Chapter 1 – Death of a Snake
„LEAVE MY DAUGHTER ALONE YOU BITCH!"
The light shot from the wand and fired with all the might into the chest of insanely laughing black haired witch. The laugh froze on her lips and she managed to look down on her chest where the large hole in her corset smouldered. The blackness was invading her eyes and all the roaring noises fell silent. She closed her eyes and slowly fallen backwards into the rubble of the Large Dining Hall.
The pain in the chest faded and all the world blurred into the grey and dark nothingness. Every heart beat slower than previous the calm overhelmingly grasping the mind.
I don't want to die. I don't want to die. Not yet. Not like this. Please someone help me. I don't want to die.
Thoughts kept rushing into the slowly fading mind. And images long burried in the depths of her soul came crouching to the surface.
I don't want to die. Please Master save me. Master!
The silence was deafening and as she fell more and more into the darkness and her mind was more and more tired she realized something. Her left forearm was painless. The burning of the dark mark vanished.
Noooo Master! You can't leave me. You can't be gone!
Bellatrix's eyes shot open to the blindning light. She almost screamed from the pain the light was causing her. Her chest burned and ached more than anything she ever encountered. The pain in her head was extreme but more than anything she realized the numb calm in her left hand and she dared not to look at her forearm out of fear that she would see nothing in there.
„I am glad you are awake Mrs. Lestrange." The familiar voice was beating her through the ears.
She groaned and tried to move but all her body was like frozen. She cought and nimbly remained wherever she was.
„Please don't try to move yet. You've been hit by very powerfull spell and square to the chest I'd like to add. It might cause you more damage and we don't want that."
The voice sounded almost entertained. She caught again and bitter taste of blood invaded her mouth. Every breath was painful for her and the dizzines in the head was worse than any hangover in all her life.
„Where am I?" She managed to whisper but right after the words left her lips she prayed to remain silent.
Her chest burned and pain was invading her throat. The caught didn't go off after just one or two breaths and she began to choke.
„I should leave you to choke to death Mrs. Lestrange, but sadly I am here to make sure you will survive." The voice replied coldly.
Suddenly the pain subsided and caughing slowly faded. Bellatrix forced her eyes shut and dared not to move even an inch of her body.
„Now this should help you till our Potion Master arrives with more helpfull means. I can only imagine the impact the spell will have on your life. But we can only hope that you will be alive before the trial."
The trial? What is going on? Bellatrix shouted frustrated in her mind.
„Where is she? I swear if you don't move aside I'll curse you on the spot!" Angry and awfuly loud voice penetrated Bellatrix's mind.
She tried to turn her head to see what is going on but as she moved only an inch to the right she felt like throwing her insides out.
Common Bella at least open your eyes! She mentaly screamed at herself and forced her eyes open only so much that she was able to recognize moving siluetes in the bright light.
„Molly please calm down. She is no threat to any of us right now. And she will be trialed later. But right now I can't let you through." The cold voice was so familiar that Bellatrix wanted to shout at herself for not remebering.
Molly? Molly Weasley? Damn im screwed.
Wave of panic spread through her mind and she forced herself to sit up even when the whole movement caused her incredible pain.
My wand. I have to kill her for doing this to me.
„Minerva, she killed my son. I have to do something. Please!"
Minerva? Bellatrix almost fainted from horror. She's here. She'll kill me. Master! To her horror she realized numbness in her lef arm and dared to look at the forearm. Nothing. Only the faintest lines of the once black and almost burning image of the skull were left and she thought that they are vanishing right before her eyes.
Tears welled in her eyes. So it's true. Her Master was gone. The Dark Lord was gone and she was left behind.
Left behind? She mentaly searched her memory for the events of that horrible night. The battle and shouting and she was hit by the spell. Yes and she died.
„Molly. You know me. I would have gladly given her to you for all that she did. But these are orders from the Ministry. She is about to be healed enought to be able to hear the judgement and then we will see what will happen to her. But I can't let you have her now."
Bellatrix stiffened. Trial. No way I'm going to be sentenced to be kissed. She shruged and forced herself to calm down.
The light now faded and her eyes grew acustomed to it. The pain in the chest was still horrible but at least she could breath. If she only knew where was her wand.
