Disclaimer: This entire story is taking place in J.K Rowling's world with a lot of her brilliant characters. Except, of course, Alex.
Alexandra Janette Skye concentrated hard on reflection as she held the scissors to her hair. Her hair was something of a promise to her mother, she had promised to grow it out until the day her mother was no longer taking care of her. To her mother, this was a joke. A joke that meant she would always grow her hair because really, when would her mother not be her mother?
Alexandra's mother seemed to be incredibly attached to Alexandra's hair which one would normally find peculiar. But no, her mother had always been as such. She took a deep breath as she made the first cut. She had fulfilled her promise. Her mother was no longer her guardian. In fact, her mother was no longer alive. Alexandra had decided that cutting her hair would be the first step in starting a new life. Though, perhaps she should have visited a hairdresser.
She finished cutting her hair and dropped the scissors on to the counter. She was in a public loo in London where she had stopped before making her way to Kings Cross Station. Today was going to be her first day at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She sighed and looked longingly at her locks that had fallen about the floor. She loved her hair just as much as her mother had loved it, despite what she had always told her mother. However she couldn't take it back. She looked at herself in the mirror and tried to recognize the girl staring back at her.
The girl had the same facial features, the same emerald green eyes that matched her mother. She also had jet black hair, a colour that one would not even dare to consider dark brown. This girl's once long hair was now cut shoulder length and choppy. But this girl was slimmer and she looked incredibly tired it was as if she hadn't ever had a full nights rest. She had a bruise running along one side of her face and a matching one hidden under her jumper. She was wore jeans and a jumper which retained the crest of her previous school, Beauxbaton. It had been an all girls' school in France meant for young witches.
At age eleven, Alexandra had been told she was a witch. This exciting news filled her pure-blood parents with joy. Her family had been one of the few that remained completely pure-blooded. Many thought this a matter of pride. Many, was to say her father. Growing up, Alexandra had always heard stories of how her blood was greater than others. He had told her that they were abnormal, freaks he called them, those without pure blood. She would have believed him except her mother always told her different. Her mother secretly told Alexandra that she was to choose if they were good or bad herself. Her mother had never loved her father that was not a secret. Yet Alexandra had loved them both, that was until she had overheard a fight between her mother and father.
It had been soon after she received her first letter to Hogwarts, as they lived in London at the time, that Alexandra had overheard her parents. She had walked down the stairs to get a glass of water when she saw her father strike her mother.
"You filthy blood traitor!" he had screeched, "How dare you attempt to turn my only child against me?"
"She has a right to decide right from wrong, you cannot force her to think as you do," her mother whispered.
He yelled and slapped her in all his fury. Alexandra had winced at the sight of pain evident on her mother's face.
"Leave," He cried, "Leave if you are so sure that I am wrong!"
"Only if you promise not to ask me to return as you did before," her mother replied calmly.
"That was your decision; you were pathetic and could not live without all that I provide you!"
"Perhaps, but it was better out there with nothing. There I was happy."
He furrowed his brow and raised his arm to strike her once more. Alexandra took this moment to walk in.
"Mummy? Daddy?" she had mumbled, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing love," her father replied his features smoothing over.
However her mother gave her a look and Alexandra knew that her mother wasn't fooled.
That very year, her father had picked up their lives and moved to France. Claiming it was job related he told Alexandra that she would get to go to Beauxbaton instead of Hogwarts. He told her of all the greatness that this school was and soon, she was convinced.
She went to Beauxbaton after that and learnt what was to be taught. She made friends and lived her life happily and peacefully until it wasn't as such anymore. It was going to be her sixth year this year and she had nothing left, she realized. It was awful being alone. Though it could be worse, she reminded herself.
She had been living on the streets since her parents were killed, her home destroyed. One particular night she had been lying in a tent which she had found. She lay there caressing her wand and thinking of all the ways in which the Ministry of Magic was completely daft. To think, you had to be seventeen to use magic outside of school, what bullocks. She couldn't help but think with magic she'd be doing much better alone. It was then that an owl appeared, pecking at her head.
"Merlin's overgrown toenails, whose are you?" she had asked, carefully taking the envelope from it.
"Sorry," she muttered regretfully, "I've nothing to give you."
The owl turned and flew away seemingly happy.
She looked at the envelope and read that it was addressed to her, the girl under the tent in this very intersection. She grinned as she recognized the green ink and handwriting. She remembered the excitement she had felt when she had first gotten her letter like this one. It was her acceptance letter to Hogwarts. Though, instead of listing what she would need it simply said,
'Alexandra, everything you need will be provided. Come as you are.'
