Into the Abyss
Chapter Two
A year later had Celeste pressed nose to nose against the vanity in her parent's bedroom. Now able to see without that awfully annoying blurred vision she could make out the alien face staring back at her. Gone was the healthy tan of her past bodies skin, instead replaced with pale, translucent skin. Golden blonde locks that had once framed her heart shaped face were now replaced with pale almost silvery blonde strands akin to her pretty mama's. She had often thought her brown eyes were her best feature, but staring back at steel grey, well Celeste knew that she had a new favourite past time.
The girl poked gingerly at her reflection, half expecting the tiny frame staring back at her to dwindle away. Instead her grey eyes stared in awe as small palms cupped her cheeks, still soft with puppy fat. There was one word which swam through the mind of the teenager turned toddler 'cute' Celeste thought to herself as she continued with her examinations of her new face. The form of her mama came into view, the woman cradling the small form of her baby brother against her chest.
"You look so pretty, Celeste" Pretty mama cooed. The blonde felt her cheeks redden and quickly covered her heated face with her hands. "Mama's pretty" she ground out stubbornly. Her new mother truly was pretty, Celeste was certain that her pretty mama's ethereal appearance would have attracted a lot of attention back on Earthland.
Her pretty mama giggled, "And what about your little brother, what's he?" pretty mama asked as she absently rocked the baby in her arms.
Celeste tapped a finger against her chin, she stood on her tip toes as her pretty mama gently lowered the babe to allow her to see and appease their little game. The blonde hummed in thought as her lips formed a thin line. Her baby brother shared a similar appearance to her, pale skin, grey eyes and platinum hair. He was a cute little thing, but he was very loud. But most babies were.
A loud crash sounded out; instantly pretty mama stiffened. Celeste was pushed to the side as the floppy eared creature now with Draco in his arms ushered the two children away. Pretty mama made an image of determination as she pulled a thin piece of wood from within her robes and slowly left the room.
Ignoring the stammered protests from the floppy eared creature, Celeste crept after pretty mama. Her bare feet padded against the cold floor, her back pressed hard against the wall and her tiny body shrouded in shadows. She stopped in silence at the top of the staircase, wide eyes drinking in the sight of her pretty mama crouched over the form of her father on the ground. He looked battered, his hair a mess and robes torn, but what surprised Celeste the most was the way he launched himself into her pretty mama's arms and clung to her tightly.
Things were somewhat strange after that. For one, father seemed a lot calmer, and though his presence wavered on the first few months of Celeste's new life, he was always around for her new brother's. But her pretty mama, she would cast worried looks out of manor's windows and would spend any spare moment walking the halls, wand in tow and muttering words Celeste didn't quite understand.
The teenager turned toddler stood transfixed as her pretty mama rocked her fussy brother in her arms, her father stalked in the words 'safe' and 'dark lord' falling from his lips, but it seemed that whatever words were spoken fell onto death ears. Her mama still looked terrified. As the blonde sat in her room late that night, unable to sleep as she stared up at the emerald drapes hanging from her large four poster bed, she mulled over the words her father had said. Her mind went into overdrive, thinking about the implication of her father's words and as Lucy tried to piece together the mystery behind it all she came to a sudden conclusion. Her pretty mama was afraid. Afraid of this dark lord. Little did Celeste know that she should be too.
As the years pass, her curiosity about this new world grows, with her tiny body finally co-operating with her, her parents deem her ready to receive more advanced tutoring. Of course, this has something to do with her memories from Earthland swimming through her mind and aiding her with her education. Sometimes Celeste finds herself almost slipping back into Japanese, cleverly, the girl brushes it odd as something she had picked up from the manors vast collection. Her parents say little but her pretty mama seems impressed at her ability to soak up information like a sponge.
At eight years old, the girl formerly known as Lucy Heartfilia who is now Celeste Malfoy, heiress to one of the oldest wizarding family in Europe is ever the enigma. Though her mother fawns over her dainty appearance, and her father slips in subtle praises to his associations in a bid to boast of his families superior genes; her uncle (at least not by blood), a dark haired man named Severus Snape finds himself growing ever more perplexed by the girl the longer he stays within her presence.
The potions master who had once been tasked with being the personal tutor to the Malfoy children during his long holidays often finds himself watching his niece with unsureness. Despite her young age and upbringing, she is mature to a fault, often taking the time to scold her younger brother and praise his efforts with an air of someone twice her age. Then to further add to the potion master's confusion, the girl would spend hours in the manor's library- even after lessons had ended, to search for books even her parents had not known had existed.
