Dementia
Chapter One
October 31, 1979; Lestrange Manor
Bellatrix Druella Lestrange grinned gleefully as she added the final ingredient to the illegal, long-forgotten potion she had been brewing nonstop for twelve hours. She'd had little time to prepare when her Lord gave his orders. She was surprised, but pleased nonetheless. Finally, he had noticed her devotion, her love. She held no delusion that he returned the sentiment, but she didn't care. She was glad to be of use. She would serve her Master faithfully until death. Her hand rested on her abdomen. She would ensure her Lord's success by any means necessary. Even when he didn't order it. As she left to prepare for the ritual, she spared a glance for the potion that was completely black now, dark tendrils of mist rising from the cauldron.
June 13, 1980; Dark Lord's hideout
She would not scream. She would not succumb to the agony that was ripping her in two. Somewhere in the back of her mind, she observed that she preferred her Lord's Cruciatus to this torture. His was the only one that could cause her true pain, for she had built a level of tolerance to that particular curse. As if her thoughts had called him, her Lord had entered the room. She tried to greet him appropriately, but she had to bite down a scream as pain racked the lower half of her body. He stood there, observing coldly. She wondered if Cissy had been in this much pain, but something told her that there was more to it. Her mind flashed to the potion. She gritted her teeth. Her plan would not fail.
After twenty-three hours of labor, Dementia Walpurga Lestrange entered the world.
November 1, 1981; Lestrange Manor
"It can't be true," she snarled. "Don't say such things! Crucio!" She watched the nameless Death Eater writhe in pain for a moment before rushing out of the room. She stormed upstairs, into the nursery. She grabbed her daughter and apparated away. She was angry with herself for wasting such precious time, but the Dark Lord's heir must be preserved. The plan, she reminded herself.
She looked up at the grey, gloomy building with loathing. It was her only option. Even Cissy knew nothing of Dementia and she wasn't risking the Ministry or worse, Dumbledore finding out about her. She doubted they would guess who fathered her, but she had to be careful. She left her daughter on the doorstep with a hasty note, which said only her name.
November 5, 1981; Ministry of Magic, Courtroom 10
Bellatrix stood proudly, declaring her loyalty to her Lord. She knew he couldn't be dead and she would be rewarded when he freed her. Her thoughts went briefly to her daughter as she was escorted out of the courtroom. She saw her sister's face in the crowd. Perhaps she should...No, it was best this way. Cissy would only spoil her. Besides, Dementia would attract unwanted attention if she were raised in the magical world. Someone could discover what she'd done.