If there are mistakes, blame my humanity.

D19

Bellatrix sat at the edge of the lake with her legs pulled to her chest. Moments later, Travers broke the surface with a happy grin. He held up a gold chain proudly. She relaxed and waved him to the grass. Travers stomped out of the water and passed her the necklace before he sat down. She took it with a sigh and shook her head. Calli threw the necklace out of anger and disappointment, and Bellatrix took advantage of her wife being away from home to retrieve it. Travers pushed back his wet hair and nudged her shoulder.

"Next time, tell your wife to throw it somewhere less murky, yeah?"

She smiled wryly and said, "I'll be sure to pass along the message."

"Good," he paused and took a deep breath, "so this is what freedom tastes like?"

"If you think this is freedom, just wait until the war is over."

Travers laughed. "Bells, we were locked in tiny little boxes with soul sucking demons for company for nearly fifteen years. This, my friend, is freedom. Or at least the first step."

"I'll give you that," she said. "But the moment this war is over, I'm taking my wife on a proper honeymoon."

"You two haven't even had a proper ceremony," he reminded her.

"Cissy will handle that. She always does."

"You think I can be your best man?" he asked.

"Absolutely not."

"Why?"

"I would have to deal with Lucius, Remus, Severus, Rookwood, Mulciber, and the rest of the merry men."

"But how many of them are your ex-boyfriend?"

"What on Earth are you talking about?"

"Remember, Trav and Bells forever? We carved it into a tree."

"We were twelve," she deadpanned.

"That counts for something."

She rolled her eyes and looked back out onto the lake. "If anything, my sisters will be standing with me that day," she said.

"Fair enough. Long as you don't pick any of the guys, I'm okay with that."

"Long as it's alright with you then," she said sarcastically.

Travers winked and leaned back on his hands. He tilted his face toward the sun and exhaled deeply. "I'm not sure I told you this yet, but happy looks good on you, Bells."

"I know."

The two sat side by side until the sun was high in the sky. Rookwood and Mulciber joined them later. She felt something settle in her chest. The four of them had grown close in Azkaban. They shouted at one another now and then to remind them what they were fighting for, to force them to stay strong, and it became the sanest thing the group ever did together. Travers especially, when Bellatrix was too weak to whisper her own name, made sure the morale remained high. Bellatrix shifted and laid her head on his shoulder.

"If this is my deathbed," Travers said.

"Then I will not go down without a fight," the three of them responded.

"And if this is my final breath."

"Then I will not go quietly."

Travers howled at the sky, and Bellatrix, even as stupid as it was, howled with him. They screamed and shouted until they collapsed in laughter. The ache in her heart with Calli's absence numbed a little, and she clasped the necklace in her hand a little tighter.

Calli sat with her legs tucked beneath her near the window as the train rumbled through the countryside. Luna sat at the other end of the bench while Neville stretched out over the two of them with his head in Calli's lap and his feet in Luna's. Neville had his ankles crossed, and Luna used his legs as a prop for her book. On the other side, Harry fiddled with his glasses while Ginny slept on his shoulder. Ron had his arms crossed as he glared at Neville. Neville twisted so that his head was tucked into her stomach, and she glanced down at him.

"Pervert," she teased in a whisper.

"As if. I don't have a death wish," he grumbled.

Calli snorted and removed the band around her hair. She'd gotten it straightened enough where it was manageable, and she fluffed it out before she began to play in Neville's quickly growing hair. Their relationship took an interesting turn after the insanity that was the games. Bellatrix noticed but said nothing. Draco, at first, was a little jealous, but was reminded that no matter how close she got to Neville, he would always be her blood brother. Draco, Neville, and Blaise formed a small little trio of their own while Tonks took a shining to Daphne, which meant she would have to play nice with Astoria as well. The twins made their alliance with Luna, and Calli was the sun that they all gravitated around occasionally.

Sighing, Calli closed her eyes and ducked off into her mindscape. She rebuilt the walls around her memories, her thoughts, and focused on sealing the cracks. She was going back into the lion's den, no pun intended, and she didn't want to risk anything. Once she was satisfied, she admired her work. It would do for the moment. She had plans on breaking away from Harry and Ron. She knew her isolation would get the attention of Dumbledore and the others. Neville had enough sense to avoid making eye contact with anyone who wasn't Severus at the school, and Luna's defenses were non-existent as the blonde spent a lot of time creating an area of chaos with magical creatures and gibberish. A sharp pain to her hip had her exiting her mindscape and she opened her eyes, staring down at Neville.

"You okay?" he whispered.

She smiled a little and said, "Got lost in my head."

"Must be pretty crowded up there," he joked. "I've been calling your name for the last five minutes to see if you wanted to go for a walk? I need to stretch my legs."

She didn't believe him for one minute. She narrowed her eyes and asked, "You're going to look for the snack cart, aren't you?"

Neville smiled sheepishly just as his stomach growled. She nodded and Neville jumped up. He stretched and apologized when he realized he'd knocked over Luna's book. She waved him off and tucked her book into her trunk. Only Calli saw the small spell she placed on the lock to keep people out of it.

"While you all go foraging for snacks, I think I might pay a visit to Colin," she said.

"Snacks? I'm coming too," Ron said quickly.

"Oh, I could go for a snack too," Ginny said, yawning as she woke up.

"Guess we're all going on a snack run," Harry said, patting his legs as he stood.

"Who's going to watch our stuff?" Neville asked. "We can't all leave."

"How about you guys tell Colin to come to the compartment and I'll stay," Luna said, already sitting back down.

Calli agreed reluctantly. Neville held out his elbow, and Calli slipped her hand into the crook. He led her out of the compartment with Ron, Harry, and Ginny on their heels. Calli peeked into a few cabins before she found Colin.

"Hey, Luna wants to talk to you about something. She's about four cabins down. She knows you're coming," Calli said.

Colin was out of the room before she finished speaking. She said her hello to Dean and Seamus, but barely spared a glance to the Patil twins and Lavender. Padma was one of the people who teased Luna, and the witch was high on her list of people to 'accidentally' kill during the upcoming battle. Neville gently led her away from the compartment and he bent down to whisper in her ear.

"You were starting to growl," he said.

"I was not," she huffed.

Neville grinned and continued their walk. Behind them, she could feel Ron's eyes boring into the back of her head. She turned around, met his gaze, and raised an eyebrow expectantly. He turned red and looked away. She really couldn't understand him. She knew he liked her, but until he actively grew up and realize she wasn't interested, she would continue to treat him like the child he was behaving as. Unfortunately, they found themselves faced off with Draco and Blaise.

"Oh, look, it's Harry Potter and his merry brigade of spineless Gryffindors out for a little stroll," Draco greeted.

"Piss off, Malfoy," Ron scowled.

Draco sniffed and looked Ron up and down. "Normally, I'd spare you some of my attention, but I'm not in the mood for charity today," he said.

"I don't want your stinking charity," Ron said.

"You should, considering you're still wearing hand-me-downs. Which brother did that robe come from? Charlie? Percy? Fred?"

"Neither," Ron gritted out.

"Leave us alone, Malfoy. We only want to get to the cart," Calli intervened.

"Leave us alone, Malfoy," he mocked. "Granger, one would think that becoming an orphan would make you a little more tolerable as I had hoped you would stop talking so much."

Calli's flinch was genuine, but she was prepared for it. Draco warned her he would have to throw that in her face at some point. In fact, they all spoke in lengths about not taking anything the other said to heart. There would be no punches pulled. Neville shifted and draped his arm over her shoulder.

"Don't worry, Mione," Neville said. "He's all bark and no bite."

"Says the sheep in lion's clothing," Blaise deadpanned.

"Leave him alone," Calli gritted out.

"Oh, well what do we have here?" Draco said. "Seems like the Weasel might've missed his chance."

"What are you talking about?"

"We all know he's in love with you. He's like a lost, pathetic, miserable looking puppy whenever you're around. Staring at you all googly-eyed and probably pumping one out whenever he's alone."

Calli made a face. God, why did he have to put that image in her head. Ron lunged forward and Harry caught him around the waist. Ginny walked up and slapped Draco, and it took a lot of restraint on Neville's part to keep Calli from snapping the girl's wrist. Draco blinked at her.

"The next time you put your hands on me-

"What, you going to run to your daddy?" Ginny mocked.

"No. I'll break your wrist myself," he said darkly.

That time, it was Ron who reacted. Harry lost his grip as Ron pushed Draco against the wall, and with Harry and Ginny distracted with that, Neville wrapped his arms around Calli as her eyes flashed red.

"Calm down," he whispered in her ear.

"Get him off of my brother," she growled.

Neville twisted and grabbed the back of Ron sweater. He yanked and Ron stumbled back into Harry and Ginny. Blaise caught Draco before he fell and held him there. He whispered something in his ear and Draco relaxed, but Calli noticed he glanced her way before he did so. Ron was fuming. Harry's glasses were crooked, and Ginny was torn between going after Draco or staying with her brother.

"Potter, keep your pets on a tighter leash," Blaise snarled.

"Tell Draco to stop antagonizing us," Harry shot back.

