October 4th 1984.
Being subtle was never Heidi's aunt's thing exactly. While a Pure-blooded lady knew not to draw attention to herself over her husband- because really, what Pure-blooded lady wasn't married off right after school?- Narcissa Malfoy had this air about her that would draw others to her, but still manage to keep her husband in the spotlight. So as Heidi and her aunt walked down the halls of Azkaban high security prison, the light tap tap tap of Narcissa's silver heels was more of a BOOTH, BOOTH, BOOTHin the otherwise silent prison.
Heidi's aunt and uncle, using their connections within the Ministry of Magic, had set up monthly visits for Heidi and Bellatrix. Although Heidi and her mother's relationship wasn't really the main subject talked about in these strange meetings. Heidi was usually greeted by her mother, high pitched and insane, then ignored for the remainder of the visit. She paid close attention to not paying attention to her family's conversations. Rants on the good old days, if any 'Mudbloods' had been killed or if the Dark Lord had been heard from were common topics between the two sisters, and Heidi didn't really care for that sort of thing.
It was on one of these visits that Heidi was sent away by both her aunt and mother. Neither her aunt nor her mother had paid her close attention before and had freely talked in front of the young girl, but this time they wanted to be left alone to converse on whatever they had to. Scrunching her dark her eyebrows together, Heidi inclined her head ever so slightly and began the trek back to the front gate, alone.
Dressed in an uncomfortable tight fitting black dress, a sweetheart bodice with the silver lacing showing and green sleeves covering both her arms, right up to the hand, her chest and most of her neck, anyone watching Heidi would have no idea where she pulled her book from. But there she was, a seven year old girl walking along one of the most dreaded places in the Wizarding world, all alone without a care in the world book in hand.
Lost in the tale of a young school girl losing her best friend to Tuberculosis, a Muggle disease, at the humble age of eleven, Heidi didn't realize till it was too late that she had taken a few wrong turns, and ended up in a part of the prison she had never been to. Frowning at her own stupidity, Heidi wasn't sure whether to retrace her footsteps, and possible risk getting lost further, simple wait for assistance or ask one of the prisoners.
Muttering a few choice words about the stupidity of her aunt letting a seven year old wander aimlessly around Azkaban, Heidi's back hit the bricked wall behind her as she slowly slid down it with a heavy sigh. She hadn't even reopened her book when she heard a chuckle from behind her. Heidi's back stiffened and her shoulders squared. She'd never talked to or even been approached by any of the other prisoners. Then again, she'd never been left to her own devices in that god forsaken hell-hole.
"Such naughty words for one so young. Where did you hear them Dear one?" croaked a voice from the cell to her right.
Not turning around, Heidi's eyes flashed in anger as she gripped her book harder with one hand, and fiddled with the small purple fez charm around her neck with the other.
"Don't call me that Sir. I am only ones Dear one and he is not you."
"Oh curious. So where did you hear those naught words Little one?" the occupant of the cell asked, his voice growing slightly louder in confidence.
"My uncle. He and my great-aunt don't get on that well. Now sir would you leave me to my book please?"
"Such a good little Pure-blooded girl you are. I bet you'll be off to Hogwarts soon as well, huh? Give my regards to Dumbledore would you?"
Heidi's hand stopped mid flip of her page. She'd heard of 'Dumbledore' from each member of her family at one point or another, they all complained about him often enough. He was not the sort of person a Death-eater would be talking to. Closing her book with a little snap, Heidi turned ever so slightly to the voices cell.
"Death-eaters do not send their regards to 'Dumbledore.' My family has told me that he is nothing but a bumbling fool. Who are you Sir?"
"Are you lost Little one?" came an amused voice form within the darkness.
"Yes Sir. I came to see my mother with my aunt. Neither wished for me to be in attendance for this meeting, so mother and aunty decided to send me back to the main gate. Whilst I was reading my book I took a few wrong turns and ended here. Once more I ask you, who are you Sir?"
"A man. Nothing more."
"Every man has a title attached to him Sir. Whether it simply be his name or a whole array of accomplishments. Tell me yours Sir, please."
Chuckling, Heidi heard chains rattle from within the darkness of the cell. "Quiet a way with words you have there. Possible a Ravenclaw?"
"Dose my future house matter that match?"
"Yes," frowning Heidi moved a little closer to the cell, her book now discarded on the floor by her side.
"Sir, who are you?"
"My name's Sirius Black Little one, and who might you be?"
"I know you!" Heidi exclaimed smiling widely. "Last time I visited grate aunt Walburga I faintly saw your name under a black mark on the family tree," Heidi's smile faltered and when she spoke again her voice was quieter and quivering. "I don't think mother would be happy I was talking to you. You're a blood-traitor after all."
"Grate aunt - are you a Malfoy, LeStrange or Tonks?" Heidi's great uncle asked in an urgent voice.
"LeStrange. My aunt Narcissa bought me to see mother, Bellatrix LeStrange. If you are a blood-traitor why are you here?"
A snarl erupted from within the cell and Heidi could faintly see a pair of grey eyes, so much like her own, staring at her. "I did nothing! I was framed! But I doubt a future Slytherin like you could believe me!"
Now it was Heidi's turn to be amused. She had basically been the mascot of Death-eaters when she was little-er. She could name each one from Voldemort's closest followers and was sure that Sirius wasn't one.
Smiling widely Heidi dropped to her knees and shuffled a little closer. "Oh Sir I do believe you."
