for the Ministry. I am still the Minister of Magic, whether you want me to be or not."

As Ignatius started back towards his office, Gina straightened her back and said with an arrogant, proud voice, "Or not."

Ignatius turned to her with a questioning look.

"I just wanted to clear up your uncertainty. I do not want you to be the Minister of Magic," she said with a smirk before turning to the crowd, dignity in her stance. She walked away though as if she did not even notice that they were there to watch her and Ignatius have it out.

"How does she do that?" John asked to no one in particular. "How does she insult possibly the most influential man in the Ministry and walk away as though he wouldn't dare touch a hair on her head."

Marcus chuckled. "I don't know, John, but I can tell you that I firmly believe that the single mother of seven boys can do whatever the heck she wants, and I won't stop her."

John and Malcolm both laughed at that one.

* * *

They allowed Jessica out of the bed that afternoon, but she didn't stray far from the Hospital Ward, and she never left when that meant leaving Casey in the room with Rohan Figg, no matter who else was in there. She figured that Figg had noticed, but he kept it to himself.

Finally, the night fell, and she and Casey were alone in the Ward. Madam Pomfrey was in the office next door, but that didn't matter to the siblings. Jessica still slept in the same bed as Casey as he still needed the strength she had to offer him.

So, what happened?

Jessica had been waiting for precisely this moment to tell him, and he knew that.

I did it, Case. I killed him.

But you were knocked out.

I recovered, she said on a sigh. Then I did it. I actually killed him.

She felt her little brother's head move towards her, but she didn't return his look.

I sense guilt here, Jesse.

She didn't respond.

Jess, we had no choice.

Still, she gave no response, and Casey seemed to lapse into silence. It lasted only five minutes.

If you hadn't killed him, I would have died. You saved my life, no matter any other reason you might have had.

Tom once save Mom, Jessica replied quietly. From the Basilisk, remember? We heard them talking about it. But it wasn't because Tom had good reasons. He needed her to live.

Casey dropped the subject for now and latched onto the topic of their mother and Tom's need of her. That's something else, Jess. Why did he need her to live? We haven't looked at this before. The cloak wasn't in place then. He didn't need her to learn to get past that.

He thought she would still join his side, Jessica responded, with a sideways look to her brother. Casey was staring up at the ceiling.

Tom...he's not stupid, Jess. He knew that she wouldn't join his side as much as we won't. There is something else there, something we don't understand yet. Remember what we overheard on Christmas? Mom submitted to Dad. What was that about? And is it something we need to worry about?

Why should we worry about it?

Because of you, Jess. Tom and Dad held onto Mom for something, something that was worth the pain of having to deal with a woman who wouldn't join them. Is he holding onto you for the same reason?

Jessica shook her head at her brother, but she knew that thought would fester in her brain for a long time, something that she imagined would likewise happen to Casey. But instead of addressing Casey's question, she replied, Whatever it is, he's succeeded.

Jessica, he didn't succeed. You are not like him.

When his sister didn't respond, Casey looked at her. She was looking up at the ceiling. He decided to leave her alone for now. He was too tired to fight.

* * *

"What is it you Americans say? Another day, another dollar?"

Rohan nearly smiled at the cold glare he received from Jessica. Her brother just merely watched the exchange, his face impassive. He was sitting up on the bed but leaning heavily against the pillows that helped prop up his back. Jessica was sitting up on her own.

"Is she usually this cheery in the morning?" Rohan asked, trying to break into the brother's mind.

"If she likes you, she's nice," he replied quietly.

Jessica's face broke into a wicked smirk.

They were a regular old comedy duo, Rohan thought with a silent chuckle.

"How are you guys this morning?" Daniel Montgomery asked as he entered the Ward.

"Fine," Casey replied quickly before asking, "how's life at the Department?"

Suddenly Jessica looked sharply at her brother, but he didn't seem to notice it right away. However, after a few seconds, he did look at his sister. He gave a questioning glance before looking back to his uncle. What was that about, Rohan wondered.

Daniel didn't seem confused by their actions as he said, "I've got some bad news for you guys."

He gave Jessica a closer look then, "That is, unless you already know, Jess?"
Jessica looked down. "I heard," she mumbled.

Daniel threw a nervous look to Rohan.

