A/N:The first few chapters are sort of slow . . . but it picks up after a
bit ^_^ I'm not sure if this classifies as a mary-sue story, why don't you
tell me? Thanks
Raiye turned over and snarled at Dotty, one of her Aunt Narcissia's last remaining house elves.
"Young Mistress is wanted in the dinning hall," whimpered Dotty, knowing full well that (recently turned) 16-year-old Raiye was not pleasant after being jerked awake.
"Well elf?" hissed Raiye. "By whom?"
"By Master and Mistress, Young miss," said Dotty meekly.
"Fetch me my pink dressing gown and slippers," ordered Raiye, sitting up in bed. Dotty rushed to the wardrobe. Raiye yawned, rubbed her black almond-shaped eyes and fluffed her ebony hair. "I need my matching ribbon Dotty." Now that her sleepy haze was losing its grip on her she felt positively ecstatic.
"Would mistress like her hair up?" asked Dotty.
"What else would I want my hair ribbon for?" said Raiye coolly, and allowed herself to think again. She would be able to spend perhaps the rest of the summer with one of the few people she still gave a damn about, her Uncle Sirius. Raiye had not seen her Uncle since the night her mother died.
"Is it too your liking miss?" asked old, careworn Dotty tentatively.
"It's fine Dotty," said Raiye curtly. "You may pack my things now." Dotty bowed her head in compliance as Raiye made her way downstairs.
"There you are!" exclaimed Narcissia, in the special, loving tone she saved only for Raiye and her son, Draco.
"Morning Aunt Narcissia, Uncle Lucius," Raiye said as she settled into a chair in the dining hall.
"Morning? Hardly, it's a quarter past noon," said Lucius Malfoy, grinning. Lucius and Narcissa were tall, blond and blue-eyed. They contrasted dramatically with Raiye's severe black eyes and glossy black hair.
"What time are you leaving for Scylla's?" said Narcissia.
"As soon as I'm ready," replied Raiye offhandedly. "May I stay until the start of term?
"Until the start of term?" repeated Narcissia, looking downcast. "I thought we would be shopping together-"
"We've shopped loads already," said Raiye. "Please?"
"Eat some proper food before you leave then," said Lucius, drawling slightly. "Have you got enough gold?"
"Thirty galleons," replied Raiye. Lucius dropped a handful of gold on the table.
"Take the lot," he said kindly.
"Thank you Uncle," chirped Raiye happily. "Have a nice day at work."
"I've finished for the day," drawled Lucius. "Shall I get the elf's to cook you anything Raiye?"
"No thanks, I'd better go get dressed. I'm meeting Scylla in Diagon Alley. she seemed to think it safer if I traveled by floo powder rather than flying," Raiye said, colouring slightly.
"Wake Draco before you leave," said Narcissia as she tearfully embraced Raiye. "Will you come back for Christmas?"
"Maybe," Raiye said, kissing Narcissia on the cheek before hugging Lucius. Goodbye's over, Raiye turned and traipsed up the stairs and through the hall, stopping at Draco's room. Banging on the door, and rattling the serpentine handle she shouted, "Wake up Cousin! Its past midday, I'm leaving soon!" The heavy oaken door creaked open slowly to reveal a pale, pointed face and bed headed blond hair.
"You're leaving today?" drawled Draco sleepily.
'Yeah, so come and help me pack!' said Raiye brightly. She and Draco walked three doors down and into her room. Dotty had straightened up, and was packing Raiye's belongings.
"You can go Dotty," Raiye said as she entered. The elf scurried out of the door.
"D'you need your blue paint? Draco asked, lightly tossing cosmetics into the trunk.
"Of course," said Raiye absentmindedly. She placed a dragon-leather bound book into her trunk, along with various items. "Could you close Zahzu's cage?" Draco abandoned tossing items into the trunk and shut the cage containing Raiye's handsome barn owl. 'Well, that'll be all,' said Raiye, hugging Draco.
"See you on the train then" Draco said, as he left the room. After pulling on a set of crimson robes and tying her hair up more tidily Raiye closed her trunk and gathered Zahzu's cage. She then took a large handful of powder from the flowerpot on her mantle and cast it into the fire. The cheery orange flames turned emerald green and cackled menacingly. Pulling her cloak around her, and tugging her trunk and Zahzu along, she stepped into the flames, shouting "Diagon Alley!" And with a whoosh of green flame, she was gone.
Raiye slid untidily out of the fire in the Leaky Cauldron. Straightening up, and brushing soot from her hair, she glanced around, ignoring Zahzu's angry shrieks.
"Raiye, over here," called a male voice from somewhere in the pub.
"Reamus!" Raiye said excitedly as Professor Lupin approached her. Raiye stared disdainfully at his unusual attire. Faded blue jeans, and a tee, muggle clothes.
"Its good to see you too," said Lupin, grinning. "But we'd best get going."
"How're we getting there?" asked Raiye. "Floo Powder? Portkey? Don't tell me we're flying, you know I'm hopeless-''
"We're taking the Muggle underground," said Lupin.
"In robes?" gasped Raiye.
"Of course not," Lupin said. "You have muggle clothing I'm sure."
"I'll go change then," said Raiye, bending double and opening her trunk. She extracted a ruby camisole a short, black skirt, and a long, black clutch purse. Lupin frowned slightly at her choice.
"Its cold out Raiye."
"I'll be fine," Raiye said smugly. "Be right back." She turned to her left and into the girl's lavatories. In a few minutes she exited, stuffed her crimson robes into her trunk and tucked her wand into the clutch purse.
'I've got your trunk,' said Lupin, closing Raiye's suitcase and picking it up. Raiye gathered Zahzu's cage into her arms. The two of them exited the Leaky Cauldron and made way to the muggle underground.
