new day, old w a y s |Sydney|

[gooddontalwayswin]

Bellatrix floated through the garden, wondering what on earth she was going to do with herself. The day was beautiful, but Bellatrix wasn't really up for walking around the grounds, so the garden would have to suffice for now. What she really wanted was some company, though she seemed to have fallen out of her clever way of asking for it. Besides, she hadn't seen anyone that she really wanted to talk to in a long time now.

Bella's thoughts went to Sydney as she perched herself on a bench in the middle of the garden. The Hufflepuff seemed almost familiar to her, but somewhat ignorant. For example, Sydney had brought up the topic of Death Eaters in a girl's bathroom. She certainly wasn't a Death Eater, that much was certain in Bellatrix's mind. Anyone that was a Death Eater would be far to scared to mention their allegiance.

And Bella was scared. Every day it seemed that they asked for more out of her. Just the other weekend the leader of her band had forced her to torture a Muggle. Bellatrix didn't understand how anyone would want to be a Death Eater. Like that stupid Cora girl. She had no idea what she was in for. But at least she had chosen her path. Bellatrix had been pushed into it. That didn't mean that she envied Eliza-Coraline, though, it was much the opposite. Bella actually felt sorry for the idiotic girl. If she didn't learn quickly, she would likely be killed. Bellatrix briefly wondered if she should bother to help her. Sure it wasn't her type of thing to do, but within Death Eater ranks, the fourteen year-olds would probably be better off to help each other.

Bella twisted a strand of hair between her fingers, pondering her thoughts when she heard footsteps from the front of the garden. She dropped the strand of hair and sat up slightly, becoming more alert. Perhaps this was someone that she wanted to see. But it was also likely that it was someone that she didn't like. The possibilities were endless. "Who's there?" Bellatrix asked in a rather commanding voice. She peered through the spring growth to see...

[chances]

Sydney. She looked towards Bella and smiled rather awkwardly. She thought she was going to be alone to ponder on this fine day. But it was better that Bella was here than anyone else. She quickly transformed her smile into a smirk as she sat down on a bench across from her "friend", if she could actually call Bella that. "Calm down Bella, it's just me. No need to fret." she teased casually. She crossed one leg over the other daintily, her polite and lady-like mannerisms that she hated so much shining through.

[gooddontalwayswin]

Bella relaxed slightly upon seeing Sydney, her almost friend. Though a Slytherin princess, Bellatrix didn't have many real friends. Sydney was probably the closest that a person had ever come to being Bellatrix's friend. "Hello Sydney," Bella said, looking across the garden pathway at Sydney. She looked well, which was probably more than Bellatrix could say for herself. With the Death Eaters had come insomnia and stress. Bellatrix was handling it, for now. The bags under her eyes were lightened with a bit of makeup, and she looked pretty much as she usually did, though perhaps a little more commanding. "How are you?" Bella asked, trying to summon the energy to actually care.

[chances]

"Fine." Sydney replied rather lazily. She looked Bella up and down a couple times, frowning. "But you look like hell. Are you feeling alright?" she asked. She actually cared about Bella's well-being. She may not be her best "friend", but at least she was something of the sort. The closest Sydney actually allowed that wasn't from Beauxbatons. Besides Blaize of course. It was obvious Bella had attempted to hide the bags under her eyes with some weak makeup, and it wasn't doing too well for her. It was working, but only just. "Seriously, are you sure you feel okay?" she asked once more, confused as to how Bella could have gotten sick. Nothing was going around the school, and it wasn't the season for it.

[gooddontalwayswin]

"Aw thanks, dear," Bellatrix said sarcastically to Sydney's comment that she looked like hell. She supposed she did from close up, which was why Bellatrix kept her distance from people these days. People couldn't help her anyways, at least not anymore. "I'm fine actually, I just didn't sleep very well last night," Bella added, though she didn't mention the part about barely sleeping the nights before last night as well.

