Chapter 1: Hogwarts
'October 31st, 1981
The defeat of Voldemort.'
Eloise Bisset inhaled deeply, removing her quill from the parchment. It was painful, to remember all the events of the last few weeks, but she knew that if he husband were here, he'd insist on it being recorded, no matter how painful it may be.
Eloise stroked the feather of her quill, a gift from her husband only a year before. Now, he was nowhere to be found, leaving her alone with a lifetime of work to carry forward for him.
Well, she wasn't exactly alone.
Eloise turned to her left, peering into the elegant wooden crib. In the faint candle light, she could make out the features of her sleeping daughter, lost in peaceful dreams and happy fantasies. Eloise gently traced the young girls' cheek with the tip of her finger, a smile so loving only a parent would be able to hold. Even in her infancy, Eloise knew that Madeline would grow up to be just like her father; brave, strong, resourceful, and determined. Eloise had spent the first few weeks after the war awaiting his return, but weeks turned into months, and soon enough, he was mourned by those who fought by his side.
Eloise pulled herself back into her desk chair, toying with the edge of the feathered quill. Caradoc Dearborn may have disappeared, but he left behind something precious, something so terrifyingly special that it scared the young mother to her very core.
With a deep breath, she kept writing.
Madeline Bisset's arrival at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry was in fact not a surprise.
The many animated portraits turned and watched as she briskly walked through the castle corridors. She was, without a doubt, a beauty that may only rival that of the sunrise over the Black Lake. She was well-postured, her hands held clasped behind her back as she followed Professor Minerva McGonagall, wearing robes that you could most definitely not identify her with. They were dark and unmarked, like a Hogwarts uniform, but clearly belonging to no specific house. Madeline Bisset was a shiny new toy, and unbeknownst to her, Hogwarts loved to play.
Madeline's eyes wandered over the twists and turns of the castle, grey eyes piercing through the portraits as they dared to look at her. Her features seemed unblemished (a charm her grandmother had insisted on teaching her), with slightly plump rosy lips and the faintest constellations of freckles, now fading (once again, thank you grandmother). Her eyes held up small bags below them, decorated with a faint dark circle she never truly managed to sleep away. Her nose was perhaps the most recognisable part of her features that truly distinguished her as a Bisset; slightly upturned and thin, contrasting the thick dark eyebrows which were clearly from her father's side of the family. That, alongside with her long dark hair, falling around her face almost too elegantly.
"Hogwarts carries centuries of honour, history, and magic," Professor McGonagall spoke, her elegant and authoritative voice drawing all attention to her, "We very rarely do have such a last minute transfer, but the Headmaster seemed very keen to have you here."
Madeline didn't reply; she didn't need to. Instead, she listened as Professor McGonagall proudly spoke about the school, and of course, it's rules. All of which Madeline had studied only a few nights prior, when she'd discovered of her transfer.
"Do not leave the grounds at any cost," her mother had warned her, "Dumbledore has assured me that he will protect you in the school, but we cannot risk you leaving."
"The allies you make are important, but never let them too close. You won't know who to trust until it's too late."
"Under no circumstance should you tell anybody who your father is if you can help it. Enemies could lie at every corner. And please, do write home often."
"You'll be sorted into your house in the Great Hall along with the first years, although you will be in your fourth year classes and dormitories as discussed," McGonagall assured her as they climbed a narrow set of stone steps, "The students won't be arriving for an hour, but the Headmaster wishes to speak to you first."
"Of course," Madeline replied, the first words she'd spoken since she'd introduced herself upon her arrival.
Changes like this should feel daunting, but to Madeline, they didn't. Hogwarts had a reputation that almost made things... Exciting.
To all but her own mother, Madeline was thought to have left her small French town in favour of an exciting 'scholarship' overseas, one which could carry her through to the end of her education despite her prior homeschooling. Her mother had once been a Beauxbatons Professor, proving to be the perfect educator for her daughter. It was no surprise for a girl of Madeline's skills to be invited to Hogwarts for her fourth year.
But the reality was much more bleak than a simple scholarship. Madeline wasn't safe in her own home, and unbeknownst to her, wouldn't be for a long time.
The two women stopped in front of a large phoenix gargoyle, its wings curved and glistening with golden stone feathers. Professor McGonagall stepped into the alcove, whispering a word to the gargoyle before stepping back next to Madeline. Almost instantly, the gargoyle twisted and turned, lifting to reveal a spiral staircase; the entrance to the Headmasters office.
