“Forever and always?” You hastily whisper, unable to contain your nervous giggles . Your fingers were interlocked with hers and your eyes met her mischievous ebony ones.
“Always and forever!” She giggled into the crook of your neck - her breath hot on your skin under the invisibility cloak you’d shared .
_—_—_—_—_
When Bellatrix first heard whispers of the new fifth-year transfer from Beauxbatons, she couldn't care less.
The second time, as well as every subsequent instance, made her immediately decide she didn't like you.
After all, what about you was so special—so important that you needed to be at the centre of every conversation in Hogwarts?
And so, when she first set her eyes upon you at the sorting ceremony, with your pristine grey uniform and not a single strand of hair out of place as you slowly glided across the Great Hall with your chin up, her disdain for you only increased.
For a brief moment, her eyes flickered around the Slytherin table, and she could already see that everyone was captivated by you. Looking up to the staff table, even Headmaster Dumbledore was taking special attention to you.
She didn't like it. She didn't like you.
However, she resumed staring at you as you sat down and had the sorting hat placed on your head.
Strange.
She was unsure of how long she'd been watching you, but she knew that the sorting hat was most definitely taking much longer than it usually did when sorting a student.
Her mind started wandering, but she couldn't help but see you as some sort of a princess—the way you sat upright with your shoulders pinned back, so poised as you donned the sorting hat as though it were a crown while you looked down at all the houses like a monarch.
She hated the way she felt so drawn to you ; she hated the way you acted so haughty, as though you already ruled the school despite simply being a new transfer—an outsider.
She couldn't have that, since in the end, she was the true ruler of Hogwarts—she was the eldest Black, after all. She was the Queen, and you were but a peasant, a muggle who would easily bend under her wand.
'...etter off in Ravenclaw!'
The eruption of loud cheers from the table beside hers, breaking the pin-drop silence, snapped Bellatrix out of her thoughts.
Your grey robes were quickly painted a royal navy blue with the flick of Professor Mcgonagall’s wand and you began making your way to the celebrating table.
Momentarily, your eyes met and you politely smiled at her causing something foreign inside Bellatrix to stir.
It was only a second - a fleeting moment , but something about the exchange felt as though it lasted for forever and she didn’t know how to feel.
Though all the excitement from the sorting ceremony had died down and the headmaster made his speech welcoming the first years and encouraging the rest , Bellatrix kept her eyes trained on you.
_—_—_—_—_
You were panicking .
No , panicking would be an understatement .
You couldn’t help but feel your heart pounding in your ears as you fidgeted with your cold , clammy hands . Clumsy muttering escaped your lips , drawing the attention of new first years who stared and pointed in your direction.
So no , you weren’t feeling calm ; far from it.
Anxiety clawed at you as, one by one, the first years you'd used as a sort of shield were called up to the front by Professor McGonagall to be sorted into their houses.
Seeking comfort , you resorted to reciting 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.' Thoughts of Loki, your mischievous Niffler partner in crime, briefly brought calmness amid the chaos of your nerves.
The memory of catching him one day, rummaging through your mother’s vast assortment of enchanted jewels, brought a serene reassurance to your anxious mind.
Anticipating your parents' reaction, you concealed him for a while. Despite his mischievous antics and knack for hiding, he revelled in your attention.
He stood by you through every triumph and tribulation. Listened to you after every disagreement. Cuddled you following every heart-wrenching moment. Your partner in mischief, he was a steadfast companion through the entirety of your journey.
A pang of longing swept over you as thoughts of him surfaced, and a cringe accompanied the recollection of the moment your parents discovered him. Concealed in the dresser, he was caught sifting through your father’s cherished collection of watches and rare wands by your mother.
A shrill screech echoed through the house, summoning your father from downstairs in haste . At the sight of Loki , your father suspended him in the air and prepared to fire another spell.
You managed to intervene just in time, preventing your father from casting another spell. Immediately, you had to beg and plead with them to let you keep your best friend .
Shaking your head to dispel such thoughts, you pressed on. Just as you delved into the section on hippogriffs, the sorting of the last first-year concluded, and all eyes in the Great Hall turned towards you.
“Montclair , (Y/N)”
The echo of your name ushered in a swarm of butterflies in your stomach .
You drew in a sharp breath, reminiscing about the etiquette lessons at Beauxbatons. Madame Merle would surely scold you if she witnessed your current state.
You released the breath slowly, lifting your chin, aligning your posture, and allowing your shoulders to relax while maintaining their position. With careful and delicate movements, you advanced, choosing to concentrate on the rhythmic echo of your steps against the cold stone floor, a deliberate distraction from the silence enveloping the hall .
The pressure of hundreds of eyes bore down on you. But as you strode forwards , your previous Professors words rang in your ears.
‘When entering any room - from a Grand Hall to a classroom - you maintain eye contact with the most influential person , ’
You kept your head up and returned Headmaster Dumbledore's inquisitive gaze with your own assured one.
