A/N: Just so you guys know, I've edited chapter 1 since I put it up so I don't know if anyone gets an alert for that, but it's edited and much better now. Enjoy and please review!
Chapter 1: Lestrange
"Nashira wait up!" Genevieve called out, hurrying after her friend.
Nashira Lestrange smiled and turned around laughing, to face her friend. Genevieve's school bag was falling off her shoulder and parchment was falling out. Nashira shook her head and walked over to her friend, stooping down to help pick up the dropped parchment.
"Look it's that Lestrange girl!" Two boys whispered loudly as they passed by, pointing their fingers at Nashira.
The young woman stood up abruptly and clutched at her wand; the only that stopped her hexing the boys was her friends hand on her arm.
"Not on our first day back." Gen whispered.
Nashira rolled her eyes but complied, stowing her wand away.
"God it's been nineteen years since Voldemort died; you'd think they'd get over themselves." The 21-year old witch replied.
"Yeah but your mother was the last Death Eater alive at the Battle at Hogwarts." Gen said, sliding her bag back up her shoulder.
Nashira rolled her eyes again. She was tired of being called out in school for being related to the Lestrange's. Yes, she was Bellatrix's daughter who had been born after her Azkaban breakout. She was also a very powerful dark magic witch but she couldn't help that; the Dark Arts ran in her family's blood. It wasn't like she had been asked to be ridiculed every day of her life since she was eleven and had gone to Hogwarts. It probably wouldn't have been so bad if she hadn't ended up in Slytherin.
"Come on we'll be late to class."
Gen grabbed Nashira's sleeve and hurried along the back streets of Diagon Alley until they came to a tall white building with white colonnades and a vast green lawn and large fountain with a statue of the Boy-Who-Lived. The colonnades had gold veins threaded in forming spidery veins. The college was quite a large institution with sprawling lawns and separate buildings for each different department and a guest lecture hall. In the middle was the black granite statue of Harry Potter holding up the Elder Wand, a defeated Voldemort lying under his feet.
After the defeat of Voldemort nineteen years prior, an institution had been set up to further educate young witch's and wizard's: University. That was all it was called, it had no proper name. It had been Harry Potter's idea to set up a further education school for those who wished to attend; he claimed it was a good idea for those who wanted to enter the Ministry of Magic, or for those who wanted a more difficult job. Also, those who wanted to learn all the magic that older wizards' had insisted would come from practical application.
Nashira's guardians had insisted she further her magical education and she didn't argue with them; she was eager to learn advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts and to take more advance Potions classes. Hogwarts had been challenging, at first, but after her fourth year she had simply felt bored. She had self-taught herself much of the Defense Against the Dark Arts curriculum over the summer and that was her most invested class.
Genevieve and Nashira hurried to their first class: Practical Defense Against Dark Magic. It was something they had learned at Hogwarts already, but this class offered a more advanced approach. Nashira also appreciated an easy credit.
"Ahh I see you two see fit to join my class," Professor Radastan scolded the two girls.
However he winked at Nashira once she had sat down; he had once told her that she was his favorite student and his most learned pupil. She had bristled with pride at the praise, and immediately set to work on learning the Incendio spell.
"Today we will be learning a more advanced form of Protego known as Protego Maxima. This is just a stronger shield spell class, no need to worry; it's not difficult at all to cast."
The teacher had his class pair off to practice the advanced shield spell. By the end of the class, everyone had mastered the spell. During practice Nashira, to ensure her friend's betterment, had cast non-verbal spells at her; she enjoyed when her friend would squeak and dive out of the way, worried about whatever might be about to hit her.
"Are you ready Gen?" She would taunt, before raising her wand and casting a spell at her friend.
A few times Gen was able to successfully block whatever was thrown at her but a few times she had grown frightened and ducked out of the way, leaving other student's backs open to the attack.