"Go ahead," Professor McGonagall prompted, a small yet pointed smile on her face, "He's waiting for you."
Madeline nodded, placing her hand on the wall and briskly making her way up the stone steps. The gargoyle moved with her, turning and twisting and bringing her higher up. McGonagall was far gone by the time she'd reached the top, whisked off by the prospect of greeting the first year students. This left Madeline on her own, standing in front of a large gilded door, adorned with two large torches, lit with fire as bright as a phoenix itself.
She wiped her hands against her robes, surprisingly finding herself nervous, before knocking on the large door. It swung open instantly, as if it were expecting her. She supposed it was. She didn't need to be called in, walking through the doorway before the door could swing back onto her.
The room was intricately decorated with any and all magical objects you could possibly imagine. It wasn't very large, but it was most definitely taller than any other room she'd been in inside the castle. It was breathtaking, and a little overwhelming. Sure, it wasn't the perfectly sculpted marble arches of her own home, but it was still imposing and great in its own way. Her eyes scanned the dozens of shelves, stacked high with books upon books upon trinkets. Her gaze finally fell to the large desk in front of her, where a man slowly stood.
"Ah; good evening Miss Bisset," an old bearded man smiled as he stood, gesturing her towards an empty chair across his desk, "Care for a drink? A tea, perhaps?"
"No, thank you," she replied, seating herself slowly, "Are you a friend of my mothers?"
"Your father, actually," Dumbledore answered as he too sat down, peering at her over his half-moon spectacles, "I knew him for a short while. He was a great man; resourceful, and really quite clever."
"I have heard," Madeline answered, her eyes trained on the wooden desk and she sat on her hands. She almost added an 'I never got to meet him', but she was far smarter than putting herself in a vulnerable position within seconds of meeting this man.
"He was a student here years ago," Dumbledore leant back in his chair, continuing casually, "A troublemaker, actually. But he always knew the difference between what was right and what was easy... Much like you it seems, since you're sitting right across from me right now. Has your mother informed you of the situation?"
"Eloise Bisset thrives on mystery, Headmaster," Madeline replied, a fond smile on her face, "She thought it best for you to explain."
"Ah, she did seem to be quite the formidable woman," Dumbledore smiled briefly, his face turning serious, "Now, I will be honest with you Madeline, because I think that's the right way to approach this. There are great threats heading our way, and your family is most certainly not in a favourable position."
"My mother's side of the family supported He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, yes," Madeline's lips pursed painfully, almost a straight line. It was no secret that the Bissets had been avid followers of the Dark Lord, but she would much rather forget it, thank you very much.
"And your father was amongst some of the bravest men I ever met, to openly oppose him without fear. In fact, and I'm not sure if you know this, but your parents had quite a... Star-crossed lovers struggle," Dumbledore finished with a smile, "Your mother thought it best to have you under the protection of Hogwarts, away from your family, just in case the rumours flying in the Wizarding World have some foundation to them."
"And what are these rumours, Headmaster?" Madeline pressed, flinging innocence, "And why would anyone try to hurt me?"
"Something dark is coming, Madeline," Dumbledore leant forwards towards the girl, "You, my dear, have an unfortunate affliction with both sides of what was a tragic war in our world, and a lot of people won't like that. You have your own path to choose, one that your own family tree cannot choose for you. Your mother wants to give you the best chance at that."
"My fathers body wasn't found after the Wizarding War," Madeline pressed, leaning forwards with determination in her eyes, "He went missing after Death Eaters attacked him, but there was never a body. So, Headmaster; does this have anything to do with why I'm here?"
Dumbledore watched the girl for a few moments, and to her surprise, he smiled, "You have his fire and determination, it seems. Nevertheless; a body wasn't found, nor were a lot of people after the war. Your father was grieved with them. To my knowledge, no; your father's disappearance during the war has nothing to do with you here in Hogwarts."
Madeline sighed, leaning back in her chair, "It's going to be quite a year, isn't it?"
Dumbledore smiled, standing and offering his hand to the girl, "Shall we go to dinner? I hear that it's going to be quite delicious tonight. After all, it is the beginning of the year."
"Dare I ask what's for dinner, Headmaster?"
"Everything."
The Great Hall came alive the moment the students returned to Hogwarts.
