I wondered how on our many trips to the same place before this I never noticed this cottage. Every time we came here for cliff diving the cottage had managed to remain hidden. Somehow we never noticed the existence of this place until recently, until she pointed it out for us to see. And looking back, the location was so obvious. I had to move two unusually heavily foliaged low branches of the elm. And there was the stony path, now covered with a lot of moss, lichen and grass.

A few minutes of walking on the unfamiliar, untreaded path and we saw it. We pushed open the huge oakwood gates and jumped over the large ditch. The structure stood tall in the midst of nowhere. It seemed to rise out of the rocks around it. The huge garden seemed to blend with the forest around it. The roses were mixed in with the various jungle plants. Poison ivy grew over many a pillar of the house. Somehow even after all these years, the magic of the place sustained it. The flowers were still in full bloom. The maze garden was overgrown and the hedges were in desperate need of maintainence. Upon closer observation I realised that satyr and centaur wooing a nymph, golden statue was a fountain. The place was beautiful but in dire need of repairs and cleaning. The place had an odd beauty of it's own. A natural beauty. The sound of waves lashing against rocks, the scent of the sea was all there but the ocean wasn't visible from where we stood.

The gray stone structure rose up two storeys. It was u-shaped. The structure was huge and very ancient. The windows were large with hood mouldings. Some of them were broken and gave the place a haunted feel. It had high gables and three chimney stacks. One for the left wing, one for mid wing and one for the right. The large foam glass doors, magically warded and reinforced opened into the sitting room. The front porch and the door was constructed of Cornish elm. The strength was still obvious. The magic in the place had kept it from getting musty. The porch had a comfy looking, dust covered swing. The bars and chains looked weak and rusty. The delicate decorative carving work of wood added to the beauty of the place.

“This is amazing!” I whispered. Iris put an arm around me.

“I knew you would love it. I love it here. It's the only place I can be me. This place calms me down. You know what I mean?” she asked. I nodded. “It's a little dusty and ill maintained right now.... but, I guess this is what happens when you leave a home alone for seventeen years. I was expecting to find wild animals. You know foxes and snakes, maybe. But there's only harmless rabbits. Well we do have some rats, large ones too mind you.” she shuddered making me giggle. I knew she hated rodents, of any kind.

“So, when do we start cleaning up?” I asked.

“Today.” she replied putting her hands on her hips and looking around. “I bet two months won't be enough. And it's just the inside stuff am talking about, only to make it liveable again. To fortify it, ward it, clean up the outside, create and improve the outside defences, it would take ages. It would be months before I have the place disinfected and defensible. It's one hell of a job.”

I nodded, frowning up at the manor. Sure, it was one hell of a job I thought pushing open the door of the manor. A cloud of dust blew up in my face making me cough. The floor was covered in a thick layer of dust. The sound of mice squeaking and scurrying around could be heard. The couch, though covered with plastic sheet was certainly musty and mostly hollowed out as well. The cupboard at one corner shook violently as we approached it. Boggarts as well, I thought miserably.

This place would take up a lot of time and energy. But it had to be cleaned up. This would be my base. My personal headquarters. My workplace. And Iris had no problems with that as far as I helped her clean up.

“So, how's Severus nowadays?” she finally asked the question she was actually bursting to ask ever since she saw me. I smirked and turned around to face her.

“Why do you ask? I assumed you would know...” I teased. She blushed slightly.

“I-- yes. But recently we have not been in contact, much.” she said in a voice so low I wasn't sure I heard her right. I knew he was too busy. But I had no idea he was this busy! He hadn't even talked to her.

“So you haven't seen each other, since when?”

“Seen?” she snorted. “I haven't heard from him. No floo, no letter. Nothing for two weeks! I don't know what he has been upto. I was worried sick. If you wouldn't have come looking this joyful and enthusiastic today I would have come knocking two days after. What is he doing?” she asked, running a hand through her hair. I shrugged.

“I honestly don't know.” I replied sighing apologetically and looking away immediately. We entered the bar. The bottles were still intact though dust covered.

