"We need not worry so much about what man descends from it's what he descends to
that shames the human race."
-- Hal Boyle

Chapter Six: Where Are We?

"Brian wake up."

Brian turned over and tighten his hold on the covers. He felt at peace, waking up would ruin that.

"Come on Brian if you don't wake up, mum wont make us pancakes."

Not bothering to open his eyes, he lifted up the pillow and covered his face. He needed sleep, and Merlin be damn, Crystal wasn't going to take it away from him.

"How can I take your sleep away silly? I'm dead remember? Our father killed me."

With that Brian pushed himself off the bed and looked around his surroundings. This wasn't his room back at the beach house. And it definitely wasn't his room back at his old manor.

And Crystal, dead or alive was nowhere in sight.

"About time you came back to the world of the living. You didn't want to wake up."

Brian's eyes took a while to adjust to the darken room, only lighted by the small burnt out candle on the far off nightstand.

"Where are we Matt?"

Matthew who was sitting on the floor stood up and went towards the small window, "I think we're in an attic that belongs to some old manor. The old fashion ones."

Brian wanted to get up, but he felt a little disoriented.

"That's the affect of their little magic." Matthew spat angrily, "So don't get up to soon. That's why I was on the ground."

"Is that's why the rest haven't awakened?" Brian pointed at the rest of the beds that contained their unconscious friends.

"Yeah I guess. They got more spells thrown their way. We actually went down rather fast." Matthew said without taking his eyes off the window.

Brian pulled himself up straight, wanting to do something instead of laying down. His legs were still a bit weak, but he managed.

"You are a true Riddle, of course you would manage."

Brian spun around and glared at Matthew, "Why did you say. . . fuck. . .Ow?"

Matthew turned to look at Brian sprawled on the floor, staring angrily at him, "Uh. . .you okay down there?"

Brian shot him an other angry look, "What do you think?"

"Okay personally I think you woke up on the wrong side of the bed. But in this case I think you woke up on the wrong bed."

Both boys turned their heads to look at a now awaken Jonathan.

"How long have you been awake?" Matthew asked.

"Well after hearing a huge thud on these weak ass wooden floors. . .by the way Brian your ass makes one hell of a sound when it hits solid ground, you should really check that out."

If their situation wasn't so dire, Brian would have actually found that quite funny, Matthew sure as hell did. But there situation was just that, dire, so it wasn't funny.

"Now is not the time for your jokes Jonathan. Man what the hell did they throw at us."

Jonathan rolled his eyes, "How come you're always putting down my jokes Ryan? And when did you wake up?"

Ryan like the rest of them tried to get up, but he couldn't quite manage to move any of his muscles, "Because they're never funny. Where the hell are we? And why can't I move?"

"You have no sense of humor, that's why you're so emotional."

"Emotional? I'm not emotional. Take that back, or else. . . ."

"Or else what? You'll glare me to death. Because I hear that is very effective."

Both Brian and Matthew rolled their eyes at the two of them.

"Those two could have had a silencing spell cast on them and they would still find a way to argue with one another." Matthew said and he extended his hand to pull Brian up on his feet.

"Oy!"

"I'm extremely offended by that."

"Oh can you two just shut up." Matthew barked, annoyed by their constant nagging, complaining and bickering.

Ryan shut his mouth, not really wanting to piss Matthew off when they were in such close quarters and he still couldn't move.

Jonathan wasn't that smart, that or he just simply knew that Matthew wouldn't lay one finger on him, nor spell seeing as their captors probably had taken their wands.

"That was done right rude you know. You could just as simply told me that I was being a nuisance."

"Interesting, Jonathan knows more than one word." Ryan mused to himself out loud.

Brian shook his head and walked towards the window Matthew was looking through minutes before Jonathan and Ryan had joined them.

Where the hell are we?


Patrick Doyle was not a smart man. He was always told this by his family and friends. Not wanting to prove them right, he made sure he made something of himself. And he did.

Of course he never knew that making something of himself required so much death and destruction. Becoming a Death Eater was not his number one goal. He hardly knew anything about You-Know-Who. Only that Harry Potter managed to live through the killing spell unscarred, while the Master of darkness disappeared out of thin air.

Hmm. . . De master av darkness? oi wonder if yer man wud loike ter be called dat

He doubted, the man, if you could call him that did not have a sense of humor. Which brought him to why he was not a smart man. Of all the things he could have done, coming to England and running into Lucius Malfoy was one of the things he wish he hadn't done. Leaving Ireland was not an easy choice, especially with no money in his pockets. But he was sick and tired of being harassed by his own family.

If yisser family does not believe in yer, well yer only 'av yerself.

He spent two weeks wondering the streets of London. A week of which he was starving. That was until he walked through a darken alley and found the most shocking thing imaginable. Lucius Malfoy having what you would call a special moment with a female who wasn't his wife.

Later he would find out that she was a Muggleborn.

Naw wait correcshun a mudblood Oi really must learn ter say dat

Patrick wasn't a man of hatred. Yes he was a Pureblood, born and raised as one. But his family wasn't stuck on the beliefs that their bloodline would last any longer if they kept up with how things were back in the good auld days. But Malfoy was planning on giving him his own loft, with furniture and a stable, well paid job.

Who could have said no to that?

Apparently not me. oi'm such an' eejit.

Now he wasn't' a man to back down of anything he set his mind to. But after having to prove to the rest of his fellow Death Eaters that he could manage the job and the honor of being one of them, he wasn't to keen on staying in England at all.

He could still remember the color drain out of the poor girls eyes. That wasn't what made him sick to his stomach. Yes the girl's death was horrible, and he would always see those crystal blue orbs staring back at him with so much confusion and fear when he closed his eyes. No the part that made him sick was that he was forced to kill Voldemort's daughter.

Wat kind av man wud send someone ter kill 'is flesh an' blud

Patrick though had already established that You-Know-Who wasn't a man at all. He was a monster. But he was marked, and there was no escape for him. Only death, and as much as Patrick would always see her death play in his head, he would rather live with that for the rest of his life than to see his own death from hell.

Cos really their is only wan place for a man loike me. . .Hell

"Seems like Dumbledore and his stupid men have gotten to them first."

Patrick spun around to see the rest of his fellow Death Eaters. All who have taken off their masks.

"He wont be pleased. But then again he wont be surprised." Lucius said behind him.

"Does yer man 'av a plan for everythin'?" Patrick asked.

Lucius as the rest of the men ignored his question, as they always did. He wasn't trusted by them. They feared he would become a threat to their plans.

"He has a few planned out for those boys though. He has two men working for him on the inside."

Everyone turned to glare at Peter Pettigrew. Of course Patrick knew they would all prefer him over the mousy man.

"Can't you keep that huge mouth of yours shut?" Macnair spat at him.

Like a true rat, Patrick saw him retreat to his corner.

"Wat is so speshal aboyt dohs boys?" Patrick curiously asked.

After all he was forced to keep an eye on them every now and then when it was his turn on watch duty. It wasn't pleasant to do, but it beat killing innocents.

"To the common eye they are nothing special. But to the Dark Lord they are his secret weapons. They have so much hate, anger and fear that make their magic incredible."

Nott's explanation brought a shiver down his spine.

He saw Malfoy smirk at him, "Don't worry about them Patrick. They will never find out about how you murdered one of theirs."

"Oi'm not shuk. oi'm jist wonderin' wat wud de great Albus Dumbledore nade dem for?"

"Not for weapons of course. He wants them so they could protect Potter and his gang of idiots." Rookwood said as he desended the stairs empty handed, followed by Crabbe and Goyle.

