Authors note: A little more is revealed in this chapter, but I am evil and still keeping you all on tenterhooks. I love cliffhangers...he he he! Thanks to all who have favourited and are following my story, it is really appreciated. Thanks to those who have left me reviews. I am loving creating and writing this story, though it is becoming more challenging. It's great to know their are so many others out there with a passion for Voldemort! Please see my profile page for a link to the Severina Angel myspace page. Dark Amber has taken on a life of it's own and now has a soundtrack! I've added all the songs that I have quoted and mentioned in the story so far. From Nat King Cole to Black Sabbath, it's a diverse mix! SA

'The gates of time have opened,

Now, its chains are broken.

An ancient force unleashed again

As I enter the portal,

I feel the enchantment

It takes me away, away from here.'

"Enter" – Within Temptation

Sirius gasped in shock at the Dark Amber stone that lay in the centre of the table. 'Rose asked you to hide it for her?' Kreacher nodded in affirmation. 'And then she modified her memory so she would have no knowledge of it.' Sirius couldn't believe it. 'And with its help you penetrated the wards placed on Voldemort's manor and the spells that were placed on my cell?'

Kreacher nodded. 'Yes master. I could not have penetrated the Dark Lord's wards even with my own magic. But this made it possible. You were very weak when I found you in your prison. We both held the stone and I apparated us here.'

Sirius shook his head in disbelief. 'But…how? How did you discover it would allow you to do that?' Kingsley spoke, continuing the explanation. 'When Kreacher came to warn me that you had both been captured, he showed me the box Rose had given him and what lay inside. When I saw it, I suspected it was the Dark Amber stone. I recalled seeing a picture of it and reading about its legend years ago. Those who had heard of it had believed it was a myth or had been lost down the centuries. I remember the book describing the power of the stone and what it could do.'

'Do you think Rose knows of her ancestry?' Sirius asked. Kingsley shook his head. 'I think it highly unlikely, unless Voldemort has now told her. I suspect he will keep her in the dark for as long as possible. Even Dumbledore did not know of it. I know he was intrigued by the prophecy about Voldemort and Rose. He did attempt to research Rose's ancestry, but was unable to find the information we now have. Rose's family were also unaware. Dumbledore asked them for information before they went into hiding and had their memories modified. They said they knew of no-one in their family with magical blood.'

Sirius shivered. Kingsley seemed convinced of the stone's origin and Kreacher was adamant that it had helped him penetrate Voldemort's well protected manor. Kingsley said that before Rose's true lineage had come to light, he had thought it strange that her family possessed the stone and wondered how it was possible. The wizarding world believed that the creator's blood-line had died out with the death of their last descendant, Gabriel Mortmain over seventy years ago. He would have been the last person to possess the stone. So how had it come to Rose's family?

'Again we have Kreacher to thank for solving the puzzle,' said Kingsley. 'When he infiltrated Voledmort's manor to find you and Rose, Kreacher was also able to gain access to Voldemort's chamber and he found a parchment with information that made everything clear.' Sirius had read this and had been taken aback by its contents. But it explained the reason for Voldemort binding himself to Rose. He would desire greatly to be allied to a direct descendant of the creator of the Dark Amber stone and father a child with them.

Everyone in the wizarding world knew of the stone's creator. They were enshrined in myth and legend. They were even known in the muggle world, although most muggles believed them to be just a story. The wizarding world knew they had existed in reality. And Rose had their blood running through her veins!

It unnerved him. There were so many different stories about them, that no-one knew the real truth. Some believed they had been a malevolent creature and practised dark magic. Others said they had been misunderstood and in fact had been a powerful and talented healer. They were also said to have been a shape shifter, a deity, descended from magical creatures. No one knew the real truth.

He felt like the Rose he knew was a stranger. What lay inside her? Untapped and unknown; both to her, to him and to the world. He would never stop loving her, but would this heritage change the lovely woman she was? What terrified him more was the impact Voldemort would have on her. His evil psyche and cruel nature would not leave her unscathed; he would leave his mark on her. She would bear his child. He wanted to vomit at the thought.

Kreacher came up to Sirius. 'Mistress Rose had the foresight to entrust me with this pendant. I think she must have unknowingly had some inkling of its importance. It is fortunate she gave it to me and we discovered its power and what it could do.' Sirius smiled at the elf. 'Yes it is. Kreacher I am grateful to you for helping me escape, but could you not have rescued Rose instead?'

'I would have rescued you both master. The stone guided me to Mistress Rose, but the Dark Lord was there.' Sirius started. 'He did not sense your presence?' Kreacher shook his head. 'No master. The stone can also keep you hidden from your enemies. The Dark Lord was sat next to her on the bed. She was deeply asleep. He was looking at her intently and touching her. His concentration was focused completely on her. I left the room to go in search of you.' Sirius wanted to be sick at Kreacher's words. Touching her!

