Cassiopeia was being punished by her mother when Dora went into labour.

Since the night Potter had escaped she had not been alone with the Dark Lord. He had shunned her, exiled her from his presence. He was different, mercurial, brooding and erratic. He was occupied with something and it wasn't his war machine.

She only caught his attention when she earned his ire when he remembered her inadequate attempts at capturing the blood traitors.

When the Dark Lord was displeased with her, Bellatrix was displeased with her. Her mother's punishments had always been cruel but in light of losing her wand, her punishments were now sadistic.

She was tortured at knifepoint. If she was lucky it would be a plain silver knife. If she was in a particularly poor mood, it would be poisoned.

It had been such a day for her, and unfortunately her mother decided acromantula venom was the price of her indiscretion

Bellatrix was an expert with a knife. She never cut too deep or too far. She knew exactly how much pressure to put to exact the most amount of pain. But even with her skill, Cassiopeia fought to remain as still as possible. Accidents happened, even to Bellatrix and she would rather not die from a cut artery.

When her mother had her wand she would often perform her punishments in front of a group of her peers. It was a power play, meant to deter others and remind them what she was capable of. A wand could be a impersonal- it put distance between the holder and the subject. It was a show.

But her wand was not an option, not since Potter had stolen it when he escaped. She found Narcissa's wand distasteful and though she would occasionally settle for using Cassiopeia's wand, it still did not perform in the way she wished.

So she defaulted for her knife. Using a knife on someone was very different than a wand. It was personal, intimate. One had to be deliberate and controlled when they used a knife, they had to be careful because it was a very fine balance between life and death. A centimetre too deep and that was it- it would be over in seconds.

Bellatrix would be the first to admit she was rusty with her knife skills. Since breaking out of prison she had performed only a handful of interrogations with a knife, and of those they were always as an addition to the things she would do with a wand. She would alternate between the two. Also since she escaped, she very rarely performed any interrogations where the victim would need to stay alive. In fact, she almost always killed them in the end.

To torture someone fully with a knife, ensuring their survival, was something she had not done since the last war.

This did not deter her however or cause her trepidation. She gleefully took these sessions to heart, honing her skill while using her daughter as a test subject.

Bellatrix would punish her in the cellar, where the prisoners were held. She would order Cassiopeia to kneel, her back to the wall. She would not tie her up as she would a prisoner, she expected Cassiopeia to comply fully, to submit.

In these moments Bellatrix seemed less crazed , less wild. She was a predator, cool and efficient. She was in control. Something about a knife centred her mind and calmed the mania.

Though it had been years, the memories and her skill came back quickly. Bellatrix would delicately draw her weapon across the area she was going to cut, its touch would be so light it would almost tickle, "oh Cassie," she would sigh softly, "you live to anger me." Her touch would be gentle, reverent before she would increase the pressure for the first incision.

Cassiopeia would know then whether her blade was coated in venom. She would feel the burn of poison if it was present.

"What did you do Cassie," she would ask, alternating between shallow cuts and soft strokes.

"I failed you mother." She would say back, trying to keep her voice strong and steady. Bellatrix hated when she showed too much weakness. She had to accept her punishment and remain strong. She was a Lestrange, her daughter. She was not weak. Never mind that Bellatrix sobbed and begged when the Dark Lord punished her.

"No," she barked harshly, digging the knife in deeper. "You failed the Dark Lord. I created you to serve him, your only purpose is to do as he wishes. And you can't even do that."

Cassiopeia bowed her head and closed her eyes as she tried to not flinch away from the pain. Bellatrix was good, but mistakes could happen. If she wanted to live she needed to remain still.

She would apologise to her after every cut and when she finished her session she would have to thank her for her punishment and promise to do better. Bellatrix would always sneer at that, and say something about how she was a disappointment. A failed experiment that hardly had a use.

And then she would leave her daughter to clean herself up.

Cassiopeia usually remained in the dark cellar for a while afterwards. She found the darkness comforting, it was only then that she would let her emotions spill out. It was the only place these days where she felt safe enough to let the madness out and give into a slight mental breakdown.

Cassiopeia felt the most mad at these times. The most conflicted because a part of her, a sick, demented, twisted part of her almost enjoyed these sessions. She missed her mother, and this was the only time they were close. The only time she would touch her warmly, fondly, just before pain. She craved her warmth, even if it was tinged with anger and disappointment.

As the war dragged on, the Dark Lord had become more demanding, more inpatient with his followers. Cassiopeia hadn't had a warm interaction with her in months. She missed it, she missed her love.

