It was now seven years ago that Annora was adopted by her father. She couldn't remember much from the time at her orphanage, only the worse things. Annora tried not to think about the constant verbal abuse she experienced and focused back to her lesson with Aunt Bella.
From the age of five, Annora started training. She really enjoyed it as it would clear her head and she loved to learn new stuff. On the Mondays and Thursdays she was training Dark Arts and Defence from her Aunt Bella, and sometimes when her father wasn't busy, he would train her himself. On the Tuesdays and Fridays she had Transfiguration from Uncle Lucius. On the Wednesdays and Saturdays she was training Potions with Severus, although he recently changed it to Wednesdays potions and Saturdays occlumency. Her father had told her how important it was to block your mind from people as she had learned about Legilimency.
The Sundays she could do whatever she wanted. She usually hung out with her best friends, Draco, Dev and Gryph, but sometimes she was on her own.
Annora was now eleven years old. Her father had blood-adopted her when she was three and she looked a lot more like him now. She kept her big Icy blue eyes and her messy, jet black hair which was at mid-back length. Her face shape had changed to that of her father as had her smile and other small features of her face. She even had some of her father's personality traits; for example, her want for revenge when people are mean to her, her way to manipulate, her humour and her confidence.
She was thrown out of her thoughts as a blasting curse threw her to the other side of the room. Glaring at Aunt Bella, she stood up.
"I told you to concentrate!" Bella said, sighing.
"I know, I'm sorry, Bella. I'm just tired. We've been training for five hours now." Annora said, while she ran a hand through her hair.
"I know, Annora, I'm sorry. You may rest now. I'm sure if you practise a little bit in your room until Monday, you will be able to cast it perfectly." Bella smiled before leading her out of the training grounds.
If you didn't know Bella, you would think that she is a psychotic evil witch, but in reality, if Bella cares about someone, she will protect them at all cost. Bella was actually very kind to Annora and always made sure she was okay and if Annora told her that someone hurt her, Bella would want nothing more than to make that person die a very slow and painful death.
"Thank you, Bella. I'll see you around, okay?" she smiled at her Aunt. She was sweating very badly and decided to take a quick shower before going to see her father. Her father had told her he'd wanted to talk about something important.
XXX
The two Riddles sat in the man's private chamber in peaceful quiet. Annora waited patiently for her father to begin talking about what was so important.
Tom cleared his throat and looked his child in the eye. "Annora, I wanted to see you, because I need you to do something for me," he said carefully.
Annora frowned and eyes her father curiously, waiting for him to continue.
"I suspect your Hogwarts letter will come anytime soon and even though I want to keep you away from that old fool Dumbledore, there is something I want you to know" Tom continued, not taking his eyes of the child in front of him.
"What is that, father?" Annora asked curiously.
"I have send a low ranked Death Eater of mine with a quest to Hogwarts to get the Philosopher's stone," he held out his hand as Annora opened her mouth, quickly stopping what she was about to say. "I want you to stay out of it unless I order you to do otherwise. I do want you to write to me about anything you hear being talked about the stone, however unimportant you may find it to be. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Yes, father, I understand," Annora said quickly. On the outside she looked calm but inside her she was exploding with excitement. She was going to Hogwarts this year with her best friends! Her father had told her stories about Hogwarts and she was constantly begging him to let her go, but he always said no and told her firmly not to whine about it any further. But now her father changed his mind!
"I also want you to put the focus away from yourself. Don't get suspicious, act like a normal first year student, understood? Severus will be there to help you as well. Do what everybody else is doing. Don't start fights, be respectful and there's another thing I want you to do for me."
"What may that be, father?"
"I want you to become friends with Harry Potter. I know it sounds off, but if he trusts you, it will be easier for me to kill him. Be generous towards him, even though you despise him as much as I do. Take your time and don't rush it. You don't want to get suspicious, okay?"
Annora nodded. "Is that all, father?"
"Yes, that is all, Annora, you may go now," Tom said, his tone turning softer.
Annora nodded and walked away from the chamber to walk back to her room and let herself fall on the bed. She couldn't remember a time when she was this excited.
