Serpent Lady

"Oy!" called an impatient male voice. "Up, you, or else we'll never make out of the house!"

Ophelia Ravenscroft sat up, rubbing the hours of sleep from her exhausted green eyes, and gazed blearily around the room. "All right, Dad, I'm up," she groaned. She wearily shoved the green velvet coverlet from her body and sat up, her long, black hair swirling around her as she tossed her head back to yawn.

"Hallo, Duvessa," she sighed, her eyes falling upon her beautiful snowy owl who was perched atop her canopy bed. Duvessa opened one yellow eye, hooted in annoyance, and turned her back.

"I agree with her," Ophelia blinked. "It's too early to be getting up, even for me."

Damien Ravenscroft winked a playful brown eye at his daughter. "Even on a day like today, my girl?" he teased.

"What's so special about today?" she growled irritably.

"Well, er, your letter came this morning, y'see, and..."

Ophelia shrieked and jumped out of bed, immediately wide-awake. "It's here?" she cried. Duvessa blinked in irritation before tucking her head under her wing. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" She paused momentarily to throw the rich, black velvet curtains back from her windows, earning herself a faceful of glittering sunlight and a nice gust of cool summer breeze, before throwing on her black robe and tearing out of her room.

Silvia Ravenscroft looked up as her eleven-year-old daughter came flying down the huge curved stair that wound through the middle of their rich, comfortable English manor. She settled her features into a stony mask of disapproval before asking, "Lia, what have I told you about sliding down the banister?"

Ophelia rolled her eyes. "Mother, you know I'm not going to hurt myself...I've been doing it since I was five, haven't I?"

Silvia shook her head fondly, her face relaxing as she smiled at her child, a nearly perfect replica of herself. "You always were a bit adventurous, weren't you?"

"That would be the understatement of the decade, my love," said Damien from the top of the staircase. Ophelia looked from her father to her mother and smiled innocently.

"I, adventurous?" she asked playfully. "Now, wherever might you get that idea, eh?"

Silvia laughed. "Well, don't get too adventurous today, Lia, because we wouldn't want you getting lost in Diagon Alley again, especially since this time we're shopping for you." She dangled a parchment envelope with green writing in front of Ophelia's face, which brightened visibly as she reached out a smooth, white hand to snatch it from her mother's grasp.

She pointed a long, slender finger at the seal before whispering, "Epistolascinda!" She grinned in satisfaction as the seal split and the envelope flapped open. Her parents looked at each other over her head, a proud look on their faces, before eyeing their daughter sternly.

"Now, Lia, you know you're not supposed to use magic for simple tasks until you have come of age," her father said, trying to suppress a grin. Ophelia ignored him, instead examining the sheaf of papers she pulled from the envelope.

The top of the first page bore a rather impressive title with which Ophelia was well acquainted, having read several letters from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in the past. However, underneath was rather a different name.

"Headmaster Albus Dumbledore," she read with awe in her voice. Her parents gazed at her proudly as she unfolded the top sheet.

"Dear Miss Ravenscroft,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and supplies."

She absentmindedly unfolded the rest of the papers, handing them to her mother as she continued to scan the rest of the short letter. "Minerva McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress," she read, admiring the beautiful, neat signature. She folded the letter up carefully, slipping it back inside the envelope before turning to her parents.

"You will not be needing to send an owl," Damien grinned. "That's already taken care of."

Silvia, in the meantime, was studying the supply list. "They've gotten some new books this year," she said. "Of course, we would have gotten you new supplies anyhow, but I don't remember some of these items."

Ophelia took the list from her mother, her excitement growing as she imagined the feel of a wand in her hand, a cauldron of her very own, and a brand new set of school robes.

Silvia laughed at the expression on her face. "Glad to see you are awake now, my darling," she grinned, ruffling Ophelia's still mussed hair. "Go and get ready, then, and we will be off to Diagon Alley. Wear something comfortable - those Floo Network Hubs are nightmarish to navigate. We may end up lost again, and I don't want you stuck in something horrific for hours."

Ophelia laughed. "When am I ever not comfortable?" she pointed out, carefully placing the supply list back in the envelope before speeding back up the staircase.

Silvia and Damien watched her go with fond looks on their faces. "I think it will be good for her to have real teachers," Silvia commented. "We may have a good command of the spell vocabulary, but the professors at Hogwarts will be able to show her so much more."

