Flirting with Danger - Alecto - 1968

[Bellatrix Lestrange]

7 Dec 1968

There was nothing quite as frustrating as not being able to find your preferred play thing on a Saturday night. Her betrothed wasn't about, and her backup had the nerve to turn her down. Her! Bellatrix Black! He'd quickly regretted that, silly little bird, and she couldn't care less if he got to the hospital wing or not. Toys did not get to decide when and where was best, not unless wanted to lose all their chances. It was probably for the best, however, as she'd been growing rather bored of him. Especially after spending a lovely summer with Roddy, who knew quite well what he was doing and what she wanted. 

Which meant that she had to pick another option, and after dealing with that rejection she knew who she could count on. It would be quick, but fun and she'd have the bruises to flaunt around later to the rest of the boys who were utterly enchanted by her. After all, if they wanted a chance they'd need to be able to keep up. And she doubted anyone else in this school could leave a mark on her like Amycus Carrow could. The boy was insane really, something just wasn't right in his head. Which made him a fabulous friend, and a convenient friend with benefits. Especially as he hardly had a bone in his body that gave any real cares about her, which was the best situation for both of them.

And when they were done she dressed without a word, hardly sparring a glance back at him and she flicked her hair back over she shoulder and left the empty room they'd been using. Her hair was mess, and she could feel the bruises forming as she walked down the hall, heels clicking against the ground. Plenty would know what she had been up to, there was no point in being ashamed of ones activities when they were this much fun. If she was lucky, she'd find someone willing to share a bed tonight - preferably hers if one of the girls was around that liked to break societies rules. 

But as she turned a corner she had to reach out and stop a young girl from running into her, annoyance flashing across her face that the younger girl hadn't moved out of the way. But it was only a few seconds before the realization hit her, and she flashed the youngest Carrow a smile. "Alecto, what a pleasure running into you," Bellatrix said, gently brushing away the girl's blonde hair before removing her hand. "Up to anything fun tonight? One shouldn't waste a Saturday."

 

[Alecto Carrow]

Quirinus was going to get it.

The Ravenclaw sod had made tried to make a fool of her a few days back, and Amycus had promised to help her with a punishment befitting of the crime against a Carrow. Was it her fault that all the bloody markings they were studying in Ancient Runes looked the same? And sounded the same?! She hadn't asked to be called on to demonstrate, she hadn't asked for him to "assist" her when she was struggling to explain the meaning of the script! But the half-blood, if he even truly was, had leapt upon the opportunity to show off, coming to the front of the classroom where she was stammering and "saving" her.

His words.

It was humiliating, watching the rest of the class bite back laughter at her expense, and Quirrell had to learn that that was unacceptable.

Where are you, Amycus?

Her older brother had agreed to meet her in one of the alcoves of the twisting corridors that made up the lower level, and it was there the third year was impatiently waiting. And waiting. Amusing herself with conjuring Bluebell Flames in the darkness, letting the cool fire dance through her hands - unless she heard footsteps, wherein Alecto stopped and let the dark fall around her, not wanting to be found by anyone but Amycus. But where was he?! It wasn't like him to leave her waiting, and he knew she wasn't patient in even the most generous interpretation of the term. The girl supposed she could go after the Ravenclaw on her own, but, while she would never admit it, she feared she wouldn't be able to get in to the Tower of her own accord. Amycus was older, so he was cleverer, they'd have a better chance of getting through the eagle's riddle if the pair of them were there. They worked better together than apart, anyway...

Perhaps it was the oncoming holiday, signifying a lengthy stay at their - ah - uncomfortable home, that was putting the young girl more on edge than usual. At Hogwarts, the professors mainly put up with her. They didn't berate her for not being able to sit still, or punish her for blurting out answers - at least not the way her parents did. And she and Amycus could get away with pretty much anything, whereas home meant being under the piercing eyes of their parents, so much like their falcons honed in on their prey.

Maybe she'd been there thirty minutes, maybe it'd been an hour - either or, Alecto had waited too long. She hopped out of her hiding place, following the familiar path towards the common room. Amycus had probably fallen asleep or gotten caught up with friends, right? She'd find him in the common area or in his room, and then they could sneak out...

