Strange Beginnings

Chapter I

The letter sat on the kitchen table undisturbed but intently watched. Recently turned eleven, Y/N had received their Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry acceptance letter. However, they were hesitant to open the mail addressed to them for many reasons. 

The Diggory's from the beginning had made it a point to make sure Y/N knew who their parents were, William and Bellatrix Y/L/N, and how their father was killed by he who must not be named. Y/N didn't need the Diggory's to explain who their mother was. Bellatrix, now taking the surname name, Lestrange, made many appearances in the Daily Prophet. Mrs. Diggory, being a few years younger than her husband, remembered some of William and Bellatrix while attending school. She only ever told Y/N that they were both Slytherins but she hadn't ever interacted with the couple. 

Y/N feared being associated with a witch such as Bellatrix, and being her offspring nonetheless. The resentment they felt toward their biological mother was problematic. They hated her for joining the evil wizard's cause and for abandoning their family but Y/N always wondered the reasoning behind all her actions. Did she go willingly, was she manipulated, did she try to dissuade the dark lord from killing their father or did she sit idly by and let it happen? Part of Y/N hoped to never meet their mother, but the other bit of them did. 

Beth Diggory sat adjacent to Y/N, amused at the sight of their chin resting on the table and aimlessly raping their fingers against the wood. 

"I could open it for you if you'd like." She offered, not wanting to push Y/N.

Her long brown hair gave contrast to her smile that radiated like a sunrise after a cloudy night. The wrinkles that followed the corners of her eyes ever present and unwavering. Y/N had not grown up calling her 'mother' but the relationship between the two was unmistakably akin.

Y/N sighed, "What if I don't want to go to Hogwarts? Maybe you could send me to the American school."

Beth chuckled, "You'd be too far away, I'd miss you dearly."

"You would see me on holiday break though, no less than at Hogwarts." 

Beth thought for a moment, contemplating what the real issue could be, "Are you afraid of being bullied, Y/N?"

Y/N looked down at their feet abashed, "Maybe..." They sat back in the kitchen chair and pinched their fingertips nervously, "I don't want people to know who my mother is a-and I don't wanna be sorted into Slytherin." they admitted. 

Mrs. Diggory smiled and leaned over to place her hand on top of Y/N's arm, "You shouldn't be ashamed of who your parents are. You are not their actions and shouldn't be judged for them. If it helps, you take your fathers last name and people know Bellatrix as Lestrange. I'm sure none of your peers would know of her previous marriage to your father."

Y/N looked at her with less but still evident doubt.

"And as for the sorting, every house has their good and bad. You should never judge a person by their house but by their character and their actions." 

Y/N knew she was right, she always was. The fear had subsided slightly, giving them enough courage to take the envelope and break the crimson wax seal imprinted with the school crest. Pulling out the two pieces of parchment they read the letter to themselves, Beth already knowing the general contents therein. When they finished they set the paper down and gave Mrs. Diggory a small grin. 

"Well I guess I need to go shopping for materials." 

~~~

Diagon alley was busier than usual but not atypical because of the approaching school year. Mrs. Diggory instructed Y/N to look for their books in Flourish and Blotts, giving them a small piece of paper that listed all the books they'd need plus a couple of suggestions. She made her way to the stationary store and Y/N tentatively walked into the book shop to begin their search.