AN: Okay, another new chapter. Just to let people know, this story follows an OC on her own experiences through Hogwarts during same time Harry Potter and his friends are there. This story contains a lot of child abuse. It will get worse before it gets better. The story will follow canon, for the most part, though it will diverge a little during the DH year.
Dear Father,
Sorry I haven't written for a while. Aunt Pricilla says that, as I am older now, I should be given more chores. My tenth birthday was a few months ago, and she says I am to take up doing the laundry and all the garden work. I am still very small for my age, and the shovel and rake are taller than me. But at least the plants like me and help me when they can. And the little Knarls that live nearby have fun coming in the night to dig in the gardens, so I asked them to only dig up the weeds and not touch the herbs or flowers.
I am able to write for now, but only because I am locked in my room again. I can't wait to be accepted to a Magic School and learn to control my magic. Today, Crystal became very angry when Uncle Roland gave us a lesson in potion making. He wanted us to brew the Boil – Removing Potion. Everything went well, until Crystal forgot to remove her potion from heat before adding the slugs. Of course, it exploded, but Uncle was able to raise a Shield Charm to keep her from getting burned. My magic reacted and made a Shield Charm for me. Crystal was angry that my potion came out alright. So she said I slipped something into it and made it go off.
I really do try to behave, Father, but they are very hard to please. I wonder if there has ever been a witch or wizard that started school early. It's a good thing I have these spells I do so much, otherwise my magic would be even wilder. I can't help but wonder if I get these traits from you. After all, no one in this family has the dark hair or green and gold eyes like I do, and they certainly don't have a vine-like tattoo on the left side of their face. I used to wonder of it was a scar, but it really is more like a tattoo, or a birthmark. Makes me wonder.
Love your daughter, Anna
...***...
One lovely morning, in mid-July, the family was eating breakfast. Uncle Roland was reading the local Wizarding news, and Aunt Pricilla was going through the handful of letters they had received. Crystal was eagerly eating her stack of pancakes, while Anna nibbled at her piece of dry toast. Hopefully, she would be able to finish her chores in time to go spend a few hours in the greenhouse or forest. She thought she had seen a bowtruckle inhabiting an old oak tree there.
"Roland, look at this," said Pricilla. She handed him a piece of parchment with an official-looking seal on it. "It's from the American Ministry."
"I see, Cilla," he replied. "Well, we have little choice. I will send an owl that they are welcome to send a Ministry Official. If we are lucky, our sweet Crystal may just find herself on scholarship or even early enrollment. It's beyond rare, but possible. Tabby!"
With a crack, one of the two house elves appeared. "How may I be helping Master Stone?" she asked with a deep bow.
"Guests will be arriving from the Ministry in three days," said Uncle Roland imperiously. "I want the manor cleaned from top to bottom, the lawn trimmed, and the garden in perfect order, is that clear?"
"Yes, Master," answered little Tabby, her nose nearly on the floor. "I will be telling Crow right away." She disappeared with a crack, but not before shooting a sad look at Anna. She wondered why the two house elves often looked at her like that; they had done so as long as she could remember. She had asked them once, but Crow, Tabby's brother, had shook his head morosely and informed her that the two of them had been ordered to silence.
She was jolted from her musings by her uncle's voice. "Anna, you will assist the elves. You will ensure the garden looks its best, then you will stay to your room while our guests are here, is that clear?" She nodded silently. "Good, this letter says the Ministry has picked up unusual reading from an underage witch or wizard, and they wish to assess any children here to see if a simple magic binding spell is all that is needed, or if other actions are required." He turned proudly to his perfect daughter. "We knew Crystal was strong, with the way the flowers outside all bloom at odd times, and all the other little incidents. This just proves it."
Anna frowned slightly. The flowers and plants hated Crystal. They often gave Anna impressions of the blond-haired girl ripping them up and tearing their leaves off. While it didn't hurt, per say, damage to their roots hindered their growth, while tearing off too many leaves would leave them hungry and weak. Anna stood from her stool in the corner and hurried to wash her dishes. Once all the dishes were washed and put away, she ran downstairs to change before going out to the garden.
When she arrived at the herb garden, she couldn't help a smile. The little hedgehog-like Knarls had been busy. While it was very bad idea to intentionally leave food for them, lest they mistake it for a trap and savage the lawn, she would 'accidentally' drop bits of a sandwich or other foods as she worked. After a while, they got in the habit of digging up weeds around the garden, making her work easier. In gratitude, she made sure that their burrow, hidden under a lovely rhododendron, was not disturbed.
Anna set down her bucket and began tossing the loosened weeds into it, shaking off the dirt from their roots. Once her bucket was full, she it heaved to the compost bin she had built, dumping the contents before repeating the action. Three hours later, the entire garden was weeded. She retrieved the clippers, the only tool she was permitted for trimming, and set to work on the grass. Every few yards, she would scrape up the clippings and drop then in her bucket. Back and forth she moved, clipping and scraping. By the time she stopped to munch on a few fresh carrots and beans, she had done only a third of the back yard. She would have to do the front during the night, since Aunt Pricilla said she wasn't to be seen by any neighbors.
