Hey special thanks to the reviewers for sticking with me after the apple episode – I know, it was just plain weird. Anyway, I've a thickening plot after chapter 5. Yes, Bellatrix has a fair part to play ahead! Did you ever wonder how she came to hate Frank and Alice Longbottom? Or how she was ' aquainted ' with the Potters? And when exactly was the Order formed? I've hopefully worked it out right from the books. Anyway, enjoy!!!!!!

Hogsmeade was wreathed in a dense blanket of smiling sunlight. Lily, Bailey, Julie and Adalia Prewett were strolling past ' The Three Broomsticks ' casually, chatting light-heartedly. It was nearly one o' clock and all were feeling a bit peckish. They turned into the bustling restaurant, eagerly absorbing the enticing smells.

Many other Hogwarts students packed the bar. The four girls hastily claimed the last free table. Unfortunately for Lily, it happened to be in close proximity to the one occupied by James Potter and Co.

On noticing her sit down, he immediately rose and made his way over to her, wearing a lopsided grin.
'' Hey Evans. Don't pretend I don't know why you sat at this particular table,'' he commented knowingly, raising a comical eyebrow.

'' Maybe because it was the only one left,'' she replied dryly, smirking slightly. He took her smile as encouragement and ploughed on.
'' Or maybe because it's next to mine. You know, so you can be close to the incredible James Potter,'' he wiggled his eyebrows up and down, running his hand through his ruffled hair.

Lily regarded him coolly. '' I see. Keeping friends close and enemies closer, maybe? '' she responded with an impatient flick of her rich hair, enunciating each word clearly.
'' I suppose I'd fall into the latter category? '' he grimaced despondently. She nodded insistently.

'' Then I guess there's no chance you'd go out with me? '' a winning smile accompanied his words.
'' Not unless I lost my mind. Anyway, as I've said before, I'd rather go out with the Giant Squid than with THE James Potter. '' It was clear Lily was bored with the conversation.

'' If things don't work out with your slimy boyfriend, give me a call,''
He backed slowly away from the table with his thumbs up in encouragement. She sighed and shook her head. But a secret smile flourished within her. He was talking to her again. At least she hadn't broken his heart so much he lost his famous demeanor!

'' I'll see you around, Evans,''
Bailey studied Lily curiously. Julie and Adalia were ordering ButterBeers.
'' Do you really hate him that much? '' Lily rolled her vivid green eyes in despair.

'' Not you too! Ada was telling me how great he is just yesterday. Though you view him with rose-tinted glasses doesn't mean I do too! He's an arrogant, stuck-up, bigheaded jerk and I will NEVER be interested in him. Now can we please discuss something else? ''
The conversation was over.

Bellatrix Black stood and surveyed the room. Her black hair framed her pale, emaciated face and a slow, malicious smile curved her lips. All around her, Death Eaters were ranged in a circle. The Inner Circle.

She laughed coyly and partially closed her heavy-lidded eyes. She was a Death Eater. She, from the present moment, would be recognised as a loyal, unwavering servant of the Dark Lord.
'' Arise, Bella. Are you willing to prove your devotion to your Master? '' Voldemort's depthless scarlet eyes tapered into slits.

Bellatrix sucked in a deep breath. '' Always, Master,'' came her throaty reply. Every Death Eater present knew it would be fiercely unwise to say anything else. Unless they wished to die at the vengeful hands of the Dark Lord.
'' I am delegating a...significant task to you, Bella. As you reside at Hogwarts, it is only natural you should recruit supporters of our...cause. Avery and Nott should suffice at present. It would be wise for you to discern whether Snape...is suitable. You are dismissed. Lestrange will lead you out,''

Voldemort turned and swept from the room in a whirling of his black cloak. The remaining Death Eaters lazily exited.
As Malfoy stalked by Bellatrix, he touched her shoulder and smiled mutinously.
'' I trust Narcissa will accompany me on my rounds? '' his smile widened distastefully.

Bellatrix grinned idly. They both knew what he meant by ' rounds ' . Muggle-baiting and torture was a common occurrence with the Death Eaters.
'' She looks forward to it, Lucius,'' Bellatrix let the words slide over her proffered tongue.

Rodolphus Lestrange's lithe, cowled form was visible by the door. Malfoy glanced at Lestrange before Disapparating. Bellatrix smiled slowly. She could still taste the tang of the fresh blood on her lips. Muggle blood.

Bellatrix sashayed over to Lestrange. He grinned greedily, flashing his teeth, as she joined him at the door. They were going to have some fun tonight.

James leant into the table. '' Wait,'' Remus paused, scanning ' The Three Broomsticks ' warily. He muttered a quick but effective Eavesdropper Repellent spell. Sirius clapped him on the back.

'' Good thinking. Whatever happens, I do not want to be blamed for this one,''
Peter chuckled shrilly.
'' Ok,'' whispered James. '' It's going to take a lot to pull this one off. Even with me,'' he added as an afterthought. Peter gasped in awe. Remus smiled. James never stopped showing off. Sirius sniggered. James grinned bashfully at him, then continued.

