Special Tutoring. (Bellatrix)

Bella sat in the courtyards, her cloak draped over her shoulders, staring down at the Transfiguration book that she was attempting to read. In all honesty, it might as well have been written in Chinese. The longer that she looked at it, the more difficult that it seemed to become to understand. Teacup to mouse transfigurations; those were easy...but when it came to the idea of completely transfiguring one’s appearance to that of an animal? That is where she became lost. It was inhuman that people could do that. Growling at her book like a dog frustrated by lack of a treat, Bella slammed the book shut and threw it to the ground. She had had just about enough of the bloody subject. Had she not gotten an O on her Transfiguration OWL, she would have never continued the subject. But Daddy dearest, the...loving soul that he was had demanded that she continue her studies until she was out of Hogwarts. Only then, he said, could she settle down marry Rodolphus Lestrange like had already been arranged and start her own little pureblood family, ”As if,” She muttered to herself, her eyes trained on the courtyard wall. It was then that she heard a popping noise and looked up to see a small figure standing next to her.

”A letter for you, Madame Black. From Professor Riddle.” The little house elf said, tentatively holding out the piece of parchment that had been addressed to Bella. She snatched it out of the elf’s hand, having heard Riddle’s name mentioned. He was an enigma to her. Someone that had interested her ever since the Welcome Back Feast. She was staring at the parchment when she realized that the nitwit elf was still standing next to her.

”Leave,” She commanded, shooing her hand at the elf. She wasn’t sure what it was still doing here. It had finished its job. Obviously stunned, the elf didn’t move for a moment, ”Go, now!” Bellatrix said, her eyes flaring up as she stared at the tiny creature. Not a moment after her rather aggressive words had left her lips did the elf disappear with a pop and she was left alone with the letter.

Scanning the letter, she nodded along. She could only guess what Professor Riddle wanted to talk about. Her performance last year in class? She had been exemplary in class last year, hadn’t she? Sure, she had had her fair share of snarky comments to follow the professor’s words, but that had been expected of her. She briefly hoped that she wouldn’t be penalized for her actions last year. As for the Quidditch team, she could talk for hours about the plans that she had for the Slytherins...so that wouldn’t be a problem. For a moment, Bellatrix paused and tried to figure out the feeling that seemed to be filling the pit of her stomach. Anxiety? No, she didn’t get anxious. Excitement? Far more likely, indeed. She had heard the rumors about Riddle and now might be the perfect time to ask if they were true...provided this meeting went as planned.

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Bella stood in front of the door to Riddle’s office, feeling rather like a painted pumpkin. She had donned one of her favorite dresses and a necklace as well as actually put on make-up this evening. She knew that she looked good, but wasn’t sure why she was trying so hard. Perhaps it was just in her nature to keep herself one step above everyone else. She lifted her hand to the door and knocked twice in very quick succession, ”Professor?” She asked as she pushed the door open with her hip. She was over-excited, she could feel it in her bones, that was the reason that she had entered without waiting. But then she saw him, sitting at his desk, looking rather like a painting. She felt her insides do a flip, ”I-” She felt herself at a loss for words as she stood there staring at him from the doorway.

Bellatrix ate it up from the very beginning. It almost looked as if Professor Riddle was beaming at her; pride dripping from every look that he gave her. Bella immediately felt her walls falling down around him, unsure of what was happening. Had all the rumors been true about him? Instantly, she wanted to start asking questions, wanted to explore what he had to offer her, but her words were still stuck somewhere in her throat. ‘Very impressive,’ His voice rang through her head like a bell in a tower. It almost seemed as if the words were echoing a million times, causing her to almost feel weak in the knees; that was when she managed to make it over to the chair and all but sink into the cushioning. She stared up at him, her eyes bright. It was then that she realized the longer she continued to act like a lost puppy, the worst of an impression she was going to give. So she straightened her back, rolled her shoulders backwards, and lifted her chin slightly. She moved her chair slightly forward so that she was closer to the desk and could see exactly to what he was referring on her records...however he never set it down, he just looked at it.

