Mysterious Lady
It was a fairly warm afternoon, and she was lying on the grass, just chilling before school started. She really should go and get ready; they would all be here soon.
She put on her dress, and waved her wand and her hair did itself. She looked at her eyes; they were a bright blue, inherited no doubt from her uncle. She had never felt so nervous in her life. She didn't know why she was so nervous; she had performed these songs hundreds of times, but never in front of a crowd of kids. No. She had never sung in front of a crowd of she sings she will be joining this school to take her final exams. "This is entirely my Uncle's fault really", she thought, "he convinced me it would be a good way to introduce myself. I feel so sick."
Keely had gone outside to get some fresh air, but that made her feel worse as all the children were getting out of their carriages.
Keely was extremely beautiful, and the seventh years that were first to arrive soon noticed this. She was dressed in a silk dress of a light gold colour that fell elegantly to the floor. Her auburn hair was down to her shoulders with soft curls breaking the length up a little. Keely quickly went back inside, if Professor Dumbledore found her outside, all hell would break loose. She was supposed to remain hidden until it was time to sing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Who was that?" Sirius asked absently.
"I don't know do I, we've just got here" replied James snappily.
"What's got your wand in a knot?" asked Sirius.
"He's hungry," replied Remus "as always"
"I am not ALWAYS hungry," said a now annoyed James.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Hey Evans, EVANS"
"What do you want Potter?" Lily replied with such venom in her words, that James' friends were surprised he was still standing.
"Who was that lady stood at the entrance to the castle?"
"Why do you assume that I would know?" asked Lily.
"Because you are a Prefect, and also clever?" replied James hopefully.
"Well as it happens, all the Prefects know, but we can't tell you, Professor Dumbledore ordered us not to. Now leave me alone I want to get a good seat." With that Lily swept away with her friends.
"Why does she hate me so much?" whinged James.
"Maybe because you annoy her, are egotistical and bigheaded, but that's just a guess" replied Sirius ducking as James aimed a swipe at him. Peter snickered.
"Padfoot! I am not bigheaded. Anyway, if all the Prefects know who that lady is, how come you haven't told us about it Moony? Hmmmm?" accused James.
Remus replied "I can't tell you, you'll find out soon enough, come on, we need to get good seats." The marauders started walking into the castle entrance. "Sirius are you alright?"
"Mmm"
"Sirius, you're mumbling"
"Oh sorry, Moony, just thinking."
"About what?"
"She was so beautiful, her hair, she looks familiar but who is she? I have to know"
"I can't tell you, but hurry up so we get front row seats!" Remus grinned, and with that they entered the Great Hall.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"I can't do this Uncle." said a panic stricken Keely.
"Keely," replied Albus Dumbledore "Yes you can, you are very talented, and may I add, beautiful?"
At this Keely rolled her eyes. "So you say, but I am scared. What if I can't do it?"
"You will be able to sing as well as you ever have, if not better. If you weren't nervous, I would worry."
"All right, but you'd best have placed me in a good dormitory!" and with that her uncle smiled and went to start proceedings.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Good evening all." boomed Professor Dumbledore. "I expect you are all wondering why you are here a little earlier than normal. This is because we have arranged a special treat for you all. The first years have been sorted outside, as we do not wish to drag out events too long. The reason all of the chairs are set out as they are is because we have a short concert for you tonight. This will be performed by one of the best singers in the muggle and wizarding world. I ask you all to put your hands together in a warm welcome for my niece, Miss Keely Morris."
With this everyone started clapping, led by Dumbledore. As soon as Keely stepped onto the stage, Dumbledore was the only one left clapping. There was a stunned silence across the entire hall.
"Oh great" thought Keely "they already hate me, this was such a bad idea". Even so, she carried on walking to the centre of the stage, gave her Uncle a quick peck on the cheek, and took a deep breath. However as she stood there, the hall began to recover from its stunned silence when Sirius Black stood up and let out a great wolf whistle, along with resuming clapping of course.
Keely went bright red, but quickly turned to her musicians and asked that they start to play on the count of four.