Life flourished from every inch of the room. Friends who hadn't seen each other for months reunited, sipping pumpkin juice out of gilded goblets and laughing along to anecdotes. The Gryffindor table was particularly rowdy, with the Weasley twins recounting their summer pranks and mischief. Even Neville took part in the rowdy group, laughing along with something that Ginny Weasley had just said. It was only when Dumbledore stepped up to the podium that the room fell into silence, even the floating candles staying perfectly still in respect.
"The very best of evenings to you all," Dumbledore began, arms spread in a warm welcome, "And a very warm welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! There are many exciting things lying ahead of you all this year, but of course, let us start off this year with the Sorting Ceremony!"
Meanwhile, behind the doors leading into the Great Hall, Professor McGonagall was also giving her own brief speech to the first years, and of course, also Madeline, who towered over some of the younger kids in an almost-embarrassing fashion. Almost, because Madeline Bisset does not get embarrassed.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," McGonagall began, with an ease that came only from repeating the speech year after year, "Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin."
"Now, while you are here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you house points. Each one of you has unique traits that will make you best suited for a specific house. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup."
Madeline could feel her palms begin to sweat. Her mother had briefly informed her of the different houses; her father had been a Gryffindor, and she was certain that her mother would have been a Ravenclaw, had she attended Hogwarts. But standing in front of the doors, watching them open... It made everything feel real for the first time since she'd found out about her immediate move.
She had been quite good at keeping a calm demeanour in the face of change. She had, after all, travelled hours away from the only home she had ever known to live out the majority of her year in a massive castle where she knew no one, and with an impending threat just outside the door. Really, she was just glad her mother had the good sense of teaching her French and English fluently from a young age, otherwise she would've had an even harder time.
Madeline held her breath as the large doors opened, revealing the most magnificent dining hall she had ever seen. It was enormous, with four long dark tables stretching towards the front of the hall, where she could see Dumbledore standing. The ceiling had been charmed into a night sky, adorned with floating candles much like the ones in her own home. Everything seemed to be kissed with a layer of golden shine, making the room feel regal, but also welcoming. The only room she'd seen that could rival it was the royal dining hall in the French embassy, but she much preferred floating candles to oil-lit chandeliers.
She walked behind the first years in awe, barely registering the whispers happening around her. It was only when Dumbledore called her name did she bring her attention back to the situation.
"...Madeline Bisset will also be joining us here at Hogwarts for her fourth year, having transferred from overseas," Dumbledore announced simply, "Now, I have a few start of term notices I wish to announce. The first years please note that the dark forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Furthermore, our caretaker, Mr. Filch, would like me to deliver an extra special reminder that curfew is, in fact, still ten o'clock in the evening. Professor McGonagall?"
McGonagall turned to the first years and Madeline, clasping her hands together in front of herself, "When I call your name, you will come forwards, I shall place the sorting hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses."
Behind the woman, Madeline could see a short stool being placed alongside the podium Dumbledore had stood at. A battered brown hat sat itself upon it, McGonagall briskly approaching it and reading from her parchment, "Annabel Bennett."
Madeline watched as the first years slowly began being sorted. From what she could gather by the students reactions, Slytherin was the least favoured house. In fact, a couple of Gryffindors had gone as far as booing when anyone was assigned Slytherin, which in her option, was quite ridiculous.
"I heard all the witches and wizards who went bad are from Slytherin," a first year girl told her friend, Madeline raising her eyebrow at the claim.
It was several minutes into the Sorting Ceremony when Madeline realised that more than a couple eyes were staring at her. In fact, it seemed that the majority of the fourth year students had been watching her, whispering to each other. She'd glared at one girl in particular from Gryffindor, who found it rather hard to keep her opinions to herself.
You see, Madeline Bisset was quite resourceful. She knew her own strengths and wit. She knew that her most powerful weapons were her mind, her beauty, and her tongue. Ever since she was born, she had been taught to walk with her head held high (literally, her grandmother insisted on weekly posture training), and to never allow anyone to see you at your weakest. Did that make her a little cold and cynical sometimes? Sure, but it was the smartest way to do things. And so, when she caught eyes and glares on her, she would eye and glare people back. However, her thoughts were distracted by the sound of McGonagall's voice;
"Madeline Bisset."
The room fell into silence, all eyes on her. The click of her low-heeled black shoes echoed in the hall, her head held high yet her eyes fixated on the stool. Just a few steps. It was easy, really. It was only when the hat was placed on her head did she squirm.
