Chapter 1: Introduction to Magic

It was surprisingly warm summer day in the city of Watford. The month had slowly changed from July to August. For 11-years-old Nora Wilkins it meant that the school would start soon. She'd be going to the 5th grade.

Nora hated school. People made her feel like she was a freak. Even her aunt, with whom she lived with was afraid of her. But Nora couldn't help it that odd things kept happening around her. She had made chairs fly in the classroom, when a boy in her class had bullied her. She had managed to shrink an awful sweater too small for her to wear and outgrow her front hair overnight when hairdresser had cut it too short. What young Nora didn't know yet was the fact, that she was a witch.

Nora was eating her cereals for breakfast. Her aunt Laurel was getting ready for work. She was her father's sister. People often said that they didn't resemble each other much and they weren't wrong. The only similarity between the two were beautiful dark green eyes. Otherwise, where Laurel's hair was strawberry blond, while Nora's was light brown and usually on two braids. Where Laurel was tall and lanky, Nora was short and a little bit chubby. Nora's face was opal shaped and her cheeks were filled with freckles, while her aunt had beautiful heart shaped face. Where Nora was a witch, her aunt was just a normal muggle.

A doorbell rang, and Laurel rushed to answer it. She was cursing under her breath: "Who the hell is ringing the doorbell so early in the morning!?"

The ringer was a dark-skinned middle-aged lady with dark eyes and pitch-black hair. She wore serious expression on her face. There was proud and strict aura surrounding her. The lady was wearing beautiful olive-green dress and asked in even voice: "Good morning. I'm sorry to disturb you so early in the morning, but I'd like to inquire if Nora Wilkins lives in here?"

"Yes, she is my niece. May I ask you what is this all about? Is she in some kind of trouble?"

"No, she isn't. May I come in? I would like to talk to you as well, as you're her legal guardian. It's about her education."

Laurel frowned a little. What she knew was that Nora did just fine in school. Her grades were just normal. Certainly, she was a little strange, since odd things kept happening around her all the time. What if they thought there was something wrong with the girl? What if they took her away? What would her brother say if he was still there to see it? Laurel hesitantly allowed the lady in and led her to the small living room. "I must call to office that I'm going to be a little late. Nora will be here in a minute. Would you like to have some coffee or tea?" Laurel inquired. She wanted nothing more than the lady to leave, but a voice in back of her head told her, that it wouldn't be a good idea.

"No thank you."

Laurel came to kitchen, where Nora had eaten. "There's a lady asking for you? What have you done now?"

"A la… lady? Um… why? N… no… nothing by my k… kno… knowledge…" Nora said shyly. Laurel sighed: "Anyway! Get dressed, she is waiting for us in the living room!"

Nora did as she was told. She didn't want to face her aunt's wrath. Especially not so early in the morning. Less than in 10 minutes later both of the Wilkins ladies were in the living room. The strange lady started by introducing herself as they both managed to sit down on their family sofa.

"Hello, you must be Nora?" She asked and Nora nodded shyly. "Nice to meet you. I am Professor Aurora Sinistra. I am a teacher in Hogwarts, school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. We teach witches and wizards from different kinds of backgrounds from all over the United Kingdoms and Ireland, from the age of 11."

Nora's mouth gasped wide open. Next to her, her aunt looked at Professor Sinistra with disbelief in her eyes: "You teach where? And what!? Hog- something? Are you insane!? What does any of this has to do with Nora!?"

"Mrs. Wilkins –"

"Ms. Wilkins!"

"Ms. Wilkins. Your niece is a witch, and I am here to give her an acceptance letter to Hogwarts and to guide her to get her thi-."

"She is a what!? You are clearly insane, out! OUT! GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" Laurel screamed with disbelief. She had no idea what this "Professor" was up to, but she wouldn't take her niece anywhere! In Laurel's mind the woman was obviously insane, because in her world magic didn't exist.

"Ms. Wilkins. I understand you worries, but I am afraid, I can't leave yet." Professor Sinistra said with serious tone and continued: "I cannot leave Ms. Nora Wilkins here without her knowing, how to control her powers."

Nora had gone mute, as she watched the two of them exchanging words. Her words sounded unbelievable, yet it would explain so much to Nora why strange things always happened around her. That she wasn't making things up. She wasn't a freak…

"POWERS! What the bloody hell are you talking about!?"

