Marisa: The First Year

A/N: I promised myself I would put absolutely no author's notes in here (as if anyone actually reads them) but I suppose I should at least put in one, to help everyone understand my story. This is the same Hogwarts, with the same teachers, the same characters, and the same plots, but in a new character's point on view. This story begins in Harry's fourth year.

Enjoy.

Chapter One

A young girl yawned lazily from the confines of her room. She lay on her belly, legs crossed in the air, swinging back and forth. On her feet were perched her new shoes, recently imported from Cambodia. Her elbows were bent, supporting her head with her hands. She peered over the latest issue of Witch Weekly, looking intently at the latest fashions in the wizarding world.

This young girl's name was Marisa Alvarez. She was a small girl, 11-years-old, with dark hair, dark eyes, and dark skin. Her hair was neatly tied into two braided pigtails, both swaying over the cover of the magazine. As she read, Marisa hummed a song a song as she skimmed through the pages.

She looked up, still humming, and surveyed the contents of her room. It was a deep red, with cherry wood furniture imported from London. A small chandelier hung over her bed, the candles flickering in the evening light. In front of her overly-sized bed was a large marble fireplace where beautiful candles and their expensive holders rested. Hanging above her fireplace was a life-size portrait of herself, sitting in the rose garden behind her estate. The Marisa in the picture swatted at a bee flying around her face.


Magical toys tinkered and flew all over the room. Dolls that were enchanted to have tea parties sat at a table, holding their cups with their pinkies and chatting animatedly. A small unicorn with wings fluttered around the room, occasionally braying. Pictures of her and her family were posted upon the walls with elaborate frames, the people in the pictures moving as if it were a movie.

Marisa's french doors were open, letting a cool breeze fill the room. Her pigtails swayed a bit more now. She looked up, and saw that her chandelier was swaying as well. The candles were now flickering at an alarming rate, and they threatened to burn out completely. A draft entered the room.

Bored with the magazine, she sat up and called her house elf.

"Prestia! Where are you?" Marisa called as she rang a little silver bell. She got no response. With an annoyed voice, she tried again "Yoohoo!".

There was a pause where Marisa looked around her room again. One of her dolls spilled some imaginary tea on her blouse, the other dolls were trying desperately to calm her down. The unicorn flew over to where they were, it almost seemed like his neighing was laughing. She looked back to her door and saw a small, pudgy elf standing in front of her, wringing her hands as if nervous about something.

"Yes, miss?" asked her timid house elf in a squeaky voice. Marisa always thought she sounded like she just swallowed a balloon full of helium. "I is here. Is there anything you be needing, miss?"

Maria acted like this was the most absurd thing she ever heard. Rolling her eyes, she said, "Silly Prestia, of course I need something. That's why I called you, now isn't it?" She smiled a bit as she saw Prestia hesitate. One of her favorite habits was toying with her house elf.

"I is sorry, miss. I is very silly. What will you be needing?" Prestia asked in an even more timid voice.

"Well, I feel a bit chilly. I would like there to be a fire set in my fireplace, I need my french doors to be closed, and if any one of my candles in my chandelier goes out, I will need it relit. That will be all," she said. She gave Prestia a flick of her hand to signal that the conversation was over. Marisa gazed back at her magazine. The page she was reading vanished, and a new article about the Weird Sisters touring in Ireland appeared.

"Yes miss. Right away," replied Prestia. She walked to start her chores, and then backtracked. She remembered she had a message for the young mistress. She looked up at Marisa and saw she had an amused expression on her face.

"Yes...?" Marisa asked, almost bored with her dim-witted house elf.

"I is sorry, miss. Master, he is here. He wishes for you to-"

Before Marisa heard what her father wanted her to do, she was already speeding down her marble stairs, eager to see her father again. She ran through the deep-green billiard room and past the game room where her father kept his creature-heads mounted.

Some tapestries hung on the walls, depicting her father's many hunts. She saw her father on the tapestry magically take down a hippogriff. The head was mounted on the wall next to it. Even though detached from the body, the head still moved and breathed as if it was still alive. When she pasted the bodiless hippogriff, it blinked, studying her. Marisa remembered her father once telling her that hippogriffs were very wary animals. Before approaching any human, it had to make sure it was trustworthy first. Marisa always wondered how her father captured it, since it was supposedly an alert animal. However, she forgot all this as she ran all the way to the reception room and into her father's arms.