"Ah! Well aren't you an interesting one?" the Sorting Hat began speaking to her, and she quickly realised she was the only one able to hear him, "Yes, I remember your father... A Gryffindor, wasn't he? Well you have plenty of courage, but you definitely have something he didn't have... Yes, you're rather cunning, and ambition flows in your blood. You'd make a rather good fit in Gryffindor, or Slytherin."
"...And which one would keep me safe?" Madeline dared to ask.
Safety had been her priority when she had arrived at Hogwarts. But she was a Bisset through and through, and Bissets thirsted for more. She thirsted to be great and powerful; who didn't? She knew she was destined for great things. She had always known.
"Ah; a clever mind, it seems. But there is something missing for you, isn't there? A need to do something important. A thirst to be something great. I think you know the answer; but tell me, would you rather be safe, or be great?"
Madeline didn't answer, but she didn't need to. The Hat's smile turned wide.
"I see. Well, it has to be... SLYTHERIN!"
There were a few long moments of silence before the Slytherin table erupted in applause, hesitantly followed by the rest of the students. Madeline politely smiled at McGonagall, catching Dumbledore's eyes briefly before making her way to the Slytherin table, surprised to find her robes had magically changed to match the Slytherin uniform.
Two girls had made room for her with the fourth years, for which she was grateful. She sat herself down quickly, yet paid no mind to the stares thrown her way. She didn't feel the need to bite back yet. Instead, she continued to watch the Sorting Ceremony.
Fundamentally, Madeline knew she was selfish. She was destined to be great, after all.
Gryffindor would have kept her safe, but Slytherin would make her great.
The Sorting Ceremony soon ended, Dumbledore taking his place at the podium once more, "And finally; I'd like to introduce the new Professor for Defence Against The Dark Arts; Professor Alastor Moody."
The doors to the Great Hall opened once again, revealing a hobbling man, with matted and balding blonde hair, and most notably, a glass eye held in place by a single spectacle that seemed soldered into his sink. Everyone stared in awe and fear as the man strode across the hall, nodding once at Dumbledore before taking his seat in the empty chair behind the Headmaster, alongside the rest of the teaching staff.
"Mad as a bat, that one," a Slytherin whispered to the left of Madeline, "I heard his eye can see through anything."
Madeline narrowed her eyes at the new Professor. He seemed oddly familiar, yet she couldn't quite place him, as if she was staring at his reflection and not really himself. She quickly averted his eyes the moment he turned to look at her, shrugging away the strange feeling in her chest as nerves. She'd probably recognised him from a newspaper article or something; her mother was always reading the English papers.
"This is a very exciting year for Hogwarts indeed," Dumbledore continued his speech, "But let me not keep you any longer. Let the feast begin!"
Suddenly, every table in the Great Hall filled itself with food and drink - Madeline suspected it was enough to feed the entire school at least twice. Trays of pork and cooked vegetables appeared in front of her, with a rather inviting bowl of mash potato just to her left. She could faintly hear gasps from the first year students, and instead of digging into the feast, Madeline realised something rather important.
Looking around the Great Hall, it finally dawned on her; no one knew her. She was no longer just Madeline Bisset, heir to the Bisset empire. She held no social power over anyone in this room, not in the grounds of Hogwarts at least. She could make her own story, free of her family's influence, far far away from the small French town she'd called home all these years. Sure, Hogwarts may never be a home for her, but she had the freedom to make that choice on her own.
And she had to admit that freedom tastes good on her lips.
"Aren't you going to eat?"
Madeline turned to look at the girl sat opposite her, with long blonde hair and bright blue eyes that could probably pierce through ice. On each lobe, two gorgeous pearl studs. However, she wasn't looking at Madeline with judgement. Instead, it seemed she was... Genuinely curious?
"Just taking it all in," Madeline shrugged, the girls' eyebrows raising.
"You've captured the attention of a lot of people it seems," the girl mused, peering over Madeline's shoulder to the rest of the hall, "Hogwarts doesn't get many transfer students."
Madeline shrugged once more, beginning to pile food onto her plate, "I'll take the obsessive staring from the entire student body as a compliment then."
At the remark, the girl turned back to look at Madeline. She grinned.
"Daphne Greengrass," the girl introduced herself, holding her hand out, "I'm pretty sure you'll be filling the empty bed in my dorm."
"Madeline," she replied, only hesitating for a moment before shaking the girls hand, "Madeline Bisset."
