1 (EDITED)
Fourteen Years Ago
As the man walked down the dimly lit hallway towards his children's room, he felt fatigue and exhaustion. He had cared for his newborn daughter all night and barely slept a wink. He was eager to check on his children and ensure they were sound asleep.
As he approached the door to their room, he felt uneasy. His family was hiding, and he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. He opened the door slowly, and his heart sank as he saw a figure standing in the corner of the room, holding his one-week-old daughter.
The figure turned to face, and he saw a wicked grin spread across their face. The man froze, unsure of what to do. The figure placed a finger over their lips, signaling him to be quiet.
The man felt a chill run down his spine as the figure whispered coldly, "Hush, you will wake the babies." He realized this person was a threat to his family and needed to act quickly to protect them.
The man, who happened to be a wizard, was taken aback by the sudden appearance of an unexpected guest. Reacting instinctively, he quickly drew out his want and pointed it towards the intruder. Surprised and frustrated, he exclaimed, "How did you get in here?!" The wizard's tone was defensive and accusatory, suggestion that he felt violated by the uninvited presence in his space.
The other person chuckled darkly, shifting the infant in his arms; he said, "You don't have to worry about the Lord knowing where you are. You're safe for now. I could quickly tell my Love where you are, James Potter, but I changed my mind when I saw the young ones, especially your daughter, James Potter... Henrietta Potter, yes?" the speaker's voice was low and menacing, and he seemed to take pleasure in the fear that flickered in James Potter's eyes. The infant in his arms, Henrietta Potter, was sleeping. James Potter, meanwhile, tried to keep his expression neutral, but his hands were shaking slightly. He couldn't afford to show any weakness in front of this man. He didn't know how dangerous this man could be.
In intense emotion, James angrily confronted the person, his voice low and menacing. "Don't say my daughter's name!" he snarled, stepping closer. His words were filled with raw, protective energy as he glared at the person. "You gave me my daughter," he added, his tone filled with bitterness and pain. The intensity of his emotions was palpable, and it was clear that he was not someone to be trifled with.
As James stepped closer, the person emerged from the shadows, holding a wand. Pointing it towards James, the person warned him to halt, "Stop right there. If you take another step forward, I will not hesitate to cause harm to your children. Please, sit down." The threat in their voice was palpable, and James froze in his tracks, knowing that any wrong move could put his family in grave danger. He slowly sat down, his heart racing with fear and uncertainty. The person watched him closely; their wand still pointed directly at James, ready to act at a moment's notice.
James felt uneasy as he watched Rabastan Lestrange holding his newborn daughter, Henrietta Charlotte Potter. He was worried that this evil person might hurt his children, and he didn't want to keep his daughter. James was unsure why Rabastan was there, as he was an enemy and had no business being near his family. He suspected that his friend, Peter Pettigrew, had betrayed their location to Rabastan, making him even more uneasy. James couldn't help but keep his eyes on his little redhead daughter, hoping she would remain unharmed. The thought of anyone harming his children made him feel angry and helpless at the same time.
James looks at Rabastan, his eyes filled with confusion and concern. "I don't understand," he says, his voice trembling slightly. "If you're truly loyal to your Lord, why are you here with us? Why not report our whereabouts to him?" He pauses, waiting for an answer, but Rabastan remains silent. James continues, his tone growing more urgent. "Don't you realize you're putting yourself in danger by being here? If your loyalties are discovered, you'll be punished severely. Is it worth the risk?"
Rabastan Lestrange's expression less gaze met James Potter's steady stare. As a death eater, Rabastan was pondering about the same thing that was troubling James. He should have informed his Dark Lord about the Potters' location. The infant in his arms caught his attention, and he was peered down at her, wondering why he had taken Henrietta. He had been monitoring the Potters for three days after their daughter's birth, and a few days later, he decided to reveal himself. However, he needed clarification about why he had taken Henrietta with him. He knew his Lord was coming after the Potters' son, but no one knew about their daughter. Perhaps he could "assist" them in keeping Henrietta a secret from the wizarding community. Rabastan's gaze then shifted back to James Potter, and he gave him a malicious grin.
Rabastan spoke in a hushed tone as he warned the person before him. "Just imagine if my Lord found Little Henri," he said, referring to the little child he had seen playing his own eyes. He used the nickname he had heard James and Lily Potter use for their baby, hoping to intimidate the person in front of him. "He would not spare any of you, especially Harry James Potter. The Dark Lord would not hesitate to hurt both of your children and use them as leverage against you."
