Dark Reflections

Chapter Two: Somewhere Over the Rainbow Sundae

I am sickened!

I am disgusted!

I am mortified and indignant beyond belief!

You wouldn't believe what my father had 'planned' for me. Remember I mentioned that he would make arrangements so that I would attract the attention of boys, specifically Harry Potter? I had an idea of what he was plotting. It was a vague idea. A very vague idea because I didn't think that he would do anything drastic.

Well apparently, I was wrong. He did do something drastic. And I'm obviously not very happy about it.

What horrible torture did they inflict on me?

It's simple, really.

I received a makeover.

Yippee.

Am I supposed to be happy at that? Thrilled? I thought I looked fine on my own, thank you very much! So I wasn't a supermodel, big deal. And looks aren't everything! Look at Cho Chang! From what I had heard on the rumor mill last year (Cordelia wouldn't shut up!), she was going around crying in bathrooms and randomly kissing guys. Seriously! I know that she was devastated about the death of Cedric Diggory. Even I had to admit that he was all right - for a Hufflepuff. She was grieving. Yeah. But that doesn't explain her behavior. We grieve, we move on. And I doubt that Diggory would want someone to be upset like that all the time. She was supposedly going out with Michael Corner, some Ravenclaw. Good luck to him!

But back on topic. The two people assigned to making this makeover: Bellatrix Lestrange and that guy who I kicked. Dad calls him 'Wormtail'. I won't deny that there was a struggle, involving several blows and a lot of insults. In the end, I had to be restrained to a chair.

Be aware that if I were allowed to use magic during the summer, then I would've managed to escape.

The Ministry of Magic in 1254 should rot in hell for placing restrictions on underage wizardry! Damn Peter Büvié (Minister of Magic at the time)! But I am happy to say that I had given Bellatrix an absolutely beautiful black eye and Wormtail had to resort to stuffing tissue up his nose to stop the bleeding.

It was a horrible process. From what I had experienced, I have divided a makeover into these steps: scrubbing to death or 'cleansing' as they called it, conditioning, the actual 'making up', and then the primping. I objected to all the steps. When they were done trying to kill me, Dad gave me a funny look that I really couldn't decipher. That's the bad part about having a father who has a face resembling that of a snake. I found out later on my own that I looked horrible. Well, that's what I think. And several others shared the same opinion. The woman at the salon I went to said the person who put the make-up on must have been blind in one eye and have cataracts in the other. It was supposedly too "oldish-looking" and "dark" for my face. Not to mention they nearly butchered my hair. Well, Dad (most likely trying to change to a more favorable subject) then reminisced for a bit, saying that even Albus Dumbledore (who was a year older and a Gryffindor) was after my grandmother when they attended school. Maybe my reaction to this piece of information was pretty clear because he took one look at my face and said firmly, "No."

To which I answered in relief, "Thank Merlin." I certainly did not the Headmaster after me. Though Cordelia and Pansy are under the great impression that he and Professor McGonagall are 'involved'.

I really don't want to think about that sort of thing.

When we were sitting down to dinner (some of us sporting various bruises), my father said that it wasn't ladylike to be cursing like a half-drunk sailor in a bar brawl. I answered, in my ever charming wit, that most sailors would be complimented by that remark, since they were expected to be 'drunken curs' and not ladies. I was subsequently reprimanded and told to watch my mouth. Wormtail then asked me what I meant before when I sarcastically asked (or rather, screamed) if he were one of those "Queer Eye" guys.

I chose to make my exit there.

Well, I went to Diagon Alley today. Escorted by Bellatrix. She was in disguise, of course. But with that getup, I think she attracted more than she blended in. She was supposed to guard me, much like Bradley usually does, but she went off to Knockturn Alley to do who knows what. Personally, I was happy about this. She's just as bad as Umbridge. And I wouldn't say that lightly. Maybe it's because of the way that she sucks up to Dad. Even Nagini, Dad's pet snake, notices this.

And Dad says I have a mouth! At least I don't curse!

...a lot.

So I went out into Muggle London...even if I wasn't supposed to. But I had a very good reason and it turned out great. I don't think Dad would admit it, but it's true. Judging from all those magazines that we are supposed to look at in Muggle Studies, the muggles have a good sense of style. And comfortable shoes. I nearly killed myself in the high-heels I was wearing before! It wasn't that hard to convert my wizarding money at Gringotts to muggle pounds and pence. Thank goodness Dad left me a big account before he was "detained from cleansing the world and bringing about a new dark age". Bought a new wardrobe and got a suitable "makeover" that was less torturous on my person.

