Hi, I'm Crystal Light and this is my first Harry Potter fanfiction. I hope you enjoy and constructive criticism is always welcome.
Disclaimer: This disclaimer is for the entirety of this fiction. I don't own Harry Potter and I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh. I'm only borrowing them. I only have claim on my Original Characters.
Translations are at the bottom.
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Prologue
Two shadowed figures made their way down the cold London streets, one a woman and the other a slim man. The woman was holding a small bundle of blankets in her arms, keeping it close to herself as their hurried. The two of them stopped at a large orphanage, the man looking over it and the woman hugged the bundle even closer to her body. If one could see their faces, tears could be seen leaving the woman's eyes as she whispered a string of soft foreign words into the bundle. The man placed a hand on the woman's shoulder and whispered something in an urgent tone.
"I don't want to leave her, but I know she will be safer here." The woman whispered back, placing the bundle on the ground, sheltering it with the building's stoop.
"Ring the bell and, let's leave, before we are found." The man ordered in a hushed whisper, the urgency in his voice increasing.
The woman nodded and rang the doorbell to the orphanage several times, until they heard movement coming towards the door. Then the two hurried away, hiding in the shadows, as a middle-aged woman came to the door and saw the small bundle. The bundle began to cry when the woman picked it up, signally that the babe within had awoken. The woman peered through the darkness for a moment, and shook her head sadly, before bringing the small baby into the building. The two figures embraced each other, knowing that their daughter would be safe, even if she would be far from even them.
"Good-bye, my dear." The woman whispered.
"Come the dawn is almost upon us." The man said, before looking at the building, "Good-bye, my little kiir, my little Crystal Lia."
Chapter One: The InvitationTen years passed and it was now the beginning of July, eleven-year-old Crystal's favorite time of year. These were the days that Crystal relished, spending most of her time upon the roof of the orphanage, tending to her garden. Her wavy russet-brown hair was pulled into a thick braid, so that it would not be in the way as she worked. This was the only time that her pointed ears would be shown, because Crystal kept them hidden otherwise. She was smaller and frailer than the other children at the orphanage, so she was teased by many of the children. Her ears and her lack of good health were brought up often by the other boys and girls, which made her more withdrawn.
Her frailness was one of the major factors in why she was never adopted, with her truly needing to be in fresh air instead of the thick air of London. None of the people were willing to move from the city, and those outside of the city needed a child that was already strong to help with the daily chores. This meant that Crystal would mostly likely be one of the children that would remain in the orphanage until she became of age. Crystal continued to have hope that she would become stronger, but nothing seemed to help her much anymore, aside from dealing with each bout of illness as it came.
"Crystal…" Mrs. Smith, the head of the orphanage called gently from the rooftop doorway, "There's a woman here to see you."
"I'll be finished in a moment, Mrs. Smith." Crystal said, without turning around, "I can't stop in the middle of repotting."
"I would be willing to remain outside with Miss Crystal Lia." Another female voice said in a firm, yet kind tone, "The fresh air will be most welcome after being on the train and Underground most of the day."
"Of course, Professor." Mrs. Smith said, before leaving and closing the door, "I must see to the other children, now."
"Please feel free to move the petunias and sit down, Professor." Crystal said over her shoulder.
"Did you grow all these yourself?" The Professor asked, still remaining standing.
"Yes, ma'am." Crystal replied, before hesitantly continuing, "It's quite odd, but they even thrive right up until the first heavy snowfall."
"Really, do you have any guess as to why?" The Professor asked, her voice sounding slightly amused.
"I think it's magic." Crystal said without any doubt, turning to face the woman, "It's the only explanation that makes sense in my mind."
The woman was dressed in an older styled dress, deep emerald in color, which came down to her ankles. Her dark hair was pulled back into a firm knot at the back of her head, and she had sharp eyes that told Crystal at once that the woman was strict. The professor also wore square glasses, which seemed slightly odd to Crystal at first, yet suited the woman quite well. The only thing about the woman that surprised Crystal was the fact that she was not looking at Crystal like the girl was crazy for suggesting that her garden survived due to magic.
"Is there any other reason why you think magic may play a factor?" The Professor asked, an intrigued expression forming on her face.
"I'm not like the other children." Crystal replied softly, "I can hear things, feel things that they can't. Animals and plants seem to flourish around me."
"You are correct, my dear. You are not like the other children here." The Professor replied, "I am Professor Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress and Professor of Transfiguration at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
"Then it is magic." Crystal said, feeling a tingle of excitement form within her chest, while her blue-green eyes flashed, "But why are you here, Professor?"
"I am here to extend you an invitation to Hogwarts, child." McGonagall replied, "You are a witch, and Hogwarts will train you in how to use your magic."
"I would love to attend your school, but…" Crystal trailed off.
