Chapter One: A Different Beginning.
Shadowy figures moved in the dead of night in the small coastal town of Bandol, France. The air hung heavy, humid as was normal for mid-July. However, there was something else hanging in the air, something more sinister. Oliver Potter was on alert, he had received word that Lord Voldemort was searching for his younger brother and his family. That Voldemort may send his followers to find him and his family to try track down James. Oliver and his wife Aven had begun preparing to go into hiding.
It had taken Voldemort years to notice the connection between him and James. He himself had always put that down to the fact that he was so much older than James, he had been fifteen when his brother was born. Many did not even know they were related, but when you stood them side by side you could have sworn they were twins, with minor differences. Where James's hair was untidy and unkempt, Oliver's was neat and kept trimmed. James was much more outgoing and free-spirited, Oliver much more serious.
Oliver was shaken out of his thoughts by a crash, followed by loud meowing. He breathed a sigh of relief, 'Merlin Ollie, get a grip.' He muttered to himself. He turned himself back to the letter he had been composing. Finishing it he went to find his owl, 'Take this to Sirius Black, he will make sure this gets to my brother.' He gave his owl a gentle pet and watched as she took off and disappeared into the night.
Oliver's stomach tightened. The whole street had fallen silent, which was unusual. He quickly ran up the stairs, two steps at a time, and into the bedroom. 'Aven' he whispered hurriedly shaking her awake 'honey wake up.' She jolted awake her dark eyes wide with fear. 'They found us?' she whispered quietly. Oliver nodded.
As his wife got dressed, he ran to his daughter's room, she was sleeping soundly. He picked her up careful not to wake her and held her close. 'I love you my little one, always know that I love you and I always will' he whispered to her and kissed her gently on her forehead.
Aven walked into the room, 'Give me her Ollie, let me say my goodbye' she whispered. Oliver handed his daughter to her. Aven held her close and told her about how she loved her, how proud she was of her and how she was destined for great things. As Aven said her goodbyes, Oliver gathered his daughter's things, and family photos and documents and packed them into a small box. 'Aven we have to hurry' he called 'I don't think we have much time'. They both ran down the stairs to the living room.
A loud crack echoed in the air 'It's me Ollie' said a gruff voice 'they are here, we only have a few minutes before they reach the house.' Oliver nodded, the colour in his face drained. Aven handed Emalia to him and kissed him lightly on the cheek. 'I will be back soon my love' he said to her as he stepped into the fireplace grabbing a handful of Floo powder as he did so. Aven turned to Robert to hug him 'You did not have to keep guard Robert' she said sadly. Oliver could tell that she was trying to fight back tears.
As the flames engulfed him, he saw his wife and friend grab their wands keeping guard. He arrived at his destination seconds later, a dimly lit living room oddly decorated with a large purple couch in the centre. Oliver placed his still sleeping daughter on the couch, placed her belongings on the ground beside her and a letter on top of her. He walked back to the fireplace and took one final look at his daughter unsure of whether he would ever see her again.
A single tear fell down his cheek as the flames engulfed him for a final time. Back in Bandol, Oliver blew up the fireplace so no one would be able to track where he had placed his daughter. A few seconds later the door was blasted into the hallway and seven shadowy figures appeared sending flashes of red, blue, and green light flying towards Aven, Oliver and Robert.
It was a humid night in the small coastal town of Bandol, France and all was calm and unmoving and darker than before.
Albus Dumbledore had been pacing up and down his living room since the early morning. He had woken up to find Emalia Potter asleep on the couch in his living room. The letter from Oliver Potter was short, explaining that they had no time left and to look after his daughter. Albus had called upon members of the Order to check on the Potters in Bandol.
He had asked Minerva McGonagall to visit him at his home. Like always she arrived precisely on time. He greeted her and engaged in polite chitchat for a few minutes, trying to delay the inevitable. 'Not many people remember Oliver Potter, Minerva' sighed Albus Dumbledore. 'Oliver Potter?' said McGonagall 'James Potter's older brother? I thought he moved to France after he left Hogwarts. A job with the French Ministry if I am not mistaken. Oh, he was a clever boy not very unlike his brother Albus you know.' She said with a sly smile.
