DISCLAIMER: That's it. I've had enough of disclaimers. I don't own Harry Potter and that's final.

A\N: As most of you have realized, the pace of the story is not very fast and the real action doesn't really begin until 3rd – 4th year. So please have patience, there may not be enough action to satisfy you guys but there are certain important developments that I must show during 1st – 2nd year. So don't expect adventures at every turn.

Chapter 18.

Bellatrix was sitting on the train to Hogwarts Express, muttering under her breath. Remus had tried to enter the compartment some time back but she very politely informed him that murder might occur on the train if she were not left alone. Remus did as he was told with great pleasure and without argument. Needless to say, Bellatrix was in a bad mood (foul would be more appropriate).

Who does she think she is? If I had not been worried about blowing my cover, I would have really cast the Cruciatus a thousand times on her and then finish it up with the Avada Kedavra. I needed guinea pigs for my spell targets anyway.

Bellatrix withdrew the black envelope from her pocket. The blood-red seal was still in a perfect condition and showed no signs that it had been subjected to a million spells cast by Bellatrix. Bellatrix half wanted to cast Incendio on the letter but restrained herself remembering that probably Delphine had already cast protective charms on the paper.

Delphine. Aaaaaaaarrrrrgh! I knew she purposely said that only powerful witches or wizards could break this seal so that I would try and try and waste all my time that I could have utilized for my Animagus training. This seal only breaks when a drop of blood of the recipient falls on it and unless that is not provided, even Merlin himself can't break a Blood Seal! But I'm not going to give up. If only the blood of the recipient can break this seal, then I will get the blood.

The train came to a halt. Bellatrix got off the train and began her solitary walk towards the thestral-drawn carriages. Unfortunately, none of the carriages were empty and Bellatrix was disinclined to share a carriage with a bunch of fools (Remus was sitting with a group of studious Ravenclaws). Seeing the lack of noise made by rowdy students in the last carriage, Bellatrix opened the door to see a lone girl sitting inside. Hearing someone entering the carriage, the girl turned and her features came into view. She had long blonde hair and protuberant silver eyes which gazed unblinkingly at Bellatrix. Bellatrix waited for a few seconds, expecting the girl to scamper out of the carriage but she continued gazing at her. After two minutes of being intensely scrutinised by the girl, Bellatrix finally lost patience and snapped, 'Is there something wrong?'

A moment of silence. The girl replied, 'You have an interesting face.'

Another moment of silence.

The girl continued, 'At first, I had the impression that you had a typically handsome, haughty face, especially because of your eyelids, but on closer inspection, your eyes really have a lot of depth and expression, your nose has character and you've got a stubborn mouth. Overall, I'd say that you're a person with determination.'

Another moment of silence.

It took Bellatrix a few seconds to realize that she was gaping at the girl. Shaking her head, she said coldly, 'Now if you're done analyzing my face, get out of the carriage.'

Showing no sign that she had heard Bellatrix, the girl said, 'My name is Arielle, Arielle Valkyrie. And yours?'

'James Potter. Now, get out before I hex you to Jupiter and back.' snapped Bellatrix.

'Hello James, it's nice to meet you.' said Arielle lightly. 'Although, isn't James a boy's name? It's okay; I'll call you Jamie instead.'

'If you dare to do that, I'll snap your head off and feed it to a Hippogryff for breakfast.' said Bellatrix angrily. 'Now, get out!'

'Ooh, I love Hippogryffs, don't you?' exclaimed Arielle. 'They are just so proud and elegant. Speaking of proud and elegant, you kind of remind me of a Hippogryff, Jamie.'

Bellatrix, control your anger, its going to do you no good if you really do snap the idiot girl's head out no matter how tempted you are to do it. Just breathe calmly in and out, in and out, in and out...aaaaarrrrghh!

Gritting her teeth, Bellatrix replied, 'It's Bellatrix Black, not Jamie. Now, if you please get out, it'll be a great favour.'

