Chapter One: The Two Sisters

There was always something dark and monstrous about her that she couldn't quite pinpoint. She grew up knowing two very important things to be true; pure bloods weresuperior and mixing with anything else besides them are a shame to the name of wizard. Bellatrix Lestrange was as pure blooded as Salazar Slytherin himself. Her parents were wizards and their parents before them.

Bellatrix stopped dead as her heart pounded in her chest. She could feel the air around her slow as she pulled out her wand. She moved quickly, her back against the cold castle wall. She looked up at the night's sky. There, up high, was the sign of the Dark Lord. The Dark Mark. Bellatrix tightened the grip around her wand as she moved slowly toward the ruckus. From where she stood, which was some fifty yards from where the battle was, she could see sparks flying in all directions.

Bellatrix was a young witch, around twenty-five years of age. She had dueled, and defeated, the most notable and highly skilled wizard and witches in the past seven years, placing her quickly on the top of the Dark Lord's most useful Death Eater list. After seeing her defeat Lilly and James Potter single-handedly, the Dark Lord was convinced Bellatrix must be at his side. That was nearly a year ago. James and Lilly Potter were part of what Albus Dumbledore called, The Order of the Phoenix, which stood as the single strongest branch of rebellion against the Dark Lord's powers.

"Bellatrix!" came Narcissa's voice. Narcissa was Bellatrix's younger sister, who had been somewhat forced to join the Death Eaters. "We need you!" Bellatrix quickly made her way forward, seeing as there were only several Order members left, Bellatrix raised her wand for all to stop. Fifteen Death Eaters stopped immediately and looked at the young witch, who had a smile on her almost perfect face. She was beautiful, more beautiful than anyone any of them had ever seen. She had large black eyes, long curly black hair, and lips that was irresistible to any wizard. Her smile faded as she looked at the faces of the four Order members before her.

"I will fight them...alone." she said simply and she turned to look at the four of them again. Standing in front of the other three, with his wand pointed directly at Bellatrix's heart was Sirius Black, a prominent Auror and supporter of Dumbledore and cousin to Bellatrix herself. Sirius had been burned from the Black's family tree and the fact that she got to face him today excited Bellatrix to no end. Her smile became wider as she studied his face. Her eyes fell upon the other three. Edgar Bones stood glaring at her, blood dripping from his cut chin. Next to him was a witch Bellatrix had never seen and a plump man with long black hair that seemed rather angrier than the rest of them.

"What are you talking about, Bellatrix?" snapped Narcissa. "You can't fight them yourself?" Bellatrix turned to shake her head at Narcissa.

"You underestimate my abilities." Then she turned to her husband, Rodolphus Lestrange, and gave him a wink. "Watch and learn, honey." She turned to face Sirius, who by now was stomping his foot impatiently on the hard and damp ground.

"Ready then?" he asked with curled lips. The four of them began throwing their strongest curse immediately, all at once. Bellatrix raised her wand slowly, closing her eyes as the jets of lights came flying towards her, the wind blowing through her curly black hair. She could feel the curses getting closer—closer—closer…

Bellatrix flickered her wand five times, four of the jets of light blocked the others while her last one came flying at Sirius, who moved his head to the left, the curse flying past him, missing by mere inches. Sirius smirked as he raised his wand again but Bellatrix shook her head wearing the most sinister smile and waved her finger at him. Sirius looked back over his shoulders to find that the curse wasn't intended for him, but instead the witch that was standing behind him. She was hit square in the chest, flipping backwards. She back flipped in the air and landed on her face, dead cold. Enraged, the fat lump of a wizard came charging at her with the most complex combination of curses and jinxes he could come up with, aided by Sirius and Edgar, who both my themselves were considered to be among the top wizards in the world. Bellatrix almost laughed as she reflected everything they could throw at her, and at last, found an opening, in which she used to shoot the Killing Curse at the fat wizard. He flew backwards, flying in between Sirius and Edgar, and landing some thirty feet from where the two stood, their eyes wide opened and their jaws hung low. Sirius turned back and ran toward the dead man's body. The fire of anger glowed in Black's eyes as he stood up. Narcissa was now staring with hunger in her eyes. She wanted to torture Sirius. Bellatrix could tell Narcissa was wishing their sister Adormeda was there…

