Eliza didn't expect her release to be followed by the end of an innocent loyal life. As soon as she got off the goblin she saw Harry run towards Dobby. She saw the elf fall in Harry's arms and turned her back. That elf did more than a lot of wizards and he didn't deserve to die.

While walking towards the cottage a few meters away, Eliza couldn't help but wonder how bad Voldemort reacted when he returned to the mansion. Harry escaped, the prisoners got rescued and his niece was gone. She shuddered when she imagined Draco suffering.

Eliza sneaked inside easily. Dean opened the door, holding the goblin in his arms. He noticed the black cat and tensed

On the other side of the door was Fleur; the same blonde Eliza saw at the Triwizard Tournament, the same who married Bill Weasley. If she was there then it meant the cottage was their house

Once Dean gave the goblin into Fleur's care, he turned to her and grabbed her in his arms.

"Furvus?" He asked, worry flashing through his eyes. "Do you know where Eliza is?"

The cat nodded, watching him with wide green eyes. Dean sighed and placed the cat on an armchair.

Ron walked down the stairs, looking disheveled. He did go through one of the most terrifying adventures of his life and survived a meet with Bellatrix.

The ginger noticed the cat too and he looked even more worried than Dean.

"This is Eliza's cat!" He exclaimed, grabbing Fleur's attention.

"Do you- do you think she's alive?" Asked a very scared Dean. He could hardly imagine someone so witty getting away from the Death Eaters.

Ron frowned, still comprehending what happened in the Malfoy Manor, "Does that mean Eliza was inside the manor?"

Hermione followed down the stairs, her eyes widening at the sight of the black cat, "Is that Furvus?"

The black cat was glancing from one human to the other, feeling like she should transform back.

"Blimey, we left her there. We should go back," Ron started before shaking his head, "No, we can't go back. I can't go through that a second time." He changed his mind pretty fast.

Hermione sighed and took the cat in her arms.

With Dobby's death, Harry seemed even more brooding than before.

Eliza looked down at the fish they placed on a plate and gave it to her to eat but she couldn't even smell it. The cat meowed and ran to Fleur.

Fleur smiled at the cat but the cat narrowed her eyes and hissed, tugging on Fleur's pants.

"Zis cat behaves peculiarly." She started in that thick French accent of hers.

Hermione glanced at the cat before looking at Ron, "It is weirder than I remember."

"Do you think she's alive?" Ron whispered, getting a hit from Hermione.

"Of course she is, Ron." She scoffed.

"She wasn't in the cellar," Luna added, knowing that she hasn't seen the brunette witch in a very long time, "Is it possible she was kept in a different room?"

Hermione glanced at the black cat before sighing heavily, "She's been missing for so long. I hope they didn't kill her."

Eliza was listening to her friends mourn while she was licking her paw, feeling surprisingly joyful. Her eyes wandered around the cottage and noticed the covers over the love seat. With one quick jump and a few more silent steps, the black cat hid under the covers and closed her eyes.

"Just imagine what Lupin would do if she'd be killed." Hermione continued.

"Remus knows I'm alive. He sent Furvus to help me."

The sudden familiar voice shocked everyone. Hermione and Ron got up and looked around, searching for the source. Eliza's messy hair quirked from under the covers, trying her best to keep her naked body hidden, especially since Bill Weasley entered the room.

"You, blimey, how did you-but-" Ron was as speechless as the rest yet he tried to convey his amazement into stutters.

On the other side, Luna didn't have any problem with showing her happiness, jumping over Eliza and hugging her tightly.

"We thought- we didn't know what to think! The last time anyone saw you was in Hogwarts when-when Snape snatched you away." Hermione continued.

Dean took Luna's place and hugged his friend tightly, trying not to shift the cover off her.

"You have no idea how worried everyone was. Seamus was going crazy after they told us Snape got you." He whispered.

Eliza smiled and nodded. She missed the warmth of genuine friendship.

Fleur gave Eliza some of her clothes and the whole discussion moved in the kitchen. Harry was outside and Eliza was thinking what to tell him when he'll get back. He was still mourning the death of the elf and he probably had his own issues to resolve.

"Where have you been all this time?" Hermione asked.

"The Malfoy Manor."

Hermione frowned, "But if you weren't in the cellar, then where did they keep you?"

"I wasn't exactly a prisoner. They enchanted the house so I wouldn't be able to leave but I was free to go around. I realized I could escape only if I was completely changed."

"An animagus; that's how the enchantment wouldn't catch you leaving. But why did you wait for so long?" Bill Weasley was suspiciously on point with his questions.

