Belonging in Slytherin

For all that people said about Bellatrix Black - she was willful, she had a bad temper, she was spoiled, she was melodramatic - the one thing no-one could deny was that she kept her word, and Ethelina was unsurprised when the date of Healer Beanacre's trial was brought forward. Ethelina hadn't mentioned her chat with Bellatrix to her friends, who were delighted at the new trial date.

"I can't believe it," said Viola. "To be honest, I'm not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing... I'm too cynical."

"You do believe he's innocent," Ethelina pointed out.

"Yes, but do I have faith in the Wizengamot?" Viola asked.

Kelly stretched her feet out. They'd slowly made this corner of the Slytherin common room their own, and met here outside classes to talk and do homework together. "They're only human. That's the problem."

Viola frowned. "Also, I don't understand why the trial's been brought forward. Yes, it'll be a relief to know what's going to happen to Dad, but he's small fry. A no-one. I thought he'd be stuck in a queue behind any and all Death Eaters who get brought in."

"You've got friends in high places," Ethelina told her. Viola snorted. "Bellatrix told me she was going to have a word with people she knows."

"That old cow!" Kelly exclaimed. "As if she'd do something for nothing."

"She can be kind," Ethelina said. Actually, Bellatrix had been crueller than usual of late, less willing to help people with homework and spells, more prone to ranting and tantrums. Heaven help the Hufflepuff who accidentally walked into her in the Great Hall, or the Ravenclaw who picked up the library book she wanted. Even her fellow Slytherins trod warily around her. Only the Gryffindors were either too stupid or too brave (no-one could tell which) to get out of her way, and it seemed as though her cousin Sirius made a real effort to annoy her.

Viola was looking across at the sulking beauty. Bellatrix and Lucy Whitby were hogging the armchairs nearest the fire, both scowling and silent. "Does she really have that much influence, though? She's just a schoolgirl. And what's the matter with her lately anyway?"

"Who cares?" Kelly said bluntly. Ever since Bellatrix had put her in the Hospital Wing, Kelly had had no time for her. "But she is influential. Her relatives are blisteringly well-connected. All she really had to do was moan to her daddy about how horrible it was that a pureblood he knows is in Azkaban, and he'd probably have nudged his friends and suddenly your dad's a priority."

"I ought to thank her," Viola said. "She's been so unhappy, maybe I can cheer her up. Bloody Eurig, it's all his fault."

"Don't," Kelly advised. "She might think you owe her something."

"We had a chat," Ethelina confessed, "And she just decided to do it. I wouldn't let on that you know she arranged it."

Viola squinted at Ethelina. "She owes you for something! What on earth have you been up to?"

"Just listening. She trusts me to keep her secrets."Viola's nosy face lit up. Ethelina continued, "And I will keep them, so don't ask."

Kelly spread her newspaper out in front of her, scrutinising the Births, Marriages and Deaths section and the gossip pages. "Ooh look, Bella's little sister's setting new fashions. Couldn't be bothered to take NEWTs, but is adept at spending the family cash."

They all looked at the picture. A very lovely young and icy blonde was lounging elegantly on a chair at some posh party, determinedly taking up the frame but simultaneously scorning to look out of the picture or interact with the viewer. 'Ethnic is in!' the headline announced, with 'Society beauty sets new trend for North African style'.

"Kaftans?" said Viola sceptically. "I can't see that catching on - okay it looks good on Narcissa, but so would a potato sack. On the rest of us it'll just look stupid."

Ethelina shrugged "At least we could wear them all the time. Wizards and Muggles wear them in Africa, and I saw some Muggles wearing them at King's Cross last Christmas."

Kelly laughed. "Narcissa Black, late follower of a Muggle trend - smashing!"

Ethelina noticed a small article at the bottom of the page. "Those jewel robberies are continuing, I see... there was one last weekend."

"Yes, but it was only at the Prewetts," Kelly pointed out. "You'd be better off burgling The Knut Store. At least you'd be guaranteed swag worth a knut!"

"The thief tried to steal a valuable goblin-made tiara, but luckily the article was on loan to another member of the family."

Viola raised an eyebrow. "Probably the only decent thing that lot own."

Time came for lessons, and Kelly and Ethelina had Charms while Viola, in the year above them, had Care of Magical Creatures. Kelly carried on rambling about the Prewetts ("And blood-wise, a very good family, but really, not what you'd call classy in any way, which just goes to show blood isn't everything...") but Ethelina had better things to think about. Like, for instance, the date and presumed time of that burglary.

*******

Dear Bert,

Viola's dad has a new trial date, it's in a week's time and we're all keeping our fingers crossed. People here are really supportive, which makes her feel as though things might go well for him.

