CHAPTER TWO

Revealed and Unrevealed

Monte Palatino, Rome

The muggles thought the place was the oldest ruins in the history steeped city of Rome. They told stories of the most formidable empire being built on these very stones. But they didn't know of the magic hidden in these stones. And those who did, preferred it that way.

One of the handful that still lived to hold that secret magic in their knowledge was Conan Cleary.

Known to all as the best Healer of the century, none could guess the source of his true knowledge... and power...

And as he sat deep within the ruins, in a part the muggles neither knew of nor could reach, Cleary meditated to the rising sun.

Dressed in robes of a pearly white, that almost matched his long hair that came right down to his waist. His beard, almost as long was worn in two neat braids.

The first rays lit up his face, his taut features belying the centuries he had witnessed pass by. As the golden morning light graced the world, he felt the magic in the air seep into him. He felt powerful. A serene smile spread across his face as he reveled in the feeling.

And then he felt a shift in the air. His eyes flew open. The peaceful golden glow from a moment before was crackling. The power of the magic bubbling and frothing as if bursting to be set free from its invisible restraints. And then he felt the light from within him leave his body again and join its mates. He frowned.

The light ball slowly revolved in front of his eyes, invitingly, tauntingly, intangible yet real. Its brightness grew… the golden becoming a blinding white, until it disappeared into nothing.

Conan Cleary sat dumbfounded, his crystal green eyes staring at the same point.

'It's time,' he finally whispered in a deep voice, that sounded like it came from far away, like it came from somewhere in the ocean. 'It's time,' he repeated.

Xxx

Hogwarts, Scotland

Hermione's head was reeling, to the point that she suddenly felt the need to sit down. But there were no seats in the room. She turned to glance towards her two best friends, and saw her own disbelief and shock reflected in their faces. The silence in the room was so thick that it could be cut clean in two with Godric Gryffindor's sword.

'That's rubbish.' Hermione didn't care that she sounded a little hysterical. 'What you're saying is, it was Andromeda, and not you fighting there... and it was Andromeda and not you who was killed instead?'

'Yes,' said Bellatrix. 'I'm quite sure I'd spoken in English.'

'Mum killed Andromeda by mistake!' Ron almost whimpered. "Wait why would Andromeda fight against us? She was on our side!'

Bellatrix snorted. 'So you think,' she said.

'Oh so now Andromeda is a traitor is she? said Harry. 'Say something believable for a change why don't you!'

'You don't have to take my word for it,' replied Bellatrix, the cool unconcern returning. 'Go and look for her, see if you can find her.'

All three friends exchanged looks of discomfort. Should they go looking, what would they find... and what if...

'Let's say we do believe you,' said Hermione cautiously after a moment. 'It does not explain why Andromeda would attack our lot in the first place. Her daughter was in the Order. Tonks was killed by you lot… You from I have learnt... YOU killed Tonks, you killed your niece Bellatrix.'

This time Bellatrix visibly flinched.

'She killed Tonks?' roared Harry, his wand rising threateningly.

'Eye witnesses saw a scuffle between the two, and that was the last time anyone saw Tonks alive,' Hermione informed them.

That seemed to do Harry and he stormed at Bellatrix, wand poised in attack. Hermione reacted in alarm but Harry had stopped two steps away from the witch, his wand tip almost touching in-between her eyebrows. Bellatrix simply stared, quietly watching Harry struggle.

'You're not a killer Potter,' she said at last.

It was not a taunt. There was no malice. Just an observation.

'I WILL KILL YOU. You... you took away everything that was dear to me. You have no right to live when you destroyed so many others. You deserve to die a painful death, and I will kill you.'

The entire room seemed to have gone on pause mode. Bellatrix and Harry kept staring each other down, even as the young wizard struggled with himself to cause the dark witch as much pain as she had caused him and those he cared for. Hermione didn't know what it was that had had her rooted to the spot… not Ron's protective grip certainly.

'There are so many things you do not know Potter. No everything is what meets the eye,' said Bellatrix at last.