Anna worked for hours, not stopping until after the sun was down. After nightfall, she abandoned her efforts on the back lawn and went to tend the front. To her delight, a few of the Clabberts from the nearby forest came hopping up to her. She took a breath and focused on her wish for them to trim the grass to an even length. A few minutes later, a half dozen of the monkey-like beasts were plucking the grass blades.
A soft thud behind her made her freeze. She whirled around, fearful her aunt or uncle had come out and seen the beasts she counted as her friends. They hated beasts. Anna stared in shock at what had approached her. Definitely not her aunt or uncle. This creature had the torso and body of a man that flowed seamlessly into the strong body of a horse, the soft, short fur a dark gray.
"Little one," the creature said in a soft voice. "How is it you are out of your shelter when the moon is so high? Does not your kind rest when the sun sleeps?"
Anna's eyes wandered over the centaur, stunned that one had approached her, much less spoken to her. She had seen tracks and other signs of a few that lived in the forest, but never seen one. Finally, she shook herself, remembering the books she had read about centaurs. They hated rudeness, and were very aloof.
"I apologize for staring," she said, bowing slightly. "I have read of centaurs, but never hoped to see one. To answer your question, I am required to complete my chores before I may go sleep. My family is embarrassed by my lack of control over my magic, so they insist I only tend this portion of the lawn after nightfall."
The centaur frowned. "But do not the foals of the wand users need much rest to grow strong, even as our own foals do?"
Anna shrugged. "I have been doing so for a few years now, and I am used to it. I enjoy the night. It is quiet, and peaceful. I will go to the forest tomorrow and rest among the trees."
The centaur bent and began tending one of the shrubs, skillfully plucking dead leaves and old blooms. "My brothers and I see you often in the forest. You seem very at ease beneath the branches." He chuckled softly. "Forgive me, Little One. I am named Bryce."
Anna smiled. "I'm Anna. It is a pleasure to know you."
"You are well-spoken for such a young foal."
"I read when Aunt and Uncle say I must stay in my room. Though I like working in the garden or gathering in the forest best. My room is… stifling."
Bryce looked at her in curiosity. "Indeed? I thought the wand users liked their comfortable homes. What is your room like?"
Anna frowned. "It is small. I shared a room with my cousin, the blond girl that lives here, but she wanted the room to herself. So my uncle used magic to build me a little space in the basement. It is all stone, with a small, high window. I can just see that big cedar tree from it. My bed is small, but I don't need much. At least in a little over a year, I'll be old enough to go to a magic school."
"I find I am glad I decided to approach you, Little One," said Bryce. "Most wand users and their young ones are quite rude. You are not. You are different." He stared at her a moment, then snorted softly. "I cannot quite read it, from you or the stars. My elder brothers are wiser. I will speak with them, though they will be a bit cross when they learn I came so close to a human home."
Anna smiled. "That should do for tonight. The Clabberts have done a fine job on the grass." She bowed carefully. "I thank you for your assistance and your companionship. If you are able, would you meet me at the big cedar tree in the forest? If your brother does not wish it, know that I will treasure the memory of this night."
Bryce dipped his head. "Until our next meeting, Human Filly." He turned and trotted away, leaving no prints. She turned once he disappeared into the trees and willed the Clabberts away. Even her uncle would have to admit the lawn looked good. The garden and green house would need her attention tomorrow. Silently, she slipped into the house, making sure not to wake the now sleeping family. She fell asleep, her dreams drifting until she saw a tall woman with mouse-brown hair that yelled at her, her round face red in anger. Anna felt the fear that always came with this dream. A flash of angry red light, then searing pain threw her mind into wakefulness. It took Anna two hours to fall asleep again.
...***...
The next day, after the breakfast dishes were done, Anna hurried out to the back garden. To her irritation, Crystal followed her. While Anna usually wore rough, old clothes that could handle hours in the dirt, Crystal wore frilly dresses, often in various over-bright shades and trimmed with lace. Anna sighed; it looked like it would be a while before she could go into the forest. She turned instead to the greenhouse, collecting cloths and a mild cleansing solution to wash the many glass panes.
"Isn't it exciting?" asked Crystal after a while. "Tomorrow, a person from the Ministry will come, and they will see how good my magic is, and I will be accepted to a fine school!" Her grey eyes became calculating. "But you are so dull, they will never even notice you. You'll never get into a decent magic school, and you'll end up just being a waitress or something as dull as you."
Anna focused on getting the grime off the glass panes, refusing to answer. Crystal had always been praised by her parents, who thought most of the accidental magic around the house was their perfect daughter's doing. Aunt Pricilla had gone so far as to look up the uniform robes for various magic schools around the world, commenting on which one would be most flattering to Crystal's figure and complexion.
"Are you listening to me?" demanded Crystal. She hated being ignored, believing she should always be the center of attention. "I said you're a loser, you'll never get into a decent school! Mommy and Daddy will make sure of it!" Crystal turned away and stormed back to the house in a huff. Anna took a deep breath of relief. An hour later, the glass was clean, the neat rows inside the greenhouse tidied, the Tentacula scolded for trying to grab other plants, and all the plants inside and out were watered.