"Avada Kedvra!" yelled Sirius. Bellatrix turned, knowing instantly that the curse was intended for her sister, and immediately grabbed her. The two disappeared, reappearing right behind Sirius and Edgar, who turned to meet them. The two began throwing their curses and Bellatrix stepped in front of Narcissa, blocking every jet of light that came her way. After what seemed like an eternity, someone appeared. With a sudden flash of bright white light, the three ceased their fighting. Standing between them, with his long beard flowing with the wind, with his half moon spectacles shining brightly, with a frown on his old face, was Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and of course the only person that the Dark Lord, himself, feared.

"Ah," he said, his voice gentle and clear. "Ms. Black...or rather Mrs. Lestrange, if you don't mind I will be taking Sirius and Edgar here away from you." Bellatrix snorted loudly.

"How about I fight you too, old man?" she yelled. A small smiled appeared on Dumbledore's ancient face.

"That would be most unwise." He said knowingly. "As I am far stronger, far smarter, and far more clever than you." Dumbledore made his way to the two dead witch and wizard's body. He touch both of them, each with one hand and closed his eyes. The next thing they knew, the bodies were gone. Dumbledore stood up and turned to look at Bellatrix again. "Perhaps someday," he said, his voice still as calm and gentle as it was before. "You might be able to put up a fight against me. But for now—don't let simple small victories get to your head" Dumbledore waved his wand and Bellatrix flew backwards several yards, her back slamming hard against the concrete floor. She sat up, enraged, but he was gone, and so were Sirius and Edgar.

***

Adromeda stood with a smile over her child as the rain poured outside and the thunder crackled. The three-year-old girl's hair kept changing from one shade of red to the next as her mother stood smiling down at her. The front door opened and a very serious and grave looking man came in. Adromeda was twenty-two years old and being married at that age was something she had not anticipated on, let alone having a child. But as she looked as her husband, Ted Tonks, walked in, she couldn't help but smile to herself. However, at the sight of his grave expression, she picked up her child.

"What's the matter?" she asked him as she patted Nymphadora on the back. Ted fell onto their couch and slumped down.

"Your sister—" he said with a sigh.

"Narci—" Ted shook his head and Adromeda closed her eyes. "What'd Bella do now?"

"She killed Brett Badger and Julie Podmore." Adormeda fell onto the seat next to his. "It'll be okay, Ador." Ted said. She slipped her hands into his coarse ones, and let her head fall on his arm and closed her eyes. After some time she stood up, passing Nymphadora over to Ted and walked over to the mirror. On the counter in front of it were moving pictures. Pictures of Ted and her. Of Ted and Nymphadora. Pictures of Nymphadora and her. Pictures of Bellatrix and her. The two were almost identical, both the same height with her same face, only instead of the dark black hair and eyes that Bellatrix had, Ador had soft brown ones.

"Bella was always the strongest out of us three," Ador said as she touched Bellatrix's face with her long skinny fingers. "We just never imagined she would turn out to be one of the strongest…and evilest witch there is." Ador walked back to her child, who turned and smiled at her, her hair now a bright purple. Ador picked her up and smiled, kissing her softly on her puffy chubby soft cheeks. "One day or Dora will be a powerful witch," Ador said not taking her eyes off the child. "Even stronger than Bella. Won't you, Dora?" Ador said as she pinched her child's cheek.

"Yeah," Ted said standing up and putting his arm around Ador.

"We're not part of the Order for a reason, Ted." Ador said, still not looking at her husband. "I don't want you going off to see Professor Dumbledore and them anymore. I don't want to get involved." The door banged loudly and Ted immediately let got of Ador and pulled the wand from within his cloak. Cautiously, the slightly battered looking man made his way to the door and opened it slightly. Outside stood a girl in her mid-twenties, her hair drenched from the rain outside.