"Of course he'll make them believe they're very important to their cause, and make their deaths seem heroic. But unlike Potter and his friends, those boys were raised not to be naive and foolish. If the Dark Lord's spies are correct, those boys will use Dumbledore instead of the other way around." Lucius said, convinced with himself that their was no other way.

Patrick hoped he was right, "You nu wat, oi tink we shud head oyt. Dis place gives me de creeps."

"Irish over there has a point. Lets get out of here. We have to check in with the Dark Lord and tell him plan B should be in motion as we speak." Avery agreed.

Lucius placing back his mask lead the rest of the men out. Patrick taking one last look at the beach house, followed him as well.

Oi wonder whe dohs boys are?


"I'm telling you Ginny this place is haunted."

Harry looked up from his Transfiguration book, to see Ron and Ginny enter his room.

"Seriously Ron I'm not ten anymore. Those lies aren't going to cut it." She said while taking a seat at the end of Harry's bed.

"I wish I was lying. But last night I heard several voices coming from the attic. I'm not the only one. Fred and George can vouch for me." Ron said trying to convince his sister.

This got Harry's attention, "Wasn't your mum spending a lot of time up there last week?"

"Yeah she was. But she was just cleaning and arranging the mess up there." Ginny answered his question, with out looking up from the Teen Witch magazine she was engrossed in.

"Well that was last week. Last night though is another story."

"You said it yourself Ron, a story. Now leave it alone and move on. I think Hermione needs to get back here to keep the both of you sane."

Both Harry and Ron glared at Ginny. Not liking her implications. As if they couldn't live or survive without Hermione Granger by their side.

Of course they both missed their brown-haired friend, Ron more than Harry. Seeing as he had a few things on his mind. One of them being all the secrets Sirius, Dumbledore and the damn Order was keeping from him.

"When is Hermione getting back from her Aunt's house?" Ron asked laying down on Harry's bed.

"Just so you both know I just made that." Harry said.

"Well aside from just sitting up here in that chair of yours and doing your homework, you have nothing else to do up here. Though you shouldn't even bother making your bed, mum can do it for you." Ron said.

Harry rolled his eyes, "I can manage to do my own bed, Ron."

"I never said you couldn't. I just said you shouldn't."

"Both of you should just stop this. No need to get grouchy at one another." Ginny intervened, not wanting yet another episode between Harry and Ron to occur.

I wonder how can Hermione deal with this. Then again Ron and Hermione are the ones who bicker while Harry tries to make sure they don't kill one another.

"Hey I'm not the one who bloody started this. He did. I mean I'm only trying to make his life a bit easier." Ron said, turning crimson red with fury.

Harry snapped his book shut and stood up from his chair rapidly, knocking it down to the ground, "Well stop. I'm not an invalid. So I saw Cedric get killed, so I saw my worst nightmare come true and the world thinks I'm full of it. I don't need anymore babying from your mother or Sirius, let alone you."

Not liking the way Harry had been treating everyone around him, Ron stood up as well and faced his best friend, who at that moment was being such an arse. "We would all stop treating you as a baby if you stopped acting like one. Yeah you saw Diggory die. And yeah the whole wizardry world thinks you're a bit nutter. But guess what Harry we're still here. We believe you."

Before Harry could respond to that, Mrs. Wesley came into the room, "Is everything alright here? Do you need anything Harry?"

Again before Harry could answer that, Ron beat him to it, "Hey mum let him be. He can take care of himself."

"Ronald do watch your tone with me. I am your mother for Merlin's sakes."

Ron turned beet red in embarrassment, "Sorry mum."

Finding that apology acceptable Mrs. Weasley smiled at them all, "I came up here not just to see how you were doing Harry, I came up here to tell you all that a friend of yours is downstairs."

Ginny stood up from Harry's bed and smiled, "About time she's back. I've been driven mad with all these boys in this house."

"Hermione's back? Already?" Ron asked with false casualness.

Harry looked at him silently questioning his calm attitude.

What happened to the depressed boy who was missing her terribly? Guess he's trying to play it off. Not getting involve here.

"Well lets go see how her trip went." Harry offered.

He would rather have everyone interested in Hermione's life than his own, even if it only lasted a few minutes.

"If we really must. I mean do we really care what she did with her muggle relatives?" Ron asked them casually.

Ginny rolled her eyes at her immature brother.

"Maybe you don't care, but I sure do. I mean muggle boys are rather attractive. Add them in a beach topless, you have yourself a dream come true."

Both Harry and Ron had a disgusted expression plastered on their faces. Which Ginny ignored them and walked pass them towards the staircase.

"You don't honestly think Hermione would find muggle boys attractive would you Harry?" Ron asked, his previous casualness washed away and replaced by his insecurities.

"How would I know? Hermione doesn't really divulge a lot of her interests when it comes to boys. Not that we would listen anyways." Harry answered him as best he could.

He didn't want to remind Ron that she in fact enjoyed her time last year at the Yule Ball with Viktor Krum. Not because it would ease Ron, but because it would ease him. Thinking about anything involving last year, did not have a good effect on him.

"You're right Harry, I doubt Hermione spent her time laying around the beach talking to muggles. She's Hermione Granger for crying out loud. The only thing she finds fascinating are books and homework." Ron said confidently.

When both boys entered the living room, they were surprised at what they saw or more like what they heard.

"You couldn't believe how handsome he was Ginny. He had the deepest blue eyes you can ever gaze into. And his smile, well lets just say, you know how some guys tend to just light up the room with just being there?"

"I honestly wish I could say yes, but I can't. So tell me more about this guy, what's his name for starters?"

"Matthew Philips."

"Good strong name. So besides his eyes and smile, is good looking?"

Having heard enough Harry followed Ron into the living room to interrupt further inquiry of Hermione's new. . . well for Ron's sakes Harry hoped it was her new friend.

Highly doubt it though. . . I never heard her talk about me or Ron in that particular way.

And he really didn't want to walk into that conversation.

"I would ask how your trip went, but I guess you having a new muggle friend answers that question." Ron said angrily.

Hermione's cheerful expression changed rapidly when she heard Ron's tone, and looked at Harry confused and rather hurt by Ron's actions.

"Not wanting to interrupt anyone's homecoming."

"By the way happy to see you Hermione."

All four occupants turned to look at Fred and George.

"But Fred and I have great news."

Ron angrily sat on the farthest armchair away from Hermione and his sister.

"What can be so bloody great about your news?"

"Now, now Ronniekins don't get your knickers in a twist." Fred teased his younger brother, not knowing what got him in such a sour mood, but enjoying every minute of it.

"Don't call me that. I hate when you call me that."

"Like we ever listen. Now like my better half was saying, we have great news."

Harry sat next to Hermione, giving her a brief smile, then turning back his attention to the twins, "You've already said that."

"Good point Harry, and we would have gotten to the point if it wasn't with all these interruptions and negative tension in this room." George said.

"Okay now listen up, with no interruptions." Fred says looking straight at his younger brother to emphasize his point, "George and I have been doing a little spy work of our own."

"Mind you all it hasn't been easy. Mum and Dad could have caught us at any moment."

"But of course the cunning and smart wizards that we are, they didn't."

"We are rather brilliant aren't we Fred?"

Fred smiled at his twin, "Yes we are George."

Hermione was losing patience with them both, "Oh for crying out loud can you two just continue please."

"Alright, you don't have to yell." George said.

"You didn't get enough of those sunny rays at that muggle beach you visited?" Fred asked.

Ron glared at both his brothers, "She had plenty."

Hermione crossed her arms and glared at Ron, "What makes you so sure?"

"Two words. . .Matthew Philips."

Both Fred and George grinned at that. Before Hermione could say anything else on that matter, the twins broke out in chorus.

"Ohhhhhh. . . Hermione got herself a new boyfriend."

