Thanks again to all reviewers. I'm really enjoying writing this story and getting all the comments so here we go. And sorry it took so long. It was Finals this week.

**Bella's POV**

The summer between my second and third year was busy. Dad was in contact with the other teachers and even the Ministry for the whole time. They were planning an old competition, the Triwizard Tournament. Dad said most students wouldn't know, but he never keeps secrets from me, not if I asked him about it. It didn't help dad that he wanted to take me to the Quidditch World Cup. He knew I loved to fly, but I'd never tried out for the house team. My position as Chaser was already filled for Gryffindor. It was weird, on the ground, I was the world's biggest klutz, but in the air…it was poetry. So Daddy got us tickets and they were pretty good seats.

The night before, he made sure we had everything packed in the tent. I grabbed his arm and off we apparated. It was weird the first few times I'd ever apparated with him, but now I didn't have a problem. We arrived in the forest surrounded by a multitude of colorful and exotic tents. People milled about, excitedly talking to each other. We found our spot right on the edge of the campsite. Dad looked around before flicking his wand at the misshapen tent. It immediately sprung up to attention and I followed Dad through. I chose one of the bunks. It would only be for a couple of nights, but it still didn't look very comfortable. I peeked out of one of the tent windows, already excited.

Dad called me over to the kitchen. I helped him cook a small dinner before a game of Exploding Snaps and then it was time for bed. I slept in a bit the next morning, knowing I'd be up late the next night. I finally got up around ten. Dad was working on something but he gave me permission to go wander as long as I checked back in every once in a while. I set off. I ran into Luna, a Ravenclaw in my year, and talked to her before spotting a group of red heads. I quickly said good-bye to Luna and took off after the red hair. I only tripped once before jumping out at Ginny. She was with Harry, Ron, Hermione, Fred, and George. I said hi to everybody before going off with Ginny. She had only arrived this morning so we explored together. I bought a pair of omnioculars and an Irish flag. She just bought a flag.

I checked in with Daddy before joining the Weasley's for tea. After an interesting conversation, I found Daddy again. It was time. We walked into the stadium and my jaw dropped. It was huge. The Stadium held thousands of seats, tens of thousands of seats. We had to climb thousands of steps before reaching our row. As I settled in, I saw Ginny pass. They climbed even higher. Lucky witch. Pretty soon a magnified voice began to announce the beginning of the match. The veela didn't affect my dad. He knew they were coming and was ready. I laughed as all the guys around me began to puff out their chests or pick a fight. Then the veela stopped dancing and I laughed harder at the confused expressions on all they guys faces. My dad was laughing too. Then Ireland's mascots flew out in formation. I cheered with the rest of the green-clad supporters.

They flew over the stands, dumping gold on our heads. I picked a couple coins up when Dad leaned over. "Don't bother. It'll just disappear in a couple hours." I nodded and dropped the leprechaun gold. Then the match began. I sat in awe as the players flew. It was simply amazing. I tried to watch everything but I really wanted to mimic. I couldn't wait to get home and try all the moves out. Then in a sudden move, the Bulgarian Seeker dived again. As Ireland's Seeker crashed, Krum flew up, Snitch in hand. Bulgaria caught the Snitch, but Ireland had won. I screamed along with everyone else. Dad was chuckling at me. I felt childish so I stuck out my tongue at him. That just made him laugh more. Eventually we were able to leave the Stadium. We walked through the celebrating crowd. It was filled with euphoria and flashes illuminated the air. It seemed like the world was celebrating. Back in our tent, I kept analyzing the Chaser's moves. I think Dad was getting annoyed but he didn't say anything. He did eventually send me to bed. It took me forever to fall asleep.

A bang woke me up. I sat up straight. In another part of the tent, Dad was gazing out a window. He looked for another minute. I'd just gotten out of bed when he grabbed my arm. He pulled me out of the tent, waved it away and disapparated with me. It was fast but I'd seen the danger, a group of Death Eaters playing with a muggle family.

We arrived back at Spinner's End. Dad ushered me inside before sitting down to write a letter. He gave it to Hermes, our barn owl, who flew out of sight. Then he turned to me. I was trembling. He picked me up and sat me on his armchair. "Are you okay?" he asked, kneeling in front of me.