'Okay, hi Bellatrix.' said Arielle with a smile. 'Anyway, I can't go out now because the carriages have already started moving. So, is your nickname James?'

Bellatrix slowly withdrew her wand from her robes and started twirling it in her fingers, casting a death glare at Arielle. The meaning was quite clear : Get out now before I slice and dice you and feed you to the Giant Squid.

Unfortunately, Arielle did not seem to get the meaning. In fact, she did not seem to get anything at all. 'By the way Bellatrix, your wand is really short. Is it maple? Rosewood? Ebony maybe?'

'Walnut.' replied Bellatrix, her voice trembling with fury. She pointed her wand straight at Arielle. 'Now, I hope I don't have to repeat myself: Get out.'

'Walnut? Hmmm, I should have guessed it' mused Arielle. 'Walnut wand owners are said to be bad-tempered and you are awfully cranky…..'

Control your temper...

'But I'm sure it's only because you've had a bad day on the whole.' said Arielle. 'Even though my housemates often say that all you do is snap at others and bite their heads off, kinda like a dragon…'

Snap. That was the sound of Bellatrix's temper finally cracking.

I don't really care anymore whether we're not allowed to do magic in the carriages. I can be expelled for all I care but the rules can just go to hell!

'My day wasn't so horrible until you entered in it and now I've had enough.' said Bellatrix with barely concealed anger. 'Furnuncul…'

Bellatrix had almost spoken the incantation to reduce Arielle to be covered in green, pus-filled boils but at that very moment, the carriages bumped to a sudden halt. Arielle got up and skipped out of the carriage.

'By the way, your eyes look really shadowy, and there's a crazy glint in them, almost as if an insane monster is trying to get out. See you, Trixie!' waved Arielle as she pranced away to the Hogwarts gate.

Bellatrix continued staring at the spot where Arielle disappeared, her mind unable to function effectively. The only emotion she was able to feel was complete and utter disbelief.

Trixie?

Bellatrix got out of the carriage, still in a daze. She walked slowly towards the Hogwarts gate and soon got lost in the crowd of students mulling outside the gate. Arielle's parting words kept echoing in her ears:

'Your eyes look shadowy and there's a crazy glint in them, almost as if an insane monster is trying to get out…'

'Bellatrix, is there something wrong?'

Remus was looking concerned. Bellatrix was evidently in a bad mood, actually she almost always was, but there was something special. He was sure of it.

Bellatrix looked towards a concerned Remus who had been interrogating her for the past fifteen minutes in the feast. 'What's wrong, hmmmm, let me see….' Bellatrix placed her chin in her hand and pretended to be deep in thought. 'Let me see, the fact that my mother locked me up in my room on Christmas Day because I defended my sister against her, my idiotic cousin sent me a Christmas present that blew up in my face and I sat for fifteen minutes while coming in a carriage with an irritating psycho couldn't possibly be the reason why I'm angry! Oh and did I mention the happy occasion when our oh-so-nice friend and attacker of Professor Watson who visited us on Halloween paid another visit to me? Oh the joy!' exclaimed Bellatrix in an overly-happy voice, clapping her hands together.

'No one can beat you in sarcasm Bellatrix.' smiled Remus. In a more serious tone, he continued, 'Did you say that Delphine paid you a visit? Was it something important?'

Bellatrix's hand strayed to the black envelope inside the robes. She replied nonchalantly, 'Nothing important. She just visited to make sure that I did not blab her name to Dumbledore.'

Remus turned back to his food. Bellatrix got up and left the Hall, the cogs of her brain whirring quickly.

I've got an idea.

The next day, DADA was Bellatrix's first class. She finished breakfast quickly and hurried to class before time. It was going to be Professor Watson's first class since the Halloween incident. Bellatrix arrived outside the room and peeped in to see a fit-and-fine Professor Watson flipping through sheaves of paper. On hearing the sound of her footsteps, Professor Watson turned towards the door and spotted Bellatrix outside.

'Miss Black. Do come in.' said Professor Watson, with a smile.

