The Littlest Wizard

chapter 3

Bellatrix POV

The grove provided a temporary refuge, but I knew we couldn’t stay long. The battle would inevitably find its way here, and I needed to ensure Rosalina’s safety. As I sat beside her, watching her eyes droop with exhaustion, I once again felt a strange sense of responsibility—a feeling that was both foreign and unsettling.

"We need to keep moving," I said gently, my voice a contrast to the usual harshness it carried. "I have a place we can go. It's safe, and there are people who can help us."

Rosalina nodded, her trust in me apparent despite the fear that lingered in her eyes. I helped her to her feet, and we began our journey away from the ruins of Hogwarts. The path was treacherous, filled with debris and the remnants of dark magic, but we navigated it together, my determination to protect her fueling each step.

After what felt like hours, we finally reached the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Beyond it lay the manor of my sister, Narcissa—a place that, despite our differences, I knew would offer sanctuary. As we approached, the grandeur of Malfoy Manor stood in stark contrast to the chaos we had left behind. Its imposing gates loomed ahead, a symbol of the power and protection it offered.

With Rosalina’s hand still firmly in mine, I approached the gates, my wand at the ready. They swung open with a creak, as if sensing my presence. We stepped through, the tension in my shoulders easing slightly as the gates closed behind us.

Narcissa met us at the entrance, her icy blue eyes widening in surprise at the sight of Rosalina. "Bella, what is this?" she asked, her voice a mix of curiosity and concern.

"A child," I replied curtly. "She was lost in the battle. I couldn't leave her there." I glanced down at Rosalina, whose grip on my hand tightened. "We need a safe place for her, Cissy."

Narcissa's expression softened as she knelt down to Rosalina's level. "Hello there, little one," she said gently. "You must be very brave to have made it through all that."

Rosalina looked up at Narcissa, her eyes wide with both fear and awe. "I-I was lost," she stammered. "But Bellatrix helped me."

Narcissa's gaze flickered to me, a hint of approval in her eyes. "Come inside," she said, standing up and extending her hand to Rosalina. "Let's get you settled."

Rosalina hesitated, looking to me for reassurance. I nodded, and she released my hand to take Narcissa's. Together, we entered the manor, the opulent interior a stark contrast to the devastation outside.

Narcissa led us to a cozy sitting room, where a fire crackled warmly in the hearth. "Sit here, dear," she said to Rosalina, guiding her to a plush armchair. "I'll have the house-elves bring you something to eat and drink."

Rosalina sat down, her small frame sinking into the chair. As she settled in, I could see the exhaustion in her eyes giving way to a sense of safety. Narcissa turned to me, her expression serious. "Bella, what are you doing?" she asked quietly. "This isn't like you."

I sighed, running a hand through my disheveled hair. "I don't know, Cissy," I admitted. "But I couldn't leave her there. She's just a child and she's a little"

Narcissa nodded, her gaze softening. "Well, she's safe here now. We'll take care of her."

As the house-elves brought a tray of food and drink for Rosalina, I watched her carefully. She seemed calmer now, her small hands reaching for a cup of tea with a cautious curiosity. But there was something else—a fragility that went beyond her physical state. It was as if she was teetering on the edge of something deeper, something that needed to be understood and cared for.

Rosalina POV

The warmth of the fire and the comfort of the armchair made me feel safe for the first time in what felt like forever. I sipped the tea slowly, the heat spreading through my small frame, easing the tension in my muscles. Bellatrix and Narcissa's presence, though intimidating, gave me a sense of protection I hadn't felt in a long time.

As I sat there, the reality of everything that had happened began to overwhelm me. The battle, the fear, the uncertainty—it all crashed over me like a tidal wave. My grip on the teacup tightened, my vision blurring with tears. I tried to hold them back, not wanting to appear weak, but the effort was futile.

Narcissa noticed immediately, her maternal instincts kicking in. "Oh, sweetheart," she murmured, kneeling beside my chair. "It's okay to cry. You're safe now."

Her words broke the dam, and the tears flowed freely. I sobbed, the pent-up fear and confusion pouring out of me. Narcissa wrapped her arms around me, holding me close as I cried into her shoulder. Her embrace was warm and comforting, in comparison to the coldness of the battlefield.

Bellatrix watched from a distance, her expression unreadable. But as my sobs quieted, she stepped closer, her eyes filled with a strange mix of emotions. "Rosalina," she said softly, her voice surprisingly gentle. "You're safe here. We'll take care of you."

I nodded, sniffling as I wiped my tears away. The exhaustion of the day weighed heavily on me, and I felt myself slipping into a different state of mind—a place where the fear and pain faded away, leaving only a sense of peace. It was a place I had retreated to often, a safe haven in my mind where I could be a child again.

Narcissa must have sensed the change, for she guided me to a nearby sofa, gently laying me down and covering me with a soft blanket. "Rest now," she whispered, brushing a strand of hair from my face. "You're safe here."

As I drifted off to sleep, the warmth of the blanket and the soothing presence of my protectors surrounded me. I felt myself slipping into little space, a state where I could be free of the harsh realities of the world. In that place, I was just a child, safe and loved, with no fears or worries to haunt me.

Bellatrix and Narcissa exchanged a look, an unspoken understanding passing between them. They would protect me, care for me, and ensure that I had the chance to heal from the trauma of the battle. In that moment, I knew that, despite everything, I had found a new family—a family that, against all odds, would stand by me no matter what.

Bellatrix POV

Watching Rosalina slip into a peaceful slumber, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. She was safe now, and I would do everything in my power to keep her that way. As I turned to Narcissa, I saw the same determination mirrored in her eyes.

"We need to make sure she's protected," I said quietly. "She can't be caught in the middle of this war again."

Narcissa nodded, her expression resolute. "We'll keep her safe, Bella. We'll make sure she has a chance to heal and grow."

As we stood there, watching over Rosalina, I realized that, despite the darkness and destruction that had surrounded us, there was still hope. In protecting this innocent child, we had found a glimmer of light—a chance for redemption, for compassion, for something more than the endless cycle of violence.

And in that moment, I knew that, no matter what lay ahead, we would face it together. Rosalina had brought out a side of me I thought long dead, and I was determined to nurture that part of myself, for her sake and for my own. As we watched over her, I felt a sense of purpose I had never known before—a purpose that, against all odds, would guide me through the darkness and into the light.

There you go guys!

Trying to be more consistent with the updates, hope you enjoy it

Alex