A Dark Life: A fiction in the Harry Potter universe

Some of the characters and story are not my own. I'm just playing in the world J.K Rowling made enjoy.

People where hurrying about and causing a huge commotion trying to wade through crowds to see their children off on the train. Children who were not doing this for their first time were rushing onto the Hogwarts's express to get a seat with their friends. Mothers were hugging their sons and daughters reminding them to write. All in all there seemed to be excitement in the air.

A boy sat in his train compartment looking out the window at the others hurrying aboard. His dark eyes canvasing the crowd; his demeanor hard to read. He caught sight of his father a tall dark haired man with light skin whom he shared many of his features with. He was chatting with someone the boy recognized as one of his father's shady friends. The boy looked to his father's left to see his sister one year his younger glaring at him. She hatted he got to go off to Hogwarts before her even though she knew you had to be eleven to attend. Her thought was that she was way better than him so why should he go before her?

Her almost black eyes seemed to be physically touching him with their contempt. Holding on to her hand was the boy's little brother who turned four last month. He shared the dark hair and eyes and he was the only one the boy would be missing while he was away. It seemed a shame that his brother be left with those two alone for so long.

Darius said a voice that caused the boy to jump. Hey he responded turning to see the only friend he has ever had. Melanie Grant was his neighbor and best friend for many years now.

She was almost his counterpart as far as appearance goes. He never smiled she never seemed to stop smiling. His hair and eyes where dark brown almost black. She has light brown hair and bright green eyes. The only feature they share is their somewhat pale skin.

You haven't been to are spot lately she said taking the seat across from him. No when my sister Alma caught us talking she told my father said Darius. I've been in trouble and not allowed to go outside except to get my school stuff he finished. Your dad really doesn't like me does he she asked? My father is an idiot he answered. He's never even met me she said sounding slightly hurt. He hates me because my fathers a muggle she asked? No he hates you because he is an idiot I thought we covered that said Darius. Melanie smiled clearly comforted by his comment. Darius looked back out his window and if the look he was receiving earlier from his sister was hateful he didn't have a word for this look. Her eyes filled with loathing bored not into him but into Melanie who Alma had just noticed. She tugged their father's robe to gain his attention and pointing toward the train.

His father's eyes centered on him a look of disappointment followed by one of anger and a shake of his head. Oh no I've gotten you in trouble again said Melanie sitting back upset. No you haven't said Darius still the same expression he had when she entered the compartment. Your father looked as if he could just strangle you she argued. That's not you're doing said Darius looking at her. Do we need to get your head checked he asked her your memory is getting very short term? What she seemed confused by his response? My father is an idiot so his bigotry is why I'm in trouble not you answered Darius a slight and rare smile briefly appeared. Melanie laughed and sat back against her seat giving a sigh.

The train's whistle sounded and stragglers began to run aboard not to miss the train. Are you nervous at all asked Melanie about this being our first year? Darius thought for a moment and responded with no not really. I'm excited said Melanie and a little nervous. The train gave a lurch and began to move forward slowly at first. People waved from platform nine and three quarters as their loved ones passed by. They chatted for a while about the two weeks they had not seen each other. Did you look through any of the school books yet she asked? Yeah I tried out a few potions from Magical Drafts and Potions while my father was away he said. Really you mad some potions how did they turn out she asked excitedly? Well the boil cure came out nice but I forget if the forgetful potion worked he answered giving her another hint at a smile. Two jokes in one conversation my god who are you laughed Melanie? Just then a bushy haired girl opened their compartment. Have you seen a toad a boy named Neville lost one? No sorry responded Melanie. Ok thank you she said closing the door and disappearing down the hall. Time passed and the food trolley arrived Darius and Melanie both grabbed a chocolate frog hoping for a card they didn't have yet. Good I got Alberic Grunnion I don't have him said Darius. I got Circe but that makes 3 of him said Melanie. Well you have tons of them I bet it's hard to find cards you're missing said Darius. Oh nights falling noticed Melanie pointing out the window. We better get into are robes I bet we are almost there she was excited jumping to her feet. As he slipped his robes on and glanced out the window he saw a large castle in the distance. Hogwarts he said under his breath sitting back down and waiting for their arrival.

