Chapter 7
"Another lap!"
Raven double over, gasping for air as Katherine stopped beside her, a look of concern passed in her eyes. Raven couldn't take another lap. She couldn't take another minute of running into the woods and back towards the manor before running around there huge house until they arrive back at their aunts feet.
The path to the woods and back was long. Sure, the woods were in their backyard, but because of their huge house, it was almost as if they were passing a quidditch field with the length. And that's not including, the path in the woods as they take the long way back home.
She hates it.
She hates the nonstop running.
It's been like this since she could eat. Katherine and her were forced to run whenever they eat a little too much than their aunt liked. Funny enough, this wasn't the worst. The worst was when Raven ate the left over cake with Christopher after Katherine's 12th birthday.
She still remembers the burn in her lungs.
"Did I say you could stop?!" Aunt Eleanor exclaimed from across the yard. Raven's heart was pounding inside of her ears. The piercing ache in her side stabbed her with every breathe.
"Mari, come on!" Katherine urged. She was jogging in place as she spoke. Raven couldn't breathe. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.
"Go." Raven huffed out. She had her hands on her knees, breathing heavily. "Don't get in trouble because of me."
"Mari.."
"I'll be fine!" Raven coughed, her lungs began to burn. "Go."
Katherine hesitated for a moment before she nodded, "If you say so."
Katherine continued on with her, almost as if it didn't affect her, but Raven could see otherwise. She could see the small blush that began to coat her cheeks, the way her legs held a slight tremble to them, almost as if they were ready to give out at any given moment.
She could see the way her hair had dampened, collecting all of her sweat since they started in the morning till now. Their aunt wasn't generous, she hadn't fed them. She only feeds them one snack at noon, which had passed an hour ago. She had given each of them an banana, and let them rest for 5 minutes before continuing.
It's been like this for two weeks already. During dinner, Aunt Eleanor controlled their meals, giving them greens like screaming peas, Gillyweed Salads, and even blazing broccoli and egg rott. Both Katherine and Raven hated eating those dishes as their aunt never let them have even a taste of the chicken or stake she cooked for the men and herself.
(More like the house elves cooked for them, but her Aunt hates to admit it.)
It was torture.
And Raven felt her stomach collapse onto itself from the lack of rest she was receiving, or maybe, it was from the lack of food as she usually threw up (not on purpose) because it felt as if someone had been trying to poison her stomach when she was running.
She wishes she were at Hogwarts, surrounded by her friends, and listening to them laugh. But she knew that once she returned it would be difficult, she just hoped it wouldn't be too bad.
"Why did you stop running, badger?"
Raven, despite gasping for air, stood up straight as she turned towards her Uncle. He stood, eyes cold and black as he looked down at the red haired girl.
"I—" She coughed. "I can't breathe."
A look of pity flashed in his cold eyes before he glanced over at his wife. His arms that were crossed over his chest looking threatening, came down to his side as a sigh left his lips. "Come on."
"Wha—"
"You need to get your magic under control before you go back to Hogwarts." He explained as he walked away from her and towards the center of the field. Raven followed, a strike of pain hit her side at the unwanted movement causing her to inhale sharply at the pain. "Especially considering you weren't compatible with your first wand."
Raven forgot about that. She wasn't compatible with her first wand, but as there were no other options, she had chosen that one. Fortunately, the wand had broken nearly a month before she finished school. Uncle Nicholas decided that they would go to the Diagon Alley's shop instead of the shop that he had taken Christopher and Katherine. The pure blood only wand shop.
She could tell that Uncle Nicholas did not like the idea one bit, but he didn't have a choice as her wand was apart of her. It was supposed to be an extension of her arm, helping her magic work hand in hand. Literally.
"Raven?!" She heard her Aunt call out; her voice almost sounded scared. "Where are you going?! Finish the lap!"
"She needs to work on her magic, dear!" Uncle Nicholas answered for her. "She's done for the day!"
Raven glanced over at the distance figure of her aunt and could have sworn she seen a look of rage flash over before it disappeared as soon as she locked eyes with her husband. The two of them stood, staring at each other. Raven glanced back and forth between them and saw the way her Uncle's eyes softened ever so slightly at her Aunt. The way his cold eyes looked as if they were brought to life at the sight of his wife.
"Alright, honey!" Aunt Eleanor shouted back. "I'll stay here with Katherine then."
Suddenly, the darkness in the man's eyes were back in an instant at the mention of his daughter. Raven felt herself tense up at the emotion swimming inside of them. To Raven, he almost looked angry.
"Uncle?" Raven spoke up. The look in his eyes vanished before he turned back to her.
"Alright," He took a breath. "How much has Severus taught you?"
He spoke her godfathers name as if it were venom on his tongue. She fought the urge to shiver, but she did gulp back the fear.
"A few charms here and there." Raven began to explain, as she subconsciously looked away from the man's eyes as it felt as if his cold eyes were looking into her soul, owning her. "Nothing too big. Just enough to get my magic under control."
But it's not like any spell doesn't come easier to her than breathing, a perk of her magic.
"Mhmm." He starred. Raven gulped under his gaze, forcing herself to stay straight. "Alright, do you know any jinxes?"
"Not a lot." Raven was almost ashamed.
"Let's start with that then."
✦✦✦✦✦✦
Diagon Alley.
"Keep going, children." Uncle Nicholas stated, but all three of them knew it was an order. "Raven needs to retrieve her wand from this.."
He glanced over at the shop, Ollivanders, with such distain in his eyes. He looked as if he would rather be any where else than there. Well, he probably felt that way Raven assumed as the man had always gotten his wand, and his childrens wands, at Steward. A place that was sacred to the 28 pure blood families.
"Place." He spoke the word as if it were disgust on his tongue.
Raven knew he felt ashamed and embarrassed to be spotted there with her, which was why he had send his children away to go and buy the rest of there things with their mother. Raven felt a rush of shame wash over her, hating that she couldn't be normal and get a wand at the Steward shop like her cousins. Hating that she was a Hufflepuff instead of a Slytherin. Hating that she didn't hate it when she should.
Katherine and Christopher nodded before they both left with their aunt in tow not wanting to argue with the man. More like, there fear overpowered there wants. Same with Raven. She would give anything to call out to them to come back and help her, but it was too late. They had already began to walk away and leave her alone like obedient children.
"Go inside now, Raven." His eyes were cold and his words were sharp. "We don't have all day."
Raven gulped before entering the place.
A bell sounded through the shop, alerting the owner of newcomers arrivals. She could hear her Uncle scoff behind her at the decor, but Raven couldn't help her eyes at the place. It was old, ancient, but it was beautiful. The way the shelves looked as if they told a story with just one look, each different than the one beside them. The way the green of the walls reminded her of the woods back home, and how the leaves flowed gently against the wind.
It calmed her, made her feel a little less scared as she entered with her Uncle.
"Mr. Minister!" A male voice exclaimed from above them. Raven looked up, glancing at the man who was at the top of a latter that was connected to the shelves of wands. "Oh good golly me, I was not expecting you!"
He hurrily tried to get down off of the latter.
"No need to rush, sir." Raven stated, her words came out rushed as she saw the man nearly miss a step. By the wrinkles, and the white hair, Raven knew he was old. "Take your time."
Uncle Nicholas placed a hand onto her shoulder, causing her to tense as he squeezed it and Raven understood the message loud and clear. She shut her mouth, watching as the man looked down and sent her a kind grin.
"Well, Garrick," Uncle Nicholas sent the man a charming smile, something Raven had never thought he was capable of doing. "We're here to get my darling niece a wand."
The white haired man, Garrick, paused in his step as soon as he actually looked at Raven. He knew of who she was, of who her father was and what he had done. She was ready for the look, for the denial. But he sent her a excited grin instead.
