Sorry this is a little late, some of the words just didn't flow, and I rewrote it several times. I'm still not happy with it. There's not much action in this chapter, but - as you'll be able to tell by the end - there will be a lot next time! Which leads me to my next point: I sincerely apologise for the MASSIVE FREAKING CLIFFHANGER at the end of this chapter. If you hate cliffhangers like most people, I am really, really sorry, but I had to cut off this chapter somewhere. It was getting really long.

There's some explanations for Dumbledore's actions in the first scene. It's slightly AU, I know, but that's kind of the point of this whole story. I've had it planned since the start. This chapter has also not been as thouroughly proofread as some of the others, so sorry for any mistakes.

Wow, I'm apologising a lot for this chapter. I hope you all enjoy it.

So now I'll stop rambling on - here's chapter seven...

A Stolen Childhood

Chapter Seven: A Twisted Reflection

It had been less than a day and Ashton was back in Professor Dumbledore's study, demanding answers. As soon as he was recovered, he had stormed his way into Dumbledore's office, behaving uncharacteristically fierce. I wouldn't have to do this if he would just tell me straight off, he thought irritably, pacing back in forth in front of the silver-haired wizard, who was smiling pleasantly and watching as Ashton spun on his heel and walked one way, then the other.

"You know what that glow was," Ashton stated. "Tell me."

"I would have told you soon, my dear boy," said Albus, choosing his words carefully. "You are still recovering from the attack -"

"It told you, I'm fine," said Ashton, though it wasn't entirely true. He still felt random, shooting pains in his scar, which disappeared within a few seconds, and he felt slightly nauseous, but he was well enough to hear anything Dumbledore had to throw at him. "And you would have waited and put it off, again and again, like you did before. Tell me the truth. What was it?"

"Ashton," said Albus calmly. "I've known you since you were a child. You are holding back your real question, waiting to see if I answer it among the others you will ask me. Ask away, and I promise to answer you."

Ashton was shocked for a moment that Professor Dumbledore had been able to see through him that easily, but he recovered quickly. "Fine," he said. "How can you be so certain love is the answer? How can you know it will protect me? How do you know it isn't just a one-off thing? It protected me once, but it might not again. How do you know?"

The Headmaster sighed unhappily. He had wanted - selfishly, he knew, - to avoid telling Ashton this, to keep up the boy's good opinion of him. But he deserves to know the truth. He has given up so much; it is time we gave him something in return. "Very well," he said. "But first I need to give you a bit of background about myself or you will not understand."

Ashton listened, his jaw dropping in shock as he learned about Dumbledore's childhood and his relationship with Grindelwald. He couldn't believe it. Albus Dumbledore, protector of the muggles and muggleborns, had been willing to accept Grindelwald's views on them - in was unfathomable.

"Eventually, Aberforth confronted me about my neglect of Ariana. Grindelwald was angered and cast the Cruciatus on him. I confronted him but was still angry with my brother, too. Eventually, a three-way duel began. The curses actually started out relatively harmlessly. Ariana tried to intervene, but she could not, and the curses kept getting darker." Albus looked up and met Ashton's eyes. All he saw in them was horror. He may well think that. "Finally, it happened. Grindelwald cast the killing curse at me. I was too busy with my brother to notice until the last second. But Ariana - my poor sister, who I had neglected shamefully - leapt in front of the curse. She still loved me; after all I had done to her, she loved me because I was her brother."

Ashton was openly staring, his mouth open and eyes wide. Albus continued. "Grindelwald fled. He gathered power. Meanwhile, I went to Hogwarts and taught, hiding from power. It was my weakness, and I finally knew that. But I couldn't ignore Grindelwald. Eventually, I went and fought him. He had the elder wand. He should have been able to kill me easily. But he couldn't."

"Because Ariana sacrificed herself for you," Ashton said slowly, comprehension dawning on his face. Albus nodded.

"Yes. His dark spells hit a golden shield, though it did not appear when he cast light or ambient ones. Ariana was still a child, still innocent, and she gave her life to save mine. Her life protected me. I won the duel, and took the wand. But you see, Ashton; that is why I know Voldemort cannot kill you. The glow appeared because your scar, which Voldemort gave you, was paining you. It could do nothing to help, because it can only manifest as a shield, but it was there. And it will be if you encounter Voldemort again."

