Wow! two in one night...and I have to board a train in three hours you guys have got to stop keeping me up all night ^_^
anyways, here's parchment 5, please Enjoy!reviews are always appreciated!
Our Time is Running Out
Parchment 5: Something Old, Something New
Lixella awoke on her own, for the first time in weeks. She had been spending her nights tossing to the haunting memory of her dead parents. Ever since she was able to figure out the name of that family, the Malfoys, she slept a lot better. She wiped the sleep from her eyes and stared out of the window. It had become misty outside, just like in Diagon Alley. Lixella prayed that it did not continue. She despised dismal weather, it reminded her of her quickly changing life. A look of wonder came over her face. For some reason, she felt like she was forgetting something.
At that exact moment, her aunt burst through the door. Lixella jumped almost three feet in the air from shock. Aunt Iris wore a dark blue business dress, covered by a traveling cloak. She stared at Lixella in utter disgust.
"Young lady! You are supposed to be dressed!" she spat, "we are leaving to read the will of your parents, and pick up your dress robes!"
Lixella smacked her forehead. She completely forgot about the will reading. "Well, it's not like anyone woke me!" she spat back.
"Young lady! You should be able to wake yourself! After all you are turning 17 in the spring!" yelled aunt Iris, waving a fist in the air. Lixella rolled her eyes and headed for her closet. "Be ready in 10 minutes! That's all I'm giving you…or you will just have to stay here!" she shrieked.
"Yes ma'am" replied Lixella, defeated. She rummaged through her closet and found a nice purple dress. She placed a long black coat over it, with purple and green lace at the collar. The coat was part of her Lunareth uniform. The front came down below her waist, and circled to the back, which dropped to the floor. On her legs she wore black tights. These lead down to her short-cut boots, emerald, with heels. She put on the hat from her Lunareth uniform, as well. It was a small black fedora tilted witch hat, with lace accents, that curled at the tip. Lixella adored her school uniform. It was excessively elegant, but she preferred it that way.
She was surprised that she'd gotten ready in 9 minutes. Then again, she didn't think her aunt would actually leave without her. Especially considering that she was required to be present for the reading of the will. She headed down the spiraling stairs to the library, grabbing a piece of toast on the way. Her aunt stood by the fire place, looking extremely unhappy.
"I usually despise this floo powder" she began, "but seeing as we would be late with the carriage, we must travel this way."
She and Lixella stepped into the fireplace. Her aunt grabbed and handful of powder and yelled, "Ministry of Magic". The two women arrived in one of the many fireplaces, at the ministry. Lixella had never seen such a busy place. The rooms were crowded with people, dressed for work. News paper boys stood on the corner, yelling the latest news. The whole place was massive, made of black marble brick, and gold. The large building in front of them towered over Lixella, she couldn't believe that this place fit underneath the city. They made their way past the large fountain, and boarded an elevator. After a while, the elevator shook to a stop.
"Department of magical and misplaced possession claims" sounded a disembodied voice. Aunt Iris nudged Lixella forward. The two women headed through a hallway of paper sorting. Multitudes of wizards were sitting at desks, filing flying papers. Aunt Iris walked up to the front desk, "eh ehm", she cleared her throat. A round faced woman with small eyes, peered up at her. She looked displeased, and distracted. "I'm here for the will reading of William and Altria Cruxshade. This is their daughter, Lixella, and I am her aunt Iris."
"two doors down that way" the woman pointed towards a hallway, "I'll buzz in the attorney"
They proceeded down the hallway, and into a small office. It was made, also, of black marble, with several shelves of books and papers. The two ladies sat down, and a man dressed in dark robes entered. He was a tall older man, with round spectacles, and a slightly wrinkled face. He smiled and nodded at the two women as he sat down in his chair.
"Well, I am Canis Mulburt, your magical attorney. Do you have the will of William and Altria Cruxshade?" he asked. Aunt Iris removed a rolled piece of parchment from her purse. The Attorney tapped it with his wand, the paper sprang to life.
