What you see's not what you get
With you there's just no measurement
No way to tell what's real from what isn't there
Your eyes they sparkle
That's all changed into lies that drop like acid rain
You washed away the best of me
You don't care – Kelly Clarkson, Gone

It's over,
It's over.Lady Gaga, Optimist

You're like the definition of negative
Always complainin, you're such a pessimist
Your Cup is always half empty
I'm just so sick of it
I got a different perspective –

There's a light at each end of this tunnel,
You shout 'cause you're just as far in as you'll ever be out
And these mistakes you've made, you'll just make them again
If you only try turning around. – Anna Nalick, Breathe

Asta Marionette

Yes she is! 3

It wouldn't be a story without Anne! :D

Victoria Venom

Don't worry about your English. :)

And don't worry about not responding! It's quite alright.

I'm glad to hear that you love my story! It always makes me happy to hear that!

And I'm also SO very glad to hear that my writing is improving. That is also one of my many aims.

Haha, I know exactly what you mean. I hate Rodolphus, but of course, I love him at the same time. And yes, things are about to get a lot more complicated now that Anne is back. You can expect more Bella and Anne rivalry.

Believe me, Bella wants revenge, and she certainly still hates Anne with a passion. Rodolphus forgave her, but Bella hasn't.

Trust me, you're not nasty minded at all. Rodolphus's love for Serena is slightly twisted. It's what I was hinting at. So no worries, you weren't imagining it.

Thanks for the review! =)

Madlyinlovewithbowie

Haha, yes,I was wondering how everyone would react to the "new" Anne.

I'm so glad to bring Anne back.

And don't worry, the memory loss has it's person.

It was very necessary to change Anne. Especially her appearance. Serena and Alexander have would definitely noticed something.

Oh yes, I DO have to apologize with Anne's behavior towards Rodolphus in the upcoming chapters. I know it's NOTHING like Anne, but trust me, it's necessary for the story.

Just hang in there!

But yes, welcome back Anne! She's obviously been missed!

Lady Isabelle Black

Aww, I would love to answer your questions, but it may give away the story!

You'll see everyone's reactions in the upcoming chapters!

mlinds2

It's alright, no apologies necessary.

My eternal apologies for the lack of updates! I'm trying to fix that. I'm hoping to have a new chapter by this weekend as well. Hopefully, that goes well.

I'm glad you liked the end of my story.

And believe me, a story with no Anne killed me!

So YES, I had to bring Anne back.

No way could her life end like that! :D

I can see how loved Anne is, I'm so happy to hear that. You'll be seeing a WHOLE new Anne, because of course, this is going to be the Anne that Rodolphus controls.

I'm sure you can imagine how that is going to work.

I'll try and update as much as possible! I never feel right keeping my readers in suspense.

And once again, I'm so glad to hear you love my story, both this one and the previous one!

Author's Note: This is very much a flashback chapter. All the flashbacks are parts I took from the ending chapters of Bound By Blood. Now, I know you've already read them, so feel free to skip the flashbacks or skim over them. However, I do advise you to read them, just so the explanation will make more sense and just to pick up on anything you might've missed the first time around. :) I hope you guys enjoy this chapter, and I hope to get next one out as soon as possible.

And thank you SO much to everyone for the huge burst of reviews. They literally made my day!

- Rosalie L.

For the next few nights, Rodolphus stayed with his mistress. Things hadn't been going as he originally planned, but a huge part of Rodolphus believed that things would be better this way. Without her memory, well, Anne was fully his to control.

That meant no James, no Sirius, no Mudblood friends, and no Half-breed friends. This meant that Anne couldn't hold it against him for destroying her family because she honestly did not remember. This meant that she'll have 100% faith and hope in him. In her eyes, Rodolphus would be the greatest man alive.

Without her memory, Anne will no longer have her sympathies for the Muggle World. She won't despise Rodolphus for making her a Pureblood mistress because as far as she was concerned, she was a Halfblood. She won't know that she has two children already, there will be no argument on how Rodolphus raised them.

Most of all, there will be no other guy for Anne. She won't remember the number of guys she slept with. She'll never remember how she was supposed to marry Sirius, she will have no recollection of how much she loved him. It's not just Sirius either, all those other guys, they will mean nothing to her. Regulus Black? Nothing. Rabastan Lestrange? Nothing. Evan Rosier? Nothing. Lucius Malfoy? Absolutely nothing.

Anne will never remember all the pain, hurt and humiliation she endured because of Rodolphus. All the anger, the hate, and aggression, it was now non-existent.

Anne was completely, and totally dependent on Rodolphus.

The way Anne looked at him made Rodolphus proud. She had that same curiosity she had in the beginning, entering the life of someone who was a completely mysterious stranger to her. She's coming back to Lestrange manor completely ignorant and naive of the entire world.

And she'll have only Rodolphus to look up to for guidance. She will do what he tells her, she'll believe what he wants her to believe. No one else could even do or say anything against it because he was Rodolphus Lestrange. And ever since he regained his status, who he was meant so much more in the world.

