Chapter 19- Seeing Kalissa

A/N: Thanks to all the reviewers for the last chapter. Once again, thanks to my sister for diligently editing this chapter!

Disclaimer: Besides Kalissa and Natalie, I own zero percent of the Wizarding world.

"Keep up Natalie," urged Minerva as they entered a hidden tunnel Natalie did not know existed.

"What is this?" asked a baffled Natalie as they walked quickly through the tunnel. To Natalie's shock, they had come into a room that spontaneously appeared from which this tunnel opened. After all of her perusing over the summer and after seeing Harry's Marauder's map, she was certain that no passageway in the castle lay outside of her knowledge.

Natalie could sense Minerva sigh beside her. "It's one of the safest passages in the castle – only myself, Dumbledore and the Hog's Head barmen know about it. That's why Potter's map doesn't contain the tunnel."

Natalie was not very pleased with the vague reply but she did not know that they were going to the Hog's Head. "The Hog's Head? Er, Minerva, are we meeting Kalissa there?"

"Yes."

"Er, is that safe?"

Minerva clicked her tongue. "Dumbledore has arranged for his brother, Aberforth who is the barman at the Hog's Head, for us to meet in a very secure and closed room in the pub. It's much less conspicuous than let's say the Three Broomsticks."

"Dumbledore's brother works at the Hog's Head?" asked Natalie, very surprised. She did not know that Dumbledore had a brother, but even more, she would have expected a sibling of the great wizard to be anything other than a barman at a shabby place like the Hog's Head.

"Natalie, no more questions please. We have to hurry. Aberforth is only keeping the tunnel open for a certain time period. You can ask Kalissa about Aberforth."

Natalie nodded, lengthening her strides to keep up with Minerva. The tunnel curled sinuously until they abruptly arrived at the back of what Natalie presumed to be a portrait. Minerva tapped on the portrait. The portrait immediately opened, revealing the groggy, grey haired barman Natalie remembered from her summer visits. He quickly pulled both of them across the entrance, ushering them out of the room. Natalie barely had time to notice that the tunnel ended in a bedroom, likely his bedroom. Minerva nodded in gratitude.

"Up the staircase on the left. Open the broom closet and you'll see," muttered Aberforth. He glared at a dumbfounded Natalie before rushing down the other staircase to return to the pub.

"Come on, let's go Natalie."

They followed Aberforth's directions to arrive at an extremely small broom closet. Natalie suspected the appearance was just an illusion.

Minerva waved her wand in a complicated motion before the closet opened to reveal a polished, oak door. Natalie smiled. Minerva nodded at her. "Go in. I'll come in later."

Natalie glanced at Minerva confusedly before she opened the door to see a beaming Kalissa.

Kalissa rushed to Natalie, embracing her tightly. Natalie let herself be drowned in her guardian's hair, inhaling the sweet scent and reveling in one of the few moments of pure bliss.

As they pulled apart, Kalissa studied her more closely. "My my, Natalie. You look absolutely terrible!" gasped Kalissa.

Natalie brushed her hair away in frustration. "Nothing's changed," she said indifferently.

Kalissa rolled her eyes. "Don't play with me, Natalie. I've known you for 16 years and you've never looked like this."

"I'm just having some social troubles at school. It's nothing compared to what you've been through. How's the new place been?" Natalie knew that this feeble response would do nothing to deter Kalissa, but she did want to hear about Kalissa's position before she started explaining about how much more exposed she was.

Kalissa shook her head. "No, this is about you. Everything's been fine with me. But obviously these social troubles aren't trivial at all. Please tell me what's wrong, but first, we need to talk about what happened on Christmas night."

Natalie let out a breath she did not know she was holding. Though the memory of her mother frequently sent rippling waves of shock and anger through her, Harry's refusal to acknowledge her presence had overtaken her mother as the source of most of her worries.

"Kalissa, it's not something I'm particularly fond of describing again," began Natalie anxiously. "But you are right. We should first discuss that night."

