Hello everyone! I'm very sorry for the delay; I got distracted by finals and then summah and then I was busy and then stuffs.

Not to mention I might have had a spot of writer's block. :/ Actually a LOT of writer's block.

Absolutely random, but I just wanted to let you all know that I completely ADORE British people :D :D :D

Ummm… and for anyone concerned that I wasn't going to continue the story (because there are always a few) I would never do that without informing you. And besides that, I have a backup writer to replace me in case anything ever happens. And if that didn't work out, I'd find someone else to continue. Point being… no matter what, this series will be completed! :)

10 reviews pleases and thank yous!

"Lilith, get in here! If you don't hurry up a bit, we're going to be late!"

Again, the stubborn child ignored me and continued to press her face against the glass.

"Lilith, come on, let's go get you dressed."

Sighing, she pulled away from the now-smudged window, but made no move towards the bedroom, where her dress was waiting. I scooped her up and tried to put some excitement into her features. "You've been at that window for over an hour. You want to go outside, don't you?"

The only response I received was a shrug.

"Of course you do," I encouraged, desperately searching for some bit of life in her expression. "Listen," I said, walking her towards the door, "The sooner you get dressed, the sooner we go to the wedding, and we get to be outside for that."

I set her down on the bed and helped her to shrug off her dark green pajama top. "I think August is a wonderful time for a wedding, don't you Lilith? It'll be nice and sunny, but it won't even be too hot, and we're right on the beach."

She kicked off her bottoms and waited impatiently for me to help her don her dress. I held it close, however.

"Lilith," I said urgently, "please look at me."

Her eyes avoided mine. "I'm cold mother."

I handed her the light pink fabric and ran my hand over my face tiredly. My fingers worked my temples as Lilith stood. I then adjusted the fluffy skirt and patted her arm with a smile. But she wasn't looking at me, and I soon found myself with sad eyes.

"You look very pretty," I commented, fastening a thin silver chain around her neck.

"Thank you, Mother. You do, too."

I was wearing a one-shoulder silver dress that molded to the shape of my body perfectly, clinging to every curve with grace. My hair was done up with pearls braided in, a pearl necklace and drop earrings to match. Fluttering around on white strappy shoes, I felt very elegant, but sad. My attire reminded me of flowers in a storm, my skirt swishing like rain.

Lilith was soon out the door and at the window again, her vacant expression matching the empty feeling in my heart. I forced myself to turn away and stare into the mirror as I loosened my right earring a bit, poking at the reddish raw skin it left.

"You shouldn't pick at scabs and poke at wounds," came a soft suggestion in my ear. Two long arms wrapped around my waist.

I scoffed, pinning back a few strands of hair.

"I mean more than just your ears," Voldemort continued, grasping my wrist, and I had no choice but to face him.

"It's good that you're trying to help her, but you're not doing any good."

I tried to protest, but he interrupted. "No, listen, Bellatrix. You're going about it the wrong way. You know she's just going to act like this. Stop expecting something out of it. You need to stop setting yourself up for failure."

I swatted aside his hand and turned away, twisting up my lipstick and gently applying it.

"And you need to stop mimicking her. That certainly does not help."

I froze. "What?" I whispered.

"Please," he huffed. "Everything I say to you seems to go in one ear and out the other. You act like you don't even hear me anymore. Don't you think it's hard enough with one of my girls doing that to me?"

"I'm sorry," I replied, turning back towards him. "You're right. It doesn't help things. But… it also doesn't help when you act like you enjoy it." I smirked.

"What?"

"Oh, please. I'm beginning to think you like it when we don't say anything."

"It does help me think a bit clearer…"

"Would a nice slap across the face help you with that, too? Because you're going to get a smack, you are!"

An eyebrow went up. I bit my lip playfully.

Out of nowhere, he stuck out his foot to trip me, and I skillfully jumped over it. I landed slightly less skillfully and tumbled onto the bed.

A hand was held out. "Truce?"

"Oh you'd like that." I dug my nails into his palm.

"Ow. Merlin, Bella, cut those please."

"You wish."

"I thought it was your command?" He held out his arm. I hit it before taking it and allowing him to escort me out.

"Everyone knows genies don't exist."

"Come on, Lils, we've got a wedding to go to!" She came obediently to me as Voldemort retrieved the twins, Proserpina in a pink dress and white booties and Gemini in a matching white suit and pink tie.

"Remember," I said sternly, "you lot behave."

A few hours and a considerable amount of drinks later, I slurred, "Why did I have to wear a white dress, to my second wedding, nonetheless? She's not!"

"She's wearing light pink. You wanted black."

The dress was gorgeous. Astoria was wearing a baby pink dress with a silver underbust corset, and detailed silver embroidery on the bust and hem of her skirt. With her auburn hair pinned up and curled, she looked like a rare beauty. With alcohol goggles, she looked like an angel.

"I still don't understand why you won't let me do karaoke. Narcissa's gone up twice. I can't let her show me up!"

"Trust me, you would regret it later," replied Voldemort. "And you already did karaoke, remember? Before the karaoke equipment arrived… before there was any music playing."

"It was a boring speech. Hey… hey… where are Lils and Serpina and… and..?"

"Gemini."

"Gemini!" I shouted, and promptly fell over laughing. "What about him?"

"You just asked where he was. And he and the girls have been perfect and obedient and are now asleep in their travelling seats. You might want to try it sometime. Take a leaf out of one of their books."

"Books are boring. I LIKE MOVIES!"

"Shh shh…"

"Okay, okay! I know they're developed from Muggle technology. Can't a girl have a guilty pleasure or two?"

"Bella, people are staring."

"Oh no, really? Should I take my dress off?" I shrieked in surprise moments later as someone came up behind me.

"Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuck you…. you scared me," I squealed gleefully.

"You might want to take her home now," Draco whispered.

"I can hear that! Don't you want me at your wedding, Draco-poo?" I teased.

Voldemort sighed. "She's just starting to annoy people now?"

"No," replied Draco. "Everyone's thoroughly entertained… which is why, for her sake, I suggest you remove her before she does anything that will mortify her in the morning."

"I'm still here," I sang sassily as I itched the inside of my ear with my stiletto heel.

Voldemort's arm wrapped around my waist and the room spun.

"Now you're not." Right on time too, because at that moment I collapsed, thankfully onto my own forgiving bed.

A somewhat light, humorous chapter… Idk nothing special.. I'm really sorry; I'm having a tough time right here. I hate these fluffy filler chapters. They're so hard to write. Hopefully we'll get to the real meat soon, and then it'll be smooth sailing. :)