The Blacks were a noble family of wealth and pure valued tradition and would not mix with anyone who they thought to be too unworthy to waste their time on. By this they meant muggles, mudbloods and bloodtraitors. This is the story of a Black who was different, very, very different. Ebbie wandered down the draughty, empty corridor,trailing her fingers over the deep green wallpaper and reading the silver embroidered names that made up the Black family tree. She came to a sudden stop at the part of the wall that intrigued her the most. This name was bolder than the others, as if grander and should be honoured. She traced it lightly with her finger and let the harshness of it roll from her tongue, "Bellatrix Lestange," she murmured, shuddering. Ebbie was only eight years old yet even she could tell that the name was to be feared. Her fingers travelled a little further down the tree until she reached a small black circle, marking where a name used to be. Ebbie often wondered who the name belonged to, she could tell by the position of her own name that they would of been her cousin. One day she would learn that name. Sirius Black. "Mistress Ebbie, Mistress Ebbie!" A squeaky voice called, echoing down the long corridor. A small, big eyed HouseElf named Bubble appeared from around the corner, her feet pitter pattering on the marble floor as she ran. Ebbie grinned widely when she first saw Bubble. Hoping that the beloved HouseElf had come up with a new sort of game. However her smile vanished as the HouseElf got closer and she could see the distress upon her face. Bubble came to a halt just in front off Ebbie and panting slightly she squeaked, "Its your Uncle Mistress Ebbie! He wants to see you in his study." Ebbie paled and her hair changed from bubblegum pink to mousey brown, which was probably a good thing seeing as her Uncle would never approve. He had made it quite clear what he thought of her Metamorphagus skills, and that was not an experience she would like to repeat. She sprinted down through the manors halls as fast as she possibly could, unwilling to keep her Uncle waiting. Ebbie had lived with her Uncle ever since she was six months old, after her parents were killed by Aurors. Even though they lived in the same house Ebbie rarely saw her Uncle. He preferred to keep her as far away from him as he possibly could. The few times he had sent for her had left Ebbie with a fear of the man so great she was prone to shaking whenever his name was mentioned. Ebbie stood outside the great oak doors, breathing deeply and trying to compose herself. Slowly she raised a small trembling hand and knocked. "Enter." Boomed a low, pompous voice, and Ebbie stepped inside. Closing the heavy door behind her with a click. Ebbie's Uncle was sat at a rich, carved oak desk with his back to her, scribbling something onto a piece of parchment. "I want you to take this to knockturn alley and give it in to Borgin and Burkes, is that understood?" He commanded handing her the price of parchment over his shoulder without bothering to look at her. Ebbie took the parchment along with a handful of Floopowder before stepping into the magnificent fireplace on the opposite wall. Dropping the powder in first so the flames flickered in emerald and tickled her feet with lukewarm heat. She opened her mouth to give her desired destination, tears pricking in her eyes at the thought of travelling down the dark, twisted alley alone, when her Uncle interrupted her. "Make sure you don't do anything...shameful." He said, turning to face her, "or their WILL be consequences." He threatened, his many chins wobbling in a way that would of been comical if he wasn't so malicious and cruel. "K..k..nockturn...a..alley." Ebbie stuttered, before feeling a squeezing sensation that took her far away from Black Manor. Ebbie tumbled onto floorboards, she lay there for a moment, confused. This wasn't the rough, splintered, wooden floor of Borgin and Burkes. These floor boards were smooth and polished. Surrounding her warm, welcoming chatter was taking place and laughter was frequent and humorous. Not cold, cruel and mocking. Somehow, fate had taken Ebbie to the Leaky Cauldron, and she loved it. "Hey, you ok?" Came a friendly, concerned voice. Ebbie flinched automatically before pulling herself up into a sitting position and lifting her head so she made eye contact with the blue haired, fourteen year old boy kneeling before her. He smiled sympathetically, "It's ok, I expect you've just fallen out of the wrong grate." He reassured her, jumping up and offering her his hand. "I'm Teddy," He grinned. Ebbie took his hand shyly and allowed him to help her up. "I'm Ebbie," she told him, giving him a small smile. "I..I.. I like your hair." Ebbie said apprehensively. "Thanks" Teddy grinned, "I can do a funny trick with it, watch" He