Well, this is my first attempt at a fanfic. I hope everyone likes it because, well, it is my first, and I have some good ideas for future plot twist. Please review and tell me what you like or don't like. And tell me where I can smooth out the rough edges. And give me advice for a first timer.
Also, the name Ebony means Dark Strength, I'm telling you this now because it will tie into the plot later in the story, if everyone enjoys it and reviews it telling me whether I should continue or not.
The time period is about 3 years after Harry has graduated, and Voldemort has been defeated, but now there is a new horror, that has been patiently waiting it's turn to rise to the surface, and begin a new reign of terror. More info on this terror will come in the following chapters, as well as a better intro for our main character.
If There be Thorns
Chapter One: Nightmares and Hogwarts
Ebony groggily rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. Her senses were quickly woken as she realized something was trying to get in through her window. She swung her legs off of the bed in one graceful movement and let her feet rest a moment on the cold floor. She stood up slowly, and reluctantly scuttled over to the window. She reached a quivering hand to pull the curtain back. Ebony's eyes widened in horror. There outside her window was the scariest creature she had ever seen. She clumsily took a few steps backwards, but before she could reach the door, the creature jumped through the window sending shards of glass in every direction. Quite panic stricken, Ebony found herself unable to run. She had managed to cover her face with her arms to protect her face from getting cut.
I would love to come to you school. I'm really looking forward to it, and I'm hoping that I replied to this letter correctly.
She handed the letter to the owl, which took it reluctantly. It was obvious that he wanted to stay here on Ebony's bed, rather then fly around all night. The owl fluffed up it's wing, and then fluttered out the window. Ebony stared off after the owl for a long time, even after it had flew out of sight. Thoughts of this Hogwarts danced happily though her mind. This was definitely something she could look forward to. She climbed back into her bed, and quickly dozed off, still clutching the school list close to her chest.
*****
Ebony's eyelids fluttered awake. The morning sun was filtering in through her curtains, casting a red glow all around her room. She had the sudden feeling the she wasn't alone, and her instincts were confirmed when she rolled over and found a rather angry figure scowling at her. It was Ms. Aden, the owner of Sunny Parks Orphanage for Girls, although, this name didn't give the right name for this orphanage, Ebony thought more along the lines of, Fiery Depths of Hell. Ms. Aden had her arms crossed tightly around her chest, and Ebony quickly recognized the bit of yellowed paper that was poking out of her right hand. It was the school list she had received from Hogwarts.
"What is the meaning of this?" Ms. Aden questioned with a sharp tone in her voice, "I really though that putting you in you own room away from the other girls would take the nonsense out of you. I suppose I was wrong!" A tic was pulsating near Ms. Aden's temper.
"I-I really want to go to this school…" Ebony's lip quivered slightly with these words. " And not even you are going to stop me."
"Oh really. Well fine, go off to this little school, but I will assure you that I am not paying for any of the things on this list; you are on your own for that darling. Also, I hope to inform you, that no one is going to want to adopt a witch." Ms. Aden's eyes were scanning Ebony. "Then again, what am I saying no one would ever want to adopt a poor useless wretch like yourself anyhow? And you better not think that just because you've gotten this letter that you are excused from you daily chores. I am expecting to see you down at the table in 5 minutes, and trust me, I'll have my eye on you, you little prat."
Tears were now streaming down Ebony's face. Sure, she had heard speeches like this from Ms. Aden many times, but it still always hurt to hear that no one would ever want her. She couldn't help but to think this might possibly be true. She had been at this orphanage since the age of two and a half. She had little memory of her parents, and Ms. Aden always told her that they had thrown her into the orphanage, because even they saw her for what she was worth.
Ebony stumbled out of bed and headed over to a shabby closet in the far corner of the room. She stared into the half open closet; it was quite a sad sight. One hanger complete with a shabby blue uniform hung there. She quickly changed into it, and replaced it with her pajamas. She pulled her scuffed shoes out from under the bed. They were at least two sizes to small and she always had trouble stuffing her foot into them. After a long struggle, she manages to get them both on her feet. She burst out her door and down the stairs, finally reaching the table. She sank into a chair between two girls, neither of them being her friends. In fact, she didn't even know their names. No one really liked her. From the stories Ms. Aden told them, they all thought she was crazy, and their parents were forced to get rid of her, because she was a liability to herself and others. Ebony never really understood this story, because if she really was crazy, all her parents had to do was put her into and asylum.