Occasionally Narcissa would join her, in the dark and the two would clutch to each other and cry. Cassiopeia loudly and Narcissa silently. Always a Black sister, even when they gave into grief, they remained stoic and composed.

The Dark Lord would not heal those wounds. They stood angry and red as a sign of his displeasure. They were motivation to do better. To be better. Though her cuts may not be healed, she was permitted to receive anti venom no sooner than three hours after being poisoned.

That was enough time for the venom to act while she stewed on her personal failures, but not enough time to kill her properly. Sometimes Snape would administer the anti venom, however most of the time she was left to her own devices for healing. It was during those times she apparated to her old mentors office for a spot of healing.

She escaped to her office at the ministry, curled up in the corner of her office with her legs pulled close to her body and her eyes trained firmly on the timepiece on her wrist.

She was covered in a cold sweat, a fever raging through her system as the venom slowly worked its way through her system. The cuts from her mother's knife burned. She was shaking, violent tremors that ran through her body causing unnatural jerks.

On the dot she rolled over to her fireplace, wrestling with the bowl of floo powder and immediately went to her old mentors office in St Mungo's.

Lionel Spavin was in a meeting with some new trainees when she appeared, sick and shivering, barely conscious in the middle of his office. He ignored the surprised yelps from the trainees and pulled open his desk drawer calmly, hardly missing a beat. He had grown used to her appearances.

"What's it feel like Cass?" He asked wearily, clicking through the bottles he kept in his office for just these visits.

"Chills, fever, numbness, tremors. The wound is cold." She gasped

He nodded, frowning as he selected a bottle. "And what would you diagnose that as?" He asked, glancing at his trainees as he began to administer the potion to her. She drank some, grimacing with the taste and he put on some gloves and pulled out some cotton swabs.

He paused at the shocked silence of his trainees. "You have a patient coming in reporting these symptoms. What more can you see- Lucretia-go," he said nodding to one of them.

"Ah— Erm—is that Lestrange sir?" She squealed terrified. She paled further then Cassiopeia let out a raspy laugh that turned into a cough.

Lionel frowned even further, using the cotton swabs to dab the potion in her open wounds. "Never mind who it is. In St Mungos we do not take sides or let our personal opinions get in the way of who or how we treat. We help anyone and everyone in need. This woman is clearly in need."

Her cuts smoked as he dabbed them with the potion, sizzling and popping as it met the traces of venom. Lionel kept an iron grip on her shoulder, steadying her as she tried to jerk away.

"Patient is pale, feverish with dark circles under her eyes. She is shivering and has a high fever. Several open wounds suggest not an animal attack but an er- a uhm—" one of the trainees trailed off.

"A knife attack. The injuries are consistent with a knife coated in venom. Which venom?" Lionel continued for his trainees, slipping off his gloves with a snap. He wrapped Cassiopeia's arm around his neck as he helped her up off the ground and into a soft chair he conjured for her.

"Snake venom?" One of the trainees guessed.

"Negative." Lionel snapped, conjuring up a large glass of water for her. "Patient reported numbness and a cold wound. Both are consistent with acromantula venom." He said.

Cassiopeia sat back in her chair, relishing the feeling of something so soft and enveloping. She let her exhaustion overtake her and gave into the bone deep weariness as the potion worked its way through her system, burning the poison out. It had spread far in the hours that had passed. It was not going to be a quick process.

"Now, I believe all of you have your trainer pairs. Report to them for your shadowing duties today." He shooed out the wide eyed trainees and locked the door firmly behind them. He deflated the second they were out of sight, turning to survey his patient with a grim look.

"Your mother may be skilled with a knife- but she is going to kill you if she gets those poison dosages wrong." He said darkly, moving to sit next to her.

Cassiopeia smirked grimly, closing her eyes as she relaxed for the first time in days. "If I should be so lucky to have the luxury of death. " she said wistfully. She wasn't allowed to die, not while there was so much at risk still.

"Why do you submit to this Cassiopeia? If it was a suicide attempt I would not expect you to seek treatment." He frowned, he sounded lost, dejected.

She coughed a little, humming as she could feel the potion burning out the poison. "This is my lot in life Lionel- it's not too difficult to understand " She sighed.

"You make your luck and you forge your own path in life Cassiopeia. It's not like you to blindly accept the circumstances." He said firmly.

"Things change," she rasped, exhaling fully and relaxing her body just so. .

He shook his head "you are being obstinate and I need to understand." He said.

She sighed again, getting lost on the delightful spinning of the room caused by the venom- this was the problem with going to Lionel. He always wanted to talk. And she always had to be frank.