Everything was finally falling perfectly in place for Rodolphus Lestrange.

Rodolphus grinned as he thought about how perfect life was. He sat up and stared at his mistress, sleeping peacefully.

It had been so long since he had seen Anne sleeping. It's been forever since he's heard her breathe, and to actually see her chest rising and falling made Rodolphus feel more peaceful that he's ever felt in years.

Anne was back. His beloved Anna was back in his life.

After all these years.

Rodolphus continued to just stare at her. He wanted to do nothing more than to just hold her and kiss her. The only bad thing about this situation is that he'd probably have to give Anne some more time to adjust. This meant he had to keep his hands off her for a fair amount of time.

If Anne had her memory, Rodolphus would not mind resorting to forceful violence. After all, it has been nearly a decade.

One decade.

Those two words keep going through Rodolphus's mind.

He lost nearly ten years with Anne.

He kept replaying everything in head. All the events that lead him to getting rid of Anne.

*Flashback one*

'Annabelle...' Rodolphus sighed, moving away from her, and turning around.

'Why don't you call me Anne anymore? Or Anna?' Anne asked, curiously.

'I don't know.' Rodolphus replied.

'Of course you do. Come on, what's wrong? Nobody calls me Annabelle. I hate it!' Anne exclaimed. 'The only one who regularly called me Annabelle was my dad, and that's because we were always mad at each other.'

'Perhaps that's why then.' Rodolphus said, turning to face her.

'You're mad at me?' Anne asked.

'We're mad at each other.' Rodolphus said.

Anne just stared outside a nearby window.

'You said the other day that you wish you were thirteen again.' Rodolphus reminded her.

'Yes, what about it?' Anne asked.

'Well,' Rodolphus said, sighing, 'Maybe I want to be fifteen again. It's just not the same anymore, Anne.'

Anne smiled. 'Are you sick of me, Rodolphus?'

Rodolphus looked up at her. 'I love you. I can never be sick of you.'

'Then?' Anne asked.

'It's just not the right time.' Rodolphus said. 'I've got other things on my mind. Other priorities...'

'Like the war?' Anne asked.

'The war, with all the missions and tasks, my family and...the things involved with them.' Rodolphus said.

'You've always said that you're my family.' Anne commented. 'Doesn't it work both ways?'

'Come here.' Rodolphus said.

Anne walked over to Rodolphus, who gave her a sweet kiss.

'I love you.' Rodolphus said.

'You keep saying that.' Anne remarked.

'Aren't those words supposed to be magical?' Rodolphus asked.

'They're hardly a cure.' Anne replied.

'Yeah, not the solution to my problems.' Rodolphus said. 'I never had this problem with Bella.'

Anne laughed. 'You've got other problems with her.'

'All concerning you.' Rodolphus said.

'Do you regret it?' Anne asked, pulling away. 'Making me your mistress?'

'No, if I could have done it sooner, I would have.' Rodolphus said.

'You tried, remember? Anne asked.

Rodolphus sighed. 'Yes, I remember.

'So, you good?' Anne asked.

'It's just not the right time.' Rodolphus said.

*Flashback two*

Anne pulled away from Rodolphus, staring at a much too happy Bellatrix.

'Bella?' Rodolphus asked, laughing. 'What's going on?'

'I've got the most splendid news!' Bellatrix said, grinning.

Anne was frightened by Bellatrix's happiness.

'Is it... did the prisoners talk?' Rodolphus asked.

'No, this is even better!' Bellatrix squealed, happily.

Anne was getting anxious. Bellatrix does not sequel.

'Bella, tell me, what is it?' Rodolphus asked, grinning at his wife's excitement.

'I just came back from St. Mungo's.' Bellatrix said slowly, keeping Rodolphus in suspense. 'And they told me...I'm pregnant!'

Bellatrix laughed with joy, and Rodolphus joined in. He began to cheer.

Anne stood there, shocked.

'Wait! What will happen to my children?' Anne asked.

Rodolphus finally stopped. He had forgotten Anne was there.

'Well, we don't need your children.' Bellatrix said. 'I'm going to have a child of my own.'

'That's not what I asked!' Anne exclaimed.

'Anne, calm down.' Rodolphus instructed.

'Oh, let her get worked up.' Bellatrix said. 'It doesn't matter now, if she miscarries the baby.'

'Why wouldn't it matter?' Anne asked, a dangerous tone in her voice.

'Because Mistress, we're getting rid of your kids anyways.' Bellatrix said. 'Isn't that right Roddy?'

'Rodolphus?' Anne asked.

'We'll...talk later, Mistress.' Rodolphus said, with some difficulty.

'NO!' Anne screamed. 'Talk later? What're you going to do with my children!'

'Kill them.' Bellatrix said, with a smile.

'I kill you, you little BTICH!' Anne screamed, charging at Bellatrix.

Rodolphus grabbed her before she could touch Bellatrix, and held her back.

'Annabelle, my wife is pregnant! Stop this!' Rodolphus yelled.

'Your wife? I'm pregnant too!' Anne screamed. 'For the third time with our child! It was because of your wife that I lost the first baby. I gave you a son!'