Lost in thought of 1) how much she was going to yell at her brother for this and 2) what they were going to do to the stick-like birdy, Alecto's wits weren't about her enough for her to hear properly - or at least that's what she told herself when she was suddenly faced with Bellatrix Black, who had forcefully stopped her. Alecto looked up at her and swallowed, the fiery sconce behind her lighting the older girl with a fearsome glow. The smile that soon flashed across Bellatrix's painted lips had Alecto's pulse quickening, as did the unexpectedly soft touch of her fingers against her face as the other fixed her messy hair. She knew the look, the touch, of someone like Bellatrix shouldn't have this sort of impact on her - it was improper, frowned upon - but how was she to control how her body reacted?

Her roommate's older sister was still smiling down at her; Alecto checked herself, swallowing again as she tucked her hair behind her ears with both hands before looking up to meet the other's eyes. "I'm looking for my brother, actually - have you seen him? He was supposed to help me with something, but he hasn't shown up."

[Bellatrix Lestrange]

It was fitting that their house mascot was a snake. It was a creature she could relate to, as she was always waiting to strike. The first look in the girl’s eyes was one well deserved – Bella should be feared. But that wasn’t the look that interested her. No, it was the one that followed before Alecto looked away. What had it been? Admiration? Perhaps… She waited patiently for the younger girl to gain her composure and meet her gaze, and let a smirk slide across her face as Alecto gave her an answer. Amycus hadn’t mentioned he had plans to meet his sister – not that they had been doing much talking. “Amycus…” she replied, trailing off as she pondered what to tell the girl. Surely the truth would be a much less satisfying answer. “I did see him not that long ago. He’s a bit…tied up.”

She took a moment to fix her hair, eyes curiously watching Alecto. Amycus was a tad obsessed with his sister, but she hardly doubted that Alecto would be going to her brother for help with something such as school work. And certainly not out roaming dark corridors. “Well, since he’s neglected you I suppose that means I will simply have to take his place, hm?” There were plenty of other things she could do at this hour, but she was too curious. She knew very little of Alecto, other than the blood line and bits and pieces Annie had mentioned. And if Amycus had been going to help Alecto with something more sinister, then perhaps this would be worth her while.

She extended her hand to Alecto, giving her a smile. “Lead the way love.”

[Alecto Carrow]

The third year simply gave a nod after Bellatrix addressed her missing brother; although she couldn't say she knew Bellatrix well, she did know better than to question her words. Her face fell a bit, though, because without Amycus...you can't handle this alone. Perhaps as an effort to distract herself from this disappointment, Alecto let her gaze wander over the older Slytherin's ensemble. Her legs seemed to go forever, and while Alecto generally hated dressing up, there was something appealing about her the girl's heels...She was about to excuse herself, seeing as Bellatrix was obviously dressed for a party of some sort that she wasn't invited to, when Bellatrix said something absolutely unexpected.

"You'll help me?" The childish question was out of her mouth before Alecto could rein herself in, and she chided herself for showing such eagerness so immediately. But this was such an opportunity; while her brother was brilliant and feared in his own way, Bellatrix Black was just as notorious. And while she loved working with Amycus on plots like this, their minds nearly working as one, Alecto couldn't very well turn the girl down as she offered to assist her! And Bellatrix could be trusted, couldn't she? It wasn't as if she could be looking to gain anything from the Carrows; their families both belonged to the same sect of society, and the older brunette was engaged, so it wasn't as if she could be looking to gain favor with Amycus...

It was unusual, yes, for someone like her to offer help, but - Alecto was flattered, her ego stroked, at thinking Bellatrix Black simply wanted to help her. And so she hastily took the girl's hand with a bashful smile, heading back down the corridor she'd come from. "Amycus was supposed to help me get back at a Ravenclaw for something," she admitted, unable to really feel too peeved about it anymore now that she had company. She was simply eager now, eager to show Quirrel what powerful people she had on her side. "We didn't have it all worked out, but he's - he's just - he needs to be taught a lesson." Her light eyes flicked up to meet the other's, hoping for ideas. She wasn't exactly a planner, usually going along with Amycus' suggestions, learning spells and technique from him as they went. Her brother wasn't the most patient of tutors, but with his help she was putting spells in her repertoire that were much different from most of her peers'. Quirrel wouldn't know how to defend anything, but if they went after him in a dorm full of Ravenclaws - well, they were there because they were smart, right? So one of them probably knew something...

