Not Dead Yet

1990 September

Betrayal was the furthest thing she had expected from Marius. A meeting with her guardian had reluctantly been set up to sign the proper doc.u.ments and Marius, against all expectations and reason, had agreed to Dawlish's proposed enrollment into Hogwarts. His decision had unsurprisingly created a divide between the two and she had refused to so much as look at him for a month. The silence in the house was stifling. She had already brought everything she needed for school and sat the few tests needed to determine whether she would be put in her age grade or have to start from year one.

The thirteen-year-old had passed the first and second year standards without a hitch and was given the thumbs up to be placed in her actual age group. 'Yay… Can you sense the sarcasm there?' She hadn't engaged with a witch or wizard her physical age since… forever. She wasn't quite sure what to expect but she was already dreading it. She recalled how the Harry Potter books had practically been a collection of in-school disasters. Like any sane person, she was determined to avoid the catastrophes.

Marius bore the silence with dignified grace. He was sure of his decision and that it was the right thing for Alana. He had known the girl for years and, although he would never claim to know her as well as Azreal, he knew she needed this. Alana was m.a.t.u.r.e for her age and spoke easily with most a.d.u.l.ts but she avoided children like they were a plague. It was an unconscious reaction he had noticed whenever they went into town for shopping and the like. It was concerning. Human children, in particular, needed interactions with those their age. From what he had seen, the girl had no friends either. Unless one could call a collective of criminals friends. But no, those people all wanted something from her or feared her in some way. Hogwarts would be different. She would be nobody there and free to form her own close connections. It was time she moved on from Azrael and her fear of a second loss.

King's Cross Station was as bustling as any normal transport hub. It was with immense reluctance that Alana found the correct platform. The shrunk trunk in her pocket had cost a small fortune but she was determined to at least try to live up to her motto: 'leave no book behind'. Unfortunately, a lot of the more interesting, controversial material had to be put aside in her packing. Her arm holster also held a new wand. Sycamore, twelve inches, flexible, phoenix feather. Ollivander had been most curious about the wand she had been using previously (because apparently, it was noticeable to the man). Initial horror at him knowing aside, she had taken a liking to the obviously passionate man. Her own knowledge of wandlore was shallow but he had pointed out several faults in Gregorovitch's work before returning it with a conspiratory smile. Thank Morgana he wasn't a snitch. It seemed that he too disliked the ministry's interference with his work. He quietly tolerated being forced to add a trace to every wand. She had to give it to the man, the wand was a much better fit. It was a shame she wouldn't be able to use it outside of school.

The train at the station was obnoxiously red but no less magnificent because of it. The black gave it a sleekness that seemed unusual considering the period. It was a somewhat humbling experience to stand before such a significant automotive knowing it had been the beginning and end of many adventures. Parents and children crowded the platform despite the early hour. It was rather amusing to watch the young ones run off to the train only to be pulled back by their parents for another hug. The purebloods were far more dignified if only for the sake of appearances. She boarded silently still lost in her thoughts. The corridor inside was well lit and long with doors lining either side. Her early arrival ensured she found an empty cabin to settle in. A book was opened in her hand and not a second too slow as the door slid open yet again.

If anyone had told her she would see such a face on her way to Hogwarts, she would have bolted. As it was, she could barely make sense of the emotions that swept through her. Her eyes were wide in shock and hands clenched tightly. The boy gave her a piercing glare for staring before slamming the door shut. He moved on to the next compartment obviously searching for something. Alana gave a shaky breath before closing her book and placing an uncertain hand on her c.h.e.s.t. It was beating rapidly with a mixture of fear and happiness. She'd never thought she would see the boy again. It seemed Jake Matthews was a wizard.

Alana spent the next fifteen minutes in solitude with her thoughts racing. She barely noticed the train leave the station. Her mind churned soundlessly as it attempted to strategise with the introduction of the new variable. Matthews hadn't recognised her which was a relief in some ways and painful in others. Had she changed so much? Yes. She knew that. Still, there was a chance he would recognise her name when it was called out at the sorting. She had to plan ahead. She wouldn't, couldn't risk her wellbeing for him no matter how close they had once been. The thought pained her but it was true. Alana slipped from her compartment and approached the grey-haired trolley lady.

"Excuse me, madam, but have you seen a boy about this height with dark brown hair, sharp features and brown eyes? He was wearing muggle clothes if that helps." She made a few gestures and the woman frowned thoughtfully. It didn't matter if she answered though as Alana had already begun to scan her more recent memories. She smiled and thanked the woman politely when she shook her head. People remembered far more than they thought. She moved past five or so doors before slipping Aquarius out and letting the being drop to the floor. She quietly cast a notice-me-not charm and pressed herself against the wall. The summons knew its order instinctively and quickly pressed itself flat to slip under the door.

It slid unseen under the seat of the chatting children and a quieter Jake Matthews. Then, it let loose a stink bomb of immense proportions. The group quickly began fighting each other to the exit and fled. Some went toward the bathroom while Matthews just sighed and gave his wand a wave to clear the air. Personally, the Hufflepuff found the group to be a bit too impulsive at times. Alana stepped through the open door and closed it as she met the boy's eyes. He was, predictably, as unguarded mentally as the others she had met. She summoned Pisces and braced herself for the deep dive.