"Raven Rosier, I was waiting for you!" He exclaimed, happily. Relief fell over Raven at the man's words as even her roommates had looked at her with mistrust on their first day. "Wait... aren't you a second year?"
"Umm," Raven bit her inner lip at her Uncle's lingering touch. "My old wand wasn't that compatible with me, so we're here to get a new one."
"A new wand. Mhmm.." He hummed as if he were thinking before his eyes lit up. "I have the perfect wand for you! One second!"
He left, rushing back towards the shelves as he searched. Raven was almost tempted to shrug her Uncle's hand off of her, feeling his burning touch as if it were on her skin leaving marks in his wake just like the whip did.
"Don't not show this man kindness." Uncle Nicholas whispered into her ear, causing Raven to jump out of her skin. "People like him don't deserve it."
"But you were just—"
"Appearances, Raven." Uncle Nicholas continued. "This world is all about appearances."
Suddenly, the bell rang. Raven and her Uncle turned to see the new sight of someone entering the shop. She could feel the way Uncle Nicholas tightened his grip in anger at the unwanted company. A man had walked in along side a child, a girl with white silvery hair who was skipping happily inside of the shop.
Raven glances up at Uncle Nicholas and see's the coldness in his eyes darken at the sight of the two before him. His bruising grip made her want to cry, but she didn't complain, too scared to defy the man that she lived with.
"Mr. Minister!" The white haired man exclaimed as he walked in, a smile on his face. The girl glanced over at the two of them and her blue eyes locked with Raven's sapphire ones, getting reminded of the innocence in Melanie's eyes. "How lovely it is to see you again!"
Uncle Nicholas took his hand off of her shoulder, a charming grin on his face. Though, to Raven, it seemed strained, fake like a snake.
"Xenophilius Lovegood." He walked over to the man, looking as if he were trying to revert the attention away from Raven. "Nice to see you again, my friend and I see you brought your daughter. Luna, I presume?"
"You presume, correctly!" The man, Xenophilius, chuckled, a permanent grin on his face. "My little moon is starting her first year at Hogwarts!"
The white haired girl in question was exploring around the room, gently stroking the tables that stood, holding books, as if it were the most delicate thing to decorate in the world. Raven had never seen someone handle furniture with such delicacy. She wonders how it would feel on her tainted skin.
"Here you go, Little Minister." Garrick said as he placed the wand with its case onto the counter. And even though Raven knew he meant the nickname as a term of endearment, she still wanted to barf at being compared to the man behind her. The man who was the reason for her scarred back. "Try this wand."
Raven glanced at the wand before reaching out and holding it in her fingertips.
Nothing, again.
"Give it a wave."
And so she did. The shelves of wands flew off of the walls and onto the floor, clattering behind the man. Raven instantly put the wand back in its box before rushing over to help the man.
"I'm so sorry!" She exclaimed, fear in her bones as she felt the burning gaze of her Uncle on her back. "Here! Let me help you."
Garrick chuckled, a soft one as he glanced down at the red haired girl. "It's alright. This happens all the time. Don't fret."
"But still—"
Raven moved to grab a wand on the floor, trying to put it back in its box. Her fingertips almost grazing in the wood.
"I caused the mess so I should be the one to pick it up.." Raven's voice trailed off as soon as she grasped the wand in her fingertips. A warm and ice cold rushed through her arm up to her shoulder before churning inside of her heart as it pumped into the rest of her body. She could feel the goosebumps on her skin. She could feel the hair on her arms rising instantly at the sensation.
A sensation she had never felt before.
It was unlike anything she had ever experienced. This wand made her feel almost at ease in her hold. It was as if it fit perfectly in her hand, matching her as if it was made for her and her alone. The perfect cold wood felt soft on her fingertips, warm in her hand.
"Oh.." She heard Garrick whisper, a pained one as he crotched down beside her. "You poor girl."
"What?" She broke out of her thoughts. "Did you say something?"
He smiled, a sad one as he looked at her. Raven could see the emotions swimming in his eyes, almost as if he had wished she never touched wand in the first place.
"This wand.." He reached over and gently took it out of her hand as he examined it. "Has been sitting on my shelves for centuries. No one has ever came close to even.. looking at it before today."
"Oh, I'm sorry!" She exclaimed, fearfully. "I can chose a different one!"
"No." He stopped her. "The wand chooses the wizard, and it looks like this wand chose you, Raven Rosier."
Raven remained silent as he began to speak again. He was touching the wand as if it were delicate, dangerous.
"This wand is almost as old as my shop. My great granddad used to tell me all kinds of stories about this wand." Garrick explained, exhaling softly. "A wand that was made to help people with powerful magic. A wand with a one of a kind dragon heartstring core that was a blazing cold that ultimately prophecies their user to die a... painful death."
"Oh."
"Oh?"
"Raven!" Her Uncle called out. "Are you done?"
With one more glance at the wand, she responded.
"Yeah!" She stood up, not sparing the man a look as she locked eyes with Uncle Nicholas's cold ones. And soon, they were packing up the wand into its container / box before Uncle Nicholas flashed the man a charming smile once more.
"Thank you so much, Garrick." He smiled, not reaching his eyes one bit. The fake cheeriness in his voice made Raven want to shiver as it had never once been directed at any of them besides Katherine. "You've been a great help, my friend."
"Y— Yeah." Garrick glanced at Raven before he smiled, strained as his eyes grew slightly dark, clouded over with something that made Raven's stomach want to twist. "I wish you luck on your journey, Little Minister. You'll be in my thoughts."
Raven zoned everything out after that. She zoned out the way Uncle Nicholas continued to talk politely, charming to the man as he led them out of the store, his hand on her shoulder, practically tugging her with his harsh grin. She tried to focus, tried to get her attention back but nothing worked.
All she could feel on her back was the chilling gaze from Garrick. She didn't even acknowledge the little hum of the silver haired girl who walked in mere moments after them. Instead, she continued on, feeling his gaze till the bell rang, signaling their exit as they arrived in the crowded trail once more.
A painful death? She couldn't help but wonder as she glanced back at the shop as it got further and further away with each step she took beside her uncle. She was condemned to a painful death.. just like her parents.
She deserves it, doesn't she? The painful death that came with owning her wand? For every life her parents took with a smile will be made even with the death of their daughter. Painful, like their own.
She read the article as soon as she got to Hogwarts. The article 12 years ago on Halloween night, the same night as the infamous Potter Family's demise, and He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, the Dark Lord. Her mother had died holding her, missing a leg with a few of her fingers from her wand hand, while her father..
The man who had took the lives of many in the first wizarding war was battered beyond belief. It was so bad that they didn't even include pictures, much less a description. All she has left is the imagination of his death, almost worse than knowing how he passed.
She didn't even have pictures to remember them by as everything in their house was destroyed, including Raven's birth certificate, baby clothing, photos, etc. She had nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
She wonders, glancing down at her wand, clutched in her Uncle's other hand, if she would die the same painful death they must have experienced? She knows this should scare her, terrify her beyond belief, except she felt a sort of calm wash over her at the thought.
Almost at ease.
And that scared her more than dying.
"What did you two discuss?" Uncle Nicholas asked. Raven knew she had no choice but to answer, especially with his burning grip on her shoulder, her posture prim and perfect despite the need to shove his hand away.
"Sir. Ollivander and I?" Raven questioned, looking straight ahead to avoid the man's watchful eyes.
"No, Christopher. Of course, you and Garrick!" He exclaimed, looking down at Raven, narrowing his eyes and tightening his already bruising grip on her shoulder. He turned back, looking straight ahead, muttering under his breathe. "Bloody idiot."
Raven bit her inner lip.
"Well?" Uncle Nicholas pushed. "I asked you a question."
"He said that..." Raven's voice trailed off. "My wand was made to help people with powerful
magic, but every user so far has died a painful death."
