Chapter One
Bellatrix first started fantasising about torturing muggles from a different era at one of the Death Eater meetings at Malfoy Manor. Yaxley had managed to smuggle a Time-Turner from the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, and they were discussing how they could best put it to use.
"It would be so much easier to have some fun with Mudbloods and muggles from a different time – I'd love to get my hands on some Victorian scum." She smiled sadistically at the idea, and the thought of torturing someone from a couple of hundred years ago gave her a thrill that she could not hide.
"Bellatrix, please, keep your mind on the task at hand," Bellatrix scowled at Lucius as he gave her a reproachful look and then turned his attention towards the figure at the front of the table. "My Lord, the Time-Turner should not be used for such trivialities. Bellatrix can easily find someone from our own time to torment if she so wishes." The look Bellatrix gave Lucius indicated precisely who she wished to 'torment' at that moment. "We should use the Time-Turner for more important matters – things which will help us gain the upper-hand in this war. My Lord, this is the opportunity we have been waiting for! We can go back in time to when the Potter brat was younger, and kill him! It will be far easier to kill him when he was younger and inexperienced in magic, and with him gone we will be sure to win!" Lucius smiled triumphantly at the idea, and waited for its praise.
The Dark Lord contemplated Lucius' proposal, and nodded his head slowly in approval. "Are you volunteering yourself for this role, Lucius? I trust you realise that once one has used the Time-Turner there is no returning to the present day." Lucius stiffened in his seat, his eyes darting to his left, where Narcissa and Draco nervously sat, their faces becoming even paler than usual. The thought of leaving them behind made him panic, and he desperately wished he could take back what he had just said.
"My… my Lord. I didn't realise. I can't leave my family, please, I am needed here! I am needed in this war, you're using my house as your headquarters! Please, surely there is someone else?" Lucius held eye contact with Voldemort, his eyes pleading, wishing Voldemort to take pity on him and not force him to leave his wife and son. Voldemort glared back at him, his face transforming into a snarl.
"Very well." Lucius let out a sigh of relief, and his shoulders relaxed. "Bellatrix?" Bellatrix jumped at her name being called, as her current vicious fantasy was interrupted and she was brought back to reality.
"Yes, my Dark Lord?" she smiled at him in a sickly sweet manner.
"My dear, since Lucius is not up to the task, I require you to fulfil it for me. You must travel back to Potter's first year at Hogwarts. He must have travelled to Diagon Alley to purchase his school supplies before the school year started. You must wait in Diagon Alley during the summer of 1991 for Potter's arrival, and then you must find a way to destroy the boy." Bellatrix sat still, her mouth slightly open and her eyes wide in shock at the order the Dark Lord had just given her.
Before she could respond, Lucius interjected. "My Lord. Forgive me, but surely it would be best to attack the Potter child while he is still in his infancy, and in a more secluded spot than Diagon Alley? Even if Bellatrix were to succeed, it is highly unlikely that she will manage to escape capture. She'll be sent back to Azkaban!" Lucius' relief at not being asked to fulfil the task was short-lived. He may not exactly like his demented sister in law, but that didn't mean that he thought she deserved to go back to Azkaban.
The Dark Lord looked at him with an expression of deep disgust before growling, "Imbecile! You think I do not know that? The blood wards on the Potter place will make it impossible for Bellatrix to destroy the boy while he is in residency there. It will have to be in Diagon Alley. Bellatrix – you will use the Time-Turner tomorrow. Prepare yourself to leave tonight. Meeting adjourned." The Dark Lord rose from his chair, and left the room, without a second glance at the Death Eaters around the table.
Bellatrix, still shocked, remained seating and unaware of what was happening around her until Narcissa prodded her arm with her finger. "Bella, get up, it's time to go," she hissed in her ear. Bellatrix looked around her, surprised to see that everyone but Narcissa had left already, and she tentatively stood up, accepting Narcissa's hand as she helped to pull her from her chair. Narcissa looked at Bellatrix concernedly, and took her face in her hands. "You must do it, Bella. You have no choice." Bellatrix nodded in acceptance, and gave her sister a weak smile.
"I know. I'll do it… for him." Narcissa let go of Bellatrix's face, and gave her what she hoped was a comforting embrace. Bellatrix stood rigid, not returning the hug. She was never one for displays of affection. Narcissa let her go, and straightened her clothing.
"I suppose I better go and make sure the house elves are readying dinner, he'll be angry if it's not ready soon." Narcissa flinched, remembering the pain of the Cruciatus curse she'd endured the last time she had made the Dark Lord wait too long for his meal. "It'll be best if you try to get some rest and get ready for tomorrow." Narcissa gave her sister a small smile, and turned around, leaving the room. Bellatrix followed shortly after, and made her way upstairs to her bedroom. She felt exhausted, and decided that an early night was in order, and so began preparing herself for bed.
Once she was ready, Bellatrix sat on her bed, and thought through what the Dark Lord had just ordered her to do. She began to question her devotion towards him for the first time. He was so attractive when he was younger, and it was hard to remind herself that he wasn't the same person anymore. Every time she looked at his disfigured face all she could think of was the handsome man he had once been. She was instantly attracted to him the first time they had met; he seemed so mature, so powerful, and so ambitious. All traits she admired greatly. There was a time when she would have done anything for him.
But now… Bellatrix sighed. Her love for the man was slowly dying. She wished that he could notice her, see how much she cared for him and maybe start to care for her back. But she had moved on. She had married Rodolphus, even if it was a loveless marriage that she undertook just to keep her mother happy, and even if she barely saw her husband nowadays anyway. Nonetheless, her obsession and loyalty to the Dark Lord was dwindling. And she didn't appreciate being ordered around in such a manner anymore. He was completely unconcerned that by obeying him she might end up in Azkaban again. Did he not realise how hellish and despicable that place was? Even for someone like Bella, who didn't exactly have a stable mind, the place caused unimaginable nightmares and horrors.
Bellatrix was decided. She didn't need the Dark Lord anymore. He was too obsessed , chasing a crazy goal that he may never achieve. He will never be able to appreciate her for who she was, never return her devotion, love and loyalty. He didn't even know what love meant. And she did not appreciate being ordered around like a puppy. She was too strong for that now. She used to enjoy it when he pointed his wand at her, strong, dominating and unforgiving, and yelled "CRUCIO!" Through all of the pain, she could hear his merciless, taunting laughter, and despite her whole body feeling like it was being cut into tiny little pieces and burned alive, she derived some pleasure from the fact that her pain was pleasing for him. She knew that she deserved to be punished, and would accept the punishment gladly. She felt comforted to be left in control of someone so powerful, magical and unrelenting.
Now she wanted change. Now she wanted the power. Her Voldemort-obsessed days were over. And the Time-Turner provided the perfect opportunity for her to escape from him and all of the other Death Eaters. She was going to start a new life. A life that she was in charge of. Bellatrix settled herself into bed, rested her head against her pillow, closed her eyes, and started thinking happy thoughts of dismembered elf heads, tortured Mudbloods and crying children, before drifting off into a peaceful sleep.
