**So I went back and tried to identify the differences between the past and present. I apologize for the continuity problems. I really wasn't planning on writing more besides the first chapter and when I did decide to write more I guess everything made sense to me, but lol I'm the author. Moving forward I'm going to clarify between the past and the present until I lead them to finally be concurrent in time. Hopefully will be cohesive and a little less confusing. SO sorry. Italics sections were mostly memories, but sometimes it's hard to tell because Janelle can't either. Anything before the Deatheaters escaping Azkaban in Order of the Phoenix is the past. My grammar skills aren't the strongest otherwise I would be better writing past and present tense rather than break stuff up so much, (but I understand my limitations and I will try to make up for it). Thank you PolarisRegulusBlack for the review. I appreciate the honesty, because I really don't know sometimes if no one points it out. ***

(Past: January 11th 1996)

Janelle had been enjoying sitting in the drawing room reading while the others, the children mostly, were engrossed in Wizarding Chess. They had been a little sketchy of her presence, but hadn't said much to her since she sat down. They basically ignored her existence which was fine.

"Squash him – squash him, he's only a pawn, you idiot – sorry, Mrs. Weasley, what did you say?"

"Professor Snape, dear. In the kitchen. He'd like a word." Janelle gazed from above the top of her pages when the room suddenly became too quiet. All the children looked around the room in an unexplained horror, which amused Janelle greatly. Severus had finally commanded a presence that he all been striving for since their school days. Now his presence caused several people to sour, it had Janelle in a state of giggles.

"Snape?" said Harry blankly.

"Professor Snape, dear," said Mrs. Weasley reprovingly. "Now come on, quickly, he says he can't stay long." They waited until Mrs. Weasley had left the room before starting in on the boy.

"What's he want with you?"

"You haven't done anything, have you?" The girl asked.

"No!" said Harry indignantly. Janelle shook her head, trying to stifle her laughter. It was too much for her. She was trying to maintain a polite façade as Sirius had suggested- well more like told her to do. She left the room to cool off, Mrs. Weasley swept past her quickly. She noticed Sirius and Severus staring at each other with loathing sneers from the closing kitchen door. It gave Janelle an idea. She hurried off to her room to retrieve a letter.

When she returned downstairs, a happy Weasley family came barreling through the front door. The children were enthusiastically hugging their recovered father, with their mother smiling happily from behind them. He still looked a bit peaky, so Janelle quickly slipped around the family walking towards the kitchen. He would need a refreshment. Is a pint of butterbeer appropriate for so someone that just left the hospital? Janelle froze upon opening the kitchen door.

"Why, yes, I suppose I am," said Snape. Harry was between the two wizards trying to discourage what they had planned to do.

"Harry – get – out – of – it!" snarled Sirius, pushing him out of the way with his free hand. The two wizards lowered their wands, coming to their senses as Mr. Weasley commented on the situation.

"What's going on here?" Severus pushed passed Sirius and Harry only pausing for a moment.

"Six o'clock Monday evening, Potter." Severus continued towards the front door.

"Severus!" Snape kept walking hastily towards the front door. The less he was here the better. "Severus!" He didn't want to be held back, he just needed-

"WHAT?" He snarled at the person who dared touch his shoulder. Janelle stared at his with wide eyes. She had forgotten his quick temper. He didn't have time for this. He had to report a similar report to the Dark Lord. "Well?" He demanded, rather impatiently. She dug into the pocket of her robes, pulling out a sealed envelope. She held it out to him.

"Before you start grumbling that you aren't an owl or house elf I was wondering if you could possibly give this to Narcissa Malfoy." He eyed the letter warily before snatching it from her awaiting hand.

"Why should I do that for you?" She bit her lip, she had been wondering that herself. But he was the best chance she had for getting this delivered. His own guilt was now filling him. He was originally the one who had told Narcissa to reach out to the former cousin. Janelle wrapped her fingers around her loose locks, nervously.

"Because," she whispered, "Because you're the last person that will tell Sirius anything." His eyes narrowed looking down the hallway, the devil himself made an appearance to glare at the two. He was less thrilled with Janelle's closeness than him. He smirked, anything to put that bastard Black in his place.

"Fine." She jumped up happily and wrapped her arms around his neck. His back tensed from her touch.

"Thank you, thank you Severus. I truly appreciate it." She breathed into his hair. She was over delighted he had allowed the embrace despite his lack of reciprocation. She pulled back and smiled at his surprise. "Have a good day Severus." Snape tightly nodded before slamming the door behind him. Janelle looked amused as the twin redheads looked at her in horror. She rolled her eyes as she listened to them talking quietly back and forth.

"Do you reckon that is the first time a woman has touched him?"

"I wouldn't doubt it. Do you think she has grease stains now?" She smirked as Sirius's glare grew as she approached him.

"What were you telling Snivellus?" He demanded.

