Unofficial Portkey Archive

Prologue

Oct. 31st, 1981

“Sirius, is it true? Are James and Lily dead?” asked a young woman holding an infant girl in her arms. Sirius Black rubbed his temple and sighed. He couldn’t lie to his wife, especially since their 18 month old daughter was in her arms. He looked out the window as he watched the fireworks shooting off in the sky near Magnolia Crescent.

“Yes Bella, it is true, and Peter sold them out. I have to confront him. I promise I will be back with Harry. He’s our responsibility now.”

“Just promise you will come back to us Padfoot,” said Bella as she stroked his cheek with her free hand.

“I promise,” he said and he leaned down and passionately kissed his wife.

“What was that for?” she asked as they pulled away.

“Just in case something happens to me,” he said. The little girl in Bella’s arms stirred and she motioned for her daddy.

“Dada, up!’ she said.

“Come here Princess,” said Sirius as he took his daughter from his wife. “I want you to promise me that no matter what happens, that you will always remember your daddy. I love you Jessica, you’re my princess and nothing will change.”

Jessica looked at Sirius with tears in her eyes. Sirius hugged her as she hugged back and Arabella joined in.

“I love you, both of you, I will be back I promise.” He kissed his wife one last time and after handing Jessica to Bella he scurried out the door, only to never return.

“Good evening Bella,” said Professor Dumbledore as he arrived at her home. “I come bearing good and bad news.”

Bella offered him some tea as they sat in the kitchen, her cats sleeping by the fireplace.

“Is Sirius alright? Where’s Harry? He’s supposed to come here, we’re his legal guardians now.”

“I understand that Bella, but due to tonight’s circumstances, we have placed Harry in care with Lily’s sister Petunia.”

“Absolutely not Albus! I absolutely refuse to let him live there! Those people are horrid!”

“It’s for his own good. He is protected by his mother’s blood and I cannot explain why he must be there he just has to be. As for Sirius, I’m afraid he killed Peter Pettigrew and a dozen muggles. Peter and Sirius confronted and they started to duel. Unfortunately, Peter died and Sirius was caught in the act. They are sending him to Azkaban as we speak.”

Bella let out a cry of horror and sobbed into her hands.

“But Sirius is innocent! Peter and Sirius switched at the last minute! Sirius would never betray-“

“I know Bella, but even under Veritaserum, I highly doubt they would let him go. But I have come here to ask you to keep an eye on Harry, and I need you to make sure that he is alright. Offer to baby-sit him but you have to promise that Harry doesn’t know who you are, not until he gets his Hogwarts letter.”

“Mama?” came the voice of Jessica from the doorway. The little 18 month old trudged in carrying her blankie and her pacifier. “Me not sweep good.”

“Hello Jessica, good to see you again,” said Professor Dumbledore. Bella got up and picked Jessica up in her arms.

“Where daddy?” asked Jessica.

“He’s gone baby, he’s gone. Come on let’s go back up to bed.”

Professor Dumbledore watched as they walked upstairs and sighed as the clock struck midnight. He raised his mug into the air and sighed as looked out down the street towards Privet Drive.

“To the Boy-Who-Lived!” he said.