The Mask (open)

[gooddontalwayswin]

A package had been dropped for Bella at breakfast that morning, but the note had told her not to open it until she was alone. Well now it was eleven o'clock, and Bella was finally alone in the Slytherin common room. She found the box once more and pulled the packaging apart, wondering what it was. As she unwrapped the tissue paper, she gulped, seeing what it was at last. A Death Eater mask.

There was no question who had sent the skull mask for her, but Bella found herself wondering why her father had sent it so soon. She didn't want this and she certainly didn't need this on her mind. She was stressed out enough with Draco's constant threats and dealing with her siblings. Angrily, Bella shoved the mask back into the box, wrapping it in the tissue paper so it couldn't be seen. She would have to bury it in a drawer and put spells on it later. She closed the box just as footsteps came from the stairs. Bella turned to see...

[weaslebee2]

Emily. Her cheeks were pink from walking outdoors, and her hair a little messed up from donning the hood of her cloak. She had gotten off shift at Honeydukes about an hour ago. Normally, she would have gotten back faster, but the wind was strong, and blowing in her face the whole time. Instantly, something small and furry brushed against her leg. Emily stooped over and scooped up her little calico kitten, Zoe. She cradled her cat in her arms like a baby, then found she wasn't alone in the greenish glow of the common room. There was Bellatrix Malfoy, with a box. Emily gave her a smile, unsure of whether or not to say anything.

[gooddontalwayswin]

Bella found herself nodding at the Weasley girl with the cat. In her opinion, Emily was far to nice to be a Slytherin. Then again, so was Isaac and Allison. Bella was the only one who even pretended to belong in the Slytherin house anymore. "Hello Emily," Bella said, with as much kindness as she could muster, which was quite a bit, considering her situation at the moment.

[weaslebee2]

"Hello Bellatrix," said Emily, not knowing her preference of nicknames. She was two years younger, they didn't have any classes together. She sat down on a couch, wincing a bit as Zoe's fur rubbed against her burned fingers. She was getting burns so frequently that there wasn't time for the old ones to heal. Emily hated the holidays.

[gooddontalwayswin]

Bella cringed at being called by her full name, Bellatrix. She hated that her parents had named her after the deceased Death Eater she had for a great aunt. What a shame. "Call me Bella," Bella replied, trying to sound upbeat, but not exactly succeeding.

[weaslebee2]

"All right then, Bella." said Emily. "You're up pretty late." She scratched Zoe behind the ear, wincing a little bit at the friction of Zoe's fur against her numerous burns. Perhaps she would let Gabriella heal them tomorrow. At least her mother didn't know, she would completely lose her head about the whole thing.

[gooddontalwayswin]

Bella shrugged, watching Emily wince for some reason. "I could say the same for you," she pointed out, wondering what Emily had been doing. She probably had a job or something that had closed a little while ago, Bella supposed.

[weaslebee2]

"I was working," Emily said, closing her eyes as Zoe rubbed her head against her face. She loved the little cat. She was the only thing that she could actually love. She had hand-raised her, she had been the kitten of a stray, the runt of the little, her mother had left her all alone.

[gooddontalwayswin]

"Right," Bella replied. Emily hadn't exactly asked what she was doing awake, so she wasn't really planning on explaining. If it was up to her, she would be up in her dorm, a short novel in her hands, reading by candlelight. But as it was, much of her life was not up to her.

[darkfall]

Allison walked into the common room just then. She gave a small smile and a quick nod of the head to Emily, but when she laid eyes on Bell she glowered, her smile dropping instantly. "Bellatrix. See Daddy left you a little present. He must be so proud." she said, the bitter taste of annoyance wrapping around her tongue.

[gooddontalwayswin]

What the hell? How did Allison know that? Bella jumped to her feet and in seconds was in front of her seconds. "You know what, get away from me, bitch!" she yelled at her, her hand flying to the wand in her pocket. She didn't need this, not from Allison.

[darkfall]

Allison was stunned silent, but she retracted her wand from her pocket just as fast. "Now now now dearest, wouldn't want to get that pretty little face damaged. Or expelled." she sneered. "A mere child such as yourself shouldn't get into these situations. "Not when your only two life lines are either locked up or in hysterics."

[gooddontalwayswin]

This pushed Bella over the edge angry at her sister. "Well guess what?" she said, her tone rising. She was no longer even aware that Emily was in the room. "Your dear older brother already offered me the option of coming and living with you two, without even consulting you." Bella noticed the look of shock and grinned slyly. "But I turned him down. Why? Because I'm brave enough to handle the idiots back home, unlike you."

[darkfall]

"That tears it!" Allison shrieked. She tackled her sister to the couch, feeling the adrenaline. "I have been taking 13 years of you Bellatrix! And what thanks do I get? A little bitchy sister!" she hissed.

[gooddontalwayswin]

"Yeah, well I hate to break it to you, but you're no princess yourself, bitch," Bella replied hotly, pushing her sister hard off of her. She rose to her feet once more, her wand raising in front of her.