Lestrange

Chapter 2: Diagon Alley and the Demented Train Ride

Dedicated to LilyShipsDramione195:

     As you might have imagined, much of my summer was spent in the basement. Food was scare, beatings were common occurrence, and my uncle seemed determined to make my life as miserable as possible before I was sent to Hogwarts. While I had initially decided to remain silent on the subject of my meeting with the headmaster, I knew Lucius would eventually grow suspicious of my unwillingness to discuss the meeting.

     Therefore, I reluctantly confessed that I had been admitted to Hogwarts, and my uncle had reacted about as well as suspected. The lash marks on my back were a reminder of why I had chosen to omit the parts where Dumbledore offered me protection, lodging, and a position in the Order of the Phoenix. Months passed and little else changed. I entertained myself by practicing what magic I could without the help of a wand to channel my powers.

     One afternoon, when the all-too familiar gait of my uncle – which was characterized by the third footfall of his cane – shook the ceiling overhead, I extinguished the glowing orb I had conjured and met him at the wrought iron gate that served as my door. His smug expression made my blood boil, but I simply met his gaze with a façade of disinterest, knowing any reaction on my part would only aggravate him.

     "A letter came for you this morning," he stated, pulling an envelope from the folds of his cloak. "This small piece of paper guarantees your acceptance into Hogwarts."

     When I reached through the bars to grab the letter, Lucius snatched it back and said, "Unfortunately, it appears the young witch to whom this letter was addressed was not home to receive it."

     He tore the acceptance letter in half and smiled coldly, reveling in the desperation upon my face. His smile quickly faded, however, when my hand shot outwards and a concussive wave knocked him off his feet. I looked down at my hand with wide eyes, then met my uncle's gaze. Fear flashed through his eyes but was quickly replaced by rage, and I backed away from the gate as he rushed toward me.

     Metal slammed against concrete and the resulting sound rang through the room, echoing in my ears. I raised my hands defensively as Lucius towered over me, but as he drew his wand from the sheathe within his walking cane, a flash of light emerged from between us. I barely had time to look down and take Dobby's hand before he apparated, leaving me standing before a fireplace with a portrait of a woman above the mantel.

     "Albus said you'd be coming," a gruff voice claimed with a sigh, and I whipped around to find a man nearly identical to Dumbledore standing behind me.

     He wore a cloak of blue velvet, his long, gray beard in stark contrast to the dark fabric of his robes.

     He looks like Merlin, I mused, though I knew it was not the legendary wizard who stood before me.

     "Aberforth," I whispered, and when the elder magician nodded, I knew the portrait on the wall belonged to Ariana Dumbledore.

     While Aunt Cissy lectured me on the more generic subjects found in schools, my uncle saw to it that I learned every dark secret held by the most prominent families in the Wizarding World, so it was only natural that I knew Ariana had been tragically killed during a heated duel between Albus, his brother, and Gellert Grindelwald.

     "Did Professor Dumbledore say anything else?" I asked, and Aberforth scoffed, shaking his head.

     "My brother tells me only what I need to know, as if I am not his flesh and blood," he grumbled, gesturing to a large trunk in the corner, which bore my initials. "Inside, you will find your books, along with the other necessary requirements for the school year. Of course, you will still need to visit Diagon Alley, as a wand can only be found in select stores. Dobby will take you there, and then escort you to Platform 9 ¾."