InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "I need more cowbell!"

Bellatrix Lestrange (bellatrix_or) wrote in world_or,
@ 2008-01-16 19:20:00

Current mood:

distracted

Dinner at the Black's [backdated to last Wednesday]
Concentrating on the dinner conversation was difficult, when Bellatrix had so much on her mind. Well, let her father and Rodolphus prattle on interminably about inconsequential matters. At least that way she didn't have to feign interest. Finally, after what seemed hours, the house-elf served dessert. Perhaps, before much longer, Bella could ask Narcissa for a moment alone.

[Open to Narcissa.]

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narcissa_or
2008-01-21 08:13 pm UTC (link)

"And Cissy darling, what do you say about Mrs. Harper's invitation?" Narcissa glanced up at her mother, startled. She hadn't realized that her mother was talking to her. Druella's conversations generally didn't require two people. "It's very..." she began. "Ridiculous, I know!" Druella exclaimed. "We're certainly not going, and I'm fairly sure the Selwyns won't either."

In all, it had been a very typical Black and Lestrange dinner, with expensive wine and loud conversations about how society was going to the dogs. And Narcissa was bored. It took an eternity, but finally Cygnus stood up and left with Rodolphus to have a brandy.

"So," said Narcissa to her sister, "How have things been?" They had hardly spoken throughout the meal.

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bellatrix_or
2008-01-21 08:43 pm UTC (link)

Bella knew now what she'd done wrong with trying to control Regulus. Obviously she couldn't tell if he was following her orders if she couldn't see him. Nor could she destroy the evidence. That had been inordinately stupid, but perhaps the Confundus Charm would take care of any suspicions her young cousin might have.

"Hm?" Bella said, turning toward Narcissa and blinking. She'd been toying idly with her soufflé and thinking, and it took a moment for her to realise that her sister had asked her a question.

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narcissa_or
2008-01-21 10:21 pm UTC (link)

"I was just wondering what you'd been up to." Narcissa replied. "Since I haven't heard from you in a while." Things hadn't been very lively in London, what with the dreadful weather. No one wanted to host any big parties, and there was nothing new to shop for either.

"We could go to my room and talk there, if you'd like," Narcissa said as Druella left the table. She was tired of pretending to eat her souffle.

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	bellatrix_or 2008-01-21 10:32 pm UTC (link)
	"That would be delightful," Bella said, plastering on her most charming smile as she set down her fork and stood. "I've been meaning to tell you: I've discovered the most amusing little trick one can perform with a Legens. Or two of them, anyway. Would you like to see it?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

narcissa_or
2008-01-21 10:43 pm UTC (link)

"Certainly; they're very interesting devices." Far too many whinging schoolchildren were in posession of them, but a Legens was an excellent way to keep on top of gossip and news.

Narcissa led Bella up the a flight of stairs and down a corridor into her suite of rooms. "Please sit," she said, gesturing to the chaise. Narcissa walked over to the desk and pulled out the leather covered book.

"What sort of amusing tricks?"

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	bellatrix_or 2008-01-21 10:50 pm UTC (link)
	Bella took a moment to lock and Imperturb the door first before removing her own Legens from the pocket of her robes. "I'm sorry to say Mama wouldn't approve," she answered, rolling her eyes playfully, as she settled herself across from her sister. "Now." She pulled her wand and touched the tip to the page of her own Legens, smiling again. "Ready?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	narcissa_or 2008-01-21 11:01 pm UTC (link)
	"What do you mean, Mama wouldn't approve?" Narcissa frowned slightly. Druella disapproved of all the normal things, such as robes with plunging necklines, and people who married below them. "I suppose..." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

bellatrix_or
2008-01-21 11:13 pm UTC (link)

"Oh, just the usual," Bella said dismissively, waving her free hand. "Not dignified enough for a proper Black lady ... You know how Mama gorges on propriety until she's liable to choke." She leant closer, wearing a sly grin, and dropped her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. "But it's just the two of us, and what she doesn't know won't hurt her."

