Of Love And War
by Autumn-371

Hey, thanks for reading this! It's is my first HP story, usually I write Charmed, with an few Hex stories and I did start a Lost story at one point! So anyway, I hope you like it and be sure to let me know if you did!

Summary: This is set when the Death Eaters were younger and just before Voldemort's rise to power. Basically it will tell the stories of some of the Death Eaters as they fall deeper and deeper into the dark arts and suddenly find themselves murdering all those who oppose Voldemort and his ideals.

This first chapter is mainly setting the scene, introducing the characters etc. It takes place in the christmas holidays and at the moment, all the (future) Death Eaters are at Hogwarts (7th years - Bellatrix Black, Rodolphus Lestrange and Lucius Malfoy; 6th years - Andromeda Black, Rabastan Lestrange and Evan Rosier; 5th years - Narcissa Black and Barty Crouch; 4th years - Sirius, Snape and Nott; Pre-hogwarts - Regulus). I realise some of the dates and ages may be off, but thats just the way it happened to fit!


31st Dec 1983/1st Jan 1984

The faint sounds of music and laughter could be heard from downstairs as the group of teenagers sought refuge from the annual new years ball in the attic of the Black's family manor. There was little conversation as the Slytherins made themselves comfortable, until a hushed yet arrogant voice captured everyone's attention.

"It'll be soon. The war will start soon, and the muggles wont know what hit them!"

It was Bellatrix who whispered those words; her eyes alight with fervour and just the slightest hint of madness.

Lucius Malfoy lifted an eyebrow, a superior expression on his pale face and drawled, "The war's already started."

"But it's not out in the open." Bella contradicted in her singsong voice. A dark look glinted in her eyes as she added, "Just wait until we can openly support the Dark Lord. No more need for hiding, no more need to act civilly to those filthy mudbloods."

Rodolphus let out a bark of laughter, "Act civilly to mudbloods? You, Bella? You never did to start with."

Bella's tinkling laugh mingled with Rodolphus' for a moment before she conceded the point, "True. Unlike Andi, here."

Bella's younger sister shifted uncomfortably, realising her position in the corner wouldn't stop the attention being focused on her. "I don't see the point in creating trouble," she mumbled.

Evan Rosier pushed a lock of curly dark hair our of his eyes, "It's what they deserve," he declared, "How can they push themselves into a world they don't belong in and not expect trouble?"

"Indeed." Rabastan, Rodolphus' younger brother, agreed, "It's like father was saying the other day, Roddy. If the mudbloods are stupid enough to get into situations where they are clearly in over their heads, then whose fault is it if they get their fingers burned? Certainly not ours."

"But," Narcissa, the youngest Black daughter, spoke up, "Andi has got a point. Are they really worth so much of our time and effort?"

Lucius eyed her appraisingly, "It's mainly because of Bagnold and her muggle-loving ways. Mudbloods seem to think that they can be equal to us, that they can hold as much power and influence as the old pureblood families."

"Basically," Bella cut in, unable to stay quiet for long, "We need to put them back in their places."

Evan let out a snort of laughter, "Yeah, beneath us!" he crowed, exchanging a high-five with Barty Crouch Jnr.

A malicious grin spread across Barty's face, "Remember when we hexed that mudblood prefect for giving us detention?" he reminisced, nudging Evan.

"Oh, indeed." Evan's trademark grin lit up his face, "You may look scrawny, but you sure can do a mean curse."

Rabastan reached over to ruffle Barty's straw-coloured hair, grinning at the look of annoyance on the fifth year's face. "Don't worry mate, you won't always be the baby of the group."

Rodolphus nodded, "I was going to ask you Stan, what do you think of Nott and Snape? Do you think He will consider them worthy?"

"I should think so." Rabastan shrugged, "Don't see why not. They're manipulative little snakes, that's for sure. Good at sneaking around."

"Severus is brilliant at potions." Narcissa pointed out, taking Lucius' hand when he couldn't prevent the look of irritation on his face as his girlfriend spoke fondly of the other man.

"We shall be sure to mention it when He next calls us then." proposed Bella, flicking her long dark hair behind her shoulders, "Andi are you sure you won't…"

"No." Andromeda shook her head firmly, "How many times do I have to tell you? I won't join. I have better things to do with my time than curse muggles behind their backs."

"It's more fun when you curse them to their faces." joked Evan, flashing his even, white teeth.

Andromeda sent him a rather disdainful look.

"I supposed you'd rather read your books," sighed Bella, "It's a wonder why you weren't sorted in Ravenclaw instead of Slytherin."

"At least she's not in Griffindor" Narcissa pointed out, "Like Sirius."

Bella frowned at the mention of their cousin, a fourth year, who had become the first Black in written history not to be sorted into Slytherin, "Well," she muttered, "Hopefully Regulus will be put into the right house."

"Of course he will." boomed Rodolphus, resting a hand on Bella shoulder, "From what I've seen of him, Reggie seems to be heading down the right path."

