Hey, B.B. here! Hope everything is good with you guys. Just wanted to thank you so much for reading, it's the first thing that's made me genuinely happy for the first time in a very long time. Writing is one of the best ways for me to be creative, and seeing that people other than me have an interest in it is just so therapeutic.

Feel free to leave a review, I want to hear what you guys are thinking so far!

I AM NOT PROFITING FROM THIS IN ANY WAY. ALL RECOGNIZABLE CHARACTERS, PLACES, AND EVENTS BELONG TO J.K. ROWLING

Chapter Six

Rose cursed to herself quietly when she awoke in a hospital bed.

"Shit." she croaked. Her head felt like it had been stomped on by a troll, and her body felt like it was filled with lead. Then she noticed that something was holding her down. A familiar but enormous face slid into view.

"Heya Peppers," she said calmly "Did I shrink or something?" but the snake simply blinked and went back to resting his head above hers. Struggling to sit up, Rose noticed that Peppers had in fact, become very large and wound himself protectively around her. She also saw several concerned faces.

"Did I black out again?" she asked. Madame Pomfrey looked horrified, and for some reason Professor Kettleburn was there as well, giving her a strange look.

"I'm retiring soon. I don't care what anybody says, one day I will retire while I have all my limbs," he muttered, and turned to leave without a word to Rose. He was limping.

"Rose how are you feeling?" Pomfrey stayed where she was, which was quite a distance from the bed. Rose slowly inched her way into a sitting position and Peppers curled himself around her waist.

"My head really hurts. Also, what the fuck happened?" she asked in her most even tone of voice. But in her head, she was freaking out. Pomfrey cringed at the language and Rose apologized, but the question still stood.

"Do you remember anything from last night? Or rather, this morning?" the woman asked. Rose frowned. Then smiled.

"Yeah I was at the Halloween party and then I went back to my dorm to sleep. But how did I get here?" she looked around. The infirmary was empty, save for her, Pomfrey, and the two youngest Black sisters, who were asleep in other beds. They didn't look hurt though, and they were still wearing their cloaks from yesterday morning.

"Oh." Madame Pomfrey nodded, and she looked very concerned.

"Why? What happened?" she wiggled a little and the snake loosened its grip. The nurse grimaced.

"You'd better speak to the headmaster. These past few hours have been nothing short of a complete mess. Are you feeling well enough to walk?" she still stayed far away from Rose as she spoke.

"I mean yeah, I guess. Should I go now, what time is it?" Rose wiggled a little more and Peppers slithered off the bed with a thump. She guessed her snake was big enough to eat a small child now, if he wanted to.

"It's about two in the afternoon, dear. You're not going to bring that thing with you, are you?" she backed up more, keeping a healthy ten feet between her and Peppers. Rose looked at him and admitted that his new size would be something to consider.

"Yeah, I'll bring him with me. He's a sweetie." and she gave him a pat on the head. "Come on buddy," she said to him, like a dog, and she left the infirmary after thanking Madame Pomfrey.

The walk to Dumbledore's office was interesting. Most students shrieked or shouted in fright. Several pulled out their wands and pointed. Nobody was expecting to see a Gryffindor strolling the halls with a large reptile in tow. It seemed like a very Slytherin thing to do. Peppers moved beside her silently, except for the occasional rustle of scales on stone. The brunette meanwhile was struggling to remember what had happened last night. Was she drinking? She couldn't remember if there was alcohol at the party. When she arrived, the gargoyle had already moved for her, and it eyed Peppers distastefully.

"Thanks," Rose said with a nod and allowed Peppers to go up the stairs before her. At the top of the stairs, Rose was about to open the door when her stomach lurched. She could hear Bellatrix in there, shrieking about attacking someone. Rose carefully pushed open the door and Peppers nosed his way in. The shouting stopped and Rose followed her snake. Bellatrix was standing in front of Dumbledore's desk, hands on her hips and eyes wide. Dumbledore was sitting in his chair, face as neutral as ever, although Rose noticed a flicker of uneasiness before he gave a small smile.

"You." Bellatrix pointed "You! Was this your plan? Huh? To get me expelled?!" she shouted, and she quickly advanced on Rose, whose jaw just dropped.

"What?" she said, genuinely bewildered.

"You bloody waltzed into the common room like you owned the place and attacked me!" Bellatrix was still shouting, despite their proximity. Her hair wasn't kept up in its usual way and was instead free to move about as she yelled. Rose could only really think about how lucky she was to be so pretty.

