If you have been enjoying, please leave me note. 0 reviews and several hundred readers does not cause a great deal of motivation – I will tell you that the next chapter and ½ are already written and are being tweaked.

A lengthy summary of the world you are preparing to embark upon you will have the opportunity to watch Albus grow up through various persons eyes for the first several chapters, including his own…eventually we will see his relationship w/ Grindlewald, life after love, how it effects his life and relationships, the impetus for the 12 uses of dragon's blood, how he came to be at Hogwarts, the rise of Grindlewald as a dark lord, the meeting of Minerva McGonagall…her animagus training, the downfall of Grindlewald and the cost of his defeat, Minerva returning to Hogwarts and their friendship re-kindling...Dippet's death, and we continue on until we finally catch up to the prologue, and then move forward into a slightly AU but could still be held within canon if one has a large enough imagination and a hint of magic. We find out what Albus did and the ultimate cost, and the consequences of his decision to spare Minerva's life.

There will be a lot of ADMM as the story develops – from angst to drama to humor…so enjoy the ride you are about to embark on; because if you have read any of my work on – you know it will have some wonderful twists and turns, just please check to make sure you are fastened in prior to reading!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 1 Heritage….

The elderly witch shook her head at the young father, "You must listen."

Sparkling blue eyes slowly lifted to meet the elder's gaze, "As I've stated before," He moved closer to her as his voice became louder, more insistent. "My son will know nothing of your world."

She stared at him, drilling him with her piercing grey eyes and then slowly her lips began to thin in dismay, He was not going to listen. She felt a surge of frustration pour through her causing her fingers to tinkle with magic as her jaw tightened. "Mr. Dumbledore, I suggest you heed my words…"

For a moment he felt his throat close in as his stomach twisted into knots while he met his in-law's eyes, before drawing upon his own heritage and laughed haughtily at the woman before him. "Or what...?" He taunted. "Kendra has chosen me and my muggle beliefs." He thrust his hand into her face, "Now away with you, witch!"

Fire leapt from Emily Harston's grey eyes in fury, "Duke or no Thurston; I have seen how you treat others, and though you may have charmed my granddaughter with your sly tongue and fancy robes, if she should chose to leave you at any point – you will let her leave. Even if you are Elizabeth's favorite nephew, if you ever lay a hand on Kendra or my great-grandson, even her royal skirt will not be large enough to protect you."

Before Thurston Dumbledore could respond, Emily vanished with a faint pop leaving him alone a top the grassy knoll with her threat still ringing in his ears. Sighing, he reached up and ran his long fingers through his black hair. "All powerful witch…" He shook his head, chuckling. "Just another parlor trick." He cast a final glance to the east and the densely wooded area, wondering when she would make an appearance, but turned away. "We'll see old woman…we'll see."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Emily didn't move despite the door opening, she was tired and lacked the energy – especially after today. She merely pulled her worn blanket closer to her weary bones, "Good evening Milos." She uttered, eyes still upon the orange flames.

The young wizard shook his head in amazement as he closed the door and hung up his traveling cloak before venturing further into the old estate. She had known he was here. She always had…even though she was undoubtedly in front of the fire in Bernard's old study, upstairs. "Hello Aunt Emi." He stated upon entering the dark cherry study brought to life with large tapestries that covered the walls, and a solitary family photo that still resided above the fireplace. There, starring back at him was the last family photo of the great Harston family, spanning four generations, 48 persons – from Emily's parents to the newborn, Kendra. He sighed, now there were only four persons alive who could trace their heritage to the Harstons. Two were sitting in the room now, the third – Kendra, Emily's granddaughter, the forth – Albus, her great-grandson.

"How was your day?" He quietly asked as her almost vacant expression continued to peer at the fire.

Slowly her grey eyes raised themselves to his face, and the sorrow within their expression cut Milos to the bone. "Kendra is staying with Thurston."

Milos let out a slow, uneasy breath. "And the boy?"

