Rated "M" for mature. No one under age should view this fic.

Chapter one–A meeting of the minds

The warm summer air and the buzzing of bees on the fragrant flowers marked the stillness and quiet of the gardens of Malfoy Manor. The courtyard which housed the garden was alive with the succulent smells of an English summer. The bright light cascading among the gardenias and roses seemed oddly out of place amidst the serpent statues and the persistent mold that covered the cool, shaded concrete walls. The garden was fanatically tended, but seldom used as much but an apparition point.

The stillness of the garden was suddenly broken by a faint "POP". Into the sea of calm had come the most wanted woman in the magical world. Her figure disguised by an emerald green cloak and hood despite the warm July air. She turned and surveyed the garden–her wand out and at the ready. She spied in through the window and caught a glimpse of a moping house elf polishing one of the wooden banisters. The elf saw her and a look of sheer terror overtook it and it raced upstairs with a tiny squeak. Bellatrix Lestrange lowered her hood and walked loudly in through the garden door.

She ignored several squealing house-elves and marched into the spacious dining room. There she found her sister, and lady of the house, Narcissa Malfoy, drinking a cup of tea and eschewing a regular breakfast.

"Cissy, you need to do something about your wards–an asshole Jarvey could apparate in here!" She said to her sister, who displayed no surprise at her unscheduled appearance. Narcissa flinched at the language but betrayed no other emotion.

"Wards are suspicious, Bella. Lucius says that anything more than anti-theft wards draw unwanted speculation by nosing Ministry authorities." Narcissa said, sipping her tea.

Bella removed her cloak and threw it aside with a laugh, "By Ministry officials, I trust you mean Arthur Weasley?"

Narcissa, as blond and glowing as Bellatrix was dark and raven-haired made a look of disgust. "Don't mention that filth in this house!"

Bella gave a snort and sat down next to her sister. "Pardon me," She said with a sneer, "I forgot that since you are of such an uppity bunch, that even speaking of enemies is now forbidden."

Narcissa gave her a very dirty look filled with loathing, "Arthur Weasley is not just an enemy. He has practically lived in my basement for the last four years."

Bella just grinned, "Well, soon enough, Cissy, that whole damned family will be history."

Narcissa raised her cup, "It's a shame, really. I just can't feel sorry about it."

Bella nodded, "There are few enough pure-bloods left to slaughter a whole family of them. But they are worse than muggles, the whole sorry lot of them."

Narcissa took a moment to look thoughtful, "I had hopes for Draco and that girl before that whole diary business."

"Really? The one at the ministry? I thought Lucius had already contracted him to Parkinson's daughter?" Bella asked in surprise

"This was before that. That Pansy is a cow compared to the Weasley girl. But Draco wouldn't wipe his boots on her."

"Good for him! The little blood traitor!"

Narcissa scowled at her, "You know very well that those children are only like that because of those worthless parents! If they had instilled any wizarding pride in any of them, they'd be with us right now."

Bella nodded, "Hey! Aren't you going to offer me any breakfast? I'm staying in rather sparse accommodations."

Narcissa smirked at her and summoned a rather nervous looking house elf. Narcissa gave an indifferent wave when the house elf arrived at her legs with a Crack, "Eggs, three rashers of bacon and toast–and bring me a bottle of elf-wine." Bella said indifferently. The house-elf disappeared with another crack.

Narcissa raised an eye brow at her sister, "A little early in the day for wine, isn't it?"

Bellatrix gave her a wicked smile, "Not when you are a fugitive from the law, deary. Every moment could be my last."

Narcissa scowled at her in disbelief as the elf reappeared carrying a tray with Bella's order on it. "Go!" Narcissa commanded. The house-elf disappeared before Bella could open the wine.

She lazily refilled her own teacup as Bella popped the cork on the wine, "Don't tell me you are honestly afraid of the Auror's?"

Bella laughed as she poured the blood-red wine into a fine crystal flute, "Are you kidding? The Auror's couldn't find their asses with both hands." Narcissa scowled at the language again, "Oh, Cissy!" Bellatrix snapped, "Quit being such a fucking prude!"

