It is now Saturday, and I haven't had any depression fits just yet. I remember to take the potions every morning like a good girl. I didn't give Draco the love potion yet because I feel like I should wait until the perfect time.

 Potter was my biggest competition in potions, and Slughorn called us his most talented students. Potter is cheating; I am not. It frustrates me that he's getting more attention than usual; not only because he's the alleged Chosen One, but also because he is now a supposed potions master. What a prat.

"Don't you need to go to Dumbledore's for Phoenix training?" Pansy asked and I sighed.

 "I suppose," I groaned, standing up. Draco had previously been kissing my neck, but of course father interrupted that. I think he's doing it on purpose now. I gave Draco one last kiss and walked off to Dumbledore's; father had left soon after he broke up our intimate little moment. There was no getting it back after that. I walked out of the common room and began walking up the flights of stairs to his office. He'd given me a letter this morning with the password, which I was thankful for.

 "Lemon Drops," I said and then walked up the stairway. I knocked twice and entered when Dumbledore gave me the okay.

 "Hello Miss Riddle," he smiled, and I eyed his burnt hand before looking into his eyes.

 "Hello," I nodded.

 "I'm afraid I have a serious topic to speak to you about before we get on with training," he said and I nodded.

 "The Ministry and Azkaban are considering sending you to a mental asylum," he said and I didn't say anything.

"A few other professors here agree, and even Madame Pomfrey is a bit convinced; I dare say I've been thinking the same. You aren't well, my dear," he said, taking my hand.

 "So...you want to send me back to Mungo's?" I asked dully.

 "No, dear, no. To an actual asylum," he said gently.

 "I won't go," I protested.

 "We aren't sending you yet, but they are all rather concerned about you. Mungo's doctors even agree it might be a healthier environment than the school," he said and I shook my head, taking my hand out of his.

 "There's nothing wrong with me," I whispered.

 "I believe that you are powerful, but there's something else making you this way. It isn't just the Phoenix," he admitted.

 "You told me it was just depression! You said there was nothing else wrong with me," I cried.

 "I did believe that at one point...but not any longer. I'm so sorry, Leah. There is no definite verdict yet, but everyone is contemplating it. I'm truly sorry. For now, we'll go one as usual, yes?" he asked and I did the only thing I could. I nodded.

 "Headmaster...may I ask you something?" I asked after a slight pause. He gestured for me to go on and I took a breath.

 "What exactly do you think is wrong?" I asked.

 "We think you might have bipolar tendencies, and you might... have anger management. Along with suicide attempts and a possible alteration to your brain," he said.

 "What type of alteration?" I clenched my jaw.

 "One that only magic can do. You, my dear, have too much dark magic. However, we must press on as if I never said a word," he smiled gently and I held back tears as I nodded.

 "Now, the Power of the Phoenix is an important and useful one. You can control fire like no other wizard can. What triggered the power was an extreme angry reaction; but can any other emotion trigger it? I want to start off by saying that we will be testing your emotions in these trainings. Are you up for it?" he asked.

 "Yes," I barely moved my lips.

 "Today we'll start off easy. We'll be using happiness as today's emotion. However, it could easily start going down a different path" he said and I nodded.

 "So, let's talk. You can produce a Patronus, correct?" he asked.

 "Yes sir," I nodded. He looked at me expectantly and I sighed, waving my hand and making the phoenix appear.

 "Marvelous," he nodded.

 "Now, tell me, what makes you the happiest?" he asked.

 "Well...Draco of course," I said.

 "Yet there's something else," he cocked his head.

 "When my dad shows that he cares. Or when he shows how proud of me he is; when he doesn't have his head stuck up his ass," I said meekly.

 "Your father's approval makes you absolutely glow, then?"

 "Yes, I just want him to love me. It feels like he does when he tells me how great I'm doing, or how proud he is," I said.

 "This is with Death Eater business? That he makes you do of course," he said quickly.

 "Not really, it can be with anything. When I got good grades on my O.W.L.s he was so proud," I smiled.

 "I try not to show it. I don't want him to think I need all that emotional acceptance crap, but I do wish he'd give it to me more often," I admitted.

