September had come and gone very slowly. This was because school was now hell itself. Less of a school and more of a prison. Dark arts involved a beating 3 times a week that ended with a queue at the hospital wing to cure anything from concussion to broken bones. I'd personally had my nose repaired 3 times and my fingers all set after being crushed by Professor Carrow. The physical injuries were nothing compared to the mental abuse we were put through. The cruciatus curse was bearable for the first week but a month in and the effects were clear; the entire school was not the same. Morag woke the entire dorm room up every night for the past fortnight with nightmares. A great feat considering she's in the dorm above us. even in the common room people flinch at a raised voice or bang, anyone practising spells get wary glances from onlookers. Just in case.
Other classes were as good as they could be. The professors handed out no punishments as they could see what we were put through. They had less concern about standards of homework and more about whether we looked alive. Several students had collapsed in classes due to anxiety attacks or exhaustion. While Slytherin house was free of the horror the rest of us had been put through, they weren't blind to the fact. Even Wilbur Kershaw, who up until this point in my education had been nothing but vile and disgusting, was sympathetic. I had seen him on several occasions handing pepper up potions to younger students as they nearly crumple to the ground in the hallways after their dark arts classes. It seems that despite their family backgrounds even they drew the line at this level of abuse.
The library has managed to be the only place other than the dormitories that are safe from the Carrows and basic terror. Madam Pince has put aside her rules to provide a haven for students to retreat to. Well I say put aside her rules, rather she has created some more. Namely, that professors are no longer allowed in the library, which means we are safe from prying eyes. Amazingly Snape signed off on it. This new rule has resulted in the library being louder than the great hall nowadays. It's a little community where we are safe from student threats too, as the older Slytherin psychos/death eaters in the making are busy with detentions, helping the Carrows with their little torture hour. And during the day… well to be honest they already have a job lined up for when they leave so why bother study in the library?
This new set up has resulted in some rather strange friendships forming between the houses. We always did talk to each other but never with much effort outside of studies really. but it seems the imminent threat of torture and death of family members has opened lines of communication that have been previously dormant. Gryffindors are teaching people defensive spells, Hufflepuffs explaining how to get into the kitchens for food and help from the house elves to get letters out to family. Ravenclaws giving out their in-depth knowledge of the castles secret passages and hiding places, and the Slytherins who are actual human beings with morals giving out offensive spells and the weaknesses and fears of the students helping the Carrows.
Some of the younger Slytherins really do seem to be relishing in the opportunity to tell people the fears and weaknesses of their older siblings and cousins. Turns out being bullies at schools extends to being cruel at home too. Pollux Parkinson came in with a list. Turns out Pansy is absolutely terrified of pigeons. We all made a mental note to practise how to conjure a flock. Even the older Slytherin students you would expect to become death eaters have joined the library community. We were very suspicious when Blaise Zabini first entered the doors, but it soon became clear that he really was just there to study and escape his fellow dormmates. I still caught him staring at me though. Which really was starting to get annoying. It wasn't until an owl landed in front of me yesterday morning in the great hall (which caused quite the stir since mail was caught off for everyone except a select few children of death eaters) that it dawned on me why I was receiving so much attention from one Mr Blaise Zabini. I took the still unopened letter out of my pocket for the third time today and stared at the Rosier family seal on the back.
"Oh, put us all out of our misery and just open it Isobel" snaps Julia
I look up and see that everyone at the table designated for the sixth year Ravenclaws in the library staring at me in anticipation. They had no clue. I knew exactly what was in the envelope, hence why I didn't want to open it. I rip off the seal and take out the letter.
"I'm guessing you guys want a reading?" I say hoping they don't. They all nod. Bastards.
To Isobel Agnes Macdonald,
It is my duty as the head of the Rosier family to inform you that as of your 16th birthday, you are required, as by traditions and customs of the House of Rosier to begin the process of securing a meeting with eligible gentlemen in the hopes of arranging a marriage to carry on the Rosier bloodline.
As the only remaining member of the family tree to be of pureblood and of age, it is of the upmost importance that we begin this process to preserve the family line as pure. While your grandmother may have chosen to marry into an unsuitable family for her prestige, I hope we have more luck with you.