Her condescending, teacher-like way of speaking grated their nerves further. But despite it all, they couldn't help hanging on to her words.

'Sirius Black and I share a history that goes back to before you were even thought of Potter. Hard as it may be for you to believe me, that duel wouldn't have ended without one of us dying. I chose me, just like anyone else would.'

'I don't believe you. Sirius would never take your life. He would never take anyone's life,' said Harry flatly.

'… Blacks have always been self-preservers,' continued Bellatrix, giving no sign she had heard Harry. 'That is why we survived for so many centuries when so many others have died out. And Andromeda knew self-preservation like no other person did. She wasn't on our side, but she wasn't on your side either.'

'STOP,' shouted Harry. 'Stop this nonsense. Don't try to manipulate me with your words. I have no time for your lies. Tell me what is going on? How you survived Mrs. Weasley's attack? How are you still alive after being blown apart?'

'I told you it was Andromeda – I am Bellatrix, and Mrs. Redhead has killed Andromeda thinking it was me. And Andromeda was fighting against you. Why? Only she knew. Interrogate her spirit. Now go away!'

The patronizing manner was replaced with the usual snarl in a flash.

Hermione went to speak but froze when she heard a familiar voice cast a familiar curse.

'Imperio,' said Ron, his wand pointed at Bellatrix.

They watched in shock as Bellatrix suddenly slumped against the wall. Her body relaxing, her eyes slid out of focus and her mouth hung slightly open. She looked at them with wide innocent eyes, her expression blissful. Hermione thought in that moment Bellatrix resembled a child who didn't know what she had done to be punished.

She and Harry turned to face Ron, both with identical 'what-the-hell' expressions.

'Desperate times, desperate measures. We did it in Gringotts remember? And I thought we were wasting time. Let's get it done fast,' he replied their unasked question. 'If there are more horcruxes involved, it is best we get going immediately.'

For a moment Hermione admired the new confident take-charge man in front of her. The last year had changed them all, but none more than Ronald Weasley. Her mind lingered briefly to the kiss they had shared in the Chamber of Secrets. She still didn't know what it had meant, but now was certainly not the time. She nodded and they approached the bound woman.

Thus began the interrogation. And the answers left them more flustered than ever as more secrets poured out of the very complacent dark witch.

'Can you hear us?'

'Yes'

'Who are you?'

'Bellatrix Black Lestrange'

The answer had been immediate, not a trace of hesitation. The three exchanged looks.

'Answer us honestly, how did you get away alive from the battle?' Ron said.

'Molly Weasley killed my sister Andromeda assuming her to be me.'

'Where were you then?' asked Harry.

'Inside Hogwarts... but I was not fighting. I was invisible. I was looking for my Master.'

'You were under an Invisibility cloak?'

'No, that's my special brand of magic, I don't need cloaks,' said Bellatrix flatly.

Hermione thought watching the headstrong fearsome woman be so compliant and completely under their control was weird and slightly unnerving.

'Tell us the truth about Andromeda,' she asked. 'Why did you say she was not on either side?'

Bellatrix continued speaking like a zombie.

'During the first war, Rodolphus had kidnapped Andy's husband. It was then that Andy approached me and pleaded me to let him go for her sake.'

An insane smile stretched across her face, as if she was recalling a particularly delicious meal…

'But if I'd release that Mudblood, the Dark Lord would kill Rodolphus.'

Bellatrix smile widened and then abruptly disappeared. 'You do not show kindness during war. So I made a wager – information in exchange for Ted Tonk's life!'

The other three gasped. Bellatrix took no notice, she continued in a monotonous voice.

'I took her to my Lord, and because he trusted me, more than anyone else, he agreed to it. He needed an insider. So Andy became our double agent from that moment on! She had always been somewhat of a pet to Sirius Black and it had irritated me always. But finally it was the same affection that came to my benefit.'

'Bu... But that was Pettigrew!' exclaimed Harry.