Remember that idea I had about growing herbs with you and Cassius? He'll grow them, you'll prepare them and I'll sell them? Well, I think it's going to work, but I need you two to start the seeds off at school. I've attached a list of things we need to stock. You're allowed to keep plants in your room, aren't you? I'm going to send you some seeds and you'll have to get things going.

Hopefully, at Easter I can talk mum and dad into letting us have a stall at the Charmer's Market, so you'd better make sure we've got something to sell.

Love,

Eth

PS Who was that Valentine's card to anyway?

Dear Eth,

Where are you going to get the money from for seeds? Cass says some plants are pretty pricy, even as seeds. Apart from that, he's up for it.

I don't really want to talk about Valentines Day. Cass got a card from Honey. We're all still friends, I couldn't not be friends with them, but it felt pretty bad.

Good luck to Viola's dad!

Love,

Bert

As she folded her letter, which she'd been reading instead of paying attention to Professor Binns, Ethelina felt a strange pang. She didn't like boys, not in the stupid way a lot of girls did - she was sure that if she hadn't been so disapproving, either Viola or Kelly would be swooning over Sirius Black or Evan Rosier. However, something about Bert's letter made her slightly sad. She felt that not only had Honey Johnson sent a card to Cassius, he might also have sent one to her. It made her feel... jealous?

Get a grip, Hawley, she told herself. This just means that instead of beginning your Squib-saving with Cassius alone, you'll have to begin with Cass and Honey. A thought popped up in her head: I hope she gets acne, or goes off with Bert. Ethelina felt slightly ashamed, as though her own thoughts were rebelling against her.

She needed to find Lucy Whitby and, as soon as the lesson was ended, went in search of her. Velda Mariner was desperately trying to chat up Crispin de Lacey in the entrance hall, but Bellatrix and Lucy were nowhere around. Trophy Room, Ethelina thought. There's nothing like all those shiny cups in locked cabinets to attract her.

Making her way through the Entrance Hall, an arm linked in with hers, and she looked up into a decidedly manic face. "Got time to talk to Auntie Bella, Little Bug?"

Not really, thought Ethelina, I need to find Lucy. "Sure, Bellatrix."

Bellatrix smiled tightly, and gripped Ethelina's arm hard. "No, you haven't. But you'll make time."

Jeepers, thought Ethelina, is she reading my mind or what? "Yes, I'll make time. I was looking for Lucy, but it's not urgent."

Bellatrix dragged Ethelina into a disused classroom, opened her bag and dragged out several sheafs of photographs. "As no-one knows yet that I'm getting married, I can't talk about things to anyone but you."

"You still haven't told your parents?"

Bellatrix frowned. "They might have been told already, but they haven't said anything to me. Of course, they might not know I've been told... speak your mind, Little Bug."

"I had hoped they might disapprove and tell you not to do it."

"Even if he had not chosen Rodolphus for me, it would be a suitable match. They might prefer someone a bit more glamorous - I know I would - but they wouldn't refuse it." Ethelina got the distinct impression that Bellatrix would have welcomed her parents' veto on this marriage.

"So what's to talk about?"

Bellatrix fanned out the photographss. "Robes, of course! My father's family have a lovely silver and emerald coronet and pearl choker with matching clasp that I'm planning to wear. This photo is of my grandmother wearing it." Bellatrix tapped a picture of a very aggressive-looking Edwardian bride.

"Very nice!" Ethelina exclaimed. The 'coronet' was really like a brimless witch's hat made of intertwining, almost Celtic-looking, delicate silver serpents - the sort of thing a very wealthy mediaeval heroine might wear.

"You don't have to sound so shocked," Bellatrix snapped. "Anyway, these are the robes I was thinking of."

"That one's a bit fussy," Ethelina said. "I mean, puff sleeves, a frill round the neck, and a ruffle round the hem... it won't go with the coronet. And it would overwhelm you." You'd look like a lampshade, she thought. The robe was very fashionable, in full-on 1970s style. If Laura Ashley had made wedding robes, this would be the result.

"It's feminine," Bellatrix declared. She pushed forward another photo.

"Your sister wears caftans to nightclubs," Ethelina pointed out. "Trends have their place, but probably not at society weddings."

Another picture. Ethelina drew in her breath. "Oh, that's lovely!" The robe had an empire-line bodice of heavy guipure lace and long, flowing cathedral sleeves. It would complement the mediaeval-style jewellery beautifully. The model in the photo swished about, and the fabric gleamed subtly in the way only silk can.

Bellatrix nodded. "This is the one I'd have chosen anyway. I'm going to ask them to make the lace to match my jewellery. I just wanted a second opinion."

"You wanted... his... opinion."

