A/N: Hello all. If you're returning to this story, you may find that it's much changed. I've decided to re-write it (quite a lot of it). From here on out, you'll get (much) longer chapters than you're used to with, hopefully, much better writing.
As always, PLEASE review after reading. They really boost my spirits and give me motivation to continue on!
Thank you and I hope to update again very soon! Enjoy!
The First Muggleborn
A young lady of nearly eleven strode the halls of her family manor. The sky outside was overcast and hardly any sunshine made it past the clouds. With an audible sigh, she dropped herself into a nearby chair, thankful for a moment's reprieve from her busy schedule.
"Misstress Arabella, you've been requested in the kitchens immediately." She had been discovered by one of the servants. It would seem there would be no rest that day. Trying not to be too irritable, Arabella lifted herself back up and slowly followed the servant to their destination.
When they arrived, she was quickly flooded with questions, many of which she believed she had answered many times before, and all pertaining to the party she was hosting that night. She did her best to answer as many of the questions as possible, but when one servant asked her, for what must have been the tenth time, which china she would like used, her frustration could no longer be contained.
"What don't you understand! How many times must I tell you to use the gold-trimmed china? Must I fetch it myself?" Without giving herself a moment to feel any remorse, she stormed off to her quarters. The fools could figure out the party on their own!
She eventually found herself sprawled out on her bed, letting her hair get messy as it fell out of its stays. Arabella desperately wanted to undo the ties in her dress, but etiquette told her that she would be suffering borderline suffocation for many more hours that day.
"Mistress! What're you doing here so early? I do hope the preparations are nearly done." Arabella turned her head to where the voice was coming from and found Mary, her chambermaid, standing in the doorway, holding a bundle of laundry.
"Hello Mary," she responded before turning her head back towards the ceiling and closing her eyes. As she did, Mary strode inside and began putting away the clothes in the chest at the foot of the bed. Moment passed before Mary finished and made her way back to the doorway.
"Oh, Miss, did you need help changing to greet your parents?" Arabella's eyes shot open and she darted into a sitting position.
"What?" She croaked, rather ungracefully.
"Your parents. They're arriving this afternoon. Has no one told you?" Panic settled into Arabella's mind as she ran through all of the party preparations she hadn't completed. She felt a cold sweat run down her neck as the realization hit.
"B-but, they're not to arrive until next week!"
"No M'lady. A messenger came two days ago with the news." Mary's expression changed then, as if remembering something important. "But, I suppose it was addressed to Nigel, so perhaps it was meant to be a surprise." The servant's expression betrayed her, clearly indicating that her parent's arrival was indeed meant to be a surprise.
Springing back to her feet, Arabella raced to the hall, with new motivation to complete the party preparations. She called back to Mary in thanks; If she hadn't let it slip, Arabella might have been in quite a lot of trouble.
Several hours later found Arabella exhausted, but satisfied with the outcome of her party planning. She watched Mary twist her hair in a fashionable style through her vanity mirror with a small smile. She was confident her parents would be pleased as well. She glanced out the window to estimate the time and deduced that they should be arriving anytime.
"Please let me know the moment they arrive, Mary."
"Of course Miss." Just as the servant had finished pinning the last of the young girl's platinum locks, Nigel, the head butler appeared at her door.
"Begging your pardon, Miss, but a letter appeared at the door just now. It's addressed to you." Arabella turned in her seat to face him head on.
"Oh? Who sent it?" Nigel marched forward, extending the envelope towards her. "It looks rather peculiar. From a place called 'Hogwarts.'"
"That sounds ridiculous," Arabella muttered as she tore open the seal and began to read. As she did, her face paled and her gaze shot up at the man before her. "What's the meaning of this?"
"Miss?"
"This-this blasphemy! Claiming I'm a-a-" she lowered her voice to a whisper before finishing. "a witch." Mary's eyes widened as she, too, turned to face Nigel, whose face had turned red and a sweat had broken out across his brow.
"I assure you, Miss, I haven't the faintest idea where the letter came from. It was left at the door, on the step." Anabella paused a moment to determine whether or not he was being honest and, after deciding he was, exhaled.