[Bellatrix Lestrange]

Alecto was precious. She could see why Amycus acted the way he did, but more than that, she could see a little sister that would actually enjoy to be around her. She tried to stay close to Annie, but the older Annie got, the more annoying Bella found her. At least Narcissa was still reasonable to be around. Alecto's question was so eager, Bella had to stiffle a laugh, "Of course, Alecto." And even if it was something relatively boring - knowing Amycus, it wasn't - but perhaps helping out one of Annie's friends would allow her younger sister to appreciate her more.

But as Alecto took her hand, the girl was spilling out the matter at hand. Excellent. Teaching someone a lesson was the best kind of fun! And a Ravenclaw at that, a surprise, but clearly someone who didn't know to not mess with a Carrow. It was clear Alecto had the fire to teach this individual a lesson on her own, so what did she need her brother for? "Has Amycus not been training you in proper spells? They don't teach anything useful here at school. Too much worry about safety, really. But we can't expect anything less from the people who continue to allow mudbloods into this school." And if he hadn't - Bella was going to have to teach him a lesson. Leaving his sister defenseless in the dungeon corridors at night was atricously irresponible.

"A pretty thing like you has to know how to protect herself. Men are idiots, love. Always remember that."

[Alecto Carrow]

It looked like Bellatrix was about to laugh at her, and Alecto wished that the torches would go out to hide the hot flush of color she felt in her cheeks. Her mouth thinned into a line as her mind scrambled for an excuse to leave, but then the older Slytherin girl...affirmed her help? The blonde quickly took the other's offered hand, excuses swallowed as the opportunity to work with Bellatrix became real. They started towards the stairs that would lead them out of the lower levels that the Slytherins owned, torches igniting and their flames dissipating as they went, and Alecto was full of questions. Why was Bellatrix Black offering to help her? Would she think Alecto was foolish for being spiteful? How would Bellatrix handle things if they ran into a prefect's path? Would she help her form a proper plan to take down the uppity Quirinus?...And why is she dressed like that?

Not having spent time one-on-one with the girl before, though, was staying her usually sharp tongue. Surely it was enough to know that Bellatrix wanted to help her - and what bad rationale could she have?

Alecto looked up curiously as Bellatrix started asking about her brother, and giving opinions she'd heard from Amycus during many a long night of learning from him. But at the girl's last...

You think I'm pretty?

It wasn't something the younger girl thought about much, focusing more on being fierce than a thing of beauty, but the compliment warmed her regardless as her light eyes flitted up to the other's. She had to laugh, too, at Bellatrix's last, not bothering to cover up the sound in her amusement. "They are rather stupid, aren't they," she agreed, quieting slightly as they began ascending the stairs to the ground floor. "Amycus teaches me sometimes, but he explains things horribly," the third year went on bluntly. Her brother was brilliant with spells, but that was sort of a problem in and of itself - spellwork came more naturally to him than it did to her, and with neither Carrow being the most patient of person, their sessions often times weren't the most productive. However much she wanted to learn from him, and however much he wanted to properly tutor her, someone always lost their temper before too long. "I do want to learn more, though - because you're right, what use will we have for anything we do in class here? It's so boring."

[Bellatrix Lestrange]

The young little thing blushed, and Bellatrix couldn’t help but be pleased. If Alecto was anything like her brother, it meant the girl might be worth her time in a few years. Perhaps when the younger girl graduated, she would see where she stood. They would see enough of each other at parties throughout the years for her to keep track of the youngest Carrows preferences. And with how sweetly Alecto took her hand before starting them down the path to leave the dungeons, Bellatrix couldn’t help but watch the girl from the corner of her with a smirk as they walked.

Oh, and Alecto was adorable when she laughed. Bella felt an odd pang in her stomach, her mind wandering to Annie and the distance that was obviously growing between the two of them already. She was barely listening to the girl, but nodded along anyway. Perhaps Alecto would have her uses now, surely she could teach the girl better than Amycus could anyway? It wasn’t as if her own sister was interested in learning from her.

”Men think they run the world, everyone will tell you that. But where would they be without us cleaning up after them and fixing their mistakes? Dead, that’s where,” she added with a laugh. ”It’s settled, I will simply have to teach you the things he is incapable of. How does that sound? It’s the least I can do in my last year here.”

