Bellatrix stood a few feet to the headmaster's side, frowning. She had been under the impression that she would be teaching the lesson, but Dumbledore had largely taken over, asking Bellatrix to cast this spell or that spell -or any damn random spell- as they went through a slow, step-by-step mock duel punctuated with explanatory instruction, before the other Hogwarts professors guided the students through the exercises. Professor Dumbledore then concluded the dueling club meeting with a long list of instructions for how students could practice dueling techniques with each other without significant risk of injury or disruption to the school, announcing that he would be willing to take personal questions for a few minutes.
Thus, Bellatrix was a bit surprised when a number of students approached her to introduce themselves.
"Blaise Zabini," said one young Slytherin, holding out his hand in a formal manner.
Bellatrix shook Blaise's hand while her mind raced, instinctively tracing the Zabini bloodlines and relations. Before she could think of something clever to say, Zabini had been replaced by another student, and then another.
The Slytherins were the most forward, but the smallest drain on her time. They wanted to establish the connection and make the acquaintance, but because Bellatrix was a largely unknown commodity, none wanted to get too close to her as of yet absent clear purpose or need.
The Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs generally had questions about the lesson or magic. Bellatrix directed them to the Headmaster. If he wanted to teach so desperately, Bellatrix thought, then he can answer all the questions about the lesson. One redheaded Hufflepuff wanted to make the acquaintance of Bellatrix quite specifically, however.
"My name is Susan Bones," the redhead announced to Bellatrix. "My auntie, Amelia Bones, is an auror."
"How nice," Bellatrix said, feigning sincerity while she considered the House of Bones. "An excellent career choice."
"Are you Harry Ashworth's wife?" Susan asked plainly.
Bellatrix smiled. I thought Gryffindors were the ones who charged ahead. "That or widow," Bellatrix coyly replied. "It depends on whether he is alive."
Susan was plainly nonplused, asking after a pause, "So is he alive or not?"
"I am not about to say," Bellatrix said. "I find more amusement that way."
"Is it true that Ashworth was your father's confidante?"
"Spy, confidante, advisor, and son-in-law," Bellatrix said expansively, ideas suddenly unfolding in her mind as she reflected upon the Bones bloodlines and estimated Amelia Bones' relative importance in the Ministry.
Satisfied, Susan Bones thanked Bellatrix for the lesson and turned to leave, but was briefly stopped by Bellatrix. "Send Auror Bones my respects," Bellatrix added in a casual voice before turning to the next student, a Ravenclaw.
Finally, as the last of the students drifted from the room, Bellatrix realized that none of the Gryffindors had seen fit to greet Bellatrix-except for the trio of Rose, Leo, and Ginny.
"We see that you have been busy," Rose said quietly.
"You could say that," Bellatrix said, nodding.
"We could help you," Rose offered.
"From inside of Hogwarts?" Bellatrix smirked.
"You never know," Rose retorted as Leo looked around to make sure no one was picking up on the conversation.
If nothing else, Bellatrix thought, smiling to herself, involving the daughter of James Potter in my machinations will royally annoy him. "When is your next Hogsmeade weekend?" Bellatrix asked sweetly.
"Next weekend," Rose replied. "Are you going to meet us?"
"It is an option," Bellatrix said vaguely. "Keep an eye out that weekend, and maybe I will approach you."
As Leo coughed loudly, Bellatrix turned to see that Professor Dumbledore was walking towards her.
"See you later, kids," Bellatrix said quietly just before Dumbledore arrived.
"There is some refreshment awaiting us in my office," Dumbledore told Bellatrix, his expression neutral as he watched Rose, Leo, and Ginny retreat.
"Sounds great," she said with incomplete sincerity.
While he and Bellatrix walked back towards Dumbledore's office, the Headmaster nattered on about how well the lesson had gone. And how he felt that it was important to teach the students how to stand up to a Death Eater attack. And that, although it certainly was unfortunate, that it was a necessity.
Bellatrix squelched the instinct to roll her eyes, as she and Dumbledore entered the Headmaster's office. Bellatrix frowned openly, however, when she found that the refreshments had been bait for an ambush. Alastor Moody and Lily Potter had been sitting in wait.
"How did the lesson go, Albus?" Lily asked, pouring a cup of tea and handing it to the Headmaster, who murmured his thanks as he sat behind his desk.
"It was very good," Dumbledore said. "I think Mrs. Black brought an important contribution to the overall learning experience."
"You are very welcome," Bellatrix said, grudgingly accepting the cup of tea from Lily and pretending to take a sip after sitting down. No veritaserum for me, thanks.