Taming The Darkness

Sorry about the long wait!! Kate, my beta, has been busy with school and exams and I work full-time. So not alot of time to write or for her to edit.

But it's finally done!!

Draco and Scarlett meet!! And an interesting meeting at the end. =) Enjoy!!



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Scarlett and Dumbledore discussed arrangements for her trip to collect her school supplies. They chose the next day to go, though Dumbledore said he could not accompany her for he had a prior engagement. He apologized and assured her that one of his most trusted staff members would be there at nine o’clock the following morning to escort her to a place called Diagon Alley.

Before he left he summoned the headmistress of her orphanage and explained about the school she’d be attending, though not in full detail. When they were alone again he told her about a law called The Statue of Secrecy that prohibited Muggles, non-magical people, from knowing about their world. He apologized once again as they said their goodbyes and promised to see her again on the first of September when term started.

Once he’d taken his leave, Scarlett returned to her room to pick an outfit suitable for the next day. He hadn’t told her what wizards and witches typically wore. After laying a pair of jeans, a dark t-shirt, and a hoodie out on her desk, she made sure her bag of wizard money was safely inside her hoodie pocket and set her shoes and other essentials out on her chair. Soon after she was called down to dinner, which she hurriedly ate before she ran back upstairs. She decided to turn in early, but every time she lay down to sleep excitement welled up in her and pushed her further awake.

Finally her mind calmed and she drifted into a pleasant dream of her running around in a witch’s outfit she’d seen every Halloween in her own house full of strange objects while a cauldron bubbled in the middle of the room. A broom stood by the door and glass jars of strange ingredients lined the walls.

The last image she remembered was her turning someone into a toad as her alarm went off and woke her. She quickly showered, dressed and made sure her bag of money was still in her hoodie. Through all her excitement she didn’t’ notice that she still had fifteen minutes till the person showed up. She ran downstairs and nicked a piece of toast and some milk, quickly ate it and then went to brush her teeth. After that she still had seven minutes, so she went and sat in the livingroom and stared at her feet.

After what seemed like an eternity, a knock sounded on the front door. The headmistress hurried to answer it, talking in a hushed voice. A minute later, the headmistress walked into the room with a woman following closely behind. The other woman had a severe look to her. Her hair was black and pulled tightly into a bun, while her clothes were unexpected. She wore a long dress like robe of a deep hunter green; the sleeves were wider at the cuffs and the dress reached the floor. Her glasses rested half way down her nose and were rectangular. She looked like a woman you wouldn’t want to cross.

“Good morning. My name is Professor Minerva McGonagall. Professor Dumbledore has requested that I escort you to do you school shopping,” the woman stated. Scarlett’s eyes bugged out a bit; the woman’s voice sounded as severe as she looked. “Are you ready to go, child?”

The headmistress turned to the other woman, asking, “Where exactly are you going?”

“In London. She might have to stay there for a night or two considering the travel. If anything changes we will let you know.” The younger woman nodded, and bid them farewell. Once alone, Scarlett turned to McGonagall and asked, “How are you going to get to London? That’s like three hundred miles away.”

The started off down the road, but the older woman hadn’t responded yet. Once they’d walked about eight blocks away, McGonagall pulled her into a small alley, crowded with trash bins. After looking around once more to make sure nobody was watching, she reached into the depths of her dress and pulled out a very small book. Scarlett gave her a curious look and turned back to the book.

“I don’t understand. How is a book going to help us?”

McGonagall hurriedly spewed, “It’s called a Portkey. It can transport anybody who touches it to another location. All you need to do is lay one finger on it when it starts turning blue. They can be any random item. I had Dumbledore get permission for this one, seeing as it would probably be the fastest way to get there with you being underage.” Scarlett nodded but still looked at the item in disbelief. How exactly was a small book going to take them to London? She didn’t understand it, but then again she didn’t know anything about magic.

McGonagall held the book out and as Scarlett laid her finger on its binding the blue began to emit an electric blue aura and vibrate. As it pulled them into an upward spiral, it felt like someone had placed a hook around her midsection and was pulling upwards. It wasn’t unpleasant except for the spinning, which was starting to make her feel nauseous. After about thirty seconds of spinning, her feet touched ground again.

She reached out to grab something to steady herself. Her hand met McGonagall’s arm and the older woman grasped her arm. They stood still for a minute, till she asked, “Are you alright, Ms. Riddle?”

Scarlett nodded slowly and released the woman. She looked around to see they were standing in a similar alley. McGonagall tucked the book back into the folds of her dress and quickly headed to the main road. Scarlett followed and stood in amazement as she took in London. Someone cleared their throat a few feet to her right, pulling her back to reality. She turned to see McGonagall standing under a sign that read “The Leaky Cauldron” and had a hanging iron witch stirring a cauldron. The older woman held the door opened and looked at her expectedly.

