I do not own Harry Potter. All rights go to J. K. Rowling as well as Warner brothers (For the movie rights).
Daughter of Darkness
Chapter Two
Izzy could still scarcely believe any of this was real two days after departing from Diagon Alley and heading to Minerva's country home in Scotland.
It was a small cottage, located far away from Hogwarts, that was a beautiful blend between the 'muggle' world, and the magical one, an homage to Minerva's half-blood heritage.
"Is there any way to tell what I am?" Izzy asked after Minerva explained how some in the wizarding world viewed those of different blood statuses.
"Not really, unfortunately. If I had to guess, I'd say that you are a muggle-born, a person with magic born from two human parents," Minerva explained. Izzy looked away sadly.
"Do you think my parents knew somehow? That that's why they gave me up?" The girl questioned. It broke Minerva's heart to hear the pain in the girls voice and did her best to console the child before she completely closed herself off as she was prone to do.
"You listen to me," Minerva said firmly. "We may never know what happened to your parents, what reason they had for doing what they did, but what's done is done and cannot be changed. It doesn't matter what your parents may or may not have thought of you, but what you think of yourself," Minerva said softly. Izzy nodded before settling down in the room Minerva had given her for the duration of her stay until the two went off to Hogwarts.
When dinner time rolled around, Minerva was in the kitchen whipping up a cooked fish with some vegetables, healthy for her and Izzy, so it was a win-win.
When Minerva called Izzy for dinner, the girl entered quietly into the small kitchen like one of the ghosts that roamed the halls of the school. She sat at the table and stared at the food with wonder. It took a few minutes to realize that the girl probably hadn't eaten anything this substantial in a while.
"Take it slow," Minerva warned. "Wouldn't want you getting sick, now would we?" she said, amusement ringing in her voice. Izzy dug in enthusiastically, still mindful of Minerva's warning as she ate, but enjoying the full feeling none the less.
"If you think this is something, wait till you see the sorting feast!" Minerva said with a chuckle.
"That's where they'll put me in a house or whatever, right?" Izzy asked.
"Yes. All first years are sorted into a house where they will stay for the duration of their schooling careers," Minerva explained again to refresh Izzy's memory. The raven haired girl nodded absently.
"And you're a Gryffindor, right?" Izzy asked.
"Correct," Minerva confirmed.
"Will I be put in Gryffindor?"
"It's hard to say. The sorting hat takes in so many different details into account that it might be hard to sort. You know, I sat on that stool with that hat over my eyes for nearly five minutes," Minerva divulged. Izzy's eyes went wide with surprise.
"Really? The hat couldn't figure out where to put you?" Izzy exclaimed. "But you're so awesome, of course you're a Gryffindor!"
"Well, it couldn't decide between that or Ravenclaw. So, I just sat there and let it do what it wanted," Minerva said with a shrug, a laugh bubbling up at the memory.
Izzy sat in contemplative silence as she thought over Minerva's answer. She didn't know why it bothered her so much. If the hat wanted her put into a house, then surely it couldn't be so bad.
"Don't worry about it," Minerva said suddenly, breaking Izzy out of her focus. "If you really want to go into a particular house, the hat can take that into account."
"I don't even know why it bothers me so much," Izzy mumbled.
"I believe it's because this is all so new. You've discovered magic, know there's a place to teach you, with other kids who know of magic, and it's been sudden. You've been alone for over a year, being around so many students can be overwhelming for anybody," Minerva said wisely. She looked over at the clock on the wall.
"Oh dear, it's getting late and we'll be meeting with that ministry official early tomorrow!" Minerva reminded. "Why don't you go wash up for bed." Minerva's suggestion was met with an enthusiastic head nodding. Izzy hadn't had time or enough money to shower or bathe, so she often went without it during her runaway year. In Izzy's mind, she was simply making up for lost time whenever she spent almost a half hour in the bath every night. Minerva didn't complain about it so Izzy supposed it was fine.
The next day, Izzy was gotten up early by Minerva for a breakfast of 'muggle cereal' as Minerva called it, along with some tea that Minerva made from a plant that Izzy had no hope of pronouncing. It was delightful though, whatever it was.
After they finished breakfast, Minerva introduced Izzy to the wonderous Floo network. Izzy was a bit uncomfortable at first, to say the least, stepping into the lit fire place was a bit nerve-wracking after all.
Minerva reassured her as best she could, even demonstrating first and leaving the choice to Izzy if she wanted to join immediately or wait and take an hour to figure out how she wanted to do this. Eventually Izzy made up her mind and grabbed a handful of the emerald powder before throwing it into the fire and shouting her destination.