Fixing what she hoped was a pleasing smile on her face, Bellatrix entered the classroom. 'Professor, I hope you are feeling alright?' she enquired.

'I'm perfectly fine, thank you for asking Miss Black.' replied Professor Watson. 'I hope the substitute teacher taught you and the other students well during my absence?'

'He was quite good Professor, and we have finished the entire chapter on the theory of deflecting curses and jinxes.' said Bellatrix, edging slowly near the table.

'Miss Black, Professor McGonagall has informed me that you and Mr. Lupin were the ones who discovered my…' Professor Watson paused. He continued softly, 'I would like to thank you, Miss Black. It is probable that if you had not called for medical help at the right time, I may have not been able to return to my present state of health.'

'It was my duty, Professor Watson.' smiled Bellatrix. 'Anyway, anyone in my place would have done the same thing.'

Just listening to myself speak makes me want to puke.

'Most children at your age would have run away as soon as they saw a body.' said Professor Watson. 'You on the other hand…..'

Thud. Professor Watson's DADA book lay on the floor, Bellatrix having knocked it off.

'Oh, I am so sorry Professor…' looking apologetic, Bellatrix knelt on the floor and picked the book up. 'Here you go Professor.' saying so, Bellatrix held out the book in her hand.

'Thank you Bellatrix.' Professor Watson smiled, taking the book from Bellatrix's hand. 'Ow!'

'Professor, are you okay?' exclaimed Bellatrix in fake concern. Professor Watson was rubbing his pricked finger which bore two-three drops of crimson blood.

'It's okay Bellatrix, I pricked my finger on something sharp although I'm not sure what…' Professor Watson looked suspiciously at the book and examined it for any sharp edges. 'Strange, there's nothing pointy in the book which may have jabbed my finger. Oh well. Bellatrix, the bell is going to ring and class will soon begin, you should sit down in your place.'

'Oh no!' Bellatrix clapped her hand to her forehead. 'I forgot my book! Professor, please wait, I'll just get my book from the common room.'

'You'd better hurry up Bellatrix, class will soon start and I don't want you to be late.' said Professor Watson.

'I will Professor.' saying so, Bellatrix ran out of the room and around the corridor. She kept on running until she arrived at the girl's bathroom. Checking to see that no one was looking, she slipped inside. In the privacy of the bathroom, she uncovered a pin located underneath her sleeve. With a slight smirk, she stared at the pin which had a tiny drop of crimson blood at its tip.

Yes.

She carefully took out the black envelope from her bag. Positioning the pin, she dabbed the blood at its tip on the red seal. Immediately, a change was displayed in the red seal which started shrinking. Its colour started changing rapidly as it grew black as though burnt and shriveled up. Bellatrix tore off the seal and slid a piece of parchment out of the envelope. With a quickening heartbeat, she unfolded the piece of parchment and started reading its contents.

Dear Mr. Watson,

I am sure you still remember me. After all, we had quite the meeting on Halloween night. I hope you still don't hold a grudge against me even though I know that my conduct was condemnable. I know that you have thought deeply about what we discussed on Halloween. Your opinion has hopefully changed for the better. If not, then we will meet soon and clear all misunderstandings.

From …

Bellatrix slowly folded the letter and placed it inside the envelope. The letter had increased confusion instead of clearing it. She started walking up and down, chewing her lip in thought.

What could it possible mean? This letter has opened up a lot of possibilities, the main one being…, no it can't be. It's impossible. But why not?

Bellatrix was least bothered about classes. Her complete attention was on the mystery of why Delphine contacted Professor Watson and what was she trying to imply in her letter. Bellatrix was sure that on solving these mysteries, she'd be able to find out why Delphine had attacked Professor Watson in the first place.

I need to give Professor Watson this letter. Maybe he'll send a reply which I can intercept and I'll be able to find out what's actually going on.

Skipping all her classes, Bellatrix devoted her time and energy trying to find a logical solution to the problem before her. During lunch, she tried to quietly sneak into Professor Watson's office but he was working inside so her plan failed.