"Hogwarts has a special fund to help students like you." Professor McGonagall said gently, "We will pay for your books, uniform, and supplies. However, most of it will be secondhand."
"Of course, I understand." Crystal nodded, "Thank you, Professor."
"Now that that is out of the way, we must be off to Diagon Alley to purchase your supplies." McGonagall stated, "First, I believe I should let your caretaker know about the school and our shopping trip."
"I will wash up, and change." Crystal said, "These are my gardening clothes."
"Yes, that would be a wise idea." Professor McGonagall nodded, before heading back down the stairs.
When Crystal met Professor McGonagall at the door, the frail girl was no longer dressed in the overalls and the faded t-shirt. She was now wearing a light blue blouse and a pair of old faded blue jean, and her hair was now in a very low ponytail, hiding the pointed tips of her ears. In her hands was a book, which seemed to be the newest item, even amongst her clothing. It was a deep blue book with the title Unicorns and Winged-horses: A Scientific Study scrolled across the top in silver script. Professor McGonagall chuckled at the sight of the book, knowing that there was only one way for the small girl to have received it. The older woman offered her hand to the smaller girl, stating that Mrs. Smith knew that the two of them would be gone the rest of the day.
"Where is the school located?" Crystal asked after they had seated themselves on a bus, "Is it in a city?"
"It is located far out in the countryside, but there is a small village near it." McGonagall explained, "Your trip there will take the majority of a day."
"The countryside?" Crystal asked, her eyes wide with excitement, "That sounds absolutely wonderful."
"Yes, Mrs. Smith said that your health is better away from the city." McGonagall said, "I think going to Hogwarts will help your health considerably."
The two traveled in silence, Professor McGonagall signaling the driver to stop at the corner where a large bookstore stood. When they stepped off of the bus, Crystal noticed a small, old-looking pub between the large bookstore and the equally large record shop on the other side. Professor McGonagall led Crystal inside the pub, stating that they were going to stop for a light lunch before their shopping. Crystal's face fell at the mention of lunch, being reminded that she had no pocket money. Professor McGonagall reassured Crystal that the lunch was would not have to be repaid, especially considering the young girl's living situation.
The old bartender, Tom, smiled jovially at Professor McGonagall and welcomed Crystal to the Leaky Cauldron, the apparent name of the pub. Crystal smiled back shyly giving the much older man a quiet greeting, before he led them to a small table. Crystal jumped when a table setting for tea appeared out of thin air, startled by the sudden sight. Then her eyes when wide as the tea pot floated to first Professor McGonagall's teacup and filled it, before it filled her own. A delighted smiled filled Crystal's face when the sugar bowl walked across the table to her and offered its content to the young girl. When they where halfway through with their tea, two small menus appeared on the table, right in front of each of them.
"Now, order whatever you would like, dear." McGonagall said, "You'll need your energy for our shopping."
"Salad and a grilled cheese sandwich." Crystal finally decided, looking up, "I don't eat much meat if I can help it."
"I understand." McGonagall nodded, "Most witches and wizards that can understand animals avoid eating meat."
They ordered their meals and ate, while Crystal asked questions about the school and the grounds. Professor McGonagall explained everything to young girl as best she could, including about the wizardry sport of Quidditch. She also told Crystal the names of the four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Crystal soaked up all the information that the witch had to offer like a sponge, her excitement growing all the while. Anyone that was watching them would be able to feel, the energy that seemed to be building around the small-framed girl. One could almost see her pale skin gaining a healthy pink glow of life as she spoke to the older woman.
"Now that we're finished, time to go to Diagon Alley." McGonagall said, leading Crystal out the back door of the pub.
Crystal watching in silent awe as Professor McGonagall tapped one of the bricks above the dust bin, causing a huge gate to slowly melt into the wall. Crystal's eyes went wide as Professor McGonagall lead her through the large gate, telling the small girl to stay close. Crystal grabbed the Professor's hand and held it tightly as the older woman led her through the crowded street. As excited as Crystal had been, her excitement had quickly turned into shyness and she tried her best to stay out of sight behind Professor McGonagall.
Professor McGonagall was surprised at first by Crystal's reaction to the crowded street, but then recalled how Mrs. Smith had told her that Crystal was very nervous around large groups on the few outings the orphanage took. Fortunately, when they entered the first shop, Flourish and Blotts, Crystal's love of books overcame her shyness instantly. She quickly released Professor McGonagall's hand to explore the bookstore, finding each of the books on her list with ease. Professor McGonagall noticed that when Crystal started picking out the books, she had taken used copies of all the books, except for One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander.
"I see that you found two that you would prefer new." McGonagall remarked, seeing the stack of books, "Now, come along, getting a cauldron should have been our first stop."
"Is Father Christmas a wizard?" Crystal asked as Professor McGonagall led her to the cauldron shop, "Newt Scamander wrote the book I got from Father Christmas this past year."
