Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters except for my own. They are owned by J.K Rowling, and this fan fiction is written solely for entertainment.

Chapter 11: The Return of Bellatrix Black

The Christmas holidays came and went. Of course, Kelsey and I had to stay at Hogwarts which we hardly minded at all. It gave us a chance to talk to teachers about winter break assignments, to study for the approaching N.E.W.T.S…or O.W.L.S…(I was still a bit confused about the final exams) and to get to know Professor Dumbledore and the other teachers better. To our excitement, Dumbledore organized a trip to Hogsmeade for all the students who were staying at Hogwarts. So, Kelsey and I enjoyed at day at Hogwarts alone without the fuss from the guys, Bellatrix and our friends. It also gave us a chance to talk about Dumbledore's assignment.
"We could lock them in a room for 24 hours," Kelsey suggested. I shook my head.
"No, they'd kill each other." I replied. Kelsey slumped down. She had come up with at least 50 ideas and none of them seems right. I shrugged.
"Maybe, we should just let it rest until next school year. I mean, that's when they got together right? And since they'll both be Head Boy and Head Girl, it'll be easier." I said. Kelsey nodded.
"Maybe you're right. Besides, Quidditch season is coming up! We can't miss that!" she exclaimed. I jumped up in down in my seat.
"I KNOW! I'm SO excited!" I exclaimed. Then my smiled faded.

"I'm worried about Bellatrix."

"WHY? Caroline, she was expelled. She's not coming back!!"

"I know but-"

"Look, she's gone. Forget about her! Let's have this year and next year in peace, alright?

"Okay."

Soon, classes restarted again to everyone's joy. (A/N: sarcasm, sarcasm) and things went back to normal. Students began to get quite worked up about the end-of-school exams, but I was rather excited about them. I mean, compared to science and English finals, these exams just seemed plain FUN! But more so than finals, Quidditch season was getting closer and we began to see less and less of James and Sirius. James was a seeker and Sirius was a beater. Apparently, they were both extraordinarily good, so Kelsey and I could NOT WAIT for the first game: Slytherin vs. Gryffindor.
We entered the month of February as fast as January had come and with Quidditch season just around the corner, I had completely forgotten about Bellatrix. Until she returned.

I sat next to Sirius in Charms, and I was practicing my Summoning Charm for the N.E.W.T.S (or O.W.L.S…sigh…), when the door swished open furiously. The class quieted down immediately and turned towards the door. The life in the classroom seemed to be sucked out of it as Bellatrix Black stood in the doorway. I dropped my wand in surprise when she suddenly spoke up.
"Sorry I'm late, Professor." She said, "I just got back," she added, eyeing me evilly. The classroom went into bedlam of whispers and murmurs.

"She was expelled, wasn't she?"

"Yeah, her wand was probably snapped too."

"Then, why is she here?"

Quite the contrary, her wand was perfectly intact. I quickly jerked my head around and looked down in utter shock, putting my hand in front of my face. I couldn't bear to look at her. People glanced at me quickly before glancing back at that spawn of hell walking into the classroom.
"Miss-Miss Black. Does the headmaster know you are here?" Professor Flitwick said.

"Yes, Professor."

"Oh. Very well. Take your seat, Miss Black." Professor Flitwick attempted to say as sternly as possible. Bellatrix walked down the long rows of desks, each row lost its life as she past. I felt her looking at me the whole time. Suddenly, she stopped momentarily beside my desk. I glanced up at her quickly, jaw set. Sirius sucked in his breath. She squinted at me before sitting next to a squealing Elizabeth.
"Oh god," I whispered under my breath. "What is she doing here?" I whispered. Sirius let out his breath, as he turned and glanced at James and Remus. Both looked just as shocked as he was.
"Well, back to your study time, everyone! Miss Elizabeth, please catch Miss Black up on what we've been studying." Professor Flitwick said into the awkward silence. Eventually, everyone began to work again. Lily turned her chair around at me.
"Why is she here? I thought she was expelled." she said, eyeing Bellatrix. I shrugged, speechless.

