PROLOGUE:(2005)
On 16 August, a boy was born at St. Mungo's.
He was the picture of his father and grew like any other normal wizard boy, showing signs of magic.
His startling green eyes inquisitive and observant filled with some certain mischief. Innocently bashful and extremely curious, he was more silent and reserved than his two other demanding siblings feasting on the attention of his parents.
Silent and well-behaved and inclined to sports he was a son and a grandson everybody wanted.
Named Albus Severus Potter a lot of expectations were piled on his bony shoulders.
Sorted into Gryffindor with relief, he went on to become a tall, serious student unlike his rakish brother and fierce sister.
The epitome of rules but a smiling and forgiving Prefect, talented on the Quidditch pitch and respectful of the opposite sex.
He found himself a part of a unique trio that caught a lot of attention, Scorpius Malfoy and Rose Weasley being the members. One his favorite cousin and the other his best friend, both destined to fall in love.
He never imposed on anyone and never asked favors, he had ambitions, none of which he voiced. Despite people thinking he was introverted, he was just waiting for the key to his lock.
On 16 August, a girl was born in the countryside. She was a darling yet miserably mischievous.
She hardly ever sat still and hardly ever cared for rules, her name was Anreya Simone Blackwell.
She was an only child, the daughter of the powerful minister of magic, with bright grey eyes and wavy red hair like tendrils of fire framing her sharp face.
She was loud and outgoing and very hard to tame.
Having attended Beauxbaton Academy, she wasn't as polished as one would expect.
Neither was she academically oriented nor was she power-hungry. She was just fiercely protective and unabashedly daring.
For her silence was an abyss, a darkness she should never fall in and speaking was the gift of life.
She was passionate and driven. If she had one wish it was to go on an adventure, to live outside of her prim and proper life, live outside the mansion of her pure-blood family away from the people and lose herself in the adrenaline and thrill of living to push limits, to see the world for what it was. All she wanted was an escape, waiting for the one opening in her disappointingly straight-jacketed life.
CHAPTER 1
The rain fell in sheets, the howling winds blew loudly lamenting something without definition.
The trees swayed in the woods laboriously withstanding the force of the wind.
Lightning whipped through the grey skies illuminating the heavy grey clouds battling in a war of their own.
Among all this a girl ran with her head bent water dripping from her clothes and mud lathered on her legs, she splashed through the puddles her breath ragged and the hood of her jacket covering her face.
Finally she reached a pair of tall iron gates.
She quickly pushed them open and let herself in, running across the long graveled path with trimmed rose bushes on each side along with lush green lawns.
She ran right up to the marble steps and to the stone mansion's rosewood double doors.
She didn't wait to knock or pull the bell.
Instead she just pushed the door open and let herself into the house, slamming the door shut.
The slam echoed in the large hall throughout the house.
She bent and held her knees breathing heavily.
She pulled the hood off and looked at the hall in front of her.
The fire crackled in the fireplace.
The carpeted marble floor was a few steps below her.
Plush couches sat at the middle and large portraits of her forefathers donned the walls exuberating the meaning of pure-blood with subtle hints of arrogance.
She was oddly misplaced in the pristine room.
A puddle had formed on the floor where she stood but she didn't seem to bother.
She would have stepped forward to go to her room but a small house-elf approached nimbly with a towel "Madam Anreya, you must be cold, please allow me to serve you"
Anreya took the towel and wiped her face, she said kindly "That's alright Willy, I can tend to myself thank you, if it's not too much trouble can you please take my shoes to dry?"
Willy nodded fervently with big round mustard eyes.
She stepped out of her shoes and smiled at Willy greatfully.
She then proceeded across the cold marble floor on to the carpet and through the archway into the interior of the house.
She silently padded up the staircase to her room.
After coming to her room, she opened the door.
The room was particularly different from the rest of the house.
It did not look like a pure-blood's room but rather an ordinary girl's which she liked to believe she was.
She walked to her misty balcony doors and drew her finger across the cold glass pane writing her name in the mist.
The room was kept in a haphazard manner, her bed lay against the wall, a large queen sized bed with numerous cushions on it, the floor was carpeted and had floral prints.
Numerous Quidditch posters covered the cream walls and a messy desk lay almost forgotten in one corner by the window piled high with books mostly on cartography, travels of wizards, different creatures and world history.
She threw herself on to the bed ignoring the fact that she wet to her bones.
