Title: Inside My Mind
Pairing: TMR/FemHP, DM/CW, DM/LL, HG/BZ, SB/OC, RL/NT
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or the quotes. I also kind of took the quote idea from another story. I don't own the language, Druhir. I also don't own the Ancient Language from Eragon nor do I own the language of Quenya from Lord of the Rings. I just need them for my story to work and I don't fancy making up a language. I'm dedicated but not that dedicated.
Most of this language will not be mine and will be taken from various sources. The list goes on and on so I will not list them but as previously stated and now reiterated, the Elvish language is not mine. See…that rhymed.
Note: So, I'm pushing out chapters like a MACHINE! It's exciting! I'm trying to get to the school year since I feel that it'll be the longest school year. Half-Blood Prince will get pretty long to. But, I know for a fact that seventh year will be the shortest and probably the most important year of the entire story. Then, I'll probably have a short hiatus to write my novel. I can get out about a 100 pages for that in two weeks. So, a two week hiatus, and then I'll post the first chapter of the sequel.
OH AND THE CONFRONTATION IS THIS CHAPTER! I CHANGED MY MIND!
Inside My Mind
By: Sistersgrimmlover
Chapter XLVII
Number 12, Grimmauld Place, London, England, Great Britain
Saturday the 31st of July 1995
11:20 AM
Bella woke up to bright shining light. She groaned and buried her face in her uncle's side. Her hands were still knotted in his shirt like she had when she was a little girl. Someone shook her and she blinked, looking up, bleary eyed. Hermione and Maya stood over her with a bright smile. Sirius was rubbing his eyes and he gave a loud yawn.
Bella's head cleared and she remembered distinctly, the night before. She had fallen asleep, crying. Hermione grabbed Bella's hand.
"Everyone has already eaten breakfast. It's twenty past eleven. I think you've slept enough," Hermione said, brightly. Maya nodded in agreement. Sirius and Bella turned over in unison.
"Leave me alone," they groaned together before their eyes drifted to a close again. Maya and Hermione exchanged looks before they both got onto the bed and began to jump on it. Sirius and Bella blinked and almost fell off when they felt the bed rocking.
"Stop! Stop you guys!" Bella moaned. She fell back into the pillow, her hair spilling over the side of the bed. Sirius was still asleep. Apparently, he hadn't even felt it. Maya sighed and crossed her arms. She fell onto her knees on the bed with a bounce and Hermione followed her example.
"Bella! You're fifteen today!" Maya whined, playfully. Bella gave an indistinct moan that sounded vaguely like 'fuck off'.
Maya leaned forward and began to tickle Bella and Sirius. Sirius did fall off the bed this time and Bella jumped up, rubbing her eyes. She yawned and Sirius was on the floor, rubbing his head and muttering under his breath.
"Meddlesome woman. I was having a great dream!" Sirius sighed. Bella still couldn't wake up all the way.
"I think this will wake them up," Hermione said, conspiring with her mother. They both produced steaming mugs and Sirius and Bella were suddenly aware.
"Coffee…" they breathed. Hermione handed her sister the coffee cup. Bella shoved her glasses on and took it, greedily and took a long sip, despite the scalding liquid burning her tongue. Sirius did the same and he let out a long sigh.
"That was refreshing! So, what's today again?" Sirius asked, scratching his head. Bella gave him a playful glare and rolled her eyes.
"My fifteenth birthday, Uncle Sirius!" she reminded him. Sirius nodded as if she had only just remembered.
"Oh, right. Are you sure you're not eleven?" he teased.
"In your dreams."
"Too true," Sirius said, darkly. Bella gave him a sad look but instantly brightened at the bright smiles on Hermione and Maya's faces. Sirius smiled as well and got off the floor as he finished his coffee. He began to place it on the nightstand but Maya gave him a sharp look.
"I don't want to find that there when I come back to get you after you shower. I want it in the sink and washed. And don't tell Kreacher to do it. You do it yourself. Do you understand?" Maya demanded. Sirius nodded, sheepishly.
"Yes, ma'am," he saluted. Maya grinned and Hermione grabbed Bella as she downed the rest of her coffee. She pulled her from the room, surprising Sirius and Maya.
"She needs to get ready!" Hermione insisted. Bella stopped, suddenly.
"Wait. Can you two leave? I have to…tell Uncle Sirius something important," Bella said, slowly. Maya and Hermione seemed surprised but they nodded with a smile.
"Okay. Hermione already picked your clothes. Just shower and by the time all of that is finished, lunch will be ready and you can open presents," promised Maya. Bella nodded and the mother and daughter duo left the two alone.
Their silence was not tense this time. It was quite comfortable. Bella opened her mouth but nothing came out. She closed it before opening her mouth once more.
"So…" she said, slowly. Sirius made a popping noise with his mouth.
"So…"
"Are we okay?" they asked at the exact same time. They burst into laughter and Bella grinned.
"Right. And with Tom?" Bella asked. Sirius crossed her arms.
"I don't like him. At all. I seriously doubt I ever will."
"But?" Bella asked, a small smile spreading across her face. Sirius sighed and shook his head.
"Who said there was a but?" demanded Sirius, playfully. Bella laughed.
"Uncle Sirius!" she whined.
"Do you really like him?" Sirius asked, sighing. Bella nodded, frantically.
"Does he treat you right?"
Another frantic nod.
"No more lies. No. More. Lies. And your virginity stays in tact until your forty," Sirius prompted. Bella raised an eyebrow.
"Uncle Sirius…I've heard stories from Uncle Moony. You lost your virginity at fourteen. Don't be a hypocrite."
"Well…that was different," Sirius lied. Bella rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. She tried to run a hand through her tangled hair but she only got a hiss of pain as she tugged at a big knot.
"I don't do double standards. Revise that."
"Fine! Fine! Sixteen and not to him. He's old. And, Riddle and I will be having a chat. And…" Sirius said. Bella sighed and cleared her throat.
"No more lies," they said at the same time. Sirius waved Bella forward and he hugged her tight. He kissed the top of her head and sighed.
"You're not my little geeky seven-year-old anymore, are you?"
"No. Just because I wear glasses doesn't make me a nerd. And I'm not a little girl anymore, Uncle Sirius. I'm fifteen. I'll have a boyfriend…just so happens this one is older than me…by a lot," Bella said, giggling. Sirius let out a little grunt. Bella rolled her eyes and looked up at Sirius.
"Since we have no more lies…he's taking me out tonight. For my birthday."
Sirius' arms dropped from Bella, almost immediately. He stared at her before running a hand through his hair and began to pace. Bella bit her lip before tilting her head.
"Where?"
"I don't know. It's a surprise. But, I'm pretty sure it isn't a club. Because he said wear something nice. If he were taking me to a club, he would've told me. And he also told me to wear the mask since…we're kind of illegal," Bella said, letting out a nervous laugh. Sirius stopped and looked at her. Her nervous laughing stopped almost immediately.
"Right. Well, I suppose Riddle and I will have to talk sooner. What time is he coming?"
"He's coming to the birthday party because I asked him not to. He'll be here at six-thirty he said."
"Right. Well, you'll have to be a little late. Go on and get ready," Sirius said. Bella nodded and she walked out of the room, quickly. As soon as she disappeared, Sirius scrambled for a piece of parchment and a quill.
"All right, Riddle. You want to date my daughter? Well, I have eight simple rules…"
Number 12, Grimmauld Place, London, England, Great Britain
Saturday the 31st of July 1995
12:10 PM
"Drake!"
Bella ran at her blond brother and jumped into his arms. She ignored a shocked Narcissa and Lucius as Draco hugged her back just as hard. He stroked her hair as she held onto him.
"Hey, Ana. I heard about…" Draco whispered as quietly as possible. Bella pulled back, though she didn't let go of him. She looked at him, quizzically. He glanced at Hermione and Bella rolled her eyes.
"You have one big mouth."
"No. You didn't tell your big brother something important," Draco corrected. Bella shrugged and she hugged him before letting him go. She turned to a green inferno in the fireplace. Blaise stepped through with little problem. Bella couldn't even hug him if she wanted to. Hermione was on him like white on rice the minute she saw him.
"Missed you, brother," Bella murmured to Draco. He hugged her tightly for a moment before breaking away. Draco looked around and he sneered when he saw the number of Weasleys present. Fred and George were absent since they were visiting one Lee Jordan. The inferno turned green again and Luna stepped forward, a light smile on her face.
