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BELLATRIX
1962 : First year
C O D E N A M E S

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Letter #1 — Randomly assorted and paired
To Whomever Was Unlucky Enough to Be Assigned to Me,

These letters are confidential, intercepted with a secret code that only me and my partner (you) should know. Apparently, we're meant to write to each other now—strangers, no names, just parchment and feelings. How quaint. It's all part of some new "unity initiative," as if a few scribbled letters will undo centuries of house rivalries. Please.

Frankly, I find the whole ordeal dreadfully boring. And insulting. I'm expected to pour my thoughts onto paper and send them off to a faceless nobody? How very modern of them. The new Headmaster must think sentimentality is the same as intelligence.

This letter is protected by some enchanted code—only you and I can read it, or so they say. A charming waste of magical effort. I suppose they assume we'll bare our souls if we're kept anonymous. That seems like something a Gryffindor would believe.

Anyway, if you're the sort to take offense easily, this probably won't last long. And if you're the sort who believes in this nonsense... well, I'm sorry you were born.

I'll write—because they're making me. Not because I think you'll be worth writing to. Don't take it personally.

Signed,
Your ever-so gracious letter-partner,
B

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Letter #1 — Randomly assorted and paired
To My Mysterious Pen Pal,

These letters are sealed with a code only the two of us can open. Some kind of enchantment—weirdly impressive, actually. I'm not sure what to think of all this yet, but I figured I'd give it a chance. Seems like we'll be writing for a while.

I'm a Gryffindor, which I suppose tells you a few things. I get along fine with other Gryffindors, but I've always been curious about the other houses. So maybe this could be good... even if it's a little strange writing to someone I've never met.

Oh! I was thinking—what if we used code names? Since this is all anonymous and, well, a bit dramatic already. I'll go by Knight, a play on my last name and... I guess because it sounds cooler than "Blond Boy #12."

Anyway, a few things about me, just so this doesn't feel too one-sided:
• I'm blonde (decent hair, or so my mum says)
• I've got a tiny mole on my ear that a neighbor once called "auspicious," though I don't know what that means exactly
• I have one best friend—he's loud enough for three
• I really like the quiet, even in a house full of shouting
• And I think this could actually be kind of interesting

Let me know what you think. About the code names. 
Or anything really. I'll be here.

Signed,
Night

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[ Letter #1 — B to NIGHT ]
To Night,

Alright. You are a dimwit. A measly one. And a blonde one too, you know what they say about blondes. I suppose code names wouldn't be so bad after all. I use them all the time with my sisters. Yours, however, is a complete joke. Knight? Honestly, who let you pick it?

I can't believe I'm wasting my time writing to a traitorous Gryffindor. But, perhaps, I could try to persuade you to stay pure. It's a lost cause, I know.

You'll probably fail.
But maybe there's some hope.

Anyway, I have better things to do, but I'll humor you. You can come up with a code name for me—though, I doubt you'll be able to pick anything worthy of me. I am, after all, a Slytherin and a pureblood. My family's bloodline is untouchable, unlike yours, no doubt.

• Slytherin AND a pureblood
• Beautiful (just like my mother)
• Really good at flying and Potions (but I'm sure you'll fall short there)
• My name starts with B

I'm sure you can figure out the rest.

Signed,
Your ever-so gracious letter partner,
B

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[ Letter #1 — NIGHT to B ]
To B,

Alright a Slytherin! I'm actually so excited to even talk to one! Y'know I've got loads of questions to ask! I've heard a lot about Slytherins! It's a little scary, though, because I know most people say they're all mean or clever or... well, a bit scary, but I think that's just because they don't understand each other.

Anyway, it's really cool that we're paired up, and I hope you'll give me a chance to prove that being a Gryffindor doesn't mean I'm all bad. 

Did you know some of the greatest wizards of all time were half-bloods or Muggle-Born? Blood doesn't really have such a big say in how we carry ourselves or our legacy.

Oh! And the code names—I admit, mine was kind of silly. I didn't think it through. But what if we make them like little puzzles? Maybe anagrams or riddles? That could be fun, don't you think? I've got mine ready: my mate always calls me Knight. It's sort of like a nickname because I try to help people out, even if I'm not very good at it. You know, like a knight in shining armor, though without the armor. Maybe you could come up with something like that for yourself?

Waiting for you!

Signed,
Knight

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[ Letter #2 — B to KNIGHT ]

To Knight,

Hm. You're an idiot. Cute. Might take you in as a pet. Are you sure you're human and not a house elf? Just by reading your letters you're already intolerable, I can't fathom talking to you in person!

I suppose I could give you a name I like. Maybe the jester. Like in the fairytales, how there's a knight, I suppose I could be the jester. Plus, I'm actually quite entertaining. And funny.

Probably funnier than you.

Well, it is official. You're the knight, and I'll be the jester. You can be grateful, I suppose, since I'm gracing you with a name that's not even half as stupid as your first suggestion.

What should the code to unlock the letters be? Are you any good with your wand? I pity the Gryffindors for how dumb and useless they seem.

Looking forward to seeing how this all plays out—though I doubt I'll be impressed.

Signed,
Jester

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[ Letter #2 —KNIGHT to JESTER]

To Jester,

You're incredibly mean. And I sense a little evil. But I can deal with it. My dad is also mean after a few drinks so this is nothing I can't handle. I think it's nice of you to match your name to mine. Maybe our code word could be fairytale. It's cute, funny and barely mentioned in school. I think we'll be great friends if this goes well.

