Bellatrix rather enjoyed Dorea's pleasant company. Dorea was slowly warming back up to her, she began to stop jumping each time Bellatrix entered the room, and stopped freezing when someone touched her. Rodulphous didn't like Dorea, he hated her in fact. the two were opposites and they say opposites attract; they don't. At least not in the case.
Dorea had gained her color back, though she hadn't gained back the energy she used to have. Bellatrix wondered if it would return. Dorea used to be open and bouncy, spontaneus and very naive. Dorea was easy to manipulate, she was easy to win over. Dorea had grown up in household where abuse was common, she grew up thinking that was normal and anyone who treated her as a human was going above and beyond. Especially after this summer her opinions had changed from, I deserve respect to I don't deserve happiness.
Dorea thought anyone who showed even an ounce of respect to her was a saint. Dorea could be pushed into a lake and most likely would apologize to them. Dorea was more aware of her surroundings, prepared for anyone or anything to strike now.
Bellatrix radiated power and danger, she had gathered so much of a reputation people stayed away, no one would bother harm her. But Dorea, she radiated weakness, she was an easy target, though Dorea had a power most people didn't.
She'd been hurt so many times she was numb, numb to the harm inflicted, yes an emotional toll would be cost but Dorea could fight someone for hours without giving up, fight until unconciousness, fight until death. She'd lost the war but won many battles.
Bellatrix lost battles but would win the war, that was the difference between the two. Dorea wanted to win right then even if it wasn't for the long run, she only thought about now. Dorea would have been out of the family by now if she was thinking of her future, not as an alternate reality, but as a very real obstacle to be faced. Another hurtle on the track.
Bellatrix knew of her future, but she was in better cercumstances than Dorea is now. She could kill Rodulphous the moment her mother died. It wouldn't matter if he stuck around, Dorea didn't have it in her.
Dorea could only ever hurt herself, even inflicting small amounts of pain on others would hurt her more than her victim. The only person Dorea had ever killed was herself, slowly and brutally. Dorea would have left long before this point if she was thinking straight ahead, and not at all the scenery.
She was to busy smelling the flowers to notice the thorns, seeping into her skin, drawing blood, it's delicious poison entering her veins. It was only a matter of time before the poison got to her heart. the moment the poison entered her blood stream she was to far to turn back, to far down the trail to choose another.
Bellatrix was a bloodthirsty woman and knew this was the only way, but she could read between the lines. Dorea would realize how deep she'd sunken, but it'd be too late. She'd attempt to swim back but kill herself in process, dragging along others on her way to meet the clouds.
Dorea was not a hero, but she was not a villian. She lived in the gray area much like her father. But the two had seperate intentions. Cygnus knew exactly what the consequences of his actions were and proceeded, Dorea knew nothing of the consequences and proceeded. Like a blind fish swimming right into the sharks mouth.
Dorea had had her chance to escape, but she was at the point of no return.
***
The summer ball approached, August began to come to a close. Dorea stood in front of the mirror as Bellatrix brought the two front piece of her curly brown hair back into a very small ponytail connecting in the back. The Ponytail held a big black bow. Bellatrix guided her sister to her vanity and sat her down.
"now Bear, you don't need any make up" bellatrix began and smiled as Dorea began to smile "but just for good measure" she brought a blush brush up to her sisters cheeks swiping it a few times making her cheeks rosy. She looked adorable with a little blush on her nose the two walked out of Bellatrix's bedroom and into the hall.
Dorea's small freckles slightly hidden under the pink powder. Poking out like stars in the sky.
the three of them apparated to Malfoy Manner and to the party narcissa had planned. Dorea was wearing a sun dress with flats. Bellatrix had dolled her up, making her look like the girl she once was.
Narcissa opened the door when she heard new visitors and squealed when she saw her sisters. Too busy and excited to be hosting her first ball she didn't bother to question why Dorea and Mother had come seperatly. Bellatrix cringed as she said "okay Dorea go run along, find Regulus" but Dorea did as she was told and walked away into the hall.
The two friends found each other after a moment and stood in the back, just as they had many times before at other balls.