She started singing and soon there was silence throughout the Great Hall. She was singing muggle songs that were about love. Keely's gaze kept being drawn to the handsome man in the front row, who had stood up and whistled at her, he had black hair and piercing grey eyes. Every time she got to the part in the song about running to the guy in the song, her eyes would be drawn again to the man with the grey eyes.
"This is ridiculous", Keely thought, "Concentrate on singing"
As time went by, the clapping after each song got longer and stronger. After the last song everyone was on his or her feet.
"Thank you very much for letting me sing to you" said a thrilled Keely. She had never felt so elated. All she had to do was let her Uncle announce that she would be joining the seventh years so that she could complete her NEWTS, and they could eat dinner.
As she started to move to the side to allow Professor Dumbledore onto the stage, the young man with grey eyes stood up, and yelled "WAIT, you can't go, when will I see you again?" Keely stood there mortified. Dumbledore chuckled as he said "Mr Black, please retake your seat. I assure you there is no need to be distressed. My niece will be joining Hogwarts this year to complete her NEWTS. So I imagine you will see in a few moments for dinner, as she is joining Gryffindor House." At this, all the Slytherins looked mutinous, how could such a beautiful witch possibly go to Gryffindor!
"She has her reasons for joining us this school year, and I am sure that if you become friends with her… Yes my Dear, did you wish to say something?" Dumbledore asked as he turned to Keely who had started to move towards him.
"Yes", she said quietly "I'll tell them why I'm here now."
"Are you sure? You do not have to" asked a very concerned Dumbledore.
"Yes I'm sure Uncle Alby" she said in the same quiet voice that only her uncle could hear "otherwise they will have made up stories by tomorrow morning, it is better that they hear the truth now or at least some of it"
"It is of course your decision."
Professor Dumbledore announced that Keely would tell everyone why she was here now and stepped to one side.
"I am here because at the end of the last school year, I and my parents were attacked by Tom Riddle, or as I think you know him, Lord Voldemort. He and his followers….." there was a brief pause while Keely searched for the right word, everyone in the room held their breath. Remus looked as though he would cry at any moment. "He and his followers tortured me and forced my parents to watch, and then he killed them. He did this because I refused to join him. Albus, sorry, Professor Dumbledore is now my only living relative, and I came to live with him over the summer. I could not go back to my old school, as that is where the attack happened. Please do not feel sorry for me, I loved, no, love my parents very much, and I know that they would rather have given their lives than see me join Tom Riddle" At this Remus let out a sob, and Keely noticed him for the first time.
"Remy?" she asked, "Is that really you?" Remus could only nod as Keely flew down the steps and into his arms. "I've missed you so much," she said. "I am so sorry, I never knew about your parents, if I did I'd have come to the funeral," said Remus. At this Keely became noticeably paler. "What's wrong Keely?" asked Remus. Sirius and James, who had now moved closer to the pair since it was obvious that they knew each other, could hear her when she whispered, "There was no funeral because he took their bodies." The three boys did not know what to say to that. Remus just hugged Keely tighter.
"If you would all stand up and be very still, I will arrange the Great Hall ready for the feast." announced Professor Dumbledore.
Everyone gasped as the Great Hall was rearranged to accommodate everyone for the feast. The tables were arranged in House order, and Keely, Remus, Sirius, James and Peter were luckily stood near where the Gryffindor table always was. "Come on Keely let's get a seat," said Remus.
As they all sat down, Remus made the introductions of the people nearby. "Sat opposite you is James Potter, Sirius Black is sat to your left, and Peter Pettigrew is next to James". Remus then sat down on Keely's other side. "Nice to finally meet you all, after I've heard so much about you," Keely said politely, although she doubted she would ever be pleased to see Peter, he was short, very fat, and she had a bad feeling about him.
"So Moony, how do you know this delightful lady" asked Sirius Black.
"Keely and I knew each other years ago, when we were little. We've stayed as pen pals over the years. I have heard you on the wireless, I just didn't realise it was you! You really have grown up to be incredibly beautiful"
"You sound surprised Remy; did you think I would still be shy and awkward?" Keely replied smiling.
