Hope your enjoying the songs and story. I tried to use all types of genres.
Chapter 2 Cough Syrup
Life's too short to even care at all
I'm losing my mind, losing my mind
Losing control
If I could find a way
To see this straight
I'd run away
To some fortune that I should have found by now
And so I run now to the things
They say could restore me
Restore life
The way it should be
I'm waiting for this cough syrup to come down
X-Young the Giant
The final war resumed when Harry woke up and the attacks began all over again. Bellatrix being the top lieutenant of Voldemort was doing her job tenfold. She shot at the enemies causing confusion and fear to spread to whoever was in the way. Little did they know that she was causing a distraction so that her sister could find her son and safely escape. Any person that tried to attack Narcissa was immediately dealt with by a jinx or burning hex from her sister. The dark haired witch might have agreed to this suicide mission but she wasn't going to do it without having some fun.
A red head girl appeared to believe she stood a chance and started to duel the Death Eater. Bellatrix was at most toying with her there was nothing funnier to her than to see someone with false confidence before they died. Ginny tried to hit her opponent but every attack was easily deflected like she was a joke. Hermione joined in when she saw that Bellatrix was not smiling anymore. She couldn't believe that Ginny lasted this long with the mad witch till she noticed something strange. The dark haired witch didn't appear to completely focus on Ginny like she was distracted by something. The Gryffindors both struck at the same time but even distraction wasn't enough for Lestrange to lose.
"You dare try to harm me with my own wand?" Bellatrix snarled blocking both spells. She couldn't believe that a mudblood was holding her wand and using it against her. She tried to locate mentally where her sister had gone to but it seemed as if Narcissa had left her side to search for Draco alone. She couldn't believe how foolish Cissy was acting till she sensed something. A cold feeling gripped her and her head was spinning.
Something had gone terribly wrong with Narcissa.
In her annoyance she sent a powerful hex that sent Ginny's wand flying across the room. Hermione still looked like she wasn't going to give up this fight and looked even more determined now that she had to protect both herself and Ginny. The red head was now vulnerable to any spell that Bellatrix could cast. The older witch gave a evil grin and was about to do the killing curse when a pain shot at her side making it hard to think and she knew she couldn't delay any more.
Hermione noticed everything but didn't understand what was happening. It was as if Bellatrix was worried about something. She noticed the black cloud starting to surround the Death Eater and the clever Gryffindor did what first came to her mind. Stop Bellatrix before she disapparates.Time seemed to slow as she sprinted towards the crazy witch. Bella saw what was happening as Hermione grabbed onto her arm but it was too late to stop now or she could be splinched. Hermione had never disapparated with a Death Eater their method of black smoke and twisting made her want to vomit her lunch. She did note that they moved a lot faster if that was even possible and she could actually see where they were heading; to the potions classroom.
"I've had enough of your whining boy! You will not leave this war without fighting me or dying at my hands you blood traitor," the Death Eater spoke. He always had been jealous at how the Malfoys were treated better than all the other pureblood families. He could see the men in that family had no backbone yet because of Bellatrix Lestrange no one tried to challenge them without having to answer to her. But now he saw that Lucius' son was actually afraid and going to run like a whipped pup. What a disgrace to the cause and to their Dark Lord!
"Draco, run!" Narcissa commanded engaging a fight with the Death Eater. "Duro!"
He managed to dive out of the way but not before yelling, "Crucio!"
Narcissa wasn't fast enough and felt as though her body was ripping from the inside out causing her to drop her wand from such immense pain. Draco ran to his mother's side ignoring the danger he was putting himself in.
"Now both of you will die for your treacheries!" The Death Eater laughed revealing rotting teeth to match his disfigured face.
He was about to perform the Killing curse when he heard a loud cough from behind him. He turned around and found himself staring at angry wild eyes that did not believe what they were seeing.
"How Dare you hurt MY SISTER!" Bellatrix screeched. Before he could do anything he felt a spell hit him with full force knocking his breath out of his lungs and landing on his back with a sickening crack." Cissy, are you alright?"
"Never better," Narcissa coughed out. She swore she never understand why Bellatrix enjoyed dueling and risking her life so much. It was both a frightening and painful matter in her opinion.
Hermione stood there frozen in shock not comprehending what she was observing. It looked like Bellatrix actually cared for her sister. A true Death Eater that cared for others was like a fantasy that the Order had dreamt about but here she was seeing it in person. The guy got back up and the fight continued. It was actually a sad duel. Bella did not seem to be in the greatest moods by attacking his one hex with several of her own. His mood changed drastically, gone was the arrogant man that was ready to murder both a son and his mother, now there was a desperate frightened person. The worst part was his opponent knew it and seemed to enjoy what she was going to do next.
