Disclaimer: I own nothing in the Potter world, that all belongs to the wickedly talented Ms Rowling. I do own Callie though so….
Prologue
Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody was not accustomed to this kind of work detail. He was more used to tracking and battling dark wizards and sending them to Azkaban prison. No one could have prepared him, as Head Auror, for this. It would seem an easy task to an outsider, for all he had to do was take a little girl to her aunt and uncle. But the nature of the visit was what was extremely difficult for him. He glanced down at the two year old in his arms. She looked up at him with her incredible sage eyes and his own started to tear up. No, he told himself, I mustn't let the little one see me get emotional.
"You ready to go, wee one?" he asked her, brushing the tear from his eye and putting a forced smile on his face.
"Uh huh Mister Moody, let's go!" said the little girl with a smile. Poor girl, thought Moody to himself, she has no idea yet what has happened. Without further thought he held the girl tight and disappeared into the green fire of the floo.
He arrived instantly in the Weasleys' fireplace and step out into the hectic household. Molly and Arthur Weasley instantly stood up from the couch when they saw the expression on Mad Eye's face.
"What is it Alastor? What's wrong?" asked Arthur concerned.
"I'll tell you both in a minute, I have to go tell the Lovegoods and I don't want the little one to hear anything yet. I will try to be as quick as possible Molly, can you please take little Callie and have her play with the other kids please." He asked.
"Of course Alastor, Fred and George are about her age, they can all play together." Molly offered, her voice strained with worry as she ushered the little one into the next room.
Alastor did not waste any time, hurrying into the green flame of the Weasleys' fireplace. In an instant he was in the Lovegoods' house where the family was preparing to have dinner.
"Alastor, what are you doing here? Is something wrong?" asked Fiona Lovegood, who was busy feeding her daughter.
"I need you both to come into the living room. Now if you please." Moody said, trying not to sound too gruff.
He sat them both down and prepared for what would be the worst part of his job.
"As you know the Potters were killed and You Know Who disappeared. Well, Bellatrix LeStrange thought that the Longbottoms had information about his whereabouts. Bellatrix brought her husband Rudolphus, and his brother Rabastan to try to torture answers out of them. Your sister and brother in law had been expecting to have the Longbottoms over for company, and when they did not show went to look for them. They found the LeStranges torturing the Longbottoms and tried to stun them. Rabastan and Rodophus took off like the coward they are and Bellatrix attacked them both."
Fiona was overcome with anxiety and worry. Her sister, her only sister was in extreme danger or worse, she couldn't help but interrupt her friend.
"Are they alright Alastor? Are Lorna and Callum alright?" she asked frantically.
"I'm afraid they're gone, Fiona. They were the best damn people I knew and they're gone." Moody explained, his voice cracking as a tear trailed down his cheek.
An almost inhuman wail tore from Fiona as she threw her arms around her husband. Her sister, her twin sister, gone.
"Wait, what about little Calliope? We are her god parents." asked Xenophilius.
"I assume she'll come live with you both. The only other living relatives she has are her paternal grandparents. You will probably have to work out details with them."
Fiona simply nodded, her body still shaking with quiet sobs.
"I'm so very sorry Fiona. I know that you and Lorna were close. The Ministry extends their condolences I'm sure but I wanted you to know that I'm here personally for the both of you. Callie is at the Weasleys, would you like me to go get her or do you want to go there yourself?" Moody asked, trying not to get too emotional again.
"We will go get her Alastor, we just need a few minutes alone first. Please thank the Weasleys for watching her for us." answered Xenophilius.
"Yes, that is understandable." He stood up to leave and put his arm around Fiona in an uncharacteristic act of compassion. "Your sister was an exceptional witch both in talent and character. And your brother in law was one of the most powerful Muggle-born wizards of our time. I am so sorry." He said as he disappeared into the fireplace. Xenophilius held his wife close while she wept.
"I cannot believe she's gone, Xeno. Oh Merlin, how will we raise Callie? We only just had a baby ourselves. Oh to lose her parents at such a young age! How will we tell her?" she cried. Xenophilius lifted his wife's chin to look in her eyes, wet with tears.
"Shhh my dear, my love. I know you are in despair, but that is even more reason we need to be strong for Callie. We can tell her there was an accident for now and then tell her the details when she is older. Your sister lives on through that little one, Fiona. We can't give her parents back but we can give her a home full of love." Xenophilius said, trying to soothe his wife.
"Oh Xeno I love you and you are absolutely right. I'll go pick up Luna then we can go get Callie from the Weasleys"
Three family of three arrived in the busy Weasley household a few minutes later. Arthur stood to greet them, shaking Xeno's hand and giving Fiona a hug.
"Thank you for watching Callie for us Arthur." Xenophilius said.
"Molly and I are so sorry for your loss. Callie should be playing in the other room with Fred and George."
Fiona was not prepared to see the two ginger haired twins. Memories of her own childhood with her sister came flooding back to her. Finishing each others sentences and switching places during lessons.
"Hi Aunt Fifi, where is Mummy and Daddy?" asked Callie. Fiona looked down at her beautiful niece, who looked exactly like her own sister. Callie had the same long wheat-colored hair and grass green eyes, the same eyes that were searching hers for an answer.
"Callie, honey we will talk about it when we get home. Say goodbye to the Weasleys dear." Fiona replied, barely able to contain her emotion. The four of them crowded into the Weasleys fireplace and disappeared into the green flames.
A/N: I know that Callie's circumstances start out very similar to Harry's but this is not a "chosen one" story I assure you. Callie is raised by her very loving Aunt and Uncle and she is very different personality wise from Harry. She is very much an individual and someone I hope that you will enjoy discovering. Also I know that Xenophilius is a little OOC in this part of the story but you will see his eccentricities develop over time With that said, I hope you will stay with me and review!
-Z