Emily just shook her head at the irony of it all. "To know nothing of the wizarding world."

He felt his magic pulse in rage and before he could damper it, a stray glass vase burst apart in the far corner of the room. Emily just smiled at him, "It's okay son, I've already broken more items this afternoon than I'd like to commit on."

He shook his head, auburn locks flying beneath his tilted wizard's hat. "But Emi…" His voice faltering at the sudden reality of what her words meant, eyes drifting to the picture above the mantle. "There are only 4 Harstons left…"

She nodded, "Yes, Milos…there are." Emily flipped the red blanket off, standing and brought her wand out – with a simple flick of her wand, the fireplace, mantle, the entire wall morphed into large flaming red tapestry with an elegant silver tree that carved its way from the floor to the ceiling. She stared at the almost forgotten tree, her gaze gravitating to the 4 names that glowed blue – the rest of the family shimmered in silver, indicating they had passed on.

Milos came to stand next to her, and placed a warm arm around her shoulder, drawing her close. "We will find a way, Emi." He said as he too stared at the great Harston family tree. He cast his eyes to the last several generations; beside their names indicated how they lived…and died. The past two decades had seen the brutal slaying of several Harstons by Augusta Anders, who had finally been killed by his great Aunt Emily and Uncle Bernard, though the battle had cost Bernard his life. The handful of Harstons who had managed to survive Augusta's rise and final demise, had succumbed to the plague two years hence, leaving Emily Harston to watch over her grand-daughter and protect her fiery tempered nephew, Milos.

He had only been thirteen when his parents had fallen ill and passed; the healers had told him they had gone quick, and it had been a good thing that he had been away at Hogwarts when the illness had struck. Since then, he had spent his summers and holidays at Godric's Hollow, with Aunt Emi.

She had taught him so much about magic, and its history…not that Hogwarts didn't have a lot to offer – but, his eyes scanned up the tapestry to the top…Rowena Ravenclaw and Godric Gryffindor had a son and a daughter. The son's line had dwindled away three generations later; the daughter had married William Harston…

Silently, Milos wondered how much knowledge had been lost over the past two decades…secrets that had lived within the family. Milos shook his head, "Apparently I need to have a family of twelve." He stated, trying to lift his Aunt's spirits.

At this she shook her head, "No my dear boy, let us start with just one – " Her eyes slid over to Kendra's name…and beneath her….the name of Albus Dumbledore glowing defiantly against the red.

"He…" Her finger pointed to the newborn's name, "Will be a great wizard, Milos…" She said turning to him, eyes hard as steel. "If something happens to me, promise me you will watch out for the boy."

Somewhat taken back by the request, he stammered in response. "But Aunt Emi…"

Her voice became resolute, "Promise me Milos."

Her tone caused him to acquiesce immediately. "Of course, but I wish to the impetius."

At this, her grey eyes met his green ones – "I had a dream, Milos." Her quiet voice barely reaching his ears.

He fell backwards at her words…the last time she had a prophetic dream…was 32 years ago, she had told Bernard that death would claim all that they held dear – save three. Now, Milos was the one standing before her, speechless as she continued in on, her quiet voice haunting the very eves of the house with its magic.

"There will come a time in our future when the world, both wizarding and muggle will stand at a precipice and teeter for several years between light and dark. Albus will bring balance back to the world…" Her eyes became unfocused as the dream came before her again, London lay in ruin and a tall auburn haired wizard and raven haired witch moved through the rubble. There movements slow, methodical…and then the surrounding shifted and she was in a room lit by curses alone. Bolts of red, blues, greens and yellow flew past her head as the tall wizard deftly deflected one after the other…she had never seen anyone, not even Bernard or his brother Xavier duel with such tenacity or power. Then the scene shifted again, tears fell from the cheeks of her great-grandson, unbidden as he gazed upon the carnage – even the broken body of his opponent…and the black haired witch… "Despite the heartache that will ensue."