As Minerva continued reminiscing about the past and comparing the two Potter boys Albus gave her a sad smile and looked at her with his piercing blue eyes. She stopped talking immediately; she could see that something was obviously wrong. 'What is it? Albus, what happened' she whispered her eyes widening a little. He looked at her, the sadness in his eyes becoming more pronounced. 'He's dead Minerva.' Minerva gasped. 'How? Why? What happened Albus?' her voice barely audible.
'A bounty was put on the heads of Oliver Potter and his wife. Voldemort thought he might be able to get to Harry through him.' He paused when he saw tears beginning to fall from and gave her a small pat on the back and conjured a handkerchief for her. 'He was found in his home not so long ago. He fought valiantly from the evidence found in the home. Voldemort did not personally attack him, no. The Ministry think that he gave the operation to his lieutenants.'
There was silence for a long time. Dumbledore cleared his throat, trying to budge the lump that was forming there. 'Did he have a family Albus?' she asked quietly. Dumbledore looked at her, he could see how upset she was and understandably so, Oliver Potter was an extremely gifted wizard and could charm the pants off anybody. 'No one can locate his wife at this moment in time but I am sure she will turn up soon.' He responded.
'No children?' she said looking relieved. Dumbledore hesitated. McGonagall looked horrified, 'No.' she gasped 'Please, please tell me the child.' Albus looked down at the Head of the Gryffindor house. 'My dear Professor McGonagall, the child of Oliver and Aven Potter is safe. She is staying with me and will be kept a secret from the world until the time is right for her to be reintroduced to the wizarding world.'
Minerva looked relieved but also concerned 'Do you think' she began. 'That this is the right path to choose?' Albus finished 'I do not Minerva, know what the correct way is from here, but one way or another Emalia Potter needs to live her life away from the eyes of the wizarding world.' Minerva looked at him and sighed 'If you think that is best Albus.' Dumbledore turned and looked into her eyes 'I do Minerva' he affirmed.
He turned toward the window to look at out at the cloudy night. 'I hope Emalia; I am doing the right thing for you.'
Emalia Potter was a witch. A very bright witch in fact. Albus Dumbledore had told her so on numerous occasions; and what reason did the great Albus Dumbledore have to lie to an ordinary young girl like Emalia. Albus Dumbledore, Emalia adored him. She grew up under his care.
Her parents died when she was just two years old, and she remembered very little about them, though she has seen them numerous times in pictures. Albus often told stories of them both and would chuckle every time he remember her father getting caught out of bed in just his underwear when he was just sixteen.
Her father was a very tall, and broad shouldered man. In the pictures she had seen; Oliver Potter had shoulder length, but neat, jet black hair and hazel eyes which had the glint of merriment and mischief. She looked nothing like her father, a fact she noted many times, however Dumbledore often told her that her demeanour was exactly like Oliver's, which made her happy beyond belief.
Her mother, Aven Potter had radiant blonde hair and glittering blue eyes. She gave the air of a very great witch and a kindly woman. Emalia thought she was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen, and secretly wished she could be as beautiful as her mother.
Whenever Emalia looked at the photo of her parents on her bedside table, she wished that they were there with her. She missed them more than she could express. She wished as hard as she could that she could hug them once more, just to remember something about them, anything.
When Emalia turned eleven in May 1989, Dumbledore told her that she would not be going to Hogwarts in September with the other witches and wizards her age. Instead she would be going to Beauxbatons Academy of Magic in France.
'I have all sorted with Madame Maxine, and you shall be getting a portkey from the garden and it will take you to the Beauxbatons grounds.' Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled. 'The Minister has allowed me to set up a portkey in the back garden. Very kind of him don't you think Emalia?' he mused.
Emalia was gobsmacked. She had assumed that she would be going to Hogwarts with Albus in September, or Professor Dumbledore as she had begun to think of him as. 'I' started Emalia. Dumbledore looked at her with kindly eyes. 'I'm not going to Hogwarts' she said, tears filling her eyes.
Dumbledore looked at her for a few moments. At first, he seemed shocked at what Emalia had asked of him, but he regained his composure and ushered Emalia over to the dusty old purple sofa in the living room. 'My dear child, you of course have a place in Hogwarts. However' he said 'It is not yet time for you to come to Hogwarts'.
He held up his hand as Emalia began to ask a question. 'Emalia, you must first let me finish answering your first question before you ask a second. Once I have all explained then, if I think I should give you an answer then I will. I will not lie to you Emalia, but at this moment in time if I will not give you an answer then it means that the time is not right for me to answer it. Understood?' he said and looked at her until she nodded her head in agreement, rather reluctantly.