Damien nodded in agreement. "Wandless magic is all well and good," he added, "but it is definitely time for her to start learning properly, with all the right supplies." He reached for the list, unfolding it.

"We should get her something special," Silvia grinned. "Something exciting...something that will show her just how proud we are."

Damien groaned. "We have to top her birthday present?" he asked in mock fear, remembering Ophelia's face when she awoke to see Duvessa perched on her pillow.

Silvia laughed. "Well, no, not top...just...get her something she will be able to use."

Damien grinned mischievously. "I know just the thing," he winked, turning innocent eyes to the staircase. Ophelia was just hopping down the last few stairs, her long, curly black hair straightened and hanging down her black-clad back. Her green eyes sparkled as she examined her parents.

"Are we ready?" she chirped cheerfully. Silvia and Damien laughed.

"Of course, darling," Silvia said, putting her arm around her daughter's shoulders and steering her through the enormous lounge and to the large, intricately carved stone fireplace. She offered Ophelia the pewter cask of Floo powder, and stepped back as Ophelia tossed the powder down, clearly enunciating "Edinburgh Network" just before she disappeared in a flash of green fire. Damien took the jar from her, handing her the supply list in return as Silvia stepped into the fireplace, following her daughter away. Damien scooped up a handful of Floo powder, handed the jar to the nearest house-elf, and disappeared into the green flames.

Ophelia skipped merrily through the streets of Diagon Alley, admiring the beautiful birds that adorned one shop window, laughing at a group of very small wizard children soaring past on their toy broomsticks, and drinking in the wonderful sounds and smells of the wizard shopping street.

"Ah, Madam Malkin's...a good place to start," Damien smiled, ushering his wife and daughter inside.

"Mr. and Mrs. Ravenscroft! Ophelia! So good to see you!" cried the stout witch in mauve. She came out from behind the counter, patting both adults on the shoulder and winking at Ophelia. "Time for you to start Hogwarts already, my girl?" she asked.

Ophelia grinned. "That's right, Madam Malkin!" she said, gazing adoringly around the store.

The elderly witch smiled fondly. "I remember last time you were here, buying graduation robes for the young gentleman," she said. "How is that son of yours, anyway?"

Silvia smiled proudly. "He is doing wonderfully," she said. "He's off in Germany, tending to the dragons in the Black Forest. He's loving every moment of it."

Madam Malkin smiled. "I knew he'd do well, that one," she said. "And I would imagine young Ophelia will do just as well, if not better."

Damien, in the meantime, was following Ophelia around the shop, noting how her eye fell on the black and silver dress robes almost immediately. "Well, my girl," he said, "it is a good thing you like the dress robes. From what your brother told me, he hated them. Somehow, I think they'll agree with you much better."

Ophelia grinned at her father. Noticing Madam Malkin's gesture, she headed back to the front of the store.

"Now, let's get you measured," smiled Madam Malkin, pulling a silver tape measure out of her voluminous robes.

About ten minutes later, the Ravenscroft family left the shop carrying a large package containing three plain black work robes, a fancy black and silver dress robe that Ophelia liked so much, a black winter cloak with silver fastenings, two pairs of dragon hide gloves, and a plain, pointy black hat.

Ophelia glowed with happiness as they entered the next store, Scribbulus Everchanging Inks. Her eager eyes scanned the bottles of ink and elegant quills. After several moments (and several amused glances from her parents), she finally selected two bottles of green ink, two bottles of black ink, one bottle of silver ink, and three falcon feather quills. The shopkeeper winked at her, slipping a bottle of invisible ink into the package when her parents weren't looking. He tied up the package with silver twine, making sure not to rumple the rolls of parchment inside, and handed it to her. "Enjoy, young lady," he grinned.

Ophelia clutched the package to her chest as the trio headed toward Flourish and Blotts. As they reached the door, Damien paused. "Lia, why don't you go get your potion equipment...you need a size 2 pewter cauldron, a set of brass scales, a telescope, and a set of crystal phials. Your mother and I will take care of the books, and then we can head to Slug & Jiggers together."

