Distraction

Telara woke to a dark, quiet room. She was momentarily confused as she heard the deep, rhythmic breathing of two other people in her room. Then the events of the previous day rushed back to her and she remembered where she was and why she was there. Against her will, the conversation she had with Dumbledore flooded her mind. It played over and over until Telara couldn't take it anymore. She flung back her covers and started to feel around for her slippers before she realized that she was still fully dressed.

Telara quietly slipped through the door and down the stairs. She had no idea where she was going but navigating through a strange house was better than lying in bed. When she reached the bottom of the stairs, she saw a thread of light coming from beneath a door. She opened the door just a cracked and peeked inside. It appeared to be the kitchen so Telara quietly entered the room. She had barely walked inside when a voice made her jump a foot into the air.

"Get used to sleeping troubles, Telara," said Harry.

"Harry!" exclaimed Telara. "I didn't expect anyone to be up."

"I couldn't shut my mind off," explained Harry. "And I didn't want to encounter Voldemort tonight of all nights."

"Encounter?" asked Telara.

"Yeah, we were linked somehow the first time he tried to kill me," explained Harry. "He can see into my mind and vice versa when I'm asleep." Harry looked up at Telara who had sat down across the table from him.

"So I know how it feels to be unwillingly connected to him," Harry continued. "If you want to talk, I'm here."

Telara felt a weight lift off of her. She knew at least one friend would continue to accept her despite her horrible heritage.

"You don't know how much that helps, Harry," said Telara. "I can't stand the fact that I'm his child. I didn't know how anyone else would be able to accept it. Especially you. I'm the daughter of the creature who killed your parents."

"It's not your fault, Telara," consoled Harry. "Just like I didn't have a choice about getting stuck with this stupid scar and prophecy."

"It doesn't make dealing with it any easier, though, does it?" asked Telara.

"No, it doesn't," replied Harry.

They sat in silence for a while content enough for now in the knowledge that they were in this whole ordeal together. The warmth of the fire and lateness of the hour started to affect the pair.

"I think I'm going to try to sleep," said Harry. "I think I'm tired enough now to fall asleep quickly. I'll be sure to clear my mind. I won't let him in, Telara. Your secret will be safe with me."

"Thank you, Harry," replied Telara. "I feel much better after talking with you. Maybe I'll be able to sleep too."

The pair left the kitchen and made their way up the stairs. Harry gave Telara a brave smile as he went through the door to his room. Telara crept back into her room to find her roommates exactly as she left them. Lucy had stretched herself as much as she could across Telara's pillow. If she hadn't been purring, Telara would have laid right on her. Telara plucked her off the pillow and got into bed. Lucy curled up under her arm and fell right back asleep.

If it were only that easy for me, thought Telara.

The next thing she knew, there was a hint of light in the room and Ginny and Hermione were starting to stir.

I must have dozed off, thank goodness! realized Telara.

Telara stayed in bed and rubbed Lucy's tummy until Ginny and Hermione woke up. The dark circles under her eyes told the other two how the night had been. They offered reassuring smiles as they dressed and went downstairs for breakfast.

Molly glanced up at the girls as they entered the kitchen. She was busy serving breakfast to the boys, Remus and Tonks. Her eyes paused on Telara and took on a look of concern.

"You poor dear," she said. "You look like you've been awake all night. Come sit down and have some breakfast."

Just as Telara was taking her place at the table, Bridget and Edward entered the room. They didn't look much better than Telara. Every line on Bridget's face communicated the worry that was in her heart. Telara saw her parents in a new light now that she knew about her past. She now knew the sacrifices and danger that they had endured to keep her safe. That, on top emotional upheaval from Dumbledore's confession and a lack of sleep put Telara over the edge. She started sobbing uncontrollably.

Bridget and Edward rushed to their daughter's side. Everyone else froze at her outburst with forks halfway to or from their destinations. The boys seemed very uncomfortable with this while the girls looked on helplessly. Dumbledore then showed his impeccable timing by showing up at that moment in the doorway.

"Let's go in the drawing room, shall we?"

Bridget and Edward stood on either side of Telara as she stood and made her way out of the kitchen. Her weeping could be heard down the hall until Dumbledore closed the doors to the drawing room. Telara flung her body onto the davenport.

"Papadore, I don't want this. I can't do it," she whimpered.

"My dear, I wouldn't have placed this burden upon you if I thought you could not handle it," he replied.

"I'm the one in my head, Papadore. I think I'm a little more qualified to know what I can or can't do."