'Great!' he exclaimed 'Now I shall continue. As you know, I am your godfather and when your parents died nine years ago you were left under my guardianship as you had no other relatives who could look after you. I raised you my own and I even started your education early because as I have always told you Emalia, knowledge is power. You are old enough I believe to know the truth in regards as to what happened to your parents.' He paused to look at her.
'They were murdered my dear. Yes, I do regret not telling you the details sooner but alas, I deemed you too young. In my mind you are still too young to know this but many people will wonder and question you when you go to Beauxbatons and I would rather you hear this information from me than from anyone else.' He finished.
Albus paused for a second to take a breath and to figure out where he was going to go from here. He could see the confusion and upset forming in Emalia's eyes. Deep inside he wished to Merlin that he didn't have to tell Emalia all this. Seeing her hurting was more than he could bear. He had come to love Emalia as a daughter, and he would do anything to spare her from all of this but he knew he had to tell her this someday and now was as good as any day.
He looked at this beautiful little girl. 'She looks exactly like her mother, but she acts and thinks exactly like Oliver' thought Albus as he smiled sadly. 'The day they were lost was a sad day for the wizarding world. Such brilliant wizards.' He looked at the little girl more closely and saw her trying to fight back tears.
'Emalia' he said softly 'Your parents fought bravely against a very bad wizard who went by the name of Lord Voldemort and his followers to make sure this world was a better place for you and all the other young witches and wizards in the world. You should be proud of them.' Emalia looked up into the blue eyes of the kindly old man she considered to be family and knew that he was telling the truth.
'You have to go to Beauxbatons for the time being, it is for your own safety. Make new friends, study hard and enjoy yourself.' Dumbledore chuckled 'Merlin knows you've spent too long in just my company. I think Beauxbatons will be a nice change.' Emalia nodded and she turned to leave the room. Dumbledore sighed and with a heavy heart he sent an owl containing important information about Emalia to Madame Maxine. 'I only do what is best for you Emalia, believe me. It is for the best.'
The date of her departure came upon them quickly and soon it was time for Emalia to leave for Beauxbatons Academy for Magic. Try as she might she could not find the will to be excited about attending Beauxbatons, she was severely disappointed that she was not attending Hogwarts this year. Although she was disappointed she knew by now that Albus had her best interests at heart and always had a reason for everything he did, even if she did not appreciate it right in that moment.
She finished packing a few keepsakes into a small bag and then changed into her blue silk Beauxbatons uniform, when she heard a small knock on her door.
'May I come in Emalia?' said a voice through the door. Emalia sighed. She really did not want to go to leave her home. 'Yes' she said in a small voice that didn't really sound like her. The door opened and in walked Albus Dumbledore in his favourite purple and gold robes. 'It is nearly time to leave. I have already sent on your belongings to the Beauxbatons Academy.' he explained. 'Now I want you to write to me every week to let me know how you are getting on. I am always there for you Emalia. Now come on the portkey is about to leave.'
Emalia stayed rooted on the spot. Albus turned around and looked at her. He walked over to her, sat down on her bed and gestured for her to sit beside him. She sat beside him wordlessly. He took a hold of her hand 'I know that you are upset about not attending Hogwarts, but I promise you that sometimes we have to take a path that is different to the one we have our hearts set on.' Emalia shrugged at this not really interested in what Albus was saying to her.
Albus sighed. He turned to her and said 'When you arrived in my home nine years ago, I made a promise to myself and to you that you would get a chance to experience both parts of your heritage.' Emalia looked up at Albus and saw the sadness in his eyes. 'And I plan on keeping that promise Emalia, even if right now you might hate me for it.' He finished. Emalia hugged him tight 'I could never hate you Albus' she whispered into his side.
He smiled and returned the hug. 'Come now, or we will be late' he said. Dumbledore led Emalia down to the garden to the plastic gnome which was acting as a temporary portkey. Dumbledore turned to face Emalia, tears in his eyes. 'Goodbye Emalia, and remember you always have me.'
Emalia grabbed hold of the gnome's hat. 'Goodbye Albus' she said trying to swallow the lump in her throat 'I'll miss you.' Dumbledore smiled his blue eyes twinkling. 'Maybe you'll find something for you when you arrive at school that will cheer you up.' Emalia looked up puzzled, but Dumbledore said no more and just kept on smiling. The portkey began to glow and suddenly Emalia felt like she was pulled by a hook from her navel to her destination.
