"You are being absolutely dramatic," came a well-meaning but obnoxious voice. Bella remained still—an arm draped over her stomach, the other dangling off of the side of the cream and gold lounge chair.

Andromeda continued, "It's not a big deal, Bel—"

Bella held up a finger and Andromeda stopped talking immediately.

"It is a big deal; and until I'm over it, I will make sure he suffers."

Resigned, yet ignorantly hopeful, Andromeda tried again. "You're really not going to let this go?"

Jerking her head upward, she narrowed her eyes at Andromeda. "Go away, before I make you."

▼ e i g h t y - f i v e ▲ : it's all relative.

"It's all in the wrist, see?" A swift flick of his wand, and Rodolphus had successfully performed the silencing charm on a trembling, hiccupping second-year nearby.

Charmed, Bella laughed at the sight. "Okay, it's time for you to go," she prompted and shoved the boy. "Go, I said. You're mute, not hard of hearing."

The boy ran quickly without looking back.

"That was childish," Rodolphus observed, pocketing his wand after.

Bella, not liking his tone, jabbed her finger into his chest. He winced and grabbed her wrist briefly before remembering himself.

He exhaled deeply and reminded Bella to behave herself.

▼ t w e l v e ▲ : all in good fun.

In a crisp, decisive voice, Druella answered the eldest Black daughter: "No."

Because she absolutely, positively, hated not having her way, Bellatrix took matters into her own capable hands. She marched to her father's study, nostrils flared and knocked loudly. He beckoned her to enter and she feigned an innocent, child-like demeanor to arouse his sympathy.

It didn't work.

"She doesn't care about my happiness at all!"

Cygnus—who, after fourteen years, had been used to these outbursts—offered solace, albeit half-heartedly. "Competitively racing Granians? You'd have no marriage prospects after that."

Despite his effort, her mind was already set.

▼ s e v e n ▲ : the blame game.

Can you really predict the future using numbers? she'd asked on an excruciatingly hot afternoon. They lounged underneath an old English Oak tree, relishing in the generosity of its shade. Impatient and frustrated, she repeated her question. Louder.

She was met with a familiar curious smile—one that simultaneously irritated and enchanted her—and a languid shrug. This prompted her to sit up and scowl at her companion.

They laughed deeply and pulled her close.

Momentarily stunned, her throat felt thick.

It is entirely possible, they said in an even, dulcet tone. Her flushed cheeks, betraying her (supposed) indifferent demeanor.

▼ t e n ▲ : one and one.

Although her father had forbidden her from entering without his explicit permission, Bellatrix could not contain her curiosity.

She turned the handle carefully and slithered into the room. It was warm but uninviting. A stack of documents, rolls of parchment, carefully placed quills, and various inkwells of different colors and sizes cluttered his desk.

Carefully, she sleuthed through his belongings before she'd found his wand.

It had ornate decorations etched into the dark, wood. Bellatrix wondered if she could wield it. She never got the chance; her mother had dragged her out of the room before she could experiment further.

▼ n i n e t e e n ▲ : curiouser and curiouser.

Face blanched, Narcissa repeated her previous words. "I am begging you; don't make me do this."

"Don't be dramatic, Cissy. It'll be fine." Bellatrix said nonchalantly while thumbing through a bridal catalogue. Her younger sister was being hopelessly pathetic, and Bellatrix couldn't understand why.

It was incredibly amusing.

Burying her face in one of Bellatrix's throw pillows, Narcissa continued her complaint. "I really don't think I can do this, Bella."

"Of course you can. You're the only one who can pull this off."

"B-but, why me?"

Bellatrix raised an eyebrow, cutting her sister a sharp look. "Because I said so."

▼ n i n e t y - o n e ▲ : wild child.

"Just be honest with him. Tell him how you feel," Andromeda offered in earnest.

Narcissa, who had spent most of the conversation hidden behind a catalogue—that featured tea sets, doilies, and the like—snorted loudly. Cheeks flushed, Narcissa dropped the catalogue and stammered over her words as she tried to placate her older sister.

However—

Like clockwork, Bella started her usual diatribe.

"Is this funny to you? Am I that entertaining, Cissy? Should I quit school and become some sort of show girl?"

Andromeda intervened quickly. "Leave her alone, Bella. You know she didn't mean to laugh at you."

