These eyes will deceive you
They will destroy you.
They will take from you your innocence, your pride & eventually, your soul.
These eyes do not see what you and I see.
Behind these eyes one finds only blackness, the absence of light.
These are of a psychopath. – Dr. Samuel Loomis, Halloween

These are not dark days: these are great days - the greatest days our country has ever lived. – Winston Churchill

I gambled and I lost. I failed in securing my options for this choice for myself, but I succeeded in verifying the Dark Age is still with us. – Jack Kevorkian

Author's Note: I didn't expect to start the sequel so soon, but I can't bring myself to continue Sacredness of Blood. I may put it on hiatus for a while. BUT this story is fresh in my mind, and I decided to start! I hope you guys enjoy this story as much as the last :)

This is the prologue, and a little insight of the Lestrange family's life.

- Rosalie L.

The world was a much darker place then it was ten years ago. Ten years ago, there was still hope for many people. In this new world, this new society, with its strictly enforced rules, there was no hope for many people. The Purebloods were royalty, that much was a fact.

Their superiority shone much more than ever before. Purebloods were higher up in society than everyone, and they showed it more than ever. Their cool demeanours, their impassive take on cruelty, and their need to show off their sense of pride and prominence, only grew as the years progressed.

It was such a strange world to live in. Everyone of the higher class, or in other words, wizards and witches of Pureblood, seemed to be the most sophisticated, and well behaved being one Earth and yet, they were the ones who tortured for fun, they're the ones who kept slaves, and looked down upon others.

They were beautiful, but dark.

The world they live in now is such a contrast. There is no more power struggle anymore. They all knew who ruled, and no one dared defy them. The dark times never ceased to stop, but instead, it was now a constant part of life. So constant, that no one even complained anymore. They adjusted, they had no choice. To rebel would only mean death.

Rodolphus helped create this world, and though he loved it, he felt empty. He had gotten everything he had always wanted. He fought for this for years, and he helped make it happen. To get everything he wanted however, he also had to give up the one person who mattered most to him.

His obsession, his love, the girl who always drove him crazy, who defied him, and made his life a living hell.

Rodolphus never forgot what he had to sacrifice. It took a tremendous toll on his life and those around him.

'I would advise you not to go downstairs.' Alexander said, standing in the doorway of his sister's room.

Serena briefly looked up at her brother, and shrugged nonchalantly. She directed her attention back to her mirror, and continued to brush her long, silky hair. Alexander stood in the doorway a moment longer, expecting some sort of invitation to a conversation.

'Do you want something?' Serena asked, sighing in a manner, revealing which revealed her obvious annoyance.

'I would have thought you wanted to know what was going on.' Alexander replied, equally as annoyed.

'If I want to go downstairs, I shall.' Serena said, coolly. 'What's to stop me from doing so?'

'Father, perhaps?' Alexander replied, crossing his arms over his chest, and smirking.

'He's home?' Serena questioned, in an entirely different tone.

'Yes, and he's not in the best of moods.' Alexander warned his sister. 'So do yourself a favour, and keep to your room. Merlin knows you don't know how to keep your mouth shut.'

'When is he ever in a good mood?' Serena asked, with a smirk.

'Behave, or else Father will wipe that smirk off your face.' Alexander said. 'Don't say I didn't warn you.'

With that, Alexander left his sister. Serena rolled her eyes and proceeded to walk towards her shelf. She carefully searched for one of her favourite books. A book, which gave great details about the war, that had ended when she was still an infant. Her father was a war hero, and she enjoyed reading about the heroic tales based on her father, and many of her other relatives.

She knew the book better than anyone, except perhaps her brother, and could recite the events from memory. Even then, she always wanted more. She wanted the minor details that were left out, she wanted to know every struggle, every emotion, every task, every victory and every defeat.

She couldn't imagine a world where Purebloods did not rule, a world where witches and wizards everywhere lived in their own world, hidden from the rest of society. She couldn't imagine that magical beings would hide themselves from Muggles, and let them rule a world that was rightfully theirs.