He pulled out a handful of galleons, pouring them into Ophelia's eagerly outstretched hand. She grinned and headed straight toward the nearest shop. She wasted no time picking out a beautiful, well-made pewter cauldron engraved with a snake that had small twin garnets for the eyes. She paid the shopkeeper two galleons, and immediately went next door. She picked out shiny, silver-colored brass scales and a telescope that seemed to be made of obsidian. This purchase cost her three galleons, quite a good deal as far as she knew. She piled her supplies carefully in her arms, hurried out the door, and ran straight into someone. She looked up...and up...and up...and saw a huge, shaggy face peering down at her.

"Careful there, young lady," said the huge man in a husky, gentle voice. "Yeh don' wanna be droppin' them purchases." He paused, examining her closely. "'ang on," he said. "Yeh would'na be...Darcy's sister, would yeh?"

Ophelia's jaw dropped. "You know my brother?" she asked. "Who might you be?"

The giant's face lit up. "I'm Hagrid, the Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts! What's yer name, little 'un?" he asked.

"I'm Ophelia," she said politely, smiling in amusement at the gentle manner of this huge, shaggy giant.

"Well, Miss Ophelia, it's a pleasure, I'm sure. Where is yer brother, at that?" he asked curiously, peering down at her.

"Oh, he's in the Black Forest, caring for dragons," she said, smiling. "He writes to me all the time."

Hagrid's eyes took on a misty, faraway look. "Ah, dragons," he said. "'ow I'd like to 'ave one for me own..."

"Ophelia?" came a voice. She spun around to face her parents, who were just emerging from Flourish and Blotts. Then, they noticed Hagrid.

"Hagrid, what a pleasure to see you again!" said Damien, smiling charmingly at the giant.

"'ello, Mr. Ravenscroft," said Hagrid, his great face beaming. "It's been qui' a while, 'asn't it?"

"Two years now," smiled Silvia. "Hello, Hagrid."

Ophelia watched her parents and Hagrid chatting like old friends, and she marveled that her parents had never mentioned this gentle giant. Her brother hadn't either, she realized, and Hagrid seemed to know Darcy rather well. She frowned, about to comment, when she realized her parents were bidding Hagrid goodbye.

"Come, Ophelia," her mother said, holding her hand out. "Let's go purchase your potions ingredients."

"Good bye, Hagrid!" Ophelia smiled. "See you at school!"

Hagrid lifted a great hand to wave, and headed off in the direction of the sweet shop.

Ophelia looked after him, shaking her head in merriment as she turned to face her parents.

"How do you know Hagrid?" she asked curiously.

Damien laughed and waved his hand. "That's a story for another day," he said, placing a firm hand on his daughter's back and guiding her in the direction of the Apothecary.

Silvia smiled at her daughter. "I know there are certain supplies that you need to have," she said as they neared the Apothecary's door, "and we'll take care of those...but I am sure there are other items you probably want to buy..."

Damien winked. "Especially when you see what we've bought you!" he declared, pulling a book out of the huge Flourish and Blotts package and placing it in Ophelia's eager hands. Ophelia gasped with pleasure as she read the title stamped in silver on the black leather book cover.

"Advanced and Archaic Potions for the Experienced Potion Master, by Bromius Elixirato," she read out loud, grinning from ear to ear. "This is marvelous, thanks so much!"

Her parents grinned at each other, a secretive look on their faces. "You're quite welcome," Damien said, trying not to laugh. Ophelia was so engrossed in her beautiful new book, she didn't even notice.

Upon entering Slug & Jiggers Apothecary, she was greeted with a very familiar sight. Jars and baskets of every color lined the floor-to-ceiling shelves. Glittering racks of various animal skins, bubbling bottles of jewel-colored liquids, and shiny pewter bowls of powders covered every available surface, some even spilling over onto the floor, where barrels of more common ingredients temptingly displayed their contents. Ophelia took a deep, appreciative breath of the air that some might consider foul, every other visit into her favorite store rushing back to her in one tingling wave of excitement.

"Hello again, Mr. and Mrs. Ravenscroft, Ophelia," the tall, bony gentleman behind the counter offered, smiling pleasantly at his faithful patrons. "What can I do for you today?"

"Ophelia's heading to Hogwarts, Mr. Hodgepodge, and she needs her potions supplies," Silvia explained, grinning at the expression on her daughter's face.

"Ah, Hogwarts!" Mr. Hodgepodge breathed, an excited look on his face. "I have just the things you need!" He commenced bustling around the store, gathering ingredients with a flick of his wand and floating them back to the counter where they were automatically wrapped in silver tissue paper.

