1963
1963
“Oh Merlin, Kingsley, you are so bad at this.”
Kingsley looked back at Bellatrix and shrugged. He then did the same wand motion he was practicing for the last 30 minutes without even being achieving to produce some sparks.
Bellatrix snikered when he failed yet again.
Kingsley Shacklebolt was a strange guy, Bellatrix thought. People liked him, sometimes even liked him more than her and yet he was taciturne and silent. He was also bigger than Bellatrix which was really unfair because boys were usually then her.
Rookwood had told her it was because boys had their growth spourt later and that he would be much taller then her in a near future. He also had laughted and told her that he would probably also be better than her at every school subjects and she could go back home to her mother arms.
Bellatrix had used a flaming curse right in his head and had answered that he would never be better then her in anything and that he was just some stupid halfblood raenclaw.
Kingsley was there when it had happened, had smiled, and had sat next to her during potion class. Two weeks later, he had asked if she would teach him the flaming spell. She had hesitated, looking at the tall boy with ackwards limbs and braids that were perfectly done if not starting to be a bit messy. He was a pureblood and a slytherin, he was great in class and, even if Bellatrix couldn’t admit it to herself, he was really good company and surprisingly funny when he did talked. She had closed her transfiguration book she already knew by heart anyway and had accepted in a short nod like she was giving him a great favour by teaching him the flaming curse.
She laughted when he failed again to accomplish the spell.
“You know Bellatrix, It would probably be more usefull if you actually corrected me.” He said platly.
She snorted: “Well, not my fault if you are so bad at this compared to me.”
He continued looking at her, not wavering. She snickered again and then approached him to correct the movement of his hand and guided him trough it.
Yes, Kingsley was not bad. He could even become one of her friend. Well she was not really sure wether she had the right to have real friends : the only thing her father had tell to do in Hogwart was to make allies. She had turned the question in her head, trying to find a loophole in the reflexion and had finally decided that she could permit herself two or three friend: the other would only be figurants, goons, whatever.
A bit of fire fluttered at the end of Kingsley wand and Bellatrix could not stop herself from smiling. He smiled too, a shy thing, his dark eyes concentrated on the red little flare.
“SO the young one : already up to no good?!”
Both of them jumped at the cheerfull voice, Bellatrix ashamed of loosing control, Kingsley looking wistfully at the place where the flameche had been before he lost his concentration.
Rabastan was a 6th year with dark hair on a tan skin. There was something hollow in his cheeks and his voice, even if always the joyous tone carried something of the power he detained as the heir of the Lestrange family. Bellatrix remembered all this because she had forgotten once during a dinner and…
Her mother had not been happy.
To say the least.
It was the kind of things she was supposed to remember.
She smiled sweetly at him, her big doe eyes shining in the most innocent way she could muster.
“Up to no good? We would never.”
Kingsley almost smirked and Bellatrix felt ellated. Rabastan laughted, more freely than she had ever seen him during the different dinner that had marked her childhood.
“Well you were not at all practicing spell forbiden for 1rst grades were you? You could get detention you know ?”
He said charmingly, patting his prefect’s badge, which Bellatrix eyed cravingly. It would look good on her robes, she decided, when it would be her turn to be prefect.
“We would never.” She answered, batting her long eyelashes. Kingsley had a half smile and they shared a look.
“Well great then.”
Rabastan said, cunningly, his mouth still twisted in an amused grin.
“Wouldn’t want our new year to do that kind of things.”
He concluded. The young Black opened her mouth to answer when a voice called.
“Brother? The stupid Griffindor prefect bitch just gave detention to Dolohov for nothing. You need to step in.”
This teenager spoke firmly, his voice laking the warmth of Rabastan’s. He looked like him though, in some weird, cranky way. He was smaller and paller, even though he was only one year younger than his brother. His dark eyes were not bright in the way his Rabastan’s were, the black pupils the older Lestrange used to charm and attract people around him like flies. No, Rodolphus Lestrange had something gone, something exentric, something that sometimes came in unhinged smile when his brother asserted his dominance on mudlblood or Griffindors. He was more discreet, hiding behind his hair, just good enough to not be a total shame.
Bellatrix snickered for herself. She was sure she could beat him.
“Okay Rod, I’m coming. This traitor to her blood don’t even understand anything, dishonoring herself by associating with the like of Weasley. The slut’s so so in love. I can’t comprehend why Dumbledore made her prefect. Hugh”
And the Lestrange’s brothers were gone.
“I quite like the Molly.”