'Now I will.' Bellatrix said. 'And I'll kill your little boy, myself, as Roddy promised me.'

'How could you?' Anne screamed. 'I'LL KILL YOU!'

Rodolphus dragged Anne out of the room.

'Calm down.' Rodolphus said, once more.

'No! How could you?' Anne screamed. 'My babies! Rodolphus, you can't do this! I've done everything you've asked!'

'Annabelle, I know, but this is different.' Rodolphus said. 'This is my wife we're talking about.'

'I'll kill her!' Anne screamed. 'I swear to Merlin, I'll do it!'

'You're not thinking straight.' Rodolphus said.

'No, you're not thinking straight!' Anne yelled. 'You promised me you wouldn't hurt anyone else I love! YOU PROMISED ME!

'My promises to Bella mean more.' Rodolphus said. 'I'm sorry.'

'He's your heir! He's your son, Rodolphus! Your first ever son!' Anne exclaimed, hysterically.

'He's just a bastard son.' Rodolphus said, simply.

'Rodolphus, no!' Anne shrieked. 'You can't! You can't do this! You – '

Anne clutched her stomach and whimpered.

'Rodolphus, help me, the baby...' Anne said, the pain evident in her voice.

Rodolphus gently pushed Anne away from him.

'No, Annabelle.' Rodolphus said.

'Rodolphus, please! Get me some help! Get me a healer!' Anne screamed, clutching her stomach tightly.

Rodolphus shook his head. 'I'll come check on you in a couple of hours.'

'My baby will be dead by then.' Anne screamed in pain.

'That's the point.' Rodolphus said. 'This is for the best, Anne.'

'Don't you dare leave me!' Anne screamed.

'I'm sorry, Mistress.' Rodolphus said, before leaving the room.

*Flashback Three*

Rodolphus opened the door, and found Anne asleep on the bed.

He walked over to her, and her eyes fluttered opened.

'Hi.' She whispered.

'Hi.' Rodolphus replied.

Anne smiled.

'We've got a miracle baby.' Anne said, happily.

'What?' Rodolphus asked, confused.

'The baby didn't die.' Anne replied.

'But, I thought...' Rodolphus trailed off.

'I thought so too.' Anne said. 'And I bled too. SO much. I thought it was going to die. But it didn't, Rodolphus! I still have morning sickness, and it's kicking, and I've gotten bigger. It should be here any day now.'

'No, Annabelle, it can't...you can't – '

'You never told me. Is it a girl, or another boy?' Anne asked.

'Um, a girl.' Rodolphus replied.

Anne grinned. 'A strong little girl, just like her mommy.'

'No, Annabelle!' Rodolphus exclaimed, exasperated. 'We can't keep it! She has to go.'

'No.' Anne said, simply. 'It's my baby, my little girl. I'm not letting anything happen to her.'

'Annabelle, Bella thinks – '

'I don't care what Bellatrix thinks!' Anne said. 'It's my baby not hers. She's having her own baby, she's not in charge of mine anymore.'

'Annabelle, I don't want any children that don't belong to my wife.' Rodolphus said.

'If my babies go, Rodolphus, then so do I.' Anne said, stubbornly. 'You kill them, then you kill me.'

'You can't make me choose between my wife and mistress, Annabelle.' Rodolphus said. 'You can't win.'

'And yet, I'm still here.' Anne said.

Rodolphus gritted his teeth.

'I can kill this baby, and make sure you still live.' Rodolphus told Anne.

'Perhaps, but you can't watch me every second of every day.' Anne said. 'Don't think for a second, that if I get the chance, I wouldn't slash my wrists or slice my own throat open.'

Rodolphus shook his head. 'You're crazy.'

Anne smirked at him. 'You don't know the half of it.'

'You need help.' Rodolphus said. 'I'll have someone look after you twenty four hours a day. I can do that, Mistress.'

'It only takes one mistake, one error, one lapse in judgement and just like that,' Anne said, snapping her fingers, 'I'm gone. Dead.'

'You're lying.' Rodolphus said.

'You wanna kill my baby and find out?' Anne asked.

'You didn't even want her!' Rodolphus exclaimed.

'I didn't want any of them!' Anne said, laughing. 'Yet, I was distraught when I first miscarried, I took care of Alexander and loved him with all my heart, and I'll do the same with this one!'

'Bella won't put up with this, Anne.' Rodolphus said, angrily. 'We have to get rid of them!'

'No.' Anne said, smiling sweetly.

'You're getting on my nerves, Anne.' Rodolphus hissed. 'From now on, you better watch what you do, because I swear to Merlin, I will kill you.'

Anne smiled. 'You called me Anne.'

'Remember what I said.' Rodolphus said, angrily. 'Don't say I didn't warn you.'

'Does this mean I get to keep the kids?' Anne asked, as Rodolphus began to walk away.

'You wanna leave your bastard kids with me?' Rodolphus asked. 'I guess you are a bad mother.'

'You wouldn't hurt them.' Anne said.

'Who are you trying to convince here?' Rodolphus asked.