The train came to a stop and everyone began to leave the train their belongings would be taken to the castle. As Darius and Melanie stepped off the train they heard a deep voice call first years over here. Darius turned to see a mountain of a man before him with a big harry beard. He was taken aback for a moment by his appearance then remembered this must be Hagrid his father had mentioned him. He felt Melanie tense up beside him once she caught sight of him as well. We all here the giant man asked looking around? Right then come on we'll be taken the boats across he said moving toward the lake. Darius croaked Melanie with shakiness to her voice. Yeah I know just hold onto me until we get there ok responded Darius knowing she was terrified of the water? She had never learned to swim so any water that could go over her head frightened her. They stepped in to one of the many boats with about eight others. Hagrid had to ride in one of the boats alone he was so big. Melanie was squeezing Darius's arm so hard his fingers began to tingle. It did not loosen until they stepped onto solid land again where she relaxed and felt better. They were lead to a place called the great hall and left to wait further instructions. Darius knew the others were just outside the doors and the first years were about to be sorted. Something caught his attention in the room when a conversation broke out and then someone had been called Harry Potter. Really everyone began to say craning their necks to see the famous Harry Potter? Is it really him Melanie said in his ear? How would I know responded Darius? I didn't know he would be starting in are year she said. It's not a big deal said Darius missing what was being said by a blonde haired boy to Harry Potter.

Not a big deal do you know what he did said Melanie? Yes we all do responded Darius. He defeated the Dark lord a scary boogieman before my time that I never met said Darius shifting a bit. I've enough current monsters living in my house to worry about one from the past finished Darius. I see your point she said but it is still pretty impressive she said. If you say so he replied dropping the conversation when a witch entered the room. I am professor McGonagall you will come out onto the stage to be sorted she said opening the doors behind her. They stood in a line waiting for their names to be called so the sorting hat could assign us to a house. Aelfric Aries called the professor. A light brown haired boy a bit taller than Darius stepped up toward her and sat on the stool. The professor placed the hat on his head and in thought for only a moment and yelled slytherin! Cheers came from the table with the students wearing emerald green. He looked smug walking to the table to join his house. This went on for a while then they called Harry Potter and the room went silent like someone cast a muffle spell. After what seemed an eternity the hat yelled Gryffindor. A deafening cheer erupted and went on for longer than the other sorted had. Darius Darkwater the professor called. He walked up to the stool and sat down as she placed the hat on his head. Slytherin in shouted after only a moment. He walked toward the house table he now belonged to receiving unwanted pats on the back until he was seated. Other names were called then Melanie Grant called the professor. She approached the stool looking very nervous. The hat sat on her head barley second and screamed Ravenclaw.

A smile ran across her face and she went to join her house table. The headmaster gave a speech then the feast began. This went on for well over an hour before the room became quieter and people were almost in a food coma. Alright called the headmaster follow your house prefects to your house common rooms we will see you tomorrow. The night seemed to end before he could remember his head touching the pillow. He guessed the fact he had ate until he was miserable had something to do with that. He awoke and went up to the great hall from his common room in the dungeons. He arrived there to find others eating breakfast already. Darius went to his table and took a seat forking some breakfast onto his plate. He ate silently not chatting with his housemates until he saw Melanie walk in and casually waved at her. She smiled widely waving back. Who is that asked a voice a few seats down from Darius? He followed the voice to the taller light brown haired boy he believed his name was Aelfric. My friend Darius answered looking back down at his food. Yeah I got that what is her name the boy asked looking at Darius like he was slow? Why Darius responded taking his eyes from his plate to the boy again? The boy looked confused and said because I would like to know is that a problem? Melanie Darius answered leaving it at that. Wow this kid is a real talkative one laughed Aelfric. What is her last name he said leaning forward past the boy sitting next to him so he could look at Darius clearly? Why was the response again from Darius? What the heck is wrong with this guy Aelfric said to the boy beside him more than to Darius?

