Drabbling Pink
Theme 10: Arithmancy


"Mum, I've decided." Nymphadora's tones were saturated with firmness.

Andromeda, half lying, half sitting in her bed, raised an eyebrow at the pink-haired fourteen year old who had just marched into her parent's bedroom.

"Decided what, Dora?" she asked calmly.

"I hate Arithmancy," Nymphadora declared, sitting by her side on the bed. "I'm dropping it next year. The only one who can make headway with that thing is dad and, frankly, I'm nothing like him. At all."

"Ah, yes. Nothing like him, you."

When Nymphadora raised an inquiring eyebrow, Andromeda said,

"He hates pink."

Drowsy Pulls - Unattended
Theme 11: History of Magic


When all was said and done, History of Magic had to be the most boring subject ever thought of on Earth. Add to that the ever-mighty pull of Professor Binn's forever drowsy tones, and you were sure to enjoy a deep, deep sleep during the class.

Few students seemed able to resist the urge to fall asleep that his manner of speaking and explanation contained. Bellatrix, however, was one of those rarities that had never fallen asleep in any of his classes - much to the disappointment of many jealous rivals.

- Maybe because she never bothered to attend them.

’Failing’ Charms
Theme 12: Charms


Bellatrix shook her head as her eleven year old sister tried over and over again to perform the charm for something as simple as levitation, and failed spectacularly.

"You're going to fail Charms if you continue that way, Cissy," she told Narcissa.

Narcissa, with a toss of her blond pigtails, gave her a withering look. "Don't try to boss me, Bella."

Bellatrix shrugged. "I was just going to tell you what you're doing wrong. But if you'd rather have it the hard way, sure. Figure it out yourself."

She left, leaving a pretty disappointed Narcissa behind.


The title has double meanings. It implies both failing the subject Charms, and charms that fail.

Messing 'Round in The Rain
Theme 13: Quidditch


With a loud clunk, James Potter jumped off his broom, right into a puddle of water, spraying mud in all directions. Remus gave him a thumbs-up, to assure him that it had been a lovely landing when -

SPLAT.

James rolled over, spitting out mud. Sirius, having managed to whack himself, broom and all, into his best mate, grinned roguishly up at Remus as he brightly wrestled James to the ground.

"You're going to have to treat me to a butterbeer if I win, Prongs," Sirius laughed as, grinning, James shoved him off.

- Quidditch in the rain was fun.

Books: Not Always Good Friends
Theme 14: Hogwarts, A History


"Narcissa, love, listen -"

But she would not listen. Myrlis had told her she had seen him kissing some, stupid Ravenclaw last night, and she was angry. Very angry. Yes, there was the chance that he could explain, but she knew he couldn't – Myrlis never lied.

"You foul, cheating -"

"Narcissa - Cissy - Please -"

He jumped, as something came flying his way. It brushed his shoulder, and fell to the ground with a heavy thump. Looking over his shoulder, Lucius saw a copy of Hogwarts, A History lying on the ground.

- Looking back up, he saw a heavier book coming his way.

Laughing the Day Away
Theme 15: Room


Geraldine laughed as Regulus spoke. It was a very pretty laugh, and not even the most jealous of people could deny that.

"I'm not half as funny as you make me sound, Ger," Regulus told her, as he crossed the hallway to lead her into the drawing room.

"Yes, you are," Geraldine insisted, sitting down, her purple dress all around her. "I always find it impossible to force myself to laugh. Especially when I know someone well. Forced laughter always sound so. . . hollow."

And she spent the rest of the day laughing – especially after Sirius had joined them.

You Can’t Stand Under Her Umbrella
Theme 16: Dragonhide Gloves


It was raining. Ducking people and objects, Bellatrix ran into the huge store.

"Why, Miss Black!" The shopkeeper exclaimed. "You're thoroughly wet - You should have brought an umbrella."

"I don't see why we can't apparate into your place, Mr. Wilbur," Bellatrix complained, running a hand through her hair. "When I left the house, I had no idea it would begin to rain."

