Masquerade (Discontinued)

Chapter XIV

One Hyde Park, London, England, Great Britain

Tuesday the 2nd of November 1998

3:00 PM

As the two men Apparated into the room, they stared at the woman whom lounged in the large armchair, a stack of letters in her lap. She didn't even looked up to greet them as she tossed the junk post onto the ground and placed the good letters on the table. Her lips curled into a smile as she ripped open the cream-coloured envelope and pulled out a stiff piece of parchment. She nodded and placed it delicately on the glass table.

"Tom and I got invited to Fleur and Bill's wedding. Did you?" Bella asked, conversationally and she finally looked up at the two formidable men, without any fear in her eyes.

"Yes. Luna and I will be attending. We've already sent our acceptance to the bride and groom," Draco said, coldly and Blaise shook his head, with a frown upon his face.

"I was invited. However, I will be working that day," Blaise said, sharply and Bella shrugged. She slowly stood and turned her back to the two men, showing how utterly unafraid she was. She clasped her hands behind her back and her dressing gown dragged with her, giving her the appearance of the great Lady that she was.

"How unfortunate. But, I suppose, Hermione wouldn't want to attend. She never cared for Fleur," Bella said, softly and Blaise inclined his head in agreement.

"Indeed."

Draco growled, his silver eyes flashing in annoyance and a growing rage. He took a step forward, his arms crossed over his chest and he shook his head.

"Enough with these pleasantries. I want to know what's going through your head! What the hell was that on Samhain? Mercy? Really, Bella? What the fuck did you think you were doing?" Draco snarled, angrily and Bella looked over her shoulder at him, her lips curled into a smile of bitter amusement. Draco's anger didn't falter though confusion poisoned it somewhat.

"Fixing our mess," Bella said, softly. "We were so arrogant when we were children. We went around, proclaiming who we were as if were invincible and had not a single care in the world. And you've spent so many years protecting me. So, I've only done what I could to protect you."

Draco's anger drained from him and he stared at Bella in confusion. She turned fully to face him and she waited for him to speak. His mouth opened, but he promptly shut it once more, speechless. Bella looked at Blaise and he was staring at her in confusion.

"What did you do?" Blaise asked, calmly.

"Parvati and Padma broke into Hogwarts and modified Dumbledore's memories about us and the Horsemen. There's no way he can make the connection. Yesterday, I had them do that once more and they modified the memories of Ginny and Gideon Weasley. I set Neville and Daphne to their first mission as well. They will be eliminating two people that know our identities. I will not have you killed," Bella said, harshly and Blaise looked at her for a long moment before his lips curled into a wide smile. Draco stared at his brother and sister in confusion before he scowled at Blaise.

"What are you smiling for? She stopped us on Samhain. She wasn't herself. She wasn't Charity nor was she Victory. She was something very different," Draco spat, angrily.

Blaise nodded in agreement.

"She was," he murmured before he looked over at his brother in confusion. "Who is Charity?"