DISCLAIMER: The owner of Harry Potter is J.K. Rowling. Not me.

Chapter 4.

'It's so nice to see you, Bellatrix!' said Sirius sarcastically. 'I'm sure you reciprocate the feeling.'

'Of course, Black.' replied Bellatrix in the most cutting voice she could muster.

'Well, I'm sure you had a good time up in your room plotting to throw me out of the house!' replied Sirius angrily.

'Sirius, I don't like bickering at dinner.' said Walburga, Sirius' mother. It was no secret that Sirius was her least favourite son. And she loved to tell everybody about it. 'Apologize to your cousin right now!'

Sirius completely ignored his mother and started re-examining the goblet once again. Walburga looked angry (as usual) but she didn't say anything. Kreacher, the house-elf, brought in dinner and served it on plates of solid silver. The only sound to be heard was the sound of spoons and forks clinking as they made contact with the plates. Apart from that, there was complete silence at the table. Everybody seemed completely engrossed in eating or thinking (or both) and speech seemed to be forbidden. Bellatrix was used to that. There was a considerable amount of tension in the atmosphere, especially between her and Sirius. She was sitting directly opposite to him. Sirius did not say anything to her after the reprimand but seemed to be content in glaring at her now and then. Andromeda was pretending that Bellatrix simply did not exist and was quite successful in her endeavor. Narcissa was looking between Bellatrix and Sirius with concern evident in her eyes. Regulus seemed to be oblivious to everything that was going on.

Bellatrix took a deep breath as she finished her dinner and laid the spoon and fork on the plate. She knew that her behavior to Sirius was anything but friendly but Sirius's behavior towards her was not helping either. Her hatred for him was just too strong. But she knew that she would have to overcome it sooner or later.

Bellatrix got up from the table and started to move out of the room. She needed to think. She needed to plan out her moves if she ever wanted to complete her task. And she was determined to complete it. All for the Dark Lord.

'Bellatrix?' called out Bellatrix's father. She turned and saw him gesturing towards her.

'You, along with your sisters and cousins, will be going to Diagon Alley tomorrow to get your school supplies.' said Darius. Bellatrix felt little to no emotion on seeing her father alive. He was always uninterested in interacting with his children and his work was always more important. He never scolded them; but even worse: he hardly acknowledged their existence. If Darius accompanied the children on the Diagon Alley trip, then Bellatrix sweared that she would eat a Hippogryff.

'I will be accompanying you children on this trip.' added Bellatrix's mother. Cassiopeia, however, was different. She wasn't the ideal affectionate mother but she atleast took care of their wants and desires once in a while. Bellatrix almost looked up to her because of her forceful personality. She was the one who taught and influenced Bellatrix since her childhood to join the Dark Side. Her ideals were strictly pureblood.

'Yes Mother.' Bellatrix couldn't but feel a twinge of happiness on seeing her mother. And that was saying a lot because she hardly cared for anyone except the Dark Lord.

'Get up early tomorrow, I want to get this trip done with.' ordered Cassiopeia. Then again, Bellatrix's mother wasn't exactly the 'friendly' type.

'Yes Mother.' saying so, Bellatrix left the room and ascended the staircase. She suddenly felt a wave of tiredness wash over her. Forgetting everything about planning, she went into her bedroom and collapsed on the bed, feeling that nothing would be better than some sleep. She changed, still feeling uncomfortable with her 11-year old body and fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.

The next day, Bellatrix woke up, her head aching and memory fresh about the mission she was on. She quickly got ready and went downstairs.

Bellatrix sat next to Andromeda at breakfast. She had realized that if she managed to bring even Andromeda to the Dark Side, then it was possible that her elder sister would not marry the Mudblood. She was determined to prevent her sister getting disowned from the family and recruit her into the ranks of the Death Eaters. She knew that her sister was a powerful and skilled witch.

'Andromeda?' asked Bellatrix, in spite of the raised eyebrows as it was an unspoken rule to remain silent at breakfast.

Andromeda ignored her. She went on eating as if she had heard nothing.

'Andromeda? Andy?' said Bellatrix in a slightly raised voice. 'Hello, are you deaf?'

Bellatrix shook Andromeda vigorously by the shoulder earning a sharp look from Cassiopeia. Her look clearly said, 'Don't make a disturbance at breakfast.' But Bellatrix didn't care. She was determined to make Andromeda speak.

'Andromeda!' Bellatrix almost yelled. 'Are you listening to me?'

'What is it?' Andromeda snapped. She clearly had not forgotten the argument but was failing to ignore Bellatrix as before. 'Can't you see I'm eating?'

'Fine!' retorted Bellatrix. She added to herself mentally, 'Merlin! If it's going to be this difficult to even make them speak, then this task is not going to be easy.'

After breakfast, the Black family flooed to Diagon Alley. Bellatrix was anxious to go to Ollivanders as she wanted to get her wand as quickly as possible. True, she had a wand with her as Ollivander had been forced to make another one for her after her wand was stolen. It was in her pocket at the time of the ritual and strangely, it had accompanied her in the journey through time. However, she was longing to get her old walnut wand back in her hand. Even though she had another wand, she felt incomplete without her old wand in her hand.

'Bellatrix, you and Narcissa can go get your books at Flourish and Botts. Andromeda can come with me to Madam Malkins. Sirius and Regulus, you can accompany Bellatrix.' ordered Cassiopeia.