"I didn't do that," Rose said quietly, aware of Dumbledore staring at this exchange. Bellatrix howled in frustration and whipped around to face Dumbledore.

"See? I told you she would lie! Honestly, you think I did that to her face? It was her!" at this, Rose reached up and felt that there was a cut there. It was partially healed, and it was sore.

"Where did this come from?" she wondered out loud. Bellatrix unleashed another growl, and Rose was actually curious about what was going on. Peppers had curled himself into a tight ball at the base of the steps before Dumbledore's desk.

"Sir, I hope you don't mind me asking, but did something bad happen? Is everyone okay?" Rose gave an apologetic smile and ignored Bellatrix as she walked up to the desk. The aging man just pinched the bridge of his nose, and it seemed like ages before he regained his composure and spoke.

"Last night, you entered the Slytherin common room with your wand readied, and Miss Black took that as an offense. According to her, you were just about to attack her before you stopped yourself. Her sisters entered shortly after and you were immobilized and sent to the infirmary." he looked a little tired as he said this. Rose blanched at this revelation; for one, she didn't remember anything, and secondly, why did she even attempt to attack Bellatrix? But the Slytherin girl must have attacked her as well, it would explain the cut.

"So this was her fault?" she asked, pointing to her face. Bellatrix looked like she was about to strangle Rose.

"No, you nitwit, that was you. You started slamming your head on the floor! And everybody thinks I did something to you, so he's trying to kick me out." her arms were crossed and she was tapping her foot impatiently.

"Oh. Wow, I'm sorry." Rose said quietly "I didn't mean for you to get expelled."

"No," Dumbledore unclasped his hands and held them up "Nobody is getting expelled yet. But you will face punishment if you are late for your detentions. Miss Black, I believe you should go back to your dormitory before yours starts. Miss Damonne, I would like to speak to you." he waved Bellatrix off, who still looked pissed, but considerably less since she wouldn't get kicked out in her last year. Rose watched the other girl leave, who made a point to stick her tongue out and flip her off. Dumbledore rolled his eyes but smiled at Rose.

"You have caused quite a stir in such a short time, Rose Damonne. I would say I'm impressed, but it's a given considering your natural talent. It's a shame we had to meet so soon after our last chat." he gestured to the chair in front of his desk, and again Rose sat.

"Dumbledore sir, I can't help but wonder if this is connected to what happened last time. I apparently entered the Forbidden Forest, and now the Slytherin common room, but I don't remember actually doing any of that." Rose blurted helplessly. The old man's brow furrowed a little. Without warning, he reached a hand out.

"May I see your wand?" he stroked his beard with the other hand. Rose pulled it from her robes and gently handed it to him.

"Dangerous," he said simply. It sat on his desk and actually looked pretty simple and unassuming. He looked at Rose.

"Do you know who else had a yew wand? Of even roughly the same length in fact?" he peered at her over his spectacles. Rose shook her head; she wasn't totally aware of Hogwarts alumni. It never occurred to her that she should have studied up on that when she moved.

"He was a Slytherin. Very strong, ambitious, determined. A little different than you; you strike me as a more thoughtful person. But your similarities stand. He had amazing potential." Dumbledore said quietly.

"Had? What happened to him?" Rose asked, now very curious.

"He got wrapped up in the Dark Arts. He wanted to become the most powerful wizard there ever was. He wished to purge the world of Muggles, and claim the world in the name of witches and wizards."

"Oh, so he was a fanatic. What, did he not print enough pamphlets?" Rose joked weakly. Dumbledore raised an eyebrow but shook his head.

"He had many young followers in fact, those who found him to have a magnetic personality. He received many merits and awards, and he wanted to teach here when he graduated. But he was too young, so Headmaster Dippet wisely told him to reapply in a few years. So he worked at Borgin and Burke's, much to everybody's disappointment." Rose decided she would look that store up later because she didn't actually know what it was.

"He killed a woman you know. Probably several people in fact. I had once trusted him. But he was such a manipulative boy when I met him at the orphanage." Dumbledore seemed lost in thought.

"Sir, who was he?" Rose found the pronoun game to be annoying now.

"Ah. His name? Tom Marvolo Riddle." Dumbledore pushed Rose's wand back to her, but she didn't pick it up. Tom.

"I'm surprised you didn't do your research, you stupid girl." he hissed. Rose just stared at her wand on the desk, and she could feel tunnel vision setting in. The sound of screeching filled her ears, but she could still hear Tom.

