Andromeda continued her exploration of the rooms, eventually settling on a bedroom near the stairs that was not too badly in need of cleaning. At least not compared to the other rooms, she amended as she set about clearing the cobwebs from the corners of the full sized four poster bed. The walls were bare as well, which while perhaps depressing considering the peeling and chipped wallpaper, was better in her opinion than a portrait that would hurl slurs and abuse at her. She did not look forward to the time when Aunt Walburga's portrait was inevitably disturbed, as it surely would be with people traipsing in and out of the house.
But that was a concern for another day, she decided. Fat spiders scurried out of the forest green curtains, which had been pinned open at the sides of the bed, when she gave them an experimental shake. The amount of dust that flew into the air was not appealing either.
Aside from the bedroom, the only other pieces of furniture in the room were a small writing desk and an old wooden wardrobe with chipped black paint. She was sure it had been a handsome piece at one time, like most of the house had been. Flicking her wand, the curtains flew open, giving the room a bit more light. Not much, as the windows were filthy and in desperate need of having the grime cleared off, but it was better than what was provided by the old gas lamps on either side of the door.
Bellatrix rushed over to the window and put her front paws up on the windowsill, her nose pressed up against the glass. She whined slightly.
"It's okay, Bella," Andromeda said, pointing her wand at the bed curtains without taking her eyes off of Bellatrix. "Maybe I can take you..." She rubbed at her eyes, unable to believe what she was about to say. "Maybe I can take you for a walk when things settle down." But even as she said it, she knew it was unlikely. Bellatrix would draw too much attention, even if she could manage to pass her off as exotic breed of dog.
Bellatrix continued to stare out the window as Andromeda cleaned.
Andromeda made fairly short work of the room. It was far from welcoming, but it would do for right then. The spiders had been chased out of the bed curtains, the cobwebs cleaned from them, and the dust removed from the sheets. She cleaned the glass on the gas lamps which added a bit more light to the room. The candle on the writing desk and the candelabra on the nightstand where dusted off and lit, giving the room of a warm glow of light. The windows she suspected might prove trickier due to the layers of dust and dirt and other things that had accumulated both on the inside and outside of it. But she felt she could sleep safely that night without being woken to a nasty surprise - probably, anyway, she thought with a grimace.
Bellatrix growled low. Andromeda skirted around the bed and stopped behind Bellatrix, peering out the window. It did not take long to spot what upset her. A taxi idled outside the house next door. A man and a woman fought in an upper room as the woman shoved clothes into a suitcase. Gesturing wildly, shouting loud enough that Andromeda could hear their voices though she could not make out what they were saying. The man ripped the curtains of the bedroom closed, and Andromeda felt a sick swooping sensation in her gut. But a minute later the woman walked out the front door, tossed her bag into the trunk of the taxi, got into the back and slammed the door behind her. The taxi pulled away from the curb. Music began playing from the house, a loud stereo booming.
Andromeda swallowed. "Come away from the window, Bella," she said, gently tugging at Bellatrix. Bellatrix refused to budge. "Get away from the window!" She shoved Bellatrix back down onto all fours. Bellatrix made a noise of surprise. Andromeda yanked the curtains closed. The room became significantly darker. Tears pricked her eyes.
She hated this house. She hated this neighborhood. She hated her parents and her aunt and uncle and everyone and everything -
Bellatrix nudged her side and whined.
Andromeda's fingers still clutched the dust laden curtains. She gasped for breath, the smell of rotten wood so strong she could almost taste it on her tongue. "I'm sorry, Bella. I'm sorry."
How often had their parents fought, their screams filling Black Manor until Mother had stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind her? How often had Andromeda and Narcissa cowered in Bellatrix's room, the three of them cuddled together, one on each side of Bellatrix, as she tried to distract them from the sounds? How many times had Narcissa tearfully whispered, "When is Mother coming back?" because none of them had known if this was the time she left for good? She could not count the number of times that Bellatrix had coaxed the two of them down to the dinning room for supper despite Father having retreated to his study. Pinky would serve them food, and when Narcissa was too young to feed herself, Pinky and Bellatrix would take turns helping her. Bellatrix would have done it all herself if not for Pinky's insistence that she do it so that Bellatrix could eat. Bellatrix, normally unyielding, compromised when Andromeda pointed out that if Bellatrix did not eat then Pinky could get in trouble.
