'A Twin in Mine Shadow'
Chapter 8-Arriving at Mine Doom
Five more weeks passed and in no time, only two weeks remained until the Christmas holidays. The school had already been decorated with tinsel, fairylights and numerous trees to remind the students of the festive season, which funnily enough worked on pretty much every one. That is, all but one student.
"Lizzie, there's no point in staying at school when none of your friends will be there. How about spending Christmas with me? Mama certainly wouldn't mind if I managed to persuade her that you're a Slytherin, and then I will not get bored at our annual Christmas party."
The black-haired witch took a moment to consider the offer her best friend had just given her. Normally, Lizzie would not have minded skipping holiday time to be with her friends, especially if it was with Narcissa. But previous experience reminded her that her mother would certainly disagree.
Every year, Lizzie was given the choice of two options for the holidays; either remaining in school to stay out of the way of her parents, or spending it at the Potter Manor, whilst being tormented by her family. Seeing that no one could possibly annoy her as much as them at school, this year Lizzie had chosen to go with the former option rather than risk being killed by her family.
"As flattering as your offer is Cissa, I think I'll just stay here. I mean, if I go home then there is no chance my mother would let me spend the holidays with my friends. After all, my friends are too 'snobby' for her liking," Lizzie admitted in defeat.
Narcissa shrugged casually. "It's quite fine, that is if you promise to write to me in the meantime. Merlin knows I'll need to communicate to someone other than Bella's annoying suitors or my dearest Aunt Elladora for two whole weeks."
Lizzie smirked wickedly.
'At least you spend your time amongst the society of respectable purebloods, unlike I, who because of my mudblood mother, am forced to avoid the company of other wizarding families,' Lizzie privately thought.
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A month finally passed, and just like many other mornings she had spent at the school Lizzie was awoken by the bright sunshine that illuminated her face through the peaks of her curtains. Today would be the day everyone returned to school again.
Over the holidays, the youngest Potter twin (by five minutes) had received many presents from her friends and family, all equally as pleasing and surprising. Narcissa had sent her elegant, rose-coloured robes that fitted Lizzie perfectly due to the exquisite tailoring charm that was cast upon them (which usually made garments quite pricey). Lucius on the other hand, had sent her galleons worth of Honeydukes sweets in a two-foot gift basket, which Lizzie had fawned over for many hours. She'd also received a silver pendant from Severus, a autographed Weird Sisters cap (a group that had become famous two months ago) from David, a pack of exploding snap cards from James and disgustingly expensive pink robes that came with the matching shoes and gloves from her parents. But the gift Lizzie had favoured most of all, had been the one that her Grandfather had sent to her by owl from France.
Lizzie had first unwrapped the small box, thinking that it probably was some childish locket or pink bracelet with her full name written across it. Only, when she had opened the box, it had contained the most gorgeous piece of jewellery Lizzie had ever laid eyes on.
Sitting atop the purple fabric had been a beautiful ring, engraved with Celtic knots that gave the ring an ancient look. In the middle of these knots was a delicately carved serpent with eyes that glowed whenever it sat upon the finger of it's owner. The ring also acted as a penseive for it's owner, so that Lizzie could store her inner most thoughts and secrets in a place that she could have constant access to. From the first glance she knew her grandfather must have spent a decent bit of gold on her.
Lizzie grandfather, Duncan Potter, was one of the most well respected wizards in the pureblood society. He was openly known for his bloodline, wealth and special ability to produce descendants that could speak the same language as snakes.
In his time, Duncan Potter's children had contained a rare few that were given the gift of parseltongue, amongst which his granddaughter Eliza was included. But the fragile relationship between father and son had only torn him and his granddaughter apart, until recent when they had met at a party held by the Rookwoods. Since then, the two had been so inseparable that Lizzie's parents were no longer a concern for their relationship.
Once again opening her eyes from the bed she was laid on, Lizzie cast a look at the beautiful ring that glistened upon her right hand. Gazing deep into the serpent's eyes, she wondered whether her grandfather was also able to unlock all the secrets it stored.
'Wouldn't that be a special thought.'
