Disclaimer: Not beta'ed. HP doesn't belong to me, just taking them out for a spin.
Archiving: Only with the permission of the author.
Work inspired by the photograph in Harper's Bazaar (June 2016) which I see as "Bellatrix dares Hermione to say 'I told you so', corralling Mr C. just in time as he spots the peacocks in the gardens at Malfoy Manor".
The Hunt
By AJ3
The late afternoon summer sun enveloped the Rose Garden in a warm golden light.
The occasional sound of the gentle hum of conversation and the sharper clink of tableware could just be discerned, underlying the more prevalent humming sound from the profusion of bees that industriously floated between the gloriously blossoming flowers and weaving around the neatly clipped shrubs. The various plants being contained in 8 large crescent shaped beds, spaced equally around the magnificent focus of the garden, a circular bed containing a colourful abundance of the aforementioned roses in bloom.
Ignoring the myriad sensory distractions, dark eyes focussed intently on the unsuspecting quarry.
For a brief moment she diverted her attention away from them, glancing towards her co-conspirator who was equally well hidden, secreted several yards away and concealed by the shrubbery. She managed to catch a glimpse of their assured amber eyes before she nodded to indicate their hunt had begun, and they both started to creep forward in tandem.
Bellatrix advanced slowly but surely, making sure she carefully placed every footfall, ensuring that there would be no untoward sounds to give away her presence and thus disturb their prey. Just few seconds more and she was within striking range. She settled herself into position, getting ready to spring the trap when, out of nowhere, an inky shadow appeared. The angle of the setting sun making their dark silhouette race past her out onto the lawn as the person advanced swiftly on their position from behind.
"Bellatrix Druella Black, what the hell do you think you are doing?"
Bellatrix huffed out a sigh, watching despondently as their target - the albino peacock that had been proudly displaying itself on the lawn - took fright at the noise. Squawking wildly and fluttering its wings, it skittered away, crazily traversing the expanse of the Rose Garden's lawn before finally disappearing through the arched entrance to the maze.
Cover well and truly blown, Bellatrix slowly prowled out of the flower bed. Transforming back from her Panther Animagus form as she reached the grass, before somewhat reluctantly turning to face a clearly exasperated Hermione.
"Hi Pet." Bellatrix couldn't help but smirk at Hermione's expression at her casual greeting, "What am I doing? Well, I was just keeping Mr. C. occupied." She gestured towards several clumps of ragged white feathers that on both first, and second, glance appeared to have been chewed up and spat out before being carefully placed in two distinct groups at the edge of the flower bed.
Totally unsurprised at Hermione's uncomprehending stare, given the paucity of information she'd imparted, Bellatrix gleefully explained further, "We're 3 apiece and you've just interrupted what was going to be the deciding ambush."
"Crookshanks?" Hermione turned, looking around her, unable to see her familiar. "Crookshanks is here? Where is he? And, more importantly, what is Crookshanks doing at Narcissa's garden party?" She asked incredulously, as she focussed on Bellatrix again.
At the repeated sound of his name, the half-Kneazle reluctantly relinquished his hiding place. He emerged from the flower bed to their left and nonchalantly strolled over to them, steering clear of his clearly agitated witch and winding his way around Bellatrix's ankles.
Bellatrix leant down, gathering him securely into her arms. (Although if anyone had dared to suggest he was a fluffy shield against Hermione's wrath, Bellatrix would have hexed them into oblivion.) Straightening, she replied, "It was purely a humanitarian mission Pet. I knew Mr. C. would be bored staying at the Manor on his own, and the last time I was here I thought Lucy's peacocks looked like they needed a bit of exercise. Win-win, if you ask me."
Hermione looked at her in disbelief.
"Bella, are you telling me the elite of magical society is just over that hedge," she gestured behind them, "being royally entertained by your sister, who has had this party planned for weeks… no, months… to introduce you back into society after completing your 2 years under house arrest, and you are here with our cat chasing her peacocks?"
"They're Lucy's peacocks Pet. Cissy has told me at least million times she loathes "the messy creatures", probably because their loud screeching interrupts her beauty sleep." Bellatrix contradicted her with a self-assured grin.
Hermione mentally rolled her eyes at Bella's hyperbole, gazing across the lawn and seeing another of the witless birds stalking into the garden.
Clearly, Bella would not return with her willingly and there was no way she was returning to the party empty handed to face Narcissa's killer moue of disappointment. "If you can't beat them, join them." She mumbled.
"Best of 7!" Hermione announced, just before transforming into her Fox Animagus and scampering off to the flower bed to the right.
"Ha! You're on!" Bellatrix placed Crookshanks back down on the ground, watching as he strolled back into position before she changed and her Panther insinuated itself back into her hiding place.