3

--Caddell Manor—6th, December 1928—

It was a day after finding out about his great grandmother being a Gaunt that he decided to finally figure out the relationship he had with Tom. So there he was in the family tapestry, not wasting any time. He had a lesson with Edmund later on. After the family dinner, he knew he wouldn't be a part of it. He was seen as too young to be able to join them yet. He was pretty sure they would allow him that privilege once he was four, to dine with them when it was during occasions.

"Gaunt family," He said, knowing the tapestry would reveal the part of the Gaunt family he was related to.

He wasn't at all surprised by what he was seeing. After all, incest was a big part of pureblood culture, but incest to this extent? Well, purebloods didn't go so far as to marry their siblings but rather cousins. Some didn't even think to marry first cousins, but beyond that, they were agreeable. From his knowledge and what he remembered, the Gaunts, who were known to be deranged and mad due to the marrying and procreating of siblings that went on in order to keep their sacred, pure blood of Slytherin within their family, as they saw them sleeves greater than the rest. It was no wonder his great grandmother was the way she was, although she wasn't as bad as he would say, Morfin, Tom's uncle was- well, is.

Beside the name of his great grandmother were her siblings, 'Marvolo Arin Gaunt' & 'Morphina Elladora Gaunt', his great-great-uncle and Aunt. The siblings, Marvolo and Morphina were connected to each other… twice. They were married, but it seems Morphina died. He wasn't sure how or when, but maybe when she gave birth to Merope, her daughter. He was assuming Merope was the younger sibling between her and her brother Morfin.

Tracing the line, they stopped at their children, his first cousins twice removed.

'Morfin Marvolo Gaunt' & 'Merope Morphina Gaunt.'

He sighed sadly, having not seen what he expected to see. The line of the Gaunt family just stopped there. Wait… what if he just.

"Merope Gaunt", he called out, hoping to- nothing happened.

"Um… Merope Morphina Gaunt?!" he called out again. Nothing.

"…Merope Riddle?" he called out questionably. This time something did happen, and there it was, woven just beneath her, just as it was beside her.

'Tom Marvolo Riddle- 1926' There he was, his cousin. He was having trouble remembering this part. Was Merope even married to Tom Riddle Sr? was obviously from this. It seemed to be the case. He knew that she had dosed him with love potions over time, but he hadn't known they had gotten married. Her name should have been Merope Morphina Riddle né Gaunt, then… usually stuff like this happened when marriage wasn't recognised by the patriarch. Right… it made sense that she hadn't told anyone, not even her family. They wouldn't have expected a muggle.

Now he knew his exact relation to Tom, who was his second cousin once removed, not too distant. The boy, who in the future had killed the Gaunt family, well, not completely- wait, did he? Maybe it was the Riddle family he was thinking of, right? He killed them, which resulted in his uncle, Morfin, getting blamed as he had been a frequent inmate in Azkaban for terrorizing muggles, so they just assumed it was him. Although, it was Tom who had him framed, and then he stole the Gaunt ring, which was through male Gaunts, generation to generation. How old had Tom been? 15? 14?

Then there was Marvolo. Had Tom killed him? Or perhaps he was already dead- right, he was sure he was already dead, that or he was in Azkaban. He didn't really care.

As boredom struck, he began to walk out of the room, the door itself closing once he was fully in the hallway. He glanced down the long hall that seemed longer than it needed to be, with him being his height and having to walk with what he called 'legs'. They were short, understandably.

His strides were short and relaxed as he allowed his mind to wander. There was no doubt it would take a while to arrive at his father's office.

Right, Parseltongue… a language- It's a truly amazing thought to have come up with. JK Rowling chose to make it and incorporate it into her work. Though, if Emrys remembered well from what he had read about snakes in his previous life, he would be correct in claiming that snakes do not 'hear' in the traditional sense. Snakes are able to hear by vibrating their jawbones.

When a rattlesnake shakes its tail, does it hear the rattling? In a sense, yes, in a certain way.

…Fascinating indeed. It's no surprise that scientists have struggled to comprehend and study snakes because they lack immortal ears and the ability to detect sound. Sound waves generate vibrations in a snake's skull, which are subsequently 'heard' by the inner ear, according to the paper he read.

In humans, sound waves pass through the air and strike the eardrum, triggering the movement of microscopic bones and vibrations of tiny hair cells in the inner ear, which are subsequently translated into nerve impulses and sent to the brain.

