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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Sorry, this is a bit long.
As the week of exams descended upon Hogwarts, the atmosphere buzzed with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety. Beatrice felt as if her head was spinning with spells and incantations, each day blurring into the next in a whirlwind of study sessions and late-night cram fests with her friends.
The library had become their second home, filled with the faint scent of parchment and the rustle of turning pages as they buried themselves in textbooks.
Beatrice, alongside Susan, Hannah, Leanne, and Justin, had formed a study group that was more like a support system. Leanne, the resident bookworm of the bunch, had proven to be invaluable.
With her meticulous notes and ability to explain complex theories with ease, she guided her friends through the labyrinth of their studies.
They would often spend hours huddled together, quizzing one another and sharing snacks as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow through the library's tall windows.
Having already conquered the Potions exam, where she felt her heart race with each brewing potion, and most of her exams, Beatrice couldn't shake the tension that lingered in the air.
History of Magic had been a test of endurance, but now, she could finally breathe a sigh of relief after finishing Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor Lupin had compiled the most unusual exam any of them had ever taken; a sort of obstacle course outside in the sun, where they had to wade across a deep paddling pool containing a grindylow, cross a series of potholes full of Red Caps, squish their way across a patch of marsh while ignoring misleading directions from a hinkypunk, then climb into an old trunk and battle with a new boggart.
— Beatrice,— Professor Lupin said, his voice warm and encouraging as he looked up from his stack of papers. — You did exceptionally well today.—
She smiled faintly, still feeling the unease from her earlier encounter. — Thank you, Professor. But I...I couldn't face it again.— The memory of her boggart, a twisted reflection of her mother, flashed through her mind.
Professor Lupin nodded, his expression softening with understanding. — That's perfectly alright, Beatrice. It takes courage to face a boggart, and sometimes, knowing your limits is just as important as confronting your fears. I respect your decision to step back.—
His words wrapped around her like a warm blanket, easing the weight in her chest. — I just...—she began, hesitating, — I thought I could do it this time. But when I saw her, I just... froze.—
— Fear can be paralyzing,— he replied gently, leaning back in his chair. — But recognizing that you weren't ready to face it again shows a great deal of maturity. You are not defined by the moments you feel weak, Beatrice; it's about how you choose to respond.—
She felt a swell of gratitude at his insight, her admiration for him deepening. — Thank you, Professor. I just hope that one day, I can face it.—
— I have no doubt that you will,— he assured her, a small smile gracing his lips. — Take your time, and don't rush the process. You're already on the path to overcoming it.—
