Chapter 1
The first time I remember hearing Bella was when I was 2 years old. I know she heard me before then and I could hear her but this is the first time that I remember. It was Halloween and Bella was really upset that someone she cared about, that she called her 'Lord', died. For a year after that, every day Bella was barely conscious or sane or even just there.
Then, on Halloween when I was three, Bella spent the whole day talking to me about magic and being a Witch to 'try to distract [her]self from what day it was'. The things she told me fascinated me and I wanted to know more. Bella was horrible that day. She'd keep calling me 'Mudblood' or 'filth' and other stuff because my parents didn't have magic.
A few days later, I saw Morgana for the first time. She appeared in my room right after I was put to bed. Bella was shocked by her showing up. Morgana spoke to me and told me that only I could see her (which somehow meant that Bella could too because she could see through my eyes using our mental link). She told me that she was Morgana from the stories about King Arthur and Merlin and Bella had me ask her questions to see if she was telling the truth. After she answered Bella's questions, Bella believed her.
I asked Morgana why she wanted to talk to me of all people while Bella had apologised over and over again saying that she was 'unworthy to talk to someone chosen by Morgana for such an honour'. Morgana had answered that she couldn't tell me yet because I had to learn skills to protect myself. The next day, Morgana and Bella started teaching me things. Most were magical but some weren't.
Over time, my conversations with Morgana and Bella had become more friendly and personal. I can't imagine a life where I didn't have them.
"As much as I'm enjoying the trip down memory lane, Pet," Bella said with an amused tone. "You're going to cause the old cat to become suspicious of you."
"Right, damn it! Thanks, Bella... What do you mean by cat?" I quickly gave Professor McGonagall a smile and sat down opposite her.
"She's an Animagus. Her Animagus form is a cat. She typically shows off her Animagus form in her first Transfiguration class. Animagi are supposed to register with the Ministry. If you don't register, you're breaking the law... Of course, that didn't stop me. I'm an unregistered Animagus," Bella told me with pride in her voice. My parents started talking to Professor McGonagall about Hogwarts and me being a Witch.
"What's your Animagus form, Bella?"
"That's a secret, Pet."
"Come on, Bella... Please..."
"... Okay, fine. I'll tell you but only because it's your birthday. Other than you, only my Lord and my sisters know of my Animagus form. It's a Raven."
"That's so cool! ... Bella... I thought you only had one sister but you said 'sisters'." I felt Bella freeze.
"We don't talk about Andy," she said before she closed herself off.
"There's no way my daughter is going to a school for magic," my mother said.
"Come on, Jean," my father said. "Her magic is already getting out of control. This could help her learn to control it."
"Accidental magic happens in every magical child," Professor McGonagall said. "Hogwarts helps magical children learn to control their magic for the safety of themselves and those they are around. The results of a magical child growing up without proper schooling are disastrous and catastrophic."
"Fine, she can go," my mother quickly said with a look of fear on her face. My parents hate my magic. They hate me because of it. They didn't know it was magic until now but some of the magical things I've done have scared them and that caused them to fear and hate me... Of course, since I'm their daughter, they don't act like that in front of others and they don't abuse me but they mainly ignore me. It could be worse but without Bella and Morgana, I'd be very lonely.
"I'll be back on July 31st to take her to Diagon Alley to get her school supplies for her first year at Hogwarts. Term starts on September 1st. She has the choice of coming back for the Christmas and Easter holidays and she'll be back for the Summer holidays," Professor McGonagall said. I already know I'll only be coming back during the Summer. They won't want me here if they don't have to have me.
...
"I need to find a way back here by myself," I said to Bella.
"Cissy should be somewhere around here. We always went school shopping on July 31st. Her son, Draco Malfoy, should be in your year... Yeah, if you come back by yourself, you can go to Gringotts and claim your heritage. They'll detect whatever our mental link is and it'll probably get you access to the Black Family Vaults," Bella said.
"Why do I have to be surrounded by these idiots?"
"They're not that bad, Pet."
"That kid just asked if you can use a broomstick to sweep the floor as well as fly."
"...Ok, maybe they are that bad... Okay, I can feel your smugness from here, Pet."
"No, you can't."
"Not physically but it's so obvious."
"...Okay, I'll give you that."
...
"Miss Granger, it's your turn to get your robes done," Professor McGonagall said. I put down the book I was reading and went with her to the shop next door. "This is the last one of my group." As she spoke to the shop owner, a blonde man, a blonde boy and a woman with blonde and black hair came in.
"That's Cissy! Cissy, Draco and her pathetic excuse of a husband, Lucius. She deserved so much better than him," Bella said. "She still looks as gorgeous as she did the last time I saw her..." Bella filled my head with pictures of her kissing her sister.
"Bella! Stop it! You're distracting me!"
