Lollipops and Chocolate Frogs [[OPEN]]

[``kacie marie helms]

It had never been a hobby of Kacie to simply sit around in the Slytherin girls dormitory, doing absolutely nothing except watch her surroundings. She usually found way better things to do with her time. Trying to find a way to wander the corridors without worrying about being attacked by fellow Slytherins, or the Marauders, for example. Something in which she usually put all her energy in doing. Maybe that would explain why she hadn't been doing much lately, and not much for Kacie, was as good as nothing at all. Her mother had warned her that she wanted better grades and less owls home saying she had dueled someone again. She let out a soft sigh before sitting up straight and trying to make up her mind on something to do. She couldn't lie around all day doing nothing, now could she?

The Slytherin stood up, and looking herself over in a quick second, decided that she looked decent enough to go out of the common room. Then again, she always found herself looking decent enough. She headed out of the girls dormitory, and waltzed through the dungeons, hands stuffed in her pant pockets, and started going toward whatever way her feet were taking her. Anywhere was perfectly fine with her at the moment. As long as it wasn't the Slytherin Common Room.

Being so caught up in her thoughts, Kacie was barely noticing where she was heading. She stopped walking, and looked around herself. At first, she had no idea where she was. It wasn't until she heard a slight ruffle of leaves that she concluded that she was in the courtyard. Possibly near the tree that Sirus and the other marauders always sat under. She walked past it boldly, ignoring the students that made snide remarks at her as she passed, and headed for the Whomping Willow. Before heading toward the tree, the sixteen-year old quickly checked around to make sure that no one had followed her out. Yes, she was that paranoid at times. After making sure there was absolutely no one near, she started walking again, this time keeping track of where she was, and making sure she didn't get lost in her thoughts again.

When she finally managed to reach the tree without going off into her own little world again, she sat dow and prodded the knot with a long stick, forcing it to become still, and entered the secret passageway to Hogsmeade. Sixth Year had barely started, yet Kacie was already loaded with homework, most of which she was probably going to finish in a matter of tiresome, boring hours anyway.

She reached Hogsmead safely, wandering about the streets, searching for a place that caught her interest. Kacie eventually spotted Honeyduke's, one of the only - and her favorite - sweet's shop. She opened the door to the sweet aroma of the building. She hadn't been here in such awhile, and she was eager to buy herself a Chocolate Frog. Or one of those new, Long-Lasting Lollipops they were beginning to sell. She quickly decided on the Chocolate Frog, paying for it hurriedly and popping the poor chocolate into her waiting mouth.

Kacie loitered there for a moment, taking in the scenery of Honeyduke's, wishing that she could live in a place like this. It was a childish dream, but hey, what teenage girl with a craving for chocolate doesn't dream about living in Honeyduke's? Kacie needed a break anyway. After that quiz in Potions, and her previous lesson in Divination, as well as her encounter with Sirius Black... She needed a break from school.. She was content with where she was. She only wished she'd have known that she wouldn't be there alone...

[``bellatrix ariadne black]

Bellatrix wasn't exactly cheerful on this dreary November day. She was dressed in her usual black dress, surrounded by her onyx cloak. Her pale skin was a stark contrast to the darkness that encompassed her, but she loved it. The fact that her silver eyes shone vibrantly from the sockets of her moonstruck eyes gave off the sense of her being quite unapproachable. Some called her beautiful, but she didn't care. She didn't want to be what they thought of as beautiful. Only Rodolphus was allowed to call her that, and that was only because she was required to marry him. She had to at least give him some control, just a taste so that he knew that if anything went too far, she would crack the whip in a second. She was the one in control. No one else.

Smirking, the left side of her thin lips curving upwards in a cruel way, she strolled down the cobblestone pathway out of Knockturn Alley and towards Diagon Alley. She was in the mood for something sweet to eat, mainly because she had such a sweet tooth. She hated not having something sugary or fattening every once in a while. But, she kept healthy, or at least she thought so. She was a little too thin for most people, but she liked it. Her gaunt face reeked of a lack of care, but it held a sort of devastating beauty that seemed to fit her quite well.

She found herself in front of Honeydukes, still grinning from ear to ear. Stepping in and glaring at all of the younger children around, she giggled softly, moving into the shop and towards her favorite candy : the blood-flavored lollipops. Sure, she was no Vampire, but they were extremely tasty. As she headed towards that aisle, she ran into someone. Angrily, she whispered, "Watch where you're going, you filth!" Her silver eyes stared into the face of a rather familiar girl, obviously Slytherin or she wouldn't have known. She only cared about that house. Grinning precariously, she whispered, "Hello, Helms." Her smile was deceptive. "Don't you know that you shouldn't be out of Hogwarts alone in a time like this?" She undid the wrapper of a blood-pop, her lips stained red. She licked it dangerously. "You might meet someone unscrupulous." Another grin and the spider was ready to capture its prey.

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[``kacie marie helms]

As Kacie headed towards a different aisle, she ran into someone. Angrily, the stranger whispered, "Watch where you're going, you filth!" Kacie turned at the insult, retorting icily, "Who're you calling filth, you hideous swine?!" She met a pair of icy, familiar silver eyes. Taking a second glance at the woman who had run into her, Kacie realized that it was Bellatrix Black, an old alumni of Slytherin house and - from what she knew so far - a Death Eater. Her eyes narrowed in distaste and recognition of the girl, though it was probable that Black would not be surprised by this. Most Slytherins greeted each other this way. They all, in a way, truly hated themselves.

Grinning precariously, Bellatrix whispered, "Hello, Helms." Her smile was deceptive. Kacie offered a smirk in response. "Hello, Black. Long time, no see. How've you been?" It was very hard for her to pretend to be polite to a Death Eater, especially one as sickening as Bellatrix Black. She had heard that she was engaged to Rodolphus Lestrange, but she could not find it in herself to pity the poor bloke. She could remember the many times he had tried to use the Cruciatus curse on her, and silently hoped that Black gave him a lick of his own medicine once in awhile. "Don't you know that you shouldn't be out of Hogwarts alone in a time like this?" She undid the wrapper of a blood-pop, her lips stained red. She licked it dangerously. "You might meet someone unscrupulous." The Death Eater grinned once more. Kacie might have once called Bellatrix beautiful at some point, but all thoughts of beauty did not apply to Black any longer. The venom in her very presence dismissed her looks immediately.

Kacie smiled a cold smile at Bellatrix. "The world is full of unscrupulous people, Bellatrix, as you very well know. Some even consider me to be one of them." She opened a Chocolate Frog package and, before the poor frog could escape, she bit the head off of it. She hated having to pretend, to put on a facade before the Slytherins and Death Eaters, but it was her duty, and she was required to do it. For the good of the Wizarding World, and all that rubbish Dumbledore went on about. "What about you?" She asked, "What brings such a lovely face to Hogsmeade? Visiting a few old chums?"

