In introduction, as author notes are now evil…
This story had been posted previously, until the Powers That Be decided that it was a "Non-story: list, announcement, etc" and deleted it. I have yet to get them to actually explain their reasoning for the deletion.
So, just to get this out of the way: I do not own the Harry Potter universe. It belongs to JKR and I'm grateful that she is willing to let us play in her world.
This is the story that precedes my other story, The Rest is Silence. It mainly takes place during the period that has since become OotP. As I wrote this before that book was released, it doesn't follow that time line.
As always, thanks to my Beta, LadyBrannon, who has been a lot of help in catching my mistakes, though any remaining are completely my own fault! Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy it!
Alinora
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Prologue
The room was dim, lit only by candles and the fire burning at the far end of the room. Two women and a man sat around a small table, the serious expressions on their faces contrasting with the relaxed and cozy feel of the room around them.
"But Father, why would I have to leave home? Why are you even thinking it would be necessary?!? Nothing's gonna happen to you!" The girl's eyes, normally a brilliant emerald green, sparkled with tears she was determined not to shed.
"Alinora, listen to what I've been saying and this time hear it. You know I've spent the past 17 years doing… research for people back in England. That research has the potential to put me in a lot of danger." He sighed, "If something happens to me I want to know that I've not left you two in danger. Your mother will return to her own people- we always knew it would happen if I died- and she'll be safe there. But you don't have that option. While you're very well trained and have proven that you can protect yourself against any local trouble makers, the trouble that might show up after I'm gone is still more than I want you to have to face alone. You know you still haven't come of age."
He held up his hand to cut off the angry words she had opened her mouth to express. "Alinora, you're barely 15! You are a talented witch, but your training is not yet complete. I've already spoken to my friend Albus Dumbledore and he has agreed to have you transfer to Hogwarts should the need arise. I've kept him informed of your progress in school- the abilities you've shown- and, even if he didn't owe me many favors, he is very happy to see to the completion of your education. You really should have gone when you were eleven, but due to my job we felt it wasn't a safe thing to do. We've tried to make sure you've had good teachers despite it all…"
His voice trailed off as his wife moved her chair so she was able to put her arms around her daughter. "Ali, you know I wish you could come with me, but you can't live like that and I can't stay here without your father. I hate to leave you, but you'll be safe with your god parents and you can always come to visit."
"You're both talking like it's a fact that you're going to die- what do you know that you're not telling me?!"
"We don't know any such thing will happen, but too many people I've worked with have been disappearing recently and later turning up dead. It's best to plan ahead for all possible outcomes. You know how situations have been developing with Voldemort and his Death Eaters. I've tried to keep you informed of what's going on elsewhere in the world, despite our seclusion and the denial of the press that things are getting more serious. What you might not have been aware of is that I've been helping gather information on various suspected Death Eaters in the hopes that they can be brought to justice. It's a cause you know I feel strongly about and that I feel it's important for me to be involved in. We've talked about this before, though not about my direct involvement, so I hope you can accept my decision, though I don't expect you to like it."
Alinora had put her head down on the table while he talked, her mother now stroking her hair. She stayed that way for a few more minutes after her father stopped speaking. Finally she looked up, tears streaming down her face. "I do understand and I do agree with your decision and your reasons. I am very proud of that decision, but I HATE it and you'd better not go and die on Mom and me!"
With that she jumped up, gave her father a brief, hard hug and ran out the door of the house and into the night.
Her mother got up, as if to follow, her expression concerned.
"No Angie, let her go. She's still safe around here and I think right now she needs to be alone to come to terms with things in her own way."
"But Marcus…" she bit her lip, looking torn. He got up and put his arms around her.
"No, we knew this would come as a shock, but to know now gives her a chance to prepare. We've taken every precaution we can come up with, and I don't want to sacrifice myself for the cause if I don't have to, but if it comes down to that…"
"I know. I understand. I hate it as much as Ali does. You've been my whole life for 17 years- since the moment I saw you I knew you were the only one for me, despite what I knew that would mean. I don't want to lose you now. But we both know I can't help Ali if you go, so this is the only other choice." She smiled at him, her deep brown eyes showing the fear she was trying to hide. "I love you Marcus Freeman"
And I love you, Angelique Roane"
She laid her head on his shoulder and they held each other close as the faint sound of music came from somewhere outside, combining with the constant sound of waves.