Disclaimer: I do NOT own Harry Potter of its storyline, only Layla and any other OC mentioned.

Chapter 1

Hogwarts

A family, happy and smiling happily at her while she merely stared at each face. There was a man, glasses and messy dark brown hair, the same colour as his eyes, smiled at her lovingly, giving a small wave to her.

Turning to the woman next to him, she realised that she looked exactly like her, only older and much more beautiful in her opinion. Long wavy locks fell around her shoulders. Eyes of beautiful emerald jewls, much like her own. She smiled at her like a mother would to their child, before she nodded to the boy that stood in front and between the two adults.

Her eyes widened at the sight of him. He looked like the man, only with the woman's eyes. He had round glasses and messy dark brown hair. He grinned at her and held his hand out for her to take. She was hesitant, but something erged her to take his hand... before it was too late.

Her eyes fluttered open, not able to take the boy's hand that she remembered in the dream she had last night and the night before. It was strange, she usual had different dreams each night, but this one seemed to wait for her eyes to close and sleep before coming back to her again.

It was another morning, another day, another night; the beginning of tomorrow. It was always the same for Layla. She was now ten and eleven months old, her brithday getting closer to greet her to a new age and year towards womanhood.

Every morning there would be a fresh glass of water on her bedside table, with the inclusion of a note that would say:

"Morning is the start of bringing people happiness, only ones joy can bring out another's smile that's priceless."

It was always a different quote every morning. She smiled at the note though and made it float to her desk and into a draw where other similar notes were stored.

Layla heard a small moaning coming from behind her and saw her pet Furaie, she smile. Furaie was her birthday present she received when she was eight. He was a shape shifter, which were considered very rare. She adored Furaie and how he could change into other animals, she loved him. He inturn, loved her back and was always by her side, he seemed to become very protective of her, and she didn't mind it one bit. There were only a few people that Furaie allowed to get close to Layla, namely Marcus and the Malfoy family, though still a bit cautious of Lucius for some reason.

Layla lifted the furry creature into her arms and made her way down the stairs. She heard her father talking to someone, and from the familiar sounds, she heard that it was Lucius. She smirked at herself and put her pet down and told him mentally what she was going to do. He nodded and waited for her beside the door, seeming to think that it will take a while before he would be allowed to enter.

Making her way silently into the room, she crept up slowly until she was behind the chair Lucius was seated in. Trying hard not to expose herself by giggling, she slowly made her way to putting her arms above Lucius' head. After hearing a gasp when she covered his eyes, Layla whispered behind him softly, "Guess who?"

He chuckled deeply and replied, "And a good morning to you Miss Mortinino." She smiled at him and turned to her father who had entered the room, carrying a try of tea.

"Good morning father," she smiled politely, before sitting herself in Lucius' lap. He wrapped one arm around her waiste and stared vacantly at Marcus.

"Good morning dear, sleep well," he asled with a small smile, one of his natural features.

"Yes, quite well. Though, I had an odd dream."

"Is that so? What was your dream about,"

"A house with a man and woman standing out the front, smiling at me, and a boy was with him. The man and the boy looked very much alike and the woman looked like an older version of myself." She stopped when she saw her father's expression growing stern.

"I see, well dear, dreams are very different like that. They always show us things that can't be explained."

"Quite right," Lucius agreed with a nod of his head. Layla shrugged and went to have some breakfast. Furaie was found by his plate with fresh fish and liver. The diet that Marcus had put Furaie on had repulsed Layla everytime she saw what was on his plate, but knew better than to question her father who knew what it meant to keep a shape shifter healthy.

It was when Layla had started eating did she hear the sound of an owl. She went to the message window and saw a black speckled owl with ebony eyes staring at her. Layla took the letter from it and gave it a treat before setting it on its way. Looking at the letter, she saw that it was adressed to her. Layla was confused, considering it was not from Draco or anyone else she knew, before she turned it over and gasped.

It was a letter from Hogarts of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Layla screamed in happiness and ran to her father who had stopped and looked up at her in shock, as well as Lucius who had turned to Layla that was jumping up and down with Furaie sitting beside her in the form of a black dog. "Father, you wouldn't believe what came in the mail just now!" Marcus rose to his feet and walk to her to take the letter. His eyes widened and he sighed in relief.

"Dear, next time please contain your excitement to a more appropriate level, I thought you were screaming in pain or fright." He smiled after that and embraced her tightly. Lucius was utterly confused, but remained silent nad sipped his tea.

"So, I can go?" Her excitement and hope shone in her emerald orbs, boring into her father's light blue irises. He gleamed in happiness at her, content that she was happy, after all, she was his little girl.

"Of course, you will have to if you wish to become a powerful witch one day." Lucius had realised what was going on and smiled at himself.

Layla Mortinino was going to Hogwarts.