It was the morning of the first Quidditch match of the year and it was a brilliant day for the game. The morning was very cool and the winds were soft breezes at best, the sun could not be seen for the overcast day meaning that there would be no glare or sun blinding for the participants.

It was late morning and Bella had lingered in her room until the halls of the dorm had become quite in hopes to avoid everyone in her house. She was groggy for her night spent sobbing over the embarrassment that she still felt at being caught in sinful disgrace with her beloved cousin. It had been two days and Bella felt sure that Lily had not turned her or Sirius in but she was still unable to face Lily's searching eyes. Bella had done everything in her power to avoid Sirius in the halls and during class despite several attempts that he had made to speak to her. She was terrified at the thought of Rudolphus finding out about her feelings for Sirius and seeking his revenge on them both.

Thinking on this as she brushed her long rippling hair caused tears to once again steak down her face, the all to familiar sinking fear taking over the core of her begging her to run like hell until Hogwarts was just a memory on the horizon of her mind. Then looking hard at herself in the thin mirror set into her dainty antique vanity carved of ebony, she took a deep breath whipping her tears away a look of determination taking control of her face.

"What's wrong with you Bellatrix Black? How dare you regret anything that you do! You are the hand of the Dark Lord, and the daughter of Caesar Black, there is no one here that you must answer to!" Bella felt a sudden warm exhilarating surge of power and confidence and smiled at her reflection as her sickness subsided. Gazing at herself she noticed a sudden glint of ghostly green light illuminating from her eyes causing her to jump back knocking her small intricately carved stool to it's side. Bella's chest heaved in shocked terror beneath her soft pure white loosely knitted sweater, the light pink silk ribbon that was woven beneath her breast and tied at the front cinched to tightly to allow her to catch her breath.

Bella quickly pulled on her black velvet robe lined in the silvery gray fur and bolted from her dark dungeon knowing that she must find Sirius. She would not feel safe until she was in his arms, in her heart knowing that he was the only one who would protect her from any threat no matter what the cost. Bella's eyes were huge and frenzied as she rushed down the corridors towards the common room thankful that the dorms where deserted because of the Quidditch match. She raced across the immense murky common room paying no head to anyone who might be sitting amongst the leather sofas surrounding the menacingly huge fireplace.

Bella flew to the portrait hole just as it swung open as if in anticipation of her hurried exit. Bella became hopeful, she could see the light beyond the door, the light that signified freedom and the possibilities of finding Sirius. That light was suddenly obstructed by a tall lean figure that was a blur of green robes as she barreled hard into the person unable to stop herself.

Bella was pulled back quickly by two large strong hands to gaze up into the cruel face of Antonin Dolohov who returned her look of distaste then let a sinister smile claim him.

"Well. Where is our little princes off to in such a hurry this morning?" Antonin asked, his menacing voice cutting like razors into her troubled thoughts as laughter issued from behind them causing Bella to turn in panic with the sudden realization that they were not alone in the room. All around the roaring fire was the entirety of the Slytherin Quidditch team fully dressed in their green and silver robes and suiting up in their gear. Bella's heart was pounding she had run straight into the snake pit and was now caught without a rout of escape as Antonin turned her to face the team gripping her shoulders forcefully.

"Bring her here Antonin." Requested Rodolphus who was looking the vision of perfection in his uniform and high smooth black leather boots. He stood looking like a king amongst his warriors his arm held out as Severus Snape diligently laced and belted the thick leather arm shields to the chaser's forearm. Severus glanced up meeting Bella's terrified eyes and was immediately alarmed to see how completely unhinged she looked.

"I was hoping that I would get to see you before the match. Maybe you'll find it in your heart to bestow some luck on me for the game…not that I need it." The boys all chuckled preoccupied with their rituals of gearing up for their match but watching intently at the exchange between the affianced couple.

"I don't know Rodolphus, that's not love that I see in those green eyes." Grinned Olis, looking over his shoulder at Bella who had been escorted to now stand surrounded by the gang of sinister Slytherin boys.

Lucius, taking his booted foot from where it rested on the a side table, walked to pick up his arm shields taking Bella's jaw in one hand lightly as he passed and peering in cool superiority down into her horrified face.

"Yes well, that's about as close as you get with a Black." Sneered Lucius. Bella jerked her chin from his grip defiantly, a darkness settling over her pale face.

"At least that's all sadistic monsters like yourselves will ever receive from me or my family, you're like animals to us!" Bella hissed and spat in Lucius' face causing the entire team to leap to their feet as Lucius calmly whipped the spit from his face using Bella's velvet robe, then coming to stare at her in levelheaded hatred.

"Your girl needs a lesson in manners Rodolphus. Pity you haven't taught her how to behave before now." Lucius said, without detaching the hold his eyes had on Bella. Rodolphus flushed in embarrassment at what Bella had done and quickly stepped forward, malice on his face. Bella struggled to move away but was now being gripped tightly by Antonin who held her struggling form easily at her biceps pulling her arms back to prevent her from fighting.

Rodolphus, pushing Lucius aside, backhanded Bella across the face so hard that several of the boys flinched and began laughing in nervous delight. Bella could not help but to rest her head back against Antonin who quickly spun her around still gripping one arm and warping his hand in a knot of Bella's now tangled black hair forcing her head steady so that she could gaze into his wicked hazel eyes.