Snakes lack eardrums but have fully developed inner ear systems. Instead, their jawbone is directly connected to their inner ear... Vibrations provide a message to the brain through the inner ear.

Rowling just appeared to be attempting to explain snakes' capacity to hear by magic through the use of Parseltongue.

While it may seem like Emrys' was hissing to his sister, Seraphina, who didn't inherit the ability…hm, it made sense, yes.

Those who lacked the skill couldn't understand since the 'hissing' is actually the person transmitting certain vibrations in the air to the snake to whom they are communicating.

After some time of thinking, it made time move faster, passing the time as he walked through the long halls of the Manor. Now he found himself in his father's office, who was surprised that Emrys stood at his door. Reluctantly the man looked both ways of the hallway before letting his son in, with a raised brow and a question of what he was doing there and not with his mother or a house elf.

He was sat on the man's lap, allowing him a view of the contents of his desk. There was a quill scratching against the parchment, a letter to a 'Professor Rowle', Rowle was a pureblood name… then on the other side of the quill was another, but this one was actually being held by his father who was doing the writing and not 'magic'.

"Father?" his childish voice sounded, his small hand fumbling with the corner of the parchment that the magical quill was writing on. Each time he folded a tiny piece of the corner, it would just straighten out as though he had never touched it. It was interesting.

The man hummed, in response, his gazes darting the back of his son's dark hair, the quill in his grip slowing down as his attention was now divided.

"You know Parseltongue, the language you told me about? Why is it marked as evil?" Emrys asked, his small fingers not leaving the corner of the parchment. His father's writing came to a halt as he proceeded with the question.

"Evil? Where did you hear that, Emrys? I never told you that."

Right… he didn't, did he…

"I think I heard it from your grandmother when she was looking for something", he replied instantly, the lie coming easily. His father was silent for a few seconds, "You saw her? I guess if she was looking for something, I suppose it makes sense. Right, 'evil'. I wish I knew the exact answer to that. There's nothing evil about speaking to snakes. It's a useful skill. Perhaps because it's associated with Salazar Slytherin…."

As Atticus answered, Emrys saw how he reached for his pocket, a pocket watch now in his palm. It was shinny, a brass-gold, most definitely expensive. He then placed it on the desk.

"Salazar Slytherin is your grandmother's ancestor, which also makes him ours, right?" Emrys asked, curiosity laced in his voice, has his back rested on Atticus' chest as feeling slightly tired. That was one of the faults of being in a toddler's body. Just that whole walk down here had taken a toll on him.

"Right," his father confirmed. "Isn't he one of the houses in Hogwarts?" He asked, feigning ignorance. He was, after all, 'two' turning three at the end of next year.

"Yes."

Emrys turned his gaze from the parchment, catching his father's gaze, "Then was Slytherin evil if his association with Parseltongue caused it to be marked as 'evil'?"

"You're quite a curious Caddell, aren't you. That's the Ravenclaw blood in you." Atticus mused, "Your questions are valid, and Slytherin is seen as 'evil' by a lot of people. I never understood it. It was just baseless theories by brainless wizards. When I was at Hogwarts, we're sorted, of course, but before we are, a song is sung in the ceremony, which once mentioned that Slytherin was Gryffindor's best friend-" his father paused for a few seconds, their gazes meeting once more.

"Do you know Gryffindor?" His father asked. Emrys nodded and responded, "Another of the houses. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin."

"You know, there's something called the Chamber of Secrets, Slytherin built during the building of Hogwarts. No one has ever found it. They believe he hid a Balsiks- a giant snake within."

Emrys nodded, his gaze set on the table, his neck tired. "Then, if they think he left a giant snake under the school… why do they think he did it?"

"People think to seem, it was to kill mudbloods… muggle-borns, Emrys, those who were born without magical parents." His father elaborated, in case the toddler wasn't aware of it yet, which he should be if he was having lessons with Madam Flint.

"…And what do you think he put it there?"

"Hm, why do I think… My belief is that Slytherin's difficulty with muggle-borns was more of a cautionary issue than a purity issue. Wizards were formerly hunted, and I believe this was the case during the founder's time. I believe he was concerned that admitting muggle-borns might result in one of them betraying the school's location to muggles, endangering the lives of all students. He didn't want to take that chance, which is why he and the other founders had a falling out. As a result, he constructed the chamber not to purify the school, but to guard it from muggle attacks. Then there is that whole 'saviour complex' with him, 'Only his heir can open the chamber' undoubtedly to make sure everyone knew it was his effort that saved the school, in such a scenario and-" his father stopped speaking.

