Darkness on the Horizon

Ch. 2

Once I arrived back at Hogwarts I quickly unpacked my trunk. I took a few pictures of Scorp to my office placing them on my desk. And between those photos was a family picture we had taken a few months after the final battle. I smiled softly at the photo as love filled me before I shifted my focus back to making sure I didn't have any work to do.

I scooped up the letter from Severus which gave me the names a two children both from various orphanages that I would be picking up to get their supplies. One was scheduled for tomorrow and the other for Friday. I was to pick them up get their supplies and drop them back at the orphanage. My heart clenched because I didn't want them to go back to any orphanage. I had no idea how they were treated there and that scared me knowing from my own experience. I stood up going to Professor McGonagall. She was an Animagus and she could spy on the children for me to see how they were being treated.

"Minerva," I called out causing her to face me in shock. She hadn't expected me to come to her. "Those children you assigned me to take for supplies. Could you maybe turn into your cat form and spy on them for me?" Pity flashed in the old Professor's eyes as she saw my childlike fear glimmering in my eyes despite my effort to hide it.

"Of course," she told me as I looked at her for a moment. I debated with myself for a minute before I gave Minerva a brief hug. She returned the gesture in surprise before she pulled back. "I'll go let Severus know and then I'll meet you at the orphanage tomorrow."

"Thank you," I said before I headed to my room. I changed into my pajamas sitting on my mattress. I flipped through my textbooks as well as the old curriculum plan trying to keep my mind off the two girls I would be seeing in the next few days. I hadn't expected Sev to have me work with orphans given my history. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to remain professional with these children. Eventually as it grew late into the night I rolled over to attempt sleep but wound up staring at the ceiling for several more hours. And when I finally fell asleep I dreamt of the orphanage I grew up in.

"Get over here you little freak!" The head woman at the orphanage screamed at me. I scrambled over to her only for her to shove me onto the floor. "You broke that dish!" She growled pointing at the shattered plate on the floor. My eyes widened knowing I hadn't touched the dish.

"I didn't," I sobbed as she grew angrier.

"Go to your room and don't come out until I get you!" She spat as I raced away.

I woke up covered in sweat. Tears had fallen down my cheeks as the harsh memory played in my mind over and over. I forced the thoughts aside getting dressed. I grabbed black skinny jeans, a white tank top, and a deep green leather jacket. I slipped them on before I pulled on my black stilettos. I took one last glance in the mirror with a breath. I was terrified but knew that this child needed me and so I apperated to the orphanage. I hadn't been there long when Minerva transformed into her human form.

"The orphanage seems to be treating her fine. She's lonely but they don't hurt her from what I have seen," Minerva said softly. I still didn't want to leave her here but I had no choice.

"Thank you," I said before I knocked on the door to the orphanage. The door opened to reveal a small child no more than four. "Hi sweetie, I'm Isabelle and I'm here to see Danielle." The girl pointed into a small sitting room where I found the head of the orphanage sitting with a girl. The girl was crying and the head of the orphanage was attempting to calm her.

"What if they change their mind? What if I get kicked out?" The girl sobbed as the woman beside her smiled softly.

"Then I'll be here for you," she said as the girl hugged her. I stepped into the room as the girl stiffened looking over at me. "Hello. You must be the Professor from Hogwarts."

"Yes, I'm Professor Malfoy and I'm here to see if Miss Danielle would like to come with me and I would also like to answer any questions she may have," I said smiling kindly at Danielle. She stared at the floor refusing to meet my eyes. I decided that I was going to take this slow so I sat on the floor as the head of the orphanage looked at me. I wanted to be as non-threatening as possible so I chose the floor. "Danielle, take as much time as you need. I won't rush you." I told her while the orphanage owner held the girl's hand in hers. The girl didn't move and so I turned to the owner. "Could you give us a minute?"

"Yeah sure," she said getting up. The girl looked at her watching until the owner had left the room. I kept my eyes on the little girl in front of me analyzing her. She was small with dark hair. She reminded me a lot of myself at her age.

"I'm going to tell you something," I told her softly. "I grew up in a orphanage." I said as her green eyes snapped up to meet my blue ones. I could see her taking me in as I smiled at her. "I know you are scared but I'm here to help." She just stared at me taking in my words. I could see her inner conflict as she tried to decipher if I was telling the truth or not.

"What am I?" She finally spoke as my smile grew.

"You are a witch, just like me," I said as she stared at me.

"Is that why my parents didn't want me?" She asked with tears collecting in her jade eyes.

"Oh sweetie," I said my smile gone as I slowly crawled closer to her pulling the 11 year old into my arms. She stiffened at the contact before slowly relaxing into my arms. "I don't know anything about your parents but I want you to know, being a witch isn't something to be ashamed of. It makes you stronger than any Muggle." She smiled weakly at me before she spoke.

"What's a Muggle?" She asked me as I grinned.

"Oh. I forgot to explain that. A Muggle is someone who doesn't have magic," I told her simply. "Now, what do you say we go shopping and you can ask as many questions as you want?!"

"Okay," she said as I stood up. I took her hand in mine gently.

"This might feel uncomfortable the first time but I promise this method of travel gets better with time," I said softly.

"What is it?" She asked me.

"Basically we are going to teleport to Diagon Alley," I told her with a smirk. "Hold on tight." She squeezed my hand as I apperated us to Diagon Alley.