Narcissa looked proudly indignant, "I am not a prude. But a pure-blood should set a better example. After our victory, I intend to ask the Dark Lord to proscribe many of the muggle customs that have degenerated the wizarding world."

Bellatrix snorted sarcastically, "No, you're not a prude at all! I'll be under arrest in five seconds if you go through with that!"

Narcissa looked very superior, "I'm sure the rules will be relaxed in your case."

"They goddamned well better be!" Bellatrix said with a laugh and hungrily tore into a piece of bacon. This time, her sister only grinned at her.

"Your house-elves cook good," Bella mumbled around the eggs. "Still, I couldn't stand having those things around me too much. Creepy little fuckers."

Narcissa looked genuinely surprised, "When the war ends, don't you mean to have some of your own?"

Bella shrugged and took a bite of toast, "I have no idea." And for the first time, she looked tired.

Narcissa looked over at her sister in concern, "You and Rodolphus still not speaking?"

Bella sighed, "No, and we are not going to. You know what he tried to do?"

"Bella," Narcissa began gently, "that was so long ago. Almost everyone tried to make deals or act like they were under the imperius curse. You can't blame everyone for not being as strong as you. I never was. Neither was Lucius."

That's not it and you know it." Bella said dejectedly. "He tried to sell me to the dementors to win his own freedom; did Lucius do that to you?" She asked her sister with tears in her eyes.

Narcissa tried to smile, "That was many years ago and Lucius was never put in that position. We were all younger then. Lucius and I have fallen in love over the years–you and Rodolphus never had that opportunity. Its difficult enough with arranged marriages without the time together to fall in love, you know that."

Bellatrix finished cleaning her plate and pushed it aside with a sigh. She fished into her robes and pulled out a pack of Marlboros. Narcissa eyed the cigarettes, but said nothing. Bella lit one, took her wine and settled back in her chair. She took a long draw of the wine, a long drag on her cigarette and let her hooded eyes close.

"Where did you get those awful things?" Narcissa asked, trying to sound indifferent. "I see that's one habit you picked back up quickly enough."

"Yes, I did." Bellatrix said with a smile, "My lungs had sixteen years to heal." She expelled a cloud of grey smoke. "I nicked them from a muggle shop."

"Is that wise?" Narcissa asked. "Its bad enough to have the Aurors hunting you. It would be even worse with the muggle law after you too."

Bella scowled, "Don't be ridiculous." She said dismissively. "I nicked a pack of fags; I didn't rob one of their banks. Besides, if I'm not afraid of the Aurors, why in the hell would I be afraid of the muggles?"

Narcissa didn't look too mollified, "You could have at least stolen them from a wizarding shop." She sulked.

"Oh, that makes perfect sense!" Bella said contemptuously. "Go knock over a wizard shop where I might get caught. Besides, the muggles make better smokes." As if to accent her last point, Bella blew a thick smoke ring.

"I would like to talk more about your marriage, Bella."

"I don't know why!" Bellatrix said, taking another drink of wine, "I don't."

"You know very well, why?" Narcissa snapped, "You and Rodolphus were married conferratio–in the old custom. There is no divorce! Bellatrix, I'm concerned for you."

Bellatrix crushed out her cigarette, "You shouldn't be concerned for me." She said calmly.

"And why shouldn't I?" Narcissa said quietly. "I don't want you to grow old alone. You can still have children, it's not too late."

That, finally, hit the mark. Bella closed her eyes but the tears came anyway. Narcissa reached over to her, "It's all right, Bella." She said quietly.

"No," Bellatrix choked, "it's not all right. Look at me, Cissy? I look ruined. My face is gaunt and my eyes look hollow even to me...fucking dementors!" She ended and started to curl up.

Narcissa sprang up and cuddled her sister. She hugged her tight to her chest. "Shh, shh." She hushed her younger sister as she sobbed. Narcissa just held her.

Finally, Bellatrix stopped crying and looked Narcissa in the face, "I wish I were still beautiful like you." she said, but without the slightest tinge of resentment in her voice.

