Despite the fact that Bellatrix considered herself to be extremely skilful and powerful witch, there were still some things her sister could accomplish that she never could. Often her sister genuinely surprised her with her skills, like when she somehow managed to convince her to attend afternoon tea with the ladies.
She was even on time, almost.
Unlike what she supposed the other would wear, she had avoided all colours and wore a black dress that was more clingy than frilly with her black hair hanging wild down her back. What did she care what a bunch of prissy bitches thought of her?
With a scowl imprinted over her aristocratic features, she pushed open the sitting room door. The sight of bright and lacy dresses caught her eye, heightening her irritation. The only thing worse was the guests. First was her lovely mother. Even with her now completely grey hair and disapproving look in her ice blue eyes as she saw her eldest daughter, there was still no doubt she had been attractive girl in her youth.
However, Bella's eyes fixed on her mother for a moment before she flicked to the woman she despised. Dressed in a frilly lilac dress and her hair impeccably styled, she stared at Bella coolly. Bella could not be so expressionless. Her eyes spat fire and she was half way back to the door before a hand gripped her arm gently.
"Bella, it is wonderful to see you," Narcissa greeted softly, leaning up to give a chaste kiss to her sister's cheek. The grip on her did not loosen. "I am glad you could make it."
Somehow her glare softened a little as she focused on her sister.
She tugged her arm forcefully, freeing her from her sister's clutches. "I do not plan to stay," she snapped her voice full of aggression. She did not bother hiding her feelings from the others.
"Oh no, you must stay," her sister practically pleaded. She was quicker than she thought, as Narcissa reached for her arm again and started to lead her to the couch. "Please."
Her expression was still harsh as she sat on the lounge beside her sister. "Fine," she snapped back as she leaned to whisper in hers ear. "Just know I am not happy she is here."
"I know," Narcissa murmured quietly, her expression flawless. Raising her voice, she smiled sweetly at the other woman. "Would anyone else like another cup of tea? Bella? Something to eat?"
"No," she refused with a wave of her hand. At this seat, she was directly opposite the stupid brat. She refused to look at her and it surprised even herself as she turned to her mother who was sitting in an armchair to her right. "Mother," she greeted cordially, no expression visible as she inclined her head.
As the others started to talk around her, her mother focused on her eldest daughter, her blue flicking up and down her figure, her lips pursing slightly. Normally her mother was at pains to remain composed and the fact that she showed her expression Bella knew indicated her disapproval. Too bad that did not bother Bella in the least. Stupid woman.
She almost expected her mother to not answer. After all, she never could find anything to say to her that was an appropriate criticism to air in public. Bella was wrong. She could always be subtle.
"How is my eldest daughter? How is..." She paused, crinkling her nose in disgust. "Work."
She knew her mother did not approve of her choices. In her mother's mind, it should only ever be her role to be a doting wife and mother. She had never considered motherhood and she did not hide her lack of skills as a wife. The only thing worse was when she actually worked! It was not her place, but Bella could not care less about her foolish mother.
"Wonderful," she murmured silkily, pondering just how she could irritate her mother the most. "Busy. I could not bear anything else. Imagine sitting at home with nothing to do at all? Of course, I know you will not understand, mother."
She restrained herself from mentioning the rest of the woman, including Narcissa, would not understand either.
Her mother's eyebrows knitted together though she was saved from replying when Narcissa attempted to pull her into conversation about Draco. It was not long before the other woman eagerly joined into the conversation, happy to emphases the positives of their own children. Bella was pushed into the background. She did not mind. She was almost considering drifting off to sleep. However, every time she thought she had a chance, her sister would attempt to drag her into conversation.
She was very aware that Adele kept looking at her. Bella was undaunted and, whenever she caught her stare, she glared back in fury. It was not until an hour that Adele finally spoke to her.
"A word if you please, Madam Lestrange," she said softly, her voice sugary sweet. This time Bella was a little more focused and understood what she said, even if it was in French. Her eyes narrowed, though, never one to back away from a challenge, she stood confidently. She assumed others in the room might have been looking at her, but she did not care. Her eyes were only staring down at the other girl.
"Fine," she snapped briskly, avoiding her sister's hand and striding towards the door she had entered. She was not at all worried if she was followed or not.
In a strange act of déjà vu, she turned to face the other girl.
"What do you want?"
Not only did the French girl not answer straight away, but her lips twitched as if she was about to smile. It took all of her self control not to curse her. She would not allow herself to be made fun of, but wisely she resisted.
"There is just something you should know," she murmured calmly, her hands resting neatly in front of her, the exact opposite to the display of Bella's fingers that kept flicking near her wand pocket. "Something you should see."
She was not curious. She did not believe the girl would ever have anything that would interest her, yet she refused to have her time wasted and just wanted this entire interaction to be over and done with. She loathed the girl on principle and the only thing worse was when she actually had to interact with her. It was easier when she could pretend she did not exist.
