The rest of the week passed as quickly as ever thanks to her rigorous training schedule. She had not brought up her mysterious necklace up with anyone, clearly whoever gave it to her did not want her to know. Her sister was the only person she had said anything to and she knew her sister would not bring it up to anyone. She was just going to wait and see if anyone brought it up at the ball. Really all of this made her feel young again, like when she was dating and secret admirers while she was in school. Though she was pretty sure it was just Rodolphus which took the fun out of the whole thing.
Today was the day and her schedule was once again cleared so she could spend the day getting ready for the ball with Narcissa. She took her time getting up and getting dressed, it was going to be a long night and she did not want to get tired half way through. By the time she came downstairs it was lunch time. She ate a light lunch with her sister before heading back upstairs to grab her dress, mask, and necklace before heading to her sister's room. Narcissa was much better at these things than she was, especially after being locked away for 13 years. She was so excited she could hardly contain herself as she bounded into her sister's room for their girls afternoon. Her sister quickly sat her down on the green seat that sat in front of the vanity.
"Now we are going to start with your hair first because it is going to take a while," she said attempting to run her fingers through it.
Bellatrix's hair was extremely long and curly and knotted and matted very easy. She had never been very good at doing anything with her hair and she did not do much to it normally. Her sister pulled out a large jar of what she could only assume was Sleekeazy's and began running it through her curls. After at least an hour her sister had managed to loosen up and defrizz her espresso curls. Her hair was even longer now but it was a lot softer and cleaner looking. Narcissa must have used half the jar of hair potion but it had certainly worked. Her sister was looking extremely pleased with herself as she began pinning back her long strands of hair. Bellatrix's hair was so long she could not wear it all the way up but her sister was, at least, able to get it out of her face. As she watched in the mirror she could not help but smile. She had not looked like this in so long, maybe ever since her school days. Once her sister was content with her hair she started on her makeup, taking years off immediately. The deep bags under her eyes were no longer black and while it was still obvious the toll her time away had on her it was not the only thing you saw. Narcissa tried to cover up her prison number on her neck but Bella stopped her, she was immensely proud of her time there. Her prison number was a badge of honor if anything it should be shown off.
Several hours later they were both made up and dressed. Bella's makeup and nails matched her deep emerald dress and she looked years younger. Her new necklace was, even more, stunning around her neck and she could not stop looking at herself in the mirror. Her sister was beautiful as always, her hair was sleekly pinned up and her makeup was simple and her nails matched her silver mask. If the moon could turn into a person, it would look like her sister. When Narcissa had decided that they were ready they walked arm in arms downstairs to the formal dining room. They had cleared out this space last night so they could decorate for today. They were using several spaces for tonight's ball but this dining room was going to serve as the main room were the band and dance floor would be. The closer they got the more excited she got and the more she could hear their guests arriving and filling up the dining room.
When they arrived at the double doors leading into the room they were met by Lucius and, much to Bellatrix's displeasure, Rodolphus. Not even Rodolphus could ruin her mood, though, she was going to have fun no matter what she had to endure. Rodolphus was wearing bright green dress robes with a bird-like a mask. He actually looked rather nice tonight and she was glad that at least he would not embarrass her.
"There you two are! Looking wonderful as always," Lucius said the last part directed more to his wife.
Narcissa and Lucius looked amazing as always together, with Lucius dressed in off white and gold dress robes with a golden demon mask. She reluctantly left her sister's side as they got ready to enter the ball. She stood next to her husband quietly wanting to get their entrance and first dance over with.
He leaned in and whispered softly, "You look really wonderful." She smiled back at him as sweetly as she could manage with him.
"Thank you," she said, actually meaning it. She did like compliments, even when they came from him.
She kept waiting for him to bring up the necklace that she thought he must have gotten her but he did not. Then before there was time to say another word the music started and the double doors swung open.