Andromeda sat on the edge of the bed and buried her face in her hands. She had relatively few happy memories of her childhood. Fewer still that did not revolve around her sisters. Even those were tainted, bittersweet with the knowledge that those memories did not mean anything to Narcissa and Bellatrix. How else could they have tossed her aside so easily?
And yet...
Bellatrix whined and shoved her head between Andromeda's elbows, which rested on her knees, in order to place her head in Andromeda's lap. At her most vulnerable, Bellatrix seemed to have some memory of her. But what this meant, Andromeda could not say. Did it mean anything? That Bellatrix took for granted that Andromeda would love and protect her meant nothing as to whether Bellatrix actually loved her in return.
Andromeda stroked the top of Bella's head with a sad smile. "I shouldn't get my hopes up. I know better than that. Or rather...I should know better than that." Bellatrix peered up at her. Andromeda kissed the top of her head. "I should know better. But my hopes were already up as soon as I saw you in that cave. Merlin, I missed you. As pathetic as it is, I missed you so much."
Bellatrix licked Andromeda's face. Andromeda could not help but start to giggle. If anyone had told her this would happen, she would have thought them completely mad. As it was, she could not feel certain she was not going mad after all. The whole situation was so surreal.
"Am I losing my mind, Bella? What do you think? You feel real, but I'm sure that doesn't mean anything..." She sighed. "I feel like I'm losing my mind..."
Her stomach growled. Shaking herself, she pulled herself from her depressing and confused thoughts and plastered a reassuring smile on her face. "Come on. Let's go see what Kreacher has kept the house stocked with. Hopefully there's something you can eat."
The food stores in the house were pitiful. About what she had expected given that Kreacher had lived alone for ten years with only himself to care for, but it was slightly better than she had expected. Either Dumbledore or perhaps Kreacher, on Sirius's orders, had gotten fresh fruits and vegetables as well as some meats. Andromeda gave Bellatrix a raw steak after she was unable to find any pots and pans that would not have to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before use. She did not have the energy nor the inclination to do anything like that before eating that night. She did only what she had to so that she had a bowl and a fork for her salad. Reluctantly she tossed Bellatrix the raw steak with a grimace, figuring she had undoubtedly eaten raw meat for the past fifteen years while in the Forbidden Forest. If it had not killed her yet, it would not kill her that night.
She hoped. Narcissa would have her head if it harmed Bellatrix in any way.
Once they finished eating, Andromeda felt the stress and the exhaustion of the day bearing down on her. She tossed her dishes in the sink, deciding to clean them in the morning - unless Kreacher did it first, which she highly doubted. Bellatrix plodded after her, her head dropping.
"It's been a long day for you, too, hasn't it?" she murmured as she closed the bedroom door behind Bellatrix. Bellatrix whined.
Andromeda hurriedly got ready for bed and slipped under the covers. The fabric was cool against her skin, which did not help the overall mood of the house. She stared up at the ceiling for a long moment, thinking about big and cold the bed was - the whole house really - and how much she already missed Ted, how alone she felt, when Bellatrix jumped up onto the bed. She crawled up from the foot of the bed and stretched out beside her.
Andromeda swallowed hard and rolled over, draping an arm across Bellatrix and burying her face in the fur of Bellatrix's neck. Bellatrix, who was warm and solid and alive and who seemed, on some level, to recognize her and instinctively trust her. It had been so long since she had seen either of her sisters, and while Narcissa still held fast in her beliefs, she felt that maybe, just maybe, Bellatrix had missed her. Maybe Bellatrix could be saved. Maybe she could have at least one sister back.
Not to mention that she had Sirius back as well, something she had never thought would happen. It was all so overwhelming. She hugged Bellatrix tightly. Let the warmth of Bella's body and the steady rise and fall of her sides lull her to sleep.
She wasn't sure how long it was before she was awoken by a shuffling in the room and Bellatrix shifting beside her. Bellatrix raised her head, ears going flat against her head and her lips pulling back from her teeth. Her eyes glowed in the dim light of the moon. Feeling a sense of dread in the pit of her stomach, she rolled over to see what Bellatrix was looking at - and screamed. Giant round eyes glowed beside her bed.