The man's hand ran through the mess that was Emrys' hair, "Ah, sorry, that seems to be a lot of information for someone of your age. Not to worry, as time passes, you'll grow older and have a better understanding."

He wanted to tell the man he did understand all that was said. His theory was plausible and more understandable and reasonable than just Slytherin simply being a blood purist hating muggle-borns enough to sanction them to death by a giant snake.

As he opened his mouth to speak, the door opened, revealing his Aunt Cecil. "Do you have a- oh hello Emrys, you've defiantly grown the last time I saw you- Never thought Atticus would-g" she didn't exactly get to finish as his father interrupted her, "Alright, Cecil. What can I do for you?"

"Right, I'm looking for Head Auror Scamander. It seems he's hard to find."

"Would you not go to the Ministry if you wish to find him?" Atticus asked, knowing she was to ask a favour. "Would you just-" as she was about to finish speaking, something jumped out from her pocket that had Emrys' eyes widen.

"Ralph!" Cecil exclaimed as she tried to capture him, only for him to leap towards Atticus's desk, his eyes filled with greed. Things fell to the floor as the animal pushed everything aside as it slid across the large surface, stopping right in front of Emrys. Its attention was placed on the shiny object in front of them, which was the pocket watch.

"Sorry, Atticus. Don't worry, he'll give it back." As Cecil said that, the magical animal plopped the golden watch in its pouch? What was it? Emrys felt giddy just seeing it, "What is it?" his voice sounded. He was now kneeling on his father's lap instead of sitting, his hands pressed on the edge of the table as he leaned forward to get a better look at the animal. His Aunt gave a hearty laugh.

"I suppose you haven't seen one before, have you, Emrys? This is a Niffler," she responded.

"…Yes, and what is said Niffler doing in my office Cecil? I thought you stopped your silly interest in these animals," Atticus said dryly, not at all amused that the creature had taken his watch. Atticus and Cecil bickered amongst each other while Emrys toned them out, watching as Cecil captured 'Ralph' in her hands.

The creature had a long snout, its coat black and fluffy. It looked similar to a platypus with a small pouch on its belly, yet there was no bulge in the pouch where it had put the watch.

"Tell me more," he said to his aunt, who obliged, "They're harmless creatures," she said, giving her brother a pointed look. "They're creatures which are native to Britain. They're attracted to shiny things, which is why he took your father's watch, greedy little things they are. Though they are great for locating treasure, they're better suited for being outside unless you rather they wreak havoc indoors. I suppose you can say they can literally put anything in their pouch, don't be deceived by its apparent size,"

She helped Ralph upside down, shaking him, which had a snort escape from Emrys' mouth as he watched the animal make sounds of annoyance, and a bunch of things fell out, not just his fathers watch, "Ah, so that's where my Ring went" Cecil whispered. Atticus just watched in amusement as his son took an interest in the creature.

"Can I get one?" Emrys asked, turning to Atticus, who looked baffled, "No."

--Caddell Manor—2nd, January 1929—

His sister pressed her finger to her lips, a slight smirk behind her finger in a shushing manner. He tried to stop the grin- correction, he pretended to stop a grin from appearing on his face as he slammed his hand to his mouth to hide the 'laughter' that wanted to erupt. He could hear the footsteps getting closer by the second. The person made no attempt to hide the steps that loudly clicked against the tiled floors.

Sometimes he just acted the role of a child. It at least made the girl, his sister Seraphina happy to be able to spend time with him in her way.

He couldn't say that it wasn't fun being a so-called child again, well, toddler. His responsibilities weren't much, ignoring the lesson he had with Edmund, Eron and Agatha. His nerves really considered that much responsibility. He saw their lessons as a way to understand this world better, a hobby to learn and absorb more information. Reading was much more fun than anything else or asking questions.

There wasn't much for him to do. For example, he would love to fly through to sky on a broom, play quidditch, or even use a magic carpet, but all those things he wasn't allowed to do, nor did he have access to those things after all. He was 'two'.

After seeing his interest in brooms, Kester, his older cousin, had gotten him a broom, well, a training one, to be precise. It wasn't dangerous, well it could be, but he would call it dangerous, more so just a hazard in the case of a two-year-old using it.