Narcissa stroked the hair out of her wet face, "You are still beautiful. You look so much better than when we broke you out. Your looks are your service to the Dark Lord. But you remain beautiful."

Bellatrix cuddled back into her sister's chest. "You know, conferratio is only till death do us part?" Narcissa said suggestively.

Bella looked up from her chest and smiled, "I know. I've already thought of that."

"Oh, good–tell me!" Narcissa said at once, springing from the chair. Bella looked around; her signal to indicate that she was going to talk a little treason.

Narcissa looked up and commanded, "House-elves upstairs do not monitor any conversations." Several faint pops echoed from through out the house.

"All right," Narcissa said excitedly, "What are you going to do?"

Bella got back up into the chair, as Narcissa took out her wand and waved it, a matching crystal flute appearing. "Here," she said excitedly, "fill me up."

Bellatrix took the elf wine and poured her sister a glass, then re-filled her own. "Well, I can't have him killed until the war is over, that's certain. I was hoping to kill him just as hostilities come to an end."

Narcissa took a sip of her wine, "That's risky waiting to the last second like that. Why not kill him now? The Order of the Phoenix would be blamed for his death."

Bella likewise took a sip, "You've clearly never tried to kill Lucius, have you?

"Of course not!" Narcissa said in shock.

"Good thing!" Bella snorted, "You can't!–it's the bond. You can't lift a finger toward him. I know, I tried one night when I was drunk. You get paralyzed with nausea." Bella looked rueful, " I can't do anything that would hamper the war effort anyway. He's never been one of the Dark Lord's favorites, but he has his uses. Besides, the Order rarely kills anyone; it would look suspicious if I tried to have him killed."

"Ok," Narcissa agreed, "But I don't think you need worry about reprisals much–no one likes him."

"Other than Rabastan," Bella agreed. "I want it to look like an accident. I don't want to have to try and kill his brother. He's much more important. That would be a problem."

Yes," Narcissa agreed, putting her wine flute down, and lighting up with a smile, "So whom have you considered as a replacement?"

Bella shrugged, "I have no idea. I guess I haven't actively considered anyone. I was hoping to find someone on my own this time. I've had enough of arranged marriages, I think."

"Bella!" Narcissa said, looking scandalized, "Arranged marriages have always been the way in our family. They are a tradition among the pure-bloods–and a good one too, believe me!"

Bella snorted and lit another cigarette, "You would think so! You have a husband who loves you–you have this grand house."

"Luck of the draw." Narcissa chided gently. "Besides," she said, smirking broadly now, "You never helped yourself with your reputation in school, did you?"

Bella sneered, "I was two years behind you! Are you telling me you didn't sleep around? You shagged half the boys in your year. I know you did!"

Narcissa nodded guiltily, "Maybe I did. But I was much more discreet than you."

Bella snorted again and took a puff from her cigarette, "Like that matters. Everyone knew anyway."

"True, they did. But it never bothered Lucius because I was discreet."

"Yes, Rodolphus never failed to let me know that he knew. He never treated me like anything but a common whore anyway." Bella tapped the ashes from her cigarette. "He's just damned lucky that the bonding hex prevents me from sleeping around. I'd find myself a real man."

"You shouldn't sleep around on your husband." Narcissa chided again.

Bella refilled her wine flute with a wicked grin. "He stopped being my husband the day he tried to turn me over for his own freedom. If the Dark Lord didn't need him, I'd carve his fucking guts out and leave him to rot! I hate him, Cissy, and I always will. The minute this war is over, he's a dead man!"

Narcissa leaned across the table and smiled at her, "Good!" She chirped happily. "Then we can find you someone else better. I know you still want to have kids. Would you consider a half-blood?"

Bella chewed on that one a moment, "I can't imagine having kids with a half-blood. I have met some good ones–some better than many of our own kind. But I would resent the kids–I would feel like I cheated our ancestors."

Narcissa sighed, "There are so few decent pure-bloods left." She then looked around conspiratorially, "How about a faux pure-blood?" She whispered.

Bellatrix thought about that one for a minute and leaned in close to her sister, "Maybe–depends on how deniable he is, and how tainted he is in reality. If its small and hidden–and can't be proved–yeah, I might." She whispered back.