“He is not doing anything dangerous, right?” she tried to prompt me. I put my hands on my hips and looked around. I turned a whole circle on my spot, frowning at the load of work. I hoped I didn't have to work on this alone.

“Hope not.” I muttered, thinking of where to start with the clean up work.

“What do you mean? You are in the inner circles, aren't you? Shouldn't you of all people know?” she asked, her voice bordering on desperacy. I nodded blankly.

“I-- am. But you have to understand my position. I may not be allowed, you know. To tell you of the innermost circle plans. Maybe that's why am avoiding your question. Maybe that's why can't give you an answer?” I questioned back making her ponder. She stared at me for a moment.

“You can tell me at least...” she said. I sighed and turned back to face her. She chewed her lower lip nervously. I rolled my eyes at her. There has to be a limit... I swear to whichever higher power that exists.

“I can't. Nor can he. We are sworn to secrecy. This is a mission, Iris. You can't know!” I tried to explain. “No one but the ones in on the plan, the dark lord's most trusted can know.”

“I am just concerned about his safety, Shine.” she pouted.

“He-- is safe.” I said finally, after a long time of searching for the right word. Only for the time being, I wished to add but instead I chose not to scare her.

“I can assure you of that.” I added not meeting her eyes. She didn't know anything about the conditions under which I agreed to join. She didn't know the demands I made. Had no idea that he won't be directly harmed as long as I stayed loyal. Unfortunately I had no plans of staying loyal any longer than strictly essential. So if I was caught... well, that was something I didn't want to think about.

                           ************************************

Thinking, thinking and thinking. Most of my physical capacity was already exhausted in those clean up sessions and most of my mental energy was drained with my insomnia. The only thing that actually helped was my caffeine addiction and my unsuccessful research work. It helped to give my empty brain some fodder to think instead of thinking about idiotic stuff. I had routed in Tony and Sera for the manor clean up. Even Mr. Romanov was being helpful once I told him of my plan of using it as a hideout for Sera. He was delighted that I found her such comfortable option and even more so when he found she would stay with Iris.

The work was progressing really fast with four mature wands at work. The ground floor was already clean. Two of the bedrooms were liveable. The kitchen had restarted gas supply through some connections I pulled at the muggle ministry (connections easily forged with the Imperious curse) and the water supply as well. Which included repair and cleaning works of a dirty pipeline that lay unused for ages. We even had to re setup the sanitation connections. The place was now in good working condition. The living room was dust free. The floo network connected. Apparition spot licenced. One of the rooms was turned into a large experimental room for potions. We revamped the library and study. I found some important and very ancient books on chors and my grandfather's research work on resurrection. The books were certainly interesting.

But we had other much more important jobs to do. We still had to protect the place from prying eyes. And so the defences were set up. First we set up basic spells like muggle repellents and hex and jinx blocks. We even set up spells to detect intruders within a large area surrounding the manor. The maze garden was charmed to change shape and form if an intruder gets in and prevent the intruder from reaching the manor. We set up basic defences all around the place. From muggle arrow shooting mechanisms to scanning cameras we installed every possible defence mechanism possible. We even installed some defence charms in the walls. The garden was cleaned up. The swing in the porch was well oiled and made ready to use, as good as new. The fountain was working again. We set up the walls and ditches again. The door was locked with newer, stronger charms. The windows were repaired and warded. Every single door was warded separately.

The house was perfect. It was on it's way to repair but and cleaning but it was very well constructed. The inbuilt defence system was great. A little difficult to figure out but it was good enough to keep out unwanted visitors. We had let loose Sera's three cats in the house, exterminating the mice population successfully. The doxies and their nests were cleared yesterday. It was a heavy job. They flew right in our face. And we recieved some doxy bites but it was okay. We managed first aid and stuff on time.

When we took up the right wing on the first floor was when the fun actually began. Sera screamed so loud I actually thought there was a Death Eater attack much before the anticipated time. I looked at Tony, nodded and we both ran up the single flight of stairs to the source of the scream dropping our doxy sprays. She stood in a circle of knives, blankly staring at a distant wall. Her face was white in fear. She had the look of a deer in headlights, terrified but unable to express.