Anne said nothing, as Rodolphus left the room.

*Flashback Four*

'What do you mean you won't kill them?' Bellatrix asked.

'Don't overwork yourself, Sweetheart.' Rodolphus said. 'I just wanted to be honest with you.'

'But Rodolphus, why?' Bellatrix asked, desperately trying to remain calm.

'Because she makes some good points.' Rodolphus said. 'We can't kill pureblood babies. That defeats our purposes for the war.'

'But Roddy, they're bastards!' Bellatrix exclaimed.

'I know that.' Rodolphus said. 'And believe me, Bella, I'll remember it. They mean nothing to me.'

'You're sure?' Bellatrix asked, uncertainly.

'Yes.' Rodolphus said. 'We'll send them off somewhere or something, who knows? You just keep that baby healthy, okay?'

Bellatrix sighed. 'Okay.'

'If she does anything wrong...' Rodolphus trailed off.

'You're not really going to, are you?' Bellatrix asked.

'I believe I may.' Rodolphus said, nodding. 'It's not the right time, Bella.'

'I just don't think you'll go through with it, that's all.' Bellatrix commented.

'I think people will be surprised by what I can do.' Rodolphus said.

*Flashback Five*

'Keep her around, Rodolphus.' Lucius said. 'She'll adjust or something, I don't know.'

'But I don't know if she will.' Rodolphus said. 'You don't hear her threatening Bella, Lucius.'

'Anne's not the threatening type.' Lucius muttered.

'Yeah, well you should hear the things she says she's going to do to Bella.' Rodolphus said. 'She's not...my Anne anymore.'

'Can you blame her?' Lucius asked. 'Right now, her kids are all she has and she could lose them.'

'When the war is over...' Rodolphus trailed off.

'She'll adjust.' Lucius said, determined.

'If she doesn't, she's gone.' Rodolphus said. 'I've got my family to think about.'

*Flashback Six*

'You've got guests.' Anne said, sweetly to Rodolphus.

Rodolphus sighed. 'I've got to go out.'

'I know. I told them, but they wouldn't listen.' Anne replied. 'They're Deatheaters.'

'I'll go talk to them.' Rodolphus said. 'But I'm in a hurry.'

'I know.' Anne said, smiling.

Rodolphus scoffed. 'Why so sweet all of a sudden?'

'Sorry.' Anne said. 'I know I've been giving you a hard time.'

'Just keep that baby happy.' Rodolphus said. 'Oh, and Bella's asleep, so don't disturb her.'

Anne smiled. 'Wouldn't dream of it.'

Rodolphus narrowed his eyes at her. 'I mean it, Sorelli.'

Anne smirked. 'Got it, Lestrange. I wouldn't want to disturb your precious wife's sleep. I mean, she is about to give birth any day now...wait, that's me!'

'I don't have time for this!' Rodolphus hissed. 'I'm late. Show my guests the way out!'

Rodolphus angrily left the room, and left a smiling Anne.

*Flashback Seven*

'Anne! ANNE!' Rodolphus yelled, running towards her.

'Is that... Is that Bella?' Rodolphus asked, in a panic.

Anne smiled, and nodded. 'Yes, that's her.'

'What's going on? Are you okay? Is she okay?' Rodolphus yelled.

'I'm fine.' Anne sat down, rubbing her stomach. 'And so is the baby.'

'And Bella?' Rodolphus asked.

'Oh yeah, maybe you should go and check on her. She lost her baby.' Anne said.

'What?' Rodolphus yelled.

'I threatened one of the Deatheaters to help me kill the baby, and then rape her.' Anne said, casually.

'WHAT?' Rodolphus roared.

He turned and began to run upstairs.

'WHERE IS HE?' Rodolphus ran down, a little too late.

'There.' Anne said, pointing to a dead body. 'He came down and I killed him. How's Bella?'

Rodolphus looked at Anne with murderous eyes. 'How's Bellatrix? HOW'S BELLATRIX?'

Anne nodded. 'Yes, how is she?'

Rodolphus grabbed her arms. 'YOU LITTLE BITCH! WHAT DID YOU DO?'

He raised his hand, as if to slap her.

Anne gasped. 'Rodolphus! My baby!'

Rodolphus hissed in anger and let go of Anne. The murderous expression never left his face.

'I'm going to kill you.' Rodolphus said, angrily. 'Mark my words, Anne, when that baby comes out, the first thing I'm going to do is kill you!'

Anne rubbed her stomach once more. 'Oh, and did I tell you that I made sure that your wife can't have any more kids?'

Rodolphus yelled in anger and called his house elves.

'Master Lestrange?' It squeaked.

'Go upstairs and get wife to a healer!' He yelled. 'Make sure she doesn't die!'

He glared at Anne once more, before apparating out of his house.

*Flashback Eight*

Nobody had time to look surprised. Rodolphus ran straight at Sirius, who was still chained and began to punch him, and kick him with all his strength.

'Rodolphus!' Lucius yelled, running towards Sirius and his friend.

He tried pulling him off.

