Prologue: Remember this day
A red sun rose over the Hogwarts Castle on the morning of the 1st of November, 1981, and a lone figure could be seen wandering slowly by the Great Lake, head bowed footsteps dragging. Albus Dumbledore paused and turned his head to the sky, shaking it softly. When spots began to form behind his eyes he turned away blinking rapidly.
"One should not look to the sun, tis not healthy." A measured and somewhat far away voice said.
When his eyes had adjusted he smiled slightly at the woman who appeared in front of him. She was tall and slim, painfully beautiful, her fair skin a stark contrast against the midnight black hair which rolled down her back in almost perfect waves. Under long lashes hid eyes, the colour of the sky, behind which Albus could see dark storm clouds, lightning flashes and a clouded night sky.
"Queen Titania." Albus bowed his head in respect.
She inclined her head slightly and turned to stare out at the lake. "The blood of the Potter family was spilt this night."
"Yes." Dumbledore couldn't think of what else to say.
Silence passed between them, a slight breeze ran through Dumbledore's beard, ruffling his robes slightly, he shifted uncomfortably.
"The boy stopped him. He'll be famous in our world."
"In your world Albus." Titania said softly.
Dumbledore nodded. "He's gone though."
"For now." Titania sighed, and raised her hand to the tree above her, a single flower breaking free from its branch and floating gently through the breeze, wafting past Dumbledore's crooked nose, leaving an impression of its pungent scent, before landing in Titania's open palm. It glowed briefly for a moment as she brought it closer to her chest, cradling it carefully. She raised those storm-ridden eyes to Dumbledore and he could see a calming, a gentleness which he had not seen for those long years of the war.
"The ache in your heart will pass Albus," Titania extended her arm, holding the flower out to him, he took it carefully, stroking one of the petals, "remember this day Albus Dumbledore. It is a new dawn perhaps, but not a new era. The darkness stays in the corner of my mind. I do not give council freely as you know my friend, but we have not seen the last of the Dark One."
Dumbledore creased his brow, but continued to stare at the flower which he could feel vibrating softly in his palms. He felt her cool hand lift his face to hers, there was a kind smile on her face.
"Do not fret my friend, there will be peace. When the last petal on that flower falls, peace will come back to your world."
Titania turned to leave, gliding seamlessly along the shores of the lake. "Remember this day Albus, it will not be the last."