why can't i breathe, evil angel? [bellatrienne]

[Zev Isenberg]

The bright and sunny smile that was almost always present on his features had vanished instantly with the realization that he was lost. The warm and bustling streets of Diagon Alley were long gone and what he was left with gave him a sick, twisted feeling deep within his gut.

The dim and narrow street where he now walked was lined with questionable looking shops and dark hooded figures that moved without making a sound. There was no happiness here...No joy. Nobody seemed to acknowledge one another unless they were in the shops themselves, and even then they whispered as if they were up to no good.

Were they up to no good? Zev wasn't entirely sure. He stumbled a little over a loose rock on the ground, falling into one of the tall and dark buildings. "Oof..." he grunted and pushed himself back to his usual posture. He glanced around, he was beginning to feel his palms sweat with anxiety. He'd never been lost before--he cursed himself silently for thinking that his beloved rat, Zero, would ever make her way into a place like this.

Yes, this wasn't the first time his dear Zero had lead him into trouble...but he had to know that it was his own fault for following blindly and without much cognition. He decided to stop and take a good look around, perhaps he'd be able to identify where he was if he really concentrated?

"Borgin and Burkes...Oh shit."

It was clear to Zev now that he had wandered into Knockturn Alley, a place he'd only heard about...He held his breathe and did his best to blend in with the dismal looking crowd. Well, it wasn't exactly a crowd--the sparse and solitary witches and wizards that were scattered throughout the alley were not much 'cover'. The former Gryffindor stuck out like a sore thumb and was pleasantly surrpised that no one had confronted him about being there yet.

If only he could find someone who looked half decent, half normal, to escort him out of here...

Eyes of the strangest, brightest sea-green scowered the area mildly narrowed in concentration. Bringing a hand up to his forehead he ran his fingers slowly through his hair, gritting his teeth in mild concern. It wasn't as if he couldn't defend himself should he need to. His wand of ebony was tucked, as always, in a deeper pocket of his. Skilled in Defense Against the Dark Arts, as most Gryffindors were, he knew he should be able to fend off any sort of trouble--but the truth was, he didn't want to. He would much rather get back to the Magical Menagerie with all his animal friends. With Zero, wherever she was...

He stopped moving for a moment, leaning up against a wall so that he could get a better look around the alley. Nothing. No signs leading him out, no familiar looking places or faces. He was beginning to wonder if he should resort to asking someone for help, but who?

[bellatrienne desma lestrange]

It was just another typical day for Bellatrienne Lestrange. Other than the fact that she had slept in the living quarters connected to her shop instead of going home the night before. She was trying to figure out what she wanted in life, and sleeping at home, all alone in her house was not her goal in life. Stretching out on her bed, Bella looked around for her clock, before remembering she didn't yet have one. If she was going to be staying here for any point in time, she'd probably have to furnish it, sooner or later.

She sighed and rolled out of her king sized bed, walked over to her only window and pulled back the curtains. It was a bright and beautiful day outside. Lovely. Bella closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. She really was getting sick of this shit. She hated being alone. She hated it so much. Bellatrienne Desma Lestrange was a bitch, that wasn't to be disputed. But she was a bitch that didn't enjoy being on her own. Bella reluctantly walked over to her closet. She would rather spend the day in bed, relaxing than going out and about. But that wasn't her way.

She grabbed the closest articles of clothing to her, which happened to be a black skirt, probably a little too short for most people's taste, and a low cut white top with black lace detailing. Something she'd wear on a night out. Something her family would never want to catch her wearing. "Fuck it," she got dressed and then threw her long dress robe over the ensemble. With a flick of her wand her make-up was effortlessly applied, and after a last glance in the mirror, she was out the door.

Bellatrienne really wasn't sure what her destination was as she started walking. It was a Saturday morning, so she didn't need to open up the Apothecary. It was rarely open on the weekends, those were the two days she kept for herself. Then a thought had hit her. She hadn't been to Borgin and Burkes lately! It was kind of a ritual of her's to go there at least twice or so a month to see what kind of strange things they picked up. She was always looking for old antique items, or ones enchanted with dark magic. They fascinated her. And she was hoping one day she would find something with the Lestrange family crest on it. Something left from her ancestors.

Turning into Knockturn Alley Bella hugged her dress robe closer against her body. It wasn't chilly out so to speak, but the wind made it feel much colder than what it really was. She nodded to a few of her known customers, and family friends. That was the polite thing to do. What was expected of her. She really didn't give a shit about them. She didn't care what they did, or what they thought of her. But, on the flipside, she did care what her parents thought of her. What her siblings thought of her.