Bridget and Edward were shocked that Telara would speak to Dumbledore in that manner. Edward opened his mouth to admonish her when Dumbledore held up a hand to silence him.

"You would be surprised. I know a lot about what is going on in your head," he said as he looked intently at her over his half moon glasses.

Telara kept his gaze for quite a while before turning away to start pacing the room. She knew when she was defeated.

"Alright. What do I have to do?" she conceded.

"You are going to go see your father," responded Dumbledore. He spoke calmly as if this was a completely normal request.

Telara froze in her tracks and turned back to him. This wasn't really news to her but she didn't realize she would be going so soon.

"What am I supposed to do? Go knock on his door?" asked Telara.

"Yes," responded Dumbledore.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Telara collapsed into bed that night physically and emotionally exhausted. Dumbledore had taught her a spell that only she could use on Voldemort. He hoped that Telara's encounter would weaken Voldemort and make Harry's job a lot easier. This spell took a lot of focus and strength to work. And Telara was quite distracted. Dumbledore made her practice the spell over and over again. She finally got it to work though they couldn't be sure until she actually used it on Voldemort.

Dumbledore assumed that Voldemort would use the Killing Curse on Telara once he got the information he wanted. Dumbledore was certain having Voldemort's blood in her veins would protect her to some extent, but his new spell would even the odds for Telara if she was able to perform it correctly.

As she lay in bed, Telara tried to keep herself from becoming bitter at this turn of events. She doubted everything her life had been until now. Everything seemed to pale next to this task that had been assigned to her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning Telara woke to an empty room. She rolled over and discovered why. It was almost noon. Her roommates had probably been up for hours. Telara forced herself out of bed and to the bathroom. She didn't really feel up to showering and washing her long hair but she knew she needed to after last night's training. As she stood there under the shower, she let the hot water pound on her back and relax the muscles that tended to stay tense all the time lately.

She actually felt a little better as she got dressed and made her way downstairs. Molly and Ginny were preparing lunch in the kitchen while the rest of the inhabitants were sitting or standing in little groups waiting for the meal. Telara headed over to Bridget and Edward and sat down between them. Edward pulled her to his side while Bridget took her hand. She managed a small smile at Harry who looked as worn out and troubled as Telara did. A small twitch of the mouth was all Harry was able to return. The room stayed quiet as everyone ate. No one was in much of a mood to talk.

Ron and Hermione disappeared after lunch. Harry went off by himself upstairs. Telara spent the afternoon with Bridget and Edward in the drawing room. Time had never moved faster for Telara. In no time at all, they heard Dumbledore's arrival in the entryway. Order members began streaming into the house. Dumbledore made his way to the drawing room with Harry in tow.

"Bridget, Edward, if you will join me downstairs. Harry, Telara, you wait for me here," instructed Dumbledore before he swept back out of the room.

Telara and Harry just stared at each other for a while before they took to pacing around the room. A light knock was heard on the door a moment later. Hermione's face peeked through as she opened the door just a crack.

"Come in," said Harry.

Ron, Hermione and Ginny entered the room quietly as if they were entering a funeral. Hermione eyes were watery and Ron looked like he might throw up any moment. Ginny went over and stood by Harry in silent support. Finally, Harry couldn't take it anymore.

"We'll be okay! You don't have to act like we're dead already."

Hermione shakily answered, "Of course, you'll be okay. We know that, don't we Ron?"

"Yeah," managed Ron. "Everything will be fine."

Telara suppressed a snort as she listened to Ron and Hermione. She couldn't force herself to be that optimistic even if it was fake.

The room fell back into silence as they awaited Dumbledore's return. They heard the hushed departure of the Order meeting and the footfalls of Dumbledore approaching the door.

The five watched the gleaming snake engraved on the silver doorknob turn over as Dumbledore twisted it from the other side. Their eyes rose up to the level of Dumbledore's. Such seriousness had only been seen in his eyes a handful of times by the group. Everyone felt a bit queasy as Dumbledore drew breath to speak.

"The Order has gone out on the defensive. Professor Snape has reported a large strike that will take place tonight. This is our chance."

"When do we leave?" asked Harry with resolve in his voice.

"In just a few minutes," answered Dumbledore. "We need you to move as quickly as you can. There are not enough Order members to fight the Death Eaters in any prolonged battle. Do not compromise your mission, but time is of the essence."

Harry and Telara nodded in understanding. Dumbledore then turned to Ginny, Ron and Hermione.

"You three will stay here. We will need you to take care of anyone who returns to Headquarters. Try to help in any way you can. There may be wounded members that you will have to assist."

"Yes, sir," replied Hermione. "We'll be ready."

