Surprise! Surprise! I think this story has been in my closet for too long and I don't think I should keep it from you any longer. I thought it was about time for a longer AU Bellatrix/Sirius story in ENGLISH. I've written about 1/3 of it and I like it. This story is my baby. I hope you enjoy it. I'll try to post a chapter weekly but I when realize my writing is going slower and I'm running out if chaps to post it'll be about a chapter/2 weeks.

Part One: Whispers From The Dark

The dark is generous.

Its first gift is concealment: our true faces lie in the dark beneath our skins, our true hearts remain shadowed deeper still. But the greatest concealment lies not in protecting our secret truths, but in hiding from us the truth of others. The dark protects us from what we dare not know.

The second gift is comforting illusion: the ease of gentle dreams in night's embrace, the beauty that imagination brings to what would repel in day's harsh light. But the greatest of its comforts is the illusion that the dark is temporary: that every night brings a new day. Because it is day that is temporary. Day is the illusion.

Its third gift is the light itself: as days are defined by the nights that divide them, as stars are defined by the infinite black through which they wheel, the dark embraces the light and brings it forth from the center of its own self. With each victory of the light, it is the dark that wins.

(Mattew Stover; The Dark Lord Trilogy)

Chapter 1

Lord Voldemort did not appreciate love, he did not appreciate beauty. He did not know of such human values for he was not a human being. Not anymore. Yet he recognized beauty when it crossed his way and Bellatrix was by far the most beautiful of his Death Eaters.

She entered the room gracefully, a dark haired vision with piercing brown eyes, wearing a black dress that underlines her character, her soul that is as sinister as her maiden name. Bellatrix is as alluring as she is cruel. She is obedient to him. His most loyal servant and probably the only person who, if it was possible at all, could carry out his plan.

"You called for me?" she asked, her voice trembling with excitement.

Voldemort waited, stressing her patience. Bellatrix was ever so eager, acting without thinking, running headfirst into a chaos she created herself. He walked up to her, grabbing her chin forcefully with his long, white fingers, making her look at him. She enjoyed this violent grasp, that much was obvious and her pleasure disgusted him. Voldemort let go of her, turning around to avoid the longing in her hungry eyes.

"There's a black sheep in your family, Bellatrix. Your cousin, Sirius. . ."

"He's a blood traitor. I do not speak with him, nor have I seen him in years. As fas as I'm concerned the only thing we share is our blood and I assure you, my Lord, I would very much love to eradicate my muggle loving cousin from this world as he has been burnt out of our family tree."

She was angry but not because the Dark Lord had brought up the subject of Sirius but angry at her cousin. That anger could be a powerful ally on her mission but it also could ruin everything.

"Blood is thicker than water," Voldemort whispered, "And yes, we cannot allow a talented wizard like Sirius Black to be fighting against us but we should consider trying to bring him back on the right path."

"He is stubborn," Bellatrix replied, "He would rather die than become one of us."

"We'll see."

"What do you mean, my Lord?"

"I want you to make him join us. He will be a Death Eater or he will die but you will try everything that is in your power that could make him change his mind," Voldemort said.

"Yes, my Lord," she replied with a grin.

"That will be all, Bellatrix."

The thought of making Sirius Black a Death Eater filled Bellatrix with inexplicable joy, for she was sure that her cousin had the qualities the Dark Lord looked for in his followers. His true place was here, only he did not know yet.

I will make him find out, Bellatrix vowed and smiled to herself. A fantastic game lay ahead of her, a game she had wanted to play ever since she joined Voldemort if it wasn't for. . .

"Bella!", a voice behind her called. Rodolphus. Her betrothed.

Rodolphus Lestrange was a Death Eater. Pure blood. Good looking. Their marriage had been arranged while they had still been at Hogwarts, but the wedding hadn't taken place yet. They lived together, slept together. Bellatrix had done a lot to please her parents but marrying Rodolphus was something she would postpone until the very end for it would rob her of her freedom, of her independence and sell her to a man she honestly despised. It was true, she hated her fiancé. He was a weakling, an opportunist who had joined Voldemort because it gave him power. He was cruel to those who were weaker than him, and he was jealous. Although they shared almost everything, Bellatrix was the very opposite of him.

