Reborn

Reborn

Prologue: Rebirth

Katherine Runette was finally home after giving birth to her first baby, Robin. Her beautiful baby girl. Her husband, William, helped her get their child into the crib. Katherine sighed heavily as she looked adoringly at her daughter.

"Robin…"

William smiled and put an arm around her. "She’s absolutely wonderful."

"Yes…" Katherine breathed. Robin was born a few days before, on the 25^th of May, in the year of 1988. Her mother was a witch, her father was a Muggle. She was destined for something, yet she did not know it as she slept soundly. Her tuft of brown hair was a sign she’d look like her mother. That wasn’t necessarily true but people expected it.

Katherine sighed blissfully, collapsing into her bed. The smile faded when she was about ready to tell her husband the truth about herself. "William?" she asked, not getting up. "You know that Robin’s special?"

"Of course…"

"I mean… there’s something about her—"

"Shh… just relax," he whispered, lying down next to the bed with her. "Nothing’s wrong with Robin."

He had obviously mistaken what his wife was about to say. Katherine could never break the news that she was a witch and their child was magical to William. She couldn’t do that to him. But…

"That’s not it… Will—"

The baby chose that moment to wake and start wailing. Katherine sighed sadly.

"I’ll go get the baby bottle," William kissed her kiss and went downstairs.

Katherine frowned as she sat up and stared at the crib. She made no movement to subdue her daughter. The baby stopped her bawling as soon as William was out of range. "Why?" Katherine whined.

"I’ve got to tell him, you know," she continued to talk to the baby. "Don’t make this harder than it already is… my darling Ro… I know that he’ll be happier not knowing but my mother and everyone, they’ll—"

There was a whimper from the crib. The child’s mother moaned.

"Oh I know I don’t want to but it’s complicated. I love him so much—"

Just then, Robin started to cry again. William was back with a bottle filled with milk.

"I can’t believe it," William shook his head. "Today’s the twenty eighth day of the month! Your mother’s visiting us today to see our Ro… I saw her outside. How on Earth did she get here?"

"Yes," Katherine replied dully. "I know."

He held the baby and fed her the milk. "Is something wrong?" he looked at her with those misty gray eyes she loved so much.

She couldn’t bring herself to ruin his life any further. "No… nothing’s wrong?" She forced herself to smile. "Well, mother’s going to be here to—"

"—to see our baby."

Katherine nodded and the doorbell rang. William groaned, "I’ll answer here. You wait with Ro…" He gave Robin to his wife.

Katherine cradled her daughter silently, making a mental note to say to her mother to keep hiding the magic. William would be fascinated, true, but he wouldn’t have a normal life. Katherine wanted that for them. She knew she had to keep her relatives away. Maybe all of them.

"Darling! I’ve come to see your baby dear!" Her mother’s voice called from the stairs. "I’m here to welcome her to the world!"

"Again," Katherine muttered. Baby Robin only cooed.

* * * * *

"Robin! Wake up! C’mon lazy bones!" Caitlin Millard yelled from the bottom bunk.

Robin kept her eyes shut, too sleepy to wake.

"Robin!" Caitlin persisted.

"Fine, fine…" Robin muttered, eyes still closed. "Just a minute," Caitlin started to sputter. "Just a minute Cait!" She said forcefully, though she didn’t move from her position. Caitlin just glared and went away furious.

The room was finally quiet but Robin couldn’t go back to sleep. She wanted to but she knew better. She reluctantly got up and jumped from the top of the bunk bed. The house shook slightly.

"Robin! How many times must I tell you? No jumping in the house!" Miss Olga’s voice carried from downstairs. The house shook once more. Robin rolled her eyes and started downstairs.

It happened at least twice a week, so why did Miss Olga still bother? Robin would still do it anyway. She knew that Miss Olga only told her not to because she cared but Robin wasn’t getting hurt anyway. So why bother?

Robin tried not to stomp downstairs. It was a bad habit she was trying to get rid of. The old house just didn’t need anymore to cause it collapse. She quickly made her way to the kitchen and joined the other girls.

"Robin, I do wish you’d stop doing that," Miss Olga said quietly as Robin sat down.

"I know ma’am, I’m sorry…" she apologized sincerely.

Caitlin rolled her eyes and folded her hands to pray. "C’mon Robi, let’s get start—"

"Ro," Robin immediately corrected. "Never Robi."

"Fine," Caitlin answered, irritated.

"How old are you now Robin?" Miss Olga interrupted before Anna Maria could start to say grace. Miss Olga never sounded so solemn.

"I turn eleven next month ma’am."

"Oh, I expected as much. After breakfast I need to speak with you." She folded her hands.

"All right Miss Olga," Robin followed suit.

Robin had lived in the Miss Olga’s Girls Orphanage ever since her parents died when she was two years old. There was a disease going around and they had caught it. Her mother went first, then her father. Robin didn’t cry though… she hardly ever did. Not even when she was so sad.

