Mild Thoughts [Bella]

[ru]

Diagon Alley.

There was never a place like Diagon Alley. Avery had always liked it. There were always a bunch of reasons that explained why the young seventeen year old boy liked the place. It was slightly a breath taking place for the young boy but he didn't exactly know why. It just was.

Diagon Alley has many shops but Avery barely shopped. He hated shopping and other varieties like shopping. Avery just went there to take a load off from school. He hated school and all it's monstrous subsidies. He didn't like Knockturn Alley so much. It was a bit too dark for the young boy. He hated dark corners and streets where weird people, in his case, witches and wizards, come up to you and give you the weird looks.

He glanced down the pathway. It was terribly crowded. Avery wasn't surprised, Diagon Alley was always so crowded. He thought of turning around and making his way back into the castle but he was just too lazy to get back there. He glanced up at the skies. Strangely, they were getting darker these days. It seemed as if it were to rain that day. It was raining everyday these days. It wasn't really odd though.

He was having a slight hang-over. There was a great party in the Slythern common room the night before. He must have drank too much firewhiskey that night. He adored the warm burns that trickled down his throat and now that he was turning eighteen in a few weeks time, he was old enough to drink any sort of alcohol. He felt his forehead, it was pounding. He slightly grumbled as he made his way through the busy streets of Diagon Alley.

He finally approached the Leaky Cauldron. He entered and sat down at a far away table at a far corner in the small, dark pub. A woman walked over to him, smiling. "What would you like, sir? She asked brightly. "Firewhiskey, please," He ordered coldly. The woman arched an eyebrow, 'humphed', and then walked off with her nose in the air. He sighed.

[kai]

Bellatrix was once again in Knockturn Alley, she seemed to frequent this place more than was usually necessary, in any case, she liked it here, it felt like home to her, it always had. There wasn't another alley in the whole of Britain with the same atmosphere as in here. The dark corners which gave way to groups of Dark wizards waiting to hex you to an inch of your life, the hags which milled around trying to sell you something for a knut or two and then there were the stores. Merlin, what would she do if Knockturn alley ceased to be? She would have to find another place to go shop. Another place to feel at home. Hell, she felt more at home here than in her own house. She hummed softly as she stepped into Borgin, taking no time in moving to the counter and ordering the package that had been reserved in her name. Of course there was little trouble with the exchange, Borgin would never want to displease her. He would not survive the encounter.

Surely there was something about the alley which should have put her off, but there wasn't. She had hidden in the shadows here once, when she had been an outcast due to her escape from Azkaban, but now? Her name was cleared on the orders of Lord Voldemort. All the Death Eaters records had been wiped clean – if they'd had records of course. There was no record anywhere that Bellatrix had ever been in Azkaban, though that had been her own doing. She wanted no more connection to that place than utterly necessary and even the little she had was far too much. It would have been prudent if society just crumbled in on itself in a way that Azkaban was not needed any more. It would certainly make her feel better.

So in all fact there was nothing else to be done in the alley once she had picked up this package but she moved from this store into the potions one, scouring the aisles looking to see if there was something which caught her eye and bingo. This utterly unfamiliar plant crossed her vision. She patiently and with much calmness asked the owner of the shop what it's name was and its list of properties, to which she merely nodded and bought some. This could work well in one of the potions she was working on, there was nothing better than experimentation. She did not trust Snape with her potions, she refused to utilize them. He could poison her after all. She would never allow that.

So that done she slipped out of the store and seconds later of of the alley and into the more public and full alley of Diagon. She was planning on moving through the Leaky Cauldron to head to the edge of the anti-apparition wards on the area and then head home to work on her potions when a figure caught her attention, especially his words. Nott. He was certainly not old enough to drink, yet she would not stop him, if the boy wanted to get drunk she was all for watching him move around drunk. Hell, it would be more interesting if he fell over and injured himself. Appearing silently behind him she arched an eyebrow, “Tell me Nott, what would your father say if I told him you were in this dump drinking its tainted firewhiskey?”

[ru]

“Tell me Nott, what would your father say if I told him you were in this dump drinking its tainted firewhiskey?”

As he took a slight sip from his Firewhiskey he heard a very familiar voice which made him spit out the Fire whiskey, accidentally of course, as she ended her words. Bellatrix Lestrange. His eyes moved to the shadow that stood over him, which sat on the wall to his right. "Fancy seeing you here," He kept his stare on the shadow. "Miss, Lestrange" He added with a hint of venom. He never really enjoyed the company of the woman but the chat might turn out to be interesting at the very end. He slightly got up, taking the firewhiskey with him, and stood in front of the woman and watched her.

He took another sip from the firewhiskey. "My father would say many things, ma'am," He spoke with a slightly respectful tone of voice. He was brought up to be respectful. He certainly wasn't a sewer rat, that was for sure. He finished the last of the whiskey, but then ordered another one. "Would you perhaps, like to sit?" He asked, with a gentleman like tone. He pulled her out a chair, and then sat himself on the opposite seat, clearing his throat, his eyes stood still on the woman. He wondered what was going on in the woman's head. To be honest, he really did not want to know.