"Um—hi," Ted said examining the girl. She was very pretty, with short blond hair, red lips, and spectacles. She smiled at him, her teeth whiter than snow. Ador let put Dora on the couch before she walked over to Ted. "Can I help you?" she heard him say. She looked out the door to find the girl, smiling a little too kindly at Ted. Feeling a strange sort of jealously, Ador opened the door wider and put her arms around Ted's waist.

"Yes," the girl said looking over at Ador with a smugged look. "I'm Rita Skeeter of the Daily Prophet," she said putting her hand out at Ted who took it. As their eyes met and their hands touched, Ador shifted uncomfortably and let go of Ted's waist.

"How can we help you?" Ador asked leaning against the door and looking at Rita from top to bottom. Rita smiled slyly at her and then combed her wet hair back raising her chest at Ted who let out a cough. She bit her lower lip at him.

"You aren't going to make me stand out in the rain are you?" she asked, somewhat pouting. Ted moved out of the way, letting the girl walk through the door and into the house. Ador herself was just as beautiful, if not more, than Rita was, and yet she stood feeling jealously take a hold of her. Shaking her head, she picked up Dora.

"So are you going to answer my question?" Ador asked looking at the girl with disdain. Rita nodded her head slowly as she observed the house.

"I heard," she began slowly as she looked at the picture of Bellatrix and Adormeda. A smile crossed her face. "I heard that your sister has been racking havoc throughout the land." Rita picked up the framed moving picture and made a noise. "You two look almost identical. I'm surprised you two aren't twins. So beautiful. Both of you, really." Rita placed the frame back where she had picked it up. "I was wondering if you could give me an interview."

"An interview?" snapped Ador, her temper rising. "It's eight at night. How did you even know we live here?" Rita snapped her fingers and a notebook and pen popped out from thin air. She sat down on their couch and crossed her smooth white legs.

"Only time I'm free. I got your address from a rather interesting source." Rita had that smugged look on her face again, much to Ador's annoyance.

"And who is this source?" Ador asked sitting down opposite Rita now. Rita's smile widened as she began writing something in her notebook with her fancy peacock tailed pen.

"Narcissa, of course." Ador looked over at Ted with widened eyes. Ted immediately ran to the window and peered through it, his wand at the read.

"You spoke to Narcissa yourself?" Ador asked as her heart thumped heavily in her chest. Rtia gave a shrug looking at Ador with questioning eyes.

"Do you not know that she's on her way to become a Death Eater?" Ador yelled, terror in her voice. Rita shook her head and began writing in her notebook, obviously oblivious to the meaning and gravity of this.

"Interesting. Bellatrix and Narcissa are with the Dark Lord? And what about you—" but Ador had stood up and drawn her wand. She made her way over to where Ted stood, both peering out the window now.

"What are you two doing?" Rita asked looking bewildered at the two. Ador turned back to look at Rita with disgust.

"I don't know how Narcissa found out," Ador said, her voice shaking. "Or even why she would tell you—but if she knows where I live she will come with Bellatrix and the rest of the Death Eaters and they will kill us. And if you don't get out of here soon—you'll—" but it was too late. Ted let out a gasp as he backed away from the window and turned toward the front door.

"They're here!" he yelled, his hands shaking. Ador grabbed Dora and handed her to Rita, who stood petrified.

"Take her out of here. I can't leave. I have to finish Bellatrix off. This has to end." Ador said as she felt a strange tingling sensation in her hands. "Please, Rita," Ador said looking desperately at Rite. "Please take Dora out of here. Bring her to Dumbledore. Tell him if he doesn't hear from me by noon tomorrow that I'll already be dead. Please!" Rita stared at the child in her arms for a moment, then, taking in a deep breath, she nodded her head at Ador, and disappeared. Ador turned to face the front door. It blasted open, with a shrill high-pitched laugh that could come from none other than Bellatrix Lestrange herself.