If Ron wasn't angry before, he sure was now. Hermione turned beat red with embarrassment. Both Ginny and Harry just watched the whole thing unravel before them.

"Why don't you two just shut up and continue with what you were saying." Ron ordered his brothers.

"Well what do you want us to do Ron?" Fred asked.

"Shut up or continue talking?" George asked, "Because its really hard to do both. Let me tell you that."

Harry knowing full well the twins weren't going to go nowhere with whatever bit of news they had, stood up, "That's it, you two are just wasting our times. I'm off to my room. I have some homework to finish up."

"Harry has a point. I have some revisions to do and some unpacking to do as well. Want to join me Ginny?" Hermione said, also standing up.

The Weasley twins seeing that they were losing their audience decided to just to tell them their huge discovery.

"The Order of the Phoenix have captured their first prisoners."

Both twins smiled triumphantly at each other for the speechless response they got from their oh-so-talkative audience.

But as soon as the initial reaction passed, both twins were thrown away by all the questions that came there way.

"Who are they?"

"What did they do to get caught?"

"Are they Death Eaters?"

"Hermione that's a stupid question to ask. Of course they're Death Eaters. They wouldn't be the Order's prisoners if they weren't evil." Ron said.

Hermione glared at him. "It wasn't a stupid question to ask. And not everyone who decides to be evil are Death Eaters."

"I hate to agree with Ronniekins over there, but come on Hermione we are talking about prisoners here, they wouldn't be here if they weren't Death Eaters." Fred said.

"And I'm not saying that's not a possibility. But we can't just assume just because someone does something they're automatically Death Eaters. I did a bit of research during the summer. . "

"Don't you always." Ron muttered to himself.

". . .if you wanted me not to hear that Ron you should have lowered your voice a bit more." Hermione said hotly.

Ron's ears turned red with shame and irritation.

"Like I was saying before I got rudely interrupted," Hermione shot Ron a look, "I did some research over the summer about Death Eaters and who they were before You-Know-Who started recruiting them. And most of the Death Eaters were the typical rich, powerful and influential Pureblood wizards and witches. But the other half, the ones that got to do most of the damage were the ones with no ties to them. Some of them of course wanted to be part of You-Know-Who's team but weren't allowed because of their blood lines. The rest were there because they were simply scared for their lives or the lives of their love ones."

"So what you're basically saying Hermione is that You-Know-Who is very picky when it comes for him to decide who should bare his mark?" Ron asked.

"That's exactly what I'm saying."

Ron, Fred and George laughed at that.

"Come off whatever cloud you're floating on Hermione. You-Know-Who only wants wizards and witches who can manage a wand. He doesn't have interviews with people to see if they qualify for his grand plan." Ron said.

"I'm not floating on some cloud Ron. And in order for You-Know-Who to have success in his grand plan as you put it, he has to have a few things. Money and power are some of those things." Hermione said.

Harry who was having a hard time keeping up with Hermione's logic on how Voldemort dealt with things, decided to say something on that matter, "If what you're saying is true Hermione, then whoever the Order have captured must be in important to Voldemort's grand plan."

Hermione shook her head, "We don't know that. All we do know is that the Order has captured their first prisoners."

"Well theirs something else to." Fred said smugly.

"Something you lot didn't let us get out, because you were to busy trying to argue and defend your points." George said.

"What is it?" Harry asked, trying to get to the point.

"They're being held right above us." Fred pointed to the ceiling.

All heads looked up and where Fred was pointing at.

"That's in possible. If they were being held in the library we would know." Hermione said.

Fred and George shook their heads at the small brunette.

"No not the second floor library. They're being held in the attic."


"Okay now that we're all awake and moving we can discuss our chances of escape." Jonathan said looking around the small crowded attic.

"Seeing as we've tried to open the door with and without magic more than ten times I think our chances of getting out of here without whoever put us in here's consent is out of the question." Ryan pointed out.

"I just hope whoever decided to kidnap us isn't working for Voldemort." Kristina said while looking through the old boxes that were pushed into the corners.

Chary who was by her side going through the same boxes, pulled out a black robe, "What do you think, a Death Eater robe?"

Matthew shook his head, he and Brian were looking through over photo albums. So far they still had no clue who the house belonged to, "I don't think so. If they were Death Eater robes they would have been hung."

"I don't know Matt, Voldemort has been out of commission for years. I doubt any of his crazy followers would have hung up their robes and mask for the whole world to see." Jonathan said as he took the robe from Chary's hands to inspect it more closely.

"If only one of us knew how to make one of those muggle bombs to blow this door up." Aaron said, while examining the door more closely.

"Sorry to brake your 007 dream Aaron, but if we did have a muggle bomb up here and detonate it we would all be blown away." Brian said, not looking up from the photo album.

"Whoever belonged to these robes went to Hogwarts." Jonathan said holding up the robe and pointing at the school's logo.

Matthew glared at the logo, "What house did the owner belong to?"

Jonathan looked down at is and traced the red and gold letter H and the lion behind it, "Godric Gryffindors." Not carrying as to where the robe has been, he put it around himself. "How do I look."

Chary turned to look at her boyfriend and smiled at him, "You look ravishing. Though I must say your t-shirt doesn't go well with it."

"I always thought grey and black made a great combo."

Ryan smirked at Jonathan, "Who would have thought that Johnny boy would become a fashionista."

"Sod off you wanker."

Matthew placed the photo album he was looking through and stood up, "Give me the robe Jonathan."

"I don't want to. I mean seriously its pretty chilly up here. Aside from Chary, Brian and myself, you all are wearing your pajamas." Jonathan said, but even as he was saying this he was taking of the school robe and handing it to Matthew.

Once Matthew had the Hogwarts school robe he pulled out the label, "Who the hell names their child Padfoot?"

Jonathan shrugged, "Beats me. I doubt anybody was right with their minds during the sixties or seventies. Bet you his mum was all doped up on the happy grass."

"Happy grass? Seriously Jonathan that's the best you can come up with?" Ryan asked.

"Okay that's it you brown haired bitch. . .oh wait that's the politically correct word to describe your mum."

Ryan pushed aside the stack of papers he was looking through and threw himself at Jonathan. Knocking both of them on the ground.

"Jonathan!" Chary yelled at her boyfriend.

"Ryan seriously stop that." Kristina said to her boyfriend.

Matthew dropped the robe and tried to pull them both off each other, "Tom, Aaron come help out over here."

Both boys, who were trying hard to pick the lock, dropped what they were doing and rushed to help Matthew pull Ryan and Jonathan off each other.

Everyone failed to notice the paled expression on Brian's face and the moving picture of a group of a happily married couple surrounded by friends and family. He didn't have to turn it around to read the names of the happy couple. It was already burned to his memory.

He could remember the first time he came face to face with the first real image of his father.

Tom Marvolo Riddle, or better known as Lord Voldemort.

Three Years Ago

Brian hated to play hide and seek in the manor. If it was anywhere else, he didn't mind, but the manor just gave him the creeps. Ryan was supposed to be looking for all of them, but as Brian hid behind a few dusted boxes in the basement of the manor, he knew that Ryan was only interested in looking for Jonathan.

He could still remember Jonathan taunting Ryan at his lack of finding skills. That had made Ryan more determined to find Jonathan, who's hiding place was hard to find. Deciding there and there, Brian stood up and started walking around the basement.

Its not like Ryan is going to come looking for me.

He had only been down in the basement once, and that was because of a dare. Of all the rooms in the manor, Brian considered the basement less frightening. Something about it made it comforting. He knew if he told that to anyone they would find him crazy. But Brian always found being in the dark, alone was relaxing.

Of course knowing that their house-elf was living down there in the small, but very spacious closet, made the basement less lonely.

"Master Brian what are you doing down there in the dirty floor?"