"Luna? Who invited Luna?" Ginny asked, surprised. Bella looked at her siblings. Hermione raised her hand.
"I did. She's one of us, right?" Hermione asked. Bella nodded. Luna smiled, brightly at Draco before turning to Narcissa and Lucius.
She fell into a low curtsy, her spring green robe almost touching the ground. They were done in the traditional Elf way, a high Mandarin collar and large billowing sleeves. They weren't nearly as long as true Elves. They came to the top of her shins. Brown leather boots encased her legs and she was smiling.
"Lord and Lady Malfoy. A pleasure to meet you," Luna said. Bella turned to the elder Malfoys. Narcissa seemed instantly charmed by the girl. Lucius looked rather unimpressed.
"Hello. And you are?" Narcissa asked, softly. Draco cleared his throat.
"Right. This is Hermione Granger, the Mudblood. You've met her, Mother. This is Luna Lovegood, the Elven Seer. And this is Bella Potter…the pretty one," Draco said, hesitantly. Bella frowned at him. Lucius and Narcissa seemed to understand Bella's label and Narcissa gave her a look of pity for some reason.
"Hello, I'm Bella Potter. Your son's blood sibling," Bella clarified. Narcissa nodded and was looking at her with a strange look. Suddenly, her gaze softened and she pulled Bella into a hug. Bella looked positively bewildered, along with her brother and Lucius.
"Happy birthday, Bella. You can call me Aunt Narcissa. And he will be your Uncle Lucius," Narcissa said, compassionately. Lucius' eyes widened and he looked at his wife.
"Narcissa…" he hissed under his breath. Narcissa glared at him and Lucius fell silent. Draco cleared his throat and Narcissa let go of Bella just as the fire turned green. Bella turned and frowned as a tall redhead stepped forward. The Weasleys went ballistic.
Draco went green.
"Salazar, give me strength…" Draco whispered. Narcissa and Lucius frowned in confusion. Luna only looked immensely annoyed. Charlie Weasley smirked and patted Blaise's back.
"Thanks for the invite. And you must be Draco's parents," Charlie said with a smirk. Draco swallowed and glared at his brother with terrified eyes. Blaise shrugged, bored. Bella hugged Blaise quickly. Hermione reattached herself to him immediately after. Charlie smirked at Draco and swept into a low bow.
The Weasleys were quiet as Charlie kissed Narcissa's hand. Narcissa was obviously impressed with him as well. Charlie bowed to Lucius. Lucius raised a single eyebrow and cleared his throat.
"And you are?"
"Charles Weasley, dragon tamer."
Charlie wrapped his arm around Draco's shoulders. Draco looked at it, uncomfortably and he was trying his best not to fidget in front of his parents.
"I hope you prove to have more manners than the rest of your family. You already have more money I presume," Lucius said, lightly. The Weasleys gasped and Arthur rose halfway. Charlie held his hand up, dismissing his family and Arthur sat back down. Sirius and Maya watched from the doorway.
"With no disrespect, my family has a great deal of manner, sir. And you are correct in presuming that I do make a very large salary, though most of it is consumed by my living spaces in Romania. My penthouse is quite expensive," Charlie said, making sure to lay on the luxury thick.
This was his future husband's father.
Lucius deemed him passable. It was quite obvious to the aristocratic man that both Charlie and Luna were interested in his son. It was too bad that his Lord had given him the task of enlisting the help of the Indian Ministry of Magic and to get that came a certain price…
"The famous dragon tamer? Are you not the Head Dragon Tamer in Romania?" Narcissa asked, fascinated. Charlie nodded and cleared his throat.
"My reputation precedes me. It is an honor that you have heard of me, Lady Malfoy," Charlie said. Luna smiled, brightly and subtly pushed Charlie to the side. Lucius looked amused.
"Lady Malfoy, you look absolutely lovely, today. You are absolutely free of nargles and wrackspurts. For a Seer, that is the highest compliment," Luna said, brightly. She had to do this right.
This was her future husband's mother.
Draco was looking to the heavens and was rather embarrassed. He knew Luna fancied him but he had preferred not to do anything about it. That, apparently, was not an option any longer.
"Why, thank you," Narcissa said, smiling. Draco took both of his parents by the wrist and pulled them to the fireplace. Sirius waved at his cousin and she smiled, lightly, at him though she was confused.
"Draco, what has gotten into you? I was speaking to your enchanting friends," she said, softly. Draco's eyes were wide and he was shaking his head.
"They are not enchanting. They are trying to get you to approve of them, so that they can have their way with me. Now is not the time," Draco hissed, quietly. Lucius smirked at his shocked wife.
"Even, I could see that, Narcissa. The Charles Weasley isn't so very bad," Lucius said, quietly. Narcissa frowned.
"I don't like him very much. He was much too touchy-feely. The Luna girl is quite sweet."
"I don't trust either of them. Now, leave" Draco snarled. Narcissa glared at her son.
"Don't be rude or you'll be grounded until you turn twenty."
"Sorry, Mother. Please leave," Draco whispered. Narcissa nodded before glancing at Bella. Bella was looking endlessly amused. Narcissa felt bad for the girl.
Her Lord was intensely interested in her. He had referred to her many times as the pretty sister of Draco's.
Poor girl.
"Happy birthday, Bella," Narcissa called out. Bella lifted her hand and smiled.
"Thank you. Have a good day you two."
The two disappeared in green fire. The room was silent before a giggle escaped Hermione. Suddenly, the room erupted in laughter. Draco was flushing, incredibly. Charlie and Luna were having a glaring contest and neither was willing to blink. Luna was incredibly gifted at that. She was a Seer. But, Charlie had sheer determination.
"None of that you two! And shut up!" Draco snarled. He grabbed both of them and Charlie started to fanboy.
"Oh my God! He's touching me! Willingly," Charlie said, excitedly. Luna kept her fangirling on the inside. She was taking deep breaths and smiling, brightly at Draco. He placed them next to each other and they glared.
"You sit there. I will sit with Bella. Charlie has my father's vote. Luna has my mother's vote. That's nice and all but you don't have my vote. So, lets celebrate my sister's birthday and stop harassing me. For once," Draco snapped. Ron looked at him, snidely.
"What? You don't like all the attention? I thought you thrived in it," Ron said, annoyed that he was sitting with Bella. Draco snorted.
"You know the meaning of the word 'thrived'. Oh, what a bloody miracle. Someone has gotten the weasel a dictionary. Tell me to send that person a Christmas card," Draco said, mockingly to Blaise. Blaise rolled his eyes.
"I don't think Bella appreciates your fighting," Blaise said, quietly. Mrs. Weasley nodded in agreement.
"We don't need any of that at her birthday par—" Mrs. Weasley started. Bella shook her head. She was laughing her head off.
"No, no, go on. That was just too funny. Did you really introduce me as the pretty one?" Bella demanded. Draco sighed and nodded. He messed up his hair. His parents had made him slick it back and Draco was not going to a party with slicked back hair. His hair was now attractively messy.
"It has to do with my houseguest. He called you the pretty one. You've met him before. The guy with the Acromantula web wand," Draco sighed, cryptically. Blaise leaned forward as the others started having conversations. Hermione gasped. Bella only froze. That one seemed rather private. Charlie was talking with Ginny about the pros and cons of dating Draco. Luna was seemingly paying attention.
"Are you fucking serious?" Bella demanded. Draco nodded. Bella shook her head.
"We'll have to talk about that one later. I have a date tonight," Bella murmured, smirking. Draco, Blaise, and Hermione all looked at her in surprise.
"Why didn't you tell me, Mudblood?" demanded Draco. Hermione glared at him.
"This is news to me."
"I thought you didn't like Cedric," Blaise said, under his breath. Bella grinned and shook her head. She was biting her lip, excitedly. She smoothed her hair. She was wearing a loose white shirt, a black blazer and red and black plaid pants tucked into her combat boots. She would have worn that to wherever they were going but he did say dress nice.
"I don't. I'm going out with Tom for a birthday dinner tonight," Bella said with a slight smile. Draco raised an eyebrow. Hermione had kept him updated on all the issues but…
"So, does your godfather know about all this?" asked Blaise, quietly. Bella nodded, smiling.