Narcissa looked rapturous, "Excellent," She said, "That opens up a whole field of people. How would you feel about a foreigner?"

Bella face wrinkled up, "That's a bizarre question. Why? I'm British and we are about to take control of the British government. Why would I want to move somewhere else?"

"Well," Narcissa said reasonably, "With the death of Dumbledore our victory is imminent. I heard that we are getting foreigners arriving to help out the cause. To be fair, some of them came before old Dumby died, but we are apparently getting help arriving from all over."

"I suppose that makes sense, "Bella agreed reluctantly. "As long as they come before the war is decided, I guess it's all right–but I don't want any foreigners coming over here trying to feast off our hard work."

"McNair told me that several have arrived and submitted already. We will probably begin seeing them soon."

"They've been marked by the Dark Lord already?" Bella asked.

Narcissa sipped her wine and nodded, "McNair said so. But I guess we should have foreseen it. We are an international movement. The Dark Arts are a phenomenon around the world."

"I'm surprised no foreign power has tried to intervene to help the Ministry yet." Bellatrix said, refilling her glass.

Narcissa smiled at her, "You never paid any attention during History of Magic, did you?"

"I did to the important stuff, why?"

"The international wizarding declaration of sixteen seventeen was very important," Narcissa told her with a sniff, "especially for what you are talking about. Wizarding governments agreed to never meddle in their neighbors affairs. While the Muggles have had non-stop wars, there has never been an international wizarding war because everyone has stayed out of everyone else's business."

"Cissy, you're being naive. Once we have prevailed we will be the only Dark Arts government on the planet and the only dictatorship. Surely other governments will see us as a threat? They'll be scared of their own pure-blood's and their own Dark Arts movements–its bound to happen."

Narcissa shook her head, "You are wrong. Lucius and I talked about this before he was captured. The Dark Lord is certain that the foreign governments will stay out. They may not like us–especially the Americans–but they will have to tolerate us. The Dark Lord told Lucius that he intends to do nothing provocative. He is strongly against helping or funding Dark Arts movements anywhere else. They will have to survive and flourish on their own. The Dark Lord will strictly forbid any involvement by British Wizards in anyone else's affairs. Travel restrictions will be imposed as well."

Bella shrugged and lit another cigarette, "Well, if the Dark Lord is sure, that's ok then. But I still wouldn't put it past some government to try and slip some agent inside to try and expose us or kill the Dark Lord."

"Even if they did," Narcissa said indifferently, "we are getting ten applicants for every one allowed to join. McNair says its all being done very carefully."

Bellatrix snorted, "I'd feel better if McNair wasn't such a moron! But, if the Dark Lord thinks it's best to accept them, then I approve of course."

Narcissa's face turned downcast, "I just wish he would consent to see me?" She mumbled quietly.

Bellatrix reached over and stroked her arm, "Don't worry. He can't stay mad forever. He'll forgive Lucius."

Narcissa looked doubtful, "In some ways this is easier for you–you're still a Commander–even though you are hiding! You get to lead missions–to do something! I just sit here in this museum and wonder if Draco is all right."

Bellatrix consoled her sister, "Draco is fine." She chided gently, "He's with Snape. Last I heard they were both with the Dark Lord. Compared to us they are fine. Don't worry yourself so."

A sudden CRACK! Resounded around the room. Both women jumped as a house-elf apparated at Narcissa's feet. "I thought I told you..." She began angrily as the house-elf squealed, "Someone has apparated in the garden, mistress!"

Bellatrix was out of her seat in a flash, grabbing the wine bottle and racing down the corridor as the house-elf disappeared with another loud CRACK!

Narcissa ran her fingers through her hair and looked down to the corridor to see if her sister was hidden. Seeing Bellatrix disappear around a corner, Narcissa walked slowly to the garden door. A large man was standing there, looking into the house. He was tall, broad, of fair coloring and brown hair. He was wearing a navy blue set of robes and an expensive-looking cloak of the same color.

Bellatrix craned her neck near the wall's edge and listened as her sister opened the garden door–her wand out and ready to strike.