'Back up, Lucius!' Rodolphus roared.

He pulled out his wand and began cursing Sirius, who was hissing and groaning in pain.

Lucius pulled out his own wand, and Rodolphus was sent flying back.

'What's the matter with you?' Lucius exclaimed.

'Bella lost the baby! Rodolphus yelled.

He screamed as if he were the one in pain.

'Oh boo hoo.' Sirius managed to sputter out.

Rodolphus got up and glared at him.

'I wish you could see your precious Anne now! I wish you could see that little whore!' Rodolphus screamed, running forward to attack Sirius again.

'Rodolphus! We have to keep him alive!' Lucius said, annoyed.

'She did it, you know!' Rodolphus said, harshly to Sirius. 'That little bitch had my baby killed.'

'What are you talking about?' Lucius asked. 'Rodolphus, what's going on?'

Rodolphus just continued to yell at Sirius.

'She was always the little Slytherin, wasn't she? You should've seen how she stood there and smiled as she told me my baby was dead!' Rodolphus yelled. 'She stood there all happy as she told me how she got a Deatheater to kill Bella's baby, and rape her!'

Sirius began to turn very pale.

'Anne wouldn't do that.' Sirius said, as calmly as he could manage.

'Oh yes, she would. She spent days threatening my wife, and now she has succeeded!' Rodolphus roared. 'Now my wife is barren!'

Rodolphus was out of control. He was so angry, and wanted to kill everyone in sight. His baby was dead, his heir was gone. His wife was raped, and would never be able to have children again. And it was all because of his beloved mistress. All because of Anne.

'Anne hated Bella but she would never do any such thing!' Sirius yelled. 'You're lying!'

'You think I'm making it up?' Rodolphus hissed. 'I wish it wasn't real! I hate that little bitch! SHE KILLED MY BABY! SHE HURT MY WIFE!'

'She wouldn't!' Sirius insisted.

He was growing paler every second.

'Rodolphus, where is Bella?' Lucius asked, slowly.

'Hospital.' Rodolphus said, his voice cracking. 'You didn't see her, Lucius...'

'How could this happen?' Lucius asked.

He was very confused. Sirius was very confused.

Frankly, even Rodolphus was confused.

Rodolphus just shook his head, unable to answer.

He looked at Sirius one last time. 'Remember this day, Black. This is the day Anne signed her own death warrant!'

Rodolphus now looked at Lucius.

'After Anne finishes giving birth, I'm getting rid of her.' Rodolphus said, sincerely. 'I'll never forgive her for this!'

Rodolphus began to shout incoherently and took his anger out on Sirius.

This went on until Lucius managed to get some reinforcements to drag Rodolphus away.

*Flashback Nine*

'Do you need anything?' Rodolphus asked, coming into Anne's room.

'Just your company.' Anne replied, with a small smile.

Rodolphus walked in, and sat down, beside Anne.

'Give me a smile.' Anne requested.

Rodolphus gave her a smirk instead.

'Sorry, love, smiles aren't natural for me.' Rodolphus replied, honestly.

Anne knew this was true. The times she had seen him really smile were at herself, at Bellatrix, or those long missed days at Hogwarts as they played Quidditch, or when they were partying in the common room. Now seeing a smile on Rodolphus, especially recently, was rare.

'I love you.' Anne said.

Rodolphus kissed the top of her head in response.

'Won't you say it?' Anne asked, quietly.

'I love you.' Rodolphus said.

It didn't sound forced or fake to Anne, but something about the way he said it felt wrong.

'Can you get Narcissa and Lucius to visit me?' Anne asked.

'Any particular reason why?' Rodolphus asked.

'Should I have a reason?' Anne asked, slowly

'I stand by what I said before.' Rodolphus answered, harshly.

'Then I suppose I should say goodbye.' Anne said, coldly.

Rodolphus kissed Anne again.

If these days were going to be their last days together, then Rodolphus was determined to keep her happy, and at peace as much as he possibly can.

'Bella and I are going out later.' Rodolphus announced. 'Lucius and Narcissa can come over then.'

'I didn't do anything wrong.' Anne said. 'I didn't do anything that she hasn't done to me. She killed my baby when I was fourteen.'

'I'm not discussing this, Anne.' Rodolphus said, with a note of finality in his voice.

'Nothing happened to Bella when she pushed me down the stairs.' Anne continued. 'But you cut me off because I lost your baby.'

'You had my wife raped, Anne.' Rodolphus said, calmly.

'Since when did rape become so unforgivable in your world?' Anne asked. 'Everything I learned, I learned it from you.'

Rodolphus forced a smile onto his face, thinking that perhaps if he smiled at her, she would drop the subject.

'You're right, smiles aren't natural for you.' Anne commented.

'I liked it better when you were a naive thirteen year old.' Rodolphus said.

'You used to yell at me for being so naive.' Anne reminded him.

'Yeah, well, I think I preferred your innocence.' Rodolphus said. 'You don't have that anymore.'

'Whose fault is that?' Anne asked.

'Another time.' Rodolphus said. 'Maybe another lifetime, it'll work.'