She appeared in a fireball, stumbling and nearly falling on the ground before an unspoken spell from Minerva stopped her from breaking her nose on the dark floors. Izzy looked up and saw that Minerva was standing next to a tall redheaded man that looked absolutely delighted at her appearance.
"Arthur, this is Isabella Verona, one of the students this year under the Ministry's children education program," Minerva said. "Isabella, this is Arthur Weasley." The man reached out his hand and shook it vigorously.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Isabella," Arthur said enthusiastically. Izzy nodded politely, thought the man's eccentric attitude left her a bit uncomfortable. She looked a way for a moment and saw a man sneering at them, curling his upper lip in disgust. He was blonde, tall, and had a cane. When he noticed her, his looked curious before his eyes widened ever so slightly before he turned away in a flurry of robes.
"Who was that?" Izzy asked. Arthur turned around and barely looked at the back of the retreating man.
"That was Lucius Malfoy, one of the last of the pureblood wizarding lines. He hates muggleborns and 'blood-traitors' with a passion. So, me, I guess," Arthur said with a cheery laugh.
"Well that's stupid," Izzy with certainty.
"Well I'm glad you think so," Arthur said gently. "I best be off. Minerva, it was a pleasure as always to see you again," Arthur said, walking backwards into a wizard with long robes. Minerva chuckled.
"It was good to see you as well, Arthur," Minerva said, giving a small wave as the man walked away.
"So, where do we go?" Izzy asked.
"We need to go to the department of magical children," Minerva said.
The two walked through the ministries dark marble hallways, trimmed with gold and lit by braziers with orangey flames. Strangely, Izzy noticed that they didn't give off heat. In fact, the hallways they walked through were rather cool. They transitioned into a lighter area of grey marble and high columns that held up a large red and gold ceiling. Minerva took a right and Izzy followed behind until a moving picture caught her eye.
"Who are they?" Izzy asked. Minerva stopped and turned around, her hope that Izzy would ignore the newspaper unanswered.
"They're 'death eaters.' Servants of the dark lord and spouters of blood purity. This paper is from right after the war. These particular witches and wizards were some of the worst,," Minerva carefully explained.
"Who's she?" Izzy asked, pointing to a woman with black wild hair that curled in every direction. The picture showed her with a wild look in her eyes, gnashing her yellowed teeth together and snarling at the camera.
"That," Minerva said, "is Bellatrix LeStrange. A death eater that was almost as wicked as the dark lord himself."
"The Cruciatus curse? What's that?" Izzy asked. Minerva sighed deeply and pulled the girl closer to the wall, to the picture of Bellatrix, and began explaining.
"The Cruciatus curse is one of the three unforgivable curses alongside the killing curse, and the Imperius curse. They're curses that kill, torture, or control their victims, and none loved the Cruciatus curse like Bellatrix. She tortured two good people into insanity with it," Minerva dejectedly explained. Izzy stared at the picture of Bellatrix before turning away.
The entire time during the meeting, Izzy was bored out of her skull! Everything was so dull and dolled up to sound so official and Izzy had wanted it to be done an hour ago.
When everything was done, the only thing that Izzy considered significant was that Minerva was now her official guardian, her legal guardian, and would provide a home between semesters and holiday breaks for Izzy. That was a good thing, in Izzy's mind. She didn't want to be homeless again.
Plus, she liked Minerva, so that was good.
They left the ministry that day, both feeling content with the outcome, as Minerva liked the girl as well.
Over the next few days, she asked many questions, brought up different ideas and theory's, and generally just talked with Minerva about anything. She soaked up information like a sponge and was able to use it effectively. As a student, Minerva had high hopes for Izzy, but as a person, Minerva worried for her.
A year of being alone hadn't done the girl any favors, nor had life growing up in an orphanage. Izzy was often times quick to shoot down any conversation that involved making friends at Hogwarts, and it seemed not likely to change. During the last trip to Diagon Alley for a bit of fun, Izzy was practically glued to Minerva's side. It was strange that the raven haired girl seemed to trust the older witch like she did, but Minerva was happy to see that Izzy at least trusted somebody.
Finally the day had come for Izzy and Minerva to separate, at least temporarily.
"Why do I have to go on the train? You're heading straight to the school so why can't I just go with you?" Izzy asked for the fifth time that afternoon, right as they were arriving at the train station on a muggle bus. Minerva led the girl to bench and sat down, patting the bench beside her. Izzy sat down reluctantly, sullenly.