Bellatrix stepped in, with Narcissa behind her. Her face fell when she saw Ador and then she looked over at Ted.

"Where's that kid?" she asked pointing her wand at Ador. "I want you to see her die before I kill you."

"You're not killing anyone, anymore Bella." Ador said, sounding braver than she felt. She was no match for Bellatrix, of that she was sure. Ted slid to her side. He was obviously shaking. Ted wasn't especially skilled at combat, having been only in a few fights.

"And I suppose you two are going to stop me, eh sis?" Bellatrix laughed, her whole body shaking. "You and this Mudblood?"

"Don't call him a Mudblood!" growled Ador, her anger rising higher and higher as she stared at the sister she once loved. Bellatrix stopped laughing but kept a smirk on her face. Narcissa moved closer to Bellatrix but she pushed her back. "Stay out of the way!" she hissed at her little sister who looked over at Ador guiltily. The seventeen-year-old-girl seemed to be split between her two sisters. Ador let out a sigh and her face softened.

"How'd you know where I live, Narcissa?" Ador asked looking over at the young girl.

"I can answer that," Bellatrix said smiling. "We tortured poor Peter Pettigrew. Barely raised a wand at him though—he gave you up within seconds." Then Ador knew why Rita had showed up. It was Narcissa's way of warning her. She had sent Rita as a warning. Bowing her head and letting out another sigh, Ador raised her wand at Bellatrix again.

"We're not even part of the Order—" Ador began but Bellatrix gave a howl that pierced the air.

"You might as well be! You traitor! Either you help the Dark Lord or you are against him! And you my poor sad little sister," Bellatrix said all this in one long breath. "Are against him—making you as much of an annoyance as the Order members themselves!" Ador looked around at them; there must have been over a dozen Death Eaters.

"So what, fifteen of you against just the two of us?" Once again, Bellatrix shrieked with laughter.

"No, no, no, no, no, no." she said unnecessarily. "I don't need help. I can dispose of both of you myself. Shall we fight outside then, little sis?" Bellatrix turned to walk outside and Ador and Ted followed her. The rest of the Death Eaters came outside to join them, making a circle outside the three of them. "I'll take on both of you if you want—"

"No," Ador said shaking her head. Ted would just be bother. She'd have to worry about protecting him instead of herself. "I'll fight you by myself." They both raised their wands and then the battle broke out. At first Ador was quite surprised by Bellatrix's slow reaction and rather rash and clumsy attacks, but she soon found out Bellatrix was merely playing with her. Of course she was, she never took Ador seriously when it came to their magical abilities. Bellatrix was in a completely different league than Ador. Ador never knew exactly how Bellatrix was so strong…so talented? If only Bellatrix used her powers for good instead of evil—perhaps the fight against the Dark Lord would turn out better than now. Bellatrix would be a welcomed addition to the Order of the Phoenix.

"C'mon, Sis!" Bellatrix yelled as she playfully blocked a curse Ador had shot at her. "You can do so much better than—" Bellatrix was hit on the shoulder. She spun in midair and fell on the ground. Stand up, she was thrown backwards. She yelled and shrieked in anger. She stood up and glared with burning eyes at Ador, who was by now panting. With a slight flicker of her mighty wand, Ador was sent flying. She hit her back against the house and was pushed upwards.

"Crucio!" Bellatrix howled in anger. The jolt of agonizing, unbearable, incomparable, excruciating pain surged through Ador's entire body. She couldn't even yell. She couldn't make a sound as Bellatrix smiled at Ador's pain.

"You might want to consider fighting someone on your own level there, Bellatrix." Came a low voice. Bellatrix stopped and Ador slid down the side of the house, unconscious. "Of course, I can say that to myself. You are, of course, no match for me. But I will give you the pleasure of fighting me today. Just for you to know that there are higher powers than yourself." The man that stood was an older man, in his late thirties or early forties. He had a few scars and burns on his face, but none too much. His long dirty blond hair was slicked down. There was an air of confidence about him that Bellatrix only recognized in herself. "I was much like you of course. At your age I thought I was on top of the world. There seemed to be no one that could be of any match to me. Of course," the man smiled. "There was Albus to put me in my place when I needed it the most." Bellatrix stared at him for almost half a minute before she opened her mouth.

