The Daughter of the Snake

Harry was wakened by Ron the next morning feeling as though a crowd of rabid Quidditch fans had ran over him as he lay sleeping on the ground.

"What time is... it?" he asked Ron, the sentence being cut in half by a rather large yawn.

"Half nine, mate," replied Ron, pulling on his worn socks. "Mum told me to wake you up,"

Harry groaned and sat up in bed to realize he was still wearing his clothes. He got out of bed, and started to rummage through his trunk for some clean clothes.

Hermione chose that moment to come in. "Excellent, Harry, you're already dressed. If were quick we can have a look at those books,"

"Hermione, would you learn to knock?" asked Ron, giving her a look of annoyance. "One of us could've been indecent!"

Serephine popped her head in and said, "Maybe that's what she wanted, Ron!" and winked, then disappeared again.

Both Ron and Hermione went a rather fetching colour of bright red, and avoided eye contact.

"As if you'd be indecent at this time," said Hermione. "It's twenty-five to ten!"

"Ron just woke me up," said Harry, turning round to look at her.

"Yes, but you were out late last night," said Hermione. "Wait... If you were just up, why are you dressed?"

"I fell asleep in this," explained Harry, going slightly red.

"Oh. I'll come back in ten minutes then, so you can get er... re-dressed," said Hermione, going out and closing the door.

While Harry got re-dressed, Ron asked, "So how'd it go last night?"

"We got the books without a problem," said Harry, pulling on a t-shirt. "Although I've discovered the Malfoy's are extremely paranoid,"

"Nothing new then," said Ron, shrugging.

"And that Lucius Malfoy is having an affair with Bellatrix Lestrange," said Harry, tying his shoe laces.

"Honestly?" asked Ron. When Harry nodded, he added, "Wow. If Malfoy's mum knew about that, she'd go nuts!"

At Harry's questioning look Ron explained, "Remember... Sirius's temper? Magnify that by twenty times and you've got Narcissa Black. Although Malfoy's dad might have done something to her to keep her quiet."

"I wouldn't put it past him," muttered Harry.

"Are you two ready?" asked Hermione, sticking her head in the door.

"Knock!" said Ron, glaring at her.

Hermione rolled her eyes, "Are you two coming to breakfast?"

"Are you kidding? If Ron ever misses a meal I'll keel over!" said Harry, grinning as they got up.

"And if you ever not get the snitch I won't eat for a day!" shot back Ron, also grinning.

"I have not got the snitch before," said Harry, his smile disappearing and he shuddered at the memory.

"Doesn't count," protested Ron, as they reached the dinning room. "That was the Dementors fault. Besides, we won the Quidditch Cup that year anyway,"

"True," smiled Harry.

They sat down and started helping themselves to some food.

"Harry dear, would you mind if we got everyone's things while we're at Diagon Alley?" asked Mrs. Weasley, who was sitting at the end of the table.

Harry blushed at being asked permission for this and said, "Not at all, Mrs. Weasley,"

She smiled at him, and turned away.

"You do realize that means Malfoy and Riddle will be coming with us?" whispered Ron, glaring at Draco and Serephine, who were sitting a bit away from them.

"How does it? Neither of them have any money with them," said Harry, raising an eyebrow.

"Malfoy does. I heard him telling Serephine last night," said Ron. "And I think he's got enough to pay for all of us!"

"Knowing Malfoy, you're probably right," agreed Harry.

Once they had finished breakfast, Mrs. Weasley to go upstairs and get their cloaks on and get anything else they wanted.

As Harry, Hermione and Ron went upstairs Ron said, "Hey, imagine the looks Serephine's gonna get when she goes into Diagon Alley with that big leather coat on! Never mind the wings!"

"Mah day's no complete wi' out frightenin' a total stranger," yelled Serephine, who was with Draco on the stairs behind them.

"How does she do that?" asked Ron, turning round to stare at her.

"I don't know," said Hermione. "We're quite far up, so unless she's got a spell on her or something, she couldn't possibly hear us."

They split up to get their cloaks, and met next to the fireplace in the dinning room.

"Everybody all set? Oh, before we go, Serephine, Dumbledore told me to give you this key, and to tell you that it was for your vault. He said all your things from your house will be there, and that you've to bring it back here," said Mrs. Weasley, dropping a key into Serephine's hand.

"Cheers," said Serephine, looking at the key and frowning. "I hope they remembered mah samurai, it cost a bomb,"

"What's a samurai?" asked Ron, frowning.

