Bella quickly pulled her black sweatpants on to her thin form and tied them at the waist allowing them to hang just low enough to expose a hint of her stomach beneath her fitted black t-shirt. Both articles of clothing were unobtrusively marked with the Slytherin House crest and were the standard uniform for the Defense Against the Dark Arts classes. Bella stood in front of one of the many mirrors in the girls bathroom as she struggled with her masses of waist length hair before finally wrangling it into a neat pony tail high on the back of her head.

As she set her brush down on the edge of the black marble sink she once again noticed the huge evil ring perched on her finger, and grimacing attempted to free herself of it. With all of her strength she pulled at the ring causing it to dig into her grasping fingers and gouge them painfully. She let out an irritated and agonized gasp as she realized that both of here hands were bleeding now due to her vein attack on the ring.

She had tried this countless times since Rudolphus had bound the ring to her, every time hopping to move the ring even slightly, but to no avail. The finger baring the ring had become raw and was now cracked under the band from the continuous attempts. The wounds began to rain tiny droplets of blood that fell on to her bare feet. Closing her eyes in agony Bella dipped her hands into the sink under the cold running water, which felt as if it were biting into the small wounds.

Narcissa's voice came softly into her ear without warning causing Bella's eyes to flash open onto the mirror where she could see her sister looming just behind her, a look of severe satisfaction on her pale pointed face as she gazed down into the sink.

"Your ring is lovely Bella, you must be so proud." She said in a cool sarcastic tone purposely taking no notice to the damage on Bella's hands. Bella said nothing to her sister pulling her hands from the sink quickly and burying them in a warm white towel.

Narcissa didn't linger she had caused enough damage for the moment and wasn't going to risk falling behind on time for getting ready for her day, there would be plenty of time to torment Bella now that Rudolphus had so sufficiently staked his claim to her. Narcissa's smile grew as she walked away from her younger sister and headed towards the showers. At last Daddy's little angle doesn't get her way, I hope Rudolphus gives you everything you deserve. She thought to herself smugly.

Bella grabbing up the towel headed hurriedly back to her room successfully avoiding any of the other students beginning to stir in the dorm. Upon entering the room she pulled a small pot of salve from her nightstand and taking a generous amount rubbed it over the wounds on her hands. The pain left her immediately even though the gashes were still visible only now not bloodied and slightly healed. She hastily snatched up her wand from the nightstand and thrust it into the long thin pocket made specifically for the eleven-inch rosewood wand leaving just the handle exposed for easy access.

Making her way silently out of her chambers she practically ran down the corridors leading to the common room. Her heart was racing with the fear of meeting any of her classmates especially Rudolphus whom she had successfully avoided since the previous morning. She crept out of the portrait hole and felt instant relief on being free of her murky prison. She jogged lightly heading towards her first class of the day Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Sirius.

Bella's heart was throbbing with intense excitement at the thought of him, all she wanted in the world was to find him and be encircled by his arms, he was the only one who could remove the dread from her heart. As she rounded the stairs closing in on the Defense Against the Dark Arts chamber she heard his voice laughing with several others boys just beyond the doors, she inhaled deeply in joyous relief as a smile stole across her face the first since she had seen him last.

Reaching the top of the stairs never slowing her pace Bella had almost reached the door when an all to horridly familiar voice called to her freezing her heart as well as her steps.

"Where are you running to Bella…or maybe I should say who…are you running to?"



Sirius' eyes had not left the door to the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom since he and his group of friends had entered. The students had slowly begun to trickle in to the practice arena excitedly greeting one another and taking seats on the stone benches or walking over to inspect the weaponry hanging on the walls. James and Remus had been sparing playfully on the padded floor near to where Sirius sat with Peter who was energetically calling the play by play of the pretend duel. Sirius had taken no notice of the growing commotion of the class around him, he was to busy feeling unsure of how to act once Bella arrived. He couldn't exactly jump up and plant a huge kiss on those full lips of hers as he secretly desired to do, but he worried what she would think if he were to simply act uninterested by her presence.

Suddenly Sirius' mind was forced to stop wondering as Bellatrix came into view looking intensely upset with Rudolphus' hand firmly gripped to her shoulder steering her to the far side of the room. Sirius' mood darkened immediately watching Rudolphus handle Bella as if she was his possession, this so bothered him that he almost moved to get up and go to her but thought better of it.