Said Kingsley, his tone carefully even. She sighted and rolled her eyes.
“Well your fatuous. She is a queer one, a traitor to her blood.”
She repeated dutifully what the other often said.
(and if the Griffindor prefect had actually helped her on her third day at Hogwart when even with the whole castle map memorized she had lost herself because the stairs were not moving like they usually did it was her own problem. And if she had had a really interesting discussion, if the soft warmth in her voice had felt like the only thing Bellatrix had ever needed, nobody would known. And if she had liked to talk about her sisters in exchange of stories of the red headed own younger siblings well what about it. This Molly Prewett was a traitor to her blood, she would not have exchanged any word with her if she had known.) (There had been a yearning planted there. A yearning for what who knew.)
Howgwart was beautiful in winter.
When she had first arrived, Bellatrix had almost been disapointed. It was a big castle of course but some of the manor she had been to were much more stunning. However, under the snow, she could see the appeal. There was a strange warmth coming from the used rocks of the castle.
3 months had already went by.
The dining hall was already full of decorations for christmas.
Bellatrix was already first in every disciplines she had class in. She often did not sleep to be sure to keep her lead. The older slytherins liked to joke around saying that she was taking herself to seriously. Other had said it was pretty pathetic and that anyway she would be soon caught up by other male students whom just left her the spotlight like Shaklebolt.
Rabastan had to seperate her as she was screaming she wanted a dual to death against those guys 4 years olders than her. They had never made any commentaries again. She had started to work more discreetly. She did not wanted people to think she had to study harder anyways. Those things came naturally to the Blacks.
Kingsley never spoke out loud about the way she was already tiring herself out, not that anyone else would have noticed honestly. He only looked at her disaprovingly and worried behind his long hair in a twist haistyle, forcing food into her hands when she forgot to eat.
As for himself, he also was in the best of their year. He even beated Bellatrix in defence against the dark art which she was really mad at and she almost decided to just not be friend with him anymore because of that. But then he had told her with this discreet smile of him that it was thanks to her he had managed the potion test and she decided that he could be better than her for the first months she would beat him later.
And anyway, she did feel empathy for him : in a strange twisted way, some other people of the school did not take him seriously. One day, when they were outside after curfew, using Bellatrix extensive knowledge of hiding spell she had asked him, half asleep if it didn’t bothered him.
He had shrugged.
“I just have to prove them I can be just as good, even if i have to make twice the effort. And then later, i can change everything so nobody ever has to feel like us.”
She had nodded, the other boy putting words on the weird feeling that had always sitted in her gutt.
Winter was there and people were happily talking in the dining hall. The holidays were coming.
Bellatrix had went back to the Black mention during the halloween break. It had been strange. She had wanted to go back to Howgwart the moment she had set foot in the old demeure. (and that was a bit worrisome because she wasn’t supposed to want to go back to Howgwart. It was filled with filthy mudleblood and she had to share a room with six girls who’s only goal were to find a boyfriend. ) (Looking at you Greengrass) (no really please did she never shut the fuck up ?).
“Hey, Bella, you are going back home for the holidays?”
She snapped out of her reflexion and glared at Avery Jr. Her name was Bellatrix. Not Bella. He was not authorized to call her like that. Even though they knew each other since they were children.
“Yes.” She finally answered shrugging.
“Oh man, are the Black doing a massive Christmas party this year as usual ?”
Asked the older Lestrange, probably already knowing the answer.
“Yes.” She answered also a bit curtly.
She knew how cold she must have appeared but her mother had not even sent her a letter since Halloween and it ached. She already knew her father would never sent her a letter anyway, so no disapointment on this side. He was a busy man. A really busy one. He would send something if he had time. But her mother ? She could have at least sent remontrances.
“Great.”
Said Dolohov smirking.
“We are so stealing FireWhisky.”
Concluded Rabastan, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
“And you where are you going Shakelbolt ?”
Cutted Avery, trying to get back the attention to him.
“We are also invited to the Black’s Chrismas masquerade.”
He answered and she knew he was not telling everything. His family had originally planned on a trip but his father has been violently wounded by dark magic users. The man was apparently a quit renowned auror and had stumbled over something too big for him, something Bellatrix felt coming like a wave, something that changed the too loud discussion of proud pureblood into whispers.
“You are invited? Really?”
Asked Avery, wrinkeling his nose.
“Well, the Shakelbolts are renowned Pureblood.”
Answered Rabastan with an appreciative smile. Avery laughted crudly.
“Really? Do you even have something to wear?”
