The Queen of Revenge

Chapter One: The Name They Whispered

The rain fell in silver sheets against the windows of King's Cross Station.

Kim Lestrange stood beside her mother in complete silence.

Around them, families laughed, hugged, and hurried through the crowded station. Children dragged trunks behind them while owls hooted from their cages. Excitement seemed to fill every corner of the platform.

Kim felt none of it.

Her hands tightened around the handle of her trunk.

"Stop fidgeting," her mother said coldly.

Kim immediately froze.

"Sorry."

Bellatrix Lestrange didn't answer.

She simply stared ahead, her dark eyes scanning the crowd as if every stranger was beneath her notice.

Kim looked down.

She had spent the entire summer waiting for this day.

Hogwarts.

A fresh start.

A place where nobody knew her.

A place where she could finally be someone other than Bellatrix Lestrange's daughter.

At least, that had been her hope.

"You remember what I told you?" Bellatrix suddenly asked.

"Yes."

"Say it."

Kim swallowed.

"Power matters."

"Again."

"Power matters."

"And weakness?"

Kim hesitated.

Bellatrix's gaze sharpened.

"Weakness gets you hurt."

A small smile appeared on Bellatrix's face.

"Good."

Kim looked away.

She hated those conversations.

Ever since she was little, her mother had spoken about strength, power, bloodlines, and fear.

Never friendship.

Never kindness.

Never happiness.

Sometimes Kim wondered if Bellatrix even knew what those things were.

A shrill whistle echoed through the station.

The Hogwarts Express stood waiting.

Children began boarding.

Parents exchanged final hugs.

Bellatrix simply handed Kim a folded piece of parchment.

Kim blinked.

"A letter?"

"You'll read it later."

For a brief moment, Kim thought her mother might hug her.

Instead Bellatrix stepped back.

"Do not embarrass me."

The words struck harder than any goodbye.

Kim forced a smile.

"I won't."

Bellatrix nodded once.

Then she turned and disappeared into the crowd without another word.