Bella sat up straighter then and positioned her wand on the page, concentrating on her sister's aura. Imperio, she thought, her expression turning feral at the very last second.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	narcissa_or 2008-01-21 11:50 pm UTC (link)
	"Why are-" she began, but broke off unexpectedly. 'Why are you using an Unforgivable on my journal,' was what she had meant to say. Narcissa's eyes slowly went blank, and the questions she had been about to ask went out of her mind. This was odd sensation. Peaceful, but odd. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

bellatrix_or
2008-01-22 12:00 am UTC (link)

"That's better," Bellatrix purred, smirking. "Enough bothersome questions, Cissy. I have work to do." But what should she have Narcissa do? Tapping her chin with the tip of her wand, Bella tried to decide. Nothing that would attract too much attention. Something quiet and unobtrusive ... Finally, she had an idea. Go over to your writing desk, Cissy. You need to send me a private message in your Legens.

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	narcissa_or 2008-01-22 12:49 am UTC (link)
	Narcissa automatically rose and walked towards her writing desk. Taking a quill, she began to write something, but stopped and turned away with a frown, seeming to change her mind. Apparently the Imperius was slightly weaker through a journal. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

bellatrix_or
2008-01-22 01:08 am UTC (link)

Bellatrix watched, holding her breath, as writing began to appear. But she stopped. Why did she stop?

Was the curse was weaker through the book? She hadn't been properly diligent, had she? Too busy patting herself on the back for her ingenuity. It would be inconvenient, but she would have to concentrate on the curse the whole time.

Narcissa, write! Bella thought now, more forcefully, focusing all her attention on the task she wanted her sister to perform.

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	narcissa_or 2008-01-22 01:28 am UTC (link)
	Narcissa slowly turned back to the desk and went back to writing. She began writing more intently than she ever actually had in real life. Narcissa didn't even notice when the ink bottle knocked over, spilling on her dress and hands. Eventually, there was no more ink, but Narcissa kept scribbling with the quill, as if it was a life or death matter. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	bellatrix_or 2008-01-22 01:39 am UTC (link)
	It worked! It worked! Bella would have shrieked in triumph, if it wouldn't have alerted her parents and husband to what she was doing, or released the curse. You will remember nothing of this, Cissy. You will only think I showed you an amusing trick. Nod once if you understand. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	narcissa_or 2008-01-22 01:41 am UTC (link)
	Narcissa turned to Bella and glanced at her as if she was something mildly interesting. Ink was all over the front of her dress and hands. She Bella gave a stiff nod. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

bellatrix_or
2008-01-22 01:47 am UTC (link)

"Good girl," Bella whispered fiercely, finally releasing the curse. She stood, snapped her own Legens shut, and walked to the writing desk. After righting the ink bottle, she began to siphon up the ink with her wand and replaced it in the bottle. Then, finally, she picked up Narcissa's Legens and ripped out the page with the private entry, folding the parchment and secreting it in her pocket of her robes.

"Cissy," she said then, snapping her fingers in front of her sister's nose. When she didn't get a response right away, she reached down and took hold of Narcissa's shoulders. "Cissy! Can you hear me?"

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	narcissa_or 2008-01-22 02:17 am UTC (link)
	"Bella!" Narcissa blinked, and glanced around confusedly. "Merlin, what happened to my hands?" She felt strange, as if time had passed. What exactly had gone on? Bella had done something very amusing with the journals, hadn't she? "That's a clever trick." If only I could remember what exactly she did, Narcissa thought to herself. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	bellatrix_or 2008-01-24 03:53 am UTC (link)
	Thinking quickly, Bella pressed the back of her hand to Narcissa's forehead and then held her palm to her cheek. "You fainted and knocked over the ink bottle," she said. "Are you feeling quite all right? I know the trick is enthralling, but I never expected it would make you swoon. I am so incredibly sorry, Cissy." (Reply to this) (Parent)