"I've killed people Lionel." She said bluntly, squeezing her eyes shut tighter. It was hard to admit to someone she admired so. Not that it wasn't a well known fact. "This is my punishment for such heinous crimes. She is the balance in my life. For as long as I am under her influence she will hurt me. It's how she shows affection. And as long as she is around me I will hurt others at her behest. It's the way of things. It's why I exist. And it's what I deserve." She said lowly, keeping her eyes closed so she wouldn't have to look at the man.

She respected Lionel and she cared very deeply what he thought of her. It was hard enough seeking him out in her weakness. She wouldn't do it if she had any other choice. The way the venom worked through her system, she couldn't care for herself.

He was quiet as he thought through her words. "You don't deserve this Cassiopeia. You deserve to be free." He cleared his throat and topped off her water. "I know it's pointless ordering you to stay put for a day- but please rest. You will be weak for a day or two. No strenuous actions and if you could, get a hearty supper and a full night's rest." He patted the chair awkwardly as he stood and made his way out of his office.

She reclined in the chair for another hour, taking the moment to enjoy the silence and the venom induced fuzziness. It was rare these days that she could just sit and she found the experience highly liberating.

Her empty thoughts slowly gave away to plotting as the anti venom cleared her mind. She needed to visit Dora when she could- the woman was due any day now. She needed to talk to Lima- she needed to know where she was moving so she could keep the Catchers away.

She also needed to plan some high profile house calls as she searched in vain for the Weasleys. She needed it to look like she was getting somewhere with the hunt. She had already loudly been inquiring into Charlie's whereabouts on her searches- starting with all his usual city hangouts. Surely he knew she was looking for him and he would stay out of her way.

When peeked her eyes open to glance at her watch. She was losing daylight, and though she wanted nothing more than to fall into a deep sleep and rest like Lionel ordered- it was simply not to be. Being poisoned was one of the only legitimate excuses she had to disappear for a day or two. No one would miss her, which meant she had a lot of subterfuge to fit in.

She struggled out of her chair with a loud groan, and apparated to Lima's latest headquarters, eager for a strong cup of tea and a days full of plannning.

She was on her way home from Lima's current hideout when she ran into it.

She had decided to walk the last of the way home, and thought perhaps stopping for a drink along the way. Her body was heavy with weariness from her punishment, the poisoning, and her mind was full from her plotting. She wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed and sleep for a week.

But she also really did not want to go home. Everywhere in her townhouse was tainted by the Lestranges, it was a museum for their family heritage and her legacy. She wanted to continue her escapism for a little longer, and a crisp beer perhaps would do just that.

And if she were feeling really wild perhaps she would book a room in the muggle world. She had done it before, when she felt particularly overwhelmed by her life. She even knew the perfect pub turned hotel that was a few blocks away... her thoughts wandered as she weighed the pros and cons of extending her absence to pretend to be a normal muggle.

She was pondering a fake name and occupation when she entered the pub she frequented for such moments of retreats of fancy.

She trudged over to the bar, mentally cataloging the youths both in the bar and nearby on the street, trying to decide which ones would most likely sell her illicit substances of any description and if they could be brought to her room.

"Alright there Miss Smith," the bartender gave her a set of keys for the night, "second floor to the left lovely,"

She turned to leave with her drink when she was interrupted by another bar patron. "Miss Smith?" He asked

She frowned, almost groaning at the greeting. Her stomach flipped pleasantly as the man spoke. Her brain however was already thinking of ways to end this conversation and go straight to sleep.

"Ye-" she froze as she turned to look at him, almost dropping her drink and keys in the process.

"No," she gasped, her blood running cold.

"A little birdie told me you were looking for me." He smirked, causing her stomach to flip again. She smacked the man, hard in the shoulder. Repeatedly.

"Charlie Weasley you big bloody idiot. Don't you know there is a bounty on your head? That I'm supposed to be leading your manhunt?" She hissed slamming her drink on the counter so she could better hit him.

He grimaced, raising his hands in surrender, "Of course I know Cass. But I heard what happened with Ted and I had to see you. This was my first chance I could."

She wanted to be furious with him, she wanted to rage and to yell at the man. But they were in public and she had drawn too much attention to herself as it was.

"Come upstairs," she sighed, "and I'm still furious with you."

He gave her a lopsided smile and followed her to the room. She paused for a moment, staring at his face, his smile. Merlin he was handsome. It had been half a year since she had last seen him and he was exactly as she remembered. Well built, tanned from working in the sun, and with that stupid earnest look on his face. He wore a hat to cover his hair, and some nondescript muggle clothes. He looked like a builder, just finished with work.

