----Disclaimer-----

I realised I forgot to mention this in my first chapter.

I claim no right to anything.

Don't sue. :

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Power was one of the things Bellatrix truly had respect for. Her father had exercised it many times in her presence and she had learnt to realize what it could do. She only hoped to gain much of this very soon. Power was something she yearned to have, and everyone knew, once a Black sets their mind to it, they'll get whatever they want.

She saw, with surprise, a certain Tom Riddle floating around the banquet table also, a few metres away. She smiled a secret smile; she had invited the boy even though he was half blood - no-one really cared that much about him as it was rumoured that he was related to Salazar Slytherin himself, and that was pure enough for any pureblooded family. He also had that aura of power; very appealing to half of the girls in Hogwarts, she knew. But then she was not unattractive either; strangely somehow Tom was irresistible to her charms. She frowned; he was a challenge, yet his little 'society' was fun enough in itself and she didn't really feel the need to seduce him. To be among the people he considered the 'elite' of his group was enough for her.

Tom wandered over to her, meaning to pick up some of the sweetened almonds she was standing next to. She stood in his way; he looked up into her face and his eyes sparkled.

"Why, hello Miss Black. You seem to be blocking my way." He smirked.

"It's Bella. And I'm not blocking your way, what were you looking for?"

However childish these games were, she loved playing them. Irritating people was a sport to her.

He simply smiled, took out his wand, and -

"Yeah, yeah, okay, I moved." she glared at him. No-one wanted to get in the way of Tom Riddle and his wand together. Not even she was that proud or that stupid. "You win."

"Again." he flashed a triumphant, handsome smile at her.

Bellatrix laughed harshly.

"So, what brings you here? Which fool invited you here?" she said playfully, a smirk on her lips.

"Fool?Well, that would be you, but Bellatrix Black is no fool..."

She smiled gratefully, which was a rare occasion.

"...she is merely a child." Bellatrix's smile wiped off her face.

"You little...", she hissed, taking out her wand.

When she saw him hiding a laugh under his breath, she blushed a little and tucked the wand away, nevertheless a determined, proud expression on her face.

"Easily upset?"

She forced herself to not respond and ignore him. She knew he was only playing games with her, like he always did, but somehow she felt...emotional. God, stupid hormones. She mentally pulled herself together and managed to pull a proud smirk on her face.

"Not really. How's our little society going?"

Bellatrix was suspicious of any spies or anything of that sort, so she did not speak the name aloud.

"Oh, very good. Very good indeed. We have a new member, I believe he is somehow connected to your family through blood?"

"Who?"

"Evan Rosier."

"Yes, I know him. Stupid up pri- I mean, nice boy. Just a bit immature."

Tom laughed. "Yes, you'll be quite the occlumens,"

She glared at him. "What, he is! Try to feel me u-"

She stopped abruptly, as her mother began to approach them, a disapproving look on her face. Bellatrix realised she must've been quite loud.

"So, Mr Riddle, how are your duties as prefect doing?" she smiled sweetly at her mother, and flashed a dangerous smile at Tom as if to warn him to play along.

"Oh yes, yes, quite well. A few unruly girls in our year to take care of, but otherwise, yes, perfect."

Bellatrix glared at him; she knew who he meant.

"Really, is that s-"

"Hello Mr Riddle!" Bellatrix's mother simpered, interrupting Bellatrix. "How are the studies going? I hear you're top student."

"Yes, ma'am." Riddle had a modest expression on his face, but Bellatrix knew him too well to know that Riddle was smirking at his own cleverness inside.

"Ah, excellent! I only wish Bellatrix here was so good."

Her mother flashed her a disapproving frown before turning to Riddle with the same plastered-on smile.

"Your parents must be proud. Who are they?"

"Tom Marvolo Riddle, ma'am, and Merope Gaunt."

"Gaunt...ah." Bellatrix's mother began to look at him with a new found respect.

"Weren't they related to..?"

"Ma'am?"

She whispered, "Salazar Slytherin?"

"Er-"

"Mum." said Bellatrix forcefully. "None of your business. We spoke about this, remember?"

"Oh..yes." said her mother, giving her a cold glare and looking disappointedly at Tom. "have a good ball, both of you." She glided away.

"Er, sorry about that." said Bellatrix, trying to force a smile onto her face but not quite managing it. She felt like sinking into the floor.

"No need to worry." said Tom reassuringly, although his eyes told a different story. Then again, they were always so glossy and snakelike...weren't they?