Welcome to Hogwarts
The arrival was as chaotic as platform 9¾, loads of kids running around in black cloaks, heaps and heaps of baggage everywhere and nervous pets locked in cages.
“Looking for something in particular Miss...?” Hagrid asked the black-haired girl.
“Black, Bellatrix Black.” She scanned the creature in front of him, too small to be a giant but too tall to be a human. “And yes, I’m looking for my owl, she’s black with yellow eyes...” She was somewhat worried the owl had been lost, she had to send updates to her family... and she had to make sure her sisters were okay.
“Let me... Ah! Looks like yours is that one right there, next to that blonde girl!” Hagrid said.
Bellatrix couldn’t believe it, that was the girl she had seen earlier on the train, and she was... feeding Bella's owl?
“You! Get your hands away from my owl!” Bellatrix stomped towards the blonde girl, who didn’t seem to react.
“Are you def?” Bellatrix scowled at her. “Do you know who I am?”
“Perhaps I wouldn’t be feeding your owl if her owner hadn’t forgotten to feed her before the long journey.” The girl didn’t even make eye contact with Bellatrix.
“Excuse me I...” It wasn’t a lie, she had assumed Kreacher had done it, stupid elf. “...I didn’t ask for your counselling.”
“That’s how you repay my kindness, hm?” The blonde girl smirked, making her blue eyes glimmer. “A piece of advice, don’t make me your enemy.”
Bellatrix cackled. “You really don’t know who I am, do you?”
The blonde girl rolled her eyes. “Shall I care?”
Bellatrix scoffed. “I’m Bellatrix Black, from the most Noble and Ancient House of Black and I advise you to tread your words carefully...”
The blonde girl laughed in a way it made Bellatrix want to strangle her. “You? You’re the first-born of the promising next-generation of House Black?” She caught her breath, her mouth curled, making Bellatrix’s eyes deviate their attention to a beauty mark next to her upper lip.
“Oh, so you have heard from me!” She narrowed her eyes. “The you know my family’s-”
“Blah, blah, blah! Save up your saliva. I am also from a pureblood family myself, I know the speech.” The girl took Bellatrix by surprised. How dare she!
“You’re a terrible liar! I’d know you if you were from the sacred 28!” She cocked an eyebrow.
“I may not be a Black or a Lestrange... but I am a Skeeter.” She adjusted her red glasses before smirking again. “My grandparents came all the way here from America, and that dubiously trustful list you’ve just mentioned was published in the 30’s...” She clicked her tongue. “But I guess you didn’t know that, did you?”
Bellatrix was left speechless, she had never met such a cocky, smug, arrogant, pretty...
“The name’s Rita, by the way.” Bellatrix snaped out of her trance.
“Like I care, Rita!” She mocked the blonde's name. Meanwhile it seemed like both of her owls had liked each other. “Aw, look at that, even Hemera is taking your owl as a charity case!” Rita said smugly.
“Nyx is not-” Bella grunted but tried to calm herself. Behave like a lady, BE POLITE. “We are leaving.” She grabbed all of her stuff, including her owl and turned her head to Blair and Bruno’s direction.
“See you at the dining room, Bellatrix Black!” Rita waved at her, even her fingers seemed to mock Bella. God, I hate her!
******
“Slytherin!” Everyone at her table cheered. Of course she was a Slytherin, there was no doubt in that! Every pureblood is a Slytherin. She was sure that Rita Skeeter was a fraud and had lied to her, the moment of truth would be the sorting hat. I’m sure she’s a pathetic Gryffindor or a whiny Hufflepuff! She couldn’t stop looking at her, those eyes, those lips...
“Rita Skeeter!” The moment of truth. “Slytherin!” Everyone at her table cheered once again. So, she wasn’t lying...
“Surprised to see me here, Black?” She had the audacity to sit next to her. “What’s the matter, has the cat got your tongue?”
“I’m not going to speak to you.” Bellatrix avoided her gaze.
“You just did.” she chuckled. “Excuse me, boy, is she always like this?” She did not just talk to Rudolphus Lestrange.
Lestrange chuckled. “Bella’s like that on a good day.” he tilted his head towards Bellatrix. “I didn’t know you had made a friend on the train...”
“She’s not my friend!” She snaped.
“She has mental issues.” Lestrange whispered to Skeeter.
“The truce is over!” Bellatrix kicked him under the table.
“Slytherin!” The hat announced one last time. It was Blair Zabini, finally sorted.
“Who’s that?” Blair looked at Rita confused.
“Rita Skeeter.” She shook Blair’s hand. “I think it’s going to be a marvellous year!”
They all ate their food together, Bella was impressed on how quickly Rita adapted to every conversation, she was supposed to be the ‘new kid’. She knew nothing about all the others, she knew nothing about Bella! How on Earth was she already making Blair laugh? I’m so annoyed.
But she was even more annoyed when she realized she was going to share a room with her. At least she was also with Blair and another girl she wasn’t particularly close, Adeline Greengrass.
“Let’s cut to the chase.” Adeline giggled. “Which boys caught your attention ladies...”
“I mean, Ben Buldstrode is super hot, everyone agrees on that, but I think I fancy Flint more...” Blair answered.
“I thought you were dating Dexter Carrow?” Adeline cocked an eyebrow.
“Oh yeah.” she looked away dramatically. “We broke up, but it’s fine...” Bellatrix chuckled and rolled her eyes.
“What about that Lestrange boy... Rudolphus is it?” Rita glance at Bellatrix.
“He’s one of the most popular boys at Hogwarts and he’s only in second year, such a catch.” Adeline talked.
“I think he’s an idiot.” Bella sat on her bed.
“Bella, don’t let your personal vendetta against him blind you!” Blair sat next to Bella. “You’re aware he has a thing for you, right?”
Bella scowled. “No, he doesn’t!” She snorted. “He’s attractive, yes, but he’s also the dumbest boy I’ve ever met.”
“Your loss, Black.” Rita sat on her own bed. “He has told me he’s a Quidditch player... I’m quite excited to see him in action.” She giggled.
“God I totally forgot.” Bellatrix got up and started to write a letter to her family.
Dearest family,
I have been sorted in Slytherin and I find the accommodations to my completely liking. I look forward for this school year.
Take care,
Bellatrix.
“Bella?” Blair chuckled. “Are you really writing your family to state the obvious?”
“Dear Blair, my family instructed me to write to them once the sorting ceremony is over.” Bellatrix smiled at her. “And I’m also writing a letter to Andy, I’m worried,”
“Who’s Andy?” Rita asked.
“Andromeda, her sister.” Adeline answered.
“She’ll be here next year, right Bella?” Blair asked.
“Yes, she will.”
Dear Andy,
(Please hide away this letter from Mother and Father)
Everything is fine, I’m finding some peace and tranquillity in Hogwarts except for a little beetle with golden locks that is really making me lose mi patience. How are things at home, are you okay? And is Cissy having night terrors? If she does give her her favourite blanket. We will perform the spell once I return for Christmas, do not worry.
With love,
Bella.
Once she finished writing, she went to bed. It’s not like she wasn’t used to sharing a room with other girls, she and her sisters were always having sleepovers in each other's rooms. Oh, how she missed them.