Ashton was silent for a moment. He had not been expecting this. He was still processing the fact that Dumbledore had been in league with a growing Dark Wizard, but he understood. He was safe, at least from Voldemort, and at least for now. He still had more questions, though. "So what does that have to do with love? Does it only work because Voldemort cast the killing curse at me and my brother? Why do I have to be innocent and able to love, won't it work anyway?"

"No, because it is love that fuels it, Ashton," said Dumbledore. "If you ever cease to understand it - if you ever stop loving your brother - the protection is compromised, and it will no longer defend you against Voldemort." Ashton did not flinch at the name, Albus noticed. And he had more reason to than most. I truly do not see why his name should terrify them. Disgust or provoke them; that I could understand, but why fear? Why feed the emotion he thrives on?

He knew the answer as soon as he asked himself. Because fear was the most natural emotion to feel when a Dark Lord was at large.

Ashton met Dumbledore's eyes, and he was shocked to see the certainty in his emerald green eyes. "Neither of those things will happen. I can never stop understanding love, because I am loved by so many people, and I love so many people. And how could I ever stop loving Harry? He gave up his life for me. If that's not love, what is? My twin brother is the reason Voldemort was defeated for ten years, or at least subdued. He's the reason I'm still alive. If I were to stop loving him -" Ashton drew in a deep breath "- I would be no better than a Death Eater."

Albus nodded as Ashton finished. We shall defeat you yet, Tom. You tried to destroy the light before. It didn't succeed that time because of Harry Potter. This time, it will be Ashton who destroys you.

And unlike last time, you cannot kill him in the process.

"There is one more thing I'd like to discuss with you, Ashton," said Albus. "Because of what happened last night, and because of new reports we have been given on Death Eater activity by Severus, we cannot wait until school begins to retrieve the prophecy. We go tonight." He watched the boy's face for a reaction. Shock, of course, but stronger was the curiosity, resolve and relief reflected in his eyes. Well, what did I expect? The prophecy has hung over his head for too long; now we will hear what it has to say.

"I'm in," said Ashton firmly, and that settled it.


"So we're going for the prophecy tonight?" Harry confirmed. The Death Eaters would be coming in any minute now - a meeting was about to start - but he and Neville had been called in by their father beforehand to be quickly briefed on what would be happening.

"Yes," replied Voldemort, one hand stroking Nagini's scales. "We have delayed this for too long, but I believe... you are both ready now."

"Of course we are, Father," said Neville. "You and your Inner Circle trained us yourself." He spoke with a self-confident air he had not displayed since Doge's death. Hopefully, he was no longer feeling guilt-ridden.

Voldemort's features twisted into a smile. Tenebris slithered out of Harry sleeve and coiled around his arm. "Finally! We are doing something again! It is boring to hang around in this place. Not enough people pet me."

"And you think that if we invade the Ministry of Magic, more people are going to indulge your vanity?" hissed Harry incredulously. "Tell me how that works out." Tenebris was a loyal companion, very eager and armed with deadly venom, but he was most certainly not modest. It was his biggest shortcoming.

Tenebris hissed in annoyance. "Maybe not, but at least it will be interesting!"

"So you didn't find sneaking into someone's house and murdering them in their bed interesting?" Harry responded.

"There was no light show," Tenebris complained. Harry rolled his eyes. Honestly.

"Whatever, Tenebris," Harry replied.

"The silver-masks are coming, snake-speaker. Are you and your brother to be seated when they enter?" the snake asked, opening his mouth to taste the air.

"Yes," Harry answered. He and Neville took their seats and fixed on their masks. Neville's falcon, Sanguine, flew in when the door opened and landed on his shoulder. Behind the flacon, Voldemort's full force of Death Eaters entered. Only the Inner and Middle Circle members were seated at the long table. The Outer Circle hovered around the door, terror and awe on their faces. Harry grinned as Regulus slid into the seat next to him, and Bella sat beside Neville on the other side of the table. Sanguine nipped her ear affectionately, and Tenebris slithered onto the table and nuzzled Regulus' hand.

"Remove your masks," commanded Voldemort. Most of the Inner Circle had done so already. The Outer and Middle Circles hastened to remove theirs, sometimes dropping them in their hurry. Harry hissed in annoyance. So clumsy! Sometimes I wonder why Father uses them at all. Numbers, I suppose.

