Prologue

Black clouds filled the sky as a torrential downpour surrounded the manor. An old man leaned back in the plush black chair, brooding with as much intensity as the storm. He continued to stare out at the rain, giving them his story with his eyes as if this would be the last day he would live. His eyes flashed a small twinkle before going back to a dull, lackluster color. The man did not have to turn around to see two people behind him, with their wands raised.

"How nice of you to join us, Mr. Valéry. I trust your journey was safe." The man did not turn. The storm continued to hold his attention.

"Being that this is my house, Albus," the man spat in disgust." I would be sure my journey to my office would be safe."

"Ricardo, this man is helping us. The least we can do is offer our hospitality, if not our lives." Clariza said timidly. She pulled back her black cloak to show a soft heart-shaped face and ringlets of blonde hair falling out of her bun. Her husband slowly removed his hood to show a gaunt face, deep circles under his eyes filled with worry. He was otherwise attractive with healthy brown hair. The Veelas bowed their heads slightly at the old man with the crooked nose.

"What did you mean by 'us', Dumbledore? The arrangement was just for you and you alone. I do not want the Order invading my home." Ricardo roared, his nose flaring. Clariza put one hand on his shoulder to pacify his request for blood.

"Our children are to be engaged, Ricardo, or did you forget?" Lucius Malfoy stepped from the shadows, pale light barely enhancing his features.

"We cannot choose who we love, Lucius. You can't expect us to perform dark magic to bind our children. It is not in a Veela's nature to persuade nature to pick a certain someone to be their mate." Clariza used a clipped tone, pulling her wand out and pointing it at the shadow. "Have you forgotten how much power we still have over you? I suggest you learn your place." She quickly hid her wand. "I am sorry for my temper." She bowed her head slightly in acknowledgement.

"All is forgiven. Narcissa bring in Draco." Lucius waved his hand. He knew not to mess with the most powerful pureblood family in the entire world. The Valéry's were known for wealth, beauty, intellect, strength, and a nasty knack for wandless magic and the dark arts. Lucius wife, Narcissa, came from the shadows as well holding a small bundle in her arms, cradling the child as if her life depended on it. She nodded at the Valérys before turning to Albus.

"Where is the girl so we can perform this ceremony?" Albus simply waved his hand at the cradle beside him where a small girl, no bigger than the Malfoy's boy, lay quietly listening to the conversations with an insatiable hunger. Clariza reached down and pulled out the baby who gurgled at her happily, cooing. The two families nodded at Albus who began to read the prophecy that would bind the two children. Both Lucius and Ricardo looked at their child with sudden interest. Whatever could distract them from the burning sensation of their Dark Marks would alleviate the tension. Albus cleared his throat before he began:

Water and fire

Earth and wind

Elements bind and melt

For

To fire or ice the world will fall

The daughter of the doe

And the son of the foe

Will join hands against the dark of time

To burn or freeze those in their path

The light or dark they will fight

To join both sides

While the other dies

And spend an endless death

She shall awake the beast in herself

And unleash the Shade of Black

A faint blue glow surrounded both bundles.

"I may not have used Dark Magic to bind your children but I did bless them with the prophecy." Albus continued, "Now I must move young Valéry to a safe place."

"Why must the young Valéry heiress be moved?" Narcissa asked, knowing that Clariza would be heartbroken over the loss of her only child.

"Voldemort wants my daughter's power. She will be stronger than any Veela or wizard. Combining the two most powerful Veela clans makes her 100% Veela and an asset to the Dark Lord. And I will not let my child be corrupted by this madness." She kissed the top of her daughter's forehead and let Ricardo stroke the babe's cheek before handing her over to Dumbledore.

"Dumbledore, we do not have much time. The Dark Lord is calling." Lucius swept around, the light reflecting off his pale blonde hair. "Narcissa, take Draco home. I will see you shortly." Narcissa Disapparated. "Ricardo, I will wait for you." Lucius knew this was a bad time, for tonight he might lose his old friend and comrade to their master.

In pure desperation, Ricardo pulled out a thick yellow envelope and handed it over to Dumbledore. He merely nodded before kissing his wife's cheek and followed Lucius out the study.

"Give her the letter on her 17th birthday. Thank you Dumbledore." She leaned over and pecked the old man's cheek. "Take care of my daughter, take care of my little Hermione." And with that she too swept out the study. She wiped a tear from her eye before joining hands with her husband and Lucius. With that the couple Disapparated to face Lord Voldemort's wrath.

Cold air rushed out to get the arrivers as they calmly walked to the path. Gnarled trees and the black shade made them blend in easily. They took a sharp turn and a left to the cold lair their master was residing.

"How nice of you to finally join us." Voldemort waved a bony figure towards the chairs at this right. They sat in the chairs. "Would you like to enlighten me with what took you so long, Valéry?"

"No my lord."

"Tonight I will go and kill the Potters. Then we can discuss more pressing issues, like meeting the Valéry child." He smiled, but it lacked warmth and was filled with cold malice. "How is your darling daughter?"

"She is healthy my lord." Clariza looked her cold master in the eyes her meaning quite clear; you lay a single finger on her and I will kill you.

"Tut, tut, tut. I did not mean it that way Clariza, but enlighten me. Why did you not bring the young Valéry heiress to the meeting like I requested."

"She was sleeping." Everyone in the room knew she was lying.

"Where is she?" Bellatrix screeched. "Answer the Dark Lord." Ricardo spoke up for the first time that night.

"She is somewhere safe. Somewhere we can't poison her soul with prejudice and filled her life with cold and evil." Bellatrix nose flared as she pulled out her wand. This was the man who had betrayed their information. Two green lights filled the room.

Dumbledore held little Hermione and arrived at an old house. It was tall, about 2 floors. An old swing was out in the front with the newly cut grass. Dumbledore took lengthy strides until he reached the Granger residence. He knocked twice to see a young man open the door. The young man looked down at the bundle in Dumbledore's arms. He looked back up gratefully.

"You have no idea how much this means to us, Dumbledore." The woman spoke up, and wrapped her arms around the bundle.

"We'll take care of her." The man spoke up.

"Her parents want her to read this a little before her seventeenth birthday." He handed the man the yellow envelope.

"You mean before the transformation."

"Yes. She will need to be protected as there is so much danger she is in. Between her and Harry, the Dark Lord will want her on his side." Dumbledore said gravely. "I shall see you soon." And with that he Disapparated to the Dursley's residence.