"You are such a stupid, naive little girl. Do you think that daddy will be able to get to you before we could destroy you? It's something to think on princess, because I do not intend to sit back and watch a little self-centered bitch like you insult me or my friends." Antonin said to her in a firm calm voice, his evil smile still playing on his face.

"Let her go Antonin." Commanded Rodolphus, causing Antonin to glance away from Bella's face for a moment to receive his orders. Bella saw her chance as she regained her steadiness she reached up and put her hand on Antonin's chest as if trying to balance, Antonin gazed back down at her suddenly seeing the haunting light in her eyes becoming intense.

"Numquam Spiro" Bella whispered glaring directly into his eyes. Antonin's face contorted, starring at Bella in shock as his features began to turn bright red. Pushing Bella hard to one side Antonin dropped to his knees grabbing at his throat his temples beginning to throb. Bella caught her balance smiling with pride at her accomplishment as she turned to look down on Dolohov who was now crumpled in pain. The boys all rushed over to help Antonin but could do nothing to release their friend from his torment.

"Make her stop! Someone make her stop! What the hell is happening to him?" Yelled Olis looking stricken by the event and in fear of loosing their Beater.

"Bella release him!" Demanded Rodolphus, looking at her as if he would have killed her at this moment had she not been who she was. Bella returned his gaze with equal malice whipping a trickle of blood from the corner of her mouth.

"Dammit! Do something, he's dying!" Commanded Lucius rushing forward to lean Antonin up to look at him, "You can't do this here Bella!" Lucius said, stress ringing in his voice.

"You do not command me to do anything!" Bella growled at them all, the light in her eyes still fierce and brilliant. A strong arm caught Bella around the neck and pulled her hard against a torso that felt like a brick wall. Before she could react a wand was at her throat and there was a deep chilling powerful voice in her ear.

"You will remove your curse witch!" Bella, agonizing to take a breath around the hulking arm of Rabastan Lestrange, put her hand out to Antonin who was now barely conscious.

"Spiro" she gasped allowing Antonin to draw breath after several moments of suffocation. Antonin's body slumped, still coherent but gasping and sputtering. The attention was suddenly focused back on Bella who was unable to move against Rabastan's grip, the tip of his wand digging deep into her throat. Lucius sprung to his feet pulling his wand from his robes as he headed for Bella, only to be grasped by Rodolphus who carefully attempted to hold Lucius back. Lucius raised his wand, not allowing Rodolphus' struggling grip to stop him.

"Don't do it Lucius, you know you can't!" Cried Rodolphus. Severus stepped in front of Bella who tried desperately to turn her face towards Rabastan's chest so as not to be forced to witness her own destruction.

"Antonin is okay Lucius. You know as well as I do that we need to just pretend that this incident never happened!" Severus stated firmly causing silence to fall over the group aside from Antonin's labored breathing. They were all looking to Lucius for a signal as to how to react and after a moment Lucius' posture relaxed allowing Rodolphus to release his grip clapping Lucius hard on the shoulder to signify there friendship was still intact even after the heated event.

"I'll take care of her…trust me." Rodolphus said in a low tone causing the light nervous laughter to return the chamber. Lucius said nothing but kept his murderous eyes locked to Bella as Rodolphus strode forward to claim her from his brother meeting Severus who did not move away.

"Move aside Severus, this no longer concerns you." Rodolphus commanded coolly, his voice calm and hateful towards Severus.

"I won't let you terrorize her." Severus said looking sternly into Rodolphus' evil eyes. A huge smile grew on Rodolphus' face.

"Are you threatening me Snape?" He asked with a subtle laugh as he tilted his head to eye Severus more closely. The boys all chuckled again this time with comfortable malice as Severus averted his eyes from the sinister searching gaze of Rodolphus.

"That's what I thought." Rodolphus said in annoyance as he shoved Severus hard down into one of the black leather couches. He walked to Rabastan and Bella to find her very weak from lack of air due to the tight grip at her neck.

"You want me to take her?" Rabastan asked with an emotionless grumble. Rodolphus bent low, his dark curls falling in his face and grabbed Bella about the legs lifting her and letting her torso fall over his shoulder.

"No thanks Rabastan, I think I have the shrew now, sorry for her behavior gentlemen I will meet you on the pitch." Rodolphus called to group of boys who were all chuckling as Rodolphus made his way back to the dorm rooms.

Kicking the door open Rodolphus thrust Bella down to the floor quickly turning and sealing the entrance before she could compose herself to get up and run as the voices in her head were screaming for her to do. Rodolphus turned on her, a disapproving look on his face as he removed the cloak to his uniform hanging it neatly on the bedside chair.

"Oh Bella, I fear that this will be a hard lesson for you to learn." Rodolphus said leaning his back against the doorway and folding his arms across his chest.

"You see my dear, you never ever humiliate me in front of anyone, especially that group of men out there." Bella was disgusted by his smug demeanor and how he stood there lecturing her as if he were her father. She sneered, rising from the floor to be on the same level with him still with distance between them.

"Don't you men boys?" She growled angrily, finding her wand in her robes incase Rodolphus was to attack her, although she noticed no wand on him. Rodolphus' smile grew large and hansom, his dark eyes gleaming in silent pleasure, resembling a feline stalking its pry.