"Do you want me to leave?" Rohan asked politely.

Daniel looked about to say no then decided against it. "Yeah, could you give us a few minutes?"
Rohan nodded and left.

* * *

Once Rohan was out of the Ward, the door shut, Daniel took a chair next to Casey's bed.

"Where did you hear, Jess?" he asked.

She shrugged. "It's been so hectic that I don't remember," she mumbled again.

Daniel seemed okay with the answer. He looked at Casey. "From the looks you exchanged, I'm guessing she told you in your head?"

Casey nodded. "Yeah. They were arrested for treason?"
Daniel nodded. "It must be a shocker for both of you."

Casey nodded quickly. Jessica was a bit slower.

"How did you guys figure it out?" Jessica asked with a sudden look up of her head.

"A series of events led us to believe there was a leak, then one event helped us to narrow it down to four people. I had Riley follow it up."

The kids nodded.

"When's the trial?" Casey enquired.

Daniel took a deep breath and looked down. "It was last night. That's why I had to leave early."

"They were found guilty, right?" This was from Jessica.

Daniel nodded. "Yes. Life imprisonment in Azkaban."

"How's Maria?" Daniel looked up at Jessica and was amused to see the surprise on Jessica's face that she had even asked that question. It was no secret that the cousins didn't get along.

"She's going through a real hard time. Right now, I'm very low on her list of people that she likes. I don't want to drag you kids into it, but it just might be a good idea to steer clear of her when school gets back in session."

They nodded. The three lapsed into silence for a few minutes before Jessica asked in a whisper, "And my trial? When is that scheduled to start?"

This caused Daniel to look up from the ground. His eyes went to Jessica's and neither looked away for a long time. Finally though, Daniel responded.

"They want to wait to try you until we have a new Secretary and the Secretary has had some time to adjust to the new position. They also want to wait until you've completed this school year."

Jessica nodded before glancing back at her feet.

"They're going to charge you with premeditated murder, Jess." When everyone remained silent for a long time, Jessica looked back to see her uncle giving her a hard look. She knew what he was thinking. If she would just deny it...

She nodded. "Yes, I premeditated it so I suspected that that was what they were going to charge me with."

And she saw the question then, the one burning in his brain. She wanted to go over and hug him. She wanted to cry and tell him everything. She wanted to give in. She wanted his protection. She wanted to be ignorant of what this world was about. She wanted to be ignorant of everything, but the joys of what being a child was suppose to be about.

But she knew that this play was far from over. As she glanced at the still healing cuts on her brother's arms, she knew that this play had only just begun.

She wanted to tell Uncle Danny that they couldn't tell him about the abuse because of Dad's warning five years ago. She wanted to tell him that they couldn't tell him about Tom because if they did, he would die. If not Uncle Danny, then Riley or Andorra or both. And Jessica didn't want to be the cause of any more deaths, or any more almost deaths. This was one war she had to fight alone.

And not even Casey could understand that.

* * *

"Do you want to go to Hogwarts and visit your friends?"

Severus looked away from his desk to see his father in his room. The twelve-year old had been working on his Potions assignment.

He was sorely tempted to say yes. He wanted to see if they were all right. But...

Severus shook his head. "No, thank you. Do you know how they are doing?"

Michael almost looked disappointed. "They're doing great. Casey's going to be alright. He woke up yesterday morning."

Severus' grin nearly broke his face. "That's excellent."

Michael nodded with a smile of his own.

"Look, Severus," he said with a sigh finally, "Did you and Jessica have a falling out?"

Severus looked back to his homework. "Sort of."

"I asked Marcus Potter if James knew anything. James said that something happened with the Quidditch try-outs." Michael held up his hands when Severus made to interrupt. "I'm not going to ask what happened at the try-outs. I just wanted to say that Jessica is going to need a friend desperately during the rest of the school year. The school governors are going to allow both Jessica and Casey to attend, but under a number of restrictions, not the least of which are going to be that she can't stay in the Slytherin House and both her and Casey aren't going to be allowed to have a wand until after their trial, which is not going to be until mid-June at the absolute earliest. All of this on top of what actually happened, and she's going to be ostracized."

Severus nodded. "Look, I know that she's going to need a friend, but..."

