DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter. How many times do I have to tell you?

A\N: Ok, I know that I haven't updated in months, you all feel like beating me up and most of you think that I've given up on this story. Truth is, I have the oldest excuse in the world. Exams. I haven't been online for weeks and updating this story was out of question. My exams have ended just the day before and the moment I was free, I wrote this chapter and posted it. Now, updates should be fairly regular.

MatsumotoXD: Great idea but there's just one problem, Cassiopeia Black, as I see her, would not be fooled that easily. She might believe part of Bellatrix's story but would always suspect that Bella's hiding something. She's just too sharp (Bella and Narcissa's mother after all). Besides, Bella is very cunning but not instinctively, she is more rash. Living in this world, the cunning will come slowly.

Melody-chi: I wouldn't even dream of pairings in this story. Don't worry.

Chapter 17.

Bellatrix lay leisurely on her silk bed, surveying the packages before her. Packages that had arrived for her bearing the name of Christmas presents.

That's right. Presents. Bellatrix wasn't exactly the kind of person who received presents often, or actually, who received presents at all. The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black did not believe in distributing something as common as presents, especially for a Muggle occasion like Christmas. And the ones who did believe (Narcissa), would know that rather than expecting a return present or even a thank you, all you get from Bellatrix was a snap for bothering her to open something as worthless as a present.

As a result, Bellatrix had never got a present in her life as far as she could remember. So, she was more than a little interested about who sent the presents, rather than about what was in them. True there weren't many, just two, but they were presents all the same.

Bellatrix stretched out her hand to the nearest one. It was wrapped in dark blue wrapping paper, tied with a black ribbon. It might have been a strange colour combination for a present but Bellatrix largely preferred it to the other one wrapped in loud gold wrapping paper with red polka-dots.

Uurgh. Even the colour hurts my eyes. On top of that, typically Gryffindor material. Where's the dustbin again?

Lifting her eyes from the red-and-gold present, she put her attention back on the blue one. Lazily drawing a hand over the paper and ripping it into shreds, she saw a plain cardboard box which had a pinned note:

'Merry Christmas. From Remus Lupin.'

Bellatrix stared down at the note. She wasn't really expecting this. Opening the box, she found a book with plain black covers. The heading read: 'A Detailed Study of Ancient Curses and Hexes.' Bellatrix picked up another note lying inside the box and read, 'This was lying in my father's bookshelf, gathering dust. Figured that you would find a better use for it. Merry Christmas.'

Bellatrix got up and placed the book in her shelf, next to 'The Art of the Animagus' which she hadn't opened since buying it from Flourish and Botts.

I've been way too busy reading up on curses, hexes and dark magic to refresh my partly dusty memory, to pay much attention to my animagus training. Have to start that soon. Now, what to do about the present?

The thought of sending a return present didn't even occur in Bellatrix's mind. She switched her attention to the other present. Grimacing she picked it up, recoiling inwardly at the cover again. On the front, in bright red writing designed to catch the eye, was written, 'From Sirius.'

Do you really think I'm that stupid as to open a present from you? The day you send me a normal Christmas present is the day Dumbledore regains his sanity or the day my mission succeeds. In other words, next to impossible. So, where is the dustbin?

Bellatrix crossed over the room and carelessly tossed the red package in the corner, intending to throw it in the fireplace later. The instant the package made contact with the floor, there was a loud explosion throwing Bellatrix back and releasing large quantities of putrid smelling black fumes into the room. Coughing and spluttering in the smoke, Bellatrix fled towards the door and opened it to allow passage for the fumes to escape. After a few minutes, the smoke receded but Bellatrix was left with itchy, red eyes which watered continuously. Muttering a colourful string of profanities under her breath, she entered the room shutting the door behind her, as she heard faint bark-like laughter from the landing below her. She cautiously approached the package and touched it, testing for any other unexpected surprises. She saw a slip of paper fallen on the carpet and picked it up, reading the message:

'No, I'm not so stupid as to send you a prank Christmas present which discharges on opening it and I know you're not as stupid as to open it either. The package was specially designed to explode on hitting the floor.

Btw, nothing would've happened if you had opened it. You should trust people more often. - Sirius

Bellatrix clenched her fists and bit her tongue hard in a vain attempt to control her anger. Nothing worked. Sirius Black was dead meat.

I need to start practicing the Cruciatus.

If Sirius could have seen the manic glint in Bellatrix's eyes or her insane cackle of laughter after the aforementioned thought, he would have been shivering in bed.

