Raven Hair Chapter 8

A/N Hello again:) So this chapter is a little bit longer than the others and hopefully chapters will be longer from now on. The next chapter will really get the story going so make sure you read on. Thank you to my AMAZING reviewers...I have so much love for you guys:) If you do read my story then PLEASE review. I made the paragraphs shorter like suggested:) I don't know when I am next going to be able to update so MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all! :)

It was Saturday morning and the sun was shining brightly in the sky. Nearly every pupil was sat outside by the lake or bunched together under trees. Rodolphus looked out over the view from the Owlery, he could see first years chasing each other. Slytherins hexing them from their positions behind bushes; couples sat holding hands laughing. Rodolphus sighed loudly. The events outside contradicted his mood greatly. He was still hung up over Bellatrix. He had to get her back, but how? Then suddenly it came to him. Why hadn't he thought of this before? It was simple enough. He played with fire and got burnt. All he had to do was fight fire with fire. He was going to beat Bellatrix at her own game.

Looking out of the window again Rodolphus smirked to himself. He could see the Slytherin gang down below; Snape immersed in a book, Avery hexing naïve Hufflepuffs, Narcissa clinging to Malfoy and Bellatrix led with her head in Dolohov's lap. Rodolphus' anger began to build again. She wasn't that sorry then. It was then he decided he was going to bring Bellatrix Black down.

Pulling on a shirt and some shorts Rodolphus began to run down to the grounds. He grinned knowing exactly what to do. Bursting through the door Rod jogged up to the place where the Slytherin lot were still lounging.

"Alright you lot?" He said cheerfully. He was greeted by cheers in return.

"The mighty god makes a return!" Dawlish grinned and clapped him on the back. Meanwhile Bella had sat up and smiled at him.

"Rod!" She exclaimed looking rather happy "Where on earth have you been, listen I…" But she was cut off.

"I don't have time to speak to sluts" replied Rod curtly not giving Bella the satisfaction of looking at her. Many of the group gasped at this surprised that someone would dare to say that to the queen bee of Slytherin. What made them even more surprised though was that Bellatrix didn't respond. This was very strange; usually she would have had her opponent cowering on the floor in tears in a matter of seconds. Yet the only response she gave was clenching her fist by her side. Seeing that she was hurt Rod took his chance to change the subject.

"Bloody hell it's hot!" He said taking off his shirt and throwing it on the ground next to Bellatrix before starting to stretch. He could see girls pointing and staring as he flexed his muscles. He inwardly smirked as he saw Bella's eyes nearly pop out of her head as she looked him up and down. Rod cracked his knuckles. All attention, especially Bellatrix's was on him. Excellent. Now to put the plan into place.

Rod looked around, scouring the crowd for a pawn. His piercing eyes finally landed on a pretty girl in the same year as him; she had green eyes and blonde hair that softly curled at the bottom. Emmi Vance. She was very pretty and she was looking at him as if she was about to pounce. He knew that she had plenty of boys fawning over her, maybe not as many as Bella but she had her fair share. He knew that Bella and Emmi didn't exactly see eye to eye for Emmi was the biggest threat to Bella. She was perfect.

"Hey Emmi, want to go for a swim?" Rod asked a rather pretty blonde Slytherin that was sat a few meters away, he'd spoken to her a couple of times before and he had taken quite a liking to her. Not waiting for a reply he grabbed her wrist and flung her over his shoulder before running off and throwing himself into the Black Lake.

Bella glared at them as they both surfaced spluttering and giggling. Emmi looked extremely pleased with herself as she knew the whole female student population was gawping at Rodolphus at that moment. They climbed out, drenched to the core and collapsed laughing. Rodolphus started tickling her and poking her making sure Bella saw that he was giving Emmi all of his attention. He quickly stole a glance back over to Bella. Success. She was practically steaming. Rod let out a large cackle of joy. Step one, make Bella jealous. Step one complete.