"For the... benefit of the Outer Circle, no, I never was gone. I bided my time, putting my plans into action and recovering our forces that we lost in the last war. Most importantly, I acquired my heirs." Voldemort paused. Every eyes was on the two masked boys, who glared coldly back at them. "They are exceedingly talented and answer to no one but me. You will answer to them, is that clear?" It was. "Those of the Outer Circle, leave now."

The Outer Circle hastened out. They were never in meetings for long, only being told of what was expected of them afterwards. Some of the Middle Circle jumped slightly when the door slammed shut. Harry and Neville remained expressionless.

"And now... the plan. Tonight we will go to the Ministry of Magic and take the prophecy. It has been delayed for too long. I wish to know all of it."

Snape flinched at the look Voldemort gave him. Why do I do this? Severus thought bitterly. Is anything worth this fear?

"My Lord, the Order is planning to get the Potter boy to retrieve the prophecy tonight," Snape said, hoping to deter the Dark Lord from making his move, though he doubted he would succeed at that.

Voldemort's smirk sent shivers down his spine. "Well, then. We will have to bring more of the Death Eaters with us. And Shadow? Blood?" he said.

"Yes?" they answered.

"Wear your hoods, but not your masks. I believe it may finally be time."

The two boys grinned behind their silver masks. They had waited years for this. It would happen tonight. They would retrieve the prophecy - and reveal themselves.


Severus Snape hurried out of the fireplace in the Order Headquarters, brushing aside Shacklebolt, Black and Moody and zeroing in on Dumbledore. This was urgent - it was too dangerous to retrieve the prophecy now. "Albus!" he called.

"Good afternoon, Severus. Do you bring news?" the Headmaster asked, the all-too-familiar twinkle in his piercing blue eyes. Snape resisted the urge to slap the old man - was it not obvious he brought news? And it was hardly good news.

"Of course," he snapped. "Albus, you cannot bring Ashton to the ministry tonight."

"Why ever not, Severus?" asked Dumbledore.

"Because the Dark Lord plans to retrieve it tonight, and he's bringing his sons!" Snape fought to keep the snarl out of his voice. "Unless you have a death wish, you will have to give up on this prophecy!"

Albus' expression became grave. "That is grim news indeed, Severus, but we cannot give up on the prophecy. We need to hear all of it to understand the situation. All we can do is hope we get to it first."

"He has a point," Kingsley said. "This is madness, Albus."

"If it's madness, then I'm in!" declared Black cheerfully, as if nothing was more thrilling than a suicide mission was. Snape rolled his eyes. Typical Gryffindor - all brawn and not a brain to speak of.

"The plan goes ahead," stated Albus firmly, and that was it. Settled.


"You're going to get the prophecy?" said Hermione in disbelief. When Ashton nodded, her face paled. "Even though You-Know-Who-"

"Can't you call him Voldemort?" asked Ashton, knowing it was fruitless.

"- is going to get it as well?" finished Hermione, as though she had not been interrupted at all. Ashton glanced around at his friends. They were sitting in Ginny and Hermione's temporary bedroom, Hermione and the twins on one bed and Ashton, Ron, and Ginny on the other. Ginny looked slightly worried at the prospect, and so did Ron, but Fred and George didn't look particularly anxious about it.

"As we've said so often, Hermione, where's the fun without a bit of risk?" said George. "Dumbledore will be there, and Ashton's got his funny glow thing -"

"It only works against Voldemort," Ashton interrupted.

"So you don't need to worry about him, only the Death Eaters," said Fred. "Just muster up your dodging skills, Ash - Death Eaters are terrible shots." He spoke as if Ashton was going for a walk in the park wand was worried about a stray dog, rather than wandering into the ministry and trying to get a prophecy before Voldemort gets it, which was a far more alarming reality.

"Wish I could go with you. I'll go insane here, worrying about you fighting Death Eaters, Ash," said Ron. Ginny nodded in agreement.

"Aw, is ickle Ronnie worried for his friendy?" teased Fred.

"Shove off," said Ron, his ears going slightly red. "Course I'm worried for him, idiot."

"Calm down, Ron," said George. "Just a friendly tease, that's all."

"Yeah, well -"

"Can you three stop it?" asked Hermione exasperatedly, her gaze flicking from Fred to George to Ron, and occasionally to Ashton.

