Good news! Two chapters in one day because I'm being very productive today! Also the reviews are showing up now! :D Keep them coming, they're my bread and butter! Enjoy!


It was reaching the end of August 1984. Dora was currently sat in the library room of her Aunt and Uncles manor, she'd taken to hiding in here of late, her cousin had taken a liking to her recently. He was okay when he was first born, cute almost, but now the four year old was running around the manor. He was always wanting to drag her into his latest games and although that seemed fun in the past Nymphadora had decided that at the age of 11 when she was about to go off to Hogwarts for the first time in her life she was too old for such childish games.

Anyway, Dora had recently found a much better thing to pass her time. She'd begged her Uncle to let her do half of the things her parents used to ever since she was taken to live with them years ago and he'd always denied every single request. That was until about a month ago. She'd finally managed to convince him to let her have some of her parents darker possessions. She could only assume that Lucius Malfoy thought he'd been very smart in giving her the large books that were written in great depth and used very large words. Dora couldn't help but smirk at that, he'd assumed she was her Aunt who avoided educational things such as informative books like the plague, but she was enthralled in it.

She was determined no matter how hard or how boring it may seem that she would always do anything to make her parents happy and proud of her. Even though Nymphadora hadn't seen them in years she knew she would see them one day, when their lord came back, so she was determined to grow into the person that they wanted her to be.

The door to the library opened behind the small witch and she quickly slammed her book shut and sat on it. She knew better than to risk her Aunt seeing what she was doing and she knew that if Draco noticed her doing anything his mother would hear about it (straight after he'd made sure his father had heard about it, of course).

"Dora dear . . . ?" Narcissa walked up to the girl, sitting opposite her on a vacant armchair.

"What is it, Aunt Cissa?" Dora smiled her most innocently smile, looking as innocent as ever.

"We need to go shopping, Dora, to get your school supplies." Narcissa hesitated before she continued to speak "But . . . I thought we'd have a talk first . . . About Hogwarts."

"Thanks, but I already know loads about it. Mum and Dad told me about it and I've read that book on it, 'Hogwarts: a history'. I'll be fine honest." Dora smiled, tucking her curly dark hair behind her ears. Yet again she'd morphed her style after her mother, she'd been doing this for years but even more so since she was sent to Azkaban, it was her way of keeping a part of her close.

"Yes . . . I know . . . It's just . . ." Narcissa paused, wondering how to best phrase this conversation "It's you're going to bump into people that don't like-"

"My parents?" Dora sighed, sitting back in her chair. "I know. They're all idiots anyway, why would I bother wasting time on them? I'll just crucio them and they'll leave me alone."

Narcissa's eyes widened in shock "No! Dora-"

"I was joking." Dora laughed as the look on her Aunts face slowly faded "I'll learn to deal with it in my own way. I know not to attempt unforgivable curses. Not at Hogwarts at least" The last part of her statement was muttered underneath her breath, her Aunt none the wiser.

"Yes . . . Well . . . We . . ." Narcissa was never one for difficult conversations with her as she stumbled over her words.

"Aunt Cissa it's fine. Let's go shopping, I can't wait to get my own wand." And with that Nymphadora grabbed her Aunts hand and near enough skipped out of the room, the tips of her hair tingeing pink.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Soon enough it was the first of September 1984 and Nymphadora Lestrange was finally stood in The Great Hall of Hogwarts. Her emotions were mixed as she stood amongst her fellow first years waiting to be sorted. She was excited, nervous and rather happy to be where she was now having waited what seemed like forever, as was every other first year here by the looks of things. Although mixed in with all of that she couldn't help but be sad. She missed her parents.

It didn't seem right as she got onto The Hogwarts Express without her parents to see her off, she hated it. She tried to hide her sadness for her Aunts sake who told her never to show her emotions like that in public (she knew her mother and father would agree with this statement so she lived by the rule herself) although her Aunt wasn't stupid and could sense this. That was why just before she got onto the train her Aunt stopped her.