"Harry, please get your invisibility cloak and meet us in the kitchen," instructed Dumbledore. "Telara, follow me, please."

With one last look at their friends, Telara and Harry passed through the doorway.

When Harry arrived in the kitchen, Dumbledore was reminding Telara of what she had to do.

"You must concentrate on your Occlumency, Telara. Voldemort must not know that Harry is your friend."

"I know, Papadore," assured Telara. "I won't let him in."

"Alright. Harry, under your cloak," said Dumbledore. "Concentrate on Riddle Manor. Picture it clearly. Good luck to you both."

Telara looked to her left where Harry had been. She looked back to Dumbledore who was nodding encouragingly but had a touch of sadness behind his eyes. She closed her eyes and pictured her Apparition point. Soon she felt the unsettling compression like she was being sucked into a vacuum cleaner hose. Before she had a chance to feel too miserable, she felt herself landing on an overgrown lawn. She opened her eyes to find an imposing Manor in front of her.

A quick touch of her elbow let Telara know that Harry had made the journey as well. She took a deep breath as she saw the front door flung open. Four Death Eaters came out of the house and quickly surrounded Telara. One of them finally threw back his hood and walked until he was mere inches in front of Telara. The stench of his breath made Telara wince but she stood her ground.

"What shall we do with you?" he asked menacingly.

Telara looked him straight in the eye and answered, "You will take me to the Dark Lord. I have some information for him."

The Death Eater looked as though he had been hit between the eyes for a split second. The wicked chuckling of the other men around them brought him back to his senses. He backhanded Telara across the face and pushed her to the ground.

"You little bitch," he seethed. "How dare you order me? You don't have any information the Dark Lord doesn't have himself."

The other Death Eaters moved closer in anticipation of Telara's punishment.

"Really?" challenged Telara. "He has the entire prophecy then?"

All four Death Eaters froze in amazement. They looked at each other unsure what to do with this new possibility.

"How does she know about the prophecy?" whispered one of them.

"We better take her in," said another. "I don't want to suffer the wrath of the Dark Lord if he finds out that she was here and wasn't questioned. And he always finds out."

The other Death Eaters murmured their agreement and roughly pulled Telara to her feet and toward the house. She ached from the Death Eater's hit and her fall. As they approached the doors, the smell of decay wafted over Telara. She had to force herself to inhale. As they passed into the entryway, she found the only light came from red flames in sconces along the wall. It almost made her eyes hurt to look at them. She fought to reign in her thoughts in spite of the attack on her senses.

She allowed herself to be dragged up the stairs and down a long hall. They stopped in front of a gleaming black door at the end of the hall. The unhooded Death Eater knocked and waited for a response.

The door cracked and a pointed face peeked through the opening.

"What do you want?" he squeaked.

"We have a girl who claims to know the entire prophecy," the Death Eater responded.

The door snapped shut and a lot of movement could be heard behind the door. Finally, the door opened completely and the little mouse of a man stood in the doorway.

"Give me the girl," he said timidly.

"Doesn't he want to see us too? We captured her," insisted the Death Eater.

"But the Dark Lord said...I'm supposed to bring her," he whined as he looked apprehensively over his shoulder.

The Death Eaters knew they had him scared. They were about to push their way in when they heard an eerie voice come from the room.

"Obey my command," the voice hissed.

The Death Eaters immediately let the man take Telara by the arm and close the door behind him. Telara didn't fight as the man pulled her along. She took a look back to the closed door and noticed it was much different on this side. It looked as though it had been beaten and clawed. Telara gasped as she realized that they were the marks of fingernails. People had desperately tried to leave the exact place where she had been taken.

When she looked back around, she gasped again. This time it was at the man in front of her. She wasn't even sure he could be called a man. His eyes were just slits in his face. The red eyes in those slits only contributed to his terrifying appearance. His abnormally long fingers were intertwined and pressed against his mouth as he considered the one in front of him.

"Who are you and how did you get here?" he asked her with suspicion in his red eyes.

"My name is Telara. I've been searching for you for days. I overheard your people in Knockturn Alley mention Little Hangleton. I came here and waited. I found and followed one of them here from village."

Voldemort snapped at one of the cloaked figures in the room. He came over and lowered his head to hear his master's whispers. He then quickly left the room with his wand drawn.

"So you know the full prophecy?" he asked her calmly.

"Yes, my Lord, I do," replied Telara.

"And how did you find this information?" he asked, again remaining calm.

Telara felt him probe her mind. She replaced her love for Dumbledore with the anger and frustration she had felt toward him since he had revealed her past to her. She had no problem putting the hate and rage in the front of her mind for Voldemort to find.

