LIFE OF SHADOWS

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Chapter 1-

Exodus

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"I lived a life of shadows, never felt the sun on my face."

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When I look back on all these memories I am reminded of the story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had had a lot of trouble in his life – most of which had never happened. I am going to tell you a few stories of my life. But you see, I am not on my deathbed. I am not an old man. I am not a storyteller. The twisted tale of my life is not a novel though many may assume it is. It all began in a time that was yesterday, today and eternally present. I guess you could say it all began when I went to Hogwarts.

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A wisp of mahogany hair worked its way loose from the intricate French plait worn by the teenager who stood, a dark silhouette against the vast cerulean sky, which was streaked with pale crimson. The expression on her face was cold, the shadows that the house cast reflected in her blue grey eyes, which for a second seemed to shine pure silver.

Tossing her head the girl laughed – a wide, reckless grin painted upon her face. She'd had enough. She was leaving. She would be normal. Lead an ordinary life and be an ordinary girl. Her past forgotten. Her future lay ahead, clean and clear with nothing on her conscience. She raised her head, turning back once to look at the place where she had grown up, lived her life. The slightly insane expression on her face melted away, only to be replaced by pure hatred.

Emotions. They were the source of her greatest strength. They were the source of her greatest weakness. Hate. Fear. The will to survive. Three emotions, which ruled her. Which controlled her. No more. She was going to live her life. She was going to fulfill her destiny. She couldn't stay there another night. She had to go. Here in the shadows she was safe. She was free. She couldn't stay where she didn't belong. Where would she go? That was one question she had the answer to. Katrina Milano shook her hair back, the look on her face unreadable. Her future lay ahead, in Hogwarts.

She still remembered the world from the eyes of a child. But those happy, warm, innocent thoughts had been clouded by what she knew now. The truth. She could remember playing outside, the sun always warm on her back. Somehow it seemed much more colder now. Katrina clenched her fists, a look of pure hatred smoldering in her eyes. Hatred for those who had brought her up. Hatred for her family, for her parents. "I want to go back to believing in everything and knowing nothing at all." She whispered, her eyes closed as if trying to shut out the thoughts, the worries, the fear, the doubt… but they just came pouring in.

She shook her head violently from side to side as if trying to get rid of the memories. They were nice. But that's all they were. Memories. Wherever she went now would be better than home. A stray tear trickled down her cheek. She wiped it away angrily, a fierce look on her face. Home. That… place… it wasn't a home. It was a dungeon. A hole to contain her. To control her. To destroy her. She would never go back there willingly. In the holidays… she didn't know. She'd have to stay with her godfather or if she made a good friend she could stay with him or her. But she wasn't going back there. Ever.

Katrina straightened her shoulders, emerging out of the carriage, her head held high. She looked up at the castle, her heart beating just a little faster. Her new home. A smile appeared on her face, lightning up her eyes for a second. Taking a deep breath she began to walk, her brand new Hogwarts robes flaring around her ankles. Here it was. What she'd been waiting for. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The place she could now call home. She gazed up at the castle, a look of wonder on her face. It was impressive with its many towers and turrets, striking against the darkened sky.

Taking a deep breath Katrina pushed open the heavy oak doors, hesitating for a moment then walking inside. She looked around, her mouth open slightly. Katrina had grown up in grandeur, yet there was something about Hogwarts that was awe-inspiring. She walked into the great hall cautiously, realising with a start that she was late. Looking around Katrina noticed a line of fairly young students looking petrified, leading upto a small stool with a battered old hat on top. Privately she wondered why they didn't get a new one… it wasn't as if Hogwarts couldn't afford it. Craning her neck to get a better view of the hat she blinked, standing on her tiptoes. Peering in, she leaned heavily on a suit of armour standing in the doorway. She was so intent in watching the Sorting that she didn't realise as a little man, poltergeist to be exact, sitting cross-legged hovered two inches behind her.

"Boo."  He said simply, shrieking with laughter as she jumped, knocking the suit of armour down in the process. Katrina winced as the clanging echoed throughout the hall, all of its occupants turning and staring at her openly. Suddenly becoming painfully aware of her rumpled hair, red eyes and overall terrible appearance Katrina hastily attempted to fix herself up before Godfather noticed, before he saw-

"Miss Milano is that you?"

Katrina froze as the whole hall went deathly quiet. Albus Dumbledore was walking over to her and before she knew it he had seized her arm and dragged her in front of the entire school.

"This," He said in what seemed to Katrina to be a thundering voice, "Is the newest addition to out school. This is Katrina Milano."