DISCLAIMER: How many times do I have to say it? I do not own Harry Potter.

Chapter 9

It was nearing the end of the week. Bellatrix had made no progress in making friends with James, Sirius, Remus or Lily. James and Sirius tried their best to annoy her while Remus and Lily clearly avoided her.

Bellatrix was reading up curses, hexes and jinxes in the Gryffindor common room, trying her best to resist hexing her cousin, namely Sirius Black, along with his best mate James Potter, as they were at the centre of a huge disturbance at the notice-board.

'That's it!' cried Bellatrix, flinging her book on the table out of frustration. 'I'm coming to see what's going on.' She stood up and made her way to the notice-board. Even though there was a big crowd, she could easily reach the board as most of the students were giving a wide berth to Bellatrix after the incident in the Defense classroom. The rumor had spread like wild fire with a few exaggerations here and there. As a result, even a few third-year students were staying clear of Bellatrix.

'Flying lessons begin tomorrow. Gryffindor and Slytherin will be having them together.' Bellatrix read out aloud. She hadn't flown on a broomstick for quite a long time but Quidditch simply ran in the veins of all the Blacks (excepting her sister Narcissa of course). Somehow, Quidditch made her feel young.

Now that I think about it, I am young. Eleven isn't exactly old, is it?

'Looking forward to see your Slytherin pals at the flying lessons, huh?' Bellatrix turned to see Sirius glaring darkly at her. 'Why don't you just get resorted? Everyone knows where you really belong.'

'If you really want to get me out of Gryffindor, I suggest you complain to the Sorting Hat, not to me. He was the one who made the decision after all. Or are you suggesting that you know better where I belong, rather than the Sorting Hat who has done this job for decades?' Bellatrix questioned icily.

Everybody went quiet. All the students were staring at Bellatrix and Sirius who seemed oblivious to all the attention they were getting.

'I have lived in the same house with you ever since I was born, Bellatrix. I know you better than any hat in the entire world. You are a snake, a venomous snake to boot. And you don't belong here.' Sirius turned and walked out of the common room.

The common room was silent. Slowly, the crowd began to disperse leaving Bellatrix standing alone in front of the notice-board.

The next day, Bellatrix and her house-mates proceeded down to the Quidditch pitch for their flying lessons. Everybody was excited, especially the Muggle-borns because this would be their first chance to fly

Remus was walking with a small, mousy-haired boy, talking about their lessons. James and Sirius were chatting animatedly when they spotted the pair and James called out to them.

'Hey Mouse-boy!'

Remus and the boy stopped in their paces and looked around. Sirius whispered something in James's ear and the two sniggered heartily. Remus's eyes narrowed as he glared at James. The other boy simply looked nervous, unsure whether James was talking to him.

'Yes, we're talking to you.' Sirius said this time. 'What's your name?'

'P…P….PPe…Peter. Peter P…P…Pettigrew' the other boy stuttered, shy from all the attention he was receiving. Bellatrix looked at the scene with interest. This was something she could use to her advantage.

'Yes, so P..P..Peter P..P..Pettigrew.' James imitated Peter's stutter, drawing laughs from the other students. Peter looked red; while Remus was glaring at James even more.

'Was your ancestor a mouse?' questioned Sirius. All the other students burst into a laughing fit. Peter looked as red as a tomato and hung his head. Remus looked like he was going to explode.

"Hypocrite.'

A soft voice echoed from the corner. The students turned their heads to see Bellatrix propped up against the wall, looking directly at James and Sirius who stiffened immediately. Bellatrix got up and walked towards Sirius until she was face-to-face with him.

'I thought you said yesterday that I belonged in Slytherin and you in Gryffindor. I must say, I never knew that bullying and making fun of your very own house-mates was a Gryffindorish thing to do. I thought Gryffindor was the house 'where dwelt the brave'. Or maybe humiliating your classmates is the new definition of courage and bravery, isn't that right? ' Bellatrix said in a soft, mocking voice.

James reddened a bit but Sirius's face grew defiant as he said in a cold voice, 'What are you trying to say?'

'Well, I at least thought you understood English but that doesn't seem to be the case. Anyway my dear little cousin, what I'm saying is; judging by your behavior, the Sorting Hat has made a mistake with your sorting, not mine.'

Sirius whitened and clenched his fists. Enjoying the effect of her words, Bellatrix came forward and whispered softly, 'I think you would do well in Slytherin.'

'Just shut up, Bellatrix.' Sirius snapped. He turned and walked off to the Quidditch pitch, followed by James. Thankful of not being the centre of attention anymore, Peter hurried off. Remus followed him, casting a glance on Bellatrix as he left. Her behavior really confused him. Bellatrix smirked and made her way to the pitch, along with the other first-years.

The Slytherins had already assembled on the pitch together with their flying instructor. Lily and Alice were the last Gryffindors to reach the pitch. They had been helping Professor McGonagall in the Transfiguration classroom and were hence absent during the argument between Bellatrix and Sirius on their way to the pitch.

'Okay boys and girls, stand beside the broomsticks, stick out your right hand and say, 'UP!' said Madam Terrence, the flying instructor.

'UP!' yelled the students. Some broomsticks like those of James, Sirius and Lucius leapt into their master's hand at the first command, while some like Severus Snape's, remained resolutely still. Bellatrix got her broomstick at the third command.

Suddenly, a hassled sixth-year student hurried onto the pitch and whispered something in Madam Terrence's ear. Her face became grave as she announced to the class, 'Students, a fifth-year has been stealing Snitches from the Quidditch office which is school property. I will be back in a jiffy, meanwhile no one; absolutely NO ONE will touch their broomsticks. Is that understood?' She left the pitch immediately.

