Author's Note: This is the first part of a series that I am planning on writing. I've tried writing HP fanfics before, but none as exciting as this one. There's a lot to soak in, but it will be worth all your time. I really hope you enjoy this journey I've created as thoroughly as I've enjoyed creating it.
Disclaimer: All characters that are recognizable from the Harry Potter books do indeed belong to the master herself, J.K. Rowling. Everyone else belongs to me.
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Lunai-sä
Book the First ~ The Stranger
PROLOGUE:
How cowardly it is to run from our enemies; to have the choice of facing them-and the chance of defeating them-and deciding against it; to show our weaknesses and therefore weaken ourselves; to bring about our defeat and leave us with nothing but the pain of wondering what would have happened if we had not run, but turned our cowardice into bravery.
***
The Dark One's power was at its peak the year she came into their lives; evil had replaced his blood and was now flowing through his veins instead of the precious liquid that brought life. Life—he had nothing of the sort; he roamed the earth dead. His heart was stone. He possessed no feelings—compassion, remorse, or the like. He killed as if it were a hobby, and he enjoyed it as such. No one could stop him; he was invincible. All were afraid of him; even she flinched in his presence. But she would come, and change everything—for the prophecy named the year after "The Year of the Dark One's Demise".
***
A young girl wanders among the hundreds that fill the London train station. She is not extraordinarily special in any way. Her long auburn hair falls to the middle of her back and contains two thin, odd-looking braided wraps on either side of her face. She is tall, tan, lean and her features are hard. Her green eyes show no mercy, and with her peach lips pressed she expresses her extreme dislike for conversation. Her nostrils flare at the sign of her annoyance with the humans that block her way as she pushes through them toward her destination. The place is too crowded, giving her a claustrophobic feeling. It is dark and loud, and contains odd smells that she is not accustomed to. She runs into someone every five seconds but they don't seem to care; everyone is bumping into everyone else. Her slow pace enrages her and she secretly wishes to leap over their heads in order to gain some distance. Her luggage frustrates her even more, as it is unnecessary for her in any other normal circumstance. But this is no ordinary situation for her. She is stepping out of her familiar and ancient world and into one she has only heard about from her elders. She is used to awesome adventures and great dangers, but her own genius and antagonizing personality has landed her in a position that has forced her into this human world—this smelly, dark, crowded, loud world. She has no choice. She is only safe when she is under his care.
Book the First
Chapter One: New Surroundings
She stopped a moment. Her dress was as plain as could be. She wore pants—jeans, she remembered the sales person calling them—and a green sweater. Her shoes squeaked as they turned uneasily over the freshly mopped floor. She had been pushed around by so many people that she was lost. She reached in her pocket and pulled out a tattered piece of paper with a man's handwriting on it:
Hogwarts Express
Platform 9 3/4
900H
She pulled out her pocket watch. It was an extraordinary mechanism. Something the man in the store said would last a lifetime. She had always used sundials in order to keep track of the time, but this device rather intrigued her, and was glad for its easy interpretation.
8:45
She looked up at the signs protruding from the brick columns, indicating her location. She had reached her destination, but still had no idea where she was. She cursed under her breath. As her eyes wandered they come to rest upon a young boy with a cart full of luggage; she guessed him to be around seventeen years of age, but with the little knowledge she had of his species, could have been completely off. He was of medium height, with dark brown hair and a muscular build. He was staring at the beam between platforms nine and ten. As she approached him the boy turned around, obviously sensing her powerful presence.
"Hogwarts?"
She nodded her head; he extended his hand. Not knowing what this gesture implied, she looked at him with a quizzical look. He drew his hand back, quite awkwardly.
"It's called a handshake," he paused uneasily.
She had of course heard of such a thing before, but it was quite uncommon in her homeland. She forced a smile and he held out his hand again. The girl then raised her own hand and the boy clasped it before anyone noticed their embarrassing situation.
"I'm Blaine Hopkins."
"I am glad to meet you, Blaine Hopkins."
The boy's eyes narrowed and his brows fell onto his eyelids in a very scrutinizing face. The girl quickly looked away and proceeded to glance around at the people who occupied the space around them. All of them were rushing; rushing onward toward their destinations, rushing through life. How interesting it was to her to watch humans be humans. Especially the ones they call muggles. They were so oblivious, so naive, and so helpless. Her pursed lips curled downward into a frown.
"So...do you have a name?"
The girl winced; of course she had a name. But hers was too complex for his simple mind. Yet she was just as foolish for not having offered a name to him after he had done the same for her. What a terrible human she had turned out to be. She searched her mind for the memory of the name her and her savior had created, and with great luck found it almost instantly.
"Dorrin. Chambers."
"Pleasure to meet you, Dorrin."
"The pleasure is all mine, Blaine."
The boy smiled. He had perfectly straight and brilliant white teeth.
"Right then. Let me show you the way in."
He winked. She nodded.
"All you have to do run straight through that wall."
