Disclaimer: I still own nothing but my characters and the plot

Chapter 2

How it began

One year earlier!

Tierra

Betrayal. Many people never associate it with the people they are closest to, friends and family. The truth is you can only be betrayed by the people you are close to, the people you would least expect to betray you are the ones you should be the most afraid of.

The book that was on my lap weighed me down heavily but I couldn't read the words. My mind was filled with other thoughts; my visions have been getting worse lately, more real. The thought of them coming true terrifies me but the future can change and I hope it will not play out the way my mind says it should.

My family was just as hectic as my mind. I am the outcast. The sad part of it is I recognize this. I often wish I was stupid. Being stupid would make it easier to miss the cold glares and harsh words.

Living in this three roomed apartment makes us know each other very well. Our faces and what would be said at any giving moment could be predicted by the other person instantly. If there was no hostility occurring it was extraordinarily quite, what was the use of talking we all had such different personalities we could only end up fighting.

My back was hurting from the weird position I was laying in against the wall. I got up gingerly and with much difficulty.

"I hate this house, I want to live, meet boys, fall in love, go shopping, and do something." Clyte's voice was distressed and rang throughout the house. Aure tried to calm her.

"It will be fine; she won't keep us locked up in here forever." Aure closed her dark blue eyes relieving much of the tension in the room.

Nuria shifted her malicious eyes on Aure, no doubt calculating her next move.

We are all blessed but I would never tell them my gift, it's my secret, the only part of me that no one really knows.

Clyte had many talents but her a bonus was perfect appearance, it was the easiest way to describe her, and just being in the same room was enough to lower your self-esteem. Her wavy black hair perfectly framed her face. She had immaculate pale skin and her permeating green eyes that always shinned with pride. If that was not enough to make her gorgeous, her perfect figure was. Petit and with the curves of a supermodel; no one could compete with her.

"I'm leaving; I have had enough. Keep her," she shoots a quick glance at me "for as long as possible quite."

With that, she gracefully stood up and with extreme ease moved to the bathroom with her slightly bent wand tightly clutched in her hand.

"She is going to the mall." Nuria said with excitement knowing Hermione would be upset.

"Why do you enjoy tormenting people?" It came out before I could bite my tongue.

Her tanned athletic body moved toward me slowly and with precision; a snake ready to strike its prey.

"Did you talk? What have we all decided about that?" Her shining silver eyes flashed with excitement as Aure chuckled in the back corner. I would receive little, if any, help from her.

I didn't say a word I wanted to avoid this confrontation; it could only end in pain for me. She smirked, pushed back the strand of flaming red hair that had fallen in her face, and walked into the other room with Aure in tow.

Hermione

I was walking home from my low paying job. If you had told me two years ago were I would be, I would have laughed and not thought twice about it. Looking around at this three-roomed apartment, all I could do was sigh. The blood red carpet held many stains; most I could not tell what had made them. The cream-colored walls over time had started to dull, and the tattered curtains lining our total two windows are a hideous shade of green, that never failed to make me cringe. The empty living room held nothing but two sleeping bags, which was all it could hold considering its size. The small bright blue card table and chairs served, as our only furniture throughout the whole house and was located in the dining room, which conveniently turned out to be our kitchen, and the other bedroom. The only room that you could have privacy in was the bathroom.

I would use my magic but I had to limit the use to avoid being detected by the others. I did not wish to live this way but it is a small price to pay for our continued safety.

These appalling sites are all for the better, or at least that was what I told myself to keep pushing through the dull days, and freezing nights. There was nothing I could do. Just keep quite and stay safe. Harry had been on my mind lately, how was he, and was he winning. I hated leaving him but it was all I could do to protect him, to protect us.

It was amazing the way they had all changed since the first time I met them. My four beautiful girls, my life would have no point without them. The moment I walk through the door it is abnormally calm, I hastily looked at Aure.

Aure looks up at me through those piercing blue eyes, "She is doing it again, she hit me, and I am so sick of her abuse, it's the most ridiculous thing ever." She sent death glares toward her sister, who should have keeled over on the spot from the look she was receiving.

"No, you see, it's not my fault, it was her stupidity, she told me to shut up, and I had to put her in place, it was justified." Her power hungry eyes swirled with malice, and a crooked smile appeared across her face.

"You are both immature, and need to learn how to get along." A sweet voice arose from the corner, as familiar bright honey brown eyes reached across the top of a book. She was sitting on the other side of the room, away from the chaos erupting from the center. Her back was against the wall and her knees slightly bent with her book resting on top of her stomach.

"Shut up Tierra, no one is talking to you. You wonder why no one likes you. Firstly, you look like shit. Secondly, you can't even deal with your own problems you live in your books. Don't you think it's time to live in the real world?" Nuria eyes beamed into hers, and she cowered in the corner suppressing her tears. She always knew exactly what to say to hurt her.

"That's enough, you should listen to her, I mean you are acting like two year olds. Will you please stop bickering for two seconds it is hard enough to get through the day without you fighting constantly?" I shook my head at them wishing they would stop bickering.