"AH!" Brian yelled as he ran into a couple of boxes, which blocked his fall down the ground.

He could hear Andy's little feet bounding towards him, "Oh.. . I'm so sorry Master Brian."

Brian felt foolish as he laid there on the ground looking into Andy's huge round eyes, "Its okay Andy, I'm fine really."

He quickly stood up and allowed Andy to help him pick up the boxes and the fallen memorabilia from the ground.

Or else he'll throw a fit and then I have to explain to Mum why Andy is so beaten up.

"Oh no, no, no."

Brian turned around to see Andy in tears, holding a framed photograph, "Andy what's wrong."

Andy lifted the picture to show Brian what had him so worked up, "It broke Master Brian. Misses Emily will not be happy."

Brian took the picture from the quivering house-elf and flipped it over to see the shattered framed. But he soon lost interest to the shattered glass and paid more attention to the moving people on the picture. He did not recognized anyone from the group of people in the picture, he only knew the women dressed in a wedding gown holding a young man her age or older in a loving embrace.

"That's my mum's wedding picture." Brian said to himself.

Andy let out a whimper, "I know Master Brian, the photograph is of great importance to Misses Emily and Andy broke it. Am so, so very sorry. I shall go and punish myself this instance."

Brian who wasn't paying attention to Andy, quickly looked away from the picture and turned to look at the house elf. As the house-elf was reaching for the nearest hard object to hurt himself with, Brian took hold of his bony arm.

"As your master I forbid you to hit yourself." Brian said, though not at all liking himself for going down that road.

But it's the only way he wont hurt himself.

He reminded himself, even though he hated using the word master when it came to referring to himself.

Andy bowed to him, "As you wish Master Brian. I shall go inform Misses Emily about the broken picture and to carry out her punishment to me."

Brian shook his head, "No Andy its fine. I'll go tell her about it. After all it was my fault. I shouldn't have been down here in the first place. If you happened to see Ryan or any of the others please tell them that I am no longer in the game."

"Again as you wish Master Brian."

Brian quickly walked up the steps and headed past the kitchen, where he spotted Aaron trying to sneak in a few biscuits before lunch. Not bothering to warn him that his mother counted them before going into her study.

He probably ate more than five already. A few more isn't going to change his punishment.

When he reached the brown oak doors that lead into his mother's private study, Brian hesitated to knock. His mother was a kind women with a big heart. And not once had she ever directed her temper to any of them. But he knew how angry she got whenever anyone from her past came into the manor to pay a visit.

Brian was only twelve years old, but he already knew that his mother's past life wasn't something that should be brought up unless you wanted to die a slow and painful death.

He could still remember the last time Mr. Malfoy came to pay a visit. He wasn't even pass the foyer before his mother kicked him out.

Then again Mr. Malfoy shouldn't have mentioned You-Know-Who.

Brian took a deep breath and braced himself before his fist hit the oak doors.

"Who is it?" Brian heard his mother's patient voice ask him through the doors.

"Its me mum, Brian."

Without a moment of thought she responded, "Come in sweetie."

Brian took hold of the doorknob and gently pushed the door open. He loved his mother's study. It was full of so many books and ancient antiques as well as magical artifacts. Her mother's study was like a small museum full of so many facts and history. But for the first time Brian noticed that his mother's study was deprived of any personal photos that did not include any of the children.

"I thought you kids were playing hide and seek?" She asked him.

Brian took his attention away from the his mother's room, to look directly at her. Like every child who was in love with their parents, Brian though of his mother as beautiful angel that was carved by some famous artist. Seeing as she was a blond with startling blue eyes made her look even more like an angel. He could never see anything of himself when he saw her. He supposed he had gotten all of his darken features from his father, whoever he was.

"Sweetie are you okay?"

Brian lost his train of thought and looked down at his hand that was holding the broken frame.

"I. . .um. . . yeah I'm fine." Brian answered her.

His mother looked at him with a concerned expression, "Are you sure? You don't seem fine?"

"Well I'm okay if that's what you're asking. Its just I found something that's caught my interest." Brian said as calmly as he could, without showing her how nervous he really was.

He watched his mother lean back on her leather office chair and look at him with curious eyes.

"You've found something that has sprung your curiosity into full swing...hmm…where would you say you found this incredible object?" She asked him nicely.

His mother was always encouraging them to come to her if they ever needed questions answered, or they all simply wanted to talk. This of course was always emphasized to Ryan, Jonathan and Matthew. Not that she had any preferences. Emily Riddle loved all the children under her care the same way.

"I found it in one of the boxes down in the basement and before you get angry, let me just say we were playing hide and seek and every hiding place I could imagine was taken." Brian rushed out to explain.

His mother gave him a pointed look, "Every hiding place you could have imagined was taken already? Last I remembered your imagination ran wild. I doubt that there wasn't any place besides the basement that you couldn't have hidden in. After all this manor is rather huge. Even I get lost once in a while."

"I thought you grew up here?" Brian asked her.

His noticed that his mother's smile wavered a bit, but it didn't disappear, "I did in fact say that. So what did you find?"

Instead of telling her Brian placed the broken picture frame on her desk, the back of the frame facing her instead of the picture.

She looked down at the frame and then at him, she was amused by is antics, "Brian what is this? I mean seriously you don't need to be afraid."

Brian held his breath as she flipped over the picture. As she laid her eyes on it, he saw how her previous smile had vanished. She had become pale, losing all her color, and looking to him as if she was sick.

"Mum I'm so sorry; I shouldn't have brought this to you. But I saw it and only thought came to my mind. And that was, who is that man she's holding on so tight too. I want to know if he's my father." Brian rushed out and said what he had to say. The worst had already passed.

Or so he thought.

Present Time

"Not to sound childish, but seriously Ryan started it." Jonathan said, pointing his finger at Ryan, who was tilting his head back trying to stop his nose from bleeding.

Matthew rolled his eyes at his best friend, "What is wrong with the two of you? I mean I get that this is how you two have been since the beginning, but come on you guys can't even behave during a very serious situation."

"He's the one who goes to damn far." Ryan tried to say as clearly as he could without letting go of his nose.

Kristina extended her hand to Matthew, "Here Matt hand over the robe."

As he was handing the robe to her, Brian snapped out of his train of thoughts down memory lane.

"Wait."

Everyone turned to look at him.

Figures they all forgot about me being in the room.

"Hand over the robe. I need to confirm something." Brian said extending his hand to Matthew.

"Alright, here you go." Matthew handed him the robe while at the same time looking at him curiously.

Brian grabbed the robe and as quickly as he could he located the tag. And written clearly below Padfoot, were the initials S.B.

"I know who this belongs to. And I think I know where we're at."

At hearing that everyone turned their attention at Brian and the black Hogwarts robe.

"Not to ruin the tense moment an all, but can you get with the answers." Jonathan said breaking the silence, "Please." He added for good measure.

"Well since he said please." Ryan sarcastically said.

Jonathan opened his mouth to respond, but Brian beat him to it, "Sirius Black. The initials stand for Sirius Black."

Matthew looked from Brian and the robe with shock, "Let me see that."

As Matthew took the robe, Brian took noticed that his friend had become rather pale.

"Not to ruin your revelation Brian, but how did you come to that conclusion? Anybody at Hogwarts can have the initials S.B. It could even stand for Steven Bond." Aaron asked.

"Bond? Seriously Aaron that's the best last name you could come up for the letter B? You and Tom have been watching way to much American films." Jonathan said.

Both Tom and Aaron glared at him.

Tom, who had remained quiet throughout the whole ordeal, spoke up, "For your information Jonathan we haven't watched the American version of James Bond, we've read the novels."

"Well I've actually watched one the other day." Aaron said quietly.

