People I Have Met and How they Have Proceeded to Disappoint Me.
I found myself lost in thought before I knew it thinking about the past year and every year I had been in Hogwarts up till this point. There were so many bad things that had happened, more than should have seeing as how it was a school after all.
My first year professor Quirrell tried to kill be during a quidditch match and we later found him trying to steal the philosopher’s stone. Professor Dumbledore had said he was actually Lord Voldemort in disguise and he had placed the odd puzzles Ron, Hermione and I figured out around the stone to protect it. Having said that, he was an adult wizard, one who had not only completed his education, but was also said to have been one of if not the greatest dark wizard of all time. How were puzzles that first year students could solve meant to keep him out? Not only that, but it seems incredibly irresponsible for Dumbledore to have let Quirrell stay as a teacher knowing that he was not who he said he was. On top of that its even odder that Dumbledore let him stay as a teacher considering he had tried to kill me once and did so again during the school year.
The next year there was a basilisk roaming the halls and no one cared? I mean they knew that there was a creature that lived in the castle that had already petrified students before not to mention killed a student before. And yet, they decided to continue with the classes as if everything was fine and our classmates were not being turned to stone and threatened with bloody messages on the walls. He also hired professor Lockhart for reasons I have yet to discern. The man was so obviously a fraud and a terrible teacher and yet he was hired despite his incompetence? Yet another teacher who tried to hurt me and my friends. Also, how did none of the teachers figure out that a basilisk was petrifying students before Ron, Hermione, and I did? The creature was clearly put in the castle by Salazar Slytherin, snake enthusiast extraordinaire and well known parselmouth. A man who made his house animal the snake and the colors green and silver. I wonder what it was that he put in his super secret chamber, I mean obviously it was a bear!? And, and, if you knew that it was most likely a type of snake (or snake adjacent) creature that Slytherin put in the chamber, the number creatures on the list of what was petrifying students goes down significantly. Obviously it was a basilisk it isn’t that hard to put together with those clues, especially not when you factor in the spiders running away, and the chickens being murdered.
My third year Dumbledore hired a professor who was trying to escape death by draining people of their magic, me included. I never did find out how often he did it but we found at least 3 dead unicorns drained of blood that year meaning he was very determined. It sucked (get it?). Humor is the healthiest coping mechanism I have and I refuse to let it go. Besides, that is 3 for 3 professors who have attacked me me and I tend to go with the rule that 3 times is no longer a coincidence.
My fourth year, was somehow worse. The ministry of magic decided that after the previous year’s fiasco that they would intervene and place their own DADA professor to monitor Hogwarts. Given how bad the last 3 professors had been, I hoped that things would improve. Like a fool, however, I was wrong. As DADA professor and overseer of Hogwarts they put a horrid pink toad who made us write with blood quills during detention, turned the school into a nightmare, and worst of all, hated me. She made my life almost as miserable as it is at the Dursley’s and I feel like that is an accomplishment all on its own. She didn’t exactly try to kill me, more like I used the blood quill to seriously injure myself on purpose (and accidentally almost die) to get her kicked out. It worked but I guess that does round it up to 4 for 4 professors who have tried to kill/hurt/maim me in 4 years. It just really seemed like it wasn’t a coincidence that this was happening, that I was being put in these situations. I just couldn’t figure out why. This wasn’t the first time Dumbledore did something sketchy though.
He placed me with my relatives so that I would grow up in a world without magic and fame in order to protect me, according to him. However, the thing that confuses me is why I was placed here in the first place. My parent’s must have had a will if they were fighting in a war and it would have specified where I needed to be placed in the event of both of their deaths. Even if they didn’t have a will, there are protocols for placing orphaned children into homes, specifically government protocols. The fact that no one knew where I was except for Dumbledore is strange. The fact that I didn’t have the key to my own bank account is strange as well (unless my parents named him in their will I guess). That might explain why Dumbledore was the one that placed me here in the first place. Only it wouldn’t, I countered myself, because there are still government protocols in place if the person in a will doesn’t want to take care of a child. Even if he did it because he thought it was best, it wasn’t. The Dursleys suck.