'Maybe in the next life, I'll be in Gryffindor.' Anne said, with a sigh.

'With Sirius?' Rodolphus asked, before he could stop himself.

'Yes, and you can have your beautiful family with Bellatrix.' Anne said, with her own forced smile.

'Either way, I'd have to kill you.' Rodolphus said, casually.

'You're right, Rodolphus.' Anne suddenly said. 'Things were better when I was thirteen.'

Rodolphus nodded, happy that the subject was finally dropped.

*Flashback Ten*

Anne sighed and touched her rounded stomach.

'It's going to be so painful.' Anne commented. 'When I gave birth to Alexander, I thought I was going to die.

'It's the whole mistress thing.' Rodolphus said to her. 'You're not meant to have children.'

'Oh...so birth isn't actually supposed to be that painful?' Anne asked.

'No.' Rodolphus replied.

'Great.' Anne said, with a sigh.

'I have a potion for you.' Rodolphus said. 'To ease the pain.'

Anne smiled at him. 'Thank you.'

Rodolphus just nodded, not taking his eyes off his son.

'If I'm not able to comfort you while you're giving birth, I apologize.' Rodolphus said.

'Why?' Anne asked. 'Won't you be here?'

'I will, but as you give birth, I feel some of the pain too.' Rodolphus explained. 'It's hard to even stand up.'

'Try giving birth.' Anne said, nervously. 'I passed out last time.'

Rodolphus nodded and was about to reply, when Anne suddenly screamed.

A second later, Rodolphus hissed in pain.

Alexander started crying.

Rodolphus quickly called the house elves.

'Get the healers and get my son back to his nursery!' Rodolphus ordered.

They did as they were told, and soon, the healers arrived to assist Anne with her birth.

Rodolphus took a vial out of his pocket.

'Give this to her!' Rodolphus commanded.

A screaming Anne, struggled to drink the potion.

'Rodolphus, it hurts!' Anne screamed.

Rodolphus grabbed a hold of her hand, whilst wincing in pain.

'It will be okay.' Rodolphus said, repeatedly.

Anne was in labour for a fairly long time. It seemed the baby did not want to come out. Anne spent hours screaming. She didn't pass out, to her surprise, but she wished that she would.

'Push!' The healer insisted. 'Keep your strength up!'

'I can't!' Anne screamed.

She was sobbing with the pain.

'Rodolphus! The potion isn't working!' Anne screamed, tightening her hold on his hand.'

Rodolphus, who has also been in pain for a while, said through gritted teeth. 'Yes it is. It's just in your head.'

*Flashback Eleven*

'Can I see her?' Anne asked, weakly.

Rodolphus handed her over.

'She's beautiful.' Anne said, rocking her baby back and forth, calming her daughter's cries.

'I've named her Serena.' Rodolphus said.

'Serena.' Anne said, happily.

'Give her to me now.' Rodolphus ordered.

Anne shook her head. 'Let me hold her. Bring Alexander here too!'

Rodolphus held his hands out.

'I wouldn't let Alexander go for the longest time.' Anne said, with a smile.

'I want to hold my daughter too.' Rodolphus said. 'I never had the chance to hold my son when he was first born.

'She looks like me.' Anne said with a smile. 'She has your eyes, though.'

Rodolphus nodded, still holding out his arms.

Anne passed her daughter to him.

'Isn't she beautiful?' Anne asked.

'I'll be back.' Rodolphus said, leaving the room with Serena in his arms.

Anne assumed Rodolphus was going to get the healers now.

He returned shortly, with no healers, and no Serena in his arms.

'Where is everybody?' Anne asked, exhausted.

'Alexander and Serena are in their cribs.' Rodolphus said, stoically.

Anne was going to request that Rodolphus bring them to her, but he walked over in such a rush, and grabbed her by the arm.

'Rodolphus!' She yelled, unbelievably tired.

Rodolphus tightened his hold. 'Get up!'

His voice was so cold, Anne was shocked into silence.

'Rodolphus, I can't.' Anne said, frightened. 'I can't stand.'

This didn't stop Rodolphus from pulling her off the bed. Anne could barely keep herself up, but Rodolphus dragged her to the other room.

He let go of her once they got to the next room, and Anne lost her balance.

'Rodolphus, please I'm so tired.' Anne said, breathing heavily.

'Sign these.' Rodolphus said, throwing some papers at her. 'Our kids will go by Lestrange, not Sorelli.'

Anne nodded and didn't protest.

Rodolphus's demeanour had changed so much in the last few seconds that Anne couldn't bring herself to refuse.

She officially signed the papers declaring her children to be Alexander Lestrange and Serena Lestrange.

She paused, however, as she came to the third set of papers.

'I-I can't sign this.' Anne stuttered.

'Why?' Rodolphus asked, coldly.

'I-I'm not changing my name.' Anne said, quietly. 'I'm a Sorelli, n-not a Lestrange.'

Rodolphus pointed his wand at Anne, who at once, began to scream and shake on the floor.

Rodolphus lifted the curse, and Anne threw up, unable to handle the pain.