Desperately trying to remember what she had marked on her last DADA examinations, she pursed her lips, ”Thank you, Professor but-” She managed to say her first complete sentence since she had stepped into his classroom. She knew that her marks had been high, after all, she was Bellatrix Black. It was expected of her...lest she received a painful punishment from her father. She managed not to give him a full-fledged smile, lest he think she was too excitable, and settled for a half-grin that reached the corners of her lips. She had all but forgotten that Riddle had inherited the Slytherin House because of his new job, ”But I’m hardly a child,” She wasn’t sure what had caused her to say it, but suddenly she was curious to see his reaction. She didn’t want him to think that she couldn’t handle things just because she was a little bit younger than some. Then he smiled at her and she felt her mouth go dry again, ”Private sessions, sir?” She questioned. She had never once referred to someone as sir in her entire life, but in that moment, it seemed to fall out of her mouth like vomit.

The Dark Arts. No, Riddle wasn’t talking about defense against the Dark Arts, he was talking about the real thing. The very thing that Bella had always wanted to learn; the things that made her tick...the reason that she was so sick and twisted like she was. She wanted the Dark Arts in her life and he was offering her a chance, ”I’m not sure that-” Bellatrix paused mid-sentence, unsure of what she was even saying. She had to admit that being in the very presence of the man who she had been curious about since the beginning of the year was a little intimidating. She closed her mouth and stared at him carefully, weighing her options, but ultimately knowing that there was no contest, ”I have no doubt in my mind that you have your ways of knowing things, Professor.” She said firmly, trying to prove that she wasn’t afraid of him, although, in all honesty, she probably was. He was the first person that she had come across that made her feel like an ignorant little child but at the same time as if she was capable of anything, ”Yes.” She all but whispered her answer to his offer, her eyes looking up from under her dark lashes. What he was offering her was something that she had wanted for a very long time, ”But Professor, why me?”

Bellatrix wasn’t sure how she had expected him to react, but when he finally countered her point about hardly being a child, she was...in awe. It seemed as if this man thought so highly of her already and she had only just began the year with him. She leaned forward as he talked about untapped potential, wondering what exactly he meant. Did she have some unseen ability that she didn’t even know about? What did he see in her that made her such an interest to him? Bella put on her best smile and then folded her legs as gracefully as she could manage, trying to her best to impress him even more with her pristine manners. She was - after all - born into one of the most prestigious pureblood families, so she had a lot to bring to the table, ”Well, if I am unaware of my potential, I am extremely grateful that someone saw it within me,” She breathed, her eyes flitting up from the paperwork that was on Riddle’s desk. She cast a long look at him from under her lashes, reveling in the moment. He was so powerful; every move that he made made her feel subordinate to him. It was what she had always craved people feel in her presence and seeing it first hand made it even more intoxicating.

He started naming off the things that Bella possessed that made her the perfect candidate for the special lessons that he was provide and she found that she agreed with all of them. She knew that her bloodline was one of the more gorgeous of the purebloods, nearly free of taint. Her marks were her pride and joy last year and had earned her a good standing in her year. She looked up to see what he was thinking and found herself encountering a grin that was unlike any that she had ever seen. It was dangerous, it was malicious, it was the most wicked thing that she had ever seen. Her eyes grew wide for a moment in shock, but she quickly recovered as the conversation progressed.

Bells couldn’t figure out what he was talking about. What was going to be so draining about these lessons? She bit down on her lip slightly, unsure of what to say to the man that sat across the desk from her. He instructed her that none of this was to effect her studies or her Quidditch career, which she completely understood, ”Of course professor,” She said, raising both of her eyebrows, ”And the Headmaster will never hear of it from me.” She knew that was the truth. She would hold this secret to the grave if she had to. Bellatrix Black was loyal unlike anyone else in the world...especially to those that she deemed worthy, and Professor Riddle was definitely one of those people. He saw her potential. He saw what not many people saw in Bella.