 "So he usually doesn't care?"

 "He doesn't really acknowledge, or he just doesn't realize, how much his words hurt. He thinks he's being helpful or honest, but it really just puts me down," I dropped my gaze.

 "I see...so he doesn't let you know how proud he is very often?" he asked and I shook my head.

 "Does he support you and Draco?" he asked.

 "Not really...he'd rather I was single or with someone else," I said.

 "The only time he supported us was when Draco stood up for me and risked his own life," I said, thinking back to the fight with Frank. Frank's final fight to be exact.

 "That's very interesting," he murmured and then there was a knock at the door.

 "Enter," Dumbledore said, and in walked Potter.

 "Ah, is it that time already?" he asked.

 "Yes sir...hello Leah," Potter said, and I nodded.

 "Well thank you, professor," I said quietly, standing up.

 "I want you to stay," he decided.

"For what?" I frowned.

 "I will be giving Harry lessons that I believe will help you as well," he said and I slowly sat back down. Potter locked eyes with me and then looked away after a moment. Before Dumbledore even said anything, Fawkes flew in the window and sat on my shoulder. I looked over at him and stroked his feathers, to which he seemed to smile.

 "From one Phoenix to another," Dumbledore smiled.

 "She isn't a Phoenix," Potter frowned.

 "Her Patronus is," Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye. Potter dropped the subject and Fawkes nestled onto my lap.

 "So, Harry, you have been wondering, I am sure, what I have planned for your during these- for want of a better word- lessons?" Dumbledore said, becoming serious.

 "Yes sir," Potter nodded.

"I am going to tell you why Voldemort tried killing you fifteen years ago," he said and I stiffened. This should be good.

 "You said at the end of term last year that you were going to tell me everything, sir," Potter said after a slight pause.

 "So I did, I told you everything I know. From here on in we shall be leaving the firm foundation of fact and journeying through the murky marshes of memory into the thickets of wildest guesswork. From here on in, I may be as woefully wrong as Humphrey Belcher, who believed the time was right for a cheese cauldron," Dumbledore said and I rubbed my forehead.

 "Okay so basically you're just guessing about why my father tried killing Harry?" I asked.

 "Yes," he nodded.

 "Then why didn't you just say that?" I groaned and Dumbledore smiled faintly.

 "I felt the need to be unique. Are you alright?" he asked and I nodded, stroking Fawkes.

 "But you think you're right?" Potter butt in.

 "Naturally," he nodded.

 "Does this have anything to do with my prophecy? Will it help me survive...?" Potter asked.

 "Yours told you how to survive? Mine didn't!" I said in outrage.

 "No, it didn't tell me how to survive. What makes you think you'll die?" Potter frowned.

 "I don't know," I muttered.

 "If she feels she might die, I'm sure she has a legitimate reason. What is this reason?" Dumbledore asked, and in that moment I knew. I knew Dumbledore knew I was a horcrux.

 "No reason," my mouth went dry.

 "Please...please don't..." I pleaded and he nodded, leaning back.

 "What?" Potter asked.

 "She doesn't want me to push her for information, that's all," Dumbledore smiled and I nodded.

 "Back to the topic at hand, it has a great deal to do with your prophecy. Leah, what was yours?" Dumbledore asked curiously and I frowned.

 "The daughter to the Dark Lord will prevail greatly within her years at Hogwarts. Those who earn her trust will be the ones to prosper and gain her alliance. However, coming events will happen that may change her mind, and if not fixed, her alliance will change and the war will be won." I recited as best I could.

 "Hm, that's very interesting," Dumbledore mused.

 "So have those events happened?" he smirked.

 "I...I'm not sure. It's more of a series of events. It wavers back and forth to be honest. If I'm going to tell the truth, I'm pissed at the aurors for sending me to Azkaban. However, that doesn't really mean I'm on my fathers side. I'm thinking about Draco when it comes to that, but so far he's been doing fine and father hasn't harassed him," I rambled.

 "That's fine, just take your time and make the decision you want to," Dumbledore said with a nod.

