Dark Lord Risen
By The Greengrass's Magical Emporium
Disclaimer—I do not own Harry Potter.
Chapter Two
Daphne awoke to the sounds of her year-mates getting dressed. Daphne got out of bed to get ready for the day as well. Her clothes were placed neatly on the seat of her desk chair. There sat a emerald green dress with carefully done embroidery around the hem and sleeves. There was delicate lace around the collar. A black velvet sash wrapped around the waist of the dress. It was perfectly pressed (magically).
Daphne picked her clothes every evening before she went to bed.
Next, it was time for make-up. Daphne unzipped her cloth make-up bag and found what she needed. She carefully dabbed her foundation on her face. Then, she used concealer to hide any spots, scars or pimples she might have. Next, she brushed a touch of coral blush across her cheeks. The brush felt particularly smooth against her skin. Her next step was to carefully put on mascara. The black mascara made her blueish-gray eyes stand out, while not being too ostentatious for every day wear. Finally, she finished by placing a soft pink lip gloss over her lips.
Once she was done dressing, Daphne examined herself in the mirror.
As a result of her upbringing Daphne took her appearance seriously.
Lily Moon noticed her perusal.
"You look particularly fetching this morrow," said Moon.
Daphne nodded. "Thank you, Moon. You look fine as well." She did. Moon wore a burnt orange dress with small black buttons. It was a plain dress, but she still looked nice. The color made her pale, Asian skin look luminous.
Pansy and Blaise heard Daphne and Lily Moon's exchange. They looked amused.
"Oh, yes, Moon. That is a lovely dress," Pansy said sarcastically.
Daphne watched the interaction carefully. She remained silent.
"There is no need to speak to me in such a rude manner," Moon said stiffly in her defense.
"Oh?" Pansy said with a smirk. "I wasn't aware that my giving out fashion advice could be misconstrued in such a way."
"Perhaps you are a bit… sensitive," Zabini added on. "It must be difficult to be the only one of your kind here."
Moon blushed scarlet.
Zabini was clearly referring to Moon's Asian ancestry.
Hmm… have you chosen sides already, Zabini? Daphne pondered. Has Pansy recruited you as one of her hench-witches? Have you tacitly agreed?
"Pray, what do you think, Daphne?" asked Pansy.
Daphne, Pansy (and Millicent) knew each other outside of Hogwarts. As a result, they freely used each other's first names.
However, Daphne was not one of Pansy's hangers-on… and she never would be.
She did not have anything against Moon either.
"I have already complimented Moon for her attire," Daphne said. She raised her chin at Pansy. "There is nothing left to be said. Now, if you and Zabini have finished this morning's tête-à-tête then I suggest we head off to breakfast. At this rate, our food might be frozen." Daphne turned to her last, silent roommate, Millicent. Millicent was a bigger girl with an upturned nose and short, dark brown hair.
"Shall we?" Daphne asked Millicent pointedly.
Millicent was silent. After a moment she nodded. They both turned and walked toward the exit.
Daphne knew she looked implacable.
She was all right with that.
Breakfast went by smoothly. After that her first class at Hogwarts Academy began.
Daphne's first class was Transfiguration. Her professor was a statuesque woman with fine dark haired pulled back in a severe-looking bun. Her name was Professor McGonagall. Daphne knew the moment that she began to speak that the class would be one of the most difficult ones.
She vowed to do well in the class.
The next class was Herbology. The professor was a squat, round woman with soft, brown eyes. The class was spent talking about safety equipment and the proper way to clean the instruments they would use. She plainly stated that the equipment was worth more then all of the women's dowries combined.
Daphne made a note to handle the instruments with diligence and attention.
So on and on the day went. Daphne wrote neat and detailed notes and paid close attention in her classes…. Especially in her last class, potions.
In addition to her note-taking Daphne made sure to exchange pleasantries with the people she encountered. Daphne tried to make note of any people that stood out—either because of their appearance, their dress, their intellect or—naturally—their popularity.
It was her job to notice these things.
I must do as Mother taught, Daphne thought as she examined a handsome fifth-year who was chatting with his group of friends.
The end of the day came sooner than she expected. Daphne sighed tiredly in the Slytherin common room. She stared out of the windows which opened to a view of the Hogwart's lake. Strange looking fish swam this way and that in the thick, murky, green water. She began to question whether or not she should relax by playing a game of wizard's chess or if she should start a conversation with one of her year-mates (perhaps Moon, Millicent, or even Zabini). However, Daphne's thoughts were interrupted by a commotion by the Common Room bulletin board.
Hmm…. I wonder what that is about, Daphne pondered. She made her way over to the group of people hanging around the cork board.
"Is something amiss?" Daphne asked a tall, brown-haired boy. He looked like a third-year (or perhaps, older).
"No, M'lady," the boy said. "The Quidditch list is simply up. There are a number of people interested in attending the try-outs."
"Oh." Daphne watched two people (both boys) approach the board. The signed their names with an exacting hand.
The group circling the sign-up sheet cheered uproariously.
Daphne felt something inside her well up. She liked Quidditch. She was good at it, too.
Daphne stepped forward with sturdy steps.
She signed her name with a flourish.
"That is all, every one! That is all that is needed this evening! Attend!" called Marcus Flint, the burly Quidditch Captain.
Daphne huffed and landed on the Quidditch Pitch green with light steps. She made her way over to Flint.
"Now, All, pay close attention! These are the students that I decided upon—Cormine, DeLucas and Greengrass! The rest of you…. That is all! Off with you!"
The rest of the crowd buzzed with disappointment.
Daphne, on the other hand, was jubilant.
She was in.
Drop me a line if you like this chapter or if you have any questions. The next chapter will be up the following Friday. (I plan to post a chapter every Friday.)
-The Greengrass's Magical Emporium