"Yeah, we're all worried, but it'll be fine," said Ginny, though it was obvious she did not quite believe what she was telling them.

Ashton did not quite believe it either. Somehow, amongst all that was happening to them, he could not quite believe that everything would be fine.


"When does the light show start?" asked Tenebris, for the fifth time. Harry gritted his teeth and told the deep green snake to be quiet. Sometimes he envied Neville for having a familiar that didn't talk. At the moment, Sanguine was perched on his brother's shoulder, silent and well-behaved.

They were leading one group of Death Eaters into the ministry through a back way, heading for the Hall of Prophecies. The other group, lead by their father, would come through the floo and hopefully distract any night guards. They might even make it through to the Department of Mysteries as well. Harry mentally brought out a map of the Ministry, checking his surroundings to figure out where they were. They had to go down one floor to get to the right level.

He renewed the disillusionment charm on himself and walked silently down the corridor. As well as leading, he was also the scout. His brother was in charge of keeping the Death Eaters in line, which didn't take much effort but was more entertaining than being the one who had to peer around every corner.

Somewhere along the corridor, a door opened and two ministry official bustled out, unaware of the presence of the Death Eaters. Harry knocked them out with two wandless and non-verbal stunners - even if he's wanted to use Unforgivables, that would set off an alarm in the ministry and the whole point was to remain undetected.

Sweeping them to one side of the corridor with a wave of his hand, they continued onwards, deeper into the heart of the ministry. They came to the lifts and had to take both to get all of them down. Harry stepped out quickly as the doors clanged open, hating the claustrophobic atmosphere inside the lift.

A sign declared 'Level Nine - Department of Mysteries', in bold lettering. Stepping past it, Harry pushed open a door into a circular room with several different doors along the walls. He paused, before selecting the door to the Time Room and opening it.

"Nice work," said Neville as they stepped inside. "I couldn't have remembered all that."

"You could have, you just wouldn't bother," Harry replied. Neville flashed him a grin.

Harry couldn't pretend he didn't feel slightly vulnerable without his silver mask on. After all, he'd warn it everywhere except in the Lair since he was five and a half. He felt exposed, as if a little part of him was missing, and he didn't like it. But if they were going to show the Order who they really were, they couldn't wear them. Still, he pulled his hood a little lower and crept onwards through the rows of Time Turners, towards the door at the end of the Time Room.

"This place gives me the creeps," Neville muttered, kicking away a Time Turner that had fallen off its shelf. "It's too quiet here."

Harry opened the door to the Hall of Prophecies and smiled at his brother. "Come on, Blood, you're not scared are you?"

"Merely self-preservative. Forgive me for not acting like an insufferable Gryffindor."

"Point taken," Harry replied, stepping through the doorway. The Hall of Prophecies was filled with shelves of dusty glass orbs that probably hadn't been disturbed in decades. Immediately he turned towards the correct row and lead the Death Eaters to the darkest end of the hall.

"Now?" Neville asked, as the Death Eaters renewed their disillusionment charms.

"Now we wait," Harry told him, his smirk open for the world to see without his silver mask.


"You ready, Ash?" asked Lily, fear for her only surviving son evident in her voice. "I don't want to lose you to some Death Eater's curse..."

"He'll be fine; he's got me and Padfoot to look after him!" declared James, a huge grin on his face. He was obviously trying to ease the tension. Most of the Order of the Phoenix didn't want to admit it, but they were all afraid. Voldemort, his heirs and his Death Eaters would all be at the Department of Mysteries tonight.

"I'll be fine," said Ashton firmly, trying to squash the niggling anxiety that was threatening to overcome him. What if I'm not? What if it's a trap? What if there isn't actually a prophecy? What if Dad or Sirius die? What if -. Abruptly he stopped that train of thought before it went on any further. It would do them no good for him to doubt himself.

"Be careful, mate," Ron told him. Ginny nodded, looking slightly worried. The twins were nowhere to be seen - Ron had told him they were using the opportunity to play a big prank, but he suspected they were trying to avoid the air of grimness.

"Come back safe," Hermione whispered. "Just - be careful, okay, Ash?"

"I will," he promised. He ran one hand through his messy black hair, trying to calm himself down. It's going to be fine.

