Interstellar || Draco Malfoy

1 || Strange New World

Desdemona Littlesea; a bright young witch with an acidic tongue.

She'd grown up wild, and on the run from the woman who claimed to want the best for the unruly child. The woman in question was an older woman who ran the orphanage young Desdmona ran away from. The woman, although appearing to be nothing other than kind, had a mean streak- one Desdemona happened to be on the receiving end of constantly.

Due to her upbringing, Desdemona had grown strong- both mentally and physically. Her quick wits got her out of trouble countless times, and her fists got her out of altercations that couldn't be avoided. At only ten years old, Desdemona was hardened by the outside world. And when her birthday came around, she'd stolen herself a small cake from the windowsill of a nearby cottage, prepared to spend another birthday alone.

However, this would not be the case. Just as Desdemona was about to bite into the sweet looking cake, a very strict looking woman appeared at the end of the alleyway the young girl was hiding in. The woman adjusted the hat on her head- a pointy one that made Desdemona snicker- and approached the young girl with her hand outstretched. Enclosed in her bony hand was a sealed letter.

Desdemona's curiosity got the better of her, and she gently took the letter from the woman. She glanced at the seal, but the address was what really caught her attention. It was addressed to her, but also to the exact alleyway she'd decided to make her temporary home. She tore open the letter, hoping to find some answers to the questions swimming in her mind. But, the letter only filled her head with more questions- ones that would be answered softly by the stern woman as she took Desdemona by the hand.

Professor McGonagall, as Desdemona learned was the woman's name- took the slightly dirty child with her to a nearby tavern. Just as Desdemona was going to object to being in such a place, she actually took a look around. The tavern was full of floating objects following after men and women with sticks in their hands, mugs of frothing liquid placed on nearby tables smelled sweet, and the fire that seemed miles away was warming Desdemona's fingers as if it were right beside her.

This was not the intended destination, as Professor McGonagall led the awestruck girl to the back of the room. When they exited the pub, they were met with a brick wall. Desdemona watched in wonderment as the seasoned witch tapped some bricks with her wand, and nearly gasped as the brick wall started to fold away, revealing a bustling alley full of colorful shops, laughing children, and amused parents.

Professor McGonagall watched as the young girl she'd informed was a witch took in her first glance of Diagon Alley. She paid attention to the shops and items the girl glanced toward, compiling a list that could hint toward the kind of personality Desdemona had. The young girl's eyes flitted from shop to shop, lingering on Eeylops Owl Emporium, Flourish and Blotts, and Quality Quidditch Supplies. The professor nodded, remembering that she was told to spare no expense on the young girl, and took the girl to gather her school necessities first.

Desdemona watched attentively and with awe as she gathered her school books from Flourish and Blotts. Her eyes drifted to other books, but thought it best not to ask for more than she was already being given. The professor also equipped Desdemona with a cauldron made of pewter, a set of brass scales, a set of crystal phials, and a telescope. Of course, after each item was purchased, Professor McGonagall waved her hand and sent the items away- something that amazed Desdemona, and it left her wondering where it was all going.

Madam Malkin had tsked at Desdemona after her measurements were taken, mumbling about how skinny the obviously malnourished girl appeared to be. She returned with the girl's school robes, the fabric seeming unnaturally small. Madam Malkin told Professor McGonagall that she'd enchanted the clothing to fit her small body while she reached a healthy weight, and they would last through the first year of her schooling. Desdemona hadn't been paying much attention, as her green eyes zeroed in on a stark white snowy owl that was desperate to escape its cage.

Professor McGonagall sent the robes, gloves, and hat away while watching the girl. She followed the young witch's gaze, setting her keen eyes on an owl that seemed to be throwing a fit. The professor recognized the look in the owl's eyes, one of desperation and distress- the same look Desdemona had in her eyes when the professor found her. So, the professor sent the girl to Olivander's Wand Shop with a handful of magical money before she strode over to the owl emporium.

Desdemona and Olivander startled each other, both jumping at the presence of another person. Olivander hadn't expected anyone to be in his shop, let alone a silent child. Yet, as he took in the slightly disheveled appearance of the girl, he recognized who she was almost immediately. With a hum, he'd begun looking through the many wand boxes he possessed. He had Desdemona try out a fair few wands before he hummed again, reaching for another box with a sad look in his eyes.

The wand in question was a 12 ¾ inch fir wand, one that was dark in color and twisted in texture. The core of the wand was the feather of a phoenix- a phoenix that dropped another feather. The wand, although large in Desdemona's small hands, was a perfect fit for the young witch. When she tested the wand, warmth radiated through Desdemona's fingers and up her arm, almost forcing her to drop the wand.

But, the unusual wand chose Desdemona, and with a sad and satisfied smile on his lips, Olivander accepted the money Desdemona gave to him. He watched her leave the shop with an awestruck expression, making him feel even sadder than before. He hoped she would be greater than the witch whose wand was made with the other phoenix feather ever was.

Once Desdemona stepped out of the wand shop, her new wand in hand, she was met with McGonagall holding an empty owl cage. When she questioned the professor, she only pointed upwards with a smile. Desdemona looked up, catching sight of the snowy owl she'd been interested in flying above the alley. Professor McGonagall told the young witch that the owl was hers now, a pet to keep her company at Hogwarts. Desdemona smiled, taking the empty cage with a grin on her face.

The day in Diagon Alley was over far too quickly, in Desdemona's opinion. She was hoping to learn much more about the new world she was to be a part of, but the sun was going down and the professor who'd escorted her around Diagon Alley told the girl that it was time to go. Professor McGonagall had taken Desdemona's hand and led her to a fireplace. A handful of gray ash was set in Desdemona's hand, and she was told by the professor to throw it down when she did.

After a frightening and sudden venture through the Floo network, Desdemona stood in a different place, her hand clutching onto the professor's hand. Professor McGonagall glanced down at the girl before leading her up some stairs and into a room. There was a bed, a dresser full of clothes just Desdemona's size, and all of Desdemona's school supplies located within the room. The professor told the girl not to leave the building, and that she would be back for her in three days time in order to take her to King's Cross station, and then to Platform 9 ¾. 

With a crack, Professor McGonagall was gone, and Desdemona was left to her own devices. She opened up her window, hoping to get some air flowing through the room, before she sat on the bed with Hogwarts: A History and started reading about the new school she'd be attending in just three days.