Author's Note: I've written up to chapter 7 so far. This is the first real fan fiction I've written in a while, and the only one I've been consistent with. If you wish to see where this goes I will gladly post the next chapter, but I want to see reviews. Not just good comments, but any suggestions to improve. I'm not above going back and fixing things in this one or other chapters. Constructive criticism is always welcome here! Also, keep in mind, I have not gone back and read it myself. I'm just using this as a test for myself to see if I can actually finish a story for once. Anyways, Enjoy!
The train whistle blew loudly as smoke filled the air of the Hogwarts station once again. Children of all ages scrambled out of the train all too eager to be done with yet another eventful school year. First ran excitedly to their parents as they instantly began to tell them all of the stories they'd accumulated over the year. Older students said their goodbyes and promises of owls and visits over the next few months. While others said their possible last goodbyes before they were thrust into a whole new world much different than the life they'd had at Hogwarts for the past seven years.
Stepping off the train with her best friend, Lily, in tow Tabbitha continued to talk to the other girl about their summer plans. Just then the girls felt two arms snake around their shoulders as they were pulled tight against a warm body.
"Lily love, Tabby cat, how are my two favorite witches today?" It was none other than James Potter, the bane of Lily's existence at Hogwarts and a close friend of the other girls. Giggling Tabbitha watched as the redhead rolled her eyes forcing the unwanted arm away from her as it had stung her.
"What do you want, Potter," spat Lily, as she stood back to glare the intruder crossing her arms over her chest. Following suit Tabbitha stepped out of his grasp as she stood next to her friend watching as they were accompanied by three other boys; Peter Pettigrew, Remus Lupin, and Sirius Black. Having caught the eye of the last one he winked at her sporting his infamous smirk only for her to roll her eyes and shake her head. Typical Black behavior that was.
"Why Lily dearest, I was just wondering if you would like to spend some time together over the summer holiday. I know how much you'll miss," he said, with a cheeky grin and a wink of his.
"As if, Potter, I'd rather spend my holiday with Filch than the likes of you. Come on, Tabbitha, I don't expect we'll having an intelligent conversation around these ones," she said, turning on her heel. While the other boys laughed James looked to Tabbitha for help, but she just shrugged as she followed the redhead away from the "Marauders", whatever that meant.
In between his bark of a laugh Sirius managed to choke out a few words that earned him a smack to the head, "Prongs, she just said you're lower than Filch to her." Followed by glare in the other boy's direction as he rubbed the back of his head as if it had actually hurt.
"Shut it, Padfoot, I know what she said. Now let's go find mum and dad before I leave you here to die," he snarled, as he walked away.
"No need to get your knickers in a bunch, Prongs," he said, before saying his goodbyes to the other boys and following James to find his adoptive parents.
Finally spotting the tired smile of her mother Tabbitha grabbed Lily's hand dragging her towards the older woman. Upon closer inspection she could see a smaller version of herself holding onto the older woman's hand looking around frantically trying to spot her in the thick crowd. Once the two of them pushed through the crowd they watched as a grin broke out on the little girl's face before she let go of her mother's hand darting towards her sister.
"Tabby," squealed the younger, rushing into her sister's waiting arms.
"Anna-banana, I've missed you so much," she said, pulling the younger girl closer to her in a tight embrace.
"I missed you too, sissy," she grinned, having to look up to see her sister's face better. Then out of the corner of her eye she spotted bright red hair. Looking over it seemed that her grin grew even wider, "Lily," she squealed, before launching herself into the older girl's arms.
"Anna, it's so good to see you."
"Guess what, Lily," said Anna, pulling away just as her mother stepped forward.
"What," asked Lily, though she already knew the answer.
"I'm turning 11 this summer, which means that I get to go with you and sissy to school next year, isn't that great," she grinned wide, proud that she was finally old enough to go to Hogwarts the following school term.
"That's wonderful, dear. Do you know what house you want to be in," asked Lily.
"Duh, I'm going to be in Hufflepuff like my big sister," she said matter-of-factly. She'd been saying that ever since she found out about Hogwarts. After all, she wanted to be just like Tabbitha.
