At the Twilight: Part One
Chapter 1: Beginnings
A small, skinny, five-year-old girl sat by the window of her family's apartment. She watched the rain splash down on the streets of London and the people rushing to get to their destinations, carrying umbrellas and wearing raincoats.
For the past week all she could do was stare out the window for there was nothing to do in the apartment but play by herself with her toys. Her father was always at work or busy in his study. Sometimes she would go down to her mum's flower shop that was just below the apartment and watch her mum help the customers. It got boring after awhile because her mother would never let her water the flowers or trim the plants. She often returned upstairs to observe the raindrops once again only to have a daisy in hand that she had taken from the shop. Today was no different if not more boring and uneventful.
From downstairs the little girl could hear her mother calling. "Biddy! Honey, come down here a bit. I need you to do something!"
Biddy was excited at the chance that she might finally get to water the roses, daffodils, and other flowers. She ran down a flight of stairs and opened the backdoor to her mum's flower shop. The air was filled with the scent of fresh flowers and the ground was covered with small puddles of water from the water hose. Leaves of plants glittered from the drops of water sprayed upon them.
This shop was one of Eleanor Hart's greatest loves. It followed after her husband and her daughter of course. Right after her marriage to Richard Hart she had wanted to open her own flower shop near her family. Something about the fresh flowers could always brighten her day.
Richard however was a different story. He had wanted to stay near his job in London. Her husband was very unlike other men she had met before. That was mainly due to the fact that Richard was a wizard and worked at the wizard hospital, St. Mungo's. A wizard! How in the world had she managed to fall in love with a wizard of all men? Those thoughts constantly ran through her mind when he told her. Never before had she ever heard of the wizarding world and magic. Now they had been married six years with a little girl whom they cherished. He was like any other man, even if he was a wizard.
After a moment Biddy spotted her mum over by some tulips with the water hose in hand. She ran over and she turned from the thirsty plants. Her mother was a tall woman with long, silky chestnut hair, much like her daughter. Her long skinny fingers had mastered the water nozzle and could aim any target barely moving her arm.
"Uh-uh. Not today Biddy. I don't want you making a mess or getting your shirt dirty. Now come over here now," Her mother commanded. Biddy followed her over to the counter where they prepared the bouquets and baskets. "I need to get some wrapping paper from the back closet for these bouquets."
Despite she would not get to water the flowers, Biddy started on her new task. She made her way to the closet and got the papers from the bottom shelf. Biddy returned to her mother and set the wrapping paper down on the cashier counter.
"Mum, when am I going to Hogwarts?" Biddy asked. She looked over to her mother.
Her mother did not put down the hose and continued watering. "Little Bidelia. You have asked me every week. Do you remember what I said last Saturday?"
"Yes, mum," She admitted reluctantly. "Seven more years."
"Yes, now finish with those flowers Biddy," Her mother reminded.
Biddy played with a yo-yo she got from her pocket and sat on the stool behind the cashier. She stopped and whined, "But can't they take me early? I turned five just last month!"
Mrs. Hart turned off the water and walked over to her daughter. She fixed a loose strand of her daughter's chestnut hair and knelt down. Eleanor stared into Biddy's little hazel eyes. She sighed, "Little Bidelia, you are too young. You've heard what daddy's has said. Be patient and before you know it you will be transfiguring your little socks into little mice."
After Biddy's mum said the word mice she tickled her stomach. Biddy burst into a fit of giggles and a smile spread across her face. "Alright mummy. Can I water the roses now?"
Eleanor looked at her seriously for a moment as if making a decision. She smiled and said, "Alright! Come here you silly girl."
Biddy hopped off the stool she was sitting on and walked to the other side of the counter. Her mother held out the spray nozzle and she took it. Eleanor stood behind her daughter and held her hands. She pointed the nozzle towards where the roses were.
"On three," Her mother said, "One...Two...
"Three!" Biddy exclaimed. They squeezed the trigger and a stream of water sprayed out. Biddy squealed in delight at her accomplishment. Her mother smiled in her daughter's joy.
Biddy returned the hose to her mother and returned to her yo-yo which was tangled in knots. It was not long before she stopped once again and asked her mother something else.
"When's daddy coming home from Mungo's?" She questioned.
"I'll tell you if you fetch the ribbon," Mrs. Hart reasoned. Biddy went and picked up some red ribbon from the back closet. The little girl waited impatiently.
Mrs. Hart sprayed a bunch of hanging flowers. "Today he'll come home around six he's got a lot of research on his new project---", she was interrupted by a bell ringing from the front of the store.
