Belinda

"And since the first years have been sorted, I would like to introduce Hogwart's two new Seventh Year students," Dumbledore booms. Me and Kyla. It's our big moment.

"Kyla Hornsby and Belinda..." Dumebledore cuts off at my last name and stares at the paper. Did Lividiam tell him I was a delinquent? Is there something wrong with me?

"Belinda Black," Dumbledore finally finishes. There is a moment of strange silence. Professor McGonagall looks shocked. Lividiam told them about the streaking incident. They must've. And then, the room erupts into whispers. McGonagall and Dumbledore whisper to each other.

"Kyla, what did I do!" I whisper.

"I don't know," she replies honestly. I bite my lower lip. I always do that when I'm nervous.

"Okay then!" Dumbledore exclaims. "Ms. Hornsby, you will be sorted first." Kyla walks up proudly and the room goes silent. The blonde boy at the table closest to me whispers something rude and obviously perverted to the boy next to him. They snicker. And than, the blonde boy looks straight at me. Oh dear God.

"So they really transferred you, huh?" he asks. I glare at him.

"Yes, Draco," I reply. Draco Malfoy. My cousin by means I'm not quite sure of. My mother says he's a cousin, I believe her.

"Brilliant," he says smirking. "That friend of yours, she's quite beautiful. Is she taken?" Draco asks slyly.

"I have no idea if she broke up with Brendan before we left. I don't suggest you ask," is my reply. Draco shrugs.

"SLYTHERIN!" the hat screeches. Draco's table roars. Draco has that glint in his eye. The one I don't like whatsoever.

"Ms. Black," Dumbledore says, looking my way. I smack Draco and then walk up to the front of the Great Hall. Eyes burn through my skin. Glares are tossed my way. Slowly, I sit on the stool. The Sorting Hat is paced on my head and begins to mutter, right away.

"It seems to me as though a good deal of your family has been in Slytherin. Except one. One man of your blood was not in Slytherin. You want to be in Slytherin? With your cousin Draco?" The hat speculates. The room once again erupts in whispers.

"Yes, she's my cousin!" Draco exclaims.

"Well...I suppose you would work in Slytherin. But your personality reflects more on that other family member. A certain kin you do not know much about. I understand you want to be in Slytherin. Life doesn't work that way, my dear. GRYFFINDOR!" the hat exclaims.

"What! Gryffindor!" I exclaim to myself. The look on Draco's face is absolute horror. Slowly, I slide off of the stool and walk towards the Gryffindor table. A few people try to clap, but it dies off instantly. All I hear is the whispers. Silently, I sit down somewhat near Harry, Ron, and Hermione. But I don't understand. Why Gryffindor? A member of my family?

And suddenly it comes to me. My father was a Gryffindor.

-After the Great Feast-

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE!" Draco exclaims madly as we stand in Dumbledore's office.

"Draco, the Sorting Hat chooses what's best for its students," Dumbledore replies calmly.

"Let me tell you this and I hope you get it straight, NO MEMBER OF THE MALFOY FAMILY WILL BE A GRYFFINDOR!" Draco yells madly.

"Draco, she's not nearly as related to you as you think," Dumbledore says. I plop down into a chair. My whole life has gone topsy turvy.

"WHAT!" Draco exclaims.

"Sit down, Draco." Draco sits next to me, bewildered.

"Belinda, do you have any idea who you're father is?" Dumbledore asks me.

"No," I meekly reply. I have the right to know, don't I?

"I see. Does your mother ever mention him, dear?"

"No. Not ever, usually. I've brought him up a few times, but she usually changes the subject."

"I figured as much. Demetra never really liked to talk about the serious things that bothered her. Well, I think you have the right to know that your father is no longer with us."

"You knew my father!" I exclaim.

"Belinda," Dumbledore begins, but pauses. "You would know your father too if I told you who he was."

"What?" I ask confused. How on earth...?

"I'm going to Owl your mother. Hopefully we'll have a response by tomorrow."

"So you can't tell me who it is?"

"I need your mother's consent, Belinda. Tomorrow night at the latest, I promise."

Slowly, I stand up, Draco following.

"Draco, Stay for a moment longer, I need to discuss something with you."

Draco

I sit back down and watch Dumbledore fiddle with a scroll of parchment for a moment until Belinda closes the door behind her.

"Yes, sir?" I ask.

"Draco, Belinda's not your direct cousin."

"What's that supposed to mean? It's like, impossible!"

"Belinda is Sirius Black's daughter Draco. The only reason she's related to you is because your mother is Sirius' cousin. Belinda is your second cousin," Dumbledore explains. My jaw drops. SIRIUS BLACK'S DAUGHTER? BELINDA? MY COUSIN!

"You're joking," I say seriously.

"No," Dumbledore replies. "This does not leave this room, Draco. Not a sound until Belinda knows. Am I understood?"

"Yes, sir," I mumble. The people who think my family isn't messed up have gone completely mad. Bloody Hell.

Harry

"No Ron, You don't understand, I looked at her and my scar burned!"

"What Harry, do you think she's related to Voldemort?" Ron snorts.

"No you arse, but I can't figure out what it is," I explain. It was only for a moment, but a searing pain ripped through my forehead. Then, it was fine. Like nothing had ever happened.

"Well, is she related to anybody you've been acquainted with?" Neville asks.

"I don't know. I don't know anything about her."

"Strange," comments Neville. I attempt to shrug it off as I climb into bed, but I'm not having much luck. If Sirius was alive, I would consult him. It's been so hard since he's been gone. I just feel as though he left something for me. I guess I just have to find it.

Belinda

"And now everyone's acting all strange. They KNOW who my father is, Hermione. I'm ONE step closer to knowing!"

"Well...just don't get too excited, Belle," Hermione replies, shoving her trunk at the foot of the bed.

"What's THAT supposed to mean!" I exclaim, throwing my pillow onto the bed. Hermione and I are new friends. I suppose. Draco won't like this.

"Well...I have a feeling I know who it is," she whispers.

"You're not going to tell me are you?" I sigh. She shakes her head. I snuggle under the covers. My head is spinning. Too much drama for one night.

-Somewhere in a dark, scary, damp place-

"So she's at the school? Right within our reach?"

"Bellatrix, you killed her father!"

"She doesn't know who her father IS, Lucius! Belinda is just as powerful as Sirius was and possibly more dangerous! She just doesn't know it yet!"

"Bellatrix, you're not going to touch Belinda. Draco has a strong attachment to her. Narcissa does too. Belinda may have something we need in the long run."

"You know she's not going to side with the Death Eaters, Lucius. You KNOW IT!"

"We're going to wait."

"You'll be sorry, Lucius."

"Oh shut it Bella."