"I had to go to Dumbledore's office. I was in trouble again. Professor Kitty Cat had enough of me and sent me to Dumbledore for another talk about reaching my true potential. When I got to his office, no one was there. I started messing around with a basin on his desk. I could see things in it. I saw him spouting off some kind of strange poem. But it stuck in my mind. A couple of weeks ago, I overheard Potter and his friends talking about it. Then I realized what it was that I heard. As soon as I could slip away from my family, I came here to tell you."

"And what do you expect to gain with this information?" he said narrowing those slits even farther.

"I don't care. I just hate Hogwarts and the Golden Trio and especially Dumbledore," Telara spat.

He concentrated on Telara and she felt him again trying to enter her mind. She put everything out of her mind but the hate and fury she was feeling about the situation she was in. Voldemort found that and was satisfied.

"Hmmm. Hate is a powerful weapon, child. You are learning to use it well," he said as he straighten in his chair and lowered his hands. "Now give me the prophecy."

Telara closed her eyes and recited the prophecy. "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches...born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies...and the Dark Lord will make him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not...and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives..."

When Telara opened her eyes, she no longer saw a composed Voldemort. He was enraged as he sprang up out of the chair. He started pacing the room knocking anything and anyone out of his way as he did so.

Telara fought to keep herself calm and in control of her thoughts. If she thought Voldemort was terrifying before, it was nothing compared to the monster that was tearing around her now. She had to regain his attention without appearing to want it. She knew what would happen when he turned his focus on her. But she had to do it.

"Master, may I have your leave to go?" she asked.

Voldemort spun around to face Telara with fury in his eyes.

"You dare interrupt me? You are nothing. And you are no longer of use to me. Avada Kedavra!"

Telara closed her eyes as the green flash of light headed toward her. As it hit her chest, Telara felt her breath leave her and her heart stop beating. Her legs and arms became numb as the green light seemed to be draining the life force out of her. Almost as quickly as it hit her, the draining sensation stopped. She gasped for breath as she collapsed to her knees.

Voldemort stood there stunned that his victim was still alive. They only other time his Killing Curse victim survived had not ended well for him. Only when his control over death slipped did Voldemort feel fear.

"What is happening?" he screamed out.

With every ounce of bodily strength she had left, Telara raised her head to look at Voldemort.

"I guess even the greatest Dark wizard cannot kill his own daughter. Your blood protects me."

Time seemed to stand still for both father and daughter. Telara was waiting for Voldemort's next blow. Voldemort's mind reeled with the possibility that her declaration was the truth.

Telara felt herself levitating off the floor. She looked up to see Voldemort's wand pointing at her as she drifted towards him. She only stopped when she was almost touching him.

Voldemort examined Telara's face closely. As he stared into her eyes, the image of himself reflected in a grungy orphanage mirror flashed in his mind. The similarities were astounding.

"Who is your mother?" whispered Voldemort.

"She was a spy against you. She was captured eighteen years ago and made to live in your dungeons."

Voldemort gave a repulsive smile at this comment. "I never lowered myself to use the women kept there."

"Don't you remember the night of your final transformation?" Telara asked.

Doubt flickered briefly across Voldemort's eyes as he brought that night up in his mind. He remembered swallowing the potion and the spell cast by Bellatrix. But before that? He remembered the feast he had brought to him. It would be the last meal that would satisfy him. The image of a woman started coming to him. She had been brought to him. Yes, he remembered her.

"Well, this changes things," he paused as he considered Telara. "You could be useful to me. Your blood will help me live forever."

He broke off the spell holding Telara. Instead of falling to the floor, Telara was able to stay on her feet. In a split second she pulled out her wand.

"Obstringo Genus!" she shouted.

Coils of red light sprung from the end of Telara's wand and wound around father and daughter. Telara felt stronger as she and Voldemort were bound together. She seemed to be pulling strength from him. Voldemort in turn began to weaken.

"You fools!" he screamed to the Death Eaters in the room who had been stunned and silent since the failed Killing Curse. "Do something!"

One of the Death Eaters threw back its hood to reveal a dark haired woman with deep set eyes. She looked at Telara with utter loathing.

"Finite Incantatem!" she screeched.

The spell bounced off the cords with no effect. The mousy man who had brought Telara into the room performed the same spell. This time the cords seemed to dim just a touch. The other Death Eater threw back his hood to reveal long white blond hair and a pointed face. All three wizards threw the spell at the cords that were binding their master. Finally, the cords disappeared.

