I sat down, not caring that everyone in the household was staring at me, that my aunt, Clara Carroll, was glaring at me. I was fuming. Couldn't Clara see that she was ruining my life?
"Luna… I'm sending you to Hogwarts. It's time you got out and explored. To tell the truth…you're a handful, and I'm too old for this."
((Raven knew that Clara loved her, but she couldn't be weak in front of this group of powerful wizards, especially if she taught them.))
My Aunt Clara was the leader of a group of Rogue Wizards, she taught Wandless, and wand magic. I had crammed the knowledge in my mind, as much as my photographic memory could hold. I was smarter than people over half my age.
I opened my mouth and protested, "You're sending me there because of that harmless prank I pulled on your son, aren't you?" I snapped, which earned me a tight lipped smile from Teddy, or Theordore, my only friend here. It was a kind gesture.
"No, this is for your own good. Your things for school have already been sent, and a 'Professor McGonagall' will be here at seven am sharp. Tomorrow. Be ready, pack necessities only." I stood up, the sharp click of my heels the only thing in the room as I walked out.
I knew exactly why she was sending me to that wretched castle. And it was not because she couldn't handle me.
It was because of my father, or Clara's younger brother, Severus Snape.
A sneer crossed my face, and then I packed all my books (quite a many) into a charmed bottomless bag, that I had worked on when I was 11, and had just arrived here. Then some pillows, hairbrush, clothes, toothbrush, and some pictures of family, and mainly Shade. My heart ached every time I looked at the pictures, wondering why he had never come back. Was he dead? What had the Dursleys done to him.?
((All she knew was that Harry, she never was able to find his last name, or Shade, had left her all alone. Until her aunt rescued her only a few nights after she had received her letter to Hogwarts. She explained what was going to happen and she gladly left the house that belonged to the monster of a guardian. She hoped to never return, and she never has.))
I turned over the picture, but I could still see his emerald eyes, which twinkled and practically glowed. His messy raven hair, which would never stay flat. His almost unhealthy white skin, it would always glow in the dark of the night.
I quickly wiped my wet cheeks, ridding my face of evidence. Crying was weak. I couldn't be weak, couldn't afford to be weak. I reached out, and touched my mental shield, letting it fall. I let the stream of mixing emotions comfort me, even if they were not my own. I closed my eyes, staring at the auras in the air gave me a headache. I breathed deeply and set my shield back up.
With that, I was ready, so I laid down, and slept.
- Dreams mean something, but Nightmares everything. -
I sat on a bed, in a familiar-ish setting. It reminded me of Privet Drive 10, but it wasn't the same. I studied the bare room, locks on the doors, a cat-flap (probably for food), and the horrid bed. I noted the handcuffs on the bed. It reminded me too much of my old home life.
Who would be treated like this?
I sensed someone at the hall, opening the door. I stared at the door, and the person who opened it almost made me jump out of the bed.
"Shade!" I cried out, almost crying. I could tell it was him, even though he was older. What shocked me, even though it shouldn't have, was the cuts and bruises. He limped to his bed, and I moved, knowing even if I was having a sleep vision, he would still feel my magical energy if he went through me.
He collapsed on his bed. I watched, crying for him, no pity though, never pity. We hated pity.
I waited till I knew he was asleep to softly caress his face. He moved slightly, but was still asleep. I moved my hands over his wounds. Then I focused on his face, healing them softly. I focused. Focus, focus, focus! I did this to every part, until I was sure he was fine. His uncle wouldn't care that the wounds were gone, he would just inflict more.
I sighed harshly. Then I noticed something odd. In the corner was a trunk. I moved off of his bed, where I had been sitting. When I came close I noticed that it said Hogwarts on it. I frowned and moved closer. Was Shade magical? Was he a wizard? IN my excitement I forgot to check the name on his trunk.
I rushed back to Harrys' side when I heard him stir slightly, I let my eyes roam over him. Suddenly I caught sight of his alarm. It was 6:55 am.
"Shit." I cursed. A wave of longing wracked me to my very soul, I hesitantly reached out and brushed my fingertips against his cheek. His whole body relaxed when I had touched him, making my heart skip a beat.
I closed my eyes and leaned against the wall. I focused on my room, and when I opened my eyes, I saw myself, asleep on my bed. I quickly entered my body and bolted up. I threw on a silver skirt, with purple converse, and purple and black striped tights. My shirt was a black t-shirt with a white tank top under. I snatched my backpack (the charmed one, my only one) and bolted to the front door.
I cast a quick tempus, 6:59 am. Good. I could skip breakfast. I was fine with that. I waited till I heard a sharp knock at the door, and then opened it, plastering a polite smile on my face.
"Welcome to the Carroll Manor, Professor McGonagall." I greeted, as she walked in. She greeted me with a quick hello. I took a chance to study her as we waited for my Aunt.
Her hair was a light gray, and styled in a tight bun. She was of average height, and wore an emerald cloak. She wasn't skinny, she wasn't fat. Her skin was a light peach, and wrinkled. Her aura was curious, and kind, but also slightly apprehensive.