Scarlett quickly entered the establishment and tripped on the doorjamb, landing face first on the wooden floor. Conversation stopped as she felt all eyes turn to the spot where she lay. Blushing deeply, she pushed herself up on her knees as a hand reached towards her. She looked up to find McGonagall with a small smile on her lips. She gladly accepted the help up and the older woman whispered, “No worries child. Everyone gets nervous or jittery when they first enter this world.”
The red-head smiled meekly and followed McGonagall to the back of the shop, and answered the “Are you alright, dearie?” and the like on the way. Scarlett was stumped as they exited the bar to find a dead-end alley with nothing but a few bottles and trash bins scattered around. Confidently, McGonagall walked forward, pulling her wand from her sleeve and tapped a series of bricks. As she stepped back, the wall began to unfold revealing a full street of shops and lots of people bustling around.

“Welcome to Diagon Alley, Ms. Riddle.” The older witch looked down at her as a smile spread across her face. Scarlett beamed as she set off to gather supplies for her future.

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Still distressed from his dream, Draco sat in the same chair by the fireplace reading a book on dream interpretation entitled, The Dream Oracle by Inigo Imago. He had spent most of the morning trying to find an explanation for his strange dream. Every time he seemed closer to an explanation, the meaning slipped further away. Frustrated, he tossed the book into the other armchair. He leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees and rubbed his face, feeling a headache coming on.
He sighed as a loud crack sounded through the room. He turned to see the family house-elf, Dobby, a few feet away, shaking severely. His father had a very short temper and anytime the elf was anywhere near he always got the blame. Dobby was constantly bandaged, bruised, or injured. Looking down at the fresh wrapping on the ends of the elf’s ear, Draco felt pity for the creature. He, himself, had been on the receiving end of Lucius’ firm hand one too many times. His mother was slightly terrified of her husband. Their marriage hadn’t been one made out of love.

Not completely.


His mother dearly loved Lucius. Their marriage had been arranged when they were still kids by parents that craved pure blood. Draco knew what his parents expected of him, but he wasn’t sure if he could live up to it. He half expected his mother to announce his arranged engagement to Pansy Parkinson sometime soon. He would bet all the money in his savings account that it had happened when Narcissa and Violet Parkinson had conspired together years ago and set a date in the near future for a glorious pure-breed wedding.

Sighing, he looked back down at the elf, who continued to shake in fear. “Yes, Dobby?” The elf shrank back at the sound of Draco’s voice.

“Young master, Dobby has been sent here to tell you your mother has requested your presence in the sitting room.” Draco nodded, “Tell her I’ll be down shortly.” With a low bow and another crack, Dobby had disappeared. Sighing, he stood, stretched and walked to the door, running a hand over his clothes flattening any wrinkles that might be there. He slowly made his way to the lower sitting room. His mother never used a different room for meeting people.

He knocked softly on the chamber door and a gentle voice beckoned him in. He opened the door to find his mother sitting by the fireplace with a small smile playing on the corner of her lips. Draco walked over and stood in front of her, “Yes mother?”
Her blue eyes looked gazed into his own silver ones. He had inherited much of his father’s looks, but many of his mother’s hidden emotions as well. She continued to smile, “You received a letter today.” She held out an envelope with emerald green ink addressed to him.



Draco Malfoy

Malfoy Manor

Wiltshire, England


She held it out to him. He took it and flipped it over to find a scarlet seal with the letter H stamped into it. He quickly opened it and pulled out two pieces of parchment. He quickly scanned the letter and discovered it was his long awaited Hogwarts acceptance letter. The second sheet contained a list of supplies, an option of a pet owl, cat, toad, or rat, and a strictly-stated ban on first years having brooms. He frowned a little at the latter. He had been practicing since he was seven. He wanted to play Quidditch. It didn’t seem fair that he couldn’t tryout until second year.

He looked back up at his mother to find her smiling. “So, do you want to go do your school shopping today?” Draco nodded, “If you wish.” She smiled, stood and called for Dobby. He appeared and she told him to bring her their cloaks, that they were heading to Diagon Alley and to inform Lucius of their absence. They approached the fireplace; his mother lifted the lid off the black pot on the mantle and threw the dust into the fire. The flames turned emerald green as it waited for one of them to step into it.

Draco rather hated traveling by Floo. It left a layer of dust and soot on the person that didn’t seem to want to come off. Having pale skin and blonde hair didn’t help matters. He couldn’t wait for the day he could Apparate. Grudgingly, he stepped into the flames and distinctly said, “Diagon Alley.” He began to twirl and tumble as grates passed him. He’d done this so many times the spinning didn’t affect him.

