A mechanic beeping was all that she heard as she entered the world. Her eyes refused to open but her fingers twitched. The familiar weight of her Deathly Hallow necklace rested on her chest. She was on some sort of respirator, that she hope would be removed because she was now obviously breathing on her own. Her skin was itchy from the needles that were penetrating her skin. And now that she was fully conscious, she could hear people arguing in the background.

"H-hello," a voice once long forgotten stuttered out in a breathless whisper.

"She's awake!" A voice shouted, it was warm, and kind.

Venus struggled to open both eyes, but only one managed to open. The world was slightly blurry, just as it was when she first realized her eyesight wasn't quite up to par. Her sight landed on a middle aged woman. She had dark brown hair, and tanned skin. But that was all Venus could tell from her looks, her key features like eye color, or any blemishes were hidden from Venus' view.

"M-my throat is-" Venus coughed, licking her dry lips as she tried to talk again.

"Oh don't strain yourself dear." The woman said. "You must be parched!" The woman moved from Venus' sight and quickly reappeared with a cup with a crazy and colorful straw. She set it down on the bedside table and adjusted the pillow behind Venus head so that the girl could sit up. The woman then brought the straw up to her mouth and Venus greedily took in the water to quench her thirst. Once she was satisfied she looked up at the woman and gave a shaky grin.

"Thank you." Venus croaked out.

"Oh, your welcome sweetie," The woman sighed as she combed her fingers through Venus' undoubtedly messy hair. "I'm Doctor Williams, but, you can call me Maggie. Do, do you remember your name?"

"Venus Lily…" Venus paused, as if trying to remember her last name, knowing that she couldn't really give it. "I...I don't remember my last name."

"Venus?" Maggie questioned, "Like the goddess."

"I think it's after the plant," Venus giggled, "Like the fly trap!"

Maggie laughed, "Well it's a pretty name. Do you know what your mommy and daddy's name is?"

Venus paused, her eyes tearing up as she recalled their faces, and their names but knowing she can't say anything. She hadn't thought about that, the fact that she would probably still be parentless, or, God, what if she ran into her parents? Or her old friends? Could she handle that? "I-I don't…" A sob choked off the last part of her answer. Seeing this, Maggie immediately wrapped the girl up in her arms.

Venus' fresh start wasn't all that happy.

They found her in the woods.

That's the story that's being told.

Venus Lilly.

No last name.

Found in the woods on a cold December night in 1932. Estimated five years of age. Unnaturally pale, small, green eyes, dark brown hair and a strange necklace.

Brown messy hair.

Not black, like James.

Like Venus Potter,

After three months of being in intensive care Venus Lilly had miraculously regained consciousness. She was treated for five months with physical therapy and psych meetings to see if the memory was recoverable.

But despite her physically getting better, the doctors found that her memory lost might be permanent.

All that the small child could remember was her first and middle name. Her confirmed age of five. That she was named after the venus flytrap, not the goddess of beauty. And that her favorite color was blue.

Mage Luella Williams.

A young and advanced doctor who worked at the hospital that Venus was healing in.

And was also the doctor that worked closest to the child.

And who grew more, and more attached to Venus Lilly every day.

Maggie could still recall the first day she officially met the girl.

It had been months since she had been recovered from the woods. At the time, Maggie had thought that her pale skin was due to being in the cold too long, but after being taken care of, and having the color return to her cheeks, the female doctor realized that the girl, who she had called Dawn, as it was dawn when they brought her in, was naturally as pale as death.

She would sit by Dawn's side everyday. Waiting for news of a missing child report that matched the description of the comatose girl. None had come. And it seemed that Dawn wasn't waking up anytime soon. And it worried her, the girl was still on life support, she wasn't breathing on her own. It might be hopeless.

But Maggie wasn't willing to give up on her yet.

"Williams, I think it's time." Dr. Radson told her one day, "She shows no signs of waking."

"She's a little girl!" Maggie argued, "Are you really saying you're giving up on her that easily?"

"Look at her!" Dr. Radson yelled, "She might be in pain, just waiting to move on but not knowing why she can't. We might be doing her more harm than good!"