"Can you blame us; we are locked in this house twenty four hours a day, with only each other to talk to. You teach us magic with second hand school supplies and broken wands and you expect us to be happy. I know you are doing your best but I want freedom and to meet other people of my own age." Aure eyes pleaded with me, trying to manipulate my thoughts and my mood with her power. I looked at her, and shook my head to let her know I knew her game.

She had her way behind her silver blonde hair and deep eyes; she was an artist at her own game, who tried to improve herself daily. Her beauty was only one of her weapons but when I say she could get anyone to do anything she wanted, it was the truth. All she had to do was speak. It took awhile to piece the puzzle together but I did and it all made sense. She was powerful no doubt about that. I could only imagine who her parents were. Everyone in the house has at one time been subjected to her power and her controlling nature. Her sisters used to complain saying Aure told them to do it so they did. I usually just laughed at them telling them they needed to listen to themselves and not her.

She, at this time can not channel her power and I am afraid to teach her because once I do, I do not know if even I could resist her then. Think about the mayhem she could cause if she wanted to.

Nuria getting upset because she was not the center of the angst glared at Aure, "You are both the most pathetic people I have met, I'm so sick of you. She drove me to hit her, and than she cries and than she tattles like a two-year old. This, in turn, encourages the bookworm to throw in her opinions. The only question remaining is where is Clyte?" Nuria smirked, with her silver eyes swelling with pleasure. She knew I would begin to panic and this petty argument would end.

"Where is she?" I cried.

"She snuck out of the house about three hours ago." Tierra was quick to confess, knowing I would find out one way or another.

Suddenly a chill filled my entire body. What if something has happened to her, I couldn't imagine what I would do. To my relief I heard a bang coming from the only room with a door, the bathroom. I stormed in there ready to rip her new one.

How dare she do this to me, after I took her in, she has to worry me to death. I threw open the door to find a big smile plastered on her face, eyes glittering.

Clyte sauntered in the room with a huge grin on her face, and at that moment Nuria shook her head in disgust.

"What do you think you were doing?" I grabbed her roughly by the arm and drug her into the living room, pushing her next to her sisters. Tears began to fill her bright green eyes, and she hid behind that smooth coal colored hair.

"I don't know what you think this is, but I am sick and tired of all of your behavior. You are horrible to each other, you disregard my rules in my home, and you take advantage of each other on top of that; manipulating the other one until you get your way." I was screaming and close to hysteria.

"I haven't done anything. I have been reading all afternoon, and I have to be subjected to these this argument because they can't leave each other alone?" Tierra did not meet the glares of her sisters but rather got up and sat at our blue card table, a.k.a. our kitchen table.

"We are sixteen I think we are all capable of going out in public without being slaughtered but then again I wouldn't know what it is like out there by myself because we can only go if we are with you." Nuria's rage filled voice made everyone jump.

"Oh, shut up, I am so sick of your complaining." Clyte had to add, knowing that it would piss her off.

"Oh, because you got to spend three hours doing god knows, what, or maybe god knows who." Aure leered at Clyte.

"So she can go, but we can't?" Nuria's anger was mounting, I could tell by the tone of her voice.

I was about to pull out my wand when I heard a polite knocking on the door. It was like a chain reaction; they all stopped immediately and ran to the other side of the house, sitting quietly in the corner that wasn't visible from the door.

I cautiously approached the door, knowing what could be on the other side. I said a quick spell to see who was on the other side. I was relived to find that it was only one man, with the most amazing hair I had ever seen, the lightest hair, with those memorable eyes. Draco Malfoy.

"Who is it and what do you want?" I screamed hoping that he had the wrong house, how embarrassing would this be, Malfoy, the prick from my childhood seeing what the most brilliant student from Hogwarts had achieved, a four roomed rented apartment with four ungrateful teenagers.

"Open up the door Granger, it's official ministry business." He held up his papers knowing I could see him.

I slightly opened the door but it didn't stop the progressor; he pushed his way through as if I wasn't even there. A huge smirk crossed that perfect face, and that glint in his silver eyes that I had seen all too many times before returned.

"You have a very charming home." He sneered, that horrible voice ringing in my ears bringing back some of my most painful memories.

"If you have come to insult me, you know the way you came in; you can turn around and leave in the same fashion, with your nose up in the air and with that stick that is permanently up your ass." I turned around to hide my cheeks that were reddening from humiliation.

"That's not why I came; I have come to offer you an opportunity of a lifetime. You could change all of this, and live the life the smartest witch of Hogwarts was supposed to live. The Ministry of Magic is reopening Hogwarts to increase the number of educated wizards and witches; we would like you to be the Transfiguration teacher, offering you a very hefty paycheck." His voice was filled with force, as if he was telling me I was going to teach, and that I didn't have a choice.

"I would love to but I can't. It's not that I wouldn't like the job, I am just not able." I couldn't meet his penetrating eyes that could see right through me.

To my horror, Clyte, Aure, and Nuria rushed into the room in excited movements.

"She wants the job, she will take it." Aure said confidently; looking directly at me as she said it.

