"How can you see into my eyes, like open doors. Leading you down into my core, where I've become so numb. The thought of a soul. My spirit sleeping somewhere cold, until you find it there and lead it back home. Wake me up inside, wake me up inside, call my name and save me from the dark. Bid my blood to run, before I come undone. Save me from the nothing I've become." Wake me up Evanescence
Rain poured down outside the windows of Black Manor. Puddles flowed into streams and rivers running rampant across the gardens. A young lady around the age if sixteen sat at a vanity brushing out her long raven hair. Her eyes were honey colored and full of life. She had high cheek bones and ruby colored lips. Her name suited her well for she was a beauty. Bella put down her brush and picked up an emerald green ribbon which she used to pull back her wavy black locks. There was a knock on the door. "Come in." she said. Narcissa entered with her luscious white blond mane, blue eyes, and pale face. " Hurry up Bella, you don't want to be late for the party. Mom will have a fit like she did last time." Bella sighed, "Yes Narcissa, I can't wait to be doted upon by my suitors. I dare say it will be fun to choke Sirius." They both laughed as Narcissa pulled out Bella's gown. Emerald green with black ribbon trim and silver glitter that reminded her of stars. " I really wish you would try and wear some lighter colors." sighed Narcissa. " I wish you would wear more dark colors but we both know it would be a disaster." Mr. Black's voice echoed through the house. "I'd better go" said Narcissa and she trooped off down the hall.
The party wasn't at all different from any other parties that were thrown at Black Manor. There was food, drinks, music, and dancing. Only purebloods were invited, though Bella couldn't understand why they still let Sirius come after he had been put into Gryffindor. The usual dinner table seating placed Bella next to Sirius which resulted in Sirius having a black eye and several broken ribs. This particular evening there was a stranger at the table. Bella leaned over and whispered into Narcissa's ear "Who's handsome over there?" Narcissa shrugged "I haven't the slightest clue. Someone dad does business with." Dinner continued as usual until Sirius said something that upset Bella and she attacked him. Sirius rolled out of his chair moaning " I love family get togethers. So much love and caring." Bella raised and eyebrow, "Be quiet or I'll do some real damage." Soon music sounded from the ballroom and people made their way to the bar. Sirius stole some firewhiskey for 'Cissa and Bella. That was about the only thing he was good for. Multicolored gowns and suits went by. After a while Bella had to step outside onto the balcony, it seems the firewhiskey was a little much tonight.
The rain had stopped and the sky was cloudless. A full moon sat in the middle of the sky above Bella. She looked for her start, and found it effortlessly like she had done every night. Then she found 'Cissa's, Sirius', and Andromeda's. Leaning over the railing she wondered what had happened to her sister. She hadn't seen her since she left Hogwarts. The hairs on Bella's neck tingled as if someone were watching her. Seconds later a pair of pale hands landed on the railing next to Bella's. "Lovely evening. Not a cloud in the sky." His lips turned up into a smile. "So miss, I haven't gotten to know you yet. Can I have the pleasure of knowing your name?" What a little gentleman thought Bella "My name is Bellatrix Black, but most people just call me Bella." The young man's smile continued. "Bellatrix," her name rolled off his tongue like water flowing in a stream, "The beautiful warrior. Pleasure to meet you. My name is Tom Riddle, but I prefer to be called Lord Voldemort." Bella giggled silently to herself. He gazed into her eyes and she felt as though he could read her soul... or her mind for that matter. She broke his stare, but he pulled her eyes back to his. "Your eyes are breathtaking in the moonlight. And your lips are like that of blossoming roses." He plucked a rose out of thin air for her. Bella took it. "Your flattery is well appreciated my Lord." Her blushing cheeks glowed. He took her hand and kissed it gently. "Shall we dance?"
The two entered the ballroom to a waltz. They danced it seemed, for hours. Suddenly they were dancing as lovers danced and many people had stopped to stare. Bella's mother pulled her away after the dance had finished. "I see you have met Mr. Riddle. He will be staying with us for a while. I just want you to know that if anything happens between this guest and you I want to know about it right away." Bella laughed. "Of course I will." Bella hated that her parents were trying to pair her with pureblooded suitors while she was this young. She had turned down all the others but maybe Mr. Riddle was the one.
Bella retired to her room close to three in the mourning. She had drunken a little too much and stumbled across the room to her bed. Bella drifted off to sleep where dreams of him were all she saw. Suddenly she sat up. Something was pulling her toward his room. She approached the door and knocked tentatively. The door swung open and there he stood in emerald green robes. His hands flew to her face, pulling their lips together. Bella had only felt like this once before but somehow this was better. She kissed him harder as they stepped into the room, the door swung closed. Bella's gown and Tom's robe lay abandoned on the floor. They were intertwined in each other. Gasping for each others breath. Bella felt alive. She didn't care what anyone else would say in the mourning. They fought to be better than the other, but in the end Bella lay on top. Exhausted, they fell asleep in each other's arms until they were woken by a deafening scream.