The house was in flames.

The second story was collapsing, caving in on the three people still inside. Two of the occupants stood in the living room, the building in chaos around them.

"Give me the anecdote, Aticus, and I'll spare her life!" said an angry voice.

"I don't have it, Riddle! You know that. Leave the child out of this, it's between you and me," the man replied.

A small girl, no older then five, huddled in the corner of the room, partially hidden behind the smoke engulfed couch. She had her eyes shut tightly, begging for an end to the terror.

"I'll give you one more warning, Aticus."

The man paused while Aticus hesitated.

"Too long Aticus! Crucio!"

"No!"

But the curse never hit the child; instead it struck a young man who appeared out of nowhere protecting the girl from further harm. The attacker looked on curiously at the newcomer, wondering where he came from and why he didn't scream in agony. The Cruciatus Curse was not one to be taken lightly.

Aticus took the moment to charge his attacker. He pulled his wand from his pocket and began firing spells, the dark figure dodging them easily and shielding himself with his own strong magic, the child and young man forgotten.

The little girl opened her eyes and looked into her rescuers' face. Hidden behind his wire-rimmed glasses, his eyes were a dark ash color, clouded with anger and worry. He stared into the girls' eyes, transfixed for a moment, as if coming to a conclusion in his own head. He blinked, recovered, and pulled the child into his arms.

"Shh, it's going to be alright," he said, holding her tightly to him. She softly cried into his chest and he smoothed her hair. Then he pulled back, taking a gold chain from around his neck, placing it around hers. The girl looked at him with confusion as he stood up and began to carry her away from the burning home, the men dueling fiercely behind them.

"Crucio!"

The young man suddenly fell to the floor, dropping the child and writhing in pain. The little girl scooted back as her protector's body convulsed violently, now completely vulnerable. The evil man smiled and raised his wand to her.

"Crucio," he said maliciously, almost delicately.

She held her stomach in slight discomfort. The man's face screwed up in confusion. Nothing was happening. Meanwhile, the nameless man had stopped his screaming and was getting back up. He searched for the other man, Aticus, but grimaced when he saw the old man's lifeless body. He took his own wand and fired on the murderer.

"Expelliarmus!" he cried. The attacker's wand flew out of his hand, crying out in frustration.

"Stupefy!"

He fell to the carpeted floor with a thud. The young man wasted no time; he grabbed the girl, hoisted her into his arms and ran out of the house. Just as they made it out the front door, the stairs collapsed behind them, blocking their escape route.

He gently placed her on the grass, following her gaze towards the house. There, the dreaded Dark Mark loomed in the sky, illuminating the surrounding yards with an eerie green hue. Soon, Aurors and the Magical Enforcement team would be swarming the place. He looked back at the gril, knowing he had to go, and kissed her gently on her forehead. She said nothing, just stared at him as he retreated into the night, the flames reflecting in her green eyes.

She began to wail loudly, reaching out to keep him there. But he was gone.

Lily woke up slowly, the dream still playing in her mind. She'd been having the reoccurring dream for the past two weeks, since her eleventh birthday. It always left her feeling empty and alone. But she wouldn't let it get her down today. It was only 5:30 in the morning; she could sleep for another three hours. The girl lay back down and drifted off to sleep.