The Chaos Within (A Bellatrix Fanfiction)

Training

There was a gentle knock at my door. I looked up from the book I'd been so engrossed in. 

The door opened ajar, and Draco popped his head around. He'd obviously recently gotten home from the train. 'Erin?' 

'Draco! I'm so glad you're here, I've had the worst day so far.' I sighed. 

He walked over and perched on the edge of the bed. 'I know, I'm sorry this happened. I received the message from my mother; she'd sent an owl to the train with a message briefly explaining that you were at ours and to bring your luggage. Obviously she couldn't put too much in the letter so she explained when I got here. Your luggage is downstairs.' 

'Thank you, I appreciate it. At least I've got most of my possessions. I obviously won't be needing my Hogwarts uniform, I don't think I'll be returning next year.' I replied. 

'Do you want something to eat, you've probably not eaten all day.' 

'Now you mention it, I am hungry.' I nodded. 

'Vaella!' Draco said loudly, and a house-elf appeared with a pop. 

'Yes, Master Draco?' She asked, bowing deeply. 

'Can you bring us a plate of sandwiches?' 

The house-elf nodded before bowing again and disapparating. 

I smiled. Maybe things wouldn't be so bad with Draco here as a friend. 

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The next morning

I woke up to the sound of Narcissa coming in, with some clothes strung over her arm and a mug of coffee, from the smell of it. 'C'mon, get up Erin, you've got a full day of training today to get you all caught up on the basics. I've brought you some clothes you will be required to wear during training. And some coffee.' She placed the clothes on the bed and the mug on the bedside table. 'Be downstairs in an hour.' 

She swiftly left, allowing me to properly wake myself up and drag myself to the en-suite to have a bath and get all refreshed for the day. 

When I got out, I quickly dried off and got dressed before quickly drying my hair with a hot air charm. I didn't know what to do with it so I tied it up. I put on a small amount of concealer to hide my tired eyes and a bit of waterproof mascara. I pocketed my wand and headed downstairs. 

I met Draco on the staircase; he took my empty mug. 'Morning Travers.' 

I chuckled. 'It's still so weird hearing people use my real surname.' 

'Well it's who you are, it's nothing to be ashamed of.' He shrugged as we descended the staircase. Narcissa was waiting in the hallway. 

'We'll be training outside in the back garden today Erin.' Narcissa told me. 'Follow me.' 

I gave Draco a brave smile before heading out the back with Narcissa. The back garden was surrounded by high hedges and a few white peacocks were strutting around. There were a few hedge sculptures dotted around. It was a beautiful sunny day so I didn't need to worry about getting cold in my sports bra and leggings. 

'Right, Erin. I trust you learned non-verbal spells at Hogwarts?' Narcissa asked. 

'Yes.' I nodded. 

'Show me. Attempt to disarm me.' 

I took my wand out, and pointed it at her, concentrating on visualising pure power moving through my arm to my wand as I thought Expelliarmus and flicked my wand in a spiral motion. 

Narcissa's wand instantly flew out of her hand, landing on the grass a few feet away. 'Very good.' She went over and picked it up. 

'Now, I want you duel me, but keep it strictly non-verbal. The element of surprise will be on your side, especially when your enemy won't know which spells you're throwing at them. It gives you a split-second advantage.' 

I nodded, bracing myself. Narcissa silently shot a spell towards me, and I managed to create a shield charm just in time before the spell hit me. She tried again, and I blocked it once again. 

'Come on Erin, fight back! I'm just here throwing spells at you, don't just block me, throw some back!' She commanded. 

So I did. I started throwing some non-verbal jinxes at Narcissa, whilst dodging hers. We ended up moving all around the garden, dodging each others spells whilst casting our own. I was actually starting to have fun with this; the adrenaline was pumping and I was getting swifter and more daring with my manoeuvres. As I spun to avoid a red beam shot at me, I suddenly saw Bellatrix leaned against a hedge sculpture, watching us with an amused expression.

I lost my focus for a second and was hit with a spell, sending me flying back. I hit the grassy ground with a groan, before slowly getting back to my feet. 

'Rule number one, Erin.' Narcissa said disapprovingly. 'Never allow any distractions. Say it's suddenly raining. Or a giant comes out of nowhere. You need to be prepared for anything, and not allow your focus to change, you could be disarmed and captured within seconds.' 

I sighed in annoyance. 'I just lost my concentration for a split second.' I noticed Bellatrix walking over to us. 

'There's no room for mistakes as a Death Eater.' Narcissa shook her head. 'You need to be constantly on guard.' 

'How's the training going Cissy?' Bellatrix asked with a smirk. 

'Not as awful as I initially expected. She's got some skills. I thought you were running an errand with Rookwood and Avery?' 

'We were done early.' 

'Well go and entertain yourself elsewhere.' Narcissa frowned. 'You're training with Erin tomorrow.' 

'I was just seeing how it was going.' Bellatrix put her hands up in defence. 'See you tomorrow, little Death Eater.' She cackled, heading back up towards the house. 

I stared after her. The adrenaline was still flowing through me, and her presence only made it worse. I felt myself getting all weird and jittery. Maybe it was the dangerous aura she gave off. It made me a bit nervous. 

'Right, again!' Narcissa raised her wand. 

I sighed, raising my wand too. Looked like it was going to be a long day.