From the Bottom Up

*A/N: Again, thank you for your patience. This story has developed a life of its own, which is perhaps a good thing. But it also means trying to whittle down the needless details and that some chapters flow better than others. Anyways, thank you for the wonderful feedback; it has been constructive and supportive, and absolutely needed.

When Bellatrix and Minerva Apparated onto the Council grounds, they were met by a group of young women, and an older male. Bellatrix's eyes widened as she recognized the red-head from the Department of Mysteries botched mission. A short blonde woman, power oozing from her pores, stepped forward, greeted Minerva, before staring intently at Bellatrix.

"Welcome to the New Council of Slayers, Watchers, and Witches or the New Council. I'm Buffy, the Head Slayer and this," she gestured to the only male in the group, "is Giles the President, the red-head to my right is-"

"Not another one of Weasley's whelps, is she?" Bellatrix muttered, not knowing about Slayer's superior hearing.

"Aahh, not sure who Weasley is, but no. She's a Willow; our Willow and someone whose bad-side I'd keep away from. She's head of Research and all things magical. I'm guessing by now, Will's already covered you with 'net', preventing you from attacking anyone with magic." Instead of being slightly nervous when being introduced to new people, Willow simply watched Bellatrix as if waiting for her to make a move. A 'wrong' move.

Noticing the Willow-glare, Buffy lightly nudged the red-head from her threatening stare-off. Giles directed his attention to Minerva. "Hello Headmistress. Welcome, both of you. If you'll follow us, we'll get you settled and inform you of the process Ms. Black will be immediately undergoing."

Shifting his attention back to Bellatrix, he held up his hand. "However, I need to ask: are you ready to be strong?"

As if a switch had been thrown, a little of Bellatrix the Death Eater shown through her countenance as she took a menacing step forward, causing Buffy and Willow to shift protectively near Giles. And with a hint of her usual mischievousness, she suddenly jumped at them, shouting, "Boo!" startling everyone into defensive battle postures, while Willow's eyes darkened with a deeper menace.

Rolling her eyes, Bella relaxed. "I have more strength than you can imagine and I don't need a wand to show it. Would you like me to prove it?!"

Giles held up his hand to settle everyone down. "Oh, I am quite sure you a great deal of strength. But I suspect the type of strength I'm referring to will not be the kind you imagine. Nevertheless, I need your consent."

Bellatrix locked eyes with him, measuring him even as she started to probe him through the use of Legilimency, only to have her magic stall. Indignant, she shifted her gaze to the red-head witch, until she remembered the dampening spell. Folding her arms across her chest in a fit of pique, it took some effort to halt the surge of instantaneous fury that often accompanied any instance when she was prevented from doing something she wanted.

But then she remembered those last few moments at the Manor, seeing what the Dark Lord had become, when things became so… murky and dark. Mentally stomping her foot, she sighed heavily. "Fine. You have my consent."

Nodding his head at Rowena, who stepped forward in front of Bellatrix she calmly assessed the dark witch in front of her. "Hello Bellatrix. My name is Rowena and I am the Head Priestess of the Devonshire Coven. You will become our guest for the foreseeable future."

Bellatrix had heard about this Coven, one of the most powerful in Western Europe. Many of her compatriots had dismissed Wiccan magic, but like most things related to magic, Bellatrix had been fascinated. The Black library had a few books related to Wiccan magic, particularly dark magic. But once Bellatrix fell into Voldemort's hands, she'd had little to time further her knowledge.

With a gentle smile, Rowena reached up to place her fingertips on Bellatrix's forehead. Her eyes closed as she began to silently chant. A brief glow emanated from her fingers to melt into Bellatrix's forehead. When Rowena opened her eyes, they'd grown dark. She let out a loud gasp as she removed her fingertips. Her knees suddenly grew momentarily weak; Giles and Buffy immediately grasped her upper-arms to help settle her.

Finally, swallowing heavily, Rowena's eyes cleared to became their normal, yet solemn hazel color. "I think it is safe to say that the sooner we begin the cleansing, the sooner we can save your life."

Bellatrix was momentarily stunned at the pronouncement, but then she grew resigned. Her life had not been… kind and the darkness had become like a cancer. But before she could ruminate further, a 'pop' sounded nearby and Narcissa appeared.

"Bella!"

Bellatrix looked almost accusingly at the assembled group, "When were you going to tell me my sister was here?!" she hissed.

Before anyone could answer, Bella found her arms filled with her sister as she wrapped her up in a hug. Normally Narcissa was very… careful about public displays of affectionate when it concerned Bellatrix. But Narcissa had been overcome with hope and…love for a sister she thought long gone. Moving back to allow her some space as she looked over her underweight sister, Narcissa stared almost disbelieving at Bellatrix's presence here.

Narcissa suddenly worried about what would send Bella running from the Manor and cause her to defect from her "beloved" Dark Lord. But she pushed the thought aside to focus on her sister. The youngest Black sister hugged her again, to Bellatrix's exasperation.

Gently cupping Bella's face, "I hope to have my sister returned to me once again."

Instinctively turning towards her red-haired lover, she narrowed her eyes in warning. "Take care of her."

Willow only just managed to not squirm under that infamously bossy gaze; the gaze that turned her on and dampened her fresh set of panties. And with all these Slayer noses around her, she would be mortified if they caught her scent.

"Of course. It turns out that we have some… experience with this kind of thing. Trust me." When Narcissa simply stared into Willow's eyes, assessing the truth of her statement, ignoring the suddenly curious (and Bellatrix's suspiciously protective) looks from the assembled group.

Nodding, Narcissa redirected her attention towards her sister. "I'll be sure to visit just as soon as Draco gets home from school."

At that, the former Death Eater's eyes grew wide in abject terror, right before Bellatrix's body suddenly tensed up, lunging to tightly grip her sister's shoulders, startling the group into defensive mode. "No! You cannot return to the Manor, Cissy! Never!"

Stunned silence met her pronouncement. And suddenly Narcissa began to refocus on her earlier musings regarding why Bella left the Dark Lord's side.