The thing startled, jumping into the bedside table. It cursed.
"Kreacher," Andromeda shouted, furious. "Get out!"
Kreacher muttered under his breath, but in the silence of the house it carried as if he had spoken clearly. "Kreacher was only checking in on Mistress Bellatrix."
"Likely story."
Kreacher glared at her. She could only see a faint outline of his ears and his eyes still gleamed in the dark. "Poor Kreacher was only bringing Mistress Bellatrix a bowl of water, no one ensured that she would have anything to drink. Kreacher was only making sure Mistress was taken care of unlike the blood traitor."
Bellatrix snarled at that and lunged at Kreacher. He jumped back. Bellatrix stopped, her snarls quieting. She had been faking that time, but it seemed Kreacher got the message, and he hurried from the room. Bellatrix sniffed and slid off the bed. Andromeda heard her hit something metallic beside the bed and then the sound of lapping. Kreacher really had brought a bowl of water, it seemed, although why he had waited until the dead of night still eluded her.
She locked the door, checked her things and the room, but the silver bowl, now half-empty, was the only thing that appeared changed.
The next few days did not go any better. The demeanor of the house remained oppressive, between the dim lighting and run down appearance. Kreacher lurked around corners muttering insults under his breath. Bellatrix's subdued curiosity that first night did not last. Kreacher's intrusion fresh in her mind, Andromeda made the mistake of closing the bedroom door behind her when she shuffled down to the hallway to rouse Sirius the next morning.
Sirius bolted out of bed when they heard a crash, and together they sprinted back to Andromeda's room and threw the door open.
"I was only gone five minutes," Andromeda said when she found her voice again.
The curtains had been ripped down from the window, and the ones on the bed hung in ribbons. The blankets had been pulled off and shredded. A great hole had been torn in the side of the mattress, and the stuffing ripped out and strewn across the room. Bellatrix stood on the bed, a pillow case dangling from her teeth. Andromeda scanned the room, and found the pillow flung on top of the wardrobe which had been pitched sideways into the wall.
Bellatrix jumped down from the bed and raced over to Andromeda, shoving her head into Andy's stomach.
"What in the name of Merlin?" Andromeda whispered.
Sirius groaned. "Don't tell me she has separation anxiety."
Andromeda blinked. Separation anxiety? Bellatrix? But then again...
"Didn't you say she would leave her pack to spend time with you?" she asked.
"On her own terms, yes," Sirius said. He shook his head. "I can't believe this. Shit. She's used to hunting and wide open spaces. This place is a cage, and not even a good one. I told Dumbledore - "
As Sirius began to pace, Andromeda ran her hands along Bellatrix's sides soothingly. "We'll just have to keep her occupied, won't we?" A thrill of dread shot through her. A restless Bellatrix was dangerous, always had been for one reason or another.
Sirius stared at her grimly. "I'll go make some tea. You clean this up."
Andromeda bristled. She breathed in and out deeply through her nose. Only a day in this wretched house and already they fought.
It seemed Bellatrix did better when allowed to explore the house on her own terms as long as she was not locked in a room alone - or out of one, as Andromeda and Sirius discovered that afternoon while they aggressively attacked the kitchen.
Andromeda flicked her wand, sweeping away spiderwebs and cleaning pots and pans. "We could go somewhere, get out of the house a little. You could be my dog."
Sirius barked a laugh. "Can't. Wormtail will have told Voldemort all about me being an Animagus. Dumbledore wants me to stay put like a good little boy. Thinks it's too dangerous for me to leave."
Andromeda frowned. She cleaned another pot with a few waves of her wand. "We could redecorate. Take the elf heads off the walls, remove Aunt Walburga's portrait. Some new wallpaper, brighter lamps. Maybe we can make the best of this place."
Sirius scoffed. "Do what you like." His voice dropped to a mutter as he examined a hole in the bottom of a cauldron. "I'd rather burn the place down, personally."
Andromeda bristled. She did not want to be in this house any more than he did, but the situation was what it was and the least he could do was to help her make it bearable. "Sirius, we need to - "
A crash upstairs made them both freeze.
"Not again," Andromeda groaned.