[``bellatrix ariadne black]

Grinning quite wickedly, Bellatrix's silver eyes flashed violently, her hatred shining through with a clarity that seemed to fit her. It was unmistakable, but it wasn't surprising. She hated everyone, pretty much. "Watch your mouth, Helms, or I might have to make sure you'll never be able to talk again." She giggled crazily, but quietly, for she knew not to make a big raucous in the middle of Honeydukes. Sure, this girl had only been a fourth year when Bellatrix had graduated, but the Black young woman had made it a habit to know every soul that walked into the Slytherin Common Room. She picked out the weaklings, but Helms was not one of them. She always considered those that were frightened of her were hiding something or she was just having a bad day.

She raised an eyebrow at the smirk on Kacie's face, still grinning like a cheshire cat. When the girl narrowed her eyes, Bellatrix simply faked being hurt and said, "Come now, I haven't done you any harm. There's no reason to be less than polite, Helms." The poison in her voice was unmistakable. "Not long enough, it seems." Another perilous grin flickered onto her face. "Oh, you know, keeping to myself and my Rodolphus." Sure, she would have liked to scream to the world that she was a Death Eater, but not in a place like this. She was not stupid. She had to keep her control, no matter how much of her insanity was leaking out through her silver moonstruck eyes.

Bellatrix grinned wide before licking her blood-pop again, her tongue now a deep burgundy. She had to remember to buy these more often. She'd forgotten how good they were. She tilted her head to the side as Helms spoke her last sentence. With a raised brow, she pulled the sucker out of her mouth and said, "Well, now, I wouldn't say that. I would say that you're nearly there, but you have yet to prove yourself to any cause." She leaned in towards the girl, dangerously close. The gaunt insanity of her face was clearly visible as she whispered, "Tell me, Helms, have you chosen a side yet? Do you wish to be a fool or a conqueror?" She backed away, laughing crazily again, this time a little louder than necessary. She doubted anyone would want to come near her though. It was one of her traits. No one approached unless it was the stupid Raven girl. She rolled her eyes at the thought of her, insufferable maggot that she was. All she did was try to please her father, when she should have realized that in doing so, she would lose the only part of her that he really liked. But, Bellatrix, as hard as she tried, couldn't figure out what that was. What was there to like about that foolish girl? She was completely incompetent!

Focusing back on Helms, Bellatrix's silver eyes watched as Kacie it the head off of a Chocolate Frog. She would have liked it much better if it had been a real frog, but she wasn't complaining. Smirking, she muttered, "Helms, I have a question for you." She moved to the other side of the girl, examining a box of Acid Pops. Her moonstruck eyes flashed to meet the light brown. "Have you ever tasted blood before?" Her smile was alluring in its deception, rippling with a coldness that she could never be rid of completely. "That's why I'm here. I'm here to get my fill of the scrumptious taste before I go back. Rodolphus doesn't really like me drinking from real people. He says it's unladylike." She simply giggled, obviously thinking the matter quite irrational.

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[``kacie marie helms]

Grinning quite wickedly, Bellatrix's silver eyes flashed violently, her hatred shining through with a clarity that seemed to fit her. It was unmistakable, but it wasn't surprising. She hated everyone, pretty much. "Watch your mouth, Helms, or I might have to make sure you'll never be able to talk again." She giggled crazily, but quietly. Kacie rolled her eyes. "Oh, I'm shaking in my boots," she retorted sarcastically, going back to the sweets that were on display before her. She was not going to let Bellatrix Black ruin her good day. There were very few Slytherins at Hogwarts that Kacie could truly say were not like Bellatrix, crazy and power-obsessed. She, unlike most others, was not afraid of Bellatrix and her attempts at fearsomeness. In her opinion, Bellatrix was simply a pawn in Voldemort's chess game, nothing more than a throw away piece with the personality of a snake.

She raised an eyebrow at the smirk on Kacie's face, still grinning like a cheshire cat. Bellatrix adopted a hurt expression when she met her glare, and said, "Come now, I haven't done you any harm. There's no reason to be less than polite, Helms." The poison in her voice was unmistakable. "Not long enough, it seems." Another perilous grin flickered onto her face. "Oh, you know, keeping to myself and my Rodolphus." Kacie stiffened at the name, though she kept her expression calm and composed. Instead of rising to her bait, she replied, "So, how've you been? Busy, I hope." She said this in a casual way, though she was sure that Bellatrix knew she was talking about her work with Voldemort, not with everyday matters. She was smarter than she looked, and knew how to carry a conversation such as this without worrying of someone realizing what it was and scurrying off to tell someone about their 'devious plans'.

With a raised brow, Bellatris pulled the sucker out of her mouth and said, "Well, now, I wouldn't say that. I would say that you're nearly there, but you have yet to prove yourself to any cause." She leaned in towards the girl, dangerously close. The gaunt insanity of her face was clearly visible as she whispered, "Tell me, Helms, have you chosen a side yet? Do you wish to be a fool or a conqueror?" She backed away, laughing crazily again, this time a little louder than necessary. Kacie held back her grimace, making sure that her expression was neutral before she replied icily, "It's not wise to discuss such plans of the future in such a public place, but yes, I have made my decision. Unfortunately for you, I'm not ignorant enough to blab it in front of the entire school. I'll keep it a surprise for you though, how about that? You'll know after graduation." She hated herself for doing it, but she gave the Death Eater a conspiratorial wink. At least Bella didn't know any of her secrets; she was safe, then. If any Slytherin, if any Death Eater, knew of her lineage and where her loyalties lied, they would kill her. They already tried to torture her on a daily basis because they didn't like her, but still, if they knew....

Smirking, she muttered, "Helms, I have a question for you." She moved to the other side of Kacie, examining a box of Acid Pops. Her moonstruck eyes flashed to meet the green. "Have you ever tasted blood before?" Her smile was alluring in its deception, rippling with a coldness that she could never be rid of completely. "That's why I'm here. I'm here to get my fill of the scrumptious taste before I go back. Rodolphus doesn't really like me drinking from real people. He says it's unladylike." She simply giggled. Kacie held back the disgust that was threatening to force it's way from her neutral expression. She shook her head at the insane woman before her, replying, "No, I've never had the pleasure of trying it. I'm sure it must be delicious to you, though." Sick, twisted, Death Eating bitch.

