Chapter 6
“This arrogant bitch! I mean, who does she think she is, it's a paired project! It's not that hard to understand!”
Cecilia was in her dorm with her best friend Esther, letting her anger out who just sat on her bed listening and nodding supportingly.
After her argument in Hogsmeade the Ravenclaw had made her way back to Hogwarts, stomping through the wet snow, cursing Bellatrix the whole way back.
“But you were still successful, right?”, interjected Esther.
Cecilia only gazed at her friend while dropping down on the bed beside her.
“You knew that it wouldn't be easy working with the moodiest witch, probably in the whole world. But at least, thanks to her plan you got it over with quickly, now you don't have to spend your whole afternoon with her.”
“As if I chose her”, groaned Cecilia, feeling defeated.
“Don't worry, the next time’s gonna be easier,” replied Esther, trying once again to cheer her friend up.
This radical optimism was something Cecilia valued a lot in her friend. It made every situation, as negative as it may seem, easier.
As she laid down beside Esther she couldn't help but feel grateful to have such an amazing witch by her side.
The two girls had been friends since day one. On the Hogwarts express Esther had made it very clear that she wanted them to be friends. It had been her mission and once she had set her mind on something, she wouldn't let go until she had achieved her goal.
They had supported each other in every situation, finding a light in even the darkest times. Even when fighting they had somehow come up with a solution and having survived six years their friendship was now stronger and more intimate than ever. Having Esther, Cecilia didn't feel in need of any other friend.
The next few days, Cecilia avoided Bellatrix as best as she could, still not in the mood to talk with the other witch. Yes, maybe it was childish but she didn't care. With N.E.W.T.S. the following year the Ravenclaw had enough to study, on top of figuring out what to do with her life after Hogwarts. Many students already had a clear vision of their adult life. Most of them wanted to work in the ministry and while it held many opportunities, Cecilia just couldn't picture herself there.
The only thing the young witch knew was that plants interested her and they filled her with joy.
Therefore she spent hours in the planthouse, observing, inspecting and analyzing all kinds of plants. Her notebook was being filled with new drawings and samples everyday. When she had questions Madame Sprout always made sure to explain each topic in detail, for which Cecilia was incredibly thankful for.
But still, worries about the future kept her up at night. And despite being exhausted after an intensive week, Cecilia couldn't seem to relax and after hours of tossing around in her bed she had enough. With her thick coat on to keep her warm, the witch sneaked out of the Ravenclaw dorm trying to be as quiet as possible. Almost jumping at every noise Cecilia finally made her way out of the castle.
Instantly feeling calmer, she took a few deep breaths in the fresh winter air and headed towards the lake. Last winter she had discovered a bench near the shore, which was perfect during the cold months when the ground was too cold and frozen to sit on. Besides it stood behind a bush which shielded her perfectly from professors wandering around the grounds at night.
As she strolled around the lake, Cecilia allowed her thoughts to wander, releasing them into the night, taking away their distressing nature she had felt in her dorm. The full moon hung in the sky but a pair of clouds didn't allow it to shine properly. Still, the moonlight was enough for Cecilia to recognise the path and to prevent her from stumbling. After a few wrong tries she reached the right bush and fought her way through the branches, which seemed way harscher in winter.
But at the sight of the bench, Cecilia's heart almost stopped. She stumbled and had to pull herself together to not fall.
There, sitting on the bench was a person.
Cecilia couldn't make out who it was but it didn't matter, she already turned around to leave, not taking any risks. Halfway through the bush she suddenly felt a touch on her wrist. Only with great effort did she manage to suppress a scream. The person, whoever it was, had gotten up and grabbed Cecilia's wrist, stopping her from leaving. The Ravenclaw had no other choice but to turn around, heart pounding in her chest, and look her opponent in the face.
This time she couldn't stop the gasp from leaving her mouth, the person staring back at her was the least one she would have expected.
There in the darkness, facing her, was no other than Bellatrix Black.
“Don't leave”, she whispered, gently pulling her back to the bench.
Cecilia, still in shock, didn't even have the time to resist, followed her and sat down beside her.
They sat in silence, looking up at the stars and slowly, knowing that she had nothing to fear, Cecilia felt her body relax.
She glanced at Bellatrix sitting at her side, knees up to her chest, arms hugging her legs. The witch seemed deep in thought, her fierce stare aimed at the sky. There in the night she seemed like a completely different person, gone were her slytherin followers, her arrogance, the sneaky remarks.
Looking up at the sky, Bellatrix Black almost appeared vulnerable. It was an odd sight.
“That’s my star”, Bellatrix broke the silence, pointing at a star. Cecilia followed her finger, finding the star the girl meant.
“ It stands for female warriors, representing strength and the feminine”, continued Bellatrix.
“It fits”
“You think so?”Bellatrix turned her head, staring into Cecilia's eyes.
Caught in the Slytherins intense gaze, Cecilia only managed to nod. Tilting her head, Bellatrix mustered the Ravenclaw as if searching for something. For the second time that night Cecilia felt her heart in her chest, beating far more quickly than it should be. Breaking eye contact she directed her gaze towards her hands, examining them.
Together they sat and listened to the wind and the noises coming from the woods, staring at the stars and thinking. Cecilia felt at peace and slowly, the lack of sleep started to catch up with her. She stood and looked at the slytherin, inviting her to return to the castle.
The two witches had barely spoken that night but still, somehow, Cecilia felt as if they had grown nearer out there at the lake, had shared the same feelings.