Bella suddenly became very nervous about her current company and whereabouts sensing the deepest evil and desire to cause her pain in him. Bella's heart had begun hammering feverishly as she caught glimpses of the things that he wanted to do to her causing the hair on her neck to stand on end. Turning quickly she sprung to the bed reaching for the high window to scream out for help but was caught, being slammed hard face first against the wall causing her to let out a gasping scream.

Rodolphus secured her small wrists in one of his large muscular hands behind her back then turning her roughly to face him he grabbed her by the throat, thrusting her hard against the solid stone wall and collapsing her airway. Bella tried to scream out but was completely silenced by Rodolphus' torturous grip.

"Go ahead scream, no one will help you. You belong to me and are rightfully mine to do with as I wish. If I wish to kill you for being the pampered little princess that you are, I will do it." Rodolphus spoke these words in ferocious punching breaths. Bella began to smile tears now rolling down her face.

"So kill me." She forced out in a raspy whisper. Rodolphus' hand was still gripping her throat but her words caused his sinister smile to fade.

"Oh no Bella. There will be no death for you my love. That is simply not allowed but I'm sure I can devise something just as terrible." As he said this Rodolphus let his lips brush against Bella's moist, tearstained cheek causing her to cringe and jerk her face away from him.

"That's right fight me!" He said softly into her ear, "That's what I love about you Bella. It will be such sport breaking you." Bella could sense the frenzied excitement in him as he let his hand slip from her throat and down her chest pulling the silk ribbon that held her soft white sweater closed kissing the side her neck relentlessly. Bella whined in protest pulling away violently loosing her footing on the bed causing both of them to topple.

Bella forced loose of his grip swinging around too face Rodolphus, who was quickly jumping to his feet from the bed. Her wand drawn and her free hand clutching her fur lined robe closed to cover what her sweater no longer would. Seeing Bella pull her wand made Rodolphus laugh out loud but did not dieter him from his pursuit. Backing up, shock and fear mingled on her face Bella, screamed the curse, the only one that she could think of, the only one she wished to use.

"Crucio!"

Rodolphus' heart stopped for a moment at hearing the unforgivable curse cast at him and braced himself for fear that it might work. Finally he sighed in relief realizing the Dark Lord's reasoning behind enchanting the diamond engagement ring so that Bella would be unable to use magic against him. The terrible ring that bound Bella to Rodolphus and the Dark Lord simultaneously had made her both their possession and utterly defenseless against either.

Bella threw her wand down and turned to run toward the door now in hysterical terror and feeling totally defenseless. The door would not open so Bella began to pound franticly for someone to hear her and come to her rescue. It was no use, everyone had gone out to the stadium to get good seats for the game and she was sure that no one would hear if they were not in the dorms. Still she screamed feeling her defeat baring down on her. There was no escape.

Rodolphus put a hand against the door causing Bella to quiet and turn to face him her dark robes and white top open exposing her smooth toned stomach and her pale pink lace bra her hair wild and tangled around her. Bella's irises were the palest green accentuated by her red rimmed eyes that were narrowed in hatred and swollen from her tears. Rodolphus stepped forward sliding his arm around her waist and pulling her body roughly towards his. He slipped his hand into her hair grabbing a handful of the thick mass and jerking her head so far back that she let out a gasp trying hard not to cry out for fear of encouraging her attacker.

He was examining her heatedly, gracelessly working to tear her remaining cloths from her body, merciless with his grip. Bella felt she would be sick but separated herself mentally from the situation at hand to think clearly for a moment, panicked to find a way out. Suddenly she remembered the blade that she was carrying, she did not normally wear it even though her father had given it to her an demanded that she carry it at all times. She had come across it that morning and decided to keep it with her for no apparent reason.

Thank the Lord for my father. Bella thought as she slipped her hand stealthily to her back unsheathing the small wicked blade with it's jagged curved seriated edge. Bella swung at Rodolphus' side only to have her wrist caught by his quick hand. He saw the blade and looked up at her with madness in his eyes. Bella fought to keep the knife but Rodolphus was to strong, he swung her hand back to the door smashing it hard against the solid wood several times before she could no longer hold on.

The blade dropped into Rodolphus' hand and Bella's hopes of escape were banished completely as she again began to whimper now that Rodolphus had the knife to wield against her. He delighted in her fear, grasping both her hands and pinning them above her head while dragging the razor sharp edge of the knife along the curve of her neck forcing her to cry out as he lapped at the blood that began to spill down her bare pale skin. Then dragging the cold flat of the blade down her stomach he wrenched open the top her jeans the blade once again slicing her skin causing her to scream out.

"My Lord! Please help me!"

Suddenly a knock came from the other side of the door. Rodolphus froze then a voice followed.

"Rodolphus! Come on the match will start in 15 minutes and if we are late Macalister will forfeit us." Yelled the fierce voice of Lucius, "We'll lock her in, you can come back for her once you win this game, now let's go!" Commanded the team captain. Rodolphus, gaining his breath, grinned at Bella whose eyes where huge and horrified.

