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 next morning, the house was pure chaos. Mrs. Weasley was shouting over the din, attempting to organize everyone, while the portrait of Sirius's mother screeched insults at anyone within earshot. The cacophony reverberated through Grimmauld Place, but Bea barely noticed. Her trunk had been packed for days, and the prospect of leaving the house, escaping its oppressive walls, kept her calm amidst the mayhem.
Hermione was hurrying to triple-check her own trunk, Ron was bickering with Ginny over something trivial, and Harry looked both excited and apprehensive as they prepared to head back to Hogwarts. Bea moved through it all with a quiet determination, ready to be gone.
When they finally reached Platform 9 ¾, the chaos continued. The Weasleys bustled about with last-minute goodbyes, Molly fussing over everyone. The clatter of trunks and the shrill whistles of the Hogwarts Express filled the air, but Bea barely registered any of it.
Sirius, in his animagus form, padded quietly beside her as they moved toward the train. He'd insisted on accompanying them, despite the risks. His familiar black dog form weaved through the crowd unnoticed, but Bea caught the way his ears twitched and his head turned sharply at every sound.
As they approached the train, Sirius slipped into a quiet storage room near the platform. Bea hesitated before following him inside, shutting the door behind her.
Bea lingered in the quiet room with Sirius, her emotions teetering between sadness and relief. She was finally leaving Grimmauld Place, but saying goodbye to Sirius was harder than she expected.
— You're really leaving me here with that lot? — he said, his voice teasing but rough around the edges.
Bea rolled her eyes, though her chest tightened at his tone. — You'll survive. Barely.—
Sirius chuckled, crossing his arms as he leaned against the wall. — I'm going to miss you, kid.—
— I'll miss you too, — Bea admitted, her voice quieter now. She hesitated before continuing. — Thanks for... being there. For trusting me. You're one of the only ones who does.—
Sirius's smirk faded into something softer. — Always, pup. You've been through more than most adults, and you've come out stronger for it. Don't ever doubt that.—
Her throat tightened as she nodded, her eyes glistening. She had spent so much of the summer feeling isolated, like an outsider even among her allies. Sirius had been one of the few constants, someone who believed in her without question.
— You've got this, Bea, — he said, his voice firm but warm. — Go back to Hogwarts, show them what a Lestrange on the right side of things can do. Just don't go forgetting to write to your dear old uncle, or I might start feeling neglected.—
Bea smiled, a real one this time. — I'll write, I promise. But only if you promise to stay out of trouble. Or at least try.—
— Trouble? Me? Never, — he said, his smirk returning full force.