Michael sighed. "Okay, I understand. I thought I would try to plead her case. But, a boy needs to do what he needs to do."

"I'm not that good at making friends, Dad," Severus pleaded, knowing that his father was now trying to guilt him into it. "Jessica was my first friend, yes, and the only one that I made friends with in First Year, but that's changed now. I've got Rabastan and Lucius."

Michael looked thoughtful for a moment. "Just one question. Why can't you be friends with Rabastan, Lucius, and Jessica at the same time?"
Severus fairly laughed. "Let me see. Reason number one is that Lucius and Jessica hate each other."

The corner of Michael's mouth went up in a smirk but the man quickly hid it. "And reason number two?" he asked in a deep voice.

"I'm still mad at Jessica!"
Again, Michael gave a thoughtful pause before observing, "I can't help but notice that that is reason number two rather than reason number one. Might some of that anger have worn off by now?"

Severus growled and turned back to his homework, his twelve-year old mind not liking that his father had observed something that the back of Severus' brain said was probably true.

"Severus," Michael said with a soft sigh. "Forgiveness is part of being friends. Also, it's possible being friends with two different people that don't like each other. If both of them like you enough, they'll accept your other friendships and stick around."

When Severus didn't respond, Michael grabbed his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. "Just remember, Severus. Jessica was your first friend. You were her first friend too."

* * *

"It's perfect," Ignatius told his wife as he prepared to leave for work. "She is one of us now, I know she is."

"But Jeffery? A spy?"
"Not a spy," Ignatius said with a knowing glare at his wife. Just like most females in their circle, she had had a fling with Jeffery. Just another good reason the rotten scoundrel's gone, Ignatius thought to himself. It wasn't that he had any real affection for his wife. But she was his and not Jeffery's. "Just a weasel. Who turned his own brother in," Ignatius added with a significant look at his wife, silently wanting her to know that he probably wouldn't have hesitated to turn others in too.

"And what's your perfect plan?" Alodie asked, almost nervously now. She had caught onto his knowing look, Ignatius thought with a smile.

"She'll be allowed to be closer to Dumbledore than ever before, and then those at the Department of Magic. They'll be treating her like royalty, because 'poor Jessica' was driven to murdering her father because he 'abused them'. The last thing those cronies - including that Rum - would ever expect of her now is the fact she's secretly working for us." Ignatius smiled, pleased with himself.

"But what about Lucius?" Alodie asked.

"What about him?" Ignatius asked irritably. "He can take care of himself."

"Don't you remember what happened to him last summer? What that wretched girl put him through?"

Ignatius gave her a mild glare. "If Lucius cannot handle those sorts of things, he might as well go join Dumbledore and Potter's side right now. He would not last one minute in the Dark Lord's inner circle."

Alodie gave him an angry look, but he never saw it as he left.

* * *

"Did you read this? Did you read this?" Brittany asked, bursting into Marcus' office at eight o'clock in the morning.

Marcus nearly dropped his tea. "Britt, we just arrived! How did you read the newspaper already?"

She ignored him and stood by him so he could look over his shoulder as she read, "Minister Malfoy announced this morning that while he still worries about the school governors' decision, he will be allowing his son, Lucius, age 12, to return to Hogwarts in a few days. 'Not only do the school governors' but many other parents believe that Miss Ziners will not be a danger to the school. I trust that Albus Dumbledore would have put a stop to this if he did not believe so as well. Considering all that, I decided that Lucius, who happens to like Hogwarts very much, can return to school. I only hope that the school governors' and Albus Dumbledore are not wrong.'"

When Marcus didn't say anything, Brittany looked up at him over her shoulder. He had an intense look on his face.

"What's wrong, Marcus? I thought that you would be happy that Malfoy's finally given up."

Her husband sighed. "I am in a way. I'm now just nervous as to what's up Ignatius' sleeve."

Brittany sat down in a visitor's chair in Marcus' office and crossed her legs. "He could have gotten attacked with conscience."

"Or he could have gotten attacked by Gina Longbottom," Marcus suggested after a sip of tea.

Brittany tried to look disapproving but started to snicker. "Marcus, that woman, though scary, is quite dignified. I don't think she would have stooped to attacking Minister Malfoy."