She watched him carefully as he stuffed her folder back into his desk. He kept his eyes down and she couldn’t see the contents of the desk, but she assumed that there was something important in there. Something that she would probably never be privy to; not that it bothered her, of course. She was more than excited to have been invited for this opportunity, ”Professor, might I ask how many other students you have chosen for this...honor?” She leaned back in the chair that she sat, squaring her shoulders and pressing her lips together. She was never sure if she was crossing a line or not, but attempted to be as put together as possible so that her nervousness didn’t show. Within a few seconds, she found that the adrenaline was too much and she had to switch her sitting position to one that was more comfortable, ”Can we start tonight?” Her voice suddenly broke through the silence and she stared, rather wide-eyed, at the Professor. ‘Way to act like an immature teenager, Bells. So much for not being a child,’ She scolded herself.

Bellatrix sat there, almost stunned for a moment as she tried to process his words. She knew better than to argue with him, but couldn't help but feel a little ill at ease because she wasn’t allowed to know anyone else who was involved. She wanted to at least be able to talk about it with someone. Just the same, she knew that it wasn’t her place to argue with Professor Riddle, nor was it her place to tell him that he was wrong in keeping everyone’s identities secret, ”Yes, Professor,” She answered and nodded her head, giving her a sense that she was submitting to him. But for some reason, she didn’t mind. There was something about him that made her want to submit. She wanted him to be proud of her...and apparently that was what was happening indeed.

She saw that he flashed her a smile and she couldn't help but feel a strange twist in the pit of her stomach. She couldn’t quite explain the feelings that she was having about this whole situation, but she wasn’t sure that she wanted to. Bellatrix Black was, for once in her life, completely content with just sitting in front of this man and basking in the oddities that he seemed to be presenting her with. He said that they could begin tonight and she felt her heart start racing a little faster. What would they be learning? What could he teach her? The excitement was practically killing her, but she was doing her best not to let it show on the outside. Upon hearing the door click shut and the lock turn, she crossed one leg over the other, opting for a position that made her appear far more casual than she felt, ”Professor,” Bellatrix said as she leaned forward, staring intently into his eyes. She wasn’t sure why he was giving her another chance to walk away when it was so obvious that she was intent upon carrying out these lessons to completion, ”I will never wish to unlearn what you are about to show me. And secrets-” She paused, looking down to straighten the hemline of her dress and then looking back up to meet his sharp gaze, ”Secrets have always been my strong suit.” Whereas that wasn’t entirely true, Bells would make it a point to make it true for this particular situation.

She bit down on her lip slightly, trying not to smile. What kind of wizard went anywhere without a wand? Realizing that she had opted not to bring a bag, she figured that was why he was asking. She leaned backwards, lifted her sleeve and tugged the wand out from the compartment that it had been resting in, ”Never go anywhere without it,” She breathed, her eyes flashing dangerously. There was more than excitement in her voice, and she hoped that he wouldn’t think her too eager for the tasks at hand.

He rightly assumed that Bellatrix had a knowledge of the curses; they were something that she had been brought up around. She read of their effects in numerous accounts in the Black Family library, but more importantly, she had seen them first hand. Drawn out of her own thoughts by the placement of the glass container in front of her, she stared at it curiously. Bellatrix sat there staring at the lab rat with interest. It’s beady red eyes looked her over and she stared straight back at it, keeping her face as still and emotionless as possible. It was like they were at an impasse, one trying to best the other under the careful watch of Professor Riddle. But Bells knew that she wouldn’t be bested by her enemies...no matter if they were tiny white lab rats. Biting down on her lip, she began to realize the seriousness of the situation; she had never used an Unforgivable Curse. Never in her life. She had seen her father use the Cruciatus Curse loads of times...torturing the people that he hated. Even torturing her on occasion when she displeased him. That was the extent of what she knew. She realized that he was waiting for her to proceed and for a moment, she felt her heart jump into her throat.