He took a deep sip from the firewhiskey and set it down. He lifted on leg and rested it on the other. He was of course, wearing a dark suit and suspenders. It was probably his usual style. He bit the bottom of his lip and then finally said something. "Of course, where would you like us to descend to? The Dragon Pub in Knockturn Alley?" He scoffed. "I believe we're much more than that sewer place," He sighed, glancing towards the door. He was growing a bit weak due to the alchohol running through his veins. Was he going to collapse in front of this woman?

[kai]

Bellatrix was well informed of the Nott family, of course, she had to be. She was Second in Command of the Death Eaters, not even Lucius bloody Malfoy had the power she had at her fingertips. Oh no, Lucius was...their financial backer, one that was no long er really necessary now that they had the whole Wizarding World at their disposal. That was it thought, Lucius thought himself the best of the best, when in reality he really was lacking in some areas. More than not really. There was nothing to be said about the rest of them, some Death Eaters were just fools, glory seeking idiots who would never rise from the rank they were at. Ever. So her eyes glanced over this Nott child, taking in ever feature, comparing him to his mother and his father. The child was attractive, she could say that, but he held no candle to her own nephew at that age. Draco had been in a league of his own, one which Avery would never ever get close too.

A small smirk graced her lips at the tone of his voice, venomous, the feeling was mutual, her company was better spent with someone else, rather than a child, but she really held some interest as to how this child viewed the world, and how Hogwarts was faring for the Slytherins. Above all else she only cared about her old house. Slytherin through it all. Even in death. Her fingers fluttered slightly against the fabric of her corset dress as she watched him. A curl of hair had fallen over her eyes and she reached daintily back and pushed it out of the way back into the rest of the curls as he spoke again..and drank his firewhiskey. He could drink all he wanted, there was little that would do to raise him in her list of people that she could tolerate – unless he did something to raise her opinion of him, he would forever be a child in her eyes.

The respect wound back in his voice as he spoke, and that was good. She would not have to crucio him for his cheek. Bella was sure that Avery's father would not dare to question her. He just wouldn't she would have to Crucio him too if it came to that, and everyone knew just how much she loved that particular spell. Indeed, Bellatrix had a sick love for the spell, but it was just the fact that it was the best feeling when one cast it. While the victim felt pain, the caster felt the utmost pleasure, some would even state it was better than sex. Hell, it depended sometimes.

“Oh no dear child” she murmured, placing the stress on the correct word, “I would never lower myself to drink in..public, least of all with someone underaged. Especially in the rat infested place that is the Dragon Pub.” she added pointedly as her eyes roamed the room, she took the seat he had offered though. She waved the woman away with a small snarl, she did not want their infested drinks. No thank you. “So tell me Avery, how goes Hogwarts?” she asked, her meaning and intent perfectly clear.

[ru]

He noticed that smirk. That famous smirk of hers. He smirked back. He would give her a taste of her own medicine. If she wanted to play like that, then he would play like that. Oh no, that smirk disappeared and had transformed itself into a playful smile. His face had definition, although it didn't. Not many people could define the thoughts that Avery Theodore Nott was thinking of. His gray eyes kept flickering on Bellatrix's facial expression. He put the firewhiskey away, got himself up and turned around, glancing around. A wave of nausea ran through him but he kept himself still and normal.

He glanced at a drunk man touching a woman's ass. A playful smirk played on his lips, as he arched his blond eyebrows. His quick facial expression quickly disappeared as he turned to glance at Bellatrix. "Terribly sorry about that, madame," He said respectfully, sitting back down in his seat. He glanced down at the firewhiskey bottle. It was driving him mad. His head was still pounding from last night's party. He loved parties but sometimes they just went out of hand.

“I would never lower myself to drink in..public, least of all with someone underaged. Especially in the rat infested place that is the Dragon Pub.”

Another smirk sat upon his pale lips. "Surely," he replied. Just then, another wave of nausea ran through him. He hung his head quite lowly as his lovely blond hair fell all over his pale face. He gulped. He placed a hand upon his forehead. "Excuse me," He pulled himself off of the chair and made his way towards the bathroom. He stood above the sink and glanced at himself. He looked normal, although he wasn't feeling okay. Nothing was coming out either. He tugged on the water faucet and splashed a few water particles onto his face.

A few minutes later, he turned around and made his way out of the bathroom quite confidently. He walked over to his original spot and sat down facing the woman. He tapped his fingertips on the wooden table, staying silent. He loved silence. He hated crowds. Some could say he was slightly a loner, but really he wasn't. He had many friends and acquaintances, although he rarely spoke to any of them.

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[kai]

Bellatrix had to hide a smirk as his face paled dramatically, though he was unaware of this before he stood and excused himself. Honestly, some people could seriously not handle a hang-over. It was pathetic as to how people seemed to drink and drink without thought of the consequences before they woke up the next morning and had the worst type of headache known to man. Of course, there was also the fact that there was such a thing as a Hangover cure, but some people seemed to forget the simple things in life. There was no worry running though her as Avery disappeared in to the bathroom, she could honestly not care if the boy choked on his own vomit induced by his drinking. She would leave his corpse there for someone else to find and worry over.

