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After paying for her wand, Dumbledore showed Deanna the Headmaster's Quarters where there were two rooms, one for each of them. After bidding her father good night, Deanna sat on her bed and smiled as she held the baby Fawkes in her hand. "This is amazing, Fawkes. I'm really back."

Fawkes let out a little cry in response. "There truly is no place like Hogwarts." Deanna said before setting Fawkes down beside her and kissing the top of the phoenix's head. "Good night, Fawkes."

The next day, Deanna woke up early because she would be visiting her friends' graves. Dumbledore told her as they got ready that their graves were in St. Jerome's courtyard in Godric's Hollow. Deanna knew that Godric's Hollow meant a great deal to her father. This was where her grandmother Kendra and aunt Ariana, who she was named after died. And this was where he had parted with the only one he ever loved, Gellert Grindelwald. Of course, Deanna knew all about him. That was the promise between the two Dumbledores. No secrets.

"Are you ready, Deanna?" Dumbledore said and outstretched his arm.

"Yeah, Pops," said Deanna before taking his hand, and in a split second, they Apparated to Godric's Hollow. Dumbledore led her through the graves and they stopped at the middle where there were three graves.

ARIANA DUMBLEDORE

1885 – 1899

From a simple spark may burst a mighty flame.

PERCIVAL DUMBLEDORE

1860 – 1891

You cannot love a thing without wanting to fight for it.

KENDRA DUMBLEDORE

1851 – 1899

The purest love found was in your eyes.

Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Deanna wrapped an arm around her father's waist and let her tears fall. "I-I may have never met them, Pops. But I'm sure they're up there, watching over us."

"They sure are, Deanna," said Dumbledore tearily. "And they love you."

Deanna wiped her tears away and smiled up at him. "I love them too, Pops. And I love you."

"I love you too, my little phoenix," Dumbledore said and hugged his daughter with one arm. "Would you like a few moments alone?"

Deanna nodded and Dumbledore started telling her where to go. "Aries, Lorraine and Dallas are right there." He pointed to the graves a few meters behind them. "Just walk a few more and you'll see Ignatius, Thaddeus, Magnus, Elladora and Lucretia, Septimus and Cedrella. I'm afraid only they are here, and I do not know where your other friends are."

"This is more than enough, Pops. Thank you," said Deanna and she squeezed his hand before walking to the graves of Aries, Lorraine and Dallas. She crouched down and caressed their graves.

ARIES SOLIS

February 19, 1928 – July 4, 1977

He loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.

LORRAINE JUSTICE

March 12, 1928 – July 4, 1977

Wisdom beyond measure is man's greatest treasure.

DALLAS RIVER

July 12, 1928 – July 4, 1977

Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.

They were brothers and sisters at arms. They fought together, died together and now, they sleep together side by side.

"It was an attack. They were members of the Order, and they fought with everything they had," said Dumbledore from where he was still standing in front of the Dumbledores' graves. "They were celebrating your birthday and the Death Eaters found out about it."

"You three, you should've waited for me to come back before you celebrated." Deanna wiped away the tears that fell and cleared her throat. "I know you three know that I'm alright. That I'm not dead and I'm right here. I love you all, and I know you're watching me every step of the way. So don't go, all right?" Deanna stood up and kissed the top of the headstone. She gave them one last smile before she went to the graves of Ignatius, Thaddeus, Magnus, Elladora, Lucretia, Septimus and Cedrella.

IGNATIUS PREWETT

May 3, 1926 – September 3, 1979

THADDEUS PREWETT

May 3, 1926 – November 21, 1979

MAGNUS EDWARDS

January 12, 1926 – September 3, 1979

ELLADORA PREWETT

August 4, 1926 – November 21, 1979

LUCRETIA PREWETT

June 12, 1926 – September 3, 1979

They were friends and they had families, and they became friends who were families.

SEPTIMUS WEASLEY

October 13, 1922 – January 16, 1973

CEDRELLA WEASLEY

December 4, 1922 – January 16, 1973

Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.

"They too were members of the Order," said Dumbledore, sitting down beside Deanna. "The Prewetts and Magnus died due to dragon pox. Septimus and Cedrella died because of an attack. Bellatrix Black, now Lestrange, killed them. She seemed to have a hatred for Cedrella, who was disowned."

Deanna just nodded and stared at the graves before running her hand over them. "They were all fighters, Pops. I knew they would never give in. They were Gryffindors, Slytherins and Ravenclaws, but they were all fighting for the greater good. Each and every one of them loved, believed and fought, and I couldn't be any prouder to say that they were my friends."

"Well said, love," said Dumbledore, hugging her tight. "And they're proud of you just as much as you're proud of them. As am I. I'm proud of you, my little phoenix. And I love you, they love you, we all love you."