"You're Alastor Moody." She said, almost as if it were an accusation. Alastor nodded his head. "You're second-in-command of the Order." She said, her heart thumping in her chest. If she defeated and killed Alastor Moody—oh how the Dark Lord would reward her?

"Not officially," said Alastor with a smile. "But I sometimes like to think I have some influence over its decisions." Bellatrix grinned wide as she walked slowly towards Alastor.

"I finally get to face someone that will put up a fight," Bellatrix said arrogantly. "You have no idea how long it's been." Alastor laughed pulling his wand from his cloak.

"I would guess not too long," he said. "Seeing as you're half my age and I have fought many a wizard far stronger than myself the past year."

"Enough!" came a voice from the crowd. A man stepped forward and took his mask off, revealing a pale sharp face. "I will not let you let this man escape, Bellatrix! We need to capture him! He's a key factor in winning this war for the Dark Lord!" Bellatrix turned slowly to look at the man, a bored expression on her face.

"I can defeat him. Stand down, Lucius!" Lucius, along with the other Death Eaters, drew their wands.

"Sorry, Bellatrix, but you do not lead this group. I do. Now, I have stood by and watch you have your fun, but you have let slip too many important people. Now stand down or I'll—" But Lucius couldn't finish his sentence. With a slight wave of his wand, Alastor had sent the fourteen Death Eaters flying backwards.

"Ted! Go! Take Adormeda out of here!" Ted, hesitantly, took Ador's arm and within seconds was gone. Alastor turned back to Bellatrix, who by now was so excited she could hardly refrain from jumping up and down. Alastor looked to find the Death Eaters standing up and let out a sigh. "How about we go somewhere privet?" He grabbed Bellatrix's wrist and she felt her stomach churn. It was a familiar feeling, but not a pleasant one. She couldn't breath for about five seconds before she felt the rush of air hit her. Looking around, she found she was nowhere near Ador's house. "Much better." Alastor stepped back and pointed his wand at her and bowed. "Shall we begin?" Bellatrix thrust her wand forward to which Alastor easily reciprocated.

"Avada Kedavra!" Bellatrix bellowed as her tempered soared.

"Bombarda!" Alastor yelled. Fear gripped Bellatrix as the two jet of light hit each other. If his spell hit her…

Next thing Bellatrix knew she was on the ground, her arm bleeding. It felt as if her arm had been stepped on by an elephant. She turned to look. Her right arm was bleeding uncontrollably. She couldn't move her fingers. Letting out a moan of pain she tried sitting up but to no avail. Alastor stepped up to her with a grave look on his face.

"I will not kill you, Bellatrix. For I sense that there is not only darkness in your heart. Choose the right path, Bellatrix. You can do good. You can. You just need to be the person that chooses it." Alastor walked away and then turned back slowly. "Albus's words, not mine." And with that Alastor Moody disappeared, leaving Bellatrix wheezing as she grabbed her damaged right arm.

***

The hours ticked back like seconds as Rita Skeeter sat fidgeting uncomfortably. She had done as Ador had said. She was in her house, a small one, with a single bedroom and a small kitchen. Why she didn't use magic to make her house better, no one knew. She sat with her heart pounding in her chest, looking at the small baby girl that sat opposite her. The girl was now playing with what Rita could make out as, as her television remote. Rita didn't watch television, but she had one anyway.