Bella watched as Rodolphus play wrestled with the bubbly blonde. How she hated her. How dare she steal her man? Everybody knew that Bella was the most stunning girl in the school. She had the looks, the brains and the figure. When Bellatrix had her eyes on someone nobody interferes. Bellatrix folded her arms and sighed angrily. Rodolphus had made the first move. But he couldn't like Emmi more than her could he? It just wouldn't be normal, wouldn't be right. She knew Rodolphus was in a mood with her, but he'd come running back to her. They always did. Just then she was nudged by Dawlish.

"You still coming to the party tonight Bells?" He asked prodding her in the ribs.

"Course I am, when do I ever not?" Bella snapped. Dawlish raised an eyebrow and wrapped an arm around her shoulders winking at her.

"What's got you in such a bad mood then mia Belle?" He asked still winking at her.

"What does it matter to you?" She said venomously and shoved him off.

"Oh that time of the month is it?" Dawlish chuckled. His chuckles soon ceased as he saw Bellatrix's eyes narrow and mouth tighten. Suddenly he pelted away shouting "WATCH OUT SHE'S GONNA BLOW!" while cackling away. Many of the students ducked for cover, throwing themselves into bushes and climbing up trees. They all knew that they were in deep danger if the wrath of Bellatrix Black was unleashed. Bellatrix let out a shout of frustration at the antics and stormed back into the castle to cool down.

Bellatrix kept pacing up and down the same deserted corridor over and over again.

"What makes him think he can toy with me like that?! Who does he think he is…WHO?! Especially with that little oh-look-at-me I'm-so-beautiful Emmeline Vance. Stupid git" she ranted to herself as she kicked a wall. She sighed and said

"What's happened to you Bellatrix?!" sitting down on a step she gently threw stones over the cobbled floor. She watched them roll along the smooth stone and then jump into the air as they collide with a bump. She sighed again and took a piece of parchment out of her bag. She hadn't done much homework recently; she'd been oddly exhausted and desperately needed to catch up. She dipped the quill in the ink and began to immerse herself into the world of "How to make deadly poison from dragon scales".

Two hours later and Bellatrix was still sat on the stone step in the same deserted corridor. She had finished her potions homework and was just about to finish her Charms. Packing her ink and quill away she massaged her hand ridding it of the ache from writing so much. Standing up she started to make her way back to the Slytherin common room. Looking through a window she saw that the light was just beginning to fade and guessed that it was about six o'clock. She needed to get back soon, tonight was the monthly smasher party. Every month the most popular people from Slytherin and Ravenclaw would be invited by Avery and Dolohov to attend a party in the Room of Requirement. They would drink firewhiskey that older siblings had sent them or they'd smuggled in from Hogsmeade. They'd play truth or dare or spin the bottle and all have good time. The thing that Bellatrix liked most about these parties was that something exciting always happened, whether it was bad or good there was always an adrenaline rush. They were to meet at 11 o'clock in groups of three outside the Room of Requirement. Bella smiled to herself, this month had been a long and confusing one. All she wanted to do was get drunk and forget everything for one night.

Bellatrix had almost reached the dungeons when she heard a jolly voice calling her name. She turned around and bumped straight into a younger Slytherin scattering her parchment across the floor. Immediately the young boy slid to the floor with wide eyes scrabbling to pick up the parchment. Bellatrix glared at the boy and snatched back her homework giving the youngster a kick as he carried on walking voicing his apologies to the raven haired girl.

"Miss Black! Finally, I've been calling you ever since you walked past my office!" Bella looked up again to see a rather large man with very circular eyes and glasses of the same shape. He grinned at her, his expression like a clown.

"Sorry Professor Slughorn, I must have been daydreaming." Bella replied half heartedly. She really didn't want to see her head of house right now. She'd never get away; there were downsides to being his favourite student.

"Yes, Yes I did notice my dear." Slughorn replied still grinning like a Cheshire cat. "Actually that is what I have come to talk to you about. In fact I'd quite like it if we could speak in my office, if you don't have other plans?" Bellatrix was a tall girl but Slughorn was large in everyway meaning Bellatrix still had to look up to him if not many others. He reminded her of a jester, all of his features seem so unreal. It was if he was made of fabric or plastic.

"I would love to Professor, but I…"

"Excellent my dear, just splendid!" Slughorn interrupted Bellatrix as he took her arm and began walking her to his office. Bellatrix rolled her eyes wanted nothing more that to put a jelly legs curse on him and run for her life.