She had ended up in orphanage. It was owned and managed by Miss Olga. She was Russian (but lived in Wales all her life) and her full name was Olga Harris. She had been running the orphanage ever since she got out of college. Though Miss Olga graduated valedictorian, she had wanted to make a place for orphan girls. Miss Olga could relate to the girls. She was an orphan herself. Or so were the girls told.

Robin had lived in the orphanage ever since she came, never once going to a friend’s house to sleepover. She did remember her parents though. Her memory even stretched out to enough to remember her mother first time calling her "Ro." That was why Robin refused any other nickname. She was Ro—that was it.

She attended the grade school nearby and she was at the top of her class. She still sometimes hoped that she had some relative she didn’t know. Not to take her away but to tell her about her parents. She loved them but she didn’t know them so well.

Yet she knew of no relative who ever visited her. She wanted to know but she knew she’d probably never would. Sometimes she supposed that they were orphans too. But that would be too clichéd.

Oh well, It didn’t really matter anyway. That was all in the past.

It was a clear April morning of 1999. A Saturday no less. Why did Miss Olga sound sad? Usually she was happy on spring days. Although she acted as if she disliked it.

After breakfast, Miss Olga excused the other girls, who went outside immediately. She asked Robin to walk with her. They walked on the front yard, which was actually very large. Robin looked at the other girls playing while she listened and answered Miss Olga.

"I’ve had you for how long now? Eight years?"

"Yes ma’am."

"I-I… on Robin, you’ve never known, have you?"

Robin turned her head to face the woman. "Known what?"

"About your true lineage."

"You mean my parents weren’t my parents? Huh? I’m confused."

"Oh dear, not that… nothing really to do with your family… Oh my dear Ro… How can I tell you now?"

"Tell me what?" She was getting a little more than just a bit irritated.

"Oh this going to be hard…" she sat down on the worn stone bench the stood alone in the field of grass that took up half the yard. "My dear, do you remember Louisa Cradle?"

Of course. Who could forget Louisa? She was a lovely person. Though she did go to boarding school and just came back every summer. She used to play and baby-sit Robin everyday when she was home. Louisa left the orphanage when she was seventeen and graduated her school, whichever school that was. That was two years ago – in 1987.

Though Robin did love her, she had to admit there were some things about Louisa that just… suspicious.

For example, whenever Louisa sent them letters, the mailman never had them, but surely enough Miss Olga had them. And when Louisa was younger, Robin could’ve sworn she saw one of Louisa’s pictures move. But maybe that was just her being paranoid. Maybe.

"Yeah… what about her?"

"She’s one of you… us," she replied in barely a whisper.

"Us?"

"Us… Witches. Technically men are wizards and Muggles… oh, you never got a chance to be told…"

"Muggles? What’s that?"

"Non-magical people. Your father was one… I think, I don’t really know, Ro. I’m Muggle-born myself."

"Oh," nothing seemed to sink in… Words just swirled and floated in her brain. "But… this any sense… What are you trying to say? I’m not human?"

"Oh no! No, not at all! It’s that… you have magic flowing through your veins… that’s all… and I was telling you think because.. because…"

"What?"

"When, not if, Robin, when you get a letter… you’ll have to leave and I want to be prepared as much as you can… I couldn’t even tell if you were one… until Louisa said there was magic in you… I couldn’t tell you for years… but you’re eleven now… and you will get a letter. Maybe from Hogwarts… oh that would be a dream! It’s rumored to be the best witchcraft and wizardry school in the world, you know. Oh my… I do need to explain…"

"Yeah… I think you do Miss Olga…"

* * * * *

About five months later, Robin Runette arrived at King’s Cross station in London, England. It wasn’t too far from Wales, she guessed. It all depended on your perspective. She had never been outside of Wales, so it was a little different. Of course, everything was a little different everywhere.

Robin couldn’t believe how happy Miss Olga was when she had gotten the letter from Hogwarts in July. It was too incredible, as she said.

King’s Cross was crowded and busy as ever but she found her way around easily. Miss Olga already told her what to do. It seemed that she had more witch orphans, some who went to Hogwarts, like Miss Olga herself (who admitted it when she was explaining the Wizarding World to Robin). Robin did feel uncomfortable with all the people walking around trying to catch their train… she didn’t like all that noise… She used to the quiet. She liked it better.

She spotted Platform Nine and smiled. Almost there. She saw more children towards the platform… all waiting to getting in unnoticed. As soon as a bunch of Muggles were passing by, she came through Platform Nine and Three Quarters, relieved. She marveled at the Hogwarts Express.

‘Impressive…hmm…’ she mused, ‘I wonder how great this adventure will be…’

Somethings were like that. An adventure and she always considered a challenge one. School was a constant challenge. Sure, she excelled in her classes but she was never the one to be social and she wasn’t the best behaved either. Robin did, occasionally, get into trouble. Little things only, of course. She didn’t want her record ruined too much.

She entered the train and saw a long corridor and rows of doors. It she knew there were people inside there, she knew. Robin gulped. So many people… she gave a shudder. She didn’t know how to deal with so many people. She went along, trying to look for an empty compartment. There were quite a few still unoccupied, since it was still somewhat early.