"Miss Roberts you are supposed to be shielding yourself, not allowing Miss Lestrange to set my books on fire." The professor scolded, putting out a small fire.
"I'm sorry professor."
Nashira chuckled and set to work casting spells against her friend for another ten minutes before the professor told them to switch. Gen wasn't good at nonverbal spells so she had to shout everything she was going to cast. Once, when Gen was slow after casting Expelliarmus, Nashira had lowered her own shield to cast Stupefy. She had grinned proudly when Gen had put up a shield in time to deflect it.
"Honestly Gen, I wasn't trying to hurt you or anything. You know it's illegal to use the Unforgivable Curses." They were walking out of class, and about to head separate ways.
"Alright well I have to go meet Jeth." Gen's tone was stern but she was smiling.
Nashira waved to her friend as she went to meet her boyfriend during her free period. Nashira however had Advanced Potions and had to run across campus to make it on time. She wished she could've just Disapparated however it was impossible to Apparate or Disapparate on school grounds.
She made it to class on time and sat down at her worktable. She had insisted on sitting by herself, so everyone else was partnered up.
"Hello class, welcome back." Professor Kaylock enunciated clearly from his desk in front of the class.
"Please get out your cauldrons, books, scales, and ingredients. There are instructions on the board for a Befuddlement Draught. Please concoct this potion and turn in a tube of it on my desk, labeled with your name. If you are not done by the end of class, you fail today's class. Go on." Professor Kaylock indicated with a wave of his hands that it was time to begin.
Nashira busied herself copying down the potion's instructions so she wouldn't forget them and stowed the parchment in her bag. She set to work mixing her potion, heating it properly, and adding ingredients as directed. By the time she was done her potion was a lovely green color; she stoppered her bottle and turned in her bottle, one of the first to do so.
"Once you are done, clean up your table and you are excused from the lesson. Make sure you copy tonight's homework from the board before you leave." The professor never once looked up from the papers he was grading.
Nashira gathered up her materials after writing down the assignment and rushed off to the library to get some studying done before Magical History.
ȵ
Nashira sat down with a huff at her lunch table. Gen and Jeth sat down a moment later and any conversation that might have occurred was brought to a halt as food appeared on their plates. They hurriedly dug in, starving after a morning of heavy class work.
"How much homework have you got?" Gen asked Nashira through a mouthful of treacle tart.
"I've got to brew Alihotsy Draught for Potions tomorrow and I have twelve inches of parchment on the reason why the Boy-Who-Lived was the only person able to bring down the Dark Lord. Honestly, as if that's a real assignment!" She scoffed, shoving another bite-full of mince pie in her mouth. "How about you?"
"I've got to work on my Protego Maxima spell." Gen said sulkily.
Jeth snorted and rubbed his girlfriend's shoulder; he finished his custard before giving her a quick kiss and leaving.
"So, what do you think I should get him for Valentine's day?" Gen asked Nashira conspiratorially.
"It's two months away! And don't ask me I've never been able to keep a steady boyfriend."
"Haven't you ever liked anyone?" Gen asked, thinking of her friend's past relationships.
Nashira had dumped them without a second thought once it had become clear they weren't up to her 'mature standards'.
"I've never really liked anyone the way you like Jeth if that's what you're asking."
"Oh well, that's not really important." Gen shrugged it off. "Listen, have you heard the rumors?" She leaned in conspiratorially.
"What rumors?" Nashira asked, her curiosity peaked.
"They say there's a wizard about who's been causing trouble; a dark wizard."
Nashira snorted and had to cough to get her food down her throat.
"Really Gen?" Nashira shook her head.
"No really! There have been muggle murders taking place, and a wizard's been killing them! And wizard's out east have complained that it's been getting darker earlier: an unnatural darkness."
"Honestly Gen, you can't believe everything you read in the Prophet."
"Oh yeah, I read an article the other day that says Death Eaters who weren't killed or imprisoned, well that they're joining up with this new wizard and trying to recruit new ones to their ranks."
