Snuffed Candles Relit

"Wing-gar-dium"

"Win-card-ian"

"No! Wing. Gar. Dium." Amycus corrected, sighing as her students stared at her blankly.

Amycus was about to close the class early and face the dark lord's scorn when a little voice took a guess. "Wing-gar-dium?".

It was one of the two girls, Amycus didn't bother with names. Not even turning around she wrote the second part of the spell in the air with her wand. "Good, now for the Leviosa".

Three out of four of the students groaned. All except the one who had answered correctly, who looked bored but was at least paying attention. What to do with these children? The death eater thought grumpily, I signed up to be a soldier, not a kindergarten teacher. She turned to them, fed up with all of them, and longing to catch up with her brother as he fought in the latest battle. She had pulled the short straw, and was stuck with the dark lord's apprentices until nine. Glaring at them impatiently she asked frankly, "Don't you want to learn magic".

"I do!" squealed the other girl, her hair looked so much like fire Amycus wanted to cast a water spell on her head whenever she saw her.

"And what is your name?" She asked, to pass time "Have you at least mastered that?"

"Yeah! I am Shulazar, you didn't know that? You teach us all the time!" Shulazar fell over laughing as if this was the funniest thing.

"DO YOU KNOW MY NAME!?" Shouted one of the others, Narcissa's boy.

Ugh, make this end! Amycus inwardly groaned. "Nope, and I don't want to." She growled "Back to learning."

"The clock says it was time to go a long time ago. It says it's 12:09 o'clock so can we goooo?" One of them pointed out, Amycus didn't care at this point.

"No, Neville! You mixed up the hands, again. It says it's nine exactly." The smart girl who wasn't Shulazar said.

"LEAVE! Get out, now!" Amycus shouted at them.

There were a few exclamations of joy, and the Malfoy boy glared at her on his way out. Shaking her head, annoyed, Amycus disapparated and hoped in vain to never see them again. The students left, making a commotion as they bounded down the hall. They stuck together until Draco saw his mother and went to complain to her for the billionth time. The other three continued past, not speaking until they'd turned the corner. Then Neville started crying. Shulazar took a step back, walking behind them, but Hermione looked at him worriedly. "What's wrong? Are you okay? Do you need to see the potions master? Are you sick?"

At the mention of Snape, Neville's eyes widened with fear. Shaking his head, he murmured. "I wish I was like Draco."

At this Hermione gave her friend a look of revolt. "I thought you didn't like him!"

"I don't… I just, seeing him with his mother, I..." Neville started, struggling to find the words.

Hermione understood him easily. "You're jealous."

"What's jeh-loss?" Neville asked.

"It means you want what he has. You don't want to be him, but you want to have something he has that you don't. Like, a toy, or no classes with Amycus." Hermione explained.

"Oh, then I am jealous." Neville said.

"Draco has a lot. Which thing of his do you want?" Hermione asked.

Neville looked at his shoes. "Parents." he whispered.

Hermione put a hand on his shoulder. "Me too." she said softly.

Shulazar stared at them, standing in the hallway, not speaking. She was getting impatient, she wanted to play before their next class. Plus, what they were saying confused her. "What are you talking about!?" She yelled, finally "We have the snake man. And all of our teachers. They take care of us, not parents!"

Neville started crying again, and Hermione stuck her tongue out at Shulazar. "Stop being mean. The snake man likes you, and kind of like Draco. And he has his parents. But we don't have anyone. We want our real parents. I had parents once. My mum was bad, but my dad was good. I'm going to find him one day, you'll see." Hermione turned back to Neville "We'll find your parents too. Did you have nice parents?"

Neville nodded. "My family is big. My uncles and grandmother teased me sometimes but my parents were always so awesome."

"Did you have parents?" Neville asked Shulazar, who was still silently fighting with Hermione through narrowed eyes, and dirty looks.

"I did. I had a mum." said Shulazar "She called me "Shula", and I was her favorite thing. She died. Now I have snake man and teachers."

"And us." Hermione added, extending her arm over her other friends shoulder as well "Shall we call you Shula, too?"

Shulazar didn't answer. They reached the end of the hall, and went through big glass double-doors. Sitting in the grass, no one spoke. They all laid on their stomachs, feeling the warm spring sun on their backs. Shula created stories in her mind, while Neville and Hermione pointed out shapes in the clouds. Sometime around noon Draco ran out as well. "It's 12:09 for real now! Let's play."

At this Hermione shot up. Looking incredulity at Draco she exclaimed "But we've missed Beastolegy!" she exclaimed.

"What!?" Shulazar's eyes widened, and she shot up as well. "But Dark Arts is right before beastolagy! Why didn't you fetch us?"

"All the death eaters were busy" Draco explained "And Professor Grubbly Plank says she only teaches Care for Magical Creatures, and Beastology is against her morals."

