Hey guys! I'm so sorry this chapter's so late! I usually update on Wednesdays but this week I had exams the whole week so I had to study a lot and I didn't have time to write. Don't worry though, next week will be on schedule!
"Hello, Agatha. How are you today?" Anna asked, looking at the old woman.
Agatha sat behind her desk in Obscurus Books, wrapped in her blankets in the low light of a nearly completely vanished candle. Her grey hair was still a tangled mess and her skin still looked green, but when her eyes snapped open Anna could see that she was still as sharp as last year. A shiver ran up Anna's spine.
"Miss Connor." Agatha wheezed, then her eyes fixed on Narcissa. "Mrs Malfoy. To what do I owe the honor?"
Anna didn't correct Agatha, preferring to keep her real name a secret as long as possible even though she was completely sure Agatha knew her real name. How she knew was a mystery.
"I want the books I was reading last year. Secrets of the Darkest Arts, Magicke moste Evile, A World of Curses and Incantations of the Dead. Quickly, please." Anna said. Aunt Narcissa had said that they shouldn't be seen in Obscurus Books seeing as how it had a... darker reputation and the Malfoys' allegiances had been in doubt since the Dark Lord's time. Plus, she had said that they needed to go to Twilfitt and Tattings before Draco and Uncle Lucius, who were currently getting the rest of their school supplies.
Agatha nodded and waved her thin wand. "Just a second then. It'll be thirty-seven galleons."
Aunt Narcissa nodded and called up the coins from her pretty black pouch in her pocket and put the coins on the desk. Dark magic books were always more expensive because the Ministry had a huge amount of regulations on them, so the high price did not particularly come as a surprise.
With a loud thump, the books landed on the desk, throwing dust up in the air and making Anna cough slightly. Aunt Narcissa scrunched her nose but shrunk the books and placed them in the pouch. Without saying a word she grabbed Anna by the shoulder and led her out of the shop. Anna looked back over her shoulder to where Agatha sat but found the seat empty and the curtains to the back swinging. She couldn't help but regret not being able to spend time here again. As much as Agatha might frighten her, she had been kind to her before and Anna enjoyed her time here.
"Why do we need to go to Twilfitt and Tattings before Draco?" Anna asked as they walked through the crowds of Diagon Alley, careful to stay by Aunt Narcissa's side.
"There are things that are none of your cousin of uncle's business. Girl things and girl talk." The woman said, smiling down at Anna.
Anna frowned. She was twelve and she knew what her body did and was supposed to do. She didn't need to be talked to about any of it. "Fine." She grumbled, not wanting to offend her aunt. After all, she probably felt it was her responsibility or something. It was predictable but still more than a little annoying and embarassing.
Within minutes they arrived at the doors of Twilfitt and Tattings; tall, golden painted doors and cream coloured walls with ivy growing all the way to the tiled roof. The shop's name was printed in a burnt orange on a large sign below the windows of the secnd floor. As they stepped closer, the doors swung open for them and a young woman in a peach pant suit hurried over to them. Her brown hair was tied back in a braid and her lips were spread in a professional smile.
"Mrs Malfoy! What a pleasure to see you again! What might I do for you?"
"Hello, Elyse. This is Anna, a good friend of Draco's. She's been here before; we had Arthur whip her up some clothing during the christmas holidays. Is he not here?"
"I'm afraid Mr Twilfitt has the day off, though Mrs Tattings is in the office. Would you like me to get her?"
"No, no." Narcissa waved the idea off. "We will look at clothing once my son and husband arrive, until then we will look at the separate ladies' section."
Elyse nodded. "Of course, madam. If there is anything you need I am only a call away. Could I offer you some tea while you wait?"
"Yes, please. The usual."
With a nod, the young woman walked away and Narcissa headed to an ornate door at the back of the shop. They entered a circular room with a thick red carpet on the ground. The walls were covered by shelves of female underwear and in the center of the room was a circular couch with a chandelier over it.
"Come sit." Narcissa said. When Anna was seated Narcissa smiled at her. "I trust you've already had the talk?"
Anna raised an eyebrow. "I was an orphan, I talked to myself." Anna looked away. "I already know this stuff, you don't have to talk about it."
"You're a witch, your talk is different."
"Is our reproductive system different that the muggles'?"
"Not per se, but some things are handled differently. Contraceptives in particular."
Anna felt her face redden. "We don't need to talk about that now. Please not now." She whispered.
Narcissa let out and airy laugh. "No, we're going to talk about something else. About you becoming a woman. Have you had your period yet?"
"No." She answered, trying to look anywhere but at her aunt.
"Then this is just in time." Narcissa stood and grabbed a small box on a shelf. "This contains seven panties, you can change its colour with your wand whenever you wish, but the important part is the base of the underwear. Whenever you are on your period, the base will absorb all liquids and keep you clean and fresh smelling. It will not overflow or stain, in fact you will not see anything. You wear a different one every day as one panty can only absorb so much without becoming stained but when you have used all seven, or as many as you need, you put them back in the box and the box cleanses them. The box can only clean the panties thrice so you need to buy more than one. Plus, as you grow the panties grow with you... to a certain extent."