I liked her.
My aunt chose that moment to appear.
"How rude of me to keep you waiting. I'm sorry. I am Clara Carroll, and I welcome you to the manor." She reached us, and they shook hands. My aunts aura was tinged with regret, curiosity, confidence, and some others. Regret? Why would she feel that?
Oh! Maybe because of the fact she is casting my fate by sending me to Hogwarts. I mentally laughed at the pun. Casting… spells…witch… hehe.
"There is no need to apologize, I have time. Thank you for inviting me in. You have all the information needed, correct?" McGonagall questioned.
"Yes, please keep an eye on her please. She is all I have." Thank you Auntie. Talk about me like I'm not here, great.
"Of course, and her head of house will keep tabs no her most definitely. She is to meet with the headmaster every other Friday to see how she is adjusting until he says she can stop." McGonagall, why thank you, for telling me.
"Of course, of course." Clara confirmed.
"Good-bye Auntie." I said, sharing a smile with her. Her lips turned upwards, and her aura grew a little brighter for a few seconds. Her way of sharing her love with me. I appreciated the gesture.
"We will be taking a port-key to the Great Hall." I nodded, port-key, even if it was a quick way of transportation, was not my favorite. I lightly touched the peacock quill and felt a pull on my navel, and I quickly let go when I was told. I landed, crouching, on a stone floor. I scanned the hall quickly. I glanced at the ceiling, it was an illusion, but it was lovely. The sun was just rising, so the colors were all kinds of shades.
"Welcome to Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry, I'm Professor Dumbledore, and Headmaster of the school." An old man said warmly, his eyes twinkling. His aura glowed with curiosity, cheerfulness, calm, and for a moment, I felt a flicker of something akin to fear. I nodded.
"Thank you, sir. No doubt, I will learn many things" -again-"and enjoy being here. By the way, you have a wonderful ceiling." His eyes lit up more, and he grinned wider.
"Yes, you will learn many things. The ceiling is bewitched to be like the sky. Lemon Drop?" As he finished he pulled out a candy wrapped in plastic. Lemon Drops, how had he known I had loved them?
"No, thank you, sir." I declined, constant vigilance, eh? I have to be on my toes, watching, can't die now, can I?
"Well, this is our wonderful staff." He motioned to the only table in the hall at the moment where plenty of people were chatting away. A flicker of motion caught her eyes, and she noticed a man dressed in black, and dark purples. He had a large nose, black hair, unhealthy pale skin, skinny, and piercing obsidian eyes. My father.
I stared at him a moment before turning to the table. I walked forward, keen on greeting them. Dumbledore followed, and cleared his throat. The staff quieted.
"Here's our new transfer student. She will be here until school starts." He smiled, and some of the staff smiled at me, while others stared, some nodded.
"Hello, I'm from somewhere in England, I lived in the care of a friend of mine, and my name is…" I noted how everyone seemed to listen, how odd, usually I was ignored.
"Luna Carroll." I finished, sharing a tight lipped smile. Severus blinked.
"Clara Carroll?" He sneered, his aura, on the other hand, filled with surprise and confusion. He seemed out-of-sorts.
"Oh my! Do you know my guardian?" I asked, playing with him.
"I did not know that Clara was hosting a child." He snapped, and I tilted my head in an act of "innocence".
"I've been with her since I got my letter from Hogwarts. About…4 years. I'm 15, by the way. So that means I would be starting my 5th year, correct?" Teachers nodded.
"Well, hello, Ms. Carroll. I'm Professor Sprout and I teach herbology." She beamed, she was a naturally bubbly person. I was glad that I gardened enough to know that class was fun, or I would've been trying to get kicked out of that class.
"I am Professor Umbridge, and I am your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. I am also from the ministry," She stated arrogantly.
More like Professor Umbitch.
"Isn't the ministry a group of corrupted gits who don't know how to handle power and the wizarding community?" I asked, still faking innocence. Though I must say, I did sound convincing.
I saw Severus smirk, while Dumbledores eyes twinkled, McGonagall gave me a hidden tight-lipped smile. A few of the other teachers had stopped paying attention.
Umbridge drew herself up higher, and glared.
"You have a twisted view of the government, no? We keep the world in order, and hand out justice rightly. I suggest you keep your views to yourself, Ms. Carroll. Or I will administer a complaint with Mr. Fudge." She snapped.
I 'mmm'd, pretending to listen as she lectured on.
I sat down when a seat was offered after Professor Umbitchs' lecture was finally over. I declined the offer of breakfast. They explained what would happen, and told me they'd be sorting me at noon. Cliché, isn't it? Always noon.
Idly, I twirled a fork in my fingers. About an hour later, they dismissed me to get to know the castle better. They told me Professor Snape would check on me every hour, and fetch me at noon. I snorted, was I some dog now?
And was this all some conspiracy? Snape, check on me? I sneered.
((Albus swore he saw Snape in this girl. He decided that he liked her.))
"Excuse me, thank you for explaining things. I will start "exploring" now." I assured politely.
Let's do this.