'Andromeda had told us that Pettigrew was the weakest link in the Order. We knew everything from her – when Sirius was going into hiding, how Potter and his wife had already disappeared, when Lupin was on the run. We made her feed false fears into their minds. Subtle manipulation was Andy's expertise. Lily Potter trusted in her decisions blindly. Thus we were successful in isolating Peter Pettigrew. He was left alone, and he had always needed protection.

'My Lord offered him so; he didn't really have much choice, it was either that or death. And like Andromeda, Peter too chose self-preservation. But Peter was only there for some accidental information, it was Andy who helped with the more intricate bits, you know let slip by Padfoot and his brood, unwittingly in front of the harmless Andromeda!'

Bellatrix laughed aloud. It was almost as scary as her sadistic grin.

'Andy even caused Sirius to believe Lupin may be the mole, ensuring the real ones remain hidden,' she added.

For long moments Hermione and her friends were just too stumped to speak. As Bellatrix's revelations punched them in the face and threatened to turn them as crazy as her, they remained contemplating her words.

At last Hermione managed to collect her thoughts and frame the next set of questions. There was still more to know and she had feeling those wouldn't be any more pleasant.

'Did Andromeda continue giving information during the second battle?'

Bellatrix nodded. And in that single instant Hermione was thankful poor Tonks was not around to hear this. That girl had adored her mother for standing up to the powerful Blacks and choosing her way of life.

'During the second war, the condition was that in exchange for her information, we would not harm her daughter.'

Harry pressed his hand over his eyes, whether in anger or shock Hermione didn't know.

'What information did she give you?'

'It was Andy who told us Sirius would be the man the Potter boy would come running to save. Apparently Sirius had been gushing to her in the letters about his bosom friendship with his godson. It was Andy who informed us of the wedding at the Weasley house, Nymphadora had told her that the wards would be down for the day, making it easy for us to attack. And it was Andy who told us the real Potter would be travelling with the giant, Hagrid. But the information came last minute. We didn't know about the decoy Potters at first, apparently Andromeda was informed about his arrival at her place only after the flight began. She managed to send me word, and we called our Lord, but one more time luck favored the boy and he escaped.'

There was a faint trace of bitterness in her otherwise flat voice.

'Wait a minute,' Ron suddenly said loudly. 'You tried to kill Tonks, I was right there, we fought you! What happened to your agreement about not hurting her?'

'When Nymphadora joined the Order, it became difficult to keep our part of the bargain,' said Bellatrix. 'So I made a promise to Andy. If and when the two sides had a face off, I would be the one to duel with Nymphadora, ensuring other Death Eaters don't harm her fatally.

'All I had to do was play around for a bit before stunning her and putting her out of harm's way. And it was easy since everyone assumed I always fought her to spite my sister for deserting her family and marrying a mudblood. It required lesser explanation when she went and gave herself to a werewolf.'

… And it all came back to Hermione… Bellatrix injuring Tonks in the Department of Mysteries, but only enough to keep her away from the battle, when she could easily have just killed her.

…Ron's account about how Bellatrix had fought him and Tonks during their journey to the Burrow, and talented though Tonks was, it was hard to believe she and Ron could've beaten someone like Bellatrix Lestrange…

'Then what happened last night?' whispered Hermione. She was thinking aloud but Bellatrix answered anyway.

Bellatrix's eyes flickered, she let out a deep sigh and spoke in the same flat expressionless voice.

'My Lord knew you would be coming to Hogwarts; I don't know how but he always knew everything, he was omniscient! He asked us to ready the forces, and while half-way, we received confirmed news of your arrival.'

'Professor Snape,' muttered Hermione and the boys nodded grimly.

'I had honestly thought it wouldn't be a big deal, and had been generally surprised as to why an entire army was required to get three children. But I underestimated you. . I was surprised to see you had managed to raise an army of your own. But my Lord of course seemed to have expected nothing less. So he wasn't angry as much as amused to see you people getting ready to fight back.'

'So you started fighting, when did Andromeda come in the picture?' Ron said impatiently.

'I did not fight, my Lord had forbidden me to fight!'