"Well we'll find out come September." remarked Bella.

Narcissa shivered slightly, leaning into Lucius as he wrapped his arm around her. "Have you three though of what you want to do when you leave? I can't imagine Hogwarts without you."

"Roddy and I are going to travel," declared Bella, "We're going to see new things, learn new things…" she waved her hand expansively, "that kind of thing."

Lucius laughed softly, "I wish I could have that kind of freedom, but father has already informed me that I will be taking over part of the family business as soon as I leave Hogwarts."

Evan grinned languidly, "And then Stan and I will be the undisputed kings of Slytherins!"

"Unless Andi knocks you off the top spot," teased Bella, fully aware her younger sister was almost a recluse and preferred spending time in the library with her few Ravenclaw friends rather than climbing the hierarchy in the Slytherin common room.

"But back to the war…" Barty lowered his voice, almost nervously, "When will it come? Will we be able to fight if we're still in school?"

"I'm sure we'll some of the older Purebloods will fight," Rodolphus replied carelessly, "Macnair, Dolohov, maybe our fathers, the usual crowd. After all they are His old school friends."

"Not my father." Barty muttered.

Bella let out a shrieking laugh, "Your father's a fool, Barty," she declared, unconcerned about causing offence, "A muggle-loving politician."

Barty was looking uncomfortable now, "I wish he wasn't"

"So do we all," nodded Rabastan, clapping a friendly hand on Barty's shoulder, "Then we might have some support in the ministry. But it's not your fault who your father is. At least you've turned out alright."

Pride was evident in the younger boy's face at the obvious acceptance. "I hate it when people expect me to be just like my father. I'm not!"

Despite her previous attempts at remaining unnoticed, Andi couldn't help but send a pointed look at Bella. And Bella being Bella, couldn't help but notice it. "What?" she questioned.

"He's right, you know." Andi said, "I swear, sometimes you expect me to feel the same way you do about everything."

"It's because Bella's always right!" joked Narcissa.

Bella ignored this and stared straight into Andi's eyes, "Are you saying you don't?" she asked calmly, yet with ice blazing in her eyes, "You're perfectly ok with mudbloods trying to trample all over us?"

Andi opened her mouth to retort, but the words died in her mouth, "No, of course not." she finally replied, backing down, "Just that maybe your methods…"

"Are necessary." Lucius interrupted firmly, "We have to show them that we're strong and that we're standing firm."

Nodding firmly, Rodolphus replied, "And we will. In a few years mudbloods will have been put back in their places and things will be the way they were, the way they should be."

There was a pause as the teenagers reflected on their conversation, and the voices from downstairs became much clearer as the guests moved out into the lobby, two floors directly beneath the attic.

"The party must be breaking up." Narcissa ventured, "Maybe we should head back downstairs?"

With a graceful movement Bella was on her feet, pulling Rodolphus up behind her, "Yes, mother will be most put out if we are not there to say goodbye to the guests."

"Come on!" she added, leading the way down the grand staircase. The small group followed her and tried to slip inconspicuously into the crowd of pureblood witches and wizards now gathering around a chain of golden fireplaces.

"What if mother noticed we were gone for so long?" hissed Andromeda, catching up to Narcissa.

"Don't fret so much, Andi." Narcissa replied distractedly, "Look, I have to go and say goodbye to Lucius. Can't you see his parents waving at him to leave?" With that she elegantly slipped through the crowd and had soon vanished into the sea of brightly coloured dress robes.

Catching her mother's piercing gaze, Andromeda headed off towards her parents, a charming yet fake smile in place. Evan watched her go and nudged Barty teasingly, "There you go, mate. If you're looking for someone to get you over Christina Crabbe, then Andi's your girl. After all she's the only Black girl single now isn't she."

Barty blushed a deep red but replied, "No thanks. I wouldn't want to be put second place to her schoolwork. But now that you mention it, you're single Evan. You too Stan." he added, directing his comment at the third in the remaining group.

Rabastan placed a perfect expression of disdain on his haughty face, "She'll be my sister-in-law after Roddy marries Bella. And anyway, not my type."

Chortling with laughter, Evan nodded fervently, "Yeah, shy and retiring isn't exactly my type, what with me being Slytherin's resident sex god and all."

"Ha! You wish." retorted Rabastan, "I''m afraid, mate, that that title rests on me."

Barty shrugged, "Oh well." he interrupted his two friends bickering, "I'm sure there will be plenty more girls at Hogwarts. And anyway, I am over Christina."

"Whatever you say, mate." teased Evan, affecting a dreamy stare, "I saw you staring at her at the end of term feast, drooling…"

Rabastan burst out laughing again as Barty whacked Evan across the head, attracting a few disapproving stares from the surrounding purebloods. "Anyway, she's seeing the elder Flint son now, isn't she," he said, "Apparently his parents have been trying to marry him off to a pureblood witch for ages, but no-one will take him up on the offer."

