~ An Undying Flame ~

Prologue:

"I don't want to stay here, Albus!" the voice of a small girl pleaded, "Why can't I live with you?" she asked while tears glistened within her innocent turquoise eyes. Albus Dumbledore placed hi s hands on the girl's small shoulders and kneeled down before her,

"I wish you could, my dear. But it wouldn't be safe and as your guardian, I must always ensure your safety." He gently explained; the small girl pouted,

"But I'll miss you Albus…." She sadly whispered as she threw herself into the old man's arms and began to gently weep.

"There, there, my little Vasara, this isn't goodbye forever." He murmured reassuringly; Vasara sniffed before she turned her small tear stained face up towards her Godfather,

"When will I see you again?" her small voice asked,

"In a few years when you're older." He answered solemnly.

"I'm already eight!" she defensively pointed out. Dumbledore chuckled and smiled down at his Godchild,

"Yes, that you are." He agreed proudly causing Vasara to smile softly. He gave a soft sigh before continuing, "Vasara, I know this doesn't make much sense now but in time you will understand why this has to be done. So until then, I need you to be the big, strong girl that I know you are. Can you do that for me?" he asked; Vasara slowly nodded her head,

"Yes, Albus." She obediently answered.

"That's my girl." He praised softly before he leaned down and placed a soft affectionate kiss on her forehead.

"Will you write to me Albus?" she asked, "I like letters." She added quietly.

"I'll write to you everyday." He promised. Vasara forced a weak smile at his words before she then bowed her head to the ground,

"So then…..this is goodbye?" she sadly asked. Dumbledore rose to his feet before he offered out his hand to Vasara, who placed her tiny hand in his

"For now." He answered with a sad nod. With heavy hearts the two slowly walked up to the front door of a pretty decent sized cottage that was to become Vasara's new home. Dumbledore raised a hand up and firmly rapped on the wooden door; within a few seconds, the door was answered by a middle aged woman.

"Good evening, Mrs. Flox." He greeted.

"Welcome, Albus." She politely answered with a small smile to him before she turned her eyes upon Vasara who was now clinging shyly to Dumbledore's side.

"Oh and what have we here?" Mrs. Flox began with a compassionate smile, "Well aren't you the sweetest little thing I've seen in ages." She cooed. Vasara gave a soft curtsy before answering

"Thank you, Ma'am."

"Well come in deary, let's not keep you standing out in the night's air." Mrs. Flox kindly offered. Vasara gave a soft nod before she turned once more back to Dumbledore who gave her a small, encouraging smile. The little girl quickly wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him a tight hug which Dumbledore returned without hesitation. When the pulled away for the last time, Dumbledore gave her a soft nudge toward Mrs. Flox. With small steps, Vasara stepped away from her Godfather and slowly walked inside the cottage.

"Fear not, Albus. She's in good hands." Mrs. Flox assured once Vasara was inside the doorway,

"No one must know about….what I had discussed with you earlier today, not even Vasara. She's not ready to know the truth." He explained gravely,

"I understand." Mrs. Flox replied. With a soft nod of his head, Albus Dumbledore forced himself to turn away from the cottage and leave down the coble stone road back to Hogswarts Castle.

"It was for the best, Albus. You know that." He told himself. But deep down, no matter what he said, it could not ease the growing pain of leaving his precious Vasara behind.