Chapter 13

June 1988

It was shortly after sunrise as Alison gave birth to a little girl. Admiringly she looked at her new-born daughter. She had beautiful blue eyes and curly black hair. Alison thought that her baby was the prettiest who ever had been born. The last hours had been painful but in that moment when Poppy had handed her the child, all agony had been completely forgotten, such happiness she had suddenly felt. Alison breathed Lizzie – after endless pondering Alison and Severus had agreed on the name Elizabeth but since she found the name too long she decided there and then to call her daughter Lizzie – a kiss onto the tiny nose and carefully leaned back into her pillows. Holding her child in her arms, she had to think of her parents and tears welled up in her eyes.

How much she wished that her parents would have been able to live to see Lizzie's birth. A faint noise caused her to look to the door. Severus stepped with rigid expression on his face into the room and Alison sighed. How great it could have been if they weren't forced to keep her marriage a secret.

Then Severus wouldn't have had to sneak into the hospital wing like a thief, always careful that no-one discovered their secret. The last months she had already feared that it wouldn't take long anymore until someone would find out that Severus and she were a couple. As soon as it had become obvious that she expected a child she had given rise to wild speculations. Especially her students had been curious and she had not only had the feeling one time that she was spied on. Additionally to the daily stress it had become too much for her some day so that she hadn't taught anymore since April and she missed it greatly but she hadn't been able to do it. Severus sat carefully down on the bed and as his eyes fell on the little bundle that rested in Alison's arms, he held his breath.

"She has exactly your colour of hair. Here, take her."

She gave the baby to him and almost had to laugh, when seeing how he held his daughter and his expression was really priceless.

He held her so cautiously that you could think he was holding a highly explosive thing in his arms.

"My daughter." He said this in a voice that sounded like he couldn't belief it.

Alison laughed softly. It seemed that men behaved always a bit strange when they became a father.

Two weeks ago Charlotte had given birth to a boy and Sirius had danced through Hogwarts the whole day. Exhausted and happy she looked at her husband and her new-born daughter, who sleepily blinked at her parents.

A few hours later Hermione came to the conclusion that Lizzie, though she was sweet, Jamie was much cuter. Jamie, who was currently in Charlotte's arms, screwed up his nose and Hermione had to laugh as the baby's face looked completely crumpled for a moment but since she got the impression that the visit was taking too long already and she was totally superfluous anyway, she waited for a lull in the conservation and asked Charlotte, if she could go to the Quidditch field, where she expected her friends. After she had said goodbye to Alison Lennox, she stepped out into the corridor.

As she had gone upstairs, she gazed at the branching off corridors and hesitated. Although she had been living in Hogwarts for several months already, it caused her still problems to find her way around in the huge rambling castle. That Hermione had been adopted from Sirius and Charlotte had been a stroke of luck for the little orphan. The new world, in which she had been put so abruptly, had been enough exciting to distract her to some extent so that she had hardly an opportunity to think of the events which had left her alone during the day. At nights however she wept bitterly, experienced in nightmares the last moments of her parents and missed them desperately while clinging to Charlotte and sometime falling asleep in her comforting hug.

Hermione, who had finally found the right way, stepped outside and set off to the Quidditch field to meet her friends, where they certainly were playing Quidditch.

In the first days which she had spent in Hogwarts, she had behaved rather coolly but Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom and above all Ron's sister Ginny, who was a year younger than they, hadn't given up. So that Hermione had made friend with them in the end and ever since they roamed through Hogwarts or played Quidditch, while Charlie, Ron's older brother was watching and looking after them.

At Quidditch she had also realized that she was a witch. It had been totally unintentional but she had said 'up' to a broom and he had jumped into her hand. She didn't even know why she had done it, perhaps because she had been sad that she hadn't been able to join in. Even Ginny – after Charlie had taught her to fly two months ago – had been able to fly. Only she had been left on the ground. It had been a great shock for her to discover this.

