Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter what-so-ever, it all belongs to the wonderful J.K. Rowling!
August 6, 1802
Genevieve Black turned her head in the mirror to better examine the beaded choker her cousin, Aludra Black had given her. It was a truly beautiful choker, Genevieve thought as she fingered one of the pearls. It was white and lacy, with lines of pearls hanging a short distance from the edge of the choker. The choker would undoubtedly go with many of the dresses Genevieve owned. After all, white was a color that went with nearly everything.
I can wear this at the New Magic Ball before school. She thought as she turned her head to look directly into the mirror and tug on an errant red curl of hair. She was referring to the annual Ball that took place a few weeks before Hogwarts started, and "new magic" would be unveiled at the Ball, meaning, of course, that all pureblood families would bring their eleven year olds (and any older children, of course) and basically show them off, introducing the next generation of pureblood children. New Magic was a term referring to the newly revealed pureblood children, the new magical generation.
Most pureblood families only revealed each of their children when it was sure that they weren't Squibs, and this way no one would know if a Squib had been produced because no one would know the child had been born in the first place. At these Balls the eleven year olds could get know each other and show a comfortable attitude with each other when they went to Hogwarts.
Genevieve, having turned eleven earlier in the year and received a Hogwarts letter would be one of the main attractions at this Ball. After all, her parents had told her, she was from the noble house of Black, and a Black hadn't been at Hogwarts in 7 years. People would be curious, eager to make an alliance with the Black family through the friendships of their children. She had been told countless times on who to avoid, who to be seen with, and who to seek friendships with for the benefit of the Black reputation.
Avoid the Potters and the Weasleys; they can have members with correct views, like your mother, or traitorous views concerning mudbloods. Also, be cautious when seeking the friendship of an Abott, they just had girl of theirs sorted into Hufflepuff, and you don't want to associate with a Hufflepuff at all. Make sure they hold the correct views first. Try to associate with the Blishwicks or the Rosiers. We've had marital agreements with Blishwicks in the past, and I heard that they have a little girl who's showing promise. She'll be in your year…
It went on and on. She already knew who the more influential families were and their entire lineage, she knew who was less influential and carried less wealth, and she had already memorized the Black family tree by the time she was six. She had been using her mother's wand for all of her childhood and learned as much magic as possible. Then, when she got her own wand, she had a few weeks to practice as much magic as she could in order to ensure she would be on top of her classes. She had learned to dance flawlessly, speak fluent French, and so many more things she could hardly name.
The crack of a house elf's apparition brought her back from her reflection. "Kreacher has been told to notify Mistress Genevieve that breakfast will be held in ten minutes exactly. Kreacher has also been told to tell you that you will be going to Diagon Alley with Miss Isabella to buy a dress for the New Magic Ball," Kreacher said, bowing deeply, his spine looking roughly like a U. He had a beak like nose and squinting eyes. He had long fingers and claws that were cut short, but evidently still sharp.
Kreacher was somewhat wrinkled, but he was still young for a house elf, only around maybe three hundred years old (or maybe it was four hundred, Genevieve thought). "Thank you Kreacher, you may stand," she said, standing up and smoothing out he creases of her dress. It was black with a dark grey corset. The corset had black swirling designs along the V. Not much would successfully go with her vivid, curly red hair that she had inherited from her mother, a Weasley. Black was a color that went with a lot, Genevieve thought, and besides, dark colors weren't uncommon in fashion amongst purebloods.
She picked up her wand that was lying on the vanity and walked out of her room without a second glance, Kreacher's crack of dissaparation echoing the closing of her bedroom doors. She said a polite greeting to the portrait of Mahthildis Black as she descended down the stairs. The closing of her brother's door could be heard and he rushed down the hallway and came down the stairs two at a time before stopping so that he walked next to Genevieve.
Canopus was ten, and luckily for him he hadn't inherited any Weasley genes. His hair was dark brown and neatly parted. His eyes were also dark brown and always glittered with mischief. He was a somewhat attractive boy, although that wasn't saying too much. Most purebloods were attractive to some degree. She remembered her father telling her that all purebloods were attractive because they were pureblood. This was a fact supported by Aludra, the only person who wasn't her parents and brother that she had ever associated with. This was only because Aludra had found Genevieve in the library by accident, and her parents reluctantly allowed her to continue seeing her younger cousin.