"It's an experience and tradition that dates back a century and a half. Every student with the exception of a few arrives at Hogwarts by way of the train," Minerva explained.
"But I don't want to," Izzy sighed. "So why am I being forced to do this?"
"It's not that I'm forcing you, I'm just trying to break you out of your shell. Many times, lasting friendships are formed from the very start of the journey to Hogwarts," Minerva explained. "Can you trust me that this will be a good thing, Izzy?" Minerva asked, placing an open hand down on the bench. Izzy stared at the hand before sighing and placing her own down. Minerva gave a fond squeeze of the young girls hand.
"I do trust you, Minerv-I mean, Professor Mcgonogall," The girl said, a small smile on her face. Minerva returned it smoothly.
"When we're in private, you can call me Minerva all you want," Minerva offered. Izzy gave a quick hug before standing up and placing her hands on her luggage cart.
"You remember what to do?" Minerva asked carefully, she hated not being able to go on the platform with Izzy, not wanting any of the new students to think she had favorites. Izzy nodded confidently, but Minerva could see the apprehension in her eyes. "Good. You'll be okay, I believe in you," Minerva added as she watched the girl head for the platform 9 ¾. She walked around the corner and transformed herself into her animagus form, watching the girl stare at the column. She knew Izzy would need a push, as all kids did, so she slinked through the legs of the muggles and strode up to Izzy, using her head to bop the girl in the calf. Izzy looked down in surprise before smiling.
"I thought you weren't supposed to be seen going onto the platform with me?" Izzy murmured. Minerva gave her a look. "Oh right, not many know of your animagus form."
Minerva nodded and made a dash for the portal, feeling the rush of magic around her as she slipped through. She waited a moment until Izzy came through. The ravenette looked down at the cat and sent a grateful smile before looking up at the train and pushing her cart to the where a wizard and several prefects were organizing everything.
"Do I just leave this here?" Izzy asked the older man.
"Yup! You just leave everything to us and go find a train car to sit in. Everything of yours will be delivered to your room before you even get there," The man said with a wink. Izzy looked impressed and turned around, only to run into a girl with long bushy hair.
"Oh! I'm so sorry!" She said.
"No, it's fine, wasn't watching where I was going," Izzy said, waving her hand around.
"I'm Hermione Granger. I overheard you talking to the one of the loaders a few minutes ago. Are you a first year as well?" Hermione asked. Izzy thought about not responding, just simply walking away and trying to find an empty train car and pray that nobody would sit with her. But she then she remembered that Minerva had wanted her to try and make friends.
"Isabella Verona. Yes, I'm a first year. No idea what I'm doing," Izzy said with a chuckle.
"That's alright. Neither do I. I stayed up late the past few weeks studying everything I could about Hogwarts and Magic," Hermione admitted.
"Yeah, I did the same thing. Minerva-uh, I mean, Professor Mcgonogall helped me a lot with that though," Izzy admitted in a rush. Her eyes widened comically when she realized what she said and made to walk away.
"Wait!" Hermione shouted. But Izzy ducked through the throng of students and parents and got on the train, speed walking down the aisle and ducking into the first empty compartment she could find. She sat down heavily and breathed out a sigh of relief, sinking down as far below the window as she could and hoping that nobody wanted to sit with her.
Unfortunately, that didn't really happen.
A boy with glasses dressed in clothes that seemed to be three sizes too big poked his head in the window and pulled the door to the compartment open.
"Is this one taken? All the others are getting full or have groups of friends that definitely don't want me in there," The boy asked. Izzy looked at him through her hair and nodded, not feeling up to talking after revealing that she was on a first name basis with a teacher to that one girl. The boy sat down and gave a grateful smile. He didn't say anything though, thankfully, but Izzy could feel his eyes on her.
Harry, for his part, didn't know what to make of the girl. She was shy, that was obvious, and on the thinner side. Her unruly black hair fell down her back in waves of black curls. From what he could see of her face, he could see that she had a slightly crooked nose and a scar that ran from her eye all the way down to her sharp jawline. Her face was thin with tired looking eyes, eyes he felt like he had seen in the mirror everyday of living with the Dursleys.
"I'm Harry Potter," He introduced himself.
"Isabella Verona," the girl said, perking up ever so slightly as he introduced himself kindly.
"Nice to meet you," Harry said. Izzy gave a shy smile before nodding. So much for the plan of being invisible for a while.
The two sat in silence for a bit until the train whistle blew and the large locomotive began moving.
A few moments later, the compartment gained a new inhabitant.
A redhead nervously opened the door and stuck his head in.