At the front door two men stood, one of whom was Biddy's father. Richard Hart was a rather tall man with dark blonde hair and hazel eyes which his daughter had inherited. He had a kind smile and his eyes were caring. When his four-year-old daughter ran over to him, a wide grin came across his face as he put down his suitcase and picked her up. He spun her around and put her down.
"Hello Biddy how was your day?" Mr. Hart asked. Biddy just smiled.
Mrs. Hart put the water hose once again and walked over to her husband. "Richard, you're home early. What happened at work?"
"Nothing, Eleanor. I came home early to show a colleague of mine something I've been working on," He explained. "I'd like you to meet Mr. Hollows. He works with me, researches remedies and cures at St. Mungo's."
Mr. Hollows stepped forward and held out his hand which Mrs. Hart shook. Biddy saw he had pale skin and black hair in cut neatly. His facial expression was solemn and stiff like a businessman here to settle a deal. Looking into his eyes Biddy saw they were dark and empty. He wore an overcoat and also carried a briefcase like her father. The pale man looked down at Biddy with disinterest. Mr. Hollows towered over her like a tree.
"Rhys, this is my wife, Eleanor and this is my daughter, Bidelia," Mr. Hart introduced them. He edged Biddy forward, "Say hello Biddy."
Biddy deeply wanted to stay behind her father. She managed a weak hello.
Mr. Hart cleared his throat. "Um well, Rhys let's just go up to my study and I'll show you what I've discovered so far."
Mr. Hollows nodded to both Mrs. Hart and Biddy. The men walked to the stairs and headed up to the study. Meanwhile Mrs. Hart and her daughter returned to the water hose and the latter returned to her detangling of the yo-yo.
Half an hour later at five o'clock Biddy had finished with her yo-yo and went on to scribbling pictures outside the shop on the chalkboard with the day's specials. Her mother gave the flowers she had wrapped and gave them to the delivery boy. After that some customers walked in and Mrs. Hart went to tend to them. While her mother was busy with the customers, Biddy went in and back upstairs to the apartment.
Their apartment was not huge, made up of two bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, a small living room and a study which Mr. Hart used for his work. The study was to the right of the stairs. It was across from Biddy's room; however she had never been inside the mysterious room. Sometimes weird smells came from the room and bubbling and sizzling sounds. Her father had told her he did some potion-making for his research. He said that she would be studying Potions at Hogwarts. Biddy never really asked exactly what he was doing but her curiosity sometimes got the best of her. Late at night she would sneak out her bedroom and try to open the door to the study. Unfortunately it was always locked with an Intruder Repellant Charm which made it impossible for Biddy to grasp the handle. She would keep missing the doorknob whenever she tried.
Biddy could hear whispering sounds coming from the study. She tried her best to hear them, but still could not make out what they were saying. She crept into her room and sat once again by the window. Biddy's room was like any other young girl. Stuffed animals were scattered all over the place. Unlike many other normal young girls, some of her other play toys included a miniature broom that could go maybe just half a foot off the ground and a play wand that could spit out sparks.
At six o'clock the flower shop closed and Mrs. Hart came up to the apartment to prepare dinner in the kitchen. Mr. Hart and Mr. Hollows were still busy with in the study with whatever they were doing. Biddy took down a book from her shelf and tried to read it (She went to a muggle pre-school and she knew the entire alphabet and some simple words). So far she had read over and over an interesting tale about a duck, cat and fox, for those were the only words she could make out. Within the next hour she could smell the aroma of food cooking from the kitchen. She drifted to the kitchen to find her mother stirring something on the stove.
"Mum, when is dad going to be done talking to the tree man?" Biddy asked pulling a chair out from the table and sitting down. Her mother turned away from the boiling pot.
"First of all, Bee, his name is Mr. Hollows not the tree man," Mrs. Hart reprimanded her, "and I don't know how long they'll be busy. So stay away from your father's study."
At seven, dinner was ready and on the table. Mr. Hart and Mr. Hollows were still in the study discussing something. This only made Biddy more impatient. The men were still busy and Mrs. Hart brought dinner to them. Biddy and Mrs. Hart sat alone at the table to eat their dinner of chicken and broccoli. When they were done and Biddy was racing a piece of broccoli across the edge of her plate with her fork, Mrs. Hart cleared the table. Mr. Hart came in with two dirty dishes and patted Biddy on the head.
"How are you doing, little Bidelia?" He asked.
Biddy wiggled herself down from the chair. "Okay daddy, but when are you going to be done with the tree man?" Mrs. Hart shot her a disapproving look. "Mr. Hollows," Biddy corrected herself.
