Chapter 5: Darcie Lucius Malfoy - The Anomaly!
Wednesday, 24 July 1991
England
Across the Multiverse, in almost all Harry Potter Random Worlds, this day was one of the, if not the, most remarkable days.
As the 1st-year students needed to send an owl confirming their places before the cut-off date of 31st July, the school sent the acceptance letters at least 10 days prior. So, this year, the period between 21 July and 28 July already marked the peak of owl sightings across Britain and Ireland.
But this day wasn't just about students getting their Acceptance Letters.
It was about one boy particularly.
On 24th July 1991, Harry Potter received his first Hogwarts Acceptance Letter.
Across the Multiverse, merely witnessing this event, from Harry Potter picking the letter up to Vernon and Petunia burning the letter, would give a Milestone.
*
*
4 Privet Drive
After his little stunt with the boa constrictor at the zoo, Harry had been locked in his cupboard for the longest time ever.
It was only at the beginning of this summer holidays when Harry was finally allowed out.
So, on this ordinary Wednesday morning, Harry had no plans to put his luck to the test against Uncle Vernon.
Breakfast… Dishes… Harry burned the daily plan in his mind, plating the table for breakfast and ignoring Dudley's shouts. And… Oh! Go out before Dudley-gang can find me again…
Harry's plans weren't oozing out heroism. Nor were they daring, to say the least.
They were just… simple.
Harry adjusted his glasses, again ignoring Dudley's eerie noise as Uncle Vernon made some not-so-funny joke. Suddenly, he noticed Aunt Petunia eying him like an owl.
"Haha!" the boy with the lightning-shaped mark on his forehead forced out a laugh.
"Funny, wasn't it?!" Uncle Vernon roared, burying himself in the chair. "Go! Get the posts!"
Thank god! Harry sighed desperately, his fake laugh dying instantly. With hurried steps, or as hurried as his baggy clothes allowed him to take, he walked toward the main gate.
There were three letters on the floor.
Harry picked them up and went through them one by one.
A postcard…
An electricity bill…
And…
… a letter for Harry?!!
Harry took the letter, studied the yellow parchment it was made of, and then read the address:
Mr H. Potter
The Cupboard Under the Stairs
4, Privet Drive
Little Whinging
Surrey
Harry couldn't believe it. He had never had a letter in his life.
He turned the letter over. On the back was a wax seal with a Lion, a Snake, a Badger and an Eagle surrounding an H.
Excited, Harry returned to the Dining Room…
…
Hundreds of meters away from the house, in the sky, there was a man in a white suit and pants. With every breath, he kicked the air, letting out powerful bangs.
Moonwalk!
Under his white hat, his blue eyes were shimmering, watching everything going on in the 4 Privet Drive bypassing walls and magic. Regardless of being a Top-Class 8th-floor Contestant, he dared not near the house.
This distance was already enough.
To his far right, but equally distanced from the house, was a mechanical bird, seemingly levitating at its place. Its eyes were tiny telescopes, zooming in on the event occurring among the Dursleys and Harry.
Another 8th-floor Contestant.
Not only these, but the entire town was littered with 4th to 8th floor Contestants, who had yet to witness the event in any other Random World. All minded their own business.
No one fought. No one spoke.
None dared to break the peace, which always remained hanging by the thread during such events.
And there was only one reason for them to remain silent, agreeing with this unwritten rule.
The Prime Protector!
So what if they couldn't see the existence itself? The Prime Protector was surely there, eying everything. No? One wrong move and the Top-Class 9th-Floor Contestant would annihilate all of them.
When it came to the in-world Characters, the Protectors knew no mercy.
Such sayings were known by all.
So, with bated breath, they all waited.
Dudley snatching the letter from Harry's hand… Vernon laughing over it upon being protested by Harry… Then Vernon and Petunia exchanging horrified glances upon recognizing the Hogwarts' seal…
A heavy discussion over what to do as the children spied from behind the door.
And then… the letter got burned.
Many Contestants sighed in relief, smiling for the first time.
The Geppo-user in the sky just turned around, kicking the air. The mechanical bird zoomed out its eyes and flapped its wings, flying away.
All turned around, hoping to leave without causing a ruckus.
Then… as if someone blew a whistle… all paused.
They waited. They waited for a few seconds more.
But…
… the Milestone never shone in their pupils.
*
*
Malfoy Manor,
There was a grave silence washed over the enormous, ancient country house.
In the Great Hall, on one side of the long table, Lucius Malfoy had taken a seat with anger dancing on his twisted lips.
Narcissa kept pacing left and right on the other side of the table, mumbling and stuttering.
