AN: This is the third time I've rewritten this story! But I promise you that THIS time: it's waaaaaaaaay better. Trust me.

Chapter 1: The Beginning of the End

Lucius's POV

This couldn't be happening. She couldn't be my...

"Betrothed?" In front of me stood a woman with long wavy forest brown tresses, her midnight blue eyes shimmering with unshed tears, at least for now.

"Chestle... Please... You know as well as I do that this was inevitable." Why was my voice so cold? I would never hurt her...

Chestle straightened her posture, furiously wiping her falling tears with a handkerchief from her pocket, "...Yes. I suppose I did." A small sad sigh escaped her pale lips, sending a small white cloud into the cold November air, "I'm engaged as well."

As a Malfoy, shock is never shown, but this... "Whom?" Tears began falling once more, sending guilt to eat at my insides once more. She mumbled a name too soft for my ears. I cupped her jaw with a gentle grasp, wiping her tears away with my thumbs, "I can't understand you..."

"Regulus Black." She spoke once more with a stronger voice than I thought she could possess in such a circumstance.

It took all I had not to tighten my grip, "Chestle, I-"

The female had ripped herself away before I could finish, "No, Lucius. We can't. You know the consequences as well as I."

"Chestle, I love you." I stepped forward, grasping her hands in mine, "And you love me."

"Y-yes..." She sobbed, her eyes boring into my own, "I-I do love you... With all of my h-heart... But we can't! You to Narcissa and I to Regulus..."

I pulled her head forward, pressing my lips against hers urgently for a moment before pulling away for what seemed the last time, "I will always love you, my Chestle."

She ran her slender fingers through my hair, "And I you, my Lucius..."

With one last kiss, she was gone. With one last longing glance, I too disappeared.

Severus's POV

Softly stroking short light chestnut strands, I blankly stared down at the female's head in my lap. A soft hint of a smile crept onto my lips. A few moments later, soft sky blue eyes blinked up at me. A smile so bright it put the sun to shame lit up her face. She sat up, wrapping her arms around my waist and snuggling her head into my neck. We watched the water ripple across the Black Lake. Pressing a gentle kiss to her temple, I tightened my grip around her ever so slightly.

Something was wrong...

Only allowing the smallest of gasps escape my lips, I tightened my grip even more on her arm to prevent myself from gripping increasing pain filled left arm. Please not now, my lord... Anytime but now...

"S-Severus...? W-What's wrong? You're hurting me..." I failed to answer her words as the pain increased until the skull and snake scar began darkening in color.

I had to get away! Before she-

"No... No no no no..." Roughly, she pushed away from me and stumbled to her feet backing away, "You can't... You lied to me! You said you would... Would never..." The tears she had been trying to hold back fell freely as she ran back towards the castle.

"W-Wait! Renee! Please!" Hissing and clutching my left arm, I could only watch the love of my life run away from me forever.

00000

8 years later

Amelia's POV

It was a normal day when I stepped back into my bedroom door of the L'amour Dans L'ombre orphanage. Jumping onto my badly made bed, shoulder length chestnut strands flying, I took out my Disney Princess coloring book. I had just finished Jasmine's clown makeup when I smelled something burning.

A grin crept onto my face, sky blue eyes twinkling happily, as I yelled down the hall, "Mme Dolly va être en colère contre vous pour la cuisson à nouveau, Johnny!" (1.)

The grin faded as the end of the hall erupted into terrified screams. And not your usual don't touch me with that fake spider scream. The end door exploded, sending wood in every direction. Bright fluorescent orange, red, and yellow flames danced through the doorway like a stampede.

I gasped as several black bodies fell forward. One of someone familiar... "JOHNNY!" As soon as the flames grasped my outstretched hand, I ran as fast as my six year old body could go.

Several Feet on the grass lawn outside the building, I watched in horror as my home for these many years went up in flames.

Several hours later, I was sitting in the hospital with bandaged on my wounds and cream on burns. Nothing had been saved. Not my coloring books. Not my clothes. And not... Kris the teddy bear...

Johnny...

In the large, empty, and white room, I cried myself to sleep.

00000

6 Months Later...

Serenity's POV

Adjusting my shoulder bag, clutching my Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone novel tightly, and hurrying down the hall with a note in the other hand, upper back forest brown strands bouncing with each step, I put on a shy smile, just enough to reach my midnight blue eyes, before knocking on the door.

The teacher opened the door and guided me in. I could only gasp out my name quietly. She smiled kindly, "Why don't you sit by Amelia? She transferred... here..." I looked up confused and handed her the note in my hand.

Comprehension dawned on her face after a quick scan of the words. She mumbled under her breath, "They are really lucky I've learned all of these languages..." Shaking her head she smiled once more, "Siete forunati che posso parlare italiano! Ci si può sedere accanto ad Amelia laggiù. Ha trasferito qui ieri. Parla francese, me sono sicuro che sia possibile imparare l'inglese insieme e diventare buoni amici." She glared at a female in the back asleep none too beautifully, "Amelia Conner!" (2.)

The female snorted but otherwise refused to awaken, "AMELIA LYNNETTE CONNER!"

She all but flew out of her seat with a hoarse scream, "Je suis désolé, Mme Marine! Je ne faisais que reposant mes yeux, je vous assure." (3.)

Ms. Marine's lips tightened into a straight line, nodding machanically, and sent me to the seat next to her. I set my novel down and shyly met the girl's gaze.

"Serenity Abigail Perkins..." I bit my lip anxiously for her reply.

To my suprise, she giggled and held out a hand, "Amelia Lynnette Conner!"

I eagerly grabbed her hand, only to snatch it back with a squeal to cradle against my chest. Ms. Marine sighed aggrivated, "Amelia, combien de fois ai-je eu à vous dire? Pas de farces en classe!" (4.)

Amelia shrugged with an apologetic grin that wasn't all that apologetic. Even as the teacher began her lesson, Amelia and I continued to struggle to communicate through the language barriers. One thing that I knew was for sure was that when she caught sight of the first Harry Potter volume, both of us squealing over our favorite characters – Draco and Fred respectively – we would be friends for a very long time.

AN:Translations below.

1. Ms. Dolly is gonna be mad at you for cooking again, Johnny!

2. You are lucky I can speak Italian! You can sit next to Amelia over there. She transferred here yesterday. She speaks French, but I am sure you can both learn English together and become good friends.

3. I'm sorry, Ms. Marine! I was only resting my eyes I assure you.

4. Amelia, how many times have I had to tell you? No pranks in class!