Chapter 1 – April 1967
"My dear sir, you do know what measures I can and will take in order to protect myself, I presume?"
"My Lord, I understand completely, however… I have some hesitations…"
The dark wood paneled office of Cygnus Black was strewn with papers, books, and spilled potions as two men of extremely differing statures conversed. One, a tall sharp-looking man, with bright blue eyes and axel grey hair, was standing behind his desk. His inferior superior, Thomas Riddle, was sitting on the other side of the table; his jet-black hair was slicked into a pompadour and because of it, he looked quite smart. He was fingering a ring on his left hand, and hiding his anger toward the old man.
"Cygnus, any hesitations are completely unnecessary." He said coolly.
"But, my Lord, I do not think you understand that I am growing to old for this."
Tom couldn't hide his anger any longer. He stood up and pointed his bony finger at the man behind the desk.
"I need you!" He said in an angry whisper. "The men I have now… they aren't…. they are not as skilled as you are! I need someone with experience, and currently I only have myself!"
"But, the others can be trained."
"You aren't understanding me! They don't have the talent!" Tom paced about the room in circles and then said quietly, "I know that you are too old. But…. But is there anyone that you know? Anyone who has the skills? Who has talent?"
The old man laughed, "Well, of course, I first would say my daughters." Cygnus found it rather comical to imagine his three daughters fighting. Narcissa, he thought, was too delicate. Her long blonde hair and her obsession with flowers, gems, boys, and all sorts of womanly things… she was just not a fighter. Andromeda, he shuddered, was very ambivalent about her Slytherin heritage. And, she was always spending time "tutoring" that Tonks boy. Right then, he remembered Bella. His, he hated to say it, favorite little girl. She always was loyal to the family, and always showed pride in who she was and where she came from. He glanced over at Tom, who was glaring at him. This was not a joke to him, it was life or death.
"My daughter, Bellatrix, might be of assistance."
"Cygnus, this is not a joke!" he was furious and sprinted to Cynus' desk and pounded his fist upon it. Cygnus took a long deep breath.
"My Lord, Bellatrix is not like normal girls."
"I don't want a seven year old as a death eater!"
Cygnus chuckled again and responded, "She is fifteen. She's entering this year as a sixth year Slytherin, and as a prefect."
"Cygn-"
"She also has received all Outstandings on her OWLs this past year and is entering in to many NEWT levels in all her subjects."
"I underst-"
"She is extremely brilliant."
Tom Riddle took a step back and actually began to consider this option. (He was also trying to grasp the fact that someone had interrupted him… twice!)
"Cygnus, I understand that she may be intelligent, but that does not mean that she has the strength to mur- complete the tasks that I need completed!"
"Would you like to interview her yourself?"
"What? I, um… is she here?"
"She is upstairs." Cygnus sat back in his office chair. He muttered a short spell and then held his wand to his ear and whispered, "Hello? Bella? Yes, he's here. He would like to see you. Yes, come down right now. My office. Yes. Oh, do put something on other than your nightgown! It's only five o'clock for Salazar's sake! Yes! Change and then come! Alright! Okay! Bye, love!" He removed the wand from his ear and in one pop, Bellatrix Lestrange entered the room.
From the moment he saw her, Tom Riddle was shocked. He couldn't believe that this was the child of Cynus and Druella. Cygnus had been handsome in his day, but certainly not Druella! Bellatrix just stood there. Her long curly black ringlets ran from the top of her head to the middle of her chest. Her sad, dark, eyes were captivating to Tom and her pale skin, similar to his, was as white as porcelain. Her actual figure was perfect. Tom feared a stick-thin tall girl who would die if caught without care. But no, Bellatrix was thin without being skinny. The short green dress was about seven inches above her knee, but remained flattering.
"You called for me, father?"
Tom was brought back into reality.
"Yes, Bella, this is Thomas Riddle." Bellatrix's tall silhouette seemed to glide toward him, and she held out her hand to greet him.
"Nice to meet you, sir." She said softly.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Black." Tom said as he took her hand. He smiled at her, and for once, actually considered having a female death eater.
"Bellatrix, show Mr. Riddle your spells."
"What should I show him?" the girl actually spoke loudly this time, and her true voice was heard. Even though she was only fifteen years of age, her aged voice and appearance made her seem four years older.
"Ms. Black, would you mind showing me your unforgiveable curses?"
"Yes, should I summon a spider or some animal of some sort?"
"A spider will do."
After summoning the black widow from the windowsill, Bellatrix set it on the table and whispered, "Imperio!"
In such soft breath, one could hear the pleasure she took in causing the pain of the creature. Of course, if you knew Bella, she would never do this to a familiar (cat, dog, tiger, etc.), but an imbecilic spider? Yes. The pain in her life would never be healed, not after what she had gone through. As she made the spider dance about her father's desk, Tom's eyes lit up and he finally had hope in creating a successful army. Other than himself and a few others, he hardly knew an incoming sixth year that could successfully perform an unforgiveable curse.
"Test number two, Bellatrix." Tom stated. "The Cruciatus curse."
Bellatrix slowly muttered the word and the spider horrifically twisted. Tom glanced at her and he could see tears in her eyes. Why?
"Stop. Thank you, Ms. Black. Now, would you mind performing the killing curse?"
Bella said the words and it was done.
It was decided.