"You don't look well Cass, sit down," he said gently grabbing her shoulder. She flinched away from him, sitting in the bed on her own volition

"I'm not well. That's why I'm here. So I can relax and hide from my life. You are a very prominent part of my life right now."

He frowned, his eyes trying to catch hers. "Do you want me to leave?"

She stared hard at the bed as she thought. Of course she didn't want him to leave. Seeing him, being around him brought up all of her old feelings for him. Feelings she thought were dead and gone. She wanted him to hold her, to comfort her and to be there for her. Even if it was temporary.

She couldn't say that though. It was selfish and it was dangerous.

Charlie crawled onto the bed and sat next to her. "It's ok to be afraid Cass. I'm afraid too. But I care for you too much to leave you alone," he nudged her shoulder with his, trying to catch her eye.

She leaned against him hesitantly with a sigh. "How's your family doing?" She asked lowly, staring hard at the bed.

"As well as can be expected. Bill and fleur are holed up with—"

"Charlie," she interrupted him, "please don't finish that sentence."

"Oh right."

An awkward silence filled the air between them.

"How are you doing Cass? Can I get you anything?"

"How did you know? That I'd be here?"

"Tonks may have mentioned that you occasionally come here after a tough day. When you can get away for a bit. So I've been coming by, hoping to catch you. And I finally did."

She shook her head. Served her right for sharing secrets with Dora.

"So tell me about your tough day. Let me help you Cass." He continued, shifting closer to her.

She scoffed, a bitter bile filling her throat. Her body ached, her mind was fuzzy and she was exhausted. And now Charlie Weasley was somehow here, wanting to talk now? Of all the times.

"It's best if you don't know about my day Weasley." Her voice was hard as she said it and she tried to put more distance between them.

She felt his shoulder droop at her words. "Weasley huh? Humour me." He said softly, trying to put on a brave face.

She felt the madness rear its head, the crackle of fire and cries echoing in her eyes, muting everything else. Bitterness filled her as she thought about the unfairness of it all. How dare he come to her, wanting to comfort her? How could he still care for her after everything she'd done. She was actively hunting for him and his family- so what if she was intentionally sabotaging the search. It didn't matter, she was still doing it, hunting albeit half heartedly.

Why didn't Charlie understand that? How could he not see the truth, of what terrible person she was. How could she show him?

Perhaps she could tell him.

"Do you really want to know why I'm like this today Charlie? You want to know wabout my tough day as we are calling it?"

"Of course I do." He insisted.

"Today I was tortured with a knife laced with venom by my own mother because the Dark Lord was displeased with the fact that I had yet to deliver you to them. I had to wait hours before taking the anti venom because what's the point of poisoning someone if they don't suffer? Then after I was treated by a man I deeply respect, and facing that particular brand of humiliation, instead of resting as the healer ordered I had to spend the rest of my coordinating with Lima because being poisoned is the only way I get a reprieve from my duties for a day.

And now I want to drink my alcohol, sit in my anonymous hotel and pretend I am a muggle. My body aches, the cuts burn, I am knackered and hungry, and weak. And now I'm crying, like a bleeding idiot." She angrily wiped away a stray tear, her body shaking after the outburst, she could hear the madness echoing in her ears- she could feel the draw as her overworked mind tried to cope with her day. She hadn't intended to tell him that much, once she started it just came out like word vomit.

Charlie was silent. He hasn't really thought through what it was like for Cassiopeia. Of course he knew being a Death Eater was difficult, and he had always suspected she was mistreated by her parents. But to have it laid out so plainly to him took him aback. He didn't know what to say or what to do. There wasn't anything he could say. He couldn't understand, he never would.

But he loved this woman, and had cared for her deeply for many years. He wanted to be a source of comfort, not stress.

He reached out and gingerly wrapped his arms around her shoulder. Carefully and slowly he arranged the two of them on the bed, Cassiopeia pillowed on his chest. She was pliant in his hands, all of the fight had left her in her exhaustion.

He felt her relax, just a little and considered it a victory. He grinned when he heard a little snore escape her a few moments later, already fast asleep.

He sighed as he processed what she said and spent the evening looking at her, really looking at her.

She was pale, her skin waxy with dark circles under her eyes. Her face was slackened with exhaustion and from what he could feel, she was thinner than he remembered.

He didn't know how she did it. How she continued on every day. How she could be tortured and poisoned and still go back to her tormentors begging for forgiveness.

There was nothing he could do for her except hold her and try to listen to her.