"So sorry darling, we'll have to finish this later." He grabbed her neck pushing her roughly away from the door to fall hard on the bed. Rodolphus grabbed his cloak and ran his fingers through his hair peeking down into the mirror of the vanity before he left without a backwards glance at Bella who lay panting in shock on the bed. As he left she could hear the two boys laughing in the hall and heard a the tap of what she knew to be Lucius' wand sealing the door from the other side.

Bella sat up examining herself removing what was left of her battered cloths and applying some of the ointment from her nightstand to the painful bloody wounds on her stomach and chest. Tears fell from her eyes as she changed into faded denim button-fly jeans and an oversized gray turtle neck sweater. Bella was not crying out of shame or fear but out of joy that she had so narrowly escaped her fate, now she just had to figure out how she would get through the opening to the passage connected to her room.

Bella picked up her wand from the floor where she had dropped it during her struggle with Rodolphus. She shivered as she lifted it, allowing her mind too sweep back over the attack. Anger boiled in her at the thought of Rodolphus quickly giving way to wondering curiosity as she for the first time fully realized that she was unable to perform a spell, which at the moment of casting should have crippled him. Bella strode over towards the long crack in the stone wall while gazing down at her wand in question, Rodolphus knew that she would be unable to curse him, that was the reason that he was unarmed.

Bella felt a sharp flame of rage flicker inside her as she lifted her great ring to gaze at it in disgust.

"So! That's how you treat me, after all this time? The one monster in this world that I truly need protection from and you've bound my hands!" Bella shook her head in annoyance and then looked to the high wood beamed ceiling.

"What test is this?" She called up to the empty air then sighing she turned to examine the wall for a sign of how to get through. A long time passed and Bella had tried every spell that she could think of on the stubborn unchanging crack in the wall to no avail. After spending an equal amount of time searching the surrounding wall for anything that could play a part in causing the passage to open, finally attempting to force it open with brut strength. Bella turned to slouch hard against the wall she crossed her arms in frustration thinking how ridiculous it was to have a passage that remained so stubbornly closed.

"What moron…"

Bella had just begun to complain aloud to no one in her dismay when she felt herself falling backward into darkness. She screamed in shock but did not fall to the ground as she had anticipated she was instead caught and quickly righted, a spark igniting as a familiar voice spoke the spell to light the tip of his wand.

"Lumos"

The gentle glow from Sirius' wand illuminated the rounded musty passage that was covered in dirt and cobwebs. Bella held her wand at the ready determined to curse the life out of the next thing that touched her, until she saw that it was Sirius' grinning face looking back at her.

"Sirius! You scared the life out of me!" She scolded him in a harsh whisper as he sputtered laughter at her surprise, moving his hand to her wand and lowering it.

"I've been waitin around for you all morning, I finally decided that I would come fetch you myself. You know it's really bad luck to miss the first Quidditch match of the season, and I just couldn't have that on my conscience. You being new and all." Sirius flashed his brilliant smile at Bella, his heart pounding fiercely to be in her presence once again.

Tears welled in Bella's eyes as she lunged forward throwing her arms about his neck and kissing his cheek softly, Sirius folded her in his arms adoringly not noticing how upset she looked due to their dimly lit surroundings. He turned his head to meet her lips stroking her hair away from her face.

"I didn't realize you were such a Quidditch fan." Sirius said jokingly as he kissed her feeling the overwhelming sensation of surging electricity that seemed to grow stronger every time that their lips met. Bella smiled in spite of herself pulling him to her to forcefully kiss him quiet, pressing her body to him so that she could feel his warmth and the firmness of his chest against her. Bella wanted so badly to confide in Sirius as she winced at the pain in her wounds, well hidden by her cloths but still very sore to the touch. She felt that she would drown in misery if she were to try to hide what had happened between her and Rodolphus from Sirius. At the same time she knew that it would only hurt Sirius to know that truth and she was terrified at how he might react.

Bella understood that Sirius would most likely go after Rodolphus with the intentions of revenge, maybe even to kill him but she could not chase the images from her mind of the two boys dueling in Defense Against the Dark Arts. She had been truly frightened for Sirius when Rodolphus had entered the ring at her request and for good reason. Rodolphus Lestrange was only sixteen but was a proven killer and had already been marked by the Dark Lord meaning that Sirius would never be safe if he were to harm Rodolphus.

Bella shuddered to think on her Dark Lord relentlessly pursuing Sirius and felt the hot shame rise in her once again. What have I done? What did I get him involved in? I fear it's already too late to protect him from that which I can't protect myself. These thoughts swirling viciously in her mind Bella pulled away from Sirius' embrace, hating the act of separating herself from him and attempted to hide any uneasy feelings she was having with a halfhearted smile.

"We should go if we plan to see James in action." She said a bit unnaturally causing Sirius to eye her for a moment in suspicion. A chill ran through Bella as she looked into the same searching eyes and untrusting expression that she had seen on her father's face when he suspected someone of holding back the truth. The resemblance was so striking that Bella was forced to avert her eyes her heart beginning to pound and throwing up her mental block in reflex.

"You alright?" Sirius asked her in a dark tone, concern mingled with nervousness sensing clearly that she was hiding something. Bella beginning to panic turned nonchalantly and began to head down the dark passage calling over her shoulder as she walked needing to change the subject fast.

