Prologue

Once Upon a Time…

A Usual Morning to an Unusual Day

Avalon started awake at the sound of her alarm. She hastily fumbled with it for a few seconds before the grating noise stopped. Avalon listened nervously, waiting to see if the loud noise had accidently woken anyone up. Hearing nothing, Avalon sighed with relief. Her family was still happily asleep in their beds.

Avalon hurriedly dressed and got ready for the day. Knowing how special the day was, she wanted to make it as perfect as possible for her brother. After making sure her room was spotless, she silently made her way down the stairs and into the kitchen. Knowing her brother's favorite breakfast, Avalon set to work.

An hour later, as the sun was just starting to rise, Avalon heard the soft sound of bare feet coming down the stairs. She hurriedly made sure everything was perfect. Avalon smiled at how well everything looked, her father would have to be proud of her now. The table was set with flowers and a beautiful tablescape, while the food was hot and ready for her to serve (with the help of a warming spell). Everything was perfect.

Another Disappointment and a First for Everything

Avalon smiled as her brother entered the room. He looked like he was still half-asleep and wore his usual scowl.

"Good Morning, Harry." Avalon whispered shyly.

"Morning." He replied sourly.

Harry was momentarily side tracked from his sullenness by the vast array of food on the table, and especially the delicious looking pancakes. He hurriedly sat down and began filling his plate, eyes gleaming.

As Harry began eating, Avalon heard her father enter the kitchen. She smiled at him shyly.

"Good Morning, Daddy."

"How many times have I told you? Do not call me that. I am your elder and deserve to be treated as such. Also, the name is childish and immature. No child of mine will be considered immature. Do you understand?"

Avalon's cheeks flushed with shame. How could she have forgotten that?

"Yes, Father. I understand."

"Good." Her father answered curtly. "Make sure it doesn't happen again."

"Yes, Father. I promise it won't happen again."

"Good. You know how much a promise can cost, so don't break it."

"Yes, Father."

He was talking about an unbreakable vow and how similar it was to a promise. In the wizarding world, a promise was not made lightly. You could die as a result.

"Well, I believe that today is a special day. Is it not, son?" Her father asked seriously.

"Yes father. Today is the day that I start my training."

"And what, pray tell, does that entail?"

Harry thought carefully, remembering the words his father had said repeatedly.

"A wizard must be prepared, not only physically, but also mentally. He must be equipped in the mind, as well as the body. He must know how to battle inwardly, and succeed." Harry answered proudly.

"Very good, son. Today I will begin teaching you Legilimency and Occlumency. I will teach you the basics of how to see into the mind and how to protect your mind from others. Come."

Harry and their father quickly left the room, leaving Avalon looking dejectedly at the door. She had so hoped, her and Harry being twins, that when he started his training so would she. Their father had been promising to start lessons since their eighth birthday. That was a month ago.

Avalon sighed and started cleaning up breakfast. She would just have to try harder.

A Lesson of the Mind and of the Heart

Avalon listened at the door of the library, trying to catch what was happening in her brother's lesson.

She caught her breath as she heard her father's voice.

"The mind is not a book, to be opened at will and examined at leisure. Thoughts are not etched on the inside of skulls, to be perused by any invader. The mind is a complex and many-layered thing... It is true, however, that those who have mastered Legilimency are able, under certain conditions, to delve into the minds of their victims and to interpret their findings correctly (HP and The Order of The Phoenix)."

Avalon listened in puzzlement. Was her father speaking of mind reading? What did he mean…victims?

Avalon listened harder.

"Occlumency is the magical defense of the mind against external penetration. An obscure branch of magic, but a highly useful one. Read it, control it, unhinge it... Used properly, the power of Occlumency will help shield you from access or influence. In these lessons I will attempt to penetrate your mind. You will attempt to resist (HP and The Order of The Phoenix)."

Avalon then heard the sound of spells and instruction, which was not helpful to her, as she could not see it. She sighed in frustration, and quickly covered her mouth in horror.

She listened intently at the door, yet heard nothing. Suddenly, the door was ripped open, and inside her father stood fuming.

"What is the meaning of this, young lady? You have no part in this. Leave. NOW."

Avalon stood with her arms crossed, and glared at her father. She would be silent no more.

"Why can't I learn too? Why?"

"You did not defeat the Dark Lord as an infant. YOU did nothing. You are neither exceptional nor smart enough to learn something of this level and magnitude. Only someone exceptional, like Harry, is able to start studying this at such an early age. Maybe when you are older you will be up to his level of mind and magical core, but not today. It may never happen."

"I'm just as smart as he is! I can do so much more. Just watch. I can do as many spells as he can."

"I don't have time for triviality. We are finished with this discussion." At that, he turned around, his cloak billowing, and slammed the doors to the library with finality.

Avalon stormed to her room. As she shut her door, she made a silent vow. No more would she come to their beck and call. No more would she be perfect. No more would she be good. She would be better than they would. She would be cunning and smart. Sly yet silent. She would be Slytherin.