„Oh stop that Bellatrix. You are not doing yourself any good by rolling on the floor." Minerva snapped at the desoriented witch on the floor and turned her back on Molly.
„Where am I?" she asked again and this time without chocking.
„In Hogwarts infirmary wing. To be precise in the wing which was assigned to take care of the likes of you." The tall witch replied coldly and waved her hand indiferently to the window.
Bellatrix turned her head in that direction and to her horror saw stretchers along the walls with what appeared like bodies covered with white cloth.
„What?" She snapped anger again roaring in her veins.
„Those are your friends I asume. The ones who were in one piece to say the truth. We didn't bother to look for those in worse condition." She smiled.
„And now Molly can you please leave us? It seems that Mrs. Lestrange is getting better and I should inform the Aurors about her progress."
Bellatrix's heart almost stopped. She would be trialed and sentenced and kissed and….The horrible images of Dementors flooded her mind and she began to shake violently and tears started to stream her cheeks.
„Oh stop that." Minerva snapped while taking a few steps closer. „Surely you were aware of the consequences of your actions were you not?"
Bellatrix raised her head and stared at the lightly haired witch above her. She looked horrible. Scratches on her face with blood in her hair which were loose from always punctuar bun.
„Are you feeling like standing up?" The witch asked perhaps a little softer than intended.
Bellatrix looked at the white floor and without a word tried to stand up her legs shaking violently and another caughing forced her to drop back down.
Minerva was eyeing her cautiosly and then with the look of disgust on her face stretched her hand down and offered her help.
„I doubt you would like to remain here much longer. It is after all provisitory mortuary and you are one of the few survivors." The words were almost spat into the face of the dark haired witch on the floor.
Bellatrix threw one frightened look towards the stretches and then with the help of Minerva's hand forced herself up.
„Ah and one precaution. I will have to chain you a little just to make sure you won't be doing anything stupid." She said with small wave of her wand and Bellatrix felt heavy chains on her wrists and ankels.
She walked oddly supported by Minerva's arm and shoulder. Every step was painful and she soon became tired and wanted nothing more than lay down on the floor and sleep.
„Where are you taking me?" she asked more than to keep herself awake than for the information itself.
„You and other survivals are about to be gathered out of the castle and escorted to the Ministry. At least that is what I've heard."
Bellatrix sighed and continued to focus all her attention on landing one foot ahead of another. And then the words finally reached her mind. Other survivals.
„Who else survived?" She asked curiously.
„Malfoys did. And I belive your husband Rodolfus is still alive. You've been the only one severly injured. To tell the truth we thought that you are dead until George Weasley proved us otherwise." She kept looking infront of herself. Only the touch of Bellatrix on her shoulder was enough to make her vomit.
„Malfoys….no surprise." The dark haired witch spitted on the floor and continued walking with the sound of the chains echoing from the walls.
„What did the blood traitor Weasley do to inform you about me being alive?" She asked after a while.
„Ah. He came into the mortuary to look for your body and humiliate it in front of everybody as revenge for killing his brother."
Bellatrix chuckled. „Poor boy. He was really in my way you know." She smiled inspite of the pain and looked at stern face of her escort.
Minerva shook her head and forced herself not to slap the damn woman on the face.
„You are monster Bellatrix. I just hope that the Ministry will find suitable punishement for all your deeds."
„Ah Minnie. Do you honestly belive that there is any punishement that can match my great deeds?" She hissed and with sly smile pressed a little peck on Minervas blooded cheek.
In that instant she was droped to the floor.
„What the hell are you doing?" Minerva screamed and rubbed her cheek with one hand.
Bellatrix didn't listen. The pain in the back where she laned was imense and she began to cought violently with blood streaming through the blacked hole in her corset.
„Oh forget that. I will not be one to kill you Bellatrix. No matter how hard you try." Minerva knelt before the coughing witch and almost gently pressed her wand to her chest. „Better?" she asked and lowered her wand.
The dark eyes were eyeing her almost with surprise. Then in the next blink the too well arrogance and anger returned and Bellatrix forced herself to stand again.
„Yeah, thanks a lot." She replied dryly and began to walk again supporting herself by the wall.