"Expelliarmus!" he screamed wishing he had not found the brat in the first place.
"Avada Kedavra!" Bella said instantly killing him. She had no time to redirect his spell knocking her onto a shelf full of potions that broke when she slammed violently onto the cabinet causing them to fall unto her. Her blood curdling screams echoed through the halls of Hogwarts as her skin started to turn bright red as if she was being boiled alive. Parts of her clothes singed and slowly melted away while Bellatrix tried to wipe her swollen, burning eyes. Narcissa was the first at her sister's side Hermione couldn't hear what she said to Draco but Malfoy picked the Death Eater up and disapparated before Hermione could register what the hell just happened.
Scream! Keep screaming it all hurts! Why won't anyone listen? Bellatrix thought angrily. In fact she was screaming at the top of her lungs till her throat was hoarse and dry. She tried to scratch her burning skin but a steel like grip on her wrist kept her from moving. She tried to break free but it was useless the pain made her mind go numb and forget everything that was happening around her.
"Draco hold her," Narcissa said. She didn't know where to start. Her sister wouldn't stop screaming and for good reason some of her skin was dark red and smelled burnt. She was covered in a burning rash that had angry boils and cysts. Her eyes was swollen shut which could have been the only blessing but it only made the Death Eater more hysterical.
"Incarcerous." Draco panted. The ropes instantly wrapped around his Aunt's wrists and feet binding her to the bed but it only increased her struggle. She gave another scream this time tears streaming down her face.
Narcissa pulled out her wand and tried some spells that would help with the situation but it didn't seem to be working. She didn't know whether it was the mixture of the potions or just karma but nothing seemed to be working.
"I'm s-s-sorry mum," Bellatrix cried. "It's all my fault, please forgive me. DON'T! NO! STOP ITTTTTT!"
It broke Narcissa's heart seeing her sister in so much pain and there was nothing she could do. She touched her skin sensing that Bella had a high fever apart from everything else. Bella's body was covered in a thin layer of blood and sweat and her limbs started to convulse in an erratic way.
"Aguamenti." Narcissa said hoping it would fight the fever. At first Bella struggled and cried out but it appeared to help soothe her skin because she wasn't fighting against the ropes as much.
Or maybe she was tired.
The rope had done its job but it seemed to have ripped into the witch's skin leaving it raw and bloody. The dark haired witch was exhausted, she could hear the blood pounding in her ears and felt everything ache with every breath she took. The pain seemed to calm down enough for her to hear voices but she couldn't understand what they were saying. She slowly opened her eyes the light burning her, but she saw two blurry figures.
"Why here?"
"There could have been others at our house."
"I want Andy," Bella finally spoke. She was still in pain but it was tolerable for now.
"Even after what she did? She tainted the blood of Black with her husband's filth. She's a shame to our family. Why on earth would you want Andromeda?" Narcissa asked in disbelief. They hadn't talked to their sister since her declaration of love for a Muggle born.
"Damn it Cissy! I don't need a fucking lecture just get me Andy. Andy…Andy," Bella tried to sit up but the ropes didn't let her. "I FUCKING WANT ANDY!"
A wave of pain ripped through Bella but she bit her lip instead of screaming, her mouth filled with the bitter metallic taste of her own blood. She knew at this rate she wasn't going to last long.
Back at Hogwarts
The war was over. Harry stopped Voldemort for good and the world was safe for both magical and nonmagical people. Hermione was genuinely happy but in the back of her mind she was still confused about her last battle. Where was Bellatrix? Why didn't she kill them when she had the chance? Was she even okay after all those dangerous potions landed on her?
The image of Bellatrix screaming in pain was burned into Hermione's memory. She had mixed feelings about seeing her enemy in pain like that. Whether it was because she didn't cause it or that no matter what, Hermione would always be sympathetic to people that were in pain even if it was from a barking mad person such as Bellatrix. The Gryffindor student was deep in her thoughts when she saw someone that might answer a few questions.
"Professor Slughorn might I have a word?" She said it in a low tone to indicate that she wanted this to be a private conversation.
"Certainly Hermione." Slughorn's voice was happy his eyes twinkling with curiosity.
"Well you said you taught most of the Black family."
"Indeed I did."
"I have a question about the Black sisters."
His smile faded at the mention of them. He seemed to be remembering something but nodded to continue with the conversation. He licked his dry lips, "What is it?"