"He does. And the only rules are: no more lies and I'm not allowed to lose my virginity before sixteen and definitely not to him. I'm not sure I'll be able to follow that last rule," Bella smirked. Blaise and Draco made a disgusted look.
"I don't want to think of my sister in that position," Draco said, slowly. Bella rolled her eyes and cleared her throat.
"Fuck you both."
"That's incest. That's Hermione and Blaise's department," Draco said, flatly. Hermione sneered and stuck out her tongue. Blaise kissed her cheek. She smirked at him and crossed her arms.
"Don't listen to him."
"Oh, trust me I don't. It just sound like wah, wah, wah, I'm a pureblood ponce," Hermione mocked. Draco scowled at her and suddenly food was in front of them. Maya and Sirius sat near Mr. and Mrs. Weasley.
"So, what's it like to be fifteen?" Ginny asked. Bella shrugged as she dug into her kidney-and-steak pie.
"I don't feel any different. I'm pretty sure I'm not taller. I'm still five foot five. I still have uncontrollable hair that can't choose between being curly or wavy. But, I do feel…lighter," Bella said, frowning. Gideon looked at her, curiosity on his face. She did look different somehow.
"Spiritually or emotionally?" Mrs. Weasley asked, softly. Bella shook her head.
"Er…no. I mean literally. Am I not wearing clothes or something?" Bella asked, curiously. Hermione snickered.
"No. Your locket isn't there."
"Oh, jeez. Damn," Bella sighed, annoyed. Gideon blinked in surprise and looked at her with a frown.
"Did you lose it?" Ron asked.
"No. Ah…I'll get it back later," Bella sighed, annoyed. She ate her food with a little more vigor. Mrs. Weasley cleared her throat.
"Er…Draco, what extra classes have you taken?" Mrs. Weasley asked. Draco leaned back and frowned.
"Care of Magical Creatures. Even though most animals hate the sight of me. They either die or run. And Ancient Runes. I'm particularly gifted with summoning," Draco said. Gideon frowned as he leered at Bella. Bella glared at him and shrugged.
"Shut up."
"I didn't say anything," Draco said, innocently. Bella sniffed.
"You were thinking it."
"And Blaise, what do you take?" Mr. Weasley asked, not wanting to exclude the quite Zabini. Blaise leaned back.
"Care of Magical Creatures, like Draco. I'm not a big fan of animals. Except maybe horses," Blaise said. Bella, Hermione, and Draco snorted at this and began to laugh at the inside joke. Luna giggled. Ron looked angry that he wasn't in on the joke.
"What's so funny?" he asked, annoyed. Bella grinned.
"Nothing. Nothing. Just…Blaise, you're so ridiculous," Hermione laughed. Blaise shrugged.
"I do try."
"What are they doing here anyway? They're a bunch of Slytherins!" Ron shouted out. Mrs. Weasley and Ginny glared at him.
"Ron!" they shouted, annoyed. Charlie was glaring at his younger brother, obviously annoyed.
"You're forgetting, Ron, that I'm a Slytherin, too," Bella said, coldly. Ron looked properly chagrined. Bella finished her kidney-and-steak pie. She turned to look at everyone else. They were pretty much finished too.
"So…presents?" Bella asked Maya and Sirius. Sirius raised an eyebrow.
"Allowing you to go out tonight was my present."
Bella gaped and she felt the Weasleys looked at her, absolutely confused. Maya smacked Sirius' arm. He broke out into a grin.
"Tell me you weren't serious. Because this year, I was hoping for maybe a prank set or other," Bella said. Sirius shook his head.
"Not this year. Presents, you say? Kreacher, get rid of the dishes! And bring up the presents," Sirius commanded. Maya gave Sirius an admonishing look.
"That's why he hates you. You treat him terribly," Maya snapped. Sirius shrugged as he watched the small pile of present pop up in front of Bella. Bella picked up the one with the Weasleys name on it. Bella crossed her fingers.
"Please be candy," she murmured. Maya gave her a glare.
"Candy is not good for your teeth," Maya warned. Her dentistry training was kicking in. Bella groaned.
"I still hope it is candy."
Bella ripped it open and wasn't disappointed. She grinned and ripped open her Red Vines. She winked at Gideon and he flushed. Hermione shook her head as she looked at her.
"You have no shame."
"Relatively no shame," Bella corrected. She continued going through the presents and was pleasantly surprised when she did find one from Maya and Sirius she ripped it open to see two gifts.
One was a plain knife. The other was an ornate mirror. She turned it over and saw it was silver. The Black crest sat on the back proudly. Bella smiled at her pseudo-parents. Maya laughed.
"I picked the first gift. It can unlock any door. Just slide it in the crack and it'll break open. It'll also come in handy if you need to cut someone who gets too touchy-feely," Sirius said, smirking. Bella rolled her eyes.
"Hmph. Now, Maya, what's the mirror?" Bella asked. Maya smiled though she did give Sirius a sharp look of annoyance.
"Ah, yes. I was sure you'd like it. It's a two-way mirror. Say Sirius or my name into it and we'll respond back. We have the other mirror so as soon as something goes wrong, you can give us a call. All right?" Maya asked. Bella nodded with a smile.
"Thanks."
Draco handed her a package.
"It's a joint gift. From Hermione, Blaise and I. Be happy with it."
Bella unwrapped it and Bella blinked when she saw it. She took out two pieces of parchment.
" 'Get your wand and we'll talk'. 'IOU'. Nice. Really nice," Bella snapped. The Weasleys laughed, though the younger ones sounded thoroughly confused. Bella rolled her eyes when they each pulled out gifts.
"We're only joking. Here," Draco said, handing their real gift. Bella unwrapped it and a smiled spread across her face. A small black adder slithered from the box. Mrs. Weasley, Maya, and Ginny screamed. The adder hissed, sensing a threat. Bella blinked in surprised and then leaned forward.
"No, no. It's okay. See, I can speak," Bella insisted. The adder stopped, immediately.
"Who are you? What am I doing here?" demanded the adder. Bella swallowed and leaned forward with a smile.
"I am Anastasia. It's okay. I'll protect you. I'll explain later. Are you a male or female?" Bella asked, curiously.
"Female. Your blond boy gave me a name. Sasha, I think he called me," the adder hissed back at her. Bella looked up, blinking.
"Sasha?" Bella said, curiously. Hermione smiled.
"Sasha is Russian for man's defender. She is your familiar. Just like Augustus is Draco's familiar. Augustus protects Drake. Sasha will protect you," Hermione explained. Bella smiled.
"Thanks."
"Your welcome. Now, you have two more gifts," Blaise pointed out. Bella looked down at Luna and Charlie's gifts. Bella opted to open Luna's gift first. Bella unwrapped it and frowned at the single piece of parchment. Bella opened her mouth to say the prophecy but Luna held up her hadn.
"As lightening strikes
Let us here War's cry.
As Plague watches
Let Death ride.,
Victory vows not to lie.
Do not betray his trust.
For life, he shall be deprived of.
The majestic Lord of Black
Had one lovely daughter he.
Half to darkness, she be drawn.
Half to light, she be shown.
Light meets dark in the stillness between.
Going under
Heart torn asunder.
As she falls with Elder, rain and thunder.
There the Angel goes, down, down, down
Going under
Her heart torn asunder
As she falls, rain and thunder.
Catch her, catch her, don't let her fall.
Oh, too late,
Rain and thunder
She's way down.
She's gone under," Luna recited, perfect. Her voice took a deeper quality as she spoke the dark prophecy. Bella's lip quivered and she began biting it. She dropped the parchment.
"What was that?" Ginny suddenly said. Luna smiled.
"I'm a Seer. It is what I do."
"Gone under? What do you mean by that?" Bella asked, slowly. Luna laughed and shook her head.
"You won't die. Oh, no, no. But, all I've seen is under you go. Only flashes and those words came to me. Flashes of Cursed Lightening. Anger. Rage. Hurt. Betrayal. Grief. And Elder. I've been dreaming about that wand since you went to the Dursleys. Always the same thing. A flash of lightening and then you're dueling. I can never see with who," Luna said, softly. Bella swallowed and nodded. She absentmindedly stroked Sasha who gave an appreciative hiss.
"That was…a cheerful gift, Luna. Thanks," Bella said, slowly. Luna smiled, brightly. She gestured to Charlie's gift. Bella opened it and smiled at the brand new wand holster. Her old one had been wearing.