Kalissa smiled warmly at her. "Natalie, you don't need to rehatch your meeting with Bellatrix – Albus has already given me a thorough description."

Relief filled Natalie at the thought of not having to recreate that encounter. "You have the same theory about the link she formed between the two of us?"

"The link that the two of you formed," corrected Kalissa, placing her hand on Natalie's shoulder. "But yes, I believe that not only did Bellatrix consciously want for you to see some of her thoughts and memories, but she subconsciously desired for you to feel her emotions. However, I am not sure if Albus told you, but for the link to be so strong, then you must have –"

"Also wanted her to see my mind," finished Natalie morosely. "Professor Dumbledore did not explicitly point out that detail, but it was implied."

"You feel ashamed and angry at yourself," Kalissa stated, watching Natalie intently.

Natalie crossed her arms against her chest. She knew Kalissa was too perceptive and determined to let Natalie avoid her feelings about her mother. Yet, she trusted Kalissa more than anybody else. And Kalissa understood her better than anybody. As unpleasant as talking about her mother seemed, she needed to pour out her emotions.

Natalie sighed, galvanizing herself. "I don't want to you to feel hurt, Kalissa, but you are correct. As stupid and horrible as it sounds, I wanted her to feel some sort of positive emotion for me. I let her into my mind and probably subconsciously, helped to strengthen the connection."

Kalissa pulled her into a fierce hug. "Oh Natalie, you don't have to act so strong. I don't feel at all offended; anybody would want their mother to show some semblance of care. There's absolutely no need to be angry at yourself."

"Thanks, Kalissa," breathed Natalie, letting herself become suffused in the warm, cinnamon scent of the woman who was her mother in all ways except one.

"What did you see?" asked Kalissa softly, pulling her head back to stare at Natalie.

Natalie smiled. Kalissa's gentle ease unraveled the tension her mother's memory created. Many ideas, thoughts and phrases spun themselves around her mind, ready to tumble out of her mouth.

"It was horribly cruel," said Natalie, finally allowing the memory of those thoughts and emotions come to the forefront of her mind. "I think the Dark Magic has really contorted and twisted her sense of reality – she has a disgusting devotion to Voldemort. Every thought or memory ends in him –"

"Including those about you," noted Kalissa, the sadness apparent in her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Natalie."

Natalie's eyes were starting to become slightly wet. "Yes, she seemed to only think of me as some sort of object to please him," said Natalie, her voice quivering. "N-not as her d-daughter. I know I should have expected it, but it hurt Kalissa."

Kalissa brought Natalie's head to her chest. "Natalie, there's no way you could not have been hurt. She is the woman who willingly gave birth to you, as shocking as that might seem now. She had every opportunity to stop her pregnancy and I'm certain she may have feared your identity while she was pregnant, but went on. And for that reason, I still feel she did have a bit of humanity in her, and I think that's why you also believe she still has that humanity. But Voldemort changes people into the detached, ruthless killer he is – Dark Magic corrupts and taints the soul, causing irreparable damage. Of all the Death Eaters, she is the one who I think he has imprinted his personality upon the most. And the change is never temporary. Whatever positive emotion she may have had for you or even your father is lost in, as you noted, her loyalty and devotion to Voldemort."

"I understand that now," said Natalie quietly. "But still, I think there's a part of me that wants her to act like a mother."

"That's completely understandable," said Kalissa. "As long as you realize that the warmth you expect likely will never come. Bellatrix's only love now is Voldemort."

Natalie swallowed. A frantic longing for her mother's affection again rose within her. And like a cool blade hidden within the cloak of the longing, pure devastation cut into her. She stiffened, pushing away Kalissa. Her head bowed down, the disappointment making a thousand cuts into her insides. As the hurt dulled and reduced to a stinging pain, scorching fury mounted within her. She could not help but despise herself for being unable to detach herself from her mother and truly and genuinely acknowledge that blood only connected them.

