Staring blankly up at the ceiling, Bellatrix counted the cracks in the old ceiling of the old mansion. She hadn't slept the previous night, having poured herself into bed around five a.m, after having been sent on a mission to terrorize a small mudblood village with Alecto and Greyback. That was about three hours ago and yet, she still couldn't slumber. Her mind was racing with thoughts of Hermione.
She'd sent out the letter yesterday, but hadn't received a reply from the younger woman and she was anxious. She'd have to kidnap her if she didn't start talking and trusting Bella – something Bella desperately didn't want to do. Rolling over onto her side, she clenched her eyes closed and grasped for some reprieve from her cluttered mind.
Just as she began to relax and fall asleep, a knock startled her awake.
"You better have a bloody good reason for disturbing me," Bella hissed, throwing open her door and glaring at Narcissa.
Ignoring her sister's scowl, she pressed a letter into Bellatrix's chest. "A letter came for you."
"I can see that," Bellatrix snarled, "But is it so important that you would bother me while I slept?"
Narcissa snorted. "We both know you weren't asleep."
She was right. She knew it, Bellatrix knew it, but there wasn't a chance in Merlin's name that the dark-haired witch would admit it.
"And, dear sister, it's important because Nox was the owl that brought it to me, knowing I'd bring it to you," Narcissa continued, pushing past her sister to go and sit in the chair occupying the corner of the room.
Eyes widened, Bellatrix swiftly bounded to the bed and hopped gracelessly onto it, ripping off the seal. Her eyes eagerly scanned the page.
Black Panther,
I have decided to keep the inkwell. You're right, I don't trust you. I know your reputation and I've heard of what you've done to people.
However, teachers and others have always spoken of your intelligence and it would be pleasant to have an intellectual conversation with someone who isn't rambling about Quidditch or the paper they forgot to write for a class. I wish to get to know you. I do feel a connection to you and while I'm unaware of why and how, I would like to understand it better.
So, the ball is in your court…
The ball is in my court? Bellatrix wondered silently with a raised brow. What in the world does that mean?
…(it's a muggle phrase) and it's your choice if we continue on. I'm not going to meet with you, at least for now, and I'm most definitely not going with you to meet Voldemort.
Bellatrix bit back a hiss. This girl knew nothing of her Lord, yet spat his name out like it was an everyday occurrence. He deserved respect.
I also wish to thank you for the owl. Nox is quite a precious creature. He stole my toast and my friends'. It was quite a sight. But, I do appreciate him.
Awaiting your response,
The brightest witch of her age.
Bellatrix smiled. Aside from Hermione's mention of the Dark Lord, the letter was what she'd been hoping for. On top of it, the fifth year had managed quite a bit of discretion, should their letters be intercepted. The charm was a solid one, but in the event someone managed to guess the right counter, it would come in handy to have some discretion. She really did have one of the brightest minds, especially for her age.
"I take it the letter was answered how you'd hoped?" Narcissa inquired from her seat. Nodding, Bellatrix passed the letter to her sister, a smile.
A silence fell over the room for a moment before Narcissa's voice rang out. "You do realize I can't read this, correct?"
Laughing quietly, Bellatrix took back the letter and explained the letter. The blonde's nose crinkled at the mention of Voldemort's name, but was otherwise pleased.
Narcissa took a moment to study the dark witch as she talked about the paper held tightly in her hands. She hadn't seen Bella quite so excited since before she was married off to Rodolphus. Her insanity seemed to calm some when she spoke of the Dark Lord's daughter. She wondered how Bellatrix would be after having interacted and grown her relationship to the girl. Maybe this girl could pull Bella out of her darkness. That's what she hoped, at least.
"So what are you going to do?" Narcissa asked, breaking Bellatrix from her trance.
Bellatrix pursed her lips. "I'm going to tell our lord about this letter, then I shall write her back." She stood up from the bed, pressed her mark, and walked out of the room to wait for the Dark Lord. She was already planning what to write to Hermione.
(Bellamione)
Hermione hurried down into the Great Hall, her shoes clinking noisily against the floor. She'd gone up to the owlery when the sun rose to send off that letter to Bellatrix (boy, she never thought she would be saying those words – ever) and had decided to stop into the library to search for a book on animagus, since it seemed to be a common Black trait, she thought it'd be something helpful to study up on.
Harry and Ron were sitting in their usual seats, discussing something quietly.
"What's wrong?" Hermione asked, taking the seat on Harry's right.
"Umbridge," Ron practically growled, his face as red as his hair.
"What's she done?"
Ron took hold of Harry's arm and wrenched up his robes, showing off the deep wound cut into Harry's flesh.
"Dear Merlin," Hermione whispered, taking hold of Harry's arm and examining it. "You can't let her get away with this!"
Harry shoved off Hermione's hands and shoved his sleeve back down. "Dumbledore has enough to worry about right now. I can handle her."
Hermione huffed and grabbed a slice of toast. "That woman is awful. I can't believe someone like her is allowed to teach in a school."
"Who?" Ginny inquired, plopping down across from Hermione and shoveling food onto her plate.
"Umbridge," the Golden Trio replied in unison.
Ginny scrunched her nose up. She'd been helping her brothers make the younger students feel better after detention with that horrid creature. She was growing to despise the toad.
"Oh well," Harry sighed. "Did you finish the paper on Chinese Chomping Cabbages?"
Hermione nodded and Ron snorted loudly. "Of course she did. She probably finished it the day it was assigned." The girl blushed.
Harry laughed and nudged her with a grin. "You did, didn't you?"
Hermione's ears grew red with embarrassment and she took a swig of her pumpkin juice, smiling as her friends interacted. Maybe this year wouldn't be so terrible. All they needed to do was keep Harry away from anything dangerous, and that in itself would be a task.
(Bellamione)
I'm so sorry I've been gone for a while. Right after Christmas my granddad got sick and he passed away like 2 weeks later and then the snowpocalypse pushed his funeral back and it's just been a mess the past month or so. But, I will definitely try updating more often. Also, I'm sorry this chapter was short but it needed to be a filler chapter so that I can push on the story.