Lucius looked at her over his shoulder and, for a moment, thanked the gods for her wand to not be in her hands.
Between the Malfoys, on the table, was a letter with the address:
Mr. D. Malfoy
Malfoy Manor
Wiltshire County
The Acceptance Letter had arrived this morning.
There was nothing wrong with the letter, per se.
It was just…
"I am telling you!" Narcissa hissed under her breath. "It's Dumbledore! She's not even there… and he's already messing with us!"
The twist on Lucius' lips tightened.
It was just…
Draco stepped down the stairs, carrying the broom. There was no joy on his face, either. With the barest visible frown, he looked at the exact copy of his father, instead.
"Where's she…" Lucius asked, his anger bubbling within him now.
Draco gave his father a side-eye.
"Don't you…"
"In the Withdrawing Chamber!" Draco snapped, hoping his father wouldn't punish him. Not today. He looked at his mother, put his head down, and walked away. "She sent an owl to the minister… former minister… I don't know. Ask her!"
It was just…
Speaking of owls, Lucius had already sent dozens, already demanding harsh actions against the Headmaster. Each letter accompanying a bribe, of course.
It was just…
"Why didn't they send Darcie's Letter?!" Narcissa screamed for the hundredth time. "I am telling you…"
Crack!
Dobby apparated near Lucius.
Something snapped within the man. He threw himself off the chair and kicked the house elf. "How many times…" Lucius hissed, "… have I told you… not to…"
Dobby narrowed his eyes.
He twisted his short, skinny body and dodged the kick.
Dobby's mood was already the worst in this house right now. If he got kicked, Dobby didn't know what he would end up doing to his master.
Lucius gaped, stunned.
Before anyone could say anything, Dobby said, "Professor Snape has arrived at the gates, master."
"Huh?!" Lucius' brows rose.
Narcissa spun and shared a look with her husband. "Go. Bring him in!" she ordered Dobby. To Lucius, she said, "What's going on? Did you write to Severus, too?"
"No…" Lucius answered. "… I forgot."
It was then Severus Snape walked in through the main door, his large black cloak rippling behind him.
"Severus…" Lucius tried to smile.
Professor Snape was about to let out a thin smile but then he sensed the murderous gaze hidden in Narcissa's eyes, and stopped himself. "I am on Hogwarts business," he told them. "Call Darcie."
Lucius and Narcissa shared another, puzzled glance.
"I am here."
She stepped down the stairs elegantly.
Darcie approached the trio, dressed in plain blue robes, her green, poisonous eyes shimmering brightly. "Good afternoon, Professor Snape," she greeted, smiling. "It's always a pleasure seeing you… other than on birthdays."
Finally, Severus smiled, showing his yellow teeth.
Professor Snape gave Darcie a measured look and then looked at Lucius. "Headmaster thinks, given Darcie's… exceptional and… rich experience," he said slowly, tasting each word. "… admitting her to Hogwarts will not be fair to other students of her age."
"WHAT?!" Narcissa exploded.
But Lucius knew Severus better than his wife. "Wait," he said, raising a hand. "Let him finish."
Severus' lips twitched. He again looked at Darcie, who was already smiling at him. … Exceptional indeed… "After discussing it with Fudge, the Headmaster has revised the Acceptance terms for her."
Cornelius Fudge had already replaced Millicent Bagnold as the Minister of Magic.
No wonder Darcie didn't get to hear something discussed privately between Dumbledore and Fudge.
Severus took out a letter from his sleeves and sent it flying toward the 11-year-old girl.
Darcie caught it between her fingers.
Ms. D. Malfoy
Malfoy Manor
Wiltshire County
As Narcissa and Lucius almost flew toward her, Darcie opened the letter.
…
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Ms. Malfoy,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry as a third-year student.
Term begins on 1 September.
Due to your unique circumstances, the Ministry has graciously agreed to allow Professor Severus Snape to help you hone your skills and to act as a Mentor throughout the term. Upon confirmation, no later than 31 July, you will need to go through a series of tests, designed by the Ministry.
Once passed, the grades obtained in the above tests would be equivalent to first and second-term grades combined.
Yours sincerely,
Albus Dumbledore
Headmaster
…
Lucius and Narcissa's eyes remained glued to the letter, disbelief flashing within them openly.
"Well…" Severus droned, smiling.
Darcie looked up, handed the letter over to her mother, and gave the wizard a noble courtesy. "I will be in your care, then…" she said, holding back the demonic grin, "… Professor Snape."
Almost simultaneously, in some distant Dimension known as the God of High School, a notification flashed dull gray in Black's eyes.
It was a…
… Milestone.
************
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