Deanna let her tears fall and buried her face in her father's chest. "I love you too, Pops. I love you."

Every memory fifty years ago was still fresh in the Hufflepuff's mind as if it happened yesterday. She'd treasure those memories forever all while making new ones with her new friends and professors. They were up there, watching over her together, and Deanna was going to make them proud.

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"You've lost her again? And where is she now?" The cold voice of Voldemort said as he glared at his Death Eaters who stood before him.

"She's escaped, my Lord," said Lucius Malfoy, "and we don't know where-"

"CRUCIO!"

Deanna woke up, gasping and pain shooting throughout her body. Fawkes looked at her curiously. Deanna stroked his newly grown feathers and let out a shaky breath. "I'm fine, Fawkes, fine." She stood up and started to get ready for the day.

The days since their visit to Godric's Hollow had passed with Deanna getting closer to the Professors. Well, she was working on Snape, who seemed intent on not being close to Deanna but Deanna saw him smile a few times. She also spent time with her father when he wasn't busy and even saw Moody, who visited once or twice.

There were two days left before the new school year at Hogwarts would start and Deanna would resume her fifth year. That day, Dumbledore was out for a meeting so Deanna roamed around the castle alone, trying to rid herself of the nightmare she had that morning. She was set for lunch with Pomona, Minerva and the other teachers so she thought she could use the time alone.

"Oh no," said Deanna. "Where is the bloody bathroom?" She looked around and realized she was at the second floor. She remembered that there was a bathroom there and started running because her bladder was about to burst. Deanna's eyes lit up when she saw the bathroom and she opened the door, but as she stepped in, memories came into her mind. Myrtle's dead body. Tom standing over her. The basilisk.

"M-Myrtle." Deanna said, tears building up in her eyes.

"Did someone call?" A gloomy voice said. Deanna's breath hitched. She knew that voice. She walked deeper into the bathroom and came face to face with a ghost wearing eyeglasses.

"Deanna?" The ghost muttered.

"Myrtle." Deanna said and she tried hugging the ghost, but her arms just passed through. She frowned and let her tears fall. "Myrtle, I'm sorry. I really did try-"

"Oh, D-Deanna," said Myrtle, crying as well. "You have nothing to apologize for. I should be thanking you for always standing up for me, Dee. Whether it's to the Blacks or Olive Hornby."

The two friends sat together, crying and apologizing and thanking each other for everything. When they had calmed down, Deanna told Myrtle everything that had happened with her. Myrtle felt bad for what the Hufflepuff had gone through and started crying again. Deanna just chuckled and comforted her friend, just like the old times. Deanna was always there for Myrtle to cry on while Myrtle was always there to calm Deanna down.

Myrtle calmed down after a few more minutes and then told Deanna about how she haunted Olive Hornby until she died. Deanna laughed loudly at that. It was just like Myrtle to do that, and though it was quite cruel, she knew that Olive did deserve a bit of it. Maybe not until she died, but probably a year would have been enough. Myrtle told her too about the years she spent as a Hogwarts Ghosts.

"Oh, Myrtle, you naughty-"

"DEANNA DUMBLEDORE! HOW COULD YOU NOT LOOK FOR US AFTER YOU'VE BEEN HERE FOR SIX DAYS?" The Fat Friar came flying in with Sir Nicholas, the Bloody Baron, the Grey Lady and Peeves.

Deanna smiled up at all of them. "It's great to see you all, dear Friar, Sir Nicholas, Helena and dear old Peeves! Alexander, you're here as well?" The Bloody Baron just grunted and rolled his eyes, but the corners of his lips curled up slightly.

"Peevesy missed you too, Daredevil Deanna," said Peeves, flying over to her and hugging her. Deanna chuckled and hugged him back.

"Remember, Peeves," said Helena, smiling at Deanna. "She was famous for being the Boisterous Badger."

"The Hot-Headed Hufflepuff?" The Fat Friar said.

Deanna rolled her eyes at them. "I was also known as the Angelic Ariana."

"In your first month," the ghosts and Peeves said in unison before they all burst out into laughter except for the Baron, who settled for a snort.

"We heard the story from the portraits," said Sir Nicholas. "Oh, I never really liked that Riddle boy."

Deanna noticed from the corner of her eyes that Helena's smile fell off her face. "Oh, let's not talk about that, please. Go on, tell me all about how you have been."

The House Ghosts, Myrtle and Peeves then told Deanna funny stories they had over the years, and Deanna felt happy that she had her old friends, who hadn't changed at all unlike the rest of the world. Unlike Pomona, her father, Tom and everyone else. She still had the Hogwarts Ghosts, and that made the weight on Deanna's chest lighten up a bit.