She never got her answers, however. She was always advised from her father to read the book, and to keep her questions to herself. She did just that, most of the time. She read the book, hoping to discover something she might have missed before. She tried reading between the lines, to find any sort of imperfection and anymore detail to the war. She felt she had missed so much information. No matter how hard she tried, however, she was never able to discover anything new.

Alexander tried too, for a while, to find anything that he could. He still does from time to time, but even with all the resources, and money they had, they only knew what their father wanted them to know. They only knew what the Purebloods wanted them to know.

After all, history is written by the winners.

Serena flipped through the pages of her book, looking intently at every word and picture in it. Being still so young, she had a simpler book, which was much easier to read. Even if she could understand the more complex books, it would not have made a difference. It would be the same thing, just in a more difficult vocabulary.

The only new information she could find would be in her father's study, and though she and her brother were often tempted to snoop around in there, they would never dream of angering their father in such a way.

Three hours had passed, and Serena continued to look through the book, until she was called to dinner. She quickly dismissed her maids, and headed downstairs, to her family, who, except her father, were waiting.

Serena acknowledged her mother, and her brother before taking her seat across Alexander.

The family waited in silence.

'Excuse my tardiness.' Rodolphus said, indifferently, as he finally made his way to the dining room.

He nodded to his children and his wife, before taking his own seat at the head of the table.

Serena shot a look at her brother. A look that clearly stated her disbelief at her father's foul mood. Alexander smirked, and his eyes glinted in a way, daring his sister to test their father's patience.

'How was business?' Serena asked, politely.

Rodolphus looked up from his food, and took a sip of his drink, before answering his daughter.

'Everything is going well.' Rodolphus replied. 'I'm sure, Serena, that much was obvious, seeing as how I'm home earlier than anticipated.'

Serena chose not to response with a sarcastic reply, realizing that her father was indeed in a foul mood. Alexander however, was in the mood for a little amusement.

'We're just curious, Father.' Alexander said. 'Your harsh moods say otherwise about everything being alright.'

'Alexander, hold your tongue.' Bellatrix said, as Serena tried to stifle her laugh.

It was times like this where his children reminded him so much of Anne.

'You both can go to your rooms.' Rodolphus dismissed.

'Yes, we can.' Serena said, now taking her turn to annoy her father. 'But I think we shall stay and continue our dinner.'

'Let me rephrase.' Rodolphus said, through gritted teeth. 'Either you two get out of my sight now or – '

'We get it.' Alexander interrupted, shooting his sister an I-told-you-so look.

They both excused themselves, and left their barely eaten dinners on the table, to head to their rooms.

'What's wrong with you?' Bellatrix asked.

'Nothing.' Rodolphus replied, gruffly.

'As if you can fool me, dear husband.' Bellatrix said, slightly mockingly.

'I can't deal with your damned cousin.' Rodolphus hissed.

Bellatrix laughed.

'All these years later and Sirius still gets on your nerves?' Bellatrix asked.

Rodolphus pushed back his chair.

'I'm not hungry.' Rodolphus announced, before making his way into his study.

Meanwhile, upstairs, Serena followed Alexander into his room.

'I told you he was in a bad mood.' Alexander said. 'I don't know why you don't listen to me.'

'I listen plenty. It was you who stared it.' Serena said, taking a seat on her brother's black leather couch. 'I merely just took it a step farther.'

'Well it was you who got us sent up here without any dinner.' Alexander accused. 'I'm starving. Where are your bright ideas now?'

'Skipping one meal won't kill you.' Serena said, rolling her eyes.

'Speak for yourself.' Alexander said, before sighing. 'Go downstairs and apologize to him.'

'He won't want to see me.' Serena said, waving off the idea.

'Serena, just do it!' Alexander ordered.

'Jeez, if you're that hungry, just go to Draco's!' Serena exclaimed.