'I never will understand some of the stuff muggles dream up," Raiye said, as they descended the concrete staircase. 'What are the collared lights for? They don't add to the attractiveness of the street."
"They control traffic Raiye," Lupin said as he purchased tickets. "Two please." The two of them made it through the turnstiles with some difficulty owning to the fact that Raiye's trunk was large enough to fit her entire wardrobe. They managed to find a deserted section of the underground.
'How far are we going?' asked Raiye, grimacing at the grubby interior of the section.
"Just two stations," Lupin said. "Look, at the second station, you need to get off, do you still remember the way to the Black Family House?"
"Of course I do," said Raiye indignantly. "Is my Uncle there?"
"Yes," said Lupin anxiously. "I'm late for another engagement. Memorize this." He handed Raiye a small slip of parchment, which she read and memorized quickly. Lupin tucked the parchment into his pocket carefully. Raiye looked at him curiously, her black eyes burning into his.
"Stop it," said Lupin in an agitated voice. "You'll get your answers soon enough. Now I've got to be off. See you later." He gathered Zahzu and Raiyes trunk, looked around nervously at the empty compartment before dissaparating with a loud crack.
Raiye arrived at the Black Family House (Number Twelve Grimmauld Place) around two o'clock. She stepped gingerly into the once magnificent manor and gasped in horror. The silk and velvet curtains were moth-eaten and doxy infested, the area rugs threadbare and the floor was rotting in some places. The lovely serpentine chandelier was cobwebbed and tarnished and the whole place smelled musty, like a derelict building. Slipping off her shoes, and wrinkling her nose in disgust, Raiye walked down the hallway, stopping every so often to gaze reminciently at the snoozing portraits of her ancestors. She stopped at her Grandma Blacks portrait and pulled back the red velvet hangings, a piercing wail echoed throughout the hall for a moment, but died when Raiye spoke.
"Grandma, its me!" The portrait of Mrs. Black gazed at Raiye fondly.
"Raiye? Airis and Regulus' Raiye? My dear, how you've grown!"
"It's nice to see you Grandma," said Raiye dutifully. "I'd love to chat a bit more only I need to freshen up."
"Of course dear," said the portrait. "Don't let him' Mrs. Black scowled heavily. "Dispose of anything."
"Yes Grandma," Raiye said as she tugged the curtains closed. She descended down a spiral staircase to find Fred, George, and Ron playing exploding snap on the kitchen table."
"What are you doing here?" she snapped. Fred was about to reply when Raiye let out a shriek, "Uncle Sirius!" and ran towards him. Sirius, who had just entered the kitchen, grinned broadly. Raiye flung herself into his arms and hugged him heartily. Fred and George made loud retching noises.
"Who's that Sirius?" asked Ron. "Is this your niece? She looks familiar. Sirius made to reply, but George cut him off.
"Raiye Black, Gryfinndor Sixth Year at Hogwarts," George smirked. "She and her mates are the ones who like they have sticks up their-"
"Is she the one who turned you down for the Yule Ball?" asked Ron.
"I had a date already," said Raiye, turning back to Sirius. "Can I go and clean myself up a bit?"
"Of course Syrenne," said Sirius. "You have to share your suite with two other girls, you don't mind, do you?"
"Syrenne?" said Ron stupidly. Raiye cut across him.
"That's fine," she said quickly. Sirius turned to Fred, George and Ron.
"Could one of you show her to her suite?"
"I remember the way," Raiye said, exiting the kitchen and ascending a long staircase. Fred, George and Ron followed anyway.
"Nice skirt," Fred smirked, as Raiye led the way up the stairs.
"It compliments your knickers," grinned George. With obvious indifference, Raiye led the way down the hall, stopping at her old suite. She groped at the gold serpents-head doorknob and twisted. The heavy, chestnut door opened with a loud creeeeeeeeeek. None of them were caught off-guard by the two girls sitting on the large four-poster bed in the centre of the room. One had flaming red hair that fell to her shoulders. The other had honey-brown eyes and rather bushy brown hair. As she glanced around her once flawless suite, Raiye had to stifle a horrified gasp. Her vanity and armoire were covered in a layer of thick dust; the silver posts on her bed were tarnished and she could tell by looking through the open door, that her en suite washroom was filthy.
"Ginny, Hermione," said Ron, clearing his throat. "This is Raiye, or d'you prefer Syrenne. That's what Sirius has been calling you, isn't it?"
"Raiye'l be fine," she said firmly.
"Well this is Sirius' niece," added Ron, unnecessarily while staring rather rudely at her. She had a tall, statuesque figure, shiny ebony hair that ,if it hadn't been tied up, would have fallen to her elbows. Her skin was milk white and she had cruel, inch-long fingernails, currently painted deep scarlet.
"Take a picture," muttered Raiye coolly, Ron jumped and blushed.
"Aren't you in our house?" asked Hermione, eyeing Raiye with distaste. "At school I mean."
"Yes, but going into my sixth year," replied Raiye, not taking her eyes off Ron.
"How many O.W.L's did you get?" said Hermione eagerly.
"Twelve outstanding," said Raiye, feigning modesty. "But I've dropped quite a lot of my classes."
"Why?" gasped Hermione.
"So I could concentrate on proper N.E.W.T level courses. I kept all of the classes first years have to take, and Care of Magical Creatures." Raiye snorted derisively. "Much to my dear uncle's dismay."
"Sirius didn't want you to stay in Hagrid's class?" piped Ginny suddenly. "Why?"
"Oh, not Sirius," Raiye said, as she flounced onto the four-poster. Fred, George and Ron settled themselves on the cot opposite. "Uncle Lucius seems to disapprove of Hagrid. I daresay you've met?"
