One Shots

The Best Friend

Come along on the adventure of Bellatrix Black, realizing her feelings for her best friend, Rita Skeeter.

Bellatrix Black was always one to follow the rules. she had never once betrayed her family or bloodline.

She had arrived at Hogwarts for her first year. Her sisters, Andromeda and Narcissa, weren't old enough to come yet. She was nervous and scared.

She was always taught never to be scared, but sometimes she couldn't help it.

***

Everyone from the noble house of Black has always been sorted into Slytherin. If someone was sorted into any other, they would most likely be disowned.

No one from the Black family was ever sorted into Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Gryffindor. Only Slytherin.

Thankfully, she was sorted into Slytherin.

***

"I'm Bellatrix Black. It's nice to meet you."

"Rodolphus Lestrange."

"Rita Skeeter."

***

It's finally her third year and has her younger sister, Andromeda, with her.

She spots Rodolphus with a younger boy who looks to be about Andromeda' age. "Rodolphus!" Bellatrix yells at her friend.

"Bella, who's this?" Rodolphus asks, walking towards them with the younger boy.

The younger boy looks like her friend, just not quite. "This is my younger sister, Andromeda."

"Hi." Andromeda says, hiding behind her older sister.

"Dro, don't be shy."

She comes out from behind her sister and holds out her hand. "Hi, I'm Andromeda Black."

"Rabastan Lestrange." They shake hands.

"Bella! Rod!" Rita comes up beside them. "Who are they?" She gasps. "Oh my god. That's Andromeda. Don't know him, though. He looks like you, Rod."

"He better. He's my younger brother, Rabastan."

Rita leans down. "Nice to meet you, little man." She turns to Andromeda. "I've heard a bunch about you and Narcissa. Your sister brags a lot." She points to Bellatrix.

"I do not."

"You kinda do, Bels." Rodolphus says.

"Whatever."

***

Bellatrix cheers as her sister gets sorted into Slytherin.

***

It's Bellatrix' fourth year. Andromeda' second. And her breath catches every time she sees her best friend.

Now, of course, she didn't know why. But if she had to guess, she'd say she was catching feelings for a girl.

If it was up to her to decide, she would most likely date her. But it's not. It's up to her family, and they would never allow that. So, she decides to bury her feelings for as long as she can.

***

It's Bellatrix' fifth year. Andromeda' third. And Narcissa' first. Now, of course, Narcissa was nervous. Even Andromeda and her were. But she never did show it.

She had always been the bravest out of all three of them. Never once did she show that she was scared. Even when she saw her parents beating Bellatrix to near death.

But that's not the point. The point is that Bellatrix sees Andromeda with a guy. Someone she most likely isn't supposed to be near.

Last year, Bellatrix was too caught up in her own feelings that she never noticed that her sister had caught feelings for a guy. And that guy so happened to be a Tonks. They were never allowed to speak to anyone who wasn't involved with the Death Eaters somehow, so she thought that her sisters weren't going to try to even speak them people.

She was wrong. Oh, was she so very wrong.

But she couldn't very well blame her. She was friends with Rita Skeeter, and she wasn't involved with the Death Eaters. But at least she was a Slytherin and not a Ravenclaw.

I mean, sure, Ravenclaw' are nice and sweet and fun, but she shouldn't be talking or hanging out with them.

Bellatrix marches over to her sister and drags her to the side. "Dro, you can't talk to him."

"Now you notice me? Thank you for caring this year, but I got it covered. You barely even acknowledged me last year."

"I was too busy trying to hide my feelings."

"What? From Rita? Yeah, I don't think you're fooling anyone. You caught feelings for her last year."

"How did you know?"

"Even though you weren't paying attention to me. I was paying attention to you. I knew you caught feelings for her when we walked into the Great Hall. Your breath catches every time you see her. Everyone can see it. Maybe not her. But everyone else can."

"Why do you think Rodolphus hasn't tried to date you? Because he doesn't like you? That's definitely not it. I see him making heart eyes at you. He tried to give you hints all of last year and your so blind sided by fucking Rita Skeeter that you couldn't see what was right in front of you. Rodolphus is in love with you."

"I don't care if you date her. Go for it. But let Rodolphus know before not after. Tell him you're not interested in him. You only see him as a friend. I don't care. Just talk to him. Tell Rita how you feel. In return, you'll let me date Ted. Ok?"

"How are you so wise?" Bellatrix asks, stunned.

Andromeda smiles. "I guess I got it from you. Now, go tell Rita how you feel."

***

"Rodolphus, can I talk to you? In private."

He nods. "What did you want to talk about?" Rodolphus asks after they get into the empty common room.

"Dro opened my eyes. Told me what was right in front of me." Bellatrix takes a pause. "I've always known I've had feelings for someone, and I still don't know if they like me back, but I just need you to know that I only see you as a friend. Nothing more."

"That's...... not what I thought you were going to say."

"Like I said, Dro told me what was right in front of me. I was fighting my feelings and didn't even notice anyone else's last year. So I just wanted you to know, I only see you as a friend. Ok?"

Rodolphus laughs. "Yeah, I got it."

***

Rita and Bellatrix are alone in their dorm for the first time since school started, which was a week ago. "Hey, uh, Rita?"

Hmm?"

"Can I talk to you?"

"Sure. What's up?"

"I - I." Bellatrix takes a deep breath. In. Out. "Last year, I realized I was in love with someone. A girl. I haven't told my family, and I most likely never will. But I -" She takes another breath. In. Out. "This girl is you, Rita. I realized I'm in love with you."

Rita takes in a sharp breath. "You're... in love with me?"

"Yes. I think I always have been."

"It's about time, you realized. I've been in love with you since second year. I had a crush on you in first."

***

By the time seventh year rolls around, Andromeda is dating Ted, Narcissa is dating Lucius, and Bellatrix and Rita have been dating for three years. In secret, of course.

Now, what would happen if her family found out? No one knows, and no one wants to know, either.

No one knows what happens after they graduate, but they will just have to figure that out when they get there.