Hiding a smile, Anna grabbed a basket by the back door, saying she was going to pick some wild berries to make a cobbler for their guests, and hurried off to the forest. Once the house was out of sight, she took a deep breath and relaxed. The trees and shrubs seemed to reach out for her, and she brushed a small hand along the various branches. She stopped at a few of the berry bushes, making sure to gather only the best of the edible berries.
After a little while of wondering, she finally arrived at the old cedar she always saw from her tiny window. She took a deep breath, loving the light, fresh scent of the needles. She lifted a hand to lightly brush against the wood.
Suddenly, a piece of the bark seemed to pull away and latch onto her hand. Anna bit back a cry of shock, but froze in place to see what the little creature would do. The little bowtruckle leapt back onto the cedar tree and looked at her angrily. Anna smiled at it.
"Sorry, little guardian," she said softly. "I do not wish to harm your tree. It is too lovely to cut." The beast seemed to calm a little at her words. "May I sit under the branches and enjoy this day?" she asked. The bowtruckle nodded and scampered back into the tree. Anna lay down at the roots of the tree, some low branches hiding her from sight should her family come looking. A few minutes later, she was dozing peacefully.
Soft thuds in the ground woke her, and she opened her eyes a slit to look around, careful not to let her breathing change. The sounds stopped a few paces away, and Anna heard voices whispering above her.
"This is the one you spoke of?" asked the first voice. It was deep, rich, and stern, like its owner had seen a great deal in his life, not all of it good. "She is very small. You say you felt something unusual from her?"
"She seems so peaceful, but that is very rare in this time for a wand user," said another voice, this one softer, lighter. "How is it she sleeps under a bowtruckle's tree? They do not like the humans near their homes."
"I told you, she is special," said a voice Anna remembered well. She smiled and slowly rolled over, sitting up.
"Bryce?" she called.
"Ah, she is awake now. Come, human filly, and meet my brothers," Bryce said. Anna smiled and emerged from beneath the branches of the cedar tree. Bryce stood just in front of two more centaurs, one a fine dapple grey with a silver tail, and the other a solid black. "The black one is Malachi, the eldest, and the silver one is my second brother, Cord. Brothers, this is the wand user foal I spoke of, Anna."
Anna bowed gracefully. "Sirs, I am deeply honored to meet you."
The two new centaurs looked at her in surprise. "She is very polite," said Cord. "Forgive us, little filly. We do not often speak with wand users."
Anna smiled. "I am not very accustomed to speaking with others, myself," she replied. "The plants and the animals are good for comfort, but intelligent conversation is more difficult to find."
A sound that was something like a whinny came from the Cord. Anna realized he was laughing. "If all humans were like this one, the centaurs would not hesitate to befriend them. Human foal Anna, you are welcome in this forest any time you like." He moved closer, looking at her curiously. "I also see what you meant about there being something different about her. The stars said there was a young one of great promise in this place. One that would herald great change. Malachi?"
The eldest brother, bigger than the other two, moved forward and gently took Anna's chin, turning her head left and right, as though examining her. He grabbed her hands and looked at the backs, then the palms, then looked straight into her eyes. Anna shivered a little. It felt like he was seeing something besides her odd-colored eyes. Malachi cocked his head a little. He reached out a strong, gentle hand and lightly brushed the left side of her face.
"Why are you hiding, noble one?" he said, his voice deep and rich. Anna felt her heart clench in alarm. How did he know? "I am many years older than these two. I know much that is hidden. Your kind have not been seen for a long while."
Anna bit her lip. "You can see my mark?" she whispered. "My eye is more yellow than the other, and Aunt Pricilla didn't like it, so I hid my eye and the mark. Does it have anything to do with all the accidental magic I do?" Malachi moved back and slowly lowered himself to lie on the ground, then motioned for her to join him. She did so, surprised when Bryce lay down just behind her and urged her to lie against him.
"What kind of magic do you cast?" asked Malachi.
"Mostly just with the plants and animals," she said. "The plants respond when I am near. They seem, well, happier. And I sort of feel what they need, water, sunshine, transplanting, harvesting. And the animals like me. Like the bowtruckle that let me rest under her tree, or the Clabberts that helped trim the lawn last night, or the little Knarls that dig in the garden and only disturb the weeds." She thought for a moment. "Crystal, the blond girl that lives in the house, she pushed me into the Venomous Tentacula once. The vines caught me and set me aside, then tried to attack her, instead."
The three brothers gasped. "Malachi," said Bryce. "Does this mean she…"
"Yes," was the response. "Little one, why were you working outside at night?"
"Someone is coming from the Ministry of Magic because of the high amount of accidental magic. Aunt and Uncle said Crystal will likely go to a very good school for magic. I keep wondering why they keep me if they dislike me so much."
"Listen to me well," said Malachi. "When the official comes to your house, let them see you, but not your mark. Hide it well. If anything happens, come to us. You belong to the forests, and her children will protect you. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir," she said, uneasy.
"Good. If you are sent to work again this night, come here. I will explain a bit more."