‘you must not rush your movements ,for at that moment , they are waiting for you - you control the atmosphere of the environment.’
Your every step managed to come across so confident , so right that you'd already made quite the impression on everyone present.
‘After all ; tout vient à point à qui sait attendre.’
And as you perched upon the chair with all your future Professors watching your back and you facing the rows of curious students , you'd managed to fool even yourself into unyielding confidence .
After what felt like an eternity , the old hat had been settled on your head, and began moving . A gruff voice started speaking in your ear
“Peculiar … Quite a bit older than the others - much more rich in culture and experience .” It - or was it a he? - began.
“Full of contradictions you are. So brave yet so fearful ; so fiercely loyal yet so deeply distrusting ; so mature yet so naive ; so accomplished yet so ambitious .I wonder what has led you here…”
A familiar feeling washed over you. Something combed through your head and you very quickly decided you disliked the feeling. Legilimency ?
No , though similar , something about it was different . Rather than going through your thoughts and emotions , the sorting hat responded to character and values.
“At first glance you appear to be a prospective Gryffindor - from your to stand up against your family’s long standing beliefs to your own moral code you follow . And of course that intense love for chivalry and old ,cheesy romances”
‘Why that cheeky-’
The tips of your ears gained a pink hue but you maintain a poker face and you swear you heard just a dash of smugness in it’s voice .
“Though of course a more obvious choice would be Hufflepuff . You wouldn’t dare harm a pixie even if its catty attitude vexed you so .” You quietly chuckle at the thought - knowing it to be likely true.
“I can sense a powerful drive behind you and your actions and even fierce allegiance to those who gain your trust . That being said, your trust may be quite the challenge to gain.”
“Interesting . That seems to align more with the qualities of a formidable Slytherin.” The mere mention of the house caused your muscles to tense .
“Oh ho? Struck a nerve have I?” Its already low voice dropped a few decibels and had somehow become even more coarse . “Slytherin”
He chuckled at your obvious disdain for the house , amused but also intrigued with your strong bias against the house.
Students and teachers alike leaned forward , seemingly curious as to what could coerce such a reaction out of someone like of your stature .
“I don’t see why you’d be so on edge with such a respectable house .” It starts , mockingly almost “You embody quite a few of their values - the drive to do whatever it takes for results ; a natural , magnetic pull that effortlessly attracts others to you ; an unquenchable thirst for more.”
You grit your teeth yet it’s voice continues , just above a whisper so that you and you only could hear it.
“And of course ,a natural affinity for the dark arts.” You barely catch your knee jerk reaction as you grit your teeth. It’s voice is now barely audible even to you.
“Well, that’s to be expected from a pureblood and descendant of-” “-
Not another word.” You harshly order , finally breaking your silence.
“BAHAHAHAAHA!” Its bellowing laughter catches many of the eavesdropping onlookers off guard , startling them and even causing 1 Hufflepuff boy to spill the cup in front of him .
“My sincerest apologies ,truly , I’ve just never had this much fun in decades!”
“Accepted. But get on with it - I am not an object for your entertainment”
“Sorry! Sorry!” It truly was getting on your last nerves by now “well , their other values do oppose yours greatly”
“So I guess you're better off in RAVENCLAW!”
The hall erupted into cheers and even some rogue whistles from the usually withdrawn Ravenclaw table surprise some of the neighbouring students .
Once it finally announced its decision , you felt a huge weight off your shoulders - well partly from Professor Mcgonagall swiftly removing the hat from your head before she gave you a warm smile and changed the colour of your robes.
“Congratulations on your new house , Ms Montclair! May your transition from Beauxbatons to Hogwarts be smooth”
“Thank you Madam-“ you quickly catch your mistake , cracking an embarrassed smile “I mean Professor”
The overwhelming façade you’d previously displayed wearing off and the habit you’d gotten used to in France refused to die down . Luckily , she only returned a sympathetic smile and sent you on your way .
The roaring applause was yet to die down and so as you approached and were ushered in , you couldn’t stop the on coming blush and goosebumps that ran up and down your arms .
Before you sat , you took one look around the room as all the students had finally stopped observing you and instead opted to talk amongst themselves.
Well , almost all the students .
Amidst the lively atmosphere , one girl remained transfixed—an undeniably striking figure. Her jet-black, curly hair took on a life of its own, framing her face in a captivating dance that starkly contrasted with her smooth, pale skin. Positioned at the Slytherin table, she seemed insistent on keeping her gaze fixed on you. Her eyes, unwavering and intense, locked onto you with a captivating allure, and a subtle puff of her cheeks added an adorable charm to her demeanour.
You managed to flash a gentle , flustered smile at her before you were pulled down to the seats and bombarded with questions from your fellow Ravenclaw.
Though , despite it being such a menial interaction , you couldn’t deny the bubbly feeling you felt after .
You would’ve never been able to understand how much you would later both treasure but also despise your wretchedly lovely first encounter with her.