To start off I want to say thank you for everyone who commented and reviewed the original version of this story Emily. You guys are amazing! I will be keeping with the original plot with some minor tweaks and clearing up some of the questions left. Also there are some new elements to incorporate that were not available when I first began writing Emily. I took a lot of your reviews and decided to incorporate and fix some things that you all pointed out. As always reviews are always appreciated and flame away, you're just keeping me warm and toasty :D I am also in search of a beta-reader so if anyone is interested hit me up!
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, would love to Draco would be mine and Harry wouldn't be so dense
"Thank you for seeing me on such short notice Dumbledore." A beautiful young woman said as she sat down across from the Headmaster. She watched cautiously as he gave her his infamous smile. She had no clue what she was doing here; of all the people to go to she had to pick the one that would surely sign her death warrant.
"Lemon drop?" Dumbledore offered politely but the woman refused. She couldn't understand the Headmasters affection for such mundane confections. She knew that she had a short amount of time and that if she were to succeed she needed to stop wasting time.
Dumbledore watched this young woman curiously. He knew why she was there; he was merely waiting for her to announce her intentions. He vaguely remembered the young girl she had been when she entered Hogwarts so many years before.
"Tell me what it is that you need Cecily." Dumbledore gently demanded. The young woman, Cecily, looked up surprised. She knew that Dumbledore must have already scanned her mind in order to access if she was a threat or not. He must have already figured out why she was here so she decided to stop wasting time.
"I need to seek safe haven for my daughter and myself. Tom has become too power hungry and I fear that he will try to use our child for evil intentions." Cecily stated calmly. Her thoughts drifted to the one year old child who was currently tucked away in her nursery in Riddle Manor. Cecily had wanted to take her but she knew that it would set the wards off if the Riddle heir was to leave the property.
Dumbledore gave a heavy sigh. He knew that he could not turn this woman away, especially when she was offering the one thing that would truly hurt Voldemort. The betrayal of his beloved and the loss of his child would be a devastating blow. It might even be the kind of blow that could turn the tides of the war they were fighting.
"You know that it won't be easy to protect you and your daughter. The bond you share with the Dark Lord is impossible to break. There is a chance that he will find you no matter how well we hide you. Are you willing to take that chance?" Dumbledore explained softly. He observed as Cecily smiled afraid to speak the words out loud. She knew that she could not hide away forever and she had no intentions of doing so. She knew that if the light side could not bring Voldemort down soon the best bet she had was to pass her daughter on to another family and take the secret to her grave. It would allow for her daughter to be allowed to live a peaceful life, away from war, and away from her father.
Voldemort gave a heavy sigh as he finished infiltrating his wife's mind through the link they shared. She had been so desperate that she had forgotten what all the bonds allowed them to do. His mind drifted to his young daughter who was safely tucked away in her nursery. All the Death Eaters in the room were in tune with their lord's attitude and they knew that something was wrong.
"I have been deceived." The Dark Lord announced in an eerie tone. His voice seemed to be void of all emotion. He said it as if he were just sprouting out useless facts. All the Death Eaters eagerly looked to their lord awaiting his decision on the matter. They knew that the lord was speaking of his wife and many of their thoughts went towards the babe in the nursery. The Death Eaters had all become very fond of the beautiful daughter of their lord.
"Bellatrix, retrieve my heir from the nursery." Voldemort ordered. Bella's eyes lit up before she quickly left the room. Of all of his Death Eaters he knew that he could trust Bella with his daughter. Bellatrix was one of his most faithful and in a cruel turn of fate had been unable to bear children of her own. Usually, this thought did not bother her much until she first laid eyes on the daughter of the Dark Lord. Ever since the babe had been born Bella had not been far from her.
Bella quickly returned with a small bundle in her arms. Tufts of dark brown hair could be seen poking out. Bella had a small smile on her face like she always did when she held the child. Voldemort repressed a small smile.
"Bring her to me!" Voldemort commanded. Bellatrix hurried over and handed the child over. Gently the Dark Lord took the child in his arms as the doors to the hall opened. The Dark Lord looked up to see Nevana, Cecily's older sister, walking into the room. He was surprised that she had answered the call but here she was. She walked straight to his throne before bowing deeply. She waited for him to signal that she could rise before doing so. She rose and held herself with grace befitting only the best of pureblood society.
