Disclaimer: I own nothing except my own characters and plot.


Chapter 7- Decisions

Song for Chapter- What You Know-Two Door Cinema Club

"Well since there is a ball approaching, I might as well ask you before any of these other blokes snag you." Rodolphus grinned confidently. "Will you…"

"…be my Herbology partner for next week's lesson?" He asked as he dove into his bread.

Bellatrix sat next to him with her mouth open. She was sure her was going to ask her to the Halloween Ball. A wave of disappointment and gullibility came over her.

"Are you serious?" She asked sweetly, trying to cover up her bitter tone.

"Yeah," Rodolphus nodded. He seemed to ignore her furious expression as her continued to eat without a care which bothered Bellatrix.

"Sure whatever," she exhaled heavily.

Rodolphus rotated back to her and grinned at his accomplishment. He got her to squirm with his oblivious manner. She was known for being a hard ass.

"Geez, Bella, I was just kidding." He smiled at her curious expression. Will you attend the Halloween Ball with me?"

All she did was burst into laughter which confused Rodolphus. She amusingly rocked back and forth in her seat. He looked around to see what was so funny. As if reading his mind, Bellatrix briefly paused her giggling.

"You don't get me that easily." She shrugged. "I can play that game," she grinned triumphantly.

Rodolphus scowled at the girl next to her and stabbed his peas angrily. He was a freaking Prince. People always say yes to him.

"I'll win you, know that, right." He hissed lowly. "Besides, I have lots of females throwing themselves at me."

Bellatrix slammed her fork down harshly and narrowed her eyes at the irritating young man next to her.

"I am not a prize to won!" She hissed. "If you have tons of females 'throwing' themselves at you, then ask one of them."

She laughed dryly at his furious expression.

"You stupid bint," He mummered turning around to their male friends.

The next couple of days, was no better. Neither the boys nor the girls of their circle could figure out what the big issue was. They all settled it was a love-hate relationship and how Bellatrix and Rodolphus interacted. They would say snide comments to each other at any chance they got.

Bellatrix and Andromeda walked through the courtyard with their shopping bags in hand. They just came from meeting with their mother who eagerly picked out their dresses even though the girls wanted to do it themselves. They both knew better than to argue with her.

"That was just horrible." Andromeda sighed. "She said a 'twenty minute' chat that turned into an hour of critiquing us. Is my hair really that lifeless, Bella?" She frowned running her hand through her bone straight brown locks.

"No, Andy." Bellatrix scowled. "Don't think like that. We Veelas are perfect you know that."

"Mum tells us that." Andromeda rolled her eyes. "No one's perfect. Also, if we are so perfect then why does she point out our flaws?" She questioned knowing. Andromeda snatched the extra bag out of Bellatrix's hand. "I'm taking this to Cissy."

With that, Bellatrix watched as Andromeda stalk off inside the castle, flashing a brief smile at Ted Tonks, a mudblood. Bellatrix sneered at their interaction. Her sister was not to cohort with Mudbloods or filthy halfbreeds. They only caused hurt and distress. Bellatrix's thoughts went to her mother. Sure Druella was a cold bitch but she meant well…right?

Rodolphus watched as Bellatrix stroll into the common room. She went to sit beside Vera and Narcissa. He scowled thinking of the letter his father sent him. It was a notice of his upcoming engagement. He was only sixteen and it shouldn't be allowed. He hasn't even experienced the world. He was to be married to a British girl he hardly knew. Bellatrix's laugh interrupted his bitter thoughts. She was a prize. He had seen her mother and thought of how beautifully Bellatrix would age. Andromeda was too sweet for him. Narcissa was too proud and pompous for his taste, plus she was young.

Bellatrix. That woman. Hardly a woman at all. She was fiery and would put him in his place, which turned him on like no other. Her temper overshadowed his and he would deal with that. She was beautiful and powerful what more could you want out of someone. It may have sounded shallow but that was how the world was. The world was unfair and it wouldn't give him want her wanted.

Rodolphus could feel someone's eyes on him. He looked up into the large blue eyes of Bellatrix as she sat across the common room. She held a look of concern was he battled with his inner demons. She was deeply infatuated with him, without a doubt. Unfortunately, he couldn't begin a relationship with her…but there is always room for a paramour. Rodolphus shook his head at the thought of it and returned to his Potions textbook.

"What's wrong with Rodolphus?" Bellatrix turned back to Narcissa and Vera.

"I hear he's been like that since yesterday. He even shuts out his little fan girls." Vera shrugged.

"No one knows." Narcissa gave her a sad smile. "Go talk to him. Quickly now!" She urged as Rodolphus got up from his arm chair.

Bellatrix hopped off her seat and immediately started to the steps Rodolphus began going down.

"Rodolphus wait up!" She called to his form as she stood on the steps.

He stopped several feet from his room door. She crossed her arms and tilted her head to the left.

"You've been acting strange these past few days. Pray tell, what's wrong?"

Rodolphus slowly turned around to face the concerned girl. He looked up into her wide eyes.

"In a few weeks, I will get time to realize it right before my eyes and I can take it if thats what I want to do."

Bellatrix titled her head up as he explained himself.

"I am leaving. This is starting to feel like it's right before my eyes and I can taste it. It's my sweet beginning."

"What are you saying?" She asked quietly. "You're leaving?"

"I can tell just what you want. You don't want to be alone. I can tell just what you know and you've know it the whole time. Yes…you've known it the whole time." Rodolphus sighed shaking his head. He ran his hand through his dark locks as he headed into his dorm.

Strange. Bellatrix thought.

"So did you talk to him?" Narcissa asked eagerly behind her sister. Bellatrix turned around to the eager girl.

"It was unusual but I got one thing." Bellatrix's voice cracked as she held herself. "He's leaving."

"Oh, Bella!" Narcissa fussed. "When did he say?"

"I believe in several weeks." Bellatrix shook her head. She silently walked around Narcissa when she headed up the steps.

Narcissa wanted her sister to be happy. For the summer, Lestrange and she were inseparable. Now he was leaving her. Narcissa shook her head as she retreated back to the common room. No use in dwelling on an unavoidable upcoming departure.

"Oh Lucius!" She called out in a sing song voice.