He glanced down at Raven, his cold eyes locking with hers as he starred down. Raven fought the urge to take a step back at his overpowering stance, making her feel small under his overwhelming height and presence. Suddenly, she felt breathless under his gaze. Almost, scared to breathe with his dark eyes looking at her like that.
"You won't die, Raven." He said, his tone held no room for an argument. Not like Raven was going to anyways. "Only someone useless, A Mudblood perhaps, would die because of this wand. They're weak and wouldn't be able to handle a wand of this power, not like you. And besides.."
He bent down, reaching out as he tucks a piece a hair behind her ear, almost possessively. Raven clenched her jaw at the way his fingers linger there for a moment, his cold black eyes watching her as if to see if she were to protest.
She can't.
And he smirks, a charming smirk for appearances since they were in public and he was the Minister of Magic. Something he often used to his advantage.
"I know you won't fail me again." He states as his hand finally left her face. Raven still felt the huge weight on her lungs at the dark look in his eyes. "Because you know what happens when you fail, don't you?"
She nods as he hands her the wand that was clutched in his hand. The box still in its bag, like a toy. Even if the wand wasn't in her hands, she could feel the call it had for her, aching to return into her hands once more.
"Good." He stood up straight, looking at the shop they stopped at, Borgin and Burkes in Knockturn Alley. The darkest Alley that always sent a chill down Raven's spine at the sight of the place. She wasn't paying attention as they walked, too zoned out by what Garrick had said. "Now, I must meet up with Lucius. Either stay here, or run along and get your books. You have pounds on you?"
"Yes, sir." Raven stood, shifting on her two feet nervously at the dark Alley.
He nodded before he entered the shop, leaving Raven alone in the alley. She looked around the dark place, seeing many witches and wizards wearing dark robes, as if it were the dress code down here.
She didn't want to feel scared. But... she never liked coming down here. She didn't like the darkness the Alley held as if it were a place filled with the most dangerous people. She accidentally made eye contact with a witch who had looked more like a troll than a witch. She turned away, trying not to visibly cringe.
Or more like the most ugly people.
Though, she would never say that out loud as that would definitely get her hexed, maybe jinks if they were feeling merciful. She watched as people passed her, froze, not knowing what to do as she stood. Each person bumped into her, giving her a nasty look as if she were the worst filth in the world, but she held her head high, strong like her Aunt taught her and she did not give anything away. She remained emotionless, fearless, despite how much she stomach twisted and turned.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't Rotten Rosier."
"Malfoy." Raven almost groaned, but instead gave her perfect tug of the lips as if to smirk. "To what do I owe this misfortune?"
Draco winced, a fake wince at her insult before walking up to her side, not touching, but close enough that the other Purebloods around understand his presence. She saw the way they eyed the two before leaving, not even attempting to go closer to her.
"What?" Draco rolled his eyes, a smirk on his face as he turned to her. "Can't I just enjoy your company?"
Raven gave him a look.
"I'm here with my father." He corrected, pointing at the shop. A flash of... something in his eyes. "He told me to wait outside after I.."
Draco mumbled the last part. Raven turned, a hint of a smirk on her lips.
"What was that?" She asked.
"After I touched too many things." He mumbled louder.
"Mhmm?" Raven hummed, fighting back the urge to smirk at her teasing. "I couldn't quite hear you."
"I'm not going to repeat myself." He huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. Raven thought he looked like a child having a fit, and in a way he was as he had only turned 12 recently. Speaking of..
"Happy belated birthday, Malfoy." Raven said. Draco turned to her, shocked.
"You know when my birthday is?" He asked. She looked back at him, her sapphire eyes locking with his light grey ones.
"Of course." Despite herself, a kind smile fall upon her lips as she speaks to the boy. "We're childhood friends after all."
A flash of guilt went over his eyes for a moment before he turned away from Raven, a remorseful smile fell upon his lips as if he were reminiscing the memories the two of them shared since they could walk.
"Right." He said softly, sounding like her old friend before he shook his head upon hearing the bell from a nearby store. He turned to her, a sneer of his face. "But that's over now! I wouldn't be caught dead with the likes of you, Rotten Rosier."
Raven doesn't flinch, already expecting this reaction from the boy who idolizes his father more than anyone or anything. Instead, she allows for her genuine smile to fade into a perfect one as if it were never there in the first place either.
"Then, why are you here, Malfoy?" She shouldn't have said it, but the words slipped out before she could stop them and Draco was left speechless.
"Draco, let's go." His father's voice called out to the boy. The silver haired boy stiffened for a moment before he followed, eagerly after his father. Uncle Nicholas didn't hesitate to follow them, not even when his eyes locked with Raven's for a moment.
And finally, when Draco left, she allowed the pain in her heart to fester for a moment, aching at the cruel nickname that came out of his mouth. He used to be her friend.
They grew up together as his mother and father used to always come around the house so often to chat with Uncle Nicholas as well as Aunt Eleanor. The Malfoys were the Flint families favorite cousins, and that stayed true throughout the generations. Though, it wasn't just Draco and Raven who used to play. It was more Chris and Draco since the silver haired boy idolized her older cousin and thought of him as a brother.
Wherever Chris went, Draco followed, and vise versa. The two of them are as thick as thieves, nothing could ever change that. But after Chris went to Hogwarts for his first year, leaving Draco behind as he was in the same year as Raven, it kind of created a small drift between them. Though, after Draco went last year, reuniting with Theodore and Christopher since they were both a year older than them, there friendship/brothership grew back to what it was like nothing.
And yet, Raven couldn't help but feel jealousy. Her and Draco had gotten close during that year that Christopher left to Hogwarts as it was only the two of them left, besides the rest of the Slytherin squad. They hung out together, slepted over at each others houses, etc.
He was her friend.
Was.
After she became a Hufflepuff, all of her friends began to change, calling her Rotten Rosier. It's not like she could blame them. She knew that they were probably following their parents orders, and wishes to distance themselves away from her.
But that doesn't mean she didn't miss him. Like she didn't miss Pansy, or Blaise, or Theodore, or Daphne. Maybe not so much Crabbe and Doyle as the two of them always had something to say to her that rubbed her the wrong way, but..
She missed her friends. Sure, she wasn't as close with the Slytherin crew like she was with Draco, but still. They were good company, and they made her laugh.
They used to make her laugh.
Now, all they did was make her cry.
She shook her head, pushing the aching feeling out of her chest before zoning back into her surroundings. She was still in front of the shop, still seeing passerby's as if she were anything but invisible to them as the disgust returned onto their faces. The pure disappointment in their eyes almost as strong as Uncle Nicholas. Almost made her flinch like his cold, hard stare did.
She held her head up high as she decided to walk towards the book shop by Diagon Alley once more. She didn't want to spend another second in this dark place, not liking the creeping feeling that overpowered her. Making her feel small.
She continued, walking and walking, barley passing a shop or two.
"Not lost are you, my dear?" She heard a shrilling voice of a woman behind her. She didn't bother turning around as the woman was not talking to her.
"I'm fine. Thank you." But that voice..
Raven paused in her step.
That voice she did recognize.
She felt someone knock into her, but she stayed put frozen as more and more people walked towards him. Towards Harry Potter. And so, she turned, locking eyes with his sea green ones, feeling that same strange sense of.. something overcome her once more whenever the two of them locked eyes.
Just like it had on the first day at Hogwarts when they met on the train.
"Oh, excuse me?" A brown haired boy entered Raven's compartment. She was alone, as she had left Draco's compartment as it was too crowded for her in there. She didn't want to her overwhelmed especially on her first day. "Can I join you? I promise I won't be a bother. I'll be as quiet as a mouse."
