Disclaimer- I do not own Harry Potter, if I did Teddy would still have his parents.
Please keep in mind, that I tried my best to make my characters past believable. Since we don't really know much about the Prince family, I decided that Snape's mother had a younger brother who she was never close to. She and he never spoke again to each other after she married the Muggle Tobias Snape, so he inherited the Prince family fortune.
Also please keep in mind, that Bella was roaring drunk when she slept with him, and thought he was Voldemort. Otherwise she wouldn't have slept with him even though he was pureblood. He too was drunk and thought her his old love that had died. His name will not be mentioned, all anyone knows is he's a Prince. To make everything more believable too I had her kill him, after she discovered he wasn't Voldemort. She thought he deceived her. (Even though it was both their faults.)
Please give a hand to my wonderful Beta, Teddy R. Lupin, who is willing to help make this story possible.
Dear Diary,
You know how a parent is supposed to love their child unconditionally? Well I think mine forgot that. I don't even know if they are alive. All I know is this prison I have lived in since I was a baby.
Let me start from the beginning. My name is Gemini (yes like the constellation. I think my mother or whoever named me was barking) Druella Prince. I was born on the third of March 1980. Anything else pertaining to my life is unknown for whoever dropped me off left in a hurry.
I should also explain what I look like yes? Well according to the sodding old crows that took me in, my hair color changed every couple of minutes. They thought something wrong with me and probably would have killed me if it hadn't been for the kind founder of the orphanage. He explained to them in simple terms that there were things in this life that was beyond the control of most mortals. His kind words didn't do anything to help the resentment I feel for them though.
Getting back to what I look like, I would wager a guess that my natural hair is messy black curls. For whenever I get depressed (which is quite often considering my existence brings hell in the form of ruthless children and the sodding old crows who stare at me like I shouldn't exist.) I also have gray eyes when I'm in this state. But whenever I concentrate I can look like anyone I want. I once tried to look like Maggie Turpin, since that bloody cow seems to have it in for me. It worked and not even ten minutes later the real Maggie was getting the birch from the strictest of the crows, Mrs. Sorin.
My favorite thing to do with my hair is keeping it short and straight in uneven layers but having every color of the rainbow showing. That has gotten me the birch loads of times and strict warnings to keep my 'unnatural' self under control. That basically entails me wearing my hair in an appropriate color; mostly the black that seems to be my original at all time. I usually have light caramel colored eyes as well. (They don't really say anything about them because they are an approving color)
I'm also very pale. If you believe in vampires, one might confuse me with them. Some of the children here that have been round long enough to know about my unnatural abilities like to make fun and say my real parents were vampires, but we all know what bollocks that is.
I can also do things that I haven't told anyone. Once when Maggie was poking fun about my name. She started chuntering, saying it fit rather well for a cock-up like me. And how I'm some unnatural freak. I can't really remember much, but I do remember getting rather angry and imagining her mouth being sewn shut. Next thing I remember her arms flailing about as if she's having a tizzy, and her mouth not opening. She was crying and looking at me with fear. Mrs. Sorin came rushing over trying to calm her down. Eventually whatever was making her mouth stay shut released its hold and she could chatter again. Little bint blamed me, and the old coot gave the birch to me extra hard.
'I was only about nine at the time.' I thought beforeI looked up from that old diary entry to see said old coot standing at the entrance of the girls dormitory poised to knock when she caught sight of me. She came strutting over, so I shut my diary and hid it under the bed. I changed my hair from the rainbow color it was to the black curls, but not before getting a sneering look thrown my way.
"There is someone here to speak with you child." She never addressed me by my name. Not that I really wanted her too, but the least she could do was show the proper respect when addressing someone. I got up off the thin mattress and followed Mrs. Sorin into her office. There waiting for me was an old man who looked daft. With blue twinkling eyes hidden behind half moon spectacles, and an out of date suit, one would think him from a different century.
I forced a smile as I greeted him, offering my hand and the polite 'how do you do?' then I sat in the chair in front of Mrs. Sorin's desk as she left leaving me there with this stranger. He took the seat at her desk, and for an instant I could feel power from this man. But when I blinked it was gone.