"Natalie, stop that," said Kalissa firmly, grabbing Natalie's shoulders. She lifted Natalie's chin so that their faces were level. "I'm sorry for my words, but they are true. Bellatrix doesn't view you as her daughter."

"I know," Natalie said in frustration. The devastation, shame and self deprecating fury quickly retreated. A lingering tension only remained; the tension she often associated with her mother when she was trying to repress the more severe emotions.

Kalissa's gaze hardened. "I know it's difficult for you to accept the fact that you have a mother who will never love you, but it's the truth."

"I saw how she thinks," said Natalie, once again uprooting that memory from the layers of thoughts covering it in her mind. "I know that I should not expect anything from her, but I still do. I'm trying, Kalissa, to get myself to realize that I cannot let her hurt me this way. It's taking time and it's very difficult." She closed her eyes, cursing her identity. How different would her life be had Kalissa given birth to her?

"I'm sorry Natalie," Kalissa whispered, wrapping her arms around Natalie in a tight hug. "You don't deserve any of this mess. But as long as you keep fighting her, you're the one in control."

Natalie let her arms encircle Kalissa. She tried not to suffocate the older woman, but could not stop the desperate urge to remain protected within Kalissa' soft, loving embrace, away from her crazed mother, the insidious man she loved and even the boy who could not stop holding her in bitter contempt.

After a few moments of being locked in this embrace, both eventually separated from one another. Natalie did not realize that she had started crying and even Kalissa's eyes were glistening.

"So now, moving on," said Kalissa with a bright smile. "Tell me about this social trouble you're having at school."

"Oh yes, that," replied Natalie glumly, a sad emptiness entering her. "Hasn't Minerva told you?"

"Natalie, you know how I hate procrastination," Kalissa chided. "Minerva has not told me, though she's said you've been having some troubles. I've done my best not to let my imagination get the best of me, but seeing you tonight, I realize these are not trivial things bothering you."

Natalie breathed in exasperation. Kalissa would continue to interrogate her until she started providing clearer answers. "Ok. But I promise that you'll be shocked."

Kalissa laughed, the effervescent, sparkling melody that Natalie sorely missed. "My girl, I've seen enough things in this world to not be deterred by a little surprise."

Natalie raised her eyebrows. "This is not a little surprise. Ok, so remember how you continually told me to try to talk about Bellatrix being my mother."

"Yes," said Kalissa cautiously.

"Well after seeing her at the cottage, I realized you were right. My fears and insecurities were eroding at my confidence and sense of security. And even more, I realized that I could not keep this a secret for so long. Since I was becoming very close with Harry, I decided to confess to him. After I told him, I also decided to tell another close friend, Hermione Granger."

Kalissa's body went rigid. "You told them about Bellatrix?" whispered Kalissa in a fearful tone barely audible to Natalie. A blank, vapid expression had weaved itself onto her face. The penetrating realization that accompanied Natalie's comment seemed to have inveigled Kalissa's usual bright eagerness.

The rising panic within Natalie quickly amplified into a thunderous wave. She had never seen such a vivid emptiness in Kalissa. "No, no, Kalissa. Both of them are trustworthy and haven't said anything. I don't know if I made a really stupid mistake, given Harry's reaction and the fact that I think at the time, I really wanted some sort of protection. And I'm sorry that I never told you about it. I was just so desperate after seeing her."

A calm, resolved expression formed itself on Kalissa's features, immediately quelling the anxiety within Natalie. Kalissa closed her eyes, inhaling steadily for a few moments before fixing her eyes again on Natalie. "Ok. So neither Harry or, er, Hermione have told anyone?"

"No," answered Natalie nervously.

"They're trustworthy, like you said. I am happy that you decided to talk about her, even though you didn't ask me for advice. For that, I'm slightly disappointed in you. However, I think it was a good decision. I'm still trying to appreciate the magnitude of the decision."

Natalie looked at Kalissa with a newfound ebullience. "You really think it was a good decision?"