Severus knew that both the Malfoys expected their children to follow in their footsteps of many who had perceived them, to head into Slytherin house and carry on the family legacy. But watching his young niece, the potions master knew that the girl would not suit the house of the snakes at all, she was much rather an eagle.
"Uncle Severus" The girl called out. She was sat next to her brother in the one of manor's study which was often used as a makeshift classroom for the children and of course, her brother had fallen asleep, his head resting on his sister's shoulder.
The potions master inclined his head, signifying he was indeed listening, but his gaze never left the multitude of essays in front of him. How he despised the poor handwriting of his second-year students.
"Um…what do you know about reincarnation?"
His scrawling stopped as he stared into determined mercury orbs which should not belong to an eight-year-old girl and suddenly things were starting to make sense to the potions master.
"It is an old concept, dating back to the times of ancient Greeks…" The potions master said in his usual drawl "And what do you know about reincarnation, Miss Malfoy?"
The girl redded as she nervously poked her fingers together "I…I read in one of the old books that it's a powerful magic and can be used in dark spells"
"Most magic contains both a dark and light side"
"Do you think it's real, Uncle Severus?" The girl asked, her eyes looked wide, hopeful even. The potions master sighed,
"To believe in such a thing, you need to believe that you have a soul"
The girl frowned "I think you have a soul"
He would have laughed and by the look of sadness on the young girl's face, a sound of disbelief fell past his lips despite his attempts to stifle it.
"I am glad one of us does"
They do not speak of the matter again, but Severus keeps an eye on his niece, watches the way she interacts with others to the way she lingers around the books in the library. He mulls over their conversation and allows himself to wonder if the soul the only woman he ever loved has allowed been allowed to live again. If only he could be so fortunate.
Celeste notices that her parents have a small and select circle of friends. She remembers most of them from when she was small, but that does not mean that she is fond of any of them. Their attitudes and sheer spoilt aura's leek from them like a bad smell and Celeste is suddenly bombarded with a similar situation back on Earthland. She curses whatever deity is forcing her to once again interact with the pompous children of socialites, and half contemplates kicking up a fuss like her younger brother. But the expression of pure joy her mother wears at seeing her in a dress changes her ideas. After all, she likes seeing her pretty mama smile.
After a bout of apparition- a mode of transportation Celeste detests- they arrive at a large gated manor which looks no different to their own. Celeste stares blanky as they are greeted by a house-elf, this one is female if the orange peels fashioned into bows are anything to go by and the creature promptly ushers them into the homes of its master: the Crabbe's.
Instantly as they are inside, Celeste is made to interact with the other children and not wanting to suffer alone, drags her brother along who protests rather loudly. Among them is a boy with mousy brown hair and a shy smile, his kindness reminds Lucy of Eve Tearm of Blue Pegasus' Trimens, but his name is Cedric Diggory.
"My name is Celeste and I'm eight" Celeste says, she even adds in a curtsey just as her mama had taught her. Cedric, ever the gentlemen, takes her hand and gives it a kiss, though its clumsy and leaves a patch of saliva on the back of her palm. The action still causes a part of her to swoon at his adorableness.
He's the same age as herself and doesn't mind when she prefers to quietly read up on this world's peculiar history rather than play rambunctious games. Cedric even helps by pointing out important facts.
"My dad says that if you say You-Know-Who's name, then you get real bad luck" Cedric says with certainty. Celeste's eyes widen.
"That's scary" She whispers, her eyes darting round as if expecting the evil wizard to pop right out of the corner "But he won't come back?"
Cedric shook his head "My dad said that Harry Potter got rid of him"
"That's good" Celeste said. Wanting to change the subject, she pulls out a book about famous Quidditch players through the ages and noticing the way Cedric's eyes light up, she allows him to hold the book this time and listens to him read, though she keeps her History of Magic book open on her lap. The pair are interrupted, when Draco walks into their hiding place, a scowl on his little face as Vincent Crabbe, a round faced boy, follows him.
"You two come and play" Draco whines. He's no bigger than Macao's son Romeo but unlike him her brother cunning and clever even for a six-year-old.
"Yeah. Come play" Vincent chimes in.
Celeste sighs, ready to protest though it's then that the oldest of the group, Marcus Flint stomps over and yanks her book from her small hands.
Celeste frowns in response though before she can even open her mouth Cedric is stood up beside her. He's at least a head shorter than Marcus, the older boy towers over him like Elfman to pretty much everyone else in the guild.
"Can you give that back to Celeste please?" Cedric asks politely. His fingers are twisted into the hem of his shirt and in his true fashion sports a shy smile.