His family hated her and they would strongly disapprove of him seeing her like this. They felt betrayed by her, they had seen and heard too much about her life to know where her loyalties were. They told him- about the night she single handedly took out an entire village. Dozens of muggles murdered in cold blood.

But Tonks has also told him about her possession. He had never heard of such a thing before and he felt sick when they told him in broad strokes what that meant.

His mother worried about her sanity. She was the only one who had seen Cassiopeia during her visits to Tonks. She reckoned there was nothing left of the girl they knew, that she was a twisted and damaged thing completely under his thrall.

He looked down at her sleeping, reading the exhaustion and pain in the way she held her body. Her face though was peaceful- her mouth opened slightly with the tiniest snore escaping. Of course there was no way she was still completely sane. How could anyone be if they went through the things she did- the torture, mind games and possessions. But despite everything that was thrown at her, she still soldiered on, still trying to help a side of the war that wanted nothing to do with her.

She was brave. And she was strong. And dragons dung he still loved her, faults and all.

He sighed again resting his head on top of hers and he closed his eyes and tried to get comfortable. Loving her mattered little now. She wouldn't believe him and they couldn't be together in the war. So he settled in and savoured what time he did have.

Cassiopeia woke up in the middle of the night feeling uncomfortably warm and stiff. Despite this she woke up with a smile, feeling cozier than she had felt in years. She stretched and frowned as she felt the body next to her. She stared at Charlie, admiring his features, the feel of his body, and the stupid optimism that brought him here. The boy was remarkable— far too good for her. But she was selfish and hugged him tighter, digging her nose into his collar and falling asleep once more

Xxx

It was a few days later when she managed to make it to Dora's house. When she did finally get a chance to visit she was greeted by a very suspicious Lupin and the sound of babies laughter and the splashing of water.

"Lestrange now might not be-" he tried to block her path, still highly disapproving if her involvement in his child's life.

Cassiopeia pushed past him, slamming him into a wall with perhaps more force than was necessary as she let herself in and followed the sound.

"Merlin Dora," she called stopping at the scene in the kitchen. There was a tiny baby, with bright blue hair, naked in a washing up tub that doubled as his bath. Dora was murmuring to the child and Andromeda hovered nearby, ready to help.

"Cass! Mum do you mind?" She turned to her mother who gently took over supporting the child.

She rushed over to give her a long hug. "I'm so happy you've come by, I've been dying to introduce you to your nephew," she looked radiant, exhausted and beautiful. And happy, she didn't think she had ever seen Dora so happy.

"Nephew? A boy? A little baby boy?" She felt emotional, eager to meet the child and terrified of tainting it. She had never been around children and she worried about their temperament

"Your godson. Teddy Lupin."

She felt giddy, her body buzzing in awareness of this precious child.

"Teddy who is getting all cleaned up to meet his aunty. Yes he is, yes he is," she cooed walking back to her mother and child, taking over so Andromeda could greet her.

She woodenly accepted Andromeda's embrace, her eyes struck by the child. "Would you like to meet him?" She asked lowly, keeping her arm around her.

Cassiopeia resisted her pull, suddenly terrified of the child. He was so small, so delicate. And she was afraid of hurting him.

Dora swaddled the baby with a towel, making cooking noises and transfiguring her face to the baby's delight. It looked so natural, she was so in her element, so perfect. She was everything Cassiopeia was not.

Her heart raced as Dora came closer and Andromeda kept her rooted to the spot, her eyes wide and flashing.

Soon Dora was offering her the wriggling mass, "cradle the head just like that Cass, that's right you're a natural." Andromeda said, adjusting her hold on the infant.

Dora laughed at the face of her sister, her eyes were wide and terrified and she was stiff and still, afraid to move. "Relax Cass. Teddy won't hurt you," she said

"S'not him I'm worried about," she murmured getting lost in the child's face. Teddy stared at her intently, his eyes wide and curious as he took in the new person. She let out a startled laugh, feeling her eyes tear with a strong emotion when she saw his hair change from blue to a dark green.

"He's like you Dora. But he's got his dad's eyes," she said softly feeling fiercely protective over the child.

She laughed even more when he reached out to pull a string of her hair, laughing in delight as the curl sprung back.

"Oh you little troublemaker," she cooed.

She panicked when the laughter died out and he jutted out his lip, his eyes tearing. The loud cry made her heart clench as she looked wildly at her sister and aunt. "What did I do?" She asked, panicked.

Dora grinned, her eyes dancing in amusement. "Nothing Cass. He's just a wittle hungry isn't he? Yes he is. Who wants some snackies hmm? Is it you, my beautiful boy?" She gently took him back from Cassiopeia and excused herself to go feed her son in the next room.