"Fine," she said, attempting a smile and failing. "Burn it. There will be no word of this, not even to my parents. Understood?" Nigel and Mary both nodded in compliance, before she waved them off.
Left to sit at her vanity alone, Anabella watched as the profane document curled in the flames of her fireplace, where Nigel had disposed of it for her to see. Surely, it was meant to be some kind of sick joke. But by whom? None of the staff would dare toss such an accusation at her or her family. Perhaps it was a townsperson who held a vendetta against her for some reason.
Nevermind all that. The letter was gone and no one would ever know about it. Her parents would be home soon and Arabella needed to get to the entrance hall to greet them. Picking up her skirts, she sped out of her room and through the intricate hallways that led to the front door.
"Where's my Bella?" She heard before the door was even opened. Her father's booming voice echoing through the thick door. As it opened, she saw his bearded face beaming with eagerness to see his eldest daughter.
"Right here, father!" Arabella couldn't contain her excitement as she rushed over to him and hopped into his arms. He lifted her small frame easily and danced them both around the entrance hall.
"Have you been good while we've been away?" He asked her as they twirled.
"Of course. Very good," she giggled.
"And what of you birthday celebration tonight? Is everything tip-top?"
"I've hardly slept, making sure everything will be perfect."
"And what of your dear mother? Have you forgotten her?" The pair stopped their dancing when they heard the new voice enter. Arabella's mother, Catherine, stood in the doorway, holding the hand of her young brother and carrying her even younger sister.
"Oh forgive us, mother. We were practicing for the ball," Arabella laughed, as she slid out of her father's arms and onto the floor.
"I can see that." She replied, with a small smirk. She gave her daughter a tight hug, which Arabella returned before giving her siblings each a peck on the forehead.
"Hello Chris. Did you have enjoy the continent?" She asked, finally acknowledging her brother. The little blonde boy vigorously nodded his head in reply.
"Christopher here became quite close to the Duke of Toulouse's daughter. Perhaps something can be arranged in the future?" Although she said this to Arabella, Catherine's eyes were on her husband, Richard, whom she had been suggesting the idea to several times throughout their visit. He feigned ignorance, though he agreed that it would be a most advantageous match.
"We must visit again, if you find their company so amiable," her father called out as he began making his way farther into the manor.
Four hours later found the family in the midst of an extravagant ball in Arabella's honor. The young hostess weaved through the crowd, ensuring everything was going as planned, even though her mother had assured her she would take over. Wanting to prove her worthiness at planning such a large party, however; Arabella continued to do her duties.
"Bella! How good to see you!" The Baron of East Anglia's daughter, Alexandra, approached, with arms open wide to embrace Arabella. Her parents had never been fond of the girl, but in an effort to keep peace, had invited her family anyway. It was difficult to feign friendship, however, when Alexandra was clutching the guest of honor in a death-like grip, despite not having her embrace returned.
"Alexandra, how good to see you," Bella greeted the twelve-year-old through gritted teeth.
"Isn't it? Bella, dear, why haven't you written me? I was terribly excited to receive your invitation."
"So sorry. I've been busy. So many things to do, you know."
"Yes, yes. Of course." The excitable brunette hooked her arm through Arabella's and began strolling around the perimeter of the dance floor. "So tell me, do you have any news? You must catch me up on anything you've neglected to write."
Bella struggled to find something to add to the conversation but could think of nothing. Shaking her head, Alexandra pouted.
"Well," Alexandra's voice dropped to a whisper. "I've recently overheard my parents talking about a betrothal for me!" Arabella's brows raised with mild interest at this declaration. "I've no idea who the lucky man will be, but I'm sure he's handsome."
"How could you know?" Alexandra pouted once more, seeming to ponder how herself.
"I…I just do. Surely my parents wouldn't marry me off to a fat old man…would they?" She hesitated again, lost in thought. Bella used this moment to unwind her arm from her companion's and sneak away.
Having already made sure the party was going smoothly, Arabella wandered off to a quieter hallway. As she sat down in a chair looking out one of the many large windows, she could see that the rain had stopped and the sky had cleared. The moon shone brightly and reflected off of the large pond on the property.