She had smiled contently, she remembered, Dumbledore did know everything, didn't he?
That was how she had found herself in this position the next day, September 1st much later than all the other students due to a minor barrier she had encountered. She grumbled to herself as she wondered how on earth she'd ensure that she would arrive.
She approached platforms 9 and 10 and to where platform 9 ¾ would be found. Her mother had shown her once when it was believed she would be attending Hogwarts. Sometimes she wished she had, and then perhaps she would not be an orphan as she was today. She attempted to push her arm through the platform and groaned in frustration when she realized it was closed.
"You are late Miss Skye," said a voice behind her.
She turned to find a tight lipped woman with her hair tied back in a tight bun. Her uptight look made her appear older than she was.
"Sorry," Alexandra muttered quickly feeling no need to explain what had happened.
The woman looked at her curiously, "Alexandra...what on earth happened to your face?"
"Alex," Alexandra muttered, "my name, I prefer Alex."
The woman nodded and looked pointedly towards Alex encouraging her to answer her original question. Alex could not help but feel frustrated, who on earth was this lady? She wondered. Besides, why was she entitled to know what had happened?
"As what do I address you?" Alex asked finally raising an eyebrow.
Alex could have sworn she saw her smirk, "I am professor McGonagall. I teach transfiguration at Hogwarts. I am also the head of Gryffindor house."
Alex nodded attempting to make it obvious that she did not want to talk about what had happened. McGonagall simply nodded and started walking swiftly towards the streets of London.
"Are we going to Diagon Alley?" Alex asked attempting to keep up with McGonagall's stride.
She nodded, "We'll be using Floo powder to get to Hogsmeade. Are you comfortable with the method?"
Alex nodded. She had used Floo Powder many times before and she had practically lived in Diagon Alley as a child. Her father preferred her around wizards rather than muggles.
They quickly made their way to Diagon Alley passed numerous shops until they reached one of her favourites, Broomstix. She had always loved looking at all the different brooms as she loved to fly. She had figured if she couldn't buy she could always pretend. McGonagall nodded to the owner and they made their way over to the fireplace. They proceeded to use Floo Powder to get to 'The Three Broomsticks' as McGonagall had called it.
The professor explained Hogsmeade to Alex and told her about the trips the students often took there. However she had said that the students would require permission from their guardians. At this Alex stared open mouthed at the professor, she couldn't be serious?
"Those are the rules Miss Skye, however Dumbledore may decide otherwise."
McGonagall heard Alex mutter what she thought was rubbish under her breath but she decided to leave it be. For she couldn't really blame her, this poor girl had been through horrid tragedies endlessly and she, herself, was telling her she could not participate in one of the few fun activities at Hogwarts. Professor Mcgonagall agreed with Alex, it was rubbish.
They proceeded to exit the village of Hogwarts and made their way to the carriages. They appeared to be carried by invisible horses but Alex could clearly see the thestrals. There were few carriages remaining and McGonagall told her that the other students were probably already enjoying their dinners.
They boarded the carriages and Alex spent the time thinking of the incredible winged horses that were leading the carriages. She had realized that before this year she had never seen a thestrals before and from now on she would always see them, when they were there. It was explained to her that these creatures were only visible to those who have witnessed death and accepted the concept. This, in Alex's case, was obviously true.
They approached the castle and Alex stared open mouthed at the castle. It was incredible, more so than she had imagined. Her mother had shared with her secrets from her day but still stories were not the same as reality.
Professor McGonagall lead her towards what Alex was told was the Headmaster's tower. They approached an ugly stone gargoyle.
"Liquorice Comfits," Professor McGonagall said.
In response a grand staircase was revealed and McGonagall promptly began walking towards the office. Alex had been taking in the magnificence of the castle. It was bloody brilliant to say the least. Though she couldn't help but smirk at the password. She had met Dumbledore a few times before as he had thought greatly of Alex's mother who had attended Hogwarts. That was the reason why her mother wanted her to attend this very school. It was also because of this that Alex knew the password was definitely his decision.
When they reached the office, Dumbledore stood in greeting. He looked as he did the last time she had seen him with his hair grown out and his half moon spectacles partially hiding the glint of mischief in his eyes.
"Morning Sir," Alex said politely.
"Ah, Miss Skye, how are you then?" he asked.
Though he hadn't said it she knew he was referring to what had happened. Alex looked cautiously at McGonagall who still stood at her side and Dumbledore nodded in understanding.
"Minerva, would you please excuse us?" he asked her.
"Of course sir," she responded and left the room.