His memories were waves crashing against her mind but she held firm and calmed them with a weak compulsion. She dove deeper and deeper still until she found exactly what she wanted. Most minds were a sea of thoughts, emotions and memories. The deeper one went, the more intrinsic they to the person's identity and the more overwhelming they became. His memories of her were almost too far for her to reach and she momentarily found the pressure of his thoughts to be too much but she persevered. She reached for them and prodded them gently. A tendril wrapped itself around her and she felt more than saw the image of a young boy crying over a hand-drawn missing-person poster. His mind didn't want her there. She couldn't afford to lose focus and brushed the image away carefully. She drew the memories together and singled out the piece of information she wanted to erase. Not everything. Just her name. Her name spelt in harsh lettering throughout many thoughts and feelings. Alana Hales. She put the majority of her magic into the act of blurring the name. He wouldn't remember it. He may hear it and feel it familiar but he won't understand why. She gave one final push before extracting herself. It was with a quick wipe of his most recent memories that she left.

She spent a good half hour hunched over the bathroom toilet after the use of magic. Her forehead had been covered with a sheen of sweat when she returned to her senses and her body cursed with a noticeable tremor. It was a case of magic overuse that she should have expected. A few cleaning spells later and she moved to find another cabin to while away her time. It was less difficult than one might have thought.

Seated across from her were two witches, a slim brunette and chubby blonde who introduced themselves as Charlotte Winters and Lola Pierce respectively. The other occupant was a solid-looking boy too skittish to meet any of their gazes, let alone speak to them. She had returned their enthusiastic greetings with an unbidden smile. The elder one, Charlotte, was rather charming for her age and the conversation flowed with a naturalness that pleasantly surprised Alana. They asked about her history before discussing electives and teachers. The abrupt subject change was likely because of the number of deceased relatives she had to mention to explain her circ.u.mstances. She hadn't been able to hold back the grin at Lola's gaping jaw as she narrated a brief overview of her planned backstory. They probably thought her cursed with bad luck.

The company reached Hogwarts quickly and Alana joined the first-year group while Charlotte and Lola headed to the carriages with wishes of luck. As though to make up for the loss of company, she got the novel experience of riding a tiny boat across a lake inhabited by a giant squid and merpeople. The castle loomed over the waters, a monument to wizarding kind. It was equal parts awe-inspiring and terrifying. All too soon, the boat hit the docks and they were passed from the giant groundskeeper to the deputy headmistress, Minerva McGonagall. The shorter first years kept sending the taller girl curious glances but didn't approach her. Meanwhile, Alana was secretly revelling in the enthralling experience of not being the shortest person in the room. The stern woman briefly explained the rules and houses before they were led into the great hall.

It certainly was great enough to live up to its name. The ceiling was an illusion of the sky while candles floated like buoys in a sea of magic. She could sense powerful charms on the candles but buried her curiosity for the moment.

"Welcome, new students to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! We will now begin the sorting!"

You know she had almost forgotten about the old f.u.c.ker. Albus something or other Dumbledore greeted the students with a grandfatherly smile and open arms. She was reluctantly impressed at the calming aura that washed over her skin. It was a stark contrast to her own cloud of death. However, it didn't make his appalling sense of fashion and twinkly eyes any more bearable. She had the profound urge to grasp his eyeballs in her hands and see if they still sparkled when removed from his head.

Her thoughts disturbed herself sometimes.

The sorting went in alphabetical order of last name so she ended up going first. Her expression was calm with mild curiosity as she was introduced as a home-schooled student. It would certainly be an interesting reputation to have. She gave a polite smile before the hat was placed on her head.

'Those are some rather interesting mind defences, Miss Alana de Azrael.' Alana listened apprehensively as the sound of rustling resonated in her head. A few seconds later, the voice returned, 'Is that a goat?'

'I really hope you have a vow of confidentiality on these sort of things. Also, yes.'

'You don't have anything to worry about.'

She breathed a sigh of relief. She had figured he wasn't a snitch otherwise mini-mort would have been clipped at the bud. Being mind r.a.p.ed was unpleasant but she could at least be certain the hat wouldn't get any of her Gaia-protected memories.

'Let's see hmm… A wealth of greed and curiosity. Loyalty also to those few you cherish and courage in the face of vampires. Not exactly honourable, I must say, and a rather obsessive work ethic. I'm thinking Ravenclaw but you lack some of the wisdom. I suppose you could grow it in time but I really must ask what you think about Slytherin.'

'Most of them are prejudiced or face prejudice.'

'They also hold some of the greatest supporters of creature rights and free magic.'

'They also have a reputation for being thieves and murderers. A bit too close to the mark I think.'

'Ravenclaw then? You're a tad too ruthless for Hufflepuff.'

'Fine with me.'

"Ravenclaw!"

The conversation had taken a total of four minutes which wasn't bad as far as hat stalls went. The Ravenclaws attempted to clap in a dignified manner at their newest addition. They failed dramatically. Alana was pleased to find the brunette she had sat next to on the train amongst the sea of faces. Charlotte gave a small grin when the girl sat beside her.

"Welcome to the eagle's nest, Alana." The purple-eyed witch quirked her lips into a satisfied smile. Alana returned the smile with thanks. A nest was only fitting for a Sparrow.

Edited 25.10.2019