[``bellatrix ariadne black]

Bellatrix watched Kacie roll her eyes with a slight sadistic humor. A smile curved the rather thin lips on her face before she whispered, "You should be, Helms, for you have no idea of who you are facing." Her grin turned a deeper shade of cruel black. She hated not being able to scare this young woman, for she always reveled in the fear of others. The fact that Helms was completely unaffected by her taunts was as much impressive as it was irritating. Bellatrix gave her some points, however, for it was obvious she had guts. "Maybe you should have been in Gryffindor," she whispered coldly, her silver eyes flashing brightly. "But, do you have the courage to pick the right side, Helms?" She giggled softly, having always been a little unsure of this girl. She always seemed too quiet for Bellatrix's taste, but she usually just looked past it. She was in Slytherin, after all. But, the raven-haired woman trusted no one except Rodolphus and her Dark Lord.

When the younger girl noticeably reacted to Rodolphus's name, Bellatrix's wicked grin grew wider. She had known of Kacie's distaste of the man she was betrothed to, but she still found it amusing that she remembered all of those times he had taunted her. "It still stings, doesn't it? Memories never fade, Helms." She suddenly laughed again, the sound soft in its velvet deception. "Unless you're tortured to the point of madness." She had remembered performing the Cruciatus Curse on some unlucky soul, just because she felt like it, and knew that their brain would be forever damaged. But, she thought that quite intriguing. She'd wanted to see how far she could go without killing someone. And there it was, taking away the only true thing that made them who they were; their memories. "Oh, extremely," Bellatrix replied casually, her moonstruck eyes glistening with excitement. "And you have been focusing on your studies, I presume?" Bellatrix had been an exceptional student in her time at Hogwarts. She always did her work and performed near the top of her class, no matter how distasteful her teachers thought her to be. She still got Outstanding on everything she did.

Raising an eyebrow, Bellatrix narrowed her silver eyes suspiciously. "I'm not sure I appreciate that tone, Helms." She took another lick of her lollipop, grinning all the while. "Who cares who hears it? What are you trying to hide? I'm hiding nothing." But, she was, in fact. She didn't want to get herself caught in a mess with an entanglement of Aurors that could be lying in wait for her. She knew when to strike, and she was not foolish. But, if anyone asked, she would not deny it. She was proud of what she was. Anything for her Dark Lord. She tilted her head to the side, her long black hair falling around her face quite eerily. A few strands fell in front of her eyes, but the silver shone through like two gaping holes of never-ending insanity. "Let us hope that by then you'll learn to respect those that are more powerful than you will ever be." Sure, she was being cocky, but she didn't care. She was right and she knew it. But, she also knew that Kacie was pretty skilled with her magic and it was honorable. Yet, which side would she use her skill for?

The cunning or the foolish?

Bellatrix licked the lollipop again, this time more slowly as she evaluated Kacie's expression. "How long did it take you to master your expressions, Helms? Are you trying to hide something? Most people that keep their faces emotionless always have something to hide." She grinned. "And, yes, it is actually." She held out an unopened blood-pop towards the girl before whispering, "Come on, try it. It won't do you any harm." She wondered if the girl would. It wouldn't really matter either way. If she did, more points to her, but if she didn't, then more for Bellatrix.

But, the spider always won. In one way or another.

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[``kacie marie helms]

A smile curved the rather thin lips on Bellatrix's face before she whispered, "You should be, Helms, for you have no idea of who you are facing." Her grin turned a deeper shade of cruel black. On the contrary, Kacie felt that she knew very well who she was up against, exactly how dangerous Bellatrix was. After all, she had lived with her during the girl's final years at Hogwarts. She knew just how sadistic and truly insane the woman before her was. She couldn't wait until the day she became an Auror, a member of the Order, that way she could throw Black in Azkaban, where she belonged, personally. She ignored the girl's comment, for the time being, and focused on more important matters at hand. "Maybe you should have been in Gryffindor," she whispered coldly, her silver eyes flashing brightly. Kacie stiffened at the word, pretending to be sickened by what was clearly meant to be an insult. "But, do you have the courage to pick the right side, Helms?" Bellatrix giggled softly, making the skin of her arms crawl in disgust and revulsion. "Absolutely, Black," she replied easily, coldly, "There are many others in our own house, however, that are not as sure of themselves as you and I are, Bella. Maybe you should be asking them that question, and not waste my time with it."

"It still stings, doesn't it? Memories never fade, Helms." She suddenly laughed again, the sound soft in its velvet deception. "Unless you're tortured to the point of madness." Kacie frowned, allowing her face to show a sliver of the true displeasure she held toward both Bellatrix and her "fiance". "Actually, they do fade," she disagreed, "They may not fully leave us, hide in the darkest corners of our minds, but yes, they do eventually fade. Has your aunt's memory of your dear cousin faded yet?" She added, turning away from the Death Eater and taking in the display of new candies. She knew that the mention of Sirius Black would, no doubt, push a few of Bella's buttons, and Kacie had to admit that, while dangerous, the expressions on her face at the mention of her cousin were rather comical in the past. "Oh, extremely," Bellatrix replied casually, her moonstruck eyes glistening with excitement. "And you have been focusing on your studies, I presume?" Kacie provided Bellatrix with what several people have noted, her trademark smirk. "Come, Bella, do try to remember. When, in the time you were at Hogwarts, did you ever see me 'focusing' on anything?"

Raising an eyebrow, Bellatrix narrowed her silver eyes suspiciously. "I'm not sure I appreciate that tone, Helms." She took another lick of her lollipop, grinning all the while. "Who cares who hears it? What are you trying to hide? I'm hiding nothing." Kacie rolled her eyes at the Death Eater, smirking. "You liar," she retorted, "I'd like to see this. What is it that you're 'not hiding', huh? Why don't you say it, out loud, for everyone to hear, just where your loyalties lie, Black?" She knew the old Slytherin far more than any other student outside of their own house. And, even then, everyone knew Bellatrix enough to know that she was smart, cunning. She wouldn't boast about in a public place, when there was an Auror that entered the sweet shop, that she was a Death Eater. Only a complete imbecile would do something that idiotic. And Kacie was not idiotic enough to ruin her chances of helping the Order. She wasn't going to truly give away whose side she chose, for if she told Bellatrix that she was on their side, then she would HAVE to get the dark mark on her arm. She would HAVE to follow Voldemort's orders while trying to decipher his plan and ruin him, as well. No. She was not a moron. Bellatrix tilted her head to the side, her long black hair falling around her face quite eerily. A few strands fell in front of her eyes, but the silver shone through like two gaping holes of never-ending insanity. "Let us hope that by then you'll learn to respect those that are more powerful than you will ever be." Kacie scoffed, unable to restrain her amusement. "Are you insinuating that I treat you with respect? If so, then I must respectfully inform you that I will not show respect to anyone of your standard without their respect, as well. To get it, you've gotta earn it, you see?"

