Chapter 1

24 August 1995

Violet Hunt had only been away from Hogwarts for two months, her graduation over-shadowed by the end of the Triwizard Tournament and it's tragic conclusion. Now she was returning to the castle to meet with Professor Dumbledore, she dug into her cloak pocket as she approached the front gates pulling out a crumpled piece of parchment with the Ministry of Magic's seal on it.

Ms. Violet Hunt,

We regret to inform you that in the early hours of the 23rd of August your parents Mary and Harold Hunt were found dead. Details can be obtained through the Coroner's Office located inside St. Mungos Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries.

Regards,

Priscilla Pengrad

Ministry of Magic

Office of Wizard Relations

Violet read the letter for the millionth time crinkling her nose at the formality of it. She'd gone to the Coroner's office as directed they'd shown her their bodies, told her all they'd known. Mary and Harold Hunt were found in an alley right off of the main thoroughfare of Diagon Alley, it was obvious to those that found them that their deaths hadn't occurred there, but that they'd been dumped after the deed was done. There was clear evidence of torture on the body of Harold, none on Mary which was puzzling according to the Coroner, though it gave Violet a small amount of comfort. They'd both died of the Killing Curse, and that was the end of it apparently.

Violet had made a fuss about finding their killer, but the neither the Coroner nor the Auror in charge of the case were very keen on pursuing anything further, they both told her they'd been experiencing a sharp spike in crime and couldn't afford to spend time on such an open and shut case like this. Violet didn't see how it was open and shut at all, but no one would listen to her anymore, she was only seventeen after all, an adult by Wizard standards, but fresh out of Hogwarts and still hopelessly young.

This was why Violet was currently trudging up the front lawn of Hogwarts castle. She worked part time at the Three Broom Sticks in Hogsmeade making just enough to cover her rent above the establishment. Working in such a popular place one hears certain rumors. Just recently Violet had heard two men from the Department of Mysteries discussing a group of witches and wizards who under the guidance of Professor Dumbledore were planning on fighting the newly retuned Lord Voldemort. The two wizards had laughed at the absurdity of it, saying that Dumbledore has truly lost his marbles thinking the dreaded Dark Lord had returned.

Violet hadn't really listened after that too busy thinking about what this meant. Her parents had been for months preparing to leave Great Britain because they believed all that had been happening recently was a sign He was retuning. Violet hadn't been very worried though, her parents didn't share her gift of Sight and she hadn't seen anything recently that lead her to fear for her life, so why should she encourage her parents panic?

Now she regretted her hubris more than ever. Her gift was fickle at best, and her parents had always taught her to rely on her brain before her gift and she'd failed them. They'd seen the storm but couldn't escape in time their punishment, death.

Their death propelled Violet to seek out this Order of the Phoenix and join their ranks. Dumbledore had no knowledge of her ability to see into the future and her parents would have kept it that way if they were still alive, they'd said that while Dumbledore always meant well, he was a very powerful wizard, and such wizards would always abuse her gift. Violet had always believed what her parents had said was true, in fact she still believed it was true, but the difference was that she didn't much care if Dumbledore abused her power to reach his own goals, as long as those goals ended the life of that monster Voldemort.

"Miss Hunt?" a snide voice Violet hadn't missed at all since leaving school crept between the bars of Hogwarts's front gate.

"Good evening, Professor Snape. How have you been?" Violet said snapping out her thoughts.

"As good as can be expected having to play babysitter to a former student." He growled slowly opening the gate. "Stay where you are, I have to check you for evidence of dark magic." He commanded sweeping towards her.

Violet stood completely still as Professor Snape stalked around her whispering detection spells under his breath.

"Is there a reason for all this security?" Violet asked testing him.

He merely raised an eyebrow at her as he finished his spells and motioned for her to proceed him onto the grounds.

"I will take you to Professor Dumbledore's office, do keep up," Snape said striding ahead of her and setting a fast pace towards the castle. Violet kept up well considering she was a whole head shorter than Snape in stature, her legs like a dwarfs compared to his thin long ones. He kept the same pace as they entered the castle effortlessly gliding up the many staircases to Dumbledore's office. Violet was wheezing by the time they stopped in front of his office door the password quickly given.

"If you are doing what I believe you are you really should get in better shape." was all he said before disappearing back the way they'd came. Violet blew out a shaky breath attempting to get herself in order before facing one of the most powerful wizards in Britain.

"Ah, Miss Hunt, please take a seat." Dumbledore said jovially as she entered. "I was so sorry to hear about your parents, they were good people and deserved better, lemon drop?"

"Oh, no thank you." Violet said not commenting upon Dumbledore's polite condolence.

"Now my dear, what is the reason for your visit?" Dumbledore said getting right to the point, he seemed keen to get this meeting over with. Violet smiled internally imagining what could be more important than having a functional seer in his newly established ranks.

"I want to join the Order of the Phoenix."