She had felt guilty of being a witch while her parents had been killed by wizards. Charlotte had comforted her and assured her that she did not have to feel guilty but nonetheless the feeling of guilt never left her, no more than the hate which filled her, whenever she thought of her parents and their murderers. When her waving friends came into view, she smiled and suppressed the memories which seemed to haunt her mercilessly.

It was early in the afternoon as Harry, Caro and Draco tried to sneak out of the castle. There was again an important Death Eater meeting – only for the Inner Circle – so that they could assume that they wouldn't be missed from anyone in the next few hours and therefore no-one would look for them.

They intended to go to Diagon Alley or better said they wanted to fly. Since they weren't able to apparate yet, flying would be the easiest and fastest way for them. As soon as Harry had told his friends about his plan, they had been enthusiastic and as well had been hardly able to wait until a good opportunity would finally arise.

The dungeons they fortunately reached without any difficulties and after walking about a quarter of an hour through a cramped and long corridor, they squeezed themselves through a narrow cleft, who stretched a deep crack through the old walls and entered the forest. There they got on their brooms and rose into the air.

In the large library of the castle Harry had found a map of Great Britain. Arreton's castle however hadn't been recorded on it so that Draco and Caro had had to discover the approximate direction in which Diagon Alley was situated through careful questions. Both had succeeded to get the information without arousing their parents' suspicion and so they finally reached Dagon Alley without any problems.

They got off their brooms and began to walk along the street. Apart from them there were only a few people on the way. Nearly all cast strange and curious glances at them. To see three children walking alone through Diagon Alley was not exactly a daily sight, at least in those times.

While Draco and Caro were looking inside the various shops, Harry slowly realized how dangerous their adventure could get. What, if they would be caught by the Order of the Phoenix?

Although he would be able to defend himself, he wouldn't have a chance against a whole bunch of grown-up wizards and Draco and Caro could do a lot less than him. But now it was too late to rack his brain over what could happen. Harry began also to look around and soon he had forgotten his fears, so much he was preoccupied with regarding the many interesting things in the windows. Caro, who had come to a halt, pointed to a small window, where a tiny snowy owl was sitting in a cage and asked,

"Look at that owl, isn't she sweet?"

Draco rolled his eyes, tore himself away from the sight of a racing broom and went back to Caro:

"You can buy her," he suggested.

"I haven't so much money with me. It would only be enough for an ice cream. We could go to Florian Fortescue and eat ice cream there. My Dad told me once that the best ice cream in the world is sold there."

"Good idea," Harry said. In the meantime he had begun to feel rather hot, so that he had no objections against a little cooling. Draco agreed too and so they sauntered to the ice-cream parlour which they found relatively easy while their eyes swept past the windows.

"Hopefully Fortescue has actually open," Caro muttered as she saw the deserted little tables which were standing in front of the ice-cream parlour.

"Let's go and see," Harry said

To their great delight Florean Fortescue was really there. The small man turned out to be extremely friendly and sold them wonderful large sundaes.

"Where are your parents? You shouldn't wander around alone in Diagon Alley. It is too dangerous. You never know when those damned Death Eaters attack again," He said with a worried expression while looking around as if he would expect an attack any second.

Harry realized that the man probably would not be so friendly to them anymore, would he know who they really were. For Harry it was the first time that he met someone who wasn't a follower of his father, apart from the old wizard who had sold him his wand. Harry however didn't think that Florean Fortescue was bad and evil, like he actually should be after his father's expositions, on the contrary he found him rather nice.

"Our parents will fetch us soon," Harry answered and smiled reassuringly at him while licking his chocolate ice cream.

In the meantime Caro and Draco looked at him, like he had lost his mind. The owner of the ice-cream parlour nodded and asked for their names.

"Those are Caro and Draco and I'm Harry."

"Nice to meet you. In the last time, it was rather lonely here. Ever since the war has started only a few have come to me. But it's understandable, isn't it? Who does want to eat sundaes, when there is war?" he asked, looked sadly at them and sighed deeply.

"The ice-cream is just wonderful, by the way. The best ice-cream I've ever eaten. My Dad was right," Caro tried to cheer him up. A beaming smile appeared on Florean's face.