"For a while I just hid. I was standing in front of the man that knew my mother the best and I wanted answers." Her green eyes softened, remembering what she found out. "Then, Furvus came along and he brought the book with him. I became an animagus and waited for the chance to flee."

"What did you find out about your mother?"

Eliza looked down at her lap with a frown.

"Everything I know about myself is a lie. It's been an illusion I created when I was young. Ophelia wasn't a coward but she wasn't a hero either. She left her responsibilities on my back."Eliza mumbled, feeling ashamed and disappointed.

Ron was ready to interfere when Hermione squeezed his hand, "What do you mean?" The bushy haired girl asked calmly.

"We should wait for Harry to come inside. I want him to hear this too."

Luckily, Harry came back a few minutes later. His eyes widened when he saw her and he hugged her tightly. Eliza was the only remain of his godfather, of a family that was snatched from him.

"I thought you died," He mumbled, his hands still wrapped tightly around her.

"He's my grandfather, Harry." She said, feeling the tears spill uncontrollably. "Tom Marvolo Riddle is my grandfather."

Harry's eyes widened, his reaction mirrored by the rest, "What?"

It was a shock to see blunt witty Eliza cry. The mask she struggled to keep all this time just fell apart. She was human too, a girl and a victim just like the rest.

She rubbed her eyes before continuing, "My mother is his daughter. That's why I am so good in Potions and Defense against the Dark Arts and that's why the Ministry doesn't know I exist. Mom was supposed to become a horcrux but she ran away. She left her memories in me and placed an enchantment over my mind. If I reach them, I lose my mind." She continued, still crying.

Ron tilted his head to the side, his mouth slightly open, his whole expression being a bit silly, "Well, that was unexpected." He muttered, getting a hit in the ribs from Hermione.

"Why-Why are you telling me this?" Harry asked, leaning towards his friend.

Eliza stared at him, those eyes feeling like they were trying to reach deep inside Harry's soul, "Because he knows I will always choose you over him, just like my mother chose Sirius. He tried to get into my head, he searched for those memories because he knows Ophelia found something he needed."

"He's angry. He's been thinking of killing you several times." Harry mumbled, scratching his scar. From the moment he saw her, he felt both happiness but also wave of anger and disappointment.

Eliza noted the way he'd always rub his forehead and nodded, "Yes. I believe that's why he trapped me inside the manor. If I was going to give him access to my mind he could kill me and hide his past once again."

Harry jumped on his feet, everyone else watching as he walked closer to her, those eyes of his earnestly looking at her.

"Liz, you haven't done anything wrong. I know you and I know you are different from him and the likes of him. I trust you." He said, feeling worse for not informing her about stuff that Dumbledore wanted hidden from her.

"How can you say that so easily when you know the true?" She asked, tears forming in the corners of her eyes again. "I'm a monster. My family's been influenced by this monster and even now, he won't let me go. He will kill me one way or another."

Harry watched her break down in front of him, in front of everyone. She was crying, mumbling about her mother and Voldemort. Dean wrapped his arms around her and helped her upstairs but Harry knew Eliza had high chances to end up like her mother .

A few hours later, Harry walked upstairs to speak with the goblin and Ollivander. Eliza slept for the whole time, so deep that Hermione was curious if something happened to her.

The next morning, Eliza felt brand new. She walked downstairs with lighter steps and a lighter heart. Fleur and Bill were already in the kitchen, talking when she entered.

"I'm-um- sorry for what happened yesterday." She apologized, looking anywhere but their faces.

"It's alright. You must have bottled everything in for a long time." Bill comforted her with half a smile.

Eliza nodded and took a seat. The rest followed shortly and Dean sat next to her, smiling.

"What happened while you were locked away?" He asked, drawing everyone's attention.

"Well, Vol-" Several people sat up and tensed.

"Don't say his name. It's taboo now. Death Eaters will come wherever his name is spoken." Ron hissed, ready to lounge and cover her mouth if he had to.

Eliza frowned, "Well, Tom found it necessary to awaken the dark wizard inside me. He ordered Bellatrix to train me in the Dark Arts and she's done it to the point it became torture. But aside that, he wasn't around much."

That piqued Harry's curiosity as he leaned in, "What do you mean? Was he searching for something?"

Eliza stared at Harry for a few minutes before she smirked, "Yes. He's been searching for something very important and powerful. He wants to beat Death."

The way she spoke about it, the glasses boy understood she knew. He glanced at Hermione and Ron, both having the same bewildered expression. Eliza found out about the Hallows one way or another and matched pieces on her own.

"What about you? What have you done these months?"