"Mind if I sit here? Everywhere else is full," The boy said. Harry nodded and waved. The redhead boy entered the compartment and sat down next to Harry. "I'm Ron by the way. Ron Weasley," The boy introduced. Izzy perked up at the name, having met his father a few days earlier. he was a very nice man.
"I think I met your father a few days ago," Izzy said, speaking softly. Harry and Ron both looked at her, regarding her. Ron could easily see the signs of not having lived a rich life, not having one himself. He wondered what her life must've been like. Then he realized who she was.
"Wait, are you Isabella Verona?" Ron asked. Izzy nodded.
"I go by Izzy," She said quietly.
"Well it's great to meet you. My dad's been raving about meeting you ever since you met," Ron said. Izzy blushed, not really caring for the attention. Harry noticed.
"I'm Harry. Harry potter," Harry introduced himself. Ron quickly forgot about Izzy and fanboyed over Harry for a moment.
The train ride continued in silence until the candy trolley came by and Harry purchased a little bit of everything. Izzy slowly opened up, making conversation with Harry and Ron. She even showed them her knife! She laughed with them when Harry's chocolate frog leapt out the window. The trio continued talking, conversing about everything but mostly asking Ron questions. It struck Izzy as odd that Harry was so well known across the wizarding world, apparently for beating the dark lord as a baby, but he didn't know about the wizarding world itself. She didn't press though, not wanting to draw attention to her own life. She liked these two, maybe they could even be friends.
Izzy was broken out of her musing when Hermione walked in.
"Has anyone seen a toad? A boy called Neville has lost his," She said. Brown eyes swiveled and locked onto Izzy before widening.
"Oh! Isabella!" Hermione exclaimed. Izzy nodded before looking at the bushy haired girl.
"It's good to see you again, Hermione," Izzy said.
"You know each other?" Ron asked.
"We met on the platform," Hermione said. She turned her head down the hall. "Well if you haven't seen a toad, I guess I better be off. Oh, I overheard one of the older students talk about getting closer to school so you'd better change." Hermione turned and began walking down the hall. She was about halfway to the next compartment when she heard the door slide open.
"Hermione," Izzy called. The girl in question stopped and turned back to the ravenette. "I'm sorry about running off. Earlier, I mean. It was rude of me," Izzy apologized softly. Hermione looked at the girl for a moment. It had stung a little when Izzy ran off, confusing the brunette greatly.
"Why did you run off though? I thought we were having a good start to being friends," Hermione asked.
"I…It's a bit personal, but I would like to be friends. If that's still okay?" Izzy asked, the last part coming out in a rush. Hermione gave a brilliant smile before nodding.
"I would like that. When I head back to my compartment, would you like to come with me? There's a bit of room still there," Hermione offered. Izzy thought before nodding.
"I would like that," Izzy said. "I should probably change first though." Hermione giggled for a second before nodding. The two headed in separate directions down the train corridor, Izzy disappearing from sight as she went to collect her robes.
"First Years! First Years over here!" Izzy heard a booming voice say. Izzy and Hermione looked at each other and grinned as they stepped off the train, only to stare up and look at a giant of a man in shock.
"'Ello Harry," The man greeted Harry cheerfully. Ron looked up and saw the man as well, his eyes widening in shock much the same way as Izzy's had.
"That's Rubius Hagrid. He's the caretaker of Hogwarts' grounds and magical creatures. He's also a half giant," Hermione said from Izzy's side.
"Right then! That's all'a ya, this way to the boats!" Hagrid called out, turning around with his lantern and heading away from the train station. All the first years dutifully followed to the docks where boats, curiously without oars, waited for them.
Harry, Ron, Izzy, and Hermione all entered onto the same boat, other students doing the same all around the docks, as Hagrid slid into his own boat.
"Don't fall overboard!" Hagrid called before his boat began moving by itself, as if pulled along by an outside force. Izzy looked ahead to where they were going, and the sight took her breath away.
In front of them, on a cliffside overlooking the entire lake, stood proudly a massive castle, with spires and towers reaching for the stars above. Statues of stone lined the roof at every corner, guarding their placement for all time, protecting their school in stoic silence. Large windows dotted the stone structure everywhere, casting a soft light that seemed to reach even the darkest corners. Ron's soft exhalation of 'wicked' summed up Izzy's feelings perfectly as she stared at Hogwarts in childlike wonder.
The students all followed Hagrid, until he had to leave them, towards the great hall entrance where they proceeded down a long corridor, eventually coming to a small staircase. Izzy smiled when she saw Minerva waiting at the top of the staircase, dressed in her green and black robes and witches' hat.