"It's leather since I don't support using dragon hide," Charlie said, with a bright smile. Bella took off her frayed wand holster and she cleared her throat. The black adder licked her cheek and she laughed a little.
"Thank you. I suppose I'll be needing two anyway," Bella sighed. Sirius frowned at her words and crossed his arms.
"What do you mean by that?" Sirius asked. Bella licked her lips.
"It seems that by the end of the year, I'll be acquiring another Wand that I won off Grindelwald. I'll explain later," Bella sighed. Sirius nodded, understanding and Bella made to stand. Draco grabbed her arm and yanked her back down. Bella blinked as Draco reached into his pocket and produced a small black box.
"What is that?" Gideon asked, curiously.
Sirius glanced at the small black box that was the last present, apparently. Bella blinked when she realized that it was there and frowned at her siblings and friends. She looked at Draco.
"I was entrusted with this gift. Might I say, you'll love it," Draco said, calmly. Bella nodded, slowly.
"Well, open it, dear" Mrs. Weasley prompted. Bella took the black box, hesitantly.
As soon as her hand came in contact with it she gave a sharp gasp and shuddered, violently. Sirius gave a loud shout and reached forward. Most had their wands out and pointed at the box.
"It's cursed! Get it away from her!" called out Mr. Weasley. Bella's grip tightened and her mouth opened in shock as the black box flipped open.
A locket sat in the satin and gleamed, wickedly.
Her locket.
"No! Stop!" Draco called, his hand held out. It silenced all those screaming. He crossed to Bella and watched as she suddenly gave a loud and relieved sigh. Her fingertips caressed the locket, lovingly. Her lips were parted and curved into the slightest of smiles.
"There's a note," Hermione said. Bella nodded, slightly. Her eyes were wide with wonder and she slid the parchment out of the lining and her eyes went over the one word there.
"Play."
A tune that was both mysterious and haunting floated from the locket. Bella tilted her head and everyone listened. They were transfixed as the music box sound floated from it, teasing them. Bella brushed her fingertips along the cold metal.
The haunting tune played once more. Other instruments floated in the background, though the music box sound was prominent. It sounded like strings, violins, violas, and cellos played behind it, making it sound even prettier.
"Beautiful…" Bella whispered.
It seemed to drift to an end. Sirius opened his mouth to say something when a loud organ began playing the same tune. Bella swayed back and forth as drums and horns joined in the great orchestra. The intricacy and emotion in the song soothed Bella more than anything ever had.
The sound grew louder and more intense.
Luna's lips were curled into a grin.
The repeating tune stopped and great drums were heard. Now, the end really seemed near. Suddenly, the horns and drums stopped, letting way to the music box tune again. It sounded different but there was still that beautiful sound in it that made Bella just smile.
"That was…wow…" Hermione whispered. She squeezed Blaise's hand. He nodded in agreement, slowly. Bella closed her eyes and put the locket around her neck. She could feel the magic pulse through the gold, rejoicing that it had been reunited with her. She felt a weight lift off of her.
"That's the necklace that you didn't have, isn't it?" Gideon asked. Bella nodded.
"You told what I'd like?" Bella asked, curiously. Draco gave a one-shouldered shrug and sighed.
"He bought you a broom. He gave you a key to his library. He gives you all the books you desire. He took you to Italy. He bought you an expensive Yule robe. There was limited options beside buying you a manor. So, I told him to get you a music box. I didn't think he'd compose an actual song," Draco sighed. Bella's lips curled into an adoring smile. Sirius was looking at her with a blank expression.
"He never does things halfway. It's fine. Come on. Let's do a four-way duel. Me and Drake versus Hermione and Blaise," Bella said, grinning. Blaise and Draco's eyes brightened in excitement and they both jumped up.
"We bow," Blaise dictated. The two boys inclined their heads to each other before Blaise slid off his overrobe, leaving him in a loose dark gold shirt and black trousers. Draco unbuttoned his shirt, exposing his pale but chiseled chest. Ginny took a sharp breath in. Luna and Charlie seemed to be salivating. Bella stood withdrawing her wand and bowing to Hermione. Hermione shrugged off her jacket, exposing her vicious scar and tattoo. She drew her sword.
Draco shrugged off his shirt and Bella gaped at the blazing black tattoo on his back. A scythe was depicted clearly with intricate designs around it. The blade was in silver ink and the staff was black and went past his waistline and most likely ended on his hip.
"Kinky," Charlie murmured. Mrs. Weasley gave him a sharp look.
"Charlie," she warned. Draco glanced over his shoulder and gave him a smirk. Blaise touched his side and looked like he was drawing a sword. A large spear was pulled from his leg. It was wicked looking.
On one end of the spear were two prongs. On the other end was a wicked point. Bella snickered as she saw it.
"That weapon is hot. I love it," Bella said, grinning. Blaise raised an eyebrow.
"I do to. Did you know, my blood is lethal now?" Blaise smirked. Bella blinked in surprise and raised an eyebrow. She flicked her wrist, her wand falling into her hand. She shrugged off her jacket, slowly. She pulled her dark hair back and used a bangle to secure it in place.
"Is it now? The plague poisoned your blood. So, if ingested?"
"Perfect for espionage missions. If injected or ingested into a wizard, it can be caught, apparently. You're only immune to it by way of breathing in. I've tested it," Blaise smirked. Bella blinked.
"Really now?"
"I healed them. I didn't kill anyone," Blaise promised. Hermione rolled her eyes and began cracking her neck.
"I doubt that. SANGUIS COQUE!" Hermione shouted. The adults jumped out of the way and the others dodged. Draco had jumped to avoid the spell and Bella was on the ground. Draco landed on his hands and easily flipped back into place.
"That's kinky! Mum, don't shush me! You can't tell me that wasn't kinky. Did you not see how he fucking twisted? Did you not see how flexible he is? Lovegood, help me out here," Charlie said, staring at Draco as if he were God himself. Bella snickered as Draco flushed.
"It's truth, Mrs. Weasley," Luna said, softly. She was mesmerized as Draco cracked his neck. He was still shirtless.
"Summon your scythe anytime now, so we can get this show on the road," Bella commanded. Draco frowned and touched his back. The scythe shimmered into being in his hand and the scythe on his back was now gone.
"Okay, let's go," Draco said, swinging his scythe at Hermione's head. Hermione ducked and Blaise countered with a block. Bella snickered.
"REDUCTO!" she roared. Hermione ducked and Blaise was surprised enough to drop the hold on his spear. Draco and Bella laughed and took off running down the hallway. Hermione and Blaise glared.
"You guys suck!" Blaise shouted. They only heard laughter. The duo ran after the brother and sister, intent on destroying them.
"I'm going to watch. Draco's shirtless," Charlie said, flatly. He stood up and Sirius was smirking, amused.
"Down the hall, first door to your left."
Sirius stood himself and the group made their way to the dueling room. Bella and Draco were crouched, their teeth bared. Bella's eyes were the color of the Avada Kedavra. Her snake wasn't around her neck anymore. Sasha was on the side and looked pissed off. Bella's teeth resembled fangs.
Blaise and Hermione were standing and their weapons were pointed at the siblings duo.
"Bring it on, bitches," Bella hissed, her tone sibilant. She jumped, gaining height and landed her heel into the wood. It splintered and she ripped up a stake.
"First blood," Blaise said, quietly. Bella nodded.
"First blood," Draco confirmed.
Bella growled before jumping forward, in a tumbled before gracefully knocking Blaise's legs from underneath him. He fell and Draco tackled Hermione. Blaise tapped Bella's leg. Bella's leg fell limp and she growled. Blaise flipped his spear, ready to take first blood.
"Not yet, brother," Bella snarled. She jumped up, one leg, useless. She held up her wand and centered herself. She began casting a few spells that even Charlie hadn't heard of. But, they were definitely Dark. Blaise was having a hard time dodging.
Suddenly, Blaise stopped.
Black blood was staining his side and the tip of Draco's scythe was in his side. Hermione groaned. She was on the floor with a bruise on her cheek.
"Dammit," she snarled. Blaise rolled his eyes and jumped off the platform and grabbed Hermione's wrist.
"Focus. Don't give into your anger. Get Bella angry. Draco is the calm one like me. Bella's absolutely impulsive. You can do this," Blaise said. Hermione slashed down with her sword and Draco blocked it. Bella was murmuring to herself. She was on the ground, a knife in her hand.
