Trick or Treat
Halloween, known by so many other names throughout the ages and beloved by all ages of children, typically heralded a different form of joy for Bellatrix. Especially since it was to be the first year that Sirius and Regulus were allowed to go along - more than that, the first time they were allowed to roam on their own. Under Bellatrix's watchful gaze, which was the reason she was pulled into another room by her mother one last time, a firm grip on her arm.
"You keep them in line, Bellatrix. Remind them that they are Blacks and that they are watched every moment."
She bowed her head in a simple nod, "Of course, mum." Perhaps for any other ten year old it would have been too much, but it was the role Bella had always been in. And she thrived in it, the grin on her face reappearing as she exited the room and saw her sisters and cousins. Her mother was already disappearing around the hall and Bella jerked her head in a motion towards the door. "Well, come on, then. Out we go. But we're to stay in a group, close together. No wandering off!" She turned to stare pointedly at Sirius for a moment, who merely shrugged in response.
The no wandering off rule lasted until the third house and a careful switch of regular lollipops for a handful of Acid Pops which promptly dissolved the entire gathering and left Bella running a hand through her hair as she noticed her immediate failure of coordinating the experience.
It took her ten minutes to find someone she trusted enough to keep an eye on Cissa, Andromeda and Reg, which left her one extra task. Tracking down Sirius and scolding him for the entirity of the situation. It didn't take long, she found him twirling a licorice wand on a bench. "Sirius!" She had half a mind to yell, to stomp her foot and scold him for breaking almost every single one of her rules, she was certain. Instead she just sighed, sitting on the bench beside him, "... we could try to hit a few more houses before we have to take the others back?" Perhaps Cissa was older than Sirius but regardless Bella and Sirius were the oldest in their lines and with that came a certain... responsiblity. A need to be in the right. It wasn't easy all of the time.
Bellatrix had wanted to yell but he was family. And she was wrapped around his finger, just like she was with everyone else. "Come on, Sirius. We'll stop a few more places, me and you, and then we can pick up the others and head home. Right?"She rocked on her heels for a second, grabbing the licorice from his hand only to take a large bite out of it, holding out her other for him to pull himself up with. "I won't tell. Promise."
She got a nod in response and he pulled himself up. "As long as you don't tell..." She smiled at his words, the first that had been spoken that night as if she was a cousin again and not just a caretaker.
"Of course not. Can't let one of my favorite cousins get in trouble."
