Inside My Mind (A Harry Potter Fanfiction)

Chapter IX

Number 12, Grimmauld Place, London, England, Great Britain

Friday the 31st of July 1992

11:30 AM

Bella stood in the loo staring at the mirror, trying to find something that looked different about her. She was twelve now and she couldn't see any difference. She was the youngest of her closest friends, meaning she was the last to turn twelve and it was highly annoying.

She might have been a little taller but that only made her look rather awkward. Her hair had grown from the small of her back to her waist but she was sure Sirius would make her cut it again; not considering how much she liked it long. What was even worse was her hair had become even more untamable and it took her 10 minutes alone to brush through it.

"Bella! Are you dressed yet? You've been in there forever!"Sirius yelled from down the hall. Bella sighed and stuck her head out.

"I don't see why you need to rush me! You have your own bathroom for Merlin's sake, Uncle Sirius!" Bella snapped. She gaped in surprise when she saw who was sitting on her bed. Sirius was grinning in the doorway at her.

Ron and Hermione were sitting on her bed; Bella gaped at them before launching herself at them and hugging them tightly.

"Ron! Hermione!" she cried out in surprise, hugging them tightly.

"Happy birthday!" they responded in unison Bella laughed and shot a look at Sirius who smirking at her now.

"I think I deserve an apology. I got your friends here and the Weasleys are here too. Surprise!" Sirius said, making jazz hands. Bella snorted before hugging him tightly.

"First, you're not getting an apology when you forced me into this stupid pureblood dress thing. You're actually supposed to say surprise when we get downstairs but that's all right. Thank you, Uncle Sirius" Bella murmured as Sirius hugged her back just as tightly and tapped her right over her scar.

"Just for you, Doe, and the dress is customary for someone who is Heiress to the Black line to wear. Suck it up and let's go downstairs" Sirius said. Bella glanced in the vanity by the wall and sighed.

The white dress she wore was beautiful and elegant over it she had on a crimson corset with black laces and a darker red tailcoat. It was all right she decided but it didn't mean she had to like it.

"I thought you hated tradition" Bella grumbled Sirius nodded, sagely and Bella looked at him with a look of complete outrage.

"I do but the dress it looks adorable on you" Sirius cooed teasingly and Bella snarled at him before turning away and looking at her friends.

"Bell, it does look nice on you" Hermione reassured her Bella looked at Hermione's face and saw nothing but complete honesty although she could see several traces of amusement. She decided to pick her battles and just sighed.

"Thanks, Mione. I don't think I've met your younger siblings, Ron. Would you introduce me?" Bella asked, trying to bring the subject off herself and the dress. Ron grimaced slightly and Bella looked at him quizzically.

"Er...well...you'll see..." Ron said, looking faintly embarrassed. Hermione and Sirius seemed to know about what he was talking about. They were both snickering under their breaths. When they finally walked down the stairs and into the dining room, she knew why Ron wouldn't say anything.