The beginning of the end: Bellatrix Black

The Sorting Ceremony

Saturday, September 1, 1962

"Magnificent!" was what crossed my mind at first, when I entered the Great Hall and then that fuzzy feeling settled into my stomach. I grinned and I was sure at that moment that Mother wouldn't approve of my behaviour. Mother wasn't here though.

I was thinking about the food now which was supposed to be delicious but also I was already imagining my first meeting with my fellow Housemates.

As a Pureblood, I was raised to be a Slytherin - from my brain and the way I thought to my bones and the way I stood. It was a fact that I was already used to it because as Black you just belonged to Slytherin. No one ever asked you even though nobody really had to.

Sometimes I couldn't help the idea of being placed in Ravenclaw. It would seem as better option compared to Slytherin. It's a fact - no one, apart from Slytherins themselves, likes Slytherin.

Mother says I shouldn't bother with other people's opinion because it is not worth my time, still how could an eleven-year-old follow words like that?

I cleared my mind of those thoughts, I stood firm and still, making sure that I was staring, with enough pride to make Mother proud, at everyone and anything. This is how I should behave in order for Mother to be satisfied.

The group of eleven-year-olds followed a blond, full man further into the huge room. I looked left to the Slytherin table and of course I saw the smiling face of my sister Andromeda.

She was the embodiment both of a perfect Pureblood with her looks, sharp mind and her consummate manners but also a bright witch with a kind face and more importantly a kind heart. This is why I love my sister.

Andromeda just was able to blend her kindness with Mother's raise which made her to exceedingly likeable. Even between the other House she was popular and well known. This is why deep down I know, despite denying it, I envy her.

All I managed to do while concerned with my thoughts, was to smile. Smile as we stopped and I nearly bumped into one tall, dark-haired boy. As if he sensed me behind him, he turned around and smiled at me so charmingly that it took a lot of will to keep my mouth closed. Indeed he was stunning - sharp features, pale face and black eyes from which I just couldn't look away.

He turned away when the blond Professor cleared his throat and then moved away to reveal a ragged, brownish, dirty hat. Appearances could lie and they are never proof for intelligence. I knew that this was the famous Sorting Hat. The Hat which would basically determine your future or the very least to place into the House where you belong.

The bright feeling left me at that moment. I knew that it was now or never. Whether it put me in Slytherin to let me fulfill my duty as a Black or let me follow that little hope of becoming what I want not what I had to. To use my wit to become a Ravenclaw. I had to be brave and I would like I should.

Unexpectedly, or at least for me, the Hat started speaking, no singing!

"My duty is a hard one,

Duty owed from dawn

I serve our mighty school

By sitting on this stool.

Here I belong,

Here to sing this song,

Here to place you,

Where and why to know!

To be a Ravenclaw,

to have a wit, without a flaw

To be a Hufflepuff,

as loyal as you should.

Slytherin to be,

success to achieve,

Gryffindor to be,

in bravery to believe!

So here I am,

ready to assist

be my guest,

oh, I insist!

And so the man started calling out names from his list, which was sorted alphabetically, by surnames starting with a girl called Linette Abbott who was placed in Hufflepuff. I knew my turn was coming soon as it did.

"Black, Bellatrix!" shouted out the man. I walked proudly and elegantly despite my nervousness. Being nervous was no new feeling to me and I was taught how to control it - like a queen.

I sat on the stool and the Professor put the Sorting Hat on my head.

"Another Black. This would be easy. Unless you want otherwise?"

"You mean that if I want to you'd just put me in Slytherin?" I asked somehow both hopeful and hopeless.

"I see that this is not your heart's dream but you've twisted it to be so the matters are rather complicated and if I were to say that deep down you belong in Ravenclaw but as such you know what's best for you and that Slytherin is safe choice, right?" he asked again so annoyingly despite the fact that he had a point.

"Don't get me wrong Bellatrix you have a lot of Slytherin in you but I know what you want so what do you say?" he stated another of his questions that I already hated. I came back to my senses.

"I am a Pureblood. I am a cunning Pureblood and I am made to be a Slytherin. I don't need you to tell me that." I felt the power and adrenaline streaming through me.

"Indeed. You value success more than a sharp mind despite owning one. So it be. Slytherin!" shouted the Hat and then I left it back on the stool. I was walking like a royal - slowly, letting the power sink in.

It felt like a small victory against the Hat, against myself.

I went to the grinning faces of my Housemates - the Slytherins, not Ravenclaws. Some pats on the back, some words of encouragement but those didn't matter. I sat next to my sister and her expression showed pride mixed with something else. Something I couldn't quite figure.

I didn't pay attention to the rest of the Sorting ceremony except for when I heard the Professor - Horace Slughorn - say "Riddle, Tom!"

I was once again looking at those mysterious black eyes. He was a Slytherin. It made me feel even better. He didn't seem surprised at all by the House he was put in - just as if he had expected it. He probably had.

He sat in front me and didn't look anywhere so much unlike me. Now it wasn't pride that was buzzing through my veins, it was a bright feeling again but entirely different. I looked up to the Enchanted Ceiling - to the dark, calm sky filled thousands of bright stars which were long dead now.

It was love I figured as I slowly gave up to this new feeling.