His mother had been against him having it, as it was for three years and up. He was dumbfounded. Was she really going to stop him from using it because of a year difference? Thankfully he was able to convince her with his, of course, now 'cute' face, which was still in the process of losing the baby fat.

It wasn't as fun as watching his cousin fly, though, seeing as his new 'fantastic' broom barely even lifted off the floor because his mother had set the charm to the lowest setting. Atticus seemed the most amused at his son's lack of enthusiasm when placed on the broom that barely had any movement or speed. He could simply just use it as a napping station with how boring it is. He used it thrice, only to see if he could change the charm. Still, of course, without magic, he couldn't nor was he able to convince anyone to change it, so now he wasn't even sure where the damn thing was since he dropped it somewhere on his way to the library.

Oh, how he loved libraries but this one! The Ancient Library of the House of Caddell was one that exceeded expectations with its variety. There were so many sections of books, whether for leisurely reading or educational.

There were books on magic, books on magical animals, books on simply everything, even things that could be deemed useless, yet it was there, not lacking in anything. There was so much to explore.

Even now, he was always there and had yet to even make a dent in the library. It was a large room, which had two stories, with two different staircases leading to the next floor. The walls were tall, as ancient volumes, with bookcases at nearly every corner, with their inky treasures adorned in the quiet room.

That was another thing he loved about it. It was the silence, no one bothering. He liked that about the Caddell family. They had some pride in allowing their children some 'freedom', allowing them to explore, and then asking about it. 'What did you learn today?', 'Why did you do that?' etc.

His father seemed even more prideful as he learned his son was spending most of his time in the library. It wasn't some secret that he could read.

The room provided that sense of easy solitude and the sense of gentle seaside hues, soft blues, greys, and browns. The bookshelves' wood seemed as if it had washed up on a beach as if it had been a part of a massive sailing ship. Nonetheless, it sits in its eternal harbour, in that melancholy harbour that is the library's corner.

Not once had he thought he would see such a grand library, which was to be expected of an ancient pureblood family with traditional values. From his lessons, he had been made aware that the Caddell Manor had been built back in 1220, and here it was, still standing as the castle it was built to be. So a lot of the books within the library were old, very old- dating back to who knows when.

Books are like expressions of people's brains, still connected to the deepest emotions. They had the ability to change a person's perspectives. Books spoke their own words, their ink on papery leaves that will always stay even though centuries may pass. They invite a conversation with the thoughts, one unspoken and kind-

He was always told off for reading too much, but how can one read too 'much'. With that, he would be dragged to have some 'actual' fun, just like in this life, his sister was dragging him to have some actually fun, she calls this.

The whole Caddell family had dinner, so the ones still breathing attended. His great grandmother Merel, his Aunt Cecil. Then, of course, Uncle Baratheon, his father's brother and his children, Kester Caddell and Zion Caddell.

Of course, his own intermediate family. His mother, Ophelia, his father, Atticus, and his sister Seraphina. Apparently, they were there except for him… apparently, he had to take a nap, which he didn't mind.

The dinner had been orchestrated by his Aunt Cecil, his father's sister, who wished to gather with her family, the Caddell's.

Now? the dinner was long finished, and the adults talked. He was sure they were discussing politics while his granny Mer…, also known as Great grandmother Merel, had run off somewhere with her 'pets'.

Now the younger generation of Caddell's, Kester, who had recently turned 18. Of course, his other cousin, Zion, who was 10, his sister, 11 and himself.

They played a 'hide and seek' game, which they call 'Booby-trap hide and seek'. Whoever was seeking would have to count until the number 60. The seeker sits in the lounge downstairs, in the left wing of the Caddell Castle. While the rest of the wing is left to the hiders.

At this time, plant traps and pranks around the area and hide.

It didn't matter if he didn't want to play. He still played to bond with this new family of his. It was hard to make up lost time with family if just spending that time somewhere else when it could be dealt with at another moment.

It was fun, but he was never the seeker because, to them, he was a toddler, and a toddler couldn't possibly know how to seek correctly, even with hiding.

Either one of his cousins or his sister would drag him along, not allowing him to hide. He was sure the adults made sure they did if they wanted to play.

He hated when Kester was the seeker- he was a cheater! He obviously used magic to detect the traps and locate them using 'point-me', but he would never admit it.