"You're starting school in a month Genevieve!" Canopus exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with excitement for her, and a bit of envy. Genevieve smiled to herself.
"Less than a month," she corrected him, and he elegantly shrugged. "Same difference. I wonder what's for breakfast," he mused to himself as they neared the end of the stairs and turned into the dining room. Genevieve didn't answer, for she was stopped by the sight of her cousin, Aludra Black sitting next to her mother, a smirk on her face. Her parents didn't look entirely pleased, her father, Deimos Black was sitting rigidly and her mother, Minerva Weasley, kept shooting displeased glance at the teenager besides her.
Genevieve stood there for a moment, wondering who to address first, when the decision was practically made up for her. Aludra's eyes had fallen on the choker that Genevieve was wearing a grin broke out on her face.
"You're wearing the choker I gave you!" she exclaimed loudly, and Deimos shot a glare at his overenthusiastic and loud niece. Genevieve smiled and curtsied gracefully as a greeting, and her brother made a respectful bow.
"Yes I am, I thought it was gorgeous, so I simply had to wear it and see how it looked!" she gushed, exercising the manners her governess and parents had drilled into her. Genevieve and Canopus then turned to their parents.
"Good morning Father, good morning Mother," they chirped in unison before walking to the dining table, Canopus pulling out a chair for his sister before pulling out a chair for himself, the pair sitting down gracefully. As they did so, Elph, the mother of Kreacher came to the dining table balancing a tray of soup bowls and tea. The elf snapped her fingers and the soup bowls floated over to their respective person, as well as the tea.
Elph lowered the tray from her head and looked up, her large, brown eyes widening ever more at the sight of Aludra Black.
"Elph did not know that Mistress Aludra would be joining her Masters for breakfast! Elph wishes to know if Aludra would wish to enjoy some soup as well." Elph asked in a squeaky voiced rush. Aludra smirked and looked down at the house-elf.
"I am simply here for conversation, although I wouldn't mind some tea. You know what I like," Aludra said before turning back to her relatives, now leaning forward for an unobstructed view of Deimos, who sat at the head of the head of the table. She was a beautiful girl, but she was beautiful in the way a tiger or a lion was beautiful; somewhat frightening. She had naturally brown hair, but she magically altered it so it was black, and it held a little bit of a wave.
"The New Magic Ball is coming up soon; I assume you have an outfit picked out for her?" Aludra asked, drumming her fingers on the table. Deimos picked up his china teacup (this one decorated with peacocks) and took a long sip, ignoring the impatient look of Aludra.
"In fact, Miss Isabella will be taking her to Diagon Alley today to buy her a dress," he said, lowering his teacup and keeping his expression neutral as he did so. Aludra's face lit up.
"May I accompany them Uncle?" Aludra asked, straightening up now, tense, "I haven't seen Genevieve in ages," Deimos and Minerva both raised a brow at the same time, but this did not deter Aludra. Genevieve opened her mouth to make a statement, but her father noticed the movement and sent her a warning glance that very clearly said; speak when spoken too.
"Exactly how will you do that? Won't it raise more questions if Genevieve is seen with a member of The Noble and most Ancient House of Black?" he asked politely, although it was more of a statement than a genuine question. Genevieve and Canopus both sat silently, and when Genevieve glanced at her brother she saw Canopus was nearly done with his soup, the pleasant smell of it wafting over the room.
"Magic," Aludra said simply, shrugging and drumming her fingers against the table.
Elph had returned and she was balancing the tea cup and saucer on her head. She stopped next to Aludra, who picked up the tea cup and saucer before placing it on the table. Elph hesitated for a few moments before leaving quickly, her bare feet padding against the rug underneath the table before hitting the dark stone floor.
"You'll only be able to go with a magical disguise," he said. Minerva frowned, clearly wondering if allowing their niece to go was a good move. Aludra herself looked like Christmas had come early. Canopus looked up, confused (he probably hadn't been listening, Genevieve thought).
"You can go. You might want to disguise Genevieve in some way," Deimos said, and Minerva was still looking reluctant, leaning towards her husband and whispering rushed words that Genevieve couldn't hear. Aludra stood up rather quickly, drained her tea in less than a couple seconds, and walked around the table to Genevieve.
