A/N: Welcome to my first published story! I've written other fanfics for about five years but this is the first one my friend's nagged me about publishing. But it's also my first Harry Potter one so that's cool. Also said friends fault.
This story is going to be a very, very slow burn. So if waiting isn't your cup of tea, I'm sorry. I can't help you with this. Nevertheless, it's still rated Mature for other scenes of dark and questionable content. These first few chapters will end up being very vague but rest assured that most questions you have will eventually be answered. Don't be afraid to review or PM me with any questions, I love to discuss my story, especially this one.
And I'd love to thank my awesome Beta and best bae Thrifty-Crimson for listening to me talk for hours on end about this story. But it's all good. I listen to her talk about hers too.
Disclaimer- I do not own anything having to do with Harry Potter. That honor belongs to JK Rowling and her only.
Deep in the Albania Forest all was quiet, like death had settled over the land. Few people ever strode this far into the forest. Rumors of monsters and dark magic rituals served to keep this area safe from wandering, unwanted visitors. It was a good thing too because suddenly the forest was filled with the most agonizing scream known to humans. The source came from a woman located in a tattered, makeshift tent, lying on several worn blankets. The woman gave another scream and clutched her bulging stomach tighter.
An instant later a man appeared beside the tent, accompanied by a woman wearing scrubs. The man knelt down and whispered in Russian to the first woman. She smiled and took the man's hand.
Several hours passed, the forest continued being filled with the woman's screams as she struggled and pushed to bring her baby into the world. Eventually, she succeeded and the forest began to know the sounds of a baby's cry. The woman looked down at the new life in her arms; so delicate and small. Her little baby girl.
"We should remove the witness," the woman said suddenly, looking at the man. They both turned to gaze at the nurse who was currently focused on the baby in the woman's arms; unaware her life was in any danger. "I assume she's a Muggle." The man didn't answer, instead he remained staring at the nurse. The woman pulled out a black wand and took aim.
"We could still use her," the man said abruptly, in Russian.
"Are you growing soft, my dear?" the woman shot back, "The Muggle has satisfied her purpose. What use could she still have?"
The man fell silent. His wife was right except... "You need to regain your strength and I cannot promise I will remain at your side. Use the Muggle as a shield."
The woman gave a dark, twisted smile,"I can handle myself."Then without hesitation, she gleefully said, "Avada Kedava," and the nurse collapsed; another nameless victim in a war she never knew existed.
One Week Later
Katarina was pacing around the fire, cradling a small bundle in her arms. He should be here by now. She pondered, only able to guess about his delay. He must know, then. New life is not something easily hidden. She smiled as her daughter shifted in her blankets.
"Katarina, you look radiant." A new person came to a stop just behind her. She knew his tone to be dangerous. He did not like to be disturbed.
"My lord," she whispered trying to keep her fear from showing, "I have something..."
"I know!" The figure screamed, "What use is a child to me?" The figure moved to face her, his dark eyes meeting hers.
Katarina fell to her knees. "You can mold her; make her your perfect servant. She can be raised to know only your power." Katarina looked back up into his eyes, "She can be everything you ever wanted."
"Perhaps you failed to meet Bellatrix."
Katarina scoffed,"She would die for you and your service, My lord. Isn't better to have someone willing to live instead?"
"What are you proposing, Katarina?"
"An apprentice. Someone steadfastly loyal to your cause. Someone willing to burn the world down to see you succeed. Someone as charming and deceitful as yourself."
"How can you fulfill your promise?" The man asked, skeptically. He was growing impatient with her, "If I allow it."
"Watch." Katarina pulled out her wand and pointed it at her baby, "Morsmordre." A black mist, in the shape of the Dark Mark, engulfed the baby. Simultaneously, the man's eyes drifted close, feeling another's magic wrap around himself.
"You're walking a dangerous line, Katarina." The man threatened, "The magic will work in reverse."
"No, my lord. You remain hidden to her, but she is yours absolutely." She replied, "Even Bellatrix wouldn't offer you that."
The man was silent, deep in contemplation. He could kill her, both of them, actually. But, Katarina was as useful as Bellatrix, and her child could be more so. "If she threatens my power. I will kill her. Do you understand?"
Katarina nodded, "She will not fail you."
Four Years Later
Two Death Eaters sat around a fire, on the floor at their feet sat a four-year old playing with blocks occasionally, whispering strange words to them. One paid the girl no attention. The other, a man with black eyes and greasy black hair, was eyeing her with a confused expression.
"Something wrong, Severus?" Katarina questioned, lazily swirling her glass of Firewhiskey.
"The child's speaking Parseltongue."
"Yes. She's promised to the Dark Lord's service." she replied, nonchalantly; like it was the weather. Something faintly sickening rose up in Severus's stomach as he watched the girl.
"But she's a child. What purpose could the Dark Lord have for her?"
Katarina broke the glass between her fingers, "You would do well not to question the Dark Lord," she threatened, "Nox, it's time for your lessons." She rose from the chair, holding her hand out to the child.
Nox looked at her, then back to her blocks, "I want to play, mummy. The blocks are my friends." In a whisper she added, "They don't hurt me."
Katarina pulled out her wand, "Incendio," The blocks burst into flames. "Your lessons. Now!" Nox relented, taking her mother's hand; silent tears falling down her face.
It wasn't fair! Her lessons were hard and she hated them. She just wanted to be happy.
Severus stared blankly at the charred block remains, struggling to tame long forgotten memories. The sickness on his stomach grew stronger. He barely touched his dinner that night.
One Year Later
Lord Voldemort had fallen. Following his defeat, Antonin Dolohov had been sentenced to life in Azkaban while his wife, Katarina, claimed to have been Imperiused. Her trial consisted of endless waves of tears and panic. She was found innocent shortly afterwards.
Their daughter, Nox, became a rumor. The Ministry found nothing of her existence. However, a few Death Eaters desperate to escape Azkaban tried to mention her name and guess her purpose, but without concrete evidence they were thrown back to the Dementors.
Only one Death Eater managed to convey the truth to a willing audience. Nox's existence was a part of the information Severus Snape imparted to Dumbledore when he defected. He too was unable to state her purpose, though. While Dumbledore sat troubled by what Snape revealed, he maintained that protecting Harry Potter remained their ultimate goal.
In Dumbledore's opinion, whatever Tom Riddle planned for Nox Dolohov, it failed the moment he was defeated.
Six Years Later
Eleven-year old Nox was running through the house, pushing flames away as she went. She was tired of the abuse and cruelty. She refused to be like her mother; or any of them for that matter. So, she conjured the fire as a distraction, hoping to evade the other occupants of the house. They could all die here, she thought bitterly, They deserve worse, really.
When she made it out safely. She paused. Everyone needed to know what happened here.
Without much hesitation, she pulled out a wand and whispered,"Morsmordre." At her command a skull with a snake coming out of its mouth appeared over the still burning house. Pain engulfed her left arm. She ignored it. Satisfied, Nox cast a weak disillusionment charm on herself and disappeared.
Hopefully, she could have the happiness she had always been denied.
Several moments later, another figure came out the flames; coughing. Katarina had failed. After all her years of trying, Nox continued to resist, continued to be blind to her true purpose.
Then, Katarina smiled. The other five, formerly accused Death Eaters living with them were still inside. No doubt dead.
Even the Dark Lord hadn't murdered at eleven.
A/N: Updates will most likely be infrequent because I am a full time college student. But rest assured that my best friend will kick me in the butt until I update. I think she loves this story as much as I do. Thank you for taking the time and consideration to read my story!