 "Thank you," I whispered.

 "...the girl...unhealthy...needs help..." the voice swirled around the room and I jumped slightly. The other two watched me as I looked around with a frown.

 "Someone needs help," I said, and they just frowned at me.

 "Did you hear that?" I demanded.

 "No, Leah," Dumbledore said in concern.

 "But...you had to have! The girl, unhealthy, needs help. You didn't hear any of that?" I demanded again.

 "No," Potter said carefully.

 "I...I'm not hearing things!" I glared.

 "Miss Riddle...maybe you should get some rest," Dumbledore said gently.

 "No! I'm staying and I'm listening to what you have to say. You should really do the same for me!" I said angrily.

 "Of course, you're completely right," Dumbledore took my hand again and then leaned back.

 "Now, let us move forward. We have an appointment with Bob Ogden," he said and we stood around the pensive. I went first and as I was taking in my surroundings, Potter showed up, and then Dumbledore. We were looking at a very time forgotten town, out in the country side, and who I assumed to be Ogden, was reading a small sign. We followed as he set off down the lane and I looked around with a frown. This was rather odd. As we followed, we came upon a small house in shambles. It must be abandoned...but then again there was a freshly killed snake nailed to the door. Ogden cautiously approached, and then the door was thrown open.

 "You're not welcome!" said a man who looked absolutely insane. I took an involuntary step back in surprise and then walked forward as I realized I was being silly. He doesn't even see us; we're only watching a memory.

 "Er- good morning. I'm from the Ministry of Magic-" Ogden stated nervously.

 "You're not welcome!" the man repeated. Jesus Ogden, take a hint.

 "I'm sorry...I don't understand you," Ogden fidgeted and I raised my eyebrows.

 "You two understand him, I'm sure?" Dumbledore asked and we nodded.

 "Of course, why can't Ogden?" Potter asked, but then it clicked into place.

 "Parstletongue," I said immediately and Dumbledore nodded. The crazy man was advancing on Ogden and then there was a loud bang, which resulted in Ogden on the ground.

 "Morfin!" a loud voice yelled. An older man stormed out of the house and he was less insane looking, but still rather... odd.

 "Ministry is it?" he asked Ogden.

 "Correct, and you, I take it, are Mister Gaunt?" Ogden asked and I gasped. I knew exactly who this was. Dumbledore looked at me from the corner of his eye and nodded with a small smile.

 "S'right, got you in the face did he?" Gaunt asked.

 "Yes, he did!"

 "Should've made your presence known, shouldn't you? This is private property. Can't just walk in here and not expect my son to defend himself," Gaunt said and I nodded as if I was actually there.

 "Defend himself from what, man?" Ogden asked.

 "Busybodies. Intruders. Muggles and filth."

Gaunt spoke out of the corner of his mouth to Morfin and I almost smiled.

 "Get in the house. Don't argue." Of course Morfin looked mutinous, but unlike I would've done, he gave in.

 "It's your son I am here to see, Mr. Gaunt. That was Morfin, correct?" Ogden asked.

 "Ar, that was Morfin. Are you Pureblood?" he asked aggressively and I almost laughed.

 "That's neither here nor there," Ogden said coolly and I snorted. Potter looked at me and I rolled my eyes.

 "Trying to play like he's Joe Cool. Honestly, he isn't intimidating."

 "Maybe that's not what he's trying to do," Potter suggested.

 "Are you kidding? That's the key thing to do in this sort of situation. You've gotta get the upper hand!" I said and they began talking again.

 "Now I come to think of it, I've seen noses like yours down in the village," Gaunt narrowed his eyes.

 "I don't doubt it, if your son's been let loose on them. Perhaps we could continue this discussion inside?" Ogden asked.

 "Inside?"

 "Yes, Mr. Gaunt, inside. I've already told you, I'm here about Morfin. We sent an owl..."

 "I've no use for owls, I don't open letters," Gaunt said.

 "Then you can hardly complain you get no warning of visitors! I am here following a serious breach of wizarding law, which occurred here in the early hours of this morning!"