'I am not going to go with her.' said Sirius coldly. Without sparing a single glance at anyone, he walked off and soon merged with the crowd.

'Come, let's go Cissy.' said Bellatrix, taking Narcissa's hand. Soon, they were in Flourish and Botts. Bellatrix began eagerly skimming the various books on curses, hexes and jinxes. She knew that she would have to practice hard if she ever wanted to reach the level of her future self. Actually, she wanted to be even better. Her future self was amazing in Dark Magic but she wasn't very versatile in other fields of magic. This was a flaw that caused her to lose a few battles. Bellatrix was not going to let that happen again.

'Ummm, Bella?' asked Narcissa, tapping on her shoulder. 'From when have you been so interested in books?'

'Keep quiet, Cissy.' said Bellatrix, without even looking at her. She was busy shuffling through the books. 'Where is it, where is it………..there!'

Bellatrix excitedly held up a leather-bound book which was almost falling to pieces. Narcissa read the title aloud over Bellatrix's shoulder.

'The Art of the Animagus' Narcissa gave Bellatrix a quizzical look. 'I thought it was practically impossible for schoolchildren to become Animagi.'

'Apparently that rule doesn't apply to my cousin along with his obnoxious friends.' muttered Bellatrix under her breath.

'What was that?'

'Nothing. Anyway, there is no harm in trying.'

'Whatever you say.' Narcissa looked doubtful as she said it. As Bellatrix stepped out of the bookstore, she spotted Sirius standing outside Quality Quidditch Supplies together with a black-haired boy wearing glasses. His hair was undeniably messy and he was chatting merrily with Sirius. Sirius too looked much happier and relaxed than he was at breakfast.

'Potter.' said Bellatrix with a smirk on her lips. She approached the duo and said loftily, 'Made a new friend?'

Sirius's eyes narrowed as he saw the newcomer. 'Just get lost Bellatrix.' he growled angrily.

Bellatrix laughed coldly. 'Be careful Sirius. I thought you sounded like a dog just then. Anyway, I'm not here to argue.' She stretched her hand out to James and said, 'My name is Bellatrix, Bellatrix Black.'

James had been watching the exchange between Sirius and Bellatrix with interest. Now, he looked at Bellatrix's hand doubtfully. Finally, he said coolly, 'My name's James Potter. Sorry, but after seeing you behave like that with Sirius, I don't really think I want to know you.'

'Fine, your choice.' replied Bellatrix nonchalantly. She turned and walked away. Inside, she was fuming.

I forget old enmities and give Potter one chance. For what? Nothing! He just goes and refuses. Anyway, I'm going to get my way in the end. Just wait and watch Potter. This is not over. You will join the Dark Side, I promise you that!

Sirius grinned at his new friend. 'Trust me James; you're now my official best mate. You totally showed Bellatrix her real place!'

James grinned back, 'I guess, but I don't think this is going to be the end of this. Bellatrix doesn't seem to be the kind of girl to take things lying down. We're probably going to have a HUGE feud when we get to Hogwarts. But, I couldn't care less.'

'That's the spirit!' cried Sirius, slapping James on the shoulder. 'By the way, did you know that a new broom, the Comet 250, has come out?'

Meanwhile, Bellatrix somehow fooled Narcissa(who wanted to go to Eeylops Owl Emporium) and slipped off to Ollivanders. The shop was as same as before, dark, dusty and the dense atmosphere crackling with magic. As Bellatrix ran a finger across the wand boxes, a soft voice echoed through the shop and Bellatrix jumped and turned round.

'Good afternoon, Miss Black.' said the silver-eyed Ollivander. 'I suppose you're here to buy a wand?'

'Obviously, I'm in a wand shop!' replied Bellatrix impatiently. Time passed by and as before, Ollivander showed her approximately fifty wands before taking out the short, walnut wand that she knew so well.

'9 and1/2 inches, walnut and dragon heartstring. Stiff. Almost perfect for dueling though too short to be very versatile. Powerful.

The moment the wand made contact with Bellatrix, warmth coursed through her veins and a refreshing breeze blew through the shop. She felt……..right. Now, Bellatrix Lestrange was back in business. Oops, she meant Bellatrix Black.

'Strange.' Bellatrix just caught the word Ollivander was muttering under his breath. 'Strange? What on earth are you talking about?' questioned Bellatrix.

'I don't know why Miss Black, but I have a strange feeling that I've sold this very wand to you earlier. You see, I remember all my customers but I'm not very sure about you.'

Bellatrix suddenly became nervous. Was it possible for Ollivander to really remember the previous timeline?

'Wha……..what nonsense are you talking about?' snapped Bellatrix. 'How can that even be possible?'

'I suppose not, Miss Black. But I can't help feeling that I've sold you a wand before.' said Ollivander.

'I don't care. You've become old and crazy and probably confused me with someone else. Good day to you.' saying so, Bellatrix turned her head proudly and walked out of the shop, her heart beating frantically. Just as she closed the door on her way out, she came face-to-face with a blonde haired, grey eyed, boy who seemed to be her own age. As the golden sunlight put his pale face into sharp focus, she greeted him casually:

'Hello Lucius'

A\N: Please, please, please review! Your reviews give me life and inspiration to write!