"What is it now that you have to do for the Dark Lord?" he asked.

For a moment Bellatrix considered not telling him. He would not like it. He had hated Sirius since the first and only time they've met – it was a family gathering while Sirius had still been part of the family. An unwelcome member, but tolerated and he had insulted Rodolphus. Bellatrix had wanted to kiss Sirius at that moment.

Now it began to dawn on Bellatrix why the Dark Lord had chosen her for this mission and she decided to run the dagger through Rodolphus' heart.

"I am to recruit Sirius Black," she said simply.

"Sirius Black? That ill-bred cousin of yours?"

"The one and only."

"I do not like it," Rodolphus admitted.

"I know, darling, but it's the wish of the Dark Lord and you would not want to go against him, would you?"

And with that Bellatrix left him standing there.

* * *

The motorcycle stopped in front of a small house in a street of Godric's Hollow. It was quiet, Sirius thought, too quiet in his opinion and he wondered whether James really liked it here. He parked his bike at the garden door and stepped inside.

"Prongs? Lily? Are you there?" he called after a knock on the door remained unanswered. Then he heard a baby screaming and Lily's soft voice trying to calm down the upset boy. Only seconds later James opened the door.

"Hey Padfoot," James whispered, a wide smile spread over his face as he hugged his best friend, "It's good to see you. Come in!"

"Good to see you, too," Sirius replied, talking low, "But why are we whispering?"

"Harry," said Lily, who stepped from the bedroom into the corridor, "I just put him back to bed after you woke him up."

It was obvious that she didn't approve of Sirius' visit.

"Can I take a look at my godson?" he asked, trying to ease the tension he had caused. Lily tried to say something that was probably supposed to be a no but James interrupted her.

"It's ok, Lily. He won't wake him up."

"Okay, one glimpse. But if he starts crying again, I'll hex you. I'm so glad he's quiet for once."

Lily lead him into their bedroom where the cradle was standing beneath the window. Harry had already fallen into a slumber again, sucking at his dummy.

"Merlin's beard," Sirius exhaled, "He's grown. How old is he exactly?"

"Two months and four days," Lily answered, leading him back into the corridor.

"You shouldn't have come here, though," she said while they were making their way to the living room, "At least not on your flying motorbike. It's too recognizable."

"I'm sure your house is protected by spells?"

"Yes, it is. And Dumbledore told us that he is working on something almost impossible to break through but that doesn't mean we should push our luck. I'm also worried about you and so is James."

"Did I hear my name?" James asked.

"Yes, I was just telling Sirius that it could be fatal to pretend that we're in no danger. You shouldn't come here so often. Can't you two talk over the floo network or something?" Lily inquired.

"I'm sure Sirius knows what he's doing, honey," James defended his best friend.

"Oh really? Then tell me what protections you have on your flat," she challenged.

"None," Sirius replied simply. Now not even Lily's eyes widened.

"Does that mean every Death Eater could just walk into your living room?"

"Honestly, would a Death Eater look for me in the most crowded part of Muggle London?" he asked back.

Sirius saw that Lily was about to say something, something he probably wouldn't like, so he cut her off. "Would the two of you mind changing the topic now? I get enough of that from Dumbledore and as James already said: I know what I'm doing," he said and sat down on the couch.

James sighed and followed his example.

"I'm gonna make some tea," Lily said, appearently looking for any excuse that would allow her to leave the room without being rude. She was shaking her head at Sirius' recklessness as she left.

"How's Remus?" Sirius asked after a moment of silence.

"Ah, you know, the moon will be full in a few days. He's a little edgy. Have you heard anything from Peter lately?"

"Not recently, no. I think he's gone into hiding for a while. I heard the Death Eaters came to recruit him and that made him pack his things and disappear for a while."

"Understandable," James answered.

The conversation trailed off into unimportant small talk and finally to the subject of Harry and the challenges of parenthood, something Sirius was just dying to know. He stayed for another cup of tea and headed home as soon as his mug was empty.