However, Rabastan had a solution. "I can ensure the Dark Lord never finds out about Little Henri -- only if you agree to something." He paused, waiting for a response.
James was consumed with fear as he sat there, his heart beating. He desperately wanted to call out for his sound-asleep wife in the next room, but he knew he couldn't risk waking her. All he could think about was protecting his family, especially his newborn daughter Henrietta, from the clutches of Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters.
At that moment, Rabastan, a follower of the Dark Lord, appeared before him, offering to help James keep Henrietta safe. The catch was that James would have to trust a Death Eater, something he knew his wife would never allow. But the offer was too tempting to ignore.
James hesitated but eventually asked Rabastan the question weighing his mind: "How can you ensure he doesn't find out about Henrietta?"
As he looked down at his daughter, James knew that whatever answer Rabastan provided would be critical in determining the fate of his family.
Rabastan's response left James in utter shock. "A Betrothal Contract," replied Rabastan. The suggestion took James aback, and he couldn't believe what he was hearing. "What?! Are you crazy?! I would never agree for you to be her husband!" yelled James angrily. The mere thought of Rabastan being betrothed to someone he cared for so profoundly was unfathomable to him.
Rabastan, with a nonchalant shrug, shifted Henrietta's weight to his other arm. His eyes bore into Potter's, his voice low and menacing. "Then my Lord will find out about Little Henri Potter. And I'm sure he will hurt her, just like he will hurt your son and wife. Do you want that, Potter? Do you want to be the reason for your family's bloodshed? Think carefully before you act."
James felt uneasy and apprehensive. He found himself choking on his words, hesitant to express his true feelings. However, James didn't want to cause any trouble, so he quickly agreed to something he suggested. He said, "Okay. Okay. I will agree." Then, he asked reassurance, "Do you promise he will not find out about Henrietta?" James seemed deeply concerned about keeping Henrietta's identity a secret and sought assurance that she would not be exposed to anyone.
"I must say, it's quite amusing how clueless he is about Little Henri," Rabastan said with a smirk as he walked over to the other crib. "But don't worry, Little Henri is safe from the grasp of my Lord. I have a contract that will protect her. All you need to do is sign it, Potter. However, your wife must be present for the signing to be valid."
The conversation between James and Rabastan was hushed and secretive. "No, I will sign for her," James whispered. "Lily will not find out, Sirius will not, and no one will find out. Do we have a deal?"
Rabastan's response was equally cryptic. He nodded slowly, a sly smile spreading across his face. "Of course," he said. "Now, should we sign the contract, future father-in-law?" The implication was clear - James was signing something on behalf of Lily, and Rabastan was happy to help him keep it all a secret.
As Rabastan handed over the contract to James, he couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over him. The title on the document made him cringe, but he knew he had to go through with it. Slowly nodding, James took the contract from Rabastan's hands and read it over. The contract stated that Henrietta Charlotte Potter's existence would be kept a secret from Voldemort - a small victory, but one that could mean the difference between life and death for James, Lily, and their newborn daughter.
Though he knew it was for the greater good, James couldn't shake the feeling of sickness in his stomach as he signed the document with his and Lily's names. It was the first time in his life that he truly hated himself for what he was doing. But he also knew it was the only way to keep his family safe.
Despite the relief of knowing that Voldemort would never find out about Henrietta Charlotte, James couldn't escape the feeling of impending doom. He knew that he was marked for death, and the weight of that knowledge was crushing. He knew that he would never be able to shake the feeling of self-hatred that had settled deep within him, but he also knew that he had to keep going. For the sake of his family, he had to keep fighting until the bitter end.
Once Rabastan had signed the contract, he felt a sense of relief wash over him. However, he couldn't resist doing one last thing before leaving the room. He walked over to the infant lying peacefully in the crib and looked down at the little one with a kind smile. Despite the gravity of the situation, he couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and tenderness towards the baby. He then took out his wand and carefully placed Rab L on the infant's tiny wrist, feeling a sense of responsibility and duty towards the child. It was a small gesture that he hoped would help protect the baby somehow.