"Oh Sirius I'm fine." She said with a light convincing laugh, "I'm just excited. I've never seen an actual Quidditch game before…What position does James play again? Sneaker?" Sirius burst into laughter inching around Bella in the close quarters of the passage dragging his arm about her thin waist as he took the lead his wand pointed in illumination in front of them. Bella gave her hand to his, insisting on keeping a physical link to him in the dank eerie passage.

"He's a SEEKER, and it's called a MATCH." Snickered Sirius shaking his head as he led the way. He spent the next several minutes as they traveled through the castle and out towards the Quidditch Pitch explaining the finer points of the game. They were just beginning to climb the stairs to one of the Gryffindor boxes when Bella finally interrupted Sirius by stopping suddenly halfway up the flight causing him to turn and playfully tug at her arm.

Bella could hear the crowd of students roaring in cheers as a voice came ringing over the loud speakers announcing that Chaser Olis Zambini had just scored 10 points for the Slytherin team who were now leading the Gryffindor's 40 to zip.

"Come on! What are you waiting for?" Sirius asked hurriedly now a bit stressed from hearing the score. Bella gave him an uncomfortable frown as she gazed up at the bottom of the stands.

"Sirius, I can't go up there! It's the Gryffindor box, they'll murder me!" She pleaded disparately, but Sirius just smiled at her stepping back down to meet her eyes as he pulled her tiny hand to his lips.

"Bella relax, you'll be fine. You're with me nothing can happen to you." She averted her eyes and grimaced in disbelief as Sirius took her firmly by the shoulders.

"Don't think for a minute that I intend on going to this game without you, not after I risked my neck to go all the way down to the dungeons to bring you. I already missed the beginning of the match so as I see it…you owe me. So stop worrying and let's go." Smiled Sirius, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

Bella nervously and reluctantly began to follow Sirius up the stairs again, feeling that this was probably a very bad idea. As they stepped up onto the deck of the Gryffindor box, deafening cheers erupted all around them making Bella wince and grab Sirius' hand as he continued to lead her through the active crowd of older Gryffindor students. Sirius' pace was slow as he made his way to the front of the box where several familiar Gryffindor's stood cheering.

Bella was able to go virtually unnoticed through the crowd having followed closely behind Sirius using him as a shield. As she glanced over her shoulder she caught several pairs of menacing eyes glaring at her and noticed people beginning to turn to their friends whispering without dropping their threatening stares. Bella quickly turned her head forward feeling a sense of dread roll over her as her stomach began to churn, just in time for Sirius to force her forward into the center of his group of friends.

Bella sucked in a short quick breath then stood silently gazing into the stunned faces of Benjy, Frank, Remus, and Lily as well as some girls that she recognized but did not know. Sirius rested his hands on Bella's shoulders reassuringly, smiling out at his suddenly silent friends.

"Sorry I'm late, did I miss anything?" Sirius said casually as if Bella had every right to be there with him, this caused Lily and the two girls that she was with to break into sly smiles as Benjy and Frank continued to gawk open mouthed at Bella and Sirius. Remus' gaze had changed from shock to embarrassment as he leaned in to Sirius.

"Have you lost all sense?" He asked Sirius with an amazed look, his fair face going slightly red and the now gusty wind blowing the long strands of his sandy brown hair about him. Remus glanced down, his pale blue eyes meeting Bella's darkening gaze and he immediately got a very uneasy feeling about her as if seeing beyond her eyes into a deep darkness inside of her. This reinforced Remus' concerns about his friend's strange relationship with the mysterious girl. There was something absolutely menacing about her that Remus could not ignore. Remus dragged his eyes up to meet Sirius' warning look with a firm stern manner.

"She cannot stay here Sirius. This is the Gryffindor box. She needs to go sit with her house." He said forcing his voice to be soft so as not to make Sirius' temper flair and not really wanting to embarrass Bella. Bella sighed in relief, it was exactly as she suspected they were no different from her own house and that was a disappointing realization. As Bella began to turn away from Sirius and Remus who were now grumbling at one another in annoyance she felt someone take her hand.

She looked back to meet Lily's sparkling eyes her red hair again pulled up in a flawless ponytail and a warm smile on her face. Lily spoke over her shoulder to Remus without shifting her eyes from Bella who could now feel many pairs of eyes watching them.

"Oh come on Remus, don't be such a kill joy, we could always use one more person to cheer on Gryffindor." Lily's smile had turned sly and Bella glanced over to see that Sirius wore a grin to match as Remus looked on with his brow furrowed in shock at his prefect counterpart. Lily bent forward to Bella and whispered.

"You are routing for Gryffindor, right?" Lily glanced around still grinning, "Otherwise we might have a problem." Bella beamed at Lily unable to believe that the one person who she had been avoiding like the plague was now the person to come so easily to her rescue.

"Of course I am." She said shyly, "Go Gryffindor!" This caused several of the eavesdroppers including Benjy and the two girls to break into stifled giggles at the thought of a Slytherin in the their box routing for the Gryffindor team. Lily lead Bella over to the two girls as Sirius continued to try and smooth things over with Remus.

"Ladies this is Bellatrix Black, Sirius' cousin." Lily gave a tight-lipped grin flipping her vivid hair to one side as she switched her focus back to Bella. "He is your cousin, is he not?" Bella flushed her eyes turning wide as all of the girls grinned, noticing her discomfort, Lily laid her hand on Bella's shoulder continuing with the introductions.

