My life hasn't been exactly easy, but it really hasn't been all that hard either. Maybe I should start off by introducing myself. My name is Storm Salazar Lestrange. I know what you're thinking. "Lestrange! You must be a horrid bigot." But I'm not. I'm nothing like my Mother, Bellatrix or my Father, Rodolphus. You see I wasn't really raised by them. Father was too busy trying to get Mothers attention and she was too busy fawning over the Dark Lord. Needless to say I learned to fend for myself very early on, but before that the House elves saw to it I didn't perish under my grandfather's care. He wasn't exactly the nurturing kind, you see. My parents loved me though, this I was sure of. They just didn't know how to show it in a healthy way. From Azkaban they'd send me lavish gifts here and there, a new creature to cuddle, and a new dress I'd never wear. They were in prison for most of my childhood and it wasn't until I was 16 in 1996 that my mother became physically present in my life. In 1996 you see my Mother escaped from Azkaban and pulled me from my enrollment at Beauxbatons. She never truly liked that school, but Hogwarts wouldn't have me and besides I had grown up in France for most of my life because of the Ministry's insistent badgering. My Grandfather didn't care for the Ministry at all, And in 1992, when he passed, I became an orphan of sorts. I was permitted to live by myself in the Black family home. I was only 12 and forced into adulthood. Yes, I had Creature but he wasn't a good conversationalist.

The day I saw my Mother out from behind bars was strange. She seemed almost normal. Almost.

I was in Advanced Potion Making and Headmistress Madame Olympe Maxime came into the room without knocking. We all stood as she walked across the room to Professor Thomas. She bent down and whispered something to her. The Professor then nodded and Headmistress left. We at once sat and went back to the lesson. I couldn't focus for some reason. Usually I loved Potions class. It came naturally to me, I didn't have to try. But today I kept finding myself staring out the large stain glass window behind the Professors head that over looked the Bay of Biscay. Class was over and I stood to leave with Alice and Blanch two girls who I've come to tolerate.

"Miss Lestrange." Professor Thomas called. "A moment please." I stopped and told the girls to go on without me.

"Yes Professor what is it?" I asked standing in front of her desk.

"You need to pack your things and report to Headmistress's office immediately." She stated emotionless. I was shocked to say the least.

"Did I do something wrong Professor?"

"No, not that I'm aware of." Professor Thomas continued grading papers as if the conversation was just about the weather.

"Am I being expelled?" I asked. I felt like a knot was in my throat. What was going on?

"I don't know Miss Lestrange. Just do as you're told." She said harshly shooing me with her hand. I left quickly and made my way to my room. I used a packing spell and my room was bare just as it had been my first day. I grabbed my bags and walked through the halls of the silent Palace. Now silence wasn't strange here at Beauxbatons, but this silence was eerie and sent a shiver up my back. I made it to Headmistresses office, which was more like a private library, half an hour after Potions. No doubt by now Alice and Blanch have noticed my absence and have been chastised for talking in the middle of class about it. I took a deep breath and knocked upon the large marble door. Headmistress opened it and invited me in with a warm smile. She moved gracefully to a rather big chair on the other side of the room and poured herself a cup of tea.

"Come Storm, have a seat." I did as I was told, placing my bags at the door. "Do you want some tea?"

"No, I couldn't impose Headmistress."

"Nonsense. It's truly no trouble." She said pouring me a cup as well. I took the tea smiling and not really wanting it; I simply placed it to my lips and pretended to sip. After sometime of drinking her tea Madame Olympe placed her cup on the coffee table and grew stern. "Now, Storm I trust you keep up with the news." I nodded yes. "Then you must have heard of the Azkaban incident."

"Yes Madame I have." I stated looking at my hands as she spoke.

"For your own safety and that of your fellow students your grandmother has informed me that she will be sending someone for you within the hour." I looked to her. My grandmother? My grandmother has been dead since before my birth. What was going on?

"I see. So I'm no longer welcomed here?" I said slightly agitated.

"That's not it at all Storm." She said sadly. "I just can't risk a death eater finding the School." I nodded and stood.

"Well I should probably wait at the entrance then."

"Yes I think that would be best." I fished around in my uniform pocket until I found a note.

"Would you please give this to Blanch for me Headmistress?" She looked and skeptical and then took it from me.

"This isn't normal, but under the circumstances I suppose so." She said standing and leading me to the door. I grabbed my bags once again, and walked to the schools front gate. I was completely alone waiting for god knows who. I swear if it was my mother I may just scream. Suddenly a car pulled up the drive and the gates opened. The license plate said it was British but the emblem on it said it was Malfoy. I almost cried out in joy. The car door opened and out stepped my favorite Aunt. She stood at arm's length and I quickly glanced in the car. She was alone. It was safe. I dropped my bags and hugged her. She laughed and hugged me back.

"So much like your Mother. Enthusiastic as always" Aunt Cissy said petting my long black curls, almost as if she was lost in a memory.

"Why are you here Aunt Cissy?" I asked as we placed my bags in the trunk and began to drive off. She was quiet until we were well on our way.

"Your Mother sent me." I knew it, my Grandmother my ass. "She wants to see you" I sunk down in my seat and stared out the window.

"Well maybe I don't want to see her. Maybe, I liked it at school."

"She's your mother Storm" She said harshly. I sighed and begged for silence. "It's only right for you to be angry with her. But please for her sanity just go along with it."