"Some wizards like to bring joy to Muggle orphans." McGonagall said, "The Headmaster goes to many orphanages during the Christmas season."
Crystal nodded and remained silent as Professor McGonagall took her inside the large shop. The small girl peered around the shop, admiring some of the more expensive cauldrons, before she and Professor McGonagall found an inexpensive one that matched Crystal's list. There next stop was the Apothecary, which fascinated Crystal, especially when she noticed the silver unicorn horns. The small girl couldn't help herself and gingerly picked up one of the silver horns, examining it closely. It had obviously come from an older adult unicorn, judging from how tight the spiral was spun.
"You have a good eye." The shopkeeper chuckled, noticing Crystal, "That's probably the best out of the horns, came from the leader of the herd in the Forbidden Forest, outside of Hogwarts."
Professor McGonagall nodded in agreement, before she led Crystal to Madame Malkin's Robe Shop. Madame Malkin was a plump witch, with a bright smile as she led Crystal over to a pair of stools. One of the stools was occupied by a pale boy with long, white hair and soft chocolate eyes, who smiled at Crystal. She shyly returned the boy's smile and step up on the stool next to him. Once Crystal was on the stool, Madame Malkin started pinning long black robes to her measurements. Another smile broke out across the boy's face, his eyes traveling past Crystal, as someone else entered the shop.
"Sugoi!" A small female voice exclaimed, "She has elf ears!"
"Amane, it's not polite to point." An older female voice chided.
"Gomen, Kaa-san, demo…" The small female voice trailed off into the foreign language.
"There, there, dear." Madame Malkin soothed Crystal, who was now close to tears from the comment, "I think your ears are lovely, and that little girl thought there were very interesting. She was speaking in Japanese and said that they were amazing."
Then the little girl came into view, shaking her long navy, almost black, hair out of her doe-brown eyes. She looked up at Crystal and apologized for being rude and pointing at her elf-like ears. Crystal nodded an acceptance to the girl, who smiled and scurried back to where her mother was waiting. The boy smiled and stated that his sister usually acted without thinking, laughter in his voice. Crystal found herself smiling back at the boy shyly, tears still threatening to fall from her blue-green eyes. Crystal was overwhelmed by the small girl's acceptance of her ears, as well as Madame Malkin's attempt to calm her back down.
"You're from a Muggle family aren't you?" The boy asked gently.
"Orphanage, actually." Crystal replied, sniffling slightly, "They tease me about my ears all the time."
"I understand." The boy smiled, "When we go on outings to Muggle places, they make comments about our hair color. I'm Ryou Bakura; by the way, what's your name?"
"Crystal Lia." Crystal replied softly.
"Don't worry Crystal." Ryou beamed, "I think the other kids will like your ears as much as Amane and I do."
"That will do." Madame Malkin called, "You are finished, dearie."
"See you at Hogwarts!" Ryou called, waving goodbye to Crystal.
Meeting the white-haired boy did wonders for Crystal's shyness and self-consciousness. She now had a bright smile on her face as Professor McGonagall took her to the last few stops on their shopping trip. Crystal's spirits had risen, much like they had in the pub, causing the small girl to crane her neck, rather than hide. Professor McGonagall even took the small girl to Magical Menagerie, the pet shop within the alley. Cats mewled plaintively from there cages, some using their paws to attract the girl's attention. One rather large orange cat even decided to perch on Crystal shoulders, purring loudly as he flicked his tail contentedly.
"I've never seen him take to someone so well." The witch behind the counter smiled, "Crookshanks is usually quite temperamental."
"He's very sweet, but I can't take him." Crystal replied, "I've no money."
Crookshanks mewled in protest when Crystal hefted him off of her shoulders, handing the large orange longhaired cat over to the shopkeeper. Professor McGonagall noted the forlorn expression as she gave the still-purring cat one final pat. It was clear that the small girl did indeed have a strong connection with animals, especially based on how all the animals seemed to watch the frail girl out of the corners of their eyes. Professor McGonagall also noticed how more color and life had come back into the girl's face at the sight of the animals.
"Come, Crystal." McGonagall called, "We still need to buy your wand."
"Yes, ma'am." Crystal nodded quickly, before hurrying after the taller witch.
This was the part of their trip that Crystal was most anxious to complete, considering she still had some doubts. Ollivanders was the name of the shop Professor McGonagall led Crystal into, stating that it was the best place for wands. Crystal nodded mutely to the Professor's comment and looked around the dusty shop quietly, not daring to touch anything. There was a strange tingle that ran over Crystal's body, causing her to shudder slightly, before a wizened old wizard appeared. He gave a slight smile to both Professor McGonagall and Crystal, before asking Crystal her name.
"Crystal Lia, sir." Crystal replied softly.