"Really? Thank you. Who's your father? Do I know him?"

Harry, Draco and Caro looked at each other.

"I don't think so," Caro said hesitatingly.

Florean Fortescue just wanted to reply something as a deafening explosion caused them all to flinch in fright. Draco nearly fell from his chair and Harry chocked on his ice-cream while trying to reach for his wand at the same time.

"An attack! Quick, run away!" Florean screamed, spun around and disappeared inside of his little house.

Caro dropped her spoon in the cup with a rattling face.

"I think we should as well better disappear," she said. Her face was white.

From afar loud screams rang out, as they ran however fast they could into the opposite direction. Several corners further they heavily leaned against the wall of a house.

"I think it would be best to return," Harry uttered with difficulty. Caro and Draco only nodded. Flying high up in the air Harry looked down. But apart from smoke he couldn't see anything. For a while they were silent. Then Draco remarked,

"The ice-cream was a lot better than the one I eat at home."

"It's too bad that we couldn't eat it up. Why of all days did they have to fight today?" Harry asked while flying a swerve.

"The worthless Muggles and those wizards who aren't on our side have to be killed, that's why," Draco said.

Harry remained silent. That was exactly the same what his father always said. But was it right? Florean Fortescue had been friendly and nice and not at all mean or terrible. He didn't know it. He would think about it sometime. Caro interrupted his thoughts.

"We really have to go to Diagon Alley again. I want to buy that owl. She was so sweet."

Harry smiled.

"The moment a good opportunity will arise again, Caro." Harry said and in high-spirits he flew a loop. As he had overcome his fright by the explosion, he even found it exciting. It had been an adventure. Shortly afterwards they manoeuvred their brooms through the trees and landed into the forest. Hardly had Harry put his feet on the ground as he felt how a horrible coldness surrounded him. He had only just time to see a Dementor appearing in front of him; then he fell. He seemed to float and suddenly he saw a young woman with dark red long hair. She was beautiful and had emerald eyes. She shouted something while her eyes were despairingly looking at someone, he couldn't see. A voice, which seemed to come from a great distance, rang out.

"Not Harry! Please, not Harry!"

The coldness decreased and he heard other voices; first indistinctly, then louder.

"Harry! Wake up!"

"Harry!"

Slowly he opened his eyes and stared in the worried faces of Caro and Draco, who bent over him. Looking around he realized that he was lying on the ground in the secret passage way.

"For Heaven's sake, are you all right, Harry? You gave us quite a fright. What the devil did the Dementor do there?" Caro asked wavering.

"I don't know. What happened?" Harry's voice trembled.

"The Dementor came and you fainted. Since we didn't know exactly how to fight that thing, we dragged you into the corridor. We thought it would be best to disappear as soon as possible. You are pretty heavy, do you know this? Terrible beasts. I'm totally cold," Draco replied and shuddered.

Harry nodded and stood up. He felt very sick.

"Your face's ashen. Come, we bring you back to your rooms," Caro said.

She wanted to take his arm but immediately shrank back, when noticing Diamond who had stuck her head out of his sleeve.

"She won't bite me, will she?" Caro asked.

Harry shook his head, not capable of doing more. Caro looked at him doubtingly. Then she took his arm and supported him. Harry felt dizzy but with Caro's and Draco's help he finally managed to get back to his rooms. Arriving there they sank exhausted into the soft armchairs. Harry was glad about being able to sit down.

"What a day!" Caro said while running a hand over her forehead.

"Yes, but it was great, wasn't it? Except for meeting the Dementor. I really could have done without this.

What was he doing in the forest, anyway? I thought the Dementors guard the castle. So what did he want there?" Draco asked with raised eyebrows.

"Perhaps he got lost," Caro suggested.

A knocking interrupted them and a moment later Bellatrix Lestrange appeared in the door.

"Forgive me the interruption, My Lord. Carolina, come, we're going home and Draco, your parents await you as well."

