Howlers for Breakfast
Bella was now working towards taking her N.E.W.T.S. next year and she wanted to do well, she anxious to show Lord Voldemort she was worthy of his attention. Lizzie was looking over Bella's schedule at breakfast the first morning of classes.
"Bella love, you will be working your well manicured fingers to the bone this year"
Bella looked at Lizzie's schedule and raised an eyebrow.
"Well, I see that you're not straining yourself this year"
Lizzie smiled and shook her head "Nope, I did horrid on my O.W.L.S. and I think N.E.W.T.S are useless, I'm going to marry a fine, pureblood wizard and let him lavish me with money and attention. You could do the same you know, you're gorgeous Bella, you would have no trouble snagging a rich wizard"
Bella snorted into her eggs "Please, I already have money, I have no need of a husband to tie me down and order me about"
Lizzie rolled her eyes "Bell, I can't imagine any man trying to order you about, you're too mean. Forget what I said, no man in his right mind would want to marry you"
Bella looked at her watch "I had better get going, I have advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts in ten minutes" She gathered her book bag and headed out of the hall. She thought about what Lizzie had said, that no man in his right mind would marry her, she resolved on the spot to never get married, even if a man did propose it, right mind or not.
Bella arrived for class just in time and settled herself in the back of the room. The professor was a stern, gray haired man of about fifty who took his dark arts seriously.
"Students, please turn to page 25 in your books and ready your wands"
Bella flipped open her book and snorted, the lesson was on how throw off the Imperius curse. The professor looked to the back of the room.
"Miss Black, since you seem to think this lesson is below you, why don't you come up here and help me demonstrate it to the class"
A low murmur swept the classroom as Bella sauntered up to and stood, smirking, in front of her obviously annoyed professor.
He raised his wand "Imperio"
"Miss Black, please sing 'Itsy Bitsy Spider' for us"
Bella turned and faced her classmates and opened her mouth, everyone waited in anticipation, fully expecting her to break out into song, and then she spun around suddenly
"Imperio!"
The spell struck the professor and his eyes glazed over, Bella smiled wickedly.
"Tell the class how brilliant I am professor, tell them that Bellatrix is brilliant"
She could tell he was fighting it; sweat was beading up on his brow.
"Bellatrix is brill..." He shook his head and finally overcame the spell.
"The Headmaster's office, NOW!"
He grabbed her by the sleeve and dragged her from the classroom, she cringed, she was going to get a howler tomorrow and it was only the second day of term. Once in Dumbledore's office he gave her a stern ultimatum, follow the rules or be expelled, no more second chances.
"Bellatrix, I have heard many rumors where you are concerned and today's demonstration proves many of those rumors may be actual truth. Bellatrix, do you know who Lord Voldemort is?"
Bella tried not to look too worried "I have heard the name"
Dumbledore looked deep in her eyes, she was sure he knew she was lying.
"Bellatrix, I advise you to think long and hard if you are considering joining his ranks, he is a cruel man, evil incarnate some may say, even a girl as cunning and bright as you, are no match for his power. His hunger for supremacy will devour you"
Bella looked defiantly into his eyes "I will never be controlled by any man"
Dumbledore smiled just a bit "No, I doubt you ever will. You may return to class"
The next morning as if on cue, an owl soared in just as Bella sat down to breakfast, it did not contain cheerful morning greetings.
BELLATRIX! THIS IS A NEW RECORD, FIRST DAY OF THE YEAR AND I GET AN OWL FROM DUMBLEDORE! I SWEAR TO GOD, ONE MORE AND I WILL SEND YOU TO BEAUXBATONS AND MAKE YOU LIVE WITH THE FRENCH!
Bella whimpered slightly, she hated France.
"Oh Trixie, better brush up on your French" Sirius snickered as he walked to the Gryffindor table. She pulled out her wand and was just about to utter a curse when Dumbledore caught her eye, she put her wand away and sullenly finished her breakfast. The howler was still smoking slightly on the table as she headed off to Potions.