A Potter Secret

Death's Deal

It's the last day. She dies at midnight this night. Minerva and Dumbledore sit with Severus as he holds the girl. They sit in silence as the clock ticks down. As the bell chimes midnight, the four adults are blinded by a bright light appearing before them. As the light dims, they all stare at the hooded figure before them. Severus hides Isabella away as he draws closer. "Calm yourself, Severus," the figure calls. "I'm not here to hurt you."

"Who are you?" Severus inquires, wand in one hand.

The figure bows his head before looking directly at Severus. "I am Death and I am here to make you an Deal." Severus opens his mouth to speak but Death stops him. "Isabella Angel Potter. Her first name chosen by her mother and her second chosen by her father in homage to his ancestor. I have had previous encounters with her ancestors. The brother from which her line stems was by far the smarter and kinder. I am here right now for him."

"And what is it you offer?" Severus asks.

Death smirks. "I offer her life in exchange for, when the time comes, the ability to bring others back. This may surprise you but I do not take pleasure in taking the lives of children and those who are not yet meant to die. Voldemort was never meant to gain power or even be a thought. So many have died where they should not have. However, I am unable to return those I wish to live. I can, however, keep them from reaching the final stage before their souls are kept in my domain forever. For those still connected to this world, they will be able to return at the end of what's to come but there must be someone here to draw them back. Anyone from the point when this girl was born on would have the choice to return once she can control her ability."

"You will let her live so she may bring back the dead?" Severus inquires, holding her closer. "What will that do to her?"

Death chuckles. "I assure you, she will not be affected by this in a bad way. Her magic will strengthen and she will be able to do things that have never been seen before. In all honesty, I believe that this benefits her more than it benefits us both. She lives and has unseen abilities. What I get from this is the ability to remove those from my realm that are not meant to be there. A war is coming that was not fated to be. Many will be lost throughout. At the conclusion of the war, her magic will expulse all those who follow Voldemort and bring back those who deserve to live."

Severus turns to Albus and Minerva for advice. Minerva looks on guiltily. "I- I had long since given up on her, Severus. I am not worthy of making this decision for her."

"One more thing I must mention," Death adds. "I must erase your memories of this deal ever taking place. I will visit in the future and at that time only she will speak to or see me. You will never see me again, nor remember any of this conversation."

Severus nods, thinking for a moment. "I agreed to your terms as I understand them. Isabella lives and you give her powers that will not harm her in anyway but will allow her to give the dead a second chance if they so wish it when the time comes."

Death nods and holds his arms out but Severus holds her closer. "Severus, I must hold the child in order to give her this." Severus slowly releases his firm grasp on the child and gently holds her out. Death cradles her placing two fingers on her forehead. A light surrounds the two for a moment before dying down. Death sets Isabella in her crib before fading from existence. As he fades, the memories of him disappear and time unknowingly resumes.

As the chimes of the clock fade away, Severus, Minerva, Albus and Poppy watch the little baby in the crib. She's still. Tears come to Severus' eyes as she doesn't move. Dumbledore puts a hand on his shoulder. "Severus, I'm so-"

A hiccup resounds through the room. They all look at the baby as she squirms, trying to get out of her blanket as her eyes open. Poppy dims the lights as Severus picks her up, cradling her to his chest. She looks up at him with her green eyes, smiling and laughing. "She's alive!" Severus smiles.

Poppy pushes Severus to sit down and checks her over. "Her magic core seems fully heal. She'll be exceedingly powerful when she grows up. She already has much more power than you, Albus, and she's just a newborn. I suggest that once she is able to hold a wand, she be taught."

Dumbledore steps over and takes a reading of his own. He staggers back at the magic she radiates. "I agree, Poppy. We'll figure out how to teach her when the time comes. Until then, she gets a normal childhood and we keep her hidden from the outside world. She is not allowed to leave Hogwarts without my knowledge, Severus. We must keep her safe."

Severus nods. "May I take her to my rooms? I have a room set up as a nursery in case she ever woke up."

Dumbledore nods. "Very well but I expect Poppy will in and out of there frequently to check her over."

Poppy nods as she gathers some things. "These should help you to take care of her for now. If you ever need me to watch her, you know how to contact me."

"Someone will need to watch her while I'm teaching," Severus reminds. "I can drop her off in the morning or you're welcome in her nursery."

Poppy nods. "I'll come to her nursery. She needn't be exposed to everything around Hogwarts constantly yet. Severus, remember, she needs as much contact as you can give her to make sure she's stays healthy for at least five months."

Severus smiles down at her, standing up. "I'll take care of her, I promise. She'll be safe with me."

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