"No, no, it's just, wow," said Remus blushing slightly.
"Thank you Remus, I'll take that as a compliment," said Keely blushing, but smiling.
"So why did you leave England then Keely?" asked James.
"James! Don't be so nosy" snapped Remus.
"No, its okay Remy," said Keely "I left England with my parents because I was involved in an accident with someone, and my parents didn't understand, and they were scared of the consequences so we moved."
"Is that really why you moved?" asked a sad sounding Remus.
"Yes, Remy, I told them they were being stupid, as did Albus, but they would not listen, I'm sorry, but I was only eight, I couldn't persuade them otherwise"
"Why is she sorry Moony?" asked James.
"She's sorry, because she was there when my furry little problem started."
"Remus, do they know?" Keely asked slightly shocked.
As Remus started to nod that yes they did know, they were interrupted.
"So is someone going to introduce me to this hot little thing?" drawled a voice from behind them.
Keely stood up and introduced herself to the boy stood behind them.
"Hello, I'm Keely Morris, nice to meet you um…"
"Malfoy, Lucius Malfoy. You know, I know you are in this House, but you do not have to sit with these losers, you can come and have dinner with us at my table. You don't have to sit with a blood traitor such as Black."
The four marauders bristled and Sirius actually stood up ready for a fight.
"Thank you, but these losers are my friends, so I guess you'd have to include me in that group, so I think I'll stay where I am." "You'll be sorry that you turned me down, mudblood," snarled Malfoy.
Sirius and the others looked ready for blood now, but Keely calmly said "I really don't think that I will, and if you insist on calling people such vile names, you really should get your facts straight. I am very surprised that you wanted to have dinner with me at all, if that is what you believe I am, now if you'll excuse me I'm going to start on my duck salad."
With that Keely sat down and started to delicately eat her salad, whilst everyone around just stared at her astounded. After a while, she noticed the marauders still stood up, and she said to Sirius, who stood by the side of her,
"Sirius, darling, if you don't sit down and eat soon, your dinner will have gone cold."
Before any of the marauders could respond in surprise at that comment, Professor McGonagall had come over and asked Malfoy to return to his seat. "Is everything all right Miss Morris?" asked the stern looking professor. "Yes thank you Minerv…I mean Professor McGonagall, I was just telling the boys to eat their dinner soon or it will have gone cold." "Very wise Miss Morris, Professor Dumbledore would like to see you in his office after you have finished eating. Lily Evans will come with you, so that she can show you to the common room, and the dormitory you will be sharing with her and Keira." With that, Professor McGonagall went to tell Lily about the arrangements. Keely looked over at her and smiled, and Lily smiled back. Keely could tell that they would be good friends.
"Why did you call me darling?" asked Sirius, looking slightly dazed and puzzled.
"To get that horrid boy to go away, and seeing as he insulted you individually, I thought that you would be the best one to say it to. Sorry if I upset your girlfriend, please explain to her that I didn't mean anything, won't you." Keely asked returning to her salad.
"My girlfriend?" asked Sirius in shock.
"Yes the girl over there who is now scowling at me." Sirius looked where Keely was indicating with her fork, and laughed before he said, "That is NOT my girlfriend, that is Samantha Hussey, the school's resident slut. I don't have a girlfriend." Replied Sirius indignantly.
"Oh okay, sorry," replied Keely with a slight smile that only Remus noticed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"You handled Mr Malfoy's comments very well my dear."
"Thank you Uncle" Keely said as she stood in his office stroking Fawkes. "He seems a bit of an idiot"
"Yes, have you had any more visions Keely?"
"No, not since the last time. I don't fully understand it, but I know it is important, I'm sorry I cannot tell you about it, it might change too much of the future. I'll just have to figure it out myself."
"That's quite alright, I understand completely. Now you should go and find Miss Evans, and she will show you to the common room. I expect Mr Black and his friends are waiting to see you, if his reaction to you is anything to go by." Albus Dumbledore said with his eyebrow raised.
Keely blushed as she said "oh yes, I'll see you in the morning Uncle Alby, night."
"Good Night Keely" said Dumbledore as she left his office.