"A type of sword used by the Japanese," supplied Draco, turning to raise an eyebrow at Serephine. "Why do you have one?"

"Cause Ah go, or used to go, to sword lessons," explained Serephine, as she watched Ginny disappear into the flames. "No this again!"

"Could be fun. You might end up in Knockturn Alley," said Fred.

"Right at home," added George, curling his bottom lip.

"Boys!" warned Mrs. Weasley. "Be nice."

"Nah-neh-nah-neh-moo-moo!" said Serephine, sticking her tongue out at them.

"You are so immature!" said Hermione scathingly.

"Yer only young once; yeh cin be immature forever!" said Serephine, grinning. "Ah'm sure the Big Yin will back meh up on tha'!"

Mrs. Weasley, sensing that Serephine was just going to annoy Hermione even more, said, "Serephine, you can go now," holding out the pot of Floo Powder.

"Now yer jus' bein' nasty," said Serephine, grabbing some Floo Powder. She stepped into the fire place, threw the powder on the ground and yelled "Diagon Alley!"

She had her eyes shut tight, so that no soot could get in, and stumbled out of the fire on the other side, coughing. She dodged quickly out of the way, as Draco came walking out, not a bit of soot on him.

"Oh aye, send the unwanted people first, eh?" said Serephine, as she brushed herself down.

"My thoughts exactly," said Draco, as the others came through, one by one.

Once everyone was through, Mrs. Weasley said, "We'll be going to Gringotts first," and hurried off, with everyone in tow.

Serephine looked in awe as she looked around the streets of Diagon Alley, ignoring the hostile stares she was getting from people around her.

"Oh, come on, gimmie five more eyes!" she said to Draco, as she glanced everywhere she could get her eyes on.

"You've already got wings, why would you want to be any weirder?" asked Ron, turning round to give her a distasteful look.

"She meant she wished she could see more, you moron," sneered Draco, as they reached Gringotts.

The bank was as full as it ever was, people and goblins, and less than savory creatures, all bustling around in a rush to get everything done.

Mrs. Weasley turned round and gave Draco an unfriendly look. "I think it's best if we split up here. Serephine and Draco can go get her things while the rest of us go to Harry's vault.

"Fair enough," shrugged Serephine. She and Draco went to one of the goblin tellers. On the way over to the teller, she said to Draco, "Can you do this, please?" He nodded in response.

"Hello," he said smoothly, when they reached the goblin, "Miss Serephine Riddle would like to make a withdrawal from her vault."

"And does Miss Riddle have her key?" asked the goblin, peering over his desk to look at Serephine.

"Here," said Serephine, going into her pocket and pulling out the tiny key.

"That seems to be in order," said the goblin. "I shall have Quicksilver take you down. Quicksilver!"

Suddenly a goblin appeared beside him. He was small, even by goblin standards and his hair and eyes gleamed like silver.

"What does sir require of me?" he asked politely, bowing.

"Take these two to vault one hundred and thirteen," said the goblin, not even looking at him.

"Yes, sir," said Quicksilver, indicating for Draco and Serephine to follow him.

He led them to an old and rickety cart, and as soon as they got into it, it sped off. And at a rather alarming rate too, thought Serephine.

"Well, tha' was fun," said Serephine, holding on to the wall, once she was out the cart.

"Cart sick?" asked Draco, looking amused and as though he was having perfect control over his stomach.

"Well done. Ten oot o ten fer observation," said Serephine, staggering over to where Quicksilver was standing.

"If Miss would be so kind as to give me the key?" he asked politely.

"Oh, sure," said Serephine, handing him the key.

He unlocked her vault and it swung open, revealing piles of gold, silver, bronze, a chest-of-drawers, a wardrobe, her computer (still set up), four suitcases, and a long, thin case.

"Noo yer whistling Dixie!" she cried, leaping over to the long, thin case. She opened it and drew out the samurai, which was still in its scabbard.

The samurai had a dragon's head at the end of the hilt, and the rest of it was wrapped in black and red cord. The scabbard had designs over it, depicting dragons and serpents. Taking it out of its scabbard, Serephine traced her hand over the characters etched into the blade. The blade was thirty inches long, and added with the further eight inches of the handle, made the entire samurai thirty-eight inches in length.

"Hey, do yeh think they'll complain if I wear this around my waist?" asked Serephine, grinning.

"How will they see it for that coat of yours?" said Draco, giving her a sly smile.

"Wha' they don' know canny hurt 'em," said Serephine, going over to her wardrobe and pulled out the belt. She tied it round her waist and slid the sword into the scabbard attached to the belt.