"Lucius Malfoy is your uncle?" said Ginny incredulously.
"He's not really my uncle," explained Raiye. "Don't worry, I don't not like you because you're a Weasley. I've learned that the only people the Malfoy's hate are decent ones. You pick up on that sort of thing when you've lived with someone for nearly two years."
'Why don't you live with your Mum and Dad?' interjected Hermione. Raiye shot her a look so sharp it could slice glass. Ron was unfazed.
"You must hear loads about you-know-who," said Ron, awestruck. "Living with the Malfoy's."
"Somewhat," said Raiye uncomfortably.
"You should tell the Order," said Ron persuasively. Raiye cut him off.
"What is the Order?" she said angrily. "I didn't get much from Reamus and I thought that it would be just Sirius and I when I came."
"The Order of the Phoenix fights You-Know-Who," said Ginny fiercely. "It's a sort of anti-darkness league."
"What have they been up too?" asked Raiye.
"We're not really sure," said Ginny at once, she had apparently taken a great liking to Raiye. "They won't let us in on the meetings."
"We know more than they think we do," interjected Fred. "Thanks to these." He held up a handful of flesh coloured string.
"Extendable ears," explained George.
"Cute," said Raiye absentmindedly. "Fill me in then."
"Tell us the stuff you know first," snapped Hermione. Raiye fixed Hermione with her burning glare and for a moment, Raiye looked taller and more intimidating. Ginny broke the tension.
"The Order probably knows it all anyways," she muttered softly.
"Lunch!" called Mrs. Weasley. Fred and George disappeared with simultaneous "cracks" while Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Raiye rose from the bed.
"So what do you all do around here?" asked Raiye curiously, as the four of them plodded down the dingy marble staircase.
"Cleaning mostly," said Ron glumly as the entered the dining room. Raiye promptly sat on Sirius' left as Ginny chose a spot next to Raiye.
"Still picky with your food I see," said Sirius exasperate watching Raiye dissect her roast beef sandwich.
"The meat's overcooked,' she sighed.
'No you just like it raw,' Sirius said, taking a bite out of his own sandwich. Raiye turned to join in with the main conversation.
'Sirius,' said Mrs. Weasley curtly. 'Do we have an extra room cleaned for Harry when he arrives?'
'He's staying in my room Mum,' said Ron through a mouthful of bread. Mrs. Weasley's gaze fell on Raiye.
'Sirius, is this the niece you were telling us about?'
'This is Syre-er-Raiye,' said Sirius. 'She prefers if you all call her by her first name.'
'Pleasure to meet you,' said Mrs. Weasley kindly. She began pointing down the table and listing names. 'This is my husband Arthur, my son Bill, Emmaline Vance, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Alastor Moody, Deladus Diggle and Nymphadora Tonks.'
'Call me Tonks NOT Nym-fa-dora,' said Tonks through her nose.
'Are you Andromeda's daughter?' Raiye asked Tonks. She nodded happily.
'We'd best be off,' interrupted Moody. 'There's still loads of preparing to do.'
'And I've got to get back to work,' sighed Mr. Weasley. He pecked Mrs. Weasley on the cheek and disappeared. The other adults disappeared with several loud cracks. Sirius mumbled something about having to feed Buckbeak.
'Would you like some help with the dishes?' offered Raiye, feeling uncomfortable.
'No thank you dear,' said Mrs. Weasley kindly. 'Go and get to know to the others.' Ginny grinned widely.
'C'mon Raiye,' she said happily, and lead Raiye back upstairs. Once they were back in Raiye's suite, Ginny helped Raiye to unpack her things.
'You've got some beautiful robes,' sighed Ginny, placing a shimmering emerald-green cloak into the wardrobe. Raiye pulled out a set of pearly robes that reflected colour as if the material was coated with opal, or mother of pearl.
'Most of these were my Mums,' said Raiye, hanging the pearly robes in the wardrobe and placing a leather-bound book into her vanity, as gently as it were made of glass. After emptying the cosmetic bags into the vanity along with Raiye's numerous hair pins and products Raiye sat down at the dusty vanity and let her ebony hair out of its ribbon. It fell nearly to her waist and was pin-straight. When her hair was brushed to a gloss, Raiye returned to the wardrobe and rummaged through.
'Silk or velvet?' she said, sounding muffled as her head was stuck in the wardrobe.
'Silk,' said Ginny, settling onto the rusty cot. The moment Raiye had slipped her red camisole off, Ron came bursting into the room.
'Guess wha-' he caught sight of Raiye in her undergarments and stopped mid-sentence.
'This is why you knock Ron,' Raiye said coolly, pulling the black and silver silk robes over her head.
'Ron where'd you go?' called Hermione.
'In here!' shouted Ginny, before turning to look at Ron. 'Are you coming in or not?' Ron nodded and sat next to Ginny on the cot. Hermione entered through the open door.
'Those are practical,' Hermione said, her voice laden with sarcasm, gesturing to Raiye's formfitting robes. Raiye ignored her and started blending powder onto her cheeks. Hermione sat on the four-poster opposite Ron and Hermione.
'Harry is coming tonight, right?' said Hermione, exasperatley. 'This isn't another one of their practice runs?'
'Nah, he'll be here tonight,' assured Ron. 'The dementor incident has got the Order on edge.'
'Ah yes the alleged dementor incident,' said Raiye snidely.
'Alleged?' snarled Hermione. 'Two dementor attacked Harry and his cousin!'
'Not according to the Ministry,' said Raiye. 'We had Fudge over for supper the night after that happened. He said that Harry had simply preformed a patrons charm in the middle of a muggle suburb. It's an open- shut case, he's guilty.'
