Chance
June 8th, 1971
Madeline Carrow knew very early on that she was far too good for her family. Her brothers, Jax and Llyal, were more than happy to play into the roles their father had set for them. They were happy to be cruel, to preach pureblood superiority, and to make their hatred for muggles, muggle-borns and “half breeds” explicitly clear in their every action; however, Madeline wasn’t born for cruelty, her mother has made sure of it. Poppy Taylor-Carrow was a sweet woman. Madeline had never known her to be cruel, and nobody had ever uttered an unkind word about her, even after her death. Madeline cherished every moment spent with her mother, she felt safe with her. Her father Icus Carrow was a stark contrast to his wife. He was an older man with a thick moustache and what seemed to be a permanent look of disdain. The House of Carrow was very well respected. Their pureblood lineage rivaled that of the House of Black, and as such, the Carrow children were under strict guidance as to who they could be seen with. At that point in her life, Madeline had no reason to care about that. Her friendship with the Black heir was all she seemed to need. Madeline and Sirius were twin flames. From the minute they met, it was rare that you’d find one without the other. Between both children, the adults around them were constantly on their toes trying–and often failing–to prevent mischief.
In the early hours of her 11th birthday, Madeline was wide awake. How could she sleep? Today was the day she would receive her Hogwarts letter. As he’d turned 11th in the previous November, Sirius had already gotten his letter and had been rubbing it in her face for months. There was a knock on her door. “Miss Madeline, your presence is requested in the sitting room.” The family house elf, Sprin, opened her door and began to lay out her outfit for the day. In her opinion, Sprin had it good with the Carrows, far better than Krecher did over with the Blacks. Madeline got dressed as quickly as she could. Tights, then a crisp white dress shirt, then her skirt. She brushed her hair before tying it back with a white ribbon. Her shoes were last to go on, they were a shiny pair of black Mary Janes–she supposed muggles did have their benefits on occasion.
When she reached the sitting room, her brothers and her father were already there. Jax was the first to see her, he sauntered over, a bright smile plastered on his face. “Happy Birthday Mads” He beamed, giving her a tight hug. Jax was entering his final year at Hogwarts and had pretty much already secured a fancy Ministry job. They sat down as Llyal passed her the first of the presents. She opened the wrapping as delicately as she could. It was a black, leather-bound book on astronomy. There was an inscription on the inside cover;
Property of Madeline Pax Carrow
Happy Birthday My Dearest Maddy,
I will miss our astronomy nights, but I’m giving you this in the hope that you’ll think of me whenever you use it. Best of luck with your schooling, I’ll make sure to visit whenever you’re home.
I love you more than all the stars in the sky.
Llyal x
She got lots of great gifts that day, but the book would remain her favourite for years to come.
September 1st, 1971
Madeline had been given her letter after lunch with the Blacks. It was made clear to her in the months leading up to the start of term, that she was expected to be placed in Slytherin, but Ravenclaw was also perfectly acceptable–it was her mothers house after all. Icus had insisted on seeing her off for the first time, but had made it perfectly clear it was a one time thing. The pair stood just outside the entrance to Platform 9 ¾ waiting for Walburga and Sirius. Madeline was anxious for Hogwarts. Anxious to learn, to make friends, to experience life outside the Carrow Manor. “Icus my dear!” Walburga Black’s shrill voice cut through the air, “How wonderful to see you both.” She gave Madeline a well practiced and shallow smile which the girl was quick to return. Sirius had snuck up behind her, and with a light tug on her hair had made his presence known. Madeline had whacked him, of course, before giving him a warm smile. Icus stepped forward at that moment and offered Walburga his arm, “Shall we?” That was the cue for the four of them to make their way through the barrier. Madeline and Sirius shared a look before they stepped through, it was an odd sensation that Madeline was certain she’d never get used to.
Platform 9 ¾ was alive with activity. There were plenty of tears from parents and children alike as the first years set off for the train, but Sirius and Madeline couldn’t get away from their parents fast enough. Walburga had pulled her son aside for a stern talking to about “upholding the family’s good name” and in no uncertain terms told him that if he didn’t end up in Slytherin, he better find a new family. Icus was far less brutal. He wished Madeline good luck, told her to write after the sorting, to keep him updated at the end of every month and that he would see her at Christmas time. They shared a brief hug before she headed for the train.