"Jealous?" She threw the insult, hoping he would take the bait.

"Of Snivellus?" He barked a laugh. "Hardly. But what were you talking to him about?" She smiled innocently at him, batting her eyes.

"I can't talk to an old friend?" He answered gruffly.

"No! Especially greasy old Deatheaters like him." She patted Sirius on the shoulder before shuffling pass him.

"Well he was here wasn't he? Can't be too untrustworthy. Unlike some people I know."

"Good morning, Mr. And Mrs. Black and Regulus. What a pleasant surprise." Orion Black nodded, acknowledging the girl's greeting. Walburga on the other hand gave her a customary glance before following her husband through foyer of Fawley manor. Regulus's stocked pass his girlfriend giving her a curious look. "What?" He shook his head revealing a small smile.

"Do you always answer the door for surprised guests, or did your father give you a clue to why we are here?" She blushed, glancing away in embarrassment. She had been too caught up in her own curiosity to see her blunder. Elves answered the door, not witches.

"I might have been a tad excited to know why your parents had requested brunch with my father in particular. Would you have a clue as to why that is?" She smiled, playing with his collar as he spied on her antics.

"Ignorance is below you, Janelle. I suspect your father has informed you of his own suspicions. Now tell me, are you willing to go through with it?" She squealed throwing her arms around her boyfriend's neck, slightly throwing off his stiff posture. That's the closest she was ever going to get for a proposal, Regulus had wanted to marry her. His parents coming to her home to discuss such matters proved it.

"Yes!" She feigned a cough as Regulus stared down at her looking slightly startled, a ghost of smirk on his lips. "I mean, yes Mr. Black you definitely fit all my criteria for a suitor." He released his arms from his stauchy hold from behind his back to resting his hands on her hips.

"Do tell." He was teasing her, mocking her enthusiasm. Two could play this game.

"Your biting sarcasm tends to leave me in stitches. A pureblood gentleman with a sizable inheritance." Quickly eyeing him below the waist. She leaned in closer with every reason, "classically handsome. Devilish smart and..." She paused, her lips nearly pressed to his ear. "Your own sexual prowess seems to keep me coming back for more." This statement crumbled his proper resolve as she wanted, he smothered his lips on her own.

"Children!" Janelle jumped back from Regulus, the both looking at the floor guiltily. Orion had returned to invite the both in for the discussions, only to find them tending to their own. Janelle dared to face Mr. Black only for him to coldly regard his son. Orion sighed, "Anymore acts like that and you two will be wed before the summer begins. Is that understood?"

"Yes father." Regulus, quickly replied.

"Understood Lord Black." Orion paused at Janelle's reply. He nodded, gesturing for Regulus to take his leave.

"No grandchildren of mine will be born out of wedlock." Janelle furiously shook her head, she was embarrassed to have her boyfriend's father harangue her like this. "Good," he clenched his large hand over her shoulder, "welcome to the family, daughter."

"Wake up Janelle." She tried to wrestle from Orion's grip. She opened her eyes wide, almost in daze. She was laying in her bed, and it was Sirius holding her, not his father. She huffed, shoved Sirius off her. Straightened out her nightshirt.

"What?" She snapped as Sirius stared down at her.

"The fireplace has requested your presence." Janelle glared as Sirius peered at her from the door. Safely retreated from her reaching distance. He looked sullener than usual. She moved her forgotten book over, happily staring at his dismal appearance. His current attitude had to do with whomever was requesting to speak with her.

"No hints? Can't tell me who it is?" Sirius sneered, throwing the door forcefully behind him. He apparently was irritated by whomever was calling her. She rushed towards the parlor to be met with Severus's equally sullen grimace as well. "Severus, it's a bit late to be calling a lady?" He huffed, which Janelle remembered was his equivalent of snorting.

"As if I would lower my standards that far." Her smiled dropped, apparently, his sour mood he blamed on her. It wasn't like she told him to call her back or that Sirius would ill-advisedly take a fire call from anyone, less of all from Severus to her. "I call with news. Seemingly I have been demoted to the status of a common owl, being asked once again to relay a message."

"What did they say?" She was careful not to mention gender, Sirius, if he was listening would go on a tirade if he knew she had Snape contacted Narcissa of all people. He nodded his head.

"Your brother kindly asked if you would stay with him for the weekend, to meet his wife and son. While the main festivities will be held Sunday night. Dumbledore agreed this would be beneficial for your reintroduction in the wizarding world and good for your faculties if you mend your family bonds. He asked if I would escort you promptly tomorrow morning." He sighed, "Will 8 o'clock suffice?"

"Yes, Severus! Thank you, thank you so much." Severus huffed again, his face disappearing from the flames. She was excited, she was going to leave this house and do things she wanted. Without Sirius's constant pestering.