'' Ok. The cats and dogs will fade after a while...this will go down in history,'' he added dreamily, a glow of pride alighting on his face.
Sirius chortled loudly, his eyes illuminated with excitement. Peter gazed, enraptured at James, his eyes watering. Remus looked doubtful, but grinned all the same. This was going to be one hell of a day.

Lily dragged Bailey and Adalia into Honeydukes to restock on Crunching Caterpillars. Julie had already, albeit nervously, left to meet up with Sirius in Zonkos.
A strange quiet had befallen Bailey, but she soon livened up as Lily became entranced with the new selection of chocolate Spider Swirls.

'' Lily,'' she sighed, an amused twitch lurking at the corners of her lips, ' They look like giant, twisted, ugly brown spiders! How can you eat them? ''
Lily chose not to answer. They all knew well that there was no changing her mind concerning chocolate or sweet flavoured insects.

Lily slyly placed one of the beasts on Bailey's shoulders she turned to wave at Alice McKinnon. When she turned back, a terrified scream ripped from her throat as the chocolate spider leapt into the air and began crawling up her neck. Lily was laughing light-heartedly as Bailey jerked around wildly and the spider scuttled into her black hair.

'' It's just a charm, Bails,'' Adalia assured her as she grasped the struggling chocolate in her two forefingers and put it back in the jar. Lily's laughs had subsided, reduced to occasional chuckles.
Bailey exhaled slowly, her face resembling a tomato.

It was another half an hour before they left Honeydukes as Lily, as she claimed, had to '' update and stock up on all the new insects,''. Bailey and Adalia, eventually, couldn't take the endless dancing animals anymore and dragged her forcefully out of the shop, oblivious to her protests.

It was when they were walking up past the Shrieking Shack when they saw her. Lily was chewing on her newly replenished box of caterpillars. Adalia was the first to spot her slender form, robed all in black. The seventh-year Slytherin they all despised. Bellatrix Black.

She stood, casually leaning, against the railing that fenced in the haunted shack. Evan Rosier, a fifth year and a fellow Slytherin, stood with her. It was clear, from their drawn wands, they had been all too aware of the sixth years' approach.

'' You're outnumbered, Black,'' spat Bailey stiffly. Ever since Bellatrix had publicly ridiculed her in fourth year, she had hated her with perhaps a greater vengeance than the others.
Bellatrix began twirling her wand nimbly between her two fingers.

'' Three itsy bitsy sixteen year olds don't scare me,'' she retorted adopting a childish tone.
'' And who does, Bella? Maybe your cousin? Sirius does have a way with magic. I heard you ran away from him when he challenged you! You know, that baby voice does suit you well, seeing as you act about two,'' Bailey bit out acridly.

Bellatrix straightened immediately, her emearald eyes sparking fire. '' Expelliar - ,'' her words were cut off as Adalia shouted, ' Accio Wand! '' and Bellatrix's ebony wand flew into Adalia's outstretched hand.

Lily laughed shortly. Rosier's hand flicked languidly and a curling tendril of flame shot toward Lily. It twisted itself around her hand, cutting deeply into her skin. She gasped in shock and pain as her wand fell limply to the dirt road.

'' Accio! '' he shrieked and her willow wand spun in a slender arc toward his proffered hand. The flame continued to writhe around Lily's hand and was slowly winding up her arm, burning her robes and singeing her skin.

Bailey's eyes widened with fear. That was an incredible amount of magic. They had no idea how to cast something like that.
Adalia exhaled slowly.

'' Well well well. Rosier, undo that spell or dear ickle Bella doesn't get her ickle wand back,'' she demanded savagely, imitating Bellatrix superbly.

Rosier paled.

'' We have ways of making you pay. Your uppance will come! '' Bellatrix howled in fury.
'' Whatever, sugar,'' Bailey said sweetly. '' One wand against four? I don't think so! You obey us or...'' she flicked her wand in warning.
A look of utter rage warped Bellatrix's face as Rosier reluctantly muttered a counter-curse.

As the flame relinquished its bizarre hold on Lily, Adalia flung Bellatrix's wand into the parched grass bordering the Shrieking Shack. Bellatrix wailed angrily.

'' Get it! '' she barked at Rosier. The three girls began backing slowly away from the two Slytherins, their wands still aimed at them. Rosier looked about to protest. Bellatrix tapped her left arm. Rosier gulped and clambered over the fence to retrieve the wand.

The three chortled at Rosier's weak attempts to scale the wall and at the murderous look gracing Bellatrix's face.
'' You will pay,'' she screamed to the dwindling figures. '' You will pay dearly for your tricks. No-one crosses Bellatrix Black and gets away with it,'' she added softly to herself.

As an irritated Lily was escorted into Hogwarts by Bailey, Adalia, a recently informed Julie and a sympathetic Alice McKinnon, James Potter rounded the corner.

He seemed intent on reaching the Library but as he caught sight of Lily he beamed.
'' Hey Evans! Haven't changed your mind? '' he called after her.

'' When pigs fly! '' she responded. He seemed thunderstruck, then a slow, brazen grin spread across his face.
'' You'll see! '' he shouted, rubbing his hands with glee. It would take a bit of work, but he could pull it off. This prank was phenomenal.