The Hufflepuff Girl

Chapter 1

       My name is Belle Elizabeth Black; the half-sister of Eponine, of James and Emmanuel; daughter of Sirius Black and Arabella Knight; I am the middle child of four. Up until now my life was a mystery to me. I grew up in the muggle world, along with the rest of my half-siblings. For my nine years, the magical world was hidden from me, till one day two strange notes were delivered to my brothers. Nobody knew where they came from, nobody knew what this 'Hogwarts' was - nobody but our adopted mother, Kaitlyn. It was the day after my brother's got the news that Kaitlyn sat all of us down and, over morning coffee and bacon, told us mostly of our past. In September of 1987 the boys went to Hogwarts, leaving Eponine and I behind. I was ten when they returned. They spoke in awe of the school; they told us of magic and the wonders of new adventures they'd only just begun. But yet, they seemed different when they returned. James was colder to our adoptive parents and siblings, while his twin seemed to be more hateful toward his own brother. When I asked why, one sunny day in August just before they had to return, they then explained to us that Hogwarts had four houses that you are sorted into - by a talking hat, no less - when you first arrive. The names of these houses were Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, and Slytherin.

       Emmanuel spoke of the glory of the Gryffindor's, and how he'd met a nice boy who was in his fifth year; his name was Charlie Weasley, I believe. James, however, spoke highly of the cunning and the cruel deeds which the Slytherin house consisted of (it was all quite disturbing to hear). Before long, another summer had then come and gone, then the boys left to go to Hogwarts a second time.

       It was around my eleventh birthday - a week after on April 19th, to be specific - that I got my Hogwarts letter. I stared at it in wonder when it arrived, for no one really knew if all the adopted Harrison children were magical. It was addressed Ms. B. Black, Second Bedroom Upstairs on the Right, 39 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey. It awed me how detailed it was, knowing exactly where I lived and slept.

       An excitement unlike any other filled me as I opened it, breaking the wax seal in the form of the Hogwarts crest that held the envelope shut. My very own Hogwarts letter, I thought with glee. Of course, I knew I should've run and told Kaitlyn first thing, but there was time for that later. When I opened it, there were two notes inside, just like with my brothers'; one was clearly a list, the other was just a note, and short one at that. I read the note first, though I already knew what it said;

HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore

(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,

Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)

Dear Ms. Black,

We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.

Yours sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

        I jumped around the foyer, hands tightly holding onto the note that confirmed two things; one, I was a witch and, two, I could be attending Hogwarts with my brothers' come fall. The first to find me was Max, he'd been staying with us since his schooling had ended. He walked down the stairs and froze when he saw me, likewise, I froze when I saw him. "Whatcha got there, huh?" He asked with a nervous laugh, but soon the smile returned to my face and I showed him. I was a witch. I was going to Hogwarts. Of course, he was just as shocked as I was when he took hold of it, but nonetheless he congratulated me with a massive hug. He took me with him to the kitchen, where Kaitlyn and Andrew were chattering while they cooked tonight's supper.