As for my wand, I'm still getting the hang of it. Mum says I should practice more often so that's what I'm trying. Did you know some wizards can do WANDLESS magick? Can you do it jester?

Signed,
Knight

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[ Letter #3 — JESTER to KNIGHT]
To Knight,

My mother is quite good at wandless magic. She's taught me a little, though it's not something I indulge in often. It drains a lot of energy, and I need all my strength for more important things, like studying. I'm quite sturdy with my wand, though, don't worry.

I don't have much else to say, really. Midterms are coming up, and the teachers are already insufferable about it. I heard we might have to write every month—ridiculous. I suppose you'll be in a panic about it, knowing Gryffindors and how they get when it comes to actual work. I'll see you around (if I ever do).

Signed,
Jester

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[ Letter #3 — KNIGHT to JESTER ]

To Jester,

Nope! Professor Minnie said it's weekly! So I guess we'll be writing a lot more than I thought. Hope you're ready for that!

Signed,
Knight

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"ALRIGHT, ENOUGH, RAPH!" Marcus said, his freckled face lighting up as he propped himself up on one elbow, a wide grin stretching across his face. "You have to tell me, who's your pen-pal? I bet it's a pretty girl. Maybe someone from Gryffindor? Or Hufflepuff? They're always so... cheerful, right?"

Raphael chuckled as he finished tucking his letter into the envelope, his blonde hair sticking up at odd angles as he did so. "A pretty girl?" He raised an eyebrow at his best mate. "You really think your pen-pal is gonna be some perfect, pink-cheeked, smiley Hufflepuff?"

Marcus giggled, leaning forward in his bed as if he were about to spill some grand secret. "Yeah, you never know! I think it'd be nice, you know? Having a girl to write to—maybe we can talk about stuff. Like, you know, the usual! School, maybe... or even about magic! Maybe she can help me with Charms!"

Raphael giggled, his grin widening. "Charms, huh? You not gonna swoon her with your jokes or anything?"

Marcus flushed, dropping back onto his pillow. "No way, Raph! I'm just saying, it would be... nice to have someone to talk to. You know?"

"Uh-huh." Raphael leaned back in his bed, his arms behind his head as he looked up at the ceiling. 

Marcus propped himself up on his elbows, grinning wide. "Or, what if your pen-pal is a cool guy who shares the same love for Quidditch? Or a really awesome prankster who knows all the best jokes? Imagine that! We could be like... best mates from different houses!"

Raphael let out a laugh, his eyes sparkling with the same kind of innocence that only a first-year could have. "Yeah, that'd be wicked! Imagine getting game from other houses and then realizing you're using each other's tricks!"

Marcus snorted and flopped back onto his pillow. "Oh no, I'd draw a line there, the Gryffindor Quidditch team would be top."

Raphael laughed again, lifting his hand to his heart. "I pledge allegiance to the Gryffindor Quidditch Team [...]," and both boys would open into a sing-songy number about Gryffindor. Jumping up and down on their beds, ruffling their pillows' feathers around the room. Laughter erupted across the room as the candlelit both heads of brown and blonde marching around their room. 

A loud bang on their dorm door, presumably from other boys in the house, was enough to silence them into contained giggles as each lad settled into their beds. 

Raphael hovered above the candle as he nestled into his bed. 

His friend had removed his glasses and was placing them on the bedside table nearby. Marcus stretched his arms above his head, looking as though he might just fall asleep. "I'm really looking forward to it, though. It's kind of like we're in a secret club or something. Just us and whoever we're writing to. We  even have code words, like secret agents!" He looked over at Raphael. "Do you think our pen-pals know who we are yet? I bet mine does. Maybe she can tell from the way I write. Like, my handwriting's perfect."

Raphael raised his brows at him, stifling a snort. "Perfect? Marcus, don't kid yourself. It's legible, but perfect? I'll be surprised if your pen-pal doesn't think of some kind of messy six-year-old." He grinned widely, teasing.

Marcus threw a nearby pillow at the giggly Raphael. "You're one to talk, you write like your fingers are stuck in a dancing trance!"

Raphael coughed up, "Hey!"

Marcus yawned and pulled the covers up to his chin. "Whatever! So maybe the handwriting's an issue, but I'm still excited. I'm already thinking about what I'll say in my next letter. I hope it's a pretty girl from Hufflepuff. Maybe she'd be my girlfriend! Just you wait and see!"

Raphael's sleepiness had won him by now. As he closed his eyes, the last thought on his mind was of that mysterious pen-pal. The letters seemed silly and inconsequential, but something about them made him feel connected to something—someone—that was just out of reach. Maybe tomorrow's letter would tell him more.

But for now, all he could do was sleep, dreaming of adventures yet to come.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE!

HELLOOOOOO! this is actually going to be pretty fast paced, here and there transitioning with the letters and the real-life base but it's supposed to show how bellatrix slowly transcends into the madwoman she truly is! btw, raph is meant to be of american and french ancestry while marcus is his posh teddy bear (from the prewett's family line;)! i hope someone reads this AND A HUGE DISCLAIMER i am not IN ANY WAY perpetuating bellatrix in a positive note, i just wanted to write a tragedy romance over one of hp's most canonically INSANE characters! pls pls plssss lmk what you think and give me suggestions and dont be scared to comment and PLS VOTE pls share this book bcs i actually have like a storyline and outline for this fic to follow so i'm gonna be very committed to this one! thankyou invisible audience!

published: 20th of april, 2025!