▼ s e v e n t y - t w o ▲ : it's not personal.

The salon had been rowdier than she anticipated.

You're frowning again, came a voice on her left. They were near enough that Bella's breath had fallen in sync with theirs.

With a look of feigned indifference, she said: I'm bored of this and I'm bored of you.

(The lie was childish and stupid.)

Evan laughed breathlessly while taking her hand. Acidic yet coy; you are full of surprises. Their words melted in her ears and it seemed like the room was spinning.

It was dangerously ironic at how parched and dizzy she felt even after she'd pulled her hand away.

▼ s i x t y - s e v e n ▲ : pause...then rewind.

Even with the fireplace lit, the common room held no warmth.

Bellatrix stood, stone-faced and defiant, in front of one obnoxious Rodolphus Lestrange. "You misunderstand me," he started. She scoffed, even motioned her hands dramatically, but remained silent.

"I don't understand how you can be so upset. You told me that I was free to do as I pleased."

Her response came in the form of a derisive snort. In turn, Rodolphus sighed and sat down in an armchair.

"Enough. I'm tired of your games."

Bellatrix walked away, determined to continue her silent treatment for as long as she could.

▼ t h i r t y - t w o ▲ : our days are numbered.

"He might not be in Slytherin, you know."

Bella, who had come to enjoy ignoring Lucius' presence on a daily basis, stared pointedly.

"Really." Her voice was cool and even, but she was boiling on the inside. "Please elaborate, Malfoy."

The corners of his lips tugged upward and he leaned in. "Oh, just a hunch, really."

For some reason, this did not sit well with her. She kept her eyes trained on Sirius, watched him as he walked up to the stool, and prayed to Salazar that Malfoy was wrong.

Sirius shot her an apologetic look; immediately, she felt sick.

▼ t w e n t y - f i v e ▲ : a very cruel joke.

With a reproachful look from her mother, Bella took care not to dirty her new dress as she walked around the garden. Even at eight years old, she knew the importance of keeping up appearances—especially when her mother was entertaining important guests in their home.

Bella carefully made her way over to the other children, stepping around any patches of wet grass.

The other children ran around, chasing colorful butterflies while kicking up mud and sullying their shoes. Recoiling, Bella took several steps backwards, and fell dramatically.

She shrieked on her way down, forcing everyone to stop and stare.

▼ f i f t y - t h r e e ▲ : it's just not right.

“This. Is. Humiliating.”

A series of rowdy claps from her supposed peers put Bella on edge.

“Settle down,” came Rodolphus — along with his poor attempt at hiding his laughter. “You look… festive.” It took four seconds before the laughter started. Again. Bella’s “costume" was currently a big hit in the Common Room.

With flushed cheeks, Bella stomped on his foot. Hard.

“I hate this,” she shrieked, struggling to pull the costume off.

Ever-so-dutiful, Narcissa scurried over to help fix Bella’s uniform, smoothing out any wrinkles.

Perplexed by her dramatic reaction, Rodolphus replied coolly, “Next time, Bella… don’t lose the bet.”

▼ f i f t y - s e v e n ▲ : disgusting.

“I just don’t understand how you can eat those, Cissy.” Bella nudged one of the empty chocolate bar wrappers with her foot, a disgusted yet curious look painted across her face.

Narcissa looked up, frightened at the sound of her sister’s voice, large eyes growing wider at the implications behind Bella's callous remark.

Again, fear continued to hold Narcissa steady, “D-don't tell m —”

With a loud, exaggerated gasp, Bella responded quickly. “You want me to keep this a secret for you? Is that it?” Her tone was barely sympathetic, but she managed to smile menacingly at the younger girl.

▼ e i g h t y - e i g h t ▲ : blackmail.

The rain had kept Bella indoors; homework was her only viable option for passing the time.

Let’s see, came a familiar voice — much too close for her own comfort, despite her cheeks warming immediately.

She ignored Evan easily enough, focusing instead on writing her name in a neat script.

Don’t be like that, Bella…I’ll let you copy my work.

The offer was tempting, even though there would be consequences and complications — things she didn’t have time to deal with.

But —

There they both sat — in silence together, smiling secretively, interrupted only by Bella politely hushing Evan every now and then.

▼ o n e h u n d r e d ▲ : it’s just us.