𝕭𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑥 𝕭𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑘

CARADOC

“bella, do you even listen to yourself? what makes you think you can talk to me like that? I’m not taking any swings at you that your aren’t swinging right back. do you seriously expect me to put up with your bullshit without a little dig back?” caradoc scoffed. there was indeed a spark of entertainment in the back and forth. bellatrix was a clever witch, determined like many other top students, yet her views and self-preservation were so unwavering. she was an interesting specimen indeed. if he cared a bit more, caradoc would be concerned or even intrigued, but he preferred to keep his distance. she didn’t strike him as worth it.

BELLATRIX

On instinct alone she rolled her eyes, a defense response to any criticism of herself from someone she deems lesser than her. Sometimes she allowed an entertaining back and forth but there was only so far she’d go. “I talk to you like this because I am better than you, Caradoc. That’s all there is to it. You and I both know why I believe it so. I don’t believe there’s anything else I can say. Status matters here. You didn’t grow up in the Muggle world so you should know that.” Bellatrix stepped back, no longer liking the political direction this conversation was going in. Yes, she was strong in her beliefs, but she also wished to save face in a public setting.

CARADOC

“heartless? no. but, not far from it.” caradoc shrugged, he wouldn’t beat around the bush, especially not for someone like bellatix. she was one to be blunt as well after all. you shouldn’t give out what you can’t take. “can you blame me? you’re less predictable than a tornado.”

BELLATRIX

“And you’re less cordial than a Boggart. What makes you think you can get away with talking to me like that?” Unfortunately, Bellatrix usually couldn’t take what she dished out. Admittedly, it gave her a slight thrill when she was challenged, but her organized upbringing compelled her to put any such things in their place immediately.

realising immediately from her disposition and sudden defensiveness that she might’ve found his harmless joke offensive, he backtracked. “oh, that’s such a clever idea. i’ve never thought of that before. might have to try it.” in fairness, he had no need to; memorising complex spells, concepts and wandwork came naturally to the boy, but so did making people feel comfortable and at ease. “how are you finding the new n.e.w.t. content?” he asked conversationally.

- Bellatrix -

His surrender on the point pleased her, although, she couldn’t help but feel she’d come off as sensitive. Regrettable. Even so, she was fortunate that Eddie was one not to press the issue. Such an ability was rather foreign to Bellatrix herself. 

She exhaled at the reminder of N.E.W.Ts. She wasn’t necessarily someone who cared about intelligence or even a strong career but she did care about success and accomplishment. So, therefore it was important to strive for high grades. “I suppose it’s sensible. The standards have to raise in order to make every generation of students more capable than the last. But the courses are truly living up to their name, aren’t they? ...And you?”

THEODORE !

❛     well now that you’ve touched it i have no choice but to burn it.    ❜ theodore remarked, his expression still deadpan though many might swear there was a glint of annoyance shining in his eyes. 

She stifled a chuckle, unsure if she was humoured or annoyed herself. “I wouldn’t advise against it. What a gaudy colour.  I wouldn’t expect it of you.”

“ah, well, you’ve got me there. how could I ever assume that bellatrix black of all people would be dishonest or, at the very least, underhanded? your stellar sportsmanship and love of all people should’ve kept me the wiser.” caradoc scoffed, checking his book for anything out of place, barely realizing he was actually doing so. “it is sweet that you think we’re in some sort of competition as far as grades go. you and I both know we work too hard for too little a reward.”

“You speak as though you think I’m heartless.” Bellatrix put on a fake pout. She didn’t care what other’s actually thought of her, at least not the students at her school. She had her opinions and things she cared about and she didn’t have to prove it to others. It wasn’t that she was unlikeable, she was just in the unfortunate position of most people...not liking her. 

“I’m just kidding. I can kid, you know. You don’t have to be so thick about it.”

         he  shuffled  back  with  ease,  taking  another  step  just  for  good  measure.  a  smile  was  painted  clearly  across  his  features,  his  hair  a  bit  of  a  mess  after  an  hour  or  so  of  stressful  fussing         so  to  say  the  two  were  complete  opposites  would  be  an  understatement:  one  cleanly  put-together,  one   …   not.  raising  his  hands  in  mock  defeat,  he  chuckled  to  himself  while  continuing  to  walk  backward  toward  the  exit.  “  aye,  aye  cap’n.  just  stop  stealin’  my  stuff  an’  it  won’t  be  a  problem.   ”

She held her ground, although there wasn’t much else to say if he was willing to back off. At least he wasn’t so idiotic as to continue an argument over the book. Although she was the one who had pushed the topic. Inside her own mind, she congratulated herself on this miniature victory. 

“I told you it was a mistake. And I was the one to try and fix it anyways.” Bellatrix raised her voice slightly as he walked away, wanting to get any possible last word. Perhaps it was childish, such a thought crossed her mind even as she spoke, but to be silent would only serve to embarrass her more.

“oh, no, I did notice. but then I thought that perhaps a textbook from bellatrix black might have some ancient secrets to studying written inside and expected to keep it forever.” caradoc joked, although he didn’t offer an accompanying smile or even a solid glance in her direction. the truth was he had realized it wasn’t his own but hadn’t yet cared enough to check who it actually belonged to. he had dedicated the day to studying potions instead and hadn’t yet cracked open the dark arts textbook to find her name inside. in fact, he was just taking her word for it that this was an honest swap. 

now thinking better of it, caradoc peeked in her book before officially making the trade. “I do hope you didn’t actually do anything suspicious with my possessions.” 