As I have mentioned above, you are the last in the family line to maintain pureblood. This itself allows some ignorance when it comes to your fraternal line. The Rosier family is still well respected, even if the blood has been diluted by blood traitors. I await your reply by owl.
Yours sincerely
Druella Black nee' Rosier
"Who the fuck is Druella Black?" asks Declan
"My great aunt, although you guys will know more about her offspring"
"Who are they?"
"Oh, you know just Narcissa Malfoy and Bellatrix Lestrange"
They all stare at me, mouths hanging open. Can't really blame them. It's not something we like to advertise. Broke my great grandfathers heart when Bellatrix became a death eater. As much as Druella loves to boast about her branch of the tree the truth is simple; no one in our branch has been linked to the dark arts for a few generations. Then she married into the Black family and my great uncle Magnus' son became one of the first death eaters. Her marriage rocked my great grandparents, but Evan Rosier sent my great grandmother to an early grave. Then when Bellatrix was arrested, that was the end of my great grandfather. Which sadly means that Druella is head of the family and thinks she can pester about marriage. My sisters had to tell her they were engaged to muggles for her to finally leave them alone. Even then they got an earful through a howler about bringing shame just like her sisters to the House of Rosier.
"You're related to Malfoy?" asks Russell Pascoe
"I think the more pressing one is Bellatrix Lestrange personally Russell, we've been sharing a common room with a girl related to a complete psycho" states Daniel
"Oh yeah because you're so sane Kirke, at least Isobel has never threatened to burn down the dormitory because he couldn't find his potions essay"
Daniel fidgets in his seat. I have a feeling he thought we had forgot about that little psychotic episode from last year. We had to tie him to an armchair in the common room for his own safety. From us. We were very close to punching him.
"Oh, look it's not that bad, I'll prove it" I say getting up.
I walk down through the library towards the records aisle. If there's one thing that will show them that my family isn't insane it's the bloody family tree. I'll say one thing about the library, it's got a brilliant catalogue. All pureblood family trees are housed here. I turn the corner and come face to face with someone unexpected. Blaise Zabini. Holding the Rosier family tree. He looks shocked that I've caught him. He's about to to say something when I cut him off.
"Don't worry Zabini, I got a letter from the family yesterday morning. I know exactly why you're looking at that"
"My mother said I should"
I sigh. "Right take a seat" I say pulling out a chair.
We both sit and stare at one another.
"Why does your mother want you to look at my tree specifically?"
"Parkinson is insane and Daphne Greengrass is already got her eyes set on Nott, apparently"
"That still doesn't answer my question"
"You're the next most eligible young lady, blood wise you're very much a diamond, every family is going to be after you Macdonald"
I make a face. I think it's a mix of horror and disgust because he laughs.
"So, you'd thought you would get in first?"
"I thought I'd try very hard to find some reason I shouldn't want to be associated with you"
"Oh! You should've just asked, I've got plenty of reasons"
"I could have, but doing it this way draws it out a bit more before she starts saying how lovely Millicent Bulstrode is"
"You don't want to be set up do you?"
"Do you?"
"Merlin no! I just imagined someone like you would be very much in favour of that, securing a nice little blood line and all that"
"If I was Millicent would be a nice little blood line like you say, but sadly she's got about as much charm as a Hungarian Horntail and her brain is worse"
"You don't care about blood, do you? Not really" I say
He raises his eyebrow
"You don't. Mother cares about what people think about you. Millicent doesn't reflect well on how people see you, in fact none of the Slytherin girls do. That's why she's focusing on me, because unlike the other ones, I've never used the cruciatus curse on a first year. I've taken the beatings instead. I'm exactly what your mother wants aren't I? Respectable but not bordering on twisted. But I've got the twisted relatives to demand the respect in pureblood circles. You don't care about blood at all, you just can't stand up to mummy"
"What makes you think that?" he says with annoyance
"Because you're not interested in me or anyone. You're doing this because she told you"
"I am not-"
"You are, and don't interrupt me when I'm on a roll. You need to know something Zabini, people think you're a dick, you hang out and associate yourself with the wrong kind of people. Start acting like a decent human being and maybe then mother will get off your back about marrying someone because she realises she won't be getting the circle promotion she's looking for"
I stand up and grab the tree from the table.
