Prologue II

I don't know how long I lay there until I could even move a toe, but
after I had full control over my body I latched onto my soulless father
and wept. I had just lost mum, and now I had lost both of the most
important people in the world to me.

I heard a rustle in the direction of the door and it took all of my
strength to look up. There was an old man with grey hair and a beard
long enough to tuck into his belt. He was not to be feared. He had a
friendly air about him.

"I'm sorry child. Your daddy isn't here anymore. Do you want to come
with me? I am Professor Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts school, but
I will spare you the speech. Now isn't the time." He had a knowing
look in his eye.

"The man killed daddy" I sniffled.

"I know Randolph. Do you mind if I call you Randy?"

"That's ok..." I sounded defeated.

"Come now Randy. We must leave in case the man comes back."

"One minute sir."

"Call me Albus."

"I need to get something... Albus." I stood and went into my room. I
went over to my bedside table and picked up the framed photo. I opened
it at the back and took out the photo of my dad, my mum and I. I went
back into the living room.

"Randy, could you pick up your father's wand please?"

I did as was asked, and an ominous wind rose around me. It felt... Right.

"Ah... It appears as though you have inherited your father's wand
Randy. Come now son, it's time to leave."

I walked over timidly and took the man's outstretched hand.

"We'll use the floo."

Dumbledore picked up some green powder from the dish on the mantel and
threw it at the fire. They both stepped into the green flames and
Dumbledore shouted;

"The Household of Andromeda and Ted Tonks!"

They appeared in a well furnished welcoming home, but I was really too
sad to notice. I missed my daddy.

"Andromeda, good evening to you."

"Why hello there, Headmaster. And who is this little cherub?"

I blushed.

"Ah, that is why I'm here. This is Randy."

"I see." Her expression turned serious. "Why don't you go play with
Nyphadora, Randy?"

I turned to see a a girl of about five sitting in the corner.

"...ok."

"Hiya. I'm Dora, but I like to be called Tonks." She smiled.

I tried to smile back. "I'm Randy." I offered her my hand. She shook it.

They left the room and shut the door.

"Wanna listen in on what they say?" Asked Tonks excitedly.

"Yeah, good idea." I pressed my ear up against the door.

"-I know you said you would be willing to take in the next orphan. Are
you still sure you're happy to take little Randy?"

"Of course! He is a little darling. It's a shame what's happened to
him."

"What's his full name?"

"I believe it's Randolph Archibald Grimes. Interesting name isn't it?"

"Indeed. Anything else I should know about?"

"Well... It appears as though he has been branded with the DarkMark by
however killed his father."

"Sick, sadistic murderer... Poor child. Of course I'll take him."

"I best be going soon. Randy!"

I walked through the door after exchanging a worried glance with Tonks.

"Yes... Albus?"

"I will have to go soon. Andromeda is going to be your new mummy. Is
that okay?"

I thought about it, and looked at Andromeda... Mum. She smiled warmly.
Yes.

I turned to face Albus. "I'd like that." I attempted a smile of my own.

"Randy, would you like to keep your second name?"

"No it's ok. Randy Tonks sounds just fine."

"Then it's settled. I'll be off now. Bye everyone!"

Four Years Later

I was so exited. It was my first day of school at Hogwarts, and Tonks
was going to be so jealous!

I rushed down to breakfast and wolfed down my food.

"Mum, when are you taking me to platform nine and three quarters?"

"Soon Randy. But you have plenty of time. Have some more toast."

And so the morning progressed at a snails pace until finally it was
time to go. I got my trunk and fetched Quillious my Barn Owl and
headed to the floo.

When I came out of the fireplace, I was already at the platform which
had rows upon rows of floo stations.

I headed towards the scarlet train and clambered aboard.

"Remember to write son!"

"Of course mum. Bye Tonks!" I said with smug satisfaction.

"Bye..." Tonks was furious that I got to go to school two years
earlier than she.

The train pulled away from the station and I found a compartment all
to myself. I was giddy, but that didn't stop me from sleeping for most
of the journey. I was awoke by the lurch of the train stopping. I
literally jumped off the train and dragged my trunk and Quillious up to
where a giant of a man was motioning for the first years to go.

"Is it this way sir?" I asked the man.

"Ye' you be goin' the righ' way. Just up there nex' to the boat house."

And so I crossed the vast lake on an enchanted boat. I looked up at
the Castle against the black canvas. It all felt so peaceful.

When I got to the magnificent building, a very strict looking woman
with her hair tied into a severe bun ushered them into the corridor
next to a grand looking door. She dared any of her hairs to stick out
of place.

"Ok first years. You will all stand in a cluster at the front of the
hall and when called, will go forth to be sorted into your house -
Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. You're house will be
like your family, and it will determine where you're dorms are. Please
try to for an orderly line. Ready? Let's go."

We marched accordingly into a huge room filled with witches and
wizards. There were five tables, one reserved for teachers.

At the front of the room, there was a stool with an old hat on it. The
first child was called forward; "Adriana Arrdington!"

She went to the front and sat on the stool the hat was placed on her
head and after a minute, the hat shouted "Ravenclaw!" And she went to
sit at the cheering table.

After what seemed to take forever, his name was called; "Randolph
Tonks!"

He walked forwards and sat gracefully on the stool. The hat was placed
on top of his head.

Ah, a Grimes? Lovely, how nice. Your father was a tough one to place.

Now what to do with you.

An orphan eh? Life is hard kid... And what's that I sense? You want
revenge? You have cunning.

I know where you're place is.

"Slytherin!"

The green table erupted in cheers and Randy went to sit at the table.

After all the other kids had been sorted, he turned to the first year
sitting next to him.

"Hello. What's your name?"

"Hi. I'm Bellatrix, nice to meet you."

Just as he was about to get more acquainted, Dumbledore spoke up.

"I will now introduce all the staff. This is professor McGonagol,
Transfiguration." The strict woman from earlier stood up and some
people clapped.

"Professor Sprout, Herbology." A stubby woman stood up and again
people clapped.

"Professor Flitwick, Charms." A really short goblin-like man stood up
and again ensued clapping.

"Professor Snape, Potions." No-one clapped and I turned to face the
man for the first time.

That face. That hair. That smirk. It was him! I'd remember him
anywhere, I had dreamed about him often enough! I started to hyperventilate. No, no, no, no! Then I blacked out.