XXX
Minerva was checking over all the Hogwarts letters that will be going to the new first years, when she gasped. She grabbed for one particular letter which read:
Miss Annora Ambrosia Riddle
2nd floor, the second bedroom on your right
Riddle Manor
She put the letter in one of the pockets from her robe and almost ran towards the Headmaster's Office.
"Lemon drop," she said, wondering again why in Merlin's name the so-called leader of the light made his passwords named after Muggle candy. Once she got upstairs, she knocked at the door and waited for a reply.
"Come in," said the soft voice of Albus Dumbledore.
When Minerva walked in, Dumbledore could see the stress and worry into the Head of Gryffindor's eyes and immediately became alert. "Minerva, what's wrong? What happened?"
Minerva didn't answer this, instead she grabbed the letter from her pockets and laid it on the desk Albus was sitting behind.
When albus read the letter, his eyes widened a bit. He sighed and pinched his nose. "The man is full of surprises, he is," he said, not taking his eyes of the name of Annora Riddle.
Minerva got even more worried now. "What do you mean, Albus? You didn't know You-Know-Who had a daughter?"
Albus sighed sadly. "No, I am afraid I was not aware of that information. Although, maybe Severus could help us out a little bit," he said. He stood up and walked towards the fireplace to call Severus.
This got Minerva into thinking. How was Severus not aware that the Dark Lord has a daughter? He couldn't have kept her from everyone for eleven years, could he? Or maybe he did know but he just didn't tell them. Minerva frowned but got distracted as the fire roared and Severus Snape came in, looking very displeased.
"Headmaster, you do realize what time it is? It is almost midnight. Why did you need to speak to me about that is apparently so important it could not wait until tomorrow?" Snape said irritably.
The Headmaster smiled at the Potions Professor. "I do apologize, my boy, but me and Minerva found out some horrid news."
This got Severus' attention as he took a few more steps towards the Headmaster and his colleague. "And what may that be?"
"It seems that Voldemort has a heir. Have you ever heard of the name Annora Ambrosia Riddle being mentioned while at a meeting, Severus?" Dumbledore asked softly, though Severus could tell the old fool was worried.
"No, I am afraid I have never heard of that name. If I had, you are aware that you would be the first to know," Severus said, while fixing his occlumency shield.
The headmaster did not reply to that, in fact, he seemed to be lost in his thoughts. Minerva was the first one to break the tense silence. "What are we going to do now, Albus? Are we allowing this girl into Hogwarts, even though she could be dangerous?"
The headmaster stared at the strict woman standing before him. "It depends. Severus, can you figure out as much information about the girl as possible? This includes her power, relationships with other Death Eaters and the relationship with Voldemort," Albus said kindly towards the younger man, his eyes twinkling slightly.
The potions master gave a firm nod before walking towards the fireplace to go back to his quarters in Hogwarts.
XXX
Severus walked towards Riddle Manor, his heart beating very fast. He knew that the Dark Lord will be angry about Dumbledore finding out about Annora, and when the Dark Lord is angry, he is very dangerous to be around.
He knocked at the door, to let Voldemort know he had a visitor before the door magically opened. He walked inside and saw Voldemort standing in the main sitting-room, peering from out the window.
"Severus, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Voldemort's voice broke the silence.
Severus bowed low, before standing up to stare at him for a moment, trying to figure out how to tell him this. "My Lord, I have come with some worrisome news," he started but waited a moment to look at the Dark Lord's face.
"What might that be?" Voldemort said coldly. He was having a bad feeling about what Severus would soon tell him. Not that he would show his concern to anyone, though.
"My Lord, Albus Dumbledore has found out about Annora. While Minerva McGonagall was checking the letters, she came across the one from Annora and immediately informed the Headmaster. He wants me to find out as much as I possibly can," he finished. He tried to calm himself down while waiting for Voldemort's reply.
The air was getting tense as Voldemort's head began to fill with worry about his daughter. "Did he say anything else?" Voldemort's voice could make anyone get a shiver running down their spine at how dark and cold it sounded.