”I-” She was about to ask for more information, but she realized that he probably wouldn’t be too pleased. After all, the look that was written all over his face at the moment seemed to be just the tip of the ice-burg of annoyance that Professor Riddle was trying to keep in check. She lifted her wand slightly, hyper aware of the fact that her hands were shaking. ‘Get it together, Bells,’ She commanded herself as she continued to stare down the rat that was in front of her. With a deep breath she opened her mouth, ”Imperio,” She practically whispered, waiting for something to happen. She wasn’t sure what she expected to see...perhaps a glint of recognition from the rat or something that revealed her to be the master of his actions...and yet, he just continued to sit there, perfectly content to stare up at her as if she was liable to give him a treat at any moment.

It was only then that Bellatrix bit down on her lip so hard that she managed to break the skin. She could feel the anger bubbling up inside of her. She couldn’t fail like this in front of the man that she had only begun to idolize this year...she couldn’t imagine seeing the look of failure in his eyes that she had all to often seen in her own father’s looks. Her eyes flashed dangerously at the rat who was licking his paws as if the world was his oyster. ‘Damn this bloody beast,’ She mentally growled as she raised her wand for a second time, ”Imperio!” She snapped, all of her anger and frustration directed toward the tiny rat that suddenly stopped moving and looked up at her with clouded eyes. It was only then that Bellatrix realized what she had just done...She had preformed her first unforgivable. The sense of giddy excitement that filled her very essence started bubbling over and before she knew what was happening, she was on her feet, her wand still pointed at the rat, moving it up and down as the animal danced to the silent music that was inside Bells’ head.

Bellatrix twisted her wand in circles as the rat followed her instructions to a t and for a moment, she was lost in her own little world. It was just her and the Dark Magic...everything else falling by the way-side until Professor Riddle drew her back to reality with his voice. Her head snapped up and she caught what appeared to be the remnants of a smile on his lips. ’Is he really smiling at me?’ She asked herself, half in disbelief. She wasn’t sure why she was having such a hard time believing that it was real, but all of a sudden she felt as if her knees were going to buckle under her own weight. He expressed his pride in her and she felt even more like she was going to be ill - but ill in a completely and utterly perfect way. This was what she had always wanted: Someone to take her under their wing and teach her everything that they knew...all the while being so understanding, proud, and powerful. Professor Riddle was most certainly an enigma, that was for certain, ”Thank you, Professor,” She managed to say, her voice almost high-pitched and squeaky like a young school-girl’s. She bit down on her lip immediately, realizing that she sounded incredibly childish, ”I suppose having a good tutor is the best way to accomplish any task...?” She questioned lightly, daring to cast another glance up at him from under her dark eyelashes.

She was paying attention to his actions as he moved forward and began pressing her wand away from the rat. Quickly, she became concerned with what was happening. She knew if she moved her wand away, she would lose control. It happened every time she tried to use wand-less magic too. Professor Riddle’s words sunk into the back of her mind, urging her to focus all of her energy onto the rat and keeping it still in place. She could nearly feel all of her muscles tensing up at the thoughts that she was having. It was as if her body believed that if it tensed up completely, then the rat would do the same. The rat was beginning to shake off its drowsiness, moving its head from side to side as it tried to figure out what had just happened. Bells pressed her lips together in a thin line, ‘You are not to move. You’re not to move. You’re not to move.’ She chanted to the animal, and yet, the longer that it sat there, the more active that it became. Suddenly, the rat looked as if it was about to jump off of the table. Instinctively, Bellatrix grabbed the container from where it had came and slammed it over the top of the rat so that it would have no where to do.

She stared at the rat from under the glass, watching as it pressed its nose up against it and stared at her. She wanted to scream and throw things and break everything in the bloody office, but she knew that she couldn't. She couldn’t show him how close she was to being broken by the spell, so she did the only thing that she could think of, ”Professor-” She began, turning toward him, hoping not to see a look of disappointment or anger written upon his face, ”I’m a physical learner. I need to feel something before I understand it,” She began explaining as she ran her hands over the mahogany desk that she was standing next to, ”Would it be possible for you to-” She wasn’t sure why she was asking for this, knowing full-well that it was dangerous, ”Do the curse on me?” She questioned, tilting her head ever so slightly to the side in anticipation.

