"According to your Owl you have news?" Lily Potter questioned once her former Headmaster entered his office; her and James had been waiting for what had felt like an eternity. Her grip on her husbands hands tightened.

Albus Dumbledore forgoed his usual offering of lemon drops and got right down to business. "As you both know eight years ago, to the day as a matter of fact, your eldest son was taken during a brief moment of inattention while shopping in Diagon Alley. James, as head of the Auror Department, conducted numerous searches each time coming up empty. And before today we all feared the worst; that Harry James Potter was dead. But I have recently discovered news to the contrary. The best news a parent could hope for. Harry is infact alive."

James jumped to his feet so fast that his chair tipped over. "He's alive?" It was almost too much to hope for. "Are you certain?"

"I have recently discovered several documents that show it true." Albus pointed to the stack of papers closest to the Potters. "As you can see the first document is a registration list for Saint Sebastian's Orphanage. The third name down the list clearly indicates that a Harry James, last name unknown, resided there for several days; its dated just a week after he was taken."

Lily brushed a piece of auburn hair out of her eyes as she just stared at the name on the paper she was holding. "How can you be sure that its our Harry?"

Albus gave Lily a reassuring look. "I spoke to the caretaker myself not more than three days ago. She recalls a baby, head full of messy black hair, with the greenest eyes she had ever seen being brought in by a distraught girl. The girl, a teenager, pleaded with the elderly caretaker to take the boy and citied several reasons as to why she couldn't care for him. She gave his name as Harry James and left."

"Are you saying a child took our son?" James couldn't believe it. "And what happened to him after the orphanage? Is he still there?"

"He is not. The caretaker told me that he was adopted a mere two days after arriving by a nice couple that couldn't have children of their own. It took a while but she managed to locate the file that listed the names of his adopted parents." Albus had this paper in front of him and steepled his hands atop it. "I must warn you that the Ministry views this as a lawful and legal adoption. There was no reason for any of the parties involved, except for the kidnapper herself, to lie therefore the adoption will be upheld before the Wizengamot."

"How is that possible?" Lily was on her feet beside her still standing husband. "He was stolen from us and the Ministry won't lift a finger to return him?"

James frown and knew right away that Albus was hiding something. "Who are his adopted parents Albus?"

Albus sighed and knew that Lily and James wouldn't be happy. He didn't even need to look at the official adoption paper because he had the names memorized. "Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange." He sat back and waited for the explosion.

Lily sunk down in her chair as if all the air had left her body. "Bellatrix Black? Harry is being raised by Death Eaters?"

"He's been loved and well taken care of if that makes you feel any better. The adoption wouldn't have become legal had he not been." Albus tried to reassure.

"You call being raised by Death Eaters well taken care of?" James was enraged and he gritted his teeth. "They've had him for the entire eight years then?"

Lily, if possible, turned even paler. "Archimedes Lestrange is our son." She whispered. They had met the Lestrange boy not more than a couple months ago during a trip to Diagon Alley. The boy was a miniature verson of Rodolphus and just as wretched. A chip off the old block she remembered thinking as she steered her children, seven year old Alfred and five year old Rose, away from him. She can still remember the sneer on his small face that was so identical to Bellatrix's, as he lobbed insults, mudblood, halfblood, blood-traitors, at Alfred who had apparently run into the older boy and had forgotten to apologize.

Albus gave Lily a sympathetic look before focusing on James' question. "Yes, they've had him for all of the eight years except for the unaccounted for ten days. Records indicate that the Lestranges moved out of England as soon as they signed the papers. Where they've been, short of asking them, is a mystery. They've only recently returned and as far as I can tell are staying with Bellatrix's sister, Narcissa, at Malfoy Manor."

James, still having a hold of Lily's hand gave it a squeeze. "At least we know he's alive love. Before today we didn't even have that. But I promise you that we will get him back." He glared at Albus almost daring him to say otherwise.

"What now?" Lily asked. "Can we see him? Have contact with him? Anything?"

"I wouldn't recommend trying to see him or contact him. In the eyes of the Ministry he is a minor wizard still under the care of his parents. Any unwanted attention by either of you could raise unwanted questions. As it stands I have an appointment with the Malfoy's and the Lestranges to discuss their children's pre-Hogwarts education. I received word from a very reliable source that they are looking for a tutor and I am going to offer several options. During such meeting I will ask to meet with the children and asses young Harry's mental and physical condition. I will then report my findings directly to you and at that time we can discuss what can be done based on my information." Albus told them.

"The sooner we get him away from that lot of people the better." James' eyes darkened. "I'll not standby and let them corrupt my son! He needs to be with his family, his parents, with people who love him!"

Lily squeezed her husband hand again. "Our hands are tied right now James. I trust Albus and so should you." She gently chided. "Like you said at least now we know for sure that he is alive."