Sirius flung open the kitchen door. "She's going to wake the bloody portrait - "
A horrible wailing started above them, and Sirius growled. Andromeda chased him up the stairs. She stopped dead when she saw the portrait. The curtains had flung apart, revealing a life sized painting of Aunt Walburga who looked madder than Andromeda had ever seen her. Her eyes rolled, and when she saw Andromeda she clawed at the air as though she could physically attack her.
"You!" Aunt Walburga roared. "How dare you set foot in my house, you filthy whore! Spreading your legs for that mudblood, shaming your family, tainting our blood - "
Sirius grabbed the curtains and began yanking them closed. Something brushed against Andromeda's side. Startled, she looked down to see Bellatrix stop beside her, watching the portrait cautiously. Feathers stuck to her fur; some throw pillow had met its unfortunate end.
"Animals! You bring animals in my home!" Aunt Walburga shrieked.
Bellatrix's posture changed. Her ears flattened to the sides of her head, her tail tucked under her, her legs bent as though to make herself as small as possible. She averted her gaze from the portrait.
"Bellatrix?" Andromeda asked, brow furrowing in concern.
Aunt Walburga stopped howling abruptly. "Bellatrix? My dearest Bellatrix? What have they done to you, my dear?"
"Nothing she didn't do to herself," Sirius muttered, yanking the curtains half-closed. They ripped themselves back open, nearly tossing him to the floor.
"My poor Bellatrix," Aunt Walburga crooned dangerously, "surely you are still in there somewhere. Your father's pride and joy. The heir this family deserved. Do not forget your duty to this family. Rid this house of filth!"
Bellatrix glanced up at Andromeda as Aunt Walburga spoke, still submissive. At the last command, something flashed in Bellatrix's eyes. Something dangerous and deadly and cold. Then it was gone.
Andromeda forced herself to ignore the horrible dread balling in the pit of her stomach. Grabbing one side of the curtains, she and Sirius managed to pull them closed. The house went silent.
Bellatrix slunk away, tail still between her legs, back to a drawing room where she lay down with a mangled throw pillow between her front paws and gnawed anxiously on a corner. A coffee table was flipped over onto its side, the curtains torn down, and the couch destroyed and fallen backwards, as though Bellatrix had flung herself at it and tipped it over. Sighing, Andromeda sat beside her. After a few minutes of running a hand soothingly down her back, Bellatrix began to relax under Andromeda's touch.
"What happened?" Andromeda murmured, remembering the look that flashed through Bellatrix's eyes. It had been gone so quickly... Had she simply imagined it?
Sirius entered the room. "Huh. Personally, I think the room looks better this way." He gestured to the windows, light pouring unobstructed through the film of dirt on the windows. "Much brighter."
Andromeda ran a hand over her face and heaved a deep sigh.
Despite knowing it was inevitable, the day of the Order meeting came far too quickly for Andromeda's liking. Less than a week after their arrival, people trickled into Grimmauld Place. From the banister, Andromeda watched Sirius greet them and direct them to the kitchen - the only room they had been able to make fit for company in such short time - where Albus Dumbledore waited. Bellatrix watched them intently, her ears forward. Most people Andromeda did not know, but she recognized Arthur Weasley. The woman who entered with him she assumed must be his wife. Alastor Moody she recognized instantly due to the heavy limp and thudding of his fake leg against the floor. It was a sound she had become familiar with as Nymphadora insisted on bringing him around the house whenever she could convince him to come to dinner.
Bellatrix's ears flattened against her head, and she bared her teeth, backing away from the banister when she saw Moody. He stopped halfway down the hall and glared up.
Andromeda met his gaze coolly. "Good morning, Alastor."
"Mrs Tonks," Moody said begrudgingly. They had never gotten along well, tolerating each other only for Nymphadora's sake. His magical eye focused on something slightly lower and to the left. Andromeda glanced at Bellatrix, confirming her suspicions. Bellatrix had herself pressed against the wall, but Alastor's magical eye was pointed directly at her, watching her through the floor.
His expression darkened. Andromeda realized she did not know the full extent of what Moody's eye could do. Did it reveal Animagus for who they really were?
"This had better be good, Dumbledore," Moody growled. He limped toward the kitchen door, threw it open and hobbled down the steps.