She settled into a compartment near the front of the train. It seemed that less loud people were there… just mostly the prefects… and a few pranksters.

"Is it always like this?" Robin wondered out loud.

She sat down and sighed. Seven years. That’s how long she had to survive this… and in no way she could really be prepared. She did always try to, but she couldn’t. Not for all seven years. Besides, people were different. You couldn’t predict them.

Just as she was thinking that, someone’s head peeked into her compartment. It was a girl. She was smiling at Robin widely. Her face was young, but she was clearly older than Robin. She had golden blonde hair, tanned skin, and an energetic smile.

"Hi! Can I stay here? I don’t like being alone in a compartment," She asked politely. Robin nodded.

The girl sat down across from her. "My name’s Helen Hemmingsway. What’s yours?"

"Robin Runette."

Helen giggled. "Both of our names start with the same letter as our last names!" She stifled her giggling. "Sorry, I’m silly sometimes… Anyway, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but what are you?"

"Huh?"

"I mean like Muggle-born, half-and-half, pureblood…"

"Oh… erm… I’m not sure… either Muggle-born or half-and-half… I think. I’m not all too sure. My parents died when I was very young."

"Oh," Helen said, sympathetic. "I know how that feels, my parents divorced last year, and then my father couldn’t care for me, so he gave me to my aunt and uncle. I never see them. Ever! I’m a Muggle-born… my parents… well, they were very different." She laughed. "I’m very mixed, I don’t ever want to go into my heritage," She giggled. "It’s too confusing sometimes that I don’t even remember."

Robin blinked at the girl. She was certainly different from most people she met.

"Sorry, I’m a chatterbox, I know… my auntie tells me that often… I can’t help it though."

"Oh, it’s okay… I know a lot of chatters, except that they aren’t witches."

"Ah," Helen grinned. "I know how that feels too… my cousin, he’s like a Muggle, but he’s so cold! And acts like a jerk sometimes. I like to tease and annoy him. And there’s… well, another friend. Anyway, know anyone like that?"

Robin shook her head but then thought about it. "Well… there is this girl I know. Caitlin Millard. Bossy, snobby, and such a suck up!" The two burst into laughter.

"Yeah… I know…" Helen said after her laughter subsided. "So… what House would you want to be in?"

"I don’t really know which Houses are there… what are they exactly?"

Helen took a deep breath and began to explain. "It’s like… erm… you’re family while you’re at Hogwarts. You stay them… and I think there’s like dormitories you share with them or something. That’s what people say anyway. Well, there’s Hufflepuff, people call them duffers but I still want to be in there, and there’s Ravenclaw, the so-called ‘intelligent’ people go there – I don’t know if it’s true but I suppose so, it’s a good house, I think. A lot of studious people there – and Gryffindor. Most people want to go there. It’s the best House they say. I don’t if that’s true either. Oh! And there’s Slytherin. I met a bunch of them here. They don’t seem very pleasant. It supposedly the House the Dark Lord was in…"

"Oh… maybe Ravenclaw then," Robin responded. "Helen, Dark Lord did you say?"

Helen nodded. "You wouldn’t know about it if you lived in the Muggle world. Well, I don’t know a lot about him either… but he was defeated only two years ago! Scary, isn’t it? He terrorized the Wizarding world… he almost took over, but Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived, defeated him! It’s an incredible story really. Harry Potter is nineteen years old now… I think we’ll learn about him in History of Magic."

"Oh… it seems fascinating."

"Oh it is… I looked a little bit into it. Have you gone to Flourish and Blotts?"

"Yeah! I like that place! So many books! Not as great as the library though…" Robin laughed nervously. "You must think I’m mad."

"Not at all. I think it’s cool you like books so much. They’re great, I can never read for so long though. I prefer to be outside. And I could read outside, just enjoying the day." She smiled happily. "Hey! What’s your wand? Mine is seven and three quarters inches, – talk about short – unicorn hair, and maple. It’s whippy or swishy, I don’t remember what Mr. Ollivanders said exactly…"

"Ah… mine’s phoenix feather, nine and a half inches, willow."

"Oooh, nice."

Robin smiled, pleased.

* * * * *

"Runette, Robin!" Professor McGonagall called. Robin sighed and sat down at the stool. The Sorting Hat went over her head. She heard a little voice.

Aah… the last of you…

‘Last of?’ Robin thought to it. ‘Huh?’

So intelligent but could go into any of the Houses here. Yet there is only one place for you to go…

‘Ravenclaw?’ she guessed.

Yes indeed. It was once your destiny once and it will be again… you’re the true RAVENCLAW!

Robin heard the last word being shouted. The Hat came off and she made her way to the Ravenclaw table. She glanced at Helen at the Hufflepuff table. She was clapping and smiling at her.

Robin knew that she and Helen would be friends throughout Hogwarts and that didn’t bother her a bit. She also knew she’d encounter changes and hidden truths. The only problem was… what truths? And what was it about her destiny? What could the hat mean? Ravenclaw was her destiny once? How? She never been to Hogwarts before… and she certainly wasn’t anything special…. Wasn’t she?