'Even underage wizards can use magic to save themselves,' said Hermione heatedly.
'Well Harry'l have a job proving there were Dementors in a heavily populated Muggle suburb,' Raiye said, straightening up. 'Does anyone know if the jewelled harp is still in the Drawing Room?'
'The big, gold one?' said Ron. 'Its still there but only until tomorrow. That's when Mum and Sirius are cleaning it.'
'It will not be thrown away!' said Raiye, looking scandalized. 'That's 24k gold and real jewels!'
'Well can you play it?' said Hermione sarcastically. 'Because its not a very practical thing to hang on to if its not being played.'
'Of course I can play it!' said Raiye reminiscently. 'When I was little, Mum would take me to visit Grandma Black and I would play for her. Sometimes Mum would play and I would sing.'
'Would you play for us?' asked Ginny. Hermione frowned thoughtfully.
'You sing while you play?' she asked suspiciously. Raiye nodded and started for the door. She stopped when she saw a small form standing in the doorway.
'Master said Young Miss had returned,' mumbled a gravely voice from the doorframe. 'Kreacher see's that Young Miss isn't young anymore.'
'Kreacher!' said Raiye in a superior voice. 'My lavatory is filthy, and since when do you enter my suite without permission?'
'Kreacher is sorry Miss,' he mumbled, looking at the floor. 'Kreacher wonders why Miss lets mudbloods in her room.'
'Clean my lavatory!,' snarled Raiye. Kreacher bowed his head as Hermione opened her mouth in anger, only to be silenced by Ron, nudging her in the side with his elbow.
'Kreacher thought Miss would like to know that Master is trying to ruin the tapestry,' mumbled Kreacher, shuffling towards the bathroom. Raiye swore and tore from the room. Ron, Hermione and Ginny looked at each other quizzically before following.
'Mental this one,' said Hermione acidly as they rushed down the steps.
'Leave the tapestry alone!' shouted Raiye, brandishing her wand. Ginny, Ron and Hermione burst into the drawing room.
'Honestly!,' fumed Sirius. 'Its just a bit of cloth!'
'And don't you dare touch my harp either!' snarled Raiye.
'Why does this junk mean so much to you?' roared Sirius, advancing on Raiye a bit. Instead of shrinking back, Raiye stood up a bit taller.
'Because it reminds me that I've got more than second cousins,' she said scathingly. Sirius deflated a bit.
'You've got me,' he said softly. Raiye shook her head, tucked her wand into her robes and sat down at the harp.
'Its been forever since I've seen this thing,' she mused, plucking at the strings.
'Its still in tune!' said Sirius incredulously. He settled on the lumpy, moth eaten sofa. 'Will you play?' Raiye grinned and plucked at the strings again. Ginny, Hermione and Ron sat on the sofa with Sirius as Fred and George appeared.
'We thought we heard shouting,' said Fred, George, noticing Raiye was poised to play, gestured to Fred and they both sat on the sofa opposite. Raiye broke into a lively song.
'Red is the rose in garden grows
And fair is the lily of the valley
Clear is the water that yonder flows
But my love is more fair than any'
'Sing the one Airis used to sing,' entreated Sirius. Raiye's fingers slowed as she plucked the tune of the doleful ballad.
'Oh where have you been my long long love
This long seven years and more?
I've come to seek the former vows,
Ye granted me before.
Hold your tounge of former vows
For they bring sad and strife
Hold your tounge of former vows
For I am become a wife.
False are the vows of Siren kind
But still fair your evil body
I know thy still craveth the sea
As I still crave for the touch of thee.
You ask me to leave my husband dear
And my sweet babe also
But what have you to take me to
If with thee I choose to go?
I've seven ships upon the sea
The eighth brought me to land
With twenty four bold mariners
And music on every hand.
She's taken up her sweet girl babe
And kissed her cheek and chin
Fare ye well my daughter for
We'll never meet again.
They had yet sailed a league, a league
Two leagues but barely three
Until she spied his cloven foot
And wept most bitterly.
An evil mountain draws near, she wept
All dreary with frost and snow
Yonder is the mountain of hell, he cried
Where you and I will go.'
Raiye's voice was smooth, haunting and cast a trance over the room. A smile lit Sirius' face when she had finished.
'You've got an even nicer voice than your mother,' He kissed the top of Raiye's head before wandering out of the room, humming under his breath.
'That was brilliant Raiye!' said Ginny brightly. 'Can you teach me-' she trailed off once she caught sight of her brothers. The three of them wore the same, slightly slackened expression. Hermione glared at Ron.
'Oh come off it,' she growled, and pinched him. Ron's yelp of pain snapped Fred and George out of their respective trances.
'Yes, well, business to attend to,' said Fred vaguely. He and George disappeared with a loud crack.
'Will you play again Raiye?'pleaded Ron.
'Later,' she said vaguely. "Kreacher?' she called. The ancient house- elf waddled into the room.
'Yes Miss?' he wheezed.
'I want the harp moved into my room,' Raiye said rather rudely. Kreacher snapped his fingers, and the harp floated up the stairs, followed by its playing stool.
'You could say thank you,' growled Hermione. Raiye shrugged.
'C'mon Ginny,' she said. 'I'll teach you how to play.' Ginny grinned and followed, Ron made to, but Hermione held him back.
'I don't trust her,' whispered Hermione, as Ginny and Raiye disappeared into the girls suite.
'You don't trust anyone,' snapped Ron. 'Do you think Dumbledore would have let her come if he didn't think it was okay?'
'There's something funny about her,' said Hermione, Ron rolled his eyes and stalked up the stairs. Hermione huffed and stormed up after him. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ A/N: Well what did you think? Do you hate Miss Raiye Syrenne Black as much as Hermione does? F.Y.I Syrenne is pronounced Sigh-renn. I promise that this story gets much better ^_^
Raiye turned over and snarled at Dotty, one of her Aunt Narcissia's last remaining house elves.