Not too far away from her destination, she saw a man whom she had never seen before. Bella was somewhat curious as to who he was. He didn't look the right kind to be in this place. Former Ravenclaw, or Gryffindor perhaps. She didn't even have to read his mind to tell that he was lost. Bella hated to read strangers minds. They didn't have a chance of blocking her intrusion. The curiosity got the better of her and Bella walked over to him, noticing first his strange eyes. They captivated her.

"Excuse me," She said, his back to her, in a tone that could never be mistaken as friendly. "Are you lost?" She asked him, crossing her arms.

[Zev Isenberg]

He had just begun to wander in an uncertain direction, feeling out the alley with every slow and cautious step when a voice reached his ears. It was foreign, as was to be expected in a place like this, but it sounded surprisingly friendly...

Still, the former Gryffindor was hesitant to turn around. His fingertips prickled with uncertainty. 'Is she even talking to me?' he reflected. The voice was distinctly feminine and oddly soothing. After taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, which were practically shot to hell, he turned around slowly.

The figure that greeted him was not one he expected to see. The man stared blankly for a moment, his strange swirling gaze nearly hypnotic to those who hadn't beheld his stare on a daily basis. The strange sea-green pools swirled momentarily as he tried to find the words with which to respond. His mind was going a million thoughts a second, but he couldn't for the life of him will his mouth to move.

It was one word. One simple world. 'Yes.' But staring at this oddly stunning human being had taken all his words away. All of them. Gone. Poof; like magic. Ironic to be thinking in such terminology, but there was no other way to describe it. Eyes of a sweet hazel color peered back at him coupled with pale, soft skin. He couldn't recall a prettier face than the one he was staring so dumbly at now. Her auburn locks contrasted elegantly with her skin, faint cherry lips and a cute little nose were other features he bothered to notice within this moment in time.

Realizing that he had paused longer than any respectful young man should have, he immediately cleared his throat. "Yes." he answered, shaking his head softly. He allowed a slow smile to spread over his lips--soon his face was practically glowing with the grin that had settled. "Is it really that obvious?" a nervous laugh escaped him and he quickly drew one of his hands up to touch the back of his neck.

He inhaled slowly and let his arm fall to his side. "S'cuse me, my name's Zev." he knew it was a strange time and place for a proper introduction, but he was a fellow of habit...and found it quite rude to be chatting away with a complete stranger without her knowing his name.

He paused--there was something familiar about this girl. He tilted his head slowly, narrowing his eyes in playful analysis. "Wait," he held up a finger, "I know you..." he studied her once more, trying not to get caught up in her strange and intoxicating beauty. "Well, I don't know you, what I mean to say is I've seen you around--in Diagon Alley." he corrected. "You run the Apothecary." it had finally clicked. While he'd never gone in there before, he'd seen her from afar in the mornings when they all had to open their little shops along the alleyway...Yes, he'd admired her from afar.

She was even more lovely up close...Zev was a little ashamed that he was so taken with this perfect stranger. Even a hopeless romantic like himself even know that this was mildly absurd. Still, he was glad he'd run into someone he'd at least glanced at before. She knew the way out, he was sure, perhaps she'd be kind enough to escort him back?

[bellatrienne desma lestrange]

It seemed like it was taking ages for this man, whoever he was to turn around. Strike one, she thought to herself. Any gentleman brought up in a respectable family would at once introduce themselves when addressed by a lady. A lady. That term made Bella want to laugh. Sure, to the outsiders quick glance she was just that, but in truth, she was just locked inside. The title of 'Lady' was her mask. She was so much more than just that.

His reaction of her didn't exactly surprise Bella. She had stunned men speechless before. But gazing into his eyes while watching his reaction was different than all the others. Like she had noticed while crossing over to his side of the street, his eyes were like no other color she had seen before. But even an awed Bellatrienne Lestrange never lost her tongue. The fact that he wasn't replying to her pissed Bella the fuck off. She was impatient and she didn't like to be ignored. But he wasn't ignoring her. He was over looking her, taking in what he saw as beauty. That was flattering, she had to admit.

"Yes Bella nodded her head, even though she had figured this all along. He didn't have that rough look that almost every regular customer of Knockturn Alley had. Bella didn't have a dirty, or rough look, but no one would dare underestimate her. She was a Lestrange. They were to be feared and respected. And Bellatrienne was dangerous. One of the strongest witches of her age, and she could brew a potion to fill any of your desires at that. She was not one to just stare at, and not talk. No matter how much she oddly enjoyed it.