"Just scared. I'll be fine. Daddy, why were they doing that?" He pulled me into a hug before answering.

"It was fun for them. They couldn't resist. They wanted to show off, prove people still fear them."

I nodded. I didn't understand. How could I? But I did know that they had succeeded. I was scared. I hugged Daddy again before going up to my room. I fell on my bed and pulled the comforter over my head. Thoughts raced through my head. Were Ginny and her family safe? Had the Death Eaters been caught? Had Daddy been tempted? The last one scared me the most. What if he changed back? No. That wouldn't happen. He was on the right side and he was never going back. And that was the comforting thought I finally fell asleep to.

A month later was my birthday. I ran down the stairs too excited to sleep in. I found Dad in the kitchen cooking my favorite breakfast; eggs, bacon and toast. I gave him a hug before sitting down at our little table. He set a plate down in front of me before getting his own. As soon as I had finished eating Dad asked, "So when would you like to get your present?"

I grinned at him. "What is it?"

"Well, would you like to find out?"

"Daddy…duh!" he laughed but got up and walked out of the kitchen. I was considering following when he walked back in, a cage held in front of him. Inside was the prettiest tawny owl. It was perfectly sized and had the majestic face of all tawny owls. "Oh," I exclaimed.

"She's for you," Dad said holding out the cage.

I ran over to him. "Does she have a name yet?" Dad shook his head. I thought for a minute. "I know. I'm going to continue the whole Greek god thing we have. Hermes is the god of messengers, but Athena's symbol is an owl. I'm going to call her that."
"Athena it is. Happy Birthday Bella."

"Thanks Daddy."

So Athena went to school with me. I found Ginny on the train. We talked about the Quidditch World Cup and what happened after. Her dad and brothers had helped stop the crowd so she had a little more information then I did. Then she started pestering me to find out what was happening at Hogwarts. She still didn't know. I refused to tell her and she kept begging the whole way. I considered putting a silencing charm on her before I realized I didn't know one. I'd have to ask Dad soon.

Eventually we were sitting in the Great Hall, waiting through the Sorting. Then Professor Dumbledore stood up to announce it. The Great Hall sat in shock, and then excitement flowed through it. Ginny pushed me. "I can't believe you knew, the Triwizard Tournament!" She squealed and I laughed at her as we followed the rest of the Gryffindors up to the common room. We went up to our dorm to start discussing each task. Of course, even I didn't know that so we didn't get very far. So we just went to bed. Classes started the next day and soon we were all busy. Ancient Runes quickly became my new favorite subject.

When it finally came for the other schools to come, I waited with the rest of my year outside on the front steps. It was cold and I was shivering, but they finally arrived and everyone was ushered back inside. A quick introduction, a lay out on the rules of the Tournament and then there was a feast. I was personally glad I wasn't old enough to enter. I didn't think Dad would be happy with me if I did.

The next night, we all cheered for the new champions. When Harry's name was called, we all sat in shock. Ginny gripped my arm. She still liked him furiously. I reassured her that it would all be okay, but I wasn't sure myself. Thank Merlin he did fine against the dragon. We were able to finally relax. Maybe he would be fine after all. He did just as good in the second task too. Everything may work; he might even win! The third task was when it all went wrong. He disappeared. Everyone was going crazy when he and Cedric disappeared, even Professor Dumbledore. I saw Dad walk up to the Headmaster and lift his left sleeve at one point. Now I started freaking out. I knew what was on his left forearm and it wasn't good. I didn't say anything to Ginny though. No need to worry her more.

Finally, Harry made it back to the middle of the maze. I went with Ginny, the rest of the Weasley's and Hermione to the Hospital Wing. He was unconscious on a bed and we all sat around him. There was also a weird, black dog there. Then Dumbledore burst in with Dad on his heels.

Dumbledore went over to Harry while Dad just stood in the doorway. Harry had already taken his sleeping potion so Dumbledore started talking in low voices with Mrs. Weasley, her son Bill and my dad. After quite a while of whispered conversation, Harry interrupted them. We all jumped, unaware he was actually awake. He wanted to be part of the planning against the Dark Lord. Dumbledore told him no before turning to the black dog.

