Dark Beauty *Newly Updated Chapters*

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Chapter Five: Hogwarts Year One, Second Term

Severus Snape entered the staff room for a post holiday staff meeting. He expected the usual “Keep your students in line” nonsense. And of course, his house would be under the most scrutiny. He took his seat at the long table and pulled out a copy of the Evening Prophet. He was required to be here, he didn’t have to like it.

“Severus,” Minerva said, seating herself to his right. “I really feel I have to speak to you about one of your students.”

Sighing, he put the paper down. Of course, one of “his students”. “Which one and what did they do?” He asked in a bored tone.

“It’s not that what she did was so bad,” Filius offered, climbing into the chair to his left.

“It’s just that,” Minerva offered, “she scares the other children.”

She? Of course, he thought, Calligenia Lestrange. He couldn’t see where she’d done anything to scare any child, at least nothing above simply existing. He raised an eyebrow to his colleague, waiting for her to continue.

“Neville Longbottom,” she started, but he stopped her with a raised hand.

“Should learn that it was Miss Lestrange’s parents, not Miss Lestrange that put his parents in St. Mungo’s.” He glared at Minerva, wondering if this was all that she had to offer about his charge. From what he’d seen she kept to herself, not imposing her presence on anyone, let alone Neville Longbottom.

“It’s not only that,” Filius broke in. “She performs magic without using her wand or the incantations.”

“So I should punish her for being more advanced than the other First Years?” Severus was losing his patience. He knew of Miss Lestrange’s talents. He’d seen her first hand in his own class, but seeing as he’d only said not to use wands, he hadn’t felt punishment was necessary. Besides, she wasn’t as likely to explode a caldron like Longbottom was.

“No, we’re not saying she should be punished, Severus.” Minerva said, dismissing the notion. “Perhaps if you spoke to her, told her how uncomfortable it makes the other children.”

Severus pinched the bridge of his nose. He barely stopped himself from telling the two meddling professors that things would be seen in a different light had Miss Lestrange been put into one of their houses, but was stopped by the arrival of the Headmaster. The meeting started and he was released from the discussion. He thoughts, however, fell to Miss Lestrange and how alone she must feel with even the teachers seeing her in such a negative light.

Calligenia, unaware of the discussions about her in the staff meeting, was settling back into her dorm. Holidays at Malfoy Manor were trying at the best of times. This year, her and Draco’s first at Hogwarts, seemed even more so than usual. Her uncle had interrogated both of them about Harry Potter, his friends, his power. He seemed appeased when Draco assured him that Harry was nothing more than lucky. Calli kept her thoughts to herself, merely agreeing with Draco so her uncle wouldn’t force her to make a fool out of herself.

Then there was the displays of wealth that took the form in presents to herself and Draco. How many silk sets of robes could she possibly need? It wasn’t like she could wear them to school. And then there was the jewelry. Not to mention the ritual shows of “affection” that her family went through. Like the family portraits that they sat for every year during the holidays. Calli had thought that sooner or later they’d get over that one, but no, once again it was hours of preparation, dressing up to sit still for what felt like an eternity.

Then there was the hiding she had to do. No one in her family must know how she felt about certain things. Like how personally she felt that Harry was a very courageous individual. He entered a world where he was so known, without having the same knowledge of it. He’d made friends, the Granger girl who was by far one of the most clever people Calli had ever seen and the Weasley boy whose family was looked down upon by her own. Unpacking her trunk she considered the Weasleys. There were plenty of children, that was certain, but there was more. The children weren’t simply doted upon like precious possessions. She’d noticed at the beginning of the year, when they were all being herded onto the Hogwarts Express, Mrs. Weasley loved her children. Not because of their fantastic power, not because of their beauty. Simply because they were hers. She envied Ron Weasley and his brothers and sister.

Oh her uncle and aunt had doted on her, that was a given. But did they love her, simply because she was Calli and not because she had abilities that most children didn’t? Did they want to know her, know what she thought, know who she was under the parentage she was cursed with? No, they didn’t. They “loved” that she was powerful, that she was proof that their Pureblood fanaticism was right. They could care less what boiled beneath the cold beauty at the surface.

She finished unpacking and forced down the knot threatening her throat. She would not cry, they didn’t deserve her tears. She looked around her dorm, watched the other girls unpacking and giggling about their holidays, watched them stay as far away from her as possible. Good, she thought, stay away. The less she had to pretend to be interested in their vapid conversations the better. She couldn’t wait for classes, couldn’t wait for her life to return to the normalcy Hogwarts offered. Calli was home.

A few days after she returned to Hogwarts, after being so happy to be home, Calli was rethinking her love for the school. She was in Professor Quirrell’s Defense Against the Dark Arts class and feeling rather uncomfortable. She considered again talking to Professor Snape, but decided against it.

No, she’d simply deal with it in her own way. She’d be cooly polite, and keep her distance. It worked with the other professors and surely the stuttering buffoon would get the hint and leave her to her own devices.