The fine line...

The Art of Conflict

It felt like no time at all before Christmas once again made it’s presence known. The castle had been decked out in it’s usual festive manor (which Bella never hesitated to point out was sickening) and most of the students had gone home for the holidays.

Bella had opted to stay at school over the holidays to “keep an eye” on the place, as she didn’t have enough trust for anyone who was staying to not try and ruin things while she was gone. Or so she says. Ava couldn’t help but feel that Bella just wanted to stay behind because she herself would be staying as well. And as much as she found the idea stupid, and hated to think of what it meant, she couldn’t help but feel a little fuzzy inside thinking about spending more time with her.

Ava had no idea why she stayed. Her immediate response when asked was “no, my family is away”. Short and vague as always. But when she thought about it too much, she felt that now familiar warm sensation wash over her brain as she put it out of her mind all together and never gave it another thought.

It was after dinner and the two girls found themselves sitting by the lake; a habit that Bella had recently gotten Ava into. It was soothing, sitting by the lake at night and she had often escaped out to that same spot when the Dungeons of her Slytherin home were too overbearing for her. Despite the snow and chilling winds, a couple of enchantments by Ava kept the girls comfortable; in particular a small flame which she had cast and had hovering in front of them. They sat in silence, enjoying the peacefulness of over half the school (including Malfoy and his cronies) missing, completely lost in thought.

It hadn’t even been a month since the arrangement had been made, but both girls had changed so much already; both in very different ways. Ava’s changes, while subtle, were probably most noticeable by other people. Her time with Bella had given her confidence and she was now very comfortable with herself. This particular change could probably be appointed to the very first challenge Bella set her, which is where her thoughts were currently.

“To understand yourself, you must be comfortable with who you are. Take a look in the mirror and tell me what you see…”

Ava looked at her questioningly but did as instructed. There she stood, completely naked and glowing in the aftermath of sex with Bella. “I see someone who has thoroughly enjoyed the last hour of their life.”

Bella sniggered but then turned serious. She made eye contact with Ava’s reflection and Ava shivered. “Take a moment, look at yourself and take it all in then tell me what you see.”

Ava sighed and returned to looking at her own reflection. She stared for a long time, telling Bella the flaws she found with herself as she went.

Bella watched on, her face showing no sign of the thoughts racing through her head. Never had she understood self-consciousness. After being raised to believe that she was far superior to everybody else, she never had a moment of thinking any part of her wasn’t good enough. Now here she stood, listening to this beautiful girl picking out every flaw imaginable.

She didn’t know how she made her feel, probably as close to sad as a Black would allow themselves to feel. Bella wanted to offer comforting words, tell Ava she was amazing, but quickly squashed the feeling. She didn’t want to look like she’d gone soft or anything. Damn that Black pride of hers. After all, she had a task to accomplish here.

She looked up to see Ava staring at her in the mirror. She’d been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn’t noticed Ava finish. Making a quick recovery , she rolled her eyes and smirked. “God I thought you’d never stop.”

Ava looked put out and like she’d very much like to argue back but Bella stopped her. “You asked me to teach you, so here is your first lesson. Tomorrow you are to spend the entire day naked.”

A long silence followed while Bella patiently watched as Ava processed what she was just told to do.

“N-Naked?” She stammered, a confused look on her face. Bella nodded. “How naked?”

“How many definitions of naked do you know Mendez, cause as far as I know there’s only one.”

Ava swallowed. “But… But tomorrow’s a school day. You can’t expect me to skip class and sit around in my room naked all day!”

“Whoa whoa whoa, Mendez. I never recall asking you to skip any classes…” Bella grinned inside. She was enjoying this way too much. “Let me explain it a little more for you. You will be naked, but you will use an illusionment charm to make it appear to everyone else that you are fully robed. Not me of course, I need to see you so I know you‘re not cheating.”

“You know a charm like that?” Ava stopped being scared for a moment and lost herself in being impressed with Bella’s spell knowledge.

“Of course I do, I use it all the time,” she responded, smirking. Ava didn’t waste any energy in being surprised with the knowledge that Bella would use it.

“How is this relevant to anything?” Ava asked.