"Fine. Sorry, Pet." I quickly focused and sat down on the stool the shop owner gestured to. Professor McGonagall left the shop to go back to the bookshop next door to watch over the other four kids in our group.
"This won't take long, dear," the shop owner said to me before getting Draco to sit next to me. She took both of our measurements and then went in the back.
"Draco, your father's going to go get your Potions things while I get your books. We'll be back in 20 minutes. Stay here," Bella's sister said.
"Yes, mother," Draco responded and his parents left.
"Hi," I said to him after a moment. Before he could respond, a black-haired boy came in. The shop owner came back out, maneuvered the boy onto the stool next to Draco, took his measurements and went back to the back of the store. "Hi."
"Hi," the boy said.
"I'm Hermione Granger."
"Draco Malfoy," Draco said with a self-important tone.
"Harry Potter," the boy shyly said. Draco's eyes went wide.
"Harry Potter! That's the boy who killed my Lord! ... He doesn't look like much, does he? Why does he look like that?" Bella asked.
"I don't know, Bella," I replied.
"It's nice to meet you both," I said. "I've read a lot about Hogwarts, do you two know which House you'll be in?"
"Slytherin," Draco immediately said. "It's the only good House. My whole family on both of my parents' sides were Slytherins."
"That's not true. Sirius, mine and Cissy's cousin, was a Gryffindor," Bella said.
"Well, I wouldn't mind Ravenclaw or Slytherin... I think Gryffindor and Hufflepuff would be too loud for me," I said.
"I don't know much about the Houses," Harry said.
"Well, there's a lot of prejudice against Slytherins because of the Wizarding War and there's never been a Muggleborn Sorted into Slytherin," I said to Harry. "But Slytherin is for the ambitious and cunning, Ravenclaw is for the wise and clever, Gryffindor is for the brave and courageous and Hufflepuff is for those that are loyal and hard-workers. Gryffindors and Slytherins have a rivalry going on and quite a lot of those who are Pureblood, but not all of them, believe those who aren't are lesser."
"Those that don't believe it are filthy Blood Traitors," Draco spat out.
"Personally, I think those who are magically powerful, regardless of their blood status, are better than others but I wouldn't provoke someone who wasn't magically powerful simply because of it. People have to earn my respect or displeasure. It's not right to assume things about someone because of something they can't help. If I had my way, it wouldn't be Purebloods at the top, it would be those who are powerful."
"Purebloods are powerful," Draco said with a scoff.
"Then, it wouldn't be a problem for you, would it? You can't say you believe someone who doesn't know how to hold their wand properly should be above someone who's extremely powerful just because of the Blood Status of the powerful one is Muggleborn and the one who isn't is Pureblood," I said to Draco. He got a look on his face like he was trying to figure out his answer. I read his thoughts.
'Father and mother think Purebloods are better and Mudbloods are filth but Granger is clearly smart and if she's thinking in a way like this she's either been raised by Muggles or Blood Traitors or Half-Bloods... If Purebloods are so much better, why are Crabbe and Goyle so stupid? The Granger girl's 'powerful people are better' thing makes more sense but then why didn't The Dark Lord or mother or father think that way? ... Mother has told me to come to my own beliefs even if father wants me to be like him... I'll wait longer until I know more about how this theory holds up.'
"Well, I agree with you, Hermione," Harry said. "It makes sense."
"Thanks, Harry," I said.
"Honestly, Potter," Draco said. "I'm surprised you don't think everyone should be equal."
"I used to but life isn't like that. If I've learned anything from the Dursleys, it's that some people are treated differently to others and that happens everywhere. If it's going to happen, it might as well make sense," Harry said. His words made sense but I listened to his thoughts to see why he thought that way.
'Maybe if those who are powerful are at the top, I wouldn't be at the bottom. Dudley always made sure school sucked because he and his friends would pick on me. This way, I wouldn't be picked on. I just need to learn and study and improve. If I stick with Hermione and we make people see it this way, I won't be at the bottom for the rest of my life. I won't be starved or locked up and beaten anymore like I am now and maybe I'll be able to find a way to get away from the Dursleys before my last year at Hogwarts...'
"He's being abused... Filthy Muggles... Take him in, Pet. He'll be a useful ally," Bella said.
"I thought you hated him?" I asked Bella.
"I did but now... He was just a child when he defeated my Lord. If Dumbledore couldn't defeat him, there's no way a baby could. His parents had to have done something instead... Besides, I find myself agreeing with your theory more and more each day. I was raised to believe Mudbloods were nothing compared to Purebloods but I've seen what you are capable of and, out of everyone, Morgana chose you to appear to. Not a Pureblood but a Muggleborn... However, even with your theory, other than some exceptions, most Purebloods would be at the top and most Muggleborns at the bottom."
"So, what do you think about my theory, Draco?" I ask.