Draco's eyebrow rose looking from one of my kids to the next. "You must have had a very different array of men for all of these children to look so different red, blonde, black, and brown hair." Draco grinned as he thought about what he was implying. "Oh, then again, you are too much of a prude for all of them to be yours." He stood there for a couple of seconds for affect "Babysitting that must be how you have obtained your fortune." He declared.

"Excuse me, you came to her for help, and for your information she took us all in from the streets. You are just jealous that she outsmarted you at Hogwarts and that you could never amount to her intelligence." Nuria was infuriated; I could see it in her eyes because they were filled with hatred. It was an exact replica of Draco's eyes.

"How do you know what I think? I have just met you. No wonder your parents left you for Granger to take care of" He glowered at her. Nuria was stunned by his response surprised that he had spoken to her with no regard to his manner.

"Stop it." I had to stop this before it got out of hand we all knew Malfoy's temper. "All of you go to the other room. I will discuss this opportunity with Mr. Malfoy here and I will let you know MY decision." I pointed to the back of the room and they all dragged their feet to the room.

"Sorry, she is very forceful. They will come with me if I take the job." It wasn't even a question, I was telling him.

"Of course you could take them, do they know anything about magic or would they be starting in their first year?"

"I am appalled that you think so little of me, of course they are educated; when would I start?"

"Two days, the train will be in the same place as usual, with more ministry guards of course." He looked hopeful.

"How safe is it honestly, don't you dare lie to me." I wouldn't go if they were at risk. This was my way out and it is sitting with one of my worst enemies. Finally, a chance to achieve something more than what I have been handed.

"It is as safe as any other place at this time, and you will be there to protect your children. So I take it you have accepted my offer?" He questioned.

"I'll do it but the moment something I don't like occurs I will leave; even if I have to sedate them, tie them up, and carry them back." I said hoping he knew that it wasn't a lie.

"That is fine by me, here is some money to get them their school books and supplies, think of it as your signing bonus." With that, he disappeared leaving me there with several emotions. I didn't know if I should be mad or happy that he gave me the money. I was humiliated and relieved at the same time.

My children finally have a chance to live, a chance of the future I never had the chance to complete. I couldn't bring myself to glare at them, all I could do was grin.

They piled into the room as I waved my wand and produced five trunks.

"Go pack your things that you wish to take with you. We have to leave early tomorrow to go buy your things but right now I have to go see someone about something; stay in the house or we will not go." With that, I left them…

Nuria

She left with a pop, leaving us very curious to where she had gone.

"So what are we going to do now?" Tierra whispered quietly, her deep honey eyes darting around the room nervously avoiding eye contact with any of us.

"WE! HA. We are going to do nothing." I turned and made my way to the cabinets.

Most people would expect to find assorted packages of food, in a FOOD cabinet, but not at this pathetic apartment. The door creaked as it slowly opened it. Reviling miscellaneous items that are scattered throughout the three-leveled pantry, I knew it would take awhile for me to discover the particular piece I was looking for.

I was greeted by that familiar bronze chain, masked with gold paint; it was beginning to chip reviling it's true copper identity. The small silver snake charm, which obviously didn't belong on that cheap chain, was exquisitely crafted. It was the only clue to who I was or where I had been. It was the only thing that I had from my past. I knew it meant Slytherin but try tracking down dead Slytherin's was an impossible task. There are a ton of them, some are not even listed at all.

When I finally found it I hurriedly fastened it around my neck. I had put it up in the cabinet so I would not lose it but since I was going to an actual school, I decided I might need it for strength or luck.

I needed to be alone away from the light buzz that always filled my ears. So I slowly crept to the bathroom, hoping that no one would realize I wasn't around. I slowly closed the door, the light faded as it softly clicked shut. I was instantly surrounded in the darkness; it is the smallest yet most comfortable room in the apartment.

I hastily sat down, listening to my own voice inside my head instead of everyone else's. I was going to be feared, respected, and held in high authority at this new school, and I would do whatever it takes to accomplish it.

Tierra

The one good thing about books are they cannot lie to you. They will not deceive you. They only tell you what they know and they leave the interpretations up to you. You can decide to believe them or not but they won't tell you what to believe. They do not judge nor do they ridicule you hopes, fears, or dreams. Books will be your friend without question. They do not care about beauty and they do not care about your riches.

Watching, that is what I am good at. I am the observer of this house, weak, of course, but strong in the same way. I do not need human companionship because I am trained to survive with out it. So as I sit and I watch, and I know things people could only dream about knowing. Few would want to know the secrets I have encountered.

I sat it the corner of the living room floor enjoying the thought of leaving this dreadful place; to a place where knowledge would be very valuable and maybe I would not face as much scrutiny as I do now. Maybe even have a friend.

I began to drift the words on the pages began to collide into one another forming sentences that were not quit comprehendible to me. Exhaustion was the only answer for this.

I cautiously entered the realm between sleep and existence. You probably know the place, where you know you are asleep; yet, you are floating above yourself, as if you are a spectator to your own life.

It was my favorite state and enjoyed spending hours drifting above my world and this is where I would stay for the next few hours. Living above my body was so much easier than actually living life. Life was complicated, and anyone can become hurt; no matter who they trust or who they are.

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