It had been a long day and Arabella felt her eyelids get heavy. What startled her out of her reverie though, was a loud 'hoot' that called out over the muffled noise of the party going on in the ballroom. Not knowing where the noise had come from, her head snapped in every direction, until the sound was heard again, coming from the window.
"What in the world?" Arabella approached the window and pushed it open just enough to see a small owl perched on the ledge outside. "Shoo!"
When the bird merely ruffled its feathers at her, Bella noticed that it had an envelope tied to its leg. Hesitantly, she reached for it and, when the owl made no motion to fly away, untied it from the avian.
Before even opening the letter, she froze. On the front of the envelope was her own name, along with the sender's information: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She immediately dropped the paper to the floor as if she had been burned, only to pick it back up, in fear someone may see her and suspect something was wrong.
Hoot!
That blasted bird again! Arabella Turned to glare at it and saw a second owl glide to the perch alongside it. With a morbid curiosity, she approached the window again and pushed it open farther. Nestled on nearly every branch of every tree outside the window were owls. Dozens and dozens of owls of all shapes and sizes.
Arabella stifled a scream and stumbled backwards, falling on her bottom and tripping over her skirts in an attempt to stand back up. Failing to do so, she frantically crawled towards the end of the hall, where she ducked behind a pillar. She heard the blood pumping in her ears and felt her face grow hot. What in the world was going on?
After taking a moment to calm herself, Arabella realized she was still clutching the letter. It had been crumpled in her vice-like grip as she was crawling away, so she attempted to flatten it out on her knee. Still sitting on the floor, she began to read what had been reiterated in the first letter Nigel had brought her.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Godric Gryffindor
Dear Miss Arabella Atterberry,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1.
Due to your peculiar circumstances, a representative will be visiting you in the coming days to discuss the terms of your acceptance in further detail.
Yours Sincerely,
Rowena Ravenclaw
Deputy Headmistress
A second paper contained a very peculiar list of what Arabella could only assume were the books and equipment the letter referenced. Glancing around, she thankfully found that she was still alone in the hall and stood up, using the pillar for balance. Even though only an hour or so had passed since her party began, she darted off to her room, in hopes of disposing of the incriminating letter, and as she rushed through the hallways, she spied owls perched along the outside of the windows, staring at her.
"My dear, where are you going?" Arabella bumped into her mother as she turned a corner. Panicking, she was at a loss for words. "What is that in your hands? A gift?"
The girl glanced at the envelope she still held in a tight grip and, hoping that her mother would let her pass quickly, nodded her head.
"Lovely, what is it? May I see?" Bella gripped it tighter.
"Um, no. I need to-" A moment passed and she still lacked a plausible explanation. "I'm sorry mother, I need to go." Before her mother could inquire as to what was the matter, Arabella pushed past her and hurried her pace towards her room.
As soon as she reached her destination, she ran to the fireplace, which was still burning brightly and violently threw the papers in. Not a minute later, she heard a knock at her door.
"Bella, are you alright?" Rather than be upset with her for leaving the party so suddenly and avoiding her in the hall, Catherine wore a look of deep concern for her daughter. Bella sighed, grateful that she managed to get rid of the 'Hogwarts' nonsense before her mother appeared.
"Yes, Mother. I'm sorry for worrying you. I just…needed a moment alone. The party…was overwhelming." Catherine's face softened into a slight smile.
"Oh, I understand. These are the things you must become accustomed to though, when you're running your own household."
"Yes mother; I know. I'll be down shortly, truly." Arabella's mother stroked her check a moment, before turning back around and returning to the party.
After closing the door once more, Bella peered back at the fire, which had consumed the papers completely.
Hoot!
Her attention snapped to where the sound had come from: her bed. Perched on one of the bedposts was yet another owl. It seemed to be staring at her more intensely than the others.
"Go away!" She shouted at it with great effect. The bird rushed out the window, which crashed shut so quickly afterward that several of the window panes cracked.
As Arabella paced the room in an attempt to calm her nerves once more, she gave no thought to the self-closing window…