Shades of Ebony

normal\'>Disclaimer: The only class=GramE>thing I own are Kerenza and her family.style=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'> All else belongs to JK Rowling.

Chapter 1

“No.style=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'> I refuse!” I said angrily, my waist length
white hair flying around me as I whirled on my parents.style=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'> I was young, especially by Dark Elf
standards, but I was at the age for admittance to Hogwarts, “I refuse to go to
that…place!” For an eleven year old I knew what I wanted and didn’t want.

class=GramE>“Kerenza!” My father barked with narrowed emerald eyes, “You
will go, don’t you dare argue. This is
not up for discussion. You are going for
a specific reason, you know very well what you need to do and you style=\'mso-bidi-font-style:normal\'>will do it without complaint.”

My
ice green eyes narrowed, mirroring his, “Father, please.style=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'> You’ll make me change my name too, won’t
you? DeNan is a known Dark Elf
name. I don’t want to go by another
name.” I wasn’t begging but it could almost be construed as such.

“Your
name will not be changed; I will not lower you to the level of those idiot
humans. You will wear your name with
pride, just as you always have. You will
be disguised; we don’t need anyone knowing what you are.style=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'> Simple charms will work to change your skin
tone. Keep your ears covered, if that
slips it’s alright because they’ll just think you’re a High Elf.” He sighed,
“Our light cousins aren’t any of our concern.
They will know you for what you are if you are seen by one but you know
our relationship with them.” He paused.
Yes, I knew that we got along well with them; there wasn’t any bad blood
between us, contrary to Wizard and Muggle belief, “There isn’t much time to
prepare, you’ve gotten your letter already.
We’ll go to Diagon Alley tomorrow.”

My
father was a handsome man, his skin a blackish-purple, deep emerald eyes, and
long white hair, falling downhis his waist in a thick braid.style=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'> He dressed in comfortable black and silver
clothes, light and flowing. I was
dressed in the same colors and in a similar manner except my clothing covered
more then his ever thought of covering.
I wasn’t looking forward to wearing wizard robes.style=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'> They weren’t as comfortable as my everyday
clothing and I knew I’d have to wear them tomorrow.style=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'> Whenever we went to Diagon Alley we wore
them, disguising ourselves as High Elves because the humans believed that all
Dark Elves were evil. We are dark but
that doesn’t make us evil. When we went
to Knockturn Alley on the other hand we didn’t have
to worry about it.

“What
are the two of you arguing about now?” My mother asked, her long flowing gown
trailing behind her as she walked in, her hair was even longer then my father’s
and was done up in braids, wrapped into an intricate pattern atop her head and
down her back. Her clothing was purple
and silver, “Well? I’m waiting for an
answer.”

I
sighed, “Hogwarts mother.”

She
smiled, “Ahhh, yes.
I take it that you do not desire to go?”

“No,
I don’t want to go.”

She
sighed, “It has already been explained to you why you must.style=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'> There are things you need to do.”

I
rolled my eyes, “I know mother and I’ll do what I’m supposed to.”

“I
know you will. You’re an intelligent
young woman.” She said, brushing a strand of hair out of my face, “You’ll break
hearts.” She said with a smile, “Now go get some rest.style=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'> Tomorrow’s a big day for you.”

“I’ve
been to Diagon Alley hundreds of times, why is this time so different?” I asked
with a sigh.

class=GramE>“Because you’re getting your school supplies.” My father
replied.

My
mother sighed, “He’s right Kerenza. Go
get some sleep, it’s getting late.” She said, ushering me to my room.

Rolling
my eyes I walked into my room, closing the door behind me.style=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'> My room was comfortable, decorated in black,
silver, blue, and purple, my family’s colors.
The curtains were multiple layers of sheer silk.style=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'> All the furniture was done in dark cherry
wood, intricately carved by Dark and High Elvin crafters.style=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'> On the north wall, between two windows, sat
our family crest. The shield it was on
was pure black. Two purple rosebuds
flanked one in full bloom in the center with a silver sword, point down, behind
it. It was simple yet elegant.style=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'> Carefully I began to get undressed, the
clothing I wore, although delicate looking, was quite strong.style=\'mso-spacerun:yes\'> I could have just pulled it off but I had
been raised to take care of my possessions.
After it was put away I slipped on my silken nightgown, braided my hair,
and crawled into bed. Sighing and
putting an arm over my face I was soon unwillingly asleep.