A/N: Hey guys. Just wanted to apologize to those of you who actually took the time to read these few chapters and waited patiently for the following ones that never came. it's been a very busy semester, but now I'm going through the chapters and editing them here and there and adding more detail, etc. to refresh my memory of what I've done so far and, hopefully, be able to get more chapters out during my free time this semester, if I can find some. Thanks everyone and please give me as much feedback as possible! I love to hear from you all!
The two young girls waited patiently, hands clasped in their laps, as they sat awaiting their judgement. The sky was pitch black outside, a new moon, but the older of the two girls, the pale one with the unnaturally dark eyes and hair, could sense that it was well past midnight, the so-called "haunting hour". A warm breeze blew through the open window, reminding the girls that summer was, sadly, drawing to an end. It blew a few strands of the mop of fluffy, white hair that lay limp on top of the portly headmistress' head as she scrutinized each girl in turn.
"I was in the middle of some much needed sleep when Professor Lilith had to fetch me out of bed to deal with the two of you trouble-makers." The blonde, angelic thirteen-year-old wrung her slender, tan hands, while her pale blue eyes studied the worn panel floor. There was an area worn into the floorboards in front of the headmistress' desk that was lighter than the rest; it was worn in the shape of two letters 'AP', her companion's initials. The edges of her mouth twitched upwards for a moment at the sight of it. Aludra's cobalt blue, almost feral, eyes twinkled with mischief.
"I'm very sorry that your beauty rest was disturbed on our behalf, Miss Brach. It's very obvious that you were in dire need of it." Kristin stifled a giggle, glancing at her smug companion. Headmistress Brach was not quite so amused. With a single glare from her, Kristin focused all the more intently on the rubbings on the floor.
"The point is, Miss Perse, that you were warned about your aversion to prank pulling, and you, of course, did not heed me. It would be wrong for me not to follow through with the punishment promised you." The twinkle left Aludra's eyes.
"What are we being accused of exactly?" If there was any chance of getting out of this, Aludra'd find it. The headmistress leaned forward in her chair, narrowing her beady little eyes. Now she was the one with the smug look on her face.
"One of your classmates was found locked in one of the classrooms in a cabinet and she says that it was the two of you who did it."
"Now see here, she deserved that! When Kristin and I got home tonight, we found her with her wand in the face of one of the younger girls, trying to force her to do who knows what, and I was simply teaching her a lesson about picking on people who younger and weaker than her." Headmistress Brach sat back with a scrutinizing look and crossed her arms across her chest.
"You and Miss Kristin were out tonight? Again? Against the orphanage rules?" Aludra grimaced. "You aren't going to get out of this one. I've got you one way or another."
"So you're going to kick us out?" Aludra leveled a cool, hard gaze at the portly woman slouching in the desk before her. Kristin jerked her head up, glancing in terror from the headmistress to her elder companion.
"You can't...you can't kick us out!" she stammered. "If you do, where would we go? How would we survive?" Looking to Aludra for support, she saw the hard, calculating girl that so often lay dormant beneath the fun-loving, trouble-making exterior.
"She won't put you out on the street, Kristin, not this close to your adoption going through." Her cold eyes remained locked with those of their headmistress.
"But you can't kick Ali out either! She's the cleverest student you have here. You need her. The kids learn more from her than from their professors!"
"That's the beauty of it; I don't have to kick her out. The arrangements have already been made for her removal from this orphanage by someone else. Miss Kristin, you may retire to your room now, and on the way out, let the man in the chair outside know he can come in now." Kristin's eyes pleaded for a solution that would keep her friend off the streets, but even Aludra seemed hardened towards her fate and would not meet her gaze. Defeated, she rushed from the room in tears, hardly pausing to pass on the message to the elderly warlock in the foyer.
Aludra couldn't believe that anything would be worse than this place, so she squared her shoulders, prepared to meet her fate head on, with as much courage as a girl her age could muster. That's when the wizard passed through the open doorway behind her and approached the headmistress' desk. He turned to face her, holding himself up with an almost regal air. She recognized him from various pictures she had seen and stories she'd heard, but even she, who was hardly surprised by anything anymore, felt small and impotent in his presence. The cold, hard gaze she had fixed the headmistress with softened imperceptibly at the sight of this genius of magic. For a moment her heart hoped, but her reason drowned it before it could take root; there was no need to hope, for nothing good ever happened to her, save her best, and only, friend Kristin. No one had given her reason to trust them except Kristin, and Albus Dumbledore was no exception.
"Aludra, it does me a deal of good to see you well after all these years." The blue eyes behind the half moon spectacles twinkled gaily, like a child, and his long, silvery beard, which matched the silver of this long hair, twitched in what she knew must be a smile. But she saw something else, a kindness perhaps, in those eyes of his that quelled the anger within her at being forgotten and cast aside her whole life, at least momentarily.
"Apparently we've met before?"
"You were just learning to walk, if my memory serves me right."