“What is it?” I asked barely skidding to a halt beside her, my wand drawn, eyes wildly darting around the room to find hidden enemies. But I saw none.

“Who's there?” I asked, my voice shaking a bit with fear. My terrified mind conjured up horrible images. Images of a wild haired Bellatrix Lestrange cackling in mocking laughter showing up from behind the dark red curtains. “Who was it Sera? What happened?” I questioned but got no answer, she was only shaking her head. Her eyes had pooled and she was holding Tony tightly with her fingernails digging into his flesh. He put a comforting hand around her. She finally started speaking, articulating her words very carefully.

“I- I was only cleaning. Cleaning the floor of all that dust. I waved my wand in the direction of the window t-to open it. And when it opened, the curtains flew up. Behind them was this silhouette. I-- I ignored it. I sw-swear I tried to. But you can't, Shine. There was no wind and it was floating up to take a specific form. I backed away a little. And all the dust I had made fly out flew in. The wind felt heavy, the air out of my control. And the dust floated around me. I started coughing and-- and then the set of knives lifted in the air and flew. It flew right at me, Tony. I-- I was so, so scared. I didn't know what to do and I screamed. The door closed with a snap behind me. I ran to open it and bolted out. And all the knives fell around me.”

I sighed. “Sera, this place is not haunted. We own it, Sera. I am it's heir, next in line after my mother.”

“Do you mean to say that am lying?” she burst angrily. I desperately shook my head. The tips of her blonde hair tinted a fiery red, her brown eyes turned to burnt embers, red rimmed coal black. I would have screamed had I never seen her this angry.

“I didn't mean--” the knives around me started to vibrate. I felt some wind touch the back of my hair. I whirled around. I recieved a slap to my face. “Sera! Stop it! Stop it, Serafina Romanov!” I tried to convince her but the curtain was lifting up to form a silhouette. A very ugly silhouette of a man. He was obviously hunchback with a tiny stature. He may have a limp. But he didn't appear to be wizard. The lights in the room, switched on and off randomly. The knives flew up from the ground and took aim at us. I turned around to find Sera blankly staring at the silhouette. And I knew this wasn't one of her silly pranks.

Just as the knives flew at us I put up a shield charm and blocked them. This was haunted. We had a poltergeist in our house.

                             ********************************

Today was a little special. A very little, but still it was special. Not for me, for Iris. I saw him every damned day. Dad was coming up today to help us with the clean up jobs.

“Do I have to do this?” he asked for the millionth time since I told him he would be joining us for a day. I rolled my eyes at him.

“Obviously.” I drawled replicating his way of talking.

“C'mon Shine, it's one week before school. I was awake most of the night yesterday over Dumbledore having touched that accursed ring.” he tried to weasel out. Iris had specifically requested me to get him. She hadn't seen him for a month now. And I wasn't allowed to talk. So I finally gave in and promised to bring him today. I sighed.

“You have to come, Dad. Atleast let me introduce you to the house. We need to check the defensive spells too and there's no person better than you for that job.” I replied shoving my hands in my pockets and shrugging at the same time. He glared at me.

“I need some respite from work! I am going to get bloody crazy and now--” he suddenly picked up a heavy book and threw it at the hidden door. “This idiot is in the house. I can't even have some bloody privacy. I hate my bloody life! And you want me to clean up some old house? C'mon you of all people have to understand...”

“You are coming, Dad. And that's final.” I drawled stubbornly set on my stance.

“Fine.” he grumbled. “But just for today.”

“Are you scared?” I asked, the grin spreading on my face. His eyebrows rode up his forehead.

“Scared? You think I would be scared of a bloody poltergeist? I have dealt with one for twenty three years of my life. I obviously am not--” he stopped observing my grin widening. “What?” he snapped. I shook my head

“I never meant the poltergeist, Dad.” I chuckled and continued in a sing-song voice just to annoy him more. “You know what I meant, or who I meant... for that matter.”

