A/N: So here is Chapter one! I hope everyone liked it and would like to remind the readers to please REVIEW AND REVIEW! Still not a mind reader so knowing what you guys think of the story is a tad difficult without those reviews or favorites or follows! Thank you for reading and have a nice day!
The year without her family,court-life, and Aila in a strange world had been dull and lonely. Ryaelle was not sure that such a level of sadness boredom was possible until that year. She even missed Mistress Frenwitt! At least she and her strict demeanor with boring rants of decorum and propriety were familiar to the Albionian princess.
Ryaelle knew nothing of this world other than the horror stories described in her History of the Realms lessons, and even those weren't correct. Not anymore at least.
After a year of interacting with Dumbledore and several other wizards and witches, Ryaelle found herself further lost with the fact they weren't awful at all. Even when the princess had treated them all with bitter disdain and arrogance they had been nothing but kind and understanding. Dumbledore and his friend, Mistress McGonagall, who reminded Ryaelle of her caretaker in some ways especially.
Granted, Ryaelle felt they pitied her situation a tad too much but the anger in Mistress McGonagall's face once she was informed that it had been Ryaelle's parents to send her alone to a strange realm had been, amusing. The princess had ever doubted she'd ever heard anyone speak about the Queen and King like the witch had done. However, as much as Ryaelle had learned to trust and enjoy the elder's company she was still alone.
Dumbledore had taken her to a house fit for Ryaelle's station but without counting the house-elves, Ryaelle was alone in the mansion. It was far too grand and despite it belonging to the last monarch of Albion that lived in the Realm of Man, everything about it made her feel more homesick than anything else. She was surrounded by her people's history but was alone with no Aila, and no older brothers to play with her.
The house-elves around the house helped and played with Ryaelle as much as she wanted them too, but it was not the same. She missed collecting stones with Aila. Missed that her brothers, Aladar and Cyran, were not around to tease her or teach her to ride a horse or dance or hit a bullseye with her arrows. Ryaelle most of all missed the presence of her father and mother. Even in her anger and reluctant understanding of their decision, Ryaelle missed them.
Her father was not here to read her books of adventure or the Diary of the Ancestors. Neither was her mother present to show Ryaelle to play her instruments or walk around the grounds. Everything had changed and she hated it, more than anything she hated feeling so alone and isolated from everything and anything.
"Pisky," Ryaelle called the house elf to the parlor where she sat looking towards the sunny afternoon, turning at the instant *pop* as the small elf appeared at her side.
"More tea Your Highness?"
"No I'm alright thank you, but I was wondering at what time will Mistress McGonagall arrive," She smiled at the tiny female elf, shifting uncomfortably at the confines of her robes. Ryaelle was better used to her long gowns but that would be unfit seeing as she was to go out today.
"Pisky think not until few more hours princess," Pisky replied timidly eyes cast downward in thought.
Ryaelle hummed in answer before standing from her seat. "That should be enough time for me to take a small walk don't you think?"
"Princess is asking Pisky opinion?" The female house elf squeaked in surprise as well as delight once Ryaelle nodded in confirmation as if the answer had been obvious. She'd never understood why the house elves in this realm were so, submissive. It wasn't even that they were mere servants, but something worse than that, slaves. "Then, then Pisky think yes princess. Pisky think day too beautiful to spend in."
Smiling at the elf Ryaelle tilted her head to the side, in mock contemplation. "Perhaps you might join me then?" The princess wondered taking Pisky by surprise once more with her questions. Or maybe it was just the fact that Ryalle was giving her a choice at all.
"Yes, princess! Pisky would love to princess!"
"Well let's go then before Mistress McGonagall shows," Ryaelle decided walking out of the parlor with Pisky not far behind as the two walked outside immediately taking in the Summer sun.
If there was one thing Ryaelle had loved more than anything about the house, it would have to be the library or the grounds surrounding it. The first because of the many magical books she had found of a vast variety. The second because they were unique to this realm alone with flowers she had never once seen before. Nothing reminded Ryaelle of the home she had left behind. It also held various medicinal plants, or so had Dumbledore told her once when Ryaelle had first arrived.
Thinking of the wizard brought Ryaelle to a halt in her walk, recalling that she would be attending his school in a few months. "What do you know of Hogwarts, Pisky?"