"Young Mistress is wanted in the dinning hall," whimpered Dotty, knowing full well that (recently turned) 16-year-old Raiye was not pleasant after being jerked awake.
"Well elf?" hissed Raiye. "By whom?"
"By Master and Mistress, Young miss," said Dotty meekly.
"Fetch me my pink dressing gown and slippers," ordered Raiye, sitting up in bed. Dotty rushed to the wardrobe. Raiye yawned, rubbed her black almond-shaped eyes and fluffed her ebony hair. "I need my matching ribbon Dotty." Now that her sleepy haze was losing its grip on her she felt positively ecstatic.
"Would mistress like her hair up?" asked Dotty.
"What else would I want my hair ribbon for?" said Raiye coolly, and allowed herself to think again. She would be able to spend perhaps the rest of the summer with one of the few people she still gave a damn about, her Uncle Sirius. Raiye had not seen her Uncle since the night her mother died.
"Is it too your liking miss?" asked old, careworn Dotty tentatively.
"It's fine Dotty," said Raiye curtly. "You may pack my things now." Dotty bowed her head in compliance as Raiye made her way downstairs.
"There you are!" exclaimed Narcissia, in the special, loving tone she saved only for Raiye and her son, Draco.
"Morning Aunt Narcissia, Uncle Lucius," Raiye said as she settled into a chair in the dining hall.
"Morning? Hardly, it's a quarter past noon," said Lucius Malfoy, grinning. Lucius and Narcissa were tall, blond and blue-eyed. They contrasted dramatically with Raiye's severe black eyes and glossy black hair.
"What time are you leaving for Scylla's?" said Narcissia.
"As soon as I'm ready," replied Raiye offhandedly. "May I stay until the start of term?
"Until the start of term?" repeated Narcissia, looking downcast. "I thought we would be shopping together-"
"We've shopped loads already," said Raiye. "Please?"
"Eat some proper food before you leave then," said Lucius, drawling slightly. "Have you got enough gold?"
"Thirty galleons," replied Raiye. Lucius dropped a handful of gold on the table.
"Take the lot," he said kindly.
"Thank you Uncle," chirped Raiye happily. "Have a nice day at work."
"I've finished for the day," drawled Lucius. "Shall I get the elf's to cook you anything Raiye?"
"No thanks, I'd better go get dressed. I'm meeting Scylla in Diagon Alley. she seemed to think it safer if I traveled by floo powder rather than flying," Raiye said, colouring slightly.
"Wake Draco before you leave," said Narcissia as she tearfully embraced Raiye. "Will you come back for Christmas?"
"Maybe," Raiye said, kissing Narcissia on the cheek before hugging Lucius. Goodbye's over, Raiye turned and traipsed up the stairs and through the hall, stopping at Draco's room. Banging on the door, and rattling the serpentine handle she shouted, "Wake up Cousin! Its past midday, I'm leaving soon!" The heavy oaken door creaked open slowly to reveal a pale, pointed face and bed headed blond hair.
"You're leaving today?" drawled Draco sleepily.
'Yeah, so come and help me pack!' said Raiye brightly. She and Draco walked three doors down and into her room. Dotty had straightened up, and was packing Raiye's belongings.
"You can go Dotty," Raiye said as she entered. The elf scurried out of the door.
"D'you need your blue paint? Draco asked, lightly tossing cosmetics into the trunk.
"Of course," said Raiye absentmindedly. She placed a dragon-leather bound book into her trunk, along with various items. "Could you close Zahzu's cage?" Draco abandoned tossing items into the trunk and shut the cage containing Raiye's handsome barn owl. 'Well, that'll be all,' said Raiye, hugging Draco.
"See you on the train then" Draco said, as he left the room. After pulling on a set of crimson robes and tying her hair up more tidily Raiye closed her trunk and gathered Zahzu's cage. She then took a large handful of powder from the flowerpot on her mantle and cast it into the fire. The cheery orange flames turned emerald green and cackled menacingly. Pulling her cloak around her, and tugging her trunk and Zahzu along, she stepped into the flames, shouting "Diagon Alley!" And with a whoosh of green flame, she was gone.
Raiye slid untidily out of the fire in the Leaky Cauldron. Straightening up, and brushing soot from her hair, she glanced around, ignoring Zahzu's angry shrieks.
"Raiye, over here," called a male voice from somewhere in the pub.
"Reamus!" Raiye said excitedly as Professor Lupin approached her. Raiye stared disdainfully at his unusual attire. Faded blue jeans, and a tee, muggle clothes.
"Its good to see you too," said Lupin, grinning. "But we'd best get going."
"How're we getting there?" asked Raiye. "Floo Powder? Portkey? Don't tell me we're flying, you know I'm hopeless-''
"We're taking the Muggle underground," said Lupin.
"In robes?" gasped Raiye.
"Of course not," Lupin said. "You have muggle clothing I'm sure."
"I'll go change then," said Raiye, bending double and opening her trunk. She extracted a ruby camisole a short, black skirt, and a long, black clutch purse. Lupin frowned slightly at her choice.
"Its cold out Raiye."
"I'll be fine," Raiye said smugly. "Be right back." She turned to her left and into the girl's lavatories. In a few minutes she exited, stuffed her crimson robes into her trunk and tucked her wand into the clutch purse.
'I've got your trunk,' said Lupin, closing Raiye's suitcase and picking it up. Raiye gathered Zahzu's cage into her arms. The two of them exited the Leaky Cauldron and made way to the muggle underground.