[Alecto Carrow]

She listened closely to the wisdom being passed down to her by the older Slytherin girl, feeling in her gut that what was said was true, even if it was a little hard to hear. Alecto knew that her brother wasn't perfect, that he made as many, or maybe even more, mistakes than she did. But did this mean that she shouldn't trust him anymore? She didn't feel comfortable asking, but was nevertheless thrilled to hear Bellatrix so definitively agree to help her - and not just tonight, but for the rest of the year. And so the slight blonde nodded quickly, looking up at the other intensely. There was something about Bellatrix that made her believe the other could make a change in her, teach her to be the threat that she should be...

"I want to hurt him," she spat abruptly, twisting thoughts returning to tonight's mission as they climbed the stairs to the Great Hall, still hand-in-hand. "Worse than he hurt me. But we need to get into Ravenclaw Tower, and Amycus was going to teach me a hex to make him pay." If Quirinus had known that she not only had her fearsome older brother on her side, but Bellatrix Black too, he wouldn't have embarrassed her. After tonight...no one ever would.

[Bellatrix Lestrange]

The climb up to the Great Hall was never a quick one, but she was finding it quite enjoyable to be in the company of the younger girl. Alecto was hanging onto her every word, such a trusting young thing. It was lucky that Bellatrix would not steer her wrong, as some others in the school might. The poor thing hadn't been properly prepared for the world outside of the walls of this castle, a fault that laid with her older brother. He was her age and wise enough to know that a woman could be just a fearsome, had she not proven that in her time at school? How could he even think about taking the mark if he couldn't teach his younger sibling to defend herself against the idiot Ravenclaws.

At the top of the stairs she paused, wavering her wand down to their feet to silence their footsteps. If they kept to the shadows they would be fine, and she doubted anyone they came across would speak of word of it. She would make sure of that. "Getting into the tower should be simple enough," she whispered to the girl with a smile, before tugging her gentle towards the next staircase. "Your brother would probaby suggest a Sting Hex, which is simple yet effective. But one doesn't rise to the top by playing it safe with spells." No, a stinging hex wouldn't cause the boy to truly fear Alecto like he should.

"I would recommend the Conjunctivitis Curse personally, will end with a trip to the hospital wing for him. Now, repeat after me..."

[Alecto Carrow]

Cleverer than she, Bellatrix did something-or-other to their shoes as they stepped out of their realm, and Alecto grinned as she found her next footfalls to be silent. Now all that would draw attention to them were their voices, which they could quiet too if need be, but Alecto really didn't want to stop talking. She had Bellatrix Black's attention all to herself, and it was a rather marvelous feeling. Her confidence at the plot was buoyed at Bellatrix's assertion that they wouldn't have trouble breaking into Ravenclaw Tower, and the blonde nodded heartily at Bellatrix's hypotheses about her brother. Amycus would start her off with something he knew she could perform, but that meant keeping things down at her level. And, really, there wasn't much that a third year could do on their own to do any damage. So while she was admittedly nervous at Bellatrix's suggestion, Alecto wasn't about to back down. Not when she had the chance to learn, to better herself in this way.

She repeated the incantation strongly, meaning it, and had shortly taken out her wand to practice on portraits as they passed. It was a shame that it was so late, in a way; there was nobody around to actually experiment on, and if they ran into a prefect and gave it a go, then surely they would get into some sort of trouble. That was the last thing that Alecto wanted, since the older Slytherin girl had taken such a chance on her. Rising the ire of portraits - "Stop that, girl!" - was entertaining, seeing them scurry out of the way as they tried to anticipate where she'd next strike made her laugh in between takes. "What will it do when it hits him?" the girl asked belatedly, wand hot in her hand from the activity, eyes shining with anticipation as they neared the Tower...

[Bellatrix Lestrange]

The girl was a quick learner, the incantation easy for the blonde to pick up on as they started up the stairs towards the Ravenclaw tower. Bellatrix let the silence fall between them as the girl practiced, sending portraits scurrying for cover with annoyance in their voices. It was a shame that Annie had never taken an interest in the dark arts, not in the same way that Bella did. Narcissa was already walking the path to be a perfect pureblood wife - regardless of her magical prowess when the youngest Black sister finally arrived at the school. But Annie had potential to be much more than another pawn for her parents to use, if she simply put her mind to it. But she would never get a proper education in this school alone - not with fools in charge of things. Perhaps if things went well with Alecto it would persuade Annie to listen to what her older sister had to say.