"Who are you and what do mean apparating into my garden? This manor has a fully functional front door!"

"Pardon me, Lady Malfoy, but under the circumstances I thought it best to discreet. My name is Marcus Mears. I was sent by Commander McNair." The voice was low, and the accent was definitely American.

Bella heard her sister's voice again, "Show me!"

A few seconds of silence followed until she heard Narcissa's voice again, this time in a more welcoming tone, "Won't you please come in?"

"Tell me, Mr. Mears, why did Commander McNair send you to my home?"

"He told me to come here if I was unable to find Commander Lestrange in her hiding place. He said she would likely be here."

Narcissa's voice spoke again, "And just where would Commander Lestrange's hiding place be?"

A moments silence passed until the deep, American voice spoke again, "It occurs to me, Lady that I showed you something but I have seen nothing in return. Surely, the Commander's sister knows her hiding place?"

Bellatrix remained hidden but allowed a smile to creep onto her features, this stranger was no idiot.

A few more moments of silence passed before her sister spoke again, "Satisfied?"

"Yes. Here, I would rather show you my orders than speak the hiding place aloud. I have been told that British Aurors are rather fond of polyjuice potion." Bellatrix heard the sound of parchment being unrolled.

"His papers appear to be in order." Narcissa said in a carrying voice for Bellatrix to hear.

Bellatrix walked from around the corner with her wand still in her hand. The stranger looked at her with piercing brown eyes. She quickly judged his age to be somewhere near thirty, but his face betrayed no wrinkles–his hair as brown as his eyes–with the smallest touch of gray in his sideburns–worn just a bit beyond long. His shoulders were broad and he was very tall. His body had the look of a former athlete just past his heyday. He wore a navy blue traveling cloak with silver fastenings, undone halfway down his front. The combined effect was intelligent and sharp eyes attached to a powerful frame, all dressed in an understated but classy way.Bellatrix strode toward him slowly, arching her eyebrows with her "in command" look.

Narcissa, her back to the new comer, raised her eyebrows at her sister and smirked. Bellatrix didn't acknowledge the look, but approached them both slowly and casually.

The stranger bowed his head slightly, "Commander Lestrange, I am Marcus Mears, reporting for duty." He reached out and handed his orders to Bellatrix. She unrolled the parchment and scanned McNair's messy scrawl:

Marcus Mears is assigned to assault squad two under the Command of Bellatrix Lestrange. He is to report for immediate duty.

McNair, Commander, Secretary to the Dark Lord.

Bellatrix took her wand and tapped the scroll. A Dark Mark appeared at the bottom. Satisfied, she tapped it again, rolled it up and ignited the parchment with her wand. She walked over to the ash tray filled with her cigarette butts and dropped it in. She turned back to her sister, "Lady Malfoy, I will need a few moments alone with this new soldier."

Narcissa, her face still turned away from Mears, rolled her eyes and smirked happily at her sister, "Certainly, Commander. By all means use the gardens. You will be quite unobserved."

Bellatrix inclined her head at her sister and looked up at the towering American, "Come with me, Mears." She ordered, and walked out the garden door and out onto the grounds of her sisters house, Mears in tow.

As Bellatrix walked toward the stand of trees on the back of the property, Mears asked her, "Is this wise, Commander?"

Bellatrix looked over her shoulder and saw that Mears had his wand out and his head was swiveling about the grounds, his eyes alert. "The place is warded. You can disapparate at any place, but you can only apparate in at the garden wall. We would see any visitors long before they see us."

Mears relaxed, but only a bit. Her lowered his wand and walked beside her. As Bellatrix walked she noticed that for a man his size, Mears walked with the lightness of a much smaller man. He was graceful in his movements and gave the impression that he could move with great speed if the need arose. Bellatrix looked up as his intense but still boyish face and felt her insides wriggle. Stop that! She told herself before coming to a halt.

"All right, Mears, why are you here?" She asked in her most business-like tone.

Mears merely raised an eyebrow, "I am assuming that since you have seen my orders, your question is 'Why am I in Great Britain?'"