You can't just rush over there you idiot, he said to himself. This is a delicate situation, besides she can handle him. At this thought Sirius flinched not wanting her to have to deal with Rudolphus at all.


Bella glanced hopelessly at Sirius as Rudolphus turned her towards himself moving his hands to cup her face. Sirius absently starred at the two feeling as if he were sitting in the midst of a nightmare from which there was no escape, the echoing voices of the chamber and odd dappling of colored light only intensifying the scene.

Rudolphus gazed lovingly down into Bella's eyes as he gently placed his hands to her face, she returned only a look of malice narrowing her eyes at him, her back now turned to Sirius.

"Get your hands off of me!" She said in a hushed tone full of loathing, but remaining composed not wanting to draw attention to the situation.

"Oh Bella, play nice. Don't force me to speak with your parents that would only make matters so much worse for you." Rudolphus said his smile growing wide at the look of horror that he had brought to her eyes, then tightening his grip on her face painfully Rudolphus bent and kissed her forcefully on the mouth. Releasing her quickly he locked eyes momentarily with Sirius who though looking struck off guard had undeniable hostility in his eyes. Rudolphus' smiled mockingly back at Sirius and then as if no longer interested in Bella's company he turned sliding naturally into a conversation with Olis and several other Slytherin boys, never once looking back on Bella.

She stood there awkwardly absolutely horrified at the fact that she had just been so thoroughly violated and no one had taken a moments notice. Why hadn't Sirius stopped him, how could he just sit there and watch as Rudolphus took such brutal advantage of her, didn't he care? Bella began to feel all of her blood rising to her face and thought that she might be sick for the intense fury that was raging inside of her. She leaned against one of the thick wooden columns unable to look at either boy for fear of what revenge she might seek. She closed her eyes, just breath, she thought to herself, not here. Taking a moment she mentally relaxed herself before she again opened her eyes to see Dumbledor walking easily in to the classroom from the narrow doorway of his office.

Sirius sat in stunned disbelief at what had just happened, his eyes glued to Bella who acted as if he wasn't even in the room. He's breathing had become labored as he dealt with the crushing pain that he felt in his chest. Attempting to hold tight to his composure and forced to pretend that he wasn't dying inside Sirius stood and walked quietly over to the long windows. He gazed out on the bleak gray day unable to see anything in his realm of vision trapped in the thoughts of how he had been played for a fool by the only girl that he truly loved. I should have known, he thought to himself as James bounded toward him flushed and grinning.

"Come on Sirius class is starting, what are you doing over here?" James asked concern sounding in his voice noticing the demeanor of his friend.

"Right, nothing." Sirius answered flatly a grim disconnected look on his face as he turned back to the room passing James and heading to where the class had begun to gather on the wide area of the padded canvas floor.

Dumbledor strode to stand in front of the class gazing over them for a moment as the noisy chatter dissipated and everyone had taken a seat either on the practice floor or the stone benches that lined it and focused there attention on their professor.

"Let me start by letting you all know how glad I am to see you back at Hogwarts, and for those new students I'm looking forward to getting to know you as well as your abilities better during our training." Dumbledor's gaze fell gently onto Bella's expressionless face as he said this causing her large green eyes widening ever so slightly.

"I make it no secret that teaching the Defense Against the Dark Arts course for fifth-years is one of the pleasures of my career, one of the many reasons being that we will be preparing for your Ordinary Wizarding Levels this year. I am sure that the Defense Against the Dark Arts portion will be among the most trying of all of your testing, but knowing you all as I do there is not a doubt in my mind that this will be one of the highest scoring classes in history of Hogwarts." At this James and Remus exchanged confident smiles.

"I tell you this not because I want to raise your spirits on this our first day back together but because I've already mentioned this to several of the other professors and would hate to be proven wrong." Saying this Dumbledor bent his head to look over the top of his half moon shaped spectacles with an easy good-natured smile at the class that was now whispering and snickering at his comment.

"All kidding aside I have a great deal of confidence in all of you and believe that this can be a year like no other for you here at Hogwarts if you apply your selves. Now with that said I'm sure you are all ready to get right down to business. Since we have been away from the practice arena all summer, and hopefully no ones has had the misfortune of being attacked or caught in a duel, I thought that we might have a practical review for our first day back." At this everyone began to whisper excitedly and get to their feet.