"Good, I didn't like her." Shulazar stated firmly, still sad about missing her favorite class.

"I did." said Hermione, her friend ignored her.

"I'm bored" Neville said, changing the subject "Let's play."

"Great idea, you're it!" Draco swiped Neville on the shoulder "No tag backs."

"Hey!" the unhappy tagger whined, he didn't like being it.

"Cheer up" Hermione said "C'mon try and get me!"

Neville obliged and the four children ran around merrily. There were pushes and shoves, as well as laughs and 'tag no tag backs'. Sliding around they passed the day like normal kids. No worries, the only adventures the ones inside their heads. By the time they were called in for a bite to eat, each one of them was covered head to toe in dirt. Their knees stained from the grass, their bodies tired out. "Now, now" Narcissa scolded "Clean up, all of you. The dark lord is to bring a guest this evening and I can't let you be seen looking like some common goblin."

Draco cheered. The other three were felt a mixture of excitement and dread. As Shulazar and Hermione headed towards the nearest washroom, the two girls picked up a scent from the kitchens. Straying from their previous route, the entered to a storm of food being prepared. Elves left and right were busy sending food to the main hall, chopping veggies, and kneading dough. Shulazar immediately was peeking over one of the worker's shoulders to try and get a peak at what they were doing. Hermione shot her a scolding look worthy of Draco's mum. Skipping around she saw the elf she was looking for. "Dobby!" she cried, seeing her bat eared friend.

"It's Hermione Granger! Dobby has been waiting all week to see you," the elf said, looking over at Hermione without stopping his work "Master said you shouldn't come, yet here you are! How are you so kind?"

Hermione blushed, and took a seat next to Dobby. He was in the middle of frosting a simply marvelous red velvet cake. The young girl's stomach rumbled. How she yearned to try and take a piece of it, or any other sweet. She saw Shulazar doing the same to a forgotten muffin. Somehow Hermione restrained herself. She knew if she interrupted or stole from the kitchen the elves would surely have to replace it, and they worked hard enough already. Too hard. "Dobby," she asked, her brow wrinkled "Why do you work here?"

At this the elf did stop. He looked at her curiously, searching for words. Afraid she had offended him, Hermione added hastily, "Not that I don't love seeing you, and your food is splendous, but," she pause "With your magic couldn't you do something better, something grander?"

Putting the finishing touch on the cake (a few chocolate chips and a cherry on top), Dobby opened his mouth precariously. For a moment he thought about explaining his situation to her. He was sure she would want to know...But she'd also want to help. As she watched him, the elf could see the innocence in her large brown eyes. Merlin, she was so young. Kind, yes, and smart, but only a child. He sighed, and made an oath to tell her everything later. When it came to elf rights, he would like to be the one to explain. Not some Malfoy. "Life is complicated. Sometimes what we dream of in life isn't as close to reality. Still, we live on."

Hermione wasn't impressed by his vague explanation. Putting her hands on her hips, she gave her friend a pouty look. Though only the size of your average six year old, house elves were small enough she could look him in the eye standing up. She hated being lied to. All around, people were keeping things from her. She felt left out. Somehow, she knew she was different. No one said anything about it, but she always seemed separate from the others in many ways, none of which she could understand. She thought Dobby understood. Hermione sighed, perhaps she was wrong. Having enough the young witch-to-be hugged the elf goodbye and marched out.

Followed by a mischievous looking Shulazar , Hermione did her best to locate their rooms. Her eyes filled, and her vision blurred. Turning away from Shulazar Hermione attempted to hide them in vain. The other girl saw, but for once made no comment. Merely taking hold of Hermione's arm, Shulazar lead her friend the rest of the way in silence.

When they reached the room they shared, Hermione left to take the first shower. This was not objected to. While she waited for her friend to get cleaned and calm down, Shulazar opened up a book. It was lying on the floor when she'd found it, and it's a good thing she had, or it would have been stepped on and soiled. Flipping through the pages she saw it to be rather filthy already. It was a textbook, and a boring one at that. Nowhere as many pictures as the easy-to-read ones she was currently studying for her many instructors. Not to mention the vandal previous owner, who had left messy scrawl all over the pages and through the margins. Some were written with care, while others appeared so hastily done, Shulazar wouldn't have been able to read it even if she knew what all the words meant. Which she didn't. Bored, and mildly frustrated Shulazar cast the book aside.

Shulazar didn't get why everything had to be so hard and confusing. And she wasn't exaggerating when she said everything. Literally every part of her unchanging, yet high expectation driven, six year old life felt nearly impossible to grasp. So what if her everything was simple, less imposing, and small compared to that of a fully grown and well educated adult. Shulazar should have at least one area of expertise, something in life that was understandable, or less unforgiving. Was that too much to expect. Hermione was, and Shulazar hated to admit this, right about what she'd said earlier. Life wasn't fair or equal- it didn't even make sense. Of course Neville had been 'jealous', they all were. They had grown up all alone, save themselves and a few of the Malfoy's older and meaner friends. All they had to compare to was each other, and they were each very different. Draco was whiny, and selfish. No one liked or got along with him, even if he was many a death eater's favorite. Still, he had a family who provided him with wisdom, support, and more money than a little boy like him could need. More than anyone did.

