Sorry this took so long! I tried to be extra careful to keep with the timeline! Hope you enjoy!
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Rayne Lestrange was born on a snowy day on the 19th of December, 1970. She was the first and only child of Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange and from birth was held in high expectation. She was to be a great Death Eater, to follow in her parent's footsteps to serve Lord Voldemort. She barely knew her parents, nannies raised her since birth. She would see her parents at meals and sometimes chance encounters around the Malfoy manor were they lived with her aunt and uncle. But, their times together were always distant and cold. It wasn't until Rayne began showing more of her magical capabilities at the age of nine did her mother begin showing an interest in her. With that, her private lessons began. Those were the worst years of her young life.
Rayne walked down the street, huddled into her scarlet fur lined coat. She gripped Narcissa's hand as they walked side-by-side, Rayne's eyes darting around to take in the sights. She watched as the playground came into view, children laughing and chasing each other. Rayne peered up to Narcissa.
"Auntie? Can't I go play?" She asked.
Narcissa kept her gaze ahead of her. "No, Rayne. They are all mudblood and half breeds. We don't associate with those lower than us"
Rayne's gaze went back to the children, watching them. "…How can you tell?"
"What?" Narcissa asked, annoyed at all the questions.
"How can you tell they're muggle born or half-bloods?" Rayne looked back up at her aunt. "They look the same as me"
"But they are not. You are a Lestrange. You come from the Most Noble House of Black. You are a pure-blood witch and you will not associate with filth" Narcissa tugged her arm, hurrying her along.
Rayne looked back at the children, slowly turning her gaze back to the street.
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Year: 1980, December
Rayne stirred from her sleep, the sounds of a crying baby pulling her from her dream. She yawned, sitting up in her bed and rubbed her eyes. Checking the clock, she saw that it was two in the morning. Throwing the blankets back, Rayne stood and made her way to her door to peer out into the dark hallway. She walked down the hall, the crying growing louder until she stopped in front of another door and pushed it open. A woman sat in a rocking chair, trying to sooth the baby she held.
"Madame Brown?" Rayne asked sleepily, rubbing her eyes again as she walked into the room.
"Ah, Miss Lestrange. Did he wake you?" The woman looked up at her. "My apologies, he's been fussy all night"
Rayne yawned again, holding her arms out. "I'll take him"
Madame Brown hesitated, but gently handed the baby to her. As if on cue, the baby quieted and stared up at Rayne with large blue eyes. The baby cooed up at her, snuggling into its blanket.
"You can go on back to bed, Madame Brown. I'll watch over him"
Madame Brown nodded, shuffling from the nursery as Rayne took her seat in the rocking chair. She rocked gently, the motion slowly making the baby drift off to sleep. Rayne smiled, watching the baby.
"Sweet dreams, Draco"
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Rayne was gently shook awake. She grimaced slightly, lifting her head to look at Madame Brown. She had fallen asleep in the rocking chair, Draco snuggled in her arms.
"Miss Lestrange, your mother requests you for your lessons. You must not make her wait" Madame Brown gently grasped Draco and pulled him from her arms. "She…is not in the best of moods this morning"
Rayne sighed under her breath, standing and stretched. Her mother was never in a good mood.
She made her way through the labyrinth of halls and staircases until she was in the cellar. Her mother gave her a glance, tapping her wand against her palm in annoyance.
Rayne bowed her head. "Mother"
Bellatrix sneered slightly, gesturing her to come. "Today we will work on your occlumency again…I hope you will have improved since yesterday's lesson" Her voice was harsh and thick with disappointment.
"I'll try my best, Mother" Rayne responded automatically.
Bellatrix gestured to the lone chair, Rayne taking a seat. Rayne gripped the arms of the chair, steeling herself for what was to come. She watched her mother raise her wand.
"Legilimens" Bellatrix lunged the wand forward.
