A/N: hello Everyone, I hope you enjoyed the previous chapter, sorry about the wait for this one.

Chapter 7: Repentance

Lilly sighed as she pushed Nicholas's hair out of his face. They had just spoken about the invitation she had received and Nick had agreed to accompany her, just to see Harry at least. She didn't know if Nick had forgiven her, not that she had forgiven herself either, but it would be nice for him not to hate her when they went to see he ex-husband.

" I am so sorry Harry. So so sorry." She whispered as she clutched her baby tighter to her chest.

"Sorry about what mum?" Nicholas asked quietly, his mind still partially asleep.

"Nothing you need to worry about. Go back to sleep precious, there is still a few more minutes before our escort comes to pick us up." Nick nodded wearily and lay down again.

"He'll forgive you mum. I know he will." He whispered from his pillow. Lilly only nodded and ran her hands through his hair again. Nick drifted back to sleep unaware of the silent sobs wracking his mothers body.

~~~A Light is Born~~~

"S...Se...Sevv...SsssSeverus?"

"Yes Dalen?" Severus responded casually, glancing over the top of his paper to where Dalen was kneeling at his feet (They still hadn't gotten the poor child to sit on furniture. 'Like a human' as he often argued in his quiet stuttering voice) Though he looked like he was immersed in his potions journal, Severus was mentally straining forwards in anticipation. This was the first time Dalen had said his name like a name instead of a title like master or even sir.

"Ssss... Sssi... Sir?" Dalens question threw him off, what was his godson trying to ask.

"Yes Dalen? How can I help?" The response was a mere whisper,

"Are... Are...Are you...teaching... Mmm... me today?" Ah, that was what he feared. Whenever Potter had punished him he had probably disguised it by calling it a lesson. Dalen probably feared his walking lessons.

"No Dalen. I will not be teaching you a lesson." The boy visibly relaxed, "but I will be teaching you how to walk again." The way the boy finally acted like the child was by deflating and letting out a resigned huff made Severus laugh, long and hard. He didn't notice Dalens light smile.

~~~A Light is Born~~~

Needless to say the walking lessons were painful and caused Dalen a great deal of physical, mental and emotional strain. By the time they were finished Dalen had nearly retreated into his mind to escape the pain of it all. Draco sat beside the waif like child and pet his hair as Severus went through his pockets for a vial of dreamless sleep and pain relief potion. He carefully administered the potions and allowed Draco to sooth Dalen enough to be picked up and taken back to bed. It was probably a good thing that Dalen couldn't take too much physical therapy as Lilly and Albus would be arriving soon and Severus didn't want his godson descending into a panic attack at the sight of his "mother".

"Hush child. Sleep well, I will let nothing harm you." The potions master knew he was going soft as he crooned over his godson. But for his Dalen, he would gladly endure the teasing Lucius would inflict in him.

~~~A Light is Born~~~

Marvolo fidgeted slightly in his throne. He waited with baited breath for the Light envoys to arrive. Potter would be executed that evening and Albus had demanded to be there. He was definitely disgusted by James' actions, but he would be there to see an old friend off, and to show his continued support for the treaty.

"Relax My Lord. They will be here soon enough. Besides Severus has returned." Marvolo stood gracefully, not yet falling into his Voldemort persona. Lucius glanced over at his friend. He was slightly anxious about the news he brought.

"The lessons went well enough, I have put Dalen to bed as the mental and physical strain was a bit too much for him at the moment. However I believe we have gained a bit of trust with him. But now that we have it, the challenge will be keeping it." Severus explained. He rubbed his face tiredly, it was obvious that Severus suffered as well. Marvolo nodded, a hint of a smile on his face before it was hidden beneath the mask of Voldemort.

"They are arriving my lord." Avery spoke softly, not wishing to anger his master. Voldemort rose gracefully allowing no weakness to show its self as Lily and Nicholas Potter approached. . Nicholas was shaking slightly and clutched desperately onto his mother. Lilly's eyes were blown wide, she was unsure about herself and the environment she had entered.

"Relax Lady Potter. You shall come to no harm here as long as you uphold the treaty. Is Albus Dumbledore not accompanying you today?" Voldemort spoke regally, his voice smooth like melted chocolate with the faintest hint of a hiss.

"He will be coming later. Just in time for the ceremony, he needed to meet with someone." Lilly replied confidently. She betrayed none of her fear but the shaking of her voice and the way she clutched her son just a little bit tighter gave her away. Voldemort nodded his acceptance and she visibly relaxed.

"May I speak with Him, my lord? There are things we both must say that are not meant for the ears of the public." She had gained confidence too.

"Hmmm. Take Lucius with you, the prisoner must be kept in line. I fear you would not be able to take the measures needed to insure your own safety, and that of your sons." Voldemort spoke quietly and with authority. The threat clear to any who could read between the lines, however it did not deter the Lady Porter as he had intended. She drew herself up higher and stronger, allowing some of her magic to seep through her shields.

"Trust me Lord Voldemort. I will take whatever measures needed to protect my children." From anyone was left unsaid, but it was clear enough. Voldemort nodded. Yes, she would protect her children at any cost. But Dalen was not her child, and she had failed him.

~~~A Light is Born~~~

James lay against the door of his cell. He knew he was to be punished again today, though nothing they did would ever make him regret it. That little freak deserved everything he had given him. The wolf in sleeps clothing. He chuckled humourlessly as he heard he door to the dungeons open and the tramping of six feet on the stairs.

"Come to take me to my punisher Luciusssss...?" There, right in front of his cell was Lily and...Nick?

"Nick? What are you...?"