"Were they close?" Hermione asked remembering the rage that Bella showed when anyone tried to attack Narcissa.
He looked around in search for any eavesdroppers and lowered his voice," Well between you and me those girls were inseparable. Yes they were all unique and very talented but when it came to defend one another not even the Headmaster saw any reason to intervene."
"They were outcasts?"
"Hardly, only Bellatrix had a short temper and like to be left alone but she protected her sisters like a mother." A single tear fell at a memory that almost seemed forgotten. "When I heard Bellatrix was a Death Eater I could not believe the power of You-Know-Who. To be able to separate that bond between them was truly a tragedy. Now tell me Hermione why the sudden interest?"
He studied her face looking for any hints but the young witch had an exceptionally good poker face. Hermione was playing the scene over and over again. She wished she had heard what Narcissa said but it looked like she had told Draco "To the Black Mansion."
"Professor?"
"Hmm?"
"Sorry just one more question before you go." He still looked lost but had a small smile plastered on his face, "Do you happen to know where the Black mansion is?"
Tonks residence
Andromeda could hardly sit still for one moment. She thought about her life and all the choices she had made leading up to being a grandmother. There was nothing she regretted in fact she would do it all over again if she had the chance but her thoughts were broken she heard a loud Crack!
In a flash she had her wand out ready to fight to the death if she had to. She'd die trying to protect Teddy from any Death Eaters even if it was her own sister. She turned to look at whom apparated and was shocked to see that she wasn't far off.
"Lower your wand I'm not here to fight you," Narcissa pleaded. She stood tall and tried to have a stable posture but it didn't fool her sister. Andromeda could tell she was exhausted, broken with a hint of panic in her eyes. It was a sad sight knowing how much Narcissa prided in her looks.
"Why would my dearsister suddenly visit after years of isolation?"
"Please Andy it's about Bella." Andromeda lowered her wands at the mention of her childhood name and older sister.
"What about her?"
"She wants to see you." Narcissa looked agitated and like she was going to have a spasm attack.
"Then why didn't she come herself? Come on Cissy, I'm not daft. What are her true intentions?"
"This is not a trick."
Andromeda scoffed at her sister's response. Bellatrix always lived up to her name when she had the chance to fool anyone she would. Now these days the price would be hell to pay.
"Right…Well it was nice seeing you Cissy but until you give me a better reason I'm afraid-"
"Andy please! Bella is going to die and I don't know what to do!" Cissy screamed. Her heart ached and she felt sick to actually say what she had been thinking about the minute the potions landed on her sister.
"Take me to her."
The first thing the sister could hear was Bella's screams of agony followed by a loud thud. Narcissa opened the door to see Draco unconscious, his lips bleeding slightly. Bella had managed to acquire Draco's wand, knock him out and free herself from the ropes. She scratched at her arms frantically, her nails cutting into her flesh causing it to bleed. Narcissa checked to see if Draco was fine while Andromeda bounded Bellatrix again. Draco woke up and sheepishly left out of embarrassment that his Aunt was able to take his wand. He decided it was best to leave the women to either talk or go into a heated argument without him being in the middle.
"Bloody Aurors! They are going to take me back to Azkaban well over my fucking dead body!" Bella shouted it was as if she was hallucinating again.
Andy tried to stay calm like she wasn't being affected by her sister's pain but deep down it truly hurt her. She gently touched Bella's cheek, which felt hot and sticky, "Bella. It's me your sister Andy."
Bella looked at her sweetly as if nothing had come between them, like the old times when they'd get mad at each other than somehow would make up at the end of the day.
"Shit. I-I think I'm dreaming because Andy came," Bella breathed out struggling against her bound "It's good to see you sis."
The oldest sister gave a weak smile, which stirred emotions in both of her younger sisters. Hardly anyone had ever seen a genuine smile come from the Death Eater but them.
Andromeda met Narcissa's worrying eyes and they both reached to the same conclusion.
They had no idea what they were going to do.
"We should take her to a Healer," Narcissa suggested.
"And who would be crazy enough to want to help? I shouldn't have come here," Andy confessed. She already felt that she was being caught in their web of lies and deception.
"Andy, you would really abandon Bella after everything she's done for you?" Narcissa snapped.
"You people cut me out of your lives not the other way around," Andromeda snapped back.
"Well if you-"
They stopped when they heard a violent cough come from their sick sister followed by a dry wheezing.
"I'll get her water."
"What she needs is a cup of warm butterbeer."
They both left leaving Bella alone...
Well…
Almost alone.