They said goodbye and shortly afterwards Harry was alone. Strangely enough he felt relief that his friends had gone. But he wanted to think about what had happen in peace.

Who had been this woman? Had it been his mother? Certainly. She had had nearly the same eye colour as him. Harry leaned back into his armchair, drew his knees up and slid his arms around them. He was still cold but he didn't feel so sick anymore like earlier on.

Since he had been six years old and Caro had asked him for his mother, he had been thinking about her and had wondered what had happened to her. He didn't even know her name. In connection with his mum there was a secret, he was sure of it. A secret he didn't know. Harry had also never seen any pictures of her in the castle. His father had never mentioned his mum or had spoken about her and Harry had never asked him for her. Why not, by the way? Harry could not name the reason exactly but somehow he had never really dared to ask. He had been afraid of his father's reaction.

"I've brought you something to eat, My Lord."

Harry started in his chair. He hadn't noticed at all that Nell had entered the room.

"Thank you, Nell."

While he was eating absent-mindedly, suddenly an idea occurred to him. Looking at Nell, he asked,

"Nell, tell me, what it was like, when I was born."

The house-elf stared at him and then she told him something that he hadn't expected at all. It did not answer his questions at all; on the contrary, now he had a lot more. So his father had brought him to Nell one day. Where he had been before or who his mother was, Nell didn't know as well. Had his father taken him away from his mother? Harry didn't know what to think. Suddenly he decided that he would ask his father. He wanted to know the truth. Standing up, he stepped out of his room. After he had gone along two dark corridors, he finally reached his father's study. Taking a deep breath he knocked and stepped in. His father, who sat at his desk, looked up.

"Sorry, that I disturb you, father. But I wanted to ask …I wanted to ask what has happened

with my mum," The words came gushing out before he lost his courage.

His father cast a sharp and piercing glance at him.

"She died at your birth. Now go back to your room. I've soon an important meeting."

"But what was her name?" Harry tried again.

"Didn't you hear me, Harry?" Now his tone was dangerously low.

Harry nodded,

"Yes, sorry. Good night."

He turned and left the room while his thoughts spun around in his head. Why had his father lied to him? It didn't match with what Nell had told him and what he had seen as he had met the Dementor.

Reaching again his room he sank into his comfortable armchair and thought about it. Had his father really kidnapped him? Was his mother perhaps still alive? Despairingly sighing he wondered how on earth he could find out the truth. While Harry was staring at the opposite wall without seeing it and hanging onto his thoughts, Rainbow came flying to him. His phoenix started to sing softly. Harry raised his hand and began to stroke her over the soft feathers. It was getting late and sometime Harry fell asleep in his armchair.

He dreamt from the red haired woman and a Dementor, who chased after him and wanted to suck his soul out.

After Harry had left his study, the Dark Lord riveted his eyes on the door. Why was the boy so suddenly interested in his mother? He didn't intend however to tell Harry ever the truth about his background.

Harry would never find out that he was a Potter. Leaning back Voldemort thought of Harry having soon his eighth birthday. Slowly it was time that he would learn the Unforgivable Curses, especially the Imperius Curse.

As his heir Harry had to be able to fight against the Curse any time. The other two curses were of course important as well.

In future he would devote more time for the lessons. Smiling the Dark Lord reached for his cup of tea. Currently everything was going like he wanted and contented he took a sip of his hot tea.

The years, since he had killed the Potters and had taken their son with him, had been very successful. Now he only had to destroy those annoying resistance groups, then he really would be the most powerful wizard in the world. Above all the Order of the Phoenix which thwarted his plans over and over again to his boundless anger must be eliminated. Why he hadn't managed it so far was a complete mystery to him. The reason for this, he thought, was probably this old fool Dumbledore.

If the Order lost his leader, it likely wouldn't be such a huge problem anymore to destroy the Order. Somehow he had to get rid of him. The question was only how he should do this? He would think about it as soon as he would have time. The Dark Lord stood up and set off to the great hall of the castle, where he would shortly hold a meeting for all his followers.