Chapter 1- Hidden under the willow tree
Have you ever laid awake at night, knowing the person you love is with some one else only a few feet away? I have, I still do. The boy I love, is Sirius Black, I know you know he's a heart breaker a player, but there is so much more to Sirius Black. He's my best friend. I know that the second my back is turned he plays away with this weeks flavor. He is the only person in this godforsaken kingdom that treats me as Leia, not your bloody royal highness! That I'm not bloody Princess Leianna Moscanavitz, the heir to the throne of the Wizarding community of the British Empire. He actually treats me as me!
He looks beyond the make up and my crown. If you loved someone as much as I loved him, you would understand.
It was my 7th birthday party; a party were all the guests were at least five times my age, which all looked at me with disgust. Their eyes scanning me for possible flaws to gossip about. I was such a naïve little thing, thinking they were nice to be because they actually liked me; sure they liked the power they could gain from a partnership with my parents. But not me. I sat crossed legged hidden behind a giant fuchsia push, my back pressed against the cold scarlet pot, trying to remove the heat from my tense body. As usual I was buried in a book, this particular one was the Lion the witch and the wardrobe, my coachman Kingsley had snuck it to me the week before, you see young ladies were not meant to read books that filled their minds with nonsense and dreams. All they should be concerned with was how to serve their husband. I was so interested in the story I did not see him watching me, until he was stood right in front of me, his eye brow raised in shock, a lopsided grin on his face. "Hiya!" his voice cried, startling me making me drop my book, which only made his grin widen. "Hello" I replied, placing my book on the balcony as I raised my self to full height. I curtseyed to him keeping my eyes lowered, as I had been taught by my mother. The boy chuckled to himself, giving me a chance to peek at him. His shoulder length black hair, hung loosely round his ears, he had warm chocolate eyes and tanned skin. That was covered in freckles. A complete contradiction to my long blonde hair and ghostly skin. I had three freckles on the dip underneath my right eye.
"Ain' ya gonna look at me?" he asked you could hear the smile in his voice, my gaze shifted to his own. "I'm Sirius Black, who you?" he asked, I giggled slightly at his boldness. Staring at him I forgot my name, my mind was filled with his smile. Then realisation hit, if he knew who I was they would know I snuck out from the party.
"I'm Leia" I replied, my voice was low, and unexpressionless. Sirius raised his eyebrow once more. "Funny little thing aint ya?" he said more to an invisible audience than to me, a slight blush crept into my cheeks.
Sirius turned and walked towards the balcony steps, half way he turned and nudged his head forward, to invite me to follow. I cast my gaze around checking to see if we were being watched, I quickly followed him not wanting to get caught. I slipped and stumbled down the steps slipping on my dress. Sirius steadied me with his arm, which I took gratefully. He led me down the short gravel path, the sounds of the party slowly disappearing behind us. In front the lake, it stretched for over an acre, borders of flowers followed its routes. It looked so unnatural among the garden, which it was. My mother had demanded a lake after attending a party at potter manor as they had two.
We followed the water edge, until we were inline with the willow tree, that's branches swayed in the breeze. "SIRUS!" cried an annoyed voice, turning sharply we saw a figure storm in the moon light towards. "Quickly!" Sirius whispered leading me under the willow tree. We hid under the branches, I did not know why but for some reason I trusted Sirius enough to follow him. "My mother" Sirius mumbled, a look of annoyance on his face. The figure stepped towards our hiding place, she was close enough for me to reach out and touch her. We both stepped back, pressed against the tree trunk, I grasped Sirius hand in fear of being caught, which Sirius squeezed in response. Butterflies flapped in my stomach no one had ever held my hand not even my mother. I could see his smile in the darkness. The figure stumbled back to the party cursing loudly. Sirius stepped forward the moonlight lighting his features, which were placed in a grin. "We better be getting back, before they start a muggle hunt" He said grinning at the excitement of such a thought. I nodded in response. We made our way back to the party, along the way Sirius talked non stop about his life, his friends. I nodded and laughed at the stories he told. Before I knew it we were back, at the party, the bright lights blinding me. I picked my book off the ground, and tucked it under my arm. "Ready?" Sirius asked, squeezing my hand. I nodded in return, smiling at Sirius.
Sirius led me into the party, his air of confidence shattered instantly at the sight of a woman with black hair and a bent nose. "Sirius!" she called, her anger shone in her eyes. "Yes mother" he replied, a look of innocence plastered on his face. The anger in her eyes increased when her eyes locked on our clasped hands. "You little" her sentence was interrupted, by the call of my maid. "Leia its time for the speech" I nodded in response. I curtseyed towards Sirius and his mother, before following my maid. My hand seemed cold and distant now it was not filled by Sirius's. His mother's expression was one of confusion, than swapped to pure delight as I climbed the stage steps.
"Ladies and Gentlemen's, today we are here to celebrate my daughter Princess Leianna 7th birthday. I would like to thank you all for attending and will join me in saying Happy Birthday!" My father said his voice filled with fake pride and joy. Hundreds of smiling faces looked up at me, my eyes locked Sirius's in the crowd a look of shock on his face. He looked down from my gaze, my heart raced, did it matter that I was royalty? My maids hand touched my lower back, as a sign to leave. I curtseyed at the crowd and my parents before exiting. Choruses of "Happy birthday! Your Highness" Surrounded me which I replied with a nod. But the voice I wanted to hear, did not reach my ears. I felt the tears in my eyes brim over, spilling down my cheeks; they tasted salty on my lips. I let out an unlady like sniff, before turning and exiting the party. My footsteps pattered the floors, as I made my way along the empty corridors. This place was not my home, this place was my prison. No signs that a seven year old filled the castle, or of a loving family, just tapestries and suits of armour. I collapsed in the alcove on the north facing staircase, I placed my face against the stain glass, the cold was harsh against my skin. That is were I stayed until late that night