'Could you not have gone back for her?' Kingsley shook his head. 'Kreacher came back and told us what had happened and of the conversation he had overheard between Dolohov and Lucius. He heard them say you were likely to be killed that night and we told him to go back and get you out of there.'

Sirius got up and paced the floor. I would rather be dead than Rose to be left at his mercy. The gods only know what he is putting her through.' Kingsley touched his shoulder. 'I know. You love her. But Voldemort was going to have Rose kill you! Kreacher heard them say he was going to make her choose between killing you or a muggle family.'

Sirius exhaled a breath and got up from the chair. 'Why?' He paced up and down the room, his anger building. Kreacher spoke. 'They were saying that the Dark Lord had arranged it as a lesson for her. Because Rose had dared to disobey and insult him.'

'The bastard! The sick, evil bastard!' Sirius flew around the room. He could not contain his rage indoors and apparated outside. He was quickly followed by Kingsley, who found him firing curses at a large rock on the beach. Kingsley waited patiently and watched as Sirius vented his fury. The air was filled with the sound of disintegrating rock and Sirius cursing and swearing, shouting into the air of what he would do to Voldemort.

After some time, exhaustion overtook Sirius and he sank down onto the sand. Kingsley joined him, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. 'Feel better?' Sirius inhaled deep breaths. 'I'm calmer. I'll feel better when that bastard is dead!' Kingsley looked at him sympathetically. 'I understand man. The whole world will be better off when he is dead.'

Sirius smiled darkly. 'Yes. And I want to be the one to do it. He's mine. He's killed my friends, my god son and now has the woman I love. Torturing her, forcing himself on her, impregnating her. I'm going to make the bastard pay!'

Kingsley counselled him. 'Yes, he's taken more from you than most and I understand your fury. But you cannot go after him in a blind rage; you will only get yourself killed. You have to channel and control that anger. We need to have a plan of action. Voldemort's forces outnumber ours and he will be sending them out looking for us. His spies are everywhere.'

Sirius exhaled. 'I know Kingsley. All I can think of at the moment is the carnage that will have ensued when the bastard found me gone! What will he have done to Rose? And what about that family? I feel sick at the thought of how the bastard will have made her suffer…I need to know how she is!"

'I will go back for you master.' Sirius and Kingsley turned. Kreacher's wizened face stared back at them. 'I'm not sure that's a good idea,' said Kingsley. 'Why not?' Sirius countered. 'Kreacher said Voldemort did not sense his presence whilst he had the stone and it enabled him to penetrate the wards. If it is that powerful, then I can use it and find Rose, maybe even get her out of there!'

Kingsley shook his head. 'Sirius man! Do you not think Voldemort will have strengthened the wards and placed extra protection on the house when he found you had escaped? He knows of the existence of the stone and Rose's ancestry. He may now have magic to detect the stone or prevent it being used to penetrate his defences. And he would surely like to possess the stone. We can't take the risk.' Sirius grimaced. He already possesses something more precious, he thought.

'But you said it can penetrate any magical defences and hide the wearer. Sirius argued. 'Yes. And it has the power to heal. But that is theory and according to myth and legend.' Kingsley stressed the last point. Frustrated, Sirius began to pace the beach. 'Yes, but it might be fact! It has been proven to work already! How can we not take the chance?'

Kreacher interjected again. 'Master Kingsley. I am willing to take the chance. The stone allowed me to penetrate the wards and charms. It guided me to Mistress Rose. I will attempt to find Mistress Rose and help her escape if I can. I will not put myself or the stone at risk. You say you believe the stone to be the Dark Amber stone of legend. Master Sirius is right, we should take the chance. But it should be me who goes. I will not be impulsive like Master Sirius.'

As heated as they had both become, Sirius and Kingsley could not help but laugh at Kreacher's last statement. 'He's got you there man!' Sirius grinned. 'Well I can't argue with that! Impulsive should have been my middle name!' He smiled at Kreacher. 'You know me too well my friend!' Kreacher nodded. 'I watched you grow up, master Sirius, so I am aware of your impulsive nature.'

Sirius looked at Kingsley. 'Well? Are we going to take the chance?' Kingsley exhaled, 'I'm probably going to regret this…but, yes. Kreacher you may use the stone again. You are a brave elf.' Kreacher's wizened face crinkled into a smile. 'Thank you Master Kingsley. I will do anything I can to thwart the Dark Lord's plans and help Mistress Rose.'

'Right, we'll go back to the cottage and plan Kreacher's mission. And you promise me you do not try to get involved in this endeavour Sirius Black! I'm going to place extra charms on the stone to stop you trying to take it and use it!' Sirius, despite his frustration, held up his arms in surrender and smiled. 'No fear! I'm not risking getting on the wrong side of you Kingsley Shacklebolt!'