"How can you say that! This is a little girl. She needs our help!"

"She needs-"

"H-hello?"

Maggie rushed over to Dawn. It was a miracle, she was breathing on her own without the respirator going wanky, she was twitching her fingers, and her eyes were struggling to open.

Her eyes.

Maggie remembers the first time she saw those unique green eyes. They were so deep, yet so unfocused, looking near her but not directly at her. That day Dawn turned into Venus Lilly. A five year old little girl that was undoubtedly alone in the world.

Two months after she woke they gave her an eye test. This ended with Venus and Maggie going to the optometrist. Venus clutched Maggie's hand in hers like it was a lifeline. She didn't know why she was so terrified, she was just getting an eye checkup. But the noises, the loud sounds, it was all so different from the muted hospital room.

"So…" Maggie started, looking down at the girl who swung her legs back and forth from the chair, her feet high up from the ground, "If you do need glasses, what kind would you like?"

Venus thought about it, would she want a different pair than the ones she had in the past? A completely new person? No, she had grown quite attached to those glasses, "I think I like the big circle lenses, their… unique."

Unsurprisingly, Venus did indeed have bad eyesight. The glasses she was drawn to where of course, circle lenses, but rather than getting the wire frames that were rather uncomfortable. She settled for a thin plastic frame with the little tabs on her nose.

Now that Venus could see clearly, she could better identify Maggie Williams. She was indeed, middle age, as evidenced by the laugh lines that crinkled around her eyes and the slight frown lines on her forehead. The job has clearly stressed her out, along with the dark brown hair with blonde highlights was a scatter of grey strands. Just as well, dark circles surrounded earthy brown eyes and the spray of freckles on her face stood out.

After that the two went out to get ice cream. An affair that Venus appreciated. The memory of Hagrid taking Venus to get ice cream the day after she discovered she was a witch. Smiling brightly she picked the strawberry and chocolate swirl and Maggie, a simple living woman got a simple flavor of vanilla.

"Did you like the new books?" Maggie asked as they sat at the table under the only bright blue umbrella that sat in front of the ice cream shop.

"Yes! Especially the fairy tales," Venus smiled, unaware of the bit of ice cream that dotted her chin. "I wish that I could fly on a dragon." And yes, that was a true aspiration, despite her usual run ins with them. The last interaction with the Gringotts dragon was exhilarating, leaving Venus wishing that she was back with the dragon, riding it way above the clouds without the worry of Death Eaters, or horcruxes.

Maggie giggled and took a napkin, gently wiping away the ice cream that had dribbled down Venus' chin. While on bed rest, the doctor had discovered that Venus was quite the bookworm, her nose had been buried in one of the books that Maggie had forgotten on the side table. After that Maggie started bringing in all the books from her library, story books, books about medicine, her "Car Mechanics for Dummies" that she had bought in hopes of fixing her old car without visiting a shop. Venus read them all, absorbing them like a flower absorbed water, and blooming like one as well.

"Well, what about the book about vampires?"

"You mean Dracula? I thought it was really deep and… um. Should five year olds be reading those kinds of books?"

Maggie chuckled, "No, but you seem to love them. You're very literate for your age."

Venus was curled up in her hospital bed, the light on the bedside table casting a warm feeling over the room. In her hands was a warm copy of The Great Gatsby. She had started the book sometime around her bedtime, it was nearly three in the morning now. Venus was so entranced by the party life of Gatsby that she paid no attention to the warped shadows or the darkening of her lamp until it became too dark to read.

Her hand wrapped around her Deathly Hallow necklace and her hands twitched as if she still had a wand in her hand as she thought Lumos. To her surprise a ball of light formed in the palm of her hand, illuminating the room once more.

A chuckle brought her attention away from the ball of light. Looking up her eyes landed on a middle aged man clothed in black with curly black hair, tan skin and pitch black soulless pits for eyes. It was only by the way shadows wrapped around his feet that Venus was able to recognize him.

"Death?" Venus asked, her hand releasing her necklace and pushing the covers away.

"Tiny Venus," Death deadpanned.

