Bellatrix was the polar opposite to Rita's perfect posture. She had hunched back over, the heel of her hand digging into her temple to hold her head up. She had no need to pay attention in this class, it was dismally beneath her intellect, so she rotated her quill between thumb and forefinger with her free hand.
"Miss Black," Merrythought's voice was deceptively honey-coated and sweet. She almost never shouted, but that only served to make her seem more threatening. "A little tired, are we?"
"No," Bellatrix said sullenly. "Bored."
"Five points from Slytherin," Merrythought said, a little more sharply. "Sit up."
"Can't I do something else?"
"No you cannot. I'm sure Miss Skeeter doesn't care to have you lolling about across the desk, sit up, or you can sit here." She smacked her wand against the empty teacher's desk, and, fingers still pressed against the new note from Skeeter, Bellatrix scowled and straightened up. She waited until Merrythought's back was turned to read it.