"You'll be leaving in half an hour," Deimos said, and Aludra was already grasping onto Genevieve's hand and leading her away. Canopus was looking indignant that his sister got to be excused from the table, but not him.
The two walked out of the room and up the stairs. Aludra was smirking madly, and Genevieve looked behind her a few times, unable to believe their luck.
"The rest of the family will be coming later in the day, I came early," Aludra said as they entered Genevieve's room. Aludra sat herself down on the edge of the bed, casting her gaze around the room, taking in the crystal chandelier, the emerald green and silver furniture, and the wallpaper with various venomous looking snakes. There was a stuffed raven in one corner of the room, wings outstretched and beak opened in a silent caw.
"Hyperion will be there?" Genevieve asked as she fiddled with her wand. Aludra nodded before looking at her younger cousin, a smile breaking out on her face. "So will Constantine and his sister, along with their parents, of course, you know how they're related to my branch of the Black family."
"Why don't you show me your magic?" Aludra asked, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. Genevieve nodded and stood up, suddenly bursting with excitement. She grasped her wand tightly and pointed it at the bedspread.
"Colovaria," she said firmly, closing her eyes and imagining the color black. She felt the pleasant shudder of magic travel from her core and through her wand. She opened her eyes to see that the bedspread had turned from emerald green to black, and Aludra was grinning, clapping a little.
"I know more, but that's my favorite spell," Genevieve said as Aludra wordlessly turned the bedspread green again. Aludra took out her own wand and placed it on the bed, smiling deviously.
"Watch," she said simply, cupping her hands together and bringing them up to her mouth. She blew into her hands before opening them; a flame resembling a tiger sat growling in the palms of her hands. She was smirking a bit evilly, and from where Genevieve was standing she could feel the heat of what Aludra had conjured. Her eyes were wide with wonder as Aludra shifted the flaming tiger to one hand and dangled a finger over it, the tiger leaping up in an attempt to bit her finger.
"Fiendfyre," Aludra answered the silent question Genevieve had clearly been asking as the flaming tiger shifted into a flaming dragon, its wings violently flapping. Genevieve moved so that she was standing next to her cousin, wonder in her eyes.
"It's extremely Dark and complicated magic," Aludra explained as the dragon became a roaring and agitated manticore, "only the most focused and magically able can successfully create Fiendfyre, but only the best can actually control it."
Genevieve watched the manticore, its anger and violence could be felt in the air, and the heat coming from it was unbearable. She could feel, even though she wasn't casting the magic, that it was desperately trying to escape the control of Aludra. She backed away. She looked up at her cousin in wonder and admiration.
"Fiendfyre can burn down the strongest magical buildings in seconds, and it's nearly impossible to combat," Aludra then, with obvious effort, forced the Fiendfyre to dissipate into smoke, leaving a strange, tainted and dark feeling in the air. Genevieve looked up at Aludra who was smiling in a self-satisfied way.
"Where did you learn that?" Genevieve asked, wondering whether to feel frightened of the magic Aludra had just shown her, or to be awed by it. She crossed her arms and glanced at her stuffed raven, which had just stretched out his wings and closed his beak.
"There are wonderful ancient books that thorough fully cover the subject of the Dark Arts," Aludra stated, sitting down. "Such books are banned by the Ministry, of course, but that doesn't have to dishearten you," Aludra said, noting the immense worry that became evident of Genevieve's face.
"Most proper purebloods study the subject," Aludra said indifferently, "the Ministry has only banned them in fear of the power Dark Magic gives the user." Aludra was sneering nastily now, her fingers holding her wand tight in her hand.
Genevieve noted how some sparks flew from the wand, and the Raven made a loud caw.
"The Ministry is too soft, they don't wish for those with the gift of magic to explore all areas of magic," Aludra released her grip on the wand and looked at Genevieve, clasping her hands together. A hopeful smile spread on her face, now, and she beckoned Genevieve to her.
"You won't have to worry about such restrictions once you come of age, though, because Septimus, he says he can change it all," Aludra pulled Genevieve closer to her, and put a strand of her red hair behind her ear, "Septimus has promised us all that he will do something within the Ministry, and I feel as though he's the only one who will." Silence fell momentarily, and as Genevieve sat down next to Aludra, she opened her mouth to ask a hesitant question.