Marcus smirked at his wife as he sat down. "I honestly wouldn't put it past her, but I don't think she did this time. She was probably the straw that broke the camel's back."

Suddenly, Malcolm walked into Marcus' office as though he owned the place. Amelia was following in his tracks. "Malfoy's backing down," Malcolm said.

Marcus nodded as he took another calm sip of his tea, and Brittany held up the paper.

"We read that already," she said before giving Amelia a smile. The woman had taken a place on the wall near the door to lean against as she crossed her arms with an exasperated sigh at her husband. Amelia smiled back at Brittany.

"And he's letting Lucius back into school," Malcolm went on. "That's the part that surprises me."

Marcus nodded before setting his tea down. "Yes, he is, but then again, that's probably just to prove to Gina that he thinks that 'little Lucius' can take Jessica Ziners on in a duel."

Malcolm nodded with a roll of his eyes.

"Can you think of any parents we haven't touched yet?" Malcolm asked with a shift of topics.

Marcus nodded. "The Prewetts and the McKinnons. I would have suggested swinging by the Lestranges, but something tells me that if Malfoy's keeping his kid in school, they will do so with theirs."

"I have a feeling that we should swing by them to take their temperature on this though," Malcolm suggested.

Marcus nodded. "Probably a good idea. Iris Lestrange works with Gina, so I'll speak with her when she barges into my office in an hour to demand the most up-to-date information.

"Then about the Prewetts and the McKinnons. I can hit the Prewetts obviously," Marcus spoke of the fact that Adrian Prewett was a fellow Auror.

"Allyson McKinnon works at Gringotts, right?" Malcolm asked and received a nod from Marcus. "I can speak with her this afternoon," he said.

"They're like a two man army, aren't they, Brittany?" Amelia asked Brittany with a grin.

Brittany laughed.

Marcus grabbed his mug and was about to take another sip of tea but before he did, he said, "Actually two men and one woman."

"Yeah, I'm the Captain, Marcus is the field Commander, and Gina's our mercenary," Malcolm said and walked out to the laughter of everyone in the office.

* * *

We're going to have to make sure we know what to say to skip around the fact that Tom was there, Casey told Jessica in her head. Jessica had just gotten done telling him in detail what had happened after he had become unconscious from the Cruciatus Curse.

That shouldn't be too hard, Jessica replied.

Casey gave a slight nod.

It's going to be hard from here on out, the eleven-year old said suddenly, a philosophical note in his voice. It's going to be more of a game. Tom's not going to believe for a second that Dad was ratting on him, but Hell will freeze over before he lets the other Death Eaters know. Tom is still going to try and control us.

That's nothing new, Jessica interrupted.

But what is new is that it's going to be completely Tom now. No more Dad to do the day-by-day supervision. Tom is going to be very nervous, and the more nervous Tom is, the more unpredictable he is.

Casey lapsed into silence. It was a few minutes before either made a noise again.

But we can't do anything because of what we heard, Jessica said, that someone is in place to kill Uncle Danny, Riley, and Andorra.

I know, Casey replied with a sigh.

The problem is that Tom doesn't know that we know that, Jessica said, fear in her voice.

Casey didn't know how to reply.

* * *

"You did what?" Tom couldn't help but ask. He tried to control his anger and panic as Ignatius Malfoy handed him a newspaper - a freaking newspaper! He not only did what he did, but he did it in print!

Tom read over the article quickly. Okay. The damage was done. Tom thought over what Ignatius had reported to him yesterday morning. Jessica's story was marvelous. He doubted that Jeffery had been communicating anything of the nature Jessica was describing with the Department. It was not that he didn't think Jeffery capable and willing - after all, Tom had known Jeffery since both were eleven years of age; Tom had liked him because of his ambition, so Tom didn't delude himself into thinking that Jeffery wasn't ambitious enough to try to outdo Tom. However, Tom knew that Jeffery had not been turning over evidence on Jonathon and the other two.

Jessica's story was brilliant. He wasn't sure if it was a mere coincidence at how perfectly it had worked out or if she had already known, but either way the story was marvelous. And it worked perfectly for him. His followers wouldn't suspect her and her wayward allegiances.

