Welcome to Hell. Well, Hell’s equivalent. My house. There aren’t many of us, but it is like living in Hell. Let me explain. My name is Bellatrix. Still not quite sure why this is awful? Let me rephrase. My name is Bellatrix Malfoy, daughter of Draco Malfoy and his wife, Astoria Greengrass Malfoy. My older brother, the shining star of the family, is 16. I’m 11. Adding on top it all, I’m a witch, and I’m still waiting for my acceptance letter from Hogwarts. Here’s why. That acceptance letter is like being slightly accepted by my father, whose approval I crave. For my entire life, I’ve felt inadequate. It’s a three step process, being accepted by my father. Step One; be a boy. Yeah, I failed in that department. Step Two; be accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Step Three; be in The Slytherin House. My entire life I’ve tried to be the perfect child, but every time, my brother outshines me, or he disapproves. He always says something about being ladylike and that I need to change if I ever want to get married. I think the second I don’t become useful to him, he’s gonna arrange my marriage and ship me off far far away from here. Like I said, life in the Malfoy Mansion is literally Hell.

It was just like every other day in the Malfoy Mansion. My dad scolding me for being unladylike. My mom cursing out Annabelle, our pregnant maid, for being lazy even though she was 8 months pregnant and needed to sit down often. I personally think we should have given her off at 6 months pregnant so she could deal with her pregnancy then bring her back once the child was old enough to be left with a babysitter, but no one ever listens to me. My brother yelling at his butler for food. Me, reading a book and being told that being smart is for men. I was just about to explode when a different maid, MaryAnne, gave me my letter and my father the rest of the post. I gasped. It was my ticket to approval. A letter with perfect cursive spelling out Bellatrix Malfoy. I ripped open the letter and read the beloved note I had been waiting for

Dear Ms. Malfoy,

We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on the 1 September. We await your owl no later than 31 July.

Yours Sincerely,

Minerva Mcgonagall

I squealed  and handed the letter over to my father, whom had his classic face of annoyance whenever I did anything. He read over the letter and for the first time in my life, I saw my father smile. Not a large smile, just a small smirk, but it was good enough for me. I beamed.

“It’s about time you got this!” he said angrily.

“Huh?” I said aloud. This gave me a glare from my father.

“We are the only family that matters here, you idiotic, incessant annoyance! You should know this. You should've memorized this. Go! Leave me! Leave my sight, for you are only a disgrace!” he yelled. I ran to the safety of my room. I wiped away the tears coming to my eyes. All I ever wanted was his approval. All I ever got was hate.