While, Hermione tried to get past Draco, Bella was muttering something to herself. She was twisting the knife every which way every few seconds. The air seemed to be crackling. Bella's wand was by her side now and her muttering was getting louder.
"Kveykva ferit
In infernalis
Kveykva ferit…
Kveykva…
Kveykva…" Bella whispered. Her eyes glowed for a moment before dimming considerably. She stumbled upwards, looking exhausted and the knife was glowing. She flipped it and suddenly slashed at Draco's back. She only nicked his back but then she slammed the palm of her hand into his back. He fell and stared at her in shock. She stuck her tongue out.
"Yeah, well. You should've watched your back. I'm Slytherin, hun," Bella sighed. Draco shuddered, lightly.
"You bitch. Your knife…did something to me," Draco snarled. Bella nodded, sagely.
"It did. Oh well. Hermione's it's your turn."
Bella spun and then jumped, doing her signature butterfly kick. Hermione fell and Bella stabbed forward with her knife. Hermione thrust her sword forward.
Blood fell from Bella's arm. Blood fell from the hole in Hermione's hand. Hermione shook and she gave a sharp cry. Bella stumbled off the girl, holding her arm. She grinned at Hermione and held out her hand. Hermione grabbed it with her uninjured arm. Suddenly, the two girls spun.
Hermione had Bella in a chokehold. Her sword was at Bella's throat. Bella's knife was positioned at the back of Hermione's neck. Maya was snickering, lightly. Mrs. Weasley glared at the unorthodox woman.
"You find this funny?" Mrs. Weasley demanded. Maya stared at the woman, flatly.
"I do. Is that a problem?" she asked, slowly. She seemed to have cowed Mrs. Weasley for the woman fell silent.
"That was fun. Even though you're a bitch, Ana," Draco said. His scythe was now merely a tattoo now and his back was Healed, due to Blaise. Blaise waved the two girls forward.
"Episkey," he said, pointing his hand at Hermione's hand. The skin knitted back together and fresh pink skin sat there. Hermione smiled and her sword disappeared. Blaise repeated the process on Bella and she flexed her arm. It was good as new.
"Thanks. That was fun. Uh…what's up with you three?" Bella asked, looking at Ginny, Gideon, and Ron.
"That was so cool!" Ginny crowed. Bella blinked and Draco smirked.
"Was it really?"
Even Ron nodded fiercely. An arm wrapped around Draco's middle and Draco scowled at Charlie.
"It was cool. And so very kinky. Tell me, how flexible are you in bed?" Charlie asked, curiously. Draco's eyes widened and then narrowed. Mrs. Weasley seemed horrified at her son's question.
"Charlie!"
"It's an honest and valid question. Are you as flexible in bed as you are when you're dueling?" Charlie asked. Draco broke away from the man.
"Play your cards right and you might find out," he finally said. Luna's eyes narrowed and she glared at Charlie. Ginny seemed pretty surprised at her friend's behavior. Gideon was still staring, stupidly, at Bella. Draco sauntered over to Blaise and began speaking quietly. Charlie seemed extremely happy.
"In your face, Lovegood!"
Number 12, Grimmauld Place, London, England, Great Britain
Saturday the 31st of July 1995
6:25 PM
"Ah! Finally! I'm so happy that the Weasleys decided to move to Riddle Manor today," Maya sighed with a grin. Sirius raised an eyebrow. Maya frowned as she watched him scribble something on a piece of parchment and then cross it out.
They were in the study and Maya was on the floor, reading Witch Weekly for the third time that week. She only wanted to read the next one since she predicted that somehow Bella and Tom would make it in the next issue. It would be increasingly interesting to read it from someone else's point of view.
"Why? They're nice people," Sirius said. Maya nodded in agreement.
"They are nice people. But, I don't like how Molly tries to tell me how to raise my children. I like watching my children duel. They're diverse kids. They enjoy it and I find it amusing how competitive Hermione and Bella are. Molly should stick to raising her own brood," Maya said, fiercely. Sirius' lips curled in a smile and he sighed, shaking his head. He finished his parchment with a flourish.
"I'm going back to work on Monday. I just wanted to tell you," Sirius said, softly. Maya nodded and shrugged.
"I'll be fine with Hermione. We'll be at Riddle Manor by Monday and I'm sure Bella will be spending all her free time with Riddle," she sighed. Sirius was about to say something when there was a light knock on the door. Sirius cleared his throat.
"Come in!"
The door swung open and Sirius blinked at the young woman in the doorway. Her dark hair was twisted back into a knot. Her scar was covered by wavy bangs that swept across her forehead. A spring green scoop neck dress fell just below her knees. Her eyes were rimmed with kohl, Hermione's of course. Silver heels were on her feet, making her about two inches taller.
Her silver heart locket wasn't in place at the moment. The octagonal Slytherin locket sat there and silver earrings dangled from Bella's ears. She gave a light smile and tilted her head. To complete the look was emerald, black, and silver Venetian mask. Maya grinned.
"You look beautiful, Bella," Maya said, sweetly. Sirius stared at the beautiful young woman in front of him and he could see in her Lily.
Since she was a little girl, Sirius had compared her to James. She had been mischievous and four-eyed just like James. But, now, all he saw was elegant Lily. She may be pale and four-eyed like James with unruly hair but her eyes were Lily's. Together, she wasn't Lily or James.
She was Bella.
"She's right, Bella. You look amazing," Sirius said, softly. Hermione popped her head in the doorway.
"Tom is here, early. And Draco and Blaise are composing a big brother speech," Hermione said with a wicked smirk. Bella groaned and shook her head. She pinched the bridge of her nose, another thing that Sirius thought was passed down from Lily.
"They're so stupid! I'm going to give them a piece of my mind," Bella sighed. She turned from Maya and Sirius.
"Hey, Mione, send Riddle in, please," Sirius commanded. Hermione nodded with a wicked grin. Bella gave Sirius a confused to look. The door was now wide open and Sirius could see Tom. He had Bella pressed against the wall. Her hands were against the wall and Tom's hands were on either side of her head.
Sirius watched with his eyebrow raised. Maya was grinning as Tom kissed Bella, sweetly. Bella's eyes were half closed and her arms wrapped, lazily around Tom's neck. Tom went to pull away but Bella pulled him back down and gave him another kiss. Tom finally pulled away and Bella smirked at him.
"Tom? Sirius wants to talk to you," Hermione interrupted. Bella glared at her sister and Hermione grinned, giving a shrug. Tom pulled away from Bella and walked lazily towards the open door to the study.
"Maya, could you leave us alone for a moment," Sirius requested. Maya's lip curled into a smirk.
"Of course. But, I do expect a full recount of what goes down and a total count of injuries."
"Ms. Granger, I doubt that it will come down to injuries," Tom said, smirking. Sirius and Maya exchanged looks.
"Don't be too sure," they said in unison. Maya left the room and Bella frowned at Sirius. He shook his head and Bella shrugged before turning to walk to wherever Blaise and Draco were. Luna had gone home to write her first article for the Quibbler and Charlie had gone to help the Weasleys move their things to Riddle Manor.
Maya closed the door behind her and Tom crossed his arms.
"I have come to terms with Bella's affections for you. I don't understand it. I think you're an evil and sick bastard. But, obviously, she sees differently. So, lets set some ground rules," Sirius stated. Tom raised an eyebrow.
"I'm sorry but I'm a grown man—" Tom started. Sirius nodded, sagely.
"I realize that, Riddle, to my increasing disgust. She's not an adult. So, she has rules. Now we have eight simple rules for dating my teenage daughter. Rule number 1—"
"I wouldn't call it dating, Black," Tom said, flatly. Sirius' hands clenched and he gave Tom a vicious grey glare. He was really getting tired of this man Goddamned back talk.
"Do you talk? Do you take her places? Do you give her gifts? Because that's called dating, old man. Get with it," Sirius snarled. Tom glared at the man but held his tongue. He didn't really feel like getting into a problem with Sirius.
"Rule number 1. You already broke it. You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off of my daughter's body, I will remove them. I hope that's clear," Sirius said, sharply.
Tom was extremely disturbed by the evil eye that Sirius was giving him.
"Rule Two: I'm sure you've been told that in today's world, not your 40's world, sex without utilizing a 'barrier method' of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate: when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I will kill you. So, if you have needs, satisfy them by wanking," Sirius snapped.