"You will do what I command you to do. You will kill Bellatrix Black. Then you will reach your full potential. Kill Bellatrix Black." he repeated. Rose wanted to cover her ears or scream, anything to drown out his voice and the voices that layered over his, groaning and howling. It was maddening.

"Miss Damonne?" Dumbledore said with concern. The fire in the hearth had blazed up and papers were flying about the room. Rose was releasing a lot of unstable magic in her mental struggle.

"Rose." Dumbledore touched her arm gently, and she flinched. She took her wand.

"Yes?" she smiled at him, but she looked confused. Dumbledore made a mental note of this and gestured to Peppers.

"You know that snakes weren't on the list of acceptable familiars. I have no idea how you managed to get such a large one into the school, but it must be dealt with accordingly." he looked her hard in the eyes, something there that she would have called fear, but Dumbledore didn't strike her as a man to show that so easily. Rose felt immediate panic rise in her chest and she stiffened. Peppers was watching them passively.

"I can't in good conscience allow a large reptile to roam the school. It could attack a student." he folded his hands in his lap. Rose practically had tears in her eyes now, and her voice cracked.

"But he only just got this big! I swear, he used to be so tiny! And he'd never hurt anybody, he's a sweet boy!" she was practically shouting. Peppers was everything to her. She never actually spoke to him, but sometimes she would think things at him, and she felt that he understood. Peppers uncoiled himself and slithered to Rose, who was shaking and breathing heavily. Dumbledore couldn't take him. The python wiggled his head up under her arm and rested his head in her lap, deep black eyes gazing at Dumbledore, who frowned.

"What do you mean smaller."

"He could fit in my hand sir. But I woke up and he was this big." tears began to trickle down her face. For a brief moment, she thought that she would die for Peppers if she had to. Dumbledore stood and pulled out his wand.

"Reducio." the spell was directed at Peppers, and the snake quickly shrunk to his original size. Peppers sat demurely in Rose's lap, and she immediately put him on her shoulders. The Gryffindor already felt calmer as she stroked his head. Dumbledore looked at her sadly.

"Miss Damonne, the issue still stands. While the snake may be small now, he could possibly grow again and harm others. It's a risk I cannot afford in a school filled with many students."

"Sir please, you can't take Peppers away." her voice was a whisper.

"It is a hazard," he stated. Rose knew it was the end of the conversation.

"You're not taking him." her teeth were bared, and her face was streaked with tears "I'll send him home." she stood up without being dismissed. Dumbledore said nothing. Rose was thoroughly horrified, disgusted even. How dare anybody threaten to take Peppers? She practically stomped through the halls, still crying. Some small part of her felt childish, ridiculous even, but she didn't care right now. She was possessed by a fanatic, she couldn't remember chunks of her life. This school was tearing her apart. And it was only freaking November.

"Rose." Andromeda snapped the brunette out of her fuming. Rose noticed that she was in the clock tower courtyard. The nip in the autumn air caused Peppers to hide in Rose's robes.

"Are you alright?" the middle Black sister brushed a dark brown curl behind her ear. Rose sat on a cold bench at the side of the courtyard and huffed.

"No. I mean yeah I'm fine. I could be better. How about you?" Rose asked, studying her shoes. Andromeda sat next to her.

"I don't know how I feel about you, Rose." she gave her a weird look, but Rose didn't notice.

"For some reason, Cissy is enamored with you and your snake. It's all she ever talks about. You're like a hero to her. Or a distant cousin." she wrinkled her nose.

"But. I think you're smart. And nice. And I also know that Bella didn't hurt you. Because I don't think she really ever would. She can be a bitch, and just downright awful, but she does respect you in a way." Andromeda tucked her hands farther into her muffler that was hanging around her neck. Rose smiled weakly at the ground.

"Thanks."

"Can I tell you something?" Andromeda said suddenly. Rose turned her head, still leaned over. The cut on her face burned. Andromeda took a deep breath and stared at the horizon.

"I like someone."

"Oh. Okay. That's cool."

"No, you don't understand. He's…" she faltered and grimaced "He's not a pureblood. His parents are muggles." and Rose understood.

"Oh. I see. And how's that working out?" she said, trying not to sound bitter. Andromeda gave a light caustic chuckle. A slight pink tinted her face.

"I really do like him. I've never felt this way before about anyone. But I can't tell Bella. Or Cissy." she finished frantically. Rose frowned.

"They're your sisters, they'll love you no matter what."