Her matted red hair splayed out behind her head and her grey eyes looked heartbroken as she stared up at her ceiling.
One could call her beautiful and she knew she was. The fact that numerous boys at Beauxbaton had tried to charm her was evidence enough, but she was not the kind who enjoyed frivolous relationships.
Neither did she like to flaunt her beauty and that was something a lot of people found strange about her.
She sat up when she heard the knock on her door.
She cleared her throat "Come in"
The door clicked open and a beautiful blonde-haired woman walked in with the same grey eyes as Anreya's.
She wore violet robes and her hair was pulled back tightly in a bun.
Though they looked so similar there was a remarkable difference in the way they carried themselves.
Tamara Francesca Blackwell was a powerful woman and was known for her poise and her sharp tongue.
Unlike her daughter, she believed in taking pride in her heritage.
Her daughter unlike her was much less interested in connections and socializing.
It was a grap they never could bridge and hardly wanted to try.
She looked disapprovingly at her daughter's appearance.
Anreya's grey eyes narrowed slightly waiting for the other woman to make the first move.
Tamara said sharply "You are eighteen, it would be nice if you could at least try to act like it"
Anreya didn't say anything but held her gaze waiting because she knew her mother had more to say "Look at your appearance, you are not a child you are a woman now. It's time you took some responsibility. Anreya your father is going to have a talk with you this evening and he has invited a guest over, I presume you will not be looking like this then"
Just to rile her up Anreya asked "What if I do?"
Her mother glared "You do not have a choice, you're father has coddled you too much and this is the result"
She rolled her eyes "Thanks for the heads up Mother now if you can quit acting as if your corset has been tied too tight and leave the room it would be much appreciated"
Tamara was bordering on furious "The audacity! You are crossing a line Anreya Simone! I have had enough you will talk the way we expect you to!"
Anreya smirked only to irk Tamara more "You wish"
Her mother's eyes spewed fire "If this is how you will behave tonight…."
before she could complete Anreya said "You won't be able to do a thing about it"
Tamara strode across the room and slapped Anreya across the cheek.
The silence was only broken by the sound of the rain and wind.
Anreya didn't look up, she curled her fists and gritted her teeth to keep from losing her control.
Tamara took a deep breath and said her tone as sharp as a knife "After all that I have done for you, I have tried hard to instill respect in you, for eighteen years I have allowed this nonsense, but not any more. If you don't mend your ways I will have to do it for you. I am not giving you a choice, you will be respectful tonight and you will behave if you don't…there will be consequences"
With that she left pulling the door behind her.
After she left Anreya threw her pillow at the door.
She said quietly "I hate you and I hate being here"
Her cheek was red where her mother had struck her. If her mother had at least once bothered to understand her instead of imposing rules on her and tried to mold her into a copy of her then they wouldn't be in this situation.
Anreya stood up to go take a shower. She peeled the wet clothes off and let the hot water wash away all her pain and exhaustion.
Her father would arrive at seven with her guest and it was already six.
As she stood in her towel in front of the sink she looked into the mirror.
She made up her mind to not behave like her mother wanted her to.
As she stood there Willy knocked on the door and she called "Yes?"
Willy said "Willy is leaving your clothes on the bed Madam Anreya"
She said sighing "Thank you Willy"
Once Willy was gone and she stepped into the room she looked at the dress on the bed.
It was another aristocratic dress and she was tired of them.
She picked it up, it was midnight blue and knee-length. It had a square neck and was half-sleeved.
She grudgingly wore the dress and the midnight blue flats to match it.
She wasn't much of a dresser so she did not accessorize which was sure to irritate her mother, she didn't bother to wear make-up either.
She dried and combed her hair which then resembled a fierce fire.
Without bothering to glance into the mirror she walked out of her room down to greet her father.
When she reached the bottom, her mother stood there her lips pursed "You look despicable"
Anreya said "I wore the dress"
Tamara tensed "There isn't time now, this is the first strike Anreya, now go to the hall"
Anreya silently went biting her tongue not to let out a stream of curses.
She walked stiffly and didn't flow or glide like her mother.
She didn't smile either.
When she entered the hall her father stopped speaking and Anreya had eyes only for him, she didn't notice his guest.
Her father smiled and her temper slowly ebbed away.
He said loudly spreading his arms "Anreya, come here darling"
Anreya grinned "Dad"
She walked to him and let him pull her into his hug, her father was a tall man well-built in his day along with the same red hair as she had.
