DISCLAIMER: I don't own Harry Potter. Everything except for my ideas and my character belong to J.K. Rowling and I proudly give that to her!
So, I came up with this idea while I was watching Meet The Robinsons (I know, how lame?). I hope you like it. Yes it is AU but I love it all the same!
XoXo
That was my first encounter with the mysterious Professor McGonagall of the unknown Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. My second was only one day before September first, the day that I was to actually begin my schooling. I can only remember a few snatches of this day. Such as when I got my wand, 12 ½ inches, holly, with a core of phoenix feather and was good for Defense Against the Dark Arts. Kind of ironic now that I think about it. I remember going to get my first set of robes and Madame Malkin almost dropping her sewing things when she saw my face. I remember asking Professor McGonagall why.
"Why is she frightened of me?" I asked her boldly. Professor McGonagall gave me a tight smile and then took me into a corner.
"You look just like your mother," she said, wiping any traces of laughter off of her face.
"So?" She hadn't explained anything to me. She was talking in riddles now. "I don't see how that should matter. I never knew my mother, why would anyone else?" I still didn't understand. Had my mother been a tyrant? Had she killed someone? Why was no one answering my questions?
"That is a question for another day!" McGonagall said fiercely. I took a step back from the sudden harness in her voice. "Now, Acacia. We must really move on, so pick your robes and then we can continue along Diagon Alley."
I nodded with my head held high and then walked to Madame Malkin. She cautiously measured me and picked out a few robes for me. We bought them and then walked to the Owlery and then a few other places. The rest was just a blur. I will never forget the fear that was clearly written in her eyes. She was frightened, just like the rest of them. But why couldn't I know what was wrong with my mother?
XoXo
The day I was to go to the Hogwarts Express was one of the most exciting in my life. I couldn't wait to get out of the orphanage for almost a year! I could barely contain my excitement! I mean, I had some friends that I was sad to leave, but most of the people were completely horrible to me. They had no sense of what would hurt and what would leave lasting scars on my heart. They called me a freak because people showed up to talk to me time and time again, but would always leave.
Mistress Caroline took me outside to her car as soon as the trunk had all of my things in it. I kept my tawny owl up with me. Her name was Helena, after Helena of Troy. Or Greece, or whatever. She was beautiful! And she was mine! I kept fingering the locket on my neck that held a note. It read:
This is my daughter, Acacia Grace Lestrange. She is very content and shouldn't be a problem for you. Don't expect someone to come for her, because they won't. Take good care of our daughter.
-Bellatrix Lestrange
It had nothing else, just that. It was nice to know that my mother cared enough to give me to an orphanage. Anyway, back to the main story. When we arrived at King's Cross, Mistress Caroline asked me if I knew where to go.
"Yes, ma'am," I lied quietly.
"Are you sure?" she asked me again, probably able to see through my lies.
"Yes, I am." I looked her full in the face with my wide brown eyes. She nodded quickly and I could see the tears fill her eyes. She pulled me into a surprise hug and wouldn't let go. "Mistress Caroline!" I mumbled. "I can't breathe!"
She released me and then looked at me again. "We are all going to miss you, my dear. Don't get into too much trouble and make lots of friends. Remember your manners and grace and beauty is the only way to win a man's heart!" I smiled at her and then grabbed my trunk and owl from the car. I walked to her again and then waved goodbye/
XoXo
I was finally away from the place that was known to me as hell on earth! And yet, somewhere in my heart I was scared. I wanted to know what would happen when I was on my own, but how would I? I had no idea how I could see into the future. But I knew that I wouldn't even if I could.
I made my way to platform 9 and looked around for a platform 9 ¾. I didn't see one anywhere, but I saw a large family making their way to the platform I was at. I ran up courageously and looked at the one that I thought was the mother. "Excuse me!" I called. She looked up and her eyes widened with recognition. She stopped and her husband looked at her with quizzical eyes.
"Yes?" she answered her eyes still wide with recognition.
"Do you know where I can find platform 9 ¾? I can't find it anywhere!" I practically whined. The only thing with being an orphan is that I know how to beg. She nodded and smiled at me.
"Yes. Why don't you come with us?" she asked sweetly. I nodded this time and looked at her sons that she had gathered around her. "No. These are not all of mine."
She could obviously read faces as well as anyone. I was slightly upset because of this fact. "Whose are they then?" I asked, curiosity getting the best of me.
She blushed but answered my question all the same. "Fred is my nephew," she said, pointing at a redhead with bright green eyes. "Victoire is my niece and Teddy is of no relation to this family." I smiled at all of them. "And this is my own son. James!" she said sharply. A boy poked his black head out of a luggage cart and smiled cheekily at his mother. "Do not do that again!" She strode over to him and slapped him on the hand. The boy let hurt show on his face, but didn't dare let tears fall.
"I am Ginny Potter by the way. You are?" Ginny asked cautiously.
"Acacia Grace Lestrange." I watched the woman's eyes glaze over in anger. She turned away and looked at her husband. She obviously didn't think that I could see. Her husband looked at her and then at me. His eyes widened in recognition, I knew that I looked like my mother, but did I really resemble her that much?!
"Acacia, this is my husband. Harry Potter. Follow James into the platform," she said curtly. She obviously wasn't that nice anymore, given who I was. Obviously. If only I knew who I really was and what my mother meant to this world.
James Potter smiled at me and nodded. I obligingly followed him into the platform. Whatever that meant. I soon found out. We ran through the wall and saw a bright scarlet train in front of us. "Cool!" James said loudly. I smiled at him with my own amazement clearly written on my face and I followed him into the train. We put our things onto the train and found an empty compartment. "I should probably go and say goodbye to my folks."
I nodded and was content to look outside the window and be excited by the fact that I was finally leaving the place I hated. I knew that I wouldn't feel weak here; I would show my strength and my wits and my determination. It didn't matter that everyone would most definitely be afraid of me, I had power and I was ready to use it. I looked outside my window and saw Ginny and her husband yelling at James. He looked upset and for some reason that gave me satisfaction.
He arrived back on the train and was singing a song under his breath. "What are you singing?" I asked. He looked up at me in surprise, almost as though he had forgotten that I was there. Then he smiled and granted me a surprise concert.
"I'm holding on your rope, got me ten feet off the ground. And I'm hearin' what you say, but I just can't make you sound. You tell me that you need me, then you go and cut me down. But wait. Tell me sorry, didn't think I'd turn around. You say.
"That it's too late to apologize. It's too late. I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late. Yeah. Oh-h.
"I take another chance, take a fall, take a shot for you. Oh I need you like a heart need to beat with this love for you. Yeah, I loved you with a fire red, now it's turning blue. And you say. Fallin' like an angel, heaven let me think was you. But I'm afraid.
"It's too late to apologize, it's too late. I said it's too late to apologize, it's too late. Whoa-oa. It's too late to apologize, it's too late. I said it's too late to apologize, yeah-ah. I said it's too late to apologize. Yeah-ah.
"I'm holdin' on your rope. Got me ten feet off the ground."
XoXo
So there you go. Another chapter in the life of Acacia. R&R. Tell your friends, tell them to tell your friends and don't forget to READ AND REVIEW!!!
Anyway, thanks to everyone who reviewed, I love you all! Thanks soo much! You have no idea how much it makes me want to write when I see that there's a new review!
-Ed