"Gen, seriously? I've told you to stop reading that rubbish."
Gen was about to reply when a cry of "Aguamenti" broke out from across the hall. A great burst of water hit Nashira in the back of the head and slowly stopped protruding from the wand of her attacker.
"Come on Lestrange; you're so proud of your filthy heritage. I'll bet you're Death Eater number one for this new wizard."
Nashira kicked away from the table, her fury lacerating her like prickly thorns.
"How dare you insult my family; I am a pureblood witch!"
She raised her wand above her head in a threating manner and screamed:
"Expelliarmus!"
The boy's wand flew from his hand; he was no longer laughing derisively but cowering back in fear as Nashira approached.
"How dare you talk about my family in such a way you dirty little boy; accio wand."
She summoned the boy's wand and tossed it to him.
"If you want a fight, then make it a proper wizard's duel."
Two teachers, one of them Professor Radastan, and the other an unknown teacher approached.
"What the devil is going on Miss Lestrange?" Professor Radastan asked, stepping in front of the boy.
"He attacked me without provocation and insulted my family! He wanted to duel." She finished with a hiss.
The boy on the other end of the hall stood up, brushing off his pants.
"Yeah I'll fight you in a Wizard's duel."
Professor Radastan gave Nashira a piercing gaze before stepping aside.
"You two are above age and may do as you like; I just ask that you hurt no other students nor school property."
With that the two professor's walked away and back to their classes. Students in the cafeteria quickly filed out, except for those willing to risk injury to watch.
"Bow Panja," Nashira sneered, falling into her own mocking bow.
The boy, Panja, quickly bowed as well before flinging off his robes and pointing his wand. Nashira took her own school robes off and deposited them in Gen's trembling arms. She resumed her threatening 'wand above-head' position and started to count off.
"One…two…three,"
On three Panja rolled out of the way and cast Confringo on a goblet near Nashira. The cup blew up, but it was not nearly a big enough blast to cause any damage.
"That's not good enough!" She jeered. "Incendio!" She yelled, pointing her wand at the bottom of his trousers.
The spell caught and he only just had time to mutter "Aguamenti" before she hit him with another spell. Panja flew back against the stone fireplace and collapsed in a heap on the floor. His friends surrounded him immediately trying to help him up.
"Your filthy family! They deserved what they got, being bloody Death Eaters! And you'll get what's coming to you as well, helping the new would-be regime!" Panja coughed, his friends helping him out of the small building.
You should have finished him off! How disappointing…You still have time to follow him….
Nashira clutched her head at the sudden pain that had enveloped her. Whose voice was that? It was a woman and she sounded…displeased. Not exactly angry but…disappointed.
"No, I won't."
The woman's voice in her head snarled and Nashira held her head in both hands, overcome with the physical pain the angry voice had caused her.
"Are you alright?" Gen asked, handing Nashira back her school robes.
"Yes I'm fine. I think I'll take the rest of the day off though." She gave her friend a weak smile.
"That was brilliant dueling Nira."
"Really, that old nickname?" Nashira sighed as she slipped her robes back on. She had hated it back at Hogwarts and was glad her friend had forgotten about it, until now.
"Oh come on; it's so much better than your real name!"
"Hey my mother named me!" Her voice was low, and her friend apologized quickly.
"I didn't mean anything by it, honest! It's just easier to say!"
Nashira gave a little huff of indignation but consented to the nickname.
"If you really must, then fine."
"I've got to get to class but I'll see you later."
Gen had gathered up her school things and left. Nashira gathered up her bag and stowed her wand back in her robes, walking to the edge of the school grounds. As soon as she was in Diagon Alley she turned mid-step and Disapparated to the yard of her home.
She walked inside and cast aside her bags, walking into the kitchen to brew a cup of tea. With a flick of her wand the kettle was heating and water was boiling inside.