Kalissa examined her closely. "Well yes. Like I've always said, no one is strong enough to contain and suppress a secret like that forever. It eats at you; it forces confession. And you found somebody that you could trust. It was a good practical and emotional decision."

Kalissa's praise infused Natalie with an all pervasive warmth. "Thanks. Yeah, I knew I needed to release the secret."

"How did the two of them react?"

Natalie supposed that she must be wondering about why Natalie looked so 'downtrodden'. "Hermione took it very well. She and I are much closer now, because of it, I think."

"And Harry?"

Natalie turned her eyes away. "Not very good at all."

Natalie felt Kalissa wrap her arms her. "What happened?" whispered Kalissa in Natalie's ear.

"Well, he and I had a big fight. He was pretty angry at mostly how indifferent I seemed to Bellatrix and the fact that I lied to him. We haven't talked properly for about a month now. But Hermione and I have talked about him a lot. She seems to think, and I agree, that he can't acknowledge that there is no definite barrier between good and evil in the Wizarding World."

Natalie could sense Kalissa's eyes narrow behind her. "Well, he should realize that he's a selfish, thick-headed fool, first of all."

Natalie laughed. "That's what I told him, just in a slightly angrier voice."

Kalissa smiled. "He'll come around, I'm sure. From what Albus told me, he's a very understanding and tolerant young man, much like his mother. It's a shocking revelation. You do realize that, don't you?"

Natalie nodded, letting herself slide out of Kalissa's hold. "It better be soon because my patience is wavering. I mean, he's not the one who has a murderous nut for a mother."

"He has Voldemort chasing him," pointed Kalissa coyly. "You're not the only who has a lunatic after you."

"You know what I was saying," said Natalie irritably. As she thought about Voldemort trying to reach Harry, a question popped into her mind. "Kalissa, how much do you know about Bellatrix searching for me? Did you know how she determined I was her daughter?"

Kalissa clasped her hands. "What did Albus tell you?"

"He told me that her behavior, since we came back to England, has been rather unnatural and sporadic. I think he suspects she was trying to find out whether I had any relation to her and I suppose she did," answered Natalie, looking at Kalissa intently.

Kalissa ran her hand across her forehead. Natalie noticed the creased lines and scrunched eyebrows, a definite sign that Kalissa was rapidly assessing all of the possibilities and the information she had gathered from the Order. "I believe you're right."

"What is she doing now? What did she do?" asked Natalie.

"I do not know as much as Albus about her actions-

"But you know something, don't you?" said Natalie impatiently. "Kalissa, you have to be open with me about her."

"I am not trying to hide anything from you," said Kalissa defensively. "Let me answer your questions and if you have more, then ask. You are correct in what you said- her erratic behavior over the last 7 months or so does indicate she was searching for something. As for how she knew you to be her daughter, I know from my contacts at Durmstrang that she has approached a few of the people in Bulgaria associated with the Death Eaters, asking about you. I do not think they would have been very informative as I told nobody in Durmstrang about your identity. Your identity is also completely hidden from your father's family though most of them, at least the most direct, are dead. So, that leads me to believe that having seen photographs of you, likely obtained from those Voldemort supporters in Bulgaria, she has seen the resemblance to your father. And additionally, the Death Eaters assigned to spy on me and track my movements during the last war could tell her that there is little proof of me ever being pregnant with a child. Most of those Death Eater spies are dead, but there may have been one or two who Albus and I never uncovered. The information from these Death Eaters would obviously form the most concrete and reliable basis for her to make a conclusion."

"Still, you easily could have conceived me with my father," Natalie stated. "There's no proof that did not happen, especially since you lived in the same area as him."

Kalissa sighed. "Bellatrix's instincts are very strong and she has always been one to rely more on those instincts than pure reason. I do believe that because she left you to die in the fire, she knows you may have not died. Hearing about me having a daughter around the same age of her child would definitely alert her. Then seeing your similarities to your father and maybe hearing of the unlikelihood of my pregnancy would have cemented your identity, at least in her mind- a woman as fanatical and crazed as her does not need much rational to feel correct."