"No, my Lord, he did not. I will inform as little as possible to Dumbledore, if you don't mind. Only the things that are not important. I can't get myself suspicious." Severus never looked away from the dangerous man standing before him, as if he could attack any moment.
"Do what you have to do, Severus, but remember this." He stopped as he walked towards one of his most loyal followers. "If you say something stupid that will get Annora in danger, you will die a very slow and horrible death. Do you understand?" he whispered in a dangerous tone.
"Yes, my Lord, I understand," Severus said, trying to hide the nervousness he felt.
Voldemort walked away from the potions master and turned his back on him to once again look outside the window. "If that is all, Severus, you are dismissed."
Severus nodded and bowed once again before walking away from the Manor to the apparation point and disappeared with a crack.
XXX
Annora woke up to find a letter laying on the ground. It appeared to be thrown through the window. 'Weird,' she thought but shrugged her shoulders as she walked towards it. She didn't need to read one word before she knew what this was. It was her Hogwarts letter!
She ran downstairs to the dining room to find her father already seated. He looked at her with an annoyed expression. "What did I tell you about running in the Manor, Annora?"
Annora lowered her gaze to the ground. "No running in the Manor… I'm sorry, father," she said quietly.
Voldemort nodded and motioned for her to sit down. Once she was seated, Voldemort summoned a house elf to make breakfast for her before turning back to his daughter.
"Now, what did you want to tell me which made you run all the way down here?" he asked in a somewhat soft voice that he only used for Annora.
Annora smiled up at him. "I've got my Hogwarts letter." She showed him the letter and her father opened it. When he read the letter, however, concern started filling him although he did not let that show.
Dear Miss Riddle
We are pleased to inform you that you maybe will be accepted at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Albus Dumbledore wants you in his office with a guardian or someone you feel close with. This shall take place tomorrow at noon, five o'clock. We await your arrival.
Your sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall (Deputy Headmistress)
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT & WIZARDRY
Headmaster Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First class, Grand Sore., Chf. Warlock, Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Voldemort snorted at the last bit of information. Honestly, the man really loves to brag, it's pathetic. He turned back to his daughter, anger at the old fool now rising in his throat. "Leave me," he said with a tone that said: 'no arguing'.
Annora gave a firm nod and quickly left the room, a small smile spreading on her face. She was going to Hogwarts! Her head was filling with scenarios at Hogwarts that she didn't notice Narcissa standing in front of her. She stumbled at her and almost fell to the ground if Narcissa didn't grab her arm.
"What happened that got you so distracted?" Narcissa asked softly.
Annora smiled apologetically. "I've got my Hogwarts letter!"
Narcissa frowned. "And your father is making you go?"
"Yes. Because there is something he wants me to do," Annora answered, smartly leaving out the details of the mission.
Narcissa nodded thoughtfully. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I want to have a word with your father."
Annora nodded and walked away, ready to tell her friends.
Narcissa knocked on the door that led to the dining room. She supposed the Dark Lord was still in here. When she heard the cold voice of Voldemort she walked in.
"Narcissa, what is it you thought was so important to disturb me while I am in the dining room?"
Narcissa bowed elegantly before looking at him. "My Lord, do you think it's wise to let Annora go to Hogwarts. What if Dumbledore does something to her?"
Voldemort sighed. "Narcissa, are you questioning my decisions?"
"Of course not, My Lord, I just have Annora's best interests at heart."
Voldemort's eyes reddened if that was even possible. "And so do I. Do not forget that Severus will always be around to protect her. Now leave me."
Narcissa bowed apologetically and made to leave the room when Voldemort stopped her.
"Wait. Do inform Lucius for me to take Annora to Hogwarts tomorrow as that old fool of a Headmaster demanded her in his office to 'get to know' her."
"Of course," Narcissa said and when she got the sign, she walked away to inform her husband.
XXX
A/N:
Hey everyone! This is the second chapter of my story, The Devil's Orphan I. From now on updates will take place every Monday. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, feel free to review. Any questions, tips, or anything I would greatly appreciate.
XX Norah