A/N- Once again, "Solsbury Hill" lyrics. "Judgements" is indeed not a word, I'm just doing stuff like that purposely because that's how I want Nicholas Flemmel to be, weird yet wise, making things up as he goes along.
Harry Potter
"I understand that, Nicholas. But nevertheless, you must not be seen," warned an old, croaky voice.
The sound of papers being shuffled filled the room before the other man answered.
"Oh Albus, she's sure to find out soon enough."
A tentative pause.
"And besides, wouldn't it be better off if she didn't have any reason to question you or her judgements?"
There was no tension in the room, although this was clearly an argument. Moa continued to peer from between the books sitting on either side of her face. She was looking through a bookshelf, listening to the two men, who seemingly didn't notice her. This bookshelf was built into the wall, for spying reasons, Moa assumed. You just had to move a book a little to one side to see into the next room. Same went the other way around. It was dark in the hallway where Moa stood, as well as the room through which she peered. Moa had been using Lumos to get by in the hall when she noticed the sound of voices weaving through the walls. At first, she had pressed her ear up against a spot next to the dusty old bookshelf, but then noticed that the closer she got to it, the better she could hear. It wasn't long before she examined a space between the books, revealing the room she was eavesdropping to.
The room was lit by candlelight, the flames collected near one corner of the room. The room was covered in shelves filled with even more literature, and Moa suspected that she blended right in. Sadly, she could not see this Nicholas Flemmel character, only Dumbledore's back and the corner of the desk where she presumed the candles sat.
"Nicholas,"Dumbledore heaved a sigh,"I just want what's best for her. You know that."
Moa thought she saw his shoulders droop a little.
"Exactly,"A hand creeped out and grasped his shoulder,"Which is why we should hold no secrets, not one. I think we should even tell her about-"
Albus Dumbledore flicked his wand and every book around Moa flew down, falling into neat little stacks at the bookshelf's feet. Moa stood shock still, like a deer frozen in headlights, before she made a break for it.
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The darkness in the hall engulfed her, and her breaths were short, hurried. The feeling of being followed felt like the tide of the ocean, pulling her back. She didn't dare look behind her as she began to twist down the hall, following the curve. Moa had a bad feeling that began to drip through her, and all her thoughts screamed at her to get off the main pathway.
She heard the unspoken spell through her suspense, already recognizing that she would not escape. Instinctively, she ran faster, even though Moa knew this wouldn't help her. She turned around to meet Dumbledore's attack, already starting to produce a shield spell. In the knick of time, she bounced the curse, Locomotor Mortis, off her shield and back towards Dumbledore.
Everything was silent, as it had been the second the books protecting Moa were stacked. As Moa turned again to see if Albus Dumbledore would dodge her counter-attack, which he did so easily, she made the mistake of looking at his partner in crime. Nicholas Flemmel didn't even have his wand out. As Moa stared at his ghastly, peeling face, she caught his old filmy eyes, and watched one wink.
A crooked smile pulled up on Flemmel's face as he watched Moa pause, startled. A second spell was flung at her, and the chase was finished.
With her legs locked, Moa couldn't move. Dumbledore regained his composure, then started to casually walk up to her. His face showed concern.
He confided,"You needn't be afraid of us, Moa. We're not going to hurt you."
Deep in her mind, Moa knew this. It was the pain she grew up with that caused her not to trust people the second they do something suspicious.
And hiding in a secret room arguing about what to tell me seems pretty damn suspicious.
Moa kept silent and unwillingly still. When Flemmel and Dumbledore were a foot away, Locomotor Mortis was taken off her legs. She almost collapsed the second her legs unlocked, but to her gratification she simply took a stiff step forward. Dumbledore instinctively reached out his hands to help her, but once again she ignored his gesture to help her up.
It was Nicholas Flemmel who broke the silence.
"So this is it, then. Voldemort's child," he muttered to himself as he summed her up.
His voice was scratchy and unappealing, something Moa hadn't noticed before. His dark gray beard was cut shorter than Dumbledore's, looking as if it had been done with jagged scissors. His eyes were a light gray, an effect of the milky catalases that provided a shield over his eyes.
Then how can he see me if he's...blind?
She was about to ask this black man just that, when Dumbledore dragged Moa's attention elsewhere. He sighed as he took in her expression at Flemmel, it showed a measure of bewilderment and disgust.
"How much have you heard?"he demanded, his words careful.
Moa gave Dumbledore a sharp glare before answering,"You know, it's hard to build trust if you're keeping secrets."
The light from the candles in the hidden room flickered, and both Dumbledore and Moa seemed to suddenly realize how very dark it was in the hall. Nicholas Flemmel showed an unreadable face. Two chairs appeared from the smoky tip of Dumbledore's wand, along with a few luminescent circles that floated up just above their heads. Nicholas provided his own chair, much more intricate then the ones Dumbledore had produced.
"Sit,"Dumbledore instructed,"It's about time we told you everything. Just as you said, it's hard to build trust while keeping secrets."