 "Alright, alright, alright! Come in the bleedin house, then, and much good it'll do you!" Gaunt yelled. We followed inside where the dingy outside matched the inside. Morfin was in a raunchy looking arm chair singing to a snake. Then my attention was drawn to a girl towards the back of the home who was very dull indeed.

 "M'daughter Merope," Gaunt said. Oh gosh, and I'm related to her? No wonder father is so disgusted with his parents. His mother was a loon.

 "Well, Mr. Gaunt, to get to the point, we have reason to believe your son, Morfin,  performed magic in front of a muggle last night," Ogden said, and suddenly there was a loud clang. I looked over to see that Merope had dropped a pan.

 "Pick it up! That's it, grub on the floor like some filthy muggle, what's your wand for, you useless sack of muck?" Gaunt yelled.

 "Mr. Gaunt, please!" Ogden said in shock. Merope dropped the pot again and then pointed her wand at it, which resulted in the pot flying across the room and hitting the wall, cracking it in two.

 "Mend it, you pointless lump, mend it!" Gaunt demanded as Morfin laughed madly. I widened my eyes and watched as Merope stumbled across the room. Oh dear Lord.

 "Reparo," Ogden said before Merope could do more damage. Gaunt looked like he was going to yell, but sneered at Merope instead.

 "Lucky the nice man from the Ministry's here, isn't it? Perhaps he'll take you off my hands, perhaps he doesn't mind dirty little squibs," Gaunt said. Merope took the pot without a word and returned it to the shelf, staring blankly at the wall.

 "Mr. Gaunt, as I've said: the reason for my visit..."

 "I heard you the first time! And so what? Morfin gave a muggle a bit of what was coming to him- what about it then?" Gaunt snapped.

 "Morfin has broken wizarding law."

 "Morfin has broken wizarding law," Gaunt mocked, "He taught a filthy muggle a lesson, that's illegal now, is it?"

 "I'm afraid it is," Ogden said, pulling out a piece of parchment.

 "What's that, his sentence then?" Gaunt asked angrily.

 "It's a summons to the Ministry for a hearing."

 "Summons! Summons? Who do you think you are, summoning my son anywhere?" Gaunt yelled.

 "I'm the Head of the Magical Law Enforcement Squad."

 "And you think we're scum, do you? Scum who'll come running when the Ministry tells 'em to? Do you know who you're talking to, you filthy little Mudblood?"

 "I was under the impression I was speaking to Mister Gaunt," Ogden said, looking weary.

 "That's right!" Gaunt put up his ring finger to show Ogden a black stone ring.

 "See this? See this? Know what this is? Know where it came from? Centuries it's been in this family, that's how far back we go, and pureblood all the way! Know how much I've been offered for this, with the Peverell coat of arms engraved on the stone?" Gaunt asked.

 "I've really no idea and it's quite beside the point, Mr. Gaunt. You son has committed-"

 Gaunt yelled angrily and walked over to Merope, dragging her back to Ogden by a chain around her neck which belonged to a heavy gold locket.

 "See this?" he asked as Merope gasped for breath.

 "I see it, I see it!" Ogden said wide eyed.

 "Slytherin's! Salazar Slytherin's! We're his last living relatives, what do you say to that, eh?" That's when I walked over to see the necklace for myself. It was quite amazing.

 "Mr. Gaunt, your daughter!" Ogden said in alarm, but Gaunt already dropped the necklace.

 "So! Don't you go talking to us as if we're dirt on your shoes! Generations of purebloods, wizards all- that's more than you can say, I don't doubt!" Gaunt said and Morfin laughed.

 "I'm afraid neither your ancestry nor mine has anything to do with this. This is about the muggle Morfin hexed last night, causing him to erupt in highly painful hives," Ogden said and Morfin laughed.

 "Be quiet, boy! And so what if he did, then? I expect you've wiped the Muggle's filthy face for him, and his memory to boot."

 "That's hardly the point, is it, Mr. Gaunt? This was an unprovoked attack on a defenseless-"

 "I marked you as a muggle lover the moment I saw you," Gaunt spat.

