Wasted Blood
Disclaimer: The only character I don't own for now is Arabella. Recognizable Characters will pop up and become more important in later chapters.
Here it is, hope you enjoy. R/R
The Figgs were invited to every prestigious party or event in the wizarding community. They received respects from all the witches and wizards at high levels in their world. They had never been involved in anything none magical, like having a squib, or one of their children marrying a muggle born, or god forbid a real muggle! They wouldn't hold with such nonsense, but never showed prejudice towards those who did.
All was well until the youngest daughter of the four girls of Ilene and Laurence Figg was taken to purchase her very first wand.
No one had ever really suspected anything when Arabella didn't show any signs of magic. She was still young. The doctor said that it was just like growing up, or losing teeth…it happens to different children at different times, and it was nothing to worry about.
And they all believed that fiercely for a while.
"Come on, Belly!" Candace Figg said, giggling and grabbing her younger sister's hand.
Fiona Figg, the oldest of the four sisters at seventeen, and entering her seventh year at Hogwarts, laughed too, and grabbed her eleven year old sisters other hand, "We've got a lot of shopping to do!"
Poinsettia Figg came up to her three sisters, her long waved brown hair bouncing behind her, "But I still haven't gotten my things!"
Being the second youngest at twelve, Poinsettia was a leech for attention, mostly getting it by whining and throwing moody tantrums, or in other words, by acting the youngest.
"We'll get to you, Poinsettia." Fiona replied quickly and maturely, "It's Arabella's first year, so she gets to go first."
"She always gets to go first at everything because she's the baby…"
"If anyone's being a baby, it's you." Candace pelted back at her, sniffing.
"Let's get my wand first!" Arabella squealed as they passed the wand shop.
"All right, come on."
"We have been through twenty one wands, Mr. Ollivander! I'm beginning to think this is a waste of our time." Fiona said, her temper finally showing as she crossed her arms haughtily and gave the young looking man a severe look.
"You know," Candace said loudly, "We could just go to the wand shop in France. I hear they're of much better quality anyway."
"All right, all right." Mr. Ollivander gave Arabella a sad stare before returning his gaze to the stern looking teenager, "I'm very sorry to say this Fiona Figg, but I'm afraid Arabella has no magical ability."
Fiona's eyes widened, and Candace gasped, "But no, that can't be. Everyone develops at different paces, you see…"
Mr. Ollivander shook his hand solemnly, "Though it is true that by age eleven all wizards and witches are not at their full magic capacity, all wands call out to their owners at any age, if they know that there is potential in the witch or wizard. Seeing that no wand is choosing little Arabella at all, it would lead me to the educated suspicion that she is a squib."
"That's not right." Poinsettia insisted, "No bloody squib has ever been in our family."
"There is always a first time for everything, Poinsettia Figg."
Everyone was looking at Arabella with shame across their face as they exited the store, no wand in hands.
For the rest of the summer, the Figgs traveled Europe looking for someone to prove Mr. Ollivander's theory incorrect.
But all they ended up doing was confirming it…Arabella Figg was a squib.
She could hear her mother's choked sobs through the thin walls of the hotel room in Madrid. They had visited some big honcho at the Institute of Witch's and Wizard's Child Studies, and they had done some sort of test that had finally smacked her mother across the face. Her daughter, her button nosed, blue eyed, so-much-potential little daughter was no more use to the wizarding world than a dirty napkin. She was a waste of perfect blood.
It was late; her sisters were in the other room from what she could hear.
"We can't do this, Laurence. She's only eleven years old, for Christ's sake!"
"We can't not do this, Ilene! We can't have this smear on our record. Both of our careers could be at stake. Last week, Gary Tottums got fired because his kid married a muggle. Said he should be home, making sure things like that never happen. I'm not going to let this happen, Ilene!" Her father's voice was not its usual caring and sweet. It was low, and scared and desperately cracking.
"Father, I think you are being a bit extreme! We all love Arabella no matter what. Family does not turn their back on each other." Arabella heard her sister insist clearly and loudly.
"Hush, Fiona, you'll wake your sisters."
"This isn't a matter of love or hate. It's a matter of pride, and survival in the community we live in."
"People aren't going to kill us, father, if they find out Arabella isn't magical!"
"Do you want to live in the house we live in? Do you want me to be able to send you to University, and buy your clothes and books? I would loose my job if word got out, and so would your mother. We would loose all of the respect we've worked so hard to gain!"
Her mother gave out another sob, and then said quietly, "It would be best for Arabella, too. If people found out about her, she'd be harassed. Maybe it's better this way…"
Arabella strained to keep her eyes and ears open, but she was just too tired…
Sun streamed in through the window into her face, waking her early.
She stretched and stumbled out of bed, not noticing she was alone in the room.
Arabella went towards the door, but found a note taped there, with a small parcel.
We're sorry we had to leave you. We love you, and always will. Despite our love, we cannot take the risk of losing our jobs and salaries because of your condition. We will announce your disappearance this afternoon. We have left enough money and identity potion to last you a few years. You cannot come and visit us, but in a few years, we will make sure the potion and money finds your way.
For your safety, your appearance will be changed as well as your name. Take that potion every morning, and you will look how you would around twenty years of age. Your name will be Isabella Gigg. Please keep this name or we will not be able to find you.
We hope we've made it easy enough for you. Good Luck, baby.
Love,
The Figgs
Arabella read the letter over a few times, tears welling in her eyes.
They were abandoning her? They didn't love her enough to keep her?
She cried and cried until she felt her insides had been completely dried out, and reached down toward the bag.
Inside it was the key to fault 667. They must have left her money there, because her families fault was 666. The key was very small, and Arabella put it in her back pocket of her skirt. Much bigger than this was a gallon of some sort of green liquid.
"Take only a Drop a day!" Read the tape that was sticking a spoon to the gallon. She twisted open the cap, and saw a small opening in the tin foil that covered the top. It was only about the size of a raindrop. She couldn't help but smile, and decided to try it out.
She didn't have anything left to loose now.
She struggled to pick up the galloon, tipping it only once above the spoon so only a drop fell onto the cold metal.
Arabella twisted the cap back on the bottle, sticking the spoon in her mouth, and sucking the nasty tasting liquid down her throat.
"Ewwy." Arabella said, wiping her mouth. But she began to feel a little sick, her stomach bounced about.
Oh my, maybe it's poison. Maybe they just wanted to get rid of me for good…
But her legs were sprouting longer, her arms twisting out, her chest gained an actual form, and her little hips widened, all within seconds.
"Wow!" She said, standing up, and running over to the mirror. "I'm all grown up!"
She sighed, and tied her hair that was much longer up in a bun. She started back to her room, and began to pack.
"Well, I guess it's just you and me, now Isabella." She said sadly to her reflection before she headed for the door, her suitcase rolling behind her.
AN: I know, I know! I shouldn't be starting ANOTHER story. But I've just been feeling so creative! Isn't it more fun to have LOTS of stories to read by me? Hehe. Please REVIEWplease!
Truly and Lovingly (if you review!) MAY LIZA