Henrietta suddenly let out a piercing cry of pain, causing James to run over to her side. He saw Rabastan, holding their daughter, quickly walking away from them. James couldn't believe what he saw and yelled, "What the hell is happening?! This wasn't in the contract!"
Rabastan stopped in his tracks and turned around to face them. With a cold and calculating voice, he replied, "I know it wasn't, but I wanted to make sure that no one would place a claim on my future wife."
The situation escalated quickly, and James could feel his anger boiling inside him. Before he could say anything else, Rabastan added, "I should get going now. Your mud-blood wife is coming down the hall." James felt a surge of rage at the derogatory term Rabastan used for his wife, but he knew he had to focus on getting his daughter back.
As soon as Lily Potter entered the room with a concerned expression, Rabastan made a hasty exit through the window. The commotion seemed to have woken up Harry and Henrietta, crying inconsolably. The room was bathed in a soft pink hue, thanks to the fairy lights strung across the ceiling, but the atmosphere was tense and unsettling. Despite Lily's best efforts to soothe the infants, they continued to cry, adding to the already chaotic scene.
Lily stood frozen, her eyes fixed on James as he held Henrietta's wrist. "Go to Harry, Lils. I have Henrietta," he said, his voice strained and unconvincing as he forced a fake smile. She felt her heart sink as she realized the gravity of the situation. James had made a mistake that could not be taken back, and the letters on Henrietta's wrist served as a constant reminder of it. The tension in the air was palpable as James turned around and walked away, leaving Lily to ponder what could have been done differently.
Fourteen Years Later
Henrietta Charlotte Potter couldn't help but stare at the letters on her left wrist, her emerald eyes fixated on the bold, black letters that read "Rab L." The letters had been etched onto her skin for as long as she could remember, a seemingly permanent reminder of her past. Her aunt had told her that the letters appeared on her wrist when she was first placed under her care and that she had no idea what they meant.
Her fifteen-year-old brother had tried to help her uncover the mystery behind the letters but to no avail. He cautioned her against asking their professors, fearful that they might not know the answer or, worse, that they might raise suspicion. But Henrietta's curiosity had gotten the best of her, and she couldn't resist the urge to seek answers.
She had scoured books, but nothing seemed to shed light on the meaning behind the letters on her wrist. Nevertheless, Henrietta refused to give up her quest for knowledge and remained determined to discover what the letters "Rab L" truly meant.
The girl sprang out of bed and out of the room. She took measured steps down the hallway and descended the stairs, heading straight towards the kitchen. Upon entering, she saw her godfather, uncle, and two professors engrossed in a conversation over coffee and toast. Today, they would have a serious discussion about her plans. However, little did they know that they would also find out about the mysterious letters on her wrist that she had been hiding for so long. She had always covered them with long sleeves, but today, she knew she had to reveal the truth. It was time for them to understand the secrets she had kept hidden for so long.
Henrietta addressed Sirius Black, who was engrossed in a conversation with his friend, Remus Lupin. She politely asked if she could ask him something. Upon hearing her request, Sirius turned towards Henrietta with a warm and welcoming smile. He replied, "Of course, Henrietta. What can I assist you with?"
Henri looked around the room, her gaze settling on Remus Lupin, Professor Dumbledore, and Professor Snape. She took a deep breath before asking the question that had been on her mind for as long as she could remember.
"I have a question for everyone here," she said, his voice wavering slightly. "Ever since I was a child, I have had four letters on my left wrist. They've always been there, and I have no idea how they got there or what they mean. Aunt Petunia told me the letters were already there when Harry and I were placed in her home. But I can't help but wonder: do any of you know how I got these letters?"
Henri's eyes searched the faces of the three adults in the room, hoping for an answer. She had always felt like there was something special about those letters, something that she couldn't quite put her finger on. And now, as she waited for a response, she couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building inside her.
The young woman slowly rolled up her sleeve, revealing a series of faded letters tattooed on her arm. Four adults, including Sirius and Remus, watched with concern as she exposed the markings. Each of them examined the letters closely, trying to decipher their meaning. The worry on Sirius and Remus's faces was evident, as they were particularly invested in the well-being of their "niece" and goddaughter.
In the conversation, Dumbledore addressed Miss. Potter and asked why she decided to speak up at that moment. Henrietta, who was being addressed, seemed unsure what to say and shrugged her shoulders in response. She admitted that she had never thought much of it before and did not believe it was significant. However, Henrietta was always curious about where the letters came from. On the other hand, Harry told her not to worry about them.