Dumbledor walked out to the center of the practice floor causing the group of students there to part. Aiming his wand at the dark beige canvas of the floor Dumbledor spoke the word "Orbis" causing a deep red circle about ten feet in diameter to form on the floor. Dumbledor stood at the center of the circle addressing the class which had gathered anxiously around the edge of mark being sure not to tread on the red coloring.

"As you can see from the size of the ring this will be close range combat and we will do random one on one." There were a lot of sounds of agreement from the students and to that Dumbledor smiled his eyes sparkling almost mischievously. Remus turned to James attempting an evil sneer, which looked comical on his smooth sweet face.


"Your mine Potter!" he said mocking Lucius Malfoy's voice rather well. The boys all began to laugh in their excitement except for Sirius who's expression of indifferent callus remained as he stepped towards the ring for a closer look. Sirius wanted terribly to be able to focus on something besides the churning in his stomach and the dryness in his throat. The boys had all noticed this look on Sirius but knew that it was better to leave him alone, there was no helping a situation once Sirius had gone quiet and begun to clench his jaw.

"Yes I thought that would agree with all of you." Said Dumbledor nodding a smile causing the group to quiet down. "The rules of engagement are as follows. You are only permitted to use spells of blocking, force, and distraction. This means absolutely no hexing your opponent. I do not want to see blood or any other bodily fluids drawn unless completely accidental." With this Dumbledor raised a discerning eyebrow and looked pointedly at several people scattered through out the group.

"You may use physical contact for blocking and disarming…this does not mean attacking an opponent with blows. The routine is simple I will chose the first two opponents, the winner of the match moves on to fight the next battle with someone chosen by the fallen opponent. After the second match you concede and chose someone to replace you weather you win the battle or not. Your objective is to of course force your opponent outside of the ring, if any body part falls outside of the circle on the mat that person is out, and please no levitating to stop your self from falling victim to your opponent. Is everyone clear?" Dumbledor searched the sea of faces to look for questioning, once sure that everyone was on the same page he smiled casually.

"Alright then, let the games begin. Let me have Lily…and to make it fair let me have someone from Slytherin House...ah Bellatrix lets see what your made of."

A tall lovely girl with a smooth pale complexion and vividly red hair pulled into a French braid stepped into the circle. She wore a similar uniform to Bella's only dark gray and barring the Gryffindor House crest as well as a small prefect's badge pined to the waistband of her sweatpants. Bella stepped cautiously toward the ring feeling uncontrollably nervous at being thrust so quickly into battle mode after just regaining her calmness. She glanced at Lily meeting her eyes that were bright green much like her own. Lily gave her a reassuring smile but the pack of Gryffindor girls whom she had just parted company with glowered at Bella and giggled whispering back and forth to one another.

Dumbledor had conjured a simple chair to sit on near the sidelines with an unobstructed view. The moment Bella stepped into the ring Lily was immediately on guard crouched slightly in a defensive stance wand drawn and ready to strike. Bella being smaller than Lily mimicked her opponent but began gauging Lily for movements and weaknesses. Lily sensing that Bella wouldn't throw the first spell thrust her wand forward and began to cast with conviction but was cut short by Bella who made a swift rounding kick which connected hard with Lily's wrist. The kick jolted the wand from Lily's grip and disabled her right hand for a moment so that she might be unable to catch herself if knocked off balance. Bella seizing her opportunity yelled "Decidious" with such force that Lily was thrust back out of the ring landing hard on her tailbone with only her feet remaining in the red of the circle.


Bella absently smiled in relief, she had been in desperate need to unleash that and was now breathing more steadily than before. She walked over and offered Lily her hand out of sportsmanship, she took Bella's hand and raised herself from the floor still unable to put much pressure on her wrist. Although the lovely Gryffindor prefect accepted her assistance with out hesitation their eyes met and Lily's icy expression caused Bella's blood to run cold.

"Excellent Bella, Lily choose an opponent please." Dumbledor said from the sidelines.

Lily raised an eyebrow at Bella and grinning turned toward the crowd of anxious students. She had noticed that Sirius, one of her constant worries as a prefect, had been oddly quiet and tense looking through out class. If Sirius Black was in a rotten mood then there would be no one better to pit her against, Lily thought to herself.