"Hiding. Dumbledore left me, Hermione and Ron a mission and we've been trying to figure it out." He explained as vaguely as possible.

Bill Weasley furrowed his eyebrows, glancing between Eliza and Harry. He could see nothing but understanding on her face so he was curious if she knew what that mission was. The trio refused to share but Eliza looked like she didn't want to know further details about it.

For the next days, it seemed like everything Eliza's been through was just a dream. Harry's scar stung a few more times but he didn't tell her what he saw.

"How was Hogwarts when you left?" Eliza asked Luna while they were walking around, searching for some type of shells Luna wanted.

"Not very good. Professor Snape became Headmaster and the Carrow siblings were torturing students. But everyone is fine." Luna responded, smiling towards the end.

Eliza frowned. She was sure nothing was fine, "Who are the Carrow siblings?"

"Amycus Carrow took Snape's place as professor of Defense against the Dark Arts and his sister Alecto took professor Burbage's place in Muggle Studies."

The brunette's frown deepened when she remembered what happened to Burbage. Snape was there and she pleaded for his help but he didn't even flinch.

They walked around for a few more hours until they returned for dinner. The goblin was there as well and he looked grumpy for most of the time.

Days passed with the trio whispering in between and stopping when someone walked around them. Harry didn't seem as secretive around Eliza, who told him absolutely everything she found out about her mother and her past. In exchange, she wanted him to keep it a secret from the rest, especially the DA members and the Order.

"Only Remus knows and I'd prefer if it would stay a secret."

Harry smiled softly and nodded. "How did you find out about, you know-"

"The Deathly Hallows? I overhead Mr. Ollivander say something about the Elderly Wand. Then, I asked Lucius Malfoy to tell me the story involving it." She explained.

Harry could barely contain his bemusement, "Lucius Malfoy told you a story?"

She chuckled and nodded before she remembered how scared he was. "Have you seen what happened after the incident?"

"He's angry. Very angry. Who knows what he did after we left."

That put her in a sour mood for the next week. Eliza decided she wanted to change the bed she shared with Hermione for the armchair in the living room. She slept as a cat and got used to change with clothes on. Dean was amazed how fast she mastered being an animagus but didn't ask anything about her time in the manor.

Mr. Ollivander left for Ron's aunt at the beginning of the next week and Bill came back with good news from the Weasleys. They were all in hiding and it broke Eliza's heart to know she could have done something to help them.

"There was nothing you could have done. You-Know-Who would've known and killed you." Hermione said, trying to comfort her but Eliza lost the desire to treasure her life.

"Have you heard of Potterwatch?" Dean asked later, avoiding Luna's peculiar stories. "It's a radio channel that keeps wizards up to date with what's happening in the world. They say it as it is, unlike others."

"Oh. Well, that's good. I only had Draco as a connection to the outside world. I know for sure he told Ginny that I'm alive."

Saying that to Hermione or Ron might have been a better idea because they already knew how complicated was her relationship with the blond. Dean was confused and curious and looked ready to lecture her.

"He's a Death Eater, Liz. He probably never approached Ginny and-" He stopped when he noticed her twitching eye. "Why would you trust him?"

"Because he's afraid." She responded coldly.

Dean shook his head disapprovingly and faced the fire. She could see him think about all the stuff happening around him yet he was being kept as far away as possible from the truth.

"Have you heard that?" Harry asked, his head turning towards the door.

Everyone tensed and waited in silence for something to happen. Bill narrowed his eyes at the door, hearing steps coming closer to the cottage.

"Who's there?!" Bill asked, his hand wrapping around his wand.

"It is I, Remus John Lupin!" called a voice over the howling wind. "I am a werewolf, married to Nymphadora Tonks, and you, the Secret-Keeper of Shell Cottage, told me the address and bade me come in an emergency!"

Both Harry and Eliza felt a chill down their spines. On the other hand, Eliza couldn't wait for her godfather to enter. Lupin fell over the threshold. He was white-faced, wrapped in a traveling 439 cloak, his graying hair windswept. He straightened up, looked around the room, making sure of who was there, then cried aloud,

"It's a boy! We've named him Ted, after Dora's father!"

The joy of that announcement got everyone in high spirits. His eyes found Eliza and he wrapped his arms tightly around her.

"You're an aunt, Liz. I'm glad you're here." He whispered in her hair.

Eliza's joy increased when Bill urged Remus to stay and have a glass of wine. They toasted for little Teddy and Remus asked Harry to be his son's godfather.

"M-me? Are you sure?" He asked, his eyes falling on Eliza's figure.

"You, yes, of course—Dora quite agrees, no one better—"

"I-sure-yes, of course-" He was delighted but he couldn't help feel bad for Eliza.

