Chapter 1

The Ball

"Bellatrix, have you quite finished?"

Narcissa's high voice was piercing through the muggy evening air, which had only been pervaded by distant cricket chirping and the vivid clinking of porcelain dishes downstairs. Everything had to be absolutely perfect; there ought to be a great announcement tonight. Rudolphus Lestrange, son to the Lestrange dynasty was becoming engaged with the Black's eldest daughter. Bellatrix, an independent and visionary woman, had just finished her senior year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (year's best, as her parents didn't get retired to mention) and was now supposed to maintain the family's tradition by marrying a pure blooded man. Rudolphus Lestrange was said to be a rather silent, withdrawn person, flamingly interested in herbalism, breading quadrinominal dogs and small, green-coloured dragons. People used to laugh at his affections but he was mighty and might has the ability to wash away both, rumors and laughers.

It wasn't Bellatrix' decision to like or dislike his habits. She had to marry him and see for their pure-blooded wizard-society to live on, as she was expected to. Her inky eyes didn't reveal any of her recent agony and anger. She had decided to give herself up to fate and marry the Lestrange heir. Who was she to break with her family's tradition, to spoil their chance of the probably greatest match the Black's had ever made for their daughters?

An unnoticed tear was making its way down her cherry cheeks, while she was doing her raven hair. Curls bordered her frail-featured visage and she started to feel stained and unworthy, even if she was supposed to be the night's brightest star.

"Bellatrix, mommy is sending for you to come downstairs."

"Just a second", she replied, her voice was harsh and muffled. "I have nearly finished."

Narcissa got beside her, watching herself and her big sister in the floor-length mirror.

"You will be the most beautiful fiancé ever." Bellatrix stroked her sister's moon-glowing blonde hair.

"That's very kind of you, Cissy. But I must confess that I don't feel regal at all." She instantly regretted those rash words. Her little sister wouldn't understand her grief. Thank God, it was taking a few years, until she would be finding herself into the same, awkward situation. She would not be capable of understanding her fears, her misery, an innocent child she still was.

"But you're so lucky to marry Rudolphus. They say he was very handsome!"

"We'll see." The elder forced herself to smile.

"Could you be so kind as to let me get on with my preparations, my little nuisance?" Narcissa Black stretched out her tongue.

"Yes, your Majesty."

She smiled. How beautifully innocent her sister was. She would miss her very much. She would miss these conversations, teasing with her siblings and the thoughtful conversations with her father, whom she so highly worshipped. There would be a completely different role to play, as the new mistress of Lestrange manor.

The hall was crowded and sticky, so for her to hesitate a split second before leaving the staircase to join the society and welcome her guests. Oh how she wished one of her sisters was here to bear her company and make the ballroom look a little more cosy. But Andromeda and Narcissa were far too young to witness her elder sister's engagement party. The black-haired young lady was tonight's first lady, but she felt very uneasy meeting her future husband, she was afraid of being disappointed and most of all she was afraid of quitting her parents' house forever. She would never be a proper mistress, who was she to command a whole household on her own? Her hands slightly shook as she took the last winder.

"Ah Bellatrix." Her mother's voice did almost burst with pride as she introduced her eldest daughter to the inner circle of the magic society, "my beautiful, young lady."

She smiled shyly and looked down.

"Look how you've grown", her aunt, Walburga Black patted her pale cheek , "and what a happy event, my dear. Rudolphus is such a proud husband and a worthy new member of the Black family."

"Bella!" She hastily turned around and beheld her younger cousin Regulus, who had secretly admired her for years, and so had she, their friendship was of a rare profoundness. "You're looking gorgeous."

"Thank you." She gave him an honest smile.

"How do you feel about marrying Rudolphus before long, Bella?" he whispered in her ear, as they slowly departed from the great table.

"I don't even know him. But I'm expected to marry him, so I will bow to our family's tradition. You will be in the same situation, believe me, Reg."

"But how could you marry someone you'd never even seen?"

"You've always been an idealist, haven't you? One ought to think you were your mother's son. Sometimes I think you're just like Sirius."

"Don't mention him", he interrupted her.

"But it's true. We are supposed to sustain our pure blood society, aren't we? Oh Regulus, I wish I had another chance, another choice, but I haven't. None of us has."

"Bellatrix?"

"I gotta go."

"No, please... stay."

"Let me introduce you to your future husband- Rudolphus Lestrange."

Silence drew through the hall, while everyone stared at the young couple, looking at each other, feeling embarrassed and awkward.

"Long live the bridal pair."

A toast was drunk by bystanders. Rudolphus smiled and took her hand by getting her to a little group of young wizards, gathered around a table in the back of the room.

"Let me introduce you to some of my friends; Avery, Yaxley, Lucius Malfoy and my brother Rabastan." The latter grinned disdainfully and she bowed her head.

Even if she felt uneasy in the sight of all those strange men, she stayed and tried not to gaze at her parents, who introduced more and more guests to her party. No, not her party, it was their party. They had arranged this connection; they had chosen Rudolphus to marry her and sealed her fate. She tried to take her mind off those consuming thoughts.