Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the Harry Potter characters mentioned in this fic, with the exception of Miranda and Quinn McAllister, who I created. (I also created some personalities to go along with characters JK created but didn't give more than names to.)
A Bit About this Fic: This is my first-ever lengthy HP fic, and by golly I intend to finish it. (You all can help by sending reviews and such. It's very encouraging.) I just want to say that this fic is kind of stand-aloneish. Let me explain. It takes place right where GOF left off, and I've made the trio age 15, so technically it could be considered my version of Book 5, but I really don't want it to be viewed that way. For this reason I did not title it "Order of the Phoenix" although it does concern this organization and my ideas of what it is. So what I'm trying to say is basically this: I had some ideas swirling around my head, I'm sick of waiting for JK to pump out "Order" (though if it's good, she can take all the time she needs) and I felt like writing them down. Also, I'm not JKR, so it won't be exactly in her style, or as painstakingly detailed as she writes. (I still marvel at how she does it.)
About Miranda and Quinn: They are NOT Mary Sues. I promise you. If it seems like they are turning out that way, please please let me know so that I may mend the situation post haste. I can't stand Mary Sues, and wouldn't want to subject my readers to that. If you think they're Mary Sue-ish after reading this chapter, just give them a chance until about chapter 3 and then tell me if you think that.
Ok, now that I've sufficiently bored everyone, here's the fic! Enjoy!
Harry Potter and the Song of Fate.
By The Potions Mistress
Chapter 1: Aurelia's Daughters.
"Am I standing still, with the scenery flying by?"
-Jewel
The rain fell in torrents on the roof of the carriage. Miranda watched the lamp swing dangerously back and forth from the celing as they rambled down the country road. She sighed. She and her sister, Quinn, had been rocking much like the lamp for over 3 hours. Somehow, Quinn had managed to fall asleep and was calmly curled in a ball on the seat across from Miranda, her brown hair cascading over her face, her glasses tucked carefully in her hand.
She looks so peaceful, thought Miranda. Please let it stay that way…
Her thoughts wandered as her eyes drifted to the window. The water came down in sheets and looked as though it would never stop. A breeze from the cool evening swept into the carriage and Miranda wrapped her woolen blanket tightly around her shoulders. Amazing how a thunderstorm could make even August cold.
Three days ago, she sat home in Ireland. Three days ago, Quinn was happily anticipating her fifth year at Sean McMurphy's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Three days ago, Miranda had a well-adjusted family, a boyfriend who loved her, and a future as clear as crystal. Now everything was confused, mixed up and broken. Nothing made sense to Miranda. She still didn't understand what happened and neither did Quinn. All she knew was that she was on a bumpy muddy road in the English countryside to see a man she had not since she was a child.
The fifteen-year-old across from her stirred and stretched her arms above her head. Quinn twisted herself into an upright position, smoothed her hair, and replaced her black-rimmed glasses over squinting eyes. "Are we almost there?" she asked softly.
"It shouldn't be too long now," replied Miranda. "I know this isn't the best place to sleep."
Quinn simply nodded and stared at the wet rolling landscape outside the window. Miranda's gaze remained fixed on her sister, eyes pausing on her glasses. They were broken on the floor when Miranda came home and found her, huddled in a corner of the house, terrified of some unknown fear. Aidan swore that nothing was wrong but Miranda couldn't believe that. Especially not after Quinn started…
"Did you have it?" asked Miranda suddenly.
Quinn's attention snapped from the window. "Have what?"
"The dream."
"Oh." Quinn's face clouded over and her grey eyes dropped to the floor. "Well, I guess not." She paused and turned her gaze slowly up to her sister. "I didn't wake up screaming did I?" A tiny smile materialized on her face.
"No, you didn't," answered Miranda. "You would have given the driver quite a fright if you had."
Quinn had her McMurphy's cloak tucked around her like a blanket, the green school seal with its fighting leprechaun glowing in the lantern light. She banged her black boot absentmindedly against the seat. "Are… are the kids nice at this school?" she asked unsurely.
Miranda shrugged. "I don't know," she said. "I've only been there once, and it wasn't to be educated." She was a McMurphy grad.
It was then that Miranda noticed that the road didn't seem as bumpy as it had earlier. Braving the rain, she stuck her head out the window and was pleased to find the carriage gently rolling on a cobblestone path.
"Hey, we must be getting close," said Miranda cheerfully. "We've finally got some signs of civilization."
Quinn smiled weakly. Tears filled her eyes but she blinked them away. They had left everything in Dublin.
Reaching over, Miranda squeezed her sister's hand. "Listen… this sucks… I know… but we're in this together. No matter what happens, I'll be there."
Quinn's stiff smile melted into a genuine one. "I know," she replied.
Miranda sat back in her seat and resumed watching the scenery pass by. She hated to do this to Quinn. Going to him was last on her long list of options that had dwindled very quickly. There was no other choice.
A black turret rose in the corner of the window, illuminated against the dark background. Then the whole tower appeared. Then a wall.
"Is that it?" Quinn questioned.
"That's the place."
The castle's magnitude could not be contained by the carriage window. Dozens of turrets rose up, then out of sight. The front a giant grey fortification, lit with a dozen lights, appeared next. The wheels of the carriage made a whirr whirr sound as they crossed the bridge over the lake. At last, they came to a stop, right in front of a large brown gate.
The driver, a stout man, opened the passenger door and let the ladies out. Much to their delight, the rain had slowed to a sparse drizzle. As the driver unloaded their luggage, Miranda and Quinn gaped at their new home.
It seemed six miles high, twenty long, with countless passages, towers, windows, and balconies, all menacing in the heavy twilight air. Quinn stared up at the castle and let out a slow breath. "I'm going to get lost," she muttered.
"No you won't," her sister answered. "I'm here to help you… though I'm not positive what I'm going to be doing while you're in school. I'm sure the other kids will help you."
My optimism is starting to scare me.
The luggage was all placed on the stone walk. Miranda paid the driver and the carriage pulled away without another word. Tucking the cage containing her snoozing cat Cassandra under her arm, she clutched a violin case in one hand and her trunk in the other. "Be a love and knock on the gate," she told Quinn.
Quinn tapped the gate with her fist and three hollow booms echoed in the courtyard beyond. Picking up her trunk, Quinn stood with Miranda and waited. A few moments later, the twin doors split and a man stepped out in front of them. He was old, his face weathered and wrinkled. His long stringy hair hung unbrushed around his shoulders, and in his hand, he held a purring brown cat. "Can I 'elp you?" he asked gruffly, a frown of suspicion crossing his face.
"Um… well…." Miranda paused. What if this wasn't a good idea? What if he wouldn't agree to take them in? What if…? She cleared her throat. "I'd like to see Albus Dumbledore please," she finished clearly.
The man curled his lip, bearing yellow teeth. "And who are you?"
"Just tell him…" She turned to her left and looked down on Quinn who stared back with big eyes. "Just tell him that Aurelia McAllister's daughters have come to call."
*~*~*~*~*
Did you like it? Harry shows up in the next chapter. Actually, Quinn and Miranda aren't even mentioned in it. ;) So please review! Thanks so much, and the next chapter shall be up shortly.