He nodded at Alex to tell him about what happened. So she did. She explained about the muggles who had constantly been bashing on her when they had been pissed. She also told him about the one group that constantly find her, the very group that she had encountered before she went to Kings Cross. They had continuously beaten her and it was because of them that she had the bruises on her body. He nodded understandingly and then said the one thing she thought was completely absurd.
"I am sorry," he said.
"For what!" she exclaimed. She never understood apologizing for something you had no control over it was such rubbish. She shook her head and repeated, "I mean, sir, you had no control over it, why apologize?"
"Because, Miss Skye, there is always something someone could do. I was simply apologizing for all those who didn't."
She still didn't agree but she let it go. Dumbledore proceeded to explain to her about the school. The classes were the same as Beauxbaton however the method of sorting the students was different. There were four houses, he told her, Gryffindor for the brave and courageous, Slytherin for those who are cunning, Ravenclaw for the intelligent and Hufflepuff for the hardworking. She nodded in understanding as he told her that the sorting hat would sort her.
It was then that Dumbledore placed the hat on her head and Alex did what her mother had told her to.
My mother she said in her mind told me to tell you she was grateful for you sorting her where you did rather than where she thought she should be. Her name was Elizabeth Blake.
It was quiet for a moment then the hat spoke in her mind.
Your mother was a true Gryffindor. Not a Slytherin, not at all. I simply did my job.
Well she was grateful anyways.
Why do you say was?
She's died.
Oh dear. I am sorry for you loss.
I winced.
Even though you didn't want to hear it...very well, you are quite cunning and would make quite the Slytherin though I do not think that's where you belong. You'd do better in... GRYFFINDOR!
Thank you.
"Like your mother then," Dumbledore said smiling.
He proceeded to tell her that the prefect, Lily Evans, would show her to her dorms.
When Lily arrived at the office, Alex mumbled a quick thank you to the professor and met her in the hall. She was of average height and was rather slim. She had incredible red hair and green eyes that were not quite as bright as Alex's but pretty nonetheless.
She smiled at Alex and put out a hand, "Lily Evans, Gryffindor Prefect."
"Alex Skye, Gryffindor...student," Alex responded unsure.
Lily grinned and nodded leading her up a corridor.
"The students have free time for about an hour and a half, so if you'd like I could show you around after I show you the dorm."
Alex looked at Lily and tried to find a polite response, "Erm, I'm awfully tired. So, perhaps, instead you could show me...another day?"
"Of course, of course," Lily replied still smiling.
Alex smiled back and followed her to the Gryffindor common room. There were a few people in the common room catching up with their friends. Lily led her up a staircase and they stopped in a hall.
"These four dorms are for the sixth and seventh years," she said, "there are beds for six in every room but our years are smaller on students. Because of this our room is the only one with six actual people occupying it." She smiled, "the boys can't get up here as there are spells that protect us from their harmful ways."
"Anyways," she said, "our room's this way."
She went toward the first room and inside was six four-poster beds. Each bed was decorated in different bed spreads and posters. One with quidditch teams, another with actresses, a third books and intelligent muggles, the fourth was entirely pink and finally the fifth with muggle bands. The sixth bed was obviously hers. There was a standard Gryffindor coloured bread spread. On the bed side table there were a stack of books and there was a trunk in which were sets of uniforms. Alex smiled gratefully and walked towards the box that was lying on her bed.
"McGonagall said to tell you that your mother had left that for you here, were you to ever come" Lily told her. Then Lily, realizing it may be private muttered something about finding a friend of hers.
Alex looked at the box; it was purple and decorated with stars. On it, it said in her mother's obvious hand writing, "Alexandra" At this Alex felt her stomach tighten. What could possibly be in this box? She wondered. What was so important?
She opened it and found a letter and a key. She opened the letter hoping for something that would make everything she knew to be truth a lie. Perhaps, something that would make her mother alive and everything else alright, even though she knew it too good to be true.
She opened the letter and read,
My dearest daughter,
I do not know why but I have always hoped you would attend Hogwarts. Perhaps, because it is where I learnt that not everything is as simple as it seems. One must learn to understand how the world works. One must find a way to be fair. I do hope your experience here is much like mine, amazing. In here is a key, one that may not fix everything but it will be a start. You will find my entire life's savings in this vault. You will also find everything I kept hidden from your father. I love you, my love.
Your mother,
Elizabeth Blake.
Alex wasn't alone, she realized. Her mother was with her, she always would be, as corny as it sounds, in her heart. She clutched the key and slipped it into the empty chain on her neck. It was one of the only things that was hers. That and her wand.
She slipped the letter into the bottom of her trunk and made her way out the door to her dormitory, perhaps she would explore for a bit.
Wow, that was long. So should I continue? Drop a review please and thank you!