And then, there is everything else that is odd (as if there is a lack of odd and suspicious things). He had Hagrid introduce me to the wizarding world which is strange because Hagrid is not even a professor. It seems like it might be better to have sent professor McGonagall as she is the deputy headmistress. Hagrid left me in Diagon alley by myself after taking me to the bank because his stomach was upset and wanted some beer to settle it. He left an 11 year old who knew nothing about magic alone in a strange place to fend for himself, are you kidding me? I wouldn’t dream of leaving Milo alone even for a second. Which, brings me to the fact that when I got to Kingscross Station I was seemingly rescued out of my confusion by the Weasleys. Mrs. Weasley just happened to meet me in the station shouting about platform 9 and 3/4 at the exact right time to help me despite it being a breach against magical secrecy (not that the Weasleys ever followed that law very well) and Mrs. Weasley being the biggest proponent of the law in that family? I was completely unprepared for the wizarding world leaving me to make mistakes constantly. Mistakes which most people seemed to take personally since I was “the savior of the wizarding world”.
It was all so frustrating and nothing seemed to make any sort of sense. Nothing added up and it was driving me crazy. I didn’t know if it was all a stupid coincidence and I was just being dramatic or if I was on to something.
Interrupting me from my musings, Hedwig flew into my room as the sun was rising. I couldn’t believe how fast time had passed. I thanked her quietly and quickly read the letter. I had to get started on chores so I wouldn’t have much time.
Ms. Potter
Thank you for your letter, you were right to contact us regarding this issue. I must give you a forewarned apology regarding the cryptic nature of my letter. However, I must maintain the utmost secrecy when discussing anything regarding this issue for safety. I have given your owl a pocket watch which will act as a one time portkey to the Malfoy family manor. From here we will be able to portal to our final destination. The portkey is set for 9 am. Please ensure you are not late as the portkey will leave with out you and that you hold on tightly. Portkeys can cause people to feel odd and I would hate for our friend to get lost. If you have any more problems please send your owl back as soon as possible.
With Regards,
Lucious Malfoy, Head of the Malfoy Family
Ok then. 9 am, I can do this that is only 3 hours away. I obviously wasn’t letting Milo out of my sight until I knew he was back with his parents so I would go with him. I hoped the portkey wouldn’t have problems transporting the two of us. I looked over at Milo who was still sleeping and pulled my sheet over him to hide him a bit. I then moved my sweater and pillow around to make him look like sheets. This way, the Durselys wouldn’t see him (hopefully) while I did my chores and would leave him alone. Like clockwork, I heard my aunt unlocking my door and letting me out.
“Where is the other freak?” she asked in a nasty whisper
“He is staying locked in my room as to not bother anyone” I answered. That seemed to satisfy her as she locked the door behind me. I went downstairs and began to make breakfast like any other day. I set the table with the food and began washing up. Vernon woke up around 7 an hour after I started. He ate his breakfast and then motioned me to come over.
“Listen to me you freak. The other one will follow the same rules as you. I don’t want to hear a word from either of you. I am not scared to set you both straight if I have to, are we clear” he said with a sneer. I nodded in understanding and he let me go before heading off to work. I breathed a sigh of relief and finished the washing up before cleaning the kitchen. My aunt came down which signaled me that I could go upstairs to clean the rooms (except for Dudley’s room since he was still asleep and would be until noon). By this time it was 8:30 am and I knew I needed to hurry if I wanted to make it in time. I quietly went into my aunt and uncle’s room and took a pair of bobby pins from my aunt. I had learned how to pick locks long ago in order to get food during the night and so they started padlocking the outside of my room (the cupboard at the time) and had since continued to do so. I snuck back to my door and got started on the 3 locks. I was able to open all three despite it taking me longer than I liked. I rushed inside and quietly woke up Milo.
“Milo, wake up” I said shaking him softly.
“Wha?” He turned to look at me sleepily.
“I sent a letter to the Malfoy’s and they responded. I have a portkey set to take us to their manor in 7 minutes. I need you to get ready.” At this, Milo’s eyes sprung open and he sat up.
“Is there anything here that you need to take with you?” I asked diving under my bed to retrieve my wand, cloak, and bottomless bag. Milo shook his head and I grabbed a couple of pain relief potions and stuffed them in my bag alongside my water bottle. We both sat on the bed staring at the pocket watch slowly tick away. It seemed like an eternity before, as the clock struck 9 sharp, both of us were yanked from out navels and unceremoniously dropped in what I suspect was the entry way of the Malfoy Manor.
