Chapter 1
There are three things I've always known for sure.
1. My family will always be horrible people.
2. No one truly knows me.
3. Sirius Black hates my guts.
As I wait at Platform 9 ¾ in Kings Cross Station, watching the excited students board the Hogwarts Express, many for their first or last time, these three things keep me rooted in place. I'm about to start my fourth year, and I had to make it here alone for the first time. My family, horrible as they are, I've always loved them. Sorry, horrible as they were. I'm still getting used to them being gone. I never really figured out how I felt about the situation. My parents were Death Eaters, and my siblings were undoubtedly on their way. Some would say they had it coming, and I usually agree, but when you lose the only people you've ever loved, the lines become more than a little blurred. Are they still horrible people after they're gone? That thought has eaten at me since the day of the incident.
"Last call, the train is leaving the station" Oh shit. Grabbing my luggage, I hurry onto the train just as it begins to pull out. I look around, trying to gather my surroundings before I take off towards the Gryffindor train car, searching for my friends, if you could call them that. I'm sure they would say so, but all we really do is party together and pull pranks on the Slytherins together, which they wouldn't be able to do most times without me. I'm a Slytherin; I shouldn't even be friends with them. That's what my mother said anyways. "They'll never understand you, Kali. How could they understand what you have to do when you're associating with Mudbloods and Blood Traitors alike?" What I have to do, such an ignorant thing to say. At the very least, I'll never have to hear her say that shit to me again. As I approach the cabin in which my friends chat idly, I take a deep breath, trying to clear all the thoughts of my dead mother's nasty words. As I swing the door open, my friend's chatter stops.
"Kali! Where have you been? We thought the train left without you." James exclaimed.
"Oh, who cares where? Would've been better if it did. I thought I was going to have a peaceful ride for once." Right, the third thing, Sirius Black hates my guts. Without looking up from his book, Remus smacked Sirius on the arm.
"Sirius, charming as ever. And uh, I just got a little sidetracked, that's all." James nodded his head, seemingly pleased with my answer. I notice the only place left for me is beside Sirius. James and Peter were on one side; Lily sandwiched in between them. Sirius and Remus, on the other, unfortunately for me, Remus was leaning against the window, which meant pushing next to Sirius and his manspreading.
"Merlin, no," Sirius says, the realization hitting both of us simultaneously. Before he could manage to throw his bag on the seat, I dove, banging our heads together because this insolent prick thought throwing himself into the seat would be better. Remus looked up at this, as did Lily. Remus simply shook his head and returned to reading while Lily looked like our interaction physically pained her. "What in Godric's name did you do that for? James, She's trying to ruin my face!" Sirius whined.
"That was your fault, you stupid, pig-headed-"
James sighed, "come on now, we're all mates. Sirius, as if one little bump will shorten the line of your many conquests." Sirius huffed at this but ultimately agreed. "Kali, What's got your knickers in a twist? You normally wait until the trolley rolls around until picking a fight with him." He raised his eyebrow to accentuate his point.
"Nothing. Just seeing this tosser's face turned my mood sour." I replied with a smirk. Sirius gave me a shove while James just laughed. No one said a word for the rest of the ride, each of us to our own devices. Occasionally I'd see Sirius give me a sideways glance. Of course, I had to make our relationship worse before we arrived.
Finally, we arrived at Hogwarts. Everyone had to enter the Great Hall for the Welcome Feast, save for the first years, who would be sorted into their houses shortly—waving goodbye, I made my way over to the Slytherin table. I spot that familiar head of wavy black hair near the end of the table, stony grey eyes flashing up to meet mine. It's almost unsettling how much Regulus and his older brother look alike, but that's where their similarities stop. Sirius was a liar and a cheat, with no sense of morality or loyalty. He never cares what people think, and he's slept with damn near every girl in our grade and a few outside of it -Wait, where was I going with this? Reg shot me a pointed look, then another to the space beside him, so I hurried over. "Hey Reg, how was your summer?" I said as I took my seat.
"Oh, it was fine. You know, same old. What in Merlin's name is wrong with your forehead?"
"That would be complements of your brother." I glanced up at the Gryffindor table to find him already looking at me. That signature Sirius Black smirk plastered on his face until his eyes shifted, and he shot his head down, finding his food more amusing. "Merlin, can't he find something better to do than stare and taunt me."
"Just ignore him. I don't wanna waste precious breath talking about that Blood Traitor."
I looked at him incredulously. Never in all my years of being friends with Regulus have I heard him speak those words of his brother. Sure there were always whispers about Sirius, dark slurs under hushed tones from most of the Slytherins, but never Regulus. As I opened my mouth to say something, Reg shot me a look that said, "don't even." So I shook my head and waited for the festivities to begin. Cheers erupted as first years were called up to be sorted into their respective houses. I was only half paying attention to the new Slytherin members and could vaguely hear Regulus say something to me in between, to which I responded with nothing more than a couple of uh huhs and mhms. I was way more focused on watching the almost twin to the person sitting next to me, across the room. I expected a lot more enthusiasm from Sirius, but he kept his eyes on his meal the entire time. Not even some giddy shoves from James and Peter could steal his focus. I glanced toward Reg, and he had that same stormy look in his eyes. Something was going on in the Black household, and I couldn't decide if it was better left alone.