Bellatrix licked the lollipop again, this time more slowly as she evaluated Kacie's expression. "How long did it take you to master your expressions, Helms? Are you trying to hide something? Most people that keep their faces emotionless always have something to hide." She grinned. "And, yes, it is actually." She held out an unopened blood-pop towards the girl before whispering, "Come on, try it. It won't do you any harm." Kacie still eyed the lollipop warilly, though, as if it were something very unpleasant. She did not answer the first part of Bellatrix's statement, but considered what she had been taught at an early age. Peer pressure was something no one should get into, but, then again, Bellatrix wasn't really her peer, was she? Taking the bait, ready to prove to Bellatrix that she was not the only one with a powerful stomach, she grabbed the lollipop, unwrapped it, and licked it. Ugh. It tasted wretched, but she kept her face composed, pretending that she actually enjoyed the strange, disgusting candy. Must be a maniac Black thing, she thought with a mental shrug, licking the lollipop once more. She ignored the instinct to gag once more.

[``bellatrix ariadne black]

Bellatrix eyed her as Kacie stayed silent, her silver eyes taking in every movement of the younger girl's expression. She wished to have the skill level of Occlumency that her Dark Lord had, so she could see into the thoughts of Helms, but she wondered if the girl would be able to block her. If she was so good at keeping her expressions off of her face, who's to say she wasn't good at keeping her thoughts from her mind? Noticing the stiffening of Kacie's body as she mentioned her being better off in Gryffindor, Bellatrix smiled against her blood-pop. She grinned wickedly, thinking it quite intriguing. She still couldn't really tell if this girl was truly disgusted by such a thought, or she was just trying to trick the Death Eater. Maybe Bellatrix was just paranoid.

Or maybe she was right on the mark.

Narrowing her eyes at Kacie's tone, Bellatrix raised a perfectly poised eyebrow. She found a double meaning in the girl's words, but knew that she was probably taking too much analytical presumptions into this. She knew that she got carried away far too often. It was one of her weaknesses. "Minds can alter, Helms, just as easily as you want them to." Her suggestion was threatening in its demeanor, for she was of course speaking of the Imperius Curse. Kacie might never have used it before, but Bellatrix had. She had utilized the spell many times before, for she needed to make it become second nature, just like the Cruciatus Curse and the Killing Curse. Her lip twitched in approval as a sort of memory of a green flash zapped through her moonstruck eyes. Murder in the utmost perfect way . . . Another grin. No sticky situations . . . No obvious causes . . . Just a quick slaughtering. . . She did like playing with her food, though, before she killed it. Torture before Murder, was her motto.

Noting the obvious distaste Kacie had towards Rodolphus, Bellatrix simply took another lick of her blood-pop and simply giggled in approval. She rolled her eyes, clearly disagreeing. Then, her body stiffened. Her jaw clenched and her silver eyes hardened into a deadly gray. Her thin nostrils flared and her gaze was poisonous in its intimidation. With much effort, she hissed, "How dare you bring up such a traitor in my presence. He deserves no words of remembrance for he is nothing but a coward. He chose not to follow the rules and decided it would be better to stay with a blood traitor's family." Her voice turned into a low snarl, and she chuckled darkly. "Of course Aunt Walburga forgot, Helms. Why would she want to remember him? Didn't you know that she and Uncle Orion favored Regulus more? He is the perfect child, for he always obeys." She let out a breath, shallow in its sound. In that moment, she hated Helms. No one ever brought up Sirius around her, unless they knew she would get angry. "You have been meeting with that dirty traitor, haven't you?" Her eyes had grown wide, the silver devastating in its width. "You have probably been waltzing around with him, thinking him 'Oh, so charming' when in fact he's the worst man you could ever be seen with. How dare you bring him up." She was nearly to the point of madness, her free hand twitching, as if it were eager to reach towards its master's wand. She needed to teach this girl a lesson, but she knew she couldn't. She needed to control herself.

Laughing loudly, she said, "If you were smart, you would focus on everything, Helms." She leaned in very close to the younger girl's face. "If you don't, you might miss something." She smiled devilishly, her pearly white teeth sparkling like the Cheshire cat. "Tell me, Helms, are you watching closely?" She cackled softly, before moving to a position where she was casually standing in front of her, as if she had not said a word. At being called a liar, Bellatrix rolled her eyes, grinning all the wider. "Don't tell me you have just figured that out, Helms. If you had, I would be sorely disappointed in you. You must trust no one." Bellatrix sure as hell didn't. Her gray eyes flashed vibrantly, the silver almost turning to complete white. "I know my place, Helms, and I suggest you figure out yours." Her tone was vicious, rippling with sadistic honey that any stranger would have taken as sincere. Then, she tilted her head forward, her hair nearly falling completely in front of her sallow face. Along with her frightening smile and shining eyes, it gave her the look of the insanity that she so desperately clung to. "What about you, Kacie? Why don't you scream about what side you're on?" She grinned. "I've never claimed to be brave, just clever." She giggled.

Her mouth twisted upwards quite unnaturally. "Good girl." She patted her on the arm, as if she was congratulating her for passing a test. "Don't give what you aren't given first, Helms. I have always lived by that." Most would call her selfish, but she simply liked to think of herself as sly and power hungry. When Kacie eyes wandered along the length of the lollipop, Bellatrix's eyes filled with a sort of desire that could never truly be deciphered. She was desperate to see blood, blood everywhere and on everything. Lifeless bodies everywhere, slashed to death with gaping wounds dripping with crimson. Her gaunt face flashed with another instance of her warped mind. She noticed that Kacie had not commented on her first statement but simply kept it in the back of her mind. Watching closely as the girl licked the blood-pop, Bellatrix smirked, only one corner of her lips turning upwards. "It's absolutely delectable, isn't it?" She longed for the taste of real human blood, to feel the agony she had caused in someone else to course through her own veins, but she knew not to be a complete monster.

At least while no one else was around.

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[``kacie marie helms]

"Minds can alter, Helms, just as easily as you want them to." Her suggestion was threatening in its demeanor, for she was of course speaking of the Imperius Curse. Kacie's eyes narrowed and she glared at Bellatrix, her voice falling into a deadly whisper. "Changing someone's mind against their will is as cowardly as it is useful to You-Know-Who. Only cowards use spells like that when they know they won't win. I'd change up the game a bit if I were you, Black. It shows bad character when you copy someone else."