"Mouses squeak, so they're not exactly quiet." Raven replied, as she hadn't looked up from her book. "But yeah, go ahead. I could use the company."
"Thank you!"
And soon, the boy sat down in front of her, not even attempting to make conversation as he began to hum to himself. Raven could see the way he anxiously messed with his fingers before she sighed, placing her book down in front of her as she looked up at the boy.
He had glasses, big and round while he starred at the floor, almost frightened.
"I'm Raven Rosier." She held out her hand to shake his, polite, just like her Uncle taught her. The brown haired boy flinched at the action as if he were scared that she would hit him before he relaxed.
"Harry Potter." He muttered. Though, Raven couldn't hear him.
"Huh?"
He lifted his head, slightly, still not quite meeting her eyes.
"Harry Potter." He repeated firmer. And Raven, her eyes glistened at his name, excitement creeped up into her, eagerly waiting for his hand to shake hers. He glanced down at her hand before he took it and began to shake it as well.
And as soon as their hands touch, they felt a shock run through them. Electric, causing them to jolt away immediately.
"Ow!" They exclaimed before the two of them looked up and met gazes. Sea green eyes locked with her sapphire ones, and Raven felt a strange sense of ease at the sight of them. She felt her tense shoulders relax, and a genuine smile came across her face before she laughed, hard.
"Oh my god!" She laughed, and soon, Harry joined her. "Did you rub your hand on carpet or something?"
"No." Harry chuckled. "Did you?"
"No!" She exclaimed, a smile on her face. Harry couldn't help but grin at the sight of it, too, feeling relaxed in the girls presence. He glanced down at the book beside her, a curious glint in his eyes.
"What are you reading?" Harry asked. Raven glanced down at the book before picking it up, an excited glint in her eyes.
"Enchanted Encounters!" Raven said, her voice filled with excitement. It had been a long time since someone had asked her about her books. Harry gave her a look to go on. "It's about this witch who was banished from the wizarding world because of a crime she committed and ends up being placed in Muggle England without her magic. Or so she thought. Anyways, she ends up meeting this muggle woman's and saves her life using wandless magic. But at the hospital, the doctor says she hallucinated it and she leaves it at that until the witch continues to use magic in front of her. Long story short, the two of them end up being best friends and the main characters ends up marrying a pureblood wizard who got banished as well."
"Wait, so she didn't end up with the girl?" Harry asked. "I mean— the muggle?"
"No." Raven said. "It's wrong, isn't it?"
"I don't think so." Harry shrugged. "You love who you love."
Raven didn't reply.
The compartment door opened, revealing a red haired boy. Raven stiffened upon seeing who it is, a blood traitor, a Weasley.
"Is it okay if I sit here with you two?" He asked, his small childlike voice echoed inside of her ears as her heart began to pound.
It didn't take Harry long for him to agree and for the boy to sit beside her. She scotched over, feeling her back begin to ache as if it had just been whipped. And the two of them began to converse.
"I'm Ron." He introduced himself. "Ron Weasley."
At those words, Raven stood up, sending the Potter boy a small smile. "I should be going now, Harry. It was nice to meet you."
"You too, Raven Rosier." Maybe if he hadn't used her full name, the next part wouldn't have happened.
"Rosier?" Ron spat, narrowing his eyes at the girl. "Of course, your a Rosier."
"And your a Weasley." She glared at him.
Ever since that day, Raven and Harry never talked to one another again. She had seen him a few times, and he saw her as well, but they've never talked. All they did was glance, while Harry looked at her with such anger in his eyes that made Raven want to flinch.
She was surprised that Ronald told him about what had happened. About her family, her mother and father. It didn't help that the Slytherin's hated her too, and so did the Hufflepuffs. It took half the year for them to realize that she was nothing like them.
Nothing like her father who had took away many of their mothers and fathers. Nothing like her mother who tortured many of their aunts and uncles.. and children. They were bad, terrible people, and so, it didn't surprise her that many people knew and hated her for their sins.
She had learned to live with it. And while Hogwarts had began to see passed that view, some of them still lived in it and still saw her as the child of Phillip Rosier. The Death Eater. The child torturer. The man who was almost as bad as the Dark Lord himself.
"Come with us." The woman had grabbed Harry's rob, clutching tightly in her filthy fingers. "We'll help you find your way back."
"No—" Harry cried out fearfully. "Please."
And now, here she was, still with her sapphire eyes locked with his sea greens ones that held fear inside of them. A fear that she could see so clearly passed his broken glasses as if it reflected her own.
Raven felt her feet move before she could stop herself.
"HARRY!" She shouted, pushing passed all the witches and wizards. Not caring about their grunts and complaints as she grabbed the boys wrist. "I was looking for you! Come on, we got to go and get our books!"
A woman with a mole as big as mars blocked their path. Her eyes were dark, murderous as she glanced between the two of them. Harry shrunk back, fearfully at the growing crowd, but Raven remained strong, glaring daggers at them.
"Actually, Rosier," Her shrill voice said her name as if it were a disgrace to be on her tongue. "We were going to help him on his way."
"Really?" Raven gripped Harry's wrist tighter as she glared up at the lady. She felt her hand twitch, aching to use her magic. "Because my uncle, who is the Minister of Magic by the way, wanted me to take care of Potter. He never said anything about you. So, move out of my way, or else.. we could call him here right now."
The woman remained quiet and did not move a muscle. Her gaze hadn't left the boy. Raven moved in front of Harry, almost protectively, forcing the woman to lock eyes with her own.
"But I'm sure you know that he doesn't like being disturbed." Raven finished, her voice was kind unlike her threat. "And we wouldn't want him upset, would we?"
"No." The woman gulped. "We wouldn't."
"Then, move."
And they did, parting the way for the two of them to leave. Raven, still having not let go of Harry, tugged him forward and passed through the group who was glaring daggers at them as they passed. She fought the urge to shivers at their murderous gaze, keeping her head high unlike the Potter boy, who was anxiously fidgeting with his fingers with his head down.
They continued to walk and walk and walk and walk till they were near the entrance of the alley, alone.
"What were you doing down there, Potter?!" Raven narrowed her eyes at the boy, letting go of his wrist as they walked side by side towards the light of Diagon Alley. "School hasn't even started yet and your already causing trouble!"
"I was lost. I—" Harry pursed his lips before glaring back at Raven, suspiciously. "Hang on, what were you doing down there then?"
"I don't need to explain myself to you."
"Actually, you do!" Harry exclaimed, crossing his arms over his chest. "Considering your parents were responsible for the death of mine."
"And I saved you!" Raven glared before mumbling under her breathe. "Probably at the cost of my life."
Or worse, a whipping.
Raven fought the urge to shiver at the thought.
"What was that?" Harry questioned.
"Nothing." Raven gave a tight knit smile before she saw the broken crack on the right side of his lends. A tug of pity went into her stomach before the tight knit smile turned into one of concern. She held out her hand. "Hand me your glasses, will you, Potter?"
"What?" He scoffed. "So, you can break them?"
"So, I can fix them." Raven corrected before pulling her hand back. "But if you don't want me to then.."
"Fine." Harry groaned. He hands her his glasses. "But I'm watching you."
"If you can see." Raven mumbled under her breathe, but she knew the brown haired boy heard her just the same as he huffed in response. Raven inhaled deeply for a moment, trying to calm the slight tremble in her fingertips at what she had done. Thankfully, Potter couldn't see it as he was blinder than a drunk man without his glasses.
She gently brushed her thumb against the crack glass, a vague form of dejavú overcame her for a moment. Only one glass was cracked, broken while the other was stainless, without a scratch in place. It reminded her of herself in a way. She was broken, beyond repair just like that glass, while the other showed how she presented herself, untouched.