Tom would probably have questioned where Jeffery's loyalty had lied upon hearing of Jonathon's demise. But no, Tom didn't need to know now. Tom didn't doubt where Jeffery's loyalty had lay at the time of his death by the mere fact that it was Jessica accusing him. If there was one thing he didn't doubt at present, it was that Jessica's loyalties did not lie with Tom.

He had been hoping when he had gotten word of Jeffery's death that Jessica and Casey would not be returning to Hogwarts. Where Jeffery had placed Jessica there to gain some influence over Dumbledore, Tom had feared the opposite. Tom had been nervous about what influence Dumbledore might hold over her. Alternatively, if she could be placed under Tom's own care for the same length of time that she spent at Hogwarts, he could show her that the way with him was better. And if he couldn't convince her of that, that time would be spent breaking down every last one of her defenses until she finally submitted to him.

But now that wasn't possible. Tom looked back at Ignatius angrily and the man's smiling face faltered for a second. He had thought his master would be pleased. Pleased was one thing Tom was not right now, but just as he opened his mouth to say so, he shut it. He remembered how Ignatius had introduced this topic: Someone that many people care about - including Marcus Potter, Gary Rum, and most of all, Albus Dumbledore. She can get close to them, learn how they work. Then, if and when we need it, she can be close enough to kill them as she had her traitor father.

They didn't know, Tom thought to himself. They couldn't know, he reminded himself. He would look weak.

Plus, Miss Ziners was a great prize, an excellent weapon. And, he thought with a smile, more than I've given her credit for. Tom had always known that Jessica would one day become a worthy witch, worthy of a place in his circle. At twelve, her first murder. And it was her own father. All the better. She would one day crack, he knew it.

Yes, my Death Eaters must not know, at least yet. This worthy prize is not quite in my clutches, but given time, she will be. Patience was a virtue. He would show Dumbledore that he would not crack under the wait. He knew how Aurors worked. It was all about patience. Tom would be patient.

And for now, he would allow Jessica to return to school. But Tom needed to let her know that while he might not be able to touch her while she was under the protection of Hogwarts, he could still hurt her.

* * *

"The mail is here," Molly Weasley announced with a smile as she looked out the window. Jessica and Casey turned towards the window in time to see a darker colored, ugly Eagle Owl fly in and straight to Jessica.

Both Jessica and Casey stared at it as if they had never seen an owl do this before.

"Well, go on," Molly urged, giving the kids a curious look at their actions. "Open it."

"Uh, okay," Jessica said, taking the letter off. She looked at the envelope and opened it slowly. By the time she saw the writing, she gave Molly a big smile. "It's from Lily's parents," she said. "Lily must have gotten a new owl."

Molly smiled in relief. Jessica and Casey were both acting unusual. "I'm going to go see if supper's about ready to be served," she said before leaving.

"That's not from Lily's parents," Casey stated as soon as the door shut behind Molly.

Jessica gestured angrily towards the owl, causing it to fly and perch on the end of the bed. "Does that look like a bird Lily would get?"

"No, it looks like Tom's bird," Casey replied.

Jessica turned and looked straight into her brother's eyes. "You must be losing some of your memory," she said quietly.

Casey gave her an offended look.

"That is Tom's bird," she replied before starting to read the letter.

"Read it aloud," Casey urged. "I'm still having some problems with my sight."

Jessica glanced around the room and was about to start reading, but stopped again, set the letter down, got up and walked around the Hospital Ward, checking every nook and cranny for any person or creature and checking to make sure every door was secured. She finally went back to the bed and picked up the letter before sitting on covers.

She read:

Dearest Jessica,

I have heard about everything, from your father to your uncle Jonathon, and to the charges they are bringing against you. Remember that you always have a place at my side, a place where no one would dare touch you or your brother, should you choose to finally accept that honored and protected position.

Regrettably, I feel I must say this next part. I hope one day I will not be driven to these extremes again, but until I feel you have joined me with your full mind, body, and heart, I am driven to these extremes. It is only for the better of you and your young brother, almost so tragically lost due to recent events.

If you decide that you must speak of things you know to the likes of Dumbledore or Rum or others in positions to cause my followers and I trouble, I will order the murder of your uncle, Andorra Dumbledore, and Riley Haderson. You know me well enough to know that I am capable of seeing to their murder before...well, before things turn ugly.

Yours Truly,

Tom

"Why does he sign it like a love letter?" Casey asked.