She was coughing violently.

Rodolphus raised his wand again.

'Please no more!' Anne managed to gasp out.

Rodolphus cleaned up the mess Anne made on the floor.

'Sign the papers.' Rodolphus ordered again, this time more harshly.

'Why?' Anne asked, frightened.

'It's the one last thing I have to do to make you mine.' Rodolphus said, with a cruel smirk on his face. 'Sign it, you fucking whore.'

Anne couldn't even get herself to be angry. She was so weak, and so exhausted. She was covered in blood and sweat, and had a pounding headache on top of it all. All she wanted to do was go to sleep.

Rodolphus cursed her once more.

'Crucio!'

He didn't hold it for too long, however, and lifted it within seconds.

'Okay!' Anne screamed.

The pain wasn't worth it. It was just a name.

She didn't know if Rodolphus had just lost his mind or something, but she decided it was best just to listen to him. Nothing good would happen if she refused his request.

When Anne signed the papers, Rodolphus picked them up and set them on the table.

Afterwards, he proceeded to grab Anne once more and drag her into the hallways.

'Rodolphus, please let me rest, I'm so tired.' Anne pleaded. 'Whatever it is, we can discuss it later.'

'We're not discussing anything.' Rodolphus said, letting go of Anne, once more.

Anne held onto the railing, as they were near the staircase. She kept herself up.

Rodolphus, then, threw something to her.

'My wand.' Anne said, surprised.

Rodolphus took his own wand out.

'You can fight for your life.' Rodolphus stated. 'Winner lives.'

Anne's eyes widened slightly.

'If you win, feel free to do whatever you like.' Rodolphus stated. 'Everything I have is under your son's name, and until he is of age, it all goes to you. My money, the mansion, everything.'

Anne shook her head.

'I took the liberty of placing her daughter's name under the Sorelli fortune.' Rodolphus said. 'I hope you don't mind.'

'I don't wanna kill you!' Anne tried to scream.

However, her voice was so hoarse from her previous screaming.

'Then I suppose I will win!' Rodolphus stated, triumphantly.

'Rodolphus, don't do this!' Anne begged. 'I'm sorry. Okay, I'll even go apologize to Bellatrix. You know I will!'

'I'm not joking around here, mistress.' Rodolphus stated. 'I'm not playing any more games. You crossed the line and now you will pay for it with your life.'

'This isn't even fair!' Anne screamed. 'I can't even stand! I could barely talk or even keep my eyes open!'

'That's not my problem.' Rodolphus said. 'I told you this would happen as soon as you finish giving birth.'

'Rodolphus, think of our children!' Anne exclaimed.

'We start in three, two, one.' Rodolphus said, shooting a curse.

Anne managed to block the first few.

She knew Rodolphus was just humouring her, and playing around. He wasn't really trying. Anne was convinced he was just trying to scare her, and to make her cry.

Rodolphus shot another spell, and Anne lost her balance, and fell to the ground, her wand out of reach.

Rodolphus came towards her.

'Accio wand!' he said, and then gave it back to Anne.

This is when Anne was sure he was just playing around.

'Strike one.' Rodolphus said.

They started dulling once more. Anne couldn't get a single shot to hit Rodolphus, she was too weak. She couldn't move, couldn't think, and most importantly couldn't concentrate on her magic.

Flashes of red, blue, purple and other colours flew all around her.

Anne was still frightened, as Rodolphus muttered some pretty dark curses.

None of them hit her, and again, Anne assumed he was just trying to scare her. She was, of course, frightened beyond her wits.

Again, Anne fell to the ground, with her wand out of reach.

Rodolphus came over and did the same thing.

'Strike two.' He said.

Anne got up again, but could not do anything. She was out of energy, and before she knew it, her wand flew out of her hands, and she was slammed into the ground.

She used all her energy just to sit up.

To Rodolphus's surprise, Anne was not crying the least bit. She looked frightened, and most of all heartbroken.

'Strike three.' Rodolphus said, in a whisper.

Anne was shaking.

'Muggle sayings?'

'I thought it'd be ironic.' Rodolphus said, before adding, 'You filthy, Muggle loving traitor.'

'I'm going to pass out.' Anne said, softly.

'I'll be finished with you by then.' Rodolphus said.

Anne looked Rodolphus in the eyes, and Rodolphus slapped her.

'God help that son of yours.' Rodolphus spat. 'What misfortune he has, having the eyes of a worthless bitch.'

'Rodolphus...' Anne whispered.

'Three strikes and you're gone.' Rodolphus said.

And with one final flick of his wand, Anne lay motionless.

Rodolphus stood up and looked over her body for a few seconds.

'Mama!'

Rodolphus turned around and saw his son crawling towards his mother's unmoving figure.

Rodolphus picked him up.

'Didn't I keep you in your crib?' Rodolphus asked, knowingly.

'Mama!' Alexander exclaimed once more.

'Your mama would've been proud at your first bit of magic.' Rodolphus stated. 'Did you try to come and save her?'

Alexander pointed towards his mother.

'You're too late.' Rodolphus said. 'She's gone.'

