A.N. Hi everyone! I'm sorry it took me so long to update, but I had a writer'sblock + sooo much work for school! The usual excuse...
Despite the fact that I'm in the middle of my exams, somehow I managed to start writing chapter 3... and finish it as you see.
In this chapter you'll get to know a bit more about Raven, how her life was before she came to the Malfoy Manor. But not her entire life of course... I still need to write a lot more chapters.
I hope this chapter isn't too confusing with the flashbacks! If there are any questions, or if you'd like to share your ideas with me; don't hesitate and post a review.
Enough talking... Enjoy reading! Xxx Love Cassandra
For hours Raven laid between the silk sheets on the four-poster bed… staring at the window; hoping it soon would be light. She simply couldn't sleep with all the questions she had. Her mind was working on an insanely fast pace. She possessed such an extended knowledge of magic and the Wizarding world, but knew so little about her own family. So there she was… at the Malfoy manor, the place where all secrets would be revealed.
As far as she could remember, Morgane, an old witch, had always been there for her, to raise her and to teach her everything she knew along with other professors that tutored her at their Château in France. For a reason, unknown to Raven; she didn't attend Beauxbatons like most French witches. She was carefully kept from the Wizarding world. The only contact she made with it was when her professors tutored her, and when Narcissa visited her.
When Narcissa visited Raven for the first time, she had introduced herself as her mother's best friend. And when Raven asked her who and where her mother was; Narcissa only shook her head and whispered "Now is not the right time". And so it went on for years and years. It was very hard for Raven, but she never raised her voice against Narcissa; scared that she would never tell the answer.
Two years ago, during Narcissa's last visit, Lucius came along. He greeted her formally and then stared in disbelief when he saw her for the first time. Raven guessed he must have seen the image of someone else he knew, or had known. He was carrying a rather small wooden box in his firm hands and handed it over. A bit surprised, Raven opened it and found the most beautiful necklace she had ever seen. It was a pure silver necklace with a heavenly blue egg shaped gem. The moment she touched it, the gem started to glow. Only she could feel the supernatural force that entered her body and attached itself to her soul. It didn't take long before the gem stopped glowing and she felt like she was glowing inside. "Don't tell anyone what has happened, or how you feel; not even to Morgane. When it's time to tell you who you really are; you'll understand what occurred a few minutes ago."
"But how and when will I know when it's time? I have been waiting for the right time my entire life. Why can't I attend school like everyone else? Go shopping with friends; instead of having my own tailor. I hate just being here inside this castle and in the garden; not further." Raven said with tears in her eyes. Narcissa sighed and stroked Raven's cheek. "The gem will let you know when it's time. The gem will guide you through the Wizarding world; and show you where all your questions will be answered. Trust me Raven, you'll soon be reunited with your past, whether you like it… or not."
Raven frowned confused. "Of course I want to be reunited with my past. But Narcissa, can't you please tell me where I'll find all my answers?"
"As I said; the gem will guide you… but I suppose it doesn't harm giving you a name." Raven listened eagerly. "The Malfoy manor."
Standing there, Lucius didn't approve what Narcissa had done to Raven. But she was his wife; and she had begged him many years ago to let her do what she wanted to do. She believed that this was the right thing though Lucius felt that he was a traitor for not stopping Narcissa. He remembered her words as if it were yesterday.
"Narcisaaaa!" Lucius roared when he entered his Manor. "Hell, woman! Where are you?!" Slowly Narcissa came down the stairs and stood in the centre of the hallway. "Here I am Lucius. Why are you looking for me?" Lucius turned around and raced towards his wife until they stood eye in eye. "Why?! Where did you take the child to! It's his right to know that he has a daughter! A daughter who might be very useful!"
"Useful?! Lucius, we're talking about the newborn baby of my best friend. My dead best friend Lucius! All thanks to him! He made her his whore and treated a pureblooded witch like filth!"
"Don't speak of him like that!" Lucius shouted and raised his hand.