"You do?" came the startled reply. He obversely didn't think Heidi would believe him.
"My mother is Bellatrix LeStrange Sir," Heidi stated as if it cleared everything up, which it sort of did. "Now since you have been kind enough to tell me your name I believe I own you the same courtesy. Hydra Bellatrix LeStrange the forth, you may call me Heidi if you please. Pleased to meet you," Heidi stuck her arm into the cell for a handshake. A few heartbeats went by before she felt a bony hand latch on to hers and pull her inwards a bit. Gasping at the rash behaviour of her second cousin Heidi attempted to pull away, but even in his weakened state, Sirius was still stronger then the girl.
"Sir I must protest!" Heidi cried. Her cousin's eyes flickered to her face quickly as he noted her appearance for the first time. A clone of her mother for the most part, but more childlike and innocent, with eyes of stormy grey rather than pitch black like her mother.
Grunting Sirius ruffle pushed up her sleeve, as Kingsley had done so long ago. 'Will this be becoming a trend?' Heidi thought darkly as she saw her second cousin's eyes widen at the sight of the slightly faded Dark-mark.
"I'll kindly have my arm back now Sir," Heidi said in an ice tone voice as she finally managed to pull away from her shell shocked second cousin. Not missing a beat, Heidi was on her feet in an instance and had already taken a few steps back by the time her second cousin recovered.
"YOU'RE WHAT!? FIVE!? HOW CAN YOU HAVE THE BLOODY DARK-MARK!?" Sirius yelled as he tried to grab the girl again.
"Once more Sir, my mother is Bellatrix LeStrange," Heidi stressed eyes dancing with fire but her tone ice cold. "What does it matter to you anyway? Mother told me you wanted nothing to with our family. She said you did nothing when your own brother died, so why would you care for the daughter of one of the cruellest Death-eater?"
"You still had a chance," her second cousin muttered as he slumped back onto the floor. Heidi's glare lessened and she once again returned to her knees in front of him.
"I've been told I still do second cousin," Heidi muttered softly, eyes never leaving her second cousins face.
"By who?" Sirius asked, confusion in his eyes.
"By the man who arrested my mother and father. You jump to conclusions to fast second cousin, it will get you in trouble- oh sorry," clearing her throat, Heidi's face flushed red as Sirius chuckled. "All I mean is I was three or four when I was branded with the mark. I don't even remember it fully. I may still brake away from my family. Just not now, not today."
"You don't care about blood status?" Sirius asked, disbelieving her.
"No second cousin. I don't," the two fell into silence as Heidi reopened her book and began to read.
"Good book?" Sirius finally asked, not wanting to miss the chance to talk to someone.
"Yes second cousin. I, um, I borrowed it from the library not too far from aunties and uncles house. This is my third time reading it," Heidi said, book still open in her lap but her eyes now on her second cousin.
"What's it about?"
"It's about this girl called Jane who doesn't have the best childhood. When she's a little older she's sent to this boarding school which she likes even though this woman, Mrs Reed, doesn't like her much and gives her a rather hard time. Jane makes some friends there and her best friends dies of a Muggle illness. When Jane graduates she stays on for two years as a teacher. When the two years are up she leaves and works for this man named Mr Rochester, being a governess for a girl named Adele. They fall in love and were going to get married but Mr Rochester was already married and his wife is rather insane. Devastated Jane leaves and goes through something's which eventually lead her back to Mr Rochester. His wife burns down his house and kills herself in the process. Jane and Mr Rochester are married but Mr Rochester lost his eye sight, but he regains it in time to see his first born son," Heidi blabbered, happy someone was interested. But as soon as the last word dropped from her mouth she clamped her hands over it, looking horrified.
Laughing Sirius held out his hand for the book, which Heidi gingerly handed over. "A friend of mine lent this to me, a long time ago. Never read it mind. Not much of a reader. But she was," Heidi's second cousin said in a sad tone. In a split second decision, Heidi stood up.
"Then you keep it second cousin. I have read it many times and you look like you need something to distract you. I fear my aunt may be done with my mother so I must leave you. I will see if I can come visit you in future. Goodbye second cousin."
"Call me uncle Sirius Heidi," Sirius said as he grabbed Heidi's arm before she could run off.
"But you are not my uncle, second cousin. Wouldn't it be more prudent for me to call you second cousin since that is what you are?" Heidi asked, confusion etched into her face.
"Yeah but second cousin is soooooo long and formal. Just call me uncle Sirius Heidi."
Heidi started at Sirius for a few moments before smiling and walking swiftly down the corridor, but not without a gently;
"Goodbye uncle Sirius. May fate be so kind as to intertwine us again."
(Hey all. I got a little query. What house do you think Heidi should be in? I've kind of been playing with ideas for each house and she seems like she'd fit into whatever one I placed her into.
Slytherin; she's quick minded and ambitious, she can be seen as cold when she wants to as well.
Hufflepuff; she's fun and bubble and loyal. Heidi is cautious when she needs to be but tries to be friendly to everyone.
Ravenclaw; did you read her? She has such a grip on the English language, and she loves to read and ARUGH knowledge.
Gryffindor; she wandered Azkaban, alone. She talked to Sirius Black, alone. Even if he did nothing wrong, it would be shit scary for a seven year old.
Alright, those are my points for each house. I'm going to put a poll up and you vote on it for me, K? K.
Also, don't forget to feed the author. I'm rather hungry and am in the mood for reviews. Tip your waiter on your way out. Bye!)