As they approached the tower, she let a laugh ring out as Alecto finally inquired as to what exactly the Conjunctivitis curse did, having mastered the spell on their trip. “His eyes will swell shut, and his only option will be to go to the Hospital Wing. He’ll need a good dose of the Oculus Potion before he’ll be able to see again, which could mean waiting for Slughorn,” she answered quietly, stopping them as they approached the door. It was likely that tonight’s victim would only experience a short hospital wing visit, but it was more likely that this would be the first of many opportunities she would have to teach the younger girl something.

But first they needed to get into the Ravenclaw Tower, which would no doubt be the easiest part of the evening. “Shall we?” she whispered quietly, before reaching up to move the knocker. The noise echoed throughout the quiet school, and she smirked as she waited for the eagle to come to life. “What disappears as soon as you say it’s name?” Perhaps it was the late hour, but Bellatrix wasn’t impressed by the question it choose to ask. The answer was easy, if one didn’t get too caught up in thinking about ut.

“I believe you can solve this one, can’t you Alecto?”

[Alecto Carrow]

She would have to tell Andromeda about this. About her sister being such a help when her own brother failed her, teaching her things that Amycus would think were too difficult, coming all this way without question to assist her in revenge. About how fun this was. Alecto looked over in surprise as Bellatrix laughed, a slow smile growing on her face as she heard of the curse’s effects. "Good," she returned simply, satisfied at the punishment. Quirinus would know better than to mess with her after this...that is, if she could get them into the Tower.

Bellatrix was looking at her expectantly, like the riddle was simple. Like it was something anyone, even a mudblood first year, could answer correctly on the first go. The look made her throat dry up in heated embarrassment, because she didn’t know. Don’t freeze, not now. This wasn’t something she could talk her way out of, though - the blasted eagle knocker would tell her if she was right or wrong, and in front of Bellatrix Black, as soon as she said a word. The silence was suffocating, and all Alecto could think about, because she knew that she had to fill it with something smart. The silence had to be broken by her. The silence… "Silence!" she burst out, glaring up at the knocker fiercely, daring it to tell her she was wrong when she knew that she was right. And it turned out that the third year didn’t need her brother tonight after all, that she could’ve done this on her own, because the knocker gave a slight nod of acknowledgment before allowing the door to slide open.

The girl smirked in satisfaction, blood running hot as she quietly slipped inside. She was taken aback momentarily by the vastness of the common room, and how utterly different it was from her own - true, Slytherin had as many windows as these, but they looked into the lake while here they were high into the air - before narrowing her eyes as she scanned the room with purpose. "His name is Quirinus Quirrel," Alecto said quietly to her companion as she looked around the empty room. "He’s in my year. Do you know where the dormitories are?"

[Bellatrix Lestrange]

As Alecto looked up at her, Bellatrix made a mental note to actually speak to Amycus about this. A young pureblood girl needed to be given the chance to prove herself, and it was obvious that wasn't the norm. A woman could be powerful, a woman could dominate - but only if a man got the hell out of her way. She was very lucky her Rodolphus had never even thought about standing in her way, her closest companion always allowing her to make her own path in life. And she did her best to lead by example for her younger sisters, convinced that neither Andromeda or Narcissa would ever settle for anything less than what they deserved. But Alecto was the same age as one of her sisters - and being so obviously misguided by her idiot of a big brother.

However, the girl was smart, soon giving the answer to the riddle, and Bellatrix gave the girl a smile before they slipped inside. Bellatrix hadn't spent much time in the Ravenclaw Tower, not when she had other places to get her playthings. But she had enough knowledge to be able to help, and with a nod she took Alecto's hand in her own, leading them to the stairs to the lower floor. "Their dorms are not nearly as nice as ours, but that's to be expected," she said with a roll of her eyes, stopping to push open the hidden door down to the boys dorms. "Just a few more floors now, and this Quirrel will know better than to mess with you."