Hermione was intelligent beyond others, really her mental capacity and adept level of understanding shocked everyone, even herself. All of them were expected to learn the incantations for spells many years to advanced for them to even have heard of. Yet somehow Hermione learned them all. She was kind hearted, if a little bossy (and a lot stubborn). Though Shulazar felt closest with her, she couldn't quite place Hermione's demeanor. For such a well spoken and passionate girl, she was rather reserved when it came to small talk and feelings. This was unfortunate as here at Malfoy Manor, those were very popular topics, among Narcissa's friends if not Lucius's.

And Neville? He...he was just there. He was quiet, and always picked on by the "teachers". Slightly annoying, but wouldn't hurt a fly. Like Hermione he seemed to have a secret he wouldn't tell. Maybe they shared the same secret, Shulazar wouldn't be surprised. The two were the only of the four to actually get along past tolerance. Sighing, Shulazar got up. She could hear the muffled sound of the shower cease, and knew Hermione must be getting out. Picking out her dinner clothes, Shulazar prepared herself for whatever came next.

Dressed and clean, the two girls entered. Draco was already seated, stuffing himself with appetizers. Neville was a no show apparently, and once Narcissa had confiscated her son's plate, she went in search for him. Hermione shuddered, if Mrs Malfoy herself was going to check in on him, Neville must be in big trouble. Shulazar gulped, if this dinner was important, then the guests would be as well. Course after course came, Neville arrived halfway through the second, eyes teary and red. And Narcissa, well, she looked mighty cross indeed. Besides Draco, no one told the children what to eat, nor how much. Picking and choosing, Shulazar filled up on her favorites. Desert was last, but also when the V. arrived. In case her appetite was lost by the entrance of loud and malicious death eaters, Shulazar and Hermione made sure to get their share of sweets beforehand.

Finally, after an eternity of tortuous and pointless adult led conversations, the great door opened. A man in a dark robe entered, holding a strange wand, and followed by an entourage of masked servants. He had glowing red eyes and chalky white skin. His hood was down, revealing a bald head, and a noseless face. This last factor would have amused Shulazar, if she wasn't having a full on panic attack. Falling off her chair, she gasped kneeling for a few seconds before totally flipping out. She wailed and sobbed, her mind repeating the image of her mother's face and a bright green flash. The sun shaped scar on her forehead pulsed and bled. Her face broke out in angry slashes as her flesh split. The air around her was filled with a bright red light, and suddenly the other children were on the floor flailing as well. Make it stop, make it STOP! She thought through a hazy cloud of pain.

Then, miraculously, it did stop. They were back to normal, save the scar on her forehead. She'd always had it, yet never realized why it was there. Was she born with it, or was it given to her? On that night where her life changed forever. The others had never had a scar before, but now they did. Hermione's was a lightning bolt, and glowed a faint blue. Neville's was all twisty and strange looking. It glowed yellow, and almost resembled an arrow struck heart. Draco's were a sickly looking green and made up of two slashes, like twin moons. None of the adults moved from their seats during this scary development, though most were shaken, and Narcissa hid horrified eyes beneath her gloved hands. The cloaked man smiled, and let out a cold laugh. "Yes, they are indeed ready" he hissed, gesturing at the faint looking children "Kids pack your things, you'll be learning with me from now on."

Not one of the four responded besides a few whimpers, and some of the death eaters who had served as teachers had to roughly get them to their feet. As they were walked to the front of the room, the dark lord looked over them all. "Draco Malfoy, I've heard much of you."

Draco smiled despite himself. And looked proudly at his parents who smiled back through clenched teeth. "Neville Longbottom, if you're anything like your parents in bravery you'll be useful. If you share their morals however, not so much."

Neville looked at his feet, grabbing onto Hermione's hand for support. "Mudblood, daughter of two dentists, one lucky enough to share the gift of the fae, yes?" Hermione glared at him, and the dark lord chuckled "Definitely an enemy."

Hermione's hand clenched in Neville's and he let go. Looking at the children a moment longer in silence, he finally addressed Shulazar. "Ah, Shula Potter, daughter of Lily and James. I was especially excited to see you. If my letters to the Malfoys have been shared, you'll know I expect much of your power."

Shulazar nodded. Stealing a glance at Hermione, she said "V-voldemort?" her voice shook "C-call me Azar." then, "Please."

Voldemort didn't laugh this time. He stared at her thoughtfully, and Shulazar shook under his sharp gaze. "Very well, Azar." He said slowly, "Call me, 'Marvelo'"