Chapter 1: A witch?
That day was currently the happiest day Denise ever had, she didn't want it to end. Breakfast, she gorged on eggs, bacon, orange juice, and toast. She never knew food could be so good, especially after living off the slop at the orphanage. That stuff tasted like rotten fruit, burnt tire rubber, and dirt. She savored every single bite until she was stuffed.
Next, she experienced the joy of shopping, a joy she loved more than a great breakfast. She looked good in almost everything, and Narcissa would pay for whatever she wanted. She wasn't kidding about being rich! Arms loaded with bags, Denise and Narcissa stopped for lunch. "So Denise, how do you like today so far?" Narcissa asked as they finished a plate of chicken. Narcissa looked as though she'd rather be anywhere than with so many people, but Denise hadn't noticed.
Denise looked at her new mother, eyes bright with happiness, "Today has been wonderful, the best in my life actually. It'll be great to leave behind that orphanage." She took a last sip from her drink before sitting back in her chair, sighing.
"Tell me, what was your life like at the orphanage?" Narcissa asked, curiosity shining in her eyes.
"Well," Denise started, "To be truthful, it was absolutely horrid. Everyone made fun of me. I never knew my last name, and they all considered me a freak for having silver eyes. I was always given the hardest chores, and suffered many beatings. The beatings only came from Ms. Dunberge after a while. I did extra jobs for people nearby to raise money, and I'd save a lot. I'd use it to learn how to defend myself, exactly why the other girls wouldn't jump me. There was a karate place not to far from the orphanage. Speaking of which, is it possible I could continue my lessons?" She looked at Narcissa pleadingly, her lessons were her life. Her mind was slightly panicky, and a truck-load of "what-ifs" reeled through her head. "It'd mean so much to me if I could defend myself and my friends with no weapons or anything!"
Mrs. Malfoy pondered it a moment, her face expressionless. "Alright then, I'll hire you a personal trainer for you to study over the summer. In fact, well get you a lot of fighting lessons. When school comes, you're to attend the boarding school my son Draco goes to."
"Can you tell me what it's like?" Denise asked, wide-eyed. A boarding school didn't seem so bad. In fact, the thought of having this like a second home seemed pretty cool.
Narcissa shook her head. "That's a story better told at home, though I will tell you of my son. A right pig head he is, and a matching nasty little attitude. Turns to his father for everything, but he's a downright coward."
Denise was shocked she could talk of her son so openly, though she couldn't help but giggle slightly. "Well, this'll be an interesting summer then."
Narcissa smiled a bit, "Yes, and don't listen to anything he says, he lies a lot. I'll have him catch you up in schoolwork when you're not in your lessons." Denise looked at her, "I know how to read and write, plus I'm really good in math." She was confused, how much more could there be to learn?
"Well, this is a…special school. All things will be explained tonight." After that, they left the subject and continued their shopping. Shoes, pants, shorts, skirts, shirts, dresses, accessories, and even hats were bought. By the time they made it back to the car, Denise was pretty sure her arms would fall off. She offered to carry all the bags, so her foster mother wouldn't tire out or anything. She mentally cursed herself for being so polite.
They nearly filled the trunk, but it was more spacious than it seemed. They left on a long car ride, and exhausted, Denise fell asleep. She woke to the pain of sore and throbbing arms. After a moment of being half-asleep, Denise realized she was in a bed. She sat up and looked around.
It was a huge and very soft bed with a black and silver comforter. A black and silver room, filled with all sorts of stuff. The furniture was made of ebony, with silver handles and designs. She went to the closet and peeked inside, seeing all of the clothes she shopped for. Closing the closet, she saw a note on a nearby desk. On the front is had her name on it, so she opened it up and began to read.
Dear Denise,
I hope you like your new room. If you don't, inform me at dinner. Dinner will be held at seven o'clock tonight. Mind your manners. You'll be meeting your new father. It'll be formal so wear one of the new dresses we got. In a week your brother Draco will be home. I give you the right to backtalk if he tries to get smart with you. Hopefully, he won't think you're a new maid like he did when we had a girl your age visit. (At this Denise giggled slightly) All of your martial arts lessons shall begin the day after your brother gets home. Feel free to explore the grounds a bit, but try not to get lost. Have fun.
Mother
P.S. We found a picture in your pocket, so we framed it and put it on your desk.
