The Dark Lords Daughter *completed*

Last minute shopping

As the days closed in on the 1st of September, the air seemed to become thick with the promise of a storm. Great black clouds rolled in off of the mountains and settled in for a long stay. Grace became restless, she would prance up and down the pasture fence, tossing her head and snorting. I was unable to comfort her as the crackle of electricity thrummed in the air, all at once the sky seemed to open and a torrent of rain drenched the land. I was lucky enough to have brought Grace into the barn moments before the storm struck. All day and well into the night the storm continued great drums of thunder shook the ground and flacked of lightening splintered the sky. I sat within Graces stable trying to keep the frightened mare calm, it was just passing midnight when the barn door flew open and a gust of wind brought chaos into the barn. Two figures stood within the doorway their faces shrouded in darkness, a timely flash of light revealed them to me an elderly couple. The man dressed in ornate robes and slouched hat, his wrinkled face held a long white, wispy beard upon his head wavy lock of light grey hair, his blue eyes held a mischievous twinkle and his lips were curved into a caring smile. His acquaintance beside his was a short, thin woman who was dressed in dark green robes. Her hat including ear flaps which were tied tightly beneath her chin, preventing the tormenting wind from ripping it from her tightly pinned-back hair. Her face was kind, but stern and her eyes scanned my face, her recognition building with each pass over my features.

My attention was suddenly consumed once again in my frightened horse, upon the opening of the doors she had become increasingly unruly. Her nostrils flared as she snorted, she reared repeatedly lashing out wildly with her front legs, as her eye rolled back threatening in her head.

" Gracie, grace. Woo darling don't fret" I did in as calm a voice as I could manage

"Shh... My love, shh..." Slowly she began to calm and remain all four feet on the floor. Once completely settled I snuck out of the stable to greet my unexpected guests.

"Hello" I said sweetly , smiling politely at them both as my uncle had taught me to do to his business partners.

"Why hello Miss Riddle," the elderly man spoke in a rasping voice, his knowledge of my name threw me slightly and I unknowingly took a step back.

"Oh, do not fear us child. We are here to help you." I was the woman who responded to my wary look.

"My name is Professor McGonagall and this" she gesture to the man next to her, " is Professor Ablus Dumbledore" I gasped, the head master of Hogwarts was here in my barn.

"We are here to figure out why is it you do not want to come to our school?" Her voice was soft and understanding her eye shone with empathy. Unable to help it my eyes quickly darted to Grace and then back to my guests.

Dumbledore saw this and smiled, his head nodding slightly.

"I think Minerva there are some comforts which we cannot replicate at our school." He nodded towards Grace who was happily munching away on her haynet, the storm all but forgotten. "Minerva" nodded understanding, her smile dropped in thought.

"Albus is there no way?" She whispered desperately, her emerald eyes glistening.

"We have never had a student who has brought such an animal to our grounds" he spoke aloud his eyes never leaving mine,

"However if Miss Riddle promises to keep up with her school work and not fall behind in classes, then a compromise may be found." I stood in shock my face broken into a smile, I felt my eyes welling up with tears and I couldn't help but run forwards and wrap an arm around each of them.

"Oh thank you, thank you so much!" I cried burying my tearful face into their cloaks, for once in my life I felt like I belonged, I was wanted.

A reassuring hand was placed on my back and a chuckle rumbled in Dumbledore's chest, I finally released them beaming and laughing, I swiped helplessly at my unrestrained tears. McGonagall's face was drawn into a small smile her eyes also brimming with tears.