Bellatrix could feel the nervous anxiety down to her very core when Professor Riddle pulled out his wand. She hadn’t expected him to say yes without a little convincing, but the longer that she was around him, the more that she began to realize that he might have been as sick and twisted as she was - a thought that warmed the very cockles of her blackened heart, ”I know, Professor. Thank you for agreeing,” She returned when he told her that he would never do this without her permission. She was beginning to trust the man that she had idolized from the moment that she laid eyes on him and for some reason, she felt as if he was beginning to trust her as well. His words were smooth like liquid and they soothed Bellatrix. She wasn’t anxious about him casting the spell, but instead felt the strangest sense of euphoric excitement. He asked if she was sure and she immediately nodded her head, barely even taking a moment to think about what she was doing. With his wand pointed directly at her, Bells relaxed completed.

”Imperio!”

The word seemed to swallow up every bit of self that she had been holding on to. She wanted to open her mouth and say something, but it suddenly felt as if someone else was piloting her body. Her mind felt hazy, almost dizzying in its own sort of way. It wasn’t entirely unpleasant, and although she was vaguely aware that she wasn’t in control, she couldn’t seem to get herself to care. Slowly her feet began placing themselves in front of one another as she moved about in a tiny circle. She caught him smiling at her, but didn’t react. Her face was as blank as a crisp sheet of parchment. The more that she moved about in a circle, the more that she felt as if she was going to throw up. Round and round she moved until she abruptly stopped. The confusion managed to touch the outskirts of her thoughts, ‘Why did you stop?’ She asked herself, desperately searching for answers. It was then that her eyes caught Professor Riddle lowering his wand, as if he was showing her how it was supposed to be done. It was curious. Even though he was now only holding her in place with his apparent thoughts, she felt no weakening of the curse...nor was she sure that she felt anything at all. She could almost feel the attention that he was paying her radiating from his body and - if she had been in the proper state of mind - she would have been ecstatic. She suddenly felt as if she was the only woman in the world with Professor Riddle, such an interesting feeling, indeed.

He started circling her and she wanted to follow him with her eyes, but she was glued to the very spot. She could hear his voice moving around her as he walked, but was powerless against the spell. He asked what the most important thing in the world was to her. ‘Zeke Maxwell-’ She answered in her mind, but the answer that he seemed to pluck from her thoughts was something different entirely. Her bloodline. He said the word mudblood and children in the same sentence and Bellatrix wanted to throw up, but she remained rooted and without emotion on her face. As much as it was freeing to not have to worry about responsibly under the spell, she hated the fact that he could do this to her. She loathed it. She could feel the beginnings of anger starting to bubble in her veins at the very thought. And yet, he continued to poke and prod and push the subject. ‘Never, I’ll never marry a mudblood. Or a bloody muggle. Or a half-blood. I’ll never ever bloody have children,’ Her mind tried to answer, anger taking over most of her emotions.

She could feel more anger bubbling in her veins toward the man that was now torturing her with this curse, ‘I’ll never marry a muggle and bare is squib children, you bloody-’

”I want to marry a muggle and bare his squib children,” The voice that came out of her mouth was most certainly hers, but it was a little too bright to belong entirely to her. It was as if she was actually excited about the prospect. After she had spoken, she neatly closed her mouth and stood there patiently, as if she was waiting for her next order. It was as if the real Bellatrix was locked within her own thoughts, completely powerless to escape and that was when she understood the curse. It wasn’t about keeping them under your control and your hand, it was about forcing them to lock themselves up and keeping them contained to their own mind. That was how you controlled them. Forcing them to live within their thoughts without really living within the real world was torture enough.