I had an idea for a story that was tearing me apart until I got it typed out. This is just a short chapter to feel out for any interest in the story. Between 'A Pair of Blue Eyes' and 'Redemption', I don't want to split my time between the two if one of this is poorly received. Please review and let me know if you're interested in the continuation of this story. Thanks!

Oh and for any of you still wondering, yes I am planning on continuing 'A Pair of Blue Eyes'. I've just hit a bit of a wall with it.


"The Blacks. Once upon a time, the name reeked of irony. Now though, from all that I can learn from my place on this wall, nobody has ever been quite so aptly named. Tojurs pur, indeed."

"If being dark is what it takes to stay pure, then nobody can say that we haven't done our family proud!"

"Proud? You have disgraced this once noble house. Pure? Pure of what?"

"Blood! Our blood has remained pure, as it has always been and always will be."

"Blood. It always comes to blood with witches and wizards. It's a tragedy really, that one can't have merits beyond that."

"Your words betray your house, old man. I should have you burned."

"No, Bellatrix Black! You betray our house! Your mother and father, cousins, the lot of them have all betrayed the house of Black. Tojurs pur. Pure of heart. Not pure of blood, daughter of Black; pure of heart. Your ancestors weep for what you have become." The old man in the portrait said, sadly.

"That is impossible. Isla was one of the first Blacks, and she was removed for marrying a filthy muggle." Bellatrix replied, certain that her argument couldn't be refuted.

"Isla? Yes, my aunt was removed from the family. In the year eighteen-sixty-seven, if I recall. Idiot girl. What part of Ancient and Noble did you miss? Ancient, girl. Our family is much older than the mid-nineteenth century. Use your brain, for once." Was the chiding response.

"It began with Elladora. She was the first female head of the house, though she was born a few years after Phineas Nigellus. Things were well until Isla married that muggle man. You see, the man was next to poor and as such when Isla disappeared it was with a large portion of the Black finances.

Elladora was always proud, and the wellbeing of a muggle taking priority over her own family turned her heart against muggles. She kicked Isla out of the family and forbade anybody from having relations with muggles and by extension, muggleborns and half-bloods."

"That c-"

"Quiet girl. I'm telling you how it was; ask your questions when I'm through."

"Phineas Niggelus was the only one with a strong enough relationship to challenge Elldora, but wasn't around enough to combat the changes, and my Uncle Sirius didn't survive childhood. Eventually, Phineas Niggelus had children, and Elladora had her claws sunk into them as soon as they could walk. And so the Blacks were truly Black. I myself fought hard against the Black family and was also removed from the family. I couldn't help but see it coming, and I was hardly tearful to be shot of such foul people."

"Who then, are you? There is no nameplate on your portrait." Bellatrix asked, with true curiosity.

"Of course there isn't. This isn't my portrait. This is the Black Portrait. When it was discovered that I of all Blacks took my place here and the portrait could not be moved or destroyed, they simply removed the plaque. I am Phineas, son of Phineas Nigellus and Ursula Flint. At your service."

Bellatrix took a seat on a dusty box in the hidden room and eyed the 'Black Portrait' with an intense curiosity. The old man carried the same traits as most Black males. Sharp features, piercing eyes, and raven hair. There was no doubt that he was who he claimed to be.

"Tell me about this portrait, old man. I don't believe I've ever heard talk of a Black portrait." Bellatrix said, imperiously.

"Oh I have no doubt that you haven't," Phineas said with a glint in his eye. "The fact that you have discovered me in a hidden room should speak for the fact that many generations have not heard of it either. Well, I say that in half-truth. Those that have learned of me have never lasted long in the house of Black."

"Who?" She asked, on the edge of her seat.

"There has been at least one in every generation since I took my place here. The first was my nephew, Marius. When he brought to light his discovery, he found himself a squib. He was by no means a squib when he found me. He was an incredibly powerful young wizard. No doubt he was subdued and forced into a ritual.

My niece Cedrella was next. She was here when they came for her. She had to fight her way out of the house and retreated to the home of a close friend. She had planned to leave earlier, but her hand was forced too soon.

After that, it was Alphard and his niece and nephew-"

"Sirius and Andromeda!" Bellatrix gasped.

"Yes. Sirius and Andromeda. When Sirius learned the truth, he fled. Andromeda already had plans on leaving the family. Alphard helped Sirius make his escape. All three were removed from the family."

"Why though? Why did they have to leave for finding you, and who made them?" Bellatrix asked. She could feel the fear creeping into her own voice.

"Bellatrix, listen to me carefully and do not leave this place until you hear everything that I have to say. Is that clear?"

At Bellatrix's nod, the portrait of Phineas swung open on invisible hinges, revealing a rune branded into the faded and peeling wallpaper of the dusty and dark room. Bellatrix stood with her hand in front of her and moved towards it.

"Do not touch it, fool!" Phineas shouted. "It is a curse. Sit back down!"

Bellatrix returned to her seat on the box and the portrait closed once again.

"Elladora was a cruel woman, but more than that, she was a genius. She knew things about magic that none before could compare to," he said with evident distaste. "That marking is a rune created by Elladora. It is a curse on the Blacks; designed to drive those under this roof mad. I'd say it's worked quite well."

"I'm already mad, old man. I feel quite safe, as it is."

"You are twisted, for sure. But twisted isn't broken. You have done terrible, unforgivable things. You will never find forgiveness. Redemption though is always something to be found. Save us, Bellatrix Black. When you leave this room, the second part of the curse will begin. You must by no means try to fight. Run for your life! Now go, and renounce your ways."

Bellatrix stood on shaky legs, scarcely believe any of the information that she had gathered from Phineas. If he didn't speak with such conviction, she would have instantly rebuffed his claims, but he even explained the multitude of disappearances in the Black family tree. To add to that, they were all people that he shouldn't have known in his isolation.

"I will return, Phineas." She said and took a step outside of the concealed room.

The second she exited the room, the wall that she has accidentally blasted down seemed to repair itself in an instant, and though the shades in all the windows were thrown open, an unnatural darkness crept out of the corners and coalesced in the middle of the drawing room. The tendrils of shadow slowly took shape into that of a tall female.

"You are no Black!" It shouted in a voice that seemed to come from nowhere. It hovered towards a stunned Bellatrix, who cast a blasting curse at the shape. The curse passed right through. "You will die here!"

Heart pumping and head spinning, Bellatrix turned on her heel and made her escape from 12 Grimmauld Place.


So there we have it! Review and let me know what you thought!