"Dad. Why?" Nick looked so lost, so confused. James didn't understand.

"What do you mean sweet heart? It would have hurt you if I hadn't brought it under control! Surely you belie me Lils? Right? It was dangerous!" James shrieked in rage at his wife and child's disbelieving faces.

"He was dangerous James? My baby, the baby that I raised. That I looked after and loved? I loved that child James. I loved him like my own child, like I would have loved the boy that I lost, James. How could you?" Lily looked so upset and so hurt that James felt a trickle of doubt down his spine. Then came the rage.

"How could I! How. Could. I?" He raged grabbing the bars and shaking them like a crazed monkey. "Everything I did to It I did for our son. For Nick. Lilly why can't you see that. I couldn't let It outshine our true-born son. It was nothing, something I pulled out of a gutter! For Merlin's sake woman!" A slight whimper brought his sanity back into focus. Nick. He had forgotten about his son. He looked over to see his little boys face red with tears and pure hatred, betrayal in his eyes.

"You did that to my brother. You would have done the same to me if you found out I could do the same things as him. You would have wouldn't you?"

"No Nick! Never! You are my heir. I could never have hurt you. Ever. Nick you have to understand-"

"I have to understand?! You tortured my little brother. I don't have to understand anything. I hate you. I hate you! I HATE YOU!" James' world stopped spinning. His son hated him. Nick, his precious baby boy, hated him. This was that damn monsters fault, he would find a way, even if it took the rest of his life, he would make that monster wish it were dead. And when he was beyond begging, only then would he die.

"I hate you James. I am glad we will never see you again after today. But if we do... I can gaur tee you James... You will wish yourself dead." Lilly hissed, she grabbed their son and strode from the dungeon. She never looked back.

"It is a good thing then, that today is your last day on earth, isn't it." Lucius smirked that infuriating infuriating smirk before leaving the prison, a slight spring in his step.

'Merlin I will kill that bastard!'

~~~A Light is Born~~~

Draco sat on Dalens bed. Tales of Beedle the Bard on his lap and the sleeping child's head beside him. Dalen had fallen asleep some time ago and was allowing him to gently pet his hair. Draco sighed and dragged his hand through his own hair, school would be starting again in another month and he dreaded to think about how Dalen would handle it. Draco could guarantee that Dalen wouldn't be joining the student body in the fall. At least not for a couple of years.

"Dodd. Ddra...Draco?" The sleep filled voice of the childlike boy snapped Draco out of his reverie.

"Yeah?"

"Can...caaa...can I.., can I have...have the Ted...teddy... Can I have the teddy bear?" His face looked so braced for rejection and his entire body was tensed for a beating, or a spell.

"Ummm, sure. Yes definitely. If you can call it to you." His entire body slumped, in dejection or in relief Draco couldn't tell. Either way, a few minutes later Dalen was clutching the teddy bear, curled around it like a cat around her kittens.

~~~A Light is Born~~~

The sun began to drop from the sky around the same time James potter was led to the stage in the centre of Diagon Alley. His arms were chained with magic binding cuffs and his clothing had been replaced with the standard Azkaban robe. Sirius Black stood in the crowd gathered. His eyes peeled searching for one person and one person only.

The crowd cheered as Voldemort strode up the stairs in strong powerful steps. They cheered as they saw the person behind the mask. The press wrote wildly, stories of a grieving father, a young husband mad with grief over the death of his wife, a tortured child brought home and a criminal to justice. The truce and the treaty were now being set in stone. The people could see their leader as the protector they had wanted in Albus Dumbledore.

Lucius watched as Voldemort gave the standard speech about criminal justice and how the peace and balance between light and dark should stem from trust for swift and accurate justice. They then proceeded to read off the charges, child abuse, neglect, unlawful imprisonment, etc. Lucius stood strong throughout. The people didn't notice the way his eyes sought out Narcissa's and their silent exchange.

"Do any object to the immediate execution and shaming of this man and his name, James Harold Potter?"

"Do any object to the immediate execution and shaming of this man and his name, James Harold Potter?" James frantically searched the crowd, hoping that sirius wouldn't abandon him today. Not after all these years. THERE! His eyes met Sirius' . He nodded in farewell, and Sirius nodded back in understanding. James sighed in relief. Sirius would finish their work and complete their goals. That little bastard would need to look over his shoulder wherever he went. As the dementors approached and the cold overtook his body James kept his eyes on Sirius. But as the dementor lowered its hood and opened its mouth, James saw another face in the crowd. One he had not seen for almost ten years.

"Moony?"

~~~A Light is Born~~~

Remus Lupin watched with unfeeling eyes as the dementor took the soul of the man who used to be his best friend. The man who had betrayed his trust and destroyed his cub. Young Harry had been put through hell because the man couldn't let go of a grudge. When Albus had invited him to witness the end of his friends life he had expected to be greeted by Lilly with a curse, however he also expected that Albus had only brought him so that he might object to Voldemort's punishment for James instead. But Remus stood and listened to the charges and allowed his wolf to take the rest if his humanity. Cub had been hurt by Pack. Pack must be punished.

Remus watched the Aurors cast the killing curse and clean away the body of his school yard friend. As the crowd dwindled away he spotted a giant black dog make its way through the horde of people. His eyes like steel and his heart hardened he delved towards the imposing figure watching over the people from the stage.

"My Lord! I must speak with you! I have information on those who hurt your son! I have information on Sirius Black."

A/N: ok. No excuse. Again. As I am sure you have noticed I update sporadically so yeah. This one took a while, again apologies. I hope you enjoyed.