"It was inevitable then, wasn't it?" said Natalie quietly. "Because she didn't see me die, once she escaped from Azkhaban, she would want to know whether I survived."

Kalissa stared at her for a moment before speaking. "Yes, as much as I tried to keep you hidden, she would have come searching."

The silence grew between them. As it tautened and twisted, Natalie perceived the distinctly familiar feeling that a dark and menacing entity was slowly streaming through and lodging itself irreversibly in their lives.

Finally, Kalissa spoke. "I'm very sorry, Natalie about all of the trouble she has caused you – no one deserves that. But she won't come anywhere near you. There are too many people around us who will block her and remember you have me. And I don't think I'm that bad of a last resort."

Natalie smiled grimly. It was the exact type of analytical, but sensitive response that she had desired from Kalissa. They had finally acknowledged the inevitability of reality.

"We'll just have to be strong, Kalissa, won't we? Like you always said."

Kalissa laughed, grabbing Natalie into a fierce hug. "Of course. Did you ever think I would give in?"

"No, I did not," answered Natalie with a small smile. She then remembered her next question. "What is she doing now?"

Unexpectedly, Kalissa gave her a bright smile. "Albus tells me that Voldemort is starting to become very unhappy with her careless behavior- I believe he also knows about your identity and I hardly imagine he is very pleased. As twisted as he is, he is smart enough to realize that her obsession with you will only encourage even more reckless behavior. Consequently, Albus has informed me that he has been clamping down on her movements, making sure she follows his specific orders and stays within the Death Eater populated homes. As a result, she has not come anywhere near Hogsmeade or Hogwarts."

"That's relieving to hear," noted Natalie, not at all liking the idea of her mother entering Hogwarts where so many innocent people could be hurt.

"It is," agreed Kalissa, clapping her hands exuberantly. "Why don't we move onto some lighter topics? I think we've got through all the heavy stuff pretty well."

Natalie raised her eyebrows at her. "'Heavy' is bit of an understatement. I think 'life changing' is more appropriate."

"But life goes on even if it does change."

"How's the new house?"

Kalissa grinned at her. "That's how I like it. Quite good actually."

They continued talking in a much more amicable and lighthearted manner. Natalie missed these interactions. She cherished the comfort and calmness of their conversations; the needling fear of isolation dissipated, at least temporarily.

After a very long time of conversing and jesting, someone knocked on the door.

Kalissa checked her watch. "Oh my, it is late. I think that is Albus. He'll open the door – he knows the spell."

The door opened to show Minerva and Dumbledore. Both walked in, Dumbledore with his usual beaming face and Minerva with a slightly worried smile.

Kalissa stood up, opening her arms and embracing each of them energetically. "Albus, you do need to tell me what's wrong with your hand. And by the way, your brother seemed a bit cranky when I entered. Minerva, stop worrying for heaven's sake. Do you say any Death Eaters crashing against my door?"

Dumbledore waved his hand. "Aberforth is always like that. How are you doing, Kalissa?"

"Well. I love the new place. Much more homely and at least I can talk to some members of the Order. You do know how I love to talk."

Dumbledore noticed Natalie, his smile becoming even brighter. "Natalie, my dear, what a pleasure! How has the new year been to you?"

Natalie grinned at him. "Nice to see you, too, Professor. Everything's been going well."

Minerva frowned at her. "Natalie, I know it's a Saturday night, but it's getting late and before anything gets suspicious –"

"Oh Minerva, relax! I haven't seen her for 4 weeks and I'm sure none of the girls in her dormitories are attached to Death Eaters," exclaimed Kalissa, waving her hands dismissively at Minerva.

Dumbledore shifted his head to face Minerva. "I don't think one evening will be overly dangerous. Anyway, I need to talk to Natalie about something."

