Windows of the Soul

Authors Notes: This story ignores HBP and DH. Thanks to my best friend Sedahren for being my beta. This is my first ever fic so please be kind, and I hope you like it...

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PROLOGUE

Albus Dumbledore stood at the window in his office, looking out into the rainy night with a frown on his face, his usually bright sparkling eyes a dull blue. Fawkes sat watching his friend and master; he shook himself and flew over to land on his shoulder, trilling softly in hope of giving his friend some peace. Albus started at the feeling of his phoenix, absently stroking the soft feathers and feeling slightly peaceful at the contact.

"Oh Fawkes. I knew that this time would come, but now that it is here..." he whispered, and feeling very old and tired, leant his head on the windowsill. "How do I tell one of my favourite ex-students what I did to him all those years ago? Will he forgive me? Will he hate me? Will he understand?"

He put his hand up and Fawkes flew back to his perch. The old man slowly stood and walked over to his desk to sink down into his favourite comfy chair. Looking up at the portraits around his office, he noted that most of them had sympathetic looks on their faces.

Albus picked up a piece of parchment and his quill and slowly started to write one of the hardest things he had ever been called upon to write.

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Number twelve, Grimmauld Place was now the summer home of one Harry James Potter, under the watchful eyes of his adopted godfather, Remus J. Lupin.

Dumbledore had finally given in and allowed Harry to remain at the ancient house rather than go back to Privet Drive and the Dursleys. Harry was very happy about this, and finally getting to know the kind werewolf was just an added bonus. They talked about Sirius and Harry's parents, which gave Remus some closure and Harry some new memories.

Remus was also trying to redecorate the place, make it more homely, lighter.

Some of his attempts Harry still laughed over. The paint with which Remus had chosen to decorate the hallways had certainly been, well, bright. He could almost hear Mrs Black’s screeches reverberating in his ears even now.

On this particular evening Harry was sitting in the kitchen, watching patiently while Remus put the finishing details on dinner, when he heard an owl tapping on the window. Walking over and opening the window, he watched as the owl jumped onto the table and gave Remus a quick peck on the finger.

"Ow! Bloody bird." Remus sucked his bitten finger whilst deftly taking the letter off with his other hand.

"Who's it from, Moony?" Harry asked as he gave the bird a treat, closing the window when it had departed.

The prolonged silence made him look up, and the paleness of Remus’ face struck a chord of misgiving deep in his chest. Whatever was contained within that letter couldn’t be good - the man was getting whiter with each word he read.

Kneeling by the side of the chair, Harry picked up a cold clammy hand and waited until Remus had finished reading.

"Moony, what’s wrong?"

Remus lifted his head, tears streaming down his face. "The letter was from Albus. He had something he needed me to know, and he felt that this was the time to tell me."

Harry squeezed the older man’s hand gently. "What is it? Will you tell me?"

Looking at the young man whom he regarded as the only family he now had left, Remus sighed. "I never told you, but many years ago I was with someone. Someone I loved very much. But he - he was taken from me.” He took a shaky breath. “Well, it seems from Albus that we also had a child, but she was taken away too."

Harry stared at him with a look of astonishment. "Who? Why? Where? When?"

A ghost of a smile tilted his lips. "Sirius,” he replied sadly. “Sirius asked for her to be taken to safety when he was taken to Azkaban, because he felt I was too upset to look after her. They changed my memories too, so I wouldn't remember her."

He looked into Harry's face (so much like James’ but with those haunting green eyes of his mother). "Her name is Ellorra, and she is now seventeen years old. She goes to school at Durmstrang."

Harry stood up, still holding Remus hand. "So let’s go and get her! Let’s get your daughter." He tugged on the older man’s hand, dragging him to his feet and into a hug. Remus sagged into Harry's arms, thankful of the warmth that was seeping into him; he had gone so cold whilst reading that letter.

Harry slowly pulled away, looking closely at Remus’ face. It was slowly getting some colour back into it and he didn't look as if he was about to collapse.

Remus straightened and took a deep breath. "We can't just go to the school and take her away, even though I want to."

"Why not?" Harry answered with a frown.

"Because.” His face took on a serious expression. “One, I don't know how she will react to me. Two, does she have anybody she calls family? Three, does she know about Sirius and me?” He held up a hand to silence the protest he knew was in Harry’s mind. “And finally, I don't know what she looks like. I only know her first name."

Harry considered for a moment, brows furrowing in thought before he exclaimed, "I've got it! I know you probably don't want to involve Dumbledore, but he is the best person to act as a go-between as he knows more than we do."

"You are right; I don't want to involve Albus. But, as you said he knows more about my daughter at the moment." Remus sighed and looked at Harry with resignation, “Please send an owl to him and ask for his help. I'm going to lie down for a while. I feel as I need a nap." He laid his hand on Harry's shoulder for a brief moment then left the room.

Harry thoughtfully watched his godfather leave the room, then reached for a piece of parchment and started to write.