Some might say he was a handsome man and according to Anreya he was the best father in the world.
When her father let go of her she was back to normal and she forgot her mother for a moment.
Placing a hand on her back he turned her to face his guest.
She was surprised.
She had been expecting a middle-aged wizard or a ministry official of some sort.
But she hadn't been expecting a boy around her age in a suit looking like one of the models in the Witch magazines she had seen on the bedside tables of her friends at Beauxbaton Academy.
She reminded herself to not look too surprised when he gave her a polite smile. She smiled slightly swallowing her sudden nerves.
He was tall, much taller than her and she was five feet eight inches, he must have been slightly over six feet easily.
Not only was he tall but also well-built, he had soulful green eyes which looked extremely intellectual and his black hair was so messy it looked almost styled.
She blinked trying not to seem like she was staring.
Her father introduced them extending a hand out to indicate the boy.
"This is Albus Potter"
Suddenly Anreya stopped smiling, as a child she would sometimes visit the Potter household and she'd play with Lily. She remembered the shy skinny boy she had been slightly taller than, so well-behaved that he won her mother's heart and made her mother compare her to him. She also remembered being fascinated by his green eyes with an undeniable curiosity in them. Didn't they also share the same birthday?
Her father continued "Albus this is my daughter, the apple of my eye Anreya Blackwell"
He laughed jovially, Anreya smiled tightly and Albus comfortably smiled at her again "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance"
Anreya nodded "Thank you, it's nice meeting you too"
They sat and Tamara joined them.
Anreya's gaze kept flitting to Albus as he talked to her father about something or the other, she also noticed how he didn't take any drinks.
Her father jogged her out of her thoughts saying "Anreya, Albus is starting at the ministry as an auror, he passed with extraordinary NEWTs from Hogwarts, he is exceptionally talented"
Albus smiled humbly and Anreya smiled "That's wonderful"
She met her mother's eyes who seemed to be warning her.
Then her father said "There is a reason I wanted you two to meet"
Albus nodded slightly serious now.
Bnedict Blackwell looked at his daughter with serious blue eyes "Anreya, I have a mission for both you and Albus"
She asked looking from Albus to her father "What mission?"
Benedict Blackwell played with his thumbs "I know you have an adventurous side and I thought this will help open options for you to decide your future"
Her eyes lit up and she felt extremely excited.
He continued "There's a cult forming in the wizarding world, a cult of criminal wizards and they need to be caught, the ministry is thus deciding to send two young and capable wizards to find this cult and bring them into our clutches"
Albus asked "If you don't mind me raising a question sir, why young wizards?"
He had raised a valid point, Benedict looked significantly at the two of them "They will easily escape the cult's suspicion"
They nodded.
Benedict then said "The cult has found a haven in India, slightly unidentifiable. We have talked to the Indian ministry and they are happy to assist you in any way. You have to get on it as soon as possible. There is no question of wasting time"
Anreya asked a little too excitedly "When?"
Benedict answered "Next week, Anreya do you want to do this? You must be extremely sure"
Anreya grinned "Hell yes"
Her mother immediately reprimanded "Language!"
Her father said smiling "It's going to be dangerous and very difficult"
Anreya's smile widened "If it isn't difficult then what's the point?"
Benedict smiled proudly. Albus seemed to be extremely analytical "Will we have a plan, a place to stay and transport, will we be keeping false identities?"
Anreya listened eagerly. Benedict nodded "Yes, you will go as tourists, but will have a flat to stay, this mission could extend for months. Also your identities will be as brother and sister. Albus you will be Devon Samson, you Anreya will be Tera Samson brother and sister, twins to be precise"
Anreya asked "Is this because our birthdays are the same?"
He nodded "It makes it simpler"
Albus asked "If you don't mind me asking, how do you know my birthday?"
She answered blushing "Lily told me once when I came to play at your house"
He looked slightly confused but nodded.
Tamara stood up "Well shall we have dinner then?"
Benedict stood up "Of course Tamara"
He indicated for us to follow them.
Albus stood up and waited for Anreya to stand, smiling he said politely "After you"
She walked bowing politely, Tamara looked back at Albus with shining eyes.
Anreya rolled her eyes.
As they ate the lavish meal, they talked some more.