As he began to slow, he reached out and caught himself before he landed face first on the ground. He stepped off to the side and began brushing soot off his black jacket when his mother appeared, just as dirty as he was. She quickly did a cleaning spell on them both and made sure there wasn’t an ounce of soot left on either of them before they turned to make their way to the entrance to the Alley.
After Narcissa tapped the brick and they passed through the opening, she turned to him saying, “Why don’t you go ahead to Madam Malkin’s and get your robes measured. I’ll go and get some money out and then we can go to the other shops.” He nodded, bid her farewell and turned towards the shop and passed by several witches and wizards hurrying off down the street.

About twenty yards away, the door opened and two people exited. An older witch with black hair pulled back onto the top of her head, and a girl about his age carrying bags looking pleased. Her hair was a deep red; not like the Weasley’s bright red. The two conversed for a minute then turned to make their way towards him. As she turned, his heart sped up and his stomach sank.

It couldn’t be!!

His eyes bugged and his mouth opened slightly as he continued to stare at her. It was the girl from his dream! But he’d never seen her before in his life. She couldn’t have been real! She looked just like the girl in his dream; a little younger but definitely the same girl.

As the two approached, he quickly shut his mouth and pretended not to see them and continued onward. When they were less than three yards away, Draco shifted slightly. The girl was looking into her bag looking for something, not paying attention. At the last moment, he shifted again, this time hitting her shoulder causing her to swing her bag and drop it. He turned to find her sitting on the ground, looking shocked.

He gave a small smile and extended a hand to her. She looked at it carefully, but excepted. As he pulled her to her feet he said, “Sorry about that. I didn’t see you coming. I’m Malfoy by the way. Draco Malfoy.”

She shook his hand, still in her grasp, responding, “Riddle. Scarlett Riddle.”
He smiled and stooped to grab her shopping bag. A vest had fallen out and was half folded on the ground. He turned to her, “Are you starting at Hogwarts this year?” She smiled and nodded. “Yes. I didn’t know any of this existed until yesterday.”


His eyebrows knitted together, “Are you Muggle-born?”

She gave him a curious look. “A what?”

“Muggle-born. Have non-magical parents or heritage.” She nodded at once in understanding. She gave him a sad smile and replied, “I honestly don’t know. I never knew my parents. From what I’ve been told my father was never there and my mother died when I was a baby. She left a note stating what my name was and to take care of me. I’ve lived in an orphanage all my life.”

A wave of shock and sadness overtook Draco. So she didn’t know anything about this world. She could be more pure-blooded than him. Though she’d never know. A sense of protectiveness ran over him though from her flat-out confession or the strange dream that she had been a part causing his brain to push him towards her.

“So how did you find out about Hogwarts and magic and being a witch?” he asked curiously.

She smiled, “Dumbledore came to my orphanage and explained it to me. I’ve never really fit in in the normal world. What did you call it? Muggle?” He nodded. “Maybe I’ll fit in at Hogwarts.” She continued to smile and beam.

She was an enigma. She’d didn’t have a family or probably any friends for that matter and didn’t feel right wherever she lived. His brain urged him more. “Do you have any friends at your orphanage?” Her smiled faltered; that was all the explanation Draco needed. He at least had some friends even though they were children of his parents’ pure-blood friends.

“I’ve never really made friends there. I mostly watched people come and go. They never stay long enough to get to know them. So I mostly spend my time alone,” she replied sadly.

He gave her a sympathetic smile. “If you’d like, I’ll be your friend. Your first friend.” He extended his hand again, and she took it. It felt like they’d made a pact. “If you ever need to talk, just send me a letter.”

She looked at him, slightly confused, “Umm, how?” He chuckled and she joined in.
“By owl. You just tell it where to go and it somehow knows where to find the person. Nobody knows how they do it. They just accept it.” Scarlett smiled and nodded. “So where are you staying, Sca- Can I call you Scarlett?”

She nodded. “I haven’t decided yet. I could go back to the orphanage but then I don’t know how I’d get to the train to get to school.”

She looked up at the older woman who had been forgotten through the whole ordeal. She cleared her throat, “It has been arranged for Ms. Riddle to stay here at the Leaky Cauldron until the start of term. Someone will come here to escort her to King’s Cross Station the day of term.”

Scarlett turned back to face Draco. He nodded, “Since you’ll be staying here, would it be alright if I came and visited you? That way we could get to know each other?”

“Yes. I’d like that,” she whispered and blushed slightly.

He chuckled. “Well until then, I guess.”

Scarlett nodded, “Yeah. Later, Draco.” She smiled and turned to continue up the street with the older witch. When they were outside of Quality Quidditch Supplies store and about to go around the bend towards the Leaky Cauldron, she turned, spotting him and waved good-bye, smiling. He smiled and waved back as she disappeared out of sight. He turned back to go to Madam Malkin’s when he spotted his mother walking up the street accompanied by his father, Lucius Malfoy. The smile slipped from his face as they approached.