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Spring passed and soon the students came to face the joys that the summer season was sure to bring. School had gone by so quickly, amidst the ever-growing haste to get ready for the exams and the stress that quidditch and revision classes seemed to stimulate.
The exams had now ended, and a week had passed since the results had been given out by the House heads. Upon receiving her grades for fourth year, Lizzie had found herself speechless for the first time. Not only had she beat her predicted grades, she had also scored several 'Outstandings,' one of which being for the Transfiguration class she had so often struggled in. But she was merely glad that she did not have to thank Sirius Black on the matter.
In fact, ever since he had left on vacation that carried on till Christmas, Lizzie had been forced to do her own revision in order to keep up with the class. And since then, her knowledge the subject had drastically improved, making McGonnagall drop the whole tutoring issue once and for all.
Now, Lizzie no longer was a freak with hidden talent and ignorance for work, but a fully improved student with brighter marks than her own tutor!
Upon hearing the wonderful news, her mother had been so pleased that she'd agreed to drop the idea of finishing school that she had planned for her daughter's future. That is, until James had written to her about Lizzie's plans to spend a week at the Malfoy residence, which had caused Lizzie a howler and a long argument with her favourite Malfoy heir.
But that matter had finally been sorted out, and at the present moment Lizzie and Lucius were getting on like the old days. She felt so relieved that the misunderstanding had been cleared, but that thought vanished as soon as the train she was seated ingot to the familiar station.
Lizzie nervously bit her lip as she bid goodbye to her dearest friends, before departing from them to go her separate way.
Casting her eyes in search of her parents, Lizzie felt helplessly stuck in the heap of students that were squashing into her. Gazing about the parents' section frantically, Lizzie's eyes finally came to rest on the tall robed-figure with similar hair to her brother.
As soon as she pushed her way out of the crowd, she found that James was already by their parents' side, accompanied by the marauders minus Sirius Black. Nervously, she made her way over to them, dearly hoping that her mother had gotten over the whole 'associating with purebloods' thing.
"Ah, there you are," Alexandra Potter replied in acknowledgement as soon as she caught sight of her daughter.
"Well Lizzie, haven't seen you in quite a while," her father muttered in a strangled voice, clearly displeased with whom he was talking to.
Sensing the sudden tension in the atmosphere, James immediately bid his friends goodbye with promises of meeting them at Remus' house the next day. Unsure of what to do, Lizzie looked away from both her parents but did not look down. She was not about to show that she regretted the affairs that she'd had with her friends.
"Jonathan, shouldn't we be leaving?" Alexandra enquired of her husband instantly. It was obvious from the tone she'd just used with her daughter that she was certainly displeased, but Alexandra Potter was not one to want to make a scene in public, especially in a place where many respectable wizarding families were assembled.
"Of course." Noticing the obvious persuasion in his wife's voice, Jonathan Potter had no choice but to drop the matter with his daughter for the time being, as it certainly wouldn't do to show the extent of his temper out here.
Relieved that they were now leaving, Lizzie breathed a sigh as she continued the path that her father's swishing robes were leading. But the pointed look that her mother sent at her sigh, signalled that the matter would certainly be discussed once they were out of earshot.
'Looks like no visits to Cissa and Lucius as of yet.'
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The ride home in a muggle taxi was so awkward that Lizzie felt her father would burst right there in front of the muggle driver. But it was strange how he had managed to contain himself up until they reached their destination.
Once Lizzie swung her door open and landed her feet on the curb outside Potter Manor, she could not think why she had been given such an awful life to live. The disdain that she shot at every small detail on the pillars that supported her house, mixed with the envy and longing she felt for her friends, made Lizzie feel sick to the bone. A rough hand on her shoulder that suddenly startled her, told her that she had better get inside if she knew what was best for her.
Lizzie did not glance at her mother, but without a further comment followed on as the hand steered her into the house, it's grip tightening with each step.
As soon as they were inside Alexandra released her grip on her daughter's shoulder, while she discarded her cloak onto the house elves waiting in the front hall. In no time, Lizzie's father was right by their side, sharing the equal look of malice that was reflected in his wife's eyes.