Professor Sinistra took out her wand and pointed at Laurel. Nora's aunt took a step back and looked at the wooden stick with startled expression. Professor Sinistra flicked her wand and light came out. A genuine smile came on Nora's face, while Laurel's eyes widened with shock and fear, she had begone mute.

"This is called magic. Ms. Nora Wilkins will be learning to use her powers in the school. Here darling is your acceptance letter and all the things you'll be needing." Professor Sinistra smiled for the first time as she gave out the envelope. Nora thanked her quietly and started to read the letters that were addressed to her:

Dear Ms. Wilkins

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Nora took out the next page that was filled with different kinds of books and equipment, from which she had never heard from before. She spoke properly for the first time while Professor Sinistra had visited: "Umm… ex… excuse Professor Si… Sinistra… Um… Wh… Where ca… can I get a… all these th… things? I… I… I've ne… never heard fr… from any of these bo… books… And whe… where ca… can I get a wa… wand?" Nora's cheeks reddened. She was ashamed of her stuttering, but she noted that Professor Sinistra didn't seem to mind.

"In London, there are some Magical shops that sells everything that you need. You can exchange some muggle money, I mean the money that you and your aunt normal use, to wizardy money, with what you can buy all that you need. I can take you and your aunt there today to buy all you need, or just you if your aunt has to go to work."

Laurel seemed to get her voice back: "What is all this? How can you suggest that Nora is a… is a… witch?"

"Has anything strange ever happened to her or around her."

From the look of Aunt Laurel's eyes, Nora could tell that she remembered multiple occasions. All the parent-teacher meetings, where she was explained about the strange things that happened around the girl. All the unexplainable things that had occurred since she was a toddler.

"Then you can understand why it is so important for Ms. Wilkins to get her education. In the worst-case scenario, she can hurt herself or the people around her. And that will happen eventually if she doesn't learn how to control her magic."

Nora shot pleading eyes at her aunt. Startled about the truth, Laurel nodded slowly.

"Perfect! If you are coming with us, I recommend you call to your office and get prepared to leave." Aunt Laurel just nodded and did as was told, leaving the room in trance.

In the South-West of England, miles away from Nora Wilkins, was an old family mansion. The place was called Malfoy Manor that belonged to Lucius Malfoy and his family. He lived there with his son, wife, house-elf, and his sisters-in-law's son Corvus Rabastan Lestrange III.

Corvus Lestrange was child of two famous Death-Eaters. Corvus had inherited his looks mostly from his father, as he was tall, skin was frail and pale, and his hair was as dark as the night sky. His eyes though, he had inherited from his mother. They were dark grey and heavily lidded. 11, soon 12-years old Corvus was holding Hogwarts acceptance letter in his hands. Corvus sighed with relief. He'd get away from his aunt and uncle and start being free.

Corvus could clearly see the fear in Lucius Malfoy's eyes. Corvus looked too much like his parents, who had murdered many innocent people: witches, wizards, squids and muggles. They were currently in Azkaban for their sins. His aunt Narcissa cared about Corvus, but still took care of him out of pity and duty. The love and care in her heart had always been preserved for her only child Draco.

Draco was a little less than half-a-year older than Corvus but had gone a year ahead of him to Hogwarts. He treated Corvus just like he treated everyone else, with over-bearing, pompous attitude. Draco truly seemed to believe that he owned the whole world, since his family was rich, and their blood ran pure.

Only one who was kind to Corvus in Malfoy manor was the family house-elf Dobby. If Corvus could, he would have freed the poor elf. But Corvus wasn't a Malfoy, he wasn't Dobby's master. He didn't belong in. He never had. He didn't understand how his family made him "better" from others, since the Malfoy's were cold, and his own parents were murderers. Because of them, Corvus had always gotten strange looks wherever he went. People whispered behind his back and called him "as crazy as his parents". Most of the children didn't want to play with them, even those, whose parents had also been death eaters. His parents fame and power were too strong, and still fresh in mind.

While Draco spent time with other children around the neighbourhood, Corvus buried his head in books. He loved to learn new things and was thirsty for knowledge, just like his father. He wanted to learn everything, was it a spell, potion, or magical creature. He wanted to know how things worked, and why they worked by the way they did. It was his passion, and just like his mother, he gave his everything to things he's passionate about. He wanted to understand things because his family was an unsolvable mystery to him. He just couldn't understand why both of his parents had left him behind and gone to torture people who had a child around his age.