"This is Ellie Mackenzie, she's as good as having the Gryffindor Quidditch team with you, her brother Jacob plays chaser and her better half is non other than our wondrous and lovely Solace Wood the Gryffindor Keeper and Quidditch Captain." Bella smiled at the elegant looking girl who was noticeably older than the others her long golden hair placed in a simple twist at the back of her head.

"And this is Marlene McKinnon." The sweet looking girl with chin length chestnut brown hair and wearing a bulky camera strapped over her shoulder lend forward taking Bella's hand.

"It's wonderful to meet the girl who knocked Evans here on her rear in Defense Against the Dark Arts." Marlene said with a mischievous glance at Lily, who retorted by giving a shocked look and pushing her shoulder.

"Don't start with me McKinnon, I know where you sleep!" Lily laughed.

"Besides she got me back." Bella grinned.

"Oh we heard all about it." Answered Ellie her eyebrow arched, " You see Lily here would hate for anyone to find out her little secret but she's actually a bit of a bragger once she gets going."

Just then a loud bell rang out across the stadium signifying that one of the teams had scored, all of the girls focused their attention to the action on the pitch.

"Gryffindor SCORES, nice work by Alice Hampton Gryffindor's newest addition! It's now 40 to 10 with Slytherin still leading by 30 points!" an ecstatic voice shouted over the load speaker. All three girls shirked in excitement as the box went wild around them at the mention of Alice's name.

"Ah I'm surprised Pettigrew isn't blowing her kisses over the loud speaker." Laughed Marlene breathlessly.

"Oh I knew she'd be great, I told Solace to give her a chance!" Screamed Ellie excitedly as Alice zoomed by on her broom her short thick ponytail trailing behind her and a victorious smile on her face. The three girls screamed as Alice sped by. Bella watched the whole scene with intrigue, she had never seen such camaraderie amongst girls before. She suddenly felt a hand pulling her hair from her shoulders and away from her face, and felt the warmth of Sirius' body coming to rest near hers.

She looked over to Remus who had taken a place near Lily and who seemed to be much more settled after speaking to Sirius, her eyes rested on him for a moment studying his easy familiar interaction with the group but sensing something distinctly different about him. As Bella became lost in this hidden attribute in Remus his eyes rose to meet hers causing him to grimace and shoot her a dark distrusting look, natural Black instincts took over causing Bella to stare at him in cool disdain.

Sirius, oblivious to the exchange between Bella and Remus, slipped his hand up to her shoulder and rubbed his finger lightly beneath Bella's earlobe causing her to forget Remus and giggle turning to face Sirius. Their eyes meeting in mutual adoration as a sudden wind blew Bella's hair mercilessly in all directions causing them to laugh. The crowd around them roared as Solace successfully fended off a goal attempt from Rudolphus, but Sirius and Bella didn't let their eyes divert from each other wanting badly to have their privacy again.

Marlene noticing the odd combination of people and wanting desperately to have a photo of what was likely to be the first and last time in history that a Slytherin had been allowed into the Gryffindor box quickly darted out in front of them all to snap a picture. Bella and Sirius hadn't even noticed Marlene as the others smiled for the camera. The wind sent another hard gust barreling across the high Gryffindor box and as Sirius leaned in to shield Bella she craned her neck kissing his check causing Sirius to pull her towards him.

Marlene giggled as she snapped the picture catching Remus about to start voicing astonished complaints only to be quieted by Lily who in hopes of diverting attention from the young lovers grabbed Remus tousling his hair and pulling him towards her to kiss his cheek playfully.

The booming clang rang over the stadium once more to announce that Gryffindor had again scored against Slytherin and everyone in the boxes attention was diverted to the pitch.

"Mackenzie scores one for Gryffindor narrowly avoiding a late bludger from Dolohov. The score is now 20 to 40 with Slytherin in the lead." Came Peter's voice over the loud speaker eliciting cheers of triumph from all of the boxes aside from those belonging to the Slytherins where loud hisses and boos were barely audible against the revelry.

"How fitting the Slytherins are hissing!" Laughed Marlene then looking apologetically at Bella forgetting for a moment that she was not one of her fellow Gryffindor's said, "Oh sorry about that." As she smiled sheepishly. Bella just smiled at the girl who was going so far out of her way to make her feel comfortable.

"See I told you that there was nothing to worry about, you've the heart of a Gryffindor and we can all tell." Sirius said, leaning into her ear tempted to let his lips caress her earlobe but thinking better of it as he noticed Remus finally smiling but glancing uncomfortably over at them. He grinned at his friend and pulled back from Bella trying to focus on the drama which was holding up the match.

Jacob Mackenzie hovered on his broom yelling heatedly at Antonin who tossed his club nonchalantly in the air catching it easily in his hand and laughing hard. Due to his thick brogue, which only intensified as his anger grew, most of the onlookers hadn't a clue as to what he was saying. Only Ellie gasped in shock and brought her hand to her lips evidently understanding her brother's rant all to well. Macalister Wood, the Hogwarts Quidditch coach, shouted from the ground beneath the hovering players as Solace laughed uncontrollably.