"How dare you bring up such a traitor in my presence. He deserves no words of remembrance for he is nothing but a coward. He chose not to follow the rules and decided it would be better to stay with a blood traitor's family." Her voice turned into a low snarl, and she chuckled darkly. "Of course Aunt Walburga forgot, Helms. Why would she want to remember him? Didn't you know that she and Uncle Orion favored Regulus more? He is the perfect child, for he always obeys." She let out a breath, shallow in its sound. "You have been meeting with that dirty traitor, haven't you?" Her eyes had grown wide, the silver devastating in its width. Kacie kept her expression composed into an amused expression as she continued. "You have probably been waltzing around with him, thinking him 'Oh, so charming' when in fact he's the worst man you could ever be seen with. How dare you bring him up." Kacie chuckled in amusement. "You really should learn to keep your temper in check, Bella," she replied, "I never knew you to become so entangled by what another said. Now I know just the buttons to push." She grinned impishly at the Death Eater, unafraid and ready to face the wrath of the insane girl before her.

Laughing loudly, she said, "If you were smart, you would focus on everything, Helms." She leaned in very close to the younger girl's face. "If you don't, you might miss something." She smiled devilishly, her pearly white teeth sparkling like the Cheshire cat. "Tell me, Helms, are you watching closely?" Kacie couldn't exactly make out what Bellatrix was saying, but she knew it wasn't anything good. Her eyes narrowed suspiciously at the girl as she moved away from her. She refused to offer a response to her statement. "Don't tell me you have just figured that out, Helms. If you had, I would be sorely disappointed in you. You must trust no one." Kacie rolled her eyes at the Death Eater. "And what makes you think that I do trust anyone?" She retorted, her green eyes flashing. Black's gray eyes flashed vibrantly, the silver almost turning to complete white. "I know my place, Helms, and I suggest you figure out yours." Her tone was vicious, rippling with sadistic honey that any stranger would have taken as sincere. Kacie smirked at her. "I do know my place, Black," she repsonded icily, "The only question is whether or not you truly know yours."

Black's mouth twisted upwards quite unnaturally. "Good girl." She patted her on the arm, as if she was congratulating her for passing a test. Kacie scowled at her, resisting the urge to wipe disinfectant on her arm. "Don't give what you aren't given first, Helms. I have always lived by that." She raised an eyebrow at Bellatrix, deciding not to ask whether she lived by that rule when it came to Voldemort, as well. But, then again, she didn't want to raise any more suspicion with the girl as it was. She nodded curtly, not bothering to reply to such a thing. She looked throughout the sweet shop, towards the exit. She ignored the glares that she and Bellatrix recieved from passersby, and said dully, "I really should be getting back. Never know when I'll pass a Marauder." She said the word with great distaste, though she actually found the trio rather interesting. She didn't count Pettigrew, of course. He was a traitor waiting to spring. She could feel it in her very bones. Bellatrix smirked, only one corner of her lips turning upwards. "It's absolutely delectable, isn't it?" Kacie nodded, plastering a false smirk on her face. "Very," she lied. She would throw the disgusting treat away as soon as Bellatrix left her alone. That was a promise. Ugh. She would never touch that horrid "candy" again.

[``bellatrix ariadne black]

Bellatrix smiled at Kacie's words, unphased by them. She thought it quite amusing that Helms thought of her in such a way, but that was all. Her lips curved into the wicked smile as she listened. "And what would you consider slaughtering someone to be, Helms?" She fluttered her lashes, a slight giggle escaping through her beautiful lips. Another smirk flitted onto her face before she whispered, "What if I said it was simply more fun, Kacie? What would you say of me then? Would you still call me a coward when it's quite obvious that most of the Wizards in existence couldn't last five seconds in a closed-off area with me?" She was being cocky again, but it was true. Most of the people she faced were the cowards, not her. She tortured to extremities, killing only if there was no more use of the people to her Dark Lord. "And who am I copying, Helms?" She licked her blood-pop again, crunching it a bit so as to suck on a piece of it in her mouth.

Glaring harshly at the brunette, Bellatrix's lips snarled upwards. Her fingers twitched again, desperate to curse this girl to the point of insanity, just to make her feel what she had been missing; what Bellatrix continuously lived. She raised an eyebrow, her nostrils flaring when the girl spoke again. "And you should learn to keep that hole in your face shut when the opportunity arises, Helms. Otherwise, I might have to shut it for you. Permanently. Are you willing to risk your life for petty insults?" Her silver eyes flashed with anticipation, as if she was daring Kacie to continue talking about Sirius. She shook her long black hair down her back, trying to regain control of her mind. It seemed nearly impossible these days, but it was also helpful. That gave her the edge of being unpredictable. "If you are so determined to push my buttons, Helms, then you will not be going back to Hogwarts tonight." She smirked at her threat, taking another bite out of her lollipop, as if she had said nothing at all.

When Kacie narrowed her eyes, Bellatrix simply giggled. Most people hardly knew what she was talking about most of the time, but that's just what she wanted. She didn't like not gaining a response, however, and pursed her lips slightly. Then, she merely laughed again. She shrugged at the question. "I didn't say that you did, Helms. Don't get your knickers in a twist." She stooped to grab a handful of Acid Pops before dumping them into her bag. She grinned widely as Kacie spoke again and she retorted with a tone full of venom, "I know that I am destined for greatness, Kacie. Can you say the same, because all I see is a pathetic waste of magical ability bestowed upon someone with no appreciation of the true beauty of this fucked up world." Another grin.

When she scowled, Bellatrix giggled, finding it in that moment that Kacie thought her disgusting. But, it was mutual. Watching her closely with her silver eyes, the oldest Black daughter grinned widely. "Thinking of running away from me, Helms? Are you afraid of getting hurt?" She chuckled darkly. "I promise I don't hurt those that are Slytherin." She smirked, lying through her teeth. But, no one could ever really tell if she was being truthful or not. She was so insane and contradictory that it was nearly impossible to tell. She twitched at the word. "Too bad, really. I was beginning to like you, Helms. Maybe I should walk you back to the gate?" Bellatrix knew she was lying. She could see it deep in her eyes. But, she didn't care. At least the girl had the guts to try it. That gave her some points, at least in Bellatrix's book. "It's an addiction once you eat more of it. The real thing is a lot better, though." A giggle escaped through her lips, the velvet clouded by the darkness.

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[``kacie marie helms]

Bellatrix's lips curved into the wicked smile as she listened. "And what would you consider slaughtering someone to be, Helms?" She fluttered her lashes, a slight giggle escaping through her lips. Kacie tried to hide her disgust and the words cookoo bananas suddenly flitted through her mind. Another smirk flitted onto Black's face before she whispered, "What if I said it was simply more fun, Kacie? What would you say of me then? Would you still call me a coward when it's quite obvious that most of the Wizards in existence couldn't last five seconds in a closed-off area with me?" She raised an eyebrow at the Death Eater's cocky tone, unimpressed. "I have a feeling I could name quite a few that could beat you, Bellatrix. There's no need to get so cocky when you speak falsely."

