Sheep in Wolves Skin
Well here's another story I decided to start. Hopefully it makes for something interesting to read. Along with the pairings lol. Vincent Crabbe has no clue what he'll be getting himself into. My OCs name means evil or evil one in Hopi in case you're wondering. XD Don't burn me too much as its my first Harry Potter FF. This takes place during The Order of The Phoenix. *nibbles on a Christmas cookie* enjoy :D
Disclaimer: don't own Harry Potter just the OCs.
Chapter 1: Leaving Massachusetts
Nukpana Lovegood sat on the kitchen counter carelessly. Her long legs dressed in faded light blue bell bottom jeans , dangling off the sides of the tall yellowing countertop. The Indian girl was waiting patiently for the rabbit stew to finish cooking on the ancient rusty iron stove to her right in the small kitchen. Using her wand she opened a small iron door placing a few wooden logs into the fiery furnace at the bottom of the stove closing it up quickly with a swish of her wand before the sparks flew out of the old death trap burning her.
Sighing Nukpana jumping off the counter hunching over the sink. Looking at herself in the reflection of the clear dish water critically. Nukpana just hated what she looked like. She was an albino girl, always getting sunburnt so easily, with menacing red eyes, paper white skin, straight black hair that went down to her but, angular face with defined cheekbones, and an almost unhealthy thin frame. Nukpana was also a pure blooded witch with a bizarre mix of Native American blood from her mothers side and British from her father. Hence the last name LoveGood.
Sighing again the Indian girl looked away with a grimace, rolling her ruby eyes, Nukpana looked over at the small clock on the wall. It was 4:30 in the afternoon to her dissatisfaction. The days seemed to be getting longer as summer was ending and fall crept up like a bandit. The Indian girl twisted the sleeves of her baggy grey sweater, nibbling on one of the sleeves with her front teeth and thin pink lips. It was a little habit that formed when she was five years old and it never seemed to go away over the years. Even Nukpana's snobby class mates at Ilvermorny Witchcraft and Wizarding School noticed the pukwudgie girls odd little habit making fun of her for it. The popular's even gave Nukpana stupid nicknames such as "Chewy" and "sleeve sucker". The Indian girl was always harassed and rejected, she never made any friends during her years of school as much as she tried. It was always the same every year for Nukpana, everyone either found her to be weird or stupid, and treating her poorly for it.
Despite her harsh school life, Nukpana began to establish an unhealthy amount of stress and depression within that dreadful year. Nukpana's parents both died in a car crash not to long ago in January, leaving the young witch in the guardianship of her cooky grandmother Aponi Woodsong. Nukpana had no choice in the matter as her two adult sisters Cherry and Moonlight lived separate estranged lives after they graduated from Ilvermorny a few years back and started families of their own.
Aponi took custody of her youngest granddaughter regardless of the circumstances before the state could. The 98 year old witch was lonely living by herself, needing company and a caretaker, even if Nukpana still had to go to Ilvermorny. Aponi lived on a hidden Wampanoag Indian reservation out in the middle of nowhere in a small trashy three bedroom trailer. Nukpana didn't mind the unstable environment at all, gladly choosing to live with Aponi over an orphanage.
Shoving away her thoughts Nukpana heard a bedroom door creak open."Ahh my child there you are. How is that stew coming along? I'm starved." Aponi spoke softly in a raspy voice, waddling into the kitchen. The old witch was fiddling with the tight eagle bone chocker necklace around her fat neck. She took a seat at the small kitchen table with a tired huff, picking up the Wizarding newspaper as she began to read the front cover. Nukpana noticed the old witch looked extremely troubled for some odd reason. Especially because Aponi was always so chipper and happy.
"It's almost done, maybe twenty more minutes Grandma. The rabbit needs to cook all the way." Nukpana stated bluntly as she took the seat across from the old witch nibbling on edge of her sleeve again in nervousness. "What's the matter grandmother?" Nukpana asked softly.
"Now that I caught you at the right timing child, I have some thing very important that I need to tell you little Nukpana." Aponi said putting the newspaper down. The harsh look on the old witches wrinkly face didn't make Nukpana feel any better.
"What is it Grandma?"Nukpana asked hesitantly. Aponi wanted to talk to her about something and it didn't sound very good.
"You're sisters Moonlight and Cherry were found murdered a week ago along with there small families..." Aponi started to tear up. She pushed the newspaper towards the girl showing moving pictures of her now deceased siblings on an article on the front page. They both had smiling faces as they waved.