Mr. Hart chuckled at his daughter, "The tree man and I should be done soon. This project is just a little more complex stuff than what I usually do."
"But what's it about?" Biddy asked, tugging at his sleeve. "Did someone get a bite from a snake or--"
"No, no. Something more dangerous then simple snake bites." He sighed. "Now run along to your room now so mummy can get you ready for bed."
"You know already I can put my own pajamas on. I don't need anybody's help," She explained.
"Alright then," Mr. Hart said and patted her head once again. Biddy ran off to her room to put on her pajamas. "Good night Eleanor if I don't come to bed when you're awake." He said and kissed his wife. He turned to go back to the study.
Eleanor went over to her husband and hugged him. "Really Rich, haven't you spent enough time on this?"
Richard sighed, "I know you're frustrated that I haven't been spending much time with you and Biddy and when I am home I'm cooped in that study. What can I tell you? I'm an eccentric man dedicated to his work. Take pity on me loving wife."
"Alright you despicable creature," Eleanor laughed, "I'll pity you…And I'll love you." She reached up and ruffled his hair.
Richard kissed the top of her head and gave his wife one final squeeze. He returned to his study and to Mr. Hollows. Mrs. Hart sighed and returned to the dishes.
Ten minutes later, after Biddy put on her pajamas and brushed her teeth, Biddy went the living room to watch television. Her mother joined her after finishing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen. She brought with her a comb and brushed Biddy's long, chestnut hair. They watched a show and her mother brushed Biddy's hair until eight-thirty, at Biddy's bedtime.
Her father was still busy in the study and her mother tucked Biddy into bed. She asked once again when they would be done and got the same answer. Her mother did not know when and it was none of her business. Mrs. Hart turned off the light in her room and went back to the living room. However she left the door open a crack and a single line of light shined through from the hallway, cutting across the room and over Biddy's bed.
At ten, the door to the study opened finally and both her father and Mr. Hollows came out. Biddy was just able to make out their conversation.
"So it's agreed. You'll sponsor my research?" Biddy's father spoke. He seemed hopeful.
"Yes Hart. With my current situation I have no choice," Mr. Hollows stated. His voice was rather low.
Biddy could not see her father, but could tell his mood had lifted, "Good. So how is your little one doing?"
"Well since that night we have not been able to explain it to him very well. Luckily with this new potion it'll help," said Mr. Hollows.
"Let me know if you need any more help. Come by my office anytime," Mr. Hart consoled. That was the last of the conversation before Mr. Hollows apparated. Biddy's father turned the light off in the hall and Biddy's room was shrouded in darkness. A moment later she heard the door to her parent's room open and close.
Biddy drifted off to sleep. The conversation she had just overheard made no sense to her now. It was her daddy's work and maybe she should not try to understand. For now all that concerned her was trying to fall asleep.
After that night, Biddy saw Mr. Hollows stop by every few weeks. He seemed to become even more secretive with each visit. Biddy briefly heard her father talk to her mother about trouble at the Ministry with You-Know-Who and escaped Death Eaters.
Biddy heard various parts of their conversations. War…Harry Potter…You Know Who…Recruiting…Dumbledore. These were words often heard in their home and whenever they went out to Diagon Ally or visited Mr. Hart at his work.
That summer Biddy spent her time with a wizard family, the Channings, with whom she was friends with their son. It happened one fateful day after Biddy's play date.
It was an awful bomb to drop on any child. Trying to explain why their father would not be coming home that night or any night for the rest of their lives. It hurt Mrs. Hart so much to see her daughter's shock and then her eyes without their usual happiness. Never before had she ever dreamt this would happen. Richard was a wizard and she had loved him so much. Bit dramatic at times but that what she loved about him. He was supposed to be indestructible. He was wiped from this earth and now he was gone from their lives forever.
The accident happened earlier that morning. A Ministry official had an owl sent to the house forty-five minutes ago with a letter explaining it. At St. Mungo's he had came into contact with a deadly poison they were studying in his department and it affected his respiratory system. No one else was in the experimenting room at the time. He suffocated to death in five minutes. His body was discovered by a healer who was bringing the morning coffee.
For an hour both mother and child cried before stopping. They sat on the bed not saying anything to each other. The sunset and the room darkened from the lack of sunlight. Like a zombie, Mrs. Hart prepared a small dinner for Biddy. She had nothing herself, but sat with Biddy at the table.
Her mother cuddled Biddy's hand. "It'll all be alright," She whispered to her daughter.
But things would eventually improve for the two…
A/n: So hello..I'm Crystal Glass ...and this is my story. yup
ok Prologue done!