A wave of pain shot through Rayne's body, her knuckles turned white as she gripped the chair harder. The pain built and built, radiating from her head until it felt like she would explode. She only caught glimpses of memories; getting lost in the garden at night, falling and scraping her knees, failing her mother over and over again. A low cry escaped her lips as she convulsed in the chair.
"Block me out, you stupid girl!" Bellatrix screeched at her.
Her head was swimming, the flashes of memories never ending. The pain grew and grew as her mother delved deeper and deeper into her mind. Suddenly the pain was cut off, Rayne inhaling heavily. She hung her head in her hands, trying to relieve the dull pains. Just as soon as the pain subsided, another wave rushed over her as Bellatrix penetrated her mind once more. This time she couldn't stop the scream that escaped her lips, and when her mother released her grasp she sunk down onto the stone floor.
"Worthless. Worthless" Her mother muttered over and over again. "This won't do at all! How will you become a Death Eater if you cannot even block out your mind?!"
Rayne was on the verge of tears now, slowly she was able to sit herself up to look at her mother. "I'll try again. I'll master it, I swear I will. I won't let you down…" Her voice was weak and pained. "I promise"
Rayne closed her eyes, trying to compose herself. She felt pain run across her shoulder, gasping and clutched at the pained area. She looked, seeing blood on her hands before looking back up to her mother. Her mother stood, tossing her push dagger in her hand.
"Punishment" Was all her mother said. "Another scar to add so you can count my disappointments"
Bellatrix walked towards the cellar door. "We'll end this for today. You best prepare yourself, tomorrow you will be learning to dodge the killing curse"
When the doors slammed shut and she was left alone, Rayne crumbled and wailed.
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Rayne shoulder was still throbbing with a dull pain. She had put dittany on the wound, which sealed it into a scar. She stood before the mirror now, looking over her arms and sides at the scars. There were more on her back, and a few more on her thighs. She would carry those scars for the rest of her life because of her mother's enchanted dagger.
She stopped, looking down at Draco crawling towards her. He looked up at her with a wide grin, giggling as he held his hands out to her. Rayne smiled, picking up the small boy and kissed his cheek.
"Hello Draco. Escaped from Madame Brown again?" She asked, carrying him back to the nursery.
When she stepped into the doorway, she heard Madame Brown sigh with relief. "Ah, there you are young Master"
Rayne laughed gently. "You can go take a break, I'll watch after him"
Madame Brown gave her a thankful smile, picking up the laundry and walking from the room. Rayne sat down on the floor, setting Draco in front of her. She grasped the stuffed ball, tossing it as it seemed to float around Draco. He giggled, trying to keep up with it. He grasped it, tossing it back to Rayne as it whizzed around the room. They sat in silence, playing this game of catch. With each smile and giggle, Rayne's mood lifted. Slowly she forgot about the pain of her lessons.
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This was Rayne's life. Painful lessons in the morning, and joyful playtime with Draco in the evenings. She was able to push through all the pain and torment she went through with the knowledge of seeing Draco's smiling face afterwards. This is what grounded her, what allowed her to keep getting back up. For so many years before Draco's birth she had to suffer alone. Many times she felt like she wouldn't be able to continue this. But her cousin, her precious little cousin gave her life a new spark.
Rayne carried Draco down the hallway, pointing at the portraits on the wall. She told him about their ancestors, stories past down from generation to generation. Draco listened to her with rapt attention, hanging on every word she spoke. Rayne stopped in front of an empty space, large enough for two portraits to hang.
"And here's where a portrait of me and you will hang one day, when we become of age" Rayne starred at the spot, smiling to herself before looking down to him. "I was so happy to hear our portraits would be side by side"
Draco smiled up at her, giggling as she kissed his cheek.
"Master Draco, Lady Rayne"
Rayne turned to Madame Brown.
"It's almost time for bed" She reminded her.
Rayne nodded, smiling at the woman. "Yes, thank you. I'll tuck Draco in"
Madame Brown nodded, watching as she walked past. She smiled fondly after them, watching Rayne coo down at her cousin.
