The wind howls viciously as the nights wears on- a girl flinches as lightening strikes. She squeals as another clap of thunder roars across the land, shaking the furniture in her bedroom.
A few tears snake their way down her face as the storm continues. Her father bursts through the door to her bedchambers, startling the girl.
"Bellatrix!" he exclaims, rushing to her bedside and holding the horrified girl in his loving arms. Her fear of intense storms such as these were well known by her family- her father never failing to serve as her knight in shining armor against the fear inducing storms.
"Dear child, don't be afraid, I am here now," he assures the crying girl. She snuggles into his chest—her father rests his chin on her head and strokes her soft, lavender hair, whispering encouraging words to calm the girl down. He sways back and forth, trying to rock the girl to sleep. His melodic voice fills the air as he hums a lullaby.
As the tune goes on, lightening decreases in intensity, thunder grows quieter, the rain's beating of the window becomes a soft patter and Bellatrix begins to relax.
The father smiles softly as his daughter snoozes quietly in his arms. He sets her down under the warm blankets and presses a delicate kiss to her forehead.
"Goodnight, dear," he whispers before leaving the room and closing the door behind him. The girl's mother stops pacing as the father exits the room.
"Is she any better?" she asks, biting her lip to prevent from bombarding her husband with questions. He sighs, shaking his head.
"No, I fear she is growing worse," he answers.
The next morning at breakfast, Bellatrix races down the stairs- excited to tell her parents about her latest dream.
"Momma! Papa!" she exclaims. "I had the greatest dream last night! I was all grown up and I could use magic like you Momma!"
"That's lovely, dear, but we have some," her mother pauses. "News to inform you of."
Bellatrix grows scared at her mother's tone.
"Pack your bags, Bella. We're going on a trip," her father intervenes with a cheerful voice.
The family strolls through the quiet streets of Janus Village. Villagers watch with judging eyes as they walk past. They cut across the main road and walk into the forest adjacent to the quaint town, the Forest of Stars.
Light shines through the green leaves of the trees— birds sing, flowers bloom, and animals scurry around happily.
However the beauty is short lived as the family walks into the darkest part of the forest—the birds have halted their happy song, only the caw of the crow remains. Barely any sun reaches the dead grass beneath their feet. No flowers grace the presence of the three family members. Animals grow bigger and fiercer than before, stalking them with eyes full of hunger.
Bellatrix clings to her father as they pace through the dark part of the woods— the occasional rustle of branches or a stick breaking strikes fear in her heart.
After hours of walking through the forest, the family stops in front of a massive cave.
A deafening roar pierces their ears, forcing them to cover their earlobes.
"Caelestra!" her mother screams. The roar dies down as a giant, white dragon leaves the cave, towering over the family. Bellatrix hides behind her father's legs.
"Is she here?" the dragon asks. Her father nods, leading his daughter to the dragon- Bellatrix stares at it with awe and terror.
The dragon takes the girl's hand with its giant, clawed paw.
"What is your name, child?" the dragon asks softly—a major difference from her previous tone. Bellatrix hides her face in her dress.
"It's okay, Bella, Caelestra will take care of you, and teach you the magic you so desperately want to learn, as well as control your power" her father assures—more to himself than his daughter.
"M-My name i-is B-Bellatrix," the girl stutters.
"Say goodbye to your parents," the dragon commands. The family hugs briefly before the dragon forces them to leave.
"Momma! Papa!" she screams after them as they reluctantly depart.
