The Outcast Part I: The journey
[A/N: This is a subplot which takes place durring and within the same timeline as Snape's Secret. However, instead of following the adventures of Issabelle and Snape, it follows Issabelle's 15 year old neice, Morgana and her friendship with Ron, Harry and Hermione. [
The streets of London had looked crowded and dreary to Morgana as she made her way to Brenn's Bakery. Wrapping her worn grey trechcoat tighter arond herself and fastening the ever-wearing clasp that held up her hood, Morgana carefully avoided the cars on the mainstreet as she crossed. Everything looked its usual bleak and stony self -- the sky was a steely grey and seemed as though it was just another stretch of the city looming from above.
As she entered the pale-lit room, Morgana looked around for what must have been the hundredth time in the last three months. Things didn't change much in these parts in her opinion and she liked that. Walking up to the counter, she rubbed the two pents she had found in the gutter outside togather eagerly.
" May I help you? " a man with a large black mushtache asked, gleaming down at her with the largest pair of saphire eyes she had ever seen.
" I - I'm looking for Mr. Brenn... " Morgana said in surprise. The stranger smiled slowly and took a second look at her shabby coat and windswept hair.
" Morgana Devior, right? Brenn told me all about you. You come in and buy bread once in a while. Seth Macholli, at your service. If you ever need any help, you lemme know, k? "
" I will, sir. " Issabelle said nodding and taking the bread her had handed her.
" Oh, no! I won't take yer money! " Mr. Macholli said, waving one of his enormus hands to shoo it away.
The door to the bakery opened and yet another man walked in. However, he was not at all the sort the Morgana had ever seen in Brenn's Bakery before. Tall and slender with a slightly crooked nose, silver hair and blue eyes which made Mr. Macholli's seem pale, he walked toward Morgana and extended his hand.
" I've been looking for you. " he said, frowning slightly at her excuse for a coat and then continuing, " Your aunt Issabelle is teaching at my school and I think it might be wise to bring you to her. "
" Aunt? I didn't know I had any relatives... " Morgana said, backing away from him in disbelief.
" Your parents were Linda and Byron Devoirs and you were kicked out of your home because you posess, shall I say, 'certain' talents? "
Morgana looked at him again and saw a slight tinge of silver flicker for a second in his blue eyes as a soft smile caused the edges of them to crinkle into a warm expression. He once again extended his hand and she accepted it, finally feeling that she could trust him.
Once outside the Bakery he lead Morgana up two more blocks to a local pub called the Leaky Cauldron. Once inside he made his way through a back curtain with Morgana in tow and when they entered what she thought would be a back room they appeared in a busy allyway with lots of peculiar shops.
" This, " the man said, turning to face a dumbstruck Morgana, " Is Diagan Alley, and I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. "
" Why am I here, though? " Morgana asked, looking totally confused.
" You, Morgana, are an aspiring witch! Why do you think your parents were so upset? " Dumbledore asked, looking at her with a sympathetic smile, " Those who do not use magic -- muggles, as we like to call them -- often do not understand those of us who do. Your aunt is currently a member of the Hogwarts staff teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts. "
" I'm a witch? " Morgana said, growing very interested in the possibility of being able to use magic.
" Yes. Now, we'll need to get you some supplies. Issabelle is out on a mission for the Ministry of Magic right now or she would have come herself... "
" That's okay, Professor. I've never met her, actually. I wasn't supose to even say her name within our house. "
" That is terrible. You would think her own sister would have grown up more sympathetic. "
The saddening discussion ended rather abrumptly as they entered Olivander's Fine Wands Shop and Morgana was measured. Leaving the shop she heald a 9 inch wand made of willow with a phoenix feather in it. After making their ways and getting the other books and supplies she would need to attend Hogwarts, Dumbledore lead her to the edge of the alley and picked up a beat up cap carefully.
" Take my hand. " he said and as soon as she did the world began to spin in circles and upon opening her eyes again Morgana found herself in a vast forest. Dumbledore lead her to a thicket and within minutes the pair were standing just outside of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
******
Everyone was just sitting down to dinner in the great hall when Dumbledore and Morgana made their way into the room. Dumbledore left her sitting in Issabelle's vacant seat at the high table and returned a few minutes later with the sorting hat.
" What's that? " Morgana asked, looking at it curiously.
" This will tell us which house to put you in. Have a seat, Morgana. "
The rest of the kids in the hall sat quietly and watched the new comer with interest. It was very odd indeed that she was being sorted two weeks after classes had started and everyone wanted to know where she had come from. Morgana sat on the stool that had been brought out and placed that hat on her head.
" Hmmm... Not at all like your aunt. Still very clever, as she is... and very kind. But she is passive, while you seem to fear nothing. Only one option, kid -- gotta be GRYFFINDOR!!! " The hat suddenly shouted the last word and the table to the far right burst into applause. Morgana took a seat next to a rather handsome boy with red hair and eagerly awaited the food that she could tell was coming.