"Protective measures, dear lady," Mr. Wilbur said soothingly. "Now, how may I help you?"

Bellatrix checked a sigh. "A pair of dragonhide gloves, if you please – and an umbrella so I can get back home."


The title is derived from the lyrics of Grammy-winning singer Rihanna's famous pop song Umbrella. [You can stand under my umbrella.]

Of Worrying Potions
Theme 17: Cauldron


The huge cauldron was now belching out copious amounts of smoke, steam and purple. Sirius, looking down into it, jumped half a feet back as more steam shot up its centre.

"Not looking good," he said wearily, turning to James, who was now rechecking the lock on the door to make sure they were not disturbed - Though chances of that were already near about zero, seeing they were experimenting in a long-abandoned classroom.

James strode forward, peeking down into the now-turquoise surface of the potion. "Don't worry," he said, not sounding unworried at all. "We'll manage."

Long, Long Nights
Theme 18: Whomping Willow


Dog-form.

The big, black dog was Sirius, though only three people in Hogwarts knew that little piece of information apart from him. He sneaked out into the night, pausing as he caught sight of the Whomping Willow, his breath heavy.

The white stag, having trotted silently at his side for the past five minutes, nudged him when he did not move for a few seconds. Sirius looked ahead, then looked at animagus James. Somewhere below there was the scuttle of tiny feet - Peter running across the grass, as a rat.

- It was going to be a long, long night.

Bottle Green With Lemon Yellow
Theme 20: Hogsmeade


Regulus could not help over-examining himself, today. It was a Hogsmeade weekened - and Geraldine would be there.

He had not seen her for quite a while, now. He thought of the silver in her hair, the silver he loved so much, and the silver in her almond-shaped eyes. In fact, he had thought of nothing else for the past week.

Dress robes! Bottle green with lemon yellow. Good enough to wear during some worthwhile conversation with a certain, part-veela, he hoped.

"You pass, Reg," Narcissa said, when he stepped into the common room. Regulus had to grin.

Twinkling & Messy & There
Theme 52: Bore


The plain, simple truth and nothing but the very plain, simple truth: He was boring her today.

Sitting with Rodolphus, by the edge of the lake, her head in his lap, Bellatrix had no idea what he was telling her. Something about what Antony had been told by Myrlis who had been told by Narcissa what Regulus had said after hearing it from Lucius, yes, but what exactly – she had no clue.

So, instead, she lay there, thinking of his eyes and his hair and his scowl, and how inactive they were all today, not twinkling and messy and there.

Of Dogs And Cats And Rats
Theme 53: Chase


His eyes were wider than galleons.

"I think Remus is shocked," James said, pointing to the size of the former's eyes.

"Yeah, I can see that," Sirius said. "But, erm, shouldn't we help Wormtail?"

"He'll escape," James said, unconvincingly.

But the cat had the upper hand in the chase. None of them moved, hoping Peter would transform into human form. But Peter was too scared to think of that.

The cat was dangerously close, now. There was a flash, and the black dog barked loudly as he leaped. The cat ran off, frightened.

Sirius sighed. Stupid Wormtail.

'Giant' Dares
Theme 54: Dare


Blacks were brave, and Orion especially so. Walburga knew that. All the same, she could not help telling him she doubted it.

"I dare you to touch the Giant Squid and stay there," she said loftily, as they sat by the lake. And then, before she knew it, Orion had jumped into the lake, and was swimming away. Walburga immediately felt like she might have a heart attack.

"ORION BLACK, I DARE YOU TO COME BACK THIS INSTANT," she screamed, knowing nothing else would work. Orion paused and turned, a grin on his face.

"I love you," he said, laughing.

A Tale of Two Blacks
Theme 55: Egg on


Bellatrix Black sat at the back of the class, laughing loudly. James grabbed Sirius's hand, to make sure the latter did nothing stupid.

"Leave it," he hissed in his best mate's ear.