Kacie loved irritating Bellatrix Black to no end. It was almost like a game to her. It was wildly entertaining, watching how the woman reacted to her insults and insinuations. Glaring harshly at the brunette, Bellatrix's lips snarled upwards. She raised an eyebrow, her nostrils flaring. "And you should learn to keep that hole in your face shut when the opportunity arises, Helms. Otherwise, I might have to shut it for you. Permanently. Are you willing to risk your life for petty insults?" Black's silver eyes flashed with anticipation, as if she was daring Kacie to continue talking about Sirius. "If you are so determined to push my buttons, Helms, then you will not be going back to Hogwarts tonight." She smirked, and Kacie could not help but do the same in response. "Your threats don't bother me, Bella. You're not the first to make that statement, and I doubt you'll be the last. Come now, shouldn't you be a bit more mature about this? At least challenge me to a proper duel, instead of babbling away." She rolled her eyes at the witch before her, and grabbed another chocolate frog, taking a severe bite out of it. "All talk, no action," she taunted in a light and teasing tone. She smiled. This was too much fun.

Bellatrix simply giggled in response. She shrugged at the question. "I didn't say that you did, Helms. Don't get your knickers in a twist." She stooped to grab a handful of Acid Pops before dumping them into her bag. She grinned widely as Kacie spoke again and she retorted with a tone full of venom, "I know that I am destined for greatness, Kacie. Can you say the same, because all I see is a pathetic waste of magical ability bestowed upon someone with no appreciation of the true beauty of this fucked up world." Another grin. Kacie replied just as fiercely, a false smile plastered on her face. "I'm beginning to think you see me as a threat, Bella. Otherwise you wouldn't be pushing the subject so. But, by all means, go ahead. Tell me I'm worthless. It'll only make me that much more convinced." She chuckled coldly.

The oldest Black daughter grinned widely. "Thinking of running away from me, Helms? Are you afraid of getting hurt?" She chuckled darkly. "I promise I don't hurt those that are Slytherin." She smirked. Kacie did not bother to smile in reply. She was bored, and she felt no need to lie now, to try and convince the girl otherwise. "Nope," she replied bluntly, "I'm just tired of looking at your face." Bella twitched at the word. "Too bad, really. I was beginning to like you, Helms. Maybe I should walk you back to the gate?" Kacie sighed. "Thanks, but no thanks, Black. I'd rather not dawdle about and talk nonsense." "It's an addiction once you eat more of it. The real thing is a lot better, though." A giggle escaped through her lips, the velvet clouded by the darkness. Kacie offered the Death Eater a raised eyebrow and a bored expression, though she was retching on the inside from what she had just consumed. "I bet it is," she replied dully.

[``bellatrix ariadne black]

Bellatrix laughed wildly when Kacie's face shone with a sliver of disgust. But, she didn't really care. She expected it from the girl. She was unphased by it as well, for most everyone hated her. What did it matter that yet another person was simply despising of her as well? At Kacie's words, she took another crunch of the lollipop and then pulled out her wand. She tapped it against the white stick the blood pop had been on and then it disappeared with a couple of sparks. Grinning widely, she muttered, "Oh, really? And who would those be, Helms? I hope you weren't including yourself in that count." She giggled.

Bellatrix hated Helms more than she had ever hated a Slytherin before. Even more than Snape, and that was hard to do. He was simply insufferable, but he knew when to shut up. She despised the fact that Helms was getting pleasure out of this and for a moment, Bellatrix wished to slit her throat. Do more to her than kill her. Her left eye twitched at the thought of blood and she chuckled, her expression flighty. She remembered the spell she had gotten from Severus. Sectumsempra, it was. How lovely. She had yet to use it on someone yet. She had been practicing with it on animals so far. Her silver eyes flashed back to focus on Kacie. "Fine then, I challenge you to a proper duel? Now, would you like me to do it in here, or would you prefer we set up a date?" She grinned widely, her perfect teeth shining in the light of the sweets shop. Her fingers clenched tighter around the black-colored wand held in her hand.

Shrugging, Bellatrix said, "I never said you were worthless. You just have yet to prove to me otherwise." She glared heatedly. "What if I wanted you to kill someone? Would you do it? Without thinking?" Silver eyes watched the younger girl's face closely, searching for any kind of reaction. She laughed. "I don't see anyone as a threat, darling. I'm surprised that you would think someone as arrogant as I to have fear for anyone else's ability." She paused, examining a box of Sugar Quills. "Besides, no one but the Dark Lord is better than I am at dueling." She grinned over at Helms, daring her to say otherwise. Would she tell Bellatrix that she had skills? Would she tell the Black daughter that she was much more impressive and knowledgeable in dueling than one of the darkest women that walked the earth? "I kill for fun, Helms, she whispered darkly, silver eyes glowing. "What makes you think that anyone sane could ever have power over me? I'm unpredictable." At least, she thought so.

Giggling harshly at the insult, Bellatrix ran her fingers through her midnight locks before whispering, "You're jealous of my beauty, Helms. I bet you wish you had been born into a family like mine, so you could have the same opportunities that I do. But, you got stuck with . . . that . . ." She fluttered her lashes, messing with her ear as she pointed at Helms, as if she were considering her to look disgusting. She grinned widely, impressed by this girl's blatant disregard for her own safety. "If you listened more closely, you wouldn't see that there was nonsense in my words, Kacie." This time, her voice was like venom, the sound almost wicked in its sound. "Oh, yes. It's an acquired taste. Much like caviar." She giggled again, not particularly fond of the fishy food. She liked sweets a lot more.

Especially Blood pops.

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[``kacie marie helms]

At Kacie's words, Bellatris took another crunch of the lollipop and then pulled out her wand. She tapped it against the white stick the blood pop had been on and then it disappeared with a couple of sparks. Grinning widely, she muttered, "Oh, really? And who would those be, Helms? I hope you weren't including yourself in that count." She giggled. Kacie raised an eyebrow at the girl. "Dumbledore," she started, then continued by making a list of the greatest witches and wizards of their time. She finally stopped after a long list of those wizards, even a few Hogwarts alumni, and smiled, "And yes, in time, I believe I will be able to defeat you, Bellatrix. The fair way. Not by muttering cowardly Unforgivables because I doubt my own abilities as a skilled witch."

