Silence enveloped the cave. The only sound heard for a full minute was the crackling of the fire.
Finally, Riley sighed, and with a sad smile said, "If you would like us to leave, just say the word." She wrung her hands and cast her eyes anywhere but in Sirius' direction. "You wouldn't be the first to fear the blood in my veins."
"No," Sirius finally resigned, "I imagine I wouldn't be the first. And I'm not saying you should leave. I'm just... processing. How did no one know about this Dumbledore?"
"There were those that knew," Dumbledore admitted. "James and Lily were assigned to guard Riley and her mother. Alastor too. Most of the Deatheaters know of her lineage. For her protection it was vital to let as few people know as possible."
"You said mother? Who is your mother?"
"My mother WAS Rebecca McMillen. She died seven years ago. Though you may have heard of her. She is said to have possessed abilities superior to those of the great Cassandra Trelawney. I never saw much of that. After what my father put her through, she was mostly a shell of what she had been," Riley explained.
Sirius searched his mind and brought forth a vague memory. "Yes, that name does ring a bell. There were rumors flying all around the pure blood community about her when she disappeared. Some said she lost her mind and wandered off. Others said she was murdered for turning her back on Voldemort. I know there were others but as I was ten at the time and already despising my family's pure blood mania, I didn't listen too attentively. So what did actually happen?"
"Albus, would you mind telling what you know since you were there for some of it and received direct explanations from my mother about the rest? I'm afraid I would muddy the details." Sirius noted as Riley spoke exhaustion was slowly creeping across her face.
"Absolutely," Dumbledore replied. "It is unfortunate that I didn't bring my pensieve, I shall do my best to give the tale its due justice.
"Rebecca attended Hogwarts in the same years as Bellatrix. She was shy, but not withdrawn. Her beauty was staggering and it wasn't long before half of the Slytheryn boys and more than a handful from the other houses were in love with her. Even though he was 5 years her junior, Lucius Malfoy, fell especially hard. Bellatrix saw this and knowing how Narcissa felt about Lucius, she took Rebecca 'under her wing' and put all her efforts into directing Narcissa into Lucius' path. While playing closest friend to Rebecca, Bella introduced her to the dark arts. Coming from a background that was predisposed to muggle-born hating and with her youthful naivete still intact, it didn't take long to convince Rebecca to join the Deatheaters. Looking back, I'm sure Bellatrix regretting this persuasion very much. As you know, it was Bella's strongest desire to be Voldemort's favorite, most trusted servant. She was and always will be blind to the fact that her Dark Lord is unable to love anything but power. Power played a large part in what attracted Voldemort to Rebecca. He kept a close eye on his followers, current and prospective. He had heard of Rebecca and her ability. At the time he had never thought about seers. Most seemed unreliable and flaky. But Rebecca was different, she was useful. After completing Hogwarts, she was recruited and wooed by Voldemort. She voiced her concerns about being capable of murder. He calmed her fears and told her she was a special gift that wasn't to be used in violence. She would be protected and praised by his side as his second. All she had to do was use her gift against their enemies and he would give her the world. Seeing the Dark Lord had chosen Rebecca as his own, Lucius fully relented his efforts with her and set his attention on Narcissa. While that made Bellatrix happy, inside she was fuming at being overlooked. She ended up marrying Rodolphus in an attempt to make Voldemort jealous. For obvious reasons her attempt failed.
"Voldemort was true to his word, on one point. Rebecca never had to raise her wand in violence. But after a year of false devotion, he grew bored of her and had her locked away until he needed her powers. What he wasn't aware of at the time, and neither was she for that matter, was that Rebecca was carrying his child. It didn't take many nights of sleeping on a cold, dirty stone floor to realize that she had been fooled. She may have still loved him, but his heart was cold and she never stood a chance against his love of power and control. After five months of imprisonment, Rebecca had given up and was barely willing herself to live when she felt the life inside her stir. She knew that only terrible things could happen if Voldemort was to find out she was bringing his child into the world. For a week she plotted and planned her escape, every night having terrible nightmares of things he would make their child do, of the monster he would turn it into. She decided it would be easiest to escape on a night when Amycus Carrow was guarding her cell. As we all know and as he has reminded many for years, his head is full of dust. Faining illness, she waited until he came in to check on her before stealing his wand and stupifying him. Making herself invisible, she sneaked her way beyond the boundaries of her prison and apparated to Hogsmead. Fortunately for her, she landed in a back room of The Hog's Head. When my brother went to see what the commotion in his storage closet was, he found Rebecca panicked and feint. She managed to request my presence before losing consciousness.
"When she awoke she told me everything I have told you now. I agreed it would be best to keep any child away from Voldemort, especially one he felt he could distort and use freely to do his dark works. We made a deal; I would hide her and the child and she would turn her back on the dark arts and vow her allegiance to the Order. If at any time she broke this promise she would be released from my care, and would leave her child to be raised by me. "
"Wow," whispered Sirius. "So, Riley, you've never met Voldemort?"
"I wish I could say that I haven't." A flicker of anger crossed her face. "We have had a brief introduction. He nearly killed my mother and Alastor that night. If you let me stay, and let me get some sleep, I promise to tell you that story tomorrow."
A playful smile had come to rest on her lips and as Sirius looked at Dumbledore to see the exact same smile planted on his face he thought, "I guess this point is going to nurture over nature."
"Well if those are the conditions, you are more than welcome to stay," Sirius jested. "And if Dumbledore trusts you, and from what I can see he more than trusts you, then I see no reason not to trust you as well."
"Ah, Sirius, I knew you would see reason. And with that settled I will leave before I break my promise and let you two to get some sleep. If there is anything you need, don't hesitate to send your patronus, Riley. It wont be recognized." With a small pop, Dumbledore was gone, leaving Sirius and Riley to settle in for the night.
In a matter of minutes Riley was asleep. Sirius listened to her soft breathing and wondered what he had gotten himself to before falling into a restless, dream filled sleep.