'This has got nothing to do with my hunger and you know it.' Alexander said, through narrowed eyes.

'You're such a scaredy cat.' Serena said, sticking out her tongue.

'If you aren't scared of Father, you're either a liar or a fool.' Alexander said, with a scoff.

Serena did not argue with this.

'Fine, but if he gets mad, I'm blaming it all on you.' Serena warned her brother.

'And I'm sure he'll believe his daughter over his heir.' Alexander said, sarcastically.

Serena resisted the urge to stick her tongue out again, and headed downstairs to the dining room. Upon arriving, she was surprised to only find her mother at the table.

'He's gone.' Bellatrix said. 'If you two wanna come and finish dinner, it's alright with me.'

'Thank you. Alexander will be glad to hear that.' Serena said, with a small smile. 'But I came down to talk to Father.'

'Don't worry.' Bellatrix said. 'He's not mad at you guys. I suggest you two don't cross him further, though.'

'Where is he?' Serena asked.

'In his study.' Bellatrix replied.

'Why is he so angry?' Serena asked.

'Don't ask questions.' Bellatrix replied simply.

Serena rolled her eyes, and then headed to her father's study. She hesitated as she reached the door, but knocked on it calmly.

'Enter.' She heard a voice reply.

She entered in time to see her father closing a book.

'I thought you were your mother.' Rodolphus said, placing the book back on the shelf.

Serena missed the title of the book, to her disappointment.

'No, sir.' Serena said. 'Mother is still eating dinner. Alexander is probably going to come back downstairs and join her.'

Rodolphus just nodded.

'I came to apologize, sir.' Serena said, forcing the words from her mouth.

'Then apologize.' Rodolphus said, finally turning to her.

Serena always found it hard to apologize when she didn't know what she was apologizing for. It was her brother who was good at false apologies.

'I'm sorry that I was...acting...inappropriately?' Serena guessed.

Rodolphus, who was in no mood to humour his daughter, just waved his hand, dismissing her.

'What book were you reading?' Serena asked, before she could stop herself.

Rodolphus stared at his daughter, as if considering something, but he shook his head.

'Nothing you need to concern yourself with.' Rodolphus replied. 'Leave, Serena.'

Serena sighed, but she did not need to be told twice.

Rodolphus sighed in frustration and took out his book once more. The book he had read so often when he was younger was still his favourite book. And even now, he read it all the time.

'What did she want?' Bellatrix asked, entering the room.

'To apologize.' Rodolphus said. 'And to know what book I was reading.'

Bellatrix glanced at the title.

'Does your foul mood have anything to do with her?' Bellatrix asked.

'Does your cousin hate me for any other reason that doesn't concern her?' Rodolphus asked, before laughing bitterly. 'He's an utter fool to love what was mine.'

'Get her out of your mind, Roddy.' Bellatrix said, harshly. 'Nothing good comes out of remembering her.'

'How shall I ever rid her from my mind, when my own daughter is the spitting image of her?' Rodolphus asked. 'When my son had her eyes?'

'I've told you time and time again that you can alter their appearance.' Bellatrix said, as if it were that simple.

'Don't you see it though, Bella?' Rodolphus asked, with a hint of a smile on his face. 'They both have her curiosity. Serena has her temper, her conscience, her intelligence, and her looks. Alexander has her loyalty, her cunningness, and her superiority.

'Rodolphus, don't do this.' Bellatrix said. 'She's not even here. There's no way they're like her. It's all in your head. Your children are like you.'

Rodolphus kissed Bellatrix.

'I hate them, sometimes.' Rodolphus said.

'Imagine how I feel.' Bellatrix said, with a scowl on her face,

'They're almost old enough for school.' Rodolphus said. 'I'll send them away. I cannot wait.'

Bellatrix laughed. 'You can't stand it when your children are away for too long.'

Rodolphus smirked. 'I'm sure there are people out there who would target them.'

Bellatrix shrugged. 'It will all be okay, Roddy.'