'I never will understand some of the stuff muggles dream up," Raiye said, as they descended the concrete staircase. 'What are the collared lights for? They don't add to the attractiveness of the street."
"They control traffic Raiye," Lupin said as he purchased tickets. "Two please." The two of them made it through the turnstiles with some difficulty owning to the fact that Raiye's trunk was large enough to fit her entire wardrobe. They managed to find a deserted section of the underground.
'How far are we going?' asked Raiye, grimacing at the grubby interior of the section.
"Just two stations," Lupin said. "Look, at the second station, you need to get off, do you still remember the way to the Black Family House?"
"Of course I do," said Raiye indignantly. "Is my Uncle there?"
"Yes," said Lupin anxiously. "I'm late for another engagement. Memorize this." He handed Raiye a small slip of parchment, which she read and memorized quickly. Lupin tucked the parchment into his pocket carefully. Raiye looked at him curiously, her black eyes burning into his.
"Stop it," said Lupin in an agitated voice. "You'll get your answers soon enough. Now I've got to be off. See you later." He gathered Zahzu and Raiyes trunk, looked around nervously at the empty compartment before dissaparating with a loud crack.
Raiye arrived at the Black Family House (Number Twelve Grimmauld Place) around two o'clock. She stepped gingerly into the once magnificent manor and gasped in horror. The silk and velvet curtains were moth-eaten and doxy infested, the area rugs threadbare and the floor was rotting in some places. The lovely serpentine chandelier was cobwebbed and tarnished and the whole place smelled musty, like a derelict building. Slipping off her shoes, and wrinkling her nose in disgust, Raiye walked down the hallway, stopping every so often to gaze reminciently at the snoozing portraits of her ancestors. She stopped at her Grandma Blacks portrait and pulled back the red velvet hangings, a piercing wail echoed throughout the hall for a moment, but died when Raiye spoke.
"Grandma, its me!" The portrait of Mrs. Black gazed at Raiye fondly.
"Raiye? Airis and Regulus' Raiye? My dear, how you've grown!"
"It's nice to see you Grandma," said Raiye dutifully. "I'd love to chat a bit more only I need to freshen up."
"Of course dear," said the portrait. "Don't let him' Mrs. Black scowled heavily. "Dispose of anything."
"Yes Grandma," Raiye said as she tugged the curtains closed. She descended down a spiral staircase to find Fred, George, and Ron playing exploding snap on the kitchen table."
"What are you doing here?" she snapped. Fred was about to reply when Raiye let out a shriek, "Uncle Sirius!" and ran towards him. Sirius, who had just entered the kitchen, grinned broadly. Raiye flung herself into his arms and hugged him heartily. Fred and George made loud retching noises.
"Who's that Sirius?" asked Ron. "Is this your niece? She looks familiar. Sirius made to reply, but George cut him off.
"Raiye Black, Gryfinndor Sixth Year at Hogwarts," George smirked. "She and her mates are the ones who like they have sticks up their-"
"Is she the one who turned you down for the Yule Ball?" asked Ron.
"I had a date already," said Raiye, turning back to Sirius. "Can I go and clean myself up a bit?"
"Of course Syrenne," said Sirius. "You have to share your suite with two other girls, you don't mind, do you?"
"Syrenne?" said Ron stupidly. Raiye cut across him.
"That's fine," she said quickly. Sirius turned to Fred, George and Ron.
"Could one of you show her to her suite?"
"I remember the way," Raiye said, exiting the kitchen and ascending a long staircase. Fred, George and Ron followed anyway.
"Nice skirt," Fred smirked, as Raiye led the way up the stairs.
"It compliments your knickers," grinned George. With obvious indifference, Raiye led the way down the hall, stopping at her old suite. She groped at the gold serpents-head doorknob and twisted. The heavy, chestnut door opened with a loud creeeeeeeeeek. None of them were caught off-guard by the two girls sitting on the large four-poster bed in the centre of the room. One had flaming red hair that fell to her shoulders. The other had honey-brown eyes and rather bushy brown hair. As she glanced around her once flawless suite, Raiye had to stifle a horrified gasp. Her vanity and armoire were covered in a layer of thick dust; the silver posts on her bed were tarnished and she could tell by looking through the open door, that her en suite washroom was filthy.
"Ginny, Hermione," said Ron, clearing his throat. "This is Raiye, or d'you prefer Syrenne. That's what Sirius has been calling you, isn't it?"
"Raiye'l be fine," she said firmly.
"Well this is Sirius' niece," added Ron, unnecessarily while staring rather rudely at her. She had a tall, statuesque figure, shiny ebony hair that ,if it hadn't been tied up, would have fallen to her elbows. Her skin was milk white and she had cruel, inch-long fingernails, currently painted deep scarlet.
"Take a picture," muttered Raiye coolly, Ron jumped and blushed.
"Aren't you in our house?" asked Hermione, eyeing Raiye with distaste. "At school I mean."
"Yes, but going into my sixth year," replied Raiye, not taking her eyes off Ron.
"How many O.W.L's did you get?" said Hermione eagerly.
"Twelve outstanding," said Raiye, feigning modesty. "But I've dropped quite a lot of my classes."
"Why?" gasped Hermione.
"So I could concentrate on proper N.E.W.T level courses. I kept all of the classes first years have to take, and Care of Magical Creatures." Raiye snorted derisively. "Much to my dear uncle's dismay."
"Sirius didn't want you to stay in Hagrid's class?" piped Ginny suddenly. "Why?"
"Oh, not Sirius," Raiye said, as she flounced onto the four-poster. Fred, George and Ron settled themselves on the cot opposite. "Uncle Lucius seems to disapprove of Hagrid. I daresay you've met?"
"Lucius Malfoy is your uncle?" said Ginny incredulously.