"Noo, how can Ah shrink this stuff wi'out the Ministry sendin' me an owl?" asked Serephine, looking around the vault.

"If Mistress would allow, I would do it," offered Quicksilver, stepping forward from the doorway.

Serephine looked at the goblin for the first time. "Thanks," she said, smiling.

"It is no problem, Miss," said Quicksilver, bowing. He promptly shrunk the full suitcases and the samurai case. "Would Miss like her clothes left in the wardrobe and chest-of-drawers, or taken out?"

"Ah'll take em oot," replied Serephine, going over to take the clothes out. She piled them on the floor so that Quicksilver could shrink them quickly.

"Nice knickers," said Draco, smirking at Serephine as she pulled out her underwear. "And I just love the bras."

"Take at 'em, 'cause it's the only time yer gonna see em," said Serephine, without blushing.

"As if you could resist me if I took interest in you," said Draco confidently.

"Pfft! Trust me, yer no' my type," said Serephine, grinning.

"You dare say Weasley and I will be sick," said Draco, looking green.

"Ginger pubes? Ah think bloody not!" said Serephine, pulling the last of her clothes out.

"Potter?" asked Draco, laughing. "Oh, your father will love that!"

"Wha' makes yeh think tha' Ah fancy anyone?" asked Serephine, turning to glare at Draco. "An' besides, who do you like? Hermione? Ginny? Or are you a 'closest thing that looks female' kinda guy?"

A pink tinge appeared in Draco's cheeks and he snarled, "It's none of your business, Riddle,"

"Then keep your nose outta mine, Malfoy," said Serephine sweetly.

"Excuse me, Miss, but your things had been shrunk and put in your case, which I also shrunk, and I have put money in a bag for you," said Quicksilver, bowing.

"Thank you," said Serephine, taking the miniature trunks from him and the bag.

"It was my pleasure, Miss," said Quicksilver, bowing again. "Do you wish to go back now?"

"Yes, please, unless Draco wants to go to his vault?" asked Serephine, looking at him.

"No, I've got enough money to last me a while," said Draco. "Shall we go, then?"

"Ladies first," smirked Serephine, indicating for him to move.

Rolling his eyes, Draco shoved Serephine out of the vault. Unfortunately for him, he didn't know that Serephine was still a little off balance from the cart in the first place, and watched in horror as she tripped fell over the edge.

"Serephine!" he cried, leaping forwards and trying to catch her. All he came away with, though, was her bag.

"Oh, shit!"

* * * * *

Serephine screamed and screamed, and flapped her wings as hard as she could. Eventually, her decent slowed, and she hovered in the air, wings a blur.

She positively giggled. "Just like a hummingbird's wings".

Glancing around, she saw she hadn't actually fell that much, only about twenty or thirty feet.

Flapping her wings faster and harder, she shot up in the air, farther than she meant to, and went right past Draco, who gave a cry of surprise.

She came back down, slowly, and said to Draco, grinning, "Drake, man, this is great fun! Forget a broom; grow yerself a pair o' wings!"

"Serephine! Don't bloody do that! I thought you were dead!" gasped Draco, leaning on a pillar for support. "Move it, we need to get back before the Potter Patrol comes looking for us,"

"You two can go back in the cart; Ah'm flyin'!" said Serephine, diving into the darkness.

"And I have to carry her bags," said Draco, shaking his head. "Typical woman,"

* * * * *

"What's taking them so long?" asked Ron, sighing impatiently.

"Do I look psychic Ron?" snapped Hermione, tapping her foot.

"I wasn't asking you," shot back Ron.

Rolling his eyes, Harry tuned out Ron and Hermione's bickering. He thought about the vault they had just been in. It was full of Potter family heirlooms; books, papers, jewels and many other things with magical properties. There were even things from the Marauder era! He had taken out a few things that caught his interest; his mother and fathers wands; a sword which had been used in battles of old many times; all sorts of different dark detectors; a pensive; a book filled with every prank that the Marauders had ever done and finally a earring in the shape of a lightning bolt, a gold lining on the outside with a ruby in the middle, the birthstone of July.

He had also found two notes, accompanied by an old projector.

Dearest Harry,

I guess if you're reading this now, we must have been betrayed. It is very strange, writing about being dead. But, nevertheless, we wrote this to tell you that we don't, and wouldn't ever think about, it on you. We love you, with all our hearts, and hope you have a safe life, away from the death and destruction that we have had to endure.

x.x.x

Mum.