She sat heavily at the table, her hands shaking a little as she processed what just happened. "Alright there?" Andromeda asked, wrapping her arm around her niece.

"It's a bloody miracle. She literally made that, she- they created life." She stared at her hands.

Andromeda laughed in delight, squeezing her shoulder. "That is what happens when you have a child Cassiopeia."

She shook her head, straining to catch a sound from her nephew. "Ted would be beside himself with joy right now," she said. Andromeda smiled sadly, letting in her grief for a moment. "He would probably cry don't you think?"

She laughed remembering how emotional he had been. She always admired that about him. "He'd be beside himself. Especially when they told him they named him after him."

Lupin came back into the room, giving her another suspicious look as he grabbed something from the kitchen. He then hurried back to his wife where she was feeding their son.

She stayed for as long as she dared, risking punishment to spend time with the baby- only leaving when they put him to sleep. Dora was exhausted, even with Andromeda's help and it wasn't long until she too was asleep on the couch as they tried to catch up.

She promised to come back soon when she said her goodbyes and left feeling a little more resolve for the path ahead.

Xxxx

She was in a fortified testing lab at the ministry, playing with a new shape of magic she had thought of when she was interrupted rudely by one of her men.

She cursed as the steady creep of shimmering blue pulsing power exploded in her face. She was experimenting with a motion inspired by the pulsing if a slime mould and was curious to see if it translated to magic.

The man was panting, his brow sweaty and his face pale. "There you are mum" he took a few deep breaths as he tried to catch it. "Gringotts - there was a break in." He leaned heavily against the door, still gasping. "It was Potter, he escaped with a dragon."

"He what?" She snapped harshly , surely she had misheard him.

"A dragon mum. Right through the floor of the atrium. It's chaos and we already have people on the scene.

She dropped everything and apparated to the bank.

The man had been right. It was chaos. It took her a little under an hour to get the desired information out of those around her. She had only managed it through brute force and intimidation. Her stomach dropped the more she learned. Imposters had broken into her family vault and took something.

When her mother was torturing the Granger girl she had asked her if she had been in her vault. What was there that Potter would want? Something the Dark Kord surely gave them for safekeeping. She frowned when the goblin told her and confirmed it was indeed Potter who broke in.

And the Dark Lord had to know.

She grabbed the goblin and a few other witnesses and brought them to the Malfoy Manor. She had a house elf fetch her mother and the other occupants of the house. They grew silent when Cassiopeia tossed her mother's wand back at her. Potter took it, and having it returned did not bode well. Cassiopeia rolled up her sleeve and summoned the Dark Lord.

The room dropped a few degrees when he came and her guests grew quiet as they realised who was there.

She bowed her head to him, her insides clenching. He had brought his snake, who slithered up and around her leg menacingly.

"My Lord-'' she began but he silenced her, grabbing her chin and forcing her to look up at him. She gulped as he entered her mind, she would have found the feeling uncomfortable if she wasn't used to it. It had been so long since he had last used legilimency on her- and she found her Pavlovian reaction was still present, relaxing and calming under his touch.

His amusement of her reaction to him was muted however at the rage of the news. He pushed her away against a wall as he spun in cold fury on those around him.

"You-" he pointed at the quaking goblin.

"Speak. What happened today at Gringotts"

"There was - an- uh- a break in My ah Lord." The goblin trembled, "into the L-Lestrange vault. I-imposters sir."

"What?" Roared bellatrix, her eyes flashing dangerously - "what was stolen? Speak faster!" She creates a whip of flame to lick the goblin.

She only stopped at the Dark Lord raising his hand, his eyes boring into the cowering creature.

"A s-small golden cup." He was crying, flinching away and unable to meet the eyes of the wizard who was growing more and more irate.

"What did you say to me?" His voice was high and cold. Cassiopeia trembled behind him, feeling the room drop even further as she felt his fury rise. She had never, not once seen him this angry before.

"Say it again!" murmured Voldemort. "Say it again!"

"M-my Lord," stammered the goblin, its black eyes wide with terror, "m-my Lord . . . we t-tried t-to st-stop them. . . . Im-impostors, my Lord . . . broke — broke into the — into the Lestranges' v-vault. . . ."

"Impostors? What impostors? I thought Gringotts had ways of revealing impostors? Who were they?"

"It was . . . it was . . . the P-Potter b-boy and t-two accomplices. . . ."

"And they took?" he said, his voice rising. "Tell me! What did they take?"