"Let's see how you fare with Sirius." Lily smiled innocently looking back at Bella who smiled in acceptance but was now very uncomfortable still feeling much hostility towards Sirius for acting as if she didn't matter at all. Upon hearing the choice of opponent for Bella, Rudolphus laughed aloud by accident, causing the other boys in his group and in Lily's pack of girlfriends to all begin snickering. At this Bella's eyes blazed wishing terribly that Lily had chosen Rudolphus, realizing all to well that she could have probably killed him at the moment.

James and Remus turned to Sirius who hadn't heard Lily call his name due to his preoccupation with his thoughts, the two boys looked at one another knowing that Sirius was in no state of mind to fight a duel not even a practice one.


"Maybe you should pass." Remus suggested catching Sirius' attention. Sirius looked confused for a second.

"Did she call for me?" Sirius asked in mild surprise wondering why a prefect who for the most part couldn't stand him would choose him to fight Bella. Sirius, attempting to make connections where there weren't any, imagined that they were all in on it together it had all been one big plot to crush him and make him their fool. The anger welled in him more powerfully than before as he pushed past Remus and James.

"Are you kidding, I wouldn't pass this up for anything." Sirius said through his cool mask of indifference that he was so easily able to produce whenever anything bothered him. Sirius made his way past the other students to the center of the floor, as he did this his friends watched after him nervously.

"What's the matter with him?" asked Remus uneasily.

"I'm not sure but I have a really bad feeling that it has something to do with her." James answered nodding towards Bella distractedly as he watched Sirius step to the edge of the ring. Sirius looked over to see Rudolphus very near to him smiling in complete amusement.

"Should I ask your permission?" Sirius asked venom dripping from his voice.

"By all means Sirius she's all yours…in this arena anyway." Rudolphus said this last bit to Olis but loud enough to be heard by Sirius and the surrounding Slytherin boys who again were forced to stifle their laughter. Sirius' eyes blazed in anger at Rudolphus as he stepped into the ring with Bella. She had watched this exchange and was completely infuriated that the two boys would speak so openly about her with a mixed cast of onlookers, it was barbaric they acted as if she was an object.

Bella crouched in anticipation of the fight pulling her wand wielding arm into her body and leaving her left arm poised defensively in front of her. She had successfully avoided his eyes until this moment forced to look on his face and search for clues of his strategic direction. Sirius stood not at all on the defensive gazing down on her only his gaze did not meet her eyes, he instead lingered on her hand where Rudolphus' massive gem sat excessive on Bella's small hand. Bella abruptly remembering the ring swallowed hard as her heart pounded furiously as if trying to escape her chest before Sirius reacted.

His brow furrowed in anguish and disbelief Sirius forced his eyes up to meet with Bella's, he looked at her searching for an answer but seemed to harden suddenly narrowing his eyes in hatred. Bella could still see the vanquished expression through his cover of anger and understood all to well that he no longer trusted her or the love that she harbored for him. She could feel hot tears welling in here eyes blurring her vision at the thought of loosing the only real thing in her life, she blinked taking a deep labored breath unable to show her emotion in battle. Bella's face and eyes relaxed suddenly remembering her objective and separating her mind from her heart now wearing the same indifferent expression that Sirius had worn moments ago.

Sirius watched the veil drop over Bella's face and knowing that she would strike without hesitation he yelled "Affligio" aiming his wand directly at Bella's chest to be sure that the impact would knock the wind out of her. Bella flew back off her feet almost to the very edge of the ring, she had lost her breath and could see Sirius coming at her once again in her peripheral vision. Turning swiftly and pointing her wand at his torso she cried "Asperiactus" A lethal force came at Sirius bludgeoning his body causing him to grow dizzy from the pain it inflicted, refusing to relent he remained standing once the spell had dissipated.

The spell had given Bella enough time to get up and had effectively disoriented Sirius although she had not truly wanted to use it. Bella again executed the rounding kick to disarm Sirius as he had readied himself to cast, only this time Sirius' reflexes were to fast for Bella. Noticing her course of action with the kick Sirius reached out catching her ankle in his left hand and violently thrust her backward. In the same moment throwing her spell back at her he hissed "Asperiactus" causing the same bludgeoning force to roll over Bella as she fell back some distance from the ring gripping her ankle in pain.