"Is a magical attorney present?" it questioned in a shrill voice.
"Yes…Canis Mulburt, magical attorney of the Ministry of magic." he stated professionaly. The parchment then unfolded completely, and ink rose from the paper.
"Let's see here. It says, 'In the even of both of our deaths, we leave our entire estate, it's valuables, and our fortune to our only daughter, Lixella. If she is not of age yet, then we ask that she be put under the care of her uncle, Zander Romulous Cruxshade, and her aunt, Iris Melody Regalton Cruxshade. The estate shall remain theirs, until she becomes seventeen, at which point she will gain ownership of everything.' Well, congratulations, Lixella! However, you are not seventeen until March. So therefore, your aunt and uncle shall take care of you and the belongings of your parents, until your birthday on March 8th of this year." he read through the rest of the parchment, scanning for any minor details.
"Congratulations dear! Although, your uncle and I are happy to keep you, of course!" said her aunt Iris. She had secretly always wanted a daughter, but a god-daughter was close enough for her liking.
"Ah! I have found something, here." exclaimed the attorney, " It says that, 'Upon obtaining the Duskwood estate, Lixella also acquires the keys to the family room. Once Lixella is of age, she may enter the room, along with a mentor. The mentor must be a living Duskwood family member. Preferably her Aunt Marceline Duskwood Harrelton.' Is she still alive?"
"Yes…but I have not seen her since I was young. She lives in Scottland with her husband, Sean, I think." replied Lixella.
"Well, you should get in contact with her as soon as possible. This Family room seems very important. It says that your aunt Marceline is the one with the key to the room, it is now yours. All you need to do is ask for it." he stated plainly.
"Thank you, Mister Mulburt" said her aunt Iris. The two women got up and walked out of the room. "You' shall be living quite comfortably, when you are older. It was obvious though, that they would leave it all to you. However, the matter about your aunt, what is the 'family room' exactly?"
"It's a room that has records and history on the Duskwoods. It isn't obtainable until you've become a full witch or wizard. There are, apparently, certain family secrets, that I'm not allowed to know until I am of age. Usually my mother would be my mentor, but since she is dead, I guess it passes onto my aunt Marceline." Lixella explained. She couldn't wait to get in contact with her other aunt again. Marceline was always nicer than Iris was. It seemed that the Duskwoods in general were nicer than the Cruxshades.
Her aunt raised an eyebrow, but quickly shoved it off.
They made their way out of the ministry. This time when they entered the fire place, they headed towards Diagon Alley. Her aunt rushed across the cobbled street, wanting to get out as quickly as possible. She disliked being around hoardes of people she did not know. Especially ones that weren't as privileged as she was. She hurried Lixella into Madame Malkin's and picked up the robes.
"Thank you again!" chimed Madame Malkin as they left.
"We should head for your Uncle's cursed shop." said aunt Iris. They made their way down Knockturn alley. Two sketchy wizards, cloaked in black, eyed them as they made their way down the dark street.
"Oi! Ladies! You look like someone we're lookin' fer!" said one. Suddenly aunt Iris drew her wand, and pointed it towards the two men.
"Don't think I don't know who you gentlemen are!" she said.
"Woah lady!" the other stated, jumping back, "'ey…you there. Might your name be Lixella?"
"How….how did you know that?" she asked, drawing her wand.
"I don't think you gentlemen understand!" said aunt Iris, "My husband is Zander Cruxshade, and if he knew what you two were up to, he'd have your heads!" She stared at them with darkness in her eyes. The two men lowered their wands at the sound of uncle Zander's name. "If you ever try approaching my niece like that again, I'll be sure you are placed in Azkaban for it!" her eyes narrowed. The two men looked sharply at her wand.
"So sorry mum. We'll jus' be leavin' den!" the men lowered their heads and strutted away.
