You're in Hogwarts, about to face the Final Battle against Voldemort, when you fall into the past, in the Hogwarts of more than fifty years ago.
Who are you going to meet?
What mystery (and riddles) are waiting for you?
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One evening Tom comes back home carrying some hellebore as a gift for you. Its black flowers are so mesmerising that you can't help but staring at them. Only Tom Riddle could gift you with a Christmas rose in the dead of summer. But you love that plant, although hellebore is poisonous, although it's a precious ingredient for many potions and has so many legends around it. People were burned in the past because it was believed that plant was used to summon demons... Surely that plant summoned a deeper love for Tom. You could use the plant to treat your own insanity or poison yourself, but you actually wish to preserve that plant forever, so it will comfort you when darker times come for you. But when it was time to pack for going back to Hogwarts, you have to leave the potted plant behind. Tom promises that he will give you more flowers if that's what you like. The idea of him appearing in the Great Hall with a bunch of flowers for you under the attention of the whole school is both flattering and sickening.
On September the 1st, in 1944, you jump together on the Hogwarts Express and he invites you in one of the compartments he is used to share with his housemates. Housemates that are just as embarassed as you are, making you feel like an outsider. A Ravenclaw amongst snakes. Tom disapproves the tension and pulls you closer, making you sit on his lap. The other boys look like choking in their own embarassment and can't even breath properly. Maybe wickedly enjoying it all, Tom let his fingers play with your hair, then he sniffs them.
"Seriously? You have to breath on my hair?" you hiss breathlessly.
"Why do you think I gave you that shampoo if not because I like that smell on you?". You hear the other boys choking even more, getting a sharp glance from their leader.
"What's wrong?".
"Nothing" they immediately say without looking up. You've never seen them so red. Did they never see Tom being close to any of his admirers? You thought that Tom sitting blissfully surrounded by adoring girls was something normal. But the other Slytherins' reaction seems to prove you wrong. Like they never expected to see Tom in a relationship or let a girl sit on his lap. The idea comforts you a bit. And yet, you and Tom are still not officially dating, right? In your time boys would be joking and teasing lively. Why some who would become dark wizards are so uneasy in front of a couple? It's not like you're shagging in front of them. Or is sitting on a young man's lap without being engaged something so scandalous? Tom is called to another compartment for a reunion with the staff and the Prefects. You are left behind with his friends and it's like being stuck in a room with dementors.
"Why none of you came to visit us this summer?" you ask to break the silence before it can swallow you all irreparably.
"He didn't want us to disturb" Lestrange replies, turning from red to pale. Did Tom fear that they would catch you two in forbidden activity? Or is his order the reason why they are now so unsure on how to behave around you? Are they seeing you as an easy one?
"So, how was the summer?" Lestrange breaks the silence with a forced smile "I heard you worked in a pub".
"A cool summer" you say simply "Tom has been very kind to share his flat. I guess we have to thank you for the financial help".
He waves a hand "It's nothing, really. After all his help, I'm glad if I can help somehow".
"Your family approves?" Merlin's pants, you're talking to a Lestrange. A cursed surname. You try not to cringe.
"My family doesn't need to know" he says carefully "Does your family approve you living with someone they don't know?".
"My family doesn't care much about me" you lie. Your family is the reason you are trapped in the past and trying to survive in a time that isn't yours "They'd be happy for me, I guess. Who wouldn't love to welcome Tom in their family?".
Damn, that went too far. You're not going to marry Tom. Why mentioning him joining your family? You need to stop feeling. You need to become coldhearted the way Tom is a master. The boys struggle more than you. Clearly they don't believe you're going to be Tom's interest for that long. Luckily Tom comes back to save the day. He looks quite diffident, noticing the icy tension between you and his friends. He shoots narrow glances at them, keeping smiles and kindness only for you.
Once at Hogwarts you have to reunite with your Housemates and it's a deep relief. The castle really feels like home. You all gather in the Great Hall.
"You have so much to tell me. You say so little in your letters" Ellie grins with an allusive look. And what can you tell her? About him as a lover? How rough and possessive he is? That's only between you and him.
"Later" you beg, eager to follow the sorting ceremony to hear some familiar name. The first names don't ring any bell, until you hear "Black, Bellatrix".
You stiffen, your mind slowly processing the name. Bellatrix Black. Bellatrix... What if you get to kill her... Or just make her harmless? You look at the eleven year old girl who will become the worst of the Death Eaters. She's still a child and looks innocent. Nothing of the crazy witch you know. Your heart beats strongly and sounds like "danger, danger, danger". The name of the other Death Eaters didn't affect you as much as Bellatrix's . It's like someone just mentioned Voldemort. Your training with Dumbledore's Army is thirsty for some big mission to save your future. And Bellatrix is a great target. Maybe she could be the one to take you closer to Voldemort... But she's still a child. You can't hurt nor manipulate her without feeling guilty. And she's a Slytherin, she's under Tom's protection.
"For Merlin's sake, what's wrong with you?" Ellie shakes your shoulder and you are dragged back into the festive present. The dinner is almost over and you barely ate. There's just so much to think about. You're living in Hogwarts with the future Bellatrix Lestrange. And it already feels like a nightmare.
A/N
Sunday 17th September 2023
Sorry for the non canon thing, since Bellatrix didn't attend Hogwarts with Tom, but it's funny to see how it comes out and let you/Reader and little Bellatrix try to kill each other over Tom :)
I know it's just a tiny little update, it's just an introduction to the 7th year. The next chapter will have more action and adventures (translated: it will be longer), so I wanted to highlight the introduction of Bellatrix in the story and take some time to comment and rant about it.
A nightmare or just more fun?
We know how she will be close and obsessed with Voldemort, but now he's just a gorgeous Head Boy with a muggle name.
I don't know if you've read or know the story in the Cursed Child, that I still can't digest, so I don't want to spoil but let's just say that I can't think of Voldemort without also thinking of Bellatrix. She's obsessed in serving him as he is obsessed with power and Harry Potter 😂
I don't want to anticipate too much, but I bet you now understand how dangerous it is to be Tom's interest, no matter how private or public this fling is 😉
And what does the hellebore mean? I got this random idea of adding Tom giving flowers after seeing how gorgeous the black hellebore is. And searching online for the flowers symbolism this is the result: "A black Hellebore may indicate a sense of danger or warning"
Just - so - fitting ! 😱🖤
And Seven is such a special number, so let's hope this Seventh Year is somehow special too 🐍💚