"Don't be deliberately thick!" Bellatrix snapped. "Of course that's what I mean!"

Mears responded with a half-smile and Bellatrix felt her innards wriggle again. "I have come to help the rise of the first truly Dark Arts government the world has seen in over three hundred years. I have come to serve the Dark Lord."

Bellatrix scowled, "Very well. Why does it matter to a Yank like you?"

Mears shrugged, "I have been a student and practitioner of the Dark Arts since I was a young man. I believe in the old ways. You are either a believer in something or you are not. If you are, you should do something about it. The United States has become unlivable to me."

"So," Bellatrix said accusingly, "you mean to come here, learn from us and export the revolution back to America?"

Mears shook his head and Bellatrix could see a trace of sadness in his eyes, "There is no going home. Great Britain is under a travel ban, as you well know. Once I came here, I can never leave. No other country will allow me re-entry. I'm here to stay."

Bellatrix believed him at once but did her best to look skeptical, "What's your education?" she asked and began to walk slowly through the oak trees.

"Seven years, Salem's witches and wizards institute."

"Dark Arts training?"

"From my Aunt Phoebe. My family has always been divided on the issue, my parents strongly against them. But my Aunt was a fervent supporter. My sister, Ellen and I both gravitated toward them, my Aunt was our teacher."

"Combat experience, if any?" Bellatrix asked in a scathing tone.

Mears response was level, "Eleven years, American Auror."

Bellatrix's head snapped around so fast, her neck nearly cricked, "An Auror?" She said in outrage.

Mears stopped walking and fixed her with a mischievous grin, "I wasn't a very good one."

Bellatrix stared into his eyes and found herself up against powerful occlumency shields. "Lower you shields!" She commanded.

For the first time, Mears looked irritated, "I can assure you, Commander, I have been thoroughly probed already."

"I'm sure you have," Bellatrix said icily, "but those people will not be going on combat missions with you. In other words, Mears, my life will be in your hands. I'll see for myself."

Mears looked mulish and dangerous, Bellatrix produced her wand. "I assure you before I look, I don't care if you're a drunk, a doper, or a pervert. I just want to see who is going to be fighting beside me."

Mears studied Bella appraisingly for a moment, then closed his eyes and relaxed. Bellatrix pointed her wand at him and said, "Legillimens!"

Bella started to probe, and then suddenly a flood of memories burst forth. A house, a woman, and a young girl. A funeral, a wedding, raids and fights, a woman's face–a feeling of complete desolation, a mass of naked bodies, a haze of alcohol!

"That's enough!" Bellatrix snapped and dropped her wand. She turned away and gave Mears a moment to compose himself. The memories she had tasted were powerful, passionate, and heartbreaking! And terribly private! Bella's head was spinning from the sheer volume alone. Mears had held nothing back. There were no deep, hidden crevices in his mind. It was all out front, completely raw and had flowed like a river. She was absorbing emotions and images at a rate she had never felt before.

"I apologize for having to do that." She told him quietly. 'Thank you for giving me unfettered access."

She heard a sigh behind her, "Are you satisfied, Commander?"

Bellatrix turned back to see the proud face looking curious, but slightly tinged with pink. "Yes! Mostly. I told you I didn't care if you were a drunk. And I don't. But I did see a lot of heavy drinking. On missions ..."

"I began drinking heavily after my wife left me. I quit three years ago. I haven't had a drop since."

Bella nodded. Then she looked up and smiled at him, "You are far more intelligent that the usual blockheads I get. I think you're going to be a good addition to my unit."

Mears stared down at her for a moment, then the boyish twinkle was back in his eyes and small smile creased his lips, "Thank you, Commander."

A moment of silence passed between them as Bellatrix just grinned. Finally, Mears asked, "Will there be anything else, Commander?" He asked with a happy smile.

Bella shook from her reverie, "Oh...Yes, one other thing. Have you managed to secure lodgings?" She asked, walking slowly back toward the house and rummaging in her cloak for her cigarettes.

"Yes, I have." He said. "I am staying in a cottage on an estate in Buckinghamshire."