" What's your name? " The boy asked, pausing after swallowing a mouthful of mashed potatoes.
" Morgana. " Morgana said, devouring the food in front of her with an indiscribable passion, " Yours? "
" Ron, " The boy replied, " Ron Weasley. "
" Nice to meet you. " Morgana said, glancing down the table to see some of the other kids.
" Morgana, I'd like to introduce you to Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. Harry, Hermione, this is Morgana. "
Morgana grinned at Hermione but her eyes seemed transfixed when she saw Harry " Hi... "
" Hi! " Harry replied.
" Welcome to Hogwarts. " Hermione added.
After everyone had finished dinner, Morgana eagerly followed her new friends whho had offered to show her how to get to the Gryffindor commonroom. However, Dumbledore was waiting for her by the staircase they were going to use and had a somewhat grave look on his face.
" Morgana, " he said, " I would like to show you something. You three can come as well if you want. "
The group followed Dumbledore to his office and all plunked down in the seat that were scattered around the room. After closing the door, Dumbledore fumbled around with his robes and finally pulled out a letter.
" Uncle Albus, " he began, reading Issabelle's impecably neat handwriting, " How are you? Have you found her? How are all of the kids? How is Draco (Sev wants to know)? Everything here is going all right. (Aside from one 'little' incident the night we attended the meeting where Voldemort put a curse on Sev). I still can't believe I am doing this!! And -- get this -- Voldemort (or 'Tom' as he wants me to call him) has made me his head advisor!! Wadda ya think?! I'll send you a letter the next chance I get but I better cut this short 'cause I don't wanna get myself into 'trouble' here. Anyway, look after her for me, Uncle! Take care!
-- Issabelle "
" She means me, right? " Morgana asked, looking at the letter with concern, " Who are Voldemort and Sev? "
" Severous is Professor Snape, the potions master. He and Issabelle are seeing eachother. Voldemort is an evil wizard that they are spying on right now. Oh boy! If she is his head advisor, she can do some real damage! " Dumbledore chuckled softly and then folded the letter up and put it away.
******
" So you're Issabelle McChella's neice. You didn't look too worried back there for a family member. " Ron said, after giving the fat lady the new password.
" Well... It's kinda hard when we've never met... " Morgana said plopping down in an empty chair, " My mother, Stacy, took after my grandparents... They hate wizards and think that the 'powers' that Aunt Issabelle and I have are 'evil'. "
" You're aunt is a really nice lady, Morgana, and very brave... First she starts dating Professor Snape and then she agrees to spy on Voldemort! " Hermione said, her voice bouncing off the walls.
" Not so loud, Herm! " Harry reminded her, quickly glancing around the room.
" Harry, you're starting to get as paranoid as Professor Moody! " Ron said, laughing. " What can Voldie do to us here at Hogwarts? "
" I don't know... " Hermione said quietly, " But I don't wanna find out, either! "
" I'm with ya on that one. " Harry said, taking out a package of Chocolate Froggs, " Hey Morgana, want one? "
" Uh... What are they? "
" Here, try a pack! " Harry said, handing it to her, " I have a whole bunch stashed up in the boy's dorm. "
" Mmm... This is really good chocolate! " Morgana said, after swallowing a bite, " Hey, what's this? A card? Neat! WHOA! It moves!! "
" Yeah. Cool, huh? " Harry asked, opening a pack and eating one as well.
" Well, " Hermione said, standing up, " I better get to bed. Don't forget that we have Star Gazing tonight. "
" Uh... Thanks for reminding us, Herm. " Ron said, stretching out on the couch and looking around the room.
******
Morgana sat bolt upright when she felt two hands shaking her, " What on earth -- ? HERMIONE! You scared the dickens outta me! "
" Shhhh... " Hermione said, barely above a whisper, " Its time for class, Morgana. Quick, get dressed! "
After getting dressed, Morgana followed Issabelle back to the Gryffindor commonroom where Harry and Ron were waiting for them with the rest of the Gryffindors and professor Trelawney.
" Welcome to Hogwarts, Morgana! " the professor said in her whispery sing-song voice, looking at her strangely for a minute, " I see a great destiny ahead of you. "
" Err... Thanks, I think... " Morgana said in bewilderment, following the others to the top of the castle where the telescopes were located.
