-Layer 01-
-Present Day-
"Regardless of what we think of her, you can't deny the fact that Severus has changed entirely. Who would have ever thought he was capable of love?"
"That much is true, but it's not really about what we think of her. Can she be trusted?"
"If only Dumbledore were here, he would know what to do."
"It would appear that he anticipated this all along."
Molly, Remus and Arthur looked up in surprise. No one had heard McGonagall enter the room. She set down a dish at the centre of the table and drew from her overcoat a small vial of silver liquid.
"A few years ago, Dumbledore entrusted to me this vial, making me swear that no one would know of the memory it contained. Even I was forbidden to look at it. But it came with a prophesised message."
"What did he tell you Minerva?" Remus asked, an edge of impatience in his tone as he stared at the glimmering liquid in her hands.
"He said that one day he would be gone and that we would find our salvation in the form of an unexpected ally. That she would carry our fate. It seemed a strange choice of words, but he told me that I would know when the time was right to reveal the memory. I am sure that she is the person he spoke of."
Arthur nodded thoughtfully. "It does make a good amount of sense. But what if you're wrong? What if we see this memory and the information is not meant for us?"
"It's a change I feel we need to take," Minerva replied decidedly, pouring the silver liquid into the bowl before she had a change to change her mind. At once the fluid began to swirl and each of the adults leaned far forward, slipping into the long forsaken memory that could save them all.
-The Memory-
A young girl faced Dumbledore, her features defiant even though tears glittered at the corners of her eyes. The air around them was tense, as though they had fought just a few moments before and had reached a stalemate, each waiting for the other to admit defeat. It was Dumbledore who spoke first.
"I know you actively wish to help our cause Bellatrix, but you are too young to have a child. Further more, the prophecy is very specific about the fathering of the child. If you time this incorrectly then all will be lost. You must have patience."
Bellatrix stood with such ferocity that the chair fell back behind her and crashed to the ground. "Then I will become one of them. Now. Best to find the man now, court him, capture him."
"Love is never that simple and you would put yourself at enormous risk. It is not unknown for Voldemort to dispense of those he deems unworthy."
"Then I will make him trust me." Bellatrix's tone was softer, but as determined as ever.
"You would be forced to make terrible choices. To do terrible things. You would have to renounce your entire life."
For a moment there was sorrow in her eyes as she stared back at Dumbledore. "Then this might be the last time I ever see you as my friend. Goodbye Albus." The last of her words were barely a whisper as she turned her back and walked toward the door.
With one hand on the door she stopped, not daring to look back. "Be sure to take care of him."
"Of course."