Bella found her cigarettes and put one between her lips. Before she could produce her wand to light it a muggle lighter appeared before her face and ignited. She bent in and lit her cigarette. She eyed the lighter with a confused smile.

"Muggle." Mears said with a smile and a shrug. "Easier than fishing for your wand every time."

Bella exhaled a pall of smoke, she waved her cigarette, "You too?"

Mears cocked that half-smile of his and nodded. He produced a pack of his own and lit one.

"By the way," Bella said with a grin, "we pronounce it, Buckingham-sheer!"

Mears grinned again, "So you do. It's just every time I see it written I want to say shire."

"You'll get used to it." She said with a smile. "By the way," She asked trying to sound innocent, "are you a pure-blood?"

Mears looked surprised but pleased, "No," he said, shaking his head, "half-blood. You're the first person who has asked me though. Surprised me, I thought everyone would."

Bella felt her stomach sink. "Your mother or father?" she asked, trying to keep the disappointment out of her voice.

"Oh, well, it was a great-grandmother on my Mothers side."

Bella fixed him with a grin and snorted, "Oh, that doesn't count!"

Mears looked confused, "It doesn't?"

Bellatrix waved her cigarette at him, "Not that far back. And not just one! No, here you would be considered pure. You just don't need to tell anyone about her. Families often have to ignore a member here or there who takes leave of their senses. It's nothing. Just keep it quiet. It's a very small taint, anyway."

Mears looked pleased that Bella was so understanding.

"Oh, one more thing." She said suddenly. "Let me see your Dark Mark?"

Mears dropped his cigarette and rolled up the left sleeve of his robes. Bellatrix had never seen the mark on such a large, well-muscled forearm. "You know how it works?" She asked.

Mears shrugged, "I think so."

"Here," she said taking his arm, "I'll show you. If it prickles and gets warm, it means another Death Eater is calling you. Here, watch." She stepped back, rolled up her sleeve to reveal her own mark, and touched her wand to it

Instantly Mears nodded his head, "I feel it. But how will I know who is calling me?"

"You won't." Bellatrix said, shaking her head. "Just disapparate–the mark will home in on whomever the caller is and take you right to them. If it's the Dark Lord, you will know it–it burns like fire."

Mears nodded and rolled his sleeve back down.

"Just one more thing." Bellatrix said, flicking her cigarette into Narcissa's rose bushes, "I have a mission. Its not a priority target–little risk. But it will get your feet wet–and it will give me a chance to see you in action."

"What's the target?" Mears asked.

"Mudblood." Bellatrix said simply. "He works at the ministry as a records clerk. No real importance except as a terror target. We'll raid his house, interrogate him–but like I said, I don't expect anything--then kill him."

Mears nodded, "Where?"

"Just outside London. We'll handle it as a two-man job."

"When?" Mears asked with a smile.

"Tomorrow night. Intelligence says he's home alone on Tuesday nights. We'll hit him after dark. I'll stop by your place tomorrow and we'll go over the plan."

"How will you find my place?" He asked.

Bellatrix smiled and pointed at his Mark, "When you feel me call, touch your wand to your own and think of me. I'll disapparate and the Mark will guide me in, alright?"

"Very good." Mears said with a smile. "Anything else, Commander?"

"I don't think so," Bella said with a smile. She extended her hand, "Glad to have you aboard, Mears."

"Likewise," Mears said. He smiled, turned, and with a faint "Pop", he disapparated.

Bellatrix stood with her arms folded, looking at the spot Mears had just left with a thrilled smile on her face. She turned to see her sister eyeing her with a smile through the glass on the garden door, Tell Me! Narcissa mouthed excitedly. Bellatrix grinned, blew her a kiss and with a flash of her cloak she was gone from Malfoy Manor.

Bellatrix arrived at her hiding place in an exultant mood. He stomach was quivering like a little girl's. Compared to Rodolphus, Mears was dream! Big, tall, strong–and Bella had seen inside his mind. It was complex, layered, and passionate. He had known joy, laughter, sorrow, and pain. She had seen him predatory, consoling, laughing, and fatherly. He was the picture of the man Bellatrix had always dreamed of. She was so busy ticking off Mears' wonderful qualities that she wandered into her hiding spot without paying the least bit of attention to what she was doing.

