Repost! There were some mistakes that I overlooked. :sweatdrop:
After writing and rewriting I have finally managed to spit out a new chapter! Woohoo! Three cheers for moi! This chapter is rather boring, but essential to developement, and I hope you enjoy it!
Hope
by samisweet
Chapter Four: Unions and Curses
Perhaps I should have said something against my father's union with my stepmother. Her name was Metallia, as I found out later. She had long, metallic-black hair that fell in soft curls and a seductive, sultry face. She was beautiful, I would give her that. Her personality was sweet in a sickening way. I still find it hard to believe that my father, an impeccable, cold businessman, would fall in love with such a woman. She had taken over the household the moment she stepped into my father's home. Suddenly, the servants were scurrying around, changing paintings and décor. The only painting that remained was the one where I had seen that beautiful lady in, only a few weeks ago. My father condemned the painting from being removed, though I was perplexed as to why.
I remember my first real meeting with my stepmother. My father discreetly stood in the back, proud and tall. He watched Metallia with subtle adoration, giving her his quiet support.
"Hello, Usagi!" she cooed. The smile on her crimson lips was syrupy sweet. I almost winced. "I'm Metallia. You can call me mother, or even mommy! I'm sure we'll come to be the best of friends. Your father told me so much about you."
"It is a pleasure to meet the woman who is to become my new mother," I replied politely, a smile gracing my features as I flourished a graceful curtsey. My father nodded approvingly. "I look forward to our times together."
"Oh, isn't she a sweetheart," Metallia hugged me, her large 'racks' practically causing my suffocation. I tentatively wrapped my arms around her waist in an unsure hug. With one last squeeze, she thankfully released me. I pasted on my best smile. "Wow, you raised her yourself, Kenji? My, you did a wonderful job. She's beautiful and her manners are perfect."
"Yes, I did," Father eyed me coolly. "She is to be treated fairly, Metallia, for she is the last of her bloodline."
"Oh, I wouldn't treat such a darling girl in any other way," a sly, treacherous smile lit her face as she pulled my father in for a disgustingly passionate kiss. I turned away to give them privacy. It was gruesome, having to stand there and listen to my father kiss a woman that was not my mother. My eyes traveled to the painting where I had seen that beautiful woman –only to freeze in surprise. She was back, her eyes lit with confusion and a very slight, barely detectable anger. She caught my gaze and gave me a heart-warming smile. I watched breathlessly and gave a hesitant smile back. She returned her gaze to father before looking at me once again. Mouthing the words 'strength' and 'luck' to me, she gave a shake of her head, blew a kiss, and disappeared once again.
"Usagi, return to your room," my father said breathlessly, not bothering to check if I had left the room before resuming the despicable make out session. I sighed as I reached my room, knowing what my father and his new wife was undoubtedly up to. I made a face and faked a gag. Maybe a trip to Diagon Alley was needed. I felt the need of a new textbook.
Break
The air was musty and dank, familiar to me. I briefly took a breath in to enjoy it before heading towards a particular section on potions. Potions were becoming harder and harder as I progressed from simple ones, but I enjoyed creating them immensely and could often find and create remedies for common illnesses. I picked up the newest release and headed to the counter to pay. The cashier smiled down endearingly at me and I gave my brightest smile back, paying the hefty sum for the book. I left with a magically light-weighted package under my arm. My mind was side-tracked horribly and consequently, I went crashing into someone, my package saved from the ground thanks to my trained reflexes.
"I'm terribly sorry," I apologized sincerely as I stood and brushed the grime from my robes.
"Save it," the familiar voice replied. I put on an oblivious smile.
"Why, Draco, a pleasure," I curtseyed gracefully.
"Dad's not here; you can act normal," he rolled his eyes, a broom in one hand and a toy in the other.
"Normal? That there isn't the case; however, I should be going because I'm expected back home," I looked into his eyes and my nine year old mind processed the obvious pain. "And whatever it is, Draco, good luck with it." He was shocked to say the least and I could tell he was watching me from behind.