A man with long orange hair in a ponytail entered. Andromeda didn't recognize him, but he looked enough like Arthur Weasley that she thought he must be their son. With Moody gone, Bellatrix crept back to the banister to watch until Sirius waved them downstairs, signalling that everyone had arrived.
Andromeda waited with him by the door to the kitchen stairs. Bellatrix eyed the door warily.
"Dumbledore said he wanted to break the news first," Sirius began, "said he'd call us down after he told them - "
Shouting erupted from the kitchen. Andromeda grimaced. "I suspect Mad Eye broke news first. Rather indelicately at that, I would imagine." At Sirius's questioning look, she explained, "His magical eye. I believe he recognized Bellatrix when he came in."
"Not even Moody's eye can reveal an Animagus for who they are. But I'm sure he had his suspicions anyway." Sirius ran a hand over his face. "Right. Might as well go down then." Opening the door, he muttered, "This'll be fun."
As soon as he stepped inside the kitchen, the room went silent. Andromeda hesitated in the doorway, blocking the occupants from seeing Bellatrix who tried to shove her head around Andromeda to peer inside curiously. Without taking her eyes off of Sirius's back, Andromeda pushed at Bellatrix's head, preferring to keep herself between Bellatrix and the Order.
"Albus, you can't be serious," Mrs Weasley said aghast. "A Death Eater? Here? In Order Headquarters?"
"And you plan to let a Death Eater's wife just waltz in and out of here whenever she wants," Moody growled.
"Narcissa will not reveal what she knows to Voldemort," Dumbledore said.
"How can you be sure - ?" started Mrs Weasley, but Dumbledore cut her off, saying simply, "That is a matter between her and I. But I genuinely believe it will be in Bellatrix's best interests to have both of her sisters here - "
"And why do we care about a Death Eater's best interests?" Moody said, his magical eye pinned on Andromeda. Andromeda had the unsettling feeling that he was looking right through her. "What is your plan? You think Bellatrix Lestrange will just turn over a new leaf?"
"Everyone is capable of change, Alastor," Dumbledore said mildly though his gaze was pointed. "They have only to wish it. I suspect Bellatrix may be of value to the Order should she wish to change."
Moody shook his head, limping toward Andromeda. His magical eye rolled to look at Dumbledore. "And when she doesn't? When she wants to run right back to her master?"
"If she does not wish to change, we will, of course, keep her from rejoining Voldemort. She does not have a wand."
"Won't matter if she slits our throats or poisons us. Million and one ways to kill a man without a wand, Dumbledore, never forget that."
"Be that as it may," Dumbledore continued politely but firmly, "I did not make this decision lightly, Alastor. I am well aware of the crimes Bellatrix Lestrange has committed."
"This is a bad idea," Moody muttered.
"Well, I trust Dumbledore," said a horribly familiar voice, and Andromeda felt cold when her eyes landed on a shock of pink hair. She closed her eyes, throat tightening. Of course. Of course Nymphadora, her brave, wonderful, fearless daughter, had gotten involved in the Order of the Phoenix.
"Hey, Mum," Dora stood up, smiling. "Dumbledore said you'd be here. Sorry it's been a while, been busy at work and - "
Bellatrix shoved her way past Andromeda, growing impatient, and Andromeda gasped, trying to grasp a fistful of fur to stop her. The room went silent. Bellatrix stopped behind Sirius, peering around him warily. Dora stood up as though trying to get a better look.
"That's Aunt Bellatrix then, huh - lot furrier than I imagined, but - " Dora stopped suddenly, her joking demeanor gone, a curiously blank expression taking its place. Andromeda furrowed her brow, but before she could ask what was wrong, Dora said softly, "It can't be..."
Dora moved around the table and crouched down a few feet from Sirius. Bellatrix tracked her movement.
"Do you remember me?" Dora asked softly, but the room was so still and silent every word was clearly audible. "It's been a long time, but I remember you."
Bellatrix crept out from behind Sirius, who looked as confused as Andromeda felt. Neither spoke, perhaps afraid to break the moment, as Bellatrix sat before Dora, head cocked to the side.
Dora reached out a hand. Bellatrix sniffed it, and relaxed slightly, allowing Dora to pet her head.