Jessica gave a shudder before responding quietly, "I don't know, and I don't want to know."

Jessica looked at the words again, before giving a tired sigh. She put her knees up and grabbed her arms around them as though she were cold.

"Why do you suppose he wrote the letter?" Jessica asked her brother without looking at him.

"I suppose he's nervous now. I assume he probably didn't want Ignatius to do what he did. We've known since we've started school that he doesn't want us here. He wants us under his influence all the time. Here, we're under Dumbledore's influence. He doesn't like that. But he doesn't want the others to know that we aren't blind followers, so he has to continue for them like us staying here isn't a really bad idea in his book."

Jessica glanced over her knee at the letter. "And this was a warning that us speaking should be a really bad idea in our book."

Casey nodded, but Jessica didn't see him.

* * *

"You two must have gone to school around the same time," Marcus said quietly.

Tom nodded, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Yes, we did." Tom shook his head. "I still can't believe it. Abusing his own kids. Of all the atrocities," Tom's voice broke, causing him to swallow. "And that poor young girl...driven to such extremes..." Tom shook his head again.

"I know," Marcus said on a sigh and a nod of his head. "Jessica was pretty distraught with what she did. She tried to kill herself soon after it happened."

Tom gave his boss a genuine surprised look. "She tried to what?"

"Kill herself. She almost succeeded too." Marcus shook his head again. "She feels pretty horrible for what happened."

"Poor girl," Tom whispered. With another shake of his head, Tom said, "I probably should get going up to Manchester to check out on that lead."

Marcus gave him a dismissive nod as he opened the next file on the pile on his desk.

Tom left the office but didn't smile until well after he Apparated to Manchester. So, Miss Ziners was feeling pretty horrible. Jeffrey had achieved Madeline's submission after he had gained her trust (which had been no easy task, Tom admitted to himself). Trust was something that Tom knew he wouldn't gain from Madeline's young daughter if she remained in Hogwarts. But there was another route he could take. Tom chuckled to himself.

It was pointless to fight him, and the dear girl would soon learn that...

* * *

Jessica kept her nose dug in her Potions book when they made the Auror change. She didn't like it that the Aurors that had to keep tabs on her and her brother started to stay in the Hospital Ward with them, but she thought it best not to complain. She worried that if she did, they weren't going to let her and Casey stay in Hogwarts. Right now, that was their only salvation.

So far, though she had heard of many of the Aurors that watched them, she had barely exchanged a word or two with them before this incident. Unfortunately, this lack of intimate knowledge didn't deter them from trying to start a conversation with Jessica and Casey while they supervised the kids. Both kids were cordial but made sure that the fact they didn't want to talk was made obvious. It usually did the trick.

When the new Auror was settled, Jessica peaked over the edge of her book to see who it was. When she saw who it was, she stuck her nose deeper in her book.

"Have I become ugly or something?" Riley asked without looking from the book he had bought with him to read.

"No," she mumbled, sticking her nose farther in the book.

"Why is it every time you look at me lately, it's either very painful or very scary for you?" She glanced back at him but stuck her nose back in her book when she saw he was now looking directly at her.

She didn't answer him.

"Or maybe you've heard," he murmured before sighing and turning back to his book.

"Heard what?" She asked to the Potions text.

"His being assigned to the case," Casey murmured.

Jessica glanced at her brother before going back to her book and shrugging. "Yeah, I've heard."

"Is that why you can't look at me for longer than two seconds?" Riley persisted.

Jessica took a deep breath before giving in. She shook her head.

She heard Riley shut his book. "What is it then?" He asked in that voice. Jessica knew that voice. She hated that voice. It was the voice he got when he wasn't going to give up until he got what he wanted.

Jessica kept her eyes resolutely on her book, trying to out-stubborn him. Riley grabbed her book and pulled it out of her hands. He held it away from her so she couldn't grab it back. Casey gave up his pretense of reading his Transfiguration textbook to look after the interaction, amused.

"Jessica, I'm your friend right?"

She didn't look at him as she nodded.

"You're my friend too." He stopped even though he sounded like he wanted to say more. He seemed to be having a debate with himself.

She swallowed. She looked up only just a fraction so she could look at him. She glanced immediately away. "Don't ask me 'why'," she said in a choked whisper.

