Bellatrix smiled. This simple action made Ted even more worried. He began to think that maybe she had hit her head or breathed in toxic fumes during Potions.

“Right now I do hate you! Why would you do something so bloody stupid?”

“Why do you think?”

Ted, oblivious to the glare Bellatrix was giving him, was grinning broadly and looking out the window. After about ten minutes of silence, Bellatrix couldn’t take any more of it.

“Will you please stop smiling, Ted,” she said with a small groan. “You’re giving me a headache.”

“I hate Christmas...” muttered Bellatrix.

Warning: Sensitive topic. Might be upsetting.

Bellatrix gave him a fleeting kiss on the cheek but before either of them could react, the library door was thrown open. Bellatrix let go of Frank very quickly and stared at horror at the figure in the doorway. The figure stared right back.

“Bella, I need to go,” said Frank rapidly. I’ll explain later.”

Bellatrix gave Frank the coldest and angriest glare she could muster; the one that usually made Sirius leave the room instantly.

“Explain now,” she hissed, “or you’re not going anywhere.”

In an effort to keep her eyes open, Bellatrix looked at the guests. Her eyes fell on a silver haired man in magenta robes who had just entered the ball room. A hush fell on the guest and nothing could be heard but the sound the man’s boots on the polished marble floor. Albus Dumbledore was either oblivious to the staring or he simply didn’t care.

Ted put on what Andromeda could only assume was his innocent face, although to say he failed to convince was an understatement.

“Rodolphus mate,” said Ted with a noticeably forced smile. “What can I do for you?”