Of course, while he was gone her eyes glanced around the room, her bright green eyes watched the patrons of the bar as her thoughts went to her husband and then her lover. Rodolphus was out for the night, on a mission for the Dark Lord, which was always good. That merely meant that her night was free so she would have to drop by Rabastan's later on, and if he was out she would have to find another way to entertain herself, thought that was most likely not going to happen. She had a feeling that Rabastan would be home, or even waiting for her once she returned home. Surely Bella had no shame when it came to the fact that she was having an affair with her husbands own brother. But really, Rodolphus deserved it for treating her the way he did.

Her fingers moved to her hip as she was sat, her long fingers rubbed softly over one of the many hidden bruises which were hidden by glamours and her clothes. Rodolphus was always rougher than was necessary, but then again, she didn't mind and she reciprocated in the same amount of strength. While she was not as physically strong as her husband, she was always able to find a way to hurt him. Rodolphus stabbed her when she asked for it, and sometimes even when she hadn't. She just thought that he enjoyed hearing her half scream lead into a moan at the pain, but he was almost happy when she was writing in pain. Hell, had she not been writhing in pain she would be radiating happiness at the fact she was being hurt.

The boy was back now, and her eyes took over as they glanced towards him, her fingers having resorted to tapping against her hip. That tapping was bothering her, it was reminding her of her time in Azkaban, the dripping of the water onto the floor of her cell, her eyes darkened slightly as her fingers twitched under the table. Her hand flicked out quicker than one thought possible and stabbed the blade she kept hidden up her sleeve an inch away from his fingers. “It would be in your best interests to cease that infernal tapping Avery.” her voice was calm and collected, there were some looks being shot her way but she ignored them. “Now I do believe I asked about Hogwarts before you disappeared to the bathroom.” she added. She hated being ignored.

[ru]

“It would be in your best interests to cease that infernal tapping Avery.”

He stopped, gazing at her. He noticed a few people staring at them both at the very corners of his eyes. He ignored and kept his gaze on her. "Alright...Alright," He said reasonably. His nausea had officially worn off. As the woman behind the counter gestured if he would like another one, he merely shook his head and grumbled, still gazing are her. He had least expected to be in this kind of situation that day. He woke up in the morning thinking it would be a very normal day, but it turned out to be much more than a normal day. He found it slightly interesting how all this could happen in one day.

“Now I do believe I asked about Hogwarts before you disappeared to the bathroom.”

Ah, right he remembered. He just remembered. Was his memory fading off too these days? He shouldn't let his memories slip. "Hogwarts is quite fine as it is. Good grades always get a person somewhere, yeah?" He asked with a strong British accent, smirking. He glanced at a waitress eying him with taste. He sighed, ignoring as he turned away and glanced at Bella again. She walked over to him, and before she could open her mouth, he quickly answered. "Not interested," He said muttering his very little words. She turned away with disappointment and walked off into the wild mist.

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[kai]

Bellatrix was watching him, though now in way that would have given off what she was doing. As he moved, as he spoke she was taking in details. Bellatrix was a natural predator so there was always the fact that everyone was her enemy and she was always looking for a weakness. It seemed that Avery could not control himself after he'd been drinking. That could prove useful if there was ever a time that she needed to get him out of the way and keep him alive. She could simply drug him. Then stun him and lock him somewhere, she would actually probably forget that she'd locked him up in the first place, so yet again she would have no problem in finding out he had died. Poor bloke really, nothing that couldn't be helped.

Weaknesses made a person who they were as well as their strengths, Bellatrix was someone who picked up on those, both kinds and it was easy to see which one dominated more, which one posed more of a problem and which could be used to her advantage. Bellatrix was a natural. And she was only getting better with age. That was a fact she was proud of. She'd been in His service for far too long for her skills to go rusty. She never allowed that. Never, it would be an insult to her Lord. She could never allow herself to be weak. She was not weak. Honestly.

Her fingers wrapped around the blade and she pulled it effortlessly out of the table and pushed it back into its place on her thigh under her dress where it was stuck with a silent and wandless sticking charm. There were a number of weapons on her person, but she moved their places daily to make sure that no one was aware. No even her husband knew how much she had on her since she removed it all before he got his hands on her. Rodolphus' mind was rather one tracked. It was amusing but then again, the sex was great, so he was allowed to have a mind like that. She cared little for any other thoughts really. Her eyes picked up some more conversation around them but nothing too interesting.

"Hogwarts is quite fine as it is. Good grades always get a person somewhere, yeah?" The reply was strong, and there was a smirk on his face, her own face was etched in a look which was agreeable, but then again, this was nothing new. She nodded her head once before she looked up at the waitress. Stupid bitch, interrupting their conversation. She rolled her eyes and sent a silent and wandlessly stinging hex at the woman with a smirk watching her as she jumped a mile in the air. Her eyes immediately glanced back at Avery before she replied. ”Of course, Avery. I'm sure your father expects nothing lower than Outstandings?” she asked smoothly.