Heya, kid.

Since your mum's taken care of all the things that you needed to know, I get to tell you the useless information. Nice to know that I get an important mission, eh? First off; I'm sorry if I sound flippant here, but it's the only way I can even begin to cope with thinking about being dead. Second off; many things in this vault are very important and very valuable, and nearly all of them have a lot of magical properties. The lightning bolt earring, for example, has almost as many protection charms on it as this house! It won't tell you when there's evil around, but it will protect you from it. I'll let you figure out the rest. The projector that you found these notes with will show you your first birthday. Anyway, your mum's nagging at me to hurry up; Sirius is at the door. Good luck in life, son.

Dad

A gust of wind brought Harry out of his thoughts. He looked up to see Serephine flying towards them, earning her many a stare and gasp.

"What are you doing?" he hissed once she reached them.

"Wow, you're dumber than yeh look," she quipped.

"You're not meant to be drawing attention to yourself," snapped Hermione.

"And I was told this when, exactly?" shot back Serephine. "Forget it; I'm off to change some money."

And with that, she stomped off.

"What's up with her?" said Ron, glaring at Serephine's retreating form.

"Maybe she fell out of the wrong side of the bed," suggested Hermione, shrugging.

"She wasn't in a bed though," said Ron, frowning.

"It's an expression, Ron," said Hermione, sighing. "It means; maybe she woke up in a bad mood this morning."

"Oh," said Ron, making a face. "Strange saying, if you ask me,"

"But nobody did, Weasley," said Draco, coming over to them with Serephine, who was now trying to stuff some coins into her pockets and keep a hold on her suitcase with minimal success, having caught up with her.

"Shut it, Malfoy," snarled Ron, clenching his fists. "Take your little girlfriend and get lost,"

Serephine grinned, "Yeh think that Ah'm Drake's girlfriend?" She started laughing, grinning ear to ear. "Nae chance! Fer one Ah'd have tae wear sunglasses cause his hair's so bleedin' blinding! Plus Ah don't think he knows the meaning of D 'n S,"

"What's 'D 'n S'?" asked Ron, frowning.

"Never mind," said Serephine, seeing the look Mrs. Weasley gave her, while Draco said, "Kinky," with a sly smile.

"Come on," said Mrs. Weasley still glaring at Serephine, "We've lots to do,"

They followed her out of the massive bank, and into Flourish and Blott's, and Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco all pulled out their Hogwart's lists, and all darted off to collect the books.

"What am I meant to get?" said Serephine, watching Draco grab books left, right and centre.

"No idea," replied Draco, shrugging. "I presume McGonagall'll take you to Hogwarts a couple of weeks early so you can do your O.W.L's and choose your courses,"

Serephine sighed as Draco paid for his books. Standing next to the counter, she noticed two books that immediately grabbed her interest.

One was entitled, "Animagus Transformations," and the other was, "Healing Magic," Picking them up, she put them on the counter, waiting to be served after Draco.

After wishing Draco good day, the sales clerk turned to her. His eyes widened when he saw her wings, and, if possible, widened even further when he saw her attire. After blinking several times (not to mention receiving a pointed glare from Draco) he asked, "Can I help you, miss?"

"It might come to a bit of a shock to you, but I, like many other people in this shop, came to buy books," said Serephine, pushing the two books forward.

The clerk eyed the books, and said, "Don't you think these are a little too advanced for someone as young as you?"

"I'm sixteen."

The clerk gave her a look of disbelief, but rang the prices up nevertheless. "Thirteen galleons, seventy sickles, please,"

After handing over the money, Draco and Serephine made their way over to where the Weasleys, Harry and Hermione were waiting.

"You were awful rude to that clerk," said Hermione, scowling at Serephine.

"Aye, well he was awful dumb, I mean, c'mon, "Can I help you?", why else would I be in the shop?" sneered Serephine.

Hermione huffed in response, as they made their way to the apothecary to get their potion supplies. After getting what they required, Harry asked if they could go to Madame Milkin's to get some new robes.

After getting Harry fitted, Serephine approached the witch.

"Could you possibly measure me for a few robes, please?" she asked; glad to see someone not quite as tall as everyone else.

"Of course, dear," said Madame Milkin, indicating for her to get up onto the stool, unfazed by her wings. "Would you like them made around the wings, or for me to just ignore them?"

"Just ignore them, please," said Serephine, as Madame Milkin sorted through a few robes.

"Right then dear, you might want to take of that coat of yours first."