Tom was looking at Sirius as if he were insane. The dog Animagus probably was. The man did have a list of these rules and he was actually reading them aloud to Tom, whom was a grown man.
"Rule Three: I have no doubt you are a popular guy, with many opportunities to date other women. Maya has told me that you are the most eligible wizarding bachelor at the moment. This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I will make you cry. And it will be less than pleasant," Sirius continued. He was still writing on the damned piece of parchment and for some very strange reason, Tom was actually getting a little nervous.
Not that he'd ever admit that.
"Rule Four: The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool. Places where there are no parents, policemen, or nuns within eyesight. Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing, holding hands, or happiness. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff T-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka zipped up to her throat. If you take her to muggle London, movies with a strong romantic or sexual theme are to be avoided. Movies, which feature chainsaws, are okay. Quidditch games are okay. Old folks homes are better," Sirius continued. He finished his document and opened a drawer in his desk.
He pulled out an old wooden box with the Black crest on it. He opened it and withdrew a wicked knife.
And then he began sharpening it.
Tom kept the horror from his face but he could only think one thing: WHAT THE FUCK?
"Rule Five: Do not lie to me. I may appear to be a handsome, young, college-aged, Marauder but I'm also an Unspeakable. On issues relating to my daughter, I am the all-knowing, merciless god of your universe. If I ask you where you are going and with whom, you have one chance to tell me the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I have a wand, my knives, and one hundred acres of Black estate. Do not trifle with me," Sirius snarled, giving Tom a sharp look.
Tom's eyes widened the slightest bit and Sirius seemed a bit happier now. He thought he was winning. Tom would commit suicide before he let Black think he won. Tom took on a bored expression, as if he weren't paying attention.
Even though he was. Sirius looked ready to throw those knives at him.
"Rule Six: Upsetting her means upsetting me. Upsetting me means that you will have a werewolf and an Animagus on your ass. I hope that you can run fast because you're going to need it. In my Animagus form, I can run twenty miles an hour. Werewolves run faster. I just wanted to alert you to that little fun fact. If you try any funny stuff, I will register you as a sex offender in every country in Europe," Sirius added. He pretended that he was going to throw one of the sharper knives. Tom instinctively began to dodge. Sirius let out a bark of hard laughter.
"Rule Seven: I do not want to get to know you. You do not want to get to know me. That is fine. We do not have to discuss politics or sport or whatever. But, be sure that I will be looking at your history in the files in the Department of Mysteries and the DMLE. The only information I need to hear from your mouth is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need to hear from you on that subject is 'early'. She has a curfew. She should be back here before midnight. If she is even one minute late, you will find yourself without a vital body part," Sirius warned. Tom nodded, slowly.
What the hell? Bella's godfather was fucking crazy. Did he really have to be soul bound to the girl with the crazy ass guardian?
"Rule Eight: Be afraid. Be very afraid."
"Yes. All right. Can I leave…I'm leaving now," Tom said, looking at the fanatical man. Sirius held up a hand and looked down at his desk.
"Wait. My daughter explained her affections for you and it sounded strangely familiar. You see, Lily was an Unspeakable as well. She worked in the Death Chamber. But, as an Apprentice, she studied the Book of Bonds in a room right off the Love Chamber. I'm sure you've heard of the Book of Bonds. It's interesting enough that Bella has a soul bond. And they are pretty confusing. Studies have shown that most people who have a soul bond that has been consummated have no idea why they are attracted to their partner," Sirius started.
Tom froze and a winning smile spread across Sirius' face. He looked unbelievable smug in that one moment and Tom was trapped. He had tried so damn hard for no one to find out. It would be just tedious and annoying. But, of course, Bella's godfather had to be annoyingly persistent, a Black, and an Unspeakable.
"I asked her why you. She listed several bad traits of you. She said you were a terrible person. Interestingly enough, she backtracked and called you 'compassionate, kind, caring, and a good man'. I think that's a load of bull. She doesn't know why. That leads me to believe that she's Imperiused or she has a soul bond. Which one? Pick wisely. If you pick the wrong one, I'll be obligated to carve you into a jack o' lantern for the upcoming Halloween," Sirius said, flatly. Tom crossed her arms.
"You already figured it out. What are you going to do? Destroy your goddaughter's other half? She'd hate you," Tom said, coldly, dropping his hand into the pocket of his trousers. Sirius laughed and nodded. His laugh was a vicious bite and he suddenly stood up.
"That's true. But, I think I'll let you destroy yourself. If there's anything Bella and I share, it's the fact that we hate being lied to. And you've been lying to her about this from day one, haven't you?" Sirius countered. Tom tensed and his hand closed around his wand.
He couldn't help but think of something else he wasn't telling the young woman. Something else that was equally important as the soul bond or even more so.
"I thought so. For someone as old as you, Riddle, you're incredibly stupid."
"You're the last one to be telling me that I'm stupid, mutt," Tom snarled. He spun on his heel. He threw the door open and walked out quickly, leaving Sirius in the room. Tom stopped in the dining room. The fire in the fireplace was roaring. Draco and Blaise stood near it with an annoyed Bella.
Maya and Hermione were nowhere to be seen.
"Before you leave…" Blaise said, almost cheerfully.
That's when Tom knew something was wrong. Blaise didn't do cheerful. He was morose and unemotional at best.
"What is it now?" Tom sighed. Bella raised an eyebrow.
"What did he say to you?"
"Ask him yourself. Now what is it?" Tom demanded. Blaise and Draco cleared their throats. Draco stepped forward and gave Tom a dark look.
"Hurt her and your body will be found on Hogwarts' Grounds," Draco started. Blaise nodded, sagely.
"In pieces," Blaise added. Tom pinched the bridge of his nose and Bella glared at both of them.
"Shut the hell up. Both of you," Bella snarled. Tom rolled his eyes, took a pinch of Floo powder, wrapped his arm around Bella's waist, and pulled her into the green inferno.
"Caldero Hirviendo," Tom said, clearly. Blaise's eyes widened and Bella blinked in surprise.
Soon, they were spinning and Bella once again, almost fell out of the fireplace once more. Tom darted forward and caught her before she hit the ground. She gasped and laughed when he pulled her back up. He rolled her eyes and she glared at him.
"Don't be an arse," she warned him. Tom shrugged. He wasn't really in the mood for banter.
"Where are we?" Bella asked. No one was really staring at them but that was probably because not many people had really noticed them yet. Bella flinched when she saw a group of witches reading a translation of Witch Weekly.
"Spain. Madrid to be exact. And we have a dinner reservation. Come on," Tom sighed. Bella followed him as he led her out of the small shop and out into Wizarding Spain.
Five pairs of eyes followed the couple.
Restaurante Botín, C/ de Los Churchilleros, 17, 28005 Madrid, Spain
Saturday the 31st of July 1995
7:20 PM
"Are you serious?" groaned Tom. He looked behind him. Bella glanced behind and groaned. Those damned witches that had been reading Witch Weekly was following them in what they thought was a stealthy manner.
"I don't think we'll be able to enjoy a peaceful dinner. I don't think they'll let us," Bella sighed. Tom sighed. He was increasingly annoyed. Not only did they have crazy stalkers with hair the color of the rainbow but he was still thinking about Sirius Black's not so subtle threats.
He had an idea of where to go instead but the image of Black sharpening those freaking knives…
"Ah, to hell with it," Tom sighed. Bella looked at him, curiously. She, herself, was increasingly annoyed with the prolonged silence. It was actually pissing her off to the point where she'd rather just go home and walk around London with Hermione.
"What is it?" Bella asked, a little more sharply than she would have normally asked that question. Tom shook his head and grabbed Bella's wrist.
"We're going to have to skip out on dinner in Madrid," Tom sighed. Bella blinked in surprise and cleared her throat.
"We're not going back to London, are we?" Bella asked. Tom shook his hair and ran a hand through his loose black hair. The group of girls a little ways behind them tittered as they caught up.
"No. No, come on. Let's walk before they catch us," Tom insisted. Bella and Tom began walking quickly. Tom led her through the crowds of people and the group of girls went even quicker. Bella glanced behind her.
"They're going faster," Bella said, quickly. Tom groaned and Bella bent down, hooking her heels off, once again five foot five. Bella looked around, as if she were searching for something specific. She seemed to have found it. She pulled Tom along now and the pair made it much quicker through the crowds.
