Hey people! So guess what? I'm finished the first semester of school which means that I have a month off! Yay for the holidays! So I propose a minute of silence for all those who are currently in a coma after having gone through extensive studying and for those who still aren't finished their exams.....**minute of silence**.....alright! So now that's done back to the story! ENJOY!

I do not own Harry Potter.

"Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter." ~Carol Bishop Hipps

In a lion's den

4: Quidditch

The days crept by as slowly as seemed possible. Slow like the numbered seconds of a mouse's life as it stares into the large glass-like eyes of a snake, knowing without a doubt that the end is coming. The days turned into weeks until one whole month had gone by since the 1st of September. Everything had become so mind-numbingly morose in that short month. Not a single day went by without Bellatrix regretting ever coming to Hogwarts. Everywhere she looked; everywhere she went people recoiled as if she were some sort of three-headed beast. The Gryffindors ignored her, obviously resenting her for ruining their 'fun'. The Slytherins laughed and taunted her. She couldn't do anything about it. She couldn't fight her family. They might not want to admit it and the rest of the school might not know it but Bellatrix was certain that Slytherin was her family. She would just have to work harder then the others in order to be accepted. She was used to working hard and it was the only speck of hope she could see on the horizon. It was the only thing that kept her going; the pride and triumph of proving everyone wrong. But first…she would have to get close to them and that would be quite difficult seeing as they wouldn't let her walk past them without wrinkling their noses in disgust and start calling her names. Good thing Bellatrix had the Gryffindors to let all her anger and frustration out on. She often found ways to fight with them. They didn't get to fight much seeing as she was often threatened with detention, but it still made her feel slightly better whenever a Gryffindor did something worthy of being scolded. The only thing she found irritating when picking a fight was that Gryffindors fought back.

Bellatrix hadn't received any letters from any of her family members yet and she had a feeling that she wouldn't be seeing one anytime soon. She knew that her parents were angry. She wasn't worth their time anymore. A lost cause…that's what they would call her from now on. A special case. She could see them now, explaining everything to her family, brushing her off their conscience just as easily as a dead house-elf. She hadn't expected anything else from them but, surprisingly enough, her sisters didn't write either and that hurt much more. She would have thought that they wouldn't judge her on where she was sorted. They'd always looked up to her; loved her… Narcissa and Andromeda were the only reasons why Bellatrix ate breakfast in the Great Hall and put up with the other students. Every morning, while the air was filled with screeching owls, she looked up hoping to see Kira. But she never came and neither did the letters.

Bellatrix hated eating in the Great Hall amongst all the angry glares and prying glances. She felt like an animal trapped in a cage for all the idiotic children to taunt. So she did not go to lunch or supper. She could barely bear the sight of food. Every time, it made her stomach do a flip. She forced herself to eat breakfast if only to keep her energy up and perform well at school but even with breakfast, she was feeling increasingly tired. Sometimes, in the evening, Alice would bring her up some food wrapped in a napkin.

Ah Alice…now she was another story altogether. Out of all the Gryffindors, all the students really, she was the only one who showed any kindness towards Bellatrix. She did not tolerate her cruelties and stood her ground whenever Bellatrix said the 'forbidden word' but it only took her a couple days and she was ready to forgive her (not that Bellatrix asked for it). She was far too kind; Bellatrix thought she should have been in Hufflepuff. Bellatrix couldn't stand the girl even if she was a pureblood. Alice was kind. Alice was funny. Alice had character and Alice was smart. Alice this, Alice that…It made her sick the way the other first years looked up to her. If Alice had to play Saint why didn't she go play it somewhere else? Why did she have to torment her with her perfect little smile? Bellatrix didn't want her to be her friend. She wanted Evan. She wanted her cousin; her big brother. She wanted to tease him and to be teased back. She wanted them play Quidditch together. But most of all, she wanted him to laugh with her and not at her as she passed in front of him.

xxxx

Today was an important day because today was the first Quidditch match of the season and the most exciting by far because it would be the Gryffindors playing against the Slytherins. The Great Hall was alive with excitement. On one side sat the proud and excited Slytherins, all dressed in silver and emerald, their flags at arms reach. On the other side sat the equally animated Gryffindors proudly bearing their House colors. Both shouted taunts to one another, hoping to get the members of the rivaling team nervous.

Bellatrix sat at the end of her table, examining the chaos around her with her usual sour expression. She hated this feeling she had whenever she was out of her bed; a feeling of being thrust into a no-man's-land without a House to belong to. She had nowhere to fall back to when she needed to feel safe and comfortable. In Hogwarts, she wasn't a Slytherin or a Gryffindor. She wasn't even a Black. She was simply Bellatrix. Who was Bellatrix? Now that was an interesting question. Before that evening on the 1st of September, Bellatrix had been a Black, a precious daughter, a much loved sister, a future Slytherin and a leader. With one single word, all of that was ripped away and now the young girl found herself with absolutely nothing, nothing but the grim feeling that tortured her heart trying to rip it apart. That feeling was worse today. She couldn't cheer for Slytherin nor could she cheer for Gryffindor (not that she wanted to). So she sat there and waited.