"We have a certain matter to discus with you, young lady," her father stated threateningly.
"Lizzie, I don't think that when we informed you that you were not to associate with pureblood filth that we made ourselves quite clear," her mother joined in.
"Oh,…" Lizzie replied quite distantly. She was about to gulp down her fear, but stopped as soon as her mother swept down on her to eye her reaction. With a more piercing grip than before, Lizzie was lifted slightly off her feet by the two fingers that so suddenly pinched her ear painfully.
"Owe, owe, OWE!" She could not help but bellow at her mother's strength.
Noticing her daughter's sudden fear with pride, Alexandra quickly uttered, "Quiet now, or I'll have your father get the whip out for your insolent behaviour."
Lizzie had no choice but to shut up, as she was lifted towards the staircase and dragged the remaining way to her room. It was only when they reached her four-poster bed that she was released and dropped onto the fabric.
"Now you listen to me, and listen well. If I ever hear, that you are or have been associating with those filth-stricken Slytherins, then you will regret the first day you were born up until the day I threw you out of this house! It was not my fault that when I was giving birth to your father's heir, the healer informed me that another thing also awaited me in my womb. So you will find proper friends that are of my liking, and remain grateful that you're still living inside these walls! And if you don't understand that, then the finishing school I will ship you off to next year will certainly take care of it. "
Once she was finished, with a further threatening glance she swept out of the room and slammed the door shut behind her. It was then that Lizzie was finally able to shed a loud sigh, before nestling on her bed in a curled bundle.
As she gripped her sheets with the force she wished to inflict back on the people that had ruined her life so, she finally let a single tear slide down her cheek and drip onto the scarlet quilt. She felt her throat dry, that was slowly descending to burn her insides.
She quickly placed a silencing charm on the door, before reclaiming her position on the bed to break down into the many sobs and cries that she had contained for so long; with each breath, the words 'Finishing School' echoing deep within her head.
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A great thanks to all my reviewers. I'm so sorry for the long delay, but this chapter was quite a hard one to write because I wanted to show the true character of Lizzie's parents in the best way I could. Also, school and further business detained me from the time I needed to spend on this story.
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chappy, and promise there won't be too much violence from now on. Please note that Lizzie's parents have never actually abused her physically, but their mental harm does it's work in ruining her state of happiness.
Ciao!
Here is the list of characters that you may have seen before, with the new addition of four more people.
Eliza ('Lizzie') Potter: Main character or protagonist of this fic, also the twin sister of James Potter, and Harry Potter's aunt (in a fic to be published in the future!).
David Grimly: Hangs out with the Slytherins and Lizzie, and is their only friend in Ravenclaw.
Isabella Darkwell: a popular girl in Ravenclaw who's not really important, but fancies Dave Grimly even though he's out of her league.
Diana Nebula: Sirius' current girlfriend, most popular girl in school who also hangs out with Isabelle.
Jonathan Davies: Ravenclaw jock, also a friend of the Gryffindor jocks. In my world, he's actually Roger Davies' dad.
Nicholas Chang: Cho Chang's dad, also a Ravenclaw jock in Lizzie and James' year.
Bob Mathews: Annoying Fourth year Gryffindor with an ego the size of Hogwarts and a height the size of a mushroom.
Duncan Potter: Lizzie and James' grandfather, also known as one of the richest purebloods in Britain. The Potter line dates back to the same time the Black family came into exist, so there is quite a lot of competition between the two families. But Duncan Potter is mainly respected because of his many alliances with old pureblood families.
Aunt Elladora: Narcissa's second aunt who is not Sirius' mother, but in fact his aunt too, if you get what I mean.
Jonathan and Alexandra Potter: James and Lizzie's parents. Jonathan is the eldest son of Duncan Potter, but because of the fragile relationship between the two Jonathan is no longer the heir of the Potter fortune, though he is already rich through the company he runs. The reason why this came to be was because Jonathan disagreed with his father's negative attitudes towards the muggle folk, kind of like Sirius in a way.