"So, you received the letter", observed Corvus' aunt. She took the letter from his hands. "Your parents will be proud. I think we should go to Diagon Alley soon to buy you the robes and books. Also, we need to get a new broom for Draco, since he's surely making it to the team this year. You have seen how he flies. They would be fools if they didn't choose him in their team." A rare, yet proud smile appeared on Narcissa's face as she spoke about her son. For once she looked young and her age.

"Yes", Corvus said, since that was what was expected of him. He wasn't certain if his cousin's flying skills were great, but knowing his uncle, he would pride Draco's way to the team.

"Ah, Corvus, you received your letter," cold voice stated. "So did Draco. Go get dressed. We will be going to Diagon Alley today. You as well Narcissa, you can go and buy the useless things for Corvus while Draco and I go to Borgin and Burkes. I have some items, that I want to sell that fool, Borgin. We can meet later in Flourish and Blotts, since Draco also needs to buy the books."

"Sounds good", stated Narcissa, immediately agreeing with her husband. "You heard him Corvus! Up to change, so we can leave!"

Corvus did as he was told, muttering darkly in his head.

Nora had come to the Diagon Alley with Professor Sinistra and her aunt. They had gotten one day permission to use Floo Network.

Nora looked everywhere with awe. Her green eyes were filled with curiosity and wonder. Next to her, Laurel was unusually quiet, and looked little unwell. Traveling with Floo Powder hadn't done her any good. Discovering magical world made her unusually quiet and nervous. Especially now that she had learned that her only niece was part of that world.

For starters the group had gone to Gringotts bank to exchange some money. Afterwards they had gone to Olivander's where Nora had gotten a wand, or the wand had chosen her as Mr. Olivander had explained her. She had tried multiple different wands, before the right one found her. Nora's wand was made from ash that core was filled with unicorn hair. Mr. Olivander had been very happy with her choice and had called her wand kind and loyal to its owner.

After Olivander's they had gone to buy her gloves, kettle, and ingredients for future lessons. Before getting the books and quills Nora arrived Madam Malkin's store to buy Nora school robes. At the store she saw a boy around her age with a lady that was probably his mother.

As Nora tried on a new robe, she came next to the boy, who politely greeted her: "Hey, are you also going in for the first year?"

"Y… yes," Nora answered shyly.

"Same here. I'm Corvus by the way", the boy greeted.

"Um… I'm Nora… Nora Wilkins."

"Wilkins? As of Heliotrope Wilkins? Is your family magical? Are you here with your mother?"

"Umm… n…no… I… I d… don't know h… her. I… I'm th… the o… only o… one… i… in my fa… family… I'm here wi… with my aunt, an… and Pro… Professor Sinistra."

"Professor? Interesting. What does she teach?" Corvus forgot for a moment that the girl was from the muggle family. In his eyes she seemed just frightened and couldn't harm him one bit. Also, he was interested in learning everything possible about Hogwarts and subjects before the year begun. He didn't want to seem stupid and wanted to be more than the name that he carried.

"Um… she teaches, a… as… astronomy. It ha… has som… something to do wi… with the stars" Nora still stuttered. She didn't know what to think about the boy, since wasn't used to someone talking to her so freely. He wasn't afraid of her, in fact he was kind and polite to her.

"Oh, that's interesting! We will be seeing her a lot then. They are teaching that to till our fifth year. Then we take our O. and we choose where we are going to specialize into. What is she like?"

Nora didn't know what O. meant, and didn't want to seem look stupid in front of the black haired boy. "Yeah, um… she seems… um… st… strict, but fair."

"Well that's good! Teacher does a lot to motivation to learn. I wonder, who's going to teach us about the Defense of the Dark Arts this year? People say the position is cursed. I doubt that. I mean I think it's impossible to curse a position. A family yes, since you're cursing a blood, but position, no."

"Ye… yeah, I think yo… you're right", Nora said shyly, being a little lost from words. She didn't know what dark arts was, what it included, nor about curses, even less about blood curses. "I… is yo… your family ma… magical?"

"Oh yes, everyone in my family has been witches and wizards. We are even part of sacred 28, apparently that's important if you ask from my parents, or my aunt over there. Oh, it means a family that every member has been witch or wizard."

Nora was saved from the answering, since Madam Malkin came to the boy and made final changes. "I think it perfect now. Let's go show with to your aunt." Corvus waved his goodbyes to Nora and went to his aunt. After Madam Malkin was done with Corvus she came to Nora and made some final changes. Her aunt bought her the robes. They went to buy her the quills and finally went to buy the heaviest part: books.