" Hey, Harry! " Morgana whispered, after class had gotten under way, " Doesn't the moon look beautiful tonight? "
" Yeah... " Harry said, suddenly blushing, " But it pales in comparrision to you! "
[ End Note: What will Morgana do about Harry? Will this go somewhere? And what is happening to Issabelle and Snape at Voldemort's Castle? Keep reading to find out!! ]
[A/N: This is a subplot which takes place durring and within the same timeline as Snape's Secret. However, instead of following the adventures of Issabelle and Snape, it follows Issabelle's 15 year old neice, Morgana and her friendship with Ron, Harry and Hermione. [
The streets of London had looked crowded and dreary to Morgana as she made her way to Brenn's Bakery. Wrapping her worn grey trechcoat tighter arond herself and fastening the ever-wearing clasp that held up her hood, Morgana carefully avoided the cars on the mainstreet as she crossed. Everything looked its usual bleak and stony self -- the sky was a steely grey and seemed as though it was just another stretch of the city looming from above.
As she entered the pale-lit room, Morgana looked around for what must have been the hundredth time in the last three months. Things didn't change much in these parts in her opinion and she liked that. Walking up to the counter, she rubbed the two pents she had found in the gutter outside togather eagerly.
" May I help you? " a man with a large black mushtache asked, gleaming down at her with the largest pair of saphire eyes she had ever seen.
" I - I'm looking for Mr. Brenn... " Morgana said in surprise. The stranger smiled slowly and took a second look at her shabby coat and windswept hair.
" Morgana Devior, right? Brenn told me all about you. You come in and buy bread once in a while. Seth Macholli, at your service. If you ever need any help, you lemme know, k? "
" I will, sir. " Issabelle said nodding and taking the bread her had handed her.
" Oh, no! I won't take yer money! " Mr. Macholli said, waving one of his enormus hands to shoo it away.
The door to the bakery opened and yet another man walked in. However, he was not at all the sort the Morgana had ever seen in Brenn's Bakery before. Tall and slender with a slightly crooked nose, silver hair and blue eyes which made Mr. Macholli's seem pale, he walked toward Morgana and extended his hand.
" I've been looking for you. " he said, frowning slightly at her excuse for a coat and then continuing, " Your aunt Issabelle is teaching at my school and I think it might be wise to bring you to her. "
" Aunt? I didn't know I had any relatives... " Morgana said, backing away from him in disbelief.
" Your parents were Linda and Byron Devoirs and you were kicked out of your home because you posess, shall I say, 'certain' talents? "
Morgana looked at him again and saw a slight tinge of silver flicker for a second in his blue eyes as a soft smile caused the edges of them to crinkle into a warm expression. He once again extended his hand and she accepted it, finally feeling that she could trust him.
Once outside the Bakery he lead Morgana up two more blocks to a local pub called the Leaky Cauldron. Once inside he made his way through a back curtain with Morgana in tow and when they entered what she thought would be a back room they appeared in a busy allyway with lots of peculiar shops.
" This, " the man said, turning to face a dumbstruck Morgana, " Is Diagan Alley, and I am Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. "
" Why am I here, though? " Morgana asked, looking totally confused.
" You, Morgana, are an aspiring witch! Why do you think your parents were so upset? " Dumbledore asked, looking at her with a sympathetic smile, " Those who do not use magic -- muggles, as we like to call them -- often do not understand those of us who do. Your aunt is currently a member of the Hogwarts staff teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts. "
" I'm a witch? " Morgana said, growing very interested in the possibility of being able to use magic.
" Yes. Now, we'll need to get you some supplies. Issabelle is out on a mission for the Ministry of Magic right now or she would have come herself... "
" That's okay, Professor. I've never met her, actually. I wasn't supose to even say her name within our house. "
" That is terrible. You would think her own sister would have grown up more sympathetic. "
The saddening discussion ended rather abrumptly as they entered Olivander's Fine Wands Shop and Morgana was measured. Leaving the shop she heald a 9 inch wand made of willow with a phoenix feather in it. After making their ways and getting the other books and supplies she would need to attend Hogwarts, Dumbledore lead her to the edge of the alley and picked up a beat up cap carefully.
" Take my hand. " he said and as soon as she did the world began to spin in circles and upon opening her eyes again Morgana found herself in a vast forest. Dumbledore lead her to a thicket and within minutes the pair were standing just outside of Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
******
Everyone was just sitting down to dinner in the great hall when Dumbledore and Morgana made their way into the room. Dumbledore left her sitting in Issabelle's vacant seat at the high table and returned a few minutes later with the sorting hat.
" What's that? " Morgana asked, looking at it curiously.
" This will tell us which house to put you in. Have a seat, Morgana. "
The rest of the kids in the hall sat quietly and watched the new comer with interest. It was very odd indeed that she was being sorted two weeks after classes had started and everyone wanted to know where she had come from. Morgana sat on the stool that had been brought out and placed that hat on her head.
" Hmmm... Not at all like your aunt. Still very clever, as she is... and very kind. But she is passive, while you seem to fear nothing. Only one option, kid -- gotta be GRYFFINDOR!!! " The hat suddenly shouted the last word and the table to the far right burst into applause. Morgana took a seat next to a rather handsome boy with red hair and eagerly awaited the food that she could tell was coming.