They all started laughing when Peeves finished his story about pranking the Weasley twins. The door suddenly opened, and their laughter ceased. Minerva came running in. "Oh, Deanna, you're here."

Deanna's eyes widened when Minerva pulled her into a sudden hug. "Er... Minerva?"

"Ah yes, sorry, dear," said Minerva, letting go of her and fixing the girl's hair. "You were supposed to be at lunch an hour ago."

"Really?" said Deanna, looking down. "I didn't know, Minnie, I'm sorry."

Minerva's eyes softened and she wrapped an arm around the girl. "It's alright, Deanna. Now, come on. Albus has been panicking for the past hour."

"Okay, I'll see you soon," she waved at her ghost friends and followed Minerva out of the bathroom and up to the Headmaster's Office. While on the way, Minerva handed something to Deanna. It was a hotdog sandwich and a glass of chocolate milk.

"Albus said these are your favorites, and I thought you would be hungry since you didn't eat breakfast or lunch," said Minerva.

Deanna grinned at her and started eating her food. "Thanks, Min." Minerva just chuckled and led the way to the Headmaster's office. As they arrived, Deanna finished the sandwich and sipped on her chocolate milk.

"Fizzing whizbees," said Minerva, and the gargoyle sprung to life and moved aside. Deanna and Minerva walked up the stairs and she was about to open the door when Minerva stopped her and made the glass and plate vanish.

"Deanna, you have to be careful," said Minerva in a stern whisper. "The person we're about to meet is part of the Ministry. We have no choice but to be honest, do you understand?"

Deanna stared at her for a few seconds, wondering why, before nodding. "Yes, Minerva."

"Good." Minerva said and opened the door. Deanna entered and saw that the portraits of the Headmasters were sleeping but she saw the portrait of Basil Fronsac open his eye and knew that they were feigning sleep. She saw that her father, looking grave, was sitting in his seat, and sitting in front of her father was a short squat woman who oddly resembled a toad. She was wearing pink from head to toe and smiled widely at Deanna, but Deanna felt her smile was holding malicious intent behind it.

"Dolores Umbridge," said Umbridge in a sugary voice, standing up and holding her hand out. "Pleased to meet you."

"It's a pleasure, Madame. My name is Deanna Dumbledore," said Deanna, shaking her hand, and glancing at Dumbledore, who smiled at her in encouragement and motioned to the seat across Umbridge. Deanna sat down with Minerva beside her.

"I am the new Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, Miss Dumbledore, and Senior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic," said Umbridge still in that sweet voice and that menacing smile of hers.

"Er... I'm looking forward to it, Professor," said Deanna, smiling slightly at her. This Umbridge was part of the Ministry, and she was the Senior Undersecretary. It probably meant that she was one of those who were discrediting Dumbledore, but the slight nudge coming from Minerva told her to be nice. "And please, call me Deanna."

"Great! Deanna, you wouldn't mind if I ask you a few questions?" Umbridge said taking out a clipboard and a pen from her pink bag.

"I don't, please go ahead."

"When were you born, Deanna?"

Minerva frowned at her. "Dolores, I don-"

"And she said I could ask her, Minerva." Umbridge said, the sweet tone falling from her voice.

"I was born on November 11, 1928," said Deanna, trying to ease the tension while giving Minerva's hand a small squeeze.

"Excellent," said Umbridge in the same sugary voice and the smile coming back on her face. "And how did you retain your youth in... fifty years?"

"Dolores, I think that's something Deanna cannot answer for now." Dumbledore said calmly.

"Why, Dumbledore?" Umbridge said lowly. "Are you hiding something that the Ministry can not know?"

"Pops," said Deanna with a reassuring smile. "It's fine." Dumbledore hesitated before nodding at her.

"See?" Umbridge said, smiling sweetly. "Your daughter seems to understand, Dumbledore."

Deanna took in a deep breath to calm herself down. "Shall we start now, Professor? I must go to Diagon Alley to buy new robes, and I think you have your own duties as well, don't you?"

Umbridge blushed in embarrassment. "Right. Sorry. Please continue, Miss Dumbledore."

"Well, as you probably know, I went missing on the day Myrtle Warren died. What happened then was that Voldemort," she paused slightly when Umbridge gasped, "put a spell on me that made me sleep for the past fifty years, and the return of Voldemort," another gasp and furious scribbling on the clipboard, "woke me up, and here I am."

"I see," said Umbridge as she finished scribbling on the clipboard. "Well, Miss Dumbledore, do you really believe that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named returned?"