I ate a hamburger.

Also, I have purchased a muggle contraption called a "yo-yo". I don't know what it does quite yet, but I am determined to see how a muggle could find a cylinder tied to a long string with a loop in it for your finger is useful. Or at least, amusing.

Afterward, I met Theo at Flourish and Blotts. It was easy to find him: he's a huge bookworm. Not to the point of Granger, but a bookworm nevertheless. However, every time that Blaise or myself mentions this, he gets offended.

So, he isn't a bookworm, per se.

He is a 'literary enthusiast'.

After he bought his books, we went down to Fortescue's ice cream parlor. We had a good time.

I got news about Blaise. I had been wondering why the 'little' (it's a joke, since he towers over Theo and I) weirdo hadn't written to me so far. Actually, Blaise's parents took a visit to Tuscany in Italy and decided not to take him with them. So, he was sent to the Flemmings, who are distant cousins. Poor bloke.

Well, that was before the Weasleys showed up. And Theo, being who he is, had to antagonize them. There were three of them: Fred and George, along with Ron. They didn't exactly do anything, but the whole pureblood family feud is a bit annoying. Not that I feel that we should be allowed to accept point of views of others.

No, I feel that fighting should not occur while I am eating a delicious Rainbow Sundae.

If it led to anything, I don't know. Bellatrix decided to an appearance, which brought around the attention of the two older Weasleys.

But something strange happened when Ron Weasley looked at me. I don't know what to think of it. Do Weasleys change color?

...it's not important.

Sigh. Another day in front of me. Another day closer to doing the task that Dad is asking me to do. Oh, this will be a horrible year. The next time I'll see Theo will be on the train to Hogwarts. Hopefully, Blaise will be sane.

As sane as he could possibly be after spending the last two months with a prattling and annoying Cordelia.

-Maia.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It wasn't everyday that a woman like that appeared at Diagon Alley. She had a proud face, as intense and eye-catching as her beauty. Her thick strawberry blond hair gleamed in the mid-day rays of the sun and her dark eyes flashed with passion. Her robes, a deep purple, accentuated a model-like body. As she walked down the wide avenue, both appreciative and jealous eyes followed her, wondering who she was. The lady, of course, accepted such complimentary glances with a satisfied smile and cocky stride.

The presence of the teenage girl that said woman was escorting went unnoticed by most. It seemed as if the woman did not think much of her, but the teenager didn't seem to care. Every attentive glance and the girl would return it with marked indifference in her light brown eyes. Unlike the older woman, she was carrying a couple of shopping bags filled with purchases.

The girl could be described as pretty. Could, being the main word. She had the appearance of someone trying to look older, judging from the overdone makeup and clothing, yet failing miserably at her attempt. The new style of robes that designer Bernadette Radbury had put out had looked wonderful on the model in the latest wizarding fashion magazines. Then again, the said model was a pale blonde beauty with only a pretty face and very little curves. She was the very contrast of the young girl, who made the outfit look both garish and atrocious. Brown hair seemed as if it were hacked by a dull scissor, if not a chainsaw. She wobbled every now and then on the high-heels that she wore. The scowl gracing her face didn't help anything either. She really didn't want to be in the woman's presence.

When they were in front of Flourish and Blotts', the blonde turned to the girl and said brusquely, "I'm going off to buy a few...special items. I'll be back in at least three hours." Without even a good-bye the woman left the girl in front of the bookstore, each of them mutually happy to be away from each other's company.

The woman was Bellatrix Lestrange, in disguise, of course.

The girl was Maia Knight.

Shrugging, Maia walked past the shop and made her way cautiously and carefully to the Leaky Cauldron. There was no need to have the psycho woman who was supposed to be watching her - for the Dark Lord did not give the woman any orders to go into Knockturn Alley - to get on her case. The fact that the spindly heels she wore on her feet made it all the more difficult. Survival lay in balance...and in concentrating on how to walk.

Right, left, heel, toe.

