A/N: Hello dear readers! I apologize a thousand times for being so tardy in my updates. My personal life has been extremely hectic recently, compounded by the fact that my computer developed some sort of virus and I had to get my hard drive wiped, and then reinstall all of the programs... Such a pain. Regardless, here is the chapter that you've all been waiting for!
The house that I lived in was called Bellthorn Cottage. I always found this entertaining because the old Tudor held twenty-seven bedrooms, two ballrooms, three libraries, and a full servant's quarters. It was a Black residence, a part of Narcissa's dowry for her marriage to Lucius. As an adult woman, Narcissa had not spent much time in the house, but as a girl, she had spent every summer there with all of her Black cousins. The vast expanse of land on which the house had been built was not only unplottable, but carefully warded to both protect children and to disguise underage magic from Ministry wards. Purebloods always taught their children practical magical education from an early age, regardless of current Ministry views on the subject. All wizarding children exhibited accidental magic – in Dark children, the effects were considerably more… destructive. The more quickly children learned how to control their magic, the fewer accidents happened.
An army of house-elves cared for Bellthorn, under the direction of Ginger, the Head Elf. Ginger herself had been born in the house, and, at nearly 94 human years, she had cared for four generations of Blacks. She was generally serious, and ran the household with military discipline. The most observant critic would find no dust on any surface, the food perfectly prepared, and the needs of its occupants met before they even thought to ask. Most guests of Bellthorn never saw an elf other than Ginger, the task of keeping the place in pristine condition done silently, unnoticed by wizards. Narcissa took considerable pride, I know, in the Black Family elves. She had tried on many occasions, unsuccessfully of course, to convince Ginger to come serve at Malfoy Manor. But the old elf would not abandon Bellthorn, and none but the Head of the Family could order her otherwise.
Bellthorn was the perfect place for me – well hidden from unwanted visitors, isolated from wizards and muggles alike, and managed by a loyal and trusted servant. And so, not a day after Narcissa had presented me to her husband, I had been placed in Ginger's capable hands.
Some might consider it to have been a lonely upbringing, but I wasn't away of any other way of life beyond that I had at Bellthorn Cottage. My days began when Ginger opened the curtains in my room and drew back my blanket. She helped me wash and dress, and then combed and set my hair. I spent the day following Ginger while she attended to her work. I loved and befriended most of the elves in the house. The majority of my time was spent in the kitchen by the hearth, watching the elves at work. Melody, the cook, was kind and friendly, and snuck me bits of sweet when Ginger wouldn't notice. Outside, I liked talking with Toddy, the gardener-elf, about flowers and plants that lived with us. Toddy taught me that plants were just like any other creature, and needed someone to love and care for them so that they could grow healthy and strong.
"Talk to you, they might," he told me once, in his low voice, "but only if Little Mistress will listen." I spent the following week sitting in the garden for hours, conducting lengthy conversations with the hydrangeas, who I was convinced were answering me.
Aunt Narcissa visited me once a week, on Friday afternoons for tea. She would bring me a present, and spent some hours listening to my chatter. I adored her. I wanted to grow up to be as beautiful and graceful and smart as she was. Secretly, I liked to pretend that she was my real mother. But then, I always felt bad immediately after thinking it.
I was almost five when I asked Narcissa about my own parents. We were in the Rose library, taking our customary tea by the French double doors that opened to a large garden. The room was named such for the plate glass roses that bordered the windows. The oak shelves, carved from solid blocks of wood, were topped by crowns engraved with the four petals of the Tudor rose. The house had originally been a gift to a Black who had served as ambassador to the muggle court of Elizabeth I.
"Did you enjoy the book I brought you last week?"
"Yes, ma'am," I replied. My "s" was drawn out, like a hiss. My first tooth had come out, one of the front ones on the lower half of my mouth. I knew that I sounded silly and had worked very hard all week to practice at masking my new lisp.
"Ginger read it to me." Narcissa smiled, which made me smile, forgetting that I had a hole in my mouth.
"She used to read me stories as well, when I was your age. And my mother would read to me, when we were in London."
"What was she like?"
"My mother?" Narcissa asked, surprised. "She was…proper. A very proper Dark witch."
"Like you?"
"I hope that I live up to her standards." We sat a moment in silence. I fidgeted with the hem of my skirt, working up the nerve to ask what I really wanted to know.
"What was –" I whispered.
"Harriet, look up when addressing someone." I held my head up, and sat a little straighter, and tried again.
"What was my mother like?" She looked at me a moment, and I thought that she looked sad.
"Your mother was…" Narcissa paused. She set her cup down on the table and stared out of the window.
