I do not own Harry Potter. It is owned by J.K. Rowling.
-Emy
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The room was pitch black. Dark, thick, velvet curtains hung in front of the windows squelching out sunlight...if there was any. Gloomy furniture was spread out across the floor making the expansive room seem minute.
I was sitting on an ottoman with my long black sleeve pushed up to the elbow on my left arm. I was watching the etching of a skull and snake slither on my lower arm. I brought my finger up to the tattoo and followed the snake. Without warning, the snake darkened and searing pain went up my arm. I stared blatantly at the mark, relishing the awakening sense I got from the pain. I was being summoned.
I gracefully got to my feet and pulled my sleeve down. Then, the pain in my arm deepened. He was getting impatient. I scurried out of the study towards the great hall and knocked on the oak door.
"My dear, Bella, you may always enter." A voice hissed. The voice was not loud. If it was any other voice, I would not have heard it.
I opened the door, "My Lord." I addressed the pale, snake of a man and bowed. I was always drawn to him, ever since I first met him at my father's house.
"Bella, I, sadly, have been informed of something truly terrible." His face gave away no emotion. The mask was in place like always.
"What is it, my Lord?" I asked with gruff politeness.
"Sources, who will remain nameless," he said with a sickening smile, "have notified me that at the Final Battle," he paused for added effect, "you will, unfortunately, meet your demise." He did not look remorseful of telling me this news. He almost looked pleased. I, on the other hand, was dumbstruck, but was able to hide my emotion before he saw it.
"As upsetting as this new is, I have already discovered an option. With the aid of Severus, he is not aware of why, but with a simple spell, we can carry on your family line. This spell will need Lestrange's blood as well as your own. When Severus returns, I will give you the final details. You may go," he dismissed me with a wave of his hand.
I quickly left the room and steeled back into the study.
Days later, Severus entered the study. "The Dark Lord sent me to give you this spell. I am not positive it with work for whatever it is you are doing, but for what I was requested to do it will be successful." He handed me a slip of paper with directions and silently left the room.
I read what the paper contained:
1. Pour three drops of the male's blood on the female's stomach
2. Circle blood drops five times with tip of wand
(Do not touch wand to skin at this time.)
3. Properly Announce: Partus Expono Maternus, while touching tip of wand to the skin above bellybutton.
4. Soon a pulling feeling will occur. At this time, slowly, pull wand away from stomach
5. If done correctly, a small yellow ball will follow the tip of the wand
6. Pronounce: Mella for male, Femella for female
7. The ball will temporarily glow; green if male and orange if female
8. Protect ball until it is fully developed
(Timespanse unknown)
The directions were simple. I went to the oak desk that was in the room and pulled out a bottle. The bottle looked clear to the eye, but when opened, it showed its ruby red color. This was my husband's blood; the Dark Lord gave me the bottle a couple of days after our initial meeting. He wanted to keep the entire situation secret.
I reclined backwards in one of the high back chairs and lifted my shirt to show my stomach. I followed the steps and watched captivated as the yellow ball drifted in front of me. I thought about my next action. The Dark Lord wanted me to choose male. A male would be my family's heir. Strangely, I felt compelled to do something different.
"Femella." I said clearly, but quietly. The ball glowed orange.
My lower arm burned and I, momentarily, thought the Dark Lord knew I had disobeyed him. "The Final Battle is starting!" The snake on my arm hissed at me.
"What about you?" I asked the ball. The directions said to protect the ball, but if I was going to die how would I protect it. I sat deep in thought until I suddenly had an epiphany.
"Narcissa," I thought out loud. I left the ball in the study and locked the door behind me. I hurried to Narcissa; she would be in her sun-room on the third floor of the manor.
"Cissy," I asked through the door.
The door opened, and I saw my little blonde haired sister. She was no longer little, but a full grown woman with a child of her own. "Bella?"
"Hi, Cissy, can I come in?" I questioned. She opened the door farther and stepped back. I took that as a yes and entered her room. The room was brighter than the study, but was still murky.
"What is it, Bella? Haven't you heard the announcement?"
"Cissy, I have come to ask you something important and you cannot tell anyone. Nobody, but the Dark Lord, I, and soon you know about it." She nodded her head, and I started my tale. "I am going to die tonight at the Battle," her eyes widened in shock. "The Dark Lord informed me and had me perform a spell."
"Is it going to protect you?" She asked digesting the news.
"No," I shook my head sadly, "which is why I came to you. The spell is to carry on my family line. Severus created the spell, but even I am not sure exactly what it will do. All I know is that I have to protect it." She gave me a confused look. "Come with me; I'll show you." I grabbed her hand and led her to the study. I muttered a few choice spells to unlock the door and quickly went inside followed by Narcissa. I silently pointed to the yellow ball that was still suspended where I left it. "I need you to take care of her. It does not say when she'll be born, but I want her safe." I had only had the ball for a handful of minutes, but I already loved her. I do not know why. I looked towards Narcissa, "you cannot let anyone know about her, not even the Dark Lord. He wanted her to be a son, but I had to carry on with the tradition and have a daughter." I told her trying to smile, but it came out watery. "Promise me you will take care of her. Please," I pleaded.
She nodded, "I will; I promise. What are you going to name her?"
"Gemini," I said suddenly.
"Gemma," she responded.
"Yes, my Gemma." I smiled and it slowly turned into a frown, "thank you, Cissy. I should go; he is waiting for me." I hugged her, "I love you, Cissy. And Andromeda, I always have. Take care of yourself and your family." Tears filled my eyes, and I noticed a stray tear fall down my baby sister's cheek. "Bye," I turned around and went to the door. I chanced a look at my sister; she was facing the ball. "I love you, Gemma." I murmured. I left without another glance and went to join the Dark Lord in the Final Battle.
A green light was speeding my way, Molly fought me to save her children and now she defeated me. I understand why she cares so much. I hope Gemma will have the same love.
"Gemma," I mumbled as I fell to the ground.