forged in fire || [ZEKE]

Bells immediately raised both of her eyebrows in delight. Zeke never failed to entice her with a verbal joust, however, she knew better than to let him get away with such libel, “Please. If I remember correctly, you were always the one who cried after I beat you in Dueling club my third year, pet.” She looked at him longer than she should have, admiring the way his lips curled in his own sadistic smile - he was just as she remembered him...if not even more incredible, “I do not pout.” She muttered, watching him close his eyes in response to her touch. Her darling Zeke Maxwell. It was still processing in her head. But of course, he applauded her form and she drew back her hand, “Was that a compliment? I dare say you’re losing your edge.” She knew that she was dangerous, she had already mastered spells that were powerful, but now she had been working on her form. Magic was an art form, one she intended on perfecting.

Bellatrix listened with quiet curiosity. She would never understand Fable and she could only surmise that he was dead. Perhaps Zeke himself had been the one to kill him off after his failure with the army. The thought made her grip around his shoulder even tighter. Immediately, however, it shifted to talk of the Dark Lord and Bells felt a stinging in her throat. He hadn’t revealed much to her. In fact, he had been rather secretive. Once his most trusted student, Bells now struggled to regain her place as his pet, “I’m afraid he hasn’t.” She breathed, reaching up to check the small cut that was on her cheek. It had stopped bleeding for now. Her lip snarled up, however at the mention of Longbottom, “I knew he was a traitor.” She breathed, angered by the thought, “We can’t win a war when our own turn against us. Do they not understand the importance.” Bellatrix herself knew better than to taint the bloodlines - that was why her marriage and procreation was so important...or at least, it had been, “Algie as well? Someone needs to punish them...” Shaking her head Bells knew that they would have to reign in the rest of the purebloods. The time was growing near, Zeke was right.

Her dark smile reached the corners of her lips as he told her where his own loyalties lay. Bells reached up and placed a finger to his lips, silencing the words that they spoke about their loyalties. It was dangerous, even here. And should the Dark Lord ever catch wind of the promises that they spoke, he would strike them down. Leaders of the first army. They were young, younger than many of the other recruits. But between the strategy that Zeke possessed and the aggression and talent that flowed through her own veins, surely they could raise an army that would defy their odds. After all, that had been the reason Zeke was sent into Hogsmeade.

‘I will kill you should you do it,’ Her thoughts were dangerous, but Bellatrix was not above them. Now that she had Zeke back, she refused to give him up again. They had always been meant for something profound, “Don’t call me Trixie, sweetie.” Her eyes sparked. Pulling away from him again, Bells got to her feet, but didn’t let go of his hand. She pulled him up with her and moved to the desk where the artifacts and articles of her life were still spread out, “Checking up on me?” She wondered, leaning against the table.

Bells felt her competitive side already pulling on her head, “Come now, surely you don’t think just because you’re a year older than me you’re that much more talented. We all know the truth-” She had been training so hard with the Dark Lord, she wanted to believe that she could beat anyone. Given that, she knew that if she was pitted against Zeke, she wouldn’t put up a good fight. She would let him win, “I’d hardly call natural talent over confidence.” She breathed, leaning her head against her shoulder to stop him from whispering sweet nothings into her ear.

“Should have been Head Girl if you ask me,” Bells breathed, closing her eyes slightly as she felt him press his lips against the top of her head and then rest there. Of course they had given in to Stasja - Bellatrix thought that it was only because the girl showed a little too much skin. And of course he took a dig at her Quidditch team, “Trust me, we would have been far better off if Rabastan didn’t get expelled, Basil paid attention, and-” She sucked in a deep breath knowing that the last chaser was the one who elicited the most bitterness in her mouth. In fact, she could almost taste the bile at the thought of his name, “The other Lestrange actually showed up for practice.” She managed to growl. He let go of her and she felt her stomach drop. Immediately she reached out for him, knowing that he was only a few feet away but still being afraid that he was going to disappear the moment she let her guard down.