"How can I leave it, Prongs?" Sirius did not sound very pleased. At all. "You know she does it on purpose to infuriate me. She ruined my whole potion by throwing in that stupid, crushed beetle."

James nodded. "I know, mate," he said sympathetically. "But she eggs you on, and you let her. Calm down."

"I suppose you're right," Sirius said, sighing and looking away.


The title is derived from that of Charles Dickens's historical novel A Tale of Two Cities.

Of Everyday Fights
Theme 56: Fight


They had had a fight, Lucius and Narcissa.

- Again.

Bellatrix shook her head in exasperation at what she openly labelled Narcissa's 'childishness'. It happened nearly every two days, now. Narcissa would storm into her room, tears clinging to her eyes, and then Lucius would come, with his chocolates and his apologies and his sorries.

She was getting sick of it, if truth be told. Very sick. And, yes, she fully intended to talk to their mother about it, Lucius and Narcissa's messy relationship.

Couldn't the two be more like Regulus and Geraldine? Now, they never fought. Ever.

Part-Veelas Are Invited
Theme 57: Gape


The Blacks yearly ball was in full flow again. With the decorations all taken care of, Regulus was now greeting the guests.

"Hello, there, Lucius," he said in his usual good-natured way, to someone he was pretty certain was a future cousin-in-law. He greeted a few other people, before turning around to join his friend - and stopped to gape.

She was beautiful. He caught sight of a long, long mane of silver hair as the girl stepped out from her carriage, a huge, white rose in her hair.

Hands in pockets, Regulus let out a low whistle.

Nights of Depth
Theme 58: Hoot


"It's lovely here, isn't it?" Geraldine asked softly.

Regulus nodded, but he was barely aware of it. Night stretched, unlit. Somewhere in the distance, an owl hooted. He did not say it out loud, but she understood: he had to do it.

"I - I know it's going to be a risk, Ger," he told her softly. "I have no hope of destroying the horcrux, and every hope of dying. But - whether I live or not, I trust you not to tell anyone."

Geraldine nodded. She could keep that secret, and keep it well - and he knew it.

Very Smitten Portraits
Theme 42: Portraits


"Hello, there," Regulus's voice was pleasant and casual. The silver mass of hair turned to face him, the one he had seen descend the carriage earlier, and the girl smiled at him.

"Hello. You must be Regulus Black," she said, her air that of a portrait - seeing much and knowing much but saying little and telling little.

Regulus nodded. "And you are -?"

"Geraldine," the girl said promptly, before adding her surname. She looked up, for a second, catching sight of his eyes - his startlingly intoxicating eyes. All of a sudden, she had looked away.

- Even for a Black, he was handsome.

Old Men in Newer Ways
Theme 43: Headmaster


Sitting on her bed, Bellatrix Black frowned to herself as she tossed aside her mother's letter.

It was that time again - the time for a new Headmaster. At least, that was what Bellatrix could discern from her mother's letter - Away in France, Mrs. Black still ensured she received Hogwarts tittle-tattle before anyone else. And it seemed very probable that Albus Dumbledore would land the spot.

She wasn't sure if she liked him, exactly. He was an able man - a very able man - and Bellatrix respected him for that. But he was also too. . .

- Too merry, maybe?

In a Different Way
Theme 44: Ford Anglia


Sirius chuckled as the twin redheads narrated their tales of endless pranking. It reminded him of his own days, back at Hogwarts, with James and Remus, and foul, old Peter tagging along.

"We've done a lot of stuff with dad's Ford Anglia," Fred confided, as he leaned forward, his voice suggesting the beginning of yet another tale. Then, quite abruptly, he stopped. "But you were a more accomplished prankster, I would say. No, Sirius?"

Sirius eyed the two boys thoughtfully, both of whom were watching him intently, waiting for his verdict. "In a different way," he said finally.

Son Oddities
Theme 45: Torch

"Ori?"

Orion Black, half sitting, half lying on his bed, looked up pleasantly. &