Denise glanced across the room at the desk by the window, and sure enough, there was the picture neatly framed. 'Matt,' she thought, 'I need to call him or something later.' She looked down at herself and saw she was wearing some PJs. "This won't do…" She glanced around and spotted a door, and opened it. To her relief, it was a bathroom. She found all the necessities to clean up, and she cleaned up pretty good. She dressed into some blue jeans and a red tank top and a denim jacket. Shoes were hard to pick, but eventually she put on some white tennis shoes.
She glanced in the mirror and was shocked. She never thought she could ever dress so nicely. After a moment of shock, she smiled and headed out the door. It was a long hallway, a dead end to her left. So, she went to her right and began to explore. It seemed to be bigger than a mansion, and she did get lost a couple times. She always somehow found her way back. Curiosity buzzed throughout her head like a swarm of bees as she wandered the halls. It was hard, but she began to make a sort of mental map of where she was going.
After a while, a wonderful smell tickled her nose. She followed it to a swinging door and she peeked inside, being her curious self. It was the kitchen, as she suspected. A slightly large woman came and blocked her view. "Why, hello there! What's a little girl like you doing here?"
Denise looked at her for a moment, "Oh, um… My name's Denise and I am Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy's new adopted daughter. I was just wandering around a bit."
The woman chuckled, "I was wondering when I'd meet you. Just call me Betty. Are you hungry dear?" Denise was surprised by the sudden change of topic. "Well, I can wait until dinner."
Betty shoved a pastry into her hands, "Nonsense. A quick bite won't hurt. Come to me if you ever want anything to snack on, but now I must continue cooking, Buh-bye now!" And with that, Denise was shoved out the door, almost falling back.
"Well, she was friendly." Denise said before taking a bite out of the pastry. There was a hint of cinnamon in it, and it had the taste of butter on its top. She wandered around a bit and found her room again. When she walked in, there was a maid. "Hello Denise. I'm here to help you get ready, now hurry and get over here. It's already 5:30, and we've got to get you ready for your first diner here." They hurried to get her ready, but she came out beautiful. She wore a long black dress, the straps around her shoulders, with silver embroidery. Her hair was up in fancy curls, tied with silver ribbons. It took her a bit to get used to the black high heels but she had great balance.
The maid put on a tad of make-up, though she didn't need much. A spray of perfume and Denise looked into the mirror. "Whoa, this is so amazing!" She exclaimed. She hugged the maid and looked at the time. "Hey it's time to go."
A servant escorted her to the dining area and sat her down. At the table were Narcissa and a tall man with extremely long blonde hair. He looked at Denise with piercing eyes, "Hello, I am your father Lucius Malfoy. I presume you are my new daughter Denise?" She smiled kindly, "I am, it's very nice to finally meet you. This is a very nice home, very beautiful."
"And it is now your home also. Leave behind the life you had, for a new and better life." Drinks were poured and they all held up the drinks. "A toast," Lucius started, "To my new daughter, and I hope she has a happy life."
The sweet taste of apple cider caressed her tongue. She put down her drink, "Thank you very much, and thank you for taking me in. I couldn't be any happier." Denise mentioned.
Her foster parents glanced at each other before the meal came. They had a delicious red lobster with some shrimp on the side. Denise savored the taste until the end of the meal. The whole time she did her best to keep her manners in order. At the end of the meal, the plates were taken away and her foster parents looked at her.
"Denise, there's something you need to know. You're a witch." Narcissa said bluntly.
Denise blinked dumbly, but couldn't help let out a small laugh. "I'm a witch? I couldn't be a witch. I know nothing of witchcraft and black magic. There are no such things as witches." Denise rambled. She was confused; surely this was all a joke. Witches were in fairy tales, and not in reality.
"Denise, you're a witch. You can do magic, but you don't know how to control it." Lucius started. "You would've been invited to a magic school if you were easier to find. Your proof will come to us later in the summer, but by then you'll know your power. Tomorrow you'll be going to Diagon Alley for a wand and a pet."
Denise could barely take it all in. "Well, if I may be excused…" She stood and headed back out the way she came. She headed all the way to her room, happy no one was in there. She dressed into light-blue pajamas and lay down on her bed. She suddenly remembered all the strange things that happened at the orphanage. Like when the shampoo turned to paint, when a dozen frogs jumped out of Ms. Dunberge's desk, and other such times.
"A witch?" she asked aloud. "How could I be a witch? Who were my parents? What were my parents…?" Thoughts swarmed her head until she finally fell into deep slumber.