“Confidence. You asked me to teach you all I know. You want to understand me, how I work, what makes me get what I want? Well this is the first step. People won’t see you the way you want them to until you start seeing yourself the same way.”

“Wow, Bella. That’s actually surprisingly deep.”

“Told you not to think you knew me,” Bella replied. “You know what I see when I look at you?”

Ava rolled her eyes and scoffed as Bella walked over to stand behind her in the mirror. She put her hands on Ava’s shoulders and leant down to talk straight into her ear, not breaking the eye contact with the other girl’s reflection.

“I see a completely fuckable woman.” She covered Ava’s mouth with her hand to stop the snide retort that was bound to come. “Whether you see it or not, you are an amazing looking girl. You think I’d put that much effort into chasing you around if I didn’t think you were worth it? You think Malfoy would have been so cut up about it if you weren’t good enough? You have the looks, Mendez, and sure you may have a slight flaw here or there, but it’s all in your head. Once you are comfortable with the way you look then people will notice you more too.”

Bella removed her hand so Ava could respond. “And to do this I have to be naked?”

“It’s the easiest way, yes. Plus I get to look at you all day.” At this Ava turned to glare at her and Bella just laughed. “All right, since you’re so reluctant, how about I let you keep your underwear on?”

Ava sighed, reluctantly giving in. “Alright. I’ll do it. But I think I should get something in return.”

Bella just raised her eye brow. “Giving you everlasting confidence isn’t enough? You cut a hard deal Mendez. What do you want?”

“Let me touch you.”

It was only four words, but they made the room freeze. Ava held her breath, waiting the response and possible abuse that was to follow her request. Bella froze completely, not knowing how to react to the statement. For a fleeting moment she wanted to agree, to let Ava do with her as she wished, but her pride and arrogance wouldn’t allow it. She snapped back to herself and sneered.

“Keep dreaming, Mendez. Now put your clothes on and get out, I’ll see you bright, early and naked in the morning.”

Looking back at it now, Ava was amused by the whole situation. All in all it had been an interesting day. She’d cast the spell that Bella had given her, and nearly died of nervousness when she slunk into the common room, afraid that it hadn’t worked. But when everyone ignored her as usual, she realised that it had worked, either that or seeing the new girl parade around in her underwear wasn’t an abnormal thing to have happen.

Bella had been right. It felt good. Her confidence grew throughout the day, and by the time she entered the completely full Great Hall for lunch she was thoroughly enjoying herself. Even the bemused look Dumbledore had given her didn’t deter her mood. She spotted Bella across the hall sitting in her usual spot and grinned a little. Bella looked amused and smug, but her eyes were unreadable…

The feeling of someone staring at her snapped Ava out of her reverie and she turned to find Bella looking pointedly at her.

“What are you thinking about? You have this goofy amused expression on your face and quite frankly it’s creeping me out.” Bella tried to keep an icy composure, but Ava could see her eyes were joking.

Ava poked at the fire with her wand. “Just thinking about the first time you made me do the naked thing.”

Bella rolled onto her back and stared up at the stars. “Didn’t I tell you it felt good? How many times have you done it since?”

“I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t done it since,” Ava replied, mischievous smile playing at her lips. “I mean, why wouldn’t I when it gets that sort of response from you.”

They both grinned at the memory of Bella not being able to stand it any longer and cornering Ava in another closet and having her way with her before potions.

“Well you know the idea of it is lost if you don’t tell me that you’re wondering around with no clothes on. You know I can’t see it unless you exclude me from the charm,” Bella said, hiding her disappointment that Ava hadn’t been sharing these days with her.

“You can’t tell?” Ava asked, a little surprised. Bella shook her head. “Huh. I thought with all the ‘confidence’ you said it would give me you’d be able to tell from my general demeanour that I was doing it.”

“Don’t be sceptical of the lesson, Mendez. The only reason I can’t tell is cause it worked too damn well.” Ava scoffed but Bella continued anyway. “I’m serious! You could be naked right now, and I wouldn’t know any better. You were nervous as hell the morning of that day, but by the afternoon you felt so good about yourself, hence the taking of you in the closet. And now you’ve taken that feeling and you carry it all the time. Tell me you don’t feel it?”

Ava looked out over the lake and smiled. “Yeah, I guess I do feel a lot better about myself.”

