A/N If This note is still here, it means I am editing the current chapters of this story before I add any new ones. Bear with me:) 9/4/11

Disclaimer: Ha, I wish…

Man is the only creature that dares to light a fire and live with it. The reason? Because he alone has learned to put it out. ~Henry Jackson Vandyke, Jr.

Chapter 1

Fire

You suddenly awoke to the overwhelming smell of smoke and started coughing, head spinning. Sitting up, your eyes widened as you took in the curtain of smoke that seemed to coat your surroundings and ran to the rattling cage by the room's large window.

"Crescent!"

The icy blue owl squawked in reply, flapping her wings rapidly against the walls of her metal home. You coughed and nodded, opening the latch to her cage and the window.

"Go to grandpa, he'll keep you safe." The bird squawked stubbornly, staying put. More and more smoke was filling your lungs. "I'll be fine! Go!" You choked out. Understanding, the owl flew out the window into the cold night's air.

Knowing there wasn't much time until the house started to collapse, you ran down stairs, searching frantically for your only family member. You thanked Merlin when you saw her standing by the front door. She was sweating and a couple burns marked her tan skin, but she was alive.

"Mom!"

"Emma…" She gasped, hugging you tightly as you coughed, "…Thank goodness!"

Her beautiful blond hair was singed and her bright blue eyes were watery. As she pulled back, you quickly observed that the entire first story of the house was consumed in dancing flames.

"What's going on?" You yelled, trying to be heard over what sounded like explosions hitting the walls of your house.

Just then, the ground shook and you heard the roof cave in over the kitchen.

"He found us!" She yelled, fear lacing her voice, "Voldemort!"

"What? No! That's impossible!" Something hit the door, causing it to admit an abnormal cracking sound.

"Take it." Your mum panicked, shoving a piece of jewelry into your ash covered hands, "It belongs to you."

As you slipped the item into your pocket, she spoke.

"Emma, listen carefully." Another explosion went off. "I need you to appreatate to your grandfather's office."

"What about you?" You disagreed, tears forming in your already stinging eyes.

"I'll stay here, just go!" She pleaded, determination clear in her voice.

"No! Please mom, I'm not leaving you!" You argued. The door burst open and you saw the emerald eyes that had haunted your nightmares for years.

She turned to face you, a tear falling down her face. "Remember Emma, I'll always love you."

"AVADA KEDAVRA!" The man yelled. His was fury evident. The green light hit her back and she gracefully fell to the ground lifeless. Never to smile again.

"NOOOOO!" You cried on the top of your lungs, "MOOOOOMMM!"

You sobbed and fell to your knees next to her body, glaring at the monster who killed her.

"Your mother was a fool Emma, keeping you from me." Voldemort hissed, a smirk painting his lips.

"Shut up!" You screamed through your tears, "She was a better wizard then you'll ever be!"

"AVADA KEDAV-"

"NO!" You screamed and an incredibly thick green wall formed around you. You felt his curse hit the shield, throwing you across the room. You screamed as you felt the glass display case shatter around you. Pain filled you mind as your vision blurred.

Voldemort froze, not believing what he had witnessed. And with a loud CRACK! You managed to escape.

The last thing you saw were the piercing blue eyes of your grandfather, and then.. Everything went dark.

This is the story of one girl's life.

And her name is Emma.

Emma Riddle.