A look of shock and horror coated the Indian girls face. "Oh my god!? Who could have done this! My sisters!" Nukpana roared as she started to break down crying. She didn't know her siblings that well but to find out they were dead along with her parents now broke her fragile heart, shattering it into a million pieces. The girl latched on to her grandmother crying into her long thick gray hair. The two stayed like that for a few minutes before Aponi continued." I'm afraid whoever did this is after you next little Nukpana.. At the crime scene they left a picture of you with you eyes crossed out.. There was a reason why I need to talk to you... Well I eagled your Uncle Xenophilious in England last night after receiving the news from a detective. Xenophilious Lovegood is a reasonable and caring man. He's willing to keep you for a year until this monster is caught. Your safety comes first little one." The old witch breathed out holding Nukpana protectively.
"But but but !grandma! I can't just leave you hear by yourself! I can't leave you!I won't! What if they go after you next?!" Nukpana sobbed out, latching onto Aponi's deerskin robes.
"I'll be fine, this old witch has a few tricks up her sleeve little one. I can take care of my self. But as for you... Well you are a free spirited child and running off where ever the great spirit wind takes you..I am still going to send you to your uncles as an extra precaution.. Xenophilous was even nice enough to fix your first trimester of Hogwarts along with your cousin Luna." Aponi said trying desperately to lighten up the subject. She wanted Nukpana to finish her education and succeed in becoming the next shaman of the Wizarding Wampanoag tribe. After Aponi died Nukpana was next in line to become the tribes second in command.
"Grandma! Please don't make me leave you.. They are strangers and I don't even know them. I don't even want to go to Hogwarts. I want to stay here and finish school.." Nukpana begged and whined as more tears fell.
"You're forgetting that It's only going to be for a year young one. Please do it for me. Do it for my peace of mind, do it for the tribe. Your uncle is a very kind man even though I met him and his wife Pandora only once during your parents wedding many years ago before you were born. I trust him enough to take care of you little Nukpana. After all, you will not be alone. You do have a cousin named Luna, she's around your age, I'm sure she will love you like a sibling."Aponi pleaded pulling Nukpana back by the shoulders, looking into her sheepishly tearful red eyes. The old witch felt horrible sending her pride and blood away for a whole year. "Traveling might be good for you little Nukpana.. Especially after all this bad news and heart ache, it's good to get away once in a while little one. You'll be staying in a big castle with other students in Scotland like your father did. Maybe you might make friends this time."Aponi pointed out with a half smile.
"When will I be leaving?how will I be traveling?"Nukpana asked trying not to think to much. She really wanted to know answers, hoping deep down in her heart that she wouldn't be leaving so soon. The traveling part kinda scared Nukpana, she never traveled anywhere by herself.
"You will be using the floo network to your uncles house in three days time little one. It will save you some money my dear little Nukpana. As you are entitled to your parents inheritance."
"Ahhh..Umm okay." Nukpana tried to sound sure of herself but she really wasn't, especially the inheritance part. As for The floo, it was her mortal enemy, Nukpana hated to travel that way preferring the common car or jet. The poor Indian girl always ended up at the wrong destination, it never seemed to fail. The last time Nukpana intended to floo home during Christmas break, she ended up in Germany during Krumpus day, it scared the living daylights out of her seeing a bunch of wizards dressed up as hideous trolls. Nukpana just prayed to Mother Earth that she would end up at the right destination this time around.
"Little Nukpana.. I know this is a lot of information to take in at once but I'm sure you'll be fine." Aponi tried to resure. She had no clue of her granddaughters true struggle with the dreaded floo.
"The stew should be done." Nukpana said shakily trying to change subject. Banishing the memories and horror of flooing. The Indian girl grabbed the bowls form the pantry trying her best to clear her troubled mind. It would definitely be a very long year.
XxX
It was a very harsh three days of packing and crying until the day finally came for Nukpana Lovegood to leave Massachusetts behind for awhile and start anew in England. The girl was a nervous wreck trying not to think about leaving everything behind and her grandmother. It worried Nukpana that she would be living with complete strangers. She had smidgen of hope that they would be decent Wizarding family as Aponi said.
Sighing out in exhaustion from lack of sleep the night before, Nukpana shrunk her three over stuffed luggages into mini versions tucking them safely into her fox medicine bag. Taking a seat on the dirty wooden floor, Nukpana waited patiently for her grandmother to come home with a farewell gift. Even when Nukpana told her grandmother no , the old witch still insisted not taking no for an answer on giving the girl a special gift.
The Indian girl waited a few more minutes, looking over her cozy outfit. Nukpana was definitely prepared for her long journey, dressed comfortably in a baggy black poncho with white tribal designs, dark blue boot cut jeans, a bunch of Native American jewelry, and leather winter moccasins that went up to her knees. Nukpana's hair was even styled comfortably into two long braids with strips of leather, feathers, and beads intertwined to pull the Native American look off. She was told by Aponi that London would be cold and chilly, So Nukpana dressed appropriately.
The front door flew open making Nukpana jump a little, as Aponi walked inside the house with two large bird cages covered in leather sheets obstructing Nukpana's view of what was inside. A small smile spread on the old witches face, as what ever was inhabiting the cages started rocking and screeching loudly.
