Masquerade (Discontinued)

Chapter I

Hogwarts, Unplottable Location, Scotland, Great Britain

Saturday the 26th of June 1998

5:00 PM

Bella wore the ring on her finger proudly as she walked through the gobsmacked crowd, her hand entwined with Tom's. He had a smug smirk on his face and he looked like he was filled with complete and utter satisfaction. Bella couldn't quite begrudge him of that yet. He had worked so hard.

Bella came up to Maya and Sirius. Sirius was staring with a raised eyebrow and Maya looked quite ready to pass out from the excitement on her face. As soon as Bella was fully in front of them with Tom by her side, Maya threw her arms around her. Bella returned the hug whole-heartedly, a smile upon her beautiful face.

"You're getting married! I'm so proud of you," Maya squealed and Bella grinned.

"Yes, I'm rather proud myself though strangely enough…it was Gianna who made me realize that I was being a total idiot," Bella said, jokingly and Tom snorted. Bella looked up at him with an amused expression on his face.

"I knew there was a reason I made that girl my Heir," he said, quietly and secretively, only to those in front of him. Sirius' eyes widened.

"What about Bella?"

"She's going to be my wife. Not my Heir. That's the equivalent of my child and it's just odd," Tom snapped, rolling his eyes at Sirius' 'stupidity'. Sirius glared at him, annoyed. He sighed, shaking his head.

"Are you sure you want to marry this bastard?" Sirius asked. Bella smirked.

"He's my bastard."

"I'm not a bastard. And by the way, I want my ring back," Tom said and Bella spun to look at him, shocked. She put a hand on her hip and her eyes narrowed in anger.

"You want the ring back? Then what's the point of giving it to me?" she snarled and Tom rolled his eyes, pulling out a familiar blue box. Now that Bella could fully see it, it was a very pretty blue. Maya gasped.

"That's Tiffany blue…" she breathed and Bella raised an eyebrow.

"Who the hell is Tiffany?"

"A jewelry maker. Daphne picked it up for me. That ring will be your wedding ring. The ring in the box…is a bit more…appropriate," Tom said, choosing his words carefully. Bella raised an eyebrow and only gave him a disbelieving look as she took the box. She turned to look over at Sirius whom didn't seem too pleased.

"Oh, Uncle Sirius give me break. I'm an adult. I'm moving out…"

"You're moving out?" Sirius blurted out, shocked. Bella rolled her eyes again.

"Yes. I'm seventeen, graduated, and I've been accepted into my Law program. I'm living at One Hyde Park. Tom gave it to me as a congratulatory gift for passing my Masteries and N.E.W.T.s and securing the spot as student speaker. I haven't toured it yet but…" Bella trailed off as she finally took a good look at the ring that sat inside the box. People around them craned their necks to see, as they had long since broke into murmurs and whispers about the newly engaged couple.