"What was that about, aunt Iris?" Lixella asked intently.
"Just a bunch of street rats. They know who you are, and who your father is. They probably wanted….your money, or to kidnap you, or something." she kept her wand out as they kept walking.
"Why would they want to kidnap me?" she asked
"You haven't realized just how powerful and ancient your bloodline is, Lixella. There are some questions that are better left alone."
"But…I…"
"Left alone, Lixella! Drop it!"
Her aunt was hiding something from her. Everyone seemed to know more than she did about what was happening. Their pace quickened as they turned the corner to the shop. However, once they got there, they stopped suddenly. Draco Malfoy was standing in front of the shop window, peering inside.
"Draco?" she asked aloud. He quickly turned around, with his wand drawn, "What are you doing in front of my husbands shop? And where is your mother?"
"She's uhh…she's not here, exactly." He glanced over at Lixella, who looked less than convinced. She gave him a look of boredom and attitude. "I'm here cuz I'm looking for your husband. It's about an item in Borgin and Burkes that he's fixing for my mum."
"oh…well, in that case you can come with us. We're about to head home, and he should be there any minute now." Aunt Iris then proceeded to unlock the shop door. Draco strode in behind Lixella.
"Now" her aunt started, "this won't fit three people, so I'll just have you travel with Lixella after me."
"Oh….lucky me" Lixella stated unpleasantly.
"Likewise" said Draco. Her aunt entered the large fireplace and busted into flames.
"So…no mother today, Draco. I thought you and your 'mummy' were so close" she nagged.
"Shut up, Cruxshade!" he said surveying her, "God! You haven't changed a bit since then. Still just as unpleasant!"
"At least I kept my looks, Malfoy! And, don't look like a tired tattered street dog!" she stated with equal venom.
"humph! You don't even know the kinds of terribly dark things I do to people! Could do to you!"
"I'm sorry, but last I checked, bullying kids for lunch money wasn't exactly 'dark' or terrible'" she spat
"At least my father stayed in England, instead of moving to that wretched America of yours!"
"HA! At least my father was good enough at his work to keep himself out of Azkaban!"
"At least my father is still alive!"
"Oh…really good, Draco. Are low blows your specialty? Or are you really just that pathetic?"
"Yeah…and your's wasn't low enough?"
"Not…nearly" she said narrowing her purple eyes. She stared at him through slits for a while, then jerked her head away and headed to the fireplace.
"Twat!" he spat
"Jerk!"
"Yank!"
"bloody brittish bastard!" she scorned him. The two of them stood beside each other, both looking in the opposite direction. Neither of them had missed each other much. In fact their entire relationship was based on bickering with one another. Ever since they were children, they had fought. Both of their families called it 'playing', because when anyone would come near them they'd act nice to each other. But once they left, the two became cold rivals again. They always pulled their anger out on one another. They weren't sure why they hated each other, but the arguing helped. After all, they both lived equally stressful lives.
Lixella picked up the floo powder and blew some in Draco's face. He coughed and sent her a glare.
"Why you disgusting little.."
But before he could finish they arrived in Cruxshade mansion, "harpy…you vial terrible woman" he finished. Lixella's aunt and uncle stood in the library, staring at him. A sinister grin crossed over Lixella's face.
"Lixella, why is Draco so mad with you?" her aunt demanded.
"No idea aunt Iris, he just began" she turned to him with a smirk, "spouting babble."
She turned around and exited the room, leaving Draco with his mouth hanging open. He was speechless. No one had been able to outsmart him when it came to insults.
"Oh…she is good!" he whispered.
"ugh…children! Anyways my husband is downstairs, we're about to start dinner if you would like to join?"
"Sorry, but my mother is expecting me home soon. Can I talk to him now?" asked Draco.
"Sure, I'll show you where he is." Aunt iris led Draco down the flight of stone stairs. He passed Lixella along the way, she smiled politely at him and curtsied.