"Papa!" she squealed in delight, "You're finally back!" She hugged her father tightly, and looked up into her father's onyx eyes.

Mario Alvarez was not an unfortunate-looking man. He had darky, curly hair that he kept gelled back. His cheeks always held the slight trace of a smile. Even when he was angry, there was always a hint of glee around his mouth. It was a peculiar sight, seeing Mario Alvarez mad. He had a booming laugh that could fill any room. At parties, Marisa could always locate her father by his loud, hearty laugh. Marisa adored him for the man he was, the life he lived, and the love he had for her.

"Now, now, my princess, you make it sound like I was gone forever!" he replied. He looked down at her daughters scuffed heels, "Mi reina, what have I told you about running in your nice shoes? And the dragon scale ones, too! I just got them imported from-"

"Sorry Papa, I was just so happy to see you," Marisa said. She burrowed into her father's arms again, "So...where is my present?" Marisa asked with a slight smirk.

Mario smiled back at his only daughter, "Ah, I see my princess has a reason for wanting to meet me so badly, eh?" He chuckled.

"Of course, Papa, why else would I be so eager?" she said, going on with her joke, "Now where is it?". She began to search his pockets, looking for it.

"You're looking in all the wrong places, princess." He pulled a wrapped object from his bag, "I believe this is what you want...?"

Before Marisa had a chance to open it, he stopped her. "Not here, upstairs. By yourself," he said and winked at her. Marisa winked back and stuck it in her pocket before her mother could see it.

"Ah, Mario, you have returned". Marisa looked up to see her mother gliding gracefully down the stairs.

Athene Alvarez always looked elegant, even when sleeping. She had an aristocratic air that anyone could detect. She always wore the same perfume, a faint smell of violets. She, like her daughter and husband, also had dark hair. However, her skin was pale and smooth from spending years indoors. She was wearing a beautiful white party gown, and a matching white witch hat was perched on top of her head. Marisa thought it was odd for her mother to be wearing her finery around the house.

As she walked down the stairs, she looked at Marisa, almost as if inquiring something of her. Marisa didn't know why her mother was so perplexed by her appearance. She brushed it off, however, and continued to watch her mother. Athene held out her manicured hand to her husband. He took her hand in his and laid a gentle and loving kiss on it.

"Athene, I have missed you so," he said right before laying another kiss on her hand. Athene gracefully walked closer to her husband and embraced him. Mario suddenly realized the state of his only daughter, "Ay, Marisa, did you not get the message from Prestia?" he inquired, after taking sight of the ordinary play clothes she was wearing.

"Yes, she told me you were home," Marisa replied innocently.

"It seems Prestia will have another punishment coming. She told you to meet me down here in your dinner gown, yes?"

Marisa realized why her mother was frowning. In her haste to see her father, she didn't hear the other half of Prestia's message. Marisa lied, "No, Papa. I do not know why she would not tell me that. Perhaps she was mad at me for me ordering her around".

"But that is her job, my child," Athene offered in her usual, distant way, "You must never feel guilty for making one do one's job.

"Yes, very well said, my love. Athene, have Nancy see to the punishment. Now Marisa, run upstairs! Some of my business associates are visiting, I wish for them to meet my princess," Mario cried while heading to his room. Athene wrinkled her nose at being ordered around by her husband.

"Yes, Papa! I shall wear my new dress!" she said to Mario's retreating back.

"Brilliant, brilliant, just be quick about it!" he replied with a wave of his hand, not turning around.

Athene nodded curtly at Marisa, and then glided to the kitchen, probably off to alert Nancy of the horrible wrongdoing that had occurred in her house.

Marisa walked back through the game room (her father was now tying up a small, bull-like animal on the tapestry. The head was mounted next to it as well), past the billiard room (the billiard balls, getting bored, had decided to smack into each other to see which would go further), and up the stairs, slowly this time, trying hard not to damage her shoes any further. She walked back to her room and found Prestia still there.