"Jacob Mackenzie you watch yer mouth on ma Pitch boy'er I'll remove ya from the game! Ya'd be smart to get control of yer Chaser Solace less ya want to continue without him." Mac yelled, changing his focus to Solace who quickly stifled his laughs at this threat and jerked his head to the side signaling his Chaser to abandon the fight. Jacob quieted but a stealthy and menacing look took over his ruggedly hansom face.

"Slaughter'um Fabian." Jacob growled to his beater who had swooped in close behind him at the first sign of the argument, wanting to be one of the first ones in if a brawl were to break out. The quaffle was put back into play and the two teams were back to focusing on the match. James had climbed to hover at the far end of the pitch just above the action of the players the whole time keeping Lucius Malfoy in his sights.

Scanning the field for the speeding glint of the golden snitch James pushed his silver framed glasses closer to his eyes to focus on the far side of the stadium. Suddenly he saw it buzzing swiftly about the center Slytherin Goal post just beyond were Rabastan Lestrage the huge Slytherin Keeper was menacingly standing guard. James glanced up to see if Lucius had noticed anything but realized with panic that he was no longer in his position. James assuming that Lucius had already spotted the snitch flattened to his broom and speed like an arrow straight towards the Slytherin goal post. To the crowd it looked as though James was a bullet headed right for Rabastan.

The stadium began to go wild with screams as the Gryffindor's in the box around Bella began to chant "POT-TER…POT-TER…POT-TER." Bella looked on in rousing excitement as she saw that no one on either team had noticed the speeding blur that was James. Bella's heart pounded as she fantasized for a moment of James baring down on Rabastan to finally hit him with such force that the monstrous Slytherin Keeper was blown into a million pieces. A huge smile graced Bella's face at the thought of the exploding Rabastan, and she laughed to herself.

"Alice Hampton has the quaffle and is going for the goal! Look out Alice right behind you!" cried Peter jumping from his seat, in the lofty box reserved for the professors, with such force that he almost ejected himself from the corner. Alice had just wrestled the quaffle away from Warren Wilkes one of the Slytherin Chasers and had been about to score her second goal for Gryffindor when both Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange attacked. Each boy speeding from opposite sides of Alice slamming into her with crushing force causing her to grunt in pain as the quaffle popped out of here grip and into the sure hands of Rodolphus.

Feeling broken Alice let her broom dip downward as she began to sink in the air trying desperately to pull herself together after the blow. As he laughed with his brother Rabastan caught a speeding bludger to the side of his head sending him sprawling from his broom on to the sandy ground some 20 feet below.

Rodolphus, suddenly noticing the Prewitt's both baring down on him, moved to streak away with the quaffle towards the other side of the field. He never made it for James who had been diving at the snitch plowed into him with the force of a locomotive as Rodolphus unknowingly wandered into his path. The force of the collision was enough to send the quaffle flying only to be intercepted by Jacob who at the last moment was able to swoop in and score the goal for Gryffindor. The crowd went into a frenzy as James and Rodolphus slammed down into the sand both a little unsure of what had happened laying crumpled staring at the sky.

James' eyes came back into focus as he adjusted his bent glasses still laying flat on his back a large smile forming on his face. Hearing a groan from just a few feet to the side of him he looked over to see Rudolphus with his hand pressed to his chest undoubtedly where the force of the crash had been focused. Wincing in pain Rodolphus glared squinting over at James looking in no condition to get up.

"What the hell are you smiling about Potter?" Rodolphus growled in breathless anger. James' grin only got wider as he could hear Mac's heavy footsteps coming towards them yelling for Dr. Dashid to leave Rabastan and come check on the other boys. James painfully lifted his arm to reveal the golden snitch writhing madly in his grip so only Rodolphus could see.

"We won." James said in a gasping whisper reviling for a moment in the stunned hatred on Rodolphus' face, then with all of the strength he could muster James shot his hand straight into the air to show the world that the snitch belonged to Gryffindor. James lay there in aching bliss as the stands went wild at seeing him thrust the snitch into the air, causing Peter to yelp in astonishment while announcing to the crowd.

"I don't believe it! James Potter has caught the snitch! Gryffindor wins!" Peter's voice boomed across the pitch.

The Gryffindor box looked like a new years celebration as the students all screamed hugging one another and laughing in delight as red and gold sparks issued out of every wand in salute to the team. Bella stood in stunned motionless awe of the whole scene watching the field to be sure that James was alright. She grinned triumphantly lost in her own thoughts as James got to his feet just in time to be mobbed by the Gryffindor team while Rudolphus had to be assisted by Warren and Olis off the sandy floor of the pitch.

Suddenly Bella was swept off her feet and spun around coming to focus in on Sirius' brilliant blue eyes and feeling her heart throb in happiness. Sirius laughed in his excitement.

"He is absolutely the toughest seeker Gryffindor's ever seen!" He exclaimed breathlessly, his smile huge as he kissed Bella's cool cheek.

"Wonder if Rudolphus broke any ribs?" Remus asked laughing, Sirius' eyes grew large and greedy at the prospect of Rodolphus being forced to the same fate that he had suffered only days earlier. Then looking down into Bella's sweet calm gaze he thought of how dangerous their situation had just become. If they were spotted by any member of Slytherin House it would be disastrous for everyone involved.