"You saved my life. I never got the chance to thank you, you ran away so quickly...but I might have drowned if not for you."
Andromeda gasped, remembering with a jolt the story Dora had been so fond of telling after her first year in Hogwarts. She had been convinced that Dora had mistaken a stray dog for being a wolf.
"That was...are you sure that was...I mean, are you sure it wasn't a dog or...or another wolf?" Andromeda asked breathlessly. It seemed too good to be true that Dora's savior would be Bellatrix.
Dora smiled, and for the first time, something like recognition - like human recognition - entered Bellatrix's eyes, and her tongue lolled out of her mouth as she turned her head to give Andromeda a very canine grin.
Dora's smile widened. "You do remember, don't you?" She started scratching along both sides of Bellatrix's neck, and Bellatrix growled in pleasure. Dora looked at Andromeda. "It was Aunt Bella for sure. I could never forget."
"So Bellatrix Lestrange got that close to the students," Moody mumbled. Dora shot him a glare.
Dumbledore appeared unfazed. "She did indeed. However, this helps make a few things clearer."
At the questioning looks from those around the table, he continued, "There were a few strange events years ago that, while unusual, did not lead me to suspect anything greater was at play. However, the knowledge that the strange black wolf is, in fact, an Animagus solves a few interesting mysteries.
"Shortly after Bellatrix escaped capture, a group of First Years was attacked near the Forest. None were harmed, only scared. Wolves attacking the students is unheard of, much less without provocation. At the time, I suspected perhaps the wolf was sick. But as none of the children sustained any injuries, aside from some slight bruising, that theory was not completely satisfactory. I suspect now that the wolf was Bellatrix, and the attack was an attempt to procure a wand. Hagrid thwarted her plans, and she did not try again.
"I believe she must have had enough of her mind left to know who you were when she saved you, Tonks, as that was the last time I heard mention of the wolf until Sirius revealed her. I simply assumed that you must have mistaken a dog for a wolf, being so young and having almost drowned. I suspect now that Bellatrix, having nearly been caught, fled deeper into the forest and lost her mind soon after. Only Bellatrix will be able to tell us for certain, however, whether I am correct in my assumptions."
Dumbledore paused, eyes sweeping over the group. "It is too dangerous to allow Bellatrix to remain in the Forbidden Forest with Voldemort returned. Whatever your personal feelings about this plan, I imagine you all agree that it is better for her to be taken away from Hogwarts rather than risk her drawing Voldemort and the Death Eaters to the Forest looking for her."
Moody grumbled under his breath, but he did not argue the point. The rest of the Order glanced at each other, but they too remained silent. Dora continued to scratch Bellatrix all over to her delight, leaning hard into Dora's hands, pleased growls rising in volume.
"Very good," Dumbledore said.
"Albus, will she be safe around the children?" Mrs Weasley asked fearfully.
Andromeda's head snapped up. Children?
"I would keep an eye on her," Dumbledore said mildly, "but I believe you should have no problems. The more human contact she has, the better I believe."
Andromeda's eyes slid back to Dora and Bellatrix. Bellatrix leaned heavily against Dora as she scratched her sides and back, forcing Dora to lean backward, close to toppling over. Fear trickled down her spine. Uncertainty filled her. Bellatrix got along with Dora now, but would she still when - if - she regained her memories? Or would Bellatrix return to the Death Eaters? A lump formed in Andromeda's throat and fear threatened to choke her. Would Dora face Bellatrix in battle?
Suddenly, the plan seemed foolhardy and reckless, bound to fail. She glanced at Sirius, her face pale and eyes wide. He watched Dora and Bellatrix with a grim expression. He turned to her as though he had felt her watching him. Tried to offer a reassuring smile, but she could see the uncertainty in his eyes.
Moody studied her quietly. Andromeda caught him staring and quickly composed herself, but it was too late. To his credit, he didn't say anything. Only nodded in understanding. Or what she thought was understanding, but a part of Andromeda bristled at the idea that he would dare to assume he understood anything about her family or how she felt.
Sirius moved to stand beside her. "It'll be fine, Andy," he whispered, but Andromeda did not think he believed his own reassurances, "it'll work out. Your daughter will be fine."
Taking a deep, slow breath, Andromeda wished she could believe that.