Everyone turned to him and gave him a look, "What? I thought they would've been good."

"Not to interrupt this popular culture discussion, but Brian was just about to tell us how he came to this conclusion." Matthew said after regaining his composure.

Brian quickly turned around and pulled out the wedding picture and held it out for them all to see, "I know that at least some of you will remember this picture. It's the same one I showed to some of you that day I found out who my father was."

"What does that picture have to do with us being held captive by a bunch of psychos?" Ryan asked.

"If you think about it, why would their be a copy of my mother's wedding day in this strange attic?" Brian asked him.

"You're right Brian. There wouldn't be a copy, unless whoever is in that picture besides your mum and dad is in it too." Ryan said his thoughts out loud.

Brian flinched when Ryan put Voldemort into a word that he did not even come close to describing his role in his life, dad.

Three Years Ago

As Brian waited for his mother to give him the answers he so desired to hear, he noticed that tears where welling in her eyes.

Great not only did I stick this on her without warning, now I made her cry. I am the worst possible son in the world.

Brian took a step back from his mother's desk, he could bear living without the knowledge of who his father was, but he couldn't bear to live with knowing he caused his mother pain.

"I'm sorry mum, I promise I wont ask you anymore questions concerning my father. I was out of place and out of line for doing so." He apologized before turning his back and walking towards the door.

"No Brian you're wrong. You have every right to know about your father. You and Crystal do. Its wrong of me to keep this from you. You're old enough to know. And if you knew where to look you would have already figured out who your father is."

Brian turned around to look at his mother, her attention was still on the picture, "So that man in the photo, that's my father."

He saw her mother smile, even though he could see the trails of her tears, "Yes that was your father."

Brian always had a feeling deep down that his father wasn't dead, that he was out somewhere participating in a world changing adventure. He of course never told his mother this, because he figured if in fact he was right, she would have told him so, instead of making sure he never existed.

"Who is he? I mean what's his name?" He eagerly asked her.

"His name is Tom Marvolo Riddle." She simply answered him.

Brian frowned; he was hoping that his mother would divulge more information on his father's identity. He was about to ask her another question when they both heard a soft knock on the door.

"Come in." She said quickly, giving Brian the impression that she had hoped for someone to interrupt them.

Andy's small form entered the room, "Misses Emily you have a visitor. I told Mr. Malfoy that you would not see him, but he insisted on wanting to you see Miss. Andy tried really hard Misses Emily, but he wouldn't listen."

Brian wasn't surprised to see his mother so angry at Mr. Malfoy paying a visit. He always did when he got word that they had gotten back from there stay at whatever country his mother wanted to visit.

"I can't believe him. Andy go inform . . . you know what never mind I'll go personally and tell him to get out of my house. You just go and inform all the children that its time for lunch." She said, getting up from behind her desk and walking out of her personal study.

"Master Brian are you not coming to eat?" Andy quietly asked him.

"Yes Andy I'll be right there, I just need to go wash my hands." Brian said as he exited his mother's study, but instead of going to the restroom as he told Andy he would, he went straight to the foyer, knowing full well that's where his mother would be.

When he reached the main hall leading to the foyer, he stopped, not wanting to alert his mother that anyone was nearby. He could clearly hear what they where discussing from his vantage point.

"You have no right to come to my house Malfoy and demand to see me. I'm no longer his wife, so using that load of bullshit isn't going to work anymore."

Brian was surprised to hear his mother talk to anyone like that, let alone Mr. Malfoy.

"Now, now Emily don't go raising your voice at me. Like you said you are no longer our Lord's wife, so I could do with you as I please."

He wasn't liking the tone Mr. Malfoy was using on his mother, it was bordering on threatening.

"Don't you dare threaten me Malfoy, you are no one special to do so. And to be quite frank you're just wasting your breath. You're a sorry excuse for a wizard, and I'm not scared of you."

Brian felt an urge of pride to call Emily De'Varces his mother.

"Well you should be Emily. I can simply ruin the life you have built for yourself and those children you claim as your own. The Dark Lord would not be happy to see his children running amuck with those street rats."

He was angered at what Mr. Malfoy was saying about his family. Yes granted Matthew, Jonathan, Ryan, Chary and Aaron were not his family by blood, but that didn't matter to him. They were his family where it counted, in his heart.

It didn't go to well with his mother either, seeing as the next thing he heard was a hard slap to someone's face, and by the outrage that underlined Mr. Malfoy's tone, Brian knew who was the one that got hit.

"Don't you ever dare refer to those kids as streets rats. They have more class and honor than you will ever possess. And like I said before Malfoy you're running out of empty threats."

"That's what you think Emily. With the snap of my fingers I could easily make sure the presses find out about the Dark Lord's secret life. You may not care what the presses would say about that. But Crystal and Brian would sure care. After all isn't their father supposed to be dead."

Brian was confused at what Mr. Malfoy was saying. Though he had thought his father wasn't dead, he had brushed those thoughts as wishful thinking. His father couldn't possibly be alive.

That can't be. Why would mum lie about that? Why would mum lie to Crystal and I?

"He is dead. The man that I fell in love with, the man I married, is dead. He died that night he chose immortality over his own family."

"You're wrong about that Emily. He just changed into a much better man."

"Man? He didn't become a man, he became a monster."

"The Dark Lord is not a monster. No matter what you say to yourself Emily, it isn't going to erase one simple truth. Just because you and your father found a way to prove that he died, making your marriage over. Doesn't mean you two can find a way to make sure that bond that he has to his children disappear. His last orders where to make sure his children knew who their father was. And I'm going to fulfill those orders."

"He's dead Malfoy, he died that night he tried to kill Harry. His final plan failed. And your last orders are useless. When the time comes I will tell Brian and Crystal all about their father. And the man he truly was, before he became what destroyed him."

Brian wanted to know now. He needed to know.

"Then you will be telling them lies. They need to know that their father wasn't some pencil pushing lawyer for the Ministry. They need to know that their father was the greatest wizard that ever walked this earth. Your children need to know this, so they could follow in his footsteps."

"There is no way in hell my children will lead the life he lead. As long as I live Malfoy I'll make sure you and the rest of his delusional followers fail at what he planned for Brian and Crystal. Now get out of my house and don't you dare come back here again. Because I'll make sure the truth comes out about your life. And I don't think Narcissa would like to hear what I have to say."

What the hell are they talking about? Following my father's footsteps, what he wanted me to be a lawyer? What's so bad about that? And wait wasn't he alive a few minutes ago according to Mr. Malfoy, but now he's dead? I'm so confused.

"Well then Emily so be it, if it takes for you to die in order for us to succeed, then watch your back. Because we sure will. And you don't know anything about the secrets I keep. If I was you I would tell your kids about who their father truly is before someone else does. After all no one would like to wake up one morning thinking their father was some low class lawyer, when in fact he was the Dark Lord himself. Isn't that right Brian?"

As Brian heard Mr. Malfoy say his name, and watched as his mother whirled around to look at him, all of that didn't matter to him though. What mattered to him was what Mr. Malfoy had said. His father wasn't a lawyer, or some hero off on some adventure, or even dead. No his father was a monster, a killer. He was the Dark Lord, he was You-Know-Who, he was He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

"Brian!" He heard his mother yell.

But he wasn't listening, he wasn't even aware that he was throwing up the vile and disgust he was feeling towards a man he did not know, and as of now never wanted to know.

Present Time

Regaining back his composure, Brian held his back straight and cleared his throat.

"You're right Ryan. One of those men, aside my father, owns this house. And seeing as the Hogwarts robe belongs to Sirius Black, we are most likely in the attic of The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black." Brian finished his explanation making the whole room even quieter.

