Chapter 7
Both the decor and mood were somber as Sirius Black entered the small elegant ballroom of the Lestrange's manor.
Black and purple were the colors of choice for Bellatrix Black and Rodolphus Lestrange's engagement party.
Balloons and streamers decorated the walls, heavy curtains covered the small alcoves at one end of the room and the long table at the other end of the room was groaning with delicious food. Soft slow music was playing as people sat or stood around… chatting and drinking champagne.
He could see his aunt and uncle sitting at a table… chatting with an attractive but sour-looking dark-haired couple he was guessing were the Lestranges. They had a distinct resemblance to the groom-to-be and they were speaking with light French accents.
Narcissa Malfoy was at the same table, laughing and chatting with her new husband. Lucius was smiling… his arm draped around the back of her chair. Clearly married life was treating the eldest Black sister well.
By contrast the youngest Black sister was looking unusually glum. Andromeda was doing a remarkable impression of her eldest sister in a mood. It couldn't more obvious that Andie… who loved her eldest sister dearly and looked up to her… was far from happy about Bella being forced to marry someone she didn't love.
The groom-to-be was standing at the back of the room, sipping champagne and talking to two young women. One was a dark-haired witch who looked like she must be his sister or cousin… and the other was a pale pretty blonde Sirius recognized as Lucius's younger sister Clarissa.
He looked around the room for Bella but couldn't see her anywhere. Suddenly he saw someone he really didn't want to talk to. Walburga Black. His mother.
Sirius quickly looked away but she had seen him. She started to make her way over to him. He darted between to of Rodolphus's friends… making for the alcoves. When she went temporarily out of sight for a few moments he ducked into one.
He was startled to see someone was already there.
Standing there in a long crimson satin dress… her dark curls piled haphazardly on top of her head… was Bella. She looked so stunning for a moment he completely forgot why he had ducked in there in the 1st place.
She looked rather surprised to have been disturbed. "Siri" she said when she saw who it was… a warm smile spreading over her face. "Bella" he said in a pleased, rather stunned voice. He hadn't expected to find her hiding at her own party.
"Who are you hiding from?" he said shrewdly. "My husband to be" she said in a long-suffering voice. "My parents and he are so enthusiastic about anything to do with this wedding. I swear… if I hear another word about locations… or flowers… or bridesmaid's dresses… I'm going to jam something long and pointy somewhere very painful!"
Even though he knew the underlying issue was a serious one he couldn't help chuckling at her dry tone… and way she put things.
"So what are you doing in here?" she asked casually. "Hiding from Mummy?" she said in a teasing… slightly mocking voice. He frowned at the mention of his mother. "Yes. I didn't know she would be here" he admitted.
"It's a hell of a party…" he said dryly, changing the subject. She snorted. "Hell being the operative word. I'm supposed to be all happy and make small talk with old people I don't even know" she said disdainfully. He grinned and she rolled her eyes.
"It's good to see you…" he said truthfully, taking a step closer to her. "It's good to see you too…" she said softly, eyes fixed on his. "I haven't seen you since…" she continued, her voice trailing off. "Since we slept together…" he finished for her. He was gratified to see a slight flush in her cheeks. His cousin was never embarrassed.
Nether the less she met his gaze steadily. "What happened… was a mistake… but I can't bring myself to regret it" she said truthfully. "Neither can I…" he admitted. "I haven't been able to stop thinking about it…" she said in a low soft voice, taking a step towards him.
"I haven't been thinking about it… much…" he said in a teasing tone. She chuckled, a grin sliding over her face. "Really?" she said… taking another step so she was almost pressed up against him, her grin widening when she saw the heated look on his face.
"How about now?" she said wickedly. He gave her an 'are you kidding' look. She just smiled.
She leaned in and kissed down the side of his neck softly… making him shudder ever so slightly. "Now?" she purred. He gave her that same look.
She gave him a sinfully wicked look and started to run her hand slowly up his leg. "Bella…" he said in a hoarse voice. She ignored him…continuing to run her hand up his thigh until it was between his legs… rubbing him in a way that made him make a sound between a gasp and a moan.
Then suddenly her lips were on his… her body pressed up against his… her hands on either side of his face.
Her lips parted his as she kissed him deeply… passionately… reminding him vividly of everything he had felt the night they had spent together. Images flashed through his mind of them… in front of the fire… on the couch… entangled in the sheets of his bed…
As much as he had tried he hadn't been able to get it out of his head. No other witch could hold a candle to his beautiful, passionate cousin. And after having a taste of forbidden fruit it was very hard not to contemplate having more.
Particularly when she was pressed up against him, kissing him till he was damn near breathless… and all he could feel… see… smell was her.
He couldn't help pulling her closer… kissing her back just as eagerly… running his hands down her sides… feeling the warmth of her skin through the thin satin of her dress…
Suddenly they heard someone just outside the curtain. "Bella… Bella where are you?" called a deep masculine voice. Rodolphus.
She pulled away, straightening her rumpled dress. The look on her face was at the same time lustful… and annoyed at being interrupted.
Bella pressed her lips softly against his once more before sliding past him. She gave him a grin over her shoulder as she opened the curtain… careful not to open it wide enough to show she had been in there with someone else.
A little while later he ducked out of his hiding place. He was relieved to see his Mother was gone but he could see a few other relatives he would prefer to avoid.
He went over the where Bella and Rodolphus were standing. While Rod was beaming, arm draped possessively around her… she looked rather sulky. A smile flickered across her face when she saw Sirius.
"Great party cuz but I'm afraid I'm going to have to take my leave" he said casually. "I'd better get going if I want to make it back by midnight" he finished.
She gave him a mock pout. "The party is just getting started… and we have plenty of rooms…" she said, an ever-so-slightly suggestive note in her voice that went unnoticed by anyone except Sirius.
He couldn't help grinning wickedly at her. "Well I wouldn't want to impose…" he said mock-thoughtfully. "I insist" she said silkily… a grin just as wicked as his sliding over her face.