The man looked at me as if searching for something with those knowing eyes and after a moment addressed me. "Miss Prince, I am Professor Albus Dumbledore. Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
Well I can say for certain that I was not expecting that. Was this man mental? Magic didn't exist. "I'm sorry sir, but I think you are mistaken. Magic isn't real." I crossed my arms in front of my chest. His gaze starting to have an effect on me. I suddenly felt as if I should question everything around. He suddenly stood coming out behind the desk and to my side. He sat in the chair next to me as he asked.
"Have you ever done something you couldn't explain? Something that scared the other children?" I don't know how he knew, but I started thinking to the diary entry I was reading before Mrs. Sorin came in the room. Could he possibly know about that incident that happened when I was a child? Or the countless others. I opened my mouth and couldn't speak for a moment. I wetted my throat before I attempted again.
"H-how could you possibly know about that?" I absolutely hated myself at this moment. I didn't stammer. Never did until today.
"You see, Miss Prince, I can do that as well." With that he looked at me and I felt my mouth close. I tried to open it and was unsuccessful. My hair turned the color of snow as my fear built. Then, as if nothing had ever happened my lips parted, my mouth hanging open. I tested my mouth using the open close motions to make certain that I still had control. "What would you say Miss Prince, if I were to tell you there were others out there, who like you can do things unheard of?"
I didn't know what to say so I focused on turning my hair back to the black curls. My eyes met the strange ma- Professor as he stated he was, and I saw a look I didn't recognize. "What extraordinary abilities Metamorphmagi have." He didn't seem to be talking to me rather more to himself.
"Excuse me sir, but what is meta-whatever you said?" I was curious to know if the strange things I can do with my body had a name.
"Metamorphmagi are witches and wizards such as yourself who have the ability to morph at will. For example, if you wanted to have pink hair and gray eyes all you would simply have to do is think it and it will happen. Not many are have this particular gift. It is considered quite rare."
'So I am a freak.' I thought my hair changing to a gray color. I lifted my gaze when I felt his hand on my shoulder.
"Just because you are different from others, doesn't make you an abomination." I didn't know how he knew what I was thinking, but my hair turned pink from embarrassment at the thought of being so easy to read.
He chuckled which was a pleasant sound, and I turned my head to look into his eyes again looking confused. "I have experience with Metamorphmagi to know what certain colors mean."
I nodded dumbly, thinking that he can read my mind. 'If magic exists, what's to stop mind-reading as well?' I caught Professor Dumbledore's eye again as he moved to sit back down at Mrs. Sorin's desk. The knowing look there confirmed my thoughts as I sat back down.
"Now on to business then." And he handed me a letter. I tore the wax seal and skimmed the contents, re-reading it more thoroughly a second time to confirm that I have read it correctly. According to the letter I have been accepted into this school and that term starts the first of September, which happens to be less than two months away.
"How am I supposed to buy all the necessities Professor? I haven't any money." Which was true, but I still felt embarrassed by it. I wear second hand clothing that the older girls have grown out of, and that have rips in the sleeves or stockings.
"Ah, you're a special case Miss Prince. Normally those who can not accommodate for themselves," 'Orphans' I added mentally as he continued, "receive financial aid from the school. But you, on the other hand, have some relatives who are still alive and are willing to take you in."
I was in shock when he mentioned I had family, my hair turning a brilliant yellow. "Are they my mother and father, Professor?" I looked up into his eyes with my own sparkling. I notice his eyes dull a little at my question, which put a bit of a damper on my joy.
"I regret to inform you Miss Prince, that your father is no longer alive, as for your mother, that's a bit more complicated." Professor Dumbledore's gaze shifted, as the topic was less than agreeable for an eleven-year-old to hear.
"What happened to my mother, Professor?" I couldn't help but ask hesitantly, after witnessing the emotions swirling behind his spectacles.
"Your mother was involved in some dark dealings that happened not too long ago; as such her punishment was a life sentence in the wizarding world's prison, Azkaban." I couldn't stop the gasp that escaped my lips. My mother was a murderer? What else could be so terrible to ensure her a life sentence in a wizarding prison?
"Before you ask anymore questions, perhaps I should shed some light on the topic." At my nod he continued. "About eleven years ago a dark wizard named Voldemort gathered witches and wizards and other dark creatures trying to rid the world of Muggles, or people who can not do magic. A young boy was able to stop him with the power his mother's sacrifice gave him. Now some of these witches and wizards were related to you. Your mother was one of them." After his tale I felt numb. My mother really was a murderer for some deranged lunatic who wanted to murder innocents just because they couldn't perform magic?