A soft laugh took their attention away from the youngest McKinely as their mother walked up. "As fantastic as that is we must be off. Don't want to keep father waiting any longer, do we?" Though her voice was light as she spoke, her eyes shined with worry and fear of the consequences if that were to happen.
"I'll owl you and maybe Anna and you can come visit some time this summer," said Lily, all too aware of the meaning of the older woman's words.
"Yes, that sounds splinded. After all, we have to celebrate someone's eleventh birthday this summer," she chuckled, as the one in question beamed with pride.
Saying their goodbyes the girls hugged before parting ways. Stepping through the wall to the other side the small family made their way through muggle London. Much like the Hogwarts train station, King's Cross was just as busy as ever. People coming to and fro bustled here and there getting to wherever it was they needed to be. Much to her father's disapproval she enjoyed the muggle lifestyle, though, it wasn't as simple as she once thought it to be there were times when she preferred it over her own. At least then she wouldn't have to worry about all of this Dark Lord nonsense spreading like wildfire through the wizarding community.
Having not stopped anywhere it wasn't long before they found themselves at home getting ready for dinner. Though they never prepared the dinner or the table, as they had Tilly for that, they were still required to look presentable at a time like this. What with father having invited over a well known pureblood family. Being one of the lower ones he made it a point to get in as close as possible with families such as; the Black's, the Malfoy's and the Lestrange's, to name a few. Unknown to her they would be playing host to a particular Lestrange who was to be her betrothed, if all went well.
Up in her room she sat at the vanity of her dresser with Anna on her bed reading Witch Weekly while their mother did her hair. Though she knew that someone powerful in the wizarding community was to be attending dinner that evening, she did not know why. Still, she did not feel at ease seeing the look on her mother's face through the vanity mirror. Over the past few years a lot had changed in the McKinely household, a lot that the two older women tried desperately to keep from Anna. For as the world grew darker with each passing day, so did their home.
"Now, dear, you remember what I told you on our way home, right?"
"Yes, mother, I am not to speak unless spoken to," she said, turning in the chair toward her mother.
"That's my girl." And though she smiled, that smile did not reach her eyes. Seeing her mother now Tabbitha saw that the stress from the past few years was starting to take its tole on her young mother's body. Crows feet stretched out from her eyes gripping into the skin with each sad smile that struggled to stay on her lips. Under those once bright blue eyes sat dark, heavy bags that seemed to drag her down further with each passing down. "I can't believe how much you've grown," she whispered softly, holding the side of Tabbitha's face as she gently stroked it with her thumb ,"you look more and more radiant every year."
Before anything else could be said between the two women a loud pop came from downstairs followed by a boisterous, " honey, I'm home." Stepping back from her oldest child she waited as the footsteps grew closer to the room with the same sad smile. "Ah," he said, as he stepped into the room, "there's my favorite girls." Making his way into the room he kissed her mother's cheek before looking at her. "And who might you be, dear?" To which she just rolled her eyes with a playful smirk. "Stand up so that I might see my eldest properly." Obliging his request she stood up smoothing out the emerald green dress that she had been instructed to wear for the evening. "She looks absolutely stunning as always, Michelle. Now where's my youngest?"
With his attention drawn away from her she pleaded with her mother silently, but to no avail. The older woman simply shook her head before drawing her husband's attention to the time and that their guests would be there soon. As the three of them left the room Anna begged to join them for dinner, but was firmly reminded that this dinner was for adults only and that she'd be taking her dinner in her room that night. And as the door closed Tabbitha looked into the mirror as warm, salty tears trickled silently down her face. She had to get this out now otherwise she'd ruin her father's dinner and the fate of one who did that was worse than death.
With the arrival of one Rabastan Lestrange, a former student of Hogwarts 3 years her senior, came tension unlike she'd ever felt before. Something was happening tonight, something that no matter how much she pleaded with her mother to tell her the woman had not budged even a centimeter. Resigned to her fate she made her way slowly down the grand staircase of their large estate, much too large for her taste, to be greeted by her parents and the guest in question. Having spotted her coming down the stairs he looked towards her with a smirk that sent shivers down her spine, but not in a good way.
