Chapter 1

It was like Hell frozen over at the Black Manor, pond completely frosted over like cut glass and grounds covered in a thick layer of freezing snow. I sat on the frosty window ledge, staring vacantly into space. Waves of icy wind blasted into my face constantly, but I never once recoiled or indeed moved a muscle. Suddenly my mother's sharp cry brought me back into dreary reality.

"Bellatrix Black! Get down here this instant or I'll put my apperation skills to good use!" I sighed and rolled my dark eyes as I stood up, straitening my blood red dress.

"Yes, Mother?" Vindictive old cow. I plodded downstairs, making sparks fly from the tip of my wand with every thud which signified a step. Narcissa floated past me halfway down, brandishing wreaths of mistletoe in my face. Well, she is my little sister; it is her prerogative to irritate me into contemplating suicide. I couldn't wait to get back on that train and off to happy ol' Hogwarts to wipe that cocky smile of the arrogant, four-eyed bastard's face. And my traitor of a cousin. And 'Mad Moonie'. And rat face. Man, are we going to kick their little arses. And are we going to like it? Yes! Are we going to kick their dirty, scrawny little arses? Naturally. And are we going to like it? Oh we're going to love it.

As if one some kind of unannounced cue, numerous families began appearing outside the family home. One by one they were welcomed into the mansion by mother and father, and then Narcissa and I were made (grudgingly) to escort them into the main hall, which had been decorated for the ball. This occasion took place every Christmas; the only thing that changed at all was the venue. Only one requirement: it must be the home of a pure-blood family. This year it was the Black's turn. Many noble Pure-blood families attend- Malfoys, Lestranges, Mcnairs, Parkinsons, Avery and Rookwoods just to name a few. My parents always made sure they took the opportunity to flaunt their wealth and success in front of everyone else. Narcissa enjoys flouncing around the place, looking pretty and angelic, smiling at everyone; though the smile didn't, in a few cases, always reach her eyes. I, however, despise it. I can't stand the way all of these people tried desperately to blend in with the other families, as though they were actually proper purebloods. Which most of them are not. Only my family and a couple of others are true pure-bloods. Oh no. Mother's got the Lestrange family hooked and she's towing them towards me. I suppose the Lestranges aren't too bad, but still… Ralph and Rochella are my parent's friends, Rabastan is in his 7th year at Hogwarts, and Roxanna is in her 5th. Finally, there's Rodolphus. You could say he's my best friend, only we argue like archenemies. He's in his 6th year like me.

"Bella? Bellatrix!" I wondered over, not bothering to make my smile look nice.

"Yes, mother?"

"Come along and show the Lestrange family to their seats, now. There's a good girl." Ooh, she was good. Well, two can play at the 'caring family game'. I made sure I shot her the most venomous smile I could behind her back, before turning and smiling sweetly.

"This way, if you will. No need to hurry." I said in a strangely dull voice. "Plenty of time to decide to turn around and go home." I added under my breath. Rodolphus smirked at me, which his Mother glared at him for. I lead them over to the table where they were to be seated not saying anything to any of them. The Lestranges were sitting at the same table as my family and I soon found out that I was sitting next to Rodolphus, the only problem was the fact Rabastan was opposite me. Rabastan did everything he could to annoy, but so does Rodolphus really, but hey life could get worse. And it just did! Lucius pompous 'prat' Malfoy was walking towards me, smirking.

"So Bella, how are you" He asked seeming polite to the people around but I could tell he was trying to mock me.

"Perfect, thank you, Mr. Malfoy" I replied telling myself to stay calm.

"Hey Lucius, is it true that you are to be betrothed to Bella's younger sister Narcissa?" Rodolphus said cutting into our glaring match.

"Yes, but what is it to you Lestrange?" Lucius looked angry at him for bringing it up.

"Just wondering, that means you'll be Bella's brother-in-law in the future" Rodolphus looked over at me waiting for my reaction.

"No way is he going to be my brother-in-law, Anyway the food is going to be served so we better sit down. Goodbye Mr. Malfoy" I said trying to get him to go away, whilst slowly and elegantly taking my seat. Rodolphus sat down next to me and started a conversation with Roxanna about how she'll make Rabastan pay for something he did earlier. At that very moment Rabastan took his place and just sat there without saying anything to me, yet. The food appeared and everyone got stuck in. I already had a feeling that something would go wrong, and hell I was right…