But she wasn't untouched, was she? Whips have touched her skin, sketching scars upon her back for the rest of her life. Reminding her that she was flithy, that she was wrong and dirty just like Mudbloods. And yet, at that thought, Melanie's curious eyes flash in her mind.
Melanie wasn't flithy. She had bled the same blood as her own. Raven just couldn't understand.
At least, in this moment, she can fix Harry's glasses.
"Oculus Reparo." She mumbled, as she brushed her thumb over the glass once more. Like a wand, her fingertips glowed ever so slightly, needing to squint in order to see the gentle blue that left. As soon as her thumb finished going over the glass, she watched as it mended, fixing itself to look identical to its pair almost as if the crack never happened. Yet, it would forever stay in Raven's memory under lock and key, away from prying eyes because no one deserves to see the filth that Raven is. Her scarred back proved that.
"Wow!" Harry exclaimed as Raven handed him back his glasses. His eyes twinkled with wonder, a sight that was never set on Raven after he had found out what her parents had done. "How did you do that? Magic is banned outside of Hogwarts till your of age!"
"I know." Raven said, glancing away from the boy as she lied through her teeth. "I switched the lens."
"You carry back up lenses?"
"You don't?" Raven countered. Harry narrowed his eyes in suspension as Raven looked straight ahead, perfect posture as always.
"HARRY!"
A unfamiliar girls voice shouted from the side of Raven before a girl with fizzy brown hair came barreling out of the book shop. Raven glanced at Harry and saw the boy's narrowed eyes relax, replacing them with a kind smile. She scoffed, turning back to the girl who was running at him before her eyes widened upon seeing her slip on her rob.
And on Raven, causing the two of them to fall onto the dirty floor. Raven instinctively wrapped her arm around the girl, taking the blunt of the fall.
"Ugh!" Raven groaned as soon as they landed. "Bloody hell."
Hair clouded Raven's vision, not getting a good look at the girl. All she could hear was Harry Potter laughing at what had just occurred and the way the girl squeaked, embarrassed. And for some reason, she could smell the vague scent of coconut. Perhaps, it was the girls shampoo?
"I'm sorry!" She exclaimed. She pulled her face up from Raven's shoulder, looking her deep brown eyes with Raven's own. "Are you alright?"
Raven felt her cheeks flush at their close proximity, not liking how she could feel her breathe on her cheeks. She turned her head, pushing the girls shoulder to knock her to the side and off of Raven. For some odd reason, Raven felt her heart beat inside of her ears, almost as if it were beating out of her chest. She was embarrassed. Raven Rosier was anything but perfect in that moment, and now they all saw it too.
"Hey!" Harry exclaimed as he made his way to the girls side, helping her stand. "No need to be so rough."
The brown haired girl smacked his shoulder, glaring at the boy. "I'm not some damsel, Harry! I fell on her! She can react anyway she wants to."
Raven took a breathe as she got up from off of the floor. The girl was smacking Harry's shoulder again and again and again. She seemed as if she knew the boy for a while, and not just a year like Raven did with her friends. And yet, that's how her roommates acted with her despite only knowing each other for a bit.
"That's Raven Rosier, Hermione!"
The brown haired girl, Hermione, froze in her assault before she looked over at Raven who was dusting off her rob. She walked up to the girl, a deep glare on her face that made her look anything but scary.
"I've heard of your family..." Hermione began, her eyes stayed locked with Ravens. "The Rosiers and what they did to people like me. To children like me."
Raven gulped at her fierce expression.
"Now, I see that Harry came back dirty and worn!" Hermione pointed at her friend. "Of course, your responsible for it—"
"Hermione." Harry tried to stop her.
"Just like your parents." But she finished her sentence. "You're exactly like them, aren't you?"
Raven never hated her parents more than she did in that moment.
"RAVEN!" Raven didn't turn to look at her cousin, instead, she stayed looking at the girl. The way she was looking at Raven reminded her of her sleepless nights, and how angry she was at her Uncle and his whips. "There you are! We were looking everywhere for you!"
Christopher jogged over before realizing who she was with. He glared at both Hermione and Harry with angry expressions.
"Hello, Mudblood—" Raven smacked him upside the head, ignoring the way her eyes had glistened over with tears. "Hey! What was that for?!"
"Shut up." She gritted out. Not trying to allow the burning lump in her throat from escaping. "Let's go."
Raven began to walk away, hearing her cousins feet behind her as they walked towards the store. As soon as she turned away from the duo, a single tear fell from Raven's eyes as Hermione's words echoed inside of her brain.
"Hey." Chris said softly, but loud enough for the duo behind them to hear. "Are you crying?"
Raven shook her head as she brought her hand up and wiped away the stray tear that fell. She swallowed the burning lump in her throat before she turned to her cousin and gave him her prim and perfect smile. "I just had some dust in my eyes."
If she had turned back, she would have seen the guilty expression on the brown haired girls face.
"Raven." Harry called out, causing Raven to stop in her footsteps. She turned her head slightly, to show that she was listening. "Thank you."
"Don't mention it." Raven hummed back before she continued on and into the shop with her cousin.
"What was that about?"
"Nothing."
And soon, her Aunt came into view as she stood beside Katherine in the front of the line to get her books signed by the famous Gilderoy Lockhart. Raven wanted to roll her eyes at the crowd, but she was biting her inner lip so hard, she was surprised it hadn't bled yet.
Iron.
Nevermind. She could taste the blood now. She fought the urge to cringe at the taste, inhaling to calm the tremble in her fingertips. God, how she wanted to cry. She had made the mistake of letting a single tear fall from her face. Made the mistake of being anything but perfect. She was lucky her Uncle wasn't there to see her talking to a Mudblood. He would have cursed her right then and there, striking her across the cheek at her interaction.
She wonders what he would do if he found out that she had helped Harry Potter? She shivered at the thought.
"Raven," Her Aunt's excited voice echoed inside of her ears. "Did you finally get your wand?"
She nodded, not trusting her voice.
"Excellent!" She clapped her hands happily. "Now, all we need to do is sign these books and we'll be off then!"
"You're exactly like them, aren't you?"
Raven balled her hand into a fist, trying to hide the tremble in her fingertips once more.
"Mother, can we be excused?" Katherine asked, politely. She stood firm, almost like royalty.
"Yeah." Aunt Eleanor waved them off, too busy looking around her the man who wrote the books to care. "Don't wonder too far."
"We won't." Katherine smiled, prim and proper. Before she gently pushed Raven and Christopher to move along and away from Aunt Eleanor before she realizes what she had said. Raven hadn't been paying attention, not really.
Everything felt hot. She could feel the way Christopher's shoulders rubbed hers as they walked. Could feel the way she knocked into some people. Could feel the way her heart was still pounding inside of her ears as if she were deaf. She could feel it all.
But most of all,
She felt the way Hermione's words had sunken in. The way they sounded so.. so.. there was no words to describe how they fell from her lips, but she knew they were filled with hatred. Truth. Because her parents were bad people, terrible people who loved to do bad things to others. Their thoughts and nights were filled with the screams of those they tortured, of the women, children, men, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, babies..
Any and anyone they could get there hands on. It didn't matter if they were 40, as long as they were a Mudblood or a muggle, or a blood traitor, or a simple witch or wizard who did not follow the Dark Lord like them.
"You're exactly like them, aren't you?"
It didn't matter if they were 17 and barley out of school, as long as they were a Mudblood or a muggle, or a blood traitor, or a simple witch or wizard who did not follow the Dark Lord like them.
"You're exactly like them, aren't you?"
It didn't matter if they were 25 and pregnant with their first child, as long as they were a Mudblood or a muggle, or a blood traitor, or a simple witch or wizard who did not follow the Dark Lord like them.
"You're exactly like them, aren't you?"
It didn't matter if they were old, elderly and on their death bed, waiting to die peacefully, as long as they were a Mudblood or a muggle, or a blood traitor, or a simple witch or wizard who did not follow the Dark Lord like them.