Voldemort stumbled to his chair as he ordered the Death Eaters to remove Telara from the room.

"Take her away. I will deal with her later," he wheezed.

Bellatrix put her wand at Telara's throat and spat, "Move!"

Each of her arms was roughly grabbed by the other Death Eaters and Telara allowed herself to be pulled from the room.

As she was pulled backward out of the room, she noticed how weak and shaken Voldemort had become.

When they were halfway down the hall, she saw the door to the room open wider before it closed. Harry had gotten in and had Voldemort all to himself.

I did it, Papadore, she thought. Now I'm fighting for me.

As her captors attempted to take her down the staircase, Telara took her chance. With one twist, she threw both men down the stairs.

Wow! Thanks Dad! thought Telara as she marveled at her newly gained strength.

Then she looked up at the woman still standing a stair above her. As she drew breath to curse her, Telara punched her in the stomach with all her might. Once she was doubled over, Telara pushed her to join her compatriots at the bottom of the stairs.

Telara looked at the heap of bodies on the landing below before sprinting back up the stairs. Just as she turned down the hall there was a deafening explosion. She saw the door to the room at the end of the hall blow off its hinges. Telara flattened herself to the floor and threw her hands over her head just as the door flew over her. She kept her head down as she felt a hot blast of air rush over her.

A couple of minutes passed as Telara tried to decide if she really wanted to look up. For once, everything was calm and quiet. She had a sense of peace that she hadn't felt in a long time. Then she felt a hand on her arm. She looked up and saw Harry crouching next to her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the days that followed, Telara barely participated in the celebrations that seemed to be continuous since Harry's victory. She felt better and stronger than she had ever been. But she had a nagging sensation that kept her from joining the parties.

Though the massive Death Eater strike had ended even before it really began, Telara felt bad for the Order members that had been hurt. Most Death Eaters had given up when their dark marks burned hotter than ever then faded into scars that would haunt them forever. They knew that Voldemort had been vanquished. But some had put up one last fight.

No matter how much she had contributed to Voldemort's defeat, the fact remained that she was his child. Dumbledore has managed to keep her identity and her role in the final battle hidden from the rest of the Wizarding World. They wouldn't understand and fully accept Telara if they knew the truth. Telara couldn't get past it herself.

She wasn't the only one who kept to herself after the final battle. Draco and many other Slytherins kept to their common room when not in class. They even forfeited their last Quidditch game against Ravenclaw. Their fathers were either dead or in Azkaban. Telara actually felt bad for Draco. Even though he had annoyed her that year, she understood what it meant to have a father whose actions and bad choices reflected on him.

Harry quickly got tired of the attention as well. He had been interviewed by every Wizarding publication and WNN. There was a huge ceremony at the Ministry of Magic in honor of him. Everywhere he went, Harry was questioned about the final battle. In one way, he was used to it. But he was ready to slip into obscurity and have a normal life.

Telara was reading in the common room one afternoon when Harry plopped down beside her on the couch.

"You coming to the Quidditch game?" he asked.

Telara sighed and closed the book. "I don't know."

"Everyone would love to see you there," assured Harry.

"I have missed hanging out with everyone," admitted Telara. "And I'd hate to miss the last Quidditch game of the season."

"Good. It's settled then," said Harry. "I'll be watching for you in the crowd."

Telara smiled as she went upstairs to her room. Her roommates were outside enjoying the sunshine and warmer weather. She grabbed her jacket and decided it was time to reenter the world.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Telara was nervous as she climbed the stairs to the stands. She heard the roar of her housemates above her and felt her heart beat faster. She peeked out and was spotted quickly by Lavender.

"You're here!" she squealed. "I'm so glad you came!"

Parvati and Hermione quickly joined Lavender in welcoming Telara to the game. She followed them to their seats as the teams streamed out of the locker rooms. When the cheering calmed down while the team was warming up, Neville approached Telara.

"Are you okay, Telara?" asked Neville.

"For the first time in quite a while, I think I am," answered Telara.

The game was quite exciting. Hufflepuff had been practicing hard for the game. But in the end, Harry caught the last snitch of his career and won the game 210 to 60.

At the massive celebration in the Gryffindor common room, Telara felt like a normal Hogwarts student again. She forgot about everything that had plagued her for the past months and had a great time. In the early hours of the next morning, she looked around her at the friends she had found. Contentment swept over her and she knew she had found her place in the world. She wasn't quite sure what laid beyond Hogwarts for her. But for now, she was completely satisfied and happy with her life. She was no longer a distraction. She was anything she wanted to be.