Sirius had grabbed her hand and the pair had raced onto the train to find an empty carriage. They sat opposite each other, talking excitedly about what the following year might bring. Jax had always joked that once they got going, the pair could talk underwater. As it was, they were completely oblivious to the world around them, so much so that they didn’t notice the boy standing awkwardly in the doorway. Madeline was the first to spot him. “Oh Merlin, I am awfully sorry, were you saying something my dear?” She looked at the boy with a warm smile. He fiddled with the end of his jacket. “Oh um, yeah I was just wondering if I could join you pair? Everywhere else is full…” Madeline nodded, patting the seat next to her before extending a hand. “Madeline Carrow, it’s nice to meet you.” The boy looked a little shocked for a split second but took her hand anyway. “Remus Lupin, and uh, same.”
It was a fitting name, Madeline thought, as she leant forward to whack Sirius’ knee. “Introduce yourself.” Sirius looked between the pair, giving a small smile as he shook Remus’ hand. “I’m Sirius, Sirius Black.” He said it like it was common knowledge, as he so often did. Sirius often forgot–or maybe he was just that ignorant–that he was more privileged than most.
The three slipped easily into conversation. Madeline found out that Remus’ father Llyal had known her mother quite well, as luck would have it they were friends during their Hogwarts days. She also discovered that Remus shared her interest in astronomy and she’d been quick to take out the book she’d gotten for her birthday. Sirius and Remus bonded over their love of muggle music–a discovery Sirius had made in an attempt to piss off his parents. By the time they arrived at Hogwarts, they’d been joined by two other boys; James Potter and Peter Pettigrew. The group had formed a quick and formidable friendship, and they were all keen to see what houses they’d end up in. James was certain he’d get but in Gryffindor, Peter was sure he was there by mistake and would be sent home, Remus was happy with anything except Slytherin, but would prefer Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. Sirius was awfully quiet when James had asked him. Madeline knew that he dreaded getting put in Slytherin, but also knew that he dreaded the consequences if he wasn’t.
“Well, what about you Madeline?” James had turned to her, “Where do you wanna end up?” All eyes were on her as she took a moment to think. “Well ummm, my family expects me to get into Slytherin like my brothers but, my mother was in Ravenclaw so, they’ll be okay if I’m put there.” The air got tense at the mention of Slytherin, it was no secret what kind of witches and wizards the house produced. She laughed, “I’m hoping for Ravenclaw though, I’m not cut out for Slytherin.”
That had seemed to appease the group, and as the train stopped they made a point to stick together.
The first years were herded into the Great Hall, the castle was magnificent. Madeline looked at the hall’s enchanted ceiling in awe, it was beautiful. As they came to a stop in front of the hall, Professor McGonagall called for quiet as Dumbledore stood up to tell them that they weren’t allowed to enter the Forbidden Forest without permission, and that the right side of the third floor corridor was off limits. McGonagall opened up her scroll and cleared her throat. Sirius was next to her and as names started getting called, he tensed. She squeezed his hand reassuringly. James went to Gryffindor, a timid looking girl named Dorcas Meadows was put in Hufflepuff, a boy named Hayden Lovett was put in Ravenclaw. All in all the sorting was going rather well.
“Sirius Black!”
The hall went quiet in anticipation as Sirius walked up to the chair. It took the hat a minute to come up with an answer, poor Sirius looked positively horrified the whole time.
“GRYFFINDOR!”
Sirius paled. As he headed for the Gryffindor table, some of his relatives at the Slytherin table jeered. Madeline was next. As she stepped up, she made sure to clear her head and calm her breathing. She took a seat and the Sorting Hat was placed on her head. It was old, slightly too big and smelt musty. It spoke to her.
“Hmmmm, ambitious with a good brain. You’d just about fit anywhere, though I sense you have a preference? What to do, what to do. Slytherin? Or perhaps Ravenclaw? Better be…”
Madeline held her breath.
“RAVENCLAW!”