Rodolphus held his wife, as his thoughts were on his children.

'Will you ever forgive the little whore?' Bellatrix asked.

'Will you?' Rodolphus asked, not wanting to answer the question.

'No.' Bellatrix hissed. 'You should not either, husband.'

'Wouldn't dream of it.' Rodolphus lied.

'Father wants to see you, Alexander.' Serena said, entering his room.

'No one said you could come in here!' Alexander hissed.

Serena shrugged, and gave her brother a falsely sweet smile.

'Father doesn't fall for that, why do you think I would?' Alexander asked, laughing.

'I don't know.' Serena said. 'I thought I'd give it a try. What are you doing?'

Alexander handed his sister some pictures.

'Is that Mother and Father?' Serena asked, surprised.

'Yeah, from when they were in Hogwarts. It's strange to see it, isn't it?' Alexander asked.

'Yeah. They look so happy.' Serena said. 'Look at how they're looking at each other! And laughing!'

'They look as if they're in love.' Alexander said. 'I've never seen Father look at someone like that.'

'It makes you wonder, doesn't it?' Serena asked. 'Look what the war did to them.'

Alexander nodded, thinking along the same lines.

'Alexander, have you ever noticed that...' Serena trailed off.

'Notice what?' Alexander asked. 'Hurry, I have to go see Father.'

'None of us look like Mother, at all.' Serena said. 'Not even her relatives.'

Alexander shrugged. 'I look like Father.'

'Yeah, but I don't look like Mother.' Serena said. 'I only have Father's eyes.'

'And a few other things.' Alexander said. 'But yeah, none of us look like Mother.'

'I guess the Lestrange genes are more superior.' Serena said. 'But you know, Draco and Adhara look like both Aunt Narcissa and Uncle Lucius.

Alexander laughed. 'How can you tell? They're both blonde and pale.'

'Well Adhara has Aunt Narcissa's eyes!' Serena said, laughing. 'I'm being weird. Go see, Father. I'm gonna stay here and look at the pictures.'

'Fine, but don't touch anything else.' Alexander said.

He headed downstairs and headed into his Father's room.

'You wanted me, sir?' Alexander asked.

'Yes, what took you so long?' Rodolphus asked, slightly annoyed.

'Serena was just asking a bunch of questions.' Alexander said, with a shrug.

'She always is.' Rodolphus said, gruffly. 'You shouldn't encourage her.'

Alexander shrugged. 'She brought up a good point. I was curious, too.'

'And what were you talking about?' Rodolphus asked.

'We find it strange how neither of us looks like Mother.' Alexander said, simply. 'But we both look like you.'

Alexander was mildly surprised when his father walked passed him. 'Where's your sister?'

'In my room.' Alexander yelled, confused.

He followed his father into his own room.

Serena looked up as Rodolphus and Alexander entered the room.

Serena gave a smile and was about to greet them both, but her father's cross look stopped. She gave her brother a questioning look, but before she knew it, Rodolphus had comes towards her looking very menacing.

Serena found herself shaking already, though she didn't know why.

Rodolphus slapped Serena, who screamed in shock.

Alexander froze, equally as shocked.

'If you don't think you look like Bella, then tell me, who the fuck you think you look like?' Rodolphus yelled.

Serena had no answer, and was still clutching her burning cheek.

Looking at his daughter seemed to infuriate Rodolphus even more, and he struck her again and again. Serena began to cry after the second blow.

'Father, stop it!' Alexander yelled. 'She didn't mean anything by it!'

By now, however, Rodolphus was in a blind rage.

Bellatrix was looking through some book downstairs, when she heard someone screaming. She paused and realized it was Serena. Then, she heard her own husband's voice. She quickly pulled out her wand, and ran upstairs, following the screaming. She hurried as she heard Alexander screaming as well.

'Rodolphus!' Bellatrix yelled, entering the room.

Serena was crying on the bed, and Alexander was screaming on the floor.