"You're exactly like them, aren't you?"
It didn't matter if they were only a few days old and could barley fit in Raven's arms..
"You're exactly like them, aren't you?"
Because they would torture them till death, laugh as they cried, celebrated as they died a slow and painful death.
"You're exactly like them, aren't you?"
And they would do it again, even if they were 4.
"You're exactly like them, aren't you?"
And again, even if they were parents.
"You're exactly like them, aren't you?"
And again, even if they were old.
"You're exactly like them, aren't you?"
Until finally, they died, leaving Raven, the sole heiress, alone and with the weight of each life they took on her shoulders. Lives that she could name almost as easy as breathing,
Joshua Clarke, 61 years old.
Daniel Morris, 27 years old.
Victoria Hughes, 30 years old.
Eric Anderson, 4 years old.
Robert Hall, 45 years old.
Iris Pomfrey, 4 years old.
Malcolm Rickett Sr, 23 years old.
She could remember each name, each person that laid on her shoulder, watching over her as she failed over and over again. She can remember their faces as if it were seared into her brain just from the picture of the paper from their deaths. She can remember the grieving mothers, fathers, families that cried out for their loved ones every night after they died.
This was the curse of being a Rosier, wasn't it? She was destined to be like her parents, destined to hurt and hurt and hurt anyone and anything in her path. She wasn't kind, nor brave. She was rough, filthy.
Cruel.
"Mari?" Christopher's voice echoed inside of her brain sounding miles away. "Mari? Mari!"
"Huh?" She turned to her cousin before furrowing her eyebrows at the white haired boy beside him. Katherine was nowhere to be found. "When did we get up here?"
They were above the crowd, leaning on the railing looking down as they took photos of the man, the author. She hadn't even realized that they had come upstairs, too busy in her own thoughts to notice. She glanced around, looking for Katherine.
"Where's ReeRee?" Raven mumbled to Christopher, but all the boy did was look at her puzzled.
"She told the two of us that she was going to look for father." He replied, narrowing his eyes in concern. "Weren't you paying attention?"
She wasn't.
"Y— Yeah." Raven stuttered, turning away. "I was just seeing if you were."
"He has no idea that he would in fact be leaving with my collected work." Raven heard from down below, zoning back into her surroundings once more. "Free of charge."
Cheers rang through the bookshop at the man's words as people began to clap. Raven, on the other hand, was confused.
"Who is he talking about?" Raven asked her cousin, who was beside her. Draco was on the other end of him, furthest away from Raven.
"Harry—"
"Potter." Draco spat out his name as if it were some disease. "He just loves the spotlight, doesn't he? Can't spend a day out in the open without someone coming up to him."
"Careful, Malfoy." Raven hums. "You're starting to sound jealous."
"I am not jealous!" He shrieks. "Tell her, Chris."
Christopher put his hands up, "I'm not getting between the two of you."
"You're no help." Draco glared at her dark haired cousin, eye shooting daggers.
"I'm just saying, Dray—"
"Don't call me Dray, Rotten Rosier!" He sneered. Christopher's eyes darkened at his words before he shoved him backwards towards the bookshelf.
"Watch your mouth, Malfoy!" He glared, anger in his tone. "Or else, I'll do it for you."
Raven reacted fast, placing her hand on his shoulder. "Chris, don't."
"What's going on?" She heard Katherine say from behind her. Raven turned towards her oldest cousin and watched as she surveyed the scene.
"Nothing." Chris shrugged off Raven's hand. "We're fine, right, Draco?"
"Right." Draco replied before sighing, almost defeated. "My father will be arriving soon."
Raven nodded at his words, while Chris stayed put, glaring daggers at his friend as Draco walked passed him and down the steps. Katherine glanced between the two of them confused before she folded her arms over her chest like a scolding mother.
"Either of you going to explain?"
"No." Raven shook her head, sighing as she turned to lean on the railing once more. She could see a red haired woman, Mrs. Weasley perhaps, grabbing Harry's books as she stayed in line. She could see her Aunt Eleanor glance back at the woman, giving her such a nasty look that it made Raven shiver even if she wasn't on the other end of the look. She heard the bell ring as someone entered the shop, an older red haired boy, Katherine's age, had entered. "Are you?"
"Am I?" Katherine questioned.
"Where have you been?" Raven asked.
"I.." Katherine's voice trialed off. But Raven continued to look around, locking eyes with the brown ones who's voice haunted her thoughts.
"You're exactly like them, aren't—"
"Are you blushing?" Christopher exclaimed, furrowing his eye brows.
Raven turned to Katherine in shock at Christopher's words, not quite believing them before her mouth opened, gaped at the sight before her. Her cousin had a light red coating her fair skin. She had turned away, almost ashamed. She had never once seen Katherine blush. Sure, she had seen her getting flustered, tired from jogging, but not blush at a sentence, at words.
"Its," Katherine cleared her throat before she began to fan herself, a nervous chuckle leaving her lips. "It's a little hot in here, isn't it?"
"No, it's not—"
"Toph," Raven interrupts, gently placing her hand on his arm. "Just leave her be. You probably don't feel the heat, but she does."
"I didn't ask you!" He growled, pulling his arm out of her gentle grip roughly. He turned to her, a blazing look in his eyes. "She's my sister, not yours! So, just butt out!"
"Christopher!"
"Whatever." He scoffed. "I'm going to find Draco. Maybe he'll accept my apology."
Christopher walked passed Katherine, bumping his shoulder into hers as he passed. Katherine stumble a bit at the force before she glanced back at him, a look of surprise on her face at his action. A few more moments passed as Christopher walked down the steps towards Draco, Raven turned to the railing once more and placed her trembling hands over it as she bit her lip to stop the burning lump in her throat.
"Raven.." Katherine said softly, "Are you okay?"
"What do you care?" Raven huffed, not once turning back to Katherine. "Go back to your dickhead boyfriend."
Raven heard Katherine sighed from behind her as tears glistened in her eyes once more. She was trying to appear strong, trying not to seem as if she were seconds away from breaking down once more.
"I'll come back once you've cooled off." Katherine said softly before she left, following after Christopher.
"You're exactly like them, aren't you?"
Raven watched as she went, watched as she walked down the steps, exchanging a few words with Christopher before the boy shrugged her off. Katherine sighed again, before she left, out the door of the bookshop.
The words echoed once more inside of her brain as the sad expression of her oldest cousin flashed into her mind.
She was, wasn't she? She was exactly like her parents. She hurts and hurts and hurts those who care about her until there is no one left. Why is she like this? She felt a few tears trail down her face, as her lip began to wobble. She didn't have a family. No brother. Not sister. Just herself.
Just like Harry Potter.
And so many other because of the actions of the Dark Lord, of her own parents. And she hated it, almost as much as she hated herself.
"Bet you loved that, didn't you, Potter!?" Draco's voice echoed into Raven's ears, bring her back to the present as she watched Draco and Chris walked down the steps towards Harry and his friends.
"Loved all of that bloody attention that your own parents can't give you." Chris teased, his words caused Raven to flinch, feeling as if they were aimed at her more than at him. She couldn't help but wince. Harry was shocked, too stunned to speak as too many things were happening at once.
"Famous Harry Potter can't even go into a bookshop without making the front page." Draco continued, his voice filled with envy as he spoke.
In an instant, a read haired girl walked in front of Harry, as she glared up at Draco and her cousin. "Leave him alone."
Draco turned to Christopher before the two of them began to laugh at the girls words. Draco grabbed ahold of Christopher's shoulders as to not lose his balance before he doubled over, laughing his heart out. Christopher soon followed the boys lead.
It was as if the fight never happened.