"How the hell do I come across as a decent human being? I share a dorm with Crabbe and Goyle. I'm horrible by association, never mind the fact that I don't believe in what they preach"
"I don't know, but maybe start by taking a beating instead torturing first years" I smile and leave him sitting, walking back to the table.
I throw it down and leave Julia to walk them through it, I can't be bothered explaining it to them. I walk over to Maisie and her friends and help them with their homework instead. She thinks I'm just being kind, but really, it's the only way I get to see how much damage the Carrows have done to her. Every cut and bruise are branded in my head. One day I'll give them the hell they put her through. I don't care how long it takes but I'll get them back. I don't care what they do to me over the year, but I'll make sure she stays out of harm's way as much as possible. Even if that means going over the Gargoyle Rebellion of 1911 again.
A week later is when things start to get really strange in terms of our new library society. I'm sat pouring over my charms book, trying to see out of my left eye which is currently sporting a nasty cut, when Blaise sits down across from me. Or should say, a blooded and bruised Blaise, sits down across from me. I look at him in shock.
"What? I did what you said to do, I took a beating"
"I just didn't think you'd actually do it"
He shrugged and gets his homework out. We sit in silence for a while.
"Did you tell Druella Black that you've recently had the pleasure of my company?" he enquires
"Ohhh… perhaps? Sorry had to tell her something"
"What exactly did you tell her because my mother is very excited now"
I give him a smile. He returns a very blank expression. I pick up my bag and start digging through it, finding the draft of the reply I sent a few days ago. I slide it over to him.
To Druella Black nee' Rosier,
I am writing in response to your previous owl regarding my future marriage. While I am deeply flattered by the offer put forward by the House of Rosier to begin the process of finding a suitable husband during the upcoming holidays, I must decline. Please do not be offended by this, it is not out of disregard for my heritage but rather the fact that I am currently enjoying the company of a young gentleman that I believe the House of Rosier would approve.
As we all know, times are changing and perhaps this diversion from true tradition should be welcomed with open arms. While I understand the high standards that fall to me as a member of the House of Rosier, I do believe that I have potentially found a match on my own, subject to family approval of course.
I promise that this wizard in question is worthy of marrying a descendent of the Rosier bloodline. The wizard in question is none other than a Mr Blaise Zabini. The man is a great gentleman of high intelligence and while it is true nothing may come of this in the way of marriage, I believe I should be allowed to see it through in the hopes that a rose may bloom. I do hope that this shows that I am taking my future seriously.
Again, I hope this letter does not offend. If things wilt with Mr Zabini I will graciously accept the offer from the House of Rosier. Hope all is well with the family. Thank you once again.
Yours Sincerely,
Isobel Macdonald
"This is really good, what's with all the rose references though, I mean Rosier obviously but it's a bit emotive isn't it?"
"Druella is very proud of the Rosier name, believe me she ate those references up. Are you mad that I mentioned you?"
"No, it's actually worked out well for me, mother is backing off for now"
"Good, glad mummy is pleased"
"Can you stop saying mummy?"
"Can you stop saying mother? Like seriously, what's wrong with saying mum?"
"She's insisted on it since I could talk"
The more I learn about Blaise Zabini the more I am shocked. He's sat with us every night for the last week while we study. He has a very strange life. From the sounds of it he's been practically raised by house elves rather than his mother. He does not get involved with his mother's marriages, although he is convinced that she is responsible for all their deaths. He got some very horrified looks from us when he divulged that little piece of information. His father died of natural causes though which gave us some relief. His father's death sent his mother on a downward spiral of sorts. Though she is currently single, she has recently began pursuing another partner.
He is a book lover and would quite happily take over Flourish & Blotts one day if he could. He is the sole user of the library in his house. I personally don't think you can call it a house if it has a library. Or a ballroom for that matter. He lives in a mansion but insists on saying house. His mother would like him to go into banking or the ministry after Hogwarts, he would rather join a muggle circus than go into banking or the ministry. He collects dragon models. I don't think he meant for us to find that out, an accidental lapse in judgement. He doesn't agree with Malfoy and his ilk about blood. He doesn't understand what's pure about marrying your cousin. This made Kate very happy as she has the same mindset.
Blaise Zabini is not who he seems to be.
