Bellatrix

Chapter 11

I'd never had that feeling where you walked into a room, and everyone fell silent and looked at you.

Well, that changed.

Four pairs of eyes were upon me. I looked down at my feet. James looked at me- it looked, it looked like he was happy.

"I'm sorry." I breathed.

Remus stood up and hugged me.

Sirius joined. So did Peter.

They all sat down, and James stood up. He wrapped his arms around me and grinned, whispered in my ear, "See? He does notice you."

I looked up, hardly daring to believe it. "What- what do you mean?"

"Did you see how Moony hugged you? He's definitely in to you."

Wait, what? I thought. He thinks I like Moony? But then I breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't know. He didn't know.

"Yeah, I guess. Listen... I'm sorry, Prongs..."

"No. It's my fault. I snapped at you."

"I overreacted, Prongs, you-"

He put a finger over my lips. "Shhh." He grinned. "No excuses. No arguments. Let's just forget it ever happened."

But I could still see the hurt in his eyes. And I'm sure he could still see the hurt in mine.

Sirius leaned back in that self-assured way he always did, with his hands behind his head and his legs on the seat across from him. "Oh, Bonewing, I knew you'd come 'round."

"Yeah, thanks Padfoot." I took a deep breath. "Now, I just have to face my family."

James stood up. "No, you don't. Listen, you can come to my house. We'll keep you sa-"

"No, James. I have to go. I'll be okay." I lied. I wouldn't be okay. Padfoot knew this. Thank God though, he didn't say anything.

And we sat and talked and ate chocolate frogs the whole time; the Marauders together once again.

————————

I was in way over my head.

It had all started with Cissy, completely blabbing to my parents right after I SPECIFICALLY told her not to.

"Daddy, Bella was hanging out with the blood traitors instead of coming home for Christmas!"

I had to stop myself from slapping my hand to my forehead. I put on my haughtiest expression and said, "Father, I got no letter, other than the one graciously inviting me here for Easter holidays."

He raised an eyebrow at me, not buying it. "Really."

"Yes, Father, I would not lie to you."

"That ruddy owl!" He growled, grabbed it from where it was hooting about, and snapped its neck.

Well, at least it wasn't mine.

I stuck my chin up. "I would think you would have gone to greater lengths to contact me, Father."

Haughtiness was appreciated in our family. And right now, I wasn't about to disobey.

He rolled his eyes. "Come, child, for the ceremony is tomorrow."

I flinched. "What ceremony?"

"The ceremony where you finally become a Death Eater, good gracious! You are fourteen, and therefore it is time."

"Who else is... coming?" I asked.