 "This discussion is getting us nowhere. It is quite clear your son feels no remorse for his actions," Ogden was cut off by the sound of jingling sounds of a horse and buggie. Gaunt froze, Morfin hissed, and Merope raised her head.

 "My God, what an eyesore! Couldn't your father have that hovel cleared away, Tom?" a girls voice asked and I snapped to attention. Dumbledore was watching me carefully.

 "It's not ours. Everything on the other side of the valley belongs to us, but that cottage belongs to an old tramp named Gaunt, and his children. The son's quite mad, you should hear some of the stories in the village," Tom said and the girl laughed.

 "Keep your seat!" Gaunt hissed to Morfin as the carriage drew closer.

 "Tom, I might be wrong, but has somebody nailed a snake to that door?"

 "Good lord, you're right! That'll be the son, I told you he's not right in the head. Don't look at it, Celia, darling," he said and I gagged. Stupid pain in the ass Muggle. The others began speaking in parstletongue.

 "Darling. Darling, he called her. So he wouldn't have you anyway," Morfin said to Merope.

 "What did you say, Morfin?" Gaunt said, looking between the two.

 "She likes looking at that muggle. Always in the garden when he passes, peering through the hedge at him, isn't she? And last night, hanging out of the window waiting for him to ride home, wasn't she?" Morfin sneered and Merope looked deathly pale.

 "Hanging out of the window to look at a muggle?" Gaunt asked quietly. Ogden looked quite frightened.

 "Is it true? My daughter- pureblood descendant of Salazar Slytherin- hankering after a filthy, dirt veined muggle?" Gaunt asked. Merope was shaking her head madly, but Morfin pressed on.

 "But I got him, father! I got him as he went by and he didn't look so pretty with hives all over him, did he Merope?" Morfin cackled.

 "You disgusting little squib, you filthy little blood traitor!" Gaunt roared, throttling her. The next series of event were fast. Ogden threw a spell at Gaunt, Morfin came at Ogden, and Ogden ran for dear life.

 "I think that's enough," Dumbledore said and we were pulled out. I shuddered and grasped my elbows, holding myself in a tight hug.

 "Professor, does insanity run in the family?" I asked quickly before Potter could ask his question.

 "Ah yes, I'm afraid it can," he said quietly. I sunk down onto a chair and hid my face in my knees as the other two sat down as well.

 "When do they plan on sending me?" I asked, my voice muffled by the knees.

 "It's not definite," Dumbledore said calmly.

 "When?" I asked through gritted teeth. I finally looked up and Dumbledore sighed.

 "By the end of this year. Sometime in June," he said and I nodded once.

 "Wait, what?" Potter asked.

 "Nothing," I said.

 "Right...sir what happened to the girl in that cottage, Merope?" Potter asked.

 "Oh she survived. Ogden returned with reinforcements and Morfin was sent to Azkaban for three years and Marvolo for six months."

 "Marvolo?" Potter repeated.

 "That's right, I'm glad you're keeping up," Dumbledore smiled.

 "That old man was..."

 "My father's grandfather; my great grandfather," I said, staring right at Fawkes who seemed to be smiling at me.

 "Correct," Dumbledore nodded.

 "My family is so effed up," I muttered and Potter smirked.

 "Wait, that locket and the ring. Aren't they technically my father's inheritance now? Or at least the necklace, seeing as it was his mother's?" I asked.

 "I'm afraid I don't know," Dumbledore said, but I sensed a lie.

 "Well it's part of my families, and I want them. At least the locket; it was Slytherin's," I said stubbornly.

 "If the chance ever comes you can have them," Dumbledore chuckled.

 "So Merope is Voldemort's mother?" Potter confirmed.

 "Yes, and we also had a glimpse of Voldemort's father. I wonder whether you noticed?" Dumbledore asked and I nodded.

 "The Muggle Morfin attacked? The man on the horse?" Potter asked.

 "Very good indeed. Yes, that was Tom Riddle senior, the handsome muggle," Dumbledore explained and I snorted, "who used to go riding past the Gaunt cottage and for whom Merope cherished a secret, burning passion."

