Prologue
I never really knew my mother. All I did know about her was that some time after she gave birth to me, she left my father and I in search of "true love". She left behind a heart-broken husband and a baby girl in need of a mother. Although I've never forgiven her of that crime, I suppose that after a while I forgot about her. It took some time, but with the arrival of my best friend, Sirius- son of Count Cedric, I slowly began to feel wanted once again. One would be hard-pressed to find a time when we weren't together.
My father, being a merchant, was often out and I was left to manage our estate by myself, but despite this, we were very close. His best friend, the count, had made a promise to my father many years ago that if anything should befall him, he would care for the estate and me. The count and I both were sure that nothing would occur to such a strong and brave man, but, unfortunately, we were wrong.
Not long after his 31st birthday, when I was barely 7, a serious disease came upon him and he passed away within the month. Count Cedric kept his word and tried to be a father figure for me. For the following 3 years he and Sirius spent most of their free time easing the pain that accompanied my father's death. During this time the bond between Sirius and I grew and intensified. He, too, had never known his mother because she had died giving him birth. The time of peace appeared to be never-ending until the day we got an interesting visitor. She seemed familiar, what with her emerald eyes that almost completely matched my own. Behind her were two girls, one of which could've been my age, the other a little younger. She smiled a sickly smile and spoke in an equally nasty voice. "Lily? Lily dear is that you? I know you don't recognize me- in fact, I'd be extremely surprised if you did. I am your mother. These are your stepsisters, Jessica and Katrina. I, Baroness Naomi, have come to reclaim this estate."
As the memory of who she was came back to me, I was filled with rage. This fury has lasted through 7 years and shows no sign of abating because my mother has been forcing me to act as one of the house servants. Although the count and Sirius continue to support me, things have been going downhill since that day.