She felt like a dressed up doll. The make-up felt like a mask on her face and she thought she looked awful in the clothes that she wore. In Maia's opinion of opinions, style and sophistication were eternal while wearing the new type of wizarding robes were fads. And high-heels had to be the bane of a woman's existence. Maia was very tempted to just walk barefoot. Which was why she was going into Muggle London. While Muggles lacked in magic and general knowledge of the world, they had good sense in what looked right and didn't.

And they probably had better shoes.

When they were in Gringotts to get her money from the vault, she had changed much of the money given to her (much more than what was needed for regular school shopping) into muggle money while Bellatrix wasn't looking. It was at these times that she found it wonderful that she had chosen Muggle Studies for her elective. Unlike some of the most educated wizards, she could actually handle muggle currency and know what was what. And it was also useful. With muggles making up a much larger majority of the population than magical people, it made sense. Well, at the moment, there was a majority. If her father had his way, that would soon change.

After taking off the gaudy robe and opening the door, Maia walked into the masses of muggles that milled around the street, blending in. Muggle London could be a death trap for wizards that didn't know what they were doing. Some got lost on the subways; others were cheated by muggles that knew the wizard had no idea how much they actually paying. And cars. Crossing the street could be a dangerous thing. Most wizards, when hit by cars, always had that same look too. The muggles had a saying for it, but Maia couldn't really remember what it was.

Spying what was called a 'mall' a few blocks away, she headed there first. Malls tended to have a lot of stores centered towards people her age. It wouldn't be hard to find a decent shoe store...and a salon. Carrying anything wouldn't be a problem because the bags were spelled to hold a much more than they looked.

Sure enough, she found a shoe store. And not to far off, a decent looking salon. Maybe grab a - hamburger? - well, those muggle sandwiches that had lettuce, tomato, onions, ketchup, and a patty of meat in them. Then, clothing. She wouldn't buy those ultra-tight, baring practically everything clothing that seemed to be the rage of the muggle world. No, she preferred to keep her modesty in public and not come off looking like a harlot.

She had a good three hours anyway. Theo wouldn't be arriving at the Alley until one at the least. But he claimed he'd be there at two.

But nothing could stop a little window-shopping here and there, now could it? She was, after all, a sixteen-year old girl. Just because she was a witch didn't change a thing.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A very different looking - and more comfortable - Maia Knight walked into the Leaky Cauldron. She had done pretty well for herself in her opinion. And the muggles in the stores she had gone into were glad to help her out. They even made suggestions. True, she still wobbled a bit on her heels, but the girl said this was natural. And these were better than the old ones. Her hair was cut in a better style: cut evenly and was slightly layered. And she had clothes that suited her tastes. Even got some jewelry - nothing flashy though. But it wasn't as if she had to worry. Money was no object considering the amount of wealth amassed in her vault thanks to her father. Actually, she still had a healthy sum left over. All in all, she felt better than before. Maia really didn't care how she looked, just if she was comfortable.

Actually, she didn't think she was much different than before that horrible makeover. Just with very minimal makeup and a different haircut. Her clothes weren't as revealing as the current fashion dictated, but she felt fine. A white scarf was looped around her waist, the fringed edges coming down nearly to her knees. She now wore well-fitting black jeans and a red tank-top with a ripped collar, almost in a rocker style. Wearing that old robe, Maia had felt like she was that idiot Gilderoy Lockhart.

She didn't think she looked amazingly spectacular, but it was a definite improvement.

She headed directly to Flourish and Blotts. It was two o'clock; meaning Theo was bound to be at the Alley (he was annoyingly punctual at times) and no doubt there. He was a bit of a bookworm. He wasn't as bad as Hermione Granger, but he went to the library often. She often went with him, though to escape the usually noisy Slytherin common room. There was always some sort of fight going on in there. If there wasn't a fight or argument, then in an amazing show of coincidence, the entire house was scheming.

Sure enough, there he was. Theo wasn't much taller than she was, but according to him, he would one day tower over her. It was an old joke between them. Much like the joke about Blaise. She walked into the store, completely oblivious to the interested look that the young clerk (a seventh year Ravenclaw that was working to earn some money, if she had bothered to look - or remember him) gave her. No, her attention was focused on her friend, who was busily picking books off the shelves, a happy smile plastered across his face.

"Theo!" she greeted him cheerfully. Not with a hug, for Slytherins weren't privy to giving or receiving public displays of affection. The dark-haired boy turned around expectantly before he dropped his books to the ground in surprise.

