IWSC3: Round 2 Writing School

School: Beauxbatons

Year: Exchange Student

Technique: Paragraphs

Word count: 877


Bellatrix Lestrange…Bella Lestrange…Mrs Lestrange.

Sitting in front of her vanity table, Bellatrix wrinkled her sharp, aristocratic nose at the sound of the last one. Why Cissy was so impatient to marry and produce a brood of Malfoy brats she had no idea. Thank Merlin, her sister actually wanted to marry the Malfoy heir, or she was sure her mother would have forced the match on her. A look of disgust crossed her face at the thought.

Mrs Lestrange. It could be worse, she mused. Bellatrix couldn't help the small but genuine smile that appeared as her soon to be husband came to mind.

Rodolphus.

He was certainly no preening peacock, simply looking for a trophy wife to decorate his arm at social gatherings. No. Rodolphus was bursting with the very same drive and ambition that seemed to fuel her very veins. He saw her hunger for power and greatness. Saw her, truly saw her, and wanted her all the more for it.

Oh, the plans they had. At this the smile changed into a fanatical grin, and her eyes flashed. Bellatrix Lestrange. Yes, she could put up with saying goodbye to the ancient and noble name of Black, to be married to Rodolphus.

A knock on the door broke her from her thoughts, 'Come in,' she said sharply.

'It's time Bella,' Narcissa informed her, as she entered the bedroom. Without fuss, her sister attached a long white veil on her raven black curls, for once tamed into submission with copious amounts of Sleakeasy.

Bellatrix stood and looked at herself in the mirror, at the elaborate white gown, with its intricate stitching of pearls and silver thread interwoven, and the Black family jewellery that was lavishly draped over her neck and wrists. She was sure even her mother wouldn't be able to find fault with her appearance today.

'You look beautiful, Bella,' Narcissa said softly, giving her hand a quick squeeze. Together they left the room, descending the staircase where their father was waiting at the bottom. Bellatrix took his offered arm and let herself be walked towards their ballroom where she knew hundreds of guests would be assembled inside. The doors opened automatically as they approached, and the string quartet launched into the traditional bridal march.

As she followed her sister down the aisle, Bellatrix briefly took in all the extravagant decorations. Her mother had obviously spared no expensive for the wedding of her second daughter, likely in a futile bid to detract attention from the absence of her first.

Bellatrix more than felt the absence of Andromeda today, but the pain she felt was by far surpassed by her utter disgust at her eldest sister's life choices. She knew the shame her sister had brought on the Black family would be discussed with vicious delight today by all those present.

Bellatrix haughtily ignored everyone and everything around her, until Narcissa, reaching the end of the aisle, took her place to the side thereby revealing Rodolphus waiting at the front. His back was to her, but as if sensing her presence, he turned just at that moment to face her. Their eyes met, and she saw his gleam as he took her in.

After the ceremony, after the seven-course dinner, and finally after it seemed the guests had drunk the Black family wine cellar dry, they had been allowed to leave and instantly apparated to Lestrange Manor.

'Ready for your wedding gift, Mrs Lestrange?' her now husband asked her, bouncing on his toes with barely concealed excitement. He had been teasing her about his wedding gift for the past month, sure it would top anything she could possibly have given him. As she had gifted him a Black family Grimoire, he had long coveted she wasn't convinced. She rolled her eyes at his puppy dog enthusiasm, refusing to give him the satisfaction of showing him how curious she was.

'Just get on with it,' she said, with an imperious wave of her hand.

Grinning, he took her arm and lead her to the fireplace, where he proceeded to take a pinch of floo powder and throw it into the large fire. As the emerald flames licked around them, she looked up at him in some confusion as he clearly and distinctly stated their destination as, 'Malfoy Manor.'

They stepped out of the fireplace, and Bellatrix, still in her wedding finery, automatically cast a spell to displace any ash that had settled on her. She looked around the room rapidly, wondering what Rodolphus was up to. He knew only too well how there was no love lost between her and Lucius.

The room appeared to be empty at first, but then a man stepped out from the shadows. Bellatrix let out a gasp she quickly stifled, fingernails digging into her husband's arm as looked up at him to receive confirmation.

Rodolphus smirked and nodded his head. She was indeed finally getting to meet The Dark Lord.

Trembling all over, she fell to her knees before him, uncaring if she ruined her wedding dress in the process.

'Arise, Bellatrix Lestrange,' came a smooth and velvety voice. She did so instantly, eyes drinking in the commanding presence before her, Rodolphus fading to the background as she took a step forward.