"No, Rose I don't think you understand. My family? I—they can't know. Ever. It would be catastrophic."

"So what are you going to do?"

"I don't know, but I love Ted. Nothing will change that," she said firmly. Rose only nodded; she didn't have anything to offer for advice. She had never been in a relationship or really liked anybody. And she certainly wasn't part of a strict pureblood family. The older girl felt a little bad.

"Well, whatever happens, I hope that you're happy. And safe," she added. Andromeda nodded her thanks. And then they sat there in companionable silence. Rose let Andromeda's words sink in, and contemplated the significance. If her family found out about Ted, it wouldn't exactly be heartwarming. Like Romeo and Juliet. Hopefully, neither of them would die. The great bell chimed to signal the end of regular classes, and Rose stood up.

"I have detention now. I'll see you around, Andromeda." Rose said numbly. The other girl caught her hand and made Rose look at her.

"Things will get better Rose. Chin up and all that." she smiled. Rose nodded and forced a laugh before going back inside the school. While their chat had sobered her, Rose was still pretty pissed at Dumbledore, and she was in no rush to get to the potions classroom that night. She moved quietly through the halls, repeatedly thinking about how the headmaster just wanted to get rid of her only comfort. She liked her new friends and missed her old ones, but Peppers had always been a constant. And that was a fact.

"Holy shit I'm an idiot." she stopped in the middle of the hall and almost slapped herself in the face. She could just transfigure Peppers into something else, and nobody would be the wiser. Except maybe Dumbledore, who used to be the transfiguration professor. But it could totally fool other people. Sure, it basically bordered animal cruelty, but it was the best option. A little more invigorated, the Gryffindor student resumed her walk to the dungeons, and only arrived ten minutes late. She opened the door and lingered there. Slughorn was sorting ingredients on a shelf and didn't hear her walk in.

"You've got a guest, professor." an all too familiar voice snipped. Rose's eyes rolled so hard she thought she detached her retinas. Slughorn whirled around and gave her a very nervous smile.

"Well, since I have both of you, detention can start. Of course, your house will lose points for your tardiness." he grimaced. Rose walked into the classroom and sat at a desk, not bothering to look at Bellatrix who was cackling quietly.

"You'll sort these ingredients and dust off the jars. No stealing, although I'm sure Miss Damonne knows that full well." he nodded. Bellatrix groaned.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get dinner." Slughorn moved to the door with remarkable speed.

"You're just gonna leave us here?" Rose exclaimed. Not that she would run off or anything, but did he really trust Bellatrix that much? Slughorn was already gone, and the door closed. Rose sighed heavily and almost slammed her head down on the desk. In a flash, a hot hand grabbed her by the back of her neck and yanked her backward, almost pulling her out of the chair. Rose yelped, and looked up into the face of Bellatrix Black, still beautiful albeit upside down.

"Okay you little shit, why are you going through my mail. How did you go through it? Or are you in my head?" she hissed. Her nails dug into Rose's skin, and the brunette didn't dare look into her face.

"Again, no idea what you're talking about. I honestly think you're making things up just to get at me." Rose mumbled, staring at the ceiling. Bellatrix growled and shoved Rose forward. She stalked to the front of the desk and glared daggers.

"You fucking knew about the arranged marriage. How. Tell me." she seethed. Her knuckles were white as she curled her hands into fists. Rose resisted the urge to throw up her hands in defeat because she really didn't know how to explain that someone was fucking with her head currently. A cold chuckle from Tom emphasized her point.

"If you kill her, it will make you feel better," he said simply, as if it were as easy as one plus one. Rose sighed.

"Bellatrix. I really don't know what you're talking about. But I'm sorry you're stuck in an arranged marriage. Sounds like it sucks." she said quietly. Bellatrix shrieked in frustration and slammed her hands down on the desk. Rose flinched a little, but still sat there. Peppers slithered out of the sleeve of her cloak and settled himself between the two girls.

"You don't know anything you stupid git. Piss off." she growled. Rose jabbed a thumb at the door.

"Can't leave. Detention."

"Then go somewhere else. I'm here now." she sneered. Rose wondered why the eldest Black was so childish, but nonetheless went to the shelves to organize like Slughorn had said. Peppers stayed on the desk.

"Don't hurt him, Black." Rose warned when she turned her back. She could only imagine what the dreadful girl would do in such a foul mood. Bellatrix just grunted. Then she turned around and squinted accusingly.

"So what's wrong with you then? That muggle blood messing with your mind? Are you defective?" she sneered again. Rose didn't face her and put powdered bicorn horn on the top shelf. Slughorn should order more.