 "And they ended up married?" Potter gaped. I gave a cold laugh and sneered.

 "As if; Merope was pathetic," I spat.

 "She's your grandmother!" Potter said in astonishment.

 "Oh yeah? I don't care who she was, she was a disgrace! My own brother Riley was a disgrace as well. Needless to say I don't care whether we're related or not," I glared.

 "Jesus, you are like Voldemort," Potter muttered and I gave him a cold smile.

 "Apple doesn't fall too far from the tree," I said.

 "Now, now, Leah was raised to believe such things. It's harder for her to stray away from those beliefs no matter how hard she tries," Dumbledore said, but I don't think he believed it.

 "As for getting married, I believe you are forgetting Merope was a witch," I raised one eyebrow at Dumbledore but he continued on, "I do not believe her magical powers appeared to their best advantage when she was being terrorized by her father. Once Marvolo and Morfin were safely in Azkaban, then I am sure she was able to give full rein to her abilities and to plot her escape from the desperate life she had led for eighteen years. Can you not think of any measure Merope could have taken to make Tom Riddle forget his muggle companion, and fall in love with her instead?"

"The Imperius Curse? Or a love Potion?" Potter guessed.

 "A love potion, how pathetic," I shook my head.

 "You bought one you intend to use," Potter shot me an amused look.

 "This is strictly for revenge purposes," I sniffed.

 "Oh is it?" Potter smiled.

 "Yeah, you'll see," I smirked.

 "Anyway, do continue the pitiful story of my grandmother," I scowled.

 "I am inclined to think that she used a love potion; she would've thought it more romantic. Little Hangleton received quite the scandal when they ran off together. The villagers shock was nothing to Marvolo's. Imagine him returning from Azkaban to a layer of dust over everything and a note from Merope explaining things. He died before Morfin could return," Dumbledore said.

 "Merope...she died too, didn't she? Voldemort was brought up in an orphanage," Potter said.

 "Yes, indeed. You see, a few months after their marriage, Tom returned home without his wife. He went on about being 'hoodwinked' and 'taken in'. He meant, I am sure, that he had been enchanted, but that sort of talk would deem him as insane. The villagers guessed Merope had lied, pretending she was going to have his baby, and he married her for that reason," Dumbledore said.

 "But she did have his baby," Potter frowned.

 "But not until a year after they were married. Tom left her while she was still pregnant," Dumbledore said.

 "What went wrong? Why did the love potion stop working?" he asked. I sat back and crossed my arms. Can they blame my father for being so...well you know? He's really kind of indescribable. Evil, vile, horrid, etc. Anyway, I mean, look at his family life! He was bound to turn out odd. I blanked out and stared out the window, ignoring Fawkes poking at my hand with his beak. I needed a friggin cigarette. Oh God, since when do I smoke? I knew pocketing those cigarettes at Rosemerta's was a bad idea.

 "Miss Riddle?" Dumbledore asked, and I realized his hand was clamped onto my shoulder.

"Hm...what?" I asked, focusing my gaze on him.

 "You are to tell no one about this," he said.

 "Not even Pansy or Draco?" I asked.

 "I don't believe it would be best," he said apologetically.

 "Yes, sir," I sighed. Potter and I stood up, going to walk out of the office. When I turned, however, something caught my eye. I stopped in my tracks and slowly looked over at Dumbledore.

 "Well a promise is a promise; take it," he smiled. I reached out a shaky hand and grabbed Marvolo's ring, rolling it in my palm.

 "It's destroyed," I looked up.

 "I'm afraid so," he nodded.

 "Is it reparable?" I asked.

 "I'm afraid not," he gave a small smile.

 "We'll see," I muttered. Potter and I mumbled goodnights and then went on our way.

 "Are you alright? You look...scared," Potter frowned.

"I do?" I asked, walking down the hall.

 "Scared and...angry...and jeez, upset," he said.

 "Seems about right," I said quietly.

 "Wanna talk about it?" he asked sincerely.

 "Honestly, yes, but I'm not going to. Goodnight, Harry," I said, turning and going into my own common room.

***

-Shay