Emalia arrived in the middle of a forest. The sunlight shone through the gaps between the trees lighting up the undergrowth that surrounded her. The air was warmer than back at home, she could feel it on her skin and when she inhaled through her nose. She was alone, but unafraid even in this unfamiliar terrain.
She heard a small pop from behind her which caused her to turn around suddenly. Standing front of her a tall witch with willowy brown hair and bright green eyes, in a place which Emalia was sure was empty just moments ago.
'Good evening Miss Potter.' Said the tall witch 'My name is Professor Guinevere, I am the charms mistress. The Headmistress bid me come collect you as she is currently indisposed.' She smiled brightly, almost glowing when she did. Emalia smiled back and introduced herself. It was good manners and Albus had raised her to be polite.
Professor Guinevere stopped to examine the child. 'Something about this child is vaguely familiar.' she thought to herself. Professor Guinevere then offered her arm to Emalia 'Now if you are ready to leave we shall proceed to the nearby town and then to the palace.' She said simply.
Emalia was confused. Dumbledore had explained to her that she would be arriving a good deal away from the school. Did this teacher expect her to walk all the way there? 'Surely not!' she thought. Emalia cleared her throat, which caused Professor Guinevere to look down at her quizzically.
'Excuse me Professor, may I ask how are we supposed to get to the school? Albus told me that I would arrive possibly miles away from the school. Will we be walking?' she asked. Professor Guinevere chuckled 'Goodness me child no. I am sorry I should have explained more thoroughly. We shall be apparating. Since you cannot apparate by yourself yet I will assist you. If you grab my arm and hold on tightly then I will apparate and we shall arrive in the small town near the palace.'
There was a brief pause as Professor Guinevere waited for Emalia to comprehend what was being said. 'I must warn you child that it may be a little uncomfortable but afterwards you will be fine. Now, grab my arm and hold on tight please.' She said smiling down at Emalia.
Grabbing Professor Guinevere's arm tightly Emalia was excited, she had only read about apparation in books and what she had asked Albus. 'Here we go Miss Potter' said Guinevere 'Hold on tightly.' She turned in the spot and with a small pop the forest was empty again except for the creatures that dwelt there.
Emalia felt like she was being squeezed into a tiny tube, then suddenly she was stretched out to her normal form again. She felt disorientated at first but gained control of her composure. She looked around her; she was in the centre of a little village. A sense of fear came over her. 'What if Muggles saw us apparate here?' she thought her eyes grew wider the more she thought about it.
'This village is a magical community, no Muggles live here' said Professor Guinevere as if she had read what was on her mind. 'There are quite a few of these magical villages around here. The Beauxbatons Palace is close by. We will fly to the entrance of the grounds and then walk from there.' Professor Guinevere took out her wand raised it and summoned some brooms. 'Can you fly?' she asked looking at Emalia.
Emalia smiled. She remembered when Dumbledore bought her a broom for her eighth birthday, a nice Cleansweep Five. She loved the freedom she felt when she was up in the air. Although she had to be careful not to be seen by any Muggles so she would just stick to the back garden. 'I can fly Professor.' She replied.
The two of them then mounted the brooms and headed toward the entrance of the school. When Emalia first saw the academy, she noticed that it looked different to what she imagined it to be. It was a beautiful large shining palace; she had thought it would have been an old castle like Hogwarts.
She could not have been more wrong. The grounds were massive and grandiose. Similar in size to that of Hogwarts but much more ornate. It was almost as if it was preserved in resin it was so perfect it hardly seemed real.
Professor Guinevere noticed the amazement on Emalia's face. 'Beautiful isn't it?' she said 'I think you will like it here Emalia.' Looking at the surroundings, Emalia finally started to believe that for once she felt that she was meant to be here, like a part of her belonged here.
Professor Guinevere indicated towards an open space just in front of the gleaming castle. 'We will land over there right in front of the castle. Most students have already arrived, but term does not start officially until the thirtieth, so you will have a day or two to get familiar with your surroundings.'
As they began their descent, Emalia began to genuinely look forward to attending school here. They landed on the perfectly trimmed lawn, Professor Guinevere escorted Emalia into the palace.