"Don't mess with that," Rita said as she snatched it out of the girl's hand. The girl's hair immediately grew fiery red. Tears were forming in the child's eyes as she began wailing her arms. "Alright, alright. Stupid spoiled child." She tossed the device at the little girl who immediately stopped crying and began playing with it, biting it's corners. "Your hair changes color." Rita said blinking at the child, who now had bright purple hair. "That's interesting." She sat down next to her and touched the child's hair. "What did your mother say your name was again?" Rita picked the girl up and held her in front of her. The girl was skinnier than Rita had thought. "Dora was it?" Rita made at face at the girl. "Hideous name if you ask me." Rita stood up with the child in her arms and made her way to the kitchen, placing the child to sit on the counter as she rummaged through the refrigerator trying to find something for the girl to eat. "You know what I'll call you, kiddo?" Rita said as she pulled out a bottle of milk from deep inside the refrigerator. "I'm calling you Tonks. It is at least easier to the ears the Dora. Dread awful name. Don't know why your mother would torture you with such a—"

"T—onks," came the baby's voice. A smile spread on Rita's face as she turned to look at the child. Tonks turned and fell forward and Rita immediately pulled out her wand. Tonks was merely centimeters from hitting her head against the floor.

"Whoops," Rita said picking up the child. "Should be more careful with you, shouldn't I?" She placed Tonks on the ground. Tonks was completely oblivious to what had happened, and instead, continued playing happily with the remote she had forced Rita to give her. Shaking her head, her short blond hair waving back and forth, Rita poured the milk into a small cup and with the point of her wand, the milk steamed. "A little overdone," Rita said placing the cup down next to Tonks. "I'm sort of clumsy." Rita said winking at Tonks who smiled at her. "Can you say Auntie Rita?" Rita asked Tonks, who seemed to like Rita, as she began reaching her hand for Rita's face. The one thing Rita never thought she'd like was a child. Finding the truth, or at least finding out what would make her famous, was Rita's passion. And how could she travel around the world interviewing witches and wizards if she had a child?

"Auntie Rita," Dora mumbled almost inaudibly as she continued trying to reach for Rita's face. Rita couldn't help but to smile and then it struck her. What if Adormeda and Ted were dead? She looked down at Tonks and bit her lower lip.

"Auntie Rita's going to take you to Dumbledore tomorrow. Okay?"

***

Ador woke up feeling as if her head had been split into two. She sat up and looked around. She was in a room and on a four-poster bed. As her eyes focused, she realized where she was. She was at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A smiled crossed her face as she stood up; hear head spinning as she did so. It had been so long since she had been back, especially in the dormitory. She opened the door and left the room, heading into the Slytherine common room.

"Ah," came a low, soft, and gentle voice. "It has been quite a while since I've been in this room. Even though I am the headmaster." Ador looked up to find Professor Dumbledore standing at the portrait hole with his usual warm smile. "Feeling any better Adormeda?" Ador nodded as she fell onto the chair in front of the fireplace and Dumbledore sat down opposite her, looking at her through his half-moon spectacles.

"I'm really sorry about Bella—" but Dumbledore raised his finger and she fell silence immediately. With a wave of his finger the fireplace roared and Ador could see her reflection in Dumbledore's glasses.

"Bellatrix can still choose the right path if she wishes," Dumbledore said looking at Ador with soft eyes. "She need only ask for help. She isn't beyond repair, Adormeda. But I suggest you stay away from her." Ador nodded, not exactly sure why. "As for Nymphadora," Ador straightened in her seat. Where was she? "I sense that she is safe for now. She's with Rita." Ador felt a great wave a relief run through her.

"Should we go get her—?" Ador asked sitting straight in her chair. Dumbledore shook his head slowly.

"I have sent Alastor to get her. I believe that Ms. Skeeter will be joining us here. It is not safe for her to be wandering around now that the Death Eaters have her on their list of contacts." Ador nodded her head feeling the warmth of the fire hit her face. The door opened again, this time a woman in her mid-forties came in. Next to her was a strangely short man. He looked to be in his late twenties, early thirties. The man was up to the woman's waist.

"Professor Dumbledore," said the woman. "Alastor is back. Rita and the girl is with her. Ah—" she said noticing Ador and smiling wide. "Awake I see? Good, good."