"Hm, I wonder where they could be", Kester spoke out loudly. They were currently in the second kitchen of the wing, squished into one of the cabinets. They were practically holding their breaths at the sound of their cousin's voice.

Then the cabinet door disappeared, revealing the dark-haired Kester standing there with a smug smile, his wand pointing to where the door had been.

Seraphina grumbled lightly as she climbed out.

"You found us again… shocker", she said sarcastically. She began dusting off her robes while Emrys himself climbed out, heaving over to them.

Of course, their cousin had found them again.

"Of course, I found you again if it makes you feel better. I found Zion ages ago." Kester responded before ruffling Emrys' already messy hair fondly.

"Beautiful hair as always, Emmy."

'Emmy', he hated it. He liked Emrys.

"Stop calling me that- look what you did, Ser!" Emrys groaned out, his tone obviously joking, which had Kester chuckling as Seraphina chuckled. His sister was always calling him Emmy, no matter his protest. He watched the amused girl smile as Kester ruffled his hair once more.

Just like that, an annoyed-looking Zion walked through the double door of the kitchen, slamming the closed doors open.

"It's not fair. I'm always the first to be found." Emrys was not at all surprised that his cousin Zion was complaining. There wasn't a moment when he didn't complain. The only time you see him behaving is when they are in front of the adults. That's when he played his part as the 'perfect' pureblood scion, being the dutiful son.

Sera folded her arms before responding with a smug smile, "There's something called 'stealth' which you obviously don't have."

Zion scowled at her, not responding.

His sister was correct in that notion. His cousin, Zion, was not at all stealthy. He was the worse hider of them all. It was like he purposely found the most obvious places to hide- not to note how loud he is.

"Children!" they heard a voice yell out. It was their Aunt Cecil, the strict woman she was hated when they played this 'game', seeing as they made a mess around the area. "You better clean all the mess you have made!"

Sera's eyes widened, and Kester noticed, "What?" he asked, "Aunt Cecil, don't come any closer!" Sera tried to warn the poor woman.

Then all four of them glanced at each other, hearing the clunk, then the scream that followed. Kester gulped nervously. He glanced at Zion then Sera, knowing it couldn't have been Emrys. "Which one of you?" he asked.

Sera awkwardly raised her hand, "Um… I might have put a bucket of jelly on the corridor door before the kitchen in case you came… obviously, you guys took the other door."

Emrys stared up at his sister, his brows raised. He didn't know she had it in her. When has she done that? It must have been when she had asked him to scout the hallway before coming to the kitchen.

"KESTER BARATHEON CADDELL, SERAPHINA OPHELIA CADDELL, ZION RICHEN CADDELL" using magic, she amplified her voice, which echoed throughout all the rooms of the castle. It was times like this Emrys was glad he was just seen as an innocent toddler who couldn't have possibly done anything wrong.

There were times their Aunt was fun and understanding, then there were those moments when she was in a bad mood and was strict… this was one of those 'moments'.

"Great", Zion hissed in annoyance. They were obviously in trouble. He sent a glare Sera's way which Seraphina shrugged off. Caddell's stuck together. She knew her cousins wouldn't throw her under a grinder- they would stand together through whatever it was.

"Merlin, since when do you do stuff like that, Sera?" Zion hissed as they all dreaded the punishment the woman would give out. Sera sighed nervously, "… Since our cousin gave me a few pointers."

"Fleamont Potter?"

"Yeah…"

"Of course, it's because of Potter", Kester spoke again.

Zion snorted.

"She doesn't sound too angry, in all honesty," Zion spoke out.

"I WILL COUNT TO FIVE, AND IF NONE OF YOU IS BEFORE ME, YOU WILL REGRET THE DAY YOU WERE BORN."

"ONE."

Emrys bit his lip, stopping himself from laughing, "I think she's angry", he helpfully contributed.

"A trip to Diagon alley?" Seraphina suggested. "Race you!" Zion yelled before racing off to the connecting dining room with a fireplace and floor powder. "Go to 'Charming Petals'!" Sera ordered. Kester narrowed his eyes before he took some floo powder. Like that, the three older Caddells in the room began bickering amongst each other while Emrys watched.

"TWO"

"You can't possibly want me to go to the leaky cauldron- do you know the filth that lirks around? They're all barbaric, I tell you!"

