Chapter four

Awards

Spring came early that year. The snow was gone by the beginning of March and the temperature was mild. The fifteenth of March was a beautiful, cloudless day, the perfect day to turn seventeen.

"You've got load's of presents!" Chealsey said, pulling back the curtains from around Bella's four poster.

Indeed, there was a stack of presents laying at the foot of her bed, all carefully wrapped and placed in a neat pile. "Open mine first." Chealsey demanded, shoving a pink parcel towards her.

The box contained a short green dress that was trimmed with silver. "It's from me, Miranda and Mom, but I chose it, I knew it would suit you just wonderfully." Chealsey said and smirked at her.

Bellatrix smiled and thanked her cousin. "Come on, there's lots more!" Chealsey encouraged, handing her more parcels to unwrap. From Narcissa and Andromeda there was a set of hair potions all in pretty little bottles. From her Aunt Walburga and Uncle Orion there was large book entitled, "A History of Pure-Blood Wizard Families in England." Chealsey laughed as she held it up but immediately began skimming through to find "Parkinson" when she thought Bellatrix wasn't looking.

There was no package from her parents, simply an envelope containing a short letter from her mother.

My dearest Bella,

I wish I could share this special birthday with you. I cannot believe that you are seventeen years old and now of age. However, I'm afraid that I will not have a chance to celebrate with you for some time. Your father's illness is progressing more quickly than we thought it would, and I have arranged for you and your sister's to spend your Easter holiday's at the Parkinson's. I may come there to visit you, but for the time it is difficult for me to leave your father, as he requires almost constant attention. We send our love but your birthday present remains here for when you return home in August after your time with the Malfoy's. I will not tell you what it is, we shall keep it a surprise. I trust that you are well and I will hopefully see you at Easter.

Your loving mother,

Druella Black.

"Well, what does she say?" Chealsey demanded.

"My sister's and I are staying with you for Easter, our father is not well." Bellatrix replied quietly, scanning the letter again.

Chealsey smiled, "Your spending Easter at Park Ridge!" She exclaimed in excitement. "That's wonderful."

"Chealsey my father is dying." Bellatrix whispered.

"Bella, he's not dying, I'm sure he'll recover in no time. Your mother takes good care of him. Anyways Bella, just think, Park Ridge is closer to London than the Black Manor, we're always entertaining guests over the holidays, perhaps Rodolphus will come…" She stopped short at the look on Bellatrix' face. "I'm sure your father will be fine." She repeated. "Here," She picked up a small blue box and examined it, "This one's from Lucius Malfoy." She raised an eyebrow and Bellatrix reached out and grabbed the box from her.

There was a little note tucked under the ribbon that she pulled out and read quickly.

Bella

This was my mother's before she died and I couldn't think of anyone else besides you who would be suitable to wear it.

Yours,

Lucius

Chealsey peered over her shoulder as Bellatrix pulled the ribbon off and opened the box, the object inside caught the light and shone a brilliant red. She pulled it from it's wrapping and saw that it was a slim ruby bracelet. Chealsey gasped as it glittered in Bellatrix' hand.

"Mighty Slytherin!" She cursed, "You're sleeping with him, aren't you!"

Bellatrix didn't answer but turned the bracelet over in her hand. "He's a fool." She whispered as she looked at it. "I can't wear this."

"Well if you won't Bella, by all means I will." Chealsey put in.

"He's engaged to my sister!" Bellatrix said, in exasperation.

"And he's sleeping with you!" Chealsey giggled, "And obviously enjoying it quite a lot."

Bellatrix resisted the urge to curse her cousin and stowed the bracelet back in it's case. Closing the lid to the box she set it aside with her other gifts. Chealsey looked longingly after it.

"And for the record, I haven't had sex with Lucius Malfoy since, well, last summer." Bellatrix said, her cheeks flushing a little.

"Ha!" Chealsey exclaimed, "So he really must have enjoyed it!"

Rodolphus also, had not sent her a present, but had written a letter explaining as to why he hadn't.

Bella,

I have not stopped thinking of you since our reunion at New Years. I have heard from Lucius Malfoy that you have found favour with a certain wizard whom we shall not name in letters and are to be spending the summer at the Malfoy Manor to be trained by him. I am pleased to hear this Bella, although it does not surprise me that he favours you, if he was half as impressed with you as I was. I will hope to visit you at every opportunity this summer, although I may be travelling abroad for part of it. No parcel is included as I would rather give you your birthday gift when I see you, for it is one better received in person.

Rodolphus

Chealsey, who had been reading the letter over Bellatrix's shoulder laughed aloud again. "Men simply fall at the feet of Bellatrix Black."

"Chealsey, I am promised to him." Bellatrix replied in annoyance.

"And it seems you will soon wear a ring to prove that promise." Chealsey sniggered, pointing at the last lines of the letter. "Better received in person."

Bellatrix sighed and her eyes fell upon the last gift that lay alone at the foot of her bed. It was wrapped in plain brown paper and a small note was attached to the top. Chealsey picked it up and examined it curiously, "It doesn't say who it's from." She frowned, and Bellatrix took it from her, pulling the note off and examining it. The hand was beautiful, yet unfamiliar.

Miss Black,

I thought that Onyx would suit you best.

It was indeed, not signed. Bellatrix quickly tore off the paper and found a small velvet box underneath. Her hands shook slightly as she opened the lid and her heart gave a small flutter at the beauties concealed inside. Two perfect tear drop earrings, with large Onyx stones in the centre glittered back up at her, like two dark eyes. His eyes.

"Oh Bella!" Chealsey breathed, "Who is it from."

"I don't know." Bellatrix lied, picking up the earrings and feeling the coolness of the stones against her palm, "I don't know."