Two hours later, Moa Riddle had many of her questions answered. They planned to keep her at Dumbledore's summer home in Spes Mountains. She would probably be home-schooled, they weren't going to deny her an education. Once there was trust built between the three wizards, Dumbledore planned on taking her to places, helping her follow the path of good She was told she could leave them at any time and join her father's side, but somehow Moa knew it wouldn't be that easy. There was also mention of secret meetings, held by The Order Of The Phoenix, but Nicholas Flemmel was quickly silenced when he casually mentioned this. Moa was reassured many times that Lord Voldemort would never find out where she was, but this didn't calm Moa's mind.
Moa protested,"But The Dark Lord,"Moa took a moment before revealing one of her many inner pains,"read Layla's parents minds before he-"
Dumbledore quickly answered Moa, allowing her not to finish.
"There are plenty of charms protecting us Moa. And if you hadn't noticed, this place, this house moves every couple of hours to a new location in these mountains. Not one person can enter here unless I make it so. You have nothing to worry about in that case."
This made Moa relax a bit. But one thing was still pressing her mind. The image of Dumbledore's face filled her mind, his words rather curious.
"You look quite shaken. Would you care for a lemon drop?"
And yet another time...
"In times like these, I recommend taking a lemon drop."
"What's with the lemon drops?"Moa demanded, a little louder than she would have liked.
Albus Dumbledore and Nicholas Flemmel chuckled simultaneously, which only made Flemmel's booming laugh become released even louder. It was strange hearing an old man chuckle so loudly, and it wasn't until Dumbledore started talking that Flemmel abruptly silenced this laughter.
"The ones I have let you fall into slumber after sucking on one. They're on the table in the living room, I suppose you haven't noticed."
Dumbledore paused, but not long enough for the possibilities to sink in.
"They are a great use in times of great pain, Moa. Because they let you, as they say, "Sleep on it."Dumbledore rubbed his thigh and tilted his head as he continued,"But you must be aware, the consequences of using them too much will erase you life away. One can become addicted to hiding from pain, and continue going to sleep, forever."
This made Moa's stomach drop. She imagined a person constantly drowning themselves in lemon drops, forcing themselves to sleep forever.
Moa accused him,"But why would you offer me something like that? Multiple times!"
Dumbledore sighed and looked away, as if embarrassed.
"I just didn't know what to do. I didn't want you to do something you might later regret."
Moa's eyes popped open.
"Like what? Commit suicide?"
Eternally calm, Albus Dumbledore replied,"Perhaps. But I was thinking more along the lines of running away, when you really hadn't fully understood you predicament."
Moa let her gaze fall to her feet, then explore around the hall. Strange pictures were hung up everywhere, of monsters and people alike. Although some people looked more like monsters themselves. Among these were beautiful fairies and scenery, causing quite a contradiction in the hall.
Confiding her low self-esteem to Dumbledore, Nicholas seemed to be daydreaming, Moa questioned,"Am I really that much use to you guys?"
Much to Moa's surprise, it was Nicholas who answered her question.
This guy is so weird.
"Much use to us? Much use to us!" Nicholas exclaimed out of excitement,"You're Voldemort's child, you're probably as powerful as, I dunno, Harry Potter!"
I like him.
This name registered in Moa's consciousness, but it wasn't until Dumbledore mumbled his name again did Moa realize who he was.
"That's The Dark Lord's enemy...his worst enemy,"Moa muttered, half to herself.
Her thoughts traveled to what felt like only yesterday...
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-One year earlier-
The forest leaves rustled, victims of the strong wind. Lord Voldemort was gliding beside His only child, Moa Riddle, on the outskirts of yet another independent forest. They didn't look anything alike, and they probably never would. The real reason was unknown to Moa, and to most people of the world. He liked it much better that way.
His restless fingers moved slowly with the morning air, as if controlling it. Soon He held up his wrist, examining it, talking as He did so.
"Moa,"His voice stretched every word,"Do you want to know who my mortal enemy is?"
Moa didn't say a word, but continued to walk alongside Him.
"Harry... Potter,"He spat,"a twelve year old boy."
This caused Moa to stop in her tracks. She thought The Dark Lord must be joking.
But The Dark Lord never joked.
He turned his head to face her, speaking calmly at first,"What?"
Moa didn't know what to say. She was thinking quickly, trying to figure out a way to get out of the situation she was suddenly thrust into.
Voldemort's icy fingers grabbed at her throat with unpredictable speed, and banged her up against a nearby oak, causing it's leaves to rustle more violently.
"Don't you believe me?!"He yelled, choking Moa.
He held her there a long time, locking his pale fingers around her throat tighter and tighter as His anger increased. His venomous eyes watched her, his anger spilled out over her. When she was gasping in her last breaths, He was finally satisfied. After he released her, she fell to her hands and knees, trying to suck in the much needed oxygen. Her father kicked sandy dirt in her face.
"Weak,"He sneered at his daughter, then left her there to recuperate.
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"Harry Potter,"she muttered again, this time with feeling.
I did not believe the information,
Just had to trust imagination.
My heart was going boom, boom, boom,
Son, he said, grab your things I've come to take you home.