Alexander, obviously not understanding, kept pointing to his mother and saying, 'Mama!'

'Rodolphus?'

Rodolphus looked up to see his wife.

Bellatrix looked from his husband to the lying figure.

'You did it.' Bellatrix said, in disbelief.

'Yes, take him.' Rodolphus said, giving Alexander to his wife. 'I'll get rid of her.'

Bellatrix nodded. 'And the girl?'

'Serena is in the nursery.' Rodolphus said. 'Do me a favour, Bella, keep these bastards away from me as much as possible. Merlin help that girl if she grows up to look like her whore of a mother. I swear I'll keep her locked up for the rest of her life.'

Bellatrix nodded, and with Alexander in her arms, she walked back into the nursery.

'Mama!' Alexander said, ready to cry.

Bellatrix looked at him. 'I'm your mama.'

She reached Serena's crib.

'I'm both your mama's.' Bellatrix said.

Rodolphus did not move, and instead kept looking at his mistress's body. He felt paralyzed and stood there watching her, as if she would move again.

He sat down next to her, after a while.

'I always did say I would kill you.' Rodolphus said, simply.

Now, all he had to do was wait for the Dark Lord's victory. His new life can begin at last, and everything will be as it should. He can have his renaissance.

*End Flashback*

Rodolphus sighed. Nobody thought he would do it. Nobody thought he'd ever be able to live his life without Anne.

But he proved them all wrong.

When Rodolphus wanted something, he always got it. Rodolphus Lestrange did not ask for favours, but when he did, he made it worthwhile.

He's asked favours before, but only to the Dark Lord. They all had something to do with Anne.

One, he asked the Dark Lord for permission to use his Deatheaters, and be placed in charge of the murder of two Aurors: Michael and Alexia Sorelli.

Two, he asked the Dark Lord if he could have permission to make a Pureblood girl his official mistress.

Three, he asked the Dark Lord not to take Anne for himself.

Four, he asked the Dark Lord to find a way to make Anne his official mistress, after the ritual was left incomplete and was therefore a fail.

Five, he asked the Dark Lord to invent yet another potion for him. A potion that would put Anne to sleep until he decided to wake her up. A potion that will not age her, but a potion that will shut down every system in her body. A potion that will come into effect after a certain spell only known by him and the Dark Lord.

No, he didn't kill Anne. He didn't want her out of his life forever, just momentarily. He did want Anne to think that he would truly kill her, however. He wanted Anne to live the rest of her life, after he woke her up, having that fear of death hanging over her.

Rodolphus needed Anne away from his family, so she couldn't influence his children. He needed Anne gone until the war was over, so she couldn't help influence the outcome. Rodolphus needed Anne gone, because he just couldn't forgive her, because he hated her, and because she had too much of an effect on him, because they really were on even playing fields, even if Anne didn't know it.

He knew Anne had a weakness for pain. He knew she would take the strange potion without question if she was lead to believe it will diminish the pain of giving birth. Rodolphus knew Anne never believed he would kill her, but he also knew her intense fear of death.

Rodolphus knew that if faced with death, he could make her do anything. The children, they were Lestranges. The name Sorelli meant nothing to anyone. Anne was forced into giving her children his name. Even Annabelle Sorelli did not exist. Rodolphus knew that at one point in his life, he'd bring Anne back, and when she came, she'd be Annabelle Lestrange.

Rodolphus Lestrange kept his perfect, seventeen year old mistress asleep, and practically dead for nearly a decade. It gave him enough time to force his ideals upon his children, enough time to win the war, enough time to become ruler of the world, enough time to grow wiser, enough time to increase his magical ability, enough time to make sure that he had a far greater upper hand over Anne.

And when things were perfect for him, Rodolphus decided to bring his mistress back.

Because of course, the world revolves around Rodolphus Lestrange.

Author's Note: Okay there, I tried to explain it! I hope it made sense. If you have any questions just ask. I couldn't decide whether to give an explanation within a chapter, or just explain it in my author's note. I figured putting it in a chapter would allow it to be part of the story more. I'm sure I couldn't explain it all in an Author's Note, it would be far too long. But, I'll still give the gist of it here. Rodolphus had doubts about Anne and the effect she'll have on the war, and on the raising of his children. Unless she was willing to change and accept his ideals, he planned on giving her a potion (which he requested the Dark Lord to make for him), that would ultimately shut her down for however long Rodolphus chose. A spell was needed for Rodolphus to put her to sleep and to wake her up, and once she did wake up, Anne was exactly as she was before she took the potion. Meaning, she is still seventeen and still very young, in a very real sense. Obviously, when Anne ruined Rodolphus's chance of having a family with Bellatrix, he snapped, and set his mind that he was indeed going to "kill" Anne.

I would like to add, I never used the words, Avada Kedavra." Anne's body just went limp, and she was no longer moving. It was the effects of the potion to just shut her entire body system down.

So, this potion is sort of like Draught of the Living Dead, but much stronger, and I'm guessing, with slightly different effects, and of course, spell work.

- Rosalie L.