"Make sure you don't leave his room without Kelsey, Alice, Cecily or me." She said. I scoffed.
"I didn't plan on it." I said quietly. She smiled with reassurance before turning around. I didn't do much for the rest of the class. I just wanted to get to lunch. Bellatrix kept glancing at me, which made me more uncomfortable than I was already. The time ticked slowly until Flitwick FINALLY spoke up.
"OH! Look at the time. I apologize, class dismissed!" he exclaimed. I quickly began to pack my books, but decided it was best I kept my wand out. I knew Bellatrix was watching me and she seemed to be taking her time. I glanced at the Cecily, Lily, Alice and Kelsey fearfully, but Kelsey nodded, telling me that nothing was going to happen. I noticed James, Sirius or Remus had not packed up their wands either. Thank god, I thought as I made my way towards the door, Kelsey right beside me. Bellatrix quickly flung her bag over her shoulder and quickly walked out the door behind us.
Just keep walking, I told myself. She wouldn't try anything. She wasn't stupid. I began to pick up the pace. I wasn't about to waste my time. But I wasn't fast enough. Not for Bellatrix.
"Hey, Mudblood!" came a voice a little ways behind me. Sirius, who was walking with James in front of us, began to skid to a stop, but I grabbed his arm, pulling him along to keep him walking.
"No, don't stop. She's not that thick," I said harshly. I tightened my grip on my wand.
"HEY! Mudblood! You better stop, or this wand will have to get used to that curse again!" she screeched making sure any staff were out of earshot. Many students stopped and watched. Elizabeth cackled. I took a deep breath and stopped. Kelsey hurried beside me.
"Caroline. Don't." She whispered. I ignored her and turned around and marched back until I was just a few feet away from Bellatrix. I wasn't going to be afraid of her. She grinned devilishly.
"That little expulsion threat didn't stop me, Mudblood. I'd watch your back if were you," she hissed. I scowled. She pushed by me roughly and pushed her way through the others. Sirius growled inside his throat. I turned around and watched her strut away. I shook my head in disgust and walked towards the Great Hall in her direction. Lily hurried to my side.
"I can't believe you didn't do anything!" she said. I scoffed.
"No thank-you. I'd rather stay alive then honor myself in kicking her arse," I turned into the Great Hall for lunch as Sirius and James hurried off to Quidditch practice. I sat down next to Alice and picked at my food. Alice put her hand on my shoulder.
"Forget about Bellatrix. She wouldn't dare try anything after all that. Besides, the next Quidditch match is coming up in a few weeks!" she said brightly. I smiled. She always was the silver-lining of a thunder cloud. Kelsey nodded with excitement. Lily rolled her eyes.
"Joy. One more thing that James Potter can show off about," she groaned. I cocked an eyebrow at Kelsey and Remus (who was sitting beside her) then grinning at Lily.
"Lily, the only reason he does that is because he wants you to like him. He just wants to impress you." I explained. Lily shook her head.
"But why is he nice to all of you, but just acts like a complete JERK in front of me?!" she exclaimed. Kelsey and I laughed.
"BECAUSE HE LIKES YOU!" we ended up saying in unison. The other's looked taken aback, but Remus and Peter seemed very concentrated on their meal a little ways down the table. I could catch a glimpse of a laugh on Remus' face. Lily shrugged.
"Fine. If James Potter can PROVE to me that there's more to him than arrogance and all that crap, I'll CONSIDER, but only CONSIDER, going to Hogsmeade with him," Lily said quite simply. I bit my lip to hold in the smile. I glanced at Kelsey momentarily, who gave me a quick thumbs-up before anyone could see it. Well, that was settled. Now, we'd just have to tame the Potter. Of course, after Quidditch was over. There was no way getting to him during the season. Kelsey and I had our work cut out for us.

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