DISCLAIMER: Harry Potter and associated characters and ideas belong to J K Rowling, not me. Since this is a Next Generation fic, I have tried to respect the author's wishes regarding the characters' futures. Except Hannah Abbott. She just doesn't own the Leaky Cauldron and that's final.


Prologue: Bella's Secret

2 May 1998

"NOT MY DAUGHTER YOU BITCH!"

Ignoring the pains that coursed through her body, Bellatrix focussed her attention on her new opponent. The two whirled and danced, the crowds gathering on either side to watch. She had underestimated this woman, who fought with a venom she had rarely encountered. That visceral instinct to protect her offspring, an instinct that Bellatrix was only now beginning to understand.

"What will happen to your children when I've killed you?" Bellatrix jeered, trying to distract her.
Molly yelled back, spitting the words through the hair that fell over her face. Bellatrix's secret welled within her, and she laughed. Another twinge in her back caused her to lose concentration, and it was in that split second that Molly's spell sailed under her guard. The jet of light hit her heart and her body crumpled.

Panting, Bellatrix pulled back from a mind that was no longer there, a body that was not her own. One by one, she extinguished the super-sensory charms that still bound her to Hogwarts Castle. There was nothing more she could do there. She had a more important job here, she realised, as the precious child moved inside her. The idea, though she loathed to admit it, had come from the Muggle world. They called it a stunt double. She had selected herself a substitute, a witch of noble blood but feeble mind. Then, with a combination of Polyjuice Potion and the Imperius curse, Bella had created a puppet of herself. The stunt double had been living as Bellatrix, under her control, for months. This way, she was able to keep her pregnancy a secret and still fight in the war alongside her Master. Her dear Master, who had come as close to loving her as he had to loving anyone.

As another wave of contractions washed over her, Bellatrix pulled back her left sleeve. She let out her breath with relief when she saw the Mark still shining there, it was not as bad as she feared. At least not yet. The Dark Lord had scorned the idea of sending a mere mortal in his place. He was determined to finish Potter in person. But all was not going to plan.

Bellatrix did not know how long she sat there, staring at her forearm. She bit her lip, focussing all her mind on the black skull, willing it to stay strong. But her will power was not enough. An agony greater than that of childbirth caused her to cry out as she saw the Mark fade. Her Lord was gone.

A moment later, almost unnoticed by Bellatrix, the child pushed its way out into the world, its wails rising and mingling with those of its mother.
In the woods surrounding the cottage, a snake hissed.