"Come on, time we were going," grunted Moody. "Sooner we get there, less chance of running into You-Know-Bloody-Who and less of us will kick the bucket!"

"Aren't you feeling cheerful today, Mad-Eye," commented Tonks drily. "We're ready when you are, Albus."

"Let's go," Albus said. The Order stepped outside and James grabbed Ashton's arm. The disapparated for the ministry with a loud CRACK!

"They'll be fine," said Lily firmly. "Molly, shall we get the table ready?" She and Molly had stayed behind with the children - the Weasleys and Hermione.

"Oh - no - Ginny, Hermione, can you do that? Fred - George - dishes, dears - and Ron, the floor needs a good sweep..."

With a groan, the children began their respective chores.


Ashton stumbled when they landed a few streets away from the Ministry of Magic. It was raining slightly, and quite cold, but they performed some simple warming charms and walked briskly towards the entrance to the ministry. The warming charm didn't stop the rain, though - Ashton couldn't remember which spell did - so they were all soaked when they arrived at the entrance.

Ashton squeezed out his hair a little, but it didn't help much. Glancing around, he noticed they were in some kind of public bathroom. He knew how to get into the ministry from here, so when James nudged him towards a cubicle, he obligingly clambered into the toilet and pulled the chain.

Once the rest of the Order has arrived in the atrium, they took a good look around. There had been a fight here - the bodies of a few ministry official in ministry robes were lying here and there, and so was the body of a deceased Death Eater.

"He's here, then," said Kingsley. "But it looks like he went to some other level, no level nine."

"Maybe he doesn't know which level it's on?" suggested Tonks hopefully. It didn't sound likely, but no one could think of a better explanation.

They came to the lifts and rode down to Level Nine, the Department of Mysteries. "Okay so far, Ash?" asked Sirius. Ashton nodded, but the tension in the air was starting to get to him. His stomach was tying knots, much as he tried to ignore it. Voldemort was probably here already. The knot twisted further, but a small spark of anger wormed its way in. Voldemort would pay for what he'd done to his brother.

"You sure?" James checked. "We don't have to get the prophecy, you know. You look rather pale."

"I'm fine," said Ashton quickly. He wanted to hear the prophecy. It was the reason they'd been attacked that night on Halloween ten years ago. He wanted to know what it said, in full, not the half version Dumbledore knew. All of it.

James gave him a scrutinising look. "If you say so, but remember, Ash, no one's asking you to do anything rash. You just have to get the prophecy because until you do no one can touch it."

Ashton felt a small smile creep onto his lips. "You're telling me to defy my Gryffindor nature?"

James ruffled his hair, making it messier than it already was. "Of course not, Lionheart, but you've got to have a bit of self-preservation."

"You mean selfishness."

"Survival instinct," James insisted.

"Like a Slytherin?" Ashton teased.

James glared at him. "That is completely different, Ash. You're not one of those slippery snakes, but you don't have to throw yourself into battles without thinking first. That's not any part of being a Gryffindor."

"I'll keep it in mind," Ashton promised. "But I only promise to think first, not to stay out of a fight."

"You're only a fifth year, Ash," began James, but Ashton cut him off.

"And I defeated Voldemort when I was five, I'm the Chosen One to defeat him again and I have a magic glowing shield that protects me. I'm not a normal kid, Dad. I know you want me to be, but I'm never going to be."

James looked sorrowful. "I know, Ash. Isn't it ironic? We're going to fetch the damn thing that started this mess anyway."

"Yeah," Ashton said. They had come to the end of the Time Room now, and opened the doors to the Hall of Prophecy.

"This way," said Professor Dumbledore. The Order followed him to the correct row. "The one on the far end of this shelf, Ashton," he said.

Ashton walked down the row and came to the end, reaching out a hand to take the glass orb.

Suddenly, a boy with emerald green eyes stepped out of the shadows, snatching away the prophecy, a smirk on his all-too-familiar face.

"Mine, I think," said the boy coldly, casting off his hood. Ashton couldn't keep the gasp in. It was like staring in a mirror. The eyes, the messy black hair - a scar on his forehead, partially obscured by his black locks -

He was staring into the eyes of his dead brother, Harry.


So there it is... I again apologise for the cliffhanger and I promise I'll update sooner than last time! Please drop me a review, I really appreciate it!