The girl scoffed, swinging her legs over the side of the bed and hopped down. Her bare feet meeting the cold floor. "What are you doing here?"

"Well you didn't really expect me to leave you all alone, did you?" Death asked as he, much to Venus displeasure, knelt down so that he was somewhat level with the girl in front of him. "You're a twenty three year old woman in the body of a five year old with knowledge of the possible future and a penchant for trouble."

"I'm not alone," Venus said, thinking of Maggie, "And I don't have a penchant for trouble. I don't go looking for it, trouble just...finds me."

"And for that, I can't leave you alone."

"I'm not alone."

"You are in this sense," Death argued. "You're not the first soul to go back, though admittedly, you are the first pure soul to be sent back through time. Every traveler feels responsible for some event that happens that didn't happen in their own time. I'm here to be that constant reminder that whatever happens is suppose to happen. That whatever occurs, good or bad, is not your fault." Death paused, placing a chilly hand on Venus shoulder, she was so tiny now, his fingers ended up wrapping completely around half of her back. "I've seen the strongest men break because they thought they brought on a tragedy. I refuse to let the same happen to you."

Venus bit her lip before nodding slowly, not meeting Death's eyes. After a moment of silence she shrugged his hand off her shoulder and gave an easy smile that brighten the room far better than her lumos charm. "Okay, enough with the sappy shit. You're here for another reason as well."

Death chuckled. "Quite the mouth you have on you young one."

"I'm a full grown adult."

"Indeed," Death said. "As I told you, you are pure. A soul that can't be tainted easily, no matter what they've seen or done. Even now I can sense the different levels of forgiveness that you're willing to employ in the future. Changes and actions that most people would've left alone or made worse for the party that's harmed them."

"As it is. There were to pure souls once a long time ago. A right hand man to me, who's soul bared the slightest taint from enduring darkness for so long. And an archangel. A soul that was seen as a blessing or a curse to those they encountered. I want you to train to be the archangel."

Venus pursed her lips, rocking on the balls of her feet. "What happened to being a normal child? Living life as I wanted to without the damn scar?"

"You would still have your childhood. And that scar will never have the same impact on your life as it had before. But you can't honestly tell me that being young again isn't tedious. You're still a child here. Soon you'll run out of books, how will you occupy your time then? And there is a war going on, and many more that will come in the future. And I know just as well as you do that you won't stand on the sidelines for either."

True, Venus thought. Like hell I'm going to be sitting around twiddling my fingers. "So… Archangel?"

"You'll understand soon enough," Death said.

And Venus' world went blank.

"Hello Venus! Sorry I'm late!" Maggie called as she ran into the office. Venus was seated next to Dr. Radson across from a spectacled man. Venus smiled brightly at her, scooting over so that Maggie had room to sit next to her.

"All here? Good. I am Professor Lawson, I teach at the local A.T.E. Secondary School here. And to my understanding, this little one," He nodded towards Venus, "Has passed a test meant for my first years fairly easily."

"I don't remember Venus taking any test like that." Maggie said.

"Her aptitude test you had her take last month? The staff found that each test she took was answered too quickly. It was only when they gave her a first year test booklet that she actually slowed down. But not by much. You have a bright young student on your hands."

"Okay, so what does this mean?" Maggie asked.

"I'd like for Venus to enroll for the first year next semester."

"Are you sure?" Radson asked concerned. "I agree, Venus is very bright but being with students well above her age…"

"That is a concern many of our staff has talked about. But we're positive that students will take to her just the same as anyone else their age." Lawson looked at the two doctors before leaning in close, "We are just the first school to notice Venus' potential. We're taking everything we can into consideration. What class to put her in. What afterschool activities we can make available for her. Any other school will see her scores and regard her by just that, her scores. We will be the only school that will take Venus' needs as a child and student into consideration."

"Could we have some time to consider this?" Maggie asked.

"Of course," Lawson said, placing a brochure and a business card on the table. "We can wait till registration day. I do hope you consider putting her education in our hands." And with that, he left.

Once gone Venus broke out of her silence, immediately turning towards Maggie and starring pointedly at her forehead. "Is that paint?"

