Bellatrix said good-bye to her sisters and headed back to the Slytherin common room. Her feet hurt and she just wanted some solitude. She flopped down on the lounge couch in the empty room and pulled out her copy of "The Dark Arts: A Forbidden Magic" that she had started on the train. She smiled as she started the chapter "Why the Unforgivable Curses are Unforgivable". She was so consumed in reading that she didn't notice a handsome seventh year boy come up the dorm stairs and sit in the chair across from her.
In fact, Bellatrix was so concentrated on her book, that she jumped when he said, "Hello." His voice was smooth and even.
"Hello there," Bella said as evenly as she could. She didn't like showing it when people have startled her.
"I'm sorry I startled you, but I was intrigued by that book." He gestured towards the book in Bella's hands.
"You didn't startle me," Bella said, regaining her composure, "I just didn't know you were sitting there. I'm Bellatrix Black." She said, captivated by the boy. His calm demeanor and aura of power and knowledge drew her in.
"Tom Riddle," He smiled slightly, "I see you have an interest in the Dark Arts."
She smiled at her book before shutting it and looking back up at Tom, "Yes. To my mother's distaste." Bella scrunched her face up and imitated her mother in a high-pitched voice, "Young women should be more concerned with finding a man and letting them exterminate the mudbloods, not with doing it themselves." She returned to normal, "Whatever."
Tom moved to sit next to Bella on the couch, "I think we could be good friends." He was leaning closer, but then abruptly stood up and said, "I have to go, tell Rodolphus I said hello."
Bella looked puzzled as he left, but just then, Rudolphus Lestrange walked into the common room. "Hey! I was just looking for you." He sat down next to her and kissed her. Rodolphus and she started dating at the beginning of the summer, and so far, it was going well.
"Hi." Bella responded. "Do you know Tom Riddle, by chance?"
"Yeah. He's a… um… a 'friend' of mine." He shifted uncomfortably, and then changed the subject, "I didn't see you come back for dinner."
"I came back here to read. Do you have any food?" She was suddenly very hungry.
Rodolphus chuckled and said, "No, I don't, but I can go find you some leftovers in the kitchen."
"Yes!" Bella laughed and kissed Rodolphus good-bye as he left to go scrounge her up some food.