"I know," Daphne grinned, dropping Madeline's hand and gesturing to the table dramatically, "Welcome to Slytherin; home of the cunning, ambitious, and according to recent legend; the embodiments of evil themselves. Snakes love us; lions hate us."
"Quit the dramatics, Greengrass," a boy to Madeline's left rolled his eyes, turning to look at the new Slytherin girl, "Sorry; my acquaintance here has a flare for the dramatics."
"Oh Theodore, you never let me have any fun," Daphne whined playfully, pouting at Madeline, "You see, here in Slytherin we also have Mister Nott, who loves to stamp out any and all joys in my life. Boo hoo."
"With good reason," Theodore nodded to himself, ignoring Daphne's offended gasp and turning back to Madeline, "I assume French?"
"How did you know?" Madeline asked with surprise, ignoring the hushed whispers floating behind her.
"The 'Bisset' gave it away, although you don't have as strong of an accent as I would've guessed," Theodore shrugged, looking over his shoulder and smirking, "Gosh, no one has ever created quite a scene like this since the Golden Boy himself showed up at Hogwarts."
Madeline raised her eyebrow, noticing different little patches of students around the hall taking turns to stare at her, before turning back to their house table and whispering, "Golden Boy?"
"Harry Potter, of course," Daphne supplied loudly, a spoonful of mash hovering near her mouth, "The Boy Who Lived, yap yap yap."
Ah, yes. Harry Potter; a legend even in the French circles of the Wizarding World. She had almost forgotten all about the celebrity student. She turned to look behind her, trying to spot the boy to no avail.
"You'd think people had better things to gossip about," Madeline observed, turning back to her new housemates, "Honestly, they should put their eyes back in their sockets."
To Madeline's surprise, both Daphne and Theodore broke into a snicker. Madeline found herself grinning, something inside her softening. Socialising was easier than she'd thought, especially without her overbearing grandmother on her shoulder.
Daphne's grin widened, a twinkle in her eyes, "Oh I'm going to love having you around."
Madeline let herself laugh lightly, Theodore making some remark back at Daphne. However, Madeline's attention was taken elsewhere when she locked eyes with another classmate, sat only a few seats up from Daphne.
The boy had silver-blonde hair, with grey eyes that seemed fixed on Madeline's own. He seemed somewhat familiar. He watched her curiously, Madeline staring back in defiance. After a few silent moments, the boy simply smirked at her, a cocky wink accompanying it before he turned back to his food.
Madeline furrowed her brows. Did she know him, or was he just an ass? Probably both.
But nevertheless; she'd made it through Sorting. She was in Hogwarts, sat enjoying a meal miles away from her home. And for a few comfortable moments, she could forget why she was in the castle, and enjoy the feeling of being a normal teenager. The comfortable moments weren't something she should get used to, she knew this.
But she could… Indulge. Just for a little while, right?
"Moody won't stop staring at the new girl, have you noticed?" Hermione nudged her best friend, nodding towards the teachers table.
"He's not the only one," Harry huffed, tilting his head over to Seamus and Dean, who had barely touched their plates.
"We've got the rest of our lives to eat," Seamus sighed, eyes glued to the Slytherin table.
"Careful; Malfoy might think you fancy him," Ron muttered, far more invested in his food than the two boys.
Hermione rolled her eyes, muttering, "Unbelievable."
"Blimey, what's the big deal?" Ron asked, finally ungluing his eyes from his plate and turning to his friends, "A new Slytherin? Just another one of Malfoys' goons if you ask me."
"Weasley, take a look!"
"Stop treating her like a piece of meat," Hermione demanded, "You'll find that women don't actually enjoy being objectified. Right, Ron?"
"Yeah, right- oh bloody hell," Ron's eyes widened at the sight of their new classmate, "You know what; she's not that bad looking for one of Malfoy's goons."
Hermione scoffed, turning to Harry, "Can you believe this?"
But alas, Harry was far more preoccupied by the Ravenclaw table, where Cho Chang was happily chatting to her housemates. Of course, out of all of her friends, Hermione was the only one with her head on her shoulders.
Hermione turned to watch as their new professor took a swing of liquid from a flask, eyes still watching the Slytherin table. She then peered over her shoulder to the dark head of hair that was Madeline Bisset, politely eating her meal and chatting to the people around her. She had a funny feeling about that girl, and not like the ones Seamus and Dean probably had.
They'd never get a quiet year in Hogwarts, would they?
Chapter reviewed and edited: 27/10/22