Chapter 3

Despite the fact that her parents and siblings were finally used to seeing her evil red eyes, Bella had locked herself in her room when ever guest showed up for the past six years. Bella didn't want to scare her family or their friends, and she knew her uncle Ron would never get used to them. Bella decided that they were probably like her father's scar. But not even that helped her be able to look herself in the mirror over the years. So she had a pair of sunglasses to help her brush her hair and stuff in the mourning. She tried her best, but she could not hide from her relatives forever.

Today, was Bella's eleventh birthday! The most important birthday in the wizarding world! Like all her past birthdays, the Weasly family was invited. Molly Weasly, Arthur Weasly, Ron, Hermione, Rosie Weasly, Hugo Weasly, George, Angelina, Fred Weasly II, and Roxanne Weasly all came! They all had gifts, and as usual they had to give them to James who brought them to Bella. James was a lot like Fred and George Weasly. He loved to play pranks! But, in the case of family, he had a trait that his twin uncles (though, one is dead) did not approve of. Maturity. The door, which was rarely opened by Bella, was swung open by her irritated brother. "Every year! Every month family and friends come to see us! Sometimes twice a month! And every time you hide! They miss you Bella! And I'm tired of playing delivery boy! Would you please come down?" Bella sighed and looked up at her blue eyes quickly turned red once their gaze met and her brother, who hadn't seen them in a while, slightly flinched. He regretted that mistake. Bella leaped out of her bed, grabbing James and forcing his eyes to look at hers. "Really? They miss the sweet child they knew! Will they ever see me as that with this curse!?" James calmed down from his startled state and calmly looked into his sister's eyes. Imagining the pretty blue eyes they really were. "I'm sure they won't mind!" James answered kindly. "Really?" Asked Bella, deciding to hide her fear and loneliness with a smirk. "Even Uncle Ron?" James had to think. "Eventually." He hoped. Uncle Ron was very nervous at things like this.

"Besides! You have to start Hogwarts this year!" It was December, so Hogwarts wasn't coming for a long time. But, if she was going to Hogwarts, she needed to get used to people! Bella groaned and sung her favorite song loudly to block out her brother. James was not one to give up. "Bella, if you don't stop being ridiculous, I'll have to tell Rosie you have started to fail in multiplication!" Lames threatened. Rosie Weasly was as smart as her mother in magic, but was also a wiz in math! "You wouldn't!" Bella laughed. "Watch me!" James yelled, running down the stairs. She would've ignored him, but he took her sunglasses! She ran down the stairs, chasing her brother and she forgot the Weaslys were at her home until she landed at a stop in the living room. Bella's mother was hugging James with a large smile. Everyone was happy as Bella stared at the floor. "We haven't seen you in such a long time dear! What happened!?" Bella's grandmother (Molly Weasly) asked, running over and giving Bella a hug. Bella was very careful not to make eye contact with anyone as she hugged her grandmother and smiled at her relatives. "Taking after your most amazing, talented, spectacular uncle George, aren't you James!" Uncle George cheered. "Not to mention brilliant, humble, clever, mysterious, excellent, caring, kind, mastermind," By now, everyone was rolling their eyes. "We GET IT GEORGE!" Aunt Hermione laughed. "Handsome, super, bright, cheerful" George went on, ignoring her. "I think this is worst than being killed by Voldemort! Oh, calm down guys! Would you!?" Harry laughed at the Weaslys who shivered. Enjoying the moment, Bella forgot to be careful and laughed. She realized her mistake when everyone started laughing and she looked some of the Weaslys in the eye. They all flinched and stared at her. "What... What's happening to her eyes!?" Bella's grandmother asked, staring into Bella's horribly red eyes.

Harry explained what they thought of to be a curse as Bella ran and hid in the hall. All the paintings were staring and muttering with concern. Bella took a deep breath and returned to the living room. "I'm going for a walk!" She decided. Bella exited the house with a winter cloak and walked along the street in the bright, cold, December day. "Stars fall at my feet, Keep me grounded as I reach Higher than I see. Is there something there for me? Pulling back the reins, Letting go again I'm not afraid. I'm not." Bella sang in a whisper her favorite song. She took a deep breath, as she walked across the street to begin her walk, and sang louder! "All my life, One page at a time! I'll show you my-my true colors! And, no, no, no, I won't apologize, For the fire in my eyes! Let me show you my-my-" "Hey!" The song of Ke$ha/Zedd-True Colors was interrupted by a handsome boy who was running out of his house and towards Bella. Bella looked down at the ground as the boy introduced himself. "My name is Scorpius Malfoy! Was that you singing? That was very well done!" Bella nodded, shaking Scorpius's hand. "I'm Bella. And, yes. That was me singing. Thank you!" She looked up as to not be rude, but made sure not to look into his eyes. "Are you a Muggle?" Scorpius asked. Bella shook her head. "No. I'm a wizard too." Bella answered and continued. "If I were a Muggle, wouldn't I have asked how you popped out of an invisible house?" The joke made Scorpius laugh. "Good point!" He replied, smiling. "SCORPIUS!" A cold voice called. The voice belonged to Mr. Malfoy. A man who Bella's family never got along with. "My boy, is NOT going to be seen hanging around with a Potter!" Mr. Malfoy yelled. Scorpius waved goodbye to me as he followed his father into the house.

Later that evening, Bella was opening her birthday presents! The first present, was the best one! It was from her parents and had to be opened first because (dramatic pause...) It was an Owl! A beautiful, snowy owl! "Her name is December!" Harry laughed. December flapped her arms and hooted wildly at the sound of her name. "Wow!" A very jealous James who would still have to use the family owl yelled. Of course, most of Bella's other presents were for her owl. The Owl also responded to Deci so that's what Bella called her. After a nice dinner, Bella ran to her room to test out a new keyboard she had got! Instead, something else stole her interest. As she was setting up her keyboard, a young Barn Owl flew in with a note in his talons. The envelope stated in green ink: To. Bella From. Scorpius. Curious, Bella opened the letter. A note said:

Dear Bella,

I'm sorry about how our conversation

got interrupted yesterday by my father.

Are you going to Hogwarts? I'm home on my winter

Vacation and will be returning to Hogwarts

tomorrow! I'm in my first year! I'll be writing

to you from there though because you

seem very interesting! Please write back!

From.

Scorpius.

(P.S. Don't worry! Father said I can't be seen hanging out

with you! He said nothing about owls so we're not breaking

any rules!)

Bella read the letter and smiled. She grabbed a pretty peacock quill that her mother gave her for her birthday, some scarlet ink and paper that her cousin Rosie gave her, and an envelope and began to write. When Bella was finally done, she tucked it into the envelope and sent the barn owl back with it.

Scorpius was glad that the talented girl outside responded. He never had anyone to talk to, except a kind, weird looking man named Voldemort. His parents were always busy so he never got to really 'bond' with them. The only wizards on the street were the potters. This was the only Potter willing to talk to him. At the time, he didn't know Voldemort wanted him to meet this interesting girl. Her letter was done in very nice hand writing! And there was lots of humor and kindness in the note! They wrote back and forth, and, unknown to their families, they became close friends! No one knew how close the two lives would grow... Not even Voldemort.

To Be Continued