Remus stayed and told all he could about the newborn baby. He kept Eliza close, happy that sending Furvus helped her get out of the Malfoy manor. He left beaming and a bit tipsy and urged Eliza to come with him but she shook her head.

"It's better if I stay away from family. When they'll realize I'm gone, your place will be first to check. I don't want to endanger Tonks or the baby." She explained a few times until Remus finally accepted and left.

"He asked me to be Teddy's godfather." Harry admitted later that night. The goblin retreated for the night but the rest were still celebrating.

"And?" Eliza asked, raising an eyebrow. "Do you think I'm mad?" She chuckled.

Harry nodded, "Sirius left me everything and now Remus-"

"When you live for half a year with your crazy aunt and see death around every corner, you realize that it's better to avoid negative emotions. Besides, I'd like to keep everything that's important to me safe and the only way to do that is by standing alone."

She was so sincere that Harry didn't know what to say.

"We're going to break into Gringotts." He blabbered in the spur of the moment. "We're searching for something important."

"The goblin accepted to help you?" She asked, lowering her voice since the little creature could be anywhere.

Harry's grimace was enough of a response. Goblins were sly creatures and had a very old dispute with wizards.

On the other side, Furvus was running around the manor, getting Draco scared that someone might actually see him and kill him. But that was the last of his worries after Eliza escaped; her room was empty and he had to come up with different lies in order to keep her disappearance hidden. It was bad enough when the Dark Lord arrived and found that Harry Potter had left; moreover, his and Bellatrix's wands have been taken along and Voldemort forbade them to leave the house again.

"Stop squirming so much." The blond mumbled after finally snatching Furvus and hiding him in his jacket.

"Draco," The blond froze when he heard his aunt's voice right behind him.

He sighed and pulled the kitten closer to him, scared that Furvus might spontaneously fall and draw attention.

"My beloved nephew, how is our precious guest enjoying her time in her room? It's been weeks and she hasn't shown her face once." Bellatrix continued, walking towards him slowly, making him feel like a rat in front of a snake.

"She's fine. The news of Potter shook her and I had to calm her down." He responded curtly but she wasn't stupid.

"Isn't that weird?" She trailed, walking past him, giving him the chills, "He came here but didn't help her; his friend."

Draco watched her and listened to her, panic spreading through his heart, "No one knows she is here."

Bellatrix hummed, "I find it hard to believe that all the commotion downstairs didn't perturb her at all. She is the kind of person who would check out the noise straight away. We both know that's who she is, Draco." She leaned closer ans glared at her nephew. "Is she truly in the room, Draco? Or has she ran after Potter?"

"That's enough Bellatrix,"

Draco sighed in relief when his father walked in the hall.

"Eliza can't get off the domain; you personally did the enchantment," Lucius continued.

That seemed to have calmed down the crazy ideas in her head.

"True but how can you be so sure she didn't interact with Potter?" She combated but Lucius seemed assured of what he was saying.

Malfoy glanced at his son before he walked past him and opened the door to his right, the one towards a random room, "I have spoken to her only a few minutes ago and she seems clueless. Now, I have certain matters I want to discuss with my son."

He narrowed his eyes at Bellatrix and pushed Draco inside the room, ending the discussion.

Draco licked his lips and looked around nervously, "Have you really spoken to her?"

"Don't be a fool, Draco. We both know she grabbed the chance and fled with Potter," The older man scoffed, forcing his son to face him, "The Dark Lord is busy at the moment and he's assured Eliza is safely kept in here; let's keep that assurance for as long as we can. She better not be an idiot and follow Potter in his troubles but just in case, give me the cat."

Draco's eyes widened and gave Furvus to his father, "This isn't an ordinary cat."

Lucius scowled, "Of course not! It's an animagus locked in his form by none other than Morfin Gaunt. He's the sole descendant of Antioch Peverell and he's been searching for Eliza for a while now."

Draco stared at the innocent kitten, shocked that something so small and cute could actually hide a man older than his father; maybe even the same age as the Dark Lord.

"How is that even possible?"

Lucius grabbed the cat by the neck and glared at it, the cat acting like he didn't know anything, "Furvus, huh! Vernon Peverell that is his real identity. Anyway, I have an errand for him," Lucius grabbed a letter from the back pocket and placed Furvus down, "Mildred!" He screamed, the house elf appearing right away, "Take the cat and this letter and give them to Eliza." He ordered.

"But Mildred doesn't know where Miss Eliza is, master." The elf responded looking down at her feet.

"Furvus can trace her so just follow him. Go now."