She watched him freeze as he picked up one of the pieces of parchment and could only imagine what it was. Of course she could see the moving picture of her and Rod in front of the Lestrange family mansion - it seemed so long ago now....so long ago and yet still so fresh in her mind. She immediately turned her chin, staring into the fireplace in the corner of the room, trying her best not to let her anger show. She had been betrayed by Rodolphus. Betrayed in the most vile of ways and one day she would take her revenge, “Dont.” She muttered, but he returned to the desk and placed the papers back upon the wooden surface, “I’ve been keeping the rest of the house in line, of course. Studying avidly in my lessons with Professor Riddle. Druella is as grueling as ever-” Her mother had been even more off her rail since Bells had eluded that she was no longer getting married, “Narcissa and Andromeda have been ever distant. As for me? I have been but a flower absent from the spring.” She mumbled the last part, placing her hand on his chest to feel his heartbeat. Yes, he was most certainly still alive. Her life seemed so trivial now that he had moved past Hogwarts. She knew it was only a matter of time before she too could fully devote her life to the Death Eaters and their Dark Lord.

Perhaps now was a good time to tell him what the papers had undoubtedly failed to reveal about her life, “Maxwell, We...I-” The words didn’t seem to want to come out, leaving her staring up at him, green eyes full of longing.

Of course he brought up that night. It had been a disaster - hexes being thrown around like shoes and Bellatrix caught up in the middle...caught between Rodolphus and Zeke. That seemed to be her position of choice those days. But now was different. “I was going to,” Bellatrix countered and then laughed ever so slightly. She reached up and ran her finger down his jawline. She had been so territorial back then - even though Zeke was never really hers to be protective of. Bells had always cared for him in a very dangerous manner; it verged on self-destructive sometimes. She knew that she would do anything to protect him and he offered the same protection to her. Two joint-entities that were meant to exist in the same space and forge something together...something stronger than either of them could by themselves, “In fact, I still might should she ever find herself in your immediate presence again.” It was no secret that Bellatrix wasn’t overly fond of the blonde Slytherin girl who had surpassed her as Head Girl, “He was sent to Azkaban, too.” She raised her eyebrows. He should have known these things especially considering that Rab was now in the circles of the Death Eaters as a potion extraordinaire, “Rab's around. Always the nuisance.” She had a bit of a soft spot for Rab, ever since that night when they had found him...

She watched as he physically tensed and placed her hand on his shoulder, giving him a reassuring squeeze. She knew his mannerisms in and out, she could tell his thoughts even before he spoke them and she knew the effect that Rodolphus had on his nerves, “Some nitwit fifth year.” She answered and rolled her eyes. She was quite tired of the team and found herself wondering if it was even worth it any more. She could be out doing something incredible for the cause...and yet here she was worried about the Hogwarts Quidditch Cup, “Damian Locke is our Seeker...he’s going through preliminary processing as well - showed up to the meeting.” She was indifferent toward her Seeker, however. He neither did anything for her nor seemed to want to do her dirty work.

Of course Zeke wanted to push her lessons with Riddle - she had always been blessed by her good-fortune. But she didn’t want to give away all her secrets; they made her feel powerful, “Our Dark Lord is brilliant.” Her eyes lit up almost instantly, “Threatens me with control and tantalizes with danger.” She let her fingertips run over his hand as they entwined themselves together and tried to refocus her attention, “Spring indeed.” She breathed.

He didn’t understand that what she wanted to tell him had nothing at all to do with her obligations. In fact, it was precisely the opposite - it had to do with her in-obligation to anyone. She was free. For once in their lives, they had happened upon each other at the opportune time. Just the same, she knew better than to push the subject - Zeke would talk about it when he was ready and she would surprise him with her news, “Of course, Maxwell. You have my word.” She smiled brightly, knowing that he would be thrilled to learn of her recent news...and perhaps even more thrilled when he found out that she wanted Rodolphus and this mysterious woman quite dead. Shaking her head, she leaned it against his chest, thankful to be in her little cocoon of safety once again. Zeke meant the world to her and having him back was like a dream, “Tell me more about indoctrination - the mark. How does it feel?” She wanted to be marked so badly, was desperate for the experience, and even more desperate to share it with her beloved.

It had been so long since someone had said that they loved her. Bellatrix Black had almost given up on the notion since he ‘died.’ She breathed in and then shook her head, “Of course, I already knew. I’ve always known.” She smiled ever so slightly as he kissed her forehead. She was in love with him too - but the words were hard for her. They always had been, in fact, she had only ever been able to tell him once and it had been an ordeal. They didn’t come naturally on her tongue. Never would. She was more versed in dangerous threats than whispers of affection.

Bells nodded when he inquired again about Rabastan, “He is indeed. Put me in my place during the meeting a few nights ago.” She muttered, remembering the way he had cut in front of her to tell her to go back to her place in line. That was what happened when she remained unmarked - everyone walked all over her. How long before she too could count herself as a member of the society?