'Hey Bellatrix! What are you doing snooping out there?' called out a loud voice. Bellatrix who was crouching outside the office turned to see James and Sirius smirking at her.

'I was just telling James about the Christmas present I gave you.' said Sirius with a broad smirk. 'Did you like it? Hope your eyes are not itching too much.'

Bellatrix scowled. Suddenly, an idea struck her head. She smiled sweetly, 'My dear cousin, I absolutely loved your present. How could I not? After all, it is a present from my favourite cousin.'

Sirius frowned. There was something wrong about Bellatrix's sweet behavior. She was definitely up to something. Bellatrix smiled even more. Snape was passing close by. As he crossed them, James said loudly, 'So, what's up Snivellus?'

Snape glared at him. 'Get out of my way Potter.' He tried to sidestep James but Sirius stood in front of him. He said softly, 'In a hurry to get somewhere, Snivellus?'

Bellatrix stood watching from behind. She quietly withdrew her wand from her pocket and pointed it without being seen at Snape's back.

'Incendio' murmured Bellatrix. Instantly, Snape's cloak caught fire. He yelled and jumped five feet in the air, trying his best to take the cloak off. But Bellatrix had silently applied a permanent Sticking charm to the cloak so that it wouldn't come off. So Snape had nothing to do but run here and there, trying to extinguish the fire while Sirius and James roared with laughter.

'What is all the ruckus about?' Professor Watson strode out of his office. On seeing Snape run here and there like a rabbit with his cloak on fire, Professor Watson took out his wand and immediately water sprayed out from it, extinguishing the fire. He turned on James and Sirius who were still laughing at the sight of Snape's smoking cloak and his beetroot-red face. 'Mr. Potter! Mr. Black! Are you responsible for this?'

James still bursting with laughter, managed to choke out, 'No Professor, we didn't do it and we have no idea who did.'

'Although I do want to shake their hands for doing such an excellent thing.' added Sirius. This set them off again.

'Enough!' said Professor Watson angrily. He looked around at the ones standing in the corridor. 'Can anyone tell me if they know who has done this to Mr. Snape?'

'Professor, I'm sure it's Potter and Black who have done this.' spat Snape. He sent James and Sirius a death glare, but they smiled cheekily back at him. 'They have nothing else better to do rather than to torment me.'

'Professor, as much as we would like to take credit for such a wonderful thing, the fact remains that we did not do it.' said James, now with a straight face. Professor Watson looked suspiciously at him.

'Excuse me Professor,' said a voice from behind. Bellatrix emerged with a calm look on her face. 'I saw Mr. Potter and Mr. Black arguing with Mr. Snape just moments before Mr. Snape's cloak caught fire, as did everyone else in the corridor. Though there's no definite proof, they were the ones who pranked Mr. Snape the last time so…'

'Detention on Friday afternoon in my office, Mr. Potter and Mr. Black.' said Professor Watson sternly.

'But Professor, we have Quidditch lessons on Friday….' began Sirius.

'Well, then you will have to miss them.' said Professor Watson. 'You should have thought about Quidditch lessons before pranking .' He went back into his office.

Sirius assumed a surly face. He caught sight of Bellatrix's smirking face and shouted, 'You! You were the one who did it!'

Bellatrix smirked again and walked towards class. As she was walking past Sirius, she whispered in his ear, 'Do you really think that a detention was all you were gonna get in return for the present? I'm not gonna let you go that easily. Your gift is still waiting, don't worry.' saying so, she walked out of the corridor.

Could anything have been easier? All I had to do was to set that slimy git's cloak on fire, wait for Professor Watson to come out, sneak into his office and put the letter on his table so that he doesn't know its me, come out and frame Potter and Black for my prank and then watch the fireworks. There's no way anyone can possibly be as good as me.

A\N: Review? Pretty please? I do want to cross hundred reviews with this chapter. Btw, I don't think I need to tell you whose mother Arielle is. (Thanks Freewolf and Kaiser for the name.)