"A . . . a s-small golden c-cup, m-my Lord . . ."

He broke, a terrible scream of outrage left his mouth as his wand moved on its own accord, flashing green and killing the goblin and making quick work of the other witnesses she had brought. He was blind in his fury, his wand attacking everything in sight and his snake lunging forward to make a quick meal of his victims.

Cassiopeia was paralysed- she had never seen him this angry, this irrational. Whatever that cup was must have been important.

She felt bony fingers digging into her robes and she was grabbed and pulled away out the door.

Bellatrix was shaking, her eyes wide with tears streaming down her face as she clutched her daughter to her. They sat, holding each other in the next room, listening to the Dark Lord rage, destroying the room when there was no one left to kill.

She didn't dare speak and hardly dared breath in case he looked for them, in case he wanted to kill them to sate his rage.

The Lestranges had failed him. She understood that even though she had no knowledge of what had happened. Not really. What was it that Bellatrix had hidden for their master? A small cup? She had catalogued the family vaults when she came of age, there were all manner of heirlooms and trinkets, a host of cursed items, but nothing stood out from those lists.

It grew quiet in the next room and they both strained to hear what was next. She yelped in surprise when her mark burned and she looked at her mother questioningly. She shook her head, it was Cassiopeia alone being summoned.

She reluctantly left her mother's arms and carefully entered the room.

Every piece of furniture had been obliterated. Every mirror smashed and every window was shattered. A cool breeze made its way through the room and Nagini was making quick work with the Goblins body.

The Dark Lord stood in the center of the chaos, still as the night, his eyes closed and taking deep, even breaths.

His eyes opened and met hers when he heard her movement.

She felt the lightness in her limbs as he barely twitched his wand, letting the imperius curse steady her shaking and bring her close to him.

Look at me she heard him hiss into her mind, the suggestion a gentle caress.

She found him intoxicating in her curse and easily entered his arms, surrendering to the feeling.

It had been so long since he had compelled her this way, as he took away her agency and let her surrender full control. She forgot how beautiful it felt, to not be. It was better than any high she had ever achieved with a drug.

He cradled her close to him, delighting in the feeling of her body against his, her mind completely under his control. He enjoyed the feeling of bliss she found in his dominance, and it helped calm his fears and soothe his rage.

"You did well Little Lestrange, alerting me of this event so quickly." He murmured

She remained silent, pressing her face against his neck, his compulsion forcing her to seek more contact with him.

"Your mother worships me, she is my most loyal, my acolyte. And yet she has failed me little one, and I wonder if you will as well. You who hates me so."

"I was born for you my Lord." She said simply,

He hummed, baring his teeth in a facsimile of a smile. He rubbed his face against hers, practically purring, "So you were. A gift to me. I own you, mind and flesh. You are mine to do with what I please. And you are obedient. I have taught you your place. But I have been negligent in terms of your care. I can be merciful." She shivered as he whispered in her ear, as he squeezed her against him.

She almost moaned in relief when he started to heal her many injuries across her body. It felt heavenly and she slumped in his arms, lost in the feeling of being normal and whole for the first time in months.

"You need to be strong little Lestrange. You need to be sharp. And you will follow my will. Go to Hogwarts and deliver my message to Snape." She felt him press a folded letter into her hand. "Then remain in Hogsmeade, fortify it with the army you've built for me. Harry Potter will come and you will catch him."

She swallowed, feeling uneasy for the first time. If he thought Potter was coming then it must be nearing the end of the war.

"Yes. Soon Little Lestrange our power will be absolute. Now go." He released her. She bowed lowly, and hurried out, past her questioning mother and directly out the front doors of the Malfoy manor.

It was no small matter mobilising her army. And she had to warn Dora somehow.

She started first at her office, it was late in the day and most were getting ready to go home. Caecilius however was still there.

"Jovius." She snapped at him.

He paused, giving her a lopsided grin, his eyes travelling her body before standing to attention. "What can I do for you Lestrange?" He asked easily, smiling lasciviously. She scowled, regretting her decision to sleep with him. Repeatedly. He was a pig. A handsome, useful pig.

"I need you to prepare the men. We are on high alert for Potter in Hogsmeade. I need everyone to be ready at a moment's notice- doyou understand."

He sobered a little, his eyes sharpening. "Of course. Is Hogwarts the target?"

She shrugged, "one can assume. I am on my way there now. The Three Broomsticks will be our headquarters for now. Meet me there- I have a few other errands to run. Place extra protections and patrols on the town." She said, he nodded, the playfulness gone and replaced with the soldier she knew he was.