"-You're being dramatic; it's not that bad", Zion argued back, "They have great butterbeer!" the boy continued staring at his older cousin. "Butterbeer?" Kester repeated.

"Zy, you're not getting butterbeer if we floo there", his brother scolded him.

"THREE."

"As the oldest, I'll decide. we'll just floo to Charming Petal."

"Brother!"

"Yes!"

…

"Can I come?" Emrys asked. All eyes were on him, "No", Zion answered.

It was an adventure! He wanted to go, he had never left the house without his mother or father.

"I don't know about that, Emmy," Kester said unsurely.

"FOUR."

"We have to go- NOW!" Zion yelled; he rushed to the floor powder- "Charming Petals!" He was gone.

Kester sighed, looking at his youngest cousin; Emrys poted his lips. His hands pressed together in hope, "You can decide, cousin, but grandmother will get to five and when she does, your screwed." Seraphina spoke before taking a share of the powder, "-Charming Petals!"

"I promise I won't make you carry me!" Emrys tried to compromise. He hated having to walk most of the time since he had to pick up the pace, and these small legs aren't legs of an athlete.

"Fine! But you have to stay at my side at all times- my side, not Zion nor Seraphina; I'm the oldest, therefore responsible for all, okay?"

Emrys grinned gleefully, "Promise!" He was always up for an adventure.

Grabbing Emrys, he raced to the fireplace.

"FI-"

"-Charming Petals!"

…

…

"Took you long enough", Zion drawled where he was, leaning against the side of the fireplace as Emrys tumbled out, "and you brought the baby", Zion drawled out again. Emrys scoffed as he looked around, "I'm starting to question whether or not you're referring to you or me. From you're whining, I'm guessing you?" Emrys asked innocently. Green clashed with green as Zion just glared at him.

"You're supposed to respect your elders. Surely you've learned that already, 'Mr so-called Prodigy", Zion sneered.

"Zion, leave Emrys alone. Now, where is Sera?" Kester ordered his brother as he picked Emrys up, helping him to his feet.

"Where else? She wanted to come here, so obviously she's looking at the robes," Zion groaned out, "Can we go? I want to go see the quidditch equipment; I need new gloves. I'm planning on playing with Prince tomorrow."

"-Prince? You're playing with Adrian?" Sera asked eagerly, coming out of nowhere holding two different robes in her arms look at Zion expectantly. "Calm down, not your boyfriend, his brother Rickson."

Sera's face flushed into a bright red, "He's not my boyfriend! He's my betrothed… anyways, dear cousins of mine- lilac? Or teal?" she held up the two robes she had in her grasp. "What am I? a girl?" Zion scoffed before walking off, "I'm off", Zion called out from the exit.

"I swear he has the manners of a mudblood", Sera sniffed before looking to her older cousin, staring intently at the robes, "Hmm, lilac? I haven't seen you wear a colour like before. I think it compliments your blond hair."

Sera beamed at him as she looked to her uninterested brother, "What about you, Ry?"

Huh?

"Um… the purple one?" he responded, pointing to the robe.

"It's lilac", Sera corrected before walking toward the shopkeeper.

Same difference.

--'Enfants du soleil', Le Mans, France--1928--

Astrid hated it there. She hates that they made her come here, to be among filthy muggles- she was a witch! Just like her mother, like her father, but because she had no relatives and couldn't even say her father's name, they sent her to an orphanage in the muggle world. She hated that there were no orphanages for magical orphanages. It wasn't fair.

She couldn't wait to get back to Beauxbaton.

She knew her father was alive, but she didn't know his name. Her mother had never told her, refusing to give a first name. All those times her mother had left the house, she knew it was to meet her father. Did her father know where she was? Had he known about Nicholas?

Her mother had always said that he didn't care about her and didn't care about Nicholas. If he managed, he would have visited them. It couldn't be true; she didn't want to believe her mother's words.

She missed them so much. As time went on, her loneliness felt more like solitude. She couldn't find a proper way to cope, only to lash out at everyone. She longed for her mother's warmth- that would be amazing. It kills her every day that what once was her inner light was replaced by a darkness that overshadowed each moment.

It was what fuelled her nightmares, the reason she struggled to breathe.

She hated it there. The place was filled with children of all ages, running wild through grey tile hallways, where wooden doors lined the walls. It was hell. He wished there was someone she could talk to, someone that wasn't a muggle. She hated how they looked at her, calling her a 'freak' because she was different. It wasn't her fault she was exceptional! She had magic, and they didn't- they didn't understand!