Remus was sitting beside the window on Christmas day, gazing at the snowflakes drifting to the ground. Silence reigned all around the house, with no sign that it was the merriest occasion of the year. Reflecting on his life, he sighed just as he heard tapping on the window. An ebony-black eagle owl was sitting regally on his window sill clasping a white envelope in his beak. He opened the window as the owl flew in and perched on his table. Taking the envelope, he slid it open and took out a piece of parchment with a few lines written on it.

'Lupin, I don't believe in celebrating Muggle festivals so don't bother sending me a present next time and don't expect one in return either. If its any consolation, this is the first present that I have ever accepted. Bellatrix

Remus smiled to himself. Keeping the letter safely inside his drawer, he watched as the black owl took off and flew into the distance, its black silhouette standing out clearly against the white landscape.

'Kreacher, open the door.' ordered Cassiopeia.

Fumbling with the door knob, Kreacher slowly opened the door to reveal a young, gorgeous witch with chocolate-brown eyes which curled at the edges. Her bluish-green eyes shone in the dim light as she stepped inside the house.

'Delphine.' said Cassiopeia. 'It's a pleasure to see you.'

Delphine smiled at her god-mother. They shared quite a close bond as Delphine's mother had died in her youth when Delphine was just five years old. She didn't really talk much to her father so Cassiopeia was all for her.

'Same here, Godmother.' said Delphine as she was escorted into the drawing room. Taking off her cloak and dropping it into Kreacher's bony hands, she sat down gracefully on the couch.

'So, any particular reason for your visit?' asked Cassiopeia, seating herself on the opposite couch and surveying Delphine with her calm grey eyes.

'Not really.' said Delphine. 'I had been planning to pay a visit tonight, just to meet my relatives, especially the ones who weren't here on the last visit. Are Andromeda and the others back from school?'

'Yes.' said Cassiopeia, with a hint of anger flashing in the depths of her eyes as she recalled the incident with the Zabinis, especially the strange and highly displeasing conduct of her favourite daughter.

'Is there something wrong?' asked Delphine, noticing the sudden change in Cassiopeia's mood.'

'Yes.' said Cassiopeia, this time with greater displeasure. 'It's the children. All of them, except perhaps Narcissa.'

'Let me guess, is Andromeda associating with the Mudblood again?' asked Delphine. 'I thought you had already forbidden her to associate with someone of such filthy kind.'

'I think Andromeda is associating with the Mudblood again, although it is not that particular thing I was thinking about.' said Cassiopeia. 'The Zabinis were here for a formal dinner yesterday evening. They are an influential pureblood family whose connections are worth having. But Andromeda and Sirius behaved in a disgusting way and pranked the young daughter of the Zabinis. But my anger is nothing compared to what I felt with Bellatrix…'

'Bellatrix?' asked Delphine with heightened interest. 'Did she participate in the prank? But that is most unlike her.'

'No, she did not play any role in the prank. But she did defend Andromeda when I was admonishing her, all because she thought it was right. I don't know what was passing through her mind at the moment.'

'Because she thought it was right? But that's ludicrous!' laughed Delphine incredulously. 'What was passing through her mind?'

'I don't know and I don't like it one single bit.' said Cassiopeia. 'You have grown to be all that I have hoped, Delphine, and I have similar hopes regarding Bellatrix. She had showed amazing promise when she was younger and I had thought quite a lot about her future. But she's changing ever since she's been sorted in to Gryffindor and this does not bode well at all. I will not have my favourite daughter become one of those foolish mudblood-loving idiots who run around the feet of Dumbledore like faithful dogs and do whatever they think is so-called right. I want you to keep an eye on Bellatrix whenever you can, Delphine and make sure that she doesn't start walking down the wrong path as Andromeda and Sirius already have.'

'I will, Godmother and you don't need to worry.' said Delphine. 'Bellatrix was my favourite and as long as I am there, she will not go down the wrong path. Besides, I need to speak with her anyway. I'll be back from her room in a minute.' saying so, she walked out of the drawing room and ascended the stairs. Pausing in front of the door leading to Bellatrix's room, she lightly tapped on the door.

Hearing the soft rapping on the door, Bellatrix swung off the bed, where she had been planning ways and methods to best torture Sirius, and walked towards the door to open it.

Who the heck can it be now? If it's Sirius waiting with another prank, then he won't be living long enough to play another one.

Bellatrix unbolted the door and it swung open to reveal the beautiful face of Delphinus Black who had a charming smile playing around the corners of her mouth.

'Now Bellatrix, won't you invite me in? Do show some courtesy.' said Delphine, her smile widening further.

Oh Merlin.

Bellatrix stepped away from the door, allowing Delphine to enter the room. Delphine's eyes swept around the room and then finally, coming back to rest upon Bellatrix.

