The Slytherin Princess

ONE

DISCLAIMER: The Harry Potter novels are written by J.K.Rowling and all credits go to her; I did not write the series and this is fanfiction written for my own entertainment.       

                               Thank you!

"Grandfather, is that you?" I whisper. I take off my shoes and pad upstairs to my grandfathers study, silently willing it to not be who I think it is. A low rumble reverberates through my eardrums, and with a flick of my wand, the door swings open slowly.
Grandfather lies there immobile, propped up on his chair with his head lolling to the side, eyes shut.
Suddenly, his eyes flicker open, and the rumbling stops. Set in his face like two verdant valleys, filled with confusion and amusement, his eyes gaze up at me.
"You woke me! Why thank you, mon petite papillote, I would have missed my meeting. Do you need something?"
I sighed. God, this happened every time.
"Jesus, Grandfather, your snoring could turn this house to rubble in one minute flat! I thought the Dark Lord was here."
My grandfather looked at me sternly, shaking his head.
"Don't you know better than that? I would have told you!"
"I know, Grandfather. I'm sorry for bothering you. By the way, Mitzy has prepared dinner for an hour from now. Your meeting should be over by then, no?" I had hope that Grandfather would say yes, but I knew he wouldn't. He never did. I know he loves me, but it wasn't easy for him; I look exactly like my mother, with the same long white hair and big viridescent eyes. My mother died along with my father on my first birthday.
They had been on their way home from a family gathering when they were caught in the crossfire of a group of death eaters. They were killed instantly. The very worst thing was, though, that her last words were about me.
"We have to go home for the baby. I love you, Dad. See you soon!"  
Ironic, huh? It's difficult not to blame oneself when those are the last words.
I tuck my hair behind my ear, and look up hopefully. He seems absorbed in a letter. I peer over the desk and read it upside down.

Dearest Anthraxus,

You should know that there will always be a place open for Anthraxia at Hogwarts if she should wish to come! Your name itself could get your granddaughter in anywhere, and it is an honour to be considered for the education of one of the no doubt talented Argent witches or wizards. If she were to start, it would be on the 1st of September. All fees should be sent in for the first term"... she skipped to the end. Fees were boring. She knew she could probably pay them out of her own pocket right now if asked.
"Sincerely,
        Albus Dumbledore

PostScript: All students are allowed one pet of choice; a rat, an owl, or a cat. "

"Is this what you've chosen for me, Grandfather? Hogwarts?" I yawned. Alright, Voldemort had gone there, and he was talented enough, but I didn't understand this whole transferring business; Beauxbaton's was perfect, and even though Grandfather's new job took him to London, I wasn't very interested in the new school search. It had meant me forfeiting my entire summer in Rome to move into the new mansion that my Grandfather had purchased in order to be closer to London. Given, the mansion was beautiful, with its high ceilings, dark mahogany walls, and expansive libraries, but it was all boring to me. I had grown up with these luxuries; why should I be shocked by this?

"Yes, Thraxia, you will be going to Hogwarts. Most of the greatest wizards in the History of Magic have gone to Hogwarts, and no doubt you will make the list, so why not? You are far more talented than any witch or wizard there, and Slytherin will be the perfect fit for a pureblood like you. They are all about blood purity." It did sound pretty decent to me. Slytherin sounded exactly like Ombrelune, my house in Beauxbatons. Perhaps this wouldn't be so inconvenient. I was, at this point, perfectly happy to go, but I wanted just one more thing.
"Grand-papa?"
"Yes, Thraxia?" He tilted his head, questioning.
"I think," I said, haltingly, as if I really didn't want to go, and this might change my mind, "that if I really am going to Hogwarts, then a little shopping trip might be in order?" I grinned impishly, before adding in a hasty tone;
"Obviously for books, and for robes, and things like.. a cat?"

My grandfather smiled at me. I let my usually smooth mask show my dimples, and he softened.
"Why of course, my dear! I would gladly buy you the whole of Diagon Alley if you asked me!"
With one last flash of a smile, the letters on his desk absorbed him once again, and I turned to leave, excitement burning in my veins.
Mission accomplished!

                                         ~

"Oh come ON, Mitzy," I yell to the useless house elf who is trudging behind me. In her arms tower a cascading pile of books, robes, and other school items.

"Only one more thing to buy, and then I will buy you something from Honeyduke's." The bell to The Magical Menagerie tinkles like a laugh in my ears, and I am hit by the smell of rat droppings and cat food. Lovely. The shop is small in comparison to the other shops in the North side of Diagon Alley, and the shelves piled with cages stretch up to the ceiling, the silver bars like long spider legs lazily keeping in their prey. The counter is piled high with packages with labels such as "Dragon Blood; do NOT open", and "Albino Snakes (poisonous)". This particular package wriggles a little as I get into close proximity. It smells rather sickly, and I back away. A heavy obstacle behind me stops me in my tracks. A tall, lanky boy with ginger hair and freckles on his face like a connect the dots magazine stands there, a rat in his hands. The rat appears to have several bite marks in it, and looks a little, well, ratty.
Behind him is a girl. She is a little shorter than the ginger, and in her arms writhes a large, ugly cat. The cats hair is the same colour as the boys; the expression on their faces is somewhat similar too. They are both scowling at each other, and with a quick glance at the rat, it isn't hard to tell why.

I throw out a gloved hand.
"Anthraxia Argent. Lovely to meet you. And you are?" I wait for my name to have the desired affect, and it doesn't dissapoint.
The girl gasps, and her bushy hair seems to frizz even more.
The boy blinks in surprise, and then composes himself.
"No way?! You're Argent! I thought that was just a rumor. You're going to be in our year. I'm Ron Weasley, this is my rat, Scabbers. Hermione's cat here seems to think Scabbers is a chew toy, so I need to buy some rat ointment for him." He takes my hand and shakes it, eyes widening slightly at my firm grip.
Hermione reaches out and shakes my hand too.
"Don't listen to a word he says, Crookshanks wouldn't hurt a fly, would you, Crookshanks?" she coos, rubbing the cat's belly.
"Hermione Granger. It's an honour to meet you."

I like these two. They are definetly not my usual type of friends, but they seem.. normal. And most of my life is anything but. It's refreshing almost.
"So, Anthraxia, whatever are you here for? You seem to have gotten all of your books and robes already?" says Ron, glancing down at Mitzy, who is trying to pry her little toe out of a nearby rat's jaws. I glance down and the rat springs away, cowering in the corner of its cage. I have a knack for animals.
"I'm looking for a cat." I announce, and a voice cuts through the air from behind me.
"Anthraxia Argent! What an honour to have you in my shop! You want a cat, no?"
I nod, and the little wrinkled old man who has materialized behind the counter smiles, the corner of his eyes crumpling like old paper.
"Right this way, Miss Argent. I have just the one for you."
With one last warm smile at Ron and Hermione, I allow myself to be whisked away further into the depths of Diagon Alley.

WRITER'S NOTES:

Yes, I am fully away that Scabbers couldn't be with Ron if this is his 5th year because of the whole plot line of the 3rd year but you will all conveniently ignore that for me :)))
It's for the purpose of Ron and Hermione having a reason to meet Anthraxia.
Also I am aware of what Anthrax is I just like the name.
Thank you for reading!! Make sure to comment and follow and vote for etc etc etc!!