I didn't know what to say, as I sat there in shock. I felt the professor wrap his arms around me, after realizing I was trembling with sobs. The emotional overload caused my hair to morph to its original state of black messy curls and my eyes to go gray. I don't know how long I sat with Professor Dumbledore holding me, but before long my tears stopped falling and I was gulping down mouthfuls, trying to restore my breathing to normal.
When Dumbledore finally allowed me to break his hold, he looked at me for the first time and really saw me. Pale skinned, black messy curls falling to the middle of my back, and gray eyes. He seemed to have seen a ghost so I quickly morphed my hair to the usual rainbow color, and my eyes back to caramel. It seemed to relieve the professor, but I didn't question him. Too much had been said today and I don't think I was ready for any more stories concerning my parents.
"Now let's talk about your new guardian then," was spoken after the silence filled the air. I found myself starting to fidget uncomfortably with whatever had been on Dumbledore's mind. The way he looked at me, as if seeing someone he didn't quite get along with. (I gathered that I must take after my mother after seeing such a reaction.)
"Your cousin on your father's side has been notified and is willing to take you in. He also happens to be the Potions Master at Hogwarts, and should be able to take you to gather your school supplies."
I tuned him out after he mentioned that my cousin was the Potions Master at the school I would be going to. What would people say if they knew I was living with one of my teachers, even if we are just related?
"Are you sure that is appropriate Professor? Wouldn't the other students wonder what a fellow student is doing living with their teacher?" I really wasn't too keen on the whole idea, even if he was family. I already was labeled a freak; I didn't need any new names to surface after people realize I live with my teacher.
"It will be dealt with the utmost discretion I assure you Miss Prince. The only ones needing to know is the faculty, whom you may tell is entirely up to you. But I must caution you, your cousin is a very private man, who will not want his privacy exposed to the whole school." I scoffed at that. I would not dream of having others intrude on this man's privacy for two reasons. The first, he is willing to take me in. The second, because I rather not have the whole school knowing about our relationship.
"I assure you, Professor, I have no intention of letting anyone know." With that Dumbledore stood up and gathered a...(what looked like a cloak?), preparing to leave.
"Excellent. Come along then. Severus will be most anxious to meet you. The orphanage has been informed and the papers processed. Severus Snape is now your legal guardian." I got up, still reeling at the fact that I wouldn't have to stay here a moment longer. But then his words caught up with me and made me pause. 'Severus? Snape? Who names their child that? Not that I'm one to talk.' I didn't question it and made my way to the door following Dumbledore.
I walked through the hall ignoring the heated looks I got from most of the children, and the almost relieved looks from most of the coots. 'Probably glad to be rid of the freak.' The only one who looked sad was the founder of the orphanage. He and Dumbledore shared a few quiet words before we were off through the streets of London. Once we reached an alley Dumbledore informed me to take a hold of his arm.
"This is the fastest way in the wizarding world to travel." With those words said I felt like I was being pressed through a very narrow tube. I couldn't breathe. The pressure was pushing my eyeballs deeper in my sockets and my eardrums deeper in my skull. My heart was pounding. Then as quickly as it started it stopped.
We arrived at a place that could be described as a pigsty. The houses were rundown with bodged repairs, and as I looked there appeared to be a river that has obviously been neglected for quite sometime, for used bog rolls and tabloid papers could be seen floating, and the water was a light brown color. I followed Dumbledore, trying to ignore the filth surrounding me. 'I'm supposed to live here?' I would've rather stayed at the orphanage, because it didn't seem like my cousin could afford another person. Dumbledore, as if reading my thoughts, (which I was sure he was) answered, "Your father came from a very wealthy old wizarding family, and since you are his only heir, you are entailed to his fortune." He dug around in his pocket before producing a small key. "This will enable access to the vault." And he handed me the key. Before I could question what he meant by vault, he led me to the doorstep of a modest two-story home, and rapped loudly. Not even a minute passed before the door opened to reveal a rather intimidating man. Long greasy black hair hung limply, his face pallor, and his stature tall. Very tall. His most prominent feature though, was his hooked nose. It was large, but not abnormally so. When he spoke it was a drawling monotone of, "Come in." And he stepped away letting us enter.