Chapter Six

The Talk

Review Responses:

Master Amateratsu: As far as I know, most abusers don't really have reasons for doing what they do, at least not what we would call a reason. Cygnus is doing it because he is a horrible father and man and he is a pervert. That's the best answer I can give I'm afraid, the story isn't really about why he is doing it, it's more about the effects of the deed. Sorry I can't give you a better answer.

SaintRidley: I'm glad you found the story and are enjoying it!

NeonFishnets: I'm glad you like the story. You're not weird, most of the stories I like on this site have something to do with abuse, that's probably how I came up this idea.

Princessenr1: I'm glad you're enjoying it so far. Oh, and I got your message, I had no idea there were more crazies like me and my best friend who did all day movie marathons! That's so awesome, we've done most of the same ones. The day we did Pirates we also did Spiderman. We haven't done Harry Potter yet though, we're waiting until all seven are on DVD.

ascii27: I'm glad you think so, because it's probably going to get creepier.

Thanks for reviewing everyone, love you for it!

The next day Andromeda was in her room reading, or you really couldn't call it reading as she was mulling over what she had seen. Bella had finally gotten out of the shower about two hours ago but no one had seen her. Druella had come home from her party about a half hour before Bellatrix had gotten out of the shower, so she still had no idea what was going on.

And that was something Andromeda was having a hard time believing. How was it that her mother could simply look at someone and tell if they were muggleborn, but who after four years still hadn't learned what a monster her husband was. Admittedly, Bellatrix was a great actress and was determined that no one would find out, but Andromeda was surprised that her mother hadn't noticed that Cissy was different, or herself.

As she was thinking about this, there was a knock on her door and Cissy walked in. She appeared troubled and Andromeda immediately became fearful that their father had attacked Cissy as well. Her thoughts were proved false with Cissy's next sentence.

"What did Dad do to Bella?"

"What do you mean?" 'She couldn't have seen it too could she,' Andromeda thought.

"She's been acting weird all day. She took a five-hour shower, she's snapping over the dumbest things, more so than usual, and now she's threatening violence towards me for looking in her drawer for…"

"Yes, Dad did something to her, something bad. I saw it happen but I couldn't do anything about it!" Andromeda felt herself getting hysterical, although she wasn't one hundred percent why. "He attacked her Cissy, and if we're not careful he'll do it to us too I know he will!"

Narcissa was stunned. Her eleven-year-old mind could barely comprehend what her sister meant by attack but her experience had given her an idea. Andromeda's hysterical outburst scared her more.

Andromeda calmed herself and started to talk more rationally.

"We have to get Bellatrix to tell someone. No one will believe us, she has to make the accusation. It might never stop if we don't."

"Should we talk to her now?" Narcissa was slightly afraid of what Bella might do, as she had been so unpredictable lately.

"I guess the sooner the better."

The two sisters walked down the hall to Bellatrix's room apprehensively. They knocked and heard her voice snap sharper than it ever sounded.

"Who is it?!"

"Um, it's us Bella." Andromeda answered with caution.

"What do you to want?"

"We just want to talk to you."

"Fine, come in." She sighed.

Narcissa and Andromeda walked into the room. Bellatrix's possessions had been thrown all over the room, which was extremely unlike Bellatrix. She always wanted everything to be perfect, as it was supposed to be.

"Well, what is it," she snapped at them.

"Bella, I uh, I saw what happened last night."

Bellatrix looked at her strangely.

"What are you going on about?"

"Last night, Bella, in here, you and Dad." Andromeda said.

Bellatrix snapped.

"What have I told you about talking about this!"

"Bella, he attacked you…"

"Shut up you little wench!" With that Bellatrix drew her wand and pointed it at Andromeda.

"You too Narcissa. I've told you both never to speak of it! Get out!"

"Look Bella, you have to tell someone…" Andromeda begged.

"Get out, both of you!" Cissy ran from the room in fright. Andromeda stood her ground.

"Bella please listen…"

She was suddenly blasted across the room and felt herself hit the wall. She could barely move from the pain and the shock of it. She half heard, half saw Bellatrix run from the room down the hall. Andromeda slowly got up and walked slowly to the bathroom. When she looked in the mirror, she understood why her face was hurting so much. When she had hit the wall she had been so disoriented she didn't know where she had been hit. There was a large bruise forming on her cheek. One that probably wouldn't fade for awhile.

An hour later the House Elf came to tell Andromeda that dinner was about to be served. She sighed as she walked downstairs, knowing that her mother would at least notice the bruise and she would be expected to say something about it. Sure enough before she had even sat down, Druella asked,

"Andromeda dear, what happened to your face?!" Druella quickly got up from the table to look at her daughter's bruised face. "Did someone do this to you?"

While Druella was fussing, Andromeda looked over at her sisters. Narcissa was looking between the two of them while Bellatrix just glared a warning to Andromeda. Andromeda understood the glare probably even better than her sister did. Bellatrix would not hesitate to hurt her sister again if she revealed the truth. And that wasn't just the truth about where Andromeda's bruise came from, but about everything else as well.

"Oh, I fell down some stairs earlier today and hit my face. But don't worry I'm okay now."

"Are you sure you're alright, it looks terrible, why didn't you say anything?"

"It wasn't a huge deal."

"Well, I'll go get some bruise remover, sit down. You're sure you're alright?"

"I'm fine Mum," she replied as she sat down. "Everything's fine."