Giving her duster to Draco to hold, Serephine wrinkled her nose after the squat witch slung a robe over her head. Hearing a gasp from Hermione, she turned round to throw a questioning look at her.

"I've heard of the spell that makes whatever you're wearing to ignore your wings," said Hermione, by way of explanation. "It's very complex and hard to perform. Who performed it?"

"Ah don't know," admitted Serephine, as Madame Milkin worked on the robe. "Ah guess my uncle must've done it, since he's the one who took me fae Vo... my father in the first place."

Hermione was about to say something else, but Madame Milkin cut in, "That's you dear."

Taking the robe off, Serephine took her duster off Draco and slipped it on again. After taking her robes in a bag, she thanked and paid the witch.

"Does anyone want to get anything else before we go back?" asked Mrs. Weasley, once outside the shop.

"I'd like to go to the pet shop, please," said Serephine.

"Alright then," said Mrs. Weasley, leading them to the Magical Menagerie.

"We'll wait outside," said Mrs. Weasley, sitting down on a nearby bench.

"Right," said Serephine, pushing open the door.

Upon entering the shop there were loud series of squeaks and mewling.

"Can I help you?" asked a nearby clerk.

Rolling her eyes, Serephine said, "I'm looking for a pet."

"Anything in particular?" asked the clerk.

"A snake," said Serephine, nodding to herself. "Do you have any snakes?"

The clerk gave her a strange look, and led her over to a set of glass containers.

"We have two snakes here," said the clerk. "Been here for ages. No-one wants to buy them. They're both Burmese pythons,"

"Could I have both of them, please?" asked Serephine, shocking the clerk.

"Are you sure you can handle both of them? These snakes are dangerous, you know," said the clerk, looking apprehensive.

"I'm positive," said Serephine, nodding.

The clerk shrugged, and flicked his wand at the tank, so it followed him to the counter.

"These snakes are four years old, bred in captivity, so you shouldn't have any problems with them. However, I recommend this book," he reached over to a stall with numerous books and leaflets on it and selected one, "to help you take care of them."

"Fair enough," said Serephine, nodding.

The clerk, now wearing gloves of some kind, opened both tanks and put both snakes into a larger one.

"That'll be sixty galleons, please," said the clerk, looking relieved to have the snakes bought.

Handing over the money, Serephine took the massive tank and thanked him, making her way out of the shop.

Once outside, there was a collective gasp.

"What is that?" asked Ron, his eyes on the huge tank.

"My pet snakes," said Serephine.

"You bought a pet snake," said Hermione, looking as though she were hoping it was a joke.

"Two snakes, both Burmese pythons," corrected Serephine, peering over the tank at her.

"You're insane," declared Ron, shaking his head at her.

"Ron!" chastened Mts. Weasley. "Be nice. We must be off now, dears, dinner is soon." She started off to The Leaky Cauldron, with them in tow.

After flooing back to Grimmauld Place, Serephine took the tank and her bags.

Setting the tank down on the couch, she took the lid off of it.

The snakes peered up at her and occasionally one would flick its tongue out.

"Hello," she said, trying to speak parseltongue. The snakes looked up, uncomprehending. "I guess not."

"Trying to speak parseltongue?" asked a voice from the doorway.

Serephine turned to see Harry standing at the door, his new robes in hand. He was obviously on his way to his and Ron's room.

"Yeah," said Serephine. "How'd you do it?"

"It just happens. You try to talk to the snake normally and it just comes out that way," explained Harry, shrugging.

"Could you say something to the snakes in parseltongue, please?" asked Serephine, waving a hand at the tank.

Nodding, Harry walked over a peered into the tank. 'Hello,'

'I understood it!' exclaimed Serephine, not realizing she was talking it herself. 'How do I do it?'

Harry laughed at her unawareness. 'You already are,'

The snakes were not watching them with interest. 'Ssspeakers of the Blessssed Tongue,' said one.

Both Harry and Serephine turned to look at them.

'This is so cool,' said Serephine, grinning. 'Do you two have names?'

'No, we do not,' answered one.

'Are you both male or both female?' asked Serephine.

'I am female, and he iss male,' answered the other, raising its head out of the box. 'May we come out?'

'Only if you don't run away,' said Serephine, nodding.

Slowly, the snakes raised their heads from the tank, their tongues flicking out in quick, sharp movements.

Slithering out of the tank, both snakes curled up beside it.

'Would you mind terribly if I gave you names, so I don't get confused?' asked Serephine, kneeling down beside the couch. The snakes nodded their consent and Serephine grinned. "Great, you can be Asclepius, the Greek God of Healing, and you can be Uadjet, the Egyptian Goddess of justice, time, heaven and hell."