Normally maybe she wouldn’t mind such a comment, but Bellatrix wasn’t a fan of the half-blood Gryffindor. Even so, it wasn’t uncommon for her to exchange tense words with others, particularly people like Caradoc. Maybe it was because they were two sides of the same coin, equally hard working and competitive yet never able to see eye to eye. 

“Maybe I should’ve done something. But, believe it or not, I don’t play dirty. What’s the fun in winning without a fight...even if the game is Dark Arts grades.” 

       bloody  hell  she  was  dramatic.  it  must  have  run  in  the  family.  but  to  be  talked  down  to  by  pretty  little  things  with  holier-than-thou  complexes  was  something  he  knew  well         and  yet  it  didn’t  stop  his  temper  from  beginning  to  boil.  it  was  his  own  fault.  he  liked  it  a  little  too  much.  offering  her  a  sarcastic  smile,  he  leaned  forward  and  allowed  the  following  whisper  to  roll  off  the  tip  of  his  tongue.   “  least  now  ya  won’t  mistake  it  for  anyone  else’s.”

                he  stayed  close,  the  deepness  of  his  voice  remaining  as  he  continued.  “  what’s  the  point  of  having  magic  if  ya  don’t  bloody  use  it.  what,  ya  never  heard  of  tergeo?    ”

She tightened her lips, now actually surprised in his audacity. With a heavy exhale through her nose, Bellatrix pushed him back with one hand. She wasn’t forceful, but it was pointed enough that anyone who may observe could tell it was no friendly shove. 

“First of all, my ability to clean it doesn’t erase the principal of your recklessness. Second of all, the pages will still be misshapen. And thirdly-” Bellatrix stomped on the spot, perhaps ready to step towards him but thinking the better of it, and held a hand up to him as if to push him again although her voice remained relaxed. “Do not invade my personal space again or I’ll deduct house points for your instigation.”

Eddie regarded her curiously, interested by her response to their current situation. “No harm, no foul, right? ‘S no biggie,” he said, friendly smile at his lips. “Oh, you should never assume          maybe I took it on purpose to see if you’ve got anything interesting written in the margins. Y’know, I didn’t take you for a doodler,” he deadpanned as he passed her own book back. His smile split into a toothy grin a second later. “I’m kidding. Sorry. I didn’t look inside, promise. Just the first page before I realised it wasn’t mine.” 

Not amused by his humour, Bellatrix simply waited out his joke with her own blank expression. It wasn’t that she was incapable of fun, but rather that she didn’t like to be on the unwitting side of a quip. Yet, despite knowing he didn’t look inside, she felt compelled to defend herself.

“They aren’t doodles. I only draw difficult hand movements for wands or informational pictures for my own future reference.” Bellatrix shifted uncomfortably, realizing that might not have been the most solid rebuttal. 

       his  dark  gaze  bore  into  the  book  in  her  hand,  studying  the  slight  ripple  on  the  page.  was  that  him?  could  have  been         had  he  possessed  the  book  longer  than    …    what?  twenty  minutes?  suffice  it  to  say,  alastor  didn’t  exactly  drown  himself  in  coffee  or  hot  chocolate  since  he  last  left  the  library.  regrettably,  of  course.  he  could  really  do  with  some  caffeine.  “  well  i  dunno,  trixie.  ten  minutes  ago  it  was  my  textbook.   ”   he  could  have  been  honest.  told  her  no,  but  yikes.  where  was  the  fun  in  that?

She didn’t move a moment, annoyed but not surprised that he’d challenged her on this. He was trying to frustrate her and she knew she was taking the bait...But Bellatrix wasn’t one to let things go, especially not when it concerned her own possessions, disrespect towards her, or people she didn’t like. And this hit all the stops.

“Are you really so careless with your own property that you could soil it within minutes? And then so unapologetic when confronted by its true owner? I actively try to keep my belongings tidy. Must I now be reminded of you every time I look on my tainted book in disgust?”

          “  in  my  defense,  i  usually  am  this  scatterbrained,   ”   he  replied  quickly,  nonchalance  at  its  finest  on  display  as  he  traded  off  the  books.  had  he  noticed?  no.  would  he  have  cared  if  he  had?  no.  “   but  surely,  you  know  that  by  now  too.   ”

“Brilliant. Then we’ll chalk it up to your shortcomings, hm? And I suppose I-” she paused, squinting at the specks of brown that now appeared on the top of the pages, a slight ripple in the paper wherever they were present. Bellatrix took a step towards the presumed perpetrator. “Did you spill a drink on this? On my textbook?”

“I suppose you didn’t notice either considering you’ve been carrying mine around too.”

cis-female / she/her. ┊ if you’re looking for BELLATRIX BLACK, you’ll probably find her in the SLYTHERIN dorm with the rest of the SEVENTH years. She’s the TWENTY ONE year old PUREBLOOD who looks kind of like DANIELLE ROSE RUSSELL. She seems PLAYFUL, LOYAL, and RESOLUTE to me, but apparently she’s also RIGHTEOUS, TEMPERAMENTAL, and POSSESSIVE. maybe that’s why she reminds me of a silent crack of lightning, silver spoons, black velvet boots, cold autumn nights, and something about to go wrong.