Author's Note: This chapter is kind of short. It's more of a filler sort of thing before we launch into the big enchilada. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter Two

Bob isn't my biological father. That was one part of the secret I've always hoped I'd never have to share. He's the only father I've ever known and more of a father than my real father would ever be. But now that my real father was back, I had to face the ugly truth of the second half of my secret: my father was Tom Riddle. Lord Voldemort. The Dark Lord. Whatever you called him didn't change the fact that he was my biological father and now that he was back in the flesh, he'd want me to join him and fulfill the destiny he had laid out for me: to be his heir. My mother had told me years ago that Voldemort had once told her he'd found a way to make sure he never died, to insure he would be around to rule the world for a long long time but he still wanted a fall-back. A back-up plan to take up the mantle should anything stop him. He wanted a legacy. Thus, me.

Unfortunately, I didn't want to be like him.

Dumbledore wasted no time in replying to our owl. In fact, he replied in person, showing up at dinnertime with a haggard look to his face.

"How are you, my dear?" He asked my mother as she laid a place for him at the table.

My mother's lip quivered and she took a deep breath before replying, "I always knew this would happen."

"But that doesn't make it any easier," Dumbledore placed a hand on hers.

"Is there anything we can do?" Bob asked from his place at the head of the table. "I know I'm not like you guys, I don't have magical abilities, but I've raised Nicole and I'll do whatever I can to protect her."

"That's both brave and foolish, my Muggle friend," Dumbledore smiled warmly. "But I fear no matter what we do, the outcome may not be very good." My mother choked back a sob. "We know Voldemort is going to want Nicole to join him and learn the ways of the dark arts. If she refuses, he could easily have her killed. I, of course, will not let that happen, and I feel that he will only resort to that as a very last resort. Even if you refuse when he comes to see you, he will find ways to keep working at you, wearing you down until you agree to join him."

I shook my head resolutely, "I will not join him. No way."

Dumbledore nodded knowingly, "Voldemort didn't plan for you to be the way you are. You are nothing like him, my child. You have a bright spark to you and a thirst for life that he could never understand. You have such enthusiasm and cheer," He took my hand and looked earnestly into my eyes, "and I beg you to hold to that, no matter what. You must always remember who you are."

I nodded, knowing that before long, I might find myself neck deep in murky, dangerous waters.

"But what should we do?" My mother asked, her voice shaky.

Dumbledore glanced around at each of us, "I can put a protection spell on the house, but he will come and he will demand to talk to you. It is your choice if you talk to him. If you choose not to, just stay in the house; he can't get you in here, any of you."

"I'm supposed to go to the Weasley's. We always have a big hoorah during the summer," I said.

"If you go, you won't have the protection of the house," Dumbledore replied. "However, I think you would still be safe. Voldemort is not ready to make is presence widely known, he won't attack anyone out right. But still, if you go, you would have to warn them of the danger."

I suppressed a groan. That was one conversation I was not ready to have. Hey, guys, my dad is really the Dark Lord and he might come to collect me and kill you all in the process. Is it still ok if I stay here? No thank you.

"Well," Dumbledore stood and placed his neatly folded napkin beside his plate, "I'm afraid I must be going. Lots to do."

"Thank you for coming," My mother showed him out and we all stood watching as he stood in the middle of the lawn and flicked his wand, muttering under his breath. After a moment, we all felt safer and he Disappearated.

"It's going to be ok," My father placed a comforting hand on my mother's shoulder. I wanted to believe him, but I knew I couldn't stay safe in the house forever. Eventually, I'd have to go to school, the train station, Diagon Alley. I wouldn't be able to avoid the Dark Lord forever.