"He's not really my uncle," explained Raiye. "Don't worry, I don't not like you because you're a Weasley. I've learned that the only people the Malfoy's hate are decent ones. You pick up on that sort of thing when you've lived with someone for nearly two years."
'Why don't you live with your Mum and Dad?' interjected Hermione. Raiye shot her a look so sharp it could slice glass. Ron was unfazed.
"You must hear loads about you-know-who," said Ron, awestruck. "Living with the Malfoy's."
"Somewhat," said Raiye uncomfortably.
"You should tell the Order," said Ron persuasively. Raiye cut him off.
"What is the Order?" she said angrily. "I didn't get much from Reamus and I thought that it would be just Sirius and I when I came."
"The Order of the Phoenix fights You-Know-Who," said Ginny fiercely. "It's a sort of anti-darkness league."
"What have they been up too?" asked Raiye.
"We're not really sure," said Ginny at once, she had apparently taken a great liking to Raiye. "They won't let us in on the meetings."
"We know more than they think we do," interjected Fred. "Thanks to these." He held up a handful of flesh coloured string.
"Extendable ears," explained George.
"Cute," said Raiye absentmindedly. "Fill me in then."
"Tell us the stuff you know first," snapped Hermione. Raiye fixed Hermione with her burning glare and for a moment, Raiye looked taller and more intimidating. Ginny broke the tension.
"The Order probably knows it all anyways," she muttered softly.
"Lunch!" called Mrs. Weasley. Fred and George disappeared with simultaneous "cracks" while Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Raiye rose from the bed.
"So what do you all do around here?" asked Raiye curiously, as the four of them plodded down the dingy marble staircase.
"Cleaning mostly," said Ron glumly as the entered the dining room. Raiye promptly sat on Sirius' left as Ginny chose a spot next to Raiye.
"Still picky with your food I see," said Sirius exasperate watching Raiye dissect her roast beef sandwich.
"The meat's overcooked,' she sighed.
'No you just like it raw,' Sirius said, taking a bite out of his own sandwich. Raiye turned to join in with the main conversation.
'Sirius,' said Mrs. Weasley curtly. 'Do we have an extra room cleaned for Harry when he arrives?'
'He's staying in my room Mum,' said Ron through a mouthful of bread. Mrs. Weasley's gaze fell on Raiye.
'Sirius, is this the niece you were telling us about?'
'This is Syre-er-Raiye,' said Sirius. 'She prefers if you all call her by her first name.'
'Pleasure to meet you,' said Mrs. Weasley kindly. She began pointing down the table and listing names. 'This is my husband Arthur, my son Bill, Emmaline Vance, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Alastor Moody, Deladus Diggle and Nymphadora Tonks.'
'Call me Tonks NOT Nym-fa-dora,' said Tonks through her nose.
'Are you Andromeda's daughter?' Raiye asked Tonks. She nodded happily.
'We'd best be off,' interrupted Moody. 'There's still loads of preparing to do.'
'And I've got to get back to work,' sighed Mr. Weasley. He pecked Mrs. Weasley on the cheek and disappeared. The other adults disappeared with several loud cracks. Sirius mumbled something about having to feed Buckbeak.
'Would you like some help with the dishes?' offered Raiye, feeling uncomfortable.
'No thank you dear,' said Mrs. Weasley kindly. 'Go and get to know to the others.' Ginny grinned widely.
'C'mon Raiye,' she said happily, and lead Raiye back upstairs. Once they were back in Raiye's suite, Ginny helped Raiye to unpack her things.
'You've got some beautiful robes,' sighed Ginny, placing a shimmering emerald-green cloak into the wardrobe. Raiye pulled out a set of pearly robes that reflected colour as if the material was coated with opal, or mother of pearl.
'Most of these were my Mums,' said Raiye, hanging the pearly robes in the wardrobe and placing a leather-bound book into her vanity, as gently as it were made of glass. After emptying the cosmetic bags into the vanity along with Raiye's numerous hair pins and products Raiye sat down at the dusty vanity and let her ebony hair out of its ribbon. It fell nearly to her waist and was pin-straight. When her hair was brushed to a gloss, Raiye returned to the wardrobe and rummaged through.
'Silk or velvet?' she said, sounding muffled as her head was stuck in the wardrobe.
'Silk,' said Ginny, settling onto the rusty cot. The moment Raiye had slipped her red camisole off, Ron came bursting into the room.
'Guess wha-' he caught sight of Raiye in her undergarments and stopped mid-sentence.
'This is why you knock Ron,' Raiye said coolly, pulling the black and silver silk robes over her head.
'Ron where'd you go?' called Hermione.
'In here!' shouted Ginny, before turning to look at Ron. 'Are you coming in or not?' Ron nodded and sat next to Ginny on the cot. Hermione entered through the open door.
'Those are practical,' Hermione said, her voice laden with sarcasm, gesturing to Raiye's formfitting robes. Raiye ignored her and started blending powder onto her cheeks. Hermione sat on the four-poster opposite Ron and Hermione.
'Harry is coming tonight, right?' said Hermione, exasperatley. 'This isn't another one of their practice runs?'
'Nah, he'll be here tonight,' assured Ron. 'The dementor incident has got the Order on edge.'
'Ah yes the alleged dementor incident,' said Raiye snidely.
'Alleged?' snarled Hermione. 'Two dementor attacked Harry and his cousin!'
'Not according to the Ministry,' said Raiye. 'We had Fudge over for supper the night after that happened. He said that Harry had simply preformed a patrons charm in the middle of a muggle suburb. It's an open- shut case, he's guilty.'
'Even underage wizards can use magic to save themselves,' said Hermione heatedly.