Bellatrix was by far the most dispicable creature Kacie had ever laid eyes on. She was vile, cruel, and evil. She was just like Voldemort, without the ability to truly love and care. Bellatrix's left eye twitched, and she chuckled, her expression flighty. Her silver eyes flashed back to focus on Kacie. "Fine then, I challenge you to a proper duel? Now, would you like me to do it in here, or would you prefer we set up a date?" She grinned widely, her perfect teeth shining in the light of the sweets shop. Her fingers clenched tighter around the black-colored wand held in her hand. Kacie's hand flashed instinctively to her own pocket, her fingers wrapping securely around her own wand. "Bring it on," she replied icily, "But remember, should anyone die, it's you that shall be taking a nice long trip to Azkaban. Unless you've become a master at hiding that tatoo of yours?" She raised her eyebrow, the last three words spoken a bit loudly. One or two passersby glanced their way, then hurried off to find their friends and/or family. She glared at the Death Eater before her, her nostrils flared, her eyes glowing with hatred. She had never hated anyone as much as she hated Bellatrix, save for Rodolphus, of course. She wanted to hurt the witch, to make her suffer the way she had made others suffer her entire life.

For the first time, Kacie wanted to use an Unforgivable.

Shrugging, Bellatrix said, "I never said you were worthless. You just have yet to prove to me otherwise." She glared heatedly. "What if I wanted you to kill someone? Would you do it? Without thinking?" Silver eyes watched the younger girl's face closely, searching for any kind of reaction. Kacie scowled at Bellatrix. "That depends on whether I like them more than I do you," she replied. There were very few people in this world that she disliked more than Bellatrix, so that was answer enough for the Death Eater's question, though she knew that Bella would not know the truth behind her words. Black laughed. "I don't see anyone as a threat, darling. I'm surprised that you would think someone as arrogant as I to have fear for anyone else's ability." She paused, examining a box of Sugar Quills. "Besides, no one but the Dark Lord is better than I am at dueling." She grinned over at Helms, daring her to say otherwise. Kacie smirked. "Yes, but the Dark Lord himself is even intimidated now and then. Why else do you think he wants Dumbledore dead?" She demanded in a falsely sweet voice. "I kill for fun, Helms," she whispered darkly, silver eyes glowing. "What makes you think that anyone sane could ever have power over me? I'm unpredictable." Kacie smirked at the Death Eater. "Oh, you're very predictable, Bella," she replied, knowing that she was walking on thin ice. She was in dangerous territory now, but it was already too late to go back. "I can even tell you what your favorite curse is. I can tell you that you'll come running as soon as the Dark Lord whispers your name. There are many things that are predictable about you, Bella. Don't get so arrogant. Try thinking before you talk; it'll save a lot of ignorant replies on your part."

Giggling harshly at the insult, Bellatrix ran her fingers through her midnight locks before whispering, "You're jealous of my beauty, Helms. I bet you wish you had been born into a family like mine, so you could have the same opportunities that I do. But, you got stuck with . . . that . . ." She fluttered her lashes, messing with her ear as she pointed at Helms, as if she were considering her to look disgusting. Kacie raised an eyebrow at Bellatrix. "And how would you know that I wasn't born into a family like yours?" She retorted, hating herself for the next word that escaped her mough. "Cousin." She grinned widely, impressed by this girl's blatant disregard for her own safety. "If you listened more closely, you wouldn't see that there was nonsense in my words, Kacie." The Sixth Year Slytherin rolled her eyes at the woman before her. "Oh, yes, how charming, Bella," she replied sarcastically, walking up to the register to pay for her candy. "It was a pleasure seeing you again, but I really must get back to Hogwarts. Far too much homework, you see." This time, her voice was like venom, the sound almost wicked in its sound. "Oh, yes. It's an acquired taste. Much like caviar." She giggled again, and Kacie wrinkled her nose in disgust. She did not dignify this statement with an answer, for she felt sick to her stomach as it was. She needed to get out of here before she did something she would regret. Now.

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[``bellatrix ariadne black]

When Helms spoke the Headmaster's name, Bellatrix snarled. "That fool should be locked up in Azkaban. He's detrimental to the strength of Hogwarts." Listening to the rest of Kacie's list, Bellatrix rolled her eyes. There might have been truth in the mention of Dumbledore, but she was certain she could overpower the others. She giggled loudly. "You'll never defeat me as long as you hide yourself, Helms. As long as you think you know me, I have already won. I use your weaknesses against you. Can you tell me what mine is?" She grinned widely, her red lips stretching over her pearly white teeth. "What is fair anyway? A sport for the cowardly? I don't doubt my abilities. I just think it's more fun to use them." She shrugged. In a proper duel, she would've used any spell she thought would hurt Helms the most, especially the ones that showed blood.

Watching with cold silver eyes, Bellatrix noticed Kacie's hand fly to her pocket, no doubt where her wand would be. She grinned beautifully. She nodded and then led the way outside of Honeydukes. Turning with a cruel smile, she said, "Clever Helms, what will I do?"" She fluttered her lashes before twirling her wand in her long white fingers, much like Voldemort's. Hers held an elegance, however, that he could never achieve. "Come on, Helms, do you really think I'd kill a waste of human flesh like you? I just want to play." She couldn't suppress the giggle that suddenly erupted from her throat, floating through her lips like a venomous hiss. Her black hair fell around her face quite eerily, her silver eyes shining through like cold daggers in the early night. She giggled again. "I'm a master at doing everything, Helms. Will you be able to hide whose side you're really on for much longer?" Bellatrix had a deep-seated feeling that Helms was not going to become a Death Eater. There was something about her that threw the Black off. Something about her eyes . . .

Bellatrix threw her a radiant smile before hissing, "It doesn't matter if you like them or not, Helms. Hell, it doesn't even matter if you know them! I prefer the ones that tell me a sob story of how many children they have and what their spouse is like. Their fear is my favorite." She smiled wider, the teeth in her smile resembling that of a wicked snake. Bellatrix turned slowly when Kacie called her Dark Lord intimidated. She fluttered her dark lashes before whispering "Why would I tell you why he wants Dumbledore dead, Helms? I'm beginning not to trust you after all your blatant attempts to claim that you are going to become one of us. You mock the Dark Lord as if he were lowly." She knew a true Death Eater or someone wanting to become one would never say such things about the man they would be ruled under. No matter how many times people said it, Bellatrix hated that nickname. She only allowed Narcissa to use it because they were sisters. Sometimes, she let Rodolphus, but that was only if she was in the mood. She laughed again. "You only think that because I've led you to think in such a way, Helms. Oh, so you know of the Cruciatus Curse? I'm surprised, Helms, that you think so lowly of me." She faked being hurt, making a face very near to one that Sirius Black would make when he was mocking pain. "What makes you think I'm not, Helms? What if I'm just saying all of this to throw you off of my real point?" She grinned again, this time with more venom than before.