"I missed you reggie" Dorea joked ruffling his hair
"I missed you to bear" he smiled. the two fell into a comfortable silence watching the people begin to dance. Dorea furrowed her eyebrows as she didn't see a very noticable boy on the dance floor.
"wheres Sirius?"
Regulus straightened, his muscles tensed, he'd tried so hard to stay strong when Sirius had left. When Sirius had left his Mother and father had nothing else to focus on but him, he was the center of attention and every wrong step he took every creak in the floor boards he made he'd be scolded for.
"he's gone" he mumbled under the music
"what?"
"he left..for the Potters" he said looking at his feet. The unexpected happened when he felt Dorea launch onto him hugging the lights out of him.
"I am so sorry Reggie, this must be really hard" she spoke calmly
"it is, it shouldn't be but it is" he jumbled up his words feeling flustered. Dorea pulled away leaving her hands on his shoulders just as Sirius had.
"it's okay to feel hurt, or sad it's okay to miss them and fear for them. I understand" she said looking directly into his eyes. his eyes never made contact but that was normal, he struggled with eye contact and that was okay.
"it's just, Mother and father focus on me now, there's nothing more interesting to pick on. I'm their last hope so they're trying to make me perfect" he said clearly hurt
"yeah" she agreed nodding understanding how he felt.
"I just wish Sirius would come back, but i feel selfish thinking that because things didn't get bad until he left." he spoke carefully holding tears back. His Mothers voice echoed in his head 'men don't cry' it repeated over and over "and they act like i can't have feelings, like I'm-" he paused when he saw his mother approaching them.
"Regulus, ask dorea to dance" she instructed quietly in his ear. Regulus held no energy to retaliate, and he had no one to stick up for him when they reached home. So he took Dorea's hand, kissing it "could I have this dance?" he bowed
"of course Reggie" Dorea giggled, but it was all a show for Walburga, a carefully practiced and occuring charade, each time Regulus would offer to dance she'd giggle and blush and say yes, it made it seem like they were flirting and in love.
Regulus guided them to the dance floor and began to dance, a repetitive motion. the same dance they had known for years. they had danced many times before, but it felt different this time. They were in their prime years, full of hormones and thoughts of sexuality. It didn't feel like every other time, it felt wrong.
Both of them felt disgusted by the others hands on them as they danced so intimatley, not caring if the other was their best friend it just felt wrong. The two felt uncomfortable and did not speak, the two felt hot and embarrassed.
They felt imaginary eyes on them, the two stiffened as the imagined people staring through them. While only one person was watching.
Alphard Black was a wise man, he didn't believe in the silly antics of the Black family, but held most of their wealth so everyone was pratically on their knees for a spot on his will. His old age did not in fact damage his mind and he still had his morals in tact. Long ago he'd chosen who would have front row seats on his will. He'd give all his wealth to the two. Two siblings. Two very gay siblings.
Sirius and Regulus had never sucked up to him despite their parents groveling. Sirius had recently run away. Alphard was a very powerful man though he chose to use his power for the good while standing in between the evil. He had eyes and ears everywhere and knew of sirius' boyfriend.
Regulus otherwise had been forced to dance with his cousin since he was young. Everything had always been fun and games until this dance. He'd never thought much of Dorea Black thinking that she was just like her sisters until 3 years ago he learned of her house placement. It peaked his interest and he began to keep an eye on her and Regulus. This dance was strange, the two put on a show as if they were to nervous to look in each others eyes but both were blushing mad and both looked incredibly uncomfortable.
He'd always thought this family line had to die off at some point. That's why he's putting his funds into the two boys, but as he watched Dorea he decided his will had a special spot for a special girl.
A certain girl so far in the closet she couldn't see the light under the door.
He smirked as the two dropped their hands and walked away from each other immedietly after the song ended, they rushed into rooms away from the crowd. Though dorea opted for the front door.
She sat on the steps breathing in the deep cold air, grounding herself back to reality.
Why did that feel so wrong?
Why did she feel so disgusted?
What changed?
***********************************************************************************************
2nd update today lets gooo
anyways how do you guys feel about this chapter
I really like it, even if it's not great writing, i like the part it played in the story
next chapter we're back at hogwarts i think
:D
have a good day/night
-Caroline