"What?"

"You don't remember anything that isn't academic. And you do weird shit all the time. But yet you're so quiet in class, like a little mouse. You're a shite Gryffindor." the dark haired girl mocked her in a singsong voice. Rose paused her work to give Bellatrix an empty-eyed look. She was getting tired of this girl's shit. And they were only about an hour into detention at this point.

"Like that. Why is your face like that?" Bellatrix scowled dramatically. Rose went back to cleaning jars without saying anything.

"Fine. Weirdo. Don't talk then." the girl huffed and leaned back in a chair, picking at her teeth with her pinky nail. Rose slowly let out a breath through her teeth. An empty Bulbadox powder jar. Another rounder jar with beezles. Eyeballs, probably from a newt. Legs, from newts. Tails also from newts. Why wasn't there just a jar of newts? They practically had whole ones anyway.

There was an abhorrent amount of dust on everything, and Rose sneezed several times. Bellatrix occasionally told her to shut up when she did. How could one person be so bitter all the time, it probably used up a lot of energy.

"Have fun at the party?" Bellatrix asked a sickeningly sweet voice after a while. Rose screwed up her nose to fend off more sneezing.

"It was fine. How was house arrest?" Rose smirked; she just made a pun.

"If you mean a peaceful evening enjoying a book, then yes, that was fine. Until you brutally attacked me of course." the witch snickered "So when is that date of yours, hmm?" she yawned innocently and leaned back. Rose blushed and whirled on the girl.

"I'm not going on any dates, and how do you always know my business?" she retorted. Bellatrix sniffed.

"People talk. Too much usually. But I know all about you and that dumb Badger Boy." she waved a hand.

"Cyril is my friend, don't call him dumb." Rose shot back.

"Cywil is my fwend, wah wah." Bellatrix mocked. Rose was getting pissed.

"Shut up Bellatrix." Rose warned. She could sense Tom rearing his ugly snake face.

"Just kill her. Problem solved." Rose felt the soreness in her arms, and she began to move for her wand.

"Ooooh look at me, I'm Rose Damonne, I'm so quiet and special just because I'm from America and I'm so very smart." Bellatrix had both her hands pulled on her curls to mimic braids and she was talking at an annoyingly high pitch. Rose already had a spell in mind, but it wasn't a particularly nice one.

"Oh but poor me! I'm so sad all the time! I mope around like nobody understands me," Bellatrix's voice was less mocking now, more angry "I think that I'm the only person with problems, and I look so stupid moping around. Well guess what, Damonne," Bellatrix glared as Rose pointed her wand at her again "You're not special because you're sad. You look pathetic." she growled. Rose stared back, eyes wide. She put her wand to Bellatrix's forehead, and she spoke.

"Help. Please I can't control myself." she whispered, and the horrible shrieking began in her head again. It was deafening, and spots danced behind her eyes.

"Idiot girl, I can end your life for this insolence!" Tom roared, and the pain increased, the voices goading Rose to kill, to make the pain and voices go away. She hazily kept her wand pointed at Bellatrix. She could barely see the other witch.

Bellatrix was shouting.

"You're mad! Fucking crazy Damonne!" she stumbled backwards, and realized that she had tripped over a giant snake. But he was small a minute ago? Peppers reared up and hissed at her before coiling himself protectively around Rose. But the Gryffindor girl was shaking uncontrollably and tears streamed down her face.

"Help. Please...it hurts." she gasped out "The voices." Bellatrix was still on her ass, and she scrambled for her wand. Ah, yeah Slughorn confiscated hers before detention. He must have forgot about Rose's.

"Shit, what do you want me to do about it!" she shouted. Rose didn't answer, and a gleam flickered out at the end of her wand. The brunette could feel herself slipping. Before everything went dark, her wand was knocked from her hand and a disgusting liquid was forced down her throat. Lamely, she wished that she could not just pass out for once.

Tom sat at a long dark table, with Rose at the far end. She couldn't tell where they were, nor could she she the room they were in. He looked pretty pissed off, but he didn't lash out.

"An impressive potion you've developed." he commented after a moment of silence. Rose shrugged. The pale man rubbed his temples irritably.

"You're causing me an awful lot of grief, Rose."

"I could say the same to you. What do you want?" she leaned back lazily in her chair. Tom's mouth hardened into a thin line before he managed a very creepy smile.

"I want someone to assist me in my mission, my calling." his crimson eyes bore into her soul. Rose looked away.