Feeling a little guilty about lying, she said, "Prestia, you might want to stay out of Nancy's way. I heard her dough-kneading spell backfired into her face."

Prestia looked into her mistress's eyes in complete disbelief. Her mistress never tried to help her in any way. "I-I is thanking you, miss. You are most generous."

Distractedly, Marisa responded, "Yes, yes, most generous. Now will you help me pick out a dress for the dinner party?".

Prestia nodded a little too enthusiastically, "Yes, of course, of course, miss!" She was looking forward to paying back her mistress for the most generous tip that she offered, "Right away!"

Walking past the tea-party dolls (it seems the pandemonium was over and they were back to gossiping again) they got to the doors of Marisa's large, elaborate closet. Both doors opened automatically as Marisa stood in front of it. Prestia and Marisa walked inside to be greeted by rows upon rows of new clothes.

"I sorted your clothes," said Prestia proudly, "New clothes left, old clothes right. Casual, bottom. Formal, top. Winter di-" She was cut off by an annoyed Marisa.

"Look Prestia, I know I'm 'noble' and all for giving you that hint, but could you please stop 'repaying' me?" Marisa asked in a less than polite way.

"Sorry, miss. I'll be off". Prestia looked somewhat relieved and scampered off.

"House elves," Marisa muttered to herself, "You can't live with them, you can't live without them. Now lets see, it will be a formal occasion..."

As soon as those words left Marisa's mouth, the rows of clothes began to move. Skirts, shirts, and jackets whizzed before Marisa, who again was looking very bored. They rearranged themselves, the articles of clothing squeezing in to whatever space they were supposed to be in. She remembered her father's gift, still in her back pocket.

"Oh, yes. Papa's gift". She looked quickly around to make sure Prestia was truly gone. Seeing that she was alone, she tore open the wrapping on her gift. Inside she found two boxes, one on top of the other. Setting the other down, she picked up the heaviest one first.

Inside was an intricately carved silver jewelry box. On the top were fairies and such, enchanted to move around a magical forest. A centaur galloped through the woods, his mane flowing behind him in the wind. Even though the box was about 5 inches in diameter, the centaur never ran out of room to run. It was almost as if the box was moving with him, showing new parts of the forest to her as he ran. She took the card out and read it.

'Mi reina,

I saw these gifts in a market where I was stationed for business. The box is enchanted to show you what is happening in a forest in this country at the exact moment. The creatures that appear are real. I saw it and I thought of you. Open it.'

Marisa opened the lid of the silver box. A light, happy melody was playing. She did not know the name of the song, but it sounded strangely familiar.

'The music played will fit whatever mood you are in. If you are sad, a sad song will play. If you are happy, a happy song will play, etc. etc. A group of Transylvanian warlocks fashioned this from ancient silver and some of their own emotions. Years ago, Transylvania was in distress, the witches and wizards would listen to the music change from despair to happiness, and it would cheer them up. This box enchanted me, and I hope it will enchant you. Listen to the music when you are sad. I guarantee you that you will not be sad for long.'

Marisa could picture her father winking when she read that. Marisa paused to open the other box. A small silver mirror with a silver handle floated out of the box. It fit into Marisa's hand perfectly. After investigating the mirror a bit, Marisa found that the mirror matched the jewelry box.

Instead of the creatures of the land, however, there were creatures of the sea. Majestic creatures floated gracefully on her mirror, it almost seemed like her mirror was a body of water. Instead of following a centaur, it followed a sea creature that Marisa had never seen before. It had a long, flowing body with no fins. Instead, there were many thin layers of skin that branched out, much like an angelfish. Marisa watched it for a while, tranquilized.

Marisa moved her vison from the back of the mirror to the handle. It handle looked like the ocean itself. Magical waves splashed around Marisa's hand. She saw many smaller sea creatures gliding along in the water. She looked in the mirror, and then back to the note. A scarf flew directly in front of her face at this time, causing Marisa to jump back a little and squeal. After the shock, she settled down to read the note again.