I would like to know what wizarding family she comes from finished Aelfric. Again I'll ask why said Darius looking at the boy? Is she a pureblood he asked looking at Darius? This conversation was making Darius uncomfortable in the direction it was going. He stood nodded his head at the boy and said enjoy your day I must get my stuff for class. He made it history of magic class and took a seat a few minutes later Aelfric and his buddies from breakfast entered as well eyeing him hatefully. Darius found his first class painfully dull; Professor Binns droned on about thing so plainly if there was something interesting in his lesson you couldn't tell. He was a ghost the only one that taught in Hogwarts and Darius wondered if he might have died of boredom. He was happy when the class was dismissed and found himself bored groggy from the history of magic class.

Darius made his way toward the dungeon area for his potions class. He knew that Gryffindor was to share this class with Slytheryin. This class he liked even if it was spent looking up where ingredients for potions were found. Darius had always been fascinated with the subject of potions. Darius got the distinct impression that his potions Professor disliked the boy Harry Potter. Professor Snape had made the boy look ignorant of the magical world which Darius found unfair beings this was their first lesson and they were there to learn.

Darius found he liked most of his classes over the next couple of weeks minus broomstick flying he had been sent to Madam Pomfry after nose diveing into the dirt breaking his only other downside was he did not see Melanie that often. They shared only two classed but spent any free periods together. One afternoon when they sat in the grass outside on the grounds by a tree Darius heard a voice say look there they are. He sighed knowing who was behind him and not really liking the boy much. Aelfric walked up to the tree were they were sitting and stretched his had to Melanie. My names Aelfric Aries and you are he asked looking at Melanie? She being the kind hearted type shook his hand and responded Melanie Grant. Are you a friend of Darius's she asked looking back and forth from Darius to Aelfric? Yes he responded while Darius shook his head in disagreement. Grant you said I don't recognize that wizarding name Aelfric stated looking ate her questioningly. You wouldn't my father is a muggle so I have a muggle last name she responded not looking taken aback by his rudeness. Is that a problem she asked as Aelfric looked back at the two friends he had with them? You talk with a half-blood Aelfric looked appalled? Well I'm speaking with you and you're a half-wit I don't see how being half of anything should stop someone from talking to you finished Darius. I think the hat made a mistake putting you in Slytheryin grunted Aelfric. Well I think your parents made a mistake bringing you into this world but hey mistakes happen Darius finished taking Melanie's arm and leading her from the group. Darius believed this conversation was over but as he passed the tree he heard Aelfric yell Bombarda. Before he knew what happened a loud boom echoed in his ears while splinters and chunks of wood debris rained around him. Darius sat up from the ground not remembering how he got down there in the first place. He looked at Melanie who was standing and leaning down toward his face. He felt a warm thickness on the right side of his face. Darius reached his hand up touching his face and realizing now it hurt. What had Aelfric done to him he wondered? Darius struggled to his feet feeling a bit woozy and trying to hear what Melanie was saying over the high pitched ring in his ears. She helped him get steady and walked him to Madam Pomfry. His hearing was coming back as he entered her office area. My boy what happened to you she said looking concerned? You didn't get in a nother broom accident did you she asked? No mam he didn't said Melanie a boy…. Misfired a spell he was practicing it was an accident lied Darius cutting off Melanie. Oh what Spell was he trying she asked suspicious of this story? Don't know mam but it wasn't the one he ended up with finished Darius. After she had fixed him up Darius began to wonder about her craft it seemed interesting and it would be useful to know healing he thought. Melanie stopped him in the hall why didn't you tell her about what he did she asked? Because it would make it worse I'll deal with it said Darius turning and walking again. Why are you so stubborn she asked him hastening her pace to keep with him? I like to handle things myself it's just what I'm used to after doing it all these years said Darius. What are you going to do to settle this then asked Melanie?