"Oh my god, Potter got himself a girlfriend." Draco chuckled, as the laughter died down. Chris shrugged his hand off, not roughly, more like he didn't want the boy to touch him anymore. "Can you believe that, Chris?"
"And a cute one at that." Christopher glanced down at the girl, smirking as soon as there eyes locked. "Too bad she's a Weasley."
"And too bad your ugly." The red haired girl replied, glaring daggers at her cousin. Raven couldn't stop the smile even if she wanted to. Christopher's face was worth it.
He had his mouth open slightly, shocked by the girls words. His black eyes, unlike his father, had a twinkle inside of them instead of rage like she had thought he would have at her words. It was almost as if he respected the girl for insulting him, but still, he was left dumbfounded.
"I— umm—" He was at a lost for words.
"Too bad your little boyfriend would leave you in an instant, isn't that right, Potter?" Draco replied, trying to save his friend the potential embarrassment.
A cane hit Draco's shoulder, a cane that any of the Purebloods could recognize anywhere.
"Not now, Draco." Lucius Malfoy warned. His voice was soft as he spoke to his son. "Play nicely."
And wherever Lucius was, her uncle followed. Raven didn't hesitate to make her way downstairs at the sight of the white haired man, so she quickly wiped away her tears before she hurried down the steps.
And mere moments after she stopped, three steps before she hit the ground beside them, her Uncle Nicholas walked in.
"Christopher," Uncle Nicholas placed a hand on his shoulder as he pushed him to the side with Draco. "What have I said about manner?!"
"Mr. Potter." Lucius Malfoy said, addressing the boy in front of him. Uncle Nicholas stopped in his tracks at the name, turning to his cousin and the boy.
"Harry Potter." Uncle Nicholas acknowledged, bewildered by the boy's presence as he walked over to the other side of Lucius, ignoring his son's presence.
"Lucius Malfoy. We meet at last." Lucius Malfoy put his hand out to shake Harry. He instantly pulled Harry up close, moving his cane to inspect his scar as if he had no regard for personal space. "Forgive me, your scar is legend. As of course, is the wizard who gave it to you."
"His magic is unlike anything anyone had ever seen before." Uncle Nicholas interjected, almost mesmerized by his own words. He leaned in close to Harry, gently caress his finger over his scar almost possessively. He spoke in a soft tone, as if he were reliving a childhood memory. "The way his magic moved like a curious thunderstorm against any and everything that stood in his way. It was truly beautiful."
"Voldemort killed my parents." Harry spat out the name with such venom before he pulled out of Lucius's hold and smacked her Uncle Nicholases hand away. The two men looked shocked, stunned that Harry had said his name without fear. "He was nothing more than a murder."
"Watch your tongue, boy!" Uncle Nicholas growled as he took a step forward towards the 12 year old, but Lucius placed his hand in front of Uncle Nicholas, halting him in his tracks.
"Wait a moment, Nicholas." The Malfoy man said, his eyes held a certain glint as he spoke, almost taunting the boy in front of them. "He must be very brave to mention his name."
Raven couldn't help but feel pity for The Boy Who Lived as he stood in front of her worst nightmare, and the man of her childhood best friend.
"Or is he foolish?" He glanced at Uncle Nicholas, a smirk rising up onto his face before he turned back to Harry. "What do you think, Nick?"
"Foolish." He replied, his lips tugging up into a devilish smirk, causing Raven to shiver at the sight of it.
"Fear of a name only increases fear of the thing itself." Hermione spoke up. Raven glances at the brown haired girl, shocked. She couldn't believe she had the courage to step in between their conversation. Especially considering she is a Mudblood, no less.
"And who might you be," Uncle Nicholas questioned as he turned to face the girl. Hermione held strong, not even a single twitch at his cold eyes locking with her warm ones. "Little Miss?"
"Miss. Granger." Lucius responded, answering the question. "Yes, Draco's told me all about you, and your parents. Remember, Nicholas?"
"Oh yes." Uncle Nicholas replied. He crossed his arms over his chest, intimidating. "Muggles, aren't they? Filth just like yourself who have no business being here amongst us Purebloods."
"You have no business insulting an 11 year old!" Hermione exclaimed, surprising them all. "Especially as a grown man!"
Forgiven.
Raven forgave Hermione Granger for her previous words right then and there because the look on her Uncle's face was so priceless that she wanted to hang it up in a frame and place it in their living room for everyone to see. The man looked baffled, shocked beyond belief as his face grew red with anger, and the muggle born just smirked at him, almost tempting him to say it again.
And Raven found herself tempted to sketch it in her memory, on paper, for everyone to see. She shouldn't be.. blessed to see such art.
"Raven, are you laughing?"
Shit.
"No, sir." Raven fought the smile, clearing her throat. She could feel the gaze of the crowd on her. "I just bit my lip is all."
He glared down at Raven before turning back to Hermione, a fake charming smile on his lips. "I was just joking my dear, any and all people are welcome as long as they have magic. I am the Minister of Magic after all. Besides, if my muggle born friend was here, she would have had a good laugh with me."
He did not have a muggle born friend.
"Isn't that right, children?" He turned to us. Raven fought the urge to take a step back at his dark eyes. She gulped, playing strong.
"Yes, Father." Christopher nodded.
"Nicholas, look now." Lucius said, gaining Uncle Nicholases attention once more. Her Uncle turned following his gaze to the Weasley family, a mocking smirk tugged up and onto his lips.
"Let me see." Uncle Nicholas said before he began to list off their features. "Red hair, a bit of dirt on their faces."
Lucius Malfoy reached out, grabbing the red haired girls book from her cauldron, examining it with a teasing smirk that Raven was thankful she wasn't on the other side of. "Tacky, second hand book. You must be the Weasleys."
"Play nice, Lucius." Uncle Nicholas warned the man, though the smirk on his face said otherwise. Like he had told Raven, appearances. "Arthur Weasley is a fine man."
"Thank you, Mr. Minister!" A older red haired man exclaimed as he arrived by his children's side. He turned to his kids, giving them a loving father like smile that Raven had never seen before. She felt a twinkle of jealousy at the love. "Children, it's mad in here. Let's go outside."
"Well, well, well, Weasley Senior." Lucius Malfoy addressed the man.
"Lucius." Arthur Weasley addressed him back with a glare before he turned to her Uncle Nicholas, a kind smile tugged up and onto his lips. "Mr. Minister."
"Sir. Arthur." Uncle Nicholas charmed, a fake smile plastered on his lips as soon as he saw the man before he held his hand out to greet the man. Arthur shook it with a smile. "How is Molly doing after the scare with her children a few days ago?"
"Oh, with them taking the car out to pick up Harry in the muggle world?" He exclaimed, wincing slightly at his own words. He had placed his hands over Harry's shoulders, like a father would do a son. "She was furious, but grateful for your understanding. Thank you again, Mr. Minister! We appreciate all the gifts you sent."
"Anytime, Arthur." Uncle Nicholas hummed. "I am a kind Minister, am I not? And perhaps a handsome one at that!"
Raven's back began to ache as the two men began to laugh at his words, almost as if they were old friends. Lucius glared at his cousin, disgusted by his words.
"Oh, Mr. Minister, it's been a pleasure as always!" Arthur chuckled before turning his gaze to Lucius, who scoffed at his words. The tension shifted as Arthur's eyes narrowed. "I wish your friend could be as kind as you."
"Don't pay him any mind, Arthur." Uncle Nicholas waved him off. "He's just upset is all."
Uncle Nicholas smiled, fake and false before he leaned in close, placing his hand over his mouth as if he were telling a secret. Arthur leaned in close, eager to listen to whatever her Uncle had to say.
"But between you and me," Uncle Nicholas said it loud enough for everyone to hear. "I think he's just upset that he's wife kicked him out of bed again."