"Ah, this is Professor Minerva McGonagall." Dumbledore said standing up. "I hired her when I took the job as Headmaster here. She's taking my place as Transfigurations teacher. I believe the students will find her presence—most rewarding." McGonagall shook Ador's hand and she looked down at the small man standing with a wide grin on his face. "And this is Professor Flitwick. A rather talented fellow. Very good at charms and enchantments." Flitwick shot up his stubby little hands and Ador shook it smiling.

"Have a bit of Goblin blood somewhere in my family. Not sure—" Flitwick said with a frown. "But hey, I'm pretty sure that's how I'm so good at what I do." He smiled and so did Ador. The portrait hole opened again, this time Alastor walked in with Rita, Ted, and Tonks, who was resting in Ted's arms.

"Alastor," Dumbledore said with a smile. "I take it everything went well?" Alastor nodded his head.

"Rita here gave me a bit of trouble. Didn't know how to convince her I wasn't a Death Eater." Rita smiled nervously with a shrug of her shoulders.

"You look like one—" Alastor shook his head and sat on the chair in which Ador had been minutes ago.

"So what now?" Rita asked looking worriedly at Dumbledore who was staring quietly at the fire. "You-Know-Who has risen to the height of his power." Dumbledore nodded in agreement.

"An ultimate battle is inevitable." He sighed shaking his head. "So many people choose the wrong side—and even when they want to change it might be too late." Ador's thoughts fell on Bellatrix.

"Is there any way we could get Bellatrix to join us?" Ador asked looking hopefully from Dumbledore to Alastor to McGonagall.

"She can only choose to join us, Adormeda. Nothing we can do will change her mind." Dumbledore said to which Alastor nodded his head in agreement.

"And Narcissa—?" she looked over at Flitwick who was trying to climb onto the chair Dumbledore was previously seated. He had his arm on the seat and trying to pull himself up. After falling back his butt twice, he stood up and pulled out his wand. With a wave it shrunk and Flitwick sat on with a satisfied smile on his face.

"Same goes for Narcissa," Dumbledore said solemnly. The group of them stood there in silence, the fire burning and crackling, the rain pouring down outside.

***

"Foolish!" yelled Lucius as he healed Bellatrix's arm. "I should kill you right now for your stupidity!" He pointed his wand at Bellatrix who stood with her eyes wide opened, staring at Lucius without fear.

"I was mistaken," Bellatrix said straightening her robes. "Something I heard you do quite often, Lucius." Lucius glared at her. It looked almost as if he were about the breathe fire upon her.

"I will not be spoken to like this!" he yelled throwing Bellatrix backwards. Bellatrix stood up with curled lips.

"I am more powerful than you, Lucius. You know this. I know this."

"The Dark Lord put me in charge, Bellatrix. To defy me, is to defy the Dark Lord himself." Bellatrix trembled a bit and then straightened herself up.

"We will see what the Dark Lord has to say." At the Lucius smiled and placed his wand back in his robe.

"Yes, we shall see what he has to say about how you let Alastor Moody escape from our grasp."

"Alright shut up the both of you," came a younger man's voice. It was one of the masked Death Eaters. He took off the mask to reveal an ugly, hairy, and wolf-like face.

"Fenrir," hissed Lucius. "How dare you tell me to shut—" Fenrir showed his teeth at Lucius, who immediately fell silent.

"Just because the Dark Lord keeps you in charge—and doesn't appreciate my kind as much as you—" he looked over at Bellatrix, however, with a small bow. "Does not make me less than you Malfoy! I can take you on any day." His voice was a low growl, and ever word that came out was followed by a showing his long fangs. Lucius seemed to have fallen silent and took several steps backwards. "Bellatrix should be rewarded," Fenrir said smiling at her. "In a single day she managed to kill eight wizards and five witches. How many have you killed, Lucius?"

"Well—" Lucius said looking at the other Death Eaters. "I fought Kingsley Shacklebolt—" He cleared his throat. "Surely he's not your everyday wizard is he?" He tossed Bellatrix a rather dirty look.