Remus rushed to Bella helping her to sit up as Sirius stood chest heaving trying to regain his breath but remaining in the ring and not heading over to help with Bella. He turned to Dumbledor.


"I'm sorry Professor, I did not release how much force I was using." He said running his hand through his now slightly damp hair, all the while feeling sick with him self for having been so rough with her.


"I'm sure Bellatrix will be alright, this proves the point of how risky it can be to use physical force in disarming and attacker, but well done both of you. Remus would you help Bellatrix down to the hospital wing, It's not more than a sprain I'm sure, and it should mend rather quickly." Said Dumbledor reassuringly to Bella. She nodded silently pressing back her cries at the excruciating pain that issued from her ankle.

"Are you able to chose an opponent for Sirius?" Dumbledor asked Bella studying her. Bella flashed Sirius a contemptuous look, which caused him to look away feeling awful for actually having hurt her. Bella's gaze fell upon Rudolphus who was astonished at how well his plan had worked he never realized that he could cause such a rift with so little effort. A genuine smile began to form on his face as he noticed his future wife looking to him for the first time to defend her. Locking eyes with Rudolphus as she called him forth to battle Sirius.

"I choose Rudolphus." She stated powerfully having to gather her breath to do so fighting against her agony.

"That's obvious." Sirius growled in a low voice quickly forgetting any shame he had felt for harming her, as Rudolphus confidently stepped to the ring. Remus began trying to help Bella stand when she shot him a defiant look.

"I suggest that you take a seat Remus Lupin I don't intend to go anywhere until this is over." Bella said in a sensually commanding voice.

"Then if you don't mind I'm just gonna go sit over there. Call me crazy but I have a feeling that you my be the target point for a few stray spells." Remus said scooting several feet away from Bella to sit near Peter.

Bella pretended not to hear his comment although she was beginning to feel worried for the decision that she had made. Rudolphus was a killer and seeing as he had no problem keeping her in check she wondered miserably what he would do to poor Sirius.

Dumbledor eyed both boys as the tension in the room heightened and the grouping of students skirting the ring grow restless. He had been leaning on his elbow observing the class with interest stroking the long white silky strands of his beard a hint of amusement dancing on his face. Sirius and Rudolphus had been rivals since their first year so it was no surprise to see them so apt to relish battling one another. Better here than on their own, thought Dumbledor sighing and laughing low to himself.

"Remember my rules gentlemen, there will be consequences for those who do not adhere to them." Dumbledor said with routine calm in his manner and voice. Rudolphus looking to Professor Dumbledor in reverence nodded his head slightly.


"Of course Professor." He said, his strong voice echoing in the now quieted arena. Rudolphus turned back to Sirius who's eyes never strayed from his opponent, knowing Rudolphus' backhanded tricks all to well.

A bold smile spread across the sinewy hansom features of Rudolphus' smooth bronze face, as he's eyes glinted in hateful amusement upon meeting Sirius' stormy gaze.

"Hear that Black? And you won't have your friends to help you this time." Rudolphus said brushing his soft dark curls from his face stepping into the ring his wand at the ready.


The students crowded around the ring in excited expectation of the battle all but blocking Bella's view as she was still bound to the floor unable to stand due to her injuries. Her heart sped in terror at what she had done as she sat breathlessly condemned to watch the wheels that she had so hastily set into motion.

"It's time to settle the score." Sirius growled wanting to ditch his wand and break every bone in Rudolphus' body with his bare hands. Rudolphus grinned wickedly and glanced toward Bella who sat craning her neck attempting to see what was going on.

"I believe I already did, or did you miss that part?" spat Rudolphus arrogantly.

"Invadimus" yelled Sirius with such brutal force that Rudolphus was sent spinning falling hard, his face to the floor. Sirius bolted towards Rudolphus kicking him over so that he could see his face roaring "Vinco" his wand pointed dangerously close to his victim. Rudolphus centering himself cried "Recipio" causing sparks to ignite all around them as the spells collided and visibly swirled electrifying the dense air of the chamber.

The force of the collision pushed Sirius backward as Rudolphus jumped to his feet now with only malice on his face, hunting for revenge. Sirius steadied himself from the blow as Rudolphus came at him, he quickly thrust his wand forward again yelling "Invadimus" jumping to the side to avoid a high kick aimed to hit him directly in the chest. Rudolphus successfully deflecting the spell bellowed "Cosisto Pernictas" immediately causing Sirius' movements to slow uncontrollably. Rudolphus had landed on the avoided foot and continuing his momentum around he spun to send a solid rounding kick colliding painfully into the side of Sirius' chest.