"Why do you know about Gods and Goddesses like that?" asked Harry, speaking normally.

"Because Ah like ancient mythologies," said Serephine, shrugging. "Ah find 'em interestin'. That's like me askin' yeh why yeh like Quidditch,"

Harry shrugged, and turned on heel, leaving the room. Serephine rolled her eyes, and turned back to Asclepius and Uadjet.

'Ignore him if he does that, he's a little on edge,' she said to them.

Uadjet nodded, as though understanding why Harry was like that. 'I have heard, from another snake, that the boy with the eyes the colour of the King was the defeater of the cold one,'

'Who's the King?' asked Serephine, knowing there was only one person the cold one could be.

'The King of all snakes, Naga,' said Uadjet, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "You do not know of the King?"

"No, I've never heard of him," said Serephine. "Who is he?"

Asclepius raised his head until he was eye to eye with Serephine. "Naga, the son of Salazar Slytherin, King of all snakes, rules in the Sanctuary on his throne alone."

"Sounds lonely," said Serephine, making a face.

"His wife was stolen from him," explained Uadjet, also raising herself.

'Wait a minute,' thought Serephine, frowning. 'The female Naga is called Nagini...'

But her train of thought was cut off by a voice behind her.

Turning round, she was more than a little surprised to see Dumbledore sitting on an armchair, looking as though he had been there all the time.

"Ah, Miss Riddle, I see you have acquired some pets," he said, his face pleasantly surprised.

"Yeah, sir," replied Serephine.

"You know, from the knowledge that Harry so kindly donated, that fifth year students are required to take their O.W.L examinations. You, missing all five years of Wizard schooling have not taken these. As such, you will need to sit them, two weeks before everyone else comes to school," said Dumbledore.

"I expected that," said Serephine, nodding, turning round to face him fully.

"Then you will also understand, no matter which house you are placed in, you will not be sharing a dormitory with the students," said Dumbledore, peering over his half-moon glasses at her, with a sympathetic look upon his aged face. "A necessary evil, for which I am sorry. You will be staying in the founders quarters, while, while connected to the common room, has no such access to the dormitories."

"That's actually a relief, sir," said Serephine, giving a sigh. "I don't think I could stand Hermione's glaring all the time."

Dumbledore looked politely surprised. "You believe you will be placed in Gryffindor?"

"I'm going to ask to go there," explained Serephine, shrugging. "Whether I succeed is something else,"

Dumbledore donned a grim look, and said, "And that brings us to our final matter. I did not ask Mr. Malfoy to be a spy in the ranks of the Death Eaters because he is still young and we already have a spy of high rank. But you, Miss Riddle, are Voldemort's own daughter, and he would not expect betrayal from you." He paused, sighing. "This is a request, and you may refuse,"

"I'll do it, sir," said Serephine, without a moment's hesitation. "I was going to ask you about it anyway. But what am I going to say about my disappearing act?"

Dumbledore smiled faintly and replied, "In that case, you and Mr. Malfoy will be returning to Malfoy Manor tomorrow afternoon, and Mr. Malfoy will tell Lucius that you fell out of the wrong fireplace, which is true, and met me. He shall say that I enquired as to who you were, and he replied you were his cousin who had been schooled at home and was yet to sit your O.W.L level examinations, and desired to join Hogwarts," explained Dumbledore.

"What about my second name and where my spell knowledge came from?" asked Serephine. "I mean, you know that Voldemort's real surname is Riddle, and you would know that I am his daughter,"

"Ah, yes. I had puzzled over this matter carefully. Mr. Malfoy will tell his father that he suggested that, lest you had missed any coursework, to 'update it', if you will. As for your surname, you shall have to be a Lestrange or perhaps a Black. As for the matter of your wand, I have contacted Mr. Ollivander, and he, should anyone enquire, sold you your wand,"

"Lestrange, I think. I don't want everyone asking me if I'm Mr. Black's daughter," said Serephine, wrinkling her nose. "When will I be taking my O.W.L's then?"

"I shall sort that out, then owl with the dates," said Dumbledore.

"I suppose I'll have to amuse myself in Malfoy Manor by annoying Luce at every point imaginable," said Serephine, feigning a sigh.

Smiling slightly, Dumbledore continued, "I have, after much persuasion, got Mr. Potter to agree to loan you his coursework books for last year." He produced a set of no less than seven books from inside his robes.

