The challenge
Hi everyone! I'm not use to send stories in English because it's not my first language, so reviews AND critics would be more than welcome! Enjoy!
0O0O0O0O0O
'Able or not?' was saying Bellatrix mockingly. And her raised chin was illustrating all the challenge and the arrogance of those three words containing a lot of consequences. But when you were seven or eight years old, you don't think about that. You answer 'able' with all the will to humiliate the other and be the one who is admired. An ephemeral and always renewed glory. The research of this glory was children's ultimate purpose. And Sirius and Bellatrix were those children.
This spring, it was to dive in the hardly ice-released loch. Bellatrix entered in her cousins' room. She jumped in Sirius' bed and waked him up.
'We dive in the water, Sirius! Able or not?'
Those simple words were the best alarm clock. Sirius straightened up, smiled and his eyes were reflecting his excitation and his interest.
'Able! Of course!'
'Then get dressed!'
They went outside. Regulus, Andromeda and Narcissa followed them, curious to see that. Each one chose the side of either Sirius or Bellatrix, depending of the context. They were surprised by the cold temperature but it hadn't any effect on their will. Sirius ran by the little hill, climbed the little dock. Bellatrix was still far away behind. So he jumped in the water. He won. And won the pneumonia of the century !
But when you are thirty-six, situation is completely different. And the issues are way much bigger. All around Sirius, spells are arriving from everywhere. He neutralizes a Death Eater and climbs in a stone base to have a better view of the battle. Bellatrix quickly reaches him. The expression on her face is not so far from the one she had many years ago, when they were only children. At the time they were challenging each other. And the challenges were less and less innocent as they were growing up. 'Able or not?' Sirius holds his wand tightly in his hand and raises it. 'Able!' Bellatrix laughs and opens the duel. He easily blocks all them and responds to her assault, increasing the rhythm. They are in their universe, cut from everyone. They are not conscious of what is happening all around them. Even when Albus arrives and the battle ends they are still duelling.
Sirius bends down to avoid a red spell. He stands up and the expression on his face is more provocative than ever before. He is confident. If this is the best that Bellatrix can do, he will easily win this ultimate bet. And he laughs.
'C'mon! You can do better!' His voice echoes in the room. It needles Bellatrix. She raises her wand again and throws the same spell. Sirius doesn't notice anything because he is to busy making fun of his cousin. He realizes to late that the wing is turning and he lost the game. He widely opens his eyes and begins to fall. No! His heart begins to beat faster. No! That's impossible. He is paralysed by fear. He can't do anything anymore. He is surrounded by whispers of dead people. Why did they fight so near of the veil? Why his life ends like this, falling in a hole with no ground for ever and ever? The last thing he hears from the world of the living is Bellatrix claiming victory.
This absurd little game started during a fireside chat. And it finally killed Sirius Black.