"We must get you out of here before you are noticed." Sirius said sweeping the long strands of ebony hair away from her eyes then grabbing her hand insistent that she follow him clapping Remus on the shoulder as he walked away.

"I'll catch up with you in a bit Moony."

"Right." Remus replied distractedly now surrounded by the group of girls, Marlene jumping up to fling her arms about his neck and planting a kiss right on his lips causing Lily and Ellie to break into silent giggles. They said there good-byes and dashed down the stairs just before the first students decided to break from the warm celebration in the box to run on to the pitch to congratulate there team members.

All that was spoken of for the rest of the day was how James Potter had pummeled Rodolphus Lestrange during the Quidditch Match while catching the snitch and winning the game for Gryffindor. There had been a start of season feast scheduled for that evening but at the rate things were going in the Gryffindor common room no one from the house would possibly have room or energy left to eat.

James had finally been released from the infirmary by Dr. Dashid with the strict instructions to take it easy over the next day but as soon as he had entered the common room he was greeted with such lively and overpowering excitement that he was sure Dr. Dashid's orders had already been broken. Lily had been the first to notice James come through the portrait hole, now dressed in gray sweats and a long-sleeved white t-shirt that had two thin bands of red about each sleeve and a small embroidery at the chest that read Seeker.

The whole of Gryffindor house had moved forward to greet James, all that is except for Lily and Ellie who hung back casually leaning along the back of the long leather couch in front of the fire. Though it was nearly impossible to keep eye contact with her James grinned and continued to stare at Lily thinking to himself all to obviously, She actually seems happy to see me. Lily began to grin as well noticing this, finally turning a bit pink as Ellie nudged her playfully in the arm causing her to break her focus from James and start talking to her friend as if nothing at all were going on.

James finding this terribly amusing began to laugh grabbing Solace who had just swooped in on him into a rough embrace pounding one another hard on the back.

"That was one of the most beautiful moments that I have seen on our pitch Potter! You did a damn fine job, my friend." Solace laughed releasing him to the crowd. Remus thrust a freshly opened Butter Beer into James' hand as he pulled Remus into a headlock hug.

"What about Alice? Is she alright? Will she be released as well?" Asked Peter in breathless concern impatiently smacking Franks hand away from it's attempts to pinch his cheek in mockery of his obvious crush on Alice. The group quieted slightly to receive the news of their injured Chaser.

"She'll be fine but Dashid won't release her till morning, wants to keep her for observation. She was furious about it too but I told her we'd all be willing to celebrate tomorrow with her." Then looking over to Solace for approval, "I told her there's no use in celebrating if your unable to practice for the next match." James said this mimicking Solace's accent perfectly, repeating the line that each of them had all at one point or another heard him say. This caused Jacob to spout laughter accidentally spitting his mouth full of Butter Beer out to shower the Prewetts, James, and Remus.

"Okay he's cut off!" Said Remus laughing and whipping his face with his sleeve in disgust. Solace grinned wickedly at the imitation and clapped James hard on the shoulder causing him to wince, his hand having caught a deep bruise where James had hit the sand.

"You'll make a formidable captain if yer able to survive through this year." Solace smiled at James menacingly.

After sometime the crowd began to break up a bit and James was left sitting comfortably in front of the fire with Remus and Peter verbally replying every moment of the game especially when James had so efficiently ejected Rudolphus out of the air.

"Okay own up, what's he up to? It makes me nervous when he disappears and you two act like there is nothing going on." James finally said being sure there were no eavesdroppers near. Peter shook his head blankly.

"I haven't seen'um since breakfast, now that you mention it he didn't come down to the field after the game…odd isn't it?" He said now rubbing his chin in thought. Remus sank low into the couch between his two friends taking a long swig of his Butter Beer hoping that they would change the subject. Instead both boys noticing Remus' uncharacteristic silence turned to face him with great interest glinting in their eyes.

"Alright Moony, out with it! Whatever it is that you're hiding for Sirius, you can protect him no longer." James said grinning. He could tell by Remus' face that it must be something good.

"I honestly don't know where he is." Said Remus a little to quickly, "and I don't want to know!" He finished getting ready to get up from his comfortable spot on the couch but stopped by James, who beamed at him.

"He found Bella didn't he?" James questioned holding on to Remus' arm to prevent him from abandoning the conversation.

"Bella? What's he want with her?" Asked Peter dimly. James sighed giving Peter a look of extreme annoyance.

"I swear to God Peter, sometimes I wonder…", then breaking off unable to find the words to express his frustration at his friends denseness went on to explain.

"Sirius and Bella are…well involved! Didn't ya catch on to that yet? How blind can ya be?" James said in an exasperated whisper. Peter gave James an indignant look, blushing slightly at his own idiocy seeing things all very clearly now.

"Yeah especially now that practically the entire house knows." Said Remus taking the heat off Peter for the moment.
"How so? What happened?" James asked quietly, concern now surfacing on his face. Remus rolled his eyes then looked over to notice that the sun was sinking low on the horizon and a vicious storm seemed to be rolling in, the approaching sound of thunder ominously rattling the window panes.

"Come on, I'll fill you in on the way to dinner." He said reluctant to speak of where he knew Sirius to be.