Chapter One- Train Rides and Sorting's
On my lap was a letter written for myself and only myself. I was to leave my siblings in the care of the elves and father a fate I would never wish on anyone. My brother, the weak man that he is that ran sent this to myself. I have no clue of what to make of it. With the letter he intrusted me with a box. Hazel wood with clasps made of goblin forge. I was obvious that he could not afford such a luxury and I knew that when I passed on this would go back to its rightful owner.
In the letter it told me to stroke my wand alongside the spine of the box and as I did the box expanded into a beautiful trunk. With the trunk was a key, it made me curious and I hated to admit it but my brother was a genius in his own right. Turning my trunk I found the lock but the key didn't fit examining it. I wound the engravings were just like my mother pendant. Pressing said pendant onto the lock it opened.
Inside was a descent size on the one side held coverts and a shelf that would hold my cauldron and vials safely and easily and the other a couple of drawers and a rack for my clothes. Lining the trunk was white dragon hide. This trunk I would use however I wouldn't forgive my brother for running. He was supposed to be there for us but he was gone. For that I would never forgive him not while father was still alive.
However I knew my brother to well such simplicity wasn't himself and in the letter he even said that there was more to the trunk then met the eye. Such as the fact it changed its size. Examining the trunk further I found inconsistences in the wood work around my name. It was a puzzle meant for me and it was. The wood flowed with the movement of my fingers and slid into place and inside was a drawer and inside was a slew of Zonko's creations.
The grandfather clock chimed startling me a bit and warning me all the same. I had an hour before father expected me downstairs for the train. Changing into robes father would approve of and unpacking my trunk into my new one I checked the mirror making sure not a hair was out of place looking like the epitome of pureblood witch. And downstairs I went nervous as a hen in a fox hole.
"You are late, we should have been at the station ten minutes ago." I bowed my head in shame knowing not to speak. "Floo to the station we do not have all day."
As poised as I could manage I went through the floo making sure not to fall. It was a blur. The familiar suction through the fireplace was not suitable to my tastes. I shall kill myself if I found myself in a marriage that enjoys such a thing. Luckily I did not fall when I made it to my destination. I wasn't a cat and balance wasn't my friend.
The train took my breath; it was an escape, a means to an end. I felt guilty but knew the others would be here soon. The twins would love it I knew. I could already imagine their smiling faces as they were on the train. The sound of the floo distracted me and I changed my posture. Father was regal in his entrance claiming many onlookers.
"Father thank you for this honourable gift, I will not displease you." I curtsied, only to be refuted.
"Don't get cheeky with me young lady."
"S-sorry father." I stuttered I didn't mean to stutter and it didn't help but with a calm look he started again.
"Do me proud." His gestures and tones confused before I noticed who was coming our way. "Straighten up dear we're about to be in the, unfortunate presence of the Malfoy's"
"Hello Tiberius, Bellatrix. A fine day is it not?" His self-worth rose with every word, it sickened me. No matter how much I may do it myself, seeing it in others was not right.
"Yes it seems as though our young ones are starting to grow up" Lucius sneered, politely. A strange custom seemingly only a Malfoy could pull off. "Now, how is it in the governors' position I heard they have been giving cut backs."
"Well Lucius you are in the same vote remember you do not want to be replaced." The conversation went on for what seemed for hours. I didn't even notice that Draco had already left.
"Why father the trains going to be going in any minute I fear I must go now" I hated doing it but it was essential to survival, one slip could be a bone.
"Why yes you may, your education is quite the importance, and you do not want to be a failure like HIM now do you?"
"No Father I shall do you proud." I really hated being compared to my brother. Ever since he left for a girl 'not of our stature' he had been disowned unless he broke of the engagement. I really don't understand why he wouldn't stay just a few years longer till we were all in school.
"No father I shall make you proud." Draco mocked startling me a bit. "Is the little suck-up scared of her wittle daddy?"
"Wow now don't you sound like your favoured aunt, Oops am I not supposed to say such a thing?" Just because he wasn't a bad person didn't make it any less funny to play games with him. Such a person as himself wasn't in charge of his own views.
"I wasn't the one named after her." Draco stated a proud sneer parading his lips.
"Well I wasn't the one named after a muggle, now was I?" It was like a clap on my back when he left, probably searching for the one-who-lived.