Lucius and Narcissa entered first followed by her and Rodolphus. She flashed a large smile as they entered and made their way into the center of the dance floor. She felt like a star as everyone watched them enter and have the first dance. By the time their dance was over the floor was filled with masked couples dancing around. Bella had forgotten that her husband was actually a very good dancer and there would not be anything else to really do for the first couple of very formal songs. So she allowed him to stay and dance with her for a few more though she did not like how pleased he was looking with himself. By the end of the fourth song the crowd had started to disperse and people were beginning to move around a bit. She took this as her queue to ditch her husband and wonder around for a little.
She leaned in and whispered to him, "I'm going to go wander a bit," she said as she moved back. He nodded and she was out of there.
Her first stop was to the bar for a stiff drink. A quick shot of fire whiskey before settling for a glass of champagne. She knew her sister would be extremely upset if she stayed at the bar all night and it would be much easier to drink glass after glass of champagne without looking like a drunk. She took her glass and started making her way around the party, just kind of observing everyone. She had to admit she felt a little out of her element, it had been far too long since the last party she had been to. Bellatrix did not make it too far before she was stopped by a man in black hooded dress robes and a very old looking black mask that covered his face. He held out a pale hand to her
"Care to dance?" As he spoke her eyes grew wide, shocked to hear her master's voice coming from behind the mask.
"It would be an honor, my Lord," she said proudly taking his hand and handing her drink off to one of the wandering attendants.
She was in absolute shock as they made their way onto the dance floor and began dancing around the room. She could not even believe that he had come let alone was dancing with her. As the song ended they bowed to each other and she was, even more, shocked as he took her hand again for the next dance.
As they danced he whispered, "I'm glad that you like the necklace."
She was completely taken aback by this, her master was full of surprises.
"I love it, my Lord," she whispered back the smile on her face widening.
Dancing with her master was one of the greatest things that had ever happened to her and wearing a necklace that he had given her was just beyond anything she could have ever imagined. This might just be the best night of her life she thought as they continued to dance song after song. She eventually lost track of how long they had been out on the floor after each song always preparing herself for his departure. Finally at the end of the last song he looked at her.
"Care to come with me to go get a drink?" he asked smoothly.
She nodded happily and before she had time to speak he held his hand out for her. She placed her hand lightly in his as he lead her across the room and over to the bar. He handed her a glass of champagne before leading her out of the room and out into the garden.
She could not even begin to have a clue as to what the Dark Lord was up to. Her mind and her heart were racing as they strolled around the gardens that were bathed in the silver moonlight. They walked in silent for what seemed like forever before her master finally spoke.
"I hope you are having a good night. You certainly deserve it for everything that you have been doing," his words smooth in the crisp night air.
"Thank you, my Lord, I certainly am," she replied trying not to sound too ecstatic.
"Very good. I wanted you to know how pleased I am with you for training everyone so, vigorously. The quality of our followers is quickly improving. I must admit that your bloodlust is contagious and that you frighten some of them almost as much as I do."
Her heart raced madly in her chest hearing such high praise from her master.
"It is far better to be feared then loved my Lord," she said playfully.
It was the truth, though; no matter how wonderful love was you could always accomplish more with fear which made it far more useful.
The Dark Lord smiled broadly, "I most certainly agree my dear." He said proudly continuing to walk with her until they eventually made their way back into the main room.
Once inside the Dark Lord took her empty glass away placing it on a nearby table before leading her back out onto the dance floor. They danced together into the wee hours of the morning the smile never fading from Bellatrix's red wine painted lips. Finally, when almost had everyone had left her master pulled his mask up and kissed her softly on the hand before disapparating. She lingered there a moment, her heart still racing in her chest, before she turned to leave. Somehow she managed to sneak out of the dining room and upstairs to her room without running into anyone. She fell into bed her mind racing, never knowing what was going on in her master's head. She soon slipped into sweet dreams, the smile never leaving her lips.