Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

Written for the Battlefield Wars (Battle #5): The Inquisitorial Squad (Cadet #1)

Headlining Character: Rita Skeeter

Assisting Character: Bellatrix Lestrange

Prompts

(word) Almighty

(word) Scribble

(emotion) Distraught

(object) Parchment

(word) Frantic

Word Count: 1,005

BELLATRIX LESTRANGE:

HE-WHO-MUST-NOT-BE-NAMED'S RIGHT HAND WOMAN

By Rita Skeeter, Reporter for the Daily Prophet

Hello dearest readers! As always, your favourite reporter is here to provide you with your daily dose of excellence. Today we continue our Death Eater feature;the 'DE Column', which explores the darkest secrets of those who blindly followed the man who ruled the world. This week's featured Death Eater is Bellatrix Lestrange; the infamous and formidable woman who was, for a time, one of the most influential women in the world.

This witch has been working for He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named since he first rose to power, and I am lucky enough to be conducting the first successful interview with the Dark Lord's most prominent soldier and strategist.

Moving on to a little background information. Lestrange studied at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry, and was a member of the Slytherin House. One must avoid being prejudiced of course, but it is difficult to believe that there can be no connection here, for it is said that all of the darkest wizards, including He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named himself, were sorted into this house. Additionally, my sources tell me that Bellatrix Lestrange is the cousin of the notorious murderer Sirius Black. It seems that the Black family is making an unfortunate habit of getting themselves stuck in Azkaban, and now that both Bellatrix and her husband, Rodolphus Lestrange, have joined their cousins and other family members there, one can only imagine who will be next.

Unfortunately for the Black family reputation, it seems that this is not the first scandal to touch the family. Bellatrix's younger sister, Andromeda Tonks was disowned from the family many years ago, and appears to have nothing to say about the life and incarceration of her sister. Perhaps the final Black sister, Narcissa Malfoy will be the saving grace of this noble house, as she and her husband seem to be above such things. When I reached out to Mrs Malfoy, I found her highly co-operative, although she was unwilling discuss her sister as it is a topic deeply distressing to her.

One must admire the witch, no matter how briefly. Whatever you look down on her for, whatever bad decisions she has made, as modern women we cannot help but salute her. I would never argue that to follow the Dark Lord is a noble or wise calling, but by looking out for herself Lestrange rose to great power, and it is a shame that such wit and elegance was so easily corrupted.

As I sit here, in the small holding cell at Azkaban used for conducting interviews, I can see why the prison is so effective. It is cold, and grim. There is a feeling of misery in the air, as if those who enter are bound. These however, are conditions that I am willing to suffer for you my dear readers, to ensure that you receive my wonderful words!

Yes, even as I sit here in this quiet room, opposite the woman who is reputedly one of the most dangerous killers in the world, I find myself slightly afraid. The only sound is my quill as I scribble these words down on fresh parchment, frantic to ensure that I record every detail. Lestrange is not, as I had expected, upset. I had assumed she would be distraught, desperate even. I thought that her time in prison would cause her to lash out at me, but she simply sits opposite me, a slight smile on her face. Instead it is I who is upset, I who feel the tugging of empathy. I know, it is difficult to believe that someone as experienced as I feels emotional, but here my emotions are tugged about I am distraught at the situation, at the terrible place in which I find myself.

Her hair is unkempt, her eyes glimmer as if she knows some hidden secret. As I begin to question her, she watches me silently, refusing to speak. I am sorry readers, that I cannot record her answers as she has given no input.

However, she was not wholly quiet. As I stood up to leave, tired with this waste of my time, she tipped her chair back. With an almighty shriek she began to cackle loudly. I sat back down, sure that now I might get something out of her, but she simply laughed.

Readers, I can now confirm that the woman is completely deranged and utterly crazy. She appears to have no ability to think coherently and it is clear that despite appearances, Azkaban has broken her. This process may have been sped up as it has been months since she was allowed any kind of contact with her husband, Rodolphus Lestrange. Without him, she seems lost. There is, despite rumours, nothing special about her. Lestrange is no greater than any of the other prisoners to be found here.

However, there is a strange sort of beauty to her madness. Her hair, although a mess, retains some of its former deep colour. Her skin is porcelain pale, her lips full, her eyebrows somehow perfectly pointed. It is not until she reveals her true nature that it is possible to see the despair inside. I warn you now readers that she is dangerous. It seems that the Dark Lord was no fool when it came to choosing his followers, for I have never seen anyone as devoted as Bellatrix Lestrange,

There is no immediate cause for worry however, as it is hard to imagine Bellatrix ever leaving here, ever feeling the sun on her face or the grass below her feet again, and perhaps most unfortunately I am sure that she will never again get a decent hair cut.

And that, witches and wizards is it for today. Next week's edition of the 'DE Column' will throw some light on the dark circumstances surrounding Rabastan Letrange's troublesome childhood.