Draco yawned heavily, laying quietly as Rayne changed him into his pajamas. Rayne picked him up, sitting in the rocking chair and wrapped the blanket around him. She rocked him gently until he fell asleep. She sat for a few moments more, knowing what was to come in the morning. She dreaded the nights, knowing the morning would follow and another lesson would be given. So she sat there watching her cousin, wanting so much for time to stop right here.
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Year: 1981, June 5th
Draco's first birthday was a grand occasion. All full blood families were invited to celebrate. Rayne stayed upstairs, out of sight. She despised the lot of them. They were all so cold, so cruel in the way they spoke. They reminded her of her mother, the way they would boast about the muggle and half-bloods they had slayed. There would be some days that her mother was gone, nowhere to be found. Rayne had never felt such joy when she learned there would be no lessons that day. But, here lately, her mother was gone for longer and longer. She once asked her aunt where she and Father had went. That was when her aunt told her about the war that was waging outside the walls of the manor.
They were trying to purify the wizarding race. Trying to dominate the muggles and be supreme under the rule of Lord Voldemort. This war had been going on since Rayne was born, she had been shielded in this elegant manor. Oblivious to all the atrocities that were being committed. It made Rayne sick to think about the things her mother and father were doing. And now, in the ballroom, they laughed and danced like it was all normal.
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Year: 1981, November
"Rayne, wake up"
Rayne grimaced, slowly waking up. She opened her eyes, starring up at Narcissa. She squinted her eyes.
"Aunt Cissy?" Rayne asked groggily, sitting up in the bed and rubbing her eyes. "W-why are you here? Madame Brown normally wakes me-"
She was cut off by Narcissa grasping her shoulder firmly, making Rayne look back up to her.
"Your mother, and father, and uncle Rabastan" She started, Rayne noticed her face was creased in panic and worry. "They have been sentenced to Azkaban"
Rayne stayed silent was the information seeped in. Her parents were going to Azkaban, the wizard prison. She knew she should be panicked, worried. But…She wasn't. She was…relieved.
"W-what?" Rayne tried to feign panic, gripping her aunt's sleeve. "What happened?"
"The Dark Lord, he has vanished. All his followers are in a panic. They're being rounded up by the ministry. Thank Merlin Lucius was able to lie and claim he was under the Imperius curse or he would be there too. Your parents went out trying to find the Dark Lord. They tortured two Auror, captured, and taken to Azkaban"
Rayne stayed silent again, releasing her grasp on her aunt.
"Do not worry too much, child" Her aunt's words were gentle, Narcissa laying a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"W-Where will I go?" Rayne asked. She knew it was wrong, but she didn't care about her parents. She only cared about having to leave the manor, having to leave Draco.
"Where will you go?" Narcissa asked. "You'll stay here. Lucius and I are your guardians"
Relief filled her chest again, she nodded silently.
"I will leave you alone. When you're ready, breakfast is ready…" Narcissa stood and walked from the room, closing the door behind her.
Rayne sat in her bed for a few long moments before the corners of her mouth curved up to form a small smile. No more excruciating lessons…no more listening to her mother's crazed screams…no more of her father's emotionless stares. She was free of them. She felt horrible inside, for being happy about losing her parents. But, she couldn't help but smile.
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Rayne settled into this 'new' life of hers quickly. Narcissa had hired a tutor for her to teach her manners and qualities of a pure blood noble. It was boring and tedious, but there was no crippling pain and no punishments. Rayne didn't mind these new lessons at all. She was also taught basic skills that would make her ahead of all the other students once she started school.
She was nervous about starting school at Hogwarts. She hated that she would have to leave, but knew that it would be the best for her. Even after the end of the wizarding war, Rayne couldn't help be notice Narcissa and Lucius kept their radical views on purity. Rayne hated being around them when they spoke about the muggle born and half-bloods. She didn't want to leave Draco, but knew that she needed the freedom away from her family to become her own person. She didn't want to be ruled by hate for others. She wanted friends, and to find a real family.
