"Message in a Bottle"
The smells of our loved ones fill the room. Some smell peppermint, others pomegranate. The faint smell of magic lingers in the air. Not the kind of magic that is seen as evil but the kind that is seen as pure. Pure to the point where people are immersed by the thought of a dream reality where their futures are as perfect as could be. Unfortunately, that can’t happen.
Unfortunately.
The smell of bliss fills her nose, and I can’t help but let out a smile of pleasure. The smells are simply perfection in my mind. To me there’s nothing better than earl grey tea, hair mousse, and honey vanilla lip balm. Ironically, that is what Bellatrix smells exactly like.
The seventh year Ravenclaws got the luck to share the potions class with the seventh year Slytherins this year. Most of the others are utterly pissed due to their hatred for the Slytherins. I, on the other hand, am quite fond of this because that means I get to see Bellatrix every day.
“I’m going to go around and ask each one of you what you smell in the amortentia,” Slughorn states as if he is trying to play matchmaker with the students.
An instant feeling of horror arises in my body. I feel a shiver run up my spine. I almost immediately notice how it feels like every single person in this room is currently watching me.
“Ms. Black what do you smell in your amortentia?” Professor Slughorn, the head of Slytherin house, inquires.
“I smell fresh parchment, rain, and strawberries,” She states, and I hear the other Slytherins let out whispers of surprise over the last word.
Strawberries.
“Rita, are you okay?” March softly asks me.
I look over towards my lab partner. I pride myself for being observant. I tend to notice the small things like how all of the Blacks come back from Christmas break with an extensive number of scars they either try to cover up with their sleeves or makeup. But for some reason, I never noticed how beautiful March was.
She has green eyes, but not the overwhelming bright green. Her eyes are subdued like an overgrown forest softly lit with sunlight during the early morning hours. Her hair is long and silky and the color of a white rabbit. Bright blonde was her natural hair color which people always took as a surprise. It’s even lighter than mine. She always styles her long hair into a set of loose curls, even if that means waking up in the early hours of the morning to do so.
She tends to wear light and flowy clothing like that of dresses but her true calling in clothing are lacy skirts with satin corsets littered with floral details.
“Earth to Rita,” she says to try and bring my attention back to reality.
“Sorry, what?” I ask since I forgot what her question originally was.
“I asked if you were okay,” She restates.
“Oh, yeah, sorry I’m fine,” I try to push down the irritating feeling of wonder.
Finally, the question has moved onto the Ravenclaws.
“Ms. Eastey?” Professor Slughorn questions her sense of smell found within the magic properties of the amortentia.
“I smell peonies, broom polish, and nail polish,” March hesitates a small bit before stating the last part of her claim.
That is the scent of one of our best friends, Kitty. I always knew March was some kind of queer. I’m not quite sure if she’s lesbian like me or maybe bisexual. I’m not quite sure, but I’m waiting for the day she confesses to me.
Kitty’s favorite flowers are peonies. Her mom owns a flower shop in muggle London where she sends her a fresh bouquet every week to store in our dorm. The broom polish scent comes from how Kitty plays on the Ravenclaw quidditch team as the keeper and the captain. Finally, the nail polish fragrance comes from Kitty deciding to paint her nails in bright, pastel colors in the early morning which we all wake up to the smell of.
It's no surprise that March is in love with Kitty. She is drop dead gorgeous. She could be a model if she is into that kind of stuff.
Kitty has eyes of silver, laced with shades of crystal-clear water. They remind me of two glaciers with water running through a crack between them. Her hair is wispy and strawberry blonde with streaks of lavender running through it from dying it in the past. She stands at a solid 5 foot 8 and weighs probably 67.6 kilograms.
I get a sudden wave of hair mousse that completely knocks me out of my trance.
“When you mix the potions, the scent may seem enhanced,” Professor Slughorn states as one of the perky blonde girls from Ravenclaw mixes her potion.
I pull up my skirt a bit to reveal more of my thighs, hoping nobody notices.
Bellatrix notices.
She looks at me hastily before turning back to Professor Slughorn. Sadly, March also notices my poorly attempted secret action.
“What are you doing?” March whispers in my ear.
“What are you talking about?” I try to play dumb, hoping she doesn't catch on.
“You just pulled up your skirt which revealed more skin. You hate revealing skin,” I close my eyes hoping she doesn't catch on to my little crush.
“I guess I'm looking for a change,” I state softly knowing the look she gives me is her saying that I'm an idiot for trying to hide it.
Suddenly, my notebook full of parchment falls out of my bag creating a loud thud sound that echoes throughout the dungeons. I quickly scramble to pick up the notebook and shove it into my brown, leather messenger bag.
“Ah, what is that Ms. Skeeter?” Slughorn asks me with the usual twinkle in his eyes.
“Oh, um nothing, just a notebook for the school newspaper,” I feel the blood rush to my cheeks giving my particularly pale face the flush of color it so dearly needs.
I take a quick peek over at Bella to see what she thinks, and she has a mischievous smirk spread wide across her face, similar to the Cheshire Cat.
“What do you smell in your potion?” Slughorn asks curiously.
I immediately freeze in my spot. No way I am confessing what I smell when the love of my life is in the room with me. Everybody knows that Bella smells like honey vanilla lip balm, hair mousse, and earl grey tea.
Earl grey tea is the staple tea the Black family drinks. Maybe it's because it's so dark like their hearts. Or maybe it's because they just like the bitter taste of black tea with sour citrus fruits. The hair mousse is most obviously from Bella's raven curls that she's had for as long as I can remember. The honey vanilla lip balm is the one I find interesting.
I'm not quite sure where the scent comes from, but I can guarantee that it is one of nicer scents I have smelled. I'm guessing that it is the scent of her favorite lip balm. I'm not a big fan of honey but if it meant I got to kiss Bellatrix Black then I think I would make an exception just this once.
“I smell lavender, fresh cut grass, and salt water,” I lied of course I did. I've said before I usually never lie but apparently seventh year is full of them.
I feel like I can feel Bellatrix’s eyes on my back. Obviously, I can’t. Bellatrix is a pureblood Black destined for a future far greater than mine will ever be. I am a halfblood who will never get to experience what it is like to truly love a girl. Maybe someday I will be able to experience what love feels.
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Bellatrix’s Point of View:
Why the fuck does she smell lavender?