-in progress-

"What else is on the list, Cygnus?" Druella asked. They were out and about in Diagon Alley doing Bellatrix's school shopping. The biggest mistake turned out to be bringing Narcissa and Andromeda along, as the two of them seemed to be doing exactly the opposite of what their parents told the to.

Diagon Alley was bustling with last minute shoppers; the days before the start of the new terms were down to three. Druella was miserable, but insisted she come along. Secretively, this was probably to keep a leash on Cygnus so he wouldn't throw away too much money on Bellatrix.

"We've gotten your books," he looked down at Bellatrix, who was holding his hand and staring back up at him with idolizing eyes. "You've got your books, quills, potions supplies, parchment. Still no pet or wand though," he winked at her.

"Druella, you're looking absolutely worn. Why don't you take the girls back to the Leaky Cauldron for some lunch and Bellatrix and I will finish up here?" Cygnus suggested.

Druella opened her mouth to disapprove, but her wheezing and hacking fits flared up again. She was forced to surrender, needing to get out of the crowded alleyway. She nodded and took her younger daughters by the hand, taking them back to the small pub.

"I thought we'd never lose her," Cygnus nudged Bellatrix with a grin.

The pair of them pushed into Ollivander's laughing happily.

"Good afternoon!" Ollivander smiled. "Cygnus Black. Don't tell me. It's an...eleven inch rosewood with a dragon heart string core?"

"Indeed it is," Cygnus replied coolly.

"And what do we need today?"

"My daughter is in need of a wand," Cygnus rested his hands on Bellatrix's shoulders. She looked up at him and then back at the wand maker, a little timid.

"Try...this one. Birch, nine and a half inches, unicorn hair core."

Bellatrix looked up at Cygnus for his approval, and only after he nodded, did she flick the wand.

She jumped at the reaction the wand gave, shattering several glass cases before she sheepishly put it down on the counter.

"Not to worry my dear. We'll find it."

"How will we know?" Bellatrix asked softly.

"Trust me, dear, you'll know," Mr. Ollivander handed her another wand. "Willow, ten and three quarter inches. Veela hair core."

Bellatrix flicked this wand cautiously, and was glad to see there was no affect at all.

"Perhaps..." Ollivander began mumbling to himself as he pulled a wand from one of his shelves. "This. Twelve and three quarter inches, walnut, with a dragon heart string core. It is most unyielding."

Bellatrix took it in her hand and felt a nice soft breeze of golden warmth graze her face.

"Third time is always the charm. That is one fine wand, Miss Black. I expect you will do great things with it," he smiled kindly to her.

Bellatrix still looked a bit nervous, and was more than happy to leave the shop after her father purchased the wand.

"And now for a pet. What will it be my darling? A cat? An owl? Whatever you want my love, and it is yours," he steered her into the pet shop though Bellatrix was still fixated on her wand.

They browsed the selection of animals for only a few minutes until she came across a magnificent Eurasian Tawny Owl.

"That's the one, papa," she smiled brightly.

A few moments later they walked out of the shop and headed toward the Cauldron. Bellatrix was admiring her new owl when her father finally asked what she was going to name him.

"Beloved, I think," she said looking into the bird's eyes. He seemed to hoot affectionately at the concept of the name and inched closer on his perch, trying to nibble her fingers.

"A fine name for a fine bird," Cygnus remarked. "I think he rather likes you."

Bellatrix was beaming. And all the way home, she couldn't stop bragging about what a magnificent owl he was.

The next three days had passed much quicker than Bellatrix would've liked. Before she knew it, she was standing on Platform 9 and ¾. Her mother and sisters were home, Druella still wasn't feeling well.

"Will you write to me every day, papa?" Bellatrix's eyes were shining.

"Every single one until the holidays, my darling," he replied.

"I wish you could come with me," her eyes were pooling up now.

"You know I can't. I'm very busy, love. Now behave yourself, Bella," he smoothed her black hair and rested a gentle hand on her shoulder.