Once they had reached the office Slughorn squinted looking left and right for any signs of pupils lurking before whispering "Unforgivable" to his office door. He tapped his nose.

"Our little secret, I know my star pupil wouldn't tell anyone would you my dear?"

"No Sir, of course not." Bellatrix replied mentally preparing herself for the hour or two of complete and utter boredom that was to follow. On either side of the office door stood a pillar with snakes entwined around it. At the top of each sat a small silver ball. Bellatrix watched as the snakes began to fight, one reaching and biting onto the silver ball. Once the snakes had settled down the door swung open.

"Ladies first!" Slughorn sang merrily as he gestured to Bellatrix. Bella forced a large smile onto her features as she thanked him very dearly and stepped into the office she now knew so well.

The office was filled with different useless trinkets, potion bottles were crammed onto shelves all filled with bubbling liquids. Bellatrix sighed as she sat down on a rickety chair sitting up straight and crossing one leg over the other. The chair protested greatly, creaking loudly as Slughorn placed his large behind down.

"Tea?" he asked still grinning. Bella wondered if he had a charm or ran into a jinx that had permanently stuck a grin on his face. She shook her head.

"No thank you Sir, in face without being rude please may we make this rather quick as I have some..."

"Yes my dear, yes of course" Slughorn cut her off again. Bella rolled her eyes, she hated being interrupted and that was all Slughorn ever seemed to do.

"Sir, may I ask why I am here?" Bellatrix questioned eager to get the meeting over with.

"Ah yes, well…" Slughorn began placing teaspoon after teaspoon of cream into his tea. "I have noticed that you have become rather distracted in class lately Miss Black. I've been watching you in potions and for a pupil of such high prospects it is evident that something is wrong. I mean the other day I saw Mr Malfoy helping you and let's just say he isn't the brightest lad is he? He does have the handsome looks, I am jealous of his hair, mine is long gone…only a few strands left! Dear me, I shall have to get a potion for that!" Bellatrix cleared her throat; he'd gone off topic already.

"Sir," she interrupted breaking up his thoughts "I do agree, I have been rather distracted, it's just things are quite hard at the moment."

"What is wrong Miss Black?"

"Well I…er…I just…I'm rather tired at the moment." Slughorn peered over his circular spectacles at the dark girl.

"I do know you're hiding something Bellatrix, I can see it in your eyes and would appreciate if you'd tell me."

"No, I'm not Sir, I'm absolutely fine."

"Is it to do with a certain Mr Lestrange?" Bella blushed.

"W-what would make you think that?!" Slughorn chuckled.

"Ah young love, you know Miss Black that boys aren't the most important things in life! I also know that Mr Lestrange isn't the only thing or someone on your mind, do enlighten me." Bella knew that she wasn't going to get away until she told him. She hadn't realised until now what was also on her mind.

"I'm worried about Andromeda Sir, she doesn't seem quite herself." She sighed.

"I see, but Miss Andromeda seems the most sensible out of the three of you girls I must admit." Slughorn smiled down at her, the smile this time reached his eyes. He had always been fond of all three Black sisters. Bella also smiled.

"Yes she is rather uptight isn't she?"

"Bellatrix I'm sure there is absolutely nothing to worry about!" Suddenly an owl swooped through the window and landed on Slughorn's desk.

Slughorn's beady eyes trailed the letter moving up and down at a rather slow speed. Bella tapped her fingers on the desk now desperate to get out of the musky office. Once he had finished reading Slughorn leant back in his chair stretching out and yawning. He downed the rest of his tea and looked back to his star pupil.

"I am ever so sorry Miss Black but I have been called away, I must leave to attend a meeting, I do hope we can continue our chat another time?"

"Yes Sir, but of course, you must hurry I don't want to keep you waiting" Bellatrix smiled almost jumping with joy. She stood up and had to restrain herself from skipping over to the door.

"Have a good evening Professor!" She called as she shut the door behind her watching as the snakes let go of the balls and slithered back into position. Finally she was free to get ready for the party.

A/N In the next chapter the battle between Bella and Rod will really get going so make sure you read on! :)