Of all the proclamations that had been made in that room, this had to be the strangest. Not just had the most notorious dark witch to ever walk the earth claim her so long always innocent sister was not so innocent and had been killed being mistaken for her, but also that she, Bellatrix herself had not played any part in the final battle of Hogwarts at all.

When further asked for explanation, Bellatrix had this to say –

'My Lord asked me to come to Hogwarts and stop Harry Potter from entering the Room of Requirement, and to also retrieve the Goblet you three stole from my vault.'

'And?' prodded Hermione, her breath hitching in anticipation.

'And nothing, my instructions were clear. I was to ensure that Harry Potter, under no circumstances should be able to enter the Room of Requirement. If he tried, I was allowed to maim or injure him, but not kill. The other two was a liability and I was to get rid of them if necessary. But otherwise I had to steer clear of the battle, and once I had retrieved the stolen treasure I was to report directly back to him.'

'And you obeyed him?' Hermione pushed.

'Of course I obeyed him. I have never not obeyed him, I'm his most faithful, most loyal...'

'Wait Hogwarts was guarded by enchantments. Professor McGonagall and others had put strong wards. You could not have sneaked in.' said Harry.

'My Lord has his own ways and I was taught the darkest of magic by the Dark Lord himself... I can turn myself into smoke.'

Bellatrix was staring at nothing all the while.

'Yes, we know you can do that,' Harry said bitterly. 'We saw you do that when you burned down the Burrow. But that does not explain how you broke through the magic wards?'

'Pipes!'

It was Hermione and not Bellatrix who had spoken. The boys turned to look at her bewildered.

'Mione?' Ron looked worried.

'Pipes Ron... pipes! The same way Tom Riddle used to free the basilisk from the Chamber of Secrets!' cried Hermione. 'He must have told her,' she added pointing at Bellatrix.

The dark witch did not counter her argument. In fact she looked almost impressed, just for a second. But Hermione knew it was probably a trick of the light.

'Bloody hell,' Ron breathed out.

'What happened once you managed to enter Hogwarts?' Hermione urged, throwing a nervous glance at the door.

'It wasn't easy to locate you in the swarm of students. I managed nevertheless. But then suddenly you three separated. My orders were to follow Potter, so I did. But it was fruitless, because all he did was chat with a ghost. But she seemed to point him to the Room of Requirement, because Potter immediately dashed off to the seventh floor.'

'So why didn't you stop me from getting there?' questioned Harry.

'As I was following you, something suddenly happened. Something I can't explain, but suddenly I could hear my Lord screaming inside my head.'

Bellatrix shuddered slightly before resuming.

'He told me that the cup had been destroyed and that he would punish me for my failure…'

A wave of fear passed through Bellatrix's otherwise blank face.

'But I should then stop you from going into the Room of Requirement at all costs.'

'But you couldn't?' Hermione asked carefully.

'I was caught off guard and when I looked up, Potter had disappeared. I dashed off to the seventh floor, but I got delayed by curses flying everywhere, moving invisible among hundreds of dashing people was difficult. And by the time I reached there, Potter had vanished; I had no idea what to say to make the door appear. I wanted to ask my Lord, but I was far too scared of the repercussions, having already failed him once. So I tried saying many things, but the room did not appear to me.

'I chose to wait. And after what seemed like hours, all of you came out; or should I say rushed out on brooms. The room was on fire. I was immensely surprised to see Draco with you. And then you destroyed what seemed like some jewellery... and what happened after that…'

Bellatrix shivered violently.

'I knew then what I had failed to do. I knew then that He would kill me. That was the only punishment. I have never been more terrified.'

Bellatrix felt silent, her eyes widened in fear. The three young people did not know what to say. Hermione silently debated with herself whether to give the woman a moment of respite or continue drilling. But Harry made the decision for her. There was no sympathy in his heart for the killer of his Godfather.

'What did you do after that?'

Bellatrix was silent for a moment but then began speaking, again in the same flat toneless way.

'My Lord suddenly asked his forces to retreat. I took it as my cue to leave as well. I went back to the forest with the others. I was expecting to be killed immediately, but the Lord was very excited about something and as such did not pay any attention to me. He was convinced that Potter would himself come to my Lord... and he did.'

