Prologue 1- The Scorned Child of A Second Chance

The wizengamot was harsh and unforgiving, not just the austere harshness of the room's cold stone but the very air radiated a strictness as one of the most famed of lawyers strode into the room. Myrrdin Merlinius Fauste had not heard much from his daughter in over a year and in his own way he had assumed the worst. He had assumed correct, and he scowled as Annwn Elaine Fauste was raised up before the council from a cell in the floor, looking haggard and worn but utterly defiant.

A glare at his daughter was the only keeping her silent. The ageing man strode out, his intense emerald eyes practically glowing under furrowed eyebrows the color of silver streaked blood. "Judges," Myrrdin grandly proclaimed. "As you clearly see, there is not enough evidence to suggest my daughter would dare to aid the dark lord in any capacity, let alone be some unbecoming accomplice. And as we have just learned, she is with child. Would any of you, as a parent jeapordize the safety and well being of such an innocent? Even a man such as you, Bartaemeus..." Myrrdin said, pausing and smirking subtly, as the dark mustached man with hard dark eyes sitting at the foremost seats turned pale. "... can't deny that Azkaban is no place for a child. Whilst, I agree that scandal is at hand; surely scandal isn't treason." He paused glaring at Annwn again, but she ignored everything, proudly awaiting her sentence. "Surely, even a bastard deserves a chance at life?"

A murmuring went through the council, as another voice interceded, one soft spoken and hushed but confident and whismiscal. It was barely a whisper, but the room hushed when the infamous Albus Dumbledore spoke, eyes glittering cleverly over a pair of half moon spectacles. "I agree, Lord Fauste, that a child should not be held accountable for the sins of their parentage but would you suggest an actual crime remain unpunished? "

Myrrdin scoffed. "Of course not, Sir. " He practically spat the last word. "I would instead propose a different kind of prison. And with the dark lord vanquished, and the boy who lived victorious against him, is it not time for second chances? Are we honestly any better than He Who Must Not Be Named if we condemn an innocent, an infant, to die? What I propose is she is confined for the rest of her days to our home to raise and care for the child as a mother should..."

More murmuring erupted, but Dumbledore spoke again and all chatter once again was hushed. "I don't disagree with this, but the council would have to discuss it and vote upon it. What would you propose happen after? There are many things that still don't make sense. How does one punish the aiding in disappearance of muggles? How does one purport to leave no traces of their crime but witnesses instead..?" The headmaster replied in inquiry, his eyes knowing glittering as if he knew the answer. "Barty, what say you to this motion?"

Bartaemeus Crouch Sr, the pale faced man with cruel dark eyes, looked defeated. "...I suppose...I would vote uphold the law. No matter the cost. I vote Azkaban..."

"You would condemn a pregnant woman as quickly as you would your own son?!?" Cornelius Fudge spluttered, aghast at what he was hearing.

Barty, Sr went red-faced. "How dare you, Fudge...!"

Dumbledore interjected loudly. "Gentleman! Please! The vote!"

Fudge took a deep breath and glared at Crouch. "I second the motion to place Ms. Fauste in house arrest ..."

Soon all of the wizengamot voted, and by a narrow margin, Annwn was sentenced to house arrest. After everyone, except Dumbledore, and the Faustes filed out, a scarred wizard with shaggy white hair staggered in with a grunt. The Auror, Alastor Moody, was one Myrrdin knew by reputation alone. "You know what I'm going to do." He said matter of factly to Annwn. "Tracing charms, tracking spells, restrictive hexes, and the like." The he sighed, exhasperated. "Why didn't you just stand down, Annie...?"

"Because, Alastor. My daughter is stubborn..." Myrrdin said with a slight distasteful curl of his lip. Still Annwn ignored everything in the room her chin tilted upwards. "She refuses to break silence"

Dumbledore looked quite bemused, as Annwn glared at her father, the sixteen year old still defiant as her blood colored hair trailed in front of her eyes. "It is in her blood. " She replied simply. "And she is right here..."

Alastor grunted irritatedly. "Not really the time to fight again, Annie. Not the time nor the place. Did you learn nothing from me...?"

Myrrdin ignored him. "Daughter, if it wasn't for the Headmaster's faith in mercy, I might have left you in prison a day or so more. What were you thinking? Snatchers? Really?!? And attacking the aurors you were working with!?!? Disgraceful..."

Annwn scoffed in turn. "Says the man who joined Grindelwald!"

Myrrdin looked geuininely pained when Dumbledore, saviour as he was, intercepted again. "Annwn," he admonished. "Enough. We've all made mistakes in the past. Frankly, you were very lucky. Alastor is quite fond of you. And whilst he respects your proclivity for directness and unorthodoxy, I will not tolerate your brashness. Your father is right when he says there is more at stake than your pride..."

A few heartbeats passed and Annwn said, sounding scared. "Is he really gone, Professor? Truly?"

Myrrdin eyed the headmaster who seemed sadly to consider his words. Myrrdin knew the truth from his eyes, but said nothing as he heard the reply.

"I truly do hope so. I can only imagine how this bodes for your house as much as my school if we are wrong..."

Myrrdin knew exactly how it boded, especially after last time and he turned away. "I will see you at home." He said quietly, leaving to go utilize the floor network.

Annwn was stunned. "Is... he mad at me or not...?"

Alastor Moody shook his name of hair. "Disappointed, I think. We all are. You had such promise. Could've been the youngest Auror of your generation..." With that he left.

Annwn looked crestfallen. Her hero had abandoned her too. "Professor...What do I do?"

Dumbledore gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "What we can do in this, as with everything, is learn. Now come along, we have much to prepare for..."