"It is a good school with many free house-elf, princess. Master Dumbledore is Headmaster. Good wizard he is. Very kind to Pisky."
"Do you wish to be free, Pisky?"
That seemed to raise panic with Pisky as she shrunk away and spoke too fast. "Princess good to Pisky, princess. Pisky is happy to serve. Pisky and everyone, princess."
"No Pisky," Ryaelle shook her head. "My question was if wished to be free. Not if you were happy serving me, or if I was good to you."
"Pisky is happy to serve princess."
Opening her mouth to correct the elf once more, Ryaelle stopped remembering that elves, in general, could be quite stubborn if they wanted to. More than once she had seen her mother's frustration after attending a meeting with a sent embassador. Her father had always had more patience and a greater charm. Sadly so, King Consort Cyran was quite dreadful at politics preferring the more social part of ruling and solving the issues involving the common folk.
"Alright Pisky," The young princess opted for saying instead. "If you are happy."
"Pisky is, princess."
Mistress McGonagall had shown when Ryaelle and Pisky had just finished walking the grounds, the difference between both arrivals being only a few minutes apart. Pisky had left them instantly to prepare a fresh brew of tea, bringing back with her a tray of biscuits from Hoopy for the guest and a piece of cake for Ryaelle.
It was during tea that McGonagall had handed Ryaelle her Hogwarts letter with a great pride, and smile. This was what the entire year had been about after all. Registering Ryaelle as a regular and normal pureblood orphan with the Ministry of Magic since it had been decided that presenting Ryaelle for whom and what she was would be 'unsafe' for a while. Her safety had taken as far as to glamour her violet eyes to an average brown. The next step had been proving that Ryaelle was indeed a witch and not a squib.
A tricky thing considering that for every child in Albion since they first showed signs of magic(usually at the age one and two) they were trained to restrain it. There was no way to train magic anymore in Albion after all. Not since Aladar The Destroyer, who was for destroying or 'hiding' all books concerning magic after his wife Queen Dasyra to a magical accident involving a few dark spells. Eventually, those with the knowledge to use and teach magic were all dead, and no one was left that could teach the new generations. However after several months of trying the 'training' had been successful and Ryaelle showed her first sign of magic again by making flowers bloom in the entire garden.
"Nervous Princess Ryaelle?" Mistress McGonagall questioned taking notice of the way Ryaelle simply stared at the enclosed letter.
"No."
A princess must never give to nervousness. She wears confidence with every step and in every situation, Ryaelle thought before looking back at the letter and opening it swiftly.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Ms. Cromwell,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
"Cromwell?"
"Yes. Albus insured that your new name would sound relatively similar, as to there was no confusion when you were called by professors or peers. You are as of now, officially, Ryanne Cromwell," Mistress McGonagall explained and Ryaelle was able to feel her eyes on her. "Is everything alright dear?"
Swallowing Ryaelle forced herself to nod, keeping her expression impassive as she glanced back at the older woman. "Of course Mis-Professor McGonagall." She replied airly and politely like many of the ladies were taught to do at court when forced to always be cordial.
"School does not start until another month dear. You can call me as you like until then."
She was being kind. Ryaelle knew she was because the witch felt uncomfortable at being called 'mistress' for what it implied in this realm. Mistress-Professor McGonagall was offering Ryaelle more time before she had to let go of all her customs, and the life she had known for ten, now eleven years of her life. However, no matter how kind Dumbledore and McGonagall were, it did not take away any pain from Ryaelle's situation.
Alone in a strange realm forced to relinquish her titles and upbringing for the sake of Albion. Yet, Ryaelle knew her duty and would act and do as it was dictated of her. She was a princess and she would look after her people. Albion came first and foremost. Always.
"I must accustom to life here professor," Ryaelle told her with a dignified air that would surely make Mistress Ferwitt proud. Her hands were even perfectly situated on her lap! "Better start a month early than a month late."
"Prin-Ryaelle," McGonagall started as if not knowing what to respond to the words coming from a child. "I, and Professor Dumbledore, of course, want you to come to think of Hogwarts as a second home, and the people you meet there as a second family. You have been placed in a dreadful position with and the weight of a realm on your sole shoulders." She spoke tenderly. "Know that if you are to need anything, anything at all, our doors will always be open for you."
