"Get up." Bella said pushing back a stray curl as she circled Lily like a predator.
Lily panted slightly and braced her hands on the floor to get up. They had been at this for four days and despite what Lily thought Bella assured her she was getting better.
"Come on, the trials are tomorrow, and you've got to make the cut." Bella said blasting a hex near Lily's foot to get her to move. "It would be a total embarrassment if you didn't make it."
Lily pushed herself up to a seated position.
"Really, what are you going to prove all those bastards right?" Bella blasted again nearly hitting Lily's hand. "Prove that you're a worthless mudblood?" That did it, Lily was on her feet and firing off a curse with such force it made Bella stumble back.
"Again!" Bella said laughing as Lily roared at her, "Come now little mudblood. Prove you can do this."
"Don't. Call. Me. That." Lily panted out as Lucius entered the room and took a seat at an empty desk to watch.
"It's what you are, it's what you think, why shouldn't I call you that?" Bella chided
"Come on Strawberry don't let her talk like that. Blast her." He called out encouragingly. "Knock her on her ass please."
Lily dodged the next volley of spells and ducked behind a table.
"Oh come on Lily! There's not going to be table to hide behind tomorrow." Bella shouted in annoyance. "Useless!" Bella shouted louder kicking a chair away to round on Lily.
Lily moved quickly back towards the wall cornering herself as Bella blasted a chunk of plaster down around her. Her heart raced; she appreciated the practice, but Bella seemed to really be enraged. This had gone beyond a mere practice.
"Bella," Lucius seemed to have noticed it too and stood with his wand trained on Bellatrix. "Back up."
Bella inched closer blasting again, a wild laughter emanated from within her. She had gone mad it seemed as she raised her hand again to send a curse the wand flew from her fingertips and landed in Lily's outstretched hand.
"Now who's in trouble?" Lily asked and sent a body bind striking Bella in the legs and toppling her over. She had great satisfaction in Bella's heavy landing on the dark wood floor with no way to stop herself or brace for it.
Bella continued her laughter waiting for the curse to be lifted. "Better. Let's go again."
"I think Evans is good." Lucius replied, "Besides the point of the duel is to disarm Bella, not to injure."
Bella stopped laughing and sighed, "Taking all the fun out of it. Where's Antonin?"
"Detention' with Slughorn. Getting some last-minute tips, I should think. I doubt he will make the cut. Still, every little bit will help I guess." Lily heard the disappointment in Lucius' voice before she lifted the curse and tossing Bella back her wand.
"What if he doesn't make it?" Lily asked taking a sip of water and catching her breath. She was glad their practice session appeared to be over.
"Thrashing I would imagine. His father was the duelling champion during his time here, it is a title that Antonin wants to continue. Still, he's hopeless really just doesn't have the speed or predisposition for it."
Bella was busily dusting herself off as she gratefully took some water from Lily. "Should have spent more time working on duelling than on quidditch. He's mediocre at best at most things if you ask me. Not like our Lily though." Bella said putting her arm around Lily's shoulder. "A natural talent if ever there was."
Lily stiffened at Bella's touch; she knew the 'mudblood' comment was said just to get a rise out of her, but it still hurt. That disgusting word coming from Bella's beautiful lips.