He pointed to the beam in front of them; it was solid brick. The girl raised a curious eyebrow—to which the young boy laughed.
"Seriously. It sounds dumb, but there's no other way. Ladies first then?"
He pulled his cart back out of the way to make room for Dorrin's. Grasping on to the handle, she jogged to the barrier. It was strange how no one in the station noticed her running into a wall. Relentless in her journey, Dorrin halted only when she realized her surroundings had changed. Emitting smoke, fumes, and a hint of magic into the air, a great steam engine stood before her. There were less people there; or perhaps it felt that way because there were more children—smaller children, to which she could look over. Dorrin felt a slight hint of relief; the atmosphere at Platform 9 ¾ was much more welcoming. She quickly moved out of the way as she sensed the boy following her lead. They walked together to drop off their luggage at the back of the train. After lifting his trunk to the loader, Blaine attempted to help Dorrin, whose trunk was twice as heavy (she was, after all, a female). He staggered a bit, but before completely falling backwards the girl helped with the load. Following the completion of that task, they walked together back toward the passenger cars.
"Would you like to sit with me?" Blaine asked out of pure civility.
The girl tipped her head yes. As they walked, Dorrin watched the new breed of humans scramble about her. A few gave her an odd look, and when she noticed they quickly turned away. She smiled to herself. Soon others stopped and stared; they were drawn to her. Time seemed to stand still as the magic folk turned to watch the new magical creature enter into their lives. Blaine got on board, but the girl hesitated before stepping up. He turned to her.
"What's wrong?"
"I have yet to experience a journey aboard a locomotive." The boy paused, perplexed.
"Well, it's a first time for everyone."
He extended his hand once more, and the girl was confused by his repeated notion for a handshake. Deciding to go along with this strange human's rituals, she placed her hand in his, but instead of a handshake she was pulled into the car. She did not expect such an action and was therefore taken by such surprise that she fell against the boy, who in turn crashed into the wall behind them.
"Sorry."
She removed herself from his arms and dusted herself off. Then she allowed him to lead her to a traveling compartment. The hall separating the rows was larger than most, allowing for plenty of room to move around. As they passed other full rooms, heads popped out as if a magnet were pulling them to her. She herself stopped to look through a compartment door at a young boy, who sat at a window looking out at the platform, while his blonde-haired companion argued with a rather snotty but knowledgeable girl that sat across from them. The boy slowly turned to her--not knowing he was looking right at her, but knowledgeable that she was there. She heard a door open, and Blaine beckoned her into their own room. The seats were large and comfortable, covered in plush red velvet. The window spread across the entire length of the room. Outside a few last minute stragglers scrambled onto the steam engine. After taking their seats an obnoxious whistle sounded, and the train lurched forward, the familiar chugging sound picking up as they exited the station.
"So you're new at Hogwarts, right?" Dorrin tore her eyes away from the window. His heavy Scottish accent annoyed the girl, but she nodded in reply to his obviously stupid question.
"What year are you?"
"Seven."
"Oh wow. And you're just now starting your witch training?"
The girl rolled her eyes—only slightly, so the boy could not see.
"I am a transfer student."
"Ah, I see. Where'd you come from?"
"Australia."
"Oh."
The rest of their trip was silent, with the exception of a few minor (yet very annoying) disturbances made by a cart filled with odd sweets and toys. Seeing the girl, the old witch thought better to ask if she wished to purchase anything, and moved on. Dorrin spent the rest of the time staring absent-mindedly out the window. The scenery was beautiful, despite the overcast sky that loomed above the countryside. Different shades of green whirled by, interrupted by the occasional shimmering blues, provided by bodies of water. There was an announcement that circled through the cabin when there were fifteen minutes left before they arrived at Hogwarts. Dorrin went to her travel case and pulled out the black robes she was given to wear while at the school. She put them on in the bathroom, which was quite a feat in itself; the lavatories were the only place that seemed regular size for a train. She looked in the miniature-sized mirror and scowled; the robes looked ridiculous on her. And they itched. She returned to her compartment—scratching the whole way—to find Blaine already in his robes. The crest on his left breast was of a proud lion enveloped in crimson and gold. Noticing her curious stare, the boy explained the four houses to which one was sorted. Dorrin acted interested, but was too preoccupied with her anticipation of their arrival. When the train finally came to a halt, the girl stepped out. The rush of fresh air that filled her lungs was indeed very welcome. The sun was setting in the west; it painted beautiful reds, oranges, and purples across the sky. Blaine stepped down and came to her side, trying to understand why she stared up into the air as she did. When Dorrin finally came out of her oblivion, she extended a hand to Blaine.
"Thank you for your service."
"Your welcome. I'll see you at the feast."
***NOTE: For those who need clarification, this story takes place a year before Harry defeated Voldemort. Hence the prophecy "Year of the Dark One's Demise", and the statement that this was the year AFTER Dorrin came to Hogwarts.