The Daughter of R.A.B

Prologue - Explanation

Regulus is a year older and his mission was a year early. Astraea is the same age as the twins. They are two years older than the golden trio.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regulus Arcturus Black survives the inferi filled lake heavily injured. After severing his arm containing the Dark Mark, he takes refuge in Chateau Noir, an abandoned Black family estate. He couldn't call Kreacher because of the orders he gave him before going to his death, or what was supposed to be his death. And he didn't dare call his brother, Sirius, who is probably celebrating his death right about now.

So he goes down to the isolated wizard town nearby. He meets a nice woman that offers to heal him, by the name of Ariella. He thought it was fate, since his name was a star in the lion constellation and her name meant lioness of god. She then swore to secrecy and visited his cottage often.

They quickly fell in love and got married in hiding. In the year 1978, she gave birth to a daughter by the name of Astraea, meaning star. As she was the star of their lives. Regulus never thought he'd live past the age of eighteen, but here he was, not only alive but dare he say happy as well and with a family of his own. When his daughter was only three, the news spread of the death of the Potters, Voldemort and the arrest of his brother. Whilst he knew that Sirius would never ever betray his friends (though his family was another matter apparently) he couldn't muster the power to care. So the family of three continued on with their lives like nothing happened, other than a small celebration for the however temporary death of the Dark Lord.

Even though Astraea was raised in isolation, she learned her social cues/tricks and her family history. She inherited her parents love of books and curiosity. She was daddies girl through and through, though she loved her mother immensely, she always wanted to learn everything about her father and his interests. He taught her astronomy so that she could easily recognize the stars from wherever she was.

By the age of five, she was obsessed with the large seemingly endless Black library and has never met another child her age. Sure she's talked with one or two 10 year old's from the town, but that didn't really count. By the age of nine, she knew 8 languages, learned all the pre-courses for Hogwarts, made 0 friends, read 1/2 the library and was ready for anything the world threw at her. Or so she thought.

Two months later, after her ninth birthday, her dad was killed.

It was a coincidence really, that three death eaters were on a mission in the town nearby, they happened to bump into Regulus and they all fought. And they all died. Voldemort was not notified and neither was the Order of the Phoenix. The only people aware of the tragic death was the family of now two. Ariella took great care of her little star, but somedays were harder than others, as she was a widowed mother. Astraea learned how to fend for herself, she learned basic defense (muggle and wizard versions), she learned to cook and to observe. She knew when her mum was feeling down and when she was in a good mood.

Once her Hogwarts letter arrived, she was very mature for her age, caring of those she loved, cunning and smart, she gobbled up any knowledge thrown at her and she NEVER forgot her father. Which wasn't very hard to do, since she had a portable portrait of him in her locket, so that he'd literally always be there for her.

She was ecstatic that she was heading to THE best magical school in Britain.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------