Masquerade (Discontinued)

Chapter XVI

Hogwarts, Unplottable Location, Scotland, Great Britain

Tuesday the 8th of February 1999

5:30 PM

"What are all these children doing here?" Bella hissed under her breath at her fiancé and the man smirked at her, looking more than a little amused by the number of students that were sitting in the enlarged classroom, waiting for the fight to commence.

"They all must be made aware of what goes on in the war. Who better to show them that Mercy and Voldemort?"

Bella snorted at Tom's answer and shook his head.

"They don't know that."

"Well, then who better to show them than the Girl-Who-Lived and Tom Marvolo Riddle, two of the most powerful magic-users the world has ever seen," Tom challenged and Bella nodded, slowly, conceding that the man did have a point though she still didn't appreciate all of the students being present.

"I suppose. But there are even fourth years. Should they really be exposed to such violence?" Bella asked, worriedly and Tom rolled his eyes.

"You were."

Bella glared. "That was mostly your fault. And I never wanted to be. I never wanted to know war so young. Even now…even now, I still don't want to know war."

Tom snorted and rolled his eyes. "You're such a pacifist."

Bella grinned as she pulled off her high-collared white and blue shirt in favour of the white tank top she wore underneath. She made sure that her pants were comfortable before she slowly pulled off her heels and tossed them on top of the bag that rested on Tom's desk. She slowly pulled her hair back and winded into a tight and severe bun. The young woman jumped off the platform, pulling off her glasses and putting in her contacts.

Bella jumped back onto the platform and looked around at the eagerness and the innocence of the students and she frowned.

"This…this is going to be too much for them."

"I'm sorry. I didn't hear you," Tom said, looking up from where he was quickly disposing of his outer robes, leaving him in slacks and a button down.

Bella pursed her lips, knowing full well that he had heard her.

"This is…this is going to be too much, Tom. You should've used Draco or Blaise. Even Morgan would've been better if you couldn't get them."

Tom smirked but it slowly slipped away into a solemn look. "Morgan would've been too much. You'll show them what it means to fight. And if we must get violent, then we must. Because this is war and they must know war for what it is. They think it's something to be glorified, but both you and I know…that it is not. And thus, as the elders, we must teach and they must learn."

Bella stared at him for a moment, in silence, and it was clear that she was making her decision before she sighed and nodded. She walked slowly on the platform, pulling out her holly wand. She began to dance along the edge, swinging her wand around so that wards began to form around the wide platform. She turned and crossed paths were her fiancé as he constructed his own wards. She brushed her fingers against his and she watched as his lips twitched. A soft smile appeared on her lips and as she finished creating the wards, she looked over at the students whom were staring in awe.