After a few moments in which everyone thought about what Brian had said, Jonathan as it was his nature tired to break the tension, "I bet you can't say that ten times without catching a breath."

"There you go and open your big mouth as if half the things you say are funny." Ryan responded.

"Like I said its not my fault you weren't born with a sense of humor."

"Jonathan do shut up." Chary said.

"Oh so you're taking wolf boy's side."

"I'm not a wolf you idiot."

"Ryan for once just don't go there. And don't call him an idiot." Kristina said trying to make sure this argument didn't go farther than name calling.

"So you're taking his side."

Brian shook his head, not really believing they couldn't put their differences for once and see the situation they where in.

"I guess those two will never change." He heard Matthew say behind him, clutching the robe as if its owner was wearing it.

"I don't think by choking the robe you can kill Sirius Black."

Matthew loosened his hold, "He's not the one I want to kill. I can't believe I let this happened."

"Its not your fault Matt. Sooner or later we both knew Dumbledore would find us. We of course hoped it would be later." Brian said, trying to make him feel better.

"How insensitive am I being right now? You're stuck right down in the middle between both Dumbledore and Voldemort, I should be asking how you're dealing with that, I mean seeing your grandfather again has to mean something."

"It's not like he's my real grandfather." Brian said trying to hide his true feelings on the matter concerning Albus Dumbledore.

"Come off it Brian. You haven't seen him since that day you asked him to talk you about your . . . well you know what I'm talking about." Matthew said.

Brian knew exactly what he was talking about. After he had recovered from the shock that Lord Voldemort was his father he had locked himself in his room. Thinking about it now he hated himself for the way he had acted during that time.

Three Years Ago

Brian watched from his bedroom window as he saw his family get in the limo his mother had requested for their night out on the town. He closed the thick blue drapes, before his mother turned around to look at him. He had been ignoring and avoiding her for the past months.

He could still hear Lucius Malfoy's cold voice in his head telling him that You-Know-Who was his father.

The knock on his bedroom door, had stopped Brian from becoming sick once again. "Who is it?"

"It is I, Master Brian." He heard Andy's quiet voice say.

Master was not a word he wanted to hear ever to be associated with his name. "Come in."

Andy didn't even bother to open the door, he just Apparated himself in, "Master Brian you told Andy sir, to tell you when Missus Emily and the rest of the children had left."

"Thank you Andy, you can leave me alone now." Brian said, not bothering to look into the house elf's huge innocent eyes as his mother had raised them to do if they ever found themselves asking Andy or any house elf for a favor.

I wonder how many house elves did my father use for his cause? Did he ordered them to kill for him, or did he not even bother to consider them in his grand plan?

"As you wish Master Brian."

From the corner of his eye he could see Andy bow at him. Brian couldn't control himself, he was standing on uneven ground since Malfoy's shocking confession. He whirled around and walked towards the crouching house elf and grabbed him by his shoulders. He then lifted him up so they could be face to face.

"I'm only going to tell you this once Andy, if you ever bow to me again, or call me Master, I will personally give you one of my clothes." He then let him go in mid air, and he watched as Andy fell to the ground.

Seeing Andy picking himself off the ground and watching him walk away without saying anything but a simple, "Yes sir." Made Brian even more sick to his stomach.

I can't believe I did that to Andy. If I'm capable of losing control, what else am I capable of?

There was only one place he knew where he could find the answer he was seeking for, and that was at Hogwarts. Of course Brian had no means of going there. And he really didn't want to. He could still remember going there to visit him as a favor to his mother, and his own curiosity to meet his Grandfather Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.

Though Brian knew, as well as the whole Wizardry World, that his mother Emily De'Varces and his Aunt Rebecca De'Varces were adopted by Albus Dumbledore as a favor and deep affection for the De'Varces family.

Brian wasn't a hundred percent sure about his mother's family history, the only thing that he was sure was that Gellert Grindelwald had murdered his biological grandparents and the rest of the De'Varces line, because their allegiance with Albus Dumbledore.

His mother and his aunt were to young to remember who their biological parents were, but Dumbledore had always been honest with them about their lineage. His mother had told him when he was younger that Dumbledore was a great father to her and her sister, that he took them in when he could have just let them be put into the London orphanage system.

She had also told him that she had named him after her two fathers, Brian Abraham Riddle.

When he had met the Great Albus Dumbledore in person, he was nervous. He was nine years old, and had practically read all he could about him. Brian couldn't believe that this great and powerful wizard who had done such great things, called himself his grandfather.

Their meeting had gone great. So great that he would stop by every now and then when it wasn't so crazy at Hogwarts. His mother was even happy at seeing her adoptive father reunite with her children. Of course it didn't last, Dumbledore had started talking to them about Hogwarts, getting them excited for when they would receive their own acceptance letter.

His mother was not pleased with that. Emily De'Varces valued education, she admired the professors out there making a difference in each child's life. Before she had gotten married, she was going to University to get her teaching credentials. So when she told Dumbledore that none of her children where going to step foot at Hogwarts, all hell broke lose.

It had started with the constant owls delivering their acceptance letters, it didn't matter where his mother would take them, those Hogwarts owls would find them. They stopped when his mother went straight to Hogwarts and had a long discussion with her father. Brian had never found out what happened during their little meeting, the only thing he did know was that Albus Dumbledore was no longer welcome at their house, and he was no longer his grandfather.

I hope he keeps the promise he made me a long time ago.

Brian rushed downstairs to his mother's study. When he burst through her doors he headed for her desk. He took a piece of parchment paper, a quill and an ink bottle and began writing.

Dear Professor Dumbledore,

Its me Brian. A long time ago you told me that even though we do not come from the same family tree, you still considered me your grandson. You also told that if I ever needed your help you would do everything in your power to do so. As of three months ago I found out a terrible secret. A secret that I believe you know a great deal about. A secret concerning the true identity of my father. I know you are extremely busy, seeing as the school year is coming to an end. But I honestly need to talk to someone that will come fort with the truth. And I don't think my mother or Mr. Malfoy will.

Brian A. Riddle

As quickly as he could he rolled up the parchment and ran towards the owlery. When he reached outside he ran passed the gardens, the fountains, the pool, as he saw the birdhouse coming his way, he picked up his speed. When he entered the owlery, he ran to the nearest end, where his own owl Skyler was resting.

"Hey Sky wake up, I need you to deliver this to Dumbledore at Hogwarts right away. Its important."

Skyler was none to please being roused up from his rest, but he extended his legs for Brian. When he finished tying the letter securely, he waited until Skyler attached himself to his arm. He took him outside and watched as he flew into the light cloudless London sky.

Brian had waited until the sun had fallen over the horizon, when he didn't see Skyler or any of the familiar school owls coming to give a response, he went back inside and locked himself in his room.

He couldn't believe that he had let himself think that Dumbledore, a man who had no ties to him whatsoever, would drop everything he was doing to come to his rescue.

I'm no one to him, I'm simply the son of his enemy.

As he closed his door and turned on the lights in his room, he was surprised at who he saw.

"You came?"

Standing in his room was Albus Dumbledore, looking much bigger than Brian remembered.

"Of course I came, you needed my help and I had a promise to maintain." He said smiling down at him.

"I figured you wouldn't want to come, seeing as you and I are not really related." Brian said as he got closer to were Dumbledore was standing.

"That may be, but I still love your mother as if she was my very own daughter, so that makes you and Crystal my grandchildren. Nothing is going to change that." He said placing a comforting hand on Brian's shoulder.

"Not even the true identity of who my father was?" Brian asked.

Dumbledore shook his head, "Your father is not Lord Voldemort."

"But I heard my mother and Mr. Malfoy talking. And Mr. Malfoy said rather clearly for me to hear that You-Know-Who was my father."

