A New Year

Third Person POV

New Year's Day. A time they should have been celebrating. Instead, the house was quiet. Waiting for the arrival of Sirius Black. Lily and James Potter had just gotten word of a tragic death in the Black family. Lily and James immediately knew it was Ted and Andromeda Tonks. They were the only people in Sirius's family he liked. Andy was his favorite cousin. Suddenly, the whole Order rose from their chairs and looked towards the back door. A faint pop was heard, and Sirius rushed towards the house. He pushed open the back door and looked around.

"Sirius, what's the matter? No offense, but you look terrible." James asked his friend with a look of concern.

"I-I'll tell you in a minute. Remus? Could I talk to you, Lily, and James alone for a moment?" Sirius asked. His three friends nodded and followed him to the sitting room of the Weasley's house. Sirius sat down in an armchair and closed his eyes.

"I found her. But I can't take care of her. I need help." Sirius looked troubled. His friends looked confused, so he added, "Nymphadora. Andromeda and Ted's daughter. She's only six and I don't know what to do. Please help me."

"We'll do whatever we can to help. Right, Moony?" James said. Remus nodded and answered.

"Of course we'll help."

"Where is she right now, Sirius?" Lily asked, worried about the little girl's safety.

"I took her to Grimmauld Place. It was the only place I could think of. I couldn't bring her here. It would cause too much commotion. Besides, the Ministry knows when anyone underage Apparates, and Dora doesn't even have a wand yet." He answered.

"Sirius, I'm sure the whole Order will help. Especially Dumbledore." Lily said in a calm tone.

The next night, everyone returned to the Burrow. Although, this time, when Sirius came, he had with him a little six-year-old girl with bubblegum pink hair. The girl sat silently in the chair he placed her in. After the meeting though, several of the Order members gathered around in the sitting room to ask Sirius questions. The little girl sat there with a scared look on her face, which was even more intense when Dumbledore asked her how old she was. He had already specified he wanted Nymphadora to answer, so the adults all kept quiet. Except for Sirius. He was trying to get the scared little girl to talk. A couple minutes later, the little girl looked up. She quietly told Dumbledore she was six. He nodded, satisfied. Lily Potter stood behind the chair, her hands gripping the back.

"Dumbledore, sir? Where will the girl stay?" Lily asked the man.

"Well, Lily, I was thinking that, if it's okay with Sirius, that Nymphadora could stay with you. Or here at the Burrow, if you do not wish to take her." He answered. Sirius agreed, so Dumbledore added, "OK then. Sirius, you can take Nymphadora to Lily and James's when they leave, can't you? She probably won't go with them at first."

"Alright." Sirius agreed. Lily and James left a short while later.

Lily and James arrived in Godric's Hollow, this time accompanied by Sirius. They went to pick Harry up and walked to their cottage. Once inside the door, Nymphadora cowered against Sirius. She gripped his arm tightly. Lily carefully knelt next to her.

"Nymphadora? My name is Lily and this is my husband, James, and our son, Harry. You are going to stay here with us, alright?" Nymphadora looked up at her cousin, who nodded.

"OK. But please call me Dora." Lily nodded.

"OK then. Dora, are you tired? You can go to bed now or wait for a little while. But if you wait, you'll have to be quiet. We're putting Harry to bed now."

"May I please wait?" Lily agreed.