"Who is there?" Bella asked breathlessly. Even in her state she could feel the presence of another person but could not see them. At first she thought it was her imagination but now whoever it was their heart was beating harder. The intruder looked frightened or maybe anxious.
"Death," Hermione whispered taking off the invisibility cloak. She had arrived the same time as Narcissa and Andromeda seeing everything that had happened. There was no better opportunity to kill Bellatrix than now. It was for the good of humanity that this sadistic and demented witch be dead than to live and harm another soul.
"If it isn't the mudblood girl?" Bellatrix scoffed. "What are you going to do? Kill me?"
She gave a wicked laugh that made Hermione's blood boil but the younger witch said nothing. She kept repeating the Killing curse in her head like a mantra.
"Voldemort's dead," Hermione mocked.
The Death Eater's smiled instantly faded followed by a howl of pain, "You stupid little girl! What are you waiting for then."
Bellatrix went limp as if making sure Hermione wouldn't miss.
"Go on do it." Bellatrix said sternly," There is nothing for me to live for now."
Hermione was visibly shaking but raised her wand determined to end her nightmares once and for all. Bella recognized her own wand as the weapon of choice but didn't say anything. It was a fitting death to her failure to her Dark Lord. She stared into warm coffee brown eyes that looked to be more and more uncertain of her choice.
Do it. DO IT!Bellatrix thought angrily. She closed her eyes hearing the wand move so fast it made a whistling sound.
This is it
...
...
...
...
..
.
Nothing happened.
Tears were streaming down Hermione's face. No matter what Bellatrix had done it wasn't right for Hermione to kill her while she was defenseless. It was just against everything Hermione stood for.
The ill witch opened her eyes her face clearly disappointed at the outcome. The mudblood not only didn't kill her but was now rummaging through her bag searching for something. And they say Gryffindors are courageousBellatrix goaded. Before she knew it she felt a pair of hands rubbing some sort of ointment on her burning arms. It soothed the flaky bloody skin and Bellatrix couldn't help but give a sigh of relief till she realized…
"Get your filthy hands off me," Bella screamed. Her voice sounded less angry and more force than anything. Hermione ignored her and continued to pour more of the ointment on as much skin as she could. Bellatrix tried to fight against her restraints but it only made her weary. In fact with the pain leaving, her body looked liked it had no energy left. Her breathing was calm and her eyelids felt so heavy. Sleep started to creep on her almost magically.
"W-what did you do?" Bella asked drowsily.
"An ointment made by Professor Sprout to help with any poison on the skin however it seems that it's only temporary. A side effect is sleep. I figure that way it would buy me more time."
"T-tttime for what?" The room was spinning and the mudblood was blurry in Bellatrix's eyes.
"To cure you." Hermione stated like it was so obvious.
"What is it that you want?"
"To help you." Hermione said calmly. Bellatrix couldn't understand why this filth would do this without anything in return. She tried to think but her mind was too clouded and eventually sleep won. Hermione was already documenting most symptoms that Bellatrix had. She felt sick to her stomach knowing she was going to have to touch the other witch again. She might have been the better person but that did not mean she did not harbor angry feelings towards her attacker. She touched Bellatrix's forehead, which was hot and sweaty. Hermione moved a strand of hair that always managed to cover Bellatrix' face and noticed it was wet.
Probably from her feverHermione noted. Another thing Hermione noticed was how different Bellatrix looked when she was asleep it seemed almost strange that she could look quite beautiful when her face wasn't twisted in anger and abhorrence. The young witch honestly didn't know what the Death Eater had but her best guess would be to go back to Hogwarts to find out.
" Expelliarmus," Narcissa practically screeched when she saw an intruder in Bella's room.
"Wait Cissy its Harry's good friend Hermione Granger." Andy looked as confused as her younger sister.
"Please, I'm not here to do anything but help," Hermione pleaded. Andromeda gave a warm smile but her eyes had a hint of sadness and even guilt. "I'm going back to Hogwarts and see what could help your sister."
"And then what send her to Azkaban?"
"I don't know the war is over..."Andromeda said stunned. She couldn't wait to see Nymphdora and Remus.
"It is."
"Yes Harry defeated Voldemort."
Narcissa acted uncomfortable with the name as if HE himself would appear out of thin air but actually looked relived.
"Then she won't go to Azkaban because she helped defeat the Dark Lord." Narcissa said bluntly.
"She did?" Andy and Hermione said in unison.
"Not intentionally but she knew the boy was alive but didn't say anything. Had she warned the Dark Lord than Harry would have died."
"If what you say is true then she probably will be spared." Hermione assured. Andromeda didn't seem to like what she heard and motion to speak to Hermione alone.