"I've not her that surname before, Lia." Ollivander remarked thoughtfully.
"It is my middle name, sir." Crystal corrected gently, "I'm an orphan."
"I see." Ollivander nodded, before smiling sadly, "Well, then, let's measure you. Hold out your wand arm, my dear."
Crystal hesitantly held out her left arm and Mr. Ollivander started to measure her with a silver measuring tape. Then he stepped away, the tape still measuring, and started to remove boxes from the shelves. As he pulled down an assortment of boxes, explaining about his shop all the while with a smile on his face. He gave a loud clap and the measuring tape fell to the ground, allowing Mr. Ollivander to place a wand in Crystal's hand. He told her to give the wand a wave, but no sooner than she lifted her arm, the wand was snatched away again. This processed continued for a while, Mr. Ollivander growing more excited as he continued.
"Try this one, Miss Crystal Lia. It's one of my foreign woods" Ollivander encouraged, "Sakura, unicorn hair, exactly twelve inches, springy."
The tingling Crystal felt when she took the wand in her hand intensified, warmth rushing over her body. As she drew the wand overhead, silver and gold sparks showered over the three of them, a bright smile on Crystal's face. Mr. Ollivander wrapped Crystal's wand, beaming all the while, telling her that he was very happy to know that one of his rarer wands had found a home. Professor McGonagall raised and intrigued eyebrow, before handing over the five gold Galleons for the wand. The two left the shop, Crystal smiling broadly as she walked, feeling extremely pleased with her new wand.
"Crystal, do you have any friends at the orphanage?" McGonagall asked, keeping her voice even.
"No, ma'am." Crystal shook her head sadly, "The others avoid me."
"Would you like a pet?" McGonagall queried, "I've brought it up to your caretaker that you are allowed an animal at Hogwarts, and she agrees that you may have a pet, so long at it is cared for."
"I wouldn't want the others to become jealous." Crystal murmured, "They will try to steal away any pet if it is found."
"Considering your lack of companionship at the orphanage, I think we should invest in an animal of some sort." McGonagall explained, "Between what Mrs. Smith and you have told me, you are alone most of the time."
"Professor, are you allowed to spend the money on an animal?" Crystal asked, worried that Professor McGonagall might get in trouble.
"The Headmaster allows it." Professor McGonagall assured the small girl, "I will not be in trouble."
"According to your letter a cat, toad, or an owl is allowed." Crystal mused, "I don't trust the others to leave a cat or a toad alone."
"So, an owl it is." McGonagall nodded, steering Crystal towards another store, "I'm sure we can find a decent one in Eeylops Owl Emporium."
Before Crystal could protest, she found herself in the dim shop, gazing in awe at the many jewel-eyed owls that hooted softly in greeting. Professor McGonagall watched as Crystal's love for animals took over her protests as the young girl slipped down one of the aisles. Professor McGonagall followed after the girl, who seemed to be visiting with each of the owls individually. The sight brought a small smile to the professor's lips, seeing how the seemingly shy and withdrawn girl opened up to the feathered animals. Her thoughts were broken by a sharp gasp from the shopkeeper, who was staring at Crystal as a silver-grey owl nuzzled her fingertips through its cage.
"How did you do that?" He asked, staring at Crystal, "That owl tries to bite me every time I feed him or clean his cage, and he goes after customers too."
"Miss Crystal Lia is gifted with animals, Jeremiah." McGonagall spoke up, "How much is that owl?"
"I'll give him to the girl." Jeremiah replied quickly, "She's the first that he's shown any form of affection towards."
Professor McGonagall and Crystal were laden with many oblong packages as they made their way back to the orphanage, slipping inside, while the other children were eating their dinners. Professor McGonagall explained that she would make arrangements for someone to collect Crystal on September 1st so that she could get to the train on time. Crystal nodded and thanked Professor McGonagall for all that the older woman had done for her, especially the allowance of the two new books. Professor McGonagall explained that Crystal had been very frugal with all of her other purchases and the two books that she had chosen would most likely be best to be new books.
"I'll see you on the First of September." McGonagall stated, "Don't worry. You will do well at Hogwarts."
Crystal said goodbye and Professor McGonagall exited the room, closing the door behind her. Once the older woman was gone, Crystal tore into the packages, loading almost everything into her trunk. The only things she left out were the two new books, which she stored with her Unicorns and Winged-horses in her nightstand drawer, and the cage that held the silver-grey screech owl, which was blinking his icy blue eyes sleepily. Crystal was glad and as she opened the door to her new owl's cage, along with the window to her room. She was exhausted from the day's adventure and crawled into her bed, falling asleep within seconds.
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There's the first chapter. Hoped you liked it.
Translations
kiir -gem
Sugoi -Cool
Gomen, Kaa-san,demo... -I'm sorry, Mother, but…