The Story of Alice Black

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any part of the Harry Potter universe.

Chapter 1

The woman stood by her small window, not really seeing, counting the days, months, years, since that faithful day all those years ago.

11 Years Ago

The screams had echoed through the walls of the prison, though no one paid them much mind, this was, after all, Azkaban. But these screams were different. After 13 hours of labor the prisoner lay on the floor cradling her new born child in her arms. Something quickly alerted the Dementors to something strange, perhaps the addition of another soul to a cell meant only to be occupied by one, perhaps the soul appeared to them different than the ones that usually resided here, the prisoner did not claim to know. All she knew was that wizards were alerted to something strange because it wasn't long before she heard human voices coming toward her now. "Minister," she heard one voice, and nearly shrieked in joy at her good fortune, " I really do not understand why my wife and I were called here, I understand what has happened is odd but it is also not a concern of my Department." "No it is not, but it does concern you personally."

"What do you mean Minister," Narcissa Malfoy's voice rang out, she sounded terrified to be walking through such a place, the prisoner could picture her clinging to her husband's arm in fear. She heard the footfalls stop in front of her cell, there was a tap on the door and there they were, just as the prisoner had pictured them. Narcissa gasped, "Bella," she shrieked, her eyes traveling over her sister's disheveled appearance. "Cissy look," was Bellatrix's shrieked response to her sister, "look at her Cissy isn't she beautiful!" The small bundle Bellatrix held let out soft cooing noises, Narcissa could not see what lay inside but she nodded all the same, wanting to keep her sister calm. "Mrs. Lestrange," Cornelius Fudge said, "the circumstances we find you in are curious to say the least, do you care to tell us how in these conditions, in Azkaban of all places, you have managed to not only sustain a pregnancy but have also given birth to a perfectly healthy child." Bellatrix did not respond, she smiled down at the baby conspiratorially and moved the bundle so that her sister could see the child, the soft blue hair that was hanging around her face. As Narcissa watched the hair darkened, becoming the deep black of ink, then began to brighten to the silver of her husband's. "An animorphmagus," Bellatrix said with pride, " imagine her usefulness when the Dark Lord returns."

"Mrs. Lestrange!"

Fudge spoke up again, "this is really not appropriate..." but Lucius interrupted him. "Sir, I really don't understand why my wife and I were called to join you here." "But surely Lucius," the Minster spoke, his eyes wide, "surely you'll want to move the child from here as soon as possible." "Of course," said Lucius, "I'm sure you will be able to acquire the child more than suitable accommodations in an orphanage of.."

"NO!"

The scream echoed through the corridors, upsetting the child who had been so calm, but now began to cry. Bellatrix rocked her baby back and forth, whispering apologies to her until she calmed again. She sat her daughter gently on the ground and got on her knees in front of her sister and brother-in-law. "Please Lucius, Cissy, please take her, she needs to be with her family, she needs to be taught properly." Her eyes glistened with tears and Lucius stared at her like she'd just been set aflame. He had never expected to see her, Bellatrix, begging anyone but the Dark Lord for anything. Of course he was correct, this was the first and last time Bellatrix would ever degrade herself in such a way but she needed her daughter in a home where she would be raised properly, not in a orphanage where they would denounce Voldemort and her child could end up with anyone. Narcissa placed a hand on her husband's shoulder, "Lucius, she is family." Lucius sighed, he had never been able to deny his wife's wishes. He nodded to her and Bellatrix picked her baby back up, kissed her softly, and held her out for her sister. "What will her name be Mrs. Lestrange," Fudge said.

Bellatrix's half deranged smile appeared, "Alice," she said, looking again at her little girl, her hair now pumpkin orange. "Mrs. Lestrange, even for you that is sick!" "No Minister, not as in Alice Longbottom," Narcissa explained, " Bellatrix has always had a fondness for Alice in Wonderland." "Filthy muggles think Lewis Carroll was one of them, indeed," Bellatrix said, seeming to forget the others were there, "his daughter Alice had the perfect mind and he followed her through it with his Legilimency. Stupid blood traitors allowing their children to show their muggle friends...letting wizarding tales fall into filthy muggle hands..." "Fine, Fine" Fudge finally said, "and the last name?" Bellatrix had to think about this, now. "Who is the father Bella, surely you and Rodolphus..." "Oh don't be ridiculous Cissy, you know that was an arranged marriage. Rod and I never cared for each other. Besides he didn't approve of my...overzealous devotion, yes that's what he called it! Overzealous devotion to the Dark Lord!" "Then who, Bella, who is her father!" "It doesn't matter," Bellatrix said softly, cuddling the baby to her again, "all that matters is that I am her mother, she is your niece, and she needs her family, please Cissy, take my Alice until I can come for her." Narcissa got down again and took the child from Bellatrix. Alice stared at her with bright green eyes. "Thank you Cissy, thank you." Tears were streaming down Bellatrix's cheeks, leaving tracks in the dirt under her eyes and on her cheeks. "Mrs. Lestrange," Fudge said finally finding a firm voice, "what is her last name!" She couldn't tell them Riddle, they would know who the father was, she considered Black, but decided when she got out that might confuse Alice when Bellatrix came to get her. "Lestrange, so she'll know who I am when I come for her." Fudge just sighed and nodded. The Malfoys left, Narcissa cradling Alice in her arms, Lucius saying something about, "Draco is not going to be pleased," and Fudge closed the cell back up, another tap on the door, and Bellatrix was trapped again

Present Day

Bellatrix stared out the window, in a few days Alice would be boarding the Hogwarts Express, she sat on her sad excuse for a bed and sighed.