"What is it? We must hurry because I have to go to Hogwarts to find something that will help Bellatrix before she wakes up," The younger witch said.
"Hermione I know you can't stand seeing someone suffering but sometimes people are beyond any help." Andy looked guilty but continued, "For your sake you should forget what you saw and let Bella die."
Hermione couldn't believe what Andromeda was saying much lest understand. She would let her sister die in her time of need?
"I can't stand by and do nothing." Hermione said determined, "It's not right."
She disapparated to Hogwarts settled that the choice she made was the right one.
Yet the right choice wasn't always the easiest.
For starters a week had past and Hermione still wasn't able to find a cure. Every time it seemed that she found a cure it would only be temporary or a new symptom would appear. Another thing was that she was by herself in this circumstance she had no intention of telling her best friend and boyfriend that she was helping a Death Eater. They wouldn't understand and might not show any mercy to someone that wasn't all that she appeared to be. Harry did however talk about Narcissa's lie that had saved his life. The news of Lucius' death wasn't surprising to Narcissa, she was sad but right now her living sister was more important than mourning the dead. There would always be time for that later.
But then Andromeda found out about Remus and her daughter's death. She hadn't visited her sisters since.
"Don't you fucking touch me you filthy MUDBLOOD!" Bellatrix shrieked. Hermione ignored all the words that her patient spat at her. Compared to being carved into this was a walk in the park. She drew blood and tried not to stare too much. The sick witch had lost a lot of weight and her clothes smelled of sweat and decay. That was Narcissa's job to clean and feed her erratic sister. Hermione looked tired and frustrated that she hadn't found anything promising.
"We should have purged the world of you filths." Bella panted. She mostly gave Hermione a hard time but then she would tire and just struggle against the ropes.
Purge? Clean? That's it! A cleansing potion! Of course why didn't I think about it sooner?Hermione thought.
"Are you sure about this?" Narcissa examined the potion. It looked disgusting but felt really light.
"Positive although," Hermione opened the book," The symptoms are pretty serious she would have to be kept under a close watch as she could suffer from dehydration, delusions and malnutrition if not careful. It's mostly due to the fact that she will literally be purged of anything that is not meant to be in the body."
"You mean she's going to be vomiting?" Narcissa looked even paler. She decided it was best not to tell Bellatrix what was going to happen for the next few days.
"Alot." Hermione emphasized. They entered Bellatrix's quarters to prepare for what was about to occur.
"Bella you have to drink this," Narcissa said sternly.
"No. The girl probably poisoned it."
"Bella please," pleaded Narcissa.
"No Cissy! And tell her to give me my wand back."
In a flash Narcissa grabbed a handful of Bellatrix's wild hair and pulled on it violently causing Bellatrix to gasp in shock. Narcissa used this opportunity to pour the potion down Bellatrix's throat. The older sister looked absolutely disgusted and enraged by her sister's actions.
"What now?" Narcissa said ignoring the death glare her sister was making.
"Nothing we wait till it starts to take effect."
"I must go and see how Draco is doing." Her son tried to act like it was nothing but hearing about his father's death had really affected him. She left Hermione alone with her sister. Suddenly the right thing was less and less rewarding. Just then Bellatrix turned to her side and puked excessively.
Very unrewarding.
Hermione was about to use a cleaning spell when she felt someone behind her.
"Now, now, Bellatrix that is no way to entertain your guest," Rodolphus sneered. "You don't know how long I've waited for this opportunity. Oh how the mighty have fallen." Bellatrix sounded like she was about to say something when she started retching making Rodolphus look very disgusted.
He shifted his attention to Hermione, "Drop your wand now filth or you'll truly feel what pain is."
Hermione dropped her wand, which made him give a wicked smile and continued his rant about his wife, "You never respected me, always belittled me in front of the Dark Lord but no more. He is no more! To think I believed you were dead but in fact you're hiding and being care for by a friend of Potter." He laughed like it was the funniest joke ever.
"What to do with you?" He pointed his wand at Hermione's heart and turned to Bella. "My lovely wife should have a say I mean she is what they say 'my better half'."
"Kill her," Bella shrugged her shoulder like it was pretty clear. Shock and hurt was written on the young girl's face but she dared not look frightened in front of them.
"You hear that Filth! Here you are helping her for no reason and yet she'd kill you the moment she had the chance." He grabbed Hermione's hair and pulled violently exposing her neck to him. "What did you think you would accomplish, girl? We have no souls to save if that's what you're thinking."
xoxoxoxoxoxox
R&R please