„Why the hell they have to herd us outside the castle? As if that is so much a problem taking Dementor here to finish the job." Bellatrix muttered as she slowly strugled to move forward.
„For your information, I do not see any reason at all to make you and the others comfortable."
Dark eyes turned to face the green ones and she grinned evily.
„Got ya." Bellatrix smirked and kept walking.
„Excuse me?" Minerva asked sternly as she continued her stride alonside the dark witch.
„You know Minnie I always knew there was something more in you. And now see. Talking with all the pride and revulsion. Even I would be proud for such aproach to the prisoners." She chuckled again and despite her situation winked at now silent escort.
„Do you even realize that you are about to die? That you've killed so many people…You don't care do you?" The tall witch asked with poison in her voice.
„Ah I do care about all the dead. Belive me I do. By the way who else died except the little Fredie? I can't probably hope that the Potter brat is dead aswell do I?"
Before she done another step the hard slap landed on her cheek with the loud snap.
Bellatrix almost fell down again but managed to grab her hold of the wall and looked surprised at Minerva.
„You've hit me!" she sniffed accusingly and pressed her palm against her cheek.
In all her life no one ever hit her. She endured curses and torture but was never slapped across the face like this.
„I should have slapped you again for what you've said you spoiled deranged maniac." Minerva closed to her prisoner and pressed the tip of her wand to her throat.
„Luckily I am not like you." She smiled and stand back.
Bellatrix was eyeing her still in disbelief then slowly and silently started to walk again.
The evening sun was slowly falling down over the horizon and the corridors of Hogwarts were lighted with golden and red. Black eyes looked at now golden windows almost taken aback with the beauty of the place. But then the loud screams and noises hit her with all the might and someone was pulling her down the stairs.
„Mr. Potter get off her immediately." She heard Minerva shouting and suddenly hard punch landed on her nose with loud crack.
Scream of pain and anger loosend from her throat as she pressed both her hands against the face in meek try to defend herself.
Blow after blow hit her everywhere and after what seemed like eternity the kick into back pushed her down the stairs.
She landed in soft arms still huddled and shaking.
„What happened Minerva." The sqeeking voice asked from somewhere in the distance.
„Filius. Can you please restrain Mr. Potter? He almost killed her."
„Are you alright?" Minerva asked softly perhaps she forgot her cold self somewhere above the stairs.
„Uh my nose." Bellatrix managed to say before pain so wast as never hit her body.
„Crucio" she heared through her screams and as suddenly as the pain started it faded.
„Harry! Drop the wand immediately." The voices were loud and everywhere.
„She killed Fred and Lupin and Tonks. I don't care what the Ministery has to say about it. I'll kill her on the spot I swear."
„Experialmus." Another voice thundered and the hall was silenced with only the noice of wooden wand droping at the marble stairs.
„Bellatrix?" a soft voice of Minerva asked and two arms helped her stand up.
„I swear that if this brat ever gets near me again I'll rip him apart."
„Calm down you are certainly not in a situation where you can make empty threats. Now show me your nose you can't go to the Ministry like this."
Bellatrix hesitantly lowered her hands and uncovered bloody and bent nose. Minerva almost laughed when she looked to the dark eyes filled with hatered and humiliation. She managed to strain herself, aimed her wand on the nose.
„Opiskey." And with barely audible crack nose returned to its former position.
„For god sake Minerva can't you be a little softer?" Bellatrix moaned and chafed her nose.
„And whatever gave you the idea that I will be soft on you? You certainly were anything but soft when you raided our school and killed so many." The tall witch replied coldly and eyed her with steely grey eyes.
„They had it coming. Those filthy muggbloods and their tratherous friends." She looked around with hatered and her eyes landed on Harry who was strugling with Ron and Hermione to get himself free.
„Remember this Potter. If I only have any chance left to kill you I will. No matter how long it will take I swear on the Dark Lord I will see you dead." She lifted proudly her chin and turned herself towards the large gateway.
„Are we waiting for some kind of miracle Minerva? I was under impression that you wanted me to meet your Auror friends and have me trialed." She said indiferently.
