Distraction

"I don't know where exactly to begin," said Dumbledore. "I think you need an untold history lesson to start with."

Telara did her best to hide her frustration. If she had her way, the discussion would go straight to the identity and location of her father.

"When Voldemort was rising to power the first time," Dumbledore continued. "He was obsessed with immortality. He traveled the world to find the Dark Magic necessary to transform him into a being that could defy death."

"Nana told me that when asked her about his return two and half years ago," interrupted Telara.

"The transformation was a long and arduous process than would wipe Voldemort of many of his human qualities," resumed Dumbledore. "While he was prepared to make those sacrifices, he would miss many pleasures that indulged in. That is where your mother comes into the story."

"My mother had contact with Voldemort?" asked an astonished Telara.

"Not of her own choice, but yes," stated Dumbledore. "Your mother was a member of the first Order of the Phoenix. We had come together to fight and hopefully defeat Voldemort and his Death Eaters. The group you saw downstairs is the Order regrouped for this war."

Dumbledore paused to let this information sink in to Telara's mind. She looked at him expectantly after a minute so Dumbledore continued his story.

"Your mother was a favorite student of mine. She came from a family of Muggles and was the first in her bloodline to have magical abilities. She was a good student and a good to her small group of friends. She seemed to like being in the background and enjoyed her studies more than anything. She was disowned by her family and spent every break of her seven years here at Hogwarts. I tried to ease the burden by befriending her and being an adult that she could talk to."

"She found a well paying job at Gringott's once she finished school. She was particularly good at curse breaking and quickly became the Assistant Head of that department. Her access to information at Gringott's was extremely valuable to the Order. Because of her information, we could tell whose money was supporting Voldemort. Unfortunately, she was caught trying to access files by an undercover Death Eater."

Telara gasped as this was revealed. Dumbledore had gotten on a roll, however, and continued with the tale.

"We were so worried when she missed the next Order meeting. We found out that she had been seen leaving her office but not leaving the building. We knew what she had planned on doing that afternoon and suspected that we weren't the only ones with spies inside Gringott's."

"Weeks passed with no information on her whereabouts. We had no choice but to assume that she had been killed. When she turned up barely alive on the doorstep of our headquarters, we were very grateful that we had been wrong. She had been beaten and cursed so badly. It didn't look like she would ever be able to make a full recovery."

"Once she had gotten some of her strength back, your mother summoned me to her bedside. What I'm about to disclose to you has never been repeated. It will be hard for you to hear, but you must understand."

Telara squirmed in her chair. She just couldn't get herself comfortable in mind or body.

"Your mother was brought to Rodolphus Lestrange who was one of Voldemort's inner circle. She did an amazing job of feigning ignorance and convinced the Death Eaters that she was not a spy. She told them she was Muggleborn since she knew that they would not consider a Muggleborn to be capable of intelligence work. While it did help in that aspect, the Death Eaters' knowledge of her heritage put her at another risk. They took her down to the dungeons where they kept female prisoners. She was to do anything she was told or she would be killed. As she looked at the other prisoners, she quickly understood what he meant. The women around her had been abused in the worst sort of ways."

Dumbledore took a deep breath as he continued onto the most difficult part of the story.

"At this time, Voldemort was preparing for his final transformation. It would be the last night that he could enjoy the mortal pleasures of eating, sleeping and..." Dumbledore paused as he struggled to finish the statement, "sex."

Telara began shaking uncontrollably as she began to comprehend what he was about to tell her.

"He went down into the dungeons to find a suitable victim for his last night of gratification. Your mother was a pretty woman and of course unblemished since she had just arrived. Voldemort's choice was an easy one that night. Your mother endured that night and was returned to the dungeons. Once Voldemort's transformation was complete, he began a new series of attacks with a vengeance. Because of this, your mother and the other victims had a temporary reprieve from Death Eater visits."

"It was during this time that your mother realized that she was pregnant. While this terrified her, she had a reason to not only survive but to escape. She suffered many beatings and worse abuses in the coming weeks. The Death Eaters had to sneak in for quick visits in between their assignments and were increasingly agitated with their increased work loads. They took it out on the women in the dungeons. But your mother noticed that in their hurry, the Death Eaters were often careless with the locks and wards that kept the women imprisoned and waited for her chance."

"That chance came on a night on which Voldemort had planned a massive attack. The dungeons were full of Death Eaters who assumed that it might be their last night on earth. All at once, the Dark Marks emblazoned on their arms glowed brightly and painfully. They rushed out climbing over each other to be the first to reach their Dark Lord. Once the corridor became quiet, your mother and the other women ventured out into the dark hallway. They saw a bit of light up ahead and headed for it."