"I'm not surprised. That hulking giant!" snorted Evan. He turned to Barty, "You can do better. We'll find you better." he assured their younger friend, "But now I think we had better head off. I can see my Dad keep glancing this way. See you guys at Hogwarts!"

Barty raised a hand in farewell and turned to shake Rabastan's hand. "Father won't appreciate me being back late," he muttered.

"Have a good floo home." replied Rabastan, "I'll see if I can find where Roddy has vanished to, I'm sure our parents will be looking to leave soon too. Later, mate."

"Bye."

From across the room, Rodolphus sighed, entwining his hand with Bella's, "I guess Stan's going to be looking for me now. I could see our mother looking quite impatient earlier."

Bella pouted, "Can't you stay a little while longer? After all we are engaged now."

He reached up with his free hand and cupped her chin tenderly, "I know, my darling, but it would be frowned upon. After all, we're not married yet and you know how gossip spreads. I won't have your reputation ruined."

"I know, I know," sighed Bella, "But it's only six months til we leave Hogwarts, and you know how much I hate waiting, my dear." she added, with a suggestive glint in her eyes.

Rodolphus laughed throatily, "That's my Bella."

"Roddy!" Rodolphus started as his name was called. He had forgotten they were still at the ball.

"That'll be Stan." he told Bella, "I must be going now, darling. But I'll see you when terms starts in a week."

"Write, won't you?" requested Bella, reaching up to plant a soft kiss on his lips.

Rodolphus nodded, "Of course." He strode off, flinging an arm around his younger brother's shoulders and steering them towards their parents, waiting impatiently by the side of one of the fireplaces.

Bella watched them leave until a soft voice broke her from her thoughts, "I wish he didn't have to leave."

She nodded fervently, noticing Narcissa's forlorn expression, "I take it Lucius has already left? How I want to be married so Roddy would never have to leave."

"Aren't you scared?" Andromeda's voice cut in. The remaining guests had left and their parents were currently directing the house elves to start the clean up.

"Scared? Scared of what?" Bella snorted in disdain.

"Of getting married," persisted Andromeda, "I mean, you wont be a Black anymore. You'll be a Lestrange. And mother always tells us that family is everything, I mean, she considers herself a Black now, not a Rosier."

Bella hugged her two sisters close, "Of course I'll still be a Black. You two will always be my family. Always. Roddy understands that. Lucius will too, Cissy, and whomever you end up marrying Andi. We'll always be sisters."

The three Black girls smiled at each other. "I wonder what Lucius is doing now." whispered Narcissa dreamily.


Over in his Wiltshire family manor, Lucius was wondering the opposite. He couldn't get Narcissa's pretty, delicate face out of his mind.

His father, sporting the trademark Malfoy blonde hair, noticed his son's preoccupation. "Are you listening?" he demanded.

Lucius shook himself out of his daydream, "Of course, father. Sorry."

"I suppose you were thinking about that young Black girl." Abraxas Malfoy sighed, "At least she'd make a good wife. Comes from a respectable, pureblood family. Rich too."

"Father, I'm not thinking about marriage yet!" protested Lucius, "Narcissa still has over two years left at Hogwarts."

Abraxas inclined his head slightly, acknowledging the point; "All the same, it'll be a good match when the time comes. Beneficial to both our family and theirs."

Lucius nodded, "Yes, I suppose. Anyway, what were you saying, father?"

Reaching for his glass of port, Abraxas took a small sip, before giving his son an appraising glance. "I suppose you've heard whispers of this supposed war?"

"More than whispers, sir." allowed Lucius, sitting up straighter. It was almost an unspoken law that rumours about Him were not to be mentioned. But now…twice in one night Lucius assumed the mutterings must be getting louder.

"Indeed."

Lucius felt decidedly uncomfortable under his father's keen gaze.

"What makes you speak of it?" he ventured.

"I have heard that He is recruiting…followers, if you will. These so called 'death-eaters'." Abraxas replied finally, "I was wondering what your view of this is. After all, it'll be your generation He'll be expecting to fight for him. It is always the young men who are willing to give their all for a cause."

"I…" Lucius hesitated, unsure of what to say, "What is you opinion, father?" he asked, looking for some indication of the right answer.

Abraxas grunted, "Has some good ideas, this Lord Voldemort. Decent pureblood values."

Nodding, Lucius replied, "He has indeed, father. And I agree with him fully."

"I see." Draining his glass of port, Abraxas stood up and clapped his son on his shoulder, "Well I'll say good night to you, son. Stick to the values I've taught you and you'll go far."

Lucius sat in the study for a long while after his father has left. The fire was almost out, by the time, still lost in his thoughts, he dimly realised it was well past time he was in bed. Pulling back his sleeve, he traced the faint outline of the Dark mark, for the moment lying dormant. 'At least father approves of my course of action'