Break
My second meeting with Voldemort was perhaps more terrifying than the first. He had grown more manipulative in the month that evaded our previous encounter. I had perfected magic spells that would effectively repel his gains on me and they proved to be useful. He attempted to control my mind with weak spells the moment his wispy being entered the darkened room. I expelled them quickly with a single thought. He laughed his grating chuckle and immediately, my body was caught with pain. My insides twisted until I was sure I was dying and yet, I refused to utter a single word.
"Foolish girl, you cannot resist me forever!" he cackled, his crimson eyes glaring ominously at me. I tried to keep my mind clear from all pain but fog continued to cover all rational thought. Suddenly, my head was clear as day, although the curse was still on me. I began to white out, a serene vision encasing my mind. A bright light imploding into a crystal that bloomed into a rose… colors of the rainbow swirling together to create an eight-pointed star…
And suddenly, the pain stopped. I knew that spell was continuing but my body was unfeeling towards the twisting feeling. The spell stopped altogether and I was aware of another visitor.
"Ah yes, young Draco Malfoy," the Dark Lord laughed. "Here for your first training session?" I turned to look at the older blond, who merely nodded. He was not made for this kind of training. He had never experienced pain and I knew that the moment a Forbidden Curse hit him; he would be good as gone. I suppose I thought I owed it to Narcissa to have him under my wing. And in many ways, I did. I was happy to find that Draco was just as resistant as me, if not more so. Within the first five minutes, Voldemort was thoroughly angry and annoyed. He narrowed his ghost-like eyes and pointed a curling tendril at him.
Before the curse could hit, I lunged towards Draco. The Cruciatus Curse hit me straight on and pain slashed through my body. I defiantly clenched my jaw shut as the pain increased. He hit me with some other curse, and this one, combined with the first, was enough to make me release a blood-curdling scream. As quick as the pain came, it stopped, and I was suddenly pushed out of the room, along with Draco. He looked at me wide-eyed. I merely gave a weak smile back.
Break
The next year that passed was wretched. My stepmother treated me poorly. Her daughter, Beryl, was jealous of what I had and my stepmother was jealous of my father's protection of me. My room, of course, was untouched, but the rest of the house reeked of Metallia and Beryl's stench. They turned my servants against me, even though it had not taken much convincing, and they made sure that no servant went to serve me or take care of me. It was of no matter, for I traveled to Diagon Alley and ate at the various restaurants available in the stretch of the street, venturing out a few times to eat at muggle restaurants. But loneliness crept in even further. I had always had Luna to turn to, even when she disliked me. She never let her suspicion and hatred get in the way of subtle conversation. My life reigned in silence. At home, I was stuck in my room. My training sessions had stopped mysteriously. I studied harder and practiced longer.
In one instance, my stepmother had had a party. I came to the conclusion that it would be best if I headed to Diagon Alley, but when I tried the door out of my room, it was locked. I could hear laughter and talking outside my room. I tried a simple unlocking spell, but it was fruitless. I tried a harsher one, and that one failed to work as well. My mind raked through spells that I had memorized, but to no avail. I was locked in. I would not dare break open the door for it would anger my father, so I sat by the door, waiting for the party to end. I was not free until two days later. I, luckily, had storage of snacks and beverages in one of my drawers. I never went hungry thanks to Chocolate Frogs, Cauldron Cakes, and other wizardry delectables.
My sister, Beryl, was envious of me. She was pretty, yes, but I managed to attract more attention with my lustrous blonde hair and innocent blue eyes. In the coming years, our house was almost always filled with guests. They would coo over me and ignore Beryl, which angered Metallia. No matter how hard she tried to steer them away from my charm, they would always return to me. Narcissa, of course, was most appreciative of me. She had forged a rocky friendship with Metallia and was often over at my house with Draco. After the instance with the dark lord, Draco was much kinder to me and we found a slow, but sure friendship forming between us. Beryl often found herself alone when he was over, and I would politely invite her to join us, at which point she would run off with him to other destinations. I rarely minded.