"Septimus Malfoy, right? He sounds very ambitious," Genevieve said, pulling on her curly red hair. Aludra laughed, running a hand through her hair as she did.
"He is. He's very stubborn as well, and can get very nasty if you insult his family. I remember he organized the lot of us Slytherins to harass William Dagworth for as long as he didn't apologize about calling his mother a 'whore who only married a Malfoy for money'. Dagworth is a Gryffindor, you know, and one of those recent purebloods because his past three generation of ancestors were wizards," Aludra said nostalgically, laughing a bit at the memory and sneering a bit at Dagworth's blood status.
"Why did he ever do that? Insult Lady Malfoy, that is," Genevieve asked in concern, clasping her hands together. Aludra took a moment to remember, and as she did so a Monarch Butterfly materialized from thin air above her hand like smoke, and then fluttered away and around the room.
"I believe it started with one of Dagworth's friends pushing past Althea Melifua, -Septimus was recently engaged to her this summer, I heard, and- you know what, I can show you!" Aludra gasped loudly and then looked at Genevieve, eyes bright.
"You can?" Genevieve asked, leaning forward a bit. Aludra grinned and took Genevieve's hand in her own.
"Of course," she said, closing her eyes, and without needing to be told so did Genevieve. She suddenly felt as though she was being submerged in cold water, and she found herself standing in a Hogwarts corridor, looking at several students in black uniform. Black dresses for the girls, some were wearing black cloaks as well, and black wizarding robes for the boys, although it was covered by a black cloak. Their uniforms had a house crest embroidered in the right chest-shoulder area, and most girls were wearing jewelry that was their house color.
"We were changing classes, from seventh year Slytherin and Hufflepuffs to fifth year Slytherin and Gryffindor, potions class," Aludra explained, and Genevieve immediately picked out her cousin amongst the ones leaving, a girl with brown hair, blue eyes, and defined cheekbones was accompanying her, laughing at something that Aludra had said.
"That's Septimus Malfoy," Aludra said, walking them over to a boy with platinum blond hair and sharp, handsome features, and piercing silver eyes. Hyperion was standing next to him, regarding the Gryffindors with distaste, and upon further inspection, Genevieve noticed that Septimus was staring directly at a beautiful girl with black hair, blue eyes, and rosy cheeks, who a Gryffindor boy was steadily approaching, not looking where he was going. Before Genevieve could look at anyone else in the corridor, something had already happened.
The Gryffindor boy had shouldered her, causing her to hit some of the people behind her, and fall. Septimus immediately dropped his bag and pulled out his wand. The boy stuttered out a short apology, holding out his hand for her to take. A girl with light brown, sun streaked hair and attractive features had made a loud squealing sound, and were looking at the boy in disgust, helping Althaea up with the help of another black haired girl with a smattering of freckles on her face. The boy looked slightly hurt at the rejection of his help, and highly apologetic.
Before he could get a word in Septimus had stalked up to him. "Hey! Who do you think you are?" he asked loudly and rather angrily. The boy was looking extremely fearful now, his face had gone pale and he was shaking a bit now, backing up quickly. "Are you not looking where you're going, or are you trying to cause harm?" he snarled, now putting his wand to the boy's neck. As he did so a Hufflepuff girl uttered a soft scream of fear. A tall, rather haughty looking boy had broken away from the Gryffindor crowd. Septimus straightened up as the other boy approached, and drew his wand away from the shaking boy, who collapsed on the ground in a shaking heap of fear (How was he a Gryffindor? Genevieve thought critically).
"I would suggest you move away from Parker," he said, in a self-important way, and Septimus sneered, drawing himself up to his full height.
"If you were a bit more observant, you would have noticed that I already have," he said in a rather condescending way, having somehow managed to squash his anger for the most part, although she noticed that his wand was spitting little red sparks. Dagworth's eyes narrowed as several people laughed, the loudest of them all was Aludra and the girl next to her, for they both laughed hysterically. Even now, Aludra next to her chuckled.
"You should learn how to control your temper Malfoy, I wonder who you inherited that from," Dagworth's rose his voice, and suddenly a strange sheet of tension grasped the room. He was making this personal. Genevieve stole a look at Althaea to see that she had frozen in place, her eyes very wide. Aludra exchanged a look with the girl besides her, and a ghost of a smirk remained on her face.
