Narcissa knocked softly three times on Bellatrix's bedroom door. She waited a moment, about to knock again, when it opened quickly.
"Oh, Cissy," Bella muttered, eying her sister. "What is it?"
"Do you have a moment?" Narcissa asked.
Bella stood sternly before turning from her sister and walking into the room. Narcissa took this as a sign to enter and followed her. Bella sat next to the window on a rickety chair, her dark eyes waiting for Narcissa to speak.
"I have something to ask of you," Narcissa said cautiously, then turned to close the door behind her, lest they be overheard.
Bella said nothing, but started twirling a lock of her hair nonchalantly as Narcissa took a seat next to her.
"I'm sure you know of Draco's--task," Narcissa said solemnly. "The task assigned him by the Dark Lord…"
Bella harrumphed. "Of course I know what it is. I was there when he was given it. Draco should feel quite proud."
"Well he isn't," Narcissa said simply, almost cutting Bella off. "He's terrified. He cannot bring himself to do this. I need your help."
Bella looked at her sister, the corners of her mouth curling into a sneer. "Terrified! Ha! Does he not realize the importance of what is being asked of him?"
"Of course he does!" Narcissa whispered harshly. "But he's only a boy!"
"That makes no difference," Bella stated. "I was his age once, as were you. That never stopped us."
"I know," Narcissa looked at her lap, her painted fingernails tightening on the fabric of her skirt. "But he is my boy."
Bella's face remained placid, but she seemed to be considering her sister's words. "That boy is spoiled rotten. He'll never get anywhere if he has to have his mum do everything for him," she said after a long pause. "But I will help, because you are my sister."
Narcissa felt a wash of relief, which quickly faded and turned back into hesitation at the question she knew was to come. Predictably, Bella sat a little straighter in her chair as she asked the question.
"What do you want me to do?"
Narcissa hesitated, wondering how to phrase it.
"You want me to kill Dumbledore?" Bella whispered excitedly. "That's almost too easy."
"It's more complicated than that, Bella," Narcissa said. "If you were to kill Dumbledore, and the Dark Lord found out, you'd be punished for sure. I was hoping I could find someone else who could do the deed… Someone close to Draco, so that it would not raise suspicion."
Bella's eyes were twinkling. "And who would that be?"
"Severus Snape," Narcissa said after a pause, the name seeming to echo off the walls.
"Snape!" Bella hissed. "You want Snape to kill Dumbledore?? That's too perfect!"
Narcissa nodded as Bella giggled wickedly at the thought of violence and murder. "If they were to both be with Dumbledore at the same time," Narcissa stated, "Snape could easily kill Dumbledore for Draco…"
"And Draco would take the glory!" Bella gasped, standing. "It is simple! Of course it will work! But what has it got to do with me?" She sat back down.
Narcissa's slight smile turned into a grimace as she again planned her words carefully. "Severus might need some--convincing. It is not an easy task we're putting upon him… I was hoping perhaps you could persuade him."
"Me?" Bella started towards her sister, her hands moving to her hips. "Why not just ask him yourself?"
Narcissa struggled with her thoughts, knowing one wrong phrase might send Bella over the edge and infuriate her. "I must admit I am not the best at convincing or persuading anyone to do anything. I can do it with you because you are my sister, but Severus and I have little in common."
"I don't have anything in common with the wretch either," Bella said coldly. "I hardly speak to him."
"Still," Narcissa started. "I was hoping maybe you could offer him something. Or bend him to your will. You're quite good at that sister. You've always been the more attractive one. "
Bella looked quite serious, but after a moment she smiled again; a devious, cunning smile that conveyed her understanding. "You want me to seduce him!" She whispered more to herself than to Narcissa. "Seduce Severus Snape," she said again, turning to the window.
"Please don't think I want you to give yourself completely to him!" Narcissa quickly added. "I only thought perhaps you could use seduction to get him to make an Unbreakable Vow."
Bella turned sharply from the window. "An Unbreakable Vow? That he will kill Dumbledore?"
"Yes," Narcissa said. "That he will assist Draco should the need arise. I only want the job done, so that Draco will not be punished for not acting."
Bella was nodding. "Yes, yes. The Dark Lord would frown upon that. Then again he might frown upon this whole affair. Are you willing to risk it?"
"For my son," Narcissa said coldly, "I will risk anything."