"Are you going to hit me Lucius Malfoy!" She screamed, and startled Lucius by doing so. "I have been your girlfriend and then wife for so many years Lucius! I have done every day as you pleased with a constant smile on my face. I have taken care of you, and loved you from the minute we were together. Soon I will give birth to the son you've always wanted. A beautiful heir for the Malfoy family. And never… never have I asked anything of you! I never asked you to stop being a deatheater, despite the fact that it hurt me so much when I found out. To realize what you had been hiding for me so long… al the lies and uncountable excuses. Lucius, this is the first thing in my entire life, our entire time together that I'm asking you. Don't search for the child. Forget its existence, forget its possible use and forget who her father is. Trust me Lucius. Please. I promise you that I'll have her return to us, when the time is right. But until then, I don't want you to mention her, not even when we're alone. I'm all she has left. I'm responsible for her, and I'm the only person who gets to decide when and how she will enter the Wizarding world."
It was the first time in his entire life that a woman stood up to him like that. It surprised him first, but after that, his respect for his wife had grown. He didn't know she possessed so much fire and power within her. It fascinated him, intrigued him, and he decided that he would let Narcissa have what she wanted.
They stayed for only one day and one night at the Château. Lucius didn't say much, but simply listened to the conversations the three women were having. He couldn't help but notice every small detail she had in common with her parents. The way she looked, acted, spoke, walked and thought. She seemed to be the embodiment of the perfect fusion between her parents. He was curious to find out what other skills she had inherited.
After an exquisite dinner by candlelight; Raven wished them all a good night and headed upstairs. It didn't take long before Morgane and Narcissa felt tired, but Lucius said he first wanted to take a better look in the old library before heading off to bed. He kissed his wife goodnight and then carefully opened the ebony door that lead to the library.
Lucius wasn't surprised when he saw a lit candle somewhere at the end of the enormous room, and swiftly headed towards it. Soon he saw that it was Raven, studying a book in extreme concentration. He stood behind her and whispered in her ear "Learning about dark arts are we?". He expected her to start screaming, but instead she turned around slowly, narrowed her eyes and glared at him. Lucius was amused, seeing how much she was like her father; until suddenly her facial expression softened. "Oh Lucius, please don't tell anyone". He bent over and smirked when he saw that she was reading about unforgivable curses. "Why are you reading all alone in the dark?" Raven was confused. "Trust me love, I won't tell a soul." She sighed, knowing there was no way to ignore his question.
"Morgane doesn't want me to know about dark arts. She says it's bad for my wellbeing and my reputation. But I find it so interesting. I want to know all about it. I don't know why, but somehow I feel so connected with it."
Lucius closed his eyes for a brief moment and thought about what he could do best.
"Have you ever tried an unforgivable curse?" He tried carefully. To his relief she nodded. "But I'm not really good at… you know… the last one" She said blushing.
"There's nothing to be ashamed of. You're so young. You can't blame yourself for not mastering it. But I can teach you."
He saw a big spider a bit further and took his wand. "Avada Kedavra" He whispered, like it was one of the most common things in the world.
A beautiful poisonous green light escaped his wand in a flash, hit the big spider instantly and then left it lifeless on the cold stone floor. He turned to see a smiling Raven, worshipping him with her eyes. "Yes" she said determined. "Please teach me!"
Lucius taught her all kinds of techniques so she would master the unforgivable curse perfectly. After an hour, she finally succeeded and he clapped his hands by the sight of the green light. "Thank you Lucius, thank you so much" She genuinely said.
"It was my pleasure" He returned. "But I really have to go now. My wife might get worried if I'm not in bed before sunrise." She nodded. "Of course."
He looked at her for one last time and noticed how beautiful Raven was. Not only that, but during the entire time he had spent with her he realized how talented she really was. She had potential and could be a very powerful witch, if there was someone to teach her how to develop her own skills to a higher level. It would be such a waste if she couldn't extend her own knowledge, just because some old witch thinks its bad for her wellbeing.
"Raven… Monthly, you may expect a book from me on dark arts. Promise me you won't tell anyone and that you'll study them carefully. A witch that doesn't know about dark arts, isn't a good witch."
Her eyes lit up. "Of course Lucius! I…" But Lucius had already left. She then headed to her own room and dreamt about the new knowledge she would soon posses.