Once again they fell into a comfortable silence. Ava staring across towards the forest and Bella gazing at the sky. Never before Ava had Bella ever brought anyone out to this spot with her, or even told anyone where she was going, but there was something about Ava’s presence that soothed her as well. Conversation rarely ever took place and most nights they would just sit in silence and watch the moon shine into the lake.

Since they’d been getting along well so far this evening, Ava decided to keep talking. She’d wanted to bring the subject up for a long time but never knew how Bella would react. But considering the darker girl’s seemingly light mood tonight, she figured now was as good a time as any.

“Bella?” When she was met with nothing but a grunt in response she continued. “So, why is it that you are joining with Voldermort?” She asked casually.

Bella began to speak but Ava cut her off, sitting up from her previous position of leaning back on to her hands to look Bella right in the eyes.

“I don’t want to hear any of your ‘family honour’ bullshit. I want to know you’re reasons. Why you want to become apart of the terror. What reasons do you personally have to leave all you know to join a muggle hating murderer?”

Bella, who was sitting upright with her knees clutched at her chest visibly tensed at the questioning. “I tolerate a lot, but don’t insult my Lord like that, Mendez. Just cause you don’t believe-”

“I wasn’t trying to insult,” Ava cut in, backtracking quickly. “It is the truth isn’t it?

“I suppose,” was her hesitant reply, but she was still obviously offended at what Ava had said. Ava meanwhile, was amazed that she didn’t get her head completely bitten off, or her mouth cursed shut for what she said. It really was starting to show how much the two girls had connected, even if Bella hadn’t noticed.

Bella sighed. “The truth is, Mendez, that Lord Voldermort is fast becoming one of the most powerful wizards in the world, and he is the only one who’s willing to take a stand against the muggles.”

There was a long pause before Ava replied, almost as though she had to really process what had just been said. “Take a stand? What is it that you have against the muggles?”

“They are filth.” The three words were practically spat out and Ava could hear the venom in her voice. “They are filth polluting our world. They are shallow, narrow minded, cowardice animals that thrive on war and destruction.”

“So you really are in on this off your own free will. And here I was thinking that you’re the way you are because you’ve had your families beliefs shoved down your throat.” Ava was surprised. All she was expecting was a comment about how superior the magical race was but it seemed that Bella was in fact a lot deeper then she let on.

“Muggles spent centuries hunting us down like animals and trying to kill us off because they were too scared to accept that we were there.”

“Yeah, but it’s not like any of the burning ever worked,” Ava scoffed. “I’m pretty sure all those subject to it reportedly thoroughly enjoyed the experience.”

Bella turned to face Ava, the anger more obvious on her face now. “That’s not the point at all. They wanted us gone, and they think they succeeded. They’re so stupidly ignorant that they actually believe that we don’t exist anymore, despite the fact that we can‘t help but make our presence known. Why the hell she we have to hide what we can do because they’re too simple minded to accept us? They’re all against magic and sorcery, going on about ‘the devil’ or some shit, but the second one of them gets a letter to Hogwarts they’re so happy! So proud that they know someone who can do magic. It’s fucking hypocritical. Muggles and mud bloods aren’t worthy of our world.”

Ava stayed silent. She didn’t realise that Bella actually felt so strongly about this, about anything at all for that matter.

Bella sighed again and looked back out over the lake, her voice a lot softer now. “Muggles are destroying this world. And when they aren’t destroying the world, they’re destroying each other. Look how many wars they’ve had over the years. They’re the most destructive creatures in existence.”

“We’ve had wars too.” Ava tried to think of a way to justify human behaviour but in the back of her mind she couldn’t help agreeing with Bella.

“No, we’ve had wars against other creatures like the goblins and the giants, cause they’re stupid enough to think they can take what’s ours, but we never turn on ourselves. Ever.”

“I see where you’re coming from, I really do. But don’t you realise that with Voldermort there will be a war. Not everyone agrees with what he’s doing, and they’ll try and stop him.”

Bella smirked. Ava found it strangely comforting to see it on her face after how soft she’d just been.

“They can try all they want. No one will stop him.”

“See? You know this will result in war and you’re willing to walk right in to it. Doesn’t that make you a hypocrite?”