"Your mother was a very talented witch. She was kind to everyone and very loyal. She loved you very much."
"I miss her," I confessed. "Why did she die?" I was staring at myshoes again, tears filling my eyes. Narcissa knelt before me, her pale blue eyes looking up into mine.
"She died to protect you," she said. "It is perfectly appropriate to miss your mother. I miss mine, as well, and I am a grown witch. What you must remember is that she loved you, and that she did not choose to leave you." She reached up and brushed the tears from my cheeks.
"There now," she said, lifting my chin. "She would not have wanted you to be cry. She would want you to be happy." I smiled feebly. "There are times when we feel very sad, or alone, Harriet. You musn't allow those feelings to control you. You must always keep going, even when it hurts. We must honor those we have lost by living our lives, and being strong." I nodded, and threw my arms around her. She hugged me back fiercely.
We returned to our tea, and life went on. That was the thing most people misunderstood about old purebloods, about the Dark in general – it was not that we are cold or unfeeling. In fact, Dark witches and wizards are some of the most passionate people I have ever met. Simply, we are taught to display emotions privately, to family. The world did not end because something hurt you; life went on, and there was no reason to behave otherwise.
I awoke on the morning of my sixth birthday to darkness. It must have been early, I knew, if Ginger had not yet come to draw my curtains. But I was too excite to go back to sleep. In the dim light, I crept out of bed and made my way to the bathroom. I was old enough to wash myself, but I still liked Ginger to wash my hair, and I required help getting dressed. More often than not, my dresses were buttoned with little beads or pearls, and my uncoordinated fingers, though little, could not do them up.
I got out of the tub in record time, having barely got wet and really only washing my face. Hair dripping and uncombed, I went back into the room and rummaged through the wardrobe. I had just located my favorite green dress when the lights came on.
"Mistress! What is you doing?"
"It's my birthday, Ginger!" I exclaimed, grinning broadly.
"Oh, Mistress Harri," the matronly elf sighed, half laughing. She walked over and took the dress from my hands, placing it back on the hanger.
"That dress is for dinner, Mistress." With a flick of her long fingers, she summoned a towel and began rubbing it over my head. "Mistress Malfoy is wanting Little Mistress in traveling clothes."
"Traveling clothes!" I cried excitedly from beneath the towel. "Do you know where I'm going, Ginger?"
"No, Mistress. But you is needing to get downstairs to your breakfast. Mistress Malfoy will be here in an hour."
"I bet we're going to London," I insisted. "Mrs. Malfoy said that I would get to see London soon."
She pulled the towel away from my head and dried the rest of me. She helped me into a light petticoat and stockings. Obediently, I held my arms up so she could put on a cotton navy blue dress with white lace trim. I put on the leather boots myself, and a lightweight blue outer robe. Ginger braided my long hair and pinned it into a bun at the base of my neck. She carefully wove white ribbons through it and at last declared me ready to leave.
"Melody has preparing special breakfast for Little Mistress," Ginger said as I followed her out of my room.
"What is it?"
"Is a surprise, Mistress." I trailed her, smiling. I knew better than to keep asking Ginger about a surprise – it was always really good and she would never, ever give anything away.
She led us down the main stair. Instead of turning to the dining room, however, we walked toward the back of the house, to the kitchens. At the large oak doors, Ginger stopped and made me close my eyes. I heard her push the doors open. She guided me a few steps forward before saying,
"You may be opening your eyes, Mistress."
All of the house elves were crowded into the kitchen, standing around the scrub board island. A banner hung from the ceiling with "Happi Birthdae" painted on it. At the table was the biggest stack of pancakes I'd ever seen and a package wrapped in brown paper with a yellow ribbon.
"Oh, thank you!" I laughed and went to the table to hug Melody and Toddy and Sage and Ruby and all of the elves who took care of me.
"Open you gift," Toddy said, passing the package to me. I tore at the paper and was delighted to find a patchwork blanket inside. It was made up of all sorts of colors. Here and there, I saw names sewn into the stitching – the elves, Narcissa, her husband, Lucius, and their son, Draco… Most of the names I knew from the Black Family Tree, which hung in the East Library, the largest of the three, on the second floor. There was one name that I didn't recognize, though. It was in the center of the blanket, on a black bit of cloth, in green thread, surrounded by the most beautiful pink roses.
"Who is that?"
I saw Melody open her mouth to answer, but Ginger spoke first.
"Is Persephone Black, daughter of Regulus. He is dead now. She is living with other family."
