"Look at her I swear she's flaunting for all the boys in this common room," Pansy said to her friends, the other girls looked on with jealous eyes. "I really wish she would go you know, but being Dumbledore's granddaughter I wonder why she didn't start in her first year.
Claire knew every one was talking about her she knew because there was not one person within two feet of her, she over heard her cousin Draco tell a few people to alienate her so because they were brainless and could not think they listened, but it did not bother her because she had friend else where. The morning rolled on she hated having her free hour in the morning because she never slept in, she looked up suddenly and noticed that there was a boy in front of her he was a good looking boy probably a six or seventh year student.
"Yes?" Claire asked book marking standard book of spells grade three.
"Have they caught him yet?" He asked.
"Who?" Claire asked but it was obvious who he was referring too.
"Your father you know I quite admire the guy, the fact that he's big with Voldemort." He said coming close to her so that he was nearly inches from her face.
Claire became nervous what was he getting at, she inched back a bit.
"You know he'll rise again, and when that happens and you don't follow him, well you might as well kiss your family good bye." He said moving to her ear, "I suggest you join the death eaters all the rest of us will eventually."
Claire pursed her lips tears were filling up in her eyes she remembered Harry telling her how Voldemort killed his family viciously and hearing how Mr. Weasley said that her father was out to kill Harry. "Get away from me now…" Claire said with a calm voice.
The boy looked at her, "what don't want to hear the truth about the Black family dear cousin, we live to serve Voldemort you know." He said.
"Who the hell do you think you are?!" Claire shouted.
"I'll tell you Miss Black I am David Lestrange son of Bellatrix your aunt…so how do you like that news, because once they kill your mother when they find her, you'll be left at the mercy of either the Malfoys or the Lestranges and let me tell you none of us will be easy on you, so I'd watch your self the next time you decide to punch Draco or any other member of our family." David said two other girls near him laughed at her.
They were twins fourteen year old girls both with the same evil stare, "so this is her, tut she is very pretty brother." Said Kara.
"She doesn't have a clue what might happen to her, if she isn't careful." Said Hera the other twin.
"Take care dear cousin and remember what I said." He told her as he and his sisters walked off.
Claire broke down she had to warn her mother she tore through the common room and exited into the dungeons as she hurried passed doors she found her self blinded by the searing hot tears that burned her eyes, she ran into some one coming out of a classroom.
Severus Snape had stopped what he was doing the girl who was daughter of his worst enemy had bumped into him he was ready to be angry but stopped as she was in tears, this little power house snappy girl was crying and she was sinking to the floor now.
"What are you doing you could hurt some one running like that in the halls, get up." He said trying not to sound concerned.
"It's my mother, they can't find her not when she can't defend herself, please you have to tell my grand father I don't know how to see him." Claire whimpered.
"Who is after your mother?" Snape asked
"Death Eaters my cousin David just told me they were looking for her for Voldemort, please I know you already hate me but my mother…" She cried. "She's going to have a baby she can't die."
"Helga? I'll go to Dumbledore right away return to your common room now Miss Black." Snape said tone changing.
He knew Helga very well, she was how ever the best friend of the girl he could never forget…Helga had always been nice to him as a person she was much like Dumbledore gracious and kind hearted she was well respected in the wizarding world, despite her attraction to Sirius Black. He went straight to Dumbledore and told him what David Lestrange had said about Albus's daughter.
"I shall send an owl out to the ministry to have my home protected, Severus thank you for comming to me immediately you can reassure Claire her mother is safe." Dumbledore said.
Claire how ever did not go back to the common room she had gone out side and stood by the lake with her hands at her side she was still crying…
Sirius had seen her he recognized her from when he saw Claire with Harry that night on Magnolia Crescent she was alone he was still in his dog form he moved cautiously across the grass toward her and touched her hand with his nose.
Claire gasped she looked down at the large black dog; it looked up at her with eyes that were kind and worried.
"gee dog you scared me." She said scratching the top of his head.
Sirius thought this was weird having her scratch his head then he remembered if he turned to his normal form she would probably be scared, he thought he would cry looking at her now was like a dream his own daughter. She was sniffing and crying and he wanted to hug her.
"You know I almost want go I hate being in Slytherin, my cousins are assholes, and I want to see my mom know that she is safe." She said to him.
Sirius sat down on the grass listening to her.
"Oh your going to stay and listen to me, such a nice dog you are, but I only have woes no food sorry." she said scratching him behind the ear.
"At least I have Harry, Ron, and Hermione they are good friends, I just hope the fact that my father wants to kill Harry doesn't affect that." She said "I got to go don't want to be late for my very first class Potions with professor Snape, there's Harry and Ron now."
She ran off leaving him by the lake, Sirius was taken back "He wanted to kill Harry…since when." He looked as his daughter greeted Ron and Harry, and he got it his daughter had already gotten the wrong idea bout him.
"Hey where is Hermione?" Claire asked as they made their way to the dungeons.
"Don't know she just disappeared, I really do wonder though how she plans to get to all her classes." Ron said.
"Hey Claire have you been crying?" Harry asked
Claire nodded "I had a run in with more of my cousins the Lestranges, David, Kara, and Hear." Claire said.
"Oh I know them the nastiest of people you meet, David is a death eater in training every one knows it but they cant bust him, no one has proof against him." Ron said.