With breakfast finished, the Great Hall began to empty, everyone eagerly making their way towards the Quidditch field. The chanting had begun, each team coming up with a catchy tune that boasted of their valor and ridiculed the opposing team. Bellatrix followed, discreetly jinxing a Gryffindor and tripping a Ravenclaw on her way.

It was a sunny day yet surprisingly chilly. October had definitely arrived, bringing along with it a wintry wind. The icy cold burned the ears of all those who didn't find it necessary to wear a hat (Bellatrix included). In fact, Bellatrix was severely under dressed; refusing to wear any part of the Gryffindor uniform that was not necessary. Luckily, her long thick hair protected her ears a little from the cold and her warm cloak was quite useful for hiding her hands. And besides, Bellatrix wasn't afraid of the cold…she just didn't want her nose to get any redder then it already was.

She hurried down the frozen path towards the field, passing by Evan and his friends on her way. Over time, she noticed how Evan was taking the lead of his group of friends. She couldn't help but think that, if she had been with them, she would have been the leader. Maybe it wasn't too late…

"Hey Blood-traitor! Ready to lose? Gryffindor can never win against Slytherin!" Antonin jeered as they approached her. All four of them wore green and silver scarves and held Slytherin flags.

"What's the matter Bella? No witty comebacks?" Evan laughed, waving his flag in her face. "Poor ickle wittle Bella isn't such a big meany Gwyffindor after all."

Bellatrix frowned and bit her lip, holding back a rude reply. However, she could not keep herself from meeting his gaze head on, silently challenging him to go on. The second their eyes met, his smile disappeared and he quickly averted his eyes. Bellatrix glowered. Now she wasn't even important enough to provoke a reaction in her cousin! Apparently she wasn't even worth his attention anymore.

"You filthy Gryffindors shouldn't mess with us. Purity always comes out on top." The other Slytherin boy added, his face scrunched up into a malevolent sneer.

Bellatrix wanted so badly to reply, to hurt him and show who was boss but she couldn't. All her life, she was brought up knowing where her loyalty rested and she knew that she was loyal to Slytherin. She couldn't hurt them.

"Is that right Lucius?"

Bellatrix glanced to where the feminine voice was coming from only to spot the very person she absolutely did not want to see. Alice Thompson was standing there with a hand confidently placed on her hip, warmly wrapped in a red and gold Gryffindor scarf and wand in hand.

"Go on then. I dare ya." She said nudging her chin at him. "And we'll see who'll come out on top in a duel."

Lucius didn't respond. He simply turned to Bellatrix again and said;

"Now, you need others to defend you? You really are pathetic, Blood-traitor."

And with that, the four boys turned around and hurried towards the nearing Quidditch stands, laughing loudly.

"Don't mind them." Alice shrugged. "They're just insecure that's all."

Bellatrix didn't respond. She simply shot the girl a furious glare and hurried down the path towards the field. She wished she looked as powerful and fearless as Alice had when she confronted Lucius. She should have been the one challenging him to a duel…

Bellatrix Black arrived in front of a large field with three Quidditch posts standing tall on either side. A colorful crowd of emerald green, royal blue, canary yellow and ruby red sat in the large wooden stands, overlooking the ground. The eager roars of the crowd crashed down against her ear drums.

Bellatrix looked up at all of this with an expression of only mild interest when really she could feel her heart beating wildly in her chest. She'd been to many Quidditch games of course. Her father was always invited to sit in the Minister's box and he would always pick her to join him. When she was young, Quidditch games had always been something she and Cygnus did together. Those childhood memories were some of the happiest she remembered. That's why at the sight of the Hogwarts's Quidditch field, she couldn't help but feel her heart grow a little warmer. Unfortunately, that pleasant feeling disappeared instantly as she noticed Evan, Rabastan, Antonin and Lucius head towards their House and she suddenly remembered what awaited her; Gryffindor. It was like a constant cloud looming overhead, preparing to ruin her day. She glanced at the other side of the field where the Gryffindor supporters sat and could not help but sigh in despair.

Could she go sit with the Slytherins? She wondered if perhaps Quidditch would be a good subject to start off conversation with Evan and his friends. But then again maybe trying to befriend the Slytherins when competition between the two Houses was at its peek wasn't such a good idea.

"You're not sitting yet?"

Bellatrix spun around, suppressing a little cry of surprise and groaned instead as she came face-to-face with the ever-popular Alice Thompson. The young girl's round cheeks were rosy pink from the cold. Her soft eyes watched Bellatrix curiously. In return, the gloomy witch did not suppress the urge to sneer.