"Grandmother... Your home.."Nukpana said with a chuckle watching her grandmother use her wand to levitate the large cages towards her.
"Here you are my little Nukpana. Your all ready to go. Before you leave, these gifts are necessary to take with you. One is from me and the other is a special gift from the tribe. Hurry now and take a peek." Aponi pressed Nukpana pointing at the cages with a grin. She really wanted to see her granddaughters reaction.
"Okay thank you grandmother. Even though you really didn't have to do this." Nukpana said nodding her head with modesty as she unfastened the leather valero straps on the first cage with shaky fingers. Inside was a young fluffy hawk looking up at her with large, curious, golden eyes. Nukpana couldn't help but giggle unfastening the next cage, to her complete surprise it held another bird of prey, it was an albino baby crow, around the size of her fist, it chirped helplessly for attention. It's red beady eyes latching on to Nukpana's form imprinting on the Indian girl.
"The crow is female and she is from me. Use her for your transfiguration classes and letters if you must. As for the young hawk, he is a special gift from the tribe." Aponi pointed out, pleased with Nukpana's reaction.
"She's beautiful thank you grandma. I'll call her snowflake because she's albino."Nukpana said taking the baby crow out of the cage and cradling it like a baby. Snowflake did not protest nuzzling into Nukpana's hands. The baby crow enjoyed the warmth and loving touch of Nukpana's long gray nails running through its feathers softly.
"Hmmm the crow seems to have taken a liking to you little one. Just to think an hour ago it almost bit my finger off after purchasing it."Aponi hackled loudly finding amusement in its new found attachment to Nukpana.
"Thank you grandma Aponi! I love you so much I'm going to miss you..." Nukpana said getting up and giving her grandmother a big bear hug despite snowflake being in her grasp still." Bye grandmother." Nukpana sniffled, trying not to cry.
"I love you too little Nukpana. Please hawk or floo me that you made it safely. Take care little one. May Mother Earth be with you." Aponi said letting go of her granddaughter.
Nukpana nodded speechlessly walked over to the fire place with the hawk cage, while she put snowflake in her medicine bag. Gulping, Nukpana Grabbed a good handful of floo powder. The Indian girl really hated this this part of floo travel. " ummm crabp.. Take me to Xenophilious Lovegood's manner!?"
Nukpana shouted as she disappeared in a puff of green flames as they engulfed her body . Aponi laughed shaking her head at the crazed look on Nukpana's face.
"Agh little Nukpana... What am I to do without you..." Aponi chuckled as she walked into the living room to read a book.
XxX
Nukpana wheezed in a panic as she opened up her red eyes blinking a few times. Looking around frantically, Nukpana realized she was not at her intended destination. The Indian girl ended up in what looked to be a extravagant living room. It was full of two bookshelves, nice gray furniture, and finely decorated. Looking around she spotted a boy around her age writing something with a quill. He was quite handsome despite his chubby appearance, he was dressed in fine black robes. He had short black hair, light skin, rosey cheeks, and beady black eyes that almost bore into her very soul. It made her somewhat uncomfortable the way he was looking at her. She was a small little thing compared to the boy.
"Who the hell are you?" The boy asked with a puzzled look on his face as he put the quill down on the desk he was sitting at. He found Nukpana's ruby red eyes very unnatural, it practically drew him in like a moth to a flame. Even her outfit choice was far from how a wealthy witch would dress. He found all the tribal jewelry odd but fitting on the girl in front of him.
"Ummm agh. I think I.. I'm.. I think I flooed to the wrong place. Is this the Lovegood residents?"Nukpana stuttered not knowing what else to say or do as she latched on to the hawk cage for dear life. Especially with the intense look the boy was giving her, his eyes almost sparked dangerously at the mention of the last name Lovegood.
"This is the Crabbe estate miss.. My name is Vincent Crabbe... Who are you?" Vincent tried asking again. He got up from his seat walking towards Nukpana.
"Oh so sorry well I have to go now!"Nukpana shouted nervously, grabbing floo powder out of the pot next to the fireplace. She was shaking violently each step Vincent took to get near her.
"Wait!you didn't answer my question!What is your name?!" He asked trying to stop her.
"Xenophilious Lovegood's manner!"Nukpana shouted as she disappeared to Vincent's disappointment. Pouting, Vincent marched back to his seat finishing a letter to Draco, including the bizarre incident. Once he was finished sending it off with Draco's owl, Vincent sat there in his study wondering deep down who the girl was that ended up in his floo. Vincent thought she was beautiful despite the rush and awkwardness of the situation. Who was she? Why was she headed to the insane blood traitor Lovegood's manner? How did she slip pass the Crabbe manners wards?" These were the simple questions Vincent wanted answers too. Little did Vincent Crabbe know that he would find out soon enough.
Haha aww poor Nukpana got spooked by Vincent's questioning. Until next chapter :)