'Why didn't you escape if you knew death awaited you in the forest?' Hermione asked puzzled.

'I would have to be a fool to expect to dupe the Dark Lord. I may have been his best lieutenant, but he was far too powerful. He would find me. At least if I walked to my death, he would make it less painful. And I had failed him, miserably... I deserved to be killed.'

Hermione was stunned. How steeped could a person be in their twisted senseless beliefs to lay down their life for failing such a crooked man. Suddenly a thought occurred to her – here in front of them, was possibly the only follower of Voldemort, who had supported him without any selfish ulterior motive. In her own dark way, Bellatrix held her morals high. This discovery jumbled up Hermione quite a bit.

Stop thinking, she ordered herself.

'But this still does not explain how Andromeda came to the fight. She was not with us the whole time!' Ron's voice brought Hermione out of her thoughts.

'When we were waiting for Potter to come in the forest, I had drifted off a little distance wondering what the Dark Lord would do with me once all this was over. Andy came out of nowhere and attacked me. It was just my reflex that stopped me from being fatally wounded. And indeed if Cissy had not come looking for me... Andy was positively crazy. She was there to revenge her daughter's death… But I had not killed Nymphadora.'

'What?' shouted Hermione outraged. She wondered briefly if Ron had cast the Imperius curse properly. 'Eye witnesses saw you attacking Tonks – Nymphadora!'

'I didn't kill her. Not intentionally. But I couldn't save her either.'

Harry ordered Bellatrix to explain. She obliged, still complacent. It was strange that even after so long she wasn't trying to fight the effects of the curse. Either Ron was a much more powerful spell caster than they had realized or Bellatrix simply lacked the strength of character required. She was after all a sociopath.

'After the incident of the Room of Requirement, you three left. Since I was not allowed to kill Potter, there was little point following you. So I waited for my Lord to call me back. I kept out of sight. I was itching to fight but couldn't. Then Nymphadora came into view. She was battling Avery and two others. It was three against one and she was losing. There was no one from her side to save her, so as promised to Andy, I had to show myself. I headed the men off and started fighting Nymphadora. I intended to as usual paralyze her enough to remove her from the fight.

'But then suddenly one of the Weasley twins, don't know which, arrived and started fighting. My promise was limited to keeping Andy's daughter safe. I decided to finish off the Weasley.'

Ron balled his hands into tight fists.

'But Nymphadora kept blocking me. Then Dolohov arrived. Curses started flying everywhere and suddenly Nymphadora was lying dead. I don't know whose curse she got hit by, it could be Dolohov or it could be a rebound curse from the Weasley boy.

'The curse had scattered us. I saw the boy rush after Dolohov trying to hit him, but he fought back. I removed Nymphadora's body and kept it in an alcove. I knew Andy would know. That darn clock of her's always told her when and where her family was.'

'Clock?' said Harry puzzled. It was Ron who explained.

'The same one as Mum has, Harry. Tonks had told me when she saw it. In fact our clock was a gift from Andromeda.'

Hermione felt faint. She backed towards the wall and leaned against it. This was a what-the-fuck situation of Titanic proportions! Ron looked like he was going to be sick, while Harry started pacing back and forth like a caged animal.

'What did you tell Andromeda?' Hermione asked finally, though she thought she already knew the answer.

'I told her that the Weasley kid killed her daughter.'

'YOU LIED TO HER, YOU... YOU...' Ron spluttered in fury.

'Yes,' replied Bellatrix unperturbed. 'If I had told her the truth, she would've created a scene in the forest, and the Dark Lord would kill her. He was very displeased with her when she could not give us any information on Potter's whereabouts for the past year. Saying it was the Weasley boy's fault was the only way I could send her back to the relative safety of the school. I wanted her to calm down. I never guessed she would come and attack people here.'

'Are you saying you actually cared for her?' Hermione asked skeptically.

'She was my sister.'