"Then stop fooling around and show it to me," she snapped, clearly impatient.
She almost expected the other girl to continue stalling, though she acted as requested. Bringing a hand to her pocket (resulting in Bella almost drawing her own wand), she removed a piece of paper. Bellatrix glared at it and with her focus it almost seemed like the back of a photo.
"Here," she murmured softly. This time the grin escaped her. Again, it was difficult to not attack, but instead she leaned forward and snatched the photo from her hand.
As soon as her eyes glimpsed the picture she froze, dark eyes wide. It was not the contents that shocked her. It was only bewilderment about how it had ever got on her photo.
It was her and her Lord. Most of her robes had been ripped, her lips were locked on his as he pinned her against the war and moved against her leaving no one under any illusions about what they were doing. She presumed it was from the other day, but she could not be sure.
However, as the shock wore away, another emotion appeared. Her fist tightened on the photo, almost scrunching it as she removed her wand at a lightning fast speed. She marched on the other girl stalking forward and thrusting her wand against her throat. The other girl barely had a chance to react.
"How fucking dare you? You stupid fucking cow!" she roared instinctually in English probably loud enough for the woman inside the other room to hear. She did not care. She took one breath before she managed to scrounge some thoughts enough to return to French. "How did you get this? Answer me!"
"I- I have my ways," she stuttered momentarily before she recovered slightly. Bella was amused to see the fear in her eyes and the quiver in her voice. Just as she should. "I have other copies. It does not matter what happens to that one."
"How about I just kill you now?" Bellatrix snarled still loudly her convictions making it perfectly clear she would live up to her word. "Then I do not ever need to worry."
"It would be pointless, unless you want to anger my husband. The rest are already strategically in places so that it will ruin you." Her voice was level, but she let out the smallest whimper as Bella dug her wand harsher into her windpipe.
"Bella!" A new voice called loudly interrupting the scene. Bella's eyes flicked back for only a moment to glimpse Narcissa before she turned back to her prey. "Merlin Bella what are you doing? Let her go."
"You do not understand Narcissa. If you knew what she had done you would understand my actions," she replied coolly in English to her sister, refusing to take her eyes from the girl even as Narcissa moved to stand beside her. "What this stupid slut has dared to do."
"What has she done Bella?" Narcissa murmured gently reaching forward and touching Bella on the shoulder. "Whatever it is you should not hurt her. It is up to the Dark Lord to decide. You would not want to anger him after all."
Somehow, underneath the red hot haze, Bella could see sense in her sister's words. Lowering her wand, she took a step away from Adele, though her furious glare did not flounder.
"Did you hear that girl? I will inform the Dark Lord of your treacherous actions."
"I know," she murmured her voice audibly more comfortable now she did not have a wand pointed at her face. Her hands massaged her throat as she talked. "I plan to tell him. In fact, he might even know now."
The continuation of the secrecy, only irked Bella further and it took Narcissa's hold on her arm to stop herself lashing out again.
Cautiously staring at Bella, Adele turned her head to Narcissa her voice noticeably friendlier. "I am sorry, Narcissa, but I will have to say my goodbyes. I must return home."
Before Narcissa could even reply she started walking to the door. Bellatrix almost drew her wand again and it took Narcissa gripping both her arms to restrain her.
"COWARD!" she hollered at her departing back. "This is not over you stupid bitch!"
She continued to swear after her even as the door closed. Yet, despite her fury, she allowed herself to be dragged into another room by her sister, but she refused to sit. Her sister gave up the attempt and reclined gracefully in arm chair, her face lined with worry as her sister paced back and forth in front of her.
"What happened?"she questioned, her voice soft and gentle. It was so unlike Bella's voice.
Bellatrix did not reply instead she just turned and thrust the photo into her sister's hands. She finally stopped her pacing to stand to observe her sister's reaction.
"Oh," she murmured quietly, her eyes wide. She only looked at it for the briefest of seconds before she handed it back to Bella, her face colouring slightly.
She snatched it back and put it in her pocket. She had no idea why she did not feel comfortable leaving it anywhere nor did she wan t to dispose of it. She had never actually confirmed to her sister or anybody that she was having relations with her Lord, though, despite that, she knew most suspected. She had never denied the question and from her sister's reaction she was not too surprised by the revelation, likely just the photo.
"So what happens now?" Her sister questioned after a few moments. Her voice calm though her cheeks were slightly flushed.
"I do not know," Bella murmured her voice noticeably quieter and calmer now. She now even stood still. "I must tell the Dark Lord."
"Of course." Patting the chair next to urge she urged her over. "But for sit for a few moments. Have a drink then go. Just so you are calm."
Resigning herself to the fact her sister was probably right, she moved to sit next to her and received the glass of wine.
She would only wait a few moments, then she would go.