Serephine eyed his robes. "Is that a Mary Poppins style robe?" she asked, taking the books from him.

"That is indeed where I got the idea from," replied Dumbledore, his eyes gaining some of their famous twinkle. "Now, if you would be so kind as to excuse me, I must pay a visit to Mr. Potter," He got up, and made for the door.

"Before you go, could you un-shrink my stuff for me, sir?" asked Serephine, indicating to her miniscule trunks on the table.

"I never do for my pupils what they can do themselves," said Dumbledore, shutting the door quietly behind him.

Serephine glared at the door. "Evil old git makin' wi' the cryptic messages," she said, pulling out her wand. "It either means the ministry canny detect any magic Ah dae, or that this house's warded against anyoan detecting magic. Aye, well, anyways... Finite Incantatem!" she cried, pulling her wand from her pocket and waved it at the trunks, which immediately sprang back to normal size.

"Now yer whistling Dixie!" she cried, grinning. "This gives me plenty o' time tae practice fir the O.W.L's!"

She was about to start rummaging through her case to find something to change into, when she was interrupted.

"We won't be here this time tomorrow though," said Draco, leaning against the door frame. "Dumbledore told you, didn't he?"

"Yeah, he did," agreed Serephine, "but I forgot,"

"Try not to, will you," said Draco. "I wouldn't want to be crucio'ed as soon as we get back to the Manor."

"You're dad doesn't seriously do that, does he?" asked Serephine, casting a raised eyebrow at him. When he didn't answer, Serephine narrowed her eyes. "Would yeh miss yer father terribly if he suddenly... vanished?"

"It's a Deatheater thing, Serephine," explained Draco, with little emotion. "Instead of keeping the child in if their bad, you crucio them and they soon learn not to do things wrongly."

"Well, that sucks," scowled Serephine. Changing the subject abruptly, Serephine said, "Well, I 'spose there's no point in me unpackin' then."

"Not really," agreed Draco. "So, what did you name your snakes?"

"Asclepius and Uadjet," said Serephine, grinning down at said snakes.

"Asclepius, the Greek God of Healing, and Uadjet the Egyptian

Goddess of time, justice, hell and heaven?"

"That'd be the very chaps," grinned Serephine.

"You know, of course, that you won't be allowed to take them to school," said Draco, looking at her.

Serephine smirked. "Watch me." Standing up, she took off her duster, throwing it over a chair where it landed haphazardly. She took off the belt with her sword sheath, and after removing the blade, threw it on top of her duster.

Draco looked up a little, "Watch were you're pointing that thing," he warned, putting his hands in front of his body, as if to ward off a blow. "I don't fancy becoming a kebab." He shuddered at the thought.

Rolling her eyes, Serephine re-sheathed the sword and put it next to the snake tank. "Feel better now?" she cooed.

"Not particularly," replied Draco shrugging.

"That's what I like about you, Draco, your honesty," grinned Serephine.

"Hardly," he said, glaring at her. "Anyway-"

"Hey!" interrupted Serephine. She had been crouching next to the snake tank and had tried to stand up, but some of her long hair had got trapped under her trainer. Presently on her back, rubbing her head, she said, "Gah! I'm depressed."

Draco leaned over her head, appearing un-side-down to her. "Why's that?" he enquired.

"My hair's taller than me," she huffed, screwing up her face. "And I didn't notice."

Draco shook his head. "And you never noticed?" he repeated. Sighing, he continued, "I'm surrounded by idiots."

"Nope," said Serephine, bouncing up. "Just the one." She grinned up at his blank face, undaunted. "Anyways, point me in the direction of the bath room. That is, the one with the actual bath."

"You can get a bath tomorrow at the Manor," said Draco, shrugging.

"Yeah, but the hair under my arms might start a forest fire before then," she replied, entirely serious.

"You have too many one liners," said Draco, giving her an 'o-k then' look.

Serephine looked flattered. "I do try."

After finding the bathroom through a series of trial and error, including a nasty incident with an explosion and the twins, Serephine reached the bathroom.

A small, unclean bathroom, but a bathroom never the less.

Glaring at the grimy bath, she grimaced. "Where's a cleaning spell when you need one?"

After much scrubbing with an old rag, the bath finally resembled its namesake.

Content with finally having a long soak and washing thoroughly, Serephine wrapped a towel round her and went back to the room where her suitcase was without meeting anyone on the way.

Pausing outside the door, she thought she heard voices from inside, but continued on in.

She had been right. Harry, Ron and Hermione were inside, all poured over a large book. They didn't look up as she entered the room.