[Alecto Carrow]

Ravenclaw Tower was full of books and stars, and Alecto had the patience for neither. Now that they were here, that she was so close to victory, nothing else mattered. She had the spell, and Bellatrix knew the way to the dormitories. She nodded quickly at the other Slytherin's statement, knowing that it would be true. Quirrell wouldn't dare be in the same room with her after this. Alecto kept hold of Bellatrix's hand as they descended the staircase, too wrapped up in her quest to bother quieting her steps. It didn't take much doing to find the proper dormitory; at least one Ravenclaw in each room seemed to be up reading or otherwise working with a light on, and Quirrell himself was the guilty party in his dorm. With one last look towards Bellatrix, Alecto steadied her footing on the landing, removed her hand, and kicked the door.

"Carpe Retractum!"

A rather stunned boy was shortly wrapped up in a rope of light, and while she grunted with effort, leaning back precariously on the landing, she towed him out of bed and onto the open space. "Stay back!" she commanded the others, stepping fully into the space. "This is between me and him."

"I'm quite certain I don't know what you're referring to. You shouldn't be here - "

Fury built within her at his audacity to glare up at her when she was the one in control, Alecto cut her classmate off with the curse. Bellatrix had only told her that it would send him to the Hospital Wing, and in her eagerness she hadn't bothered to find out why. But now...now, she knew. Quirrell's eyes grew red, the skin puffing until he lost his sight, and his panic was the sweetest music. "What did you do? Why did you do this to me? You're mad, Alecto - use the countercurse!"

"There is no countercurse!" she screamed, unaware if her shrill words were true or not, but validated all the same; Quirinus, who was always so clever, didn't know any better either. He quaked against the stone, scratching at his crying, swollen-shut eyes. "Never cross me again! Do you understand? Do you? Use your words, Quirrell, or I'll make it so you won't be able to speak ever again! You think I won't? Speak!"

In the back of her mind, Alecto knew she should care that she was being so loud. She knew that she should care that bodies were filling the staircase, that some had to be prefects, that some had to have connections nearly as powerful as her family's. She knew she would get in trouble for going after another student, that was against the rules. She knew her parents would have wanted her to go about it in a way that didn't draw what they would term as negative attention. But all Alecto cared about in that moment, all that she could see clearly, was Quirrell. Shaking before her, stammering, until he finally managed a clear understanding. After, still panting, a ringing, buzzing, filled her ears. Whether it was chatter from the gathered figures or something of her mind's own production, Alecto wasn't sure, but she mutely reached for Bellatrix's hand. It was done. Word would spread, and she would face the consequences, but it would be worth it. It would all be worth it. To be feared, to be left alone, to be impressive. Her mind was spinning horribly from the excitement, the buzz alive and well in her ears, and she smiled.

[Bellatrix Lestrange]

Oh, but how good this whole evening had turned out for her. Footfalls still quiet as they walked down the stairs to the boys dorm, Bellatrix was all too pleased. Life had given her sisters who cared too little about the Dark Arts. Annie was too kind for her own good, and Narcissa barely had a proper head on her shoulders. They would simply accept their fates as good pureblood housewives, and have children, and all would be well for them. Bella wanted more than that, she’d been offered more than that. A place in the Dark Lord’s ranks with her betrothed after school was over, and even a position within the Ministry. And now, after tonight? Her own little student to tutor in the ways, another kindred spirit that didn’t fancy the place that society deemed fit for her.

Alecto was quick with her wand, and Bella was amused as she drew her own wand from the sleeve of her dress, standing in the doorway. Little Carrow had this under control, the other boys in the dorm taking a step back from her as she turned on Quirrel. It was worth a laugh, the boys reaction to the curse, and Bella clapped her hands together. Others were coming out of their dorms and gathering in the halls, as Alecto yelled at the boy. It was all so amusing, and with a flick of her wand sparks flew, scaring the younger students back into their dorms. A Prefect came into view, and was ushering the remain students back to their dorms.

“Black?”

She smirked at the girl, tilting her head with amusement. Alecto had returned to her, and she gave the younger girls hand a squeeze. “We were just leaving, Jugson - you might want to deal with that mess in there,” she said sweetly, not worried. If another Prefect had found them Bella would have had to work more magic than her words, but Jugson was an ally to their cause, and wouldn’t make a fuss about the two of them sneaking into the dorm. She waited until they were back in the hallways of the castle before she smiled down at Alecto, “You did well, he’d be an even bigger fool than he already is if he tries to cross you again.”