The Other Daughter- A Harry Potter Fanfiction

Chapter 8- Memories

"Hello, Miss Lestrange." 

Shadow came this close to screaming. She spun around and her stomach dropped. Albus Dumbledore was standing in front of her. She quickly removed the invisibility spell. 

"How did you know I was there, Sir? And how..." Shadow asked. Dumbledore smiled.

"I have my ways. I know you met with Bellatrix Lestrange tonight." Shadow began to panic. 

"Sir, please, I'm not helping the death eaters, I swear, she's-" Dumbledore raised his hand to silence her.

"Miss Lestrange, I am perfectly aware that Bellatrix Lestrange is your mother. When your name first appeared on the Hogwarts enrollment list, you were listed as Shadow Lestrange-Riddle. Even though Voldemort has taken on a different name, his blood name and yours was still Riddle. Your sister was on the list as well, but the Rowles refused to enroll her. You see, your name, as well as any students born to magical parents, appeared the day you were born, when you were still in the care of your real parents." he explained. "As soon as I saw your last name, I knew what had happened. I never quite understood why Voldemort wanted children." 

"When I was in the care of my parents? I lived with them?" Shadow asked. Dumbledore smiled.

"You were born in the spring of 1980. Your mother wasn't arrested until winter 1981. You and your sister were raised by your parents until you were nearly two years old. Well, when I say parents, I really mean your mother. Lord Voldemort was never much of a parent from what I've gathered. Too interested in immortality and the domination of the wizarding world I suppose." Shadow liked the thought of her one year old self in Lestrange Manor with Bellatrix and Delphi. Dumbledore turned and began to walk away. "Come with me. There's something you should see." Shadow followed Dumbledore to his office. Once they were inside, Dumbledore walked over to a glass cabinet and removed a small glass vial. He led Shadow over to a shallow bowl that seemed to be filled with a substance that was neither gas nor liquid. He uncorked the vial and poured the contents into the bowl. He then turned to Shadow.

"This is a pensieve. It allows you to see memories. This is a memory of mine from when your mother was at Hogwarts." he explained. Shadow stared at the pensieve in awe. Dumbledore extended his hand. Shadow took it.

"Come." he said. He leaned toward the pensieve, then Shadow was falling. She landed next to Dumbledore in the same office, but there was another, younger Dumbledore sitting at the desk. The door to the office opened. Shadow and Dumbledore turned around, and Shadow gasped. It was like looking in a mirror. A fifteen or sixteen year old girl in a Slytherin uniform stood in the office door. Shadow didn't have to ask to know this was Bellatrix. The only difference between them was that Bellatrix's eyes were dark brown, almost black, and Shadow was also a bit taller. The teenager Bellatrix walked toward the desk. 

"Hello, Miss Black." pensieve Dumbledore said. "I assume you know why you're here." Bellatrix lifted her head defiantly, something Shadow had been told that she did often. 

"I'm afraid I don't, Sir." Bellatrix stated. Pensieve Dumbledore folded his hands patiently.

"Miss Black, do you recall the instance this afternoon when you attempted to use an unforgivable curse on another student?" Bellatrix faltered. 

"I...um...I don't know what you're talking about." She crossed her arms stubbornly. 

"Bellatrix, I understand that you have a difficult home life, but you can't let it turn you to the dark arts. I know your mother was a death eater, but-" Pensieve Dumbledore was cut off.

"DON'T YOU DARE SAY A WORD AGAINST MY MOTHER!" Bellatrix screamed, suddenly alight with fury. "DON'T YOU DARE! YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SHE DID FOR US!" Shadow wondered if she was the only one who noticed the tears in Bellatrix's eyes. Pensieve Dumbledore still didn't seem phased. 

"Miss Black, I'm sure your mother's death was a major blow to your family, but that isn't why you're here." he said. His response didn't help Bellatrix at all.

"YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I'M GOING THROUGH!" she yelled, but now she seemed more pained then angry. "YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LOSE THE ONLY PERSON IN THE WORLD WHO LOVES YOU! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE LEFT IN CHARGE OF YOUR SISTERS BECAUSE YOUR ABUSIVE FATHER DOESN'T CARE IF THEY LIVE OR DIE!" She stopped. She must've just noticed that she was crying. She seemed embarrassed by her tears. Pensieve Dumbledore stood up and put a hand on Bellatrix's shoulder. 

"Miss Black, unfortunately, I completely understand." he said. "I believe we need to discuss your home life. I could get you and your sisters away from your father, if that is truly what you wish." The real Dumbledore turned to Shadow. 

"I think it's time to go." He said. Before Shadow knew what was happening, she was rising up and away from the scene and found herself standing next to Dumbledore in his present day office. Shadow was slightly stunned. Dumbledore smiled at her expression.

"I just thought you should see that. I do believe that innocent, well, somewhat innocent, young girl is still in there. Some are altered by the circumstances of life. Goodnight."

Shadow took that as her cue to leave. She exited the office and headed up to her bed, knowing that she wouldn't get much sleep. She was always up at dawn. But she considered the lack of sleep worth it, since it gave her a chance to finally meet her mother, Bellatrix Lestrange.

AN: Because of Umbridge, Shadow doesn't start going by Lestrange at Hogwarts until the beginning of her 6th year.