After Henrietta expressed her concern about the letters they found, Dumbledore reassured her that they would investigate the matter. Henrietta appeared relieved and thanked Dumbledore before leaving the kitchen. The remaining four adults were silent until Professor Severus Snape spoke up, revealing he knew what the letters meant. The others - Sirius, Remus, and Dumbledore - looked at him in surprise. Upset, Sirius demanded to understand why Snape didn't say anything sooner and how long he had known about it. Tension filled the room as everyone waited for Snape's response.
Severus Snape stood up straight and recounted a shocking incident involving James Potter, Lily Potter's husband. According to Snape, James Potter had sent him an owl, requesting a secret meeting. During the meeting, James revealed he was holding his newborn daughter, Henrietta Potter, in his arms. James then showed Snape the letters on Henrietta's wrist, which left Snape confused. He couldn't believe that Lily would allow James to harm their child.
However, James soon revealed the truth to Snape. He told Snape that Peter Pettigrew was the secret keeper for the Potter family, and he had betrayed them by revealing their location to Rabastan Lestrange, a Death Eater. James admitted that Rabastan had shown up at his home a week after Henrietta was born, claiming that he could keep her safe from the Dark Lord. In exchange, James had signed a Betrothal Contract with Rabastan, which he now regretted.
The letters on Henrietta's wrist belonged to Rabastan Lestrange, and James was worried that he would come after her once she turned sixteen. James implored Snape to protect Lily's children, which Snape agreed to do. Snape overheard Rabastan telling his brother he would get his hands on Miss. When she turned sixteen, Potter only added to Snape's resolve to keep her safe.
The atmosphere was tense and quiet as everyone turned their attention towards Snape. Both Sirius and Remus had hurt expressions, clearly feeling betrayed by James for not trusting them enough to share this information with them. It was hard to believe that James had confided in Snape instead of them. They couldn't help but feel angry with Snape for keeping quiet about this for fourteen years, especially when they could have done something to protect Henrietta from Rabastan and even tried to cancel the contract.
The thought of Henrietta marrying a Death Eater was unbearable, and they couldn't fathom why Snape had kept this information to himself for so long. It was a painful realization that they could have prevented this if they had known earlier. The weight of regret hung heavy in the air as they all processed the gravity of the situation.
It appears that Dumbledore could anticipate Sirius and Remus's thoughts. He reportedly said, "We will do everything possible to prevent Mr. Lestrange from obtaining Miss. Potter. I believe this was in response to a remark made by James, and he may have mentioned it to Severus. However, I am unsure if this was the only thing James told Severus or if there was more to their conversation."
In response to a question, Snape replied that Potter had confided in him that he believed Fenrir Greyback was keeping an eye on Miss. Potter. Furthermore, Potter had informed him that Rabastan Lestrange had threatened to disclose the Dark Lord about Miss. Potter would have requested Fenrir Greyback to bite her if Potter hadn't complied with Rabastan. Snape also recollected a conversation between Miss. Potter and himself, in which she had expressed her discomfort about being watched. Based on the gathered information, Snape was concerned that it could be Fenrir Greyback who was keeping an eye on Miss. Potter.
Amid a conversation, Remus expressed his concern regarding Henri's safety. He felt sick and worried about how they could ensure that neither of the dangerous individuals would get to him. Dumbledore, the wise and experienced wizard, reassured Remus that they would take all the necessary steps to protect Henri from harm. He thanked Severus for his honesty and suggested keeping Miss would be in their best interest. Potter in the Dark is about Rabastan Lestrange and Fenrir Greyback. Dumbledore believed that the less she knew, the safer she would be. The safety of everyone involved was of utmost importance to him.
Remus Lupin and Sirius Black discussed and agreed, although they were not convinced that their plan would keep Henrietta Charlotte Potter safe. They were forced to keep secrets from Harry Potter, which made them feel deeply guilty. However, the guilt increased even more when they realized they also had to keep the truth from Henrietta, who they believed would be better off left in the dark.
Little did they know, a teenage listener was eavesdropping on their conversation. This teenager had a different opinion from Albus Dumbledore and believed that Henrietta Charlotte Potter deserved to see the truth.