There was a large iron gate towering over us. Behind it stood an elegant stone building surrounded by a beautiful garden with yellow flowers. The gravel path that led up to the building was lined with hedges and in front of the building stood a fountain. Milo and I looked at each other impressed. Although, he looked less surprised than I was. A man who was dressed in sophisticated wizarding robes walked out of the front of the house to greet us. Seeing him, Milo perked up and smiled anxiously as if he recognized them. The gates opened in front of us and we took it as a sign to come in. I grabbed Milo’s hand to make sure he didn’t run ahead. Milo might have known about the Malfoys but I still didn’t know who to trust. If I lost him now when I was so close to getting him home, I would never forgive myself.
“Welcome to the Malfoy family Manor. It is an honor to both host and be able to help you Prince Emilio Zephyr of the Air Courts” said Mr. Malfoy with a slight bow at the end. I widened my eyes and hissed at Milo,
“You didn’t tell me you were a prince! Why didn’t you tell me - oh, sorry” I caught myself as I anxiously whispered to him. He couldn’t have told me because of the spell that was placed on him.
“Thank you for your help and hospitality Lord Malfoy. The Zephyr family is now in your debt.” Milo responded regally. I felt like a fish out of water and simply nodded to the Malfoys (who were apparently Lords?)
“Let us come inside where we can discuss how to get you home Prince Emilio” said Lord Malfoy gracefully. We followed him inside into an entry-way room. Inside there was tea and finger foods already set up. I could hear Milo’s stomach growl lightly and before he could run off to fill up his plate I held him back.
“Don’t eat too quickly” I whispered, “You haven’t eaten in a while I would guess, at least longer than you are used to going and if you eat to fast you might make yourself get nauseous or even sick.” Milo’s face fell ever so slightly at the news but he heeded my warning by taking only a small sandwich and biscuit. I went to go grab a plate for myself but I stopped thinking about the food. If it was enchanted with a spell of any kind and we both ate it, we would be in trouble. It was better for at least one of us to refrain from eating the food just in case. Besides, I had much more practice with going hungry than Milo likely did. I sat beside Milo holding back a slight wince despite his curious look at me. he offered his biscuit to me but I politely and subtlety declined. He frowned but kept eating as the Malfoys sat in the couch across from us.
“Prince Emilio, your family has been very worried and I am very glad that we have found you. You did well using what your mother taught you and contacting us. I have arranged a portal that should be opening in 15 minutes, well 10 now, that will get you back to your family.” Lord Malfoy informed us.
“She knows about Navarah” said Milo, “I - um, well, I - .” He growled frustrated by the spell. I put my hand on his should her and continued for him.
“What he means to say is thank you for your help. I will be joining him until he is safe with his family in Navarah as he is my responsibility. There is much that I am sure we must discuss, including how he came to meet me. However, I think it is best that we wait for him to be back with his family before getting into the details. Thank you for answering my letter so promptly and for being willing to help him and I. I know this is likely unusual and likely against normal protocol, but these are special circumstances. “ I answered. I wasn’t about to let him go with some strangers just because he knew of them. Besides, even if either of us wanted to answer his questions we would both be kept from doing so due to the spell.
“You know of Navarah?” asked Lord Malfoy quietly
“I know only what Milo, erm, Prince Emilio has told me.” I answered. Milo snickered at me,
“Milo is fine, Mira. Usually only my family and friends call me Milo but I would argue that we know each other well enough by now. And in any case, you have saved my life so its only fair” He said. I smiled and nodded, appreciating what he had said.
“We should get going to the portal room just to ensure that we are not late. My wife will meet you on the other side.” He said after doing a quick tempus charm to check the time. Milo and I followed him into another room with books lining the walls and a large mirror in the corner. In the center of the room there was an archway that went all the way up to the ceiling. It divided the room and almost seemed as if it was part of the architecture of the house instead of a portal frame. As soon as we entered the room a swirling blue light filled the space inside the archway. I looked over at Milo and he seemed at ease recognizing what I assumed to be the portal. I grabbed his hand as much for his sake as mine.
“Thank you again Lord Malfoy. I hope we meet again under better circumstances” Milo said glancing back before pulling me behind him into the portal.