Beatrice Lestrange has always been an outsider in her own story. Born into one of the darkest families in the wizarding world, she grew up under the looming shadow of her infamous mother Bellatrix Lestrange.
Despite this, Beatrice is nothing like th...
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The Great Hall was dimly lit by the soft glow of floating candles, their light flickering gently above the rows of students huddled together on conjured sleeping bags. An uneasy silence hung in the air, broken only by the faint whispers of hushed conversations and the occasional crackle of the enchanted ceiling mirroring the stormy night outside. Professor Dumbledore stood at the front of the hall, his expression grave but calm, the usual twinkle in his blue eyes replaced by a rare solemnity.
— Sirius Black has entered the castle.— Dumbledore announced, his voice resonating through the hall, sending a wave of apprehension rippling through the students. — For your safety, you will all remain here tonight.—
A low murmur spread as the gravity of his words sank in. Black, the notorious escaped prisoner, had come dangerously close to breaking into Gryffindor Tower. The Fat Lady's shredded portrait was the only thing standing between him and the students he sought.
—The teachers and I need to conduct a thorough search of the castle.— Professor Dumbledore told them as Professors McGonagall and Flitwick closed all doors into the hall. — I'm afraid that, for your own safety, you will have to spend the night here. I want the prefects to stand guard over the entrances to the hall and I am leaving the Head Boy and Girl in charge. Any disturbance should be reported to me immediately. — he added to Percy, who was looking immensely proud and important.
— Send word with one of the ghosts. — Professor Dumbledore paused, about to leave the hall, and said, — Oh, yes, you'll be needing...— One casual wave of his wand and the long tables flew to the edges of the hall and stood themselves against the walls; another wave, and the floor was covered with hundreds of squashy purple sleeping bags.
— Sleep well. — said Professor Dumbledore, closing the door behind him.
The hall immediately began to buzz excitedly; the Gryffindors were telling the rest of the school what had just happened.
— Everyone into their sleeping bags!" shouted Percy. — Come on, now, no more talking! Lights out in ten minutes! —
Harry turned to see Beatrice, sitting on her sleeping bag nearby, her expression unreadable. Her arms were folded across her chest, eyes sharp as she listened to Dumbledore's words. For all her usual wit, there was no snarky comment this time. Instead, her brow was furrowed, and Harry could tell she was thinking.
— Unbelievable. — Beatrice muttered as she finally turned towards her friends, her voice low but tense.— He actually got inside the castle.— She exchanged a glance with Hannah, who was perched upright in her sleeping bag, biting her lip nervously.
Hannah nodded.— Do you think he was trying to get to Harry again?— Her voice wavered slightly. Everyone knew Black's target, Harry Potter, but the reality of how close he had come made the threat feel much more real.
— Probably. —Beatrice said grimly, running a hand through her ginger hair, her expression darkening. — But if he slashed up the Fat Lady's portrait, there's no telling what he'll do if he actually catches someone off guard.—