"Maia?"

"Yes."

"Maia."

"Right."

"What did you do to yourself?!" That was definitely the wrong thing to say. He blanched immediately at the venomous look she gave him. "I didn't mean it in a bad way!" he hastily apologized. "You look...different. Good! But different."

"Thanks," she replied dryly. "Remember my father?"

"It's kind of hard not to," he replied in equal sarcasm. He was one of the few people she trusted with that information. She doubted even Draco Malfoy, the son of the supposed 'second-in-command', knew. Though Maia wouldn't trust Malfoy as far as she could throw him. Which, no doubt, wasn't far. Malfoy had a habit of talking too much. "After all he's done..."

"Yeah. I am now part of a conspiracy."

Theo chuckled, his dark brown eyes amused. "According to Blaise, we all are."

Maia laughed, but quickly sobered. "Not what I meant, though. Are you finished?"

"Yep," he said, bending down to pick up the fallen books. "Just getting a bit of light reading." Maia joined him, though she was amused when she picked up Quidditch Through the Ages. Not that she didn't like quidditch. She liked it. But the only thing she could do on a broom was fly. Simple flying. That was it.

As he finished paying for his books - once more missing the looks that the clerk gave her - Maia asked, "Where is Blaise anyway?" They needed no discussion to know where they were going - Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor.

"You know how his parents are vacationing in Tuscany right?" The busy crowds around him nearly drowned out his voice. One particularly buxom witch nearly knocked her off her shaky balance.

Maia nodded. "Of course, he told us last year. Saying how good it would be to leave England for at least a little while.

"Yeah. They didn't take him with them so they -"

"They didn't?!"

"Yep. He's staying with the Flemmings. Cordelia will drive him over the edge, if he hadn't gone over it already." It was a well-known fact, among the Slytherins at least, that Blaise Zabini hated Cordelia Flemming. It was mutual during most of the year. Most, since she tended to forget that fact each summer. A confused "what?" from Theo broke her out of pitying her other friend.

"What is it?"

"This was in my books," he said with barely restrained revulsion, gesturing to a tiny slip of parchment. "87-76 Franklin Court, Bath - Owl me."

"My, you're popular."

"Shut up!"

As they settled down and ordered their ice creams, both dropped their shopping bags beneath the table. The umbrella, a cool blue, was a welcome shield against the hot summer heat. Their orders were the same every year: both would have Fortescue's famous 'Rainbow' Sundaes. A different ice cream flavor with each color, topped with chocolate sprinkles and cherries. The perfect treat for the day.

"How've you been?" Maia asked interestedly. Unlike Theo, the Notts tended to have quite an exciting life. Theo's oldest brother, Kenneth, worked as an Obliviator and Theo was never tired of mentioning the time when a yeti was captured by an intrepid group of evidently intelligent muggles. The purebloods had a good laugh at this, saying the muggles and the yeti shared a lot in common. But the encounter had left Kenneth unconscious for two weeks. And that was just one example. There was another Nott who was a thief and yet another who went around as a bounty hunter.

"Same old, same old," was the neutral response. "Ever since your dad has come back, they've been sort of edgy. Hence, my summer has been spent just staying in Nott Manor." Maia offered her condolences, while the boy waved them off. "So what's with the new look?" Theo asked, eagerly tucking into the ice cream. "You said it had to do with your dad."

Maia shrugged and scowled. "It's a plot that I'm bound to fail in. And I'm not really too happy about it. You probably wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Try me." He always loved a challenge.

Cautiously picking her word choice, she ventured, "How likely is it for a Gryffindor to date a Slytherin? Seriously."

"Slim to none, why?" Maia gave him a level look and he choked on the red section - strawberry. "You're joking!"

Apparently, he got the message loud and clear. Thankfully. "No," she dissented. "As hard to believe it is, it's true. I'm supposed to get him to like me." It wouldn't do to mention names in such a public place. You never knew who was listening.

"Good luck with that," Theo said matter-of-factly. "According to my uncle, someone close to him died in that whole Department of Mysteries thing. Combine that with the load of anti-Slytherin feeling that's bound to run rampant this year. I'm wondering if your father hasn't gone mad."

"I thought he had," Maia returned crossly. It was typical of Theo to add concrete and plausible reasons for her failure. He was the logically thinking one. She was the imaginative one, albeit if she looked out for herself quite a bit.