"Ah, this must be the lovely Tabbitha McKinely. My, my, you two do know how to make them." As he spoke her father looked towards with a pride she hadn't seen in quite some time. Sadly, it was misguided.
Stepping down from the last step Rabastan made his way to the eldest daughter of his business partner. Taking her hand in his own he then kissed the knuckles all the while still boring into her with those coal black eyes of his. Struggling not to frown she'd seemed to have forgotten her manners as a not so subtle cough from her father reminded her of that fact.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lestrange." She wasn't completely knew to the game of pure blood hierarchy, but that hadn't made it any less stressful on her.
"Please, call me Rabastan. Mr. Lestrange is my father and besides, I understand that I am only three years older than you," he said, now standing up straight.
"Yes, that is true," she replied, hands clasped tightly in front of her. She'd have to be daft to not know where this was going, yet she still hoped and prayed with all her might that it wasn't true.
"I believe it's time we head into the dining room now," spoke her father, after a long moment of silence.
"That sounds wonderful," said Rabastan, never once taking his eyes off of her. "May I," he asked, as he held his arm out for her to hold onto. Without a word she nodded her as looped hers through his following her parents into the dinner room.
For a while everything seemed to be going fine as the conversation went about as normal as one could go in their situation. That was until she spoke without the consent of her father or the man sitting next to her. The conversation had long since strayed from pleasantries and her time at school thus far and soon diverged into politics between the men as the women watched on silently. Had she not spoken maybe things would have been different that summer.
"It's ridiculous." That was all she said and that was all she needed to say. The clanking of silverware against the plate was heard as her mother audibly gasped while her father glared on disapprovingly. The only one unfased by her comment was Rabastan as he made a point to smirk as silence fell over the room.
"What did you say young lady," her father growled through gritted teeth. Having realized her error she slowly set down the fork in her hand as she cast her gaze down her lap.
"I apologize, father. I spoke out of turn." Before he could continue to berate her Rabastan spoke up on her behalf.
"Now now Michael, let's hear what the girl has to say," he said calmly, turning his gaze to her once again. "What do you think of the Dark Lord and his plans for our people?" Of course, he meant purebloods and the purge of anything otherwise. And though it seemed on the surface he was being kind she knew that it was a front. A lie to cause her to dig the hole she'd already dug with those two words deeper.
Looking to her mother briefly the older woman would not meet her gaze and she dared not look at her father. So, she opted to finding interest in a far off point behind her mother's head. "I do not have an opinion on the matter. Now if you'll excuse me," she said, as she set the napkin on her lap back on the table making to get up, but was stopped the moment Rabastan grabbed her wrist.
"Oh but you do and I would love to hear the opinion of our savior from my future wife." If the air in the room hadn't already been thick, it would have been then. Stopping where she stood she looked to her mother still to no avail and then to her father who said nothing as well. As his words continued to replay in her head the rage inside of her boiled higher and higher, but she contained herself. She would not lash out, not her anyways. With her wrist still his grasp she closed her eyes for a bit longer than a standard blink before opening them with looking as impassive as possible.
"My apologies again, but may I be excused to my room? I wish to process this information that has been given to me." At her words he let go of her wrist.
"You're dismissed," spoke Rabastan, to which she nodded curtly before walking back up to her room. She did not bother to wait to hear what might have been said after her departure, right now she needed to be alone.
Upon entering her room she began to tear every last bobby pin out of her hair with such force that it seemed those that was the cause of her tears and frustration. By the time she got to her vanity the floor had been littered with the small objects as a sort of deterrent for anyone wishing to enter her domain. Stopping in front of the mirror she ripped out the last of them letting them fall to the ground with the rest of them. Gripping onto the edge of the vanity she watched in frustration as the tears continued to flow without any sign of stopping.
Just then there was a soft knock at the door. Not wanting to be seen in such a compromising situation she quickly dried her tears standing up straight smoothing out her dress as she walked over to the door. Opening it she saw Anna staring up at her with those big brown eyes she loved so much. Without a word the youngest McKinely rushed into her sister's arms as the older closed the door collapsing in the process bringing Anna with her. Once again, the tears began to fall, and for a while they just sat there holding each other for in that moment and in times to come they were all each other had.