Like an owl in flight I found a compartment and un-shrinking my trunk I changed into more conferrable clothes suitable to myself. Clothes that if my father saw me in such a thing; would murder me. Stuffing my pockets with some of the vast collection of Zonko creations I headed out of the compartment. Taking a peak I saw Draco getting into a compartment with several other people this made me smirk.
It didn't take long for me to set everything up. It was simple a little too simple and I knew Draco would blame me, He knew me to well and I needed a scape goat. Looking to my left I saw it or them my two precious scape goat but before I could set my plan into motion a voice spooked me.
Her voice reminded me of the record keepers at the ministry quick and brim and degrading.
"Yes?" Her appearance didn't help much in evading the memory of the strict record keeper. Her bushy brown hair and school robes and the way she held herself was all too reminiscent of the ministry witch.
"I thought you were lost-" As soon as the statement left her mouth a laugh escaped mine.
"Not to be rude and I'm trying to be as honest as possible and… I, how do you get lost on a train?" She seemed to take both the apology and question wrong.
She started to stutter her words before storming off in a huff not liking my retort. The twins were still headed my way and I could still execute my plan without a hitch. Gathering all my nerve and walked into a compartment that was close enough to the fire yet far enough from the flames that I didn't get burnt. Figuratively speaking that is. In the compartment were two girls around my age looking at me strangely like she was evaluating me.
"I was always here." I exclaimed to the redhead who looked at me questionably. Only to be asked 'why' as if they wouldn't find out.
I had my whole education planned out. No friends, only allies. Don't align myself with anyone and be the person that people go to when they need something never be the person is in need.
Moments later a bang was heard scaring the tiny redhead over to the other seat. My scapegoats then appeared it seemed that in all my short planned planning I didn't consider that they would venture into the same compartment as I. When the twins fell and I mean fell into the compartment it was a laugh. The one, I believe the short one landed on the brunette 'Do something I dare you' girl causing her to squeal comically as the other laded at my feet.
"While you're there you mind tying my shoe?" I asked cheekily showing off my untied shoe, he only glared in response. "Anyways, why were you two running in anyways?"
"Well those Slytherin blocks-" the shorter one began.
"Were chasing us since they were the victims of-"
"A prank and we didn't do it."
"I reckon we were framed." The one at my feet ended getting to their feet.
"I bet you a bowl of strawberries that you won't guess my name by the time I'm sorted." I said watching a glint in the red heads eyes, a knowing look and I felt as though I had already lost my own bet.
"This also applies to you yourself, first one to figure the others name wins" I smiled at this.
"I believe we have an accord" I said shaking his hand. "Fred Weasley."
The first thing you notice in the Great hall is the long tables that housed students of many shapes and sizes. Beside me was Tania, the brunette that got one on one contact with the other twin, George. I could tell she was still mad at me for throwing her in with the Kraken. I named him Jack. Beside her was Ginny the small redhead who turned out not so surprisingly to the twins.
I guess it was my fault for not paying attention when the sharp voiced professor spooked me taking me out of my thoughts. One by one student's were sent to the stool if sorting as I dubbed it. The hat was nothing special if very old. I wonder if it was male or female, sounded male to me.
"Elryc, Bellatrix." McGonagall called. Walking up I gave a bow to the twins, moving my hand eccentrically.
Getting comfy on the rickety stool the old hat was placed upon my curly haired head.
"Beatrix Elryc, I remember when-"
"Sorry to interrupt I have a question before we begin this 'oh I remember your brother it was like yesterday he had such a brilliant mind' spew I have a question." I waited and when the hat did not answer I continued "Are you male or female hat?"
"You could ask anything and you ask my gender?" I didn't answer waiting patiently. "I was made for the students by Godric Gryffindor."
"So you are a boy."
"I did not say that."
"Yes actually you did."
"I said I was made for the students."
"You also said you were made by magic that was wielded by a male, making you a boy, like how Hogwarts was made by all founders making it a hermaphrodite."
"Very perceptive, but what house should I put you in is the real question." he said in a dignified tone.
"Yes Alfred I think you are right"
"Alfred?"
"Yes that is your new name instead of the old raged moldy hat, whom of which students are allergic to because of how dusty you actually are."
"Hmm I like it thank you… I think"
"Your very welcome I was thinking I should go were life would be easy for me and I would build my strengths, you?"
"I believe you are right, you belong in, Slytherin!" Jumping down from my seat I head to the table littered with green clad students. To my left I could see the twins looking at me perplexed. With a small evil grin I give them a wink and start a conversation with Theodore Nott. I just wish that they didn't try to do anything to my strawberries.