[chances]

Sydney didn't buy it. She simply nodded, adding a convincing smile. "Alright then." she teased back at Bella's comment. She decided to divert the conversation away from Bella's looks and concentrate on something more... friendly. If they were going to be friends, they probably should start acting like it. "What have you been up to? Haven't seen you in a while." she replied simply. Sydney took an opportunity to gaze about the garden, a place she rarely visited. It was actually quite nice, considering the location. She wished someone would do something about the creaky old gates. Any pranks placed here could go horribly wrong... or any foul play. Sydney smiled cruelly before bringing her attention back towards Bella.

[gooddontalwayswin]

Bellatrix shrugged slightly. She obviously couldn't tell Sydney the whole dirty truth about what she had been up to, but that wasn't all that Bellatrix had been doing these days. When not running with Death Eaters or suffering from insomnia, she had taken to walking around the grounds. "Just homework and walking around, I suppose," Bella replied. "I have found that the weather is quite nice recently. How about yourself?"

[chances]

"About the same." Sydney replied simply. It was true, she hadn't been leading a very exciting life recently. "I've noticed the weather clearing up too. It's nice to have some spring-like weather finally." she finished with a smile. The weather had truly become wonderful, and spring-like. It was about time. Normally, in May, the weather was close to the summertime, but it had been oddly winter-like lately. Sydney only took notice of this because she hated the cold.

[gooddontalwayswin]

Bella nodded. It was quite nice for the weather to finally be clearing up enough for her to enjoy being outside again. The winter had been long and horrible. Though spring didn't seem to bring too many promises of salvation, it did bring the sun. And for that, Bella was grateful. "Yes, it's good to see the sun once in a while," Bella said, with a smile to her friend.

[chances]

Sydney was slightly taken aback by the smile Bella flashed at her. It was a true, genuine smile. The smile you would give a friend. Sydney was astonished. Was Bella actually reaching out to her? Sydney thought so. With a quick reflexive movement, Sydney shot a smile back to her new friend. This relationship was blossoming, and she couldn't be more pleased. She was fairly new to the school, having lived in France most of her life. It was quite amazing to have made friends so quickly. Most were just to get to her, or her brother, to learn about Beauxbatons. Sydney knew Bella wouldn't do that to her. Mayber this was a true friendship.

[gooddontalwayswin]

Bellatrix found it easy to drop the smile again and she simply stared into space, wondering what else she could say to Sydney. It was like they were on the verge of friendship, but there was something keeping Bella from actually allowing Sydney to be a true friend. "Are you looking forward to summer break?" Bella asked.

[chances]

Sydney shrugged. "As much as I can I suppose." She replied flatly. She would most likely visit France, a loathing fact. No doubt Jack would try to spend time with her. The thought made her want to puke. Jack still believed they were the best of friends and it annoyed her to no end. She nodded towards Bella. "Are you?" She asked, actually interested. Sydney didn't get the impression Bella was family oriented, so the question was genuine.

[gooddontalwayswin]

It seemed the Sydney, like Bellatrix, was not looking forward to summer break nearly as much as the rest of the 3rd Years, who were practically bouncing out of their seats in anticipation of getting away from Hogwarts. Bellatrix didn't get what the deal was. Being as school meant that she didn't have to deal with her mother, her perfect siblings, and it limited the time she had to spend as a Death Eater. No doubt Isabelle would have them working overtime during the summer. "Not to the point of counting down the days," Bella replied, making a slight face.

[chances]

Sydney nodded. She felt the exact same way. Maybe, if she were lucky, she would find more about the Death Eater activity. The whole Dark Magic aspect excited her, thrilled her. Maybe she could get to her goody-two-shoes brother Jack. The selfish, sweet-heart snob really annoyed her. He was taking to everyone so quickly, and he was handsome, and his French ways charmed everyone. His most recent girlfriend, that McFarland girl, really aggravated her. She was always so happy, and charming, with not a care in the world. Sydney frowned, imagining what she would do to the older brat. Then again, she did have some thanks in order. Raychel had broken her brother's heart. It was joyous in it's own right.

[gooddontalwayswin]

The conversation was slipping away from Bella again, but she wasn't too sure if she wanted to get it back again. She decided that she probably should if she didn't want Sydney to think she was rude. "Do you have any plans for the summer?" she asked, noting an odd smile on Sydney's face. Sometimes Bellatrix wondered if Sydney was more Death Eater material than she was.