"Oh," I said, and felt sorry for Persephone. I had a moment where I decided that I would like her very much, because she was an orphan, as I was. Maybe I would meet her someday, I mused. Narcissa said that I would meet her family in September, when I moved to Malfoy Manor, so that I could begin lessons with her son Draco. I wondered what he was like, and imagined that if he were at all like Narcissa, that we would be great friends.
"Do you likes it, Mistress?"
"I do, Melody, very much. I will love it always."
"We all stitched it, Mistress," Toddy said proudly.
"Thank you all," I said and meant it. The elves were my friends, my only friends, and I was grateful that they had taken so much time to make me a gift.
"Mistress is to be eating, now," Ginger said, shooing the other elves out of the kitchen. "She is to be having a busy day today."
One by one, the kitchen cleared, everyone wishing me a happy birthday as they left to begin their work for the day.
"I liked my surprise, Ginger," I told the elf between bites of pancake – chocolate chip, even! – "This is going to be the best birthday ever!"
Ginger smiled as she moved about the kitchen, collecting the silver tea service.
"Do you know what London is like, Ginger? Is it exciting?"
"I has served Black Family in London, Mistress, yes. Is a place of light and shadows. You is finding every kind of magic in London."
I mulled this over in my head.
"It doesn't sound as if you like London."
"Ginger is preferring the country, Mistress. I is very happy serving you." She took my plate from me and put it in the basin to be washed. I finished my pumpkin juice and got down from the bench that ran the length of the table and which served as the seating. Ginger brought me my white gloves and brushed any crumbs from my skirt.
"Little Mistress is to be waiting in the Rose Library for Mistress Malfoy."
"Yes, Ginger."
Obediently, I left the kitchen and made my way to my designated waiting area.
I wasn't sure why Ginger didn't like London. In my imaginings, I pictured London as a bright, colorful place. I fancied that one could find anything in the world there. I was almost sure that was where we were going today. I wondered if I would get to select my birthday presents. I longed to see other wizards and witches, to see magical shops and the magical devices and creatures that I had read about in my story books. I saw magic daily, of course, but house elf magic all seemed to be used in work and chores. There were no other wizards in the house, and Narcissa was the only other human that I knew.
I was always amazed, though I was careful not to show it, when she used her wand. ("Dark Ladies are reserved and collected at all times," Narcissa had told me once, "You must always conduct yourself with dignity, and keep a clear head in any situation.") I couldn't wait for my eleventh birthday, when I would get a wand, and be able to do real magic. I wanted to be able to cast spells, not just move things with my magic. All that I could do was make my toys move about when I was playing, and change their shapes – as I was certain every magical child could – and that was just easy kid stuff that didn't even need a wand.
I heard the door of the library open, and immediately got to my feet and made a curtsy, careful to not sink all the way to floor. ("One only kneels to the floor when one is acknowledging a magical or social superior, Harriet, as a sign of respect. Your equals in class should only be addressed with a half-curtsy.")
I saw the hem of Narcissa's gown, a bright buttery yellow, and felt her gloved hand reached under my chin and draw me upward.
"How are you child?" She asked, smiling kindly at me.
"Very well, Mrs. Malfoy."
"And are you ready for our little adventure?"
"Yes, Ma'am," I replied with an enthusiastic nod.
"Then let us be off." She took my hand and led me out to stand before the fireplace. "We will be using the floo to arrive at the Ministry. From there, we shall go to Diagon Alley with my husband."
"I knew we were going to London," I said, smug.
"Before we can go, I am going to cast a glamour on you, Harriet." With that she drew her wand from within the folds of her sleeves and tapped my forehead with it.
"May I ask why?" I felt a tingling sensation washing all over my body.
"Because it might be dangerous if others were to see you, my dear."
"Why should I be in any danger?" I asked, confused.
"You will know when you are older, Harriet. For now, I ask that you trust me and obey."
I nodded, still confused, but trusting her completely. She conjured a small mirror and handed it to me. The face staring back at me had the same features I did, but my hair was the soft white-blonde that Narcissa's was, and my eyes were a cool grey. I felt a flutter in my stomach, as I realized that this is what I would look like if I truly were Narcissa's daughter, and half-hoped that I would be able to keep the glamour forever.
Narcissa took a handful of powder from a porcelain vase that sat upon the mantle, and tossed it into the hearth. Green flames burst to life, crackling merrily.
"You must step through the flames and say, 'Ministry of Magic,'" she explained, "When you feel yourself beginning to slow down, be sure to take one step forward. If not, you will land in a very unladylike fashion. Do you understand, Harriet?"