"Pido disculpas," Tom said to the woman he bumped into. She gave him a appreciative look and then glared at the woman leading him around. Bella ducked into an alley. Tom sighed, relieved.
"Now, take us to wherever we're going," Bella commanded. Tom glared at her and took a step forward. Bella backed into the wall of the alley and she gave him a flirtatious look. Tom bent down and kiss her, softly.
"It really is Tom Riddle!" a voice in heavily accented Spanish shouted in excitement. Tom pulled away from Bella, annoyed and he wrapped his arms around her waist, bringing her close.
There was a flash of light, annoyingly enough.
For the second time in two days, Bella felt as if she were being forced through a thin tube. It was getting increasingly uncomfortable, though no more uncomfortable than the first time she had been Apparated somewhere. She was annoyed that those damn girls had interrupted what had been very amazing.
But, she wasn't as annoyed as she was when they landed in an alley.
Not just any alley but an alley where it was raining.
"Damn," Tom cursed. He grabbed Bella's hand and the couple ran through the rain. Tom's white shirt was clinging to his pale skin and he was getting more than a few looks from the surrounding women under umbrellas. Bella was getting quite a few looks herself. Tom looked at the nearest street sign.
"We're still in Spain…where in Spain, exactly?" Bella asked, slowly. Tom cleared his throat.
"Barcelona. We're about fifteen blocks from my flat. I'll explain when we get there," Tom insisted. Bella couldn't help but notice that when Tom's hair was wet, it hung in thick pieces around his face. It enhanced his attractiveness. Bella's entire knot was wet and her kohl wasn't smearing, thank Merlin, but still…
Even though some part of her found this all amusing, she was more pissed than anything.
She was running, barefoot, wet, and hungry, through the streets of Barcelona because five rainbow-haired freaks. Damn those bitches…though, their faces when they caught Tom and Bella kissing in the alley was rather amusing. And she was going to Tom's flat…she wondered how long it would take until Tom realized that taking her to his flat wasn't a good thing for him.
Finally, they stopped outside a luxurious building. Bella smirked.
"Of course. You have to live in a luxury apartment. Right?" Bella teased. Tom rolled his eyes at her teasing.
"Oh, shut up and get inside," Tom snapped, annoyed. Bella snickered and pushed the door open. She slid inside the warm and dry lobby. The doorman seemed to do a double-take when he saw Bella. He was young and attractive by normal standards, looking about twenty-years-old.
His eyes widened more when Bella slid off her mask. Bella might have found him attractive if she didn't have such high standards.
But alas, the young fifteen-year-old did have high standards so she instantly dismissed him. The doorman opened his mouth to say something when Bella pulled Tom in along with her and wrapped her arm around his neck and gave him a light kiss. Tom pulled away first since Bella obviously didn't want to stop kissing him. He nodded at the doorman before pulling Bella down the well-lit hallway and to an ivory colored door. Tom pulled out his wand and touched the door.
The door clicked and swung open. Bella walked in, looking at everything with complete interest on her face.
The walls were brick painted white. Cream colored couches were to the right, making an 'L' shape. Sitting right in front of the couch was a modern wooden coffee table. To the left of the coffee table was a stand of lighter wood with a television that looked like it was never used on it. In the lower compartment was a music player and that new Muggle invention that had come out the year before, a DVD player.
Behind that was a low wall, also painted white with a large shelf unit sitting on it. There were bottles of wine and champagne stored there, obviously by color and brand. Bella's lips twitched.
That was so Tom.
Bella wandered in further, past the large case sitting on top of the low wall and blinked when she saw the kitchen. It was modern looking, everything made of stainless steel. Bella opened the refrigerator and was surprised to see it stocked.
"You can cook?" Bella asked, curiously. Tom rolled his eyes.
"How do you think I've survived? I didn't always have house elves, Ana," Tom said, teasingly. Bella gave him a light smirk and nodded. Bella made a right and stared down the hallway. On the left side was obviously Tom's bedroom. On the right was a glass bricked wall. You could barely see through the fogged glass but Bella could just make it out to be the bathroom.
"This is your bedroom," Bella said, finally turning to the left. Tom nodded, slowly, obviously wondering what she was thinking. Bella cleared her throat.
"You don't mind if I borrow something, do you?" Bella asked, innocently. Tom gave her a suspicious look. He obviously didn't really trust her not to do something with that tone of voice.
"Don't put on any of my expensive things. You don't mind chicken stir-fry do you?" Tom asked. Bella shrugged.
"Don't care. I'm just hungry," Bella sighed. She opened Tom's bedroom door and winked at him before sliding inside and closing it behind her. Now, she had him really freaked out. She loved when he had no idea what was going on.
It made him adorable.
She looked around the room and nodded in approval. In the middle of the room was a king-sized bed with a white, brown, and blue bedspread. The floor was sandy wood, a shade lighter than the floor outside of the room. A chest sat in front of the bed. Bella knelt and opened it and shook with silent laughter as she saw the amount of books stuffed into the trunk. Bella closed the trunk and turned away. She spotted a pair of double doors.
Bella opened the doors to Tom's closet and looked through before a smirk crossed her face. She pulled a black button down shirt from the closet and stripped. She slid on the shirt and buttoned it.
Tom was extremely tall so the shirt fell to her lower thigh, though there were still a few inches of bare skin above her knee. One of her shoulders were exposed and you could clearly make out the black bra strap. Bella pulled her fingers through her wet and slightly stringy hair, making sure that it'd be untangled before it dried. Bella opened the door and took in a silent breath.
Tom was standing by the stove, cooking. His shirt was off so Bella could see the muscles in back. His dark jeans were riding low on his hips. A towel was around his neck and his wet hair touch the white towel. Bella glided forward and wrapped her arms around Tom's waist. She pressed her cheek against his back.
"C'est très sexy," Bella murmured, her voice slightly breathy. Tom made a humming sound as he continued cooking.
"What's sexy?" Tom asked. Bella sighed.
"Je pense que c'est sexy que vous pouvez faire cuire."
"The fact that I can cook is not sexy. It's basic survival skills," Tom said, amused. Bella laughed but didn't relinquish her hold on Tom's waist.
"A basic survival skill that I didn't think you had. I find it sexy but that may be because I can't cook. I burned water. Apparently, it isn't' possible," Bella sighed. Tom suppressed his laugh and Bella made a happy gasp.
"You were about to laugh!"
"Yes, but you didn't try hard enough. Try a little harder and I might laugh," Tom commanded. Bella nodded and she rubbed her cheek against his back. She could picture Tom rolling his eyes at her behavior.
"Teach me to cook?" Bella asked. Tom snickered.
"No way in the seven hells. If you can burn water, you can not be taught," Tom said, simply as he flipped the vegetables and pieces of chicken in the pan. Bella's hold on his waist grew a little tighter.
"Please," Bella begged. Tom turned from the stir-fry and his eyes widened, infinitesimally at Bella's current outfit. Bella pressed her hands to Tom's hard abs and she brushed her fingers against his stomach, teasingly.
"Do not beg," Tom said in a slightly husky tone. Bella looked up at him with wide and innocent eyes.
"But I thought you liked it when I begged," she murmured. Tom's hands found her waist and he lifted Bella onto the counter next to the sink. She had her legs on either side of him and she squeezed his waist between her thighs. She slid forward until she was pressed against him. Her milky white legs were exposed and she wrapped them around his waist.
"I do. That's why I told you no begging. I like it far too much," Tom murmured.
And then he kissed her and Bella made a hum of appreciation in his mouth. It was a sweet and soft kiss. His pianist fingers combed through Bella's drying air. And then, suddenly they tangled in her hair and the kiss became possessive and ravenous. Bella gave a moan as Tom bit her lip.
Bella didn't mind Tom dominating her though normally she initiated things. This was what she wanted. She wanted Tom to claim her, despite the fact that she enjoyed being in control.
"Tom," she groaned as his kissed trailed down her jaw line. Bella's fingernails raked down Tom's back, lightly, making him shudder internally. Bella felt the open mouth kisses on the curve of her neck and she tilted her head to expose more of her neck. She could feel Tom's lips curl into a half-smile as his lips went to her exposed shoulder.