Smiling as she would have done at court, Ryaelle nodded grasping her own hands tightly to prevent her real emotions from slipping through. "I am, a princess and a born royal Professor McGonagall, rest assured that I carry the same burdens now that I did at my birth," Ryaelle told the woman with easy wearing a perfect mask. "Nevertheless I thank you, and Headmaster Dumbledore, for your offer and kindness. Know that I appreciate all that you have done for me this past year, for it will help my people prosper in the future."
Ryaelle watched as the older woman's thinned her green eyes narrowing, analyzing Ryaelle. It almost reminded her of a feline. The young princess did not waver, however, and stood her ground until the older woman gave up and nodded, all bit reluctantly, at Ryaelle.
"Very well then, Miss Ryanne Cromwell," She said and Ryaele forced herself to not wince at the name. "I am here to take you to Diagon Alley to shop for your school supplies, and perhaps a familiar if you so wish. I will also be the one to take you to Platform 9 3/4 will you will take the Hogwarts Express."
"Not you, Professor?"
"No dear," McGonagall shook her head her sympathetic demeanor returning to her once more though she still appeared quite strict. "I will be there however when you arrive at Hogwarts to be sorted into your future House."
Ryaelle nodded deciding further questions could wait until later. The faster she acquired her supplies for school, the faster it would all be over for today. "Then shall we head out professor?"
McGonagall nodded hesitantly as she watched Ryaelle stand with grace and smile once more. The princess would not crack though. She would be strong as her family and people expected her. She will not crumble. She will not fail. She was Ryaelle Crownwell, First Princess of Albion, and even without her crown or titles, Ryaelle will always be a princess.
The day had finally come.
September 1st of the year 1971.
The day Ryaelle could no longer be a princess or a Crownwell or a Child of Albion. She was a witch from today 'til June of the next year. A witch until she was allowed to return to her Realm and family. So far away and yet so close at the same time, closer than it had ever been before today.
McGonagall had already left her, helping Ryaelle place away her trunk with all her belongings but for her new familiar Alba, a charmed husky to age at the same time as Ryaelle did. Now Ryaelle was left surrounded by young witches and wizards boarding the train with her for a new school year or the start of their schooling. At least now she was not alone anymore. She had Alba now and the very thought made her smile.
Alba, true to her name, was snow white with the clearest of blue eyes. And though technically dogs were not an allowed as a pet in the school, Headmaster Dumbledore and McGonagall had been willing to 'overlook' the fact stating that the bond between the master and familiar was too strong for them to separate. Ryaelle suspected that it was just Dumbledore's way to make the transition to Hogwarts easier, but she did not care. All that mattered was that she did not have to be alone anymore and it was enough.
"Come, Alba," Ryaelle called to the husky by her side. "Help me find an empty compartment."
With happy yip Alba begun to walk a few steps ahead of Ryaelle sniffing at the doors, while the princess looked at the windows. They both avoided bumping or making eye contact with anyone and just continued to move until the female pup stopped in front of a compartment door and scratched at it. She whined when Ryaelle finally reached her, wagging it quite pleased and overjoyed to succeed her task.
Opening the door, Ryaelle allowed Alba to enter first and pick a seat by the window while she took a dog treat from her black robes pocket and handed it over. The raven-haired princess sat beside her familiar petting the pup gently. This caused Alba to lay her head on Ryaelle's lap releasing a happy sigh.
It wasn't long before the last warning to board the train was giving and they began to move. Ryaelle tensed almost immediately as it did alerting Alba of her newfound discomfort, the pup raising her head and ears perked.
"Shh," Ryaelle soothed gently once Alba turned her attention to her. The young princess gave her familiar a sad smile eliciting an unhappy whine from the pup. "No, no mîn sw¯æs(1)." She shook her head at Alba. "Cunnon hrôr hwæðere stearc lôc blîðeonforeweard−um weder(2). No fear, never fear." Ryaelle told the pup and giggled once she licked her cheek before resting her head back on the princess's lap.
Ryaelle looked out of the window once more, her reflection reflecting back her sorrow as her walls and maks slipped for the slightest of moments. "I will be brave," She swore under her breath before closing her eyes and neutralizing her expression.
Translations
(1) Mîn sw¯æs: My Darling
(2) Cunnon hrôr hwæðere stearc lôc blîðeonforeweard−um weder: Be brave, strong, and rise above all storm
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