The hiding spot was an abandoned mine shaft on a rocky hillside just outside Sussex. It had been a favorite hiding spot for Death Eaters over the years of struggle and flight. She found herself humming as she wandered into the front of the shaft, her mind a million miles away, when she saw the unmistakable signs of recent magic on the shaft walls. She suddenly crouched low, produced her wand, and crept toward the side wall very quietly. The wall looked solid, but it was only an illusion created by magic. She touched the wall carefully and whispered her secret password. The wall melted away at once to reveal her lodgings. A cramped but cozy hole she could disappear from the world in.

Bella crept low, her wand raised, and slid into the hole quietly. She looked over the stove into the sitting area and saw her husband, Rodolphus Lestrange, waiting quietly in her only chair, a large fire whiskey in his hand. Bellatrix sprang forward with a cry of disgust, "What are you doing here?" She hissed; her wand still raised at him.

Rodolphus didn't say anything; he just sat quietly and stared at her. Compared to Mears, Rodolphus was little more than a troll. Short, squat, and swarthy. With a permanently oiled complexion that looked that way even when he had just emerged from the shower. His graying hair, was medium length and oily. He dressed in fancy robes as always, but they couldn't change the cheap, rat-like visage that protruded from underneath. Slowly, he smiled at her.

Bella vibrated with hatred and gripped her wand tightly. Suddenly, as Rodolphus grinned broadly, Bella felt her stomach began to roil. Waves of Nausea gripped her until she lowered her wand. Rodolphus brushed at an invisible piece of lint on his robes before he answered her question, "It's been three weeks since I've seen you, what do you think I want?" He said amusedly.

Bella drew deep breaths until her stomach calmed; she looked up at his satisfied face and then stalked past him to a small table which housed a crystal decanter of fire whiskey. Shakily, she removed the stopper and poured herself a tumbler full. She took a large gulp before speaking.

"Go to one of your girlfriends," she said evenly. "I don't mind, you have my permission."

Rodolphus laughed, "Like I need your permission." He stood up looking very satisfied, "You know, Bellatrix, if you would just submit to the idea, you would learn to appreciate me."

Bellatrix drained her fire whiskey and hastily refilled the glass. "You sicken me." She said quietly. "Get out."

"Bella–Bella! It's not I that sicken you–its your own stubbornness that does. I don't see why you fight, your own pleasure is built into the bond. It's guaranteed to be pleasurable to you."

Bellatrix gulped more whiskey and looked at him with unadulterated hatred, "I'd rather have a muggle climbing all over me. Some of them are actually honorable!"

The smile on Rodolphus's face faded, replaced with a curt disgust. He move toward her slowly, "I could beat you to death, you know?" He asked coldly.

Bella grinned at him, "It would be preferable to having your cock in me."

Rodolphus raised his robes and lowered his underwear. Bella tried to look away but felt the magic of the bond drawing her face back toward it.

"I'm a reasonable man," Rodolphus growled, "if you don't want me in you, do a good job on this and I'll leave it at that." He leered at her.

She stared at him in familiar horror and felt her loins begin to get hot. She tried to fight the urge but felt herself being pulled down to her knees. She knelt helpless before him, tears of hatred seeping out the corner of her hooded eyes. Her crotch was now thoroughly stirred as he looked down at her and smiled. "I'll do it good, but don't touch me!" She rasped.

"Fair enough!" Rodolphus snapped and grabbed her raven black hair-- Bella fought back as he tried to choke her. "Let me be!" She demanded. "If I'm going to do it, let me!"

He finally released her and stepped back as she collapsed on the floor in sobs. She lay on the floor as she spoke, "It doesn't have to be like this, you know? You bring it on yourself. I'm just trying to be a husband–but you won't let me."

"Get out!" Bellatrix screamed between sobs.

Rodolphus smoothed his robes and walked to the cave wall, "I'll see you in a week or two." He sneered, and walked out.

Bellatrix pulled herself to her feet, walked over to her bed and threw herself in it.