"S'cuse me, my name's Zev."

Ah, so maybe he was a gentleman. Bella couldn't be sure. He could almost fit in with the pure bloods, she though. With his handsome features and dress. But he wasn't full of himself. And he didn't have that greedy look in his eye that most of the male pure blood population had sported since their early ages. He must be a half-blood. That made Bella want to cringe. She was attracted to a half blood? Her mother would die laughing at that. But, maybe it was time to defy them. At least for a little while.

"Zev..." She spoke, her gaze not leaving his enchanting eyes. She figured one could get lost in them, and figured that maybe that had happened in the past. "What a odd name." She commented, wondering if maybe it was a family name? Not that she disliked it. The name seemed to suit him fine. She just would have never thought of it. Bella didn't introduce herself yet. She expected people to know who she was just by looking at her. Or, rather, she felt he should know her. Bella thought fairly highly of herself and her family. And when shot down she got extremely angry, and usually challenged the person who had pissed her off to a duel. She always won.

"Wait,"

Oh, great. There could be a number of things that could come after saying 'Wait,'

"I know you..."

Bella smiled, she knew it wouldn't take long for him to realize he was basically taking to pure blood royalty.

"Well, I don't know you, what I mean to say is I've seen you around--in Diagon Alley."

She frowned. He had saw her in Diagon Alley? Could this man possibly not know she was a Lestrange? This was something she had never encountered before. Her parents always introduced her to their friends, and guests, and because of her family's associations with the Wizarding community, practically everyone knew her. Zev didn't seem to. That was somehow, strangely... refreshing.

"You run the Apothecary."

Bella smiled and nodded, uncrossing her arms as she became a little more comfortable speaking with this stranger. She could be anyone with him, at least for this moment. She didn't have to be the Bella that was forced to be perfect, or had to find a pure-blood husband. She could simply be Bella. Herself. Nothing more nothing less. "Yes," She replied, somewhat annoyed because she was pretty sure he had never taken a step into the shop. She hated people that looked from afar and never really stepped over the boundaries. It showed weakness. But for now, she could let that slide. "Have you been in recently?" She asked, curious to what his answer would be.

"By the way, I'm Bella." She replied. Leaving out her full name for now.

[Zev Isenberg]

Zev smiled nervously as she commented on his name. Odd? Although no one had ever mentioned this fact to him before, he was sure it must be. He pondered this novel idea for a moment and realized that most 'Z' names were quite uncommon to begin with. Not to mention the name 'Zeb' was more often heard and was similar to his own...perhaps it was odd because it seemed to be a variation of that name? He wasn't sure, but he didn't mind.

Her smile caught him off guard. He'd been having enough trouble with her stoic expression...concentrating while she was smiling was nearly impossible. Still, he held her stare with his own. She was enticing in every way, shape, and form. Zev shook his head softly, trying to clear his head for a moment as it was once again beginning to cloud.

'Why is this so hard?' Zev thought to himself. He'd encountered women before, enjoyed their company as anyone else's...as friends first if it ever evolved into anything more...Sure, he'd been attracted to girls before now--to strangers even--but this was just plain strange. Ridiculous even. Were his palms sweating? 'No way...'

He took a deep breath and adjusted himself, his posture was now perfect and his mind was clear--for the most part. "It is truly a pleasure to meet you Bella." he said politely. Ordinarily, he might have taken her hand for a pleasant shake or laid a kiss on her knuckles--but it seemed so cliche. He wanted to make an impression on her, and not a bad one. He assumed she'd be the type of girl to find a kiss on the knuckles a desparate attempt at charming her cheaply--and that was not Zev's game. He was genuine, pure, and kind-hearted--that is the message he wanted to get across.

"And unfortunately, I haven't been into your shop." he shuffled his feet gently on the alley floor. "I actually was going to come in yesterday," he admitted truthfully. "One of the animals I care for is ill, and I was going to try and see if there was any sort of Potion I might be able to brew to help her." he chewed softly on his lower lip for a moment before continuing. "I actually run the Magical Menagerie most days."

He placed his hands gently into his pockets, looking around. "You should stop by sometime..." he offered, almost shyly. Had he just invited her to come visit him? Embarrassing. Why would she want to come into the Magical Menagerie for no reason? He was a little appauled at his tactics, and in his disgust he did something very capricious. "What I mean to say is, would you like to go out for dinner sometime?"

He stopped breathing. Now he had dug a hole for himself that he really couldn't talk his way out of. Zev had never been shy, so he wasn't sure why his whole stomach had clenched in this moment.