Natalie stared at him, very surprised. "What is it, Professor?" Both Minerva and Kalissa were also looking at Dumbledore curiously.

Dumbledore smiled at her. "I believe that after you came back from, er, the attack, you and Professor Snape had a rather awkward confrontation."

"Oh yeah," said Natalie, perplexed as to why Snape would tell Dumbledore about such a private incident.

"What happened, Natalie?" asked Kalissa sharply.

Dumbledore laughed. "Oh, no Kalissa, no need to get defensive. From what Severus told me, it was a minor spat."

Natalie locked eyes with Kalissa. Since Dumbledore knew already, there seemed to be no harm in informing Kalissa "After the attack, I stayed for a few hours in the dungeons under his company- he was the one who took me away. He dropped a photograph on the floor and when I picked up the picture, I saw that it was a picture of him and Lily Evans as best friends."

Minerva stared at her in fascination. "How did he react? Severus isn't the type of person to take an accident like that lightly."

Natalie sighed. "He was quite angry and told me to leave the classroom. However, about a week later, he called me to his office and calmly told me about him and Lily – how they were friends and grew up in the same neighbourhood as children. I don't think he is angry at me for what happened, now – he's still not one of my favourite teachers."

Natalie glanced at Dumbledore in understanding. "I suppose you told him to clarify things with me," said Natalie glumly.

Dumbledore's eyes were twinkling. "Well yes, I advised him to be honest with you. But the rest of it was entirely his decision."

Natalie raised her eyebrows. It was disconcerting that Snape required some ushering from Dumbledore to treat her with respect, but his independent decision to be honest with her still pleased her.

Kalissa frowned at her. "Why didn't you tell me, Natalie?"

"Snape –"

"Professor Snape, Natalie," corrected Minerva.

Natalie blushed. "Well yes, Professor Snape told me not to tell anyone. It was a very private thing I learned about him and I wanted to show him some respect."

Kalissa nodded. "I do remember now. They were friends in school – I didn't know they were from the same area but I suppose that's the only way a Slytherin and a Gryffindor could be friends. They sat together in my class and I saw them constantly studying together in the library."

"Both were excellent students. Top of my class," remarked Minerva.

Kalissa smiled at Minerva. "She never did take to Potter until their seventh year."

Minerva nodded. "Strange how things work out, isn't it? Severus did seem to have some sort of romantic infatuation with her."

Dumbledore shook his head. "It wasn't just an infatuation. He cared deeply for her."

Natalie glanced at Dumbledore quizzically. He must know much more about Snape's feelings for Lily if Snape trusted Dumbledore to tell him about Natalie seeing the picture.

Suddenly, another question entered Natalie's head, something that she had inferred from Snape's comments to her. "Er, she and Professor Snape stopped becoming at friends at some point, didn't they? I mean for her to be married to James –"

Kalissa raised her voice to answer the question. "Yes, Natalie. I'm not sure what happened, but I can hazard a guess. Severus was part of a group that all went to become Death Eaters and I suppose that Lily, being a muggle-born, eventually wanted to have no contact with him. But anyway, they stopped sitting together around fifth or sixth year."

Natalie felt a surge of compassion for Snape. She could not grapple the guilt and self deprecation that must have coursed through him, knowing that his choices had severed his relations with his closest friend.

Minerva swiveled her head towards Natalie. "Natalie, you haven't told Potter or Granger about Severus?"

Natalie shook her head. "Not at all. I tried to respect his wishes as best I could."

Dumbledore winked at her. "That type of courtesy is sorely lacking at Hogwarts. Sometimes, the only thing faster than a leaking secret at the school is Harry's Firebolt."

All of them laughed. Kalissa turned to Dumbledore. "So, Albus, how are things with the Order?"

Minerva stared pointedly at Natalie. Kalissa rolled her eyes. "Honestly, Minerva, I'm just asking about how the Order is. Albus is not going to divulge his secret plan to kill Voldemort and I don't think Natalie will be running towards Death Eaters to tell them what she heard."