Mildred nodded and grabbed the kitten and the letter before Disapparating.

Draco turned to his father with a suspicious expression, "Why are you helping her?"

"The same reason you do."

Draco doubted that.

They were ready. Hermione packed everything they needed but they still had to take the Polyjuice to get into Gringotts. Hermione had to go as Bellatrix while Ron's disguise was just a random, ugly man.

"You do know you have to act like scum." Eliza repeated for the millionth time while helping Hermione master Bellatrix.

"Yes."

"And you have to look at people as if they are scum." Eliza continued, not moving an inch from her seat.

"I got it, Liz." Hermione snapped. "We may not return here so you shouldn't leave the cottage." She added in a softer tone.

It was one day later when Eliza decided to go out. She folded her arms in front of her chest and looked upon the sea; it seemed so serene compared to how the world was at the moment. Being around Harry was dangerous but her life was less important now that she got to see how many people were in far greater danger than her.

"M-Miss?" Eliza's head snapped to the side, shocked to hear and see Mildred. She hurried to the house elf and checked out if she was harmed or not.

"Why are you here?" Eliza asked when she was sure the elf was unharmed.

"Master Malfoy sent Mildred. Here," She gave Eliza the letter and turned around in order to get Furvus off her.

"Draco sent this?" Eliza asked curiously as Furvus jumped into her arms.

Mildred shook her head, "No. Master Malfoy instructed Mildred to find you and assure him that Miss is safe,"

"What about the rest? They know I'm gone?" Eliza asked warily but sighed in relief when Mildred shook her head, "Alright then. Thank you, Mildred,"

The house elf seemed taken aback with the sudden thank you and left.

She let Furvus down and unfolded the letter, keen to find out what exactly he wanted from her; especially after she made him angry last time.

Dear Eliza,

No one has to know you are gone and if I were you, I would hide for the rest of the war; your mother's house in Ireland if possible.

If you decide to follow Potter into the war and fight then you should find your cat helpful. What is looking at you with the most innocent green eyes is actually a man. Use the ring of Slytherin to undo the spell or keep him locked in his animagus form for the rest of his life; I don't care.

If you ever think of walking into Hogwarts during these times, Snape will not hide you nor protect you.

Eliza glanced at her cat before she read the paragraph again. What is looking at you with the most innocent green eyes is actually a man. Somehow it wasn't a surprise but having an animagus sleep with her in bed for the past few years sounded very embarrassing. The witch grabbed her wand and pointed it at Furvus' figure.

"How can I be sure you aren't evil?" She asked, bending in front of her pet. Furvus shrugged which only made her laugh, "Will you help me at least?" She asked, the answer being a nod.

Eliza straightened up and took one last look at her kitten before she broke the spell using the Slytherin ring around her neck. A bright blue light engulfed the kitten, forcing the man to change into his human form.

"Ah! Finally!"

It was indeed a man, just like Lucius said. He wasn't older than Bill Weasley and he looked a lot like her mother. Besides, he wasn't naked which spared her the embarrassment.

Those incredible green eyes moved on Eliza and he smiled, the dimples in his cheeks deepening, "Hello there. Nice to finally be able to speak properly," His voice was exactly like the one she heard in her cat form, "I have to recognize, I am amazed how much we look alike. Rest assured, we are not relatives; at least, I don't think so," He was rambling and Eliza was completely blown by the whole thing.

"You slept in bed with me." She wasn't sure if she should feel grossed out or not.

He only chuckled and rubbed his head sheepishly, "Yes, we spent an amazing time together. But I did help you a lot too and always brought Draco Malfoy to the rescue." He seemed too proud of that.

Eliza scoffed, "Yes, about that. Why always him?"

The man shrugged, "It seemed like he fancied you and I couldn't bring myself to go to someone else. He just popped into my head."

Eliza bit her lip, trying her best not to transform him back into a cat; he was talking bullocks.

"Oh, right. We should get going or they will come searching for you. Tom can easily trace you if he tries."

"Tom?" Eliza was genuinely curious. That man had such a playful character and his face wasn't helping either; he was reminding her of Fred and George.

"Yes. Isn't that his name? He is one and the same and believe it or not, we met a very long time ago"

Her eyes widened, "How old are you exactly?"

The man chuckled, hating to respond to that question, "Old enough. Now we have to find some clothes and leave. If you want to help them, you need to be where the action ensues."

"Who are you again?" Eliza asked still startled by the way he seemed to know everything.

The man smiled and grabbed her hand before pulling her towards the cottage.

"Vernon Peverell, direct descendant of Antioch Peverell. It's a pleasure working with you, Eliza Gaunt."