Ms. Aden plopped a large spoonful of oatmeal into her bowl. She gave it a questioning look, and wondered whether she should eat it or not. She noticed Ms. Aden glaring at her out of the corner of her eye, so she quickly shoved a rather large spoonful into her mouth. The girl on her right side shot her a disgusted look. Ebony was quite used to this sort of treatment so she hardly payed any attention to it. Instead she scarfed down the rest of the oatmeal, so she wouldn't have to taste it, and washed it down with a large glass of water.
*****
Ebony let out as long sigh. It had been a long day filled with tons of chores, and she was glad to finally be finished with them all. Every muscle in her body was throbbing with pain. She changed into her pajamas and fell lightly onto her bed and hugged her pillow. She would have fallen asleep if it weren't for another owl that was banging impatiently on her window. She skipped over to it and happily let it in, she was curious to know what sort of reply she would have gotten from Hogwarts. She fumbled with the letter for a minute before opening it. It read:
Dear Ebony,
We have received you owl this
afternoon, and we are pleased to hear that you are interested in attending
Hogwarts. However, I noticed that you were inquiring on how you would find all
these things, I am glad to announce, that many have asked me this same
question.
I will be waiting inside the
Leaky Cauldron; a map is enclosed along with this letter. You must keep you eye
open in order to find it. If I had a knut for everyone who missed the Leaky
Cauldron, I might just be the richest witch in the world. Anyhow, I will tell
you how to get into Diagon Ally, and everything you'll need to know. Just keep
you eye out. I will inform you with more information when we meet in person. I
am looking forward to seeing you.
Professor McGonagall
Ebony took out the map and looked at it. There were to large arrows, one pointed to the orphanage and read, Sunny Parks Orphanage, and the other read, The Leaky Cauldron. A small sketch of a broomstick was going back and forth between the two.
Now Ebony's only problem was finding a way to get there. She had saved up a tone of money from all the jobs she was forced to work at for Ms. Aden. I guess somehow she was able to get past Child Labor Laws. She might be able to hire a taxi. And then use the rest of her money to purchase her school supplies. She'd have to think of this more in the morning. Ebony plopped back down onto her bed, and within minutes had drifted into a peaceful slumber.
*****
Ebony tiptoed throught the kitchen, quickly glancing at the clock above the large industrial stove. It was two minutes before four o'clock. Ms. Aden usually woke around four-thirty, so she had little time to act before Ms. Aden was up. She picked up replica of an antique phone, she ran her finger down a page of a phone book stopping at a local cab service. She spun the number into the dial.
"Yello," a young groggy voice chimed, "Jon and Don's Cab Service."
"Yes," Ebony said, "I need a cab, you'll find me waiting outside at Sunny Parks Orphanage for Girls"
"Alrighty, a cab should arrive within ten minutes."
"Ok, I'll be waiting"
"'ave a good day madame."
"Alright, Goodbye."
She heard a click on the other line indicating that the man had hung up, so she did the same. She pushed the kitchen door open, slid out, and then closed it as quietly as humanly possible. She rounded the side of the fairly large orphanage, and when she had reached the front steps, she plopped down, resting her chin in her palm. She could feel the large wad of dollar bills rolled up carefully in her pocket. It was her entire life savings. Over five-hundred-dollars. She hoped she had enough money to get everything on this list, which was also carefully rolled up in her pocket, along with the map to get to Diagon Ally. After what seemed like forever she saw the yellow cab turning onto her street. She ran to the curb before the cab even reached her, and when it came to a stop she threw herself into the back seat, and handed the map to the driver. He glanced at the map, a strange expression had crossed over his face.
"Interesting map you have there," he said, the same puzzled look upon his face.
He flipped the meter on a drove off. Ebony stared in awe at everything outside the windows. She probably hadn't traveled this much in her entire life. After about and hour they pulled to a stop in front of a run down building. Ebony wasn't sure this was the right place, but sure enough when she looked down at the map it showed the broomstick at a stop in front of the building. She handed the driver his money, and climbed out of the car.
Ebony rested her hand on the door, took a deep breath, pushed the door open, and slid in. Her eyes darted around the room. She had never seen so many weird looking people in her entire life.