“Have you been measured for your school robes, Draco?” his mother inquired.

He shook his head, “There were too many people in there. They just cleared out,” he lied.

Tilting her head back slightly, she sighed and said, “Well, while you get measured, I’ll go and look at wands and your father can go and look at your books. When you get done come to Ollivander’s so that we can get your wand.” With that, his parents turned and strode back down the alley, an air of arrogance emitting from them. He sighed and turned to enter the shop. At once he was pulled onto a stool and a measuring tape was flying around his body.

A short while later, a boy his age came into the shop and was put on the stool beside him. Draco turned to face the dark-haired boy. He noticed his glasses were held together by tape and his clothes were too big for his small frame. He ignored this and said, “Hello. Hogwarts too?”

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Far away, Dumbledore stood staring out one of the windows of his office, watching the trees blow in the breeze. Something had been disturbing him all day. The little girl he had gone to visit gave him the strangest sense of déjà vu.

The same surname. Both in an orphanage. Both their parents dead (or at least he thought so, in Scarlett’s case). Both wanting evidence of magic. The coincidences were too great.

Could Tom have really had a child, which nobody knew about? Arabella had disappeared a few months into her assignment. Nobody in the Order had known what happened to her. Not even himself. Five months after her disappearance, her body had been found by a Muggle woman walking home from a friend’s house. The members of the Order took that news of her death hard.

After the funeral, Dumbledore went to investigate, though he didn’t find much. Thinking back on it now, he realized that Scarlett’s orphanage had been a few blocks away. Could she have really carried his child and had it without telling the others?

Dumbledore removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes, hoping the headache that was starting would go away. At that moment, a knocked echoed through the quiet office.

“Enter.”

He turned to see McGonagall step inside. He smiled at her and hurried forward. “Ah. Minerva. How did it go?”

She smiled back, replying, “Rather well. Though a young Malfoy did run into her as we went to leave.”

“I hope she is alright. Any of the Malfoy's can be a rather scary person to chance across. I know from personal experience.”

Minerva just shook her head, “They were both fine. He was rather polite too. It struck me as odd. All the Malfoy’s I’ve known have been rude and arrogant. He didn’t seem like it either. He actually offered to come and visit her before term started at the Leaky Cauldron.”

Surprise overtook Dumbledore and his eyebrows shot up. “Indeed?”

“Indeed,” Minerva stated.

“Well then. I think things at Hogwarts are about to change dramatically. Though that is not the reason I asked you to come.” He turned and headed to his desk and leaned against it. “Do you remember Arabella Verity?”

Minerva seemed shocked but answered, “Arabella? It was tragic. First she disappeared, and then she’s found dead. It was a sad and unnecessary loss. Why do you ask, Albus?”

Dumbledore hesitated, “I have reason to believe that all of Arabella’s story could play a major part in the future. You remember the task I asked of her?”
McGonagall nodded, “She was the only one that could have done the job. That’s why she insisted on being the one to do it.”

“Something went wrong. I’m not sure as to what entirely happened but I think I know the outcome,” Dumbledore said and went back to rubbing his temple.
McGonagall waited in silence, after a few seconds, Dumbledore sighed and carried on, “I have reason to believe that our Arabella might have met her end not from a wizard, but from a physical aspect.”

The witch looked at him curiously, “What kind of ‘physical aspect’? A fight, a duel?”

Dumbledore sadly shook his head, “I think that our Arabella might have given birth to a child and died shortly after.”

McGonagall gasped. “But surely she would have come back to us? She would have told us. We could have helped her.”

He shook his head, “I’m not so sure, Minerva. Though I am certain that, given the circumstances, I know that she did give birth and that the child is still living.”
She started forward towards Dumbledore, anxious to hear and understand, “Who is it Albus?”

Dumbledore sadly replied, “The young girl that is currently residing in Diagon Alley, waiting on young mister Malfoy to come calling.”

Minerva gasped and her hand shot to her mouth to repress it. She stumbled backwards. “You can’t possibly - … But if she -… How is that possible, Albus?”
The wizard sighed, pressing his fingers into his temple harder. “I don’t know Minerva. One thing I am certain of. There are too many circumstances surrounding Ms. Scarlett Riddle that could tie her to a dead witch and a possibly dead Dark wizard.”

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So there you go!! 3,919 words to make up for the looooong wait!!

Thank you Kate for editing my story!! Chapter 4 is almost done. Should be posted in the next week after Kate is done beta-ing it.

Please leave a review telling me what you think or if you have a suggestion for the story development!

I really want to know what you guys think!!