"Yes." Bellatrix sounded small and scared, which Ethelina had never heard her sound before. "But I won't get that, will I? I hope he likes it. I hope he regrets arranging for me to marry someone else. I'm going to have to... do things you're too little to understand. Can you imagine kissing Severus?"

Ethelina pulled a face.

"Exactly. Little Bug, I would not swap my blood for yours for all the jewels in the world. But I envy you your insignificance, sometimes."

"I won't be insignificant forever," Ethelina warned her. Bellatrix looked at Ethelina, really scrutinised her.

"I believe you. You're a true Slytherin. Whatever you're planning, you'll do it, unless someone stronger gets in your way. And even then, you'll go round them or over them or break yourself trying to push through, but you won't give up."

"That's the whole point of believing in anything. Purity of purpose, you once told me. Like a fire, burning away the bad stuff. Making things new."

Bellatrix's face lit up, and for a brief second she looked like an angel. "He tells me that! You and I are very much alike, you know. Most people don't look beyond their own lives, their own hopes and desires. Crispin and Andreas and Evan, grubbing for power. Severus, only ever looking for revenge. Velda, chasing money and a comfortable life and trying desperately to cling on to her looks - at seventeen! You and I are different. We want to make things better, to make them the way they should be. We'd go without food or a home or anything else to do it."

"I might not want the same things as you."

"Ah, one day you'll see how wonderful the world can be." Bellatrix looked profoundly happy. "My love has such vision. He could make you see things his way, you could see and share our beautiful future. You have talent, he would welcome you."

"Blood and all?"

Bellatrix faltered. "You shouldn't talk about that. People know, but if you don't remind them, they forget. And it's so long ago..." She grasped Ethelina's hands between her own. "When you're a bit older - after your OWLs - you must come to see me so I can introduce you to people. If you really want to make things better for everyone, you will do it."

"I want a world where there's room for everyone."

"There's a place for everyone," Bellatrix assured her, releasing her hands and scooping photographs back into her bag, then turning to go. "Oh, and Lucy was in the Library when I last saw her."

Could Bellatrix know the secret to improving things for everyone? Ethelina wondered. A place for everyone wasn't the same as room for everyone, and many people might not like the place they were assigned. Yes she seemed so convinced, so utterly certain that the man she loved was going to make the world a better place. Ethelina trudged off to the Library, thinking hard. Bellatrix's help would be a great thing to have.

Lucy Whitby was not the most hardworking student at Hogwarts, but unlike the equally lazy Bellatrix, she didn't receive good marks. Despite a string of superb OWLs, she was the dunce of the NEWT year. Tiny and blonde, she was sharp as a new pin, she was the best Seeker Slytherin had had in years, and could move in complete silence. NEWTs were of no interest to Lucy, and school was merely something to do until she was eighteen.

Ethelina slid into the Library chair opposite Lucy. "Stately Homes of the Wizarding World," she read out loud. The title was printed in florid golden letters along the spine.

Lucy looked up. "I thought I'd catch up on my history."

"As in, which paintings are still in place, which houses have an easily fenceable supply of portable knick-knacks, and which houses have owners with a history of spending time away from home? Planning to apparate somewhere next Hogsmeade day?"

Lucy stopped smiling and closed the book. "Get to the point, Hawley."

"I need money to buy some seeds. I do have that emerald - yes, I know it was an emerald - that you gave my brother, but I'm rather attached to it. I was hoping you'd be able to supply a bit of cash."

"In other words, you want me to give you the money or you'll take the stone to the Magical Law Enforcement squad? Did Bellatrix put you up to this?"

"Bellatrix? She doesn't know anything about this." Ethelina was confused. "I thought you two were friends. I'm not blackmailing you."

"Yes, you are."

"No! Not exactly. It'll be good for you too. I'm... I'm presenting you with a business opportunity. I have a plan, and I need a bit of initial capital. In exchange for your investment, I will give you a share of the profits. Um... there won't be very much profit to start with. And when the business is successful, you can ask for your loan back at any time. But no interest, 'cos you'll be getting profits."

Lucy laughed. She had nothing against a bit of blackmail (her own family were skilled in various illicit ways to raise money) and this wasn't as bad as it could be. "You've got balls, Ethelina - eleven going on forty." Several studious Ravenclaws looked up in annoyance at the volume and language. Lucy lowered her voice. "I've got some money I'd rather people didn't catch me with right now, so I might be able to help you out."

"Do we have a deal?"

"This is between us. You're not to tell anyone I'm involved, not even Viola or Bellatrix," Lucy warned.

They shook hands. "Deal."

Lucy reached into her satchel and pulled out a small, dull-looking bag of coins. She carefully counted out fifteen Galleons and pushed them across the table to Ethelina.

"There you go. Our little secret. Trot along now, I've got research to do." With that, Lucy picked up the coins and skipped out of the library. She now had the key to her future.