In the meantime, Ophelia flipped to the back of her new book where a long list of potion ingredients beckoned temptingly. She proceeded to circle the store, examining items carefully, muttering to herself under her breath.

"Asphodel...dittany...shrivelfig...belladonna...basilisk scales...lionfish spine..." she breathed, scooping objects quickly into her basket. Her father watched her amusedly out of the corner of his eye as he selected bottles of dragon's blood and phoenix tears. Once she'd made her rounds of the store, she laid her overflowing basket on the counter next to her father's own choices.

"Ah, trying some more advanced potions this year, I see," stated Mr. Hodgepodge, smiling as he wrapped her purchases. He paused momentarily, examining her tragacanth gum. "Trying to control someone's dreams, eh?" he asked proudly, grinning at the excited expression on Ophelia's face.

"I thought I'd start with my own first," she explained, "and see how that goes."

"You'll be needing some maracoc then," he replied, Summoning a bouquet of the fragrant flowers and tucking them into her parcel. "I would imagine you won't have any problems with your potions, but Professor Snape will surely be able to help if you do."

Mr. and Mrs. Ravenscroft exchanged a glance as Ophelia replied, "Yes, I would imagine he will."

The Ravenscrofts waved as they left the store, their packages making a large, impressive stack in front of them as they made toward the glassware shop. Ophelia wasted no time choosing two sets of crystal phials as well as some larger bottles, which were bundled up and added to the top of the pile.

Damien staggered dramatically as the package was laid on top of his already hefty burden. "Goodness," he groaned playfully, "don't tell me we have too much more to buy!"

Ophelia rolled her eyes. "Just my wand left," she said, her look changing to pure excitement as they neared the door of Ollivander's. Just as Ophelia was reaching for the handle, the door swung back and three tall, blond people emerged.

Ophelia was immediately struck by how proud these individuals looked -- especially the man, whose haughty tilt of the head marked him as one of the few Purebloods who would hold their status above everyone. She was still trying to figure out if there was a bad smell around (as would be suggested by the look on the woman's face) when she noticed that her father was no longer carrying his packages (they were hovering in mid-air). Glancing around, her jaw dropped as she realized her father was actually shaking hands vigorously with the proud gentleman.

"Lucius!" he was saying. "It's been far too long since our last meeting!"

The blond gentleman's face actually broke into a vague semblance of a smile. "It is a pleasure to see you again, Cousin," he replied.

Ophelia's eyes widened still further, and she almost didn't notice her father beckoning her to him. She caught on a moment later, and stepped to his side, followed closely by her mother.

"This is my wife, Silvia," said Damien, "and my daughter Ophelia. We are just in the process of purchasing her Hogwarts supplies."

Lucius examined Ophelia carefully, making her feel quite uncomfortable. He reached down, cupping her chin in his hand and tilting her face up.

"She looks just like her mother," he said finally, releasing her face. "A beautiful young lady. Perhaps she and Draco will move within the same circles."

Ophelia didn't like the vague leer that crossed his face, and was about to say something to that effect when he reached behind him and roughly dragged the third individual into view. She gasped with pleasure, seeing only the wide gray eyes, the same color as storm clouds, turned upon her face. A moment later, however, she realized those eyes held a hint of fear and pain behind the cold façade.

"Draco is also to begin Hogwarts this year," said Lucius, his voice vaguely proud but filled with something else that Ophelia could not quite discern.

Damien reached out and shook Draco's hand, smiling down on the blond boy. Lucius, in the meantime, had engaged Silvia, who seemed as uncomfortable as Ophelia felt, in conversation.

"It is a pleasure to meet you!" Damien said jovially. "It's good to know there'll be a young gentleman at Hogwarts who is capable of keeping an eye on my little girl." He grinned, clapping a hand on Draco's shoulder. Draco winced visibly, and Damien and Ophelia exchanged a sharp look.

"I would be glad to, sir," Draco said through slightly gritted teeth, smiling tightly.

Damien matched his smile, steering Draco back toward his parents. "It was a pleasure seeing you," he nodded to Lucius, his manner a bit cooler now. "I hope we shall see each other again sometime."