"None of your concern." She answered, turning around and strutted quickly towards the Gryffindors.

But Alice wasn't one to be shaken off so quickly. She jogged alongside, her breath hanging on the air like little clouds of steam.

"You're probably freezing. You shouldn't be walking around like that!" She exclaimed, breathing into her cupped hands and rubbing them vigorously as they reached the stands.

Bellatrix didn't have trouble finding a place to sit. As she approached the long bench more then one place 'magically' cleared as the Gryffindors moved away allowing her to have an ideal view of the game. Much to her despair, Alice sat beside her, pulling out her Gryffindor flag from her cloak pocket and began waving it around energetically. Bellatrix blocked her out to the best of her capabilities, fixing her attention on the Slytherins team who had just flown out on their brooms, wishing them the best of luck with all her heart.

The crowds cheered and yelled as both captains met in the middle, shaking each others hand with expressions of hate apparent on their faces.

"First game of the season. I wonder who'll win." Alice mused, leaning forward eagerly as the two teams flew into the air, not wasting a second.

"Slytherin…" Bellatrix muttered as her eyes followed the game intently.

The Quaffle flew back and forth, never making its way to the goals. Both teams were giving it their all, refusing to give in. They flew across the field dodging Bludgers and other team players. It was a surprisingly unsafe game for a school match. Gryffindor had already lost a Chaser who was sent crashing into a goal post and the Slytherin Seeker had broken his wrist when he was successfully hit with a Bludger. Even with the bitterly cold air, the Quiditch players all had perspiration running down their necks. Twenty minutes into the game and still the spectators were cheering, their voices hoarse.

"Wow…" Alice breathed, finally laying her flag to rest and leaning back. "Still not a single goal. But I bet Gryffindor will win in the end."

Bellatrix looked at her and wrinkled her nose in disgust. She really couldn't stand her. Perhaps now was the time to get rid of her before she angered her even more.

"You can go now." She sneered.

Much to her surprise, not only did Alice not walk away, she did not look hurt or surprised either. She simply smiled softly, like a mother to her child.

"I'm allowed to sit here." She shrugged. "Aren't you glad I'm keeping you company?"

"No." Bellatrix was fuming once more. Alice was ruining her moment of peace…again!

"I'm not glad…I want you to go away. What's your problem anyways? Why can't you just get a hint?"

"I thought purebloods liked other purebloods." Alice grinned.

"Only those that are worthy of my family name." Bellatrix replied feeling her frozen cheeks heat up.

"Fine!" Alice sighed, exasperated. "Do you want to know why I'm trying to be nice with you even with your terrible attitude?"

"Yes I do."

"It's because you're lonely."

The crowd erupted in cheers and boos so loudly that Alice did not hear Bellatrix grumble a very rude reply.

"GRYFFINDOR SCORES!"

Both girls turned to look at the scoreboard where ten points had just been added to the Gryffindor team, much to Bellatrix's despair. The two girls had to wait for their surroundings to settle down before continuing they could continue their conversation…if one could call it that.

"You don't know anything about me." Bellatrix hissed. "And besides don't you think that if I'm alone it's because that's was I want? I don't need you or anyone else."

She couldn't stand Alice's soft blue eyes. She hated the way they bore into hers as if she understood everything Bellatrix was going through. She had no idea what Bellatrix was feeling. She had no idea how much she missed her friends and family. But Alice wouldn't look away. Bellatrix was forced to avert her eyes in order to escape her infuriating expression of kindness. She turned her attention back on the vicious Slytherin players trying to ignore her fellow Gryffindor.

A Gryffindor had the Quaffle and was heading with full speed towards the Slytherin goal posts. He dodged a Bludger and a Slytherin who was trying to steal the Quaffle from under his arm. The crows cheered louder as he got closer and closer to the goal when…there was a sickening crack as a Bludger collided with the side of the Gryffindor's head and he slipped off his broom. Alice gasped, covering her mouth with her hand and the Gryffindor supporters shouted in outrage. Yet, there was nothing to be done. The second the Gryffindor dropped the Quaffle, a Slytherin grabbed it in midair and scored for the Slytherins.

"SLYTHERIN SCORES!"

Bellatrix smiled, delighted and clapped loudly.

"Aren't you the least bit worried for that guy? He's in our House." Alice exclaimed, her brow creased with concern.

"I'm a Slytherin." The dark-haired witch assured her. "It doesn't matter where I sleep or what colors I wear. I am a Slytherin."

Alice glared at her, an expression of disgust crossing her usually cheerful face.

"You know…with stubbornness like that it's no surprise you were sorted into Gryffindor."

So I'll try to have the next one out soon. It's already written it just needs some touch ups. I'm undergoing really bad writer's block at the moment so try to be patient ok?
Next chapter: HALLOWEEN! Merry Christmas everybody! Hihi i'm so funny :P

Lots of love from the Silly Frog.