'Well Harry'l have a job proving there were Dementors in a heavily populated Muggle suburb,' Raiye said, straightening up. 'Does anyone know if the jewelled harp is still in the Drawing Room?'
'The big, gold one?' said Ron. 'Its still there but only until tomorrow. That's when Mum and Sirius are cleaning it.'
'It will not be thrown away!' said Raiye, looking scandalized. 'That's 24k gold and real jewels!'
'Well can you play it?' said Hermione sarcastically. 'Because its not a very practical thing to hang on to if its not being played.'
'Of course I can play it!' said Raiye reminiscently. 'When I was little, Mum would take me to visit Grandma Black and I would play for her. Sometimes Mum would play and I would sing.'
'Would you play for us?' asked Ginny. Hermione frowned thoughtfully.
'You sing while you play?' she asked suspiciously. Raiye nodded and started for the door. She stopped when she saw a small form standing in the doorway.
'Master said Young Miss had returned,' mumbled a gravely voice from the doorframe. 'Kreacher see's that Young Miss isn't young anymore.'
'Kreacher!' said Raiye in a superior voice. 'My lavatory is filthy, and since when do you enter my suite without permission?'
'Kreacher is sorry Miss,' he mumbled, looking at the floor. 'Kreacher wonders why Miss lets mudbloods in her room.'
'Clean my lavatory!,' snarled Raiye. Kreacher bowed his head as Hermione opened her mouth in anger, only to be silenced by Ron, nudging her in the side with his elbow.
'Kreacher thought Miss would like to know that Master is trying to ruin the tapestry,' mumbled Kreacher, shuffling towards the bathroom. Raiye swore and tore from the room. Ron, Hermione and Ginny looked at each other quizzically before following.
'Mental this one,' said Hermione acidly as they rushed down the steps.
'Leave the tapestry alone!' shouted Raiye, brandishing her wand. Ginny, Ron and Hermione burst into the drawing room.
'Honestly!,' fumed Sirius. 'Its just a bit of cloth!'
'And don't you dare touch my harp either!' snarled Raiye.
'Why does this junk mean so much to you?' roared Sirius, advancing on Raiye a bit. Instead of shrinking back, Raiye stood up a bit taller.
'Because it reminds me that I've got more than second cousins,' she said scathingly. Sirius deflated a bit.
'You've got me,' he said softly. Raiye shook her head, tucked her wand into her robes and sat down at the harp.
'Its been forever since I've seen this thing,' she mused, plucking at the strings.
'Its still in tune!' said Sirius incredulously. He settled on the lumpy, moth eaten sofa. 'Will you play?' Raiye grinned and plucked at the strings again. Ginny, Hermione and Ron sat on the sofa with Sirius as Fred and George appeared.
'We thought we heard shouting,' said Fred, George, noticing Raiye was poised to play, gestured to Fred and they both sat on the sofa opposite. Raiye broke into a lively song.
'Red is the rose in garden grows
And fair is the lily of the valley
Clear is the water that yonder flows
But my love is more fair than any'
'Sing the one Airis used to sing,' entreated Sirius. Raiye's fingers slowed as she plucked the tune of the doleful ballad.
'Oh where have you been my long long love
This long seven years and more?
I've come to seek the former vows,
Ye granted me before.
Hold your tounge of former vows
For they bring sad and strife
Hold your tounge of former vows
For I am become a wife.
False are the vows of Siren kind
But still fair your evil body
I know thy still craveth the sea
As I still crave for the touch of thee.
You ask me to leave my husband dear
And my sweet babe also
But what have you to take me to
If with thee I choose to go?
I've seven ships upon the sea
The eighth brought me to land
With twenty four bold mariners
And music on every hand.
She's taken up her sweet girl babe
And kissed her cheek and chin
Fare ye well my daughter for
We'll never meet again.
They had yet sailed a league, a league
Two leagues but barely three
Until she spied his cloven foot
And wept most bitterly.
An evil mountain draws near, she wept
All dreary with frost and snow
Yonder is the mountain of hell, he cried
Where you and I will go.'
Raiye's voice was smooth, haunting and cast a trance over the room. A smile lit Sirius' face when she had finished.
'You've got an even nicer voice than your mother,' He kissed the top of Raiye's head before wandering out of the room, humming under his breath.
'That was brilliant Raiye!' said Ginny brightly. 'Can you teach me-' she trailed off once she caught sight of her brothers. The three of them wore the same, slightly slackened expression. Hermione glared at Ron.
'Oh come off it,' she growled, and pinched him. Ron's yelp of pain snapped Fred and George out of their respective trances.
'Yes, well, business to attend to,' said Fred vaguely. He and George disappeared with a loud crack.
'Will you play again Raiye?'pleaded Ron.
'Later,' she said vaguely. "Kreacher?' she called. The ancient house- elf waddled into the room.
'Yes Miss?' he wheezed.
'I want the harp moved into my room,' Raiye said rather rudely. Kreacher snapped his fingers, and the harp floated up the stairs, followed by its playing stool.
'You could say thank you,' growled Hermione. Raiye shrugged.
'C'mon Ginny,' she said. 'I'll teach you how to play.' Ginny grinned and followed, Ron made to, but Hermione held him back.
'I don't trust her,' whispered Hermione, as Ginny and Raiye disappeared into the girls suite.
'You don't trust anyone,' snapped Ron. 'Do you think Dumbledore would have let her come if he didn't think it was okay?'
'There's something funny about her,' said Hermione, Ron rolled his eyes and stalked up the stairs. Hermione huffed and stormed up after him. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ A/N: Well what did you think? Do you hate Miss Raiye Syrenne Black as much as Hermione does? F.Y.I Syrenne is pronounced Sigh-renn. I promise that this story gets much better ^_^