"Sirius, I think it's time everyone recognized each other."

Then the dog became a man. Sirius Black was an Animagus. The look on my dad's face scared me. It was pure loathing, but the Headmaster stepped between them. "You are on the same side. Now, shake hands." It was the shortest handshake I'd ever seen. "Now, Severus, you know what I must ask you to do."

"What about Bella? What about my daughter? I didn't have her last time and I won't risk her," Dad said

"I will personally see to her safety until you return," Dumbledore answered him. He nodded and then turned to me. I ran into his arms.

"Be careful," I whispered.

"Always."

"I love you Daddy."

"Daddy? Wow, Snape, poor girl there, having you for a father." Black cut in. We both turned to him. I was mad and I was about to step in when Dad spoke.

"It doesn't concern you Black, now run along and get some kibble.

Black laughed. "Good one Snivellus. So who's her mother? What girl would possibly allow you anywhere near her?" Then he looked at me, like really looked. "Wait a second. It couldn't be. The baby was stillborn. It couldn't be. You and…"

But he never finished because my dad had silenced him by grabbing his neck and shoving him into the wall. He lowered his voice, but I was close enough that I still heard.

"If you ever concern yourself with my daughter and I, I will personally peel you skin off slowly before cutting your tongue off and plucking out your eyes. Then I'll let you die in pain and if you ever tell anyone who her mother is, I'll do ten times worse than that."

I knew I had to stop him. He was scaring me. I stepped up and touched his arm. "Daddy?" I felt his arm relax and he let go of Black's neck.

He stepped back and Black removed himself from the wall. Dad turned to me. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have lost control like that."

"Daddy, what does he know that I don't know?" I demanded.

He sighed but looked at me. "Come, I'll tell you in private." We walked down to his office. I immediately sat in my favorite chair, his. He sat across the desk from me as if I were the teacher and he the student. "I don't know where to begin," he said.

"Best start at the beginning then."

He breathed in deeply as if collecting himself before beginning. "You know I came to Hogwarts when I was eleven. While here, I fell in love with a girl. She was in Gryffindor and I was in Slytherin. We were friends, but I had others as well as did she. Her name was Lily Evans." He stopped and looked at me. I knew the name, but simply gestured for him to continue. "Eventually, we had a falling out. My Slytherin friends were preparing to join the Dark Lord and I was too. She wanted nothing to do with that. So we went our separate ways. You've heard that there's a prophecy about Harry Potter and the Dark Lord. The Death Eater that overheard it…was me. I was the one who carried that message to the Dark Lord. He immediately began to hunt Lily, the girl I loved and lost. She'd married by then, a Mr. James Potter. The Dark Lord went after her and their expected child. This is what caused me to switch sides. I couldn't risk her safety so I informed Dumbledore of the plan and he hid the Potters. However, things didn't go as planned. There was a spy in the Order as well, one of Potter's friends. He knew I was a servant of the Dark Lord and when he was made secret keeper, he told me where they were hidden. I began to watch. Eventually, I stepped in and spoke to Lily again. She told me she'd always had feelings for me and we began a relationship, to put it delicately. Soon she found out she was pregnant again. She already had Harry, but now you were on the way. She didn't want you to be raised with James as your father when he really wasn't so she announced the baby was stillborn. There's a little grave in Godric's Hollow for you, but in secret, you lived and she delivered you to me. So I raised you. Lily was going to be a part of your life albeit a little distantly but then the Dark Lord found them, only a month and a half after you were born. Now, she's dead and all I've had is you. Bella, you are everything to me right now. Please believe that."

"I do Daddy. I do. It's just kind of a shock right now."

"I wish I could help you through this, but I must go. The sooner I return the better position I'll be in to resume as a spy. Stay safe and remember that I love you." He got up and left. I remained in his chair. I finally knew who my mother is. Turns out I have a brother too, well half-brother. Thank God I'd never been interested in him. That would be gross. I stayed there the rest of the night, just thinking.

The next week was torture. Daddy finally returned at the end of the week. He'd been successful and now all that was left was the rest of the year. Everything was different now. Everything.