Minerva sighed. "Very well then, but I'd like to remind you Kalissa that we don't allow any other 16 year olds to listen into the affairs of the Order."

Kalissa flicked her hand at Minerva's reproach. "Albus, how is the Order coming along?"

Dumbledore sat down and straightened himself before choosing his answer. "Better than I expected. We are making small steps. Remus says that more werewolves are coming to his way of thinking, Bill Weasley is getting stronger support from the goblins and despite the panic that the Daily Prophet seems to take pleasure in spreading, we have been able to prevent many more killings and injuries, especially for the Muggles. Of course, sadly, some are inevitable. But in comparison to last time, the Order is much more prepared, so Voldemort's rise has not been as relentless."

"Well, last time none of us expected him to be as strong as he was. But I agree, Albus – it doesn't look like he has a complete stranglehold on the wizarding world," stated Kalissa thoughtfully.

"It's still very dangerous, Kalissa. Hagrid was telling me the other day that Knockturn Alley is full of Death Eaters and some of the owners on Diagon Alley are trying to move off because of all of the Deatth Eaters roaming around," countered Minerva.

Kalissa nodded. "That's expected, Minerva. He's accomplished one of his major goals which is to spread fear through all of the homes and families. But he knows that now, there are far more people willing to fight him. The penetration of that fear has its limits."

As the other two paused to ponder Kalissa's statement, Natalie took the silence to ask Dumbledore a question that had come to her when Kalissa implied that he had a secret plan to kill Voldemort. "Er, Professor Dumbledore, Harry's told me about his lessons with you. He said that you essentially show him Voldemort's background and past. Sorry, if I'm being a bit too inquisitive, but I know more about Voldemort than the typical person, so I was wondering about what actual weakness do you see in him?"

Kalissa looked at her proudly while Minerva looked slightly alarmed. Dumbledore smiled knowingly. "My, my, she has your insight, Kalissa. Yes, Natalie, that's a very important question. I believe Harry may have already told you and I've repeatedly told Kalissa and Minerva this, but Voldemort's greatest weakness is his inability to summon any love for another human being."

"But how does that help Harry?" blurted Natalie.

Minerva cleared her throat. "Natalie, you can't ask –"

Dumbledore held his hand to stop Minerva. "No, Minerva, it's something that we must understand to defeat him."

"Natalie, you recall that Harry survived that night as a baby when Voldemort's Killing curse rebounded upon him?"

"Yes."

"The reason the Killing Curse could not operate properly is that before Voldemort focused his attention upon Harry, he gave his mother the choice to leave Harry – he would let her live while he killed Harry. Naturally, Lily refused to give up her son so Voldemort killed her. Her sacrifice for Harry placed a very powerful magical protection upon him – it's extremely ancient magic that I believe Voldemort forgot about. Consequently, Voldemort's Killing Curse could not penetrate that protection and reflected off the shield as you may call it."

Natalie narrowed her eyes in concentration at Dumbledore. "So Professor, you think, that Harry can use this protection, if cast in this way, to kill Voldemort?"

Dumbledore smiled at her. "That is the general idea, but first, Harry needs to learn that it is his ability to love that makes him superior to Voldemort."

Natalie raised her hand. "Wait, but does that mean that Harry has to face Voldemort? Is he truly the Chosen One?"

This time, Kalissa spoke. "Natalie, don't listen to what the Daily Prophet says. It's Harry's choice as to whether he fulfills that prophecy."

"But because Voldemort killed his parents, Harry will invariably seek out Voldemort. He could not live without avenging his parents' deaths," said Dumbledore calmly. Minerva nodded sadly.

Dumbledore turned his head to face Natalie. "Natalie, I'm sorry my dear, but it is late and I have to talk to Kalissa about more private matters regarding the Order. There is still time for you to ask one more question if you are inclined- I believe with my busy schedule this year, I have not had the time to talk with you as frequently in the summer."