“Perhaps you should accompany me to my next lesson-” Although, Bellatrix wasn’t sure that the Dark Lord would take kindly to her bringing a guest. Especially a guest that he had told her was dead...and had kept a secret from her for four long months. Zeke was right, of course. There was probably not a soul in the world who could actually control her; sure, some could reign her in, but she was a dangerous spirit...she had a mind entirely of her own, “A warning to all.” She muttered and then relaxed the furrow of her brow, trying her hardest not to smile at him so much. It was hard to control the positive emotions that were flowing through her - they seemed so foreign after so long - like alien invaders in her mind....but it wasn’t entirely bad. There was a sense of freedom that came along with it.

Bellatrix had never been particularly good at listening, but when it came to Zeke, she made herself focus on his words. Her ears were readily attuned to everything that he said, trying to process it with as little emotion as possible. She knew that it was the way things worked around ranks, but that didn’t make it any better. Just the thought of someone torturing him made her head practically spin. Suddenly she was very glad that he was there with his arms wrapped around her. She looked up at him from her place pressed against his chest, watching as his color visibly changed. Her arms wound her way around him, giving him a reassuring squeeze. It wasn’t until he reached the end of his words that the horrifying reality of the situation settled into Bells’ thoughts. Valerian. Immediately she pulled back, her eyes narrowed.

The patriarch of the Maxwell family and Bellatrix had never quite seen eye to eye when it came to Zeke. In fact, Bellatrix not so fondly remembered the night that Val had come to her common room and threatened her, only to break her wand because she refused to give up his son, “No.” She breathed, but she knew that what he was telling her was true. Connecting the dots backwards in his story, she knew that Astrid had been on it too, “Damn them!” She had seen them over the past few months - a united front at all the pureblood parties. Over the holidays, they had been a grieving family for their lost son. Never once had she expected that they were the ones holding him captive and torturing him. She wanted to protect him from them - briefly wondering if this was the same feeling that had driven Zeke to kill Cygnus, “You’re with me now. They can’t reach you here.” She wanted their blood.

Reaching up, she used her thumb to brush away the tears. She knew how fathers could do that to their children. She knew it all too well, but that didn’t make it feel any less like betrayal. She realized that she was still wearing her cloak and unlatched it at the neck, letting it fall to the ground and did the same to Zeke’s, then ever so carefully, she took his hands in hers and pressed them to her lips, “I do lo-” The word got stuck on the tip of her tongue and she kissed his white knuckles again.

Zeke seemed interested in Rabastan, but Bellatrix was anxious to get back to talking about them, “Something about necromancy. The details are fuzzy. Who knows - surely you could find the column within these stacks, hmm?” Bells realized that the words seemed a bit harsh and she bit down on her lip, knowing that she was a bit too eager, “He got expelled, went to Azkaban and was acquitted a bit later.”

“Poor.” She answered, shaking her head. The lessons that she had been having with the Dark Lord were centered around dangerous spells and using the offense. It didn’t leave her with much to protect herself. She knew she was the weapon, she was the dangerous wild-card. It was what made her valuable. Her eyes searched his face, hoping not to see disappointment. They all had their strengths, “He’ll know.” She answered truthfully, raising both of her eyebrows. There was no way that she could keep such a large secret from the man who was constantly browsing her thoughts like a children’s book.

Bells felt his hands on her shoulders dragging her out of the angry spat that she had momentarily been caught up in. She wasn’t shocked when he said that he had cut ties with his father - Bells entwined her fingers with his as best she could and breathed in the heated air between them. She wasn’t sure that there were words to express what she thought that needed to say - but she was almost certain that he already knew. Bellatrix understood why he had done what he had done to Cygnus because it was the same feeling that she had now. The desire to protect him from something that hurt him...Her green eyes searched his face watching as he got lost amongst his thoughts, undoubtedly playing chess in that silly head of his.

She wasn’t sure if she was supposed to stay or leave at this point - Bellatrix Black wasn’t sure what the proper protocol was in this situation. Her head told her that the more time she spent with Zeke the harder it would be to leave him when she had to, but her heart told her never to let him out of her sights again. His hand on her cheek seemed to draw her back into reality and she let her green eyes flutter closed momentarily, “I have missed you,” She breathed again, knowing this would be far from the last time that she said it. Her eyes opened as she decided that she wasn’t leaving until he explicitly asked her. And even then, it would be a struggle to get her out.

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ooc;; this is very bad. apologies