Professor Albus Dumbledore paused at the start of Privet Drive when he saw the number of lampposts illuminating the street. "That won't do", he said quietly pulling out his deluminator and using it to remove the light from the lampposts. Now Privet Drive was completely in darkness save for the odd light here and there from porches and windows. It didn't matter about those lights as it was dark enough so that no muggles would see Hagrid on his flying motorcycle. A cat meowed, catching his attention. He glanced down and smiled at the feline whom he recognised as being Professor McGonagall in her animagus form. "I should have known that you would be here...Professor McGonagall".

Professor Dumbledore watched as the tabby cat grew, changing into the form of the transfiguration teacher "Good evening, Professor Dumbledore", she said politely. They walked past a couple of doors before McGonagall spoke again "Are the rumours true, Albus?"

She heard whispers that You-Know-Who had gone to Godric's Hollow to kill the Potter family. He'd managed to succeed in killing James and Lily but not Ember. The stories varied in what exactly happened to You-Know-Who after his killing curse rebounded when he tried to use it on the infant. Some said he died. Others say that he was extremely weakened. While McGonagall had hoped the former was true, she had a bad feeling it was most likely to be the latter.

"I'm afraid so, Professor. The good, and the bad", Dumbledore replied solemnly.

"And the girl?" McGonagall asked.

"Hagrid is bringing her", Dumbledore replied.

The Head of Gryffindor looked at the wizard in surprise "Do you think it wise to trust Hagrid with something as important as this?" she questioned.

"Ah, Professor, I would trust Hagrid with my life", the old wizard assured her.

There was a roar of an engine sounded in the sky making both professors look up in time to see a large flying motorcycle descending. It lands on the street, skidding a little before coming to a halt. Its rider, Rubeus Hagrid, pulls off his goggles. "Professor Dumbledore, Sir. Professor McGonagall", he greeted as he got off the motorcycle.

"No problems, I trust Hagrid?" Dumbledore asked.

The Keeper of Keys shook his head "No sir", he answered "the little lady fell asleep just as we were flying over Bristol". Hagrid then carefully removed the infant from the sling that rested across his chest.

"Albus, do you really think it's safe, leaving her with these people?" McGonagall asked quietly as they walked down the street towards number 4 where the Dursleys lived "I've been watching them all day. They're the worst sort of Muggles imaginable. They really are…"

"That may be the case but this the only place she would be safe", Dumbledore said interrupting her. McGonagall nodded in understanding.

"This girl will be famous. There won't be a child in our world who doesn't know her name", she pointed out.

"Exactly. She's better off growing up away from all that. Until she is ready", Dumbledore said before he gently placed Ember down on the ground by the front door. He then places a letter on top of her. "Good luck...Ember Potter", Dumbledore said softly after he stood.

Not long after they'd left, there was a loud crack and two people appeared. A woman with ginger hair, dressed in modern clothing and a man with black hair, wearing something that made him look a bit like a pirate. The two of them approached the house and knelt down in front of the slumbering infant.

"Goodbye, my sweet girl", Azalea whispered, setting down a music box next to their daughter. The Blacksmith pressed a light kiss on the baby's forehead. "Are we doing the right thing?" she asked as they reluctantly walked away from their child. It was just as hard to leave her like it was the last time when they entrusted their daughter to her twin sister and her husband.

"Honesty? No I don't think we are", the Time Lord admitted "but it's the only way to keep her safe from my people and the Dark Lord's followers". Azalea stopped walking and looked back at Ember. "One day we'll all be together again", her husband assured her "I promise".

10 year old Ember Potter tossed and turned underneath her thin blanket, whimpering from the nightmare she was currently having. She gasped awake, her eyes flying open. The girl sat up, her trembling hands going straight for the small music box. She turned the key and sat back, listening to the tune. Ember's twin hearts gradually stopped hammering in her chest as she slowly relaxed.

She jumped at the loud rapping on the cupboard door. "Up! Get up!" the ginger heard her Aunt order. Ember sighed, closed the music box and went to the door. "About time", Petunia said, looking down at her as she pushed the door open "get breakfast started". The girl made a face at the woman's back as she retreated into the kitchen. She utterly hated living with the Dursley's! They were horrible from ordering her about and forcing her to sleep in the cupboard under the stairs.