" What's your name? " The boy asked, pausing after swallowing a mouthful of mashed potatoes.
" Morgana. " Morgana said, devouring the food in front of her with an indiscribable passion, " Yours? "
" Ron, " The boy replied, " Ron Weasley. "
" Nice to meet you. " Morgana said, glancing down the table to see some of the other kids.
" Morgana, I'd like to introduce you to Harry Potter and Hermione Granger. Harry, Hermione, this is Morgana. "
Morgana grinned at Hermione but her eyes seemed transfixed when she saw Harry " Hi... "
" Hi! " Harry replied.
" Welcome to Hogwarts. " Hermione added.
After everyone had finished dinner, Morgana eagerly followed her new friends whho had offered to show her how to get to the Gryffindor commonroom. However, Dumbledore was waiting for her by the staircase they were going to use and had a somewhat grave look on his face.
" Morgana, " he said, " I would like to show you something. You three can come as well if you want. "
The group followed Dumbledore to his office and all plunked down in the seat that were scattered around the room. After closing the door, Dumbledore fumbled around with his robes and finally pulled out a letter.
" Uncle Albus, " he began, reading Issabelle's impecably neat handwriting, " How are you? Have you found her? How are all of the kids? How is Draco (Sev wants to know)? Everything here is going all right. (Aside from one 'little' incident the night we attended the meeting where Voldemort put a curse on Sev). I still can't believe I am doing this!! And -- get this -- Voldemort (or 'Tom' as he wants me to call him) has made me his head advisor!! Wadda ya think?! I'll send you a letter the next chance I get but I better cut this short 'cause I don't wanna get myself into 'trouble' here. Anyway, look after her for me, Uncle! Take care!
-- Issabelle "
" She means me, right? " Morgana asked, looking at the letter with concern, " Who are Voldemort and Sev? "
" Severous is Professor Snape, the potions master. He and Issabelle are seeing eachother. Voldemort is an evil wizard that they are spying on right now. Oh boy! If she is his head advisor, she can do some real damage! " Dumbledore chuckled softly and then folded the letter up and put it away.
******
" So you're Issabelle McChella's neice. You didn't look too worried back there for a family member. " Ron said, after giving the fat lady the new password.
" Well... It's kinda hard when we've never met... " Morgana said plopping down in an empty chair, " My mother, Stacy, took after my grandparents... They hate wizards and think that the 'powers' that Aunt Issabelle and I have are 'evil'. "
" You're aunt is a really nice lady, Morgana, and very brave... First she starts dating Professor Snape and then she agrees to spy on Voldemort! " Hermione said, her voice bouncing off the walls.
" Not so loud, Herm! " Harry reminded her, quickly glancing around the room.
" Harry, you're starting to get as paranoid as Professor Moody! " Ron said, laughing. " What can Voldie do to us here at Hogwarts? "
" I don't know... " Hermione said quietly, " But I don't wanna find out, either! "
" I'm with ya on that one. " Harry said, taking out a package of Chocolate Froggs, " Hey Morgana, want one? "
" Uh... What are they? "
" Here, try a pack! " Harry said, handing it to her, " I have a whole bunch stashed up in the boy's dorm. "
" Mmm... This is really good chocolate! " Morgana said, after swallowing a bite, " Hey, what's this? A card? Neat! WHOA! It moves!! "
" Yeah. Cool, huh? " Harry asked, opening a pack and eating one as well.
" Well, " Hermione said, standing up, " I better get to bed. Don't forget that we have Star Gazing tonight. "
" Uh... Thanks for reminding us, Herm. " Ron said, stretching out on the couch and looking around the room.
******
Morgana sat bolt upright when she felt two hands shaking her, " What on earth -- ? HERMIONE! You scared the dickens outta me! "
" Shhhh... " Hermione said, barely above a whisper, " Its time for class, Morgana. Quick, get dressed! "
After getting dressed, Morgana followed Issabelle back to the Gryffindor commonroom where Harry and Ron were waiting for them with the rest of the Gryffindors and professor Trelawney.
" Welcome to Hogwarts, Morgana! " the professor said in her whispery sing-song voice, looking at her strangely for a minute, " I see a great destiny ahead of you. "
" Err... Thanks, I think... " Morgana said in bewilderment, following the others to the top of the castle where the telescopes were located.
" Hey, Harry! " Morgana whispered, after class had gotten under way, " Doesn't the moon look beautiful tonight? "
" Yeah... " Harry said, suddenly blushing, " But it pales in comparrision to you! "
[ End Note: What will Morgana do about Harry? Will this go somewhere? And what is happening to Issabelle and Snape at Voldemort's Castle? Keep reading to find out!! ]