"I think I said a few moments ago that his return had woken me up, Professor, but if you didn't hear, then yes, Voldemort has returned," said Deanna. She felt a slight shaking beside her and realized that Minerva was holding back her laughter. Dumbledore was smiling in amusement while Umbridge looked furious.

"Miss Dumbledore," said Umbridge coldly. "I think this means you have chosen where your loyalties lie."

"Of course, Professor," said Deanna lightly. "I stand against Voldemort and the Death Eaters, and I stand with my father."

Umbridge's nostrils flared and she stood up. "Very well then. It was... nice meeting you. Good day, Minerva, Dumbledores." She spoke their surname with a hint of distaste. She left the office, and the three left inside let out the breaths they had been holding in while the portraits around them opened their eyes and smiled at Deanna.

"That was wonderful, Deanna," said Dumbledore in an amused tone before his tone turned to one of concern. "Though you must understand I was only trying to protect you. You might be on the Daily Prophet tomorrow."

"The Death Eaters would know where you are, Deanna," said Minerva with a frown.

Deanna leaned back in her chair and smiled. "Let them, Minerva, Pops. They always knew that I'd be in Hogwarts anyway, and Voldemort would be livid when he finds out that I'm in the only place he can't touch me. Also, that's what we're doing, right? Getting the word out to the public about his return?"

Dumbledore chuckled at his daughter. "You truly are a fighter, phoenix."

"You're my father after all, Pops," Deanna winked at him.

"Oh, right, I almost forgot," said Minerva. "Will you be staying with your old house, Deanna? Or will you be sorted again?"

Deanna bit her lip before nodding. "I think I want to get sorted again. Will it be all right, Min?"

"No worries, dear, I'll leave you two to it," said Minerva. She patted Deanna on the shoulder and nodded at Dumbledore before leaving the office.

"Are you sure you're all right, love?" said Dumbledore, worry evident in his voice.

"Of course, Pops," said Deanna, patting his hand. "I'm older now, and I won't be taken by him. Not again, but I'm a little worried..."

"About what?"

"Last night, I had a vision," said Deanna in a small voice. "I saw him. He was angry. He did the Cruciatus Curse on his Death Eaters, and I woke up in pain. I'm scared, Pops. What if I still love him?"

"Why don't you think about it? You could tell me about how you feel."

Deanna stood up and started pacing up and down the office, biting her lip. "I don't know... I tried, Pops. I always knew that there was darkness in Tom, but I also knew he had light in him. I knew he could be good, and I believed he was, and we were fine. We were happy, but that day he killed Myrtle, I refused to believe it. That it was not him who killed her, but he had the look in his eyes. He was... proud of it.

"He said he did it for me, Pops, but I never wanted that. All I wanted was him and his love. A simple life for the two of us. I always saw a future with him where we would be living in a cottage, and we'd have a son and a daughter. You two would finally settle your differences, and all would be well. Then, this happened..."

Deanna plopped down in her seat. "I'm starting to think it's my fault, Pops. Maybe I could've done better to help him see the goodness in him or maybe I could've ran that day and found you."

"Deanna, it's not your fault," said Dumbledore softly. "Tom made his choices, and he chose to act on the darkness inside him and become Voldemort. You may have been able to show him the light on some occasions, but he made his choice. You see, that's who you are, love. You always find happiness even in the darkest of times. You always remember to turn on the light. Tom may have thought that you'd support him no matter what because you love him."

"I loved him, Pops, even when he was the cold person with snakelike eyes and pale white skin. I loved him because I knew it was Tom, but when I started accepting that Tom became Voldemort, I knew that some of the affection I had for him had gone. I don't want to think of them as two different people because I know that wouldn't help at all. But now, I'm confused. Do I still love Tom or not? Am I bad for having feelings for someone who had done terrible things?"

"That's love, Deanna. You can't choose who you fall in love with. Love makes you see the good in people. But now, let me ask. Do you love me?"

"Of course, Pops," said Deanna without hesitating.

"How about Pomona?"

"Yes, I do."

"Aries? Lorraine? Dallas?"

"Without a doubt."

"How about the Prewetts? Magnus and the Weasleys?"

"That's given, Pops," said Deanna, getting confused at his questions.

"How about Tom?"

Deanna opened her mouth to answer, but nothing came out because she too didn't know the answer. Dumbledore smiled and leaned towards her. "And that too is love. You don't question it. You just find the answers come naturally. If you start questioning if you love someone or not, then you probably don't."

A soft smile made its way onto Deanna's face. "I don't love him anymore."

"He was your first love, Deanna," said Dumbledore. "He will always have a special place in your heart."

"He will, Pops, but it's time for me to let him go," said Deanna, squeezing her father's hand. "And I have the courage to do that now."

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