Marcus ignores Cedric and instead shoves him away before dangling the book tauntingly in front of Celeste's eyes with a wide grin showcasing all his overly large front teeth.
"This is boring stuff" Marcus sneers
Lucy frowns ready to respond though Cedric being well Cedric is by her side.
"We were just learning about the you know who" Cedric states shyly.
"You know he used to eat children, right?" Marcus says as he turns to the younger boys his eyes narrowed to slits and smile wide pitting his large front teeth on display.
"Really?" Draco asked with a grimace, beside him, Vincent looks visibly scared.
"No" Celeste states as she smiles though she whirls around to fix the eldest boy with a glare. "That's stupid. like you"
She regrets the insult as soon as it flies from her lips. Not because it might hurt Marcus' feelings, but to how childish it sounds.
Marcus snarls, shoving Celeste and sending her tumbling to the ground on her bottom. Fighting back tears, the blonde stares back at him defiantly after all its Fairy Tail that taught her not to cry and she still is a Fairy Tail mage no matter what tiny body the powers above decide to shove her soul into. Upon seeing the injustice acted onto his big sister, Draco gasps, his little legs running as fast as he can with a loud shout of "My father will hear about this!" falling from his lips.
"Yeah!" Vincent shouts quickly following.
Marcus looks somewhat regretful but even though she's Celeste Malfoy now she knows that she was a Fairy Tail mage first.
And Celeste does what Fairy Tail does best.
She fights back.
Once her parents learn about the incident, they are appalled that she resorted to such roguish behaviour and both scold her. Despite her brother's inputs of how 'awesome' it was to see his sister fight someone as big as Marcus Flint, she isn't saved from their wrath.
Her father's ire only grows when an owl flies through the manor window and he reads a letter from the Flints informing them that Marcus' teeth are permanently stuck out at an angle due to his face first kiss to the floor. Her father isn't impressed when Draco laughs, nor is he impressed to learn that the Flints expect the Malfoys to pay for the teeth correction charms Marcus will need once he is of age to correct the mistake.
As for now, Celeste is further punished to write a letter of apology to the Flints and despite not being the slightest bit apologetic, she churns out all her writing skills to create the best darn apology she can.
Celeste isn't sorry.
Marcus Flint is a bully.
Though she already knew this world had magic it was saddening to know it wasn't on the scale of that of Earthland.
For one mages here are known as wizards or witches and they use wands to concentrate their magic. Unlike Fiore, all magic is the same, no specialism and nothing to set each magic user apart. Which was saddening to the girl, for the pride and joy for each Earthland mage was their magic and the way they used it to protect those they cared about. Celeste was certainly going to miss her spirits, she wondered what they are doing and if their new master would be kind to them.
Another confusing factor is the wizarding world and civilian divide. Civilians are kept in the dark about all things magical, meaning that wizards didn't help civilians with their abilities.
Celeste thought this was selfish. For why have power and not use it to help those who could benefit. Unhappy with this arrangement Celeste throws the book away from her. It slides across the table knocking her doll, little sister off her perch on her window side.
The doll was delicate porcelain and Celeste cried out as it fells inches away from the ground, the shattering of her delicate features imminent- only it didn't happen.
Instead, to her shock the doll floats. It levitates, a mere centimetre away from the ground as if held up by an invisible hand.
Not wasting any time, she grasps little sister tightly and places the doll gently on her pillow. Then it clicks, she had just preformed magic.
In that moment, she completely disregards the time of night (and it being an hour past her official bedtime of eight thirty) and races out of her room to find her parents. She knows where to find them, in her father's studies, but the sight that greets her after peering through the door which is left slightly left ajar haunts her.
Her mother is stood, a steaming dark patch on her sleeve but instantly Celeste focuses on the expression of sheer terror in Dobby's wide blue eyes as her father advances towards him. She has never seen him look so angry, his hand is raised, and Celeste must clench her eyes shut at the thunderous sound released once her father's fist meets poor Dobby's face.
A soft gasp sounds out, not coming from the girl's own lips and Celeste turns tear filled eyes to meet her mothers, the latter realising that Celeste had witnessed the terrible event. Her father says nothing, but Celeste quickly finds herself in her mother's arms.
They never speak of the event again, but the next morning, Celeste notices when her mother summons a roll of bandages and proceeds to silently dress the house-elf's wounds when her father isn't around.
AN: Thank you very much to the people who followed and or favourited this fic, it really means a lot to little ol' me. Don't forget to leave a review, I feed off the criticism.