Anna, her embarrassment momentarily forgotten, stepped forwards and grabbed a box, holding it at eye level. "So I'll have to buy a few of these?"
"Yes, we'll be taking four. Just in case your period comes while you're in Hogwarts."
Anna nodded, putting the box down and sitting back. "What else?"
"You have muggle underwear."
"So?"
"So, we will have to get you new underwear. Here." She put four of the boxes on the couch and walked to another shelf. "These are young girls' combinations. They will grow with you to a certain size, then you will have to buy other ones. But with these, you can change not only the colour but also the fabric. If you change the panty, the bra will change with it and vice versa. It's very easy and this way you are not limited to just one underwear when you need a particular color or fabric."
Anna bit her lip as her cheeks heated up. She didn't know why this made her so embarrassed. It was just something that was private. She had never talked to anyone about anything like this, so doing it so suddenly now... "Fine. I'll pick... how many?"
"Take as many as you want, dear."
Anna huffed and stood up. She walked to the shelves aunt Narcissa was at and stared at the piles of underwear, she resignedly started shuffling through them. After a few minutes she had picked nine combinations. She put them down beside the boxes just as the doors opened.
"Mrs Malfoy?" Elyse walked in. "Your tea is ready by the window seat you're partial to."
Aunt Narcissa smiled at the brunette. "Thank you, Elyse. Could you charge us for these now? We'll pay for the clothing when we have Draco's as well."
"As you wish. Were you able to find everything?"
"Yes, everything. We'll be by the window when you have the bill."
Elyse nodded and walked to the couch, drawing her wand as she did.
Narcissa turned to Anna. "Come, we'll wait for them there."
Anna nodded and followed.
"It's as if no matter where he goes, everyone loves him! Precious Potter." Draco spat. "I can't believe he's getting on the front page of the Prophet. Though of course Lockhart would be stupid enough to be one of his fans right away."
Anna rolled her eyes fondly as she listened to Draco rant from the other side of the curtain. His robes had already been prepared and Mrs Tattings was just putting the finishing touches on her uniform. He would never cease to complain about Potter if she let him -though a deep acidic feeling did spread in her stomach every time she thought about him- so she tried to change the subject.
"Who is Lockhart?"
"Gilderoy Lockhart." Draco said. "He's written a bunch of books about his adventures against magical creatures. He's got a blown up personality an enjoys getting... overly friendly with women."
Anna could feel him glower.
"He tried to hit on mother."
Anna snickered. "I bet Uncle Lucius thought that was hilarious."
"Yes, quite amusing." Lucius' dry voice sounded. "Try not to listen to anything he has to say, Anna. He speaks nothing but foolishness."
"I see. I'll try to ignore him, though I have little patience for fools." She said.
"Here you go, miss Connor." Mrs Tattings said, straightening up and smiling at her. "You can take it off now."
Anna nodded and started to slip off her brand new acromantula-silk robes when Aunt Narcissa's voice sounded.
"Cassandra?"
"Yes, Narcissa?" Mrs Tattings answered.
"Could you make her a nice dress, just whip something up. Something elegant."
"Of course, I'll get to it. How about red?"
"No, thank you." Anna bit out. "No red." It reminded her of the stone, of the Dark Lord's eyes and of Potter's stupid sweater. No red.
"Well then, how about a pretty aquamarine blue?"
Anna thought about it. "Sure." Then she raised her voice. "What's the occasion, Aunt Narcissa?"
"We're going to the Parkinsons' for dinner."
Anna let out a loud groan.
"Expellere Organis!" Anna snapped.
Lucius quickly raised a shield and snapped his wand forwards. Anna's wand almost flew from her hand but she clutched it tight.
"Good. I was not expecting an organ expelling curse. From one of your new books, I take it?"
Anna nodded, resting her hands on her knees. Her breath was ragged and her shoulders shook. They had been at it for three hours. Uncle Lucius insisted on training her. He said that Father would have trained her since she could stand so he would train her until she couldn't stand. They did this every three days and they could already tell the improvement. Her magic was like a sponge. Every time she tried a new curse or spell, every time she dueled she became stronger. She may not even come close to being a match for her uncle, but she was stronger than any twelve year old had the right to be. Obviously, it was because of the ceremony. Without that she could never have hoped to have gained such power, thought every now and then she would become dizzy. It was definitely a result of using so much magic and Uncle Lucius had told her to go to Madam Pomfrey as soon as she got back to school. Which, coincidently, would be tomorrow.
"I believe we're done for the day." Uncle Lucius said. "You should take a bath before we have dinner in an hour."
Anna nodded. "Thank you, unlce."
Lucius gave her a small smile and placed a hand on her head. "You're doing great, keep practicing at school."
Then he left, leaving Anna to calm her breath and walk away by herself. She took careful steps down the halls, trying to keep herself straight as the magic depletion weighed heavily on her shoulders. She had never tried that last curse before and it had felt like a punch in the gut. A smirk tugged at her lips. No matter how much it hurt, she would become stronger. She needed to become stronger. The Dark Lord wasn't gone and she was going to become as strong as she could to make sure she could be of help when the time came.