She pulled her tight into the biggest hug she'd given her in years and whispered that she loved her in her ear as she slyly placed an envelope in her robes. She'd sensed the secrecy of the object and had waited until she was on her carriage until she'd finally looked at the envelope. In her Aunts neat handwriting were simply the words "For when you're in your dorm tonight. Not to be opened before."

Dora turned the envelope over in her robe pocket as she her mind wandered. It wasn't until her name was called that she finally snapped out of it.

"Lestrange, Nymphadora"

The Great Hall was all but silent. That was silent except for the whispers suddenly breaking out amongst the students, she knew her mother was famous, she was expecting this. She took one deep breath and walked up to the stool, amazed at the fact she'd managed to get all the way to the stool and sit down again without tripping up.

She screwed her eyes shut as the hat was placed on her head.

"Aaah . . . A Lestrange . . . I suppose you should be a Slytherin . . . But are you truly suited for that house? You're so like them in so many ways yet so unlike in many others . . . . Hmmm"

Dora panicked, she was terrified something like this would happen, she couldn't disappoint them, not now. 'Please, Slytherin, Please' was all she could think as her palms dripped sweat and she clasped onto her robes tightly.

"Really? . . . . Not Hufflepuff?"

She let out a small squeak of fear. Not Hufflepuff! She was a Slytherin! She had to be!

"Hmm . . . Fine . . . Have it your way. SLYTHERIN!"

The Slytherin table erupted into cheers as the tattered old hat was pulled off of her head and she ran over to the table, her hair turning bright pink. More cheers, and a few laughs of amusement, could be heard as Dora sat down, only managing to trip slightly as she grinned with pride. She'd done it.

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Nymphadora grinned broadly as she entered her dorm room later that night. The night had been all she'd imagined it would be. Yes there had been people that had seemed to take an instant displeasure to her because of her name, but she expected that and like she cared, they mostly seemed to be stupid Gryffindors anyway. Everyone in Slytherin seemed lovely, they instantly wanted to be her best friend and hung onto her word like it was magic itself. She did recognise a few, other Death Eaters children, most of whom had the luck to still have their parents around but she knew her parents reputation would put her high in their books instantly.

She smirked, sitting on her bed, she knew she'd like it here. With a small sigh she took of her cloak, placing it on the end of her bed. It wasn't until something slipped out of her pocket that she suddenly remembered the letter from earlier.

Nymphadora gasped, snatching it from the floor and jumping into her bed (which of course caused her to hit her head on one of the posters but she didn't care). She quickly drew the curtains so nobody could see her and ripped open the envelope. It took her a while to register her mothers hand writing in front of her, her hand shook as she slowly took in the short scrawling's on the parchment . . .

My Dearest Nymphadora,

I'm so sorry that your father and I couldn't be there for you today. I love you so much, I miss you, I'm so proud of you. I'm sure by now that you're tucked in bed in the Slytherin dormitory and I just want you to know how proud of you I am. I'm so sorry that I can't be there, so so sorry, I'm sorry that I haven't seen you . . .

I've been begging your Aunt to let you come see me, she said you're too young. I know you're a mature little girl and don't you worry I will convince her one day, one day soon. But for now, I've convinced her to let you write to me. I have gotten her to write the details on the back of this parchment as to how to contact me and believe me I cannot wait to hear all about what you've been up to and how you're doing. Just remember, the horrible men that sent me here will read them first, so be careful my sweet.

Never forget how much I love you. I look forward to reading from you soon

Mum

Dora wiped a small tear as she finished the letter. She laid back in her bed and lost track of the amount of times she read it. She fell asleep with it clasped in her hands and tears down her cheeks.


Sooooo I hope you enjoyed that. I did consider making Dora a Hufflepuff still but then I thought that you can choose your house and in this situation I believe she'd beg for Slytherin. Let me know what you think's coming next ;) I do love reviews, as you know.