The marble-coloured, bright façade stands out like a shining star against its dark, misty surroundings.

With slight unease, I let my gaze wander over the large manor and catch sight of a spacious garden which is lined with illuminated marble statues.

As I walk, I wrap my dark cloak tighter to shield myself from the bitterly cold night air that blows around my shivering frame.

At last I arrive, and my eyes wander to the tall, dark ebony doorway, which swings open with an ominous creak the moment I set foot on the stone steps at the foot of the entrance, offering a glimpse into the mysterious interior.

What awaits me inside?

What if they don't like me?

Cautiously looking all around the entrance hall, everything here seems very valuable which reminds me of my own childhood home, located in a charming rural suburb of a town in the south of France.

Once there I went to the enchanting Beauxbatton School for young witches and wizards and learned a lot about adaptation, potions, magic history and sorcery.

I had some friends and was reasonably happy .

Well, that was before I had the grandiose idea of disposing of one of my failed potions in the girls' loo and ended up blowing up the West Wing and getting expelled instantly.

A small house elf escorts me upstairs and for the first time that day I am really alone and can indulge my thoughts.

Curiously, I let my gaze wander around the room.

The room I am taken to is quite large and a magnificent four-poster bed in black and silver seems to occupy almost the entire room.

Within half an hour I have to be changed, the little house elf tells me before she disappears with a pop into nothingness.

Oh, I would love to do that now.

Simply disappear and get out of here.

Although everything is clean and stylish, the room looks very nice, yet it reminds me of a century-old museum.

Just one look at it and everything is precious and breaks.

Which is not particularly practical, given my gift for destroying everything in record time.

Having to change before dinner is hardly new to me, after all. At my parents' house, too, I always had to be presentable and dress appropriately at all times of the day.

My parents only care about their reputation and my worth as a future wife of some very rich and noble pureblood.

I don't want to think about them any more!

It already hurts me to know that I, their only daughter, don't matter to them at all.

I look at the clock and see that it is twenty past eight.

Damn it!

I have to be downstairs in ten minutes!

In a rush, I run to the wardrobe and pull open the door.

I find my clothes already hanging in there and I decide to wear my favourite dress: a dark red, long-sleeved dress made of the finest silk.

I like the colour that reminds me of the thousand red roses that the gardener once planted in front of my window.

In the past, I used to leave my windows open to enjoy the scent of the roses.

Though the garden does look beautiful here, the atmosphere is much gloomier.

Mist obscures my view of the surrounding land, but that is what gives the estate its enchanted, mysterious appearance.

My gaze flits to the clock and I am startled to see that it is already half past!

The time passes so quickly!

I slip the dress over my shoulders and braid my hair into something plain yet refined.

That must be enough!

At once I run out of the room, into the unknown house.

It is dark in the hallway and I cannot quite remember from which direction I arrived.

Hopefully I won't get into trouble...

Feeling nervous, I bite my thumbnail and scurry down a long flight of stairs.

Indeed, this is it.

Behind an elegant glass door light is shining and I hear an imperious voice talking.

I wonder who it is? It sounds a bit like my father.

He also talks very confidently and arrogantly.

Should I knock? What should I say?

Well, I've heard a lot of stories about him. I was aware of his Death Eater following and his pride.

I wondered how he would behave towards me. Furthermore, what did the letter my father wrote to him, just before I left, say?

As I wipe my sweaty hands on my dress, I chew on my lower lip.

The imperious voice stops and I lean forward a little. What is happening inside?

Suddenly the door swings open and I find myself standing in front of a tall man.

Throwing his long fair hair back, his piercing blue eyes seem to search me, revealing all my thoughts and intentions.

I shudder as he approaches me dangerously slowly.

As he leans in very close, his alcohol-soaked breath makes me hold my breath in disgust.

《 You're too late. 》

I almost choke under his breath.

He smiles menacingly and beckons me in with a subtle flick of his wrist and then closes the glass door behind me.

In the centre of the room I find a long table crafted from dark mahogany.

A pair of light grey eyes meet mine as I take a seat across from that of the fair-haired boy.

As I take my seat opposite the white-blond boy, I lower my eyes, for it makes me extremely uncomfortable to be stared at like that.

What should I do now? Should I say something?

My gaze glides over the table. At each end, Mr and Mrs Malfoy are sitting across from each other.

With her delicate features, Mrs Malfoy is the incarnation of elegance and beauty.

From the bright glow of the candles, her pale complexion is advantageously illuminated and her movements are gentle and controlled.

Contrasting with her is Mr Malfoy.

For he is more masculine, whose movements are also controlled but considerably more forceful than those of his gentle wife.

An uncomfortable silence is between us which makes me feel a little uneasy.

I still feel her son's eyes on me.

Mrs Malfoy smiles kindly at me:

《 How was your journey? Did you arrive safely? 》

Relieved, I exhale and smile too.

《The journey was pleasant and short and the welcome here has been very good. Thank you very much.》

Did that sound good ? Was it too much of an act?

《 I am very glad to hear that. 》

Lucius Malfoy's sly voice gives me chills , as the tone was not at all pleased .

《 Nevertheless. Were you not taught that punctuality is a most important virtue ? 》

The trembling of my hands reveals my nervousness as I put on an apologetic smile.

《 Forgive me, I couldn't find my way here. 》

Feeling tense, I straighten my back even more while biting the inside of my cheek already all bloody.

Mr Malfoy's eyes stare at me with the same chilling coldness as an ice crystal. No trace of compassion or courtesy.

Merely icy coldness.

《 But of course. Now you know where to go...》

Turning my gaze to Mrs Malfoy, my godmother, I smile gratefully at her.

Oh, she's so different from him.

Lovely, kind, and radiant.

Not daring look in his direction, all I do is force myself to eat the food by the smallest of bites.

Of course, it's hard to respect table manners when you're so hungry!

With a quick glance at the golden clock on the wall, I read the time. Five to nine.

《 Aurora ? 》

I flinch and force myself to break my gaze .

《 It is already getting late for a young lady. I expect you at eight o'clock punctually for breakfast tomorrow . 》

He takes another sip of his amber coloured liquid with relish.

《 Tomorrow we shall take Draco and you to Kings Cross, where you will board the school train. 》

School train? I frown . Back at my old school , you just went through a magic mirror that every Beaubatton graduate got , which took you right inside the ice palace .

Quite convenient. I realised that I didn't know anything about Hogwarts. Except that Albus Dumbledor was headmaster and that, according to Fleur Delacour's stories, everything about the school was very dirty and full of creepy ghosts.

My godmother noticed my expression and smiled reassuringly at me.

《 Tomorrow , we will endeavour to answer your questions about your school.》

Relieved, I sighed and wiped the corners of my mouth with my napkin.

▪▪▪

By tomorrow, everything would change.

I would attend a new school.

Feeling desperate, I pulled my blanket over my head and tugged my knees up.

I' m terrified of not making any friends and having to spend my school years all alone.

After all, it is uncertain whether the students will accept me or whether I will make friends.

We are leaving for London tomorrow morning an afterwards I have to pack my suitcases because the school train will pick us up the day after tomorrow.

My eyelids slowly droop and I fall into the unfathomable dreamland.

▪▪▪