In a mass of bodies, all the first years proceeded up the staircase as one, stopping at the last step in front of their soon to be professor.
"Welcome to Hogwarts!" Minerva said, clasping her hands in front of her. "In a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates, but before you can take your seats you must be sorted into your houses," Minerva explained. "They are Gryffindor, Huffelpuff, Ravenclaw, and Slythering," Minerva said, the last house name coming out with disdain. Izzy knew though that it was only rivalry between Minerva's house, and that of Severus Snape.
"Now," Minerva continued. "While you're here, your house will be like your family," Minerva said. That word, family, got Izzy's heart pumping a little bit harder. "Your triumphs will lose you points, any rule breaking, and you will lose points." Izzy heard a faint noise by her feet and looked down to see a toad.
"At the end of the year, the house with the most points will be awarded the house cup-"
"Trevor!" A boy shouted behind her, pushing Izzy to the side as he lunged for the toad. Several students snickered at the boy's behavior before he apologized and got back into the crowd of other children.
"The sorting ceremony will begin momentarily," Minerva declared sternly before walking away, her heels clicking on the stone floor. No sooner had Minerva left then a voice to Izzy's left spoke up.
"So it's true then, what they're saying on the train; Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts," a boy with slicked back blonde hair said.
"This is Crabbe," he motioned to short chubby boy. "and Goyle," He motioned to a slightly taller boy. "And I, am Malfoy. Draco Malfoy," Already Izzy didn't like the boy, Draco, and his prestigious attitude, one that only came with growing up with a silver spoon in his mouth. Ron snorted at the name and Draco turned his eyes toward the redhead. "Think my names funny do you? Well I don't need to guess yours. Red hair and a hand me down robe; you must be a Weasley," Draco sneered. "You'll soon find out that some wizarding families are better than others. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there." Draco stuck out his hand for Harry to accept, only he didn't.
"I think I can tell the wrong sort for myself, thanks'," Harry said calmly. Izzy found she respected the boy more.
Minerva came up behind Draco and interrupted the stare down he and Harry had between them by tapping the blonde on the shoulder and peering down at him. Draco huffed and moved back to Crabbe and Goyle's side.
"We're ready for you," Minerva said, eyes flicking to Izzy and containing a flicker of excitement. Izzy smiled as Minerva looked at her for just a second before turning and leading all the children into the great hall.
Izzy's breath was stolen for the second time that night as she entered into the warm dining hall. Four long tables spanned the entire length with a fifth at the front for all the teachers to sit. Above them floated hundreds of candles, casting a warm orange over the entire hall. Above the candles however lay what truly drew Izzy's eye. Hundreds of stars twinkled in the night sky, the faint outline of arches barely visible. On her right side, she barely heard Hermione tell her that it was only bewitched to look like the night sky.
As they came to a stop, Izzy's heart began pounding at the sight of the sorting hat. She hoped that she wouldn't be placed away from her new friends.
"Now, before we begin, Professor Dumbledore, would like to say a few words," Minerva announced. All the first years turned their eye towards the headmaster and listened attentively as he gave his warnings about the dark forest and third floor corridor.
"Now, when I call your name, please step forward!" Minerva said loudly, unrolling a sheet of parchment. "Hermione Granger!" Minerva called. Izzy felt Hermione go rigid beside and gave a pat on the shoulder.
"You'll do great," Izzy whispered encouragingly. Hermione gave a nervous smile before stepping up.
"Okay, just relax," Hermione whispered to herself.
"Mental that one, I'm telling you," Ron muttered to Harry. Izzy whipped around and slugged Ron in the shoulder, giving him a good dead arm.
"She's not mental, this is all new to her like it is to me," Izzy hissed. Ron's eyes were wide before he shrunk away, slightly behind Harry.
Izzy turned around and listened as the hat declared Hermione a Gryffindor, then sorting Draco immediately into Slytherin before it was even on his head. On and on Izzy listened to names being called. Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Vincent Crabbe, Neville Longbottom. Another dozen names were called and sorted before Minerva finally called her name.
"Verona, Isabella!" Izzy's heart beat into overtime as she nervously sat down on the creaky wooden stool.
"Hmmm, most interesting," The hat said. "A hidden bravery, yes I sense it. But also so very determined to prove yourself, almost a need, an ambition," The hat continued. "A longing for a family you've never known with a surprising kindness towards others given your history. Yes, I can see you doing great things with a small push. Better be," The hat started, pausing as if for dramatic effect.
"GRYFFINDOR!"