"I wasn't planning to. Not yet, at least. What I want to know is why I've caught the plague. Why can't you look at me, Jesse?"

Jessica swallowed again, shamed when she felt her eyes become wet. She blinked what she could away quickly. "I saw you."

"What's that mean?"
"Afterwards," she explained. "When Uncle Danny was taking me out of the room. I saw you over Uncle Danny's shoulder."

"What was wrong about me then?"
"I know you know it. I know you're the only one that seems to realize it yet."

"What do you think I know?" Riley pressed, his voice now a voice that one would almost associate to a voice one would use to soothe an injured animal.

"I'm a killer," her voice broke at the end, embarrassing her in her weakness.

She didn't expect Riley's reaction. He chuckled.

"You're one of those people, Jessica, aren't you? Personally, I didn't think you were, but you must be."
She didn't speak. She only merely turned her head a little to hear him better.

"You take people and things at face value. You take words at face value too." She started to turn towards Riley as he kept speaking. He leaned back again in the chair at the same rate Jessica turned her head towards him. "Killer. It's just a word. If you kill people, you're a killer, right? Then I'm a killer. Danny's a killer. Andorra's a killer. No, I am not. Neither is Danny. Neither is Andorra. Do you know the difference between us and people like Grindelwald, Jessica?"

She shook her head.

Riley smirked as he answered. "What you feel after the killing. It's the worse part of the job for Aurors. We never get any pleasure from it, and it's always our very last resort."

"Aurors and those that worked for Grindelwald are just different sides of the same coin," Jessica responded. She felt Casey give a small jerk. No surprise there. Jessica had just paraphrased Tom.

"We're all wizards and witches, Jessica. Of course we're all the same coin. Each individual has a side."

This gave Jessica pause. She hadn't thought about it that way before.

"How did I look at you that day, Jess? How did I give you hurt that day?"

Jessica looked away from Riley. "You were reading something off of Dad's desk, and then you looked up and gave me this horrified look."

"Did you ever figure it was more the desk than you?" Riley asked, suddenly becoming very quiet. Jessica looked back at him. Riley never wavered in looking at her.

"What was on the desk?" She asked.

Suddenly, Riley smiled. "Wouldn't you like to know?" His tone was teasing.

She stuck out her tongue before holding out her hand. "Book?"

Riley started handing it back before looking at the cover. "Potions. Ick."

She grabbed it. "I'm not that good. Rum keeps telling me to study when he brings up pain potions."

Riley gave a soft chuckle before he opened his own book. Jessica glanced over to try to see what he was reading, but the book was flat in his lap and despite his leaning back in the chair, he was able to read avidly. Jessica glanced at the pack at his feet that he had brought. It was holding three or four more texts, but their titles were equally unreadable.

"What are you reading?"

"Defending Yourself Against Magical Beasts," he replied quickly. He never looked up.

Jessica was silent a second as she stared at his face. "You're lying," she said after about half a minute. She had a small smile on her face.

Riley smirked at his book. "I learned from the best," he murmured.

Jessica stuck out her tongue and blew a big raspberry, causing Riley to laugh.

* * *

Another letter came from Tom that night. Casey was angry. Casey was livid. But he couldn't do anything as he couldn't even walk yet. He wanted to hit something. He wanted to hurt something. Unfortunately, the only thing close enough to hurt was the one whose hurt he wanted to avenge.

The letter was again to Jessica, delivered by Tom's ugly owl. It read:

Dearest Jessica,

As I learn more about this case, I am pleased that you learned so much from me. You didn't deliver the Avada Kedavra right away. You wanted to see it work, just as I would have. There is nothing like the rush of power you feel when watching the life leave from another human body and knowing that you caused it, is there?

Also, you have no idea how pleased I am that you did not whine when he delivered the Strickiomus'. You kept advancing upon him, knowing you were stronger, knowing that you would show him who was stronger. You are, my dear Jessica. You were stronger than your father. As I will prove that I am stronger than the one that hinders me, you proved you were the one stronger than the one that had hindered you. We must discuss your new role among my associates.