"Claire you have bad luck with family, so Draco said his Mom wants to talk to you?" Harry said
"That's what he said; I really wonder what she is like?" Claire said
"No one really knows, mum said she is like a trophy wife you know really pretty, but has to always be to steps behind or out of sight." Ron said
"You must know a lot about all the wizarding families?" Claire said
"Only what I'm told, old Mrs. Black was a real muggle hater; she went crazy after your uncle Remulus died." Ron said matter-of-factly.
"She sounds awful…" Claire said.
"Yeah but you want to know the kicker, when she kicked the bucket she left every thing to Sirius, now only he and his offspring can go into the house and vault." Ron said.
"Oh…that explains why this whole family wants to talk to me Christ I don't believe I didn't see it, I have access to a fortune trust me you should see the vault I have never seen so much money in my life, sorry Ron, but still they'll do any thing in their power to get a hold of me and the Black family fortune, I'll bet all the money in the world that that Is why Draco's mother wants to see me." Claire said.
When they got to the dungeons she looked and saw Draco looking exceptionally irritated as he walked over but not with his mother but his father.
"Well, hello there Miss. Black attending your lessons I see, and sporting some very nice robes." Lucius said.
Ron stifled a laugh Claire was right how else would Lucius Malfoy be nice to her she had more money than he could count. Claire raised an eye brow.
"Right well what are your plans for Christmas?" He said trying to be pleasant.
"I'm going to see my mom and spend it with my grand father, why?" She asked.
"Oh no reason…erm well how are you liking Hogwarts?" He said
"Oh I love it I have the best of friends right here, surely you know Ron Weasley and Harry Potter." Claire started as Hermione popped up curious as to what was going on, "and another good friend Hermione Granger, I think you know Ron's family very well."
His upper lip curled with distaste he nodded, "Of course how is your father Donald?" Lucius asked getting Ron's name wrong.
"Oh its Ron, my dad is great, thank you Mr. Malfoy." Ron said stifling more fits of laughter.
"Precisely well take care Miss Black." He said walking off
"Take care Mr. Malfoy…" Claire said sweetly
"Please Uncle Lucius will do." He said waving.
Ron lost control he was rolling around on the floor now laughing hysterically, and all the rest of the Gryffindor's were in stitches. Claire and Harry gripped each others shoulders, and Hermione was completely oblivious.
"Goodness," Ron said gasping for air "I've never seen a sadder attempt at trying to get money in my entire life."
"Keep laughing Weasley…" Draco started but Ron cut him off.
"I will thank you…" Ron said as another fit of laughter rang though the dungeons.
Claire had however stopped laughing as she thought about her mother, she wondered if Snape was still talking to her grandfather about the issue when Snape appeared in the hall every one except Ron had stopped laughing.
"Mr. Weasley please cease that noise, hurry up all of you get into class." Snape said.
As promised Claire sat with Hermione, having not done potions before this was a good thing before sitting down she walked up to Snape.
"Miss Black if you'll be so kind speak to me after class." He said coldly.
Claire nodded and returned to her seat.
The class went smoothly not too many problems except the usual Neville torture, which Hermione said was normal.
"Harsh poor guy, Neville is so sweet." Claire said chopping some strange root.
"You know I'm sorry I was so harsh toward you before, I'm just so used to being the only girl." Hermione confessed.
"Hey it's okay you were mostly protective over Ron I noticed." Claire said.
"Oh no, no, um does it show?" Hermione said giving up on denying it.
"Well yes, but I don't blame you Ron is a cute guy in an awkward sort of way what's not to like." Claire said honestly, "quite frankly you have no worries as far as I am concerned, I have found some on else."
"Who, you just got here?" Hermione asked growing interested.
Claire leant over and whispered in her ear, "no way!" Hermione exclaimed causing Neville to jump and drop his wartsnuff in the boiling pot which exploded all over his table.
Claire and Hermione looked at one and other then giggled furiously, "He's just too gorgeous for words you know."
Ron was working with Harry but he was really trying to listen to the hushed conversation Hermione and Claire were so deep into.
"Ron pay attention gees," Harry said "what are you doing."
"I'm trying to hear what Claire and Hermione are talking about, grr…Neville can probably hear better." He said.
Harry was just happy that Claire and Hermione were getting along now, she had become a good friend to him, but Hermione was his best friend and it was important for them to get along.
When they got out they all went to the great hall, after Claire was reassured buy Snape that her mother would be fine.
Claire sat with them for lunch they had decided for their lunch hour they would go check out the Quidditch pitch since Claire had yet to see it.
Then Claire saw him Cedric Diggory, and her heart melted at his kind smile, his tall frame and just plain dashing good looks Hermione saw her staring and pinched her.
"Ouch! Hey Hermione what was that for?" Claire said.
"Just think what he would do if he saw you staring?" Hermione stated.
Claire nodded and stole one more glance at Cedric and smiled then caught his eye he waved at her, she waved back, this caught the attention of a lot of girls near by who had started to sneer at her, one of them Cho Chang was especially annoyed and looked at Claire.
Claire was completely oblivious to her the good looking fifth year Hufflepuff Cedric Diggory made her turn her attention no where else except of course when Hermione pinched her again.
Thank you for reading thus far...