She didn't understand at first but realised that there were different religions in time. In the wizarding world, they pray to gods, all different types. All with other gods that answered their prayer but there in the orphanage, they prayed to the one and only god they call him. He his Jehovah, the all mighty- it was ridiculous… they all believed in him, saying he would come down again to save us from our sins.

The orphanage was small, crowded, and poor. It was all grey, utterly void of any colour whatsoever. It was depressing, especially to the girl, Annie Lyons, standing at the walkway outside of Enfants du Soleil's Orphanage. The girl was covered in dirt. It was apparent she had survived on her own for some time.

Madam Martin, who cared for the orphans, had seen Annie outside the door, not knowing what to do. The Matron sighed and let the child inside.

Madam Martin had thin black hair with a high hairline styled short. She was dressed plainly in a grey jacket and black skirt and some old black heels that clacked, echoing the halls as she walked. The poor child must have been orphaned or perhaps abandoned. It wasn't an uncommon story.

The girl, Annie, was left to wander for a while as the Matron admitted her. Astrid observed the girl from the corner she was sitting at.

"Hello, I'm Annie," she said to the three girls sitting in a circle playing with ragged dolls. Annie smiled sheepishly, trying to make some friends since it seemed this was her home now. They all smiled at her, but somehow, it felt fake to Annie.

Astrid snorted.

"Hello", was their response. "You're new here, aren't you?" Ella, who Astrid hated with a passion, spoke- she hated them all.

"Yes, I just came…."

Dorothy stood, the 'leader' as one could put it. The girl was an annoying brat, another annoying muggle thinking they're high and mighty. She wished she were adopted by a magical family just to get out of there.

"Well then, let me show you how things work around here. I am the queen. What I say goes. Got that?"

"How can you rule if there is no monarchy? The last time I checked, there were no queens in orphanages." Annie shot back.

The girl sneered at her, followed by dirty glares from all the others.

"Second, don't ever go near Astrid Master. Her name is as crazy as she is- she's a freak! Maybe if you follow our rules, you can be our friend." The girl deviously smiled as though Isabella was supposed to follow her claims blindly like a sheep.

Astrid rolled her eyes. She had enough of this. She stood from where she was, walking out of the room.

"You people are insane. You think you're in charge?" As the queen bee's face turned red with rage, Annie snorted and began to laugh. Why were some muggles just so stupid?

"You'll be sorry you questioned me!"

The girl slapped Annie, who began fuming. She narrowed her eyes. Now she pissed her off. She glared intently at the girl, the rage boiling within-

"Dorothy? Your nose! It's bleeding…." The third girl said as she looked from Dorothy to Annie.

Annie looked at her with wide eyes, "A- You! Another freak!" the girl screamed before rushing away, with the two other girls running after her.

Annie hadn't meant to do it… she didn't regret it happening. Apparently, her magic was just protecting her, so she smiled as she walked away.

After being left to wander for some time, Matron Martin found her and showed her to her room, where there were a few things left for her, simple things. Simple things like a towel, toothbrush and some clothes. The room was small, but she didn't expect much from the old looking orphanage. Across the hall was a girl sad on her bed… doing nothing. She seemed sad with how she was looking out of her window.

The girl looked familiar like she had seen her at Beauxbaton.

The girl scowled at her when he caught her staring. Her green eyes stared intently at Annie.

"What?" she asked shortly. Astrid had no time for beings so beneath her.

" It's a beautiful day outside. Why aren't you outside with the rest?" Annie inquired, peering into her similar small room. Astrid scoffed, "I don't need friends", she replied.

"What's your name?" Annie asked the girl who had looked back to the window, already ignoring her existence. She sighed before answering, "Astrid." Astrid looked back at the girl. Her clothes were cleaner, the smudged darkness on her face was all gone.

Annie looked closely at the girl. She didn't seem bad. Was this really the 'Astrid' that those girls were talking about… of course, it was. The name may have seemed unusual to these muggles, but to Annie, she wasn't put off by the names… but Masters. Who else would be named Astrid?

Astrid was indeed a witch, just like her. It was a name she heard of in the Wizarding world when her family were still alive. They were a new pureblood family with only a few members, but if Astrid was here, it seemed that the small family were no more.

"I'm Annie. Annie Lyons and I know we will be good friends."