"You summoned me, my Lord?" Nevana asked coldly. She was not very fond of her brother-in-law. She had always been jealous when her parents had matched Cecily to the Dark Lord instead of her. She knew it was because Cecily was more powerful and more beautiful but it did not help the resentment Nevana felt. She deserved the position; she had been a faithful Death Eater long before Cecily was ever in the picture.
The Dark Lord was unmoved by the ice in her voice. He knew that she was jealous of her sister's position. He tolerated her because she was the aunt of his heir and therefore a worthy asset. He also knew that Nevana was completely faithful to him and his cause and would forsake blood in order to carry out his orders.
"Your duties towards the child will soon be changing." Voldemort announced as he observed Nevana's reaction. She did not seem moved by the information. If anything she looked slightly pleased. Nevana had been made a caretaker to her niece. Nevana enjoyed her position and held no resentment towards the child.
"Has my sister done something to offend you, my Lord?" Nevana braved to ask. She knew that most would not dare even consider addressing the Lord but she knew she was allowed some liberties.
"You would be wise not to speak so lightly Nevana. Your sister has betrayed the cause and has forfeited her life. I will be dealing with her accordingly and then I have some business to attend to with the Potters. You are to care for Emily until I return." Voldemort commanded as he handed over the tiny bundle to Nevana. Nevana took the bundle and smiled down at the young baby. The child was a female version of her father when he was a young man.
"It will be an honor, my Lord." Nevana stated before backing away the throne. She took one more look around her before leaving the throne room with the tiny child. Voldemort waited until she was gone before turning back to his Death Eaters.
"Cecily has betrayed us all and she will pay accordingly." Voldemort stated as he felt the wards ripple with her signature aura. His Inner Circle felt the ripple as well and looked back to their lord to find out what he wished.
"Leave me. Lucius, Bella, and Severus I expect you back in an hour to help take care of our Potter problem." Voldemort commanded. A chorus of pops was heard and then the room was empty.
Cecily walked into the/ Riddle Mansion heavy hearted. She didn't know what to expect because she didn't know who she could trust anymore. She had a feeling that she could not even trust her sister. She walked silently until she came to what was unofficially known as the throne room. Voldemort was waiting alone, and he did not look pleased.
"Love, where is Emily?" Cecily asked trying to play if off like nothing had happened. She tried to keep her emotionless mask in place but she knew that Voldemort would not be fooled.
"She is in the care of your sister." He replied coldly. A chill ran through Cecily's spine. She knew that something was dreadfully wrong. Then she realized it, she had forgotten all about the mind link that she shared with her husband. Did she really neglect to block her meeting with Dumbledore?
"Why does Nevana have Emily, my love?" Cecily asked. She tried to continue but she knew that it was fruitless. Tom never let Nevana take Emily unless it was serious. Usually if Cecily was unavailable Emily would be in the care of Bellatrix. Voldemort look dead straight into her eyes.
"I know what you did Cecily. How could you do this?" Voldemort asked letting small slips of emotion. He had limited access to his emotions but he could feel betrayal. Cecily's eyes grew wide before she quickly schooled her emotions to remain neutral.
"My love, you must be mistaken I have done nothing to warrant such animosity." Cecily said as she slowly began to panic. She knew that there would be no happy ending.
"There is no use lying. Your own mind has betrayed what you have done. You betrayed the cause, your husband, and your child." Voldemort said with words dripping in venom. Cecily froze. She couldn't think of any way out. She knew that if she were going to go down she might as well do it with as much pride as she could muster.
"You are correct Tom, there is no use lying. I loved you but I do not love who you have become. I cannot allow you to use Emily." Cecily announced as she pulled out her wand but Voldemort was faster. He was always faster.
"Do you really think that you can win against me? You are nothing more than a spoilt, selfish, carcass of a woman." Voldemort said as if he were amused. Cecily stared coldly at her husband. She tried to rack her brain for some spell that could even stand up to the spells the Dark Lord knew. She opened her mouth to say a spell but her husband was quicker. He was always faster.
"Avada Kedavra." Voldemort yelled. The curse hit Cecily straight in the heart. She softly crumpled to the floor in a graceless heap.
Many miles away Harry Potter woke up from his dream.