"Odd isn't it?" Julia asks
I look up from my potions essay. We're back in the common room since curfew. Everyone is in various degrees of panic trying to finish the essay by tomorrow. I mean it's not like Slughorn would punish us, but that doesn't mean we don't want to do it. He's been like everyone's nice uncle that you see only at Christmas. He hands out pepper up potions like their sweets. He also has given us a few bottles of Dittany for each house so that we can heal ourselves without having to go to the hospital wing if it's not too serious. The least we can do is hand in our homework.
"What's odd?" I ask through gritted teeth
"That Blaise is nice"
"Is now really the best time to be having this conversation Julia?"
"I'm just saying, what if he's not the only one?"
"What are you talking about Julia?" says Kate, looking increasingly on edge as the minutes tick away
"What if other people in his group are nice?"
"Considering Crabbe punched Daniel in the stomach this afternoon for not walking quickly enough, I'm tempted to say no" says Russell
"I saw Goyle help a first year Hufflepuff fix his broken bag yesterday" says Daniel not even bothering to look up from his parchment
"Really?" says Kate
"Yeah, kid looked like he was about to faint when he got his wand out. Then he just fixed it, gave him a pat on the shoulder and walked off"
"Most unusual"
"No offence guys but can you all just shut the hell up, I'm so close to finishing this"
"Oh, shut up Declan, go up to the dormitory if you want quiet. You don't even do potions anyway"
"A man's got to make money somehow" he says scribbling out the last line
"By writing potions essays for Avery Pucey?"
"A galleon an essay guys"
Only Declan would find a way to make money out of this horrible situation.
The next day as we made our way to potions after dark arts, hoping Slughorn had a cauldron of pepper up potion brewing, was when I noticed something very strange. The seventh and sixth year Slytherin boys were staring at me. No doubt they had received letters from parents about my desirability. Druella had clearly sent out owls despite my assurance I was taking this seriously. Blaise wasn't wrong. I was about to be catnip for a bunch of rough alley cats. I picked up my speed rather quickly almost to the point of jogging down the stairs to get to class. I was almost at the door to the dungeons when my path was blocked by Theodore Nott.
"Morning MacDonald, in a hurry?"
I sigh and slump a little. I really don't want to do this now. Mainly because my bottom lip is still seeping blood.
"No Nott, I'm jogging to keep fit, of course I'm in a hurry so can you get out of the way?" I snap
"Now now Isobel that's not very polite is it? Especially considering you're in the market for a husband, you'll scare them all off" he says leaning against the door.
"Good, I don't particularly want one"
"Really? I'll find a way to wear you down even if I need to follow you around" he says with a wink and a smirk
"Drop dead"
"Or maybe I'll get more acquainted with your cousin, Maisie, right?"
I glare at him, blood boiling. I take a step towards him with hate in my eyes, swiftly removing my wand from my pocket and jabbing it into his throat.
"Go anywhere near my cousin or me ever again and I'll make you wish you were never born Nott; I mean it. Don't forget who I'm related to, you think that madness is just in Bellatrix? Don't push me!" I say in a frantic whisper
I step back returning my wand to my pocket. He looks terrified as it dawns on him that maybe, just maybe psycho is a family trait and not an isolated incident. He moves quickly to the side and lets me through. I stomp down the stairs and shove the door open to the potions classroom and slump into my seat before slamming my book and cauldron onto the desk. A couple of minutes later the rest of the class that I left behind on route here arrives. Slughorn then begins the process of handing out vials which we all swallow with haste. Sadly, though my mood doesn't improve.
It doesn't improve after dinner either. I'm just sitting in the library slowly stewing in my anger. I hadn't mentioned to the others about Nott. I don't exactly need the cavalry riding in to protect me whenever a guy speaks to me for the rest of the year. Also, I'm pretty sure Julia would knock him out for threatening not only me but Maisie as well, even if it meant going through a gruesome beating as punishment. Although since our little meeting this morning Nott hasn't even looked in my direction even during dinner. He's probably writing an owl to his mother now declaring his undying love for Daphne Greengrass. So really that's one down, about eight to go. I'm sure if I keep up the threats, I'll have no potential suitors by November. Especially if I keep reminding them that I could be insane.