"Well Lucius never did know how to keep his mouth shut. And last I remembered your mother told you never to listen in on her conversations."

Brian angrily shook of the hold Dumbledore had on his shoulder, "If you're not going to help me, then you should leave. Merlin knows if my mother where to find you here, she would throw a fit."

"I am here to help you Brian. You just haven't told me what you need my help with." Dumbledore said patiently, unfazed at his behavior.

"I wrote it in that damn letter. I need to know the truth about my father." Brian said losing his control once again.

"Alright then, I can help you with that. I knew your father way before he came to Hogwarts. You see Armando Dippet, the Headmaster before me, told me that a young orphaned boy was not receiving his letters. . . ."

"Are you sure we're talking about the same guy here? Because it sounds oddly familiar, its like I've heard this all before. . . yeah I read it in the Daily Prophet. I don't want to know about Harry Potter. I want to know about my father." Brian said, rather annoyed at Dumbledore's attempt to lie to him.

He thought he saw worry flash in Dumbledore's eyes at the mention of his supposed father's story and the similarities it had with Harry Potter. Of course it passed just as quickly, because he was chuckling at him.

"So you're mother has thought you to keep up with the current events?"

"Not really, I don't care about what's going on in the Wizardry World at the moment. I was just caught by surprise that one time when I saw Potter's face splattered on the front page." Brian said.

Dumbledore nodded his head, "Yes well Mr. Potter is an important figure in the wizardry world."

"Don't you think I know that already? He defeated You-Know-Who, and he was just a baby at the time."

"And that doesn't bother you? That he defeated Voldemort?" Dumbledore asked him.

"Why would it bother me? Because he's my father? That man. . . .no correction, that monster did horrible things, he killed innocent people. I figure no one should have the right to live after that." Brian said passionately.

"I told you already Brian, Voldemort is not your father."

Brian glared at him, "And I told you that I heard Mr. Malfoy tell my mother rather clearly, that he was."

"No Brian he isn't. Your father was Tom Riddle. Lord Voldemort is who he let himself become. There is a huge difference between them." Dumbledore said calmly.

Brian shook his head, "No theirs no difference between himself. If Tom Riddle let himself become You-Know-Who, than obviously he was already evil."

"Why do you call him by what people referrer to him, why don't you call him by his real name?" Dumbledore asked him.

Brian avoided looking at his penetrating gaze, "Because I'm not ready to call him by his name. To be honest I don't know what to call him. If you're right and there is a difference between who my father was, and who he later became, I have a chance of not. . .well you know."

"Actually I do not know, Brian." Dumbledore said, still looking at him intently.

Brian shook his head, "No it doesn't matter. You shouldn't have come, I'm just wasting your time. I'm sure they are more important things happening at Hogwarts right now that need your attention."

"Don't worry about Hogwarts and what I left behind, I told Minerva. . . .you do remember Minerva right?" Brian nodded his response, "Yes well I told her to tell anyone who needed me that I was called into London for an emergency, and that I wouldn't be available till tomorrow. So I'm here, my full attention is devoted to you, my grandson." He said adding the last part to make him feel better.

And it did, Brian smiled for the first time in what seemed like a long time.

"I'm scarred." He finally admitted to himself and to Dumbledore.

He couldn't look up, afraid that a brave man like Dumbledore would find it shameful to call himself a grandfather to such a coward.

Brian wasn't aware that Dumbledore was approaching him, he wasn't even aware that he was crouched down to his level, not until he felt both his arms holding onto his shoulders. That's when he looked up and found himself face to face with him.

"Its common for a boy your age Brian to feel scared of things that your mind and your heart cannot understand. I'm an adult wizard, and sometimes I find myself scared. But I don't think fear is what scares you, does it?" Dumbledore asked him.

"No I'm not scared of fear, that's Jonathan's problem. No I'm more scared of becoming him."

"You're scared of becoming Tom Riddle or Voldemort?"

Brian rolled his eyes in annoyance, "Who else do you think I'm talking about? I mean really becoming a lawyer isn't really something to be scared off."

"Like I said before Brian, I met your father when he was your age, a bit younger to be exact, and he was . . .well rather unique for a young boy of his age. He knew that he was different, that he was special. His powers were quite remarkable for his age. If his mind wasn't so set on darker things, he would have been a much greater wizard than anyone on this planet." Dumbledore explained to Brian.

"But what does that have to do with me?"

Dumbledore stood up and headed towards the mantel located above his fireplace, he took a picture frame in which held a moving picture of his family, "I see all of you have grown since the last time I saw you. How are Crystal and Kristina doing?"

Brian followed and stood by his side, watching Dumbledore looking at the picture intently, to intently for his liking.

"They're doing fine. Crystal, Kris, and Chary have been acting a bit weird around us, they no longer want to roughhouse with us."

Dumbledore chuckled at that, "Yes well young girls do mature faster than boys."

"You know I understand why you want to hear about your other grandchildren, but we were having an important conversation here." Brian said losing his impatience once again.

Dumbledore nodded his head as he placed the picture right where he took it from, "And you're quite right. Did your mother ever tell you anything about your father?"

"No she rarely talked about him. These past few months I've been ignoring her, I hardly leave my room."

"Well Emily never did plan on you finding out so soon about your father. She wanted to tell you when the time was right. That's partly the reason why she didn't want you all to go to Hogwarts this year."

Brian was surprised about hearing that, "Why? Do people aside from you and the free Death Eaters know of who my father was?"

"No not many know who your father was before he became disfigured and started calling himself Lord Voldemort. But some did know him as Tom Riddle. Many of the professors at Hogwarts who are still teaching know, some of my fellow comrades know." At the look of worry on his face, Dumbledore rushed to put him at ease, "Do not worry they have sworn to take this secret to their graves. Other than that no one of high power who is not foolish enough to admit any alliance to Voldemort knows about the identity of your father."

Brian let out a sigh of relief, "That's good, but if that's the case than why would my mum not want us to go to Hogwarts?"

"Because she believes that if word did eventually come out, some of the students would turn on you, your sister, your cousin and basically your whole family. I of course told her that, that wouldn't happen under my watch but she told me that there will come a time when all my attention will be devoted to someone else. And I think she's quite right on that matter."

"Is there something going on at Hogwarts?" Brian asked worriedly.

Dumbledore shook his head, "Nothing that I can't take care off. But like I was saying before, your father knew something was off about him that he was different from the rest of the children at the orphanage he was living in."

"Wait orphanage? He was an orphaned? What happened to his parents?" Brian asked.

As Dumbledore went into great detail of Tom Marvolo Riddle's life, Brian couldn't believe what his life would have been if he didn't have his mother with him. And that made him regret his behavior towards her. All she really was trying to do was protect her.

"So don't you see Brian you can't possibly turn out like your father." He finished explaining.

Brian waited until he took everything Dumbledore had said to him. Though he felt as if Dumbledore wasn't exactly telling him the whole story concerning his father.

"No I don't see." Brian said honestly not understanding.

"Okay lets try another approach." Dumbledore said as he looked around his room, when his gaze landed back at the picture he was looking at he turned to look at Brian, "You see that picture right there?"

Brian didn't have to struggle to see the picture, for his age he was rather tall, "Yeah what about it? I mean that's just us on our winter vacation to New York City."

"By the picture it seems you all were having fun."

"Well yeah we were on vacation. People who go on vacations usually have fun." Brian said still not understanding were this was going.

"Of course, what I'm trying to say Brian is that you were born into a life full luxuries, privileges and above all else love," said Dumbledore. "Your father was not."

Brian looked at the photo of his family laughing and waving their souvenirs at the camera. He knew beforehand that he was lucky. Growing up with Matthew, Ryan and Jonathan had proven that. And even before they had come along, he was aware he had what most people would kill for. Even then though Brian saw a fault to Dumbledore's reason.

