Vitale's Story - Prologue
It was a little less than a year before the Dark Lord fell for the final time. A normal witch, an Auror, was visiting a by-marriage relative—her sister's husband's aunt's something or other. Now, this relative was a Muggle. No one had any record of any magical activity involved concerning this woman...
And yet, it was there that the Auror first heard the prophecy that would change her life.
A boy, bourn from those consumed by evil
Will share their fate
Unless someone with Good in their heart intervenes.
Left with his caretaker, all hope will vanish
Even after his creators' demise.
But if love is given by the unintended,
And understanding taught,
He will learn from mistakes
And overcome the life his parents prepared him.
As what usually happens with true Seers, the Muggle relative had no clue what had transpired. The Auror in question stayed quiet about the whole ordeal, keeping it in the back of her mind. She was curious which female Death Eater You-Know-Who would choose—it was no secret that some... certain members of the legion were obsessed with their leader. And he would surely choose someone strong, with powerful magical blood, to help him carry on his bloodline... No matter how he came to be, her concern was for the baby boy the prophecy mentioned.
And so the witch's mind was made up. Until the boy was discovered, none but herself would know anything of the prophecy made by a Muggle.
Just as the world started to gain word of Lord Voldemort's demise, that same Auror from nearly a year before was concealing a bundle as she strode into the Ministry of Magic. She was incredibly happy that Kingsley Shacklebolt had been named Acting Minister; not only was he a good friend, he had a level head and was an excellent wizard as well.
She only hoped he would understand her reasoning for her current plan, and try not to kill the boy when he heard what he was.
She hurried into the office just as the baby boy started to cry. Kingsley looked up, his expression showing his instant interest as he watched her sit down. "Elizabeth? Who is this? I didn't know you were expecting a child."
"Hardly." She chuckled, unwrapping her Invisibility Cloak from around the child. The joke didn't sting like it might have years ago—she had long ago accepted the fact that she would never be able to have children. "I will explain all of it, I promise. But I want you to understand first." She uncovered the baby's face, cooing softly to it while she pulled her wand out, placing the tip at her temple and pulling away the memory she needed, letting Kingsley listen to the prophecy.
Afterward, the Minister was silent for a long moment. "... So this is the boy the prophecy speaks of?" he finally asked softly. Elizabeth looked up, watching his face carefully, sensing he would see this through rationally.
"Yes," she murmured, gently laying the now-quiet baby down on the desk. The boy blinked up at both of them with the same dark eyes his parents had, reaching toward Elizabeth again. She smiled and picked him up, cradling him close. "I gained word before I found him that they've christened him Vitale. Ironic, seeing all the bloodshed they've caused over the years..."
"What are you going to do with him?"
"Keep him." Elizabeth looked up at Kingsley as if he were insane to even ask such a thing. "You heard the prophecy. If we show him love, he won't end up like Voldemort and Bellatrix. If we cast him away, I have no doubt that he would be a force to be reckoned with." She glanced up at him. "Do you think I'm doing the right thing?"
"It's your decision, Fawkes," he murmured, acknowledging a certain something she'd revealed long ago to him. No doubt he thought she was following Dumbledore's old rule of lover conquering all other magic.
Just because of that, Elizabeth felt Dumbledore was incredibly intelligent—even if he hadn't been able
She nodded. "I've already used some... protection for him," she murmured, watching Vitale's eyes close, knowing Kingsley would understand what she meant. "I don't want to take the chance that he would be attacked or kidnapped by any remaining Death Eater."
He nodded. "Well, go on home, Liz. Take a few days off to get settled with Vitale."
She smiled, slowly standing, trying not to disturb Vitale. "Thank you for understanding, Minister."
He gave a low, rumbling chuckle. "You do know you're my second, right?" he murmured.
She paused. "I... would be flattered," she said, barely concealing her shock. Though really, she knew she shouldn't be surprised.
"You deserve it the most," Kingsley said quietly, watching her. "Now go. You'll have plenty of work to do when you return." He smiled.
She smiled back, moving to leave the room, taking her time in wrapping up the child as she rode the lift back to the lobby.
Vitale Riddle was the boy who would get all the love Elizabeth had in her heart.