A few students started gathering around James and Sirius. Apparently, they were teaching the students how to hold a broom in the correct way.

'Showoffs.' muttered Severus but he was overheard by Sirius who was determined to retaliate.

'Hey Snivellus! Still can't summon your broomstick?' said Sirius snidely. Snape became pink while Lily turned red in anger.

'Can't you just shut up for a minute?' shouted Lily. Snape put a hand on her shoulder, clearly telling her to calm down.

'Ooh, afraid of trouble Snivellus?' taunted James. 'Let's see, why don't you try flying your broomstick? That is, if you can even manage to mount it!'

'You think I can't do it? Fine Potter, I am going to fly on my broomstick!' saying so, Snape swung a leg over his broom and kicked off hard. He shot up into the air like a rocket amidst cries from the students, including Lily. Scared of flying so high, Snape tried to bring the broom back to the ground but it twisted in midair, leaving Snape hanging by one hand. He desperately tried to mount the bucking broomstick while James and Sirius rolled on the ground, laughing their lungs out.

'No Severus!!' cried Lily. James and Sirius now had tears in their eyes, apparently from laughing too hard. Remus watched them with dislike while Peter cowered behind him.

Snape failed in his attempt to mount the broomstick and he finally fell, landing with a crash. Lily immediately went over to him to check whether he was alright.

'Well, that's what happens when a Slytherin tries to fly.' said Sirius, still overcome with laughter.

'What did you say?' said a voice and Lucius came into view. 'Are you trying to imply that Slytherins are not good at flying? Well, it is a known fact that the clumsy 'Gryffindorks' can hardly manage while keeping their feet on the ground, let alone a broomstick.'

'Oh yeah!' yelled James, furious at the insult. 'I bet you that we Gryffindors are better than you Slytherins at flying any day!'

'I agree.' said Sirius, as he joined James at his side. 'Gryffindors are way better than the stinky Slytherins.'

'Gryffindor can never even dream of defeating Slytherin.' said Lucius and many cries of approval from the Slytherins met his words.

Watching the argument and Lily's burning face at her best friend's humiliation, a brilliant stroke of inspiration entered Bellatrix's mind. She approached Lily and whispered to her, 'They won't be the only ones laughing.' Before a confused Lily could reply, Bellatrix stepped forward and entered the argument.

'I know a way of finally proving who is better.' said Bellatrix. Stares from all the students met her comment.

'All four of us will race from one hoop to the hoop across the pitch and back. The one who wins is the best. Simple.'

'Oh, and I suppose you'll be racing on behalf of your Slytherin pals, huh?' sneered Sirius.

'I can easily defeat two 'Gryffindorks' on my own.' said Lucius. Bellatrix looked at his blank face, wondering on the double meaning of his remark.

Does Lucius really think I'm not on his side anymore?

'I'm not on either one's side and nor am I racing to prove whether Gryffindor or Slytherin is the best. I'm just doing it to prove that I'm the best.' And with that cool statement, Bellatrix walked to the hoops with her broomstick under her arm.

James, Sirius, Lucius and Bellatrix stood under the hoops and mounted their brooms.

'Three, two, one, GO!!!'

James, Sirius and Lucius shot from their places towards the other end of the pitch. All the students stared at Bellatrix who smoothly slid off her broomstick on the word GO with a wide smirk on her face.

Phase one complete.

All the students were wondering at Bellatrix's action when suddenly Madam Terrence strode back into the pitch.

'Madam Terrence, Mr. Potter, Mr. Black and Mr. Malfoy are racing across the pitch when you clearly told us not to touch our broomsticks. I tried my best to stop them but they just wouldn't listen.' said Bellatrix putting on her most innocent face. All the students stared at her in amazement. Peter's mouth was actually open.

'What!!' said Madam Terrence. She blew her whistle and Sirius, James and Lucius turned back and landed in front of her. They were astonished and were not aware that Madam Terrence was on the pitch before the whistle blew.

'Preposterous!' said Madam Terrence who was absolutely livid. 'Three students disregarding the rules on the very first flying lesson! I definitely did not expect this.'

'But Professor, actually Snape was the first….' began Sirius.

'So even Mr. Snape was involved! Mr. Smape, come here at once!' yelled Madam Terrence.

'All four of you are getting detention and 20 points deducted for each of you!'

'But Professor, Bellatrix was the one who told us to……….' protested James indignantly.

'Yes, I know, Miss Black told you to stop but you didn't listen!' interrupted Madam Terrence.

'But Professor, Bellatrix said that it was a race to prove whether Gruffindor or Slytherin was better!' said Lucius with sounds of agreement from James and Sirius.

'And I said that I'm not on either one's side, remember?' said Bellatrix with a smirk.

'Exactly. And it is quite right to be neutral.' said Madam Terrence. 'Five points to Miss Black for trying to stop this stupid race. Now all four of you, out of the pitch!'

James, Sirius, Snape and Lucius filed out behind Madam Terrence, casting glares at Bellatrix who couldn't help feeling triumphant.

'There, told you.' said Bellatrix to Lily. 'Now, I'm sure they're feeling sorry of making fun of your friend.'

'Thanks.' said Lily. Bellatrix smiled at her. 'For getting my friend in detention!!' Lily stormed out of the pitch. Bellatrix was looking at her back in regret.

Oh, at least it was worth a try. Stupid cousin, why did he have to mention Snape's name? I had set it up so nicely!

Meanwhile, Remus was looking at Bellatrix from behind. He knew it was wrong but he felt a twinge of happiness that Bellatrix had pulled this trick and the pair who had made fun of Peter had got detention.

'Well, maybe that Bellatrix girl isn't so horrible after all.'

A\N: I always look forward to reading your reviews. Please, please read and review!