Everywhere his lips touched felt like a burn. Bella felt on fire and she wasn't sure she wanted to stop burning. She felt his teeth scrap against her skin, moving the strap of her bra, making it fall from her shoulder. Tom's mouth moved to suck on her collarbone. One hand remained in her hair and the other stroked Bella's leg, reverently.
"Tom…" Bella mewled. Tom pulled away and Bella pouted as she turned away from him, a wild smirk on his face as he watched Bella's pouty glare from the corner of his eyes.
"I hate you," Bella snapped. She made to push Tom but Tom kissed the palm of her hand. For the shortest of moments, the Deathly Hallows mark on the hand that he kissed tingled.
"No you don't. Now stop being a whiny baby and be quiet so I can finish cooking. Weren't you complaining of hunger before?"
Bella nodded.
"I'm hungrier now."
"Then hush."
Bella turned on the counter to stare out the window and at the streets. It had stopped raining about twenty minutes ago. She looked down and saw people roaming the streets. She smiled, softly.
"Why do you have a flat in Barcelona, anyway?" Bella questioned. Tom glanced over at her as he reached over to the shelf unit and took down a bottle of what looked to be sake.
"Why are you wearing my shirt?" he countered. Bella smirked.
"I wanted to."
"There's your answer. I wanted a flat in Barcelona. I enjoy Spain. I spend my summers here. Dumbledore thinks I stay at Hogwarts since I always come in and out of Hogwarts through the fireplace in my room. He's incredibly nosy," Tom sighed. Bella nodded.
"I'm well aware. The man tried to peek inside my mind. I still haven't forgiven him for that. Are you finished yet?" Bella asked, curiously. Tom nodded before dropping one more spice into it and turning off the stove. He reached into the cabinet next to Bella and pulled out two ceramic plates.
"Forks are in the drawer," Tom said as he served the chicken stir-fry and turned to the case unit and pulled down a bottle of wine. He poured himself a glass as Bella rummaged for the forks. She emerged with two, victoriously. She glanced at the wine and bit her lip.
"Could I try some?" Bella asked, slowly. Tom looked at her with surprise before he lips curled into a smirk.
"Isn't wine a little too classy for you? Don't you like Firewhiskey?"
"Shut up! I do like Firewhiskey. I liked aged Firewhiskey but I've always wanted to try wine. May I?" Bella asked. Tom shrugged and took down another wine glass and poured a generous amount, the same as his.
"One of the most expensive wines I have. A beautiful red wine. Château Mouton-Rothschild 1945," Tom said, almost reverently. Bella rolled her eyes and grabbed her plate as Tom did the same. Bella picked up her own glass and followed him into the sitting room. She sat on the floor at the table and he looked down at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, don't go high and mighty on me. It might work on other people but not with me," Bella snapped. Tom glared at her but settled on the floor, across from her. The two began to eat in silence and Bella eyed the wine, carefully.
She took a sip of it before coughing at the bitter liquid. Tom sniggered and looked away as Bella glared at him.
"It tastes…different than whiskey," Bella said, defensively. Tom nodded as he ate his stir-fry.
"It's bitter. This is your first time drinking wine, yes?" Tom asked. Bella nodded as she took in more of the stir-fry. Damn, he could cook. Bella rubbed her eyes. She was getting tired…it was so damn warm in the apartment…
"Yeah."
"Wine is an acquired taste. Don't waste my wine," Tom warned. Bella nodded, absently and took another sip. It still tasted bitter but Bella knew she had to quickly get accustomed to it.
"I won't. I won't. Don't be a nag," Bella sighed. Tom rolled his eyes and Bella suddenly looked up at him.
"Your gift…it was beautiful," Bella said, softly. Tom shrugged nonchalantly.
"I only added music to it."
"Yes, but you composed it, correct? You're a genius. It's actually annoying how smart you. Do you have an eidetic memory or something?" Bella demanded. Tom nodded with a smug smile.
"As a matter of fact, I do. Jealous?" Tom asked. Bella rolled her eyes and fingered her locket. Despite the coolness of the metal on her fingers, against her chest, it felt arm. Almost like a beating heart.
"Very," she said, flatly. She took another long sip of the wine and finished her stir-fry in a matter of minutes. Tom was already finished with his food and wine. Bella glared at him as he looked at her haughtily, as if it were her fault that he had finished his dinner before her. It might have been.
Bella took the glass of wine and finished it, quickly. Tom refused to gasp when he looked at Bella. He looked away, quickly, thinking of the knives that Sirius Black had been sharpening. Knowing the suspicious man, he'd cast a spell, checking of Bella was still a virgin.
But, dammit, Tom had needs. And Bella wasn't helping with her bedroom eyes and wine stained lips. Not to mention the fact that she looked incredibly sexy in his shirt. The shirt was too big for her and it made her look cute.
How was it fucking possible to look adorable and sexy?
"Hmmm…" Bella hummed. She crawled to the other side of the table and sat next to Tom. Her head fell on his chest and she wrapped her arms around his middle.
"Don't fall asleep," Tom warned. Bella shrugged, lazily.
"It's only ten after nine. I can sleep for a half hour," Bella murmured. Tom sighed and reached to the table to grab a book.
"Sleep," Tom said, soothingly.
Bella drifted off to sleep, no problem.
She was walking. He footsteps echoed in the silent corridor of onyx. There was a door…
It looked so far away…yet only a breath away…
"Mmm…" Bella moaned when she felt lips sucking on her bottom lip. Bella leaned up into the kiss, almost unconsciously. Bella kissed him back and she shifted until she was straddling his legs. She kissed his neck before leaning in, licking the shell of his ear. Tom groaned as her tongue went from his ear and down his neck. Her lips continued downwards and tongue darted across one of Tom's nipples.
Tom's groan was slightly louder this time. Bella's lips continued downwards as she kissed him, reverently.
Only when her fingers found the button of his pants did Tom remember himself.
And the knives.
"Bella…Bella. Ana, no. Not right now," Tom said, hoarsely. Bella moaned in annoyance and she looked up at him with annoyance clear on her face.
"Why not? I want to. Do you not want me?" Bella asked, looking upset. Tom's lips curled into a half-smile.
"I do. But not right now."
"Next time, I will," Bella said, strongly. Tom's lips curled into a grin.
"I look forward to it."
Number 12, Grimmauld Place, London, England, Great Britain
Saturday the 31st of July 1995
9:30 PM
"Look! The fire's turning green!" Hermione said, pointing to the fireplace.
The three-quarters of the family were gathered in the drawing room as always and Sirius was sitting with his box of knives. He had been sharpening them since Bella had left with Tom and he was eagerly waiting to see if Tom had done anything wrong.
Bella stepped out of the fire first. She wore her spring green dress though it looked wet. She wore a button down black shirt over it and her heels were hanging from her fingers. Tom stepped out next, wearing the exact outfit that he had been before, his shirt slightly damp as well.
"Hey!" Bella said, grinning. She frowned when she saw Sirius.
"Uncle Sirius…why do you have your knives? You never take them out…"
Tom had stiffened considerably and his eyes weren't leaving the knives that promised his end.
"Riddle knows. How was dinner, Bella?" Sirius asked with a gentle smile. Bella frowned and then glanced at Tom with a vengeful smirk. Sirius wondered what he had denied her.
"Tom makes a mean stir-fry. And his apartment in Barcelona is very nice."
Sirius stood up, his wand pointed at the man. He looked insane, as if he had just escaped from Azkaban. Tom glared at Bella, annoyed.
"She's joking."
"No I'm not."
"Yes, you are," Tom said, forcefully.
"Nope," Bella said, making her lips pop. Maya couldn't help but notice that her lips were now the color of red wine.
"I'll teach you how to cook," Tom sighed. Bella grinned.
"I'm joking. Bye, Tom," Bella said, wiggling her fingers at him. Tom bent down and kissed her forehead.
"Goodbye, love."
And he disappeared into the green inferno. As soon as he was gone, Hermione had all but attacked her. She pulled Bella down next to her and Maya leaned forward, eager as well.
"What happened?" Maya and Hermione asked in unison. Bella's lips curled into a smile.
"Well…we went to Madrid first…"
:::
A/N: There's the chapter. I have to say, this is one of my favorites. I had the idea about Barcelona last minute. I don't have much to say since it's so late so…yeah.
Next Chapter: Riddle Manor, Cooking Classes, and Bedrooms