“It may, Mendez. But what Voldermort is doing is right. Our world needs cleansing of the filth that’s invading it. We are the supreme life forms here, we are the top of the food chain. They should be fearing us, not the other way around. If there are witches and wizards out there who don’t share this view and want to oppose the Dark Lord, then they deserve the same treatment as the muggles and mud bloods they try to protect. They’ll be the one’s starting the war, and they’ll be the one’s walking into their own deaths.”

A slightly maniacal tone had gone into Bella’s voice now.

“Fucking half bloods and blood traitors aren’t worthy to call themselves witches and wizards.”

Ava wanted to argue, to stand up for the muggles, but what Bella had said really got to her. As much as she didn’t want to admit it, Bella had made some very valid points.

It was silent again for a long time before Ava spoke again. “I agree with you to a certain extent, Bella.”

“You do?” Bella turned to look at her. She was surprised.

Ava hesitated. “To a certain extent, yes. But I feel you’re going about this the wrong way, that Voldermort’s going about it the wrong way. You can’t just go around killing everything you deem unworthy of being here.”

“The Dark Lord does as he pleases. And the moment I finish in this retched place, I will join him, and I will do as he pleases. There will be no greater honour than fighting by his side. He will be greatest sorcerer in the world, and I will be his most faithful and loyal death eater.”

“Now you’re starting to sound like your parents again. And as much as I respect your Lord’s power, I don’t think he can ever over take Dumbledore.”

Bella laughed (if you could call it that). “You underestimate His power. Albus Dumbledore may be powerful, but he is a fool. His refusal to acknowledge the dark arts will hold him back. Lord Voldermort ventured where the old fool always feared to tread, and has learnt more about the world of magic than even Dumbledore himself could hope to know.”

Ava didn’t want to ask for fear of sounding too ‘attached’, but she wanted to know. “So you are that devoted, huh? So if he called you to his side right now, would you be willing to pack up and leave everything you know and love behind?”

Bella had to hold back a scoff.

“I have no ties here. My family will never truly be pleased until I am gone anyway, knowing that I’m representing the family, the only person willing to fight to bring honour to the name Black. Toujours Purr… My parents won’t miss me. My sister’s and I are nothing but a product of a continuing blood line. Children aren’t had for the enjoyment of it, there’s never really any love in it at all.”

“So you don’t plan on marriage, a family? Nothing at all?”

“Oh there will be marriage. It’s already been taken care of,” Bella sneered, as though the mere thought of it made her sick.

Ava couldn‘t believe it. “Arranged marriage? You’re kidding? Who to?”

“No. I’m not. Rudolphus Lestrange,” she replied in a mocking tone, as though she were truly in love with him. “A wealthy pure blood who’s been with our Lord for a year already. There will never be love, there isn’t meant to be. He will expect children to carry on his blood line and name, but fuck that.”

“You don’t want them?” Ava had to admit, she never really imagined Bella to be the motherly type. The thought actually scared her a little.

“No. I’m dedicating my life to the Dark Lord. He will always come first.”

“So you have nothing here you’d miss? No friends? Not even Narcissa? You really could just leave it all?”

“Narcissa understands, just as I do. She’ll be married off just like I am.”

Ava eyed the other girl curiously. “What about me?”

“What about you?”

“Could you walk away right now and never see me again?” She meant it jokingly (or did she?) and was curious to know how Bella would react.

There was a moments hesitation, only a moment, before Bella laughed and replied. “Of course I could. Not implying that I would miss you are you? What would make you so special? You‘re great in bed and all, but really, come on.”

Ava laughed along to show that she knew it was a joke. If it wasn’t exactly what she had expected, she almost could have been hurt by her response, but there was something in Bella’s eyes, hiding behind the laughter, that actually made Ava doubt wether she’d really meant what she said.

Bella looked at her and smirked. ‘Looks like this one’s getting a bit ahead of herself. Maybe a few night’s of total submission will put her in her rightful place again…’


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A/N: Sorry it took so long. Sorry if it seems rushed. Sorry if I suck ass. This story is like a child to me, and I wasn’t to raise it properly. I’m trying to get it to you, please bear with me and thanks to those who are sticking it out. Love.