Bellatrix Lestrange was intelligent. Minvera McGonagall liked intelligent people. She had close relationship with Bellatrix, nothing unprofessional of course, but closer to a mother than a teacher really. So, when Bellatrix rushed up to her in tears, the first thing Minerva had done was whisk her in to Minerva's private rooms. She sat Bellatrix on the sofa, and comforted her, whispered soothing things in her ear, hugged her, until she calmed down a bit. She looked up at Minerva, with a very confusing mixture of expressions on her face and in her eyes. Fear, sadness, but also joy and wonder. She lifted her arm, and rolled up her sleeve, showing Minerva the burned mark on her forearm.

Minerva was so shocked, she fell off the sofa, hands over her mouth. She was completely horrified, this young girl, her little protégée, the one she was going to offer an apprenticeship to, had joined the death eaters, joined Tom Riddle, Voldemort.

"Professor, please,please say something," Bellatrix pleaded, terrified that Minerva would cast her out.

"Who could you?" Minerva whispered, so quietly Bellatrix barley heard her.

"I thought, that I-"

"HOW COULD YOU!?" Minerva cried, she had risen, and was pacing around her living room, looking anywhere but Bellatrix's arm.

"I thought it was the right thing! He told me all the things I could gain, everything I could be. Professor, please, look at me!"

"How could you? Betray your friends? Your teachers? Me?" Minerva asked, still not looking at Bellatrix.

"I-I, I thought it wasn't that bad. I would never betray you! Please understand that, I would nev-"

" But you did, Bellatrix, oh you did. I am surly an impotent teacher for you to be so easily taken.I though of you as a daughter Bellatrix, but I have failed."

"What? Oh no Professor, you-"

"NO! For goodness sakes child, don't you see? Everything Hogwarts, I, work for, is to keep you children safe, to rid the wizarding world of evil. But you, you have left our protection, you have denied everything. I have failed you my attempts to protect you, and now, you are his."

"I can leave him Proffesor, I can, I would for you!" Bellatrix cried, dismayed at what see had done.

"No, you can't, he won't let you. Believe me, I've tried."

"What?"

"Tom had me once. We were in love, engaged. But he start telling me all his plans of 'world domination' and I could 'rule the world with him.' Indeed he tempted me, but I turned from him. I tried to leave him, but he wouldn't let me still haunt me. I rarely leave this castle because I am so likely to be ambushed and kidnapped. And now you, my dearest student, have walked into his arms!" Minerva collapsed on the safa across from Bellatrix, and put her head in her hands. Bella rose, walked accross the room, and knelt before Minerva.

"I'm sorry professor, I really thought it was the right thing," she whispered.

"Well, it wasn't. Damn it Bellatrix, how could I let this happen?"

"I knew there was a lot on controversy surrounding him. I came to you, because I thought you would understand me."

Minerva sighed, closed her eyes. "I do," she said, finally making eye contact. Bellatrix's eyes filled with tears and she smiled at her mentor. Minerva opened her arms to the girl, and they shared a long hug.

"Now, we need to figure out a way to save you."