Maggie blushed as she realized that on top of not being punctual, she also looked haggard with her hair pulled up in a messy bun and her clothes slightly wrinkled, and a deep blue streak across her forehead.

"Ah… Part of the reason why I was late. I'm remodeling one of the rooms in my house."

"Oh? Cool."

Dodge.

The swish of a blade passed through the air. Venus jumped forward, staff in hand and feinted downwards before swinging upwards. Death didn't fall for the feint, choosing to bring up his scythe and block her blow. Not wasting time he pushed down on the small form, forcing his opponent to stumble and regain her footing. Seeing an opening he swipes his scythe at her.

Only for her to disappear in silence.

His only warning was the sharp crack that sounded behind him.

Quickly Death shoved his scythe behind him, trying to blindly block the oncoming blow.

Venus registered the move in .2 seconds, switched the direction of her jab and hit Death in the knees.

Grunting. The personification of the end fell to the ground, placing his scythe on the ground and holding his hands in the air in surrender. "Good, good," Death said, turning around to see the breathless Venus clutching the staff that was roughly her size. She was heaving heavy breaths, her body slumped forward. "You actually managed to catch me off guard, and your stamina is getting better. Two hours and pushing."

Venus tiredly smiled, her knees finally giving out as she sat on the ground, staff resting beside her.

"And, your reflexes are getting faster. Soon I won't be able to keep up."

"Thanks," Venus finally spoke, her voice soft, the one word was drawn out, weighed down from fatigue. Death chuckled and waved his hands, both felt a small tug in their shoulders and suddenly, Venus and Death were in the dimly lit hospital room.

"We'll work on spell work next week. You need a break." Death told her.

Venus nodded absentmindedly, her eyes slowly closing as she climbed on top of the bed, not bothering with the covers. Death shook his head when Venus fell asleep. Waving a hand he summoned to scrolls, a pointed look and the scrolls turned into black leather bound books. Placing them down on the bedside table he closed his eyes. Shadows rushed at him and he disappeared.

When Death opened his eyes it was met with the usual darkness. The quiet mutters of the dead echoed around him. The slight sounds of music from paradise hummed through his bones, and the tortured screams of the damned did nothing to affect him. This was his masterpiece. This was the After.

Many people were scared to enter. Honestly, it's much like life here. Those who didn't go on to be heros existed in the After with minimal luxuries. It was a humble existence. And many are happy to be reunited with their loved ones. The Blissfold, a utopia, was a place for honored heroes and their loved ones. A shining city filled with luxury and bliss. The only light in the darkness.

And then, the main reason for the darkness. The Pits, the place for the damned. Souls of those who have and will become a stain on the world, now exist here, in a place where they will never see the light of day, forced to feel all physical feelings that are usually forgotten after death. Forced to relive the pain of their death for all eternity.

Sighing contentedly, Death turned around and began his stroll through the high silver grass that surrounded the onyx castle. It was a grand building, straight and shimmering with a sadistic pleasure. Blue light leaked through the tall windows and underneath balcony doors. The grand entrance was made of silver, with skulls of those who have committed some of the worst crimes decorated his door. Moaning and begging for release. Death smirked and passed by them, purposely hitting Henry VII in the center of his skull.

"Taealaa se ména," Death hissed.

Shadows leaked from the walls and under the tables, crevices and cracks. And then, standing before him in the great entry hall was his army of Shades. Unborn children that chose to fight rather than be reborn or grow up in Blissfold. They age as slowly, if not slower, than Venus does. And most looked to be seventeen or twenty, some eight year olds here and their. Most ages varying between eight and hundred plus. Any younger were still training.

"A war is coming. Soon, you will be shadows on the battlefield. Reaping the souls of the condemned, and guiding the spirits that deserve rest." Death told them. "Train hard, be prepared. I expect to see an army that will make the mortals piss their pants." Death glowered at them, a shiver ran down everyone's spines as the temperature dropped. "Don't fail me. Dismissed."