"That makes two of us." Arthur whispered back.
"Three of us, actually." Uncle Nicholas charmed. And the two of them laughed, while Raven saw the children slowly gain a tug of the lips, smiling as if his previous words never happened. All except Hermione, and Harry, almost as if they could see passed his act. Or maybe, they couldn't see passed it, but they didn't like him for his previous words that they shared. Raven hated that in a senses. She hated that her Uncle can fool the whole world except his family, they would forever be cursed with knowing the truth about how he really was behind closed doors.
And no matter if she were to say anything, they'd never believe her because of this.
"Well, I won't keep you any longer, Arthur." Uncle Nicholas said, placing his hand on the red haired man's shoulder before he turned to Raven and Christopher. His cold eyes made them shiver despite the softness in his voice. "Come on, children. The ladies must have grown tired from waiting."
The two of them hesitated for a moment as his eyes that were as black as coal kept them locked in place, almost as if their feet were frozen solid on the floor. Then, they moved, walked passed the man as they headed for the door. He moved to join them before he paused turning back to Arthur.
"Oh, and Arthur, one more thing." Uncle Nicholas said, as Arthur listened eagerly. Raven paused turning back to see as Christopher went on ahead. She locked eyes with the brown haired girl, Hermione, and could see the shine they held inside of them. The innocences as if they hadn't been burned by the rod of the world. Raven found herself wanting to protect it, like Melanie. "I believe my cousin has books to return back to your daughter."
Arthur nodded, looking at the white haired man expectingly. Lucius glared down at him before he walked forward, placing two books back into the cauldron.
"I'll see you at work." Lucius glared.
"Now, Lucí, no need to be so hostile." Uncle Nicholas scolded his cousin before he lowered his voice, almost sounding as if he were asking something else than what he said as he placed his hand on Lucius's shoulder, holding his gaze. "Be nice to Arthur, will you?"
"Yes." Lucius replied, lowering his voice as well. And the smirk that tugged up and onto Uncle Nicholas's send shivers down her spine. The way it burned into his skin, sinister like.
"Good." He replied, pulling his hand away, and suddenly, Raven felt as if she had been left out of a conversation. He turned back to Arthur and the other Weaslys, a charming grin on his face as Lucius and Draco walked away, not before Draco exchanged a few words with Harry.
"I'll see you at school." Draco glared at Harry before he followed after his father, passing Raven.
"Children," Uncle Nicholas chuckled. "Am I right? Goodbye, Arthur."
Raven turned back, continued to walk out of the shop. She could feel eyes on her back, watching her as she left until the door closed and they were once again out of sight. Uncle Nicholas placed his burning palm on Raven's back, moving her further and further away from the shop with their family beside them.
Until he stopped,
"Raven, darling," He bent down behind her, reaching out towards her hair before entangling his fingers till they reached her scalp. "You have a little something—"
He balled a fist full of hair in his hand with a his charming smile on his face. Raven cried out in pain, biting her lip harshly. Christopher and Katherine stopped as soon as they heard the sound, turning to the two of them with wide eyes. Christopher took a step forward towards Raven, but Aunt Eleanor placed her hand on his shoulder, halting him.
"If you ever embarrass me like that again," He whispered into her ear. His voice sending chills into her spine before he tugged harder. "I won't be as considerate."
Raven shut her eyes tightly, trying to calm her racing heart. He tightened his grip.
"Is that understood?"
Raven felt as if her mouth was sewed shut, so she nodded, biting her lip to halt the cry that tempted to escape her from the motion.
"Good." Uncle Nicholas release his grip, but didn't move his hand. He spoke up, a softer voice that made Raven want to cry. "I'm so sorry, love. Did I hurt you? I knew I shouldn't have let you play with the boys. They were too rough with you. We'll get you properly checked out at home."
Uncle Nicholas removed his hand from Raven's hair as he stopped up, trailing his fingers along her back before placing his hand on her shoulder with a smile. Raven didn't need to look to know the few spectators that began to watch there interaction become fooled by his act.
"The Minister is apologizing to a Rosier?"
"That is his niece."
"Wow, he has such a big heart!"
Raven wanted to smack her Uncle's hand away from her as she held her breathe. Her entire body was on fire by his touch alone, burning her from the inside out until she had nothing left to give. Her scars ached a terribly pain that nearly caused her shoulders to tremble by the feeling alone. It was as if someone was carving into her skin, reminding her of how useless she was.
He gently pushed her forward, even if his touch burned into her skin as she fought the urge to cry out from the way her scars carved into her skin, before leading the family away once more. As they walked, Uncle Nicholas moved away from Raven and towards his wife. His charming smile hadn't left his face as he moved, waving and winking at a few onlookers that watched them go.
Raven flinched when a hand touched the back of her head. She turned, facing her older cousins kind black eyes as she gently began to massage Raven's scalp through her hair.
"Are you okay?" She mouthed.
Her scalp burned. "I'm fine."
As soon as Raven finished mouthing the worlds, she felt a brush of a hand against her knuckles causing another flinch to leave her. She turned to the other side of her before relaxing as soon as she locked eyes with the black eyes of her other cousin. Christopher didn't make a big show of it; didn't outright hold her hand because they knew that Uncle Nicholas and Aunt Eleanor wouldn't like it. But she felt calmer as her cousins stood beside her, almost safe.
"I'm sorry.." Christopher whispered under his breathe for Raven to hear. He hung his head low, avoiding her soft gaze.
"...that I let him hurt you." Went unsaid.
Raven interlaced their hands for a moment and squeezed, "There's nothing to be sorry about. It was my fault."
Christopher tensed at her word for a moment before a smile tugged onto his lips, "Did you see the look on his face after Granger insulted him?"
Raven glanced at Uncle Nicholas and Aunt Eleanor and watched as the two of them continued to smile and wave to the onlookers as they walked. Thankfully, Raven, Katherine, and Christopher were still a bit away from them and out of earshot, especially with the loudness of the alley.
Katherine leaned forward, whispering under her breathe just like Christopher and Raven had been doing. "Who insulted him?"
"A muggle—" Christopher stopped, glancing over at the backs of his parents before inhaling sharply as a pained smile that looked as if he were a puppet with strings on the end of his lips made way onto his face. "A Mudblood."
Neither of them slipped at the slur that left his lips, but Katherine's smile ever so slightly at the word.
Christopher smirked after a few moments before he whispered, "Father was so red."
"How red?" Katherine asked. "Like a tomato?"
Raven shared a glance with Christopher before they both spoke, "Worse."
"Damn I wish I could have seen it." Katherine sighed, not loudly as to draw attention to them as the crowd around them grew quieter and quieter with each step they took.
"It was priceless." Raven nodded.
Katherine paused in her motions on the back of Raven's head, right over where Uncle Nicholas balled his hand. "Is that why he punished you?"
"She laughed." Christopher mumbled.
Raven bit her lip. "I giggled."
"Same difference." Christopher rolled his eyes. Raven narrowed her eyes at the boy.
"It's really not." Katherine grimaced before she continued her motions against the back of Raven's head, gently brushing the back of her hair as if she were a pet.
While Christopher and Katherine continued to argue beside her, Raven glanced at her Uncle Nicholas and watched as the charming smile faded from his lips into a sneer as soon as the big crowd shrunk to only two to three people on the street. He turned to his wife, Aunt Eleanor, with his hand out, waiting.
Aunt Eleanor didn't waste a second as she pulled out healing hands, a famous hand sanitizer that was used amongst wizards and witches, before she spat the liquid on Uncle Nicholases hands.
"Can't believe I touch that filth."
Raven couldn't help but realize as she watched as her Uncle Nicholas scrubbed his hands furiously, trying so desperately to get the filth of Arther Weasley off of his hands...
That her Uncle was right,
The world is truly about appearances.