Disclaimer: I do not own any characters that you recognize. Those are property of JKRowling and her publishers. However, I would like to add that I occasionally feel the need to steal James for a day or two…
Prologue
The house was in flames.
The second story was collapsing, caving in on the three people still inside. Two men stood in the living room, the building in chaos around them.
"Give me the anecdote, Aticus, and I'll spare her life!" said an angry voice.
"I don't have it, Riddle! You know that. Leave the child out of this, it's between you and me," the man replied.
A small girl, no older then five, huddled in the corner of the room, partially hidden behind the smoke engulfed couch. She had her eyes shut tightly, begging for an end to the pain.
"I'll give you one more warning, Aticus."
The man paused while Aticus hesitated.
"Too long McDonnell! Crucio!"
"Nooo!"
But the curse never hit the child; instead it struck a young man, protecting the girl from further harm. The attacker looked on curiously at the newcomer, wondering where he came from and why he didn't scream in agony. The Cruciatus Curse was not one to be taken lightly.
Aticus took the moment to charge his attacker. Aticus pulled his wand from his pocket and began firing spells. The man dodged them easily, shielding himself with his own strong magic, the child and young man forgotten.
The little girl opened her eyes and looked into her saviors face. Hidden behind his wire rimmed glasses, his eyes were a dark ash color, clouded with anger and worry. He stared into the girls' eyes, transfixed for a moment, as if coming to a conclusion in his own head. He blinked, recovered, and pulled the child into his arms.
"Shhh, it's going to be alright," he said, holding her tightly to him. She softly cried into his chest and he smoothed her hair. Then he pulled back, taking a gold chain from around his neck, placing it around hers. The girl looked at him with confusion as he stood up and began to carry her away from the burning home, the men dueling fiercely behind them.
"Crucio!"
The boy suddenly fell to the floor, dropping the child and writhing in pain. The little girl scooted back, away from her protector, now completely vulnerable. The evil man smiled and raised his wand to her.
"Crucio," he said maliciously, almost delicately.
But nothing happened. She held her stomach in slight discomfort. The man's face screwed up in confusion. Meanwhile, the boy had stopped his screaming and was getting back up. He looked for the other man, Aticus. There on the floor was the old guy, dead. The boy took his own wand and fired on the remaining man.
"Expelliarmus!" he cried. The attacker's wand flew out of his hand. He cried out in frustration.
"Stupefy!"
He fell to the carpeted floor with a thud. The boy wasted no time; he grabbed the girl, hoisted her into his arms and ran out of the house. Just as they made it out the front door, the stairs collapsed behind them, blocking their escape route.
The boy placed the girl on the grass. He followed her gaze towards the house and saw the Dark Mark looming over it. Soon, Aurors and the Magical Enforcement team would be swarming the place. He looked back at the girl, knowing he had to go, and kissed her gently on her forehead. She said nothing, just stared at him as he retreated into the night, the flames reflecting in her green eyes. She began to call to him.
She began to wail loudly, reaching out to keep him there. But he was gone.
The redhead woke up slowly, the dream still playing in her mind. She'd been having the reoccurring dream for the past two weeks, since her eleventh birthday. It always left her feeling empty and alone. But she wouldn't let it get her down today. It was only 5:30 in the morning; she could sleep for another three hours. The girl lay back down and drifted off to sleep.
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