My father held a party in honor of my tenth birthday, a feat he had failed to remember for his stepdaughter. It was, of course, for publicity reasons. Celebrities found themselves on the guest list and it was at an expensive wizard hotel, called The Merlin. It was classy and elegant. I remember it very well, for it was the first time my father had personally doted on me. I can remember even more vividly the way my stepmother and stepsister glared at me in envy and hatred. My sister, evidently, received extravagant presents from my father, far more personal than he had ever given me. She had had a long list of things she wanted and took full advantage of my father's wealth. Even so, she found it unbelievable that my father would give such a party in my honor. From there, things turned worse.
Break
My head was bent over my books as I studied. My father expected a three foot parchment on different ways one could hide/disguise themselves by the end of the week. I flipped through a potions book that I had bought the day before, my eyes quickly scanning through words and pictures.
"Usagi," Metallia called with her dark voice. I sighed but steeled myself from reacting angrily. My footsteps were padded as I made my way down to the family room.
"Yes, mother?" I inquired politely. Her metallic obsidian eyes glared at me in unadulterated mischief. Beryl was smirking proudly beside her.
"My daughter here tells me that you broke her broom," Metallia drawled. I spared a glance towards Beryl and she stuck her tongue out at me –a childish response, really. "Not only that, but you broke it in half out of spite."
"Why would I do such a thing, mother? I have not left my room for the past day."
"You dare lie to me! Your father gave me full permission to punish you in this case," Metallia gave a shadowed smile, causing me to flinch. "Come along or I will leave your punishment to your father." My heart thudding in my chest, I obediently followed her. She led me to the dark, dank basement and pushed me against a wall. A spell bound my wrists above my head so that I faced the wall. "Your malevolence will be repaid. I'll show you who's better here. Why do you think your mother left you? She did not want to be with a daughter like yourself." I clenched my teeth at the remark, anger coursing through my veins. She summoned something, but I couldn't see what it was. A few moments later, a pain ripped through my sides –it had been a whip. Fifteen lashes for what I had never done… I could bear the pain. I had been through much, much worse. My face remained calm and I did not shed a tear. But inside, I could feel myself screaming in agony.
Break
That one incident left welts and open wounds across my back. From then on, I spent as little time as possible in the house. Luckily, Beryl was sent Hogwarts the very same year, leaving me at home with only my step-mother, who spent her time lamenting over her partner in crime.
During this year, my meetings with Voldemort came once a month. Every three months, Draco would join us for a half hour, or at least until he left for Hogwarts. Voldemort went past the stage of trying to brainwash me and instead, took it upon himself to teach me every hateful curse known to mankind. I held a terrifying power within me and he brought it out. I remember being fearful of myself after finding what harm I could do to spiders, rats, and other small animals. Death, burning, torture… and suddenly, I despised Voldemort more than ever, for teaching me that I could kill with my magic. And I decided that with this ability, I would do nothing to a human –other than Voldemort and those that dared to kill others. He merely strengthened my will to do good.
For those of you that haven't seen Sailor Moon StarS, I totally reccommend it! It left me yearning for some good SeiyaUsagi and YatenUsagi stories. Fans of Stupid Little Gakki are lucky: I've been inspired to write another chapter! Watch the Japanese one; it's great! Usagi is so much more mature in that series, even though she still has her quirks. Rent it NOW :)
I'd like to sincerely apologize for my lack of activity on FFN! Even though it's summer, I'm just so swamped with stuff to do, and guess what? Most of it has to do with school! I'm already stressing out about the IB classes I'm taking and school won't start for another few months. I hate summer work. Either way, please leave a review stating which story you want to be updated soon, excluding I Am Beautiful, I Want to Fly Again, and Usagi Then, Serena Now. Those three are permanently disbanded, sorry! Opinions on how this chapter went is greatly appreciated as well.