Sirius fell to one knee clutching his side in agony unable to breathe. Rudolphus approached him aiming his wand at Sirius' throat with a smug look of victory on his face, but before he was able to cast his finishing spell Sirius leapt up catching Rudolphus' wielding hand. Sirius twisted his opponent's arm back until he was sure he would be able to break it. Rudolphus let out a tortured scream unable to hold his wand any longer with the steadily increasing pressure that Sirius was inflicting.

Rudolphus' wand toppled to the ground issuing purple sparks as it hit and bounced out of the ring. Sirius having successfully disarmed his opponent was unsatisfied that the arm he continued to contort was still intact, he pulled his foot up and planted it in Rudolphus' back. Using all of his remaining strength he thrust the villain from the ring to land face first on the canvas floor completely free of the blood red battle circle.

The Gryffindor onlookers broke into ecstatic cheers, which were turned thunderous by the acoustics of the chamber. Sirius stumbled out of the ring to one of the thick square columns for support not wanting to sink to the floor in the midst of the revelry. Peter and Remus lead by James ran to Sirius who had slumped with his back against the wooden support.

"That was excellent, I really thought you'd had it after that kick." James stated in an intensely high spirited voice that was usually reserved for talk about Quidditch, as he grabbed Sirius' shoulder to help steady him.

"Thanks…uhrrr for the vote of confidence." Sirius said sounding hoarse and short of breath wincing at the jarring pain in his side.

"Are you kidding I didn't doubt you for a second Sirius, I knew you'd beat that pompous bastard into the ground, I just didn't realize that you'd do it literally!" Laughed Peter looking over to Rudolphus who was standing gingerly wiping a small amount of blood from his lower lip now surrounded by the small group of Slytherin boys who had jeered at Sirius from the ringside.


"Ya great bunch of girls!" taunted Peter to the boys who were now glaring at him. Sirius laughed at Peter's attempt to stick up for him, causing him to wince clutching his side once again.

"I'd wager he's got some broken ribs," Remus said to James pulling Sirius to lean on him for support.

"Is he alright?" came a voice from Remus' shoulder; the boys glanced up at Dumbledor who was looking down at Sirius in concern.

"I'm fine…uh…Professor…just can't breath…that's all." Sirius answered with great strain.

"Well we best get you to the Hospital wing immediately. James could you help Remus with Miss Black I'm afraid he won't be able to handle both of them on his own." Saying this Dumbledor gave James a quick smile raising an eyebrow.

"Of course Professor." James replied letting his eyes fall on Bella as Dumbledor attempted to get the class back on track. She had been all but forgotten on the far side of the ring, her hair now released from its clasp falling all around. Her long soft black curls shielding her from the malicious gazes of several girls whom were obviously resentful towards Bella not only for getting Sirius hurt but also for monopolizing the attention of the two boys.

James had been really annoyed with Bella for causing so much trouble for his best friend, but now as he stood looking at her small form sitting so utterly alone he began to feel a little sorry for her. Unlike Sirius she had no one gathering around to comfort her, she sat looking miserable as she watched Remus guide Sirius out of the chamber. Once they had gone without as much as a glance in her general direction she bowed her head closing her eyes. James went to her side and knelt down to speak to her.

"Hi Bella…I'm James, are you okay?" he asked unable to see her behind the curtain of dark curls that had silently closed between them to hide Bella's face.

"No." she answered in a barely audible whisper running her hands through her hair revealing her profile wet from tears but her expression showing no emotion. Then noticeably fighting to hold back the waves of unrelenting emotion she expelled a trembling breath and clenched her eyes shut against the bitter sting of her tears. James' heart broke for her; he absolutely could not stand for anyone to cry especially a girl.

"Oh come on now, let's get you out of here." He said scooping Bella up easily in his arms and carrying her without a backward glance out into the corridors of the school. Bella held tightly to James her face buried in his solid shoulder as she silently wept. James not knowing what to do or say but wanting desperately to make her stop crying finally spoke.

