The Chaos Within (A Bellatrix Fanfiction)

First Day

Erin's POV

"Mum, seriously. You're fussing."

"I have every right to fuss," she snapped, her hands fluttering helplessly around the collar of my robes. "You haven't forgotten anything, have you?"

I rolled my eyes but rattled off the checklist anyway. "Wand, quills, books, telescope, brass scales- yes, Mum."

"And Shadow?"

I sighed and glanced down at the small cage beside my feet. My jet-black cat was curled tightly inside, tail flicking with her dream. "Still in her cage. Still breathing. Still a cat."

Mum didn't laugh.

"Honestly, don't worry. It'll be great," I said, trying to sound optimistic.

But her gaze didn't soften. "You're not exactly the typical student, Erin."

I tensed. "Mum. Not so loud-"

"You're still my daughter," she pressed, voice gentler but firm. "And you're going to be a brilliant witch. No matter who your father is."

"Mum." It came out sharper than I intended.

She pulled me into a tight hug instead of replying, whispering a hurried, "I'll write soon," before physically shoving me toward the train. I hauled my trunk toward the nearest carriage, Shadow's cage swinging from my hand.

"Need some help with that?" a voice called.

Two identical red-haired boys, maybe a year or two older, stood near the steps.

"Um, yes. Please." I stepped back as they each grabbed an end and lifted my trunk as if it weighed nothing.

"Thanks," I said, following them up the steps.

"No problem. I'm Fred. And he's George," Fred said, pointing to his mirror image.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Erin."

"Nice to meet you too," George said with a grin. "Anyway, we've got to go. See you around."

They disappeared down the corridor, laughing about something I didn't catch.

I dragged my trunk through the crowded train until I found an empty compartment near the back. Shadow stretched lazily as I set her beside me, blinking up with indifferent green eyes.

"Still the best company," I murmured, scratching behind her ears.

Mum had bought her the day my Hogwarts letter came ("every witch needs a familiar") but she'd become more than that. Shadow was my anchor. My only secret that didn't suffocate me.

"Anything from the trolley, dear?"

The trolley witch had stopped by my compartment.

"Um... I'll have a couple pumpkin pasties, please." I handed over the coins, accepted the food, and she moved on.

I'd been too nervous to eat that morning. My stomach was just now catching up.

By the time the sky had deepened to twilight, I knew we were close.

I changed into my robes and attempted to wrangle my unruly auburn hair into a bun. My pale reflection stared back from the window, unimpressed.

Once the train stopped, I wrestled my trunk down myself; adrenaline apparently gave me super-strength. Excitement mixed with dread tangled in my throat.

What House would I be sorted into?

What if people found out who I really was?

What if I didn't belong anywhere?