She snorted. "Because mine's the best, of course!" She made a derisive noise, as if that were quite obvious. She shivered, her lips curved in disgust as Kacie called her 'cousin'. Her lips turned into a snarl and she hissed "I'm not so sure, Helms. I'm having someone look into our bloodlines. So far, they haven't found any Helms to speak of." It was a lie, but it didn't show on her face or in her eyes. She was trying to catch the fly in her perfectly spun web. Bellatrix rolled her eyes as she watched Kacie pay for her candy. She bowed her head ever so slightly in a curt nod. "As it was to see you, Helms. I do hope we meet again very soon."

Her lips curved into a deadly smirk.

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[``kacie marie helms]

Bellatrix snarled. "That fool should be locked up in Azkaban. He's detrimental to the strength of Hogwarts." Kacie merely shrugged, "Doesn't matter. There are many wizards that belong in Azkaban, but one cannot deny that they are great sorcerers." Listening to the rest of Kacie's list, Bellatrix rolled her eyes, giggling loudly, almost insanely. "You'll never defeat me as long as you hide yourself, Helms. As long as you think you know me, I have already won. I use your weaknesses against you. Can you tell me what mine is?" She grinned widely, her red lips stretching over her pearly white teeth. Kacie's eyes narrowed at the Death Eater, and she leaned forward, whispering just so she could barely hear. "People fear his name, but you idolize it. You crave to hear it. You crave to be near him. He's your weakness. You like to play with your food before you eat it, playing mind games with your victims, torturing them until you grow bored. I'm not saying that I know everything about you Bellatrix, but I know the essentials." "What is fair anyway? A sport for the cowardly? I don't doubt my abilities. I just think it's more fun to use them." She shrugged. Kacie's eyebrows raised in a bored manner, though she forced her expression to remain composed. She would not allow Bellatrix to see how disgusted she was with her; she could not allow the Death Eater to know her true alliances. "Nor do I, Bellatrix, but it does seem a bit arrogant to flaunt your knowledge of magic, don't you think? I'd rather be the underdog that comes out when they least expect it than be the one people have grown bored of seeing. I'm actually quite surprised that they've allowed you to come this close to Hogwarts, knowing your loyalties. I hear you've...managed, a few Aurors a few weeks ago, actually. I figured they'd be keeping a better eye on you."

Bellatrix grinned beautifully, the sight sickening Kacie more than the smell of rotten garbage on a hot summer's day. The Death Eater nodded and then led the way outside of Honeydukes, the young Slytherin following close behind. She was going to try with all of her might to get this woman. She knew she didn't stand a chance, but she would at least hold her off until an Auror came. Turning with a cruel smile, she said, "Clever Helms, what will I do?" She fluttered her lashes before twirling her wand in her long white fingers, much like Voldemort's. Hers held a feminine elegance, however, that he could never achieve. "Come on, Helms, do you really think I'd kill a waste of human flesh like you? I just want to play." She seemed unable to suppress the giggle that suddenly erupted from her throat, floating through her lips like a venomous hiss. Her black hair fell around her face quite eerily, her silver eyes shining through like cold daggers in the early night. Kacie withdrew her wand and glared at Bellatrix. She had never hated someone so much as she did this woman. She was pure evil. She giggled again. "I'm a master at doing everything, Helms. Will you be able to hide whose side you're really on for much longer?" She taunted. Kacie's lip lifted up in disgust at the creature before her, and she hissed the first thing that entered her mind - the one thing she knew would irk Bellatrix the most - so quietly that no one but her could hear. "You're a disappointment to the Dark Lord, Bella," she snarled, "A house cat could accomplish more for him in a day than you could in your life. You're worthless to him!" She gripped her wand tightly in her hand, ready to strike at any given moment.

Bellatrix threw her a radiant smile before hissing, "It doesn't matter if you like them or not, Helms. Hell, it doesn't even matter if you know them! I prefer the ones that tell me a sob story of how many children they have and what their spouse is like. Their fear is my favorite." Kacie hid her disgust and pity for the families that had suffered under Black's wand. The woman aformentioned smiled wider, the teeth in her smile resembling that of a wicked snake. Bellatrix turned slowly when Kacie called her Dark Lord intimidated. She fluttered her dark lashes before whispering "Why would I tell you why he wants Dumbledore dead, Helms? I'm beginning not to trust you after all your blatant attempts to claim that you are going to become one of us. You mock the Dark Lord as if he were lowly." Kacie shook her head innocently. "I do not think of the Dark Lord as lowly," she lied easily, "But even you can not deny that Dumbledore is a powerful wizard, Bella. He taught you, after all, as he did with the Dark Lord, I expect. He's seen as one of the most powerful wizards of the age by most, so it's only natural that people are intimidated by him. You-Know-Who's only proving his wit in wanting the old codger out." She hated talking about Dumbledore in this way, but it was necessary. She needed to prove her loyalty to Bellatrix, to rid the girl of suspicion, at any cost. Neither she, nor the wizarding world, could afford mistakes. Bellatrix laughed again. "You only think that because I've led you to think in such a way, Helms. Oh, so you know of the Cruciatus Curse? I'm surprised, Helms, that you think so lowly of me." She faked being hurt, making a face very near to one that Sirius Black would make when he was mocking pain. Kacie put on a bored expression, though she hated bringing it up. She admired this next subject dearly; she was a role model to all moral Slytherins. "I can still recall Adromeda, Black," she reminded the Death Eater monotonously, "And I can remember your remaining days at Hogwarts. Don't play dumb." "What makes you think I'm not, Helms? What if I'm just saying all of this to throw you off of my real point?" Kacie shrugged, "Then that's my problem, isn't it?" she said dully. Bellatrix grinned again, this time with more venom than before.

She snorted. "Because mine's the best, of course!" She made a derisive noise, as if that were quite obvious. Kacie raised an eyebrow at the girl, unamused. She knew quite well how her family was, and was grateful that she had been born into a Muggle family. Bellatrix deserved the family she got. Sick, twisted, inbred, incest, maniacle, pureblood mania-obsessed bitch. Black shivered, her lips curved in disgust as Kacie called her 'cousin'. Kacie smiled mockingly at the sight. Her lips turned into a snarl and she hissed "I'm not so sure, Helms. I'm having someone look into our bloodlines. So far, they haven't found any Helms to speak of." Kacie snorted as she rolled her eyes at the girl. "Liar," she spat, "My family's in there, look and see, you bloody twit. Besides, if it makes any difference, my name originated in Germany. You'll find quite a few Helms purebloods in that area." Bellatrix rolled her eyes as she watched Kacie pay for her candy. She bowed her head ever so slightly in a curt nod. "As it was to see you, Helms. I do hope we meet again very soon." Kacie offered the Death Eater a small, curt nod in return, unsmiling as she replied, "And I, as well, Bellatrix. Send the others my regards."

She watched, her face composed, her thoughts disgusted, as Bellatrix's lips curved into a deadly smirk.