Author's Note: I am fascinated with the idea of the Blacks (Bellatrix, Andromeda, Narcissa, Sirius, and Regalus) as children. This is my first story I wrote of them, and I don't know if it's any good, but here it is. There will be five chapters- one for each of the Blacks- and they will each center around each child's first day of Hogwarts. At first, they will all seem a little out of character, but in the later chapters, they all slip into the personalities we see in the books. I wanted to explore how exactly they became the way they were in the Harry Potter series, and I don't know if I succeeded, but oh well. Oh, and Bellatrix and Sirius are best, best friends in my mind, because I love that idea, that they were close as children. There is no incest implied though. I'll post a chapter a day, no matter what, but if I see reviews, I'll post more than one a day! Oh, one last thing. I don't know if their ages are canon. The order I put them in was Bellatrix, Andromeda, Sirius, Regalus, and Narcissa. Bellatrix and Narcissa are six years apart (so when she starts school at 11, Bellatrix will be in her last year at 17). This was for the sake of the story.

Read and Review please!! Constructive criticism welcome!

Disclaimer: I am not J.K. Rowling. These characters are hers, I just borrowed them.

Chapter One: Bellatrix's First Day

Bellatrix Black shifted her weight nervously as she listened to her father, Cygnus Black, drone on and on about how she must uphold the family honor and be sorted into Slytherin. She caught her favorite cousin, Sirius' eye, and they shared a mocking grin. Then Sirius' face settled back into a sulk. He had two more years before he could go to Hogwarts and he was jealous. Bella then glanced at her sister Andromeda, who was also pouting. She only had one year left at home, but she wanted to go to Hogwarts now. Bella smirked at her and Andy stuck out her tongue. Druella Black, their mother, glared at the girls and Bella reluctantly turned her attention back to her father.

"I don't want you consorting with Mudbloods at all, and I would rather die than see you friends with them…" Cygnus shuddered and Bella rolled her eyes. She had heard this all before. Her five year old sister, Narcissa, walked over to Bella and slipped her tiny hand into her beloved older sister's. Bella squeezed Cissy's hand and Cissy giggled softly.

"And under no circumstances are you allowed to be on good terms with some of those MudBlood loving teachers….like that despicable Dumbledore," Cygnus continued relentlessly. Bored, Regulus, Bellatrix's seven year old cousin, punched his older brother. Sirius punched back and Aunt Walburga glared at them. Bellatrix smiled at the two and then quickly took advantage of her father pausing for breath.

"Daddy, I understand. I have to catch the train though, so…." Her father nodded. He hugged his daughter and whispered "Make us proud" into her ear. It was more an order than a pleasantry and Bella knew this. She nodded and skipped over to her mother, who pulled her into a tight embrace.

"I love you," Druella breathed. "You'll do fine."

Bellatrix nodded again, this time with a cocky smile. "I know."

She hugged her aunt and uncle and then turned to her sisters and cousins. "Well, this goodbye, I guess," she said hesitantly.

They all stared at her, stony-faced. Suddenly, Cissy burst into tears. "Don't go! Bella, I'll miss you!"

Bella scooped her up. "I'll miss you too Cissy. But I'll see you soon." She handed her sister to her mother and turned to Regalus.

"Reggie," she said fondly. Reggie ran to her and they hugged. Bella squatted down so she was at his level.

"Watch out for Cissy for me," she whispered. "And don't let Sirius push you around." Regalus nodded seriously and hugged her again. Then he stepped back and Sirius slowly stepped forward.

"Bye Bels," he mumbled.

Bella rolled her eyes. "Sirius. It's only two years."

Sirius immediately glared at her. "Easy for you to say. In two years, you'll be a third year and going to Hogsmeade with all your cool friends and I'll be an 'ickle firstie.'" He scowled. "Bella, this is the beginning of the end."

Bellatrix laughed at his dramatics. "The end of what?"

Sirius sighed. "The end of her friendship. It'll never be the same, you know. You'll be too busy for me."

Bella shook her head vigorously. "Siri, no! I'll see you on holidays and when you come to Hogwarts, we can explore all the hidden passageways and just be the most awesome Slytherins ever!"

Sirius bit his lip to stop from grinning. "Promise?"

Bella nodded. "Promise."

Sirius allowed his grin to spread across his face. "Okay. Bye Bels. See you at Christmas." He hugged his cousin.

Bella hugged back tighter. "I'll write you, Siri." Sirius nodded and reluctantly untangled himself from Bella. He scampered back to his impatient parents and disappeared with a pop.

"Let's go, Bellatrix," Cygnus said.

Bella quickly turned to Andromeda. "Andy," she said awkwardly, not quite knowing how to say goodbye to the sister she had grown up with. Andromeda didn't respond. Instead, she fiercely hugged her sister.

"I'll miss you," Andy breathed in Bella's ear. "Write me." Bella nodded, a lump forming in her throat. She gave a last wave to her family and walked on to the Hogwarts Express.

----

Bella was sitting in a compartment full of the children of her parents' friends. Rodolphus Lestrange was sitting close to her. Bella shifted uncomfortably. Rodolphus lazily grinned at her. "Something wrong, Bella?" he drawled.

Bellatrix shook her head. "No. I'm just…." She trailed off awkwardly.

Lucius Malfoy smirked. "Scared you're not going to get into Slytherin?"

"No!" Bella snapped. "I know I'm going to get in. It's a Black tradition!"

A little while later, Bella stood in the line of first years waiting to be sorted. When "Black, Bellatrix!" was called, she sauntered confidently to the stool, sat down, and pulled the hat over her head. In less than five seconds, the hat screamed out, "SLYTHERIN!"

Bella grinned and strutted over to the applauding Slytherin table. She sat next to Rodolphus who draped his arm over her shoulders. Bella sighed. She couldn't wait until her sisters and cousins came to Hogwarts. Things were going to be so boring without them here.