"It'll be alright it hurts now but Dr. Dashid will be able to fix it, I've hurt myself loads worse than this playing Quidditch and he's always been able to set me right again. Really, don't cry it's only a bit further." At this Bella pulled her head away from James' shoulder and coughed a small weak laugh.

"Is that why you think I'm crying…because of my ankle?" Bella questioned James gazing up at him with her wide green eyes over bright from her tears which continued to roll down her pallid face.

Being so close to Bella for the first time James understood completely where Sirius' heart lay. He had never seen a girl fashioned so perfectly to his friend's tastes and at the same time so strikingly similar to Sirius. They both possessed the same almost regal charisma and evidently the same hot tempered unruly attitude which proved to be the bane of their existence most of the time.

"It's Sirius." James replied in a gentle voice. Bella's eyes wandered from his at the mention of Sirius' name and once again welled with tears.

"You know then?" she asked without needing an answer.

"Please don't be upset, I'm the only one he's told and he swore me to secrecy. He'd probably die to know I've just told you that." James said looking away feeling for a moment that he should just stop speaking all together before he got in deeper than he wanted to be.

"It's alright I can't be upset, what's it matter now anyway he'll never speak to me again." She sighed as she felt a stabbing pain once again burn in her chest as she uttered these words.

"Oh I don't know, I'm pretty sure he has a few choice words for you knowing Sirius." James said grinning hoping to lighten her mood.

"Maybe I shouldn't go to the Hospital wing James, maybe I should just go back to my dorm and have Dashid come down to see me when he has a chance?" Bella suggested as the anticipation of seeing Sirius again sank in.

"Oh no, Dumbledor's orders! I am to take you directly to the hospital wing…and no where else, besides you can't just avoid him now, that will only make matters worse for the both of us. Trust me!" James said exasperatedly knowing that he would hear of nothing but this for the rest of the school year if it wasn't set straight. Bella smiled halfheartedly.

"Are you suggesting that I talk to him? Bella asked beginning to feel a little stronger from talking to James.

"Actually no, I'm begging you to speak with him…as soon as you can. For the sake of salvaging any enjoyment that I may get out of this year I can not have Sirius miserable." James said smiling warmly down at Bella who was no longer looking so peaky the tears having cleared from her eyes and her color going back to normal.

Bella realized that they had just entered the vast chamber where the hospital wing resided, and glanced around quickly to see Sirius already stretched out on one of the many simple rolling beds dressed in crisp white sheets. A short round man with dark squinting eyes and wild silver hair stood over Sirius mumbling to himself. Remus was standing on the opposite side of the bed from Dr. Dashid trying to distract Sirius' attention from the pain of the doctor's examination. Upon noticing Bella, Remus scowled in outward annoyance at her audacity to show her face after what had just happened.

James strode over still carrying Bella now feeling his arms strained under her weight.

"Hello Dr. Dashid, did ya miss me?" James called jovially stopping at the foot of Sirius' bed. The doctor looked up from his inspection of Sirius' side.

"Ah James, I was wondering how long it would be before you'd grace me with your presence. What have ya done now boy?" Dashid asked him in friendly exasperation.

"Oh no sir it's not me this time, I bring you a new patient…Miss Bella." Sirius lifted his head at the mention of her name causing pain to shoot through his side forcing a gasp from his lips as he let his head drop back to his pillow.

"Noooo, get her away…she's bad luck." Groaned Sirius in his now raspy breathless voice making him hard to understand. James grinned down at Bella who looked like she had been slapped by Sirius' words and whispering he said.

"Don't worry Bella I live to torture him." As he said this he moved to the bed directly beside Sirius' forcing Remus roughly out of the way and setting Bella down ever so gently all the while minding not to jostle her injured foot.

"What was that Sirius, I couldn't understand you. Honestly you sound terrible maybe you shouldn't talk." James said feigning deafness before anyone could protest the spot he had chosen for Bella. Remus turned to James his brow furrowed in annoyance and confusion.

"Are you mad? He said…" but Remus was quickly cut off by James who smiled harshly at his friend grabbing him by the shoulders and marching him hurriedly to the doors.

"Will come to see you later Sirius we have to get back to class now to be sure one of us gets to pound Rudolphus again." James yelled over his shoulder still aiming Remus for the door.

"Just don't send him up here when you're finished with him." Sirius called mustering all of his strength to say it loud enough for James to hear.