"I'm sure it does, but I don't really remember anything before being dumped on the steps of this old place, with only a name and this locket around my neck. So excuse me if I seem rude, but what is this all about, here?" She couldn't help but be suspicious after everything she'd been through, and, knowing that, sympathy for the girl rose in him and he smiled sadly at her. She almost felt sorry for causing him pain when he seemed to mean her no harm.
"I am here to collect you, as you have been accepted to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as a third year student. We are to leave immediately." She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She had dreamed of this day her whole life, the day she would be rescued from this horrible place. Sure, she had imagined her long lost parents doing the rescuing, but who was she to be picky about such things. There had to be a catch. As soon as she opened her mouth to comment, he cut her off, though not in a harsh manner. "Any questions you may have must wait until we are on our way. Please pack your belongings, I will be along momentarily." For the first time in her life, Ali didn't make some witty reply or try to resist being forced into something. With one last, defiant glare at her, former, headmistress, she turned and strode out the door, with her usual air of confidence, despite the night's excitement.
"Hogwarts!" Kristin's eyes almost popped out of her head. Aludra had expected her to be sad or upset or even angry at how unfair this all was for Kristin, but the excitement Aludra saw on her face baffled her. "Bloody hell, Ali! That's wonderful!"
"Er…yeah...I guess." Carelessly tossing what few, pathetic belongings she possessed into the worn trunk, she could almost picture the indignant look she was sure was sure her friend was wearing in response to her flippant remark.
"What do you mean, 'I guess'? This is the best thing to ever happen to you! You're almost 14, Ali. This is your last chance for a real life. You're smart enough to realize when your destiny has been changed as drastically as tonight."
"All right, all right. It is pretty cool, I'll admit that much." Peaking over her shoulder she saw Kristin, hands on hips with the very expression she had imagined. Aludra snickered as she returned to her packing. Behind her, Kristin gasped and dove into the bottom of her own bureau. Aludra watched her in the mirror over her dresser. As she peered curiously at her friend in the mirror's reflection, a glint of gold at her neck caught her attention. An oddly untarnished gold locket rested on her collarbone. The pad of her thumb remembered every peak and valley of the crest engraved on the front half of the locket as she held it between her fingers. It comforted her, somehow, to have that tiny connection to the family she had never known, but knows existed at some point in time.
"Here! These are for you." Aludra jerked in surprise and turned around to face Kristin, who was clutching a picture frame to her chest so Aludra couldn't see what it was of and holding a change purse out to her at arm's length.
"What's this?" She eyed the cracked, brown leather purse dangling from Kristin's hand with suspicion.
"It's enough money to buy yourself a better broom than the money Hogwarts is going to give you."
"Why do I need more than just a basic broom?" She continued to regard the money sourly. Kristin's eyes narrowed in irritation.
"Don't play dumb with me."
"What?" Ali batted her eyes and imitated all the innocent, child like expressions she'd ever seen. Somehow it seemed weird on her.
"You know very well that you are a great beater…"
"Well, I wouldn't say 'great'…"
"Good enough to make your house team…"
"Decent, perhaps, but not 'great'."
"And maybe with some practice you could even play professionally some day, just like you've always dreamed of."
"Unless I end up in Slytherin where they don't allow girls on the team..." Kristin looked horrified at Aludra's last remark. "…but I'm sure I won't end up there," Aludra assured her, regretting her previous remark the moment it left her mouth. Kristin still seemed worried. "I'm sure of it." She managed a half smile which Kristin reluctantly returned. The poor girl saw things as black and white, good and bad, and, in her mind, Gryffindor was synonymous with good and Slytherin with evil. Aludra had spent enough time on the streets and read enough books already by the age of 14 that she realized the world was, in fact, mostly gray. To her, Gryffindor and Slytherin meant the same thing: power. Being in either of those houses would offer her more than pretty much any other position in the wizarding world, but of course, she couldn't admit those feelings to Kristin, being as sweetly naive as she was. After a short pause, Aludra reached out and took the purse; she knew it was the only thing to cheer her up. Besides, taking the money didn't mean she had to spend it and she could always return it to her some day in the future. "So what's that?" Kristin glanced down at the picture frame she still held on to.
"Oh, this! I've had this longer than any other possession of mine…and now I want you to have it." She offered it to Aludra, face down.
"Kristin, I don't want-" She flipped over the frame and froze, speechless. Still staring at the picture, horrified, she drew a short breath. "Oh my." Her shock suddenly turned to accusation. "You swore to me that you burned this thing years ago!"
"It's the only picture I have of the two of us. Besides, look how cute we are. I think you're actually smiling." Kristin reached over the top of the frame and pointed to one of the figures in the picture, proudly.
"Kristin, I'm not kidding. I could get in a lot of trouble for this. And you, too, for keeping my secret." She just smiled.
"Promise me you'll keep it on your night-stand?" Kristin pried the picture from Aludra's fingers and placed it on top of the pile of clothes, shutting the trunk. "I'm going to miss you. I promise to write every day to tell you about my new family." She wrapped her arms around Aludra's neck and hugged her tight. She returned the embrace, fighting back the unexpected emotional flood. Blinking back the tears that threatened to spill down her face, she grasped on to the one shred of optimism she could find; at least this time she was doing the leaving for once, instead of being the one left.
Aludra followed along behind Dumbledore, dragging her trunk, as they made their way down the street and away from the darkened orphanage. It was the middle of the night yet, so she didn't expect anyone to be awake, especially not the children of the orphanage. She had pictured leaving the orphanage behind to be a joyous occasion, but instead she felt a twinge of sadness that dampened her spirits. No, I'm stronger than this and I can make the best of this situation. I may be leaving the only home I've ever known, but this is the only opportunity I will have to make something of myself. By the time I graduate, people will remember my name. Besides, her empty hand wandered to the locket around her throat once again, this may be the break I need to find out where I'm from, who my parents were, and why they left me like they did. The elderly warlock broke her from her reverie.
"I'm sure you're just exploding with questions for me." He paused to let her catch up. She hadn't really been exploding, but when he said this, things she did wish to ask him came to mind.
"Why am I being accepted as a third year? As far as I know, Hogwarts has never done that before." Pushing his glasses higher up on his nose, he cleared his throat before answering.
"We made a mistake and now we plan to put things right. Your grandmother, a dear friend of mine, wanted you to be safe from those who would harm you-"
"Like Voldemort?"
"Yes, like Voldemort, and those who risked their lives and the lives of their families to destroy him. Somehow, we're not sure exactly how, your name was removed from the list of those destined for Hogwarts."
"Wait, why would his enemies come after me after he died?"
"I wish I could tell you, but that's not my place." She eagerly opened her mouth to press him more, but he cut her short for the second time that night.
" Please, don't ask me any more questions concerning your parents. It's better if you leave that alone for the time being." This response did not satisfy her in the least, but she held her tongue.
"I'm assuming the school has a fund set up for children in my position? And I am to be sorted along with the first years upon arrival?"
"Yes and yes. You will speak with the head of your house the following morning at breakfast as to which classes you are taking and when."
"I suppose the only thing left to ask is where I'm staying for the next week before classes begin?" Dumbledore grinned with childish enthusiasm at what he apparently considered a great secret.
"Take my arm, my dear, and we will be on our way." Taking the arm proffered her, she wondered where it was he was whisking her off to. With a pop, she was plunged into an endless darkness that threatened to crush her. Fighting down the panic that welled up inside her, she tightened her grip on his arm and her trunk. Just when she felt like she would be crushed, they burst out into the warm, summer night air. She gazed at the tall, slightly askew house before them curiously.
"Molly and Arthur are probably waiting up for us in the kitchen. See, the light's still on."
"Molly and Arthur who?"
"Weasley." Aludra paused on the path to the front door, causing the headmaster to pause as well.
"The Weasleys? Are you serious?" Winking, Dumbledore smiled.
"Come on, I think you'll like it." Continuing on down the path, Aludra had to hurry to catch up. He had barely raised his hand to knock on the door when it was flung open and a plump, little, red-headed woman blocked the way. Spotting Aludra, she rushed past Dumbledore as if he wasn't even there and squeezed her until she felt like her ribs would crack.
"Let's get you inside where I can see you better." Before she could protest, Mrs. Weasley pushed her up the stairs and into the house, leaving the trunk in the yard. Mr. Weasley was waiting for them in the kitchen.
"Arthur, go grab Aludra's trunk, will you? It's out in the yard." Molly spun Aludra around and held her at arm's length, looking her up and down.
"Much, much too thin. Well, we'll fix that, won't we?" Her smile was warm, motherly. Aludra had seen that look only a few times in her life, and never before directed at her. How could this woman have such kind feelings towards a strange, gangly girl like herself, especially on first meeting her? It didn't make sense. "Would you like something to eat?"
"I think it would be best for her to sleep right now while the three of us talk about important matters."
"Oh, of course. Come along, dear." Aludra met Dumbledore's gaze over her shoulder as she moved to follow Mrs. Weasley up the stairs. There was a twinkle in his eye that hinted towards more tricks up his sleeve. She did, however, notice that he seemed somewhat relieved to have her off his hands, but she figured that with the term starting up again soon he simply had a great deal to take care of in the next week and she was only one of them.
"You'll be sharing a bunk bed with Ginny for the time being. Ginny's on the top, so you can take the bottom," Mrs. Weasley whispered as she opened the door to one of the rooms on the 2nd floor. "See you in the morning and sleep well."
"Good night and thank you." As soon as the door closed, Aludra's eyes found the bed. She didn't realize how tired she was until now. Kicking off her shoes, she tumbled into the bed and immediately fell asleep. Her last thought before sleep took her was how this was the first night she could remember spending in a real house instead of an orphanage or out in the elements.