"I meant stupid mad. It's already quite well known that he's insanely mad." A smirk grew on the boy's face. "You better hope that Potter isn't like Chang in his grief."

"Too true," she concurred before adding, "Or maybe I should hope. That would make everything a lot easier." Maia opened her mouth to say something else, when loud rowdy voices, thick with mischief, interrupted her. Both sixteen-year olds turned to the sound and saw three redheads settle down at a table not too far off. Two were identical, both wearing dragonleather jackets and the grins of troublemakers. Fred and George Weasley, the pair made famous by their admirable escape of Hogwarts. The other was slightly taller than they were, but it was easy to recognize the gangly Ronald Weasley. He seemed rather embarrassed at being with his two rambunctious brothers.

"Weasleys," remarked Theo, loudly and contemptuously. "I swear, they're like vermin. Both are widespread and multiply more times than the world can handle." It was at these times she was happy that she wasn't very involved in the affairs of the pureblood families. After all, she really didn't count the Knights, who were murdered by her father. And she knew nothing of her father's side; other than that her paternal grandfather should rot in hell and that her grandmother was the last of the Arsenys family. The feuding, conspiring, and plotting going on between them all was rather annoying. The three obviously heard what was said, since they sent malicious glares their way, mostly at Theo. He, however, finished his ice cream with the usual grace and dignity that made a rich pureblood exactly that before sneering at them. Maia just shook her head - she was used to this behavior on Theo's part, but it wasn't her business to do anything about it. She wouldn't dictate what Theo thought. Her eyes then connected with those of Ron Weasley's for a brief moment. For some reason, the Gryffindor's face turned so red it was almost purple. Maia raised a dark eyebrow in question over the color change, but Bellatrix arrived all too soon. It took a while to notice though, since the Death Eater hadn't said a word.

"You went out," she stated, anger lacing each word.

"Yes," Maia replied.

"I can tell. You look like a muggle."

"What do you expect?" Smirking, she asked, "Have fun?"

Bellatrix's dark eyes narrowed in dislike. "You need to learn some respect. Be happy certain circumstances prevent me from administrating a cure for that attitude of yours."

"I give respect to those I believe deserve it." Out of the corner of her eye, Maia could see the Weasley twins eying Lestrange eagerly. Apparently, they didn't recognize the famous Death Eater and liked her disguise. It was sort of a relief that they wouldn't be returning to Hogwarts - she, as a Slytherin - really didn't have be as careful with what she ate anymore.

Though I would kill to see someone turn Malfoy into a ferret again.

"Come on," the woman ordered before striding away in evident agitation.

Sighing, Maia picked up the bags beneath the table. "See you in September, Theo."

"I'd better go, too," he answered, standing up as well. "Mother is probably wondering what happened to me. But at least I don't need chaperones." This emphasis was obviously pointed toward the younger of the present Weasley brothers. Theo then laughed shortly, "Just stay alive!"

With that, Maia hurried to catch up with Bellatrix, who hadn't bothered to wait.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As always with the Floo network, Maia stumbled out of the fireplace, shopping bags following. It was the chief reason why Bradley put a flameproof pillow there. It was only until she got up, cursing softly as she tried to regain her dignity, that she noticed her father sitting in an armchair. A large snake was curled up at his feet, hissing softly. It was easy enough to understand: "Master's daughter is here...she will get the boy to us, yes...and I will finally have my meal..."

Maia's thought on the snake: What a pleasant snake!

She was, of course, sarcastic.

Voldemort blinked at her. "You look different." Déjà vu. And like the last time, Maia glared. "Better!"

"Thank you."

His red eyes narrowed, "But you look like a muggle." He scowled. "You were supposed to stay in the alley, not go around muggle London!"

Time for a little twisting of the words. "I didn't know that."

"Really," was the dry reply.

"Yes," Maia insisted. "Mrs. Lestrange just said that she'd be back in a few hours and left me there. She didn't tell me that I couldn't go into muggle London or anything."

The Dark Lord merely nodded to her, still scowling. "I see. Bella will have to answer to that blunder. But at least you did something constructive." Yay! Off the hook! "Do you remember exactly where you went?"

"Yes," the teenager replied, wondering where this was going.

"Good. When I attack London, their lives will be spared ...for a time."