He frowned at me. “Not here, Shine.” he warned me subtly. I grinned even more wider, nodding.

“Sure, Dad. My mouth is zipped up.” I drawled replicating the motion. He rolled his eyes again but chuckled this time at my stupid attempts to make him laugh, relieve his tension at least a little bit. “Don't worry, Dad. It will be fine. Everything will be just fine. Just stick that smirk on your face and imagine everything happening as per plan.”

“As per plan? As per plan, involves me splitting my soul!” he freaked out. I sighed.

“I know.” I muttered. “We will manage something, don't worry. It will work out, Dad. I know.”

                           *************************************

I apparated alone to Hogsmeade having fixed an appointment with Dumbledore. I was dressed up for the occasion. With a simple white shirt and denims that I paired with a dark green cloak I looked perfect. My leather gloves were in place.

Usually I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't ask for his help. But I had no choice. The fact that he tried to wear a cursed ring set the bells ringing in my head. Dumbledore may be a complete arse but he sure as hell wasn't stupid. The ring was cursed and he knew it, but he couldn't resist the temptation. The temptation for what?

The only thing that could tempt this man was maybe his sister coming back to life, one last chance at apology. One last chance. But I couldn't think of anything else that could tempt him enough. He had all the wealth and fame in the world. He was the Headmaster of one if the best wizarding schools. He was educating young minds, instilling his philosophies into their tender brains. He had everything but that one chance. And he had always wanted that chance desperately. That was exactly what my grandfather and him were working on.

They were working on replicating the legendary, mythical resurrection stone properties. Actually trying to bring back the people you love. But they failed. I was expecting the stone to be lost forever. But apparently it wasn't. Apparently it still existed and right now it was in his possession.

Dumbledore arrived wearing dark plum robes. He smiled and sat opposite me on the bench I had chosen in Hog's Head. It was the only bench comparatively cleaner. Aberforth came over and set two glasses of firewhisky in front of us along with cheese chilli toast. Dumbledore raised his glass in toast, his hand was shrivelled and blackened. He looked weaker, several years older.

“To Draco Malfoy, may he live long.” he said, peering over his half moon spectacles at me. His electric blue eyes seemed to scan me. I raised mine grudgingly and we clinked glasses in cheers and drank our first sip.

“So, may I know what brings us here?” he asked looking around the place.

“That ring.” I drawled, directly coming to the point placing my drink on the table. His eyebrow shot up slightly.

“I know what it is.” I whispered leaning forward. He backed up in surprise. I smirked. His expression rapidly composed back in his usual mask.

“It wasn't all that difficult to figure out.” he said calmly. I leaned back resisting the urge to balance the chair only on it's hind legs.

“Nope it wasn't, but Dad hasn't figured it out yet... So I don't know if I am smart or he is dumb.” I smiled. He chuckled.

“You are smart, obviously.” he tried to flatter me. I laughed.

“Flattery won't work Dumbledore. You didn't ask me what I would take to keep my mouth shut.” I prompted leaning ahead again. He chuckled and leaned forward.

“What do you want?” he asked softly.

“A small piece of that stone. Since it's cracked and broken I assume a piece of it should work as good as the original. And if if doesn't, well no harm done, right?” I questioned him.

“It's an important relic, Shine. Why do you need me to break it?” he asked me the most important question.

“I have my reasons Dumbledore. I am not obliged to tell you those. Whereas if you don't give that to me, maybe the Daily Prophet would just find out about it's existence.” I threatened. He smiled. “Unfortunately for you, memory modification stuff doesn't work on me. Your choice, Dumbledore. By force or by will.”

His expression changed almost immediately and turned to something dark and angry but my smirk refused to falter. He knew I had won it.

“By will.” he sighed grudgingly. “I will owl it to you.”

“I trust you Dumbledore, don't make me regret it.” I warned finally before resuming normal conversation about the poltergeist, the desicion to perform an exorcism and why we never did it and stuff. We were soon enough laughing and chuckling resuming our usual masks.