'What a lovely room. I've always admired your taste.' said Delphine, approaching Bellatrix's bed and running a finger along the dark purple silk hangings.

'Delphine, this is not the first time you've entered my room.' said Bellatrix flatly. 'Anyway, why are you here?'

Choosing to ignore Bellatrix's question, Delphine walked across the room. Suddenly, her eyes fell on a tiny scrap of the blue wrapping paper on the carpet, which had been used to wrap Remus's present. She bent down and picked it up, turning towards Bellatrix.

'And what is this? Wrapping paper? Oh, I almost forgot. Today's that muggle occasion, what do you call it, oh yes Christmas. Been receiving Christmas presents from your Gryffindor friends? Wait a sec, this isn't from your werewolf friend whom I met the other night, is it? How sweet.' commented Delphine as she inspected the wrapping paper lightly, holding it between her long fingers.

'Why are you here, Delphine?' asked Bellatrix. 'I'm not about to keep on asking you till midnight.'

Delphine's eyes flashed. She looked at Bellatrix sharply. 'Not easily ready to change the subject, are you? Fine, I'll tell you. I was pleased to know that neither you nor your friend told Dumbledore who I am. Pretty sensible of you.'

'That was only because you were related to me and I did not want Dumbledore to think that I had let you in or was involved in the attack in any way.' replied Bellatrix coldly.

Delphine surveyed her with narrowed eyes. 'How very Slytherin of you. And you're a Gryffindor, are you not? Anyway, regardless of your motive, you still did not tell Dumbledore about me and your doing so made things more convenient for me.'

'Of course. No one from the Light side knows that you've joined the cause, correct? After all, Delphinus Black, former Head Girl, would hardly be expected to do such a thing, even if she was a Slytherin. Right now, it is expected that you are doing a curse-breaking course in Egypt.' commented Bellatrix.

Delphine's blue-green eyes suddenly became blank before returning to their normal beautiful state. 'You know Bellatrix, whenever I talk to you, I never feel as if I'm talking to a normal, young 11-yr old girl who's just entered Hogwarts. That is very interesting.'

Bellatrix's heartbeat sped up a little before she nonchalantly commented, 'Maybe I'm not a normal, 11-yr old girl.'

A hint of a smile appeared on Delphine's face. 'No. Bellatrix Black can never be called a normal, 11-yr old girl.'

You have no idea how true you are.

'Besides, back to the point, when I came to Hogwarts, I'm sure that you remember I paid a visit to your DADA professor? I can bet you're really curious to know why.'

'Are you going to tell me or something?' asked Bellatrix.

'Not exactly.' replied Delphine. 'But I'm sure you have a pretty good idea. Don't you?'

Bellatrix paused for a minute. Finally, she said quietly, 'Yes. I think I do.'

'Good.' said Delphine. 'Then you'll love to do a little job that I have for you.'

'Job? What job?' asked Bellatrix, practically burning with curiosity.

'Not much. You just have to….' Delphine took out a black envelope with a blood-red seal on it from within her robes. Bellatrix followed it with her eyes. 'You just have to deliver this to your DADA professor. Make sure that he receives it in private and that he doesn't know that you have delivered it. This shouldn't be too difficult for you.'

After the mission I've got, even retrieving a ring from a dragon's belly and persuading Dumbledore to adopt the Dark Lord will be easy.

'Why don't you use an owl?' asked Bellatrix. 'Why send it through my hands?'

Delphine raised an eyebrow. 'You're behaving most unlike the Bellatrix I know who would jump at the thought of getting the task to deliver such an important letter. Anyways, owls can be intercepted and even if I place a strong sealing charm on the envelope so that others can't open it, I want it to reach the hands of the recipient. As for sending it through you, are you saying that you can't do it?'

By agreeing to deliver the letter, I can probably have a look at its contents. And I really do want to know what exactly Delphine can say to Professor Watson after attacking him.

'Fine, I'll do it.' said Bellatrix. She stretched out her hand towards Delphine who dropped the letter on her open palm. Bellatrix gazed down at the letter, unable to contain her longing to read what was written in it. Delphine read Bellatrix's desire in her eyes.

'Oh, and I'm not as foolish as to give the envelope to you without placing a strong sealing charm on it.' said Delphine. She walked out of the door and said with a smirk, 'Only a very powerful wizard or witch can break the seal…' She descended down the stairs and vanished from sight.

Bellatrix stared at the blood-red seal on the black envelope.

My name is not Bellatrix Black a.k.a. Lestrange if I don't break the seal on this letter.

A\N: Please do review! And sorry for updating so late but I was helpless!