"Say hello to my uncle for me, Drakie" she said, a tone of mocking in her voice. Draco spun around and shot her a look, she knew he hated that name.
Lixella entered her room, with an accomplished feeling. She removed her jacket, hanging it on the closet door. She walked over to her desk and read off her book list, checking that she had them all. She had passed all of her O.W.L.s with good markings, so no classes were really limited. She had always been equally skilled in her classes. She was exceptionally good at defense against the dark arts, and divination. Potions was her least skilled subject, tying close with Herbology. Plants, they just did not interest her that much, magical or not.
She put the parchment down, and began pondering about Hogwarts. She wasn't sure if she would have to be sorted early, since she wasn't a 1st year. She'd never thought about how that worked. Surely she wasn't the first witch to move outside of the range of her school.
She was caught in this interesting thought when she was interrupted by a loud pop. A letter had appeared on her desk. It's wrappings were cream colored with a red seal on it. The address read:
Ms. Lixella Cruxshade
Last room on the hall
2nd floor, Cruxshade Manor
The red wax seal was from Hogwarts. She was about to open the letter when it flipped around and formed a face.
"Eh hem, Dear, Lixella Cruxshade. Congratulations on being accepted to Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry! We are pleased to inform you that a date has been set for your house sorting. Once you exit the Hogwarts express, a teacher named 'Professor Snape', will be there to escort you to your early sorting. We apologize for the inconvenience of sorting you so early. However, official sorting is an experience, as you may have done, for first years only. Thank you for your understanding, and your time. Sincerely, Albus Dumbledore."
The parchment then proceeded to spin around, shredding itself.
"Well, that explains that...gosh! They just read your mind don't they?" she exclaimed. A few moments later her door opened. She turned around to find Draco standing there, looking extremely unhappy.
"What?" she asked, folding her arms.
"Your uncle told me to give you this on my way out. Apparently my mom delivered it yesterday!" he handed her an unwrapped box. Inside was a vial, filled with shimmering liquid, and labeled with her name. It was a pensive vial, it contained one of her memories.
"But…why does your mother, have a vial of my memory?" she asked him almost breathlessly.
"Hell if I know. She said some friend gave it to her….told her it was extremely important that you got it!" he stated without a care.
"interesting…but I have no pensive, how can I look at it?" she asked
"God! You act like I would know this stuff. This is your business, Cruxshade, not mine."
"Whatever, Malfoy…as if I was actually asking you!"
"Tch…talking to yourself is bad Cruxshade!"
She stared at him silently, as if waiting for him to talk again.
"I said you shouldn't talk to yourself…you listening?" he asked with a glare.
"Hrm….did you say something" she looked him square in the face, "you shouldn't talk to yourself, Draco…it's bad for you. Oh and, so is being a dumbass!"
"Ugh.." he rolled his eyes and stepped out of the room.
Lixella ran after him, "tootaloo, Drakie poo! Can't wait to see you in a few days at Hogwarts." she stated pleasantly. He just turned and flicked her off, as her aunt walked down the hall.
"Draco? What are you…?" aunt Iris said shocked.
"I was…just….I mean" he glared at Lixella, "Dammit all! I did not miss you, Cruxshade! I did not miss you one bit!" He then violently flung around, and stomped down the stairs.
"Well, what a terribly disturbed child." Lixella stated with a look of shock, "All I said was good bye, and he flicks me off. Can you believe that aunt Iris?" She then began almost skipping towards the staircase, and downstairs for dinner.
"Humph….glad to see they're getting along!" said aunt Iris as she rolled her eyes, "haven't changed since their childhood, still just as juvenille!"
She then, sighed, and headed down the stairs for dinner, as well.
Do you think they hate each other enough? I wanted to make Lixella just as snarky as Draco is with people.
However, she's only really snarky around Draco, and he's snarky with everyone else.
Thanks for reading...Parchment 6 should be up soon! happy New Year ^_^ Hope to see you again, soon!