At first terror had seized her, when she thought that. She hadn't known if the thought was hers or if he was influencing her, but after a while... she didn't care. After a while she had realized that the will to bring him back was both hers and the magic's. She wanted him back for her parents, the magic wanted its master back so... she believed there were some things she would have to sacrifice. She wouldn't throw away her free will but... she just wasn't going to. When she grew strong enough she would teach herself legilimency and then she would be safer. Until then she would just have to second guess her every thought.
Anna entered her room and started taking off her clothes. She dropped her dress on the floor, grimacing at the way it stuck to her back with sweat, and walked to her bathroom taking her wand with her. Uncle Lucius had told her that she should always have her wand with her. No matter what she did and no matter where she was, she could not leave her wand behind.
The large bath filled with hot water and thick foam and she lowered herself inside, sighing as the heat relaxed her muscles. There she closed her eyes.
"Dobby." She called.
A soft pop was heard and Anna smelled the damp odour that radiated from his loincloth. Anna had told Uncle Lucius that it'd be better if they gave him a new loincloth but he'd done nothing.
"Miss Anna called Dobby?"
She'd given him permission to call her Anna since Annabelle was more difficult and he always stuttered when he said 'belle', something which she assumed had something to do with her mother.
"Could you wash my hair? I'm too tired to move my arms."
"Yes miss Anna, right away."
Long fingers started combing her hair and massaging shampoo into it. She felt her conciousness slipping away and she fell asleep with a soft smile on her face.
Anna ate quietly, tiredness biting at her muscles as she lifted a spoonful of food to her mouth. She didn't even know what food it was as she was too tired to process what she was tasting... she had been too tired to dress herself properly and Dobby had had to help her into a pretty lilac dress and comb her hair. The day was already warm, though she didn't mind as the fabric of her dress was light and she only had sandals on her feet.
Draco, who was next to her, was talking animatedly about something to do with their friends who they had gotten together with during the summer and her aunt and uncle were listening patiently. Hadn't he been talking about something to do with his new position in Quidditch just now?
"-na? Anna?"
"Yes?" Her eyes shot open and she looked up at her aunt.
"Did you sleep alright?"
A yawn forced itself up her throat. "I've slept better." She mumbled. "I'll sleep on the train."
"Yes, about that. Draco tells us you've been spending a lot of time with the Nott boy." Uncle Lucius said.
All of a sudden, Anna didn't feel too tired anymore. "What about it?"
"Nothing. We just find it strange seeing as how he has never actually been a person too dependent on companionship."
Anna shrugged. "He's my friend. I do not believe there is anything wrong with that."
"There isn't." Narcissa hurried to say. "Though your parents might not think so as the Notts were some of the ones that denied any connection to the Dark Lord."
"Maybe so, but my parents are in Azkaban and the Notts are not. I would have prefered my parents to deny their allegiance and to find me rather than what they did. Whatever complaints they might have once they get out will be completely unjustified." Anna was starting to grind her teeth. "I am done with breakfast, maybe we should depart?"
"Good idea!" Draco hastened to say, smiling nervously. "Dobby! Clean up the food." He ordered without turning to the poor creature and extended a hand to Anna. "Lets go."
Anna nodded and grabbed his hand. They walked to the main hall together, ignoring the adults walking behind them. Draco's hand clutched Anna's very tightly and she could tell that he was looking at her worriedly. She looked at him and gave him a reassuring smile.
When they got to the hall their trunks lay in the center of the room with Draco's owl cage, where his eagle-owl Aether sleepily combed his feathers. Draco let go of her hand and picked up the cage. Uncle Lucius walked forwards and picked up the trunk before grabbing his son's hand and disapparating with a loud crack. Narcissa did the same with Anna and, after the nasty feeling of being shoved through a tube, they stood on the platform with their backs against the wall. Before them dozens of wizards and witches towed trunks and cages back and forth, calling out to each other and laughing. Some were hugging, some running and some -mainly the first years- were saying their tearful goodbyes.
Anna looked up at her aunt and smiled softly, pushing her anger aside. "Bye Aunt Narcissa. I'll write."
"Goodbye Annabelle. Take care." She placed a hand on the side of Anna's face, not kissing her as they were in public, and then turned to her son.
Anna grabbed her trunk and turned to her uncle. "Goodbye uncle Lucius."
"Goodbye child. Whatever you do, do not get caught."
Anna smirked. "That I won't." She turned to Draco, who was smiling at her. "Lets go then, Draco."
Together they looked for a compartment, putting their trunks away just as Pansy and Daphne entered. Anna ignored them, annoyed at hearing that they wante dot see the new professor's smile -it had been chosen the most charming smile by Witch Weekly, apparently. A short while later Greg and Vince entered, who she greeted with nods and half waves from her place in a corner next to Draco where she was trying not to fall asleep. Then Blaise and Theo came in. Theo smiled at her and Anna smiled back at him.
This was just a set up chapter. As we all know, the real stuff happens at Hogwarts. Something that NONE of you expect is going to happen!