Bella had spent some of her darkest days in Azkaban, as did countless witches and wizards many who were not worthy of being associated with the Dark Lord. The placid dark, and Dementors never bothered her. The idea that the Dark Lord had been vanquished, that was what she could not bear. She followed him blindly and she would have done so straight into death. Azkaban was what she deserved since she had failed him. She went on a drunk, angry killing spree and stumbled right into the hands of the Ministry taking out a few wizards on her way in. She had remembered hoping they would kill her on sight, instead they threw her in Azkaban. When she sobered up she had been pleased. The dark mark, it had dulled but not disappeared. If there was even the slightest chance of his return she wanted to be alive to see it.
She spent years in Azkaban punishing herself for her foolishness. If she had stayed out of trouble, she would be able to help bring the Dark Lord back instead she sat in a cell as useless as ever. Time seemed to go slow and then fast, but she was never sure of exactly how much time was passing. She didn't bother to count the days, and then suddenly as if time had never meant a single thing her arm burned with pain though it was much more of a comfort for her.
He was back, all that mattered was how she was to get out of Azkaban and rejoin him in his most ingenious mission. It was only a matter of time before the Dementors jumped sides, and allowed an Azkaban break out. She laughed upon this realization, and it was the first time in such a long time she had heard the shrill excitement elude from her. She skipped to the door, and could hear others stir in the silence. She could be patient, it wouldn't be long before she was reunited with her Master.
Many weeks passed, but her patience never dwindled. She knew he would come, and then just as she had been expecting the Dementors retracted as a hole was blown in the side of the daunting prison. She chuckled and flew out of the prison just as he had taught her.
Bellatrix wanted to go directly to the Dark Lord, but she lacked her wand. Flying was useful but tiring and it took too long. Her husband was locked up in Azkaban with her, but she didn't know, or care if he had broken out the same time as she did. Her only hope was her sister who to the best of her knowledge was still married to Lucius Malfoy, a fellow Death Eater.
She landed just outside Malfoy Manor, her sister was already rushing to the gate.
"Bella!" Narcissa ran through the gate, it evaporated into smoke as she waved her wand and flung her arms around her sister. Bellatrix accepted the hug but she was never one for being touchy.
"Where is he, Cissy? I need a wand." She could barely get the words out quickly enough. Her sister's face dropped but she motioned her through the gate and led her with purpose inside the large mansion.
"I have your wand, but before you go rushing after him you should have a look in the mirror. Take a shower and change out of the ghastly prison gown." Narcissa handed Bella her wand that she had since she was a small girl. Narcissa looked at Bella incredulous as she caressed her wand like it was a small child which of course Bellatrix would never do. She hated children. Speaking of.
"Where is Draco?" Bellatrix asked, her little nephew was the only child she would ever spend more than an hour around. More than once she had murdered a crying child that had been screaming for too long.
"He is at school." Narcissa replied calmly following Bellatrix to the bathroom.
"School? How old is he now?" She snapped, not meanly to be rude, it was her normal demeanor. She pulled the gown over her head that was essentially a black potato sack. Her bare body revealed many purple and black bruises, light scars, and some deep cuts that would eventually become scars. They all looked much worse than they actually were against her unfathomably pale skin.
"Oh, Bella." Narcissa sighed upon looking over the beat up body of Bellatrix. Narcissa looked too distraught to think of anything other than her sister.
"Your sympathies are mistakenly placed, Cissy. I am fine, do you have any idea where the Dark Lord is?" She begged of her sister. She stepped in the large shower. One would assume that after fourteen years without a shower the hot water against your skin would be the greatest feeling, but it paled in comparison to how she felt when his mark burned her once more.
"No, but Lucius may. I will go find him." Narcissa sighed in defeat, she had hoped that fourteen years in Azkaban had changed her sister's unyielding devotion to the Dark Lord. She wanted her sister back in these dark times, but her family would only disband further before it had any chance of rebuilding itself. Bellatrix appraised herself in the mirror, how long had it been since she had seen her reflection? She never thought about it, she only saw herself as a soul existing inside a shell that didn't reflect who she was at all. Her curls ran wild, and she cast a drying spell over her hair. She was near skin and bones, she ate only enough to survive while imprisoned. She tried a smile, and then laughed at herself. A light knock on the door. "Here," Narcissa thrust a pile of clothing through the door. "I have Lucius with me."
"Lovely," She stepped out of the bathroom before she put any clothes on.
"Ugh," Lucius snarled and looked away. Bellatrix giggled, and pulled on the dress Narcissa had given her. It wasn't much to her taste so she transfigured it into something more befitting her. She jumped around in a circle cheerful to be alive for the first time in ages. So cheerful in fact, that she pulled her sister and brother-in-law into a tight hug.
"I am just so thrilled to have the family back together!" She let go and Lucius rolled his eyes. "So, where is the Dark Lord?" She trilled with pleasure at the idea of seeing him once again.
"Are you so sure that he wishes to see you, Bella?" Lucius' velvety voice exuded annoyance.
"Well, you are still alive. I was in Azkaban what have you done, Lucius? Besides spend your days gallivanting at the Ministry and your nights fucking my sister!" She snapped to which Narcissa slapped her across the face. Bellatrix laughed.
"You may be my sister, but this is my house and you will not speak such filth." Narcissa glared at Bellatrix, she seemed to feel bad but her house was the only thing she had control of anymore.
"But dear, that isn't what you said last night in the-" Lucius smirked at her obviously recalling the previous night's activities.
"Shut it, Lucius." She interrupted him before he could say anymore. Bella stood between them not attempting to suppress her laughter. "Do your Death Eater things. I'm going shopping." Narcissa swept out of the hall, her reunion with her sister didn't go as she had hoped, but she shouldn't have expected much more from Bellatrix.