Yours Truly,

Tom

Everything that Riley had said earlier that day was lost by the end of that letter. Casey knew that Tom had loss the panic at the lack of supervision Jessica and Casey now had. Now, the Dark Lord was doing something different. He was going directly for Jessica's heart. Once he had her heart, both Casey and Tom knew, he would have her mind, which was exactly what Tom was seeking. All he was going to have to do was show her how pointless it was to fight.

Jessica had tried to kill herself on Christmas Day because she thought she had become what Tom had wanted - a killer. She didn't want Tom to win though.

And then there were the thoughts that were going through each of the Ziners kids' heads. Though the siblings never talked about it, Casey knew that his sister had the same doubts he did. Wouldn't it be easier just to submit to Tom's power? They really could be powerful. No more Black to harass them. The Malfoys would bow to their feet. McGonagall and Medley wouldn't look at them suspiciously but rather quake with fear in their presence. Casey wondered what it would be like, what it would feel like. They wouldn't have to fight anymore, fight Tom or fight the people wanting to know what Casey and his sister knew. It would be so much easier than fighting...

But they continued to fight. And they knew to even give a little bit would be to walk on a very fine line.

On Christmas Day, Jessica felt that she had not only walked that line but crossed it. She wanted to end her life before she gave up, gave in fully. But she hadn't and now they were in a different battle, a whole new game.

Casey looked at his sister in the dark of the Hospital Ward. It was nearing midnight. She was sitting, with her knees pulled up to her chest, her arms hugging them tightly. The letter was clenched in her hand even though the time she could have read it again had long past with the setting of the sun and the blowing out of the candlelight.

Yes, this was a whole new game. Casey swallowed. But this game had not only changed for Jessica. The game was different for Casey too. He was no longer a pawn. He was in the game this time and he was an important piece, whether or not Tom ever acknowledged that. He was playing tug-of-war. And the winner got his sister.

The game had always been a battle for feelings, for minds. The kids had always thought that Tom had wanted them both - though each knew that Jessica was more important, and Casey was expendable. It was a battle for their hearts and their minds. Submission. Submission. Submission. She submitted. Casey said this over and over in his head. Mom submitted. Her mind was hers. Her powers were his. What did this mean? But Casey felt he knew. He would have to look through the diaries of the Mighty Bloods of the past to find for sure. He knew that if Tom knew it, it had to have been written in there. But Casey felt he knew what it was before he touched those books.

They did not know a lot about the Mighty Bloods. Generations had researched and done experiments, some on their spouses, some on their kids, some on themselves. It was all written about in these diaries. Was it possible that there was another spell...a spell of relief? Casey wondered to himself. Was it possible to give up your power to another? But submission, Casey shook his head, not 'transfer'. The body was a puppet then, he would think.

No matter what it was, he knew he couldn't tell Jessica. Not now. Not when she was like this. Not when she would want it. She would want the weight off her shoulders. She hated what was within her, because it had brought this on to them, brought it on to others - innocent people. She would want to stop being responsible for her actions. If she was being controlled by someone else, she had an excuse for not fighting, for just giving up.

It was up to Casey, and Casey alone, to not let this happen. This was a battle for Jessica's mind, for her thoughts, and Casey knew her well enough to know that she thought she had to go this alone.

Casey's strength was still minimal, but he knew he had to give her something in order to fight. Her mind was wounded, and that's what Casey would lend. He would fight this battle for her for the time being, even if she didn't know it. She needed to heal her mind before she faced Tom again. Casey would fight the battle from inside the castle. He would figure out how to ward off those wanting to know what happened. He would figure out how to ward off attacks by Voldemort because he knew that these attacks would only require a skilled mind, something that Tom - whether intentionally or unintentionally - had given Casey. And Casey would help his sister to heal mentally before their next encounter with Tom.

Casey laid a hand on Jessica's back. She took a minute, but she turned to him. His eyes were use to the dark, but all it took was the moon to glitter off of her eyes to let him know that she had been silently crying.

"I'm still here," he said quietly. "I want you here as well."

She gave him a weak smile. "I'm here too," she said, amused.

Casey touched her head. "No, this." Casey pointed to the letter. "He wants to take your mind, and he can do so without ever coming into this castle."

Jessica's smile faded away before she turned her head back to look away from him.

Casey frowned, but his hand dropped.

To be continued....(and hopefully a lot quicker than the last two...)