His invitation took her by surprise. She thought that he would be more reluctant to answer more Order related questions, but she remembered the one curiosity plaguing her mind since the Christmas attack.

"Actually, there is," said Natalie excitedly. "Have you determined how Voldemort found our location on Christmas?"

Dumbledore smiled at her. "Ah, an excellent question."

"I have to say Natalie, I was expecting you to ask that question the moment you stepped into the room," Kalissa commented wryly.

"Albus, this is a very secretive Order matter," Minerva protested. "We do not even tell some members-

"Natalie deserves to know, Minerva," Kalissa interjected, earning a glare from Minerva. "She was there that night with us when they came."

"I agree with Kalissa," stated Dumbledore, winking at Natalie. Minerva glared at the smirk on Kalissa's face before crossing her arms and looking at Dumbledore to continue.

"The explanation is not as grand as you may hope," Dumbledore began. "In fact, the exposure of Kalissa's location was more due to bad luck and a lack of acute judgment from our part than any type of strategic planning by Voldemort. I do not know if Kalissa told you, but Natalie, when we were deciding upon the location to use, we consulted an old list of magical homes that the Auror department employed for witness protection during the first war. The current list, I'm afraid, has fallen into Voldemort's hands, likely due to the increasingly number of Imperiused Aurors in the Ministry. But the old list we used was developed by the Auror department under Barty Crouch's reign- in spite of his ruthless tactics, when he was head of the Department, he ensured those magical locations were never revealed to Voldemort's Death Eaters."

"And we picked an unused location from the list," Kalissa added. "So for all intents and purposes, I was convinced that it would be impossible for him to find me but we overlooked a very important recent detail that may have invalidated the list."

Dumbledore nodded, exchanging a wry smile with Kalissa. "I am certain Harry has told you about his fourth year and the man ultimately responsible for Voldemort's rebirth: Barty Crouch Jr. When we interrogated him after Harry valiantly fought Voldemort in the graveyard, he revealed to us that he had been secretly living with his father for the previous 15 years, albeit under the Imperius curse. However, he could fight off the Imperius curse and I know from experience that Barty Crouch Sr, as paranoid as he could be, kept very important information about Ministry and Auror matters within his house. It would not be a stretch for him to keep the list locked within his house. I imagine young Barty, under his Master's orders, managed to pry the list from his father along with other important information from the last war. And of course, Voldemort now has all this intelligence."

"Voldemort still had to realize that we may have taken advantage of the list," said Kalissa, shaking her head in frustration. "I'm certain that he assigned a group of his Death Eaters to check those locations and of all the locations on the list, the house I lived in would have been the only one with magical wards set. None of the other homes were used by the Ministry and Order. Albus and I foolishly overlooked the role of Barty Crouch Jr and it almost cost you, Minerva and I our lives."

"I am very sorry, Natalie and Minerva," said Dumbledore gravely.

"We are alive, aren't we?" said Natalie as cheerfully as we could. "And like you said, it was such a small detail to notice. You had every reason to believe he would never have gotten his hands on the list."

"Natalie has a legitimate point," noted Minerva with an encouraging nod at Kalissa and Dumbledore.

"It does not heed us to dwell on past mistakes," said Dumbledore solemly. "I hope that my answer satisfies you Natalie. Now, I do need to talk to Kalissa and Minerva about more private Order matters that I'm afraid I cannot discuss freely with you, my dear. But, you can stay the night with Kalissa. Minerva, I trust you do not object?"

Minerva looked like she was ready to say something but the firm, assertive note in Dumbledore's voice quelled her. "No, it's fine. Aberforth said that the room next door is empty. I think you should go there, Natalie while we talk."

Dumbledore beamed at Minerva. "An excellent idea. Natalie, if you would please excuse us," beckoned Dumbledore to Natalie.

Kalissa nodded to her. She reluctantly stood up, walked through the door and into the room adjacent to the broom closet, excited and restless about what she had learned.