Said the 2nd year Slytherin boy, eying the other colorfull robe. Bellatrix looked back at Kingsley whom was sipping his drink, put together as always. He did not seem to have any care in the world for the discussion, nor the desire to defend himself in such a stupid argue. He just gave her his discreet half smile and she knew she was authorized to bare her thooth.
She smiled, all honey and sweet.
“You should ask yourself the question Avery. Where did you find such a robe, at Delfina Crimp? In a muggle’s shop? You have as much fashion sense as a house elf.”
“Wow, calm down Black, it was just a joke.”
Her smile became even sharper.
“Oh but I was also merely joking Avery, come on you are too serious.”
As he went away, Kingsley waved his fingers and his black and green dresses became a lousy pink. They ran away from the room together under Avery’s insults and threats.
Bellatrix felt pretty.
She finally had the right to wear an adult dress and the black and green fabric was embrassing her marvishly. She even had a stunning corset that had been custom made a week before. The oldest Black thought she looked royal. The river of pearl that had been gifted to her were a bit too cheap though, almost looked fake, she would throw them and ask to be brought new ones.
“Bella! Bella! Can you help me?!”
Narcissa was running to her, trying to put on herself a white satin grown which looked a bit too etheral and complicated for a 7 years old.
“Cissa. Don’t scream like that : mom or dad could hear you.” She chastised. “And you arn’t ready, oh Salazar, Cissa!”
The little girl didn’t look sheepish at all and instead started pouting.
“I don’t want to go to that party. Lucius won’t be there. And the dress sucks.”
Bellatrix rolled her eyes.
“Well you don’t have the choice.”
The face of the young pureblood fell. She was used to have everything she wanted. Spoiled little princess, thought Bellatrix but could not stop the fondness of her own mind.
“Oh come on Cissa… You know what: i will steal some of the hors d’œuvre for you okay? We just really have to hurry up.”
The blond lighted up and wraped her older sister into a hug which she returned half hearthdly but with a smile on her face.
“Come one, shop shop.”
“Well, you finnaly grace us with you presence.”
Said Mother in a cold voice.
“Sorry.” Answered Bellatrix. “I had difficulties with my corset.” She lied.
The steel hand of Druella Black went to her shoulder.
“Well don’t make us wait again; it is unbecoming of your rank.”
Her face lit up on smile and her hand smoothed the fabric of Bellatrix clothes.
“Well otherwise, you do look almost perfect.”
The teenage girl bitted her tongue. Almost.
“Thank you mother.”
She answered.
“I’m almost four and a half !”
Screamed Sirius, running to her under adults cold glare. She winced and put a hand on his mouth.
”Sirius, calm down...AW DID YOU JUST LICK ME” She half screamed, half whispered. The little boy gave her a big smile.
The party was slowly starting, guests flowing trough the doors adorning wealthy cloth of gold and silver. A massive christmas tree overshadowed the growing crowd on one side, it’s dramatic shadow almost looming.
Andro was coming toward them with a little smile, hands full of sweets.
“Bella i found the buffet !”
The older sister nodded vaguely, not caring much about it.
“Come on, Bella, your not funny” She had a fown on her face that looked almost exactly like Bellatrix’s. “I almost have not seen you since the last holiday and even now that you’re there, you don’t talk to us. You’re not funny.” She reitered which Bellatrix found incredibly childish.
”Well I had homework.”
The brown haired girl rolled her eyes and took Sirius by the hand:
”Come on, Sirius, we’re going to steal food.” The boy squeaked of joy and they went laughting.
Bellatrix frowned. Well, Andro would change after all she was only 9 she thought, she would mature. Like Bellatrix.
Thanks Merlin she had found Kingsley. Too much adults she was not sure the names of had come to talk to her and too much had just ignored her.
The tall boy was wearing blue which went well with him. He did not seem to know what to do with himself contrary to his father and mother whom it seemed had been fastly caught up in a discussion with other ministry workers. Bellatrix with a lot of generosity decided to go save him ( and whatever if she was starting to feel suffocated in the too crowded room.) (might have been the corset too).
The two young teenagers went away with small smiles. After that the night shone brighter and Bellatrix was able to present her (best friend) classmate to her sisters and her (favourite) cousin. The adults talked and drank and talked a bit more to finally raise a glass of whisky. Lights echoed on the walls and voice rang loudly. When the night was over and the sun rays slowly illuminated the world, the three sisters fell asleep in Bella’s bed, their dress wrinkled and mouth still opened in smiles.
Maybe things would be okay.