A note about the title: it seemed like the most appropriate title for my piece. I thought of it myself and I like it a lot. However, when I looked on here, I did notice that there were several others with the same title. If any of those people are reading my story, I did not intentionally steal your title, but if it offends you I will try to think of something else.

I know there are a lot of stories about potential heirs of Voldemort flying around, but none of them is quite like mine =)

I hope you like it. It is a lot better than my last one.

Note: I changed the title of this chapter to McGonagall's letter in anticipation of the last chapter being entitled Voldemort's Heir.

Chapter 1: McGonagall's Letter

It has been 25 years since the final fall of Lord Voldemort, yet all is not well in the wizarding world. Parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins are missing, reminding us of the cost of war. Old hatreds remain and new ones are created. On top of this, there is a prophecy that one day, the child and heir of Lord Voldemort will return to carry out his mission. That day is soon to arrive.

I watched my mother, Mandy Fitzkettle, bustle about the kitchen, her mouth set in a tight line. Normally, I knew better than to bother her when she was like this, but…

"Did it come today?" I asked.

Mandy said nothing, continuing to make the sponge she was levitating scrub the counter ferociously.

"It came, didn't it?" I said, exasperated. "I still don't see why I can't go! All the wizards my age have already been at Hogwarts for four years!"

Mandy sighed. "All right, all right. The owl came this morning. And its not as though I don't want you to go, its just… things will be difficult for you there." She put her wand down on the counter and hugged me close. "And I'm your mother, I will do everything I can to protect you." Letting go of me she said sadly, "But I'm afraid that is no longer possible."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Mandy left the room momentarily and returned with a letter in her hand.

"Read this," she said.

Dear Mandy and Randy Fitzkettle,

Once again, I write you to invite your foster son Marvolo Thomas Fitzkettle Carrow to attend the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Only this time, I fear it is not a request. I understand that his situation requires some delicacy; after all, old hatreds and prejudices are not forgotten overnight. For this reason, I have allowed you to homeschool Marvolo for what should have been his first four years at Hogwarts. However, in the fifth year, we prepare the students for taking their OWLs. You have shown me in your Progress Reports that your son is an exceptionally bright student, but without this preparation, he will be in serious danger of failing his OWLs, and his future career in the Wizarding world will be placed in serious jeopardy. In addition, we feel that it would be healthy for Marvolo to mix more with students his own age. Accordingly, we have revoked your special permission to allow your son to perform magic at home, and if you continue to homeschool him, it will be seen as a violation of underage wizardry law. I hope to see Marvolo with us this year. I have no doubt that he will do well here at Hogwarts.

Sincerely,

Headmistress Minerva McGonagall

I read the letter over and over again, mind numb with disbelief. I was going to Hogwarts! Finally, I was going to Hogwarts!!! The headmistress' tone worried me a little bit; she sounded like a serious hardass, but I supposed headmistresses needed to be strict.

"So…" I finally dared to ask my mother "I really can go this time?"
"Yes," she sighed, "I have no other choice."

I leapt out of my chair and threw my arms around Mandy, kissing her on the cheek. Throwing the letter on the table, I ran to my room and yelled back down to Mandy "I'm going upstairs to pack my clothes Mum!"

The rest of the day passed in a blur. McGonagall's letter had come three days ago, leaving me only one day to get ready for my trip to Hogwarts. I went to Diagon Alley to buy all my books and supplies, and then to Madam Malkin's to get fitted or school robes. As I walked past the wand shop, I thought of my own wand, made of holly and dragon heartstring. At least that was one thing I didn't have to buy anew. It made me proud to think I already knew more magic than most people did when first coming to Hogwarts.

When I was finally done purchasing and packing everything, it was after midnight, and I collapsed unto my bed in exhaustion.

I woke again a few hours later, my stomach reminding me that in the excitement I had forgotten to eat anything after breakfast. I got up quietly to sneak to the refrigerator for a midnight, well 2 am, snack. When I passed my parents' bedroom, I was surprised to find the light still on.

What are they doing up at this time of night? I thought. Still, I would have left them without a second thought had I not heard my name.

"-let our Tom go just like that?" my father, Randy was saying.

"I know" Mandy whispered. "But what else could I do after McGonagall gave us that ultimatum?"

"Has McGonagall taken leave of her senses? He is the son of convicted Death Eater Alecto Carrow, and maybe even Lord Voldemort himself! Who knows what the diehard Potter supporters will do to him?"

Mandy hesitated. "He won't be hurt. Physically anyway. The teachers of Hogwarts have a responsibility to protect all of their students."

"He would be better off here," Randy repeated.

"Well then" said Mandy acidly. "What can the Ministry of Curriculum Coordination do about it?"

"I don't speak for my whole ministry." Randy replied. "It's a miracle we have been able to keep him safe as long as we have."

I backed away then. I didn't want to hear any more. I no longer felt hungry; in fact, I felt a bit sick. Was it really true that I could be in danger at Hogwarts? From supporters of Harry Potter, the man who supposedly liberated our world from You-Know-Who? And I would suffer solely because I had the misfortune to be born to Alecto Carrow, a one-time Death Eater who was even now locked away in Azkaban? Surely my parents were just worrying too much… After all, they had never been separated from me for any length of time before. Still, their conversation raised doubts about the reception I was likely to receive at Hogwarts.

How will Marvolo Thomas Fitzkettle Carrow, son of Alecto Carrow and an unknown dark wizard, rumored to be Voldemort's Heir, fare during his first year at Hogwarts?

Stay tuned for Chapter 2: Hogwarts.

If you liked it, comment, rate, subscribe and all that jazz. I tend to do a chapter or two then go inactive for years, but I really like this story, and if I get enough feedback I'm certain I will be inspired to finish it.