Thorns & Roses ➤Bellatrix Lestrange X Fem!OC

Chapter 1 ➛The Danger of Innocence

Barely a month has passed since the horrible death of my little sister. Since childhood, she had been the most caring and loving person alive. She wouldn't hurt a fly if she could in any way prevent it. And yet, she was ruthlessly taken from me, for no apparent reason, other than amusement to the one that killed her. It was always the most innocent ones that were claimed so early. 

The memory of her limp and lifeless form on the floor made me sick to the stomach. How could someone be so dark and twisted, that taking the life of a pure, young girl- a child- brings satisfaction to their desires?

Life was different after it happened; sleepless nights, terrorizing flashbacks and sudden, unannounced anxiety attacks seizing me at the most unfortunate moments.

Life...

It had grown to be more of a challenge than a blessing and enduring it drained my energy like a vampire draining its victim of its life source. I found myself in desperate need of reasons to continue this tedious life. For where once had been joy and pleasure, I would now only be faced with hurtful memories and darkness. It surrounded me and engulfed me, at times overwhelming me like a dark blanket cast atop me with no possibility to escape. 

My irritatedly tired eyes strayed to Lucy who rested in the four-poster bed next to mine; her peaceful form, closed eyes, agape mouth and her long, blonde hair draped all over her face indicating she took advantage of her well-deserved rest.

It filled my heart with guilt as I watched her undisturbed, satisfied expression as she slept. When awake and around me, Lucy would only be worried and uncertain, since she no longer knew how she was to deal with my current state. I often tried to reassure her, telling her that I was OK- even if this wasn't the truth in all cases- but she always knew when I was lying and it made me feel bad that I was dragging her down this pit with me.

As I watched her sleep, I lazily glanced at my watch, noticing that I still found myself in the wee hours of the day. The sun had not yet risen, but I no longer wished for my bed. After a sleepless night of staring up at the ceiling, overthinking life as it was, I needed a little stress relief.

So, instead of waiting for my roommates to wake up, I threw the covers off of me, quickly fastened my cloak around my shoulders and quietly walked down into the Ravenclaw common room. Letting out a sigh of relief as I found it completely deserted, I quietly descended the steps, shivering slightly as my feet connected with the icy stone.

The Ravenclaw common room had been one of my favourite places at Hogwarts before Anne's demise; the bookshelves offering hundreds, if not, thousands of books, the fireplace, the view from all the windows. It had been my perfect sanctuary and had truly felt like home. But now my feelings were a jumble, an indistinctive mess that I seemed unable to sort out.

But moments like these did make me feel something close to distinct. The peaceful quiet and relieving sound of my footsteps against the stones somewhat numbing the persistent ache within my chest.

Roaming the castle at night was forbidden, but the rush it gave me was undeniable and it might've become a little addictive over the past few weeks.

Instead of lingering within the common room, I quietly opened the heavy wooden door and slipped into the corridor beyond, greeted by flawed darkness; the windows allowing soft rays of moonlight to spill inside and onto the floor, illuminating the way before me as I started to walk.

I was uncertain for how long I had been walking when I suddenly froze as a loud clamour erupted from around the corner, followed by a hushed scolding. The voice sounded female and irritated.

Hesitantly, I neared the corner and peeked around, seeing a total of four figures, heads bowed in hushed conversation before the staffroom door.

After a while, I started wondering if they were frozen, or something similar, for none of them moved for the greater part of a minute until they suddenly but quietly burst into action, and I found myself witnessing them breaking into the staffroom.