"What sanity?" She looked from me to the sky and remained quiet for the rest of the trip.

We arrived at Malfoy Manor late at night. The moon was directly overhead as we pulled up the drive and passed through the gate. One of the House Elves was there to take my bag. I believe his name was Dobby. I always liked Dobby considering he was much nicer than Creature, The House elf I was accustomed to. When Aunt Cissy wasn't looking I smiled at Dobby and thanked him.

"Oh no Miss Lestrange its Dobby's pleasure" he said. His voice was shaking and he seemed scared of his own shadow. I don't blame him. There have been times; I swear my shadow could swallow me whole.

Dobby was gone in an instant and I found myself in the Malfoy's entry way, alone. I listened to the wind and footsteps above me, the hushed whispers and the shushed screams. Mother and Aunt Cissy were arguing. About What I don't know, I don't care either. At least that's what I tell myself. But really I think I do know. In all seriousness it's probably me they're fighting about. Aunt Cissy's never liked the way Mother treated me. The way she goes months without talking to me. Mother's never liked the way Aunt Cissy thinks it's her business how I'm raised. You know Family stuff. The same issues everyone has, just twice as big.

Footsteps approach as I lean against the wall, a second latter who should walk around the corner but my cousin, Draco. He stopped and looked at me.

"What are you doing here?" He asked crossing his arms and leaning against the same wall as I, sideways, with one ankle crossed over the other. His Quote 'cool guy pose'.

"I think the Question is Why are you here dear Cousin?" I said as I began to walk towards him." Shouldn't you be at school?"

"Shouldn't you? Besides it's my Christmas break and this is my house." He did have me there. "I repeat, what are you doing here?" I looked up and sighed.

"Your mum picked me up today. It seems my Mother is here and I'm to see her."

"Oh right. I wondered what all the bloody yelling was about. Now it makes sense, Aunt Bella's here.

Our Mothers have never truly gotten along.

"Your House elf took my bags. Any idea of where he put them?" I asked running my fingers through my long black tangled curls.

"Most likely the guest room." Draco said motioning for me to fallow. I did and cursed my uniform, as I broke a heal on the main stair case.

"Damn it" I cursed under my breath. Draco looked back at me amused, that stupid smirk of his present on his face. "Well I'm glad my misfortune amuses you so."

"No need to get snippy Storm" he said continuing up the stairs without waiting for me. I took my shoes off and continued barefoot up the cold marble steps.

"What happen to the magnificent carpet Draco? Did it slither away like your manners?" I said jokingly

"No" He retaliated, upset. "Mothers redecorating" He never did have a sense of humor.

Finally we made it to the Guest room. The room was enclosed by a large black door. The walls were a sad aged white and the floor was an inviting black wool carpet. The contrast between the marble and the wool was so comforting my feet almost went into shock, like coming home to a warm fire after being thrown into the middle of a hail storm. My bags were next to the bed in a neat pile and I truly for once wished I was home. Home being the abandoned old Black house, but still, it was weird I was actually missing Creature even.

My ever gracious Host then closed the door behind me and left. God, I hate being related to that arrogant little prick. Quickly, I opened my bag and pulled out a pair of jeans and a Sapphire sweater. I changed and neatly folded my silk uniform, placing it on the Queen sized bed in the corner. Its Green Egyptian cotton sheets almost engulfing the small light blue dress, as if a large Snake was swallowing a blue jay from its nest. I wondered if the snake would be so kind as to swallow me as well. Anything to escape seeing my Mother. I sat on the bed and stared at the ceiling. The voices where now to my right and were growing louder. They were right outside the door now and the moment I was dreading was ever nearer.

I laid back and feigned sleep. I was so pathetic. I couldn't even face the woman who gave me life.

The door handle moved slightly then stopped, as if whoever was on the other side was contemplating whether or not to continue. After what seemed like a century the door opened. Light footsteps came ever closer. A hand fell upon my face; the skin was rough and cold. I opened my eyes slowly so as to appear as if I just woke up. It was my mother no doubt, but an older harsher version. Azkaban had not been kind.

"Storm" she began in a motherly tone. "Get off your lazy ass and hug your mother" That was the mom I knew.

I stood and was almost taken back by the severity of her hug. She clung as if it were for dear life. After a few moments breathing became harder and she finally let go.

"You've grown so much since I last saw you." She said almost to herself. She began to circle me, like a lioness circling her pray, studying it, studying me. I remained quiet and still like a good girl should. Like a good heir to the Lestrange name, to the Black name. Then a thought crossed my mind. If Mother had escaped, did father as well?

"Mother, is father?" I didn't get a chance to finish before she cut me off.

"Rodolphus, yes he's downstairs with your uncle Lucius. But let's not talk about him dear. Let's talk about your bright future." She said enthusiastically.

"My Future?" I asked concerned. "What about my future?"

"Your future with the Dark Lord of course!" She almost screamed in joy. I almost fainted. Me help the Dark Lord. No. Never. She must have seen my hesitation. "What is it Storm? Scared are you? There's no reason to be sweet heart." Mother came closer and took my hands. Trying to comfort me. "He's known you since you were small. We've planned great things for you my dear. Great things."

I looked from my Mothers eyes to our connected hands then back again. She truly did lose her mind in Azkaban, didn't she? I closed my eyes and decided to give her this small satisfaction.

"Great things." I repeated. This must have satisfied her for she kissed my head and left the room, but not without getting in one last thought.

"One day you will make us all proud."