"Take one step forward," I repeated, somewhat nervous, having never traveled by floo before… having never traveled by any means, as a matter of fact. But I couldn't help being excited as well; I knew that there were great and wonderful things waiting for me, and that I only had to be brave enough to face them. Without hesitation, I walked through the flames. They felt warm and soft against my skin. Magic was so wonderful.
"Ministry of Magic!" I shouted, in as strong and clear a voice as I could manage. I felt myself being pulled forward through space, a swirl of colors and sounds flying by me. I caught glimpses of other people, (witches and wizards, I presumed,) and wondered how so many people could use the floo network at once and not crash into one another.
Finally, the colors and images began to slow, and I felt myself coming to a halt. I closed my eyes, and took a step forward, as Narcissa had instructed, and was surprised when I felt hard ground beneath my foot. I opened my eyes and gazed in wonder at the marble halls of the Ministry of Magic. There were hundreds of witches and wizards, coming and going in what seemed an awful hurry. Some held papers, other strange objects, all weaving between each other.
We emerged from the arching hearths of the Floo Network, walking towards a grand fountain. At the center of the large pool stood a tall golden wizard, flanked by a witch, a centaur, a goblin, and a house elf. The faces of the statues appeared to look kindly at the wizard, but from what I had read of centaurs and goblins, I couldn't believe that either race would ever look up to a wizard. As we passed, I saw the glittering of silver coins from within the pool surrounding the statues, and wondered if people made wishes at the fountain. Narcissa pulled me along, moving with the current of bodies that streamed through the Atrium. Tall windows could be seen jutting out of the walls here and there, revealing wizards and witches at work in their offices. I knew that the Ministry of Magic was far underground, and that the Atrium was on the eighth level. The windows towering above me must belong to the other departments…
At last we came to a queue. Narcissa had told me about this – all visitors to the Ministry had to register at the security desk. She told me that I was safe, because as a child, I had no wand to be weighed; this meant that no one would know who I really was. I continued to watch as little paper airplanes flew overhead, delivering messages from floor to floor. Some people greeted Narcissa in a polite but hurried way as they passed through the Atrium.
"Lady Malfoy and Ophelia Malfoy to see Lord Malfoy," I heard Narcissa say, and turned to look at the man sitting at the security desk. He was poorly shaven, and his peacock blue robes were somewhat shabby, but he stood at attention when Narcissa addressed him, and said in his most formal voice,
"Of course, Ma'am. Shall I send a note up to his office for you?"
"That will not be necessary," Narcissa replied, handing her wand to him. He held it delicately, as though it were made of delicate glass, and carefully placed it on the small brass scale. The instrument began to vibrate, and a thin length of parchment spat out of the bottom.
"Ten and a quarter inches, ebony, essence of phoenix talon core," the man read, "In use twenty-two years?"
"That is correct," Narcissa replied, holding out her hand. The security man handed the wand back over, and produced a pair of silver badges. Narcissa fastened a badge to the front of my robes, and then we were past the security desk, and making our way to a row of elevators. The golden grills closed shut, and I stood tightly against Narcissa in the crowded elevator as the lift began its rise upward.
"Level Two, Department of Magical Law Enforcement, including the Improper Use of Magic Office, Auror Headquarters, and Wizengamot Administration Services," said a cool female voice from the roof of the lift. Several more wizards and witches exited the elevator here, so that only myself, Narcissa, and a wizard holding a box that seemed to be emitting some sort of violet fumes.
"Level One, Office of the Minister of Magic, including the Department of Magical Education, Office of Public Relations, and the Department of Misinformation."
"What's the Department of Misinformation?" I asked. Narcissa had my hand, leading us past several rows of desks, at which sat several harassed looking witches and wizards, reviewing paperwork.
"That Department works with the muggle Ministry," she replied, distastefully. I pondered this a moment. If the wizarding world ought to remain separate from the muggle one, then why was there an entire department of the Ministry that worked with the muggle Minister? I voiced as much.
"Because it is necessary to do things that are unpleasant," Narcissa replied, "and because we are forced to live on the same land, and must negotiate the space."
I supposed that this made sense, and accepted the answer with a nod of my head.
"Ah, Darling, there you are," Narcissa said in a voice that would melt butter. I watched in fascination as her whole body shifted – her shoulders were a little higher, her hips swayed a little, her legs moved forth with purpose. Her eyes were brighter than I had ever seen them, and her lips turned up in a dignified smile. If I had thought her beautiful before, she was captivating now. I turned my head in time to watch her hands catch those of a tall man, with white-blonde hair and eyes the color of darkened silver.
So this, was Lucius Malfoy.
A/N: Please don't forget to review - I love all of the feedback! You lot are the BEST!!