Venus breathed in deeply, her eyes closed, staff clasped in both hands. She moved her foot back, swinging the bottom of the staff in a semicircle pointed at the ground. Inhaling, she moved back another step, releasing the breath she pushed the top of the staff forward. The jade stone wedged in the top of the staff glowed a blue light. "Dire Aspída," she murmured under her breath. The sound soft, and light. The jade stone pulsed a darker blue. The light spread before it formed a dome around the girl.

If anyone had walked in, they would be in for quite the sight. There stood little Venus, with a staff of ashwood. It was curved in the middle and formed a hook at the end, like a twisted shepherd's staff. In the center of the hook, intertwined by silver threads, was a white jade stone, currently tinted blue. Venus was wearing the white cotton pajamas that the hospital gave her. A current of air was constantly swirling around her, ruffling her hair and her clothes.

A slight shimmer came from the center of her back, its shine changing from pink, to silver, to blue, back to pink.

Venus' eyes suddenly snapped open. "Tathir Katharízo." She hissed. And the shield dropped just as a white light engulfed the room.

"Venus!" Maggie called, a wide grin on her face as she tore down the hall to the girl's hospital room. "Venus!"

"Maggie?" Venus questioned, her little head popping out into the hallway, her green eyes glittering curiously. "What's wrong."

Maggie skidded to a stop in front of her, offering a breathless smile as she knelt down and placed one hand on Venus shoulder. The other one gripping a packet of papers next to her. "Nothing bad. In fact, it's wonderful! The best news in the world!" Maggie suddenly blushed and turned sheepish. "Er… that is, if it's something that you and I agree on."

"Is this about school?" Venus asked.

"Not exactly," Maggie sighed, "how about we go get some ice cream? We can talk after we had a nice frozen treat, yeah?" Venus nodded and rushed inside to grab a pair of sneakers before running back to Maggie, grabbing her hand and pulling the poor woman down the halls in excitement.

Neither noticed the figure in the shadows that smiled in amusement and satisfaction, before disappearing from sight.

The two quickly arrived at Nellie and Joe's Ice Cream Parlour. The two of them spent the walk talking, as they always did. Asking questions like.

"What's your favorite color?"

Blue, green.

"Favorite animal?"

Dog, fox.

"Favorite sport."

"Qu- er… football."

"Really? I quite like rugby?"

"Aw come on? All you do is toss the ball around!"

"And all you do in football is kick the ball around."

Venus rolled her eyes. In a few years she'll change her answer to Quidditch, she'll show Maggie that she favored the superior sport.

Venus smile nearly slipped at that. Will she even be able to see, or talk to Maggie in a couple of years. She was all better, she was sure. Sooner or later the hospital will release her, and she'll have to go to an orphanage or something.

And that saddened Venus. What will she do without the woman? She had grown attached, she was already more comfortable with Maggie than she had been with any other adult in her life.

"So what type of ice cream do you want today Venus?" Maggie asked as they entered the shop, the cold air from the AC rushing over them. Venus smiled and rushed up to the counter, giving a small hello to Nellie, was operating the counter.

"Hey Nellie," Maggie said as she joined Venus at the counter.

"'ello Maggie, 'ow are you today?" Nellie asked, as she served up a scoop to a little boy who was patiently waiting with his mother and father on the other end of the counter.

"Good, but I have a feeling it's about to better." Maggie replied.

"Oh! Rocky Road!" Venus cheered once she spotted the favor that she craved. Chuckling Maggie asked for a scoop as well as a scoop of vanilla for herself.

"Where's Joe at?" Maggie asked.

"Lawfirm. 'is brother needed 'im there to confirm his where 'bouts," Nellie told her, "It's insane. Thinking Bill was the one to off 'is own wife. That man was devoted to 'er, worshipped 'er."

"Shame, I hope they find the real culprit soon."

"I do too."

After paying for the ice cream, Venus and Maggie took their normal seats outside of the shop, under the bright blue umbrella.

For a while the two sat in comfortable silence. Basking in the warmth as they indulged on the cold treat. Many had passed by thinking that the two were mother and daughter. They certainly looked like it. The little girl with her brown hair, the same brown as the woman, in two pigtails. Her feet swinging back and forth while the woman would silently pass her a napkin every once in awhile because the ice cream managed to dribble down her chin.