"You lost," Bellatrix said snickering. "You were stunned. Fenrir had to help you—" But Lucius had turned away and looked at the other Death Eaters, who stood quite still, like drones.

"The Dark Lord will hear of your insubordination, Bellatrix." Lucius said. Bellatrix rolled her eyes as she looked over at her sister, who stood looking at Lucius. Narciassa had grown rather fond of Lucius since he had saved her life a few weeks ago, much to Bellatrix's dismay.

"And I shall stand and support her in front of the Dark Lord," Fenrir said, once again showing his razor sharp teeth at Lucius. "I know he will listen to reason." Lucius curled his lips and walked away.

***

"Dora!" came Ador's voice. She was running through the corridor with her eyes wide with fear. The last time she had seen Tonks was before she had fallen asleep. Tonks was next to her in bed, and when she had awoken, her heart thumping madly in her chest and her throat drier than a sponge that had be sulked out in the sun for a year, Tonks was gone. Ador left the Slytherin common room and ran down the stairs. She came upon Flitwick, who was muttering something under his breath as she approached. At the sight of her legs, Flitwick looked up with a smile on his face.

"Ah! Hello there!" he said pushing back his cloak and popping out his small chest. He put his tiny hands to his hips. "You look worried, Adormeda. Anything I can help you with?" There was a man behind Flitwick that Ador immediately recognized.

"Ador? I don't believe it!" came the man's voice. A smile crossed Ador's face as the man approached the two of them.

"Professor Slughorn!" she exclaimed. "Its great to see you again." After shaking Slughorn's hand, she looked back down at Flitwick. "Have you seen Dora, Professor?"

"Oh, yeah." Flitwick said scratching his head. "Rita took her. Said she wanted to spend some time with her." Ador's stomach churned. Not only was Rita looking at her husband, now she was trying to steal her child from her? Anger filled Ador's emotions as she stomped off in the direction Flitwick had pointed her. She turned a corner to find Rita sitting on the ground. Ador stopped and slowly retreated behind the wall. She peered over to look at Rita.

"Your mommy's just a little tired, Tonks." Rita said pinching Tonk's nose. "But she'll be alright." Tonks was playing with a remote controller, one that Ador had never seen before, although Tonks seemed to be quite familiar with it. Ador let out a cough as she made her way around the corner again and Rita looked up with wide eyes. "Oh, it's you. Well I was just thinking about interviewing T—this little thing here but then I uh—realized she can't fully talk." The last few words were mumbled and Ador even smiled a little at how hard Rita tried to make people hate her. Truth was Rita wasn't half bad.

"Right," Ador said sitting down opposite her on the ground, with Tonks in between them. Rita's face softened somewhat as she relaxed. "So you write for the Daily Prophet?" Ador asked as she playfully shook Tonks' hand.

"Well—yes." Rita's cheeks became pink as she looked away. "Started last month." She said slightly bitter and with some sort of resentment.

"You enjoy it? You know—prodding into people's personal lives?" Rita didn't meet Ador's eyes for a while.

"I don't go—" Rita stopped letting out a sigh. "It's my passion." She seemed much more human now to Ador as the two of them sat playing with Tonks. "This is all I've ever wanted to be. And—well after years of trying I finally got into the Daily Prophet—and already I'm being threatened to be sacked." Ador looked up interested, and their eyes met. Rita wasn't as cold and uncaring as she had came off, but Ador was sure that after this little chat Rita would be back to prodding around. Ador was about to open her mouth to say something when the door burst open and in came Slughorn, McGonagall, and Flitwick.

"Up, up!" Slughorn said waving his hand. Hesitantly, Ador and Rita stood up. Ador looked from Slughorn's face McGonagall's. There was something wrong. Very wrong.

"What is it? What's going on?" Ador's heart was pounding in her chest now. Was there something wrong? No—there couldn't be anything wrong could there?

"It's Ted—" Slughorn said shaking his head. "He's dead, Adormeda."