Dumbledore had just announced the feast was over and that we should all head to our common rooms. I shot up with the rest of the Slytherin table, my eyes trained on the professor.
"Let's get going, Kali. Cissa will want to see you." Reg said as he stood.
"Yea, yea. I'll be right over. There's just something I need to do first." I picked up my bag from the floor where I'd left it and hurried out the doors of the Great Hall, shoving through over-eager students. Regulus watched with a bewildered look on his face. Where had Dumbledore disappeared to? That slippery old man. I ran as fast as my legs would take me. Past other students, who seemed to get more pushy and annoying every year, up to the seventh floor where the staircase leading to Dumbledore's office was. "Sugar Quills," I whispered into the door, peering over my shoulder to confirm no one heard. Then, with a click, the door swung open. Quietly pushing the door closed behind me, I ran up the spiral staircase, stopping just outside the door to his office. He had sent me a letter this summer stating that I was to meet him in his office after the Welcome Feast. The letter arrived shortly after being informed of my family's demise. I had just entered the Hale Family Manor, feeling completely numb. I had slid down the foyer wall to cry for the rest of eternity when a letter popped through the mail slot. I reached for it with shaky hands, read through the tears and tucked it into my coat pocket for safekeeping. I forgot about it until I had been packing my luggage for my return to Hogwarts; now, I just needed to find out what he wanted. Although I'm positive it has to do with my inheritance and current living arrangements. I tapped once on the door and sucked in a breath.
"Enter." A hollow voice boomed. I pushed the door open to see Dumbledore pacing his office. He turned to me, "Ah, Miss Hale. Please come, have a seat," he gestured to the chairs across from his desk. I shook off the nerves, walked steadily towards him, and took a seat.
"Professor. Lovely to see you, but may I ask what this is about?"
"Why I'm sure you're beginning to adjust to the loss of your family by now. However, there are a few matters that the Ministry has asked me to go over with you." He took a seat across from me and continued, "The first being that you are now the Hale family heir as you have no remaining family. This means that all accounts at Gringotts as well as properties have been left to you." I figured as much. My family weren't very good Death Eaters. They all either died in Azkaban or on assignments from the Dark Lord. That left only me. He patiently waited for me to respond.
"I had assumed as much, Professor. How can I access these accounts?"
"Simply go into Gringotts, and you can have them all transferred into your vault. They have all been informed of your situation, and you should find them most accommodating." He shifted in his seat, "Now, for the second matter, I ask that you hear me out and believe that the Ministry and I have your best intentions in mind." Oh no. I'm not gonna like this.
"Okay," I said hesitantly.
"As you are only 14 years of age. The Ministry and I believe you would be most comfortable residing in the castle for the time being. At least until you are 17 and of age."
"I'm sorry, Professor, is that not what I've been doing already?" I tilted my head in confusion. Dumbledore looked down at the stack of papers before him and shuffled them around.
"You misunderstand Miss Hale. That includes during breaks."
"WHAT? You mean I'm trapped here." I exclaimed.
"No, no. We cannot do that. We do not believe you returning to Hale Manor is appropriate when there is no one around to ensure your well-being."
"And who exactly would ensure that here? Filch? Cause if you think that tosser-"
"Miss Hale," Dumbledore said sternly. I shut up immediately, swallowing a gulp. "I have tasked Professor McGonagall with taking care of your needs and wants, whatever that may be. As for your well-being, I have placed myself in charge. The Ministry approves of these changes." My mouth was agape now. Mcgonagall and Dumbledore. You've got to be joking. He continued, "You will be free to wander the castle as you wish. The house elves will be at your beck and call for any late-night cravings you may have. We can even relocate you to a new dormitory outside of your respective house if you wish. That, of course, means you would now be able to use the Prefect Lavatories as you wouldn't have access to a private one within your house. So you see, Miss Hale, we understand the tragedy you have gone through and are trying to make this new arrangement as pleasing for you as possible."
"You want to remove me from Slytherin house?" I leaned back in my chair. I could hardly believe what I was hearing.
"If that arrangement doesn't suit you, you are more than welcome to proceed with residing in your current dormitory."
"Merlin, no! Get me out of there. This works for me, Professor." A grin slowly stretched across my face at the idea. Away from the future Death Eaters? I'll take it. "How soon can I make the switch?"
"I will have the house elves gather your belongings and relocate them to your new dormitory. If you would step outside for a moment, I'll be along shortly to guide you to where you will be staying."
And with that, I exited his office. I haven't felt this welcomed and free since my first summer at the Potters after my first year. I leaned my head back against the cool stone of the stairwell walls, soaking in this newfound freedom and information. I never have to return to that dreadful Manor. The place I should love, my childhood home. That place was filled with memories of my family. The only problem with that was that they were mainly painful memories. I took a deep breath, filling my lungs, feeling like a weight I hadn't known I was carrying was lifted from my shoulders.