It was a peaceful scene. One that Venus and Maggie looked forward to every week.

As Venus finished her cone Maggie placed the packet of paper on the table. "So, about what I wanted to talk to you about," Maggie started, she chewed her lip nervously, her hands twitching in her lap. "You're getting better. In fact, you won't have to remain in the hospital anymore."

Venus looked a little downcast at that. "Oh… Well. Can we still hang out? I really like spending time with you."

Maggie smiled kindly. "I think I can do one better than that."

She pushed the sheet over to Venus, "It took a while, I had to find a suitable place that was in my price range. And I didn't want to do anything until everything was complete, but... If you want to. Venus, would you like to live with me? Would you let me, adopt you?"

Venus stared at Maggie in shock, her eyes wide, her ice cream cone forgotten as it fell on the ground. Maggie, fearing the worse, frowned in concern, "Venus? It's okay if you don't- omph!"

Venus launched across the table and hugged Maggie fiercely, clinging to the woman like a lifeline. Her face buried in the crook of Maggie's neck as she repeatedly said 'thank you'. Maggie didn't hesitate to wrap her arms around the girl, burying her face into the soft brown hair.

"No need to thank me love," Maggie whispered and then placed a kiss on the child's forehead, "No need to thank me at all."

"This place is beautiful!" Venus cried out as she rushed out of the car, a blue bookbag slung over her shoulder.

Maggie smiled as she looked at the building. She agreed with the girl, it was indeed beautiful. For such a small house, it was magnificent. Nestled in the corner of the woods, it stood, giving off the aura of home. It was a single floor house, with an attic. The house was wooden, and the sun hit it just right, letting a warm orange glow flow through the windows, casting kind shadows over the porch. Maggie climbed the stairs with Venus bouncing in front of the door.

Smiling she unlocked the door. Venus rushed in, immediately she was greeted by this sense of home. The furniture was all wooden frames with soft intricately designed cushions. The living room had a sofa, a loveseat and a simple chair in it, a coffee table sitting in the center with little trinkets and cards on its top. A TV rested on the mantle of the chimney. The beige curtains were pulled back, letting in the natural light.

The kitchen stood to the left, with the minimal appliances, nothing fancy, and a back door that lead outside. There were two doors, each with a nameplate. One read "Maggie's Room" and the other "Office." Frowning in confusion, Venus looked up with a curious expression. Smiling Maggie brought the girl to the corner of the house where a cord dangled from the ceiling. Maggie made a back away motion with her hand, and when Venus did so, she pulled on the string. The stairs fell down slowly, making the slightest creaking noise. Maggie offered her hand to Venus, who grabbed it without hesitation and together the two went upstairs.

When Venus saw what awaited her in the attic she felt like she didn't need magic, it didn't need to exist to make her happy, she was happy now. Her room. It was, it was magical. The walls where the same deep blue that had once decorated Maggie's forehead months ago. The one high circular window had a golden border design around it. A circle bed was tucked directly underneath it, with a dark grey comforter and light blue quilt. To the left was a bookshelf, half full with various books, some of which she's already read, some that she hadn't even considered reading. A wooden desk with a swivel chair was next to it. A blue desk lamp was the only thing that decorated it.

In one corner there was a small table with a chessboard on it. In the other corner was a hammock, it white with blue pillows filling it. A wardrobe sat in the final corner, it was painted white, but strangely enough, there were a variety of different paints and paintbrushes next to it. And finally there was a chest next to it, also painted completely in white.

"So what do you think?" Maggie asked, amused as the girl twirled around the room in disbelief. She found herself tackled in another hug.

"I love it!"

-\

So! Chapter 2! Yay!

I thought ending it there should satisfy everyone. It did the trick for me.

The next chapter will be her school years before Hogwarts, and yes, she will be heading to Hogwarts.

So what do you think? Love it? Hate it? Let me know.

And fun fact, the commands that Venus and Death used are in a real language, well, two languages, but that will be explained in the next chapter. As well as staffs.

Hasta La Vista!

Dawn.