Rodolphus had his wand raised at him.

'Expelliarmus!' Bellatrix yelled, disarming her husband.

Rodolphus turned around angrily, but at the sight of Bellatrix, he calmed down considerably.

'You're out of your fucking mind!' Bellatrix yelled. 'What happened?'

Rodolphus took several deep breaths before turning back to his kids.

'You both ought to. Keep. Your. Mouth. Shut.' Rodolphus said, dangerously low.

He walked out, ignoring his wife's deathly glare.

Bellatrix made her way over to Serena.

'Stop crying, he's gone now.' Bellatrix said, wiping the blood off her daughter's lip.

'He got so mad for no reason!' Serena cried.

Bellatrix just nodded, and after healing Serena, she kneeled down to Alexander. She helped him sit up.

'Are you alright?' Bellatrix asked, examining him.

Alexander shook his head, but said nothing more.

'I'll have some maids tend to you both.' Bellatrix said. 'I need a word with my husband.'

She went off to find some maids, and ordered them to look after Serena and Alexander. She also ordered them to not let her husband anywhere near them for the rest of the day.

She headed downstairs again, exhausted, and frustrated.

'What is the matter with you?' Bellatrix yelled, upon seeing her husband. 'They're just children! She's nine and he's ten!'

'I know how old they are!' Rodolphus hissed.

'Do you?' Bellatrix yelled. 'Yet, your daughter is used as a punching bag and your son is under the Cruciatus!'

'I lost my temper!' Rodolphus yelled. 'I could not help it! What took you so long to help them anyways!'

'I was downstairs!' Bellatrix yelled. 'Don't blame this on me!'

'I COULD HAVE KILLED THEM!' Rodolphus roared. 'You know that, Bella, you know that.'

'Don't take your anger out on them.' Bellatrix said, viciously. 'I can't have children, Roddy! They're the only ones you have.'

'But the older they get, the more they infuriate me!' Rodolphus hissed.

'Well learn to control yourself because you can't ask me to save them!' Bellatrix yelled. 'I do it, because I'm your wife. But trust me, I don't forget anything either! I hate these children in a way you cannot even imagine, and yet I am forced to raise them!'

'I want her back.' Rodolphus said.

Bellatrix gritted her teeth. 'Fuck you.'

Bellatrix left the house without a word and Rodolphus went to pour himself a drink.

'Will you haunt me for the rest of my life?' Rodolphus said, aloud.

It's been almost ten years, and yet it feels like only yesterday that he had Anne by his side. The war is over, and the world is settled. There's no more Order of the Phoenix, the ministry is in their command. There's no more resistance. There's nothing left to worry about and yet, Anne still plagues his memory.

He was sure it was not in his mind. He knew Serena didn't look exactly like Anne, but she looked so similar to her, that at times, he could not bear to look at her. He could never look into his son's eyes, as they were they exact same shape, and colour as Anne's.

He hated Anne for her insolence. He hated how she would always fight back, argue with him, ask questions, defy him, challenge him, and never keep her mouth shut. He hated it even more when his children did it. He wanted them to be nothing like Anne.

They were just children. He knew that. He knew everything they did was innocent. It wasn't as if they wanted to infuriate him purposely like Anne had always done, but it did not matter to him. At times, All he saw was Anne. He never could teach Anne her proper place, and even all these years later, it's as if it was haunting him.

He could hear Anne laughing at him, mocking him, speaking to him in such a taunting voice that sometimes he believes he's gone mad.

That's impossible though. It's in his imagination.

He wanted to forgive her.

In all these years, he hated her. He always wanted to hate her for everything she did. He missed her, yes, but his hated seem to get the better of him most of the time.

But now, he felt, that it was time to forgive Anne. He didn't want to hold anything against her. He didn't want to be mad anymore, if he looked at his children. It's a new world now, a world he loves, and a world he helped created. Everything else was in the past. Everything was not the same as it always was.

There was no reason why he couldn't forgive her.