"So that is what you gave Sniveiulls this morning? Didn't want me to rifle through your Deatheater love letters?" Sirius snarled, and Janelle glared. It was ridiculous that he would even- she shook her head. He wasn't going to ruin her happy thoughts with his. She smiled, shaking her head at the him.

"I have to get up early, good night." She shuffled passed him, his face more morose than before. His only company was leaving him.

(Current: May 1996) Meeting at Malfoy Manor

"I've gather you all here to reestablish our order. Many of you have forgotten your place, you have forged your way in the world for several years without your master. Sitting here now, proves that I am a merciful lord." A chorus of apologies rained towards the dark lord, who nodded stiffly in return. He was still angry, but he had to put revenge on hold for now. First, they needed to rebuild, reform, reclaim what he had lost over the last decade. With the helpful influence of the Ministry, his presence for the moment was widely ignored. "Now to remind you of the way you have lost. We must fight for a New World, a better world. What is pure must stay pure." All the Deatheaters presence shook their heads in agreement, no more than Bellatrix. "We take up arms to provide a better world becoming of the new generation. Your sons and daughters never should speak, let alone associate with the mud blood or their brethren ever again. Cheers to our success, and the befuddlement of the ministry!"

"To the Dark Lord!" The Lestranges raised their goblets in a toast.

"To the Ministry's ignorance!" The entire table raised their goblets in new found excitement.

"After Lucius completes his mission we will be unstoppable! No more being silent, we will take what is ours! We will subjugate all that are inferior to us and exterminate whatever else!" The cheering continued before Voldemort waved his hands. He wanted to turn their attention to his last guest of the evening, Janelle Black. He had even altered her hair for the occasion, for the others to recognize their lost friend. He wanted- perhaps an introduction to remind his followers who they worked for.

"I haven't seen her- is that- Black's wife?" Voldemort smirked circling around his victim. Janelle was painfully unaware of her surroundings. He was still testing her limits.

"It is." He bent down, playing with a lock of her freshly bleached hair, it was a tangled mess. "She's testing something that I want to try on the boy." His followers looked at her with a renewed interest. The girl, Janelle, was most helpful in challenging his mental capabilities. He needed to be ready for the boy.

"She's seizing." The group watched her unmercifully flounder against the cold floor. "Her mind can only take so much intrusion." Lucius pleaded with his master. They wouldn't be able to scale the success of their attempts if their test subject were to become a vegetable before then. Voldemort relinquish his hold over the poor woman.

"Suggestions Lucius?" The Dark Lord wanted solutions not commands. He dared a step forward, inspecting the girl further. Despite some deterioration in physical attributes, her mind was still resilient. Her mental capacity was not atrophying. He highly doubted that Potter, the halfblood, could stand the barrage of mental attacks before his mind succumbing to goo.

"Perhaps, we lead the boy there over time." He paused, his master said nothing to contradict him, good. "His own curiosity will be his own undoing. And once he is vulnerable enough, you lure him with threat to his godfather." Voldemort nodded, agreeing with his assessment. More work needed to be done, he turned his sights back on his former follower.

(Past: January 12th 1996)

Laughter could be heard throughout the Fawley household. Janelle, Sean and his wife Audree, at the Janelle's antics.

"You were a dissident youth? Causing your father premature grey hair." Audree stated.

"Now, I don't know about that." Sean waved off his sister.

"No, no. More like lost hair. This girl, his little princess Slytherin caused father many sleepless nights. Getting in trouble left and right." Janelle laughed, these stories, these memories made her feel light. Lighter than she had in weeks. Being around Sirius had made her feel dark and depressed, she was just as trapped in Grimmauld Place as he was. Besides, she was safe, she didn't need his so called and imposed protection. She would enjoy this, enjoy this while she could.

(Past: January 13th 1996)

"Is Mrs. Malfoy in?" Janelle asked the quivering elf. Something seemed to be off, Janelle couldn't place it. Narcissa wouldn't go through with the plans then suddenly not show up last minute. If she remembered right, Cissa was always very punctual, at least through Regulus's eyes. Janelle could hear shuffling from behind the massive doors. Narcissa threw open the door, leaning greatly on the frame. She looked bewildered, but relieved to see Janelle.

"Right now isn't a good time." Narcissa curtly, which prompted Janelle to ask further.

"Are you sure? I hadn't gotten a reply, I just wanted to make sure that everything was alright."

"Well, I-" Narcissa turned back, feverishly whispering behind the doorway. "No!" The door was pulled open, giving a full glimpse into the entryway. Narcissa looked distress as a dark-haired woman stared hard at her. Her long curly hair was straggly and unkempt. Her robes were filthy and long, it almost reminded her of prison garb.

"Oh Cissy, you shouldn't have." The dirty woman pulled a confused Janelle across the threshold. Janelle tried yanking her arm from the witch's incredibly tight grip. "Oh- I remember you. Tonight, we'll get some answers."