Lucius nodded also, his smile now looking somewhat fixed. "I am sure we shall," he said, poking Draco in the back with his silver-topped cane. The Ravenscrofts watched the three blondes make their way down the street before speaking.

Silvia spoke first. "Darling, you didn't tell me Lucius Malfoy was your cousin."

Damien's eyes narrowed slightly. "I haven't seen him in 25 years at least," he replied, quietly enough so that Ophelia could not hear him. "I read that load of bosh in the papers about him being bewitched by You-Know-Who...bollocks as far as I'm concerned. He's one of those people who probably enjoyed all his duties as a Death-Eater."

Silvia gave him a sharp look. "Do you think we're in any sort of danger then?" she asked, sotto voce.

Damien sighed. "I think we're safe for the time being," he whispered slowly, "but for how long I do not know."

He growled then, his eyes flashing with anger. "I'm willing to bet half my estate that young Draco feels the lash of Lucius's temper...and cane...more often than he sleeps. I ought to give him what for!"

Ophelia flinched at her father's voicing of her suspicions, her curiosity about the inaudible conversation forgotten, and turned wide eyes to his face. "Anything I can do?" she asked.

Damien smiled slightly, patting her head affectionately. "That's my girl," he said fondly. "Yes, I think you should keep an eye on him, try to befriend him if you can. I would imagine he'll probably put on a façade of some sort, probably a hateful one, so befriending him might not be the easiest thing in the world, but..."

Ophelia nodded. "I can handle myself," she said with quiet pride. "I don't care what other people think."

"Of course you don't," Silvia smiled, steering both her husband and her daughter into Ollivander's.

Mr. Ollivander looked up at their entrance, his owl-like gaze breezing over the three as he came out from behind his desk. "Ah, Silvia," he smiled, greeting Ophelia's mother pleasantly. "Eleven inches, cedar, dragon heartstring, I believe?" he asked.

Silvia smiled and nodded. "That's right," she said. "You know my husband Damien, of course," she added.

"Ah yes, Mr. Ravenscroft...unusual wand, from Kremlin's, if I'm not mistaken?" he asked. "Twelve and a quarter inches, mahogany, with a hair from the tail of a graphorn."

Damien nodded as well. "You have an excellent memory, Mr. Ollivander," he smiled. "It's been nearly ten years, after all."

"Darcy Ravenscroft...twelve inches, birch, dragon heartstring -- an interesting combination," he remembered, nodding to himself.

Then, he peered over the top of his glasses at Ophelia. "And who is this charming young lady?" he asked. "Your younger, I presume."

Ophelia smiled eagerly. "My name is Ophelia, Mr. Ollivander," she smiled prettily. "It is a pleasure to meet you at last."

"Ophelia is off to Hogwarts this year," Silvia explained proudly, "and this is to be her first wand."

"Yes, of course," said Mr. Ollivander, extracting a tape measure from his robes. "Which is your wand arm, my dear?" he asked.

"I'm...er...ambidextrous," she explained hastily, prompting a chuckle from the old gentleman.

"Difficult," he said, "but only a minor setback. Come, give me your left arm."

He measured her carefully before darting toward the back of the store. He emerged with a large stack of narrow boxes balanced easily in the crook of his arm. He set them down on his desk and fingered through them before choosing a box.

"Try this one," he said, handing her the first wand. "Maple and phoenix feather, nine inches, nice and strong."

Ophelia had barely touched the wand before he snatched it back. "No...how about this? Redwood and unicorn hair, ten and a quarter inches, excellent for charms."

She picked up the wand, only to have it spirited away again. "Definitely not...how about this? Pine and dragon heartstring, eight and a half inches, somewhat unpredictable."

She picked up the third wand, which also disappeared from her hand.

"Better, but not quite...ah, here we go...ebony and dragon heartstring, thirteen inches." She took the wand from his outstretched fingers and immediately felt a warm glow surround her. She brought the wand down with a whispered "Relashio!" and grinned with pleasure when silver sparks emerged from the tip of the wand. Mr. Ollivander clapped his hands together.

"She won't need much training, this one," he smiled in appreciation. "She is already well on her way."

Ophelia bounced excitedly as Mr. Ollivander wrapped up her wand, winking to her as he handed it across the counter. "We can expect great things from you, young Ravenscroft," he smiled. Silvia dropped eight Galleons into his palm before following her family out the door.