Minerva sighed and turned herself towards the black haired witch. She managed to swallow myriad of curses, grabbed her by the arm and started to walk briskly out of the schoool, not caring that her prisoner had to almost run with chains on the ankles.
„Tell me Bellatrix, why do you do this? Your Master is gone, all your friends dead or captured and you are about to be trialed and sentenced and yet you won't give up."
„You have no idea what is going on do you? My Master may be gone but that is not gonna change anything. I will always despise the filth like you, you defender of muggbloods and traitors. Can't you see they are poison to our way of life?" she answered fiercly and looked around.
The forest was dark and school grounds were slowly invaded by the long shadows and evening air smelled with summer. She cocked her head to the right and pierced under the dark green trees.
„Yes you are right. I don't understand this stubborness in you." Minerva silently replied and lost herself in thoughts while draging Bellatrix by the arm.
Suddenly the strange sensation flooded her body and Bellatrix realized that they left wards which protected Hogwarts.
„We will now apparate into the Ministry. Hold tight." And with only a loud crack both witches dissapeared.
Bam! They appeared right before the old telephone boot and Minerva cautiously looked around. She waved over at the two cloaked figures and they hurried over.
„Kingsley I am glad to see that the escort is you." The blond witch smiled wearily and by smooth movement of her hand hurried Bellatrix closer.
„Ah so it is true. I wasn't really ready to belive it." He curiously eyed dark haired witch „What happened to her? Shes all blood."
„Ah I am sorry for this. Mr. Potter had the idea that physical attack might get him his righteous revenge. I forgot to clean all the mess." She winked and pulled her prisoner closer.
„For god's sake can you spead it a little?" Bellatrix screamed and tried to pull further from Minerva.
„Jones please escort Mrs. Lestrange to the interogation cell A1 and make sure she doesn't have any means of escape. Minerva have her wand been found?" Kingsley took a few steps closer and watched as his colegue took hold of Bellatrix's arm and pulled her closer.
„I have it right here. No spells were performed by it since Mrs. Lestrange dropped it. Also we've checked it for curses and hexes but surely you can't be cautious enough." And with one smoooth movement she pulled large black case from her robe and handed it to Kingsley.
„Thank you Minerva, we'll be handling it from here on. Surely if you want to be present during the interogation you can. Ah and off course we also have to speak with Molly Weasley. Can you please advise her that she is about to stop by and fill her statement?"
„ I'll tell her. But for security matters. Please do not let her near Mrs. Lestrange. I don't want her charged for killing unwanded prisoners. And Kingsley please be gentle. She lost her son in the battle and is still shaken."
He nodded and looked at Bellatrix who smiled broadly.
„Take her away Jones. I'll be joining you in a minute."
„Good night Minerva. And take care." He smiled and slightly bowed his head.
„You too Kingsley." She looked at Bellatrix and dissaparated with a silent sight.
The large and muscular Auror was sqeezing her arm until she thought that he wanted to tear it from her.
„Let go you brute. I might need that arm later." She hissed angrily and tried to pull from him.
He merely smiled and pulled her closer with his grip tighter than before.
They entered the telephone boot and indiferent female voice rang from all around them.
„Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and purpose of your visit and stick the label on the visible spot."
„Erhbart Jones Auror of the Ministry with Bellatrix Lestrange on the way to the interogation cell A1."
The telephone buzzed silently and two labels fell into the coin box. He grabbed them and sticked one on his chest and pressed the other over Bellatrix's corset. She looked down on her label stating Bellatrix Lestrange prisoner of Ministry of Magic.
„Nice, now I feel a lot better." She said with voice dripping with sarcasm.
„Be nice. I could have had a nice family evening but instead I'm stucked here with you. So if you want it a harsh way keep talking and I'll make sure that what Harry Potter did to your face was merely a gengle stroking." He looked at her coldly and looked at the telephone with smirk on his face.
You have no idea what I would have done to you still having my wand you filth. Bellatrix was screaming with anger in her head and pleasured herself with images of horrible curses she could have had used. Her thoughts interupted by the same voice.
„Thank you, please follow the instructions of the security officer down in the atrium. Have a pleasant stay."
With the final word the floor of the boot started to descend under the surface of the pavement and blackness surounded them.