scrunched up his face unattractively, making his hair flash all the colours of the rainbow. "I can do that too!" Ebbie blurted out with glee, overjoyed that she had found someone else like her. She scrunched her face in a way not dissimilar to Teddy, turning her hair bubblegum pink. Teddy laughed. Impressed. "That's cool little one! I like your hair that colour." "Teddy Lupin where have you got too? If you wander off one more time you can say goodbye to that new racing broom of yours." An exasperated greying women made her way through the crowds of people in the Leaky Cauldron, searching for Teddy amongst them. "Over here Gran." He called rolling his eyes at Ebbie comically and making her giggle. Adromenda's eyes softened when she saw Ebbie and she smiled warmly. Ebbie could see a great sadness behind that smile, as if she had lost many loved ones and had one too many stories to tell. "Hello dear, have you got a bit lost?" She asked kindly. "I was trying to get to Knockturn Alley." Ebbie replied politely, "my Uncle sent me, do you think you could tell me where it is?" Teddy and Adromenda looked down at her, horrified. "Are you quite sure he said Knockturn Alley?" Adromenda questioned looking alarmed. Ebbie nodded worriedly, not knowing what she had done wrong. "We'll I think I should have a word with this Uncle of yours then." Adromenda said crossly. "He should not be sending young children like you down Knockturn Alley, what is he thinking?" "I'm nearly nine!" Ebbie replied indignantly. Teddy stifled a laugh at this, realising that's just what he would of said at Ebbie's age. "Even so, that is far to young to be going down Knockturn Alley." Adromenda frowned, "where is this Uncle of yours." Ebbie went pale, realising that Adromenda was serious. "No!" She cried. "He's busy, he can't see you now!" She shouted desperately. Teddy and Adromenda looked at each other sadly as realisation dawned upon them. Adromenda crouched down so she was level with Ebbie. "What is your surname child." She asked softly, determined to get this child as far away from her current guardians as possible. "Black," Ebbie answered, "I'm Ebbie Black. Adromenda Tonks wasn't usually one to become lost for words, infact, as Teddy often complained, she never really shut up. Ebbie however, had left Adromenda speechless. Black was a surname that she knew very well, not only as being one of the most well known, and feared, of the pureblood families, but also because it was her maiden name, a fact she had tried to forget yet it always came back to haunt her. "Your Uncle.." Adromenda swallowed, trying to pull herself together, "what is his name?" Ebbie frowned as she thought, oblivious to the situation. "Erm... I /think/ it's Casper.." She paused. "Yeah, that's right it's on the tree." Ebbie nodded, confident that her answer was correct. Teddy wondered momentarily what she meant by the 'tree,' before he noticed his Grandmothers expression. Adromenda was knelt silently with her face twisted in emotional agony, and her eyes flickering behind closed eyelids. Teddy looked frantically between Ebbie and Adtomenda. He wasn't sure what was going on but it was starting to freak him out. Ebbie didn't look to good either, she was staring at Adromenda panic stricken and she had started to go a light shade of green. "Teddy." Adromenda whispered softly, her eyes still closed. "Y'know I told you that story about the cousin I had when I was younger." Teddy thought back to how his gran had described a vile reletive who would use unforgivables on insects as a kid, then on muggles as an adult. They had never caught the Deatheater, but Uncle Harry was searching for him. "Yep." Teddy confirmed. "I remember." Confused at why this was relevant. Adromenda exhaled slowly and opened her eyes before replying meaningfully, "he is this child's guardian." Teddy's eyes widened with shock and he gazed at Ebbie with sorrow filled eyes. "What do we do?" He said finally, looking at Adromenda. "We rescue her." She said simply, determined to show Ebbie the love she deserved. Meanwhile Ebbie was still very confused. She didn't need to be rescued, did she? Was this lady amongst the many blasted off names on the Black family tree. Was she going to go home with her? It is safe to say that Ebbie was in a muddle. Adromenda opened her mouth to give the child all the answered she so desperately needed, when she closed it again firmly. Details could wait, she decided. Right now all Ebbie needed to know were the basics, the deeper stuff could wait until they got home. So instead Adromenda said simply. " Ebbie, my name is Adromenda Tonks. Would you like to come and live with me and Teddy?" She paused and waited for an answer, which came in the form of Ebbie flinging her arms around Adromenda's neck, and clinging there, for a very long time.