You didn't kill the boy! How dare you defend my name with so weak a show…I wonder how worthy you really are…
The voice left again as quickly as it had come before. Apparently it hadn't forgiven her for not exacting a just punishment. Nashira drew her wand, pointing it threateningly around her.
"Who are you? Who the bloody hell do you think you are?"
Still shaking, she brought her tea to her and grabbed the cup; retreating to her bedroom she slammed the door shut and plopped down onto the bed. She took a sip of tea before turning on the light in her room. With the light on she could see all the pictures she had on the wall. There was a Slytherin flag from her Hogwarts days, a silver Prefects badge next to it.
There were plenty of pictures taken with her friends all around the school and at Quidditch matches; even some photographs in classes. Her favorites were in the middle – given ample room from all the other photos. She stared longingly at a picture of her mother, taken before she had gone to Azkaban. She looked so beautiful with the curly hair that was not yet wild; much like Nira's own.
She had an Azkaban wanted poster of her mother and father, and only one photograph of the two of them together: it had been taken at their wedding. She also had a photo of her mother holding her when she was just a baby; the way her mother was looking down at her with an almost mad expression of glee was enough to frighten anyone. But then Bellatrix moved and traced a finger down the baby's cheek, a small smile on her lips.
That was Nira's favorite photo and she traced her own fingertips down the length of it, longing to meet the woman inside. She drained her tea and looked at the leaves settled in the bottom.
"Oh no my darling, you will soon meet your destiny, and it will be a difficult path to weather! Take caution for you will see much death! Oh what a grim future child!" She cried out in mock interpretation of Sybill Trelawney, Hogwarts Divination teacher.
Nashira had always despised the class and had indeed dropped out in the middle of her third year. The old bat had always been telling her that powerful dark magic lay in her future. She cast aside her cup and started in on her Magical History homework; honestly, giving homework about Harry Potter was in no way history. The event wasn't even twenty years old and he himself was still alive.
Much more interesting was her Potions homework which she set to work on with delightful glee. After she had bottled a sample she contented herself to work on D.A.D.A. for fun, even pulling out the potions book she had found in her fifth year at Hogwarts. It had been in the Room of Requirement and on a cursory glance, had revealed to be very useful for potions class. What she had been most interested in however were the curses and hexes inside.
She was soon done practicing the spells inside, so she walked out into the backyard to practice on her dummies. Before she could raise them however she saw a white rabbit digging holes in her garden.
"Oh that is very rude." She murmured.
The rabbit seemingly noticed her presence and hopped off, trying to work its way through her fence. Before it could however she had raised her wand.
"Sectumsempra!" The rabbit stiffened and fell over, blood ruining its pure white coat.
With a small smile Nashira walked over to the rabbit and picked it up; it was a nice size and once it had been skinned, gutted, and cleaned would go wonderfully with stew. She hung it up outside and turned around.
With a flick of her wand wooden dummies rose from under the ground and swiveled. She took up a stance and started flicking her wand, throwing spells verbal and nonverbal. The dummies cast their own rudimentary spells and Nashira artfully dove and avoided them without a single shield spell. She barrel rolled forward and cast Expelliarmus, charring one dummy before the magical seals around it fixed it.
Good child…You are so well versed in magic…you may be ready sooner than I thought….
Nashira could feel the voice bristling with pride which unnerved her. Looking over her shoulder, she put the dummies back and walked inside. Remembering the rabbit she moved her wrist in an upward curving motion, skinning and gutting the rabbit. She grabbed it and took it with her into the kitchen.
Setting a knife to work chopping up the rabbit she set water to boil and poured in chicken broth, adding vegetables and seasoning as it was ready. She added a bit of the rabbit and made sure the rest was safely stored in her cold box for use another time.
As she sat down to dinner that night the woman's voice rang in her ears, and it scared Nira. What did the woman meant, she was ready? Nira wasn't sure she wanted to find out.