"I mean, really, was it his whore of a mother or his rich, snobbish father?" Dagworth said loudly, to the suddenly completely silent room, everyone waiting for Septimus' reaction. Septimus was shaking in anger, and his face was a strange mixture between blank and livid. His wand was spitting several sparks now.
"We all know that his whore mother only married Lord Malfoy for money and the prestige," Dagworth was looking extremely triumphant, but realized after a few moments that no one but Septimus was looking at him anymore, but towards the door to the Potions classroom. Professor Prince was looking directly at Dagworth, his thin face pale and shocked. Dagworth's triumphant grin slipped off like melted butter. A strange, rather demented looking smirk had formed on Septimus' face, giving him a rather insane look.
"N-never, In-in all my years as a teacher have I heard such- Dagworth, fifty points from Gryffindor and a month's full of detention. I'll talk to the Headmaster about this, oh yes I will!" Professor Prince's shaking and rather high voice became stronger and more confident as he talked, now extremely angry and muttering under his breath. Aludra next to her was laughing at the look on Dagworth's face, and Genevieve couldn't help but snicker a bit as well.
Everyone glanced back at Septimus who made eye contact with several, a silent understanding as Septimus walked forward and picked up his bag and walking resolutely into the classroom, a couple of boys that included Hyperion (who had a distinct resemblance to his siter) hurried forward to Septimus, whispering in hushed and quick tones to him. Aludra was smirking along with the other girl, and the pair pointed their wands at Dagworth who was walking very stiffly into the classroom and caused him to trip. The pair laughed raucously and was joined by many of the Slytherins, the corridors filled with jeering laughter. The pair left the memory and came back into the real world, Genevieve feeling a bit lightheaded.
"That was a terrible thing to say about his parents!" Genevieve exclaimed when she had gotten her bearings, and Aludra had lain down on the bed, nodding.
"Dagworth got in huge trouble. He got a good whipping once a day for about a week, and then his parents complained that that was too much. He then had to write lines with a Blood Quill. He still has the scars. Septimus had spread the message throughout the Slytherins in his grade about harassing Dagworth until he truly apologized. Then Octavius Lestrange spread the message by telling Flavia Malfoy when changing classes, who told her class, and then Acantha Bulstrode told Tacitus Nott when going to the hospital wing, who told his class and then told a Greengrass in third year when going into the Great Hall for lunch, and then at lunch the message spread amongst the Slytherins," Aludra listed off on her fingers. Genevieve blinked, dumbfounded.
"You guys were that efficient?" Genevieve asked in clear awe. Aludra grinned.
"Slytherins protect each other, and those were some pretty awful slurs that Dagworth said against Lord and Lady Malfoy. The funniest thing is that Lady Malfoy didn't invite the Dagworths to her next Ball. It was kind of funny because they had been moving up into pureblood culture," Aludra said with a laugh.
Genevieve bit her lip as a thought suddenly occurred to her.
"W-will anyone say things like that about Father and Mother?" Genevieve asked a somewhat fearful voice, and Aludra's gaze became steely.
"Yes. The Mudbloods say terrible things to disguise their own envy of our blood and status, as well as magical prowess," Aludra stated in a cold manner, but not towards Genevieve, she knew.
"When they say things, whatever they may say, I want you to immediately owl me about who they are and what they said. I'll sort it out," Aludra said. Geneviève thought on this for a moment, and as she did the stuffed raven cawed loudly again and in a flash of movement, caught the butterfly Aludra had made and began chewing on it. Part of her feared what might happen to anyone who insulted Father and Mother, but at the same time she thought that they would deserve it, after all, they were only filthy mudbloods, and didn't exactly carry any value, right?
Author's Note
I'm sorry that this one was posted later, but I passed out immediately from coming home from school, so I had a couple hours delay on that, as well as dinner.
Anyway, I hope you guys liked this chapter! It was originally too long, so I had to cut it into two. In case you were wondering, yes, Aludra is a main character of this story, as well as Althaea/ Septimus, and another unnamed character as of now. I've got about five characters that the story focuses on, but I might occasionally pop into the perspective of a different character. I'll post more pronunciations next Friday. Please Review guys, and Constructive Criticism is welcome!