"Knock, knock," she said, drawing their attention to her.

Their heads snapped up and, one by one, flushed with embarrassment.

"Why are you- what're you-" stammered Ron, half formed sentences falling out of his mouth.

"What Ron is trying to ask," broke in Hermione, the flush creeping away, "is why are you only wearing a towel."

"'Cause Ah'm just outta bath an' my clothes are in ma suitcase," shrugged Serephine. "An' the towel's massive anyways." Which was perfectly true. It reached from her chest to her calves.

"So you're saying that as long as you aren't naked you don't care, even if it's barely so?" asked Hermione, looking scandalized.

"Pretty much," agreed Serephine, moving towards her suitcase.

Hermione and Ron gave her a look of disgust, while Harry gave Serephine's back a thoughtful look.

"C'mon, let's go to another room," huffed Hermione, hefting the heirloom tome up.

They slouched out of the room.

Slumping against the wall, and sinking to her knees, Serephine hung her head and cried.

"Found anything yet?" asked Ron, his head supported by his hand and swatting the occasional fly with his wand.

"No! And I would find it faster if you didn't ask every five seconds!" snapped Hermione, looking frustrated. She flicked through the book again.

"Can't you use a spell to find it?" suggested Harry, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"I've tried," said Hermione, sighing in defeat. "No matter what I do, it only shows the Malfoy's family tree."

"There's nothing for it then," said Harry, also sighing. "We'll need to ask Malfoy."

"What?" said Ron, looking at him like he'd grown platinum blond hair. "No way, let me try!"

Grabbing the book from Hermione, he tapped his wand on the spine of it and said, "Integergrum-cognatio Potter."

He opened the book again. To Harry and Hermione's shock, it wasn't the Malfoy family tree, that had vanished. New names had appeared and now read the Potter family line.

Hermione was dumbfounded. "How... what... why...?"

Ron beamed. "It's a pureblood thing."

Hermione was about to retort when the door slammed.

Harry was gone. And so was the book.

Harry threw the tome on his bed, frustrated. He was sick of Hermione and Ron's non-stop bickering, sick of being the Boy-Who-Lived and sick of having a dangerous life. He didn't want to deal with Ron and Hermione, or anyone else for that matter. He wanted Sirius back now. He wanted his guidance, his comfort. He wanted to be told there wasn't a monster in the dark, hunting him, wishing for his death.

He could never have what he wanted. Never, and he was beginning to be irritated by it.

Shaking his head, he sat next to the ancient tome and opened it.

He started at the page. It was his name. His parents were above his, and their parents above theirs.

He flicked through the book, taking the time to look at his various relations.

One of these names in particular stood out to him. Pennatus Potter. He didn't know why, but that name mattered to him. It would be important later.

Three pages further he found what he wanted. Galena Gryff had married Pennipotens Potter. She was the great-great grand-daughter of Godric Gryffindor.

He, Harry, was a direct descendant of Godric Gryffindor, one of the founders of Hogwarts. And Dumbledore had known all along. Why hadn't he told him?

And what did it actually mean to be the Heir of Gryffindor anyway? What did he gain? Were there heirlooms he would inherit? Would he receive the Sword of Gryffindor which lay in the headmaster's office?

He, as ever, had too many questions and not enough answers. He could ask Remus, but he really needed to talk to Dumbledore. The old wizard had all the answers, even if he wasn't exactly forthcoming with them.

The door creaked open. It wasn't sudden, Harry could have heard it, if he wasn't lost in his thoughts. But it startled him, causing him to look up and draw his wand. He was surprised to find no one there. Shaking his head and looking down, he almost dropped his wand when he saw one of Serephine's snakes on the carpet.

"Warm one!" it hissed urgently.

Harry raised an eyebrow. 'Warm one?' he mused. 'Well, if you're a reptile, everything else must be pretty warm.'

"I did not mean to intrude," said the snake, "but I must warn you, the Cold One has Nagini, the Snake Queen, in his service. Under his control she is deadly and without choice. I warn you, do not kill her or the King's wrath will be terrible."

"Nagini, his pet snake?" repeated Harry sceptically.

"Yes! You must not kill her!"

"I'll... try my best," promised Harry, thinking it was low of Serephine to persuade an animal to try and convince him that Voldemort's snake was a queen.

The snake bobbed its head, and slithered off into the darkness.

'And they say snakes are intelligent,' thought Harry, shaking his head.

Lying on his bed, he began to compose a letter to Dumbledore in his mind.