"The light was coming from a stairwell. Your mother was the first to brave the assent into the unknown. The stairwell led to the main floor of a dark mansion. It seemed deserted so your mother continued through the house. The group of women made it to the kitchen where they found the first proper food and water they had seen in weeks. They exited the house though the side entrance and were finally free. Everyone went their separate ways once they found the neighboring village and could ascertain where they were and how they could get home."

"And Mom came to you," said Telara.

"Yes, she did," replied Dumbledore. "As you could see from her picture, the effects of her imprisonment never truly went away. The only joy in her life was the baby she carried. She knew you would not end up like your father. She would make sure you were happy, cared for and raised to be good."

Telara was trembling badly at this point. It seemed too much to take. She was mad that she had to live with this terrible knowledge, mad that her Mother had been taken from her so early, mad at how quickly her life seemed to be spiraling out of control. Questions started to flood her mind.

"So how did I come to live with Nana and Gramps?" Telara asked.

"Bridget and Edward were members of the Order. Bridget helped care for your mother and for you when you were born. Your mother requested that she be the one to care for you if anything were to happen to her," explained Dumbledore.

"Why did we move to Texas?" Telara continued questioning.

"Once your mother died, I wasn't sure if Voldemort would be able to, for lack of a better word, feel you. He is a powerful Legimens and I was worried he could pick up on your presence. The connection between parent and child is strong. Bridget and Edward volunteered to take you to America and raise you there," Dumbledore clarified.

"They left England just for me?" asked Telara.

"Yes," Dumbledore responded, "you and Bridget had formed a tight bond and she would have done anything to keep you safe. That is why she has been so protective of you over the years. That is also why you did not attend the Wizarding school in Massachusetts. We tried to keep your existence as quiet as possible while still giving you a quality life."

"So," Telara began, not sure she wanted to know the answer to her next question. "Why bring me back now?"

Dumbledore sighed and hung his head. He was not happy about what he had to tell her.

"I am sure that Voldemort does not know of your existence. I suspect he is starting to feel your presence though it's probably not very prominent in his mind right now. Your appearance in his life would certainly cause a disruption in his focus. You will need to confront him at the right time for our plans to defeat him to work. The fact that you are his daughter and share his blood provides some protection for you."

"I'm a distraction," Telara realized.

"I suppose that's one way to put it," responded Dumbledore. "But I think that it's important for you to face him so you can evolve past this part of your history. I want you to see what the dark side of magic can turn a person into. I want you to conquer your father's influence that lives inside you."

"If I survive," Telara stated.

"You will survive, Telara," Dumbledore assured. "And you will be able to live the rest of your life in peace knowing that the darkest Wizard ever born was defeated with your help."

"Peace? I don't think so," retorted Telara. "I can't even imagine it now."

"As time goes on, you will come to understand your part in this and see your life beyond it," consoled Dumbledore.

Telara was worn out. She had finally stopped trembling, but only out of exhaustion. She needed time to process everything that Dumbledore had just told her.

"I need to go to bed," declared Telara. "What do I tell the others?"

"Nothing," instructed Dumbledore. "Harry will be told tonight. There are many things I must discuss with him. But for now, say nothing."

Telara left Dumbledore staring into the fire as she made her way out of the room. The stairs were difficult to climb with legs that seemed to be made out of lead. She finally made it to her room where everyone still sat in the same positions. They looked concerned at Telara who appeared much more troubled than she had when she left the room a mere hour ago.

"I'm sorry to break this up," mumbled Telara. "But I need to go to bed."

"Is everything okay?" timidly asked Hermione.

"No," answered Telara. "I don't think it ever will be."

Four pairs of eyebrows shot up as Dumbledore stuck his head back in the room for a second time that evening.

"Harry, would you come with me, please?" requested Dumbledore.

"Sure," answered Harry as he watched Telara crawl into bed.

The rest of the group exited the room with apprehensive looks back at Telara.

"Professor, what's wrong with Telara?" asked Ron.

"I'm afraid I can't tell you that, Ronald," answered Dumbledore. "She needs some time on her own right now. But she will need you four for support. I know you will do your best to help her."

"Of course," offered Ginny.

Ron, Hermione and Ginny headed for Ron and Harry's bedroom as Harry and Dumbledore descended the stairs.

Everything stayed quite subdued for the rest of the evening. Harry returned to his room in a state similar to Telara's. Hermione and Ginny left Ron and Harry in their room and quietly entered their own.

Telara was asleep, but fitfully. Hermione and Ginny both changed into their pajamas and got into bed. No one would be able to sleep very well that night.