Training Montage Time!
Training as it turned out was definitely not what I had expected. Because I had never used magic. Father as he insisted I call him had insisted that I develop a basic knowledge of magic before I was actually allowed to use it.
So most of my time was spent in the library reading, which I didn't mind. Cassy and Dywayne were there studying with me when they weren't making up for lost time with their insane mother and Jenna was forced there too but she spent most of her time complaining and fixing her hair and not actually studying.
The one thing I did mind was physical training. I'm not exactly unfit but it was hard. Lots and lots of laps and lifting and learning hand to hand combat. Because of the physical exercise father had taken to making Snape give me these horrible tasting potions to 'help' me quit smoking. It was ridiculous. Although I had cut down a lot. Only because I had to sneak of in my miniscule breaks to sneak off and have one.
After a while I realized the manor wasn't as confusing as I had first thought and I now knew my way around most of it. Though sometimes still managed to get myself lost and had to call my house elf Pippin to come and help me. I tried not to make her do much but if I didn't ask her to do something at least once a day she seemed to punish herself thinking she had done something wrong. But I have to admit I didn't mind not having to clean my room or do anything like that really. But I did miss cooking, I have an obsession with cooking. From cakes to big main dinners. Being in the kitchen made me feel at ease. But unfortunately that was the one thing I hadn't been able to find. But I'd never tell Pippin that I wanted to cook her and the other elves would think that they had done something wrong. Besides I didn't really have time to myself by the end of most days I was too tired to even contemplate doing anything else.
It wasn't until I was lying in bed after what I guessed was the third week of being there that I realized I didn't know the date. Let alone what country I was in. I kept on thinking it must be January because of the heat. But then I realized their all British and that the seasons were different to Australian. I made a note to ask at breakfast the next day before I fell into a deep deep sleep.
My room wasn't one of the most elegant ones the others had picked. It was a lot better than my one at home big bathroom. But it was roomy and near all the places I needed to be. Big fancy things don't mix well with me. Unless there shoes.
Stretching and getting the nearest pair of clothes on. Seriously never ever let the dark lord pick your wardrobe it consisted of all black clothes of sweatpants, shorts and t-shirts. 'Maybe I should ask about shopping' I thought to myself as I made my way down to the 'small' dining room that fit about fifteen people.
Sitting down and making an order for bacon and eggs and earning a "You should eat more healthily" and a glare from Cassy.
"Just cause I'm not the health freak who thinks a salad is a full meal. It's a side dish!" I poked my tongue out at her and Lucius chuckled.
I'd gotten to know Malfoy Sr a lot more and he was an alright guy, a bit pompous, but he was fun to hang with and he helped us a lot with our studies when other said 'parents' were out. Me and Dy had taken to calling him "Uncle Luce". Which of course he loved… secretly.
"Hey Father" I said loudly so he could hear from the other side of the table.
"Yes, Annalise?" i glared at him and he sighed and said "Yes, Anna".
"Weird question but what day is it?"
He looked at me funny and then looked at the front of the daily prophet he was reading. I don't think ill ever get used to the moving pictures.
"Fifteenth of June, why?"
"Well I realized I didn't know the date. So I figured I should ask" I shrugged and dug into the meal that had been brought to me.
"Doesn't Hogwarts start at the beginning of September?" Dy asked through a mouth full of food.
"Attractive Dy, maybe you should give up cutlery all together. Then you'd get all the girls" I winked at him and laughed as he threw me a dirty look.
"The years just ended, In fact my son Draco will be coming home tomorrow. But yes it does start then. Why were you hoping to go?" Lucius looked at us questioningly.
"Well of course. There's no way in hell I'm not going to Hogwarts!" I exclaimed.
"Yes, I'm sure they'll just let the Dark Lords daughter and his right hand woman's children just come waltzing through the gates wont they?" Snape sneered at me. Jenna didn't just get the nose from him she got the personality. How such a nice person like Tara fell in love with him ill never have a clue.
"They have to! We haven't done anything wrong!" I shouted at him. Jenna looked smug of course she'd be allowed in.
"Well you haven't but I have, they'll think you'll be helping me infiltrate Hogwarts" said stupid Dark Lord looked at me sadly.
"Well that's stupid! Uncle Luce! You work at the ministry! You've got some political influence or whatever it is! Cant you do something! Please!" we all did our best pout and puppy dog eyes at him. How could he refuse.
He stuttered a bit and then sighed, defeat written all over his face.
"I suppose I could talk to the minister and see what I can do" he smiled at us and all at once we jumped up and jumped on the blonde yelling and muttering lots of 'thank you's' and 'you're the best uncle Luce'. Narcissa just laughed at him. I think she was glad to have some more children in the home. I have a feeling she missed Draco.
Speaking of Draco, he was coming home.. tomorrow. I wonder how that'll go down.
"Settle down you lot, I have something I want to tell you" Father spoke loudly to get over the noise. So we sat back in our respective seats and looked at him intently.
"Today I will be letting you practice magic-" before he got to finish he got the same attention as Lucius had gotten before. All of us jumping all over him.
"Off, off you lot, now!" he laughed in spite of trying to sound serious.
"Now we'll each take one of you at a time as it's better to have a one on one session for your first real lessons, you wont be getting your own wands yet though, you'll be practicing with spare wands".
There was a collective groan at that.
"But when Draco goes to get his school things, and hopefully you'll be getting yours too but no promises, you can get your wands."
The groans turned into shouts of joy and happy dances all round.
"Come on Anna, lets get started" he said to me standing up from the table.
I looked at him then back down to my only half finished food then shrugged and got up and followed him to one of the training rooms.
The wand felt good in my hand, it was willow 10 ¾ inches unicorn hair. I knew straight up that this wasn't the wand for me. But father assured me it would work fine.
The next few hours were filled with testing all the knowledge I had retained from the books I had read. It was wonderful. At first I tried basic things, levitating, diffindo, reducto. But then I moved on to the harder spells, transfiguring penny's into cushions and tables into chairs. Still apparently simple to father but I think he understood when he saw the look in my eye. It was wonderful. Absolutely amazing to think that I was doing this. I even tried a patronus it didn't come into a full shape but I got some white wispy vapor to come out of the tip of the wand. Not much though. Sooner than I wished it was dinner time.
"I have excellent news from the minister" Lucius said.
"Are we allowed!" came the exited shouts from all of us.
"There is no law against it and the ministry has forced Dumbledore's hand on this one, after I claimed that you four were boarding with me and that you were fine young pupils and the Dark Lord had not been able to taint you before I found you" there was multiple laughs at that.
"So were really going?" I asked still not able to believe it.
"Yes, you're really going to Hogwarts" He smiled at us.
AN – I'm hoping people like what they read. Like I said before. If you don't like something or something doesn't make sense ill see what I can do to make it right.