Corvus could feel the disapproving glare, that his aunt was firing towards him. She was disapproving him being so friendly with mudblood or half-breed as he had lied to her. Corvus just couldn't help himself. It had been nice to talk with someone, who hadn't looked at him with disgust and fear for who his parents were. She knew new things about the school that he hadn't. After the talk with the girl, Nora, Corvus realized that she couldn't possible have known everything that he was talking about: O. or curses. He had seen the small panic rising in the girl's face once he had started talking about anything from their world. The girl was obviously new to magic, and he had accidently shoved it to her face.

But Corvus knew he couldn't apologize to her now. Perhaps when they were in Hogwarts? Corvus didn't know. His aunt and uncle would disapprove his behaviour and in the worst case decide to home school him if he seemed too "muggle or mudblood -friendly" to change his mind and beliefs. They couldn't face his parents rage, nor bear the shame he would bring to the family. Corvus would be disowned, burnt from the family tree. They didn't want to have the fate as his other aunt, Andromeda. Corvus had learnt about her by accident while studying his family tree in the library. He was certain that his aunt Narcissa didn't know about the book, or she would have burnt it.

Certainly, Corvus saw blood-purity as a good thing. He thought it gave a great advantage to learn magic. Still, he didn't understand why people were so afraid of muggles. They could do nothing to harm them. Wizards were too powerful compared to them. After seeing the girl just now, he could tell he knew a lot of things that she had never heard about. But at the same time, she knows the things that you cannot even fathom. I bet her parents haven't tortured or killed people just for fun. Because of his family he knew that blood didn't make you good or bad. No one could change their parents, nor the blood in them. That's why he tried not to think of himself as a superior. Because he truly wasn't, he was just thirsty for knowledge, and had rich upbringing to support it. But he still couldn't help it sometimes, because it was the way he had been raised all his life.

Corvus walked with his aunt to Flourish and Blotts, where they were supposed to meet his cousin and uncle. They were quick to notice, but they didn't go to them immediately. His aunt was too busy with ogling after Gilderoy Lockhart, a man with huge fake smile on his face, who had Harry Potter in his embrace. Corvus could see from the Potter's face that he would have rather been anywhere else in the whole world.

Naturally Corvus knew a lot about the Potter boy. Everybody in the wizarding world knew about "the-boy-who-lived". Draco had barely managed to stop ranting about him and his friends a mudblood Hermione Granger and blood-traitor Ronald Weasley. Draco was bitter that the boy was so famous, had been chosen to quidditch team and refused to be his friend. Though knowing Draco, Corvus couldn't really blame the Potter boy, since his cousin was full of himself and always ready to pull: "my father will hear about this" -card.

Corvus made a quick glance towards Draco and Lucius. Both of their faces were filled with hatred and disgust. In the corner he noticed the green-eyed girl with freckles with puzzled look on her face. She doesn't know who they are, Corvus thought little condescendingly.

Soon enough the photos were taken, and Corvus started to harvest the books that he would need for the semester, and some that seemed to interest him, like extra books of Charms, Transfiguration and defence spells. He also was getting Hogwarts: A History when a familiar hand brushed against his.

"Oh, so… sorry!" Nora cried out. "I… I thought to b… buy that o… one since I do… don't know much a… about the… the magical world…" As she spoke, she became scarlet red.

"Hey, no harm done", Corvus said, and noticed that his uncle had gotten into a fight with Arthur Weasley. His aunt was going towards Lucius to stop the argument. "Also, sorry about the earlier", Corvus whispered. He knew that his change had begun, as his aunt, uncle and cousin were occupied. "For making you uncomfortable. You couldn't have known all the things I spoke about. I mean this all must be new to you. So yeah… sorry."

Nora smiled at Corvus genuinely. "I… It's okay…", she whispered back and meant it.

"Good, but I gotta go. My uncle has gotten in a fight there, so you know, family matters", Corvus ended awkwardly, took the book, and nodded as goodbyes. His uncle paid quickly for his and Draco's books. They left behind the shop and Diagon Alley quickly afterwards. Narcissa was ashamed of Lucius behaviour, who looked tiny bit too smug for his own good. Still, Corvus thought the day had been surprisingly educational, interesting, and magical.

AN: I don't own the Harry Potter universe. Most of the characters will be my own, but you'll also come across a lot of Canon ones. :)