Written for a word-count reduction challenge.

A/N: Azzie, thank you very much for your help!


Bellatrix and her husband, Rodolphus, were at a ball hosted by Evan Rosier.

"Another ball, another BLOODY ball… I hate these parties so much!" Bellatrix thought to herself.

"I would like to introduce you to my lovely wife, Bellatrix," said Rodolphus.

As a Black she was used to having money, power and influence, so she had rarely experienced discomfort.

"So how did you two meet?" asked a lady whose name she didn't bother to remember.

"Well, that's a really romantic story! We met at Hogwarts, and it was love at first sight!" Rodolphus replied.

"Love at first sight? He must be joking… The first time we met, we hated each other. I won't let him get away with this lie," Bellatrix thought.

"The truth is that Rodolphus wanted a hot wife to impress his partners, and I wanted to marry someone with a fortune and a good bloodline! Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go get drunk enough to make you all seem interesting!" retorted Bellatrix with malice.

The lady looked absolutely mortified, her jaw dropping indignantly. Rodolphus was mad and Bellatrix knew they would have a huge fight about it later but at the moment she didn't care.

She went to the bar to order a drink and she saw her cousin, Evan, flirting with a blonde woman.

"You haven't changed your taste, I see," Bellatrix said.

"And I thought you were getting soft! Poor lady Brown… she almost fainted and Rodolphus tried to apologize for your behaviour, but failed miserably," replied Evan.

"I could say I'm sorry, but that would be a lie! You know that I was never the social type."

"Tell me, Bella, do you ever feel discomfort?" asked Evan.

"I experience discomfort when my husband introduces me to his friends. Why did you ask?"

"My blonde friend feels a little discomfort after having sex. Your answer was very… unexpected!" Evan replied, smirking.

"You pig! And I thought you had changed! You only think about sex! Have fun with your companion for the night," said Bellatrix angrily.

Evan tried to apologize, but Bellatrix just left the bar.

"That's the reason I never tell anyone what I feel. They say I don't have a heart, but they don't know me!" Bellatrix thought.