Ember reluctantly shuffled into the kitchen and proceeded to make breakfast as ordered. "Hurry up girl!" Vernon barked. The 10 year old's green eyes briefly flashed red-gold in annoyance and her grip tightened on the handle of the pan. She was sorely tempted to dump the bacon over his head or better yet, burn it to a crisp. However, she resisted the urge knowing it would earn her a few days locked up in her cupboard.

While the ginger was dishing up the bacon and eggs, her oversized cousin waddled into the room. "Happy birthday, my darling!" Petunia cried, hugging her son happily. She then placed her hands over his eyes and manoeuvred him into the living room where a large pile of presents sat.

Petunia removed her hands from Dudley's eyes, allowing to see his birthday gifts. He stared at them for a moment before turning to his father. "How many are there?" he demanded.

"36. Counted 'em myself", Vernon replied.

"36?!" Dudley exclaimed "but last year last year I had 37!"

Ember rolled her eyes as she dumped the pans into the sink. Her cousin didn't seem to understand the concept of being grateful. She chalked it up to the fact that his parents spoiled him rotten. "Err yes, well some of them are quite a bit bigger than last year", Vernon quickly explained, using his hands to emphasise his point.

"I don't care how big they are!" Dudley shouted back.

"Oh, now, now, now. This is what we're going to do, is that when we go out, we're going to buy you 2 new presents", Petunia said gently "How's that, pumpkin?"

"So I'll have…39", Dudley said slowly working out.

"That's right sweetheart", Petunia said with a smile, patting his shoulder.

About half an hour later, they were heading out of the house to go to the zoo. Before Ember could get into the car, Vernon shut the back door, blocking it with his hand. "Any funny business, any at all and you wont get any meals for a week", he threatened. The girl stared back at him defiantly, not at all scared of him. "Now get in". He stepped back, allowing the ginger to get into the vehicle.

Ember hung back while the Dursley's went on ahead, looking at the different animals. "Unbelievable", she muttered as she watched her cousin and uncle rapping on the glass to the Python's home.

"Move!" Dudley ordered but the snake didn't move "he's boring", he complained and moved away from the glass with his father.

"Sorry about him", Ember said, approaching the enclosure "He doesn't understand what it's like, lying there day after day, having people press their ugly faces in on you" the python raises its head and blinks, much to her surprise "Can you...hear me?" the snake nods "It's just...I've never talked to a snake before. Do you...I mean...do you talk to people often?" the snake shakes its head "You're from Burma, aren't you? Was it nice there, do you miss your family?" the snake turns its head in the direction of a sign, Ember following its gaze "Oh…" she breathed "I completely understand. I never knew my parents, either".

Dudley suddenly rushed over, shoving her aside. "Mummy, dad, come here! You won't believe what this snake is doing!" he cried happily. The boy pressed his hands on the glass, unaware that his cousin the glaring at him. Ember's eyes flickered red-gold and the glass disappears, causing Dudley to wretch forward, losing his balance. He screamed as he landed into the water.

Ember grinned as he coughed and spluttered. The python slithered out of the enclosure, stopping by her feet. "Thanks", he hissed.

"Anytime", the girl said and it slithered away, earning screams from the other visitors. Dudley stood up and was about to get out when he discovered that the glass was back. Terrified, he pounded on the glass, shouting for his mother.

"Mum, mummy!"

Petunia screamed, seeing him trapped inside the enclosure. "My darling boy! How did you get in there?! How did you get in there?" she cried. Ember's grin faded when Vernon levelled a glare down at her. That look meant that she was in very big trouble.

When they got back to the house, Petunia took a bundled up and somewhat distressed boy into the living room. Vernon slammed the front door and shoved Ember aginst the wall, grabbing her hair. "Ow!" the girl cried.

"What happened?!" Vernon demanded, his face bright red with anger.

"I swear I don't know!" Ember exclaimed and her uncle snarled, tightening his grip on her ginger locks "One minute, the glass was there and then it was gone! It was like magic!"

Vernon scoffed at her response and dragged her over to the cupboard, pushing her inside. "There's no such thing as magic!" he shouted at her before he shut and locked the door.