He remembered hiding behind the couch as the sirens and the lights made him dizzy. His mother was talking by the door, trying not to open it, trying to hold it back, while his father stood in front of him, protective, still hiding.

His mother yelled, pleaded, and pushed the door close, but they were already coming in through the windows. His brother and sister curled up against him, crying, scared and confused, while he tried to make sense of that situation the best he could.

It wasn't until his father held his hands and made him look at his eyes that he understood.

"Albus" he whispered, caressing his wet cheeks and smiling weakly. "Albus, please listen to me. It will be up to you now. Help your mother. Protect your brother and sister. And remember, no matter what happens to me, I love you. I love you so much, my brave young boy."

"Dad..." he whispered, holding his father's hands as his mother rushed closer, hugging them all in a tight embrace. His father returned the hug, and the three children were squeezed together between the two adults, with Albus holding Ariana and Aberforth close.

"Protect them Albus" were his last words, before the door fell down and the police officers walked inside, running to his father and taking him by the arms.

"Percival! You can't do this! You can't do this, let my husband go!" his mother yelled, fighting her way with the officers and trying to reach his father.

"Daddy!" Ariana cried out, trying to run to him, but Albus held her back, hugging both siblings and watching as his father was taken out of their home, his mom crying after him until he was taken outside.

She fell to her knees right in front of the exit, crying, and Albus stood up with Aberforth and Ariana glued to him, trying to remain calm.

Slowly, the sirens and lights left, and the house was left in darkness and silence.

Years later, he had grown up. He was eighteen, just out of school, ready to fight his way into a good university, proud of his achievements, returning home from a long interview in the library's computer. Albus was certain his life was about to change for the better.

Until he reached home, opened the door, and found Ariana crying by their mother's feet.

She had her eyes closed, her skin was pale, and she wasn't moving. He rushed to his sister, pulling her closer and asking desperately what happened. She didn't seem to listen, and honestly he wasn't sure he asked anything out loud in the first place.

He called the ambulance, checking her breathing, her heart beats, and she was silent. She was gone, she looked sick, she looked dead.

The ambulance arrived, they did all they could, and her heart began beating again. Weak, slow, but beating. She gasped for air, and reached out for who was next to her, grabbing his hand in the weakest way possible.

"Albus" she gasped out, and he moved closer, so she could see him.

"Mom, I'm here. You will be fine" he promised, the ambulance rushing to the hospital. She shook her head, and opened her eyes, looking straight into his eyes the best she could.

"Albus... take... take them... take care of them..." she whispered, squeezing his hand and making him freeze.

"Mom, you will be fine, you will do just that, I promise- you will be okay!" he said, looking around desperately for the doctors in the ambulance that were trying to stabilize her. Outside, he could see the colors, he could hear the siren, and he knew perfectly well that it would be just like last time.

"Promise... me..." she breathed out, and Albus looked again, holding her hand tight and swallowing thickly.

"I promise... I will take care of them, I promise."

She smiled at him, lifting her other hand and touching his cheek ever so lightly.

"I love you... my brave... young... boy" she whispered, and her eyes went blank. Her hands fell, and the doctors pushed him away, giving her another shock.

Albus stood still, staring, knowing that there would be no way of waking her up again.

And her eyes never moved again.

His eyes stared at his own reflection on the river, seeing the blue in his eyes, just like theirs.

Would they be happy about the choices he had made?

Was he following what they had asked of him?

Albus honestly didn't think so.

And that destroyed him inside.