' The mirror, as you may have noticed, is the second in a set with the jewelry box. If another person gazes into the mirror, you will be able to tell their intentions. If the water is angry and stormy, the person is up to no good. If the water is calm and gentle, the person is trustworthy. Keep in mind that the mirror does not judge good from evil, it just tells what the person is doing against your version of right and wrong. I know it is confusing, but I hope you might learn what I mean after using the mirror. Again, this was fashioned in the days of distress for Transylvania. The warlocks used it to find who they could trust. Look beautiful for my party.'



'Con amo,

Papa'

*Ding*. Marisa looked up and found her that clothes had stopped their cycle. All of her formal clothes were right in front of her. She went back to her room and set her gifts on the vanity. She then marched back to her closet and began looking for the perfect outfit for the party. Her fingers skimmed the delicate fabrics of her dresses as she walked past them. Several of them caught her eye, but after looking at them closer, she found that they were not suitable for the occasion.

"Hm. Papa said he wanted them to meet his princess..." Marissa muttered to herself, "I suppose that means I should look like a princess, now doesn't it? Ah, here we are!"

She stopped in front of a lavender satin gown. She pulled it down from the closet and examined it further. It was a simple dress, going down to her ankles. The light reflected over the delicate satin fabric. It had embroidery around the bottom of the dress depicting fairies fluttering around flowers. On top of it draped a matching robe. Magically hovering above it was the matching hat. It was the same color as the gown, with some embroidery around the brim and all the way to the very top of the pointed hat. After some searching, Marisa found the matching shoes as well.

"This will do perfectly," Marisa said, satisfied.

She walked over to her bed, laid the dress on it, and began to change. Looking at her portrait, she saw she was now sitting nicely on the bench, flashing a cheesy smile. While she was doing so, the tiny unicorn found it necessary to come inspect the outfit. He scampered to the bed, sniffed at it, and was about to walk on top of it for further inspection before Marisa swatted him away.

"No, Trifole! You mustn't wrinkle my dress!"

Trifole brayed in protest. With that, the winged unicorn flew away, slightly miffed at his owner. He flew right back to where the other enchanted toys resided and got interested in other things. He snorted one more time in Marisa's direction to show she wasn't forgiven.





Marisa rolled her eyes. "Silly unicorn. Well, I suppose that does it," Marissa said after her gown and shoes were on. She fastened the robe around her front, clasping it with a heart-shaped pin. The front was open enough to show her new gown. As Marisa walked past her vanity, she realized that her hair was not yet ready.

"Oh...I don't have enough time to do anything fancy. Ugh, here." Marisa undid her braids and let the curls cascade down her back. She took a brush off her desk and allowed it to brush her hair. She saw the tube of makeup her mother had allowed her to buy at Madame Malkin's last time they went there. After much begging, her mother agreed to buy it for her on the condition that she would wear it only for special occasions. Unlike "muggle" makeup, magic lip gloss never lost its shine, allowing the witch to wear it for days before having to reapply it.

The brush still brushing her hair, she applied a small amount of lip gloss. "Mother said I could use it for fancy occasions, right? I suppose this is fancy?" she asked to her room, while at the same time convincing herself. Trifole simply snorted again. Marisa whirled around and glared at her rebellious toy.

"Well who asked you? The witches seem to agree with me." Marisa pointed to a group of plastic dolls enthusiastically bobbing their head up and down."Ah, you can stop brushing my hair now! "

The brush was now pulling on Marisa's hair to the point where it hurt. Upon command, the brush flew down and settled at it's space on the vanity. Marisa peered back at the mirror. Her wild curls were now brushed, but a bit fuzzy. Marisa tried to use some Sleakeazy's hair gel to smooth it out. It worked, to some degree. Instead of having little frizzies everywhere, they were now clumped together. It wasn't perfect, but it was a step up from before. Marisa sighed.

"Acceptable. I guess I look like a princess having a bad hair day. That still counts." Trifole just brayed, mocking his owner more. "Excuse me, but I don't need fashion sense from a unicorn that doesn't wear clothes!" Marisa said, annoyed. Trifole stopped braying and walked into a more secluded part of her room, defeated. Marisa checked her reflection one more time. Seeing no more flaws (apart from her wild hair), she fixed her robe on more securely, put her hat carefully on her head, and walked towards her door.

Pulling it open, she said, "That's better. Well, here I go." With that, Marisa left her room.