So in the few months before she was to go off to Hogwarts, Rayne spent every moment she could with her cousin. She taught him to walk on his own, laughing as he toddled to her with outstretched arms and an infectious giggle. She would read him stories and tuck him in at night, and would rush to his side when he woke up in the middle of the night scared and alone. He loved to stand on her feet as she danced about the room, and would burst into a fit of laughter when she would play peek-a-boo. Narcissa loved to watch them, seeing her son have such fun. She also felt pangs of jealousy. Draco hardly ever smiled when she would visit him and play with him. But, when he saw Rayne he would race to her with arms outstretched.
Narcissa sat in the rocking chair, watching Rayne chase Draco around the large room. Draco squealed and giggled as Rayne attempted to grab him, always just out of her reach. She gasped, watching Draco stumble over his own feet and face plant on the floor. She quickly walked up him, picking him up as he whimpered. His eyes filling with tears as his bottom lip trembled.
"It's alright, Draco" Narcissa soothed.
Draco looked back to Rayne, holding his hands out and clinching his little fists. He sniveled, whimpering again.
"Ray-Ray" He said in the most pitiful voice, whimpering again. "Ray-Ray"
Rayne grasped Draco, pulling him into her arms to soothe him. Narcissa just watched them as Rayne kissed Draco's scratched cheek and mumbled soft words. He instantly calmed down in her arms.
"Auntie" Rayne beamed up at her. "Draco said his first word!"
Narcissa smiled down at the girl, nodding. "Yes, he did…" But Narcissa's smile didn't reach her eyes. Her heart ached, knowing her son's first words was Rayne and not mama.
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In the last few months Rayne had before going to Hogwarts she began openly questioning her aunt and uncle about blood purity. Her uncle would become red in the face, and only give her a warning to shut up. Only once did Lucius lose his temper with her and strike her. Narcissa, too, was harsh with her responses.
"It is how it has always been" Was her aunt's favorite answer.
Her aunt and uncle tried to curve her defiant behavior, both knowing her years at Hogwarts would set her straight.
"You'll be sorted into Slytherin, like all of your family before you. There you will be set straight" Her uncle would say to her.
They would both try fear to keep her in line, telling her she would be blasted off the Black Family Tree if she didn't behave.
Rayne was relieved when Narcissa allowed her to take Draco with her to Diagon Alley to buy her school supplies. She was intent on making this outing with little Draco the best. They had stopped for ice cream, and Rayne even bought him his own owl so they could send letters to each other. Draco would whine that he didn't want Rayne to leave, and Rayne would always assure him not to fret over it.
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Year: 1982, September 1st
Rayne stood on platform 9 ¾ with Narcissa, Lucius, and Draco. Narcissa hugged her, smiling.
"Have fun at school, Rayne"
Rayne nodded, looking back to the train as smoke billowed from it. Draco grasped her hand, bringing her gaze back to him.
"You'll visit soon, won't you Rae?" He asked.
Rayne smiled, crouching and hugged him. "Of course" She kissed his forehead as he laughed, rubbing the spot. "You be good, Draco"
Draco nodded up at her as she stood. The conductor shouted last call as Rayne picked up Abner's cage, waving as she stepped onto the train. She smiled, watching them. There was a sharp pang in her chest. She knew this may be the last time she would see Draco. She had decided that morning that she was going to be different from her parents, from her family. She had decided she wasn't going to live by the rules of blood purity. She knew this would mean giving up seeing Draco, but she needed to do this for herself. Her only hope was that maybe, Draco would chose a different path too. With tears in her eyes, she watched as her family disappeared from sight as the train moved out of the station. She turned, walking down one of the compartments. Abner gently nibbled her fingers, making her smile and look down at him.
"Yes, I know you're still here with me Abner. Come on, let's go find an empty compartment…it's so noisy…"