"I want to make this a better world for wizards. We shouldn't have to hide from those pathetic worms that people call Muggles. It's unfitting, it's a travesty." Tom sighed. Rose mulled this over.

"Admirable. Except that means killing people, right? And I'm not exactly up for that." she explained. The man chuckled.

"You say that, but yet the thought has crossed your mind, has it not? If only you knew your true power, Rose Damonne." Rose blinked and she was sitting in a chair to the right of Tom. The table was filled with people in masks and cloaks, and they all stared, emotionless.

"You miss your friends, your old life. So simple. All of that anger and grief, wasted away on tears and hiding yourself away. A shame." the masked people leaned in.

"You could use it. Powerful emotions create even more powerful magic you know. And isn't that all we really want, deep down? A little power to have control over our pathetic little lives?" his words were like silk. Except the silk had been sent through a shredder. Rose stood up from her chair.

"I literally only want to get out of here. I don't care about power." she said simply. And she woke up. She was still in the potions classroom, and Peppers was a normal size, sitting on the desk. Bellatrix was sitting cross-legged across from her, and was studying a piece of paper.

"You're quite possibly the weirdest person to have ever gone to this school. You should honestly be put in an asylum." Bellatrix stated flatly. Rose blinked at her.

"What happened?"

"I gave you that goop you've been working on for weeks. It didn't kill you, so I guess you're not completely incompetent."

"Gee, thanks. How long was I out?"

"Only a few minutes. Long enough to draw this." she held out the paper. It was a mess of dark, grotesque faces contorted into screams of pain. Very macabre.

"I drew that?" Rose took the paper and looked at it. Bellatrix played with a curl in her hair.

"Yeah. You were knocked out, but then you asked for paper and a quill. And you just drew that mess. Mean anything?" Bellatrix leaned forward to look at the paper. Strands of her dark curly hair fell on the paper. Rose brushed them off absentmindedly as she tried to figure out the picture.

"I have no idea. I do know that I am royally fucked, though." Rose breathed and gave the picture back. Bellatrix looked at it again. Then she looked Rose in the eyes.

"You're positively mad with it. I think it's funny frankly." she blinked. Rose quirked a brow.

"You think my pain is funny? You're really fucked up." Rose responded. She felt very relaxed and carefree, maybe she should alter that potion a little bit. It could get her in trouble. Bellatrix smirked at her directness.

"Maybe so, Damonne. But as much as I enjoy seeing you squirm, the moping is annoying. Also my sisters think I should help you out. And because I love them oh so very much, I'll do it. Plus, I can see you get hurt along the way." she shrugged and ruffled her hair. Rose could smell pines, and the smell cleared her head a little.

"What do you mean help? I thought you hated me?" she drew her knees up to her chest.

"Where's my wand?" she looked around and remembered that Bellatrix had probably knocked it out of her hand. The other witch handed it to her and grimaced.

"Had to use it to get that bloody snake off you." she glance at Peppers, who was watching the girls talk. Rose frowned and looked at Peppers, who immediately transfigured into a small steel ring. Bellatrix raised her brows in mild shock.

"Wandless and wordless?" Rose just nodded and got up to retrieve the ring. She looked at it sadly before taking off her necklace and putting the ring on the chain. It clinked against the locket. When she graduated, she would be able to change him back, but for now, his changing size at will would only get him into trouble. Bellatrix watched her before standing and brushing off her skirt.

"I don't hate you. You're too brilliant for your own good. I just don't find you…" she glanced up and down at Rose, who rolled her eyes "Let's just say that if you had been put in Slytherin, maybe we could have been friends."

"Why can't we still be friends?" Rose crossed her arms, looking a little hurt.

"Don't be ridiculous, you're a Gryffindor and only a half-blood. I'm not that desperate." she tossed her hair. Rose shook her head and looked around the classroom aimlessly.

"What do we do now?" she fiddled with her wand. Bellatrix plopped back into a chair and leaned back, crossing her arms. Rose couldn't recall if she'd ever actually seen the girl sit normally.

"What we were doing before. You being a goody two shoes, and me waiting until I can go back to my dormitory and sleep." she waved Rose off with her hand. But Rose sat silently in the chair next to Bellatrix, hands woven together and clasped behind her head, which she rested on the desk.

"Or you could sleep I guess. Lazy arse." Bellatrix muttered, and she scooted her chair farther away. Rose wasn't sleeping though. She was just trying to comprehend the gravity of her current situation.