Bellatrix had nothing more to tell them, but what she had was already ample ingredients to create a cluster fuck of a situation. The three friends hurriedly discussed their options. The elders would surely arrive and want details. To reveal the whole story to them, would mean telling unpleasant truths including the story of the horcruxes, the hallows, Andromeda's apparent betrayal, and the possibility that Fred's last act had been to accidentally kill Tonks.

But they would have to tell them something. And there was no knowing what Bellatrix would say or do once the curse had been lifted. Finally Hermione came to a decision…

'NO!'

Both Harry and Ron shouted.

'There is no way we're leaving you alone with… her…' said Ron.

'Ron I'm perfectly capable of handling myself and I promise I shall not lift the curse until you come back.'

'But Hermione –' Harry started to argue.

'Please Harry, at least you be sensible. Ron needs to break this to his family without our presence. They have just been through a tragedy. And we are still outsiders – no Ron, don't argue. Go to your family and explain things to them.

'Meanwhile you Harry go and speak to Professor McGonagall and Kingsley. Yes I know it's not the same as confiding in Dumbledore, but they are in a position to take a decision. We cannot reveal everything to public and they will be the best to decide how to go about it. And please hurry boys. It won't take long for the news of Bellatrix Lestrange being still alive to spread.'

The wizards did not look at all happy to listen to their friend's reasoning. But they couldn't find any point to counter her either. Hermione correctness could be really annoying. So after another bout of stubborn argument from their end and hopelessly logical counter argument on Hermione's the two boys rushed off to do what damage control they could. The feeling of unease as they watched the door close upon Hermione standing alone with Bellatrix slumped behind her, remained. Harry and Ron parted ways at the staircase. Both turned their focus on completing the respective tasks that had been handed out by their very bossy friend, and return as soon as possible.

xxx

Bellatrix Lestrange, notorious Death Eater, marked criminal and a personified brutal nightmare in general was slumped on the floor, eyes half-closed, chained to a pillar... Hermione stood still for a long moment staring at the older woman. Oh how the coins had flipped, only few nights ago, Hermione herself had been at the mercy of the same witch. And though she'd never admit it to them, this was precisely the reason why she had sent the boys away. She needed to face her fears, alone. That night at the Malfoy Manor... Hermione had never before felt more helpless, more humiliated... or closer to death...

Bellatrix coughed. Hermione stopped her pacing and looked at the dark witch. But the bound woman was still looking faraway. Realizing that Bellatrix must be thirsty after talking for so long, she rummaged into her beaded bag and pulled out an empty potions jar.

'Aquamenti,' she muttered and the jar filled with water. Hermione cautiously approached Bellatrix and kneeled in front of her.

'Drink,' she ordered. Bellatrix reached out and took the jar. Their fingers briefly brushed and Hermione felt a current pass through her entire being.

As she watched Bellatrix drink greedily, she reflected on that inexplicable feeling. It was not the first time. It had happened in the Malfoy Manor too, when Bellatrix had touched her.

Bellatrix finally had her fill and innocently held out the jar Hermione. The young witch couldn't suppress a smirk.

'How the mighty has fallen,' remarked Hermione. 'Remember that night Bellatrix?'

She pulled up her sleeve and revealed the still raw scrawl on her left forehand – mudblood – in Bellatrix's childlike writing.

'At least our interrogation methods are better.'

She took the jar from the older witch.

And then felt her hand being grabbed.

'Not very effective though I'd say…'

… The scarily familiar voice said in that trademark chilling whisper.

Hermione's whole world seemed to stop as her brain caught up with her ears.

She opened her mouth to scream and found two thin but surprisingly strong arms reach out and wrap themselves around her waist, chains and all, and forcefully pull her down. She fell and found herself flush against the older woman's body.

A clattering sound from a corner informed her that her wand had fallen out of her hand in the fierceness of the attack. The chill running down her spine was in complete contrast to the heat of Bellatrix's body against her. Their noses almost touching, Hermione's terrified eyes found themselves staring into Bellatrix's intense black gaze.

'Because you see Mudblood, the Imperius curse does not work on me...'