Bella Snape-Lestrange Chapter 7

Bella's POV

Ah, night. It was my favourite time of day. I was just waiting for Charlie to get home when I felt it. The searing pain in my wrist. The agony! I couldn't speak, I couldn't think. All I could focus on was the extreme affliction. I quickly wrote a note with the hand that wasn't burning, so Charlie wouldn't worry, and quickly apparated to the Dark Lord.

I opened my eyes and saw that I was in a dark room. I could make out the shapes of other Death Eaters and felt that my wrist had stopped hurting. There were whispers, hushed, then, silence. He was here. The Dark Lord strutted to the middle of the room. We formed a circle around him, and he took out his wand. It was yew, with the core of a pheonix feather, I thought absently. He looked at my mother and smiled. A bone-chilling smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Bellatrix? Come here, please." The Dark Lord spoke eagerly. My mum ran to him, kneeling at his feet. Drama queen. "Yes, my lord?" She looked up at him with her eyes that were black as pitch. "I heard you earlier. Did you think I didn't know? You were going to seek out members of the Order. Which was not the plan. You'd get yourself killed for absolutely nothing. Tell me, what were you really thinking? What was your so-called plan?" His voice was cold, and falsely interested. Mum seemed to stutter, something she rarely does. "I-I thought that Fenrir and I could go to the blood traitors' home and kill them to get to Potter. I really wasn't t-thinking, my Lord, really. It was a fleeting thought, and I was going to go tonight. My Lord, I please ask you to forgive me. It was a mistake!" Mum's voice was pleading, asking the Dark Lord to spare her of the punishment that would befall her.

The Dark Lord touched her face. My mother looked close to tears because the Dark Lord didn't touch anyone. Except me. And we know how that turned out. He gently stroked her face, then slapped her. Hard. "Bellatrix, you were conspiring against me. You are one of my most loyal followers. It would be a shame to kill you, since you are my best lieutenant. Lord Voldemort is merciful, but you will have to endure punishment." His voice was scratchy, and he sounded delighted for what was coming next. He took his wand, and silently cast the Cruciatus Curse. I could tell because my mum's jaw was clamped shut and her eyes were closed. Any normal person would scream. She wasn't normal. She enjoyed the pain. She was a sadist. The Dark Lord saw this now. "It seems like this is not working. No, we have to find a new punushment for you, don't we? I have just the thing." The Dark Lord sounded downright cheerful. Though I knew he wasn't able to feel any emotions, he always seemed happy to give punishments.

I left the room silently, I did not want to know what her punishment was. I looked around for Draco. Sure, he was a spoiled jerk and a pain in the ass, but it was my job to get him accustomed to the Dark Arts.I found him in his room, practicing a curse. His hair was in disarray, and he had bags under his eyes. He looked extremely tired, like he hadn't slept in days. "Draco, you won't learn without practicing. Otherwise you might make a fool of yourself. Oops, you already did." Draco didn't find that funny. Instead, he kept on concentrating. His eyes looked haunted, like he'd just seen a murder. Maybe he already did. "Your mother came to see me while you were gone. Pleasant woman, don't you think?" We both laughed, only his was slightly hysterical. "Your mother is insane! She forced me to do horrendous things to people, other Death Eaters. I am so scared. Her laugh, oh, her laugh! It was sharp, and maniacal, and she wouldn't stop." He whimpered, and I knew he had suffered the worst of my mother. I comforted him, gave advice, and he was grateful for that. I had a bond with him somehow. We were in this together.

"Draco, how's your dad?" I asked gently. "Still in Askaban. He's going crazy. Mum is worrying and acting strange now since they took him away. Nobody understands. I don't want to end up like him. Everyone's judging me because of him. I was raised to hate muggles and mudbloods. I don't actually like that. Potter is giving me hell now. He knows I'm a Death Eater. Severus isn't helping either." Draco sighed. I took his hand and grasped it tightly. "I'll write a letter telling him to back off. Right now, while we're here, let's call a truce." He smiled and I hugged him.

I ran outside once the meeting, if that's what you'd call it was over, and apparated back to Forks. But I couldn't help but feel like I was being watched. I kept looking around, but could only see two pairs of burgundy eyes staring back at me. I scoffed, and went inside. I had school tomorrow, and my only thought was Edward Cullen. Strange why he popped up in my head. He was beautiful, but looked so much like my beloved Cedric. Bad memory. I pushed it away. I sat at the table and started to write a letter.

Dear Harry,

I hope you are doing well. I miss you and everyone there. So much. I haven't been in England for a long time. That's why I haven't been at Hogwarts. I was sent to the States, on Father's orders. He wanted me to be kept away from the drama that comes with the war. I am safe here. Away from prying eyes. I just wanted to let you know that Draco and I have developed a truce. No fighting, teasing, or rudeness of any kind. I know that's hard...but him and I are friends. If you hurt him, I will be forced to hurt you. Just kidding. (Not!) That goes for Ron and 'Mione. Don't worry, he won't hurt you. I hope you all are doing well in your studies. If you have any questions, write me. I did, after all, get an Outstanding, in all my classes, better than Hermione. Can you have Remus owl me when we're on holiday? I need to talk to him. It's urgent. There's something strange lurking 'round here.

Your friend, Bella

A/N:Just to let you guys know, this story is a combination of Twilight/Half-Blood Prince. The sequel will be a mix of New Moon, Twilight, and the Deathly Hallows. If you want to enjoy a Bella/Edward story with some humor, read Blind Luck by badjujube.