"Just because you had a crappy childhood doesn't mean you just become evil. He had everything and he threw it away for nothing."

Dumbledore placed at comforting hand on his shoulder, "You're twelve years old and you already value what's important in life. You grew around it, he didn't. And because you grew up learning what's important, and he didn't that's why you're not going to be like him. Everyone has a choice in this life to make, at the end your father choice the wrong one."

"And you think I'll chose responsibly?" Brian asked.

Dumbledore pointed at the smiling faces of his family, "I think you will. But if not I'm sure they'll put you in place."

Brian smiled at him and at the picture. "Thank you for coming."

"I told you Brian if you ever needed me, I would come." He said gently still gazing at the picture.

"You can have the picture if you want, we have loads of copies."

Dumbledore smiled at him, his blue eyes twinkling, "I would love that. Minerva has been dying to see pictures of you all."

As he took the picture and put into his cloak, Brian something light up in his other pocket.

"Um. . .something's glowing in your cloak."

All the color had washed away from Dumbledore's face as he pulled out an object that Brian had never seen before.

"I'm sorry to cut this meeting short, but I am needed back at Hogwarts. I promise you, we'll get together soon, all of us, to just talk."

Before Brian could say his goodbyes, Dumbledore had disappeared before his very own eyes.

"That's strange."

"What's strange?"

He turned around and saw his mother looking at worriedly. She had a few bags in her arms.

"That I didn't hear you come in." Brian lied.

"Ah. . .yes about that, I would have knocked but your door was already opened." She said pointing to his door, she then lifted up the bags in her hands, "I got you a few things."

Once she finished putting the bags on his bed, she turned to look at him, "I know you have enough clothes as it is, but I figured you needed new summer clothes."

"Mum?"

"Yes Brian?"

"I'm sorry for acting the way I did these past few months. I was just angry and hurt, but most of all I was scared. I still am."

"I understand completely. I shouldn't have kept this from you or your sister. That's why I told Crystal earlier today about your father. She took the news a bit hard, just like you but we got to talking, and she's fine. Though she wants to talk to you. We both agreed to tell the rest when you're ready." Said his mother, "But wait why were you scared?"

"Because mum I thought that I would be just like him. I mean you know what they say the apple doesn't fall to far from the tree."

His mother rushed to him and hugged him to her, "You will not become your father Brian. You are to much of a caring and gentle boy to become like him. If theirs something I'm sure of, that's one of them."

As Brian stood there hugging his mother, he couldn't help but feel that everything she and his grandfather had said was true. Even though he felt as if Dumbledore was not telling him everything he knew about Tom Riddle.

Present

Dumbledore had kept his promise and had come to see them two years after that, but under different circumstances than to catch up with them. He came to witness his adoptive daughter's funeral. And the following year after that he came again to pay his respects to his granddaughter's funeral.

"That's not true, I saw him on the day of Crystal's funeral. He stayed away from us out of respect for you and the rest of us." Said Brian.

Once he had though he had wished he hadn't.

"He what?" Asked Matthew, "How dare he come to her funeral? He was the one responsible for her death. Him and his crazy ideas."

"Well they're not so crazy anymore seeing as he was right that Voldemort was building up his army once again. And you know what he wasn't to happy about being there either. He came as any grieving grandfather would. Not once did he mention the war or his damn Order." Said Brian, losing the small control he had over his feelings.

"And you believed him?" Matthew asked outraged at how naïve he thought Brian was being believing his own grandfather.

Adoptive grandfather, he really isn't anything to me. And I'm not anything to him either, not anymore anyways. I'm just his secret weapon against my father. I'm just another one of his pawns his needs for the greater good.

"Yes I believed him. I'm sorry I wasn't playing twenty questions with him. But for crying out loud Matt I was watching them bury my sister, right next to my mother." Brian paused willing away the tears that wanted to come out at the mere mention of them, "I'm sorry if I wasn't my usual self when I was around him."

Once he regain his composure he felt horrible for putting all his anger on the current situation on Matthew.

He's my friend and I treated him like crap just because I can't keep my emotions in check.

"You're weak my boy. And you call yourself my son."

Brian shook his head, he really didn't want to be hearing his father's voice right now.

Not only am I stuck here hearing my DEAD sister's voice, I'm also going to be hearing my father's. I wish I was normal, because living in a world run my magic makes hearing voices possible.

"Matt, I was out of line. I shouldn't have . . ."

Matthew raised his hand to stop him from continuing, "You had every right to tell me all that. I was the one out of line, I was the one asking for to much. I guess every time I see or hear anything about that man, I get blinded by rage."

"Its funny really how I can't hardly remember a day in which I didn't hate him." Brian admitted.

"That's not true, you admired him when you were a kid. The thought of him being your grandfather was the greatest thing in the world." Matthew said.

"Yeah well that seems so far off now."

Matthew smirked at him, "I know what you mean. Aside from the great times I had since Emily adopted me, I can't hardly remember anything about being a kid at that orphanage. The only thing I can remember is the smell of that place and a flash of green light. But that probably has to do with my parents' deaths."

"I kind of forgot your own ties with my so-called grandfather." Brian said thoughtfully.

Matthew shrugged he was over his parents' deaths since a long time ago, "I don't blame Dumbledore for my parents' deaths. He ordered his people to take them out. If Potter's parents were as great as the public made them out to be, then maybe they'll still be alive rotting in Azkaban."

Both boys were so into their conversation that they didn't see Aaron grab his head in pain. They did see however, was Aaron collapsing to the ground his body shaking as if he was having a seizure.

"He's having a vision!" Tom yelled to them all as he rushed to make sure his friend didn't hurt himself anymore.

Chary and Kristina rushed to Aaron as well. Kristina took hold of his arms as Chary held his legs.

Jonathan rushed to get the discarded robe, he ripped a part of it and handed it to Tom so he could pressure on Aaron's already bleeding nose.

"Hold his head back." Ryan instructed Tom.

But that was a bad idea, seeing as Aaron was trying to speak.

"They're coming. . . two figures are coming for us . . .armed with their own wands. . . intent on damage. . ." And with that Aaron lost all conscious.

"They're getting worse." Jonathan said as he watched Tom clean the blood from Aaron's face.

Matthew turned to look at him, "How can you tell?"

"The nose bleeds are coming faster, his visions are getting shorter, and he's losing conscious a lot quicker." Jonathan pointed out.

Brian nodded his head in agreement, "We need to find a way for him to control them, or else he'll start to lose way to much blood, or he'll slip into a comma."

"Don't worry we'll find a way. Once we get out of here, that's our first priority." Matthew assured them all.

"Yeah well we need to find a way out of here before we go around doing that." Said Jonathan pointing at the magically locked door. "And like Ryan said earlier, we're not getting out until they let us."

Brian saw Matthew's face lighten up with the look that he could only describe as the plan face.

And he wonders why we call him our leader.

"Well didn't you hear Aaron? Two figures are coming with their wands intending on causing some damage. Very unlike Dumbledore, but maybe he's on a new set of plans. So this is what we're going to do . . ."

Patrick Doyle's Lines translated into English

Its in Gaelic Irish means: The Master of Darkness? I wonder if the man would like to be called that?

Means: If your family does not believe in you, well you only have yourself.

Means: No wait, correction a mudblood. I must really learn how to say that.

Means: Old.

Means: Apparently not me. I'm such an idiot.

What kind of man would send someone to kill his own flesh and blood?

Means, what is so special about those boys?

Means, I'm not worried, I'm just wondering what would the great Albus Dumbledore need them for?

Means, you know what, I think we should head out. This place gives me the creeps.

Means, I wonder where those boys are?