She glanced at her watch. She had time for a quick visit- especially since she delegated most of the work to Caecilius. Of course Caecilius would do a good job, which was worrying.

She apparated next to Dora's house, needing to see her sister at least one more time.

She knew something was wrong when she hugged her first without saying anything. Dora stumbled back in shock, squeezing her sister back.

"What's going on Cass?" She asked, concern turning her hair a ruddy brown. Cassiopeia pulled away when she heard the cry from her nephew, cradled in Lupin's arm.

"You're looking well Lestrange," Lupin said lightly, noticing that all of the wounds the pair had become accustomed to were healed a shiny pink. Her face twitched with dislike towards the man- "I've to be in fit condition. The end is soon he reckons. We are gathering our troops in Hogsmeade. He thinks the boy is coming soon. Imminently.

You need to tell the others. I've pulled everyone to be on alert, we are gathering there now and unfortunately it's been delegated to my most effective lieutenant."

The couple looked at each other in concern, "we can leave Teddy with your mother," Lupin murmured and Dora nodded.

"No, no Dora. You just gave birth three weeks ago. You can't go into battle. You must stay with mum and your son" Cassiopeia protested.

Dora smirked at her sister, her hair turning a short, spiky pink- her favourite when she was being rebellious. "Just you try and keep me away Cass. I have to fight for my son's future."

Cassiopeia felt another flash of irritation and resignation. She glanced at her watch once more. She would be missed. "Please stay safe, both of you. You have much bigger things to worry about." She said weakly- "I've got to go. I have an army to prepare and I'm expected at Hogwarts." She paused, looking at Dora very seriously. "I love you nymphadora. Please stay safe. I don't know what I'd do if you were hurt." Dora gripped her hands tightly, smiling. "I love you too Cass. Be safe yourself and soon we'll be laughing about this." She hugged her sister once more and was off to Hogwarts to deliver her letter to Snape.

Her heart raced as she entered the castle. It was dinner time and she could hear the children in the great hall as she passed. She wondered if Snape was in there now.

She would wait for him at his office. She climbed the stairs, tracing the familiar path to the Headmaster's office, trying hard to ignore the memories the castle brought.

She was surprised that he answered the door when she knocked, apparently he had given dinner a miss that night. If he was surprised to see her he did not show it.

Instead he opened the door wider and invited her in wordlessly.

"I come with a message," she said pulling out the envelope and handing it over.

Snape sat heavily and read through it, his face a mask of stony indifference. When he finished he burned the parchment and looked at her heavily.

"Where will you be setting up?"

"I've got Caecilius making our headquarters in The Three Broomsticks. If he is correct, then we will likely need to move to the forest. Hogsmeade can't hold all of our allies and he seems to think Hogwarts is the end goal. The place of our last stand."

He nodded, his eyebrows knit together.

"My second favour. The last one- I want to call it in now." He said gravely.

She paused before nodding sharply. She couldn't deny the man. "The students. You will try to leave them out of this as much as possible." He said seriously.

She frowned, wondering what he thought of her that this request wasn't a given. "You won't need a favour for that Professor. Of course I will do my best to spare the students. But if they fight back, I can't guarantee their safety. I can't be everywhere." She leaned forward seriously.

He leaned back, giving her a small smile. "Fine. If you won't accept that as a favour then let's try this. If you catch Potter. Let him go-" he challenged her.

She smirked at him, relief flooding her system. She had always suspected, had hoped that he wasn't as loyal as he wanted everyone to believe. "I can do you one better Snape. I will actively sabotage my army. I've already warned who I could about this conflict. I can only assume the Order is alert and ready to intervene."

He nodded, relaxing slightly into his chair. "Put on a brave face and clear your mind Lestrange. We still have our roles to play still."

It was a dismissal. She needed to get to The Three Broomsticks to start planning and to take over from Caecilius. But there was one more thing she needed to do. She stood and stuck out her hand towards her professor who looked at it sceptically.

"For everything you've done for me Professor. As a student and as an adult. Thank you and I hope to see you on the other side." She said honestly.

He stood and shook her hand tightly if briefly. He didn't say anything, just gave her a deep nod of acknowledgement.

She left the castle in a hurry, eager to begin her work as a saboteur and thinking of the ways to spread her army out foolishly.

Her days of being a loyal pawn were over and it was high time that she showed the Dark Lord what she really thought of him.

It was a good time to die, she reckoned. Merlin knew she was overdue.

A/n we are almost there. Maybe two chapters left! Reviews as ever are appreciated, they help me when I think im writing into the void