Albus was polite through out, she started to find him more and more annoying. The whole act was too good to be true. In her opinion no one could be so patronizing. She began to like him less and less.
And every time her mother seemed to smile glowing smiles at him she struck her chicken harder and harder.
When her mother said "Albus you are truly one of the most delightful people I have ever met" Anreya choked on her water and spewed a mouthful of water across the table into Albus's face.
She coughed as her mother squealed "OH! Anreya you foolish girl!"
Her father patted her on the back as her mother fussed over Albus handing him napkins and apologizing profusely.
He stood up "Um it's really alright, no harm done"
He looked at Anreya, who was blushing and glaring at him.
He asked "um, if it's alright, can I use the washroom?"
Tamara seemed flustered "Of course, Anreya show him where it is"
Anreya remained sitting "Can't Willy?"
Her mother glared and said forcefully "Anreya show Albus the washroom"
She pushed her chair back with more force than was necessary, she started towards the stairs with Albus trailing behind her.
When they reached the corridor, she led him to the bathroom t the end and opened the door, waiting for him to walk in, he looked at her and said "Really I'm sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you"
She couldn't believe it she asked "You're sorry? I should be sorry, how can you be sorry when I spat on you? That's not done!"
Albus stared at her as if he couldn't understand her. She glared and blushed "Just go use it"
Then she walked off.
He watched her go, shaking his head.
When she went back down, her mother was whispering rapidly to her father who was patting her on her shoulder trying to calm her down.
When she saw Anreya she immediately began "I can't believe it, you're just so adamant! Just imagine the impression you left on him! Where did I go wrong?"
She put her hand to her fore-head. Anreya couldn't take it anymore "I'll tell you where you went wrong! You never bothered to understand me! Maybe if you did, you'd be able to see from my point of view! I'm done with you! You're a horrible mother! I can't be like you! Actually I don't even want to! Just let me be and stop acting so…so aristocratic, times have changed! We can't keep sitting on what our fore-fathers built, we have to expand, grow and be better than them! You don't seem to be able to see that! You have a problem with everything I do and I have given up on you! If you're never going to change then why should I?"
After that monologue, her father was sitting closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose. The whole house was silent, Tamara looked taken aback and was collecting herself letting everything she said sink in.
Anreya didn't realize that her hands had curled into fists.
Slowly the anger left and all that was left was the spoils after the storm.
Now both of them had to somehow pick up the pieces.
Neither of them had the energy to say a word.
Anreya's heart beat slowly returned to normal, Tamara turned and left to the back garden not bothering to say anything to anyone.
Her father started opening his eyes "Reya?"
She whipped around and bounded up the steps as she turned on the landing she brushed past Albus Potter but didn't even acknowledge him.
He stopped and stared after her as she disappeared up the stairs her red hair flying behind her.
He thought about her for a second having heard the whole exchange and then taking a breath went down to see her father massaging his temples tiredly.
He cleared his throat attracting the older man's attention.
He looked wary "Oh Albus, I'm terribly sorry for tonight. I didn't think all this would happen"
Albus shook his head "Please, they are wonderful people, my mother and sister have some heated moments too, it's perfectly normal"
Minister Blackwell smiled "What does your father do at such times?"
Albus said "He escapes to my uncle's house sir"
Minister Blackwell gave a barking laugh and Albus smiled.
Albus said politely "I'll show myself out sir, I wouldn't like to intrude any more than I already have"
Benedict stood up "Oh no, please, let me show you out. After tonight I owe you at least that much"
They walked to the door, as they shook hands Benedict told the boy "This mission Albus, will not be easy"
Albus nodded seriously "I understand sir"
He shook his head "No that's not what I mean, it will not be easy with my daughter. She will look at this as a chance to escape from her current life. She's not like others, she is like the wind, comes and goes as she likes. She has been contained for too long. I'm just letting you know that's all. Good night Albus, we'll talk out the details some other time"
With hat the conversation ended, Al bade him goodbye and left the house.
As the door shut behind and he stood at the top of the marble steps facing the rain, he felt the wind blow into his face.
He took it in and let it flow into him riveted in his spot, She is like the wind, comes and goes as she likes. She has been contained for too long.
When the wind stopped he opened his eyes slowly his arms tingling with goosebumps.
He whispered "Then I'm ready for the storm"
The lightning ripped the sky and the thunder sounded above him and he walked through the gate and spun on the spot and he was gone with one glance towards the mansion.