Toast and jam were on the walls. The scrambled eggs littered the carpet. Coffee and orange juice were splashed into abstract motifs as the breakfast tray crashed to the ground. Bella's eyes flew open as she groped for her wand. It wasn't there. Where was she? Then she realized where she was. Quickly she wrapped herself in a blanket and ran back to her room. 'Cissa followed her closely. Bella slammed the door to her room as Narcissa rounded on her. "What in the blazes did you think you were doing. I have half a mind to tell mother what you and that man were doing!" Bella smiled weakly "Then I guess I'll just have to get rid of that half of your brain!" Bella raised her wand and wiped Narcissa's mind of the memory. "Hurry Narcissa mom wants you downstairs!" Narcissa hurried off as Bella summoned her black bath robe with a violet "B" above the heart. She gathered the blanket and walked down the hallway. The door was open in Mr. Riddle's room. Bella was happy to see that the mess was cleaned up and that Tom was almost done with breakfast. "Sorry about this mourning. It won't happen again." He nodded. Bella folded the blanket and put it back on the bed and went to find her breakfast.
Later that day Bella was walking around the gardens. She was going out to practice her archery, something her parents didn't approve of much. It was far cooler than most summer days were at Black Manor. A strange wind was blowing from the east sending shivers down Bella's spine. She stopped to tie up her boots. She might not be so cold if she had worn sleeves but she preferred she purple and black bodice shirt and tight leather pants. Nobody ever came to talk to her while she was shooting arrows. The practice field came into view and she summoned a target to shoot at. She strung her bow which only she knew how to string. Taking an arrow out of her quiver she knocked it and pulled the string. Aiming carefully at the target, she released the arrow, but it never hit the target. Half way through it's flight it had turned into dust. Bella looked around for the person who had ruined her shot. Nobody was there. Shrugging she knocked another arrow, aimed, and released it. That arrow turned to dust too. Looking toward the forest she saw something move. She took the third arrow and did the same as she had with the others except at the last second she turned and shot it into the woods where it found it's mark. Slowly she crept toward the thing she had hit and found that it was an old friend of her's.
"What are you doing all the way out here Severus? I thought you were on holiday in greece." Severus smiled "I couldn't stay away that long could I. If you wouldn't mind pulling this arrow out of my arm I would appreciate it." Bella yanked it out and healed Snape's arm. "Anything interesting happen while I was off exploring?" he asked. Bella told him all about the stanger Tom Riddle. Snape didn't seem surprised to hear he was after Bella's heart. "I've heard he's trying to gather followers. "He wants to over throw the muggle lovers, something we've dreamed about for forever." Bella smiled. "So why is he after me? Because I'm an available pureblood?" Snape shrugged. "Well I have to go. Other friends to meet, but I think that we'll see each other soon." Snape bowed and vanished on the spot. Bella continued to practice her archery till it started to rain again.
She wound her way through the gardens enjoying the freshness of the air as the rain fell all around her. A twig cracked behind her. She turned suddenly to see Tom standing there with a smile on his face. "Enjoying the rain. I thought I might find you out here." Bella put a hand to her heart. "You gave me a fright. Why are you out here anyway?" Tom cocked his head to the side. "I've talked to your parents. They have agreed to let me court you." Bella stumbled backward. "I'm glad they agreed." by now both of them were soaking wet. They stared at another. "Do you mind if I call you V then, since we'll be seeing a lot of each other?" Tom smiled "call me what ever you like Bella." he put his arms around Bella and looked into her eyes for a long time. Bella felt as if the world around her had vanished and she saw the dreams she had of him and the face of Snape after she had hit him with the arrow. "So you know Severus do you?" Bella nodded not sure if V had seen the same things as she did. "Well that's one less person you will have to meet. I an gathering together a group of the finest wizards to help purge this world of muggleborns. Snape has already joined and he brought some of his friends." So Snape was right thought Bella. She put her head against V's shoulder. "I'm getting cold, can we go inside?"
Once inside V and Bella went upstairs to find some dry clothes. Bella pulled out a pair of old robes. This will do she thought, Not to shabby. Bella went down to find the family sitting at the dinning room table being served lunch. V was there too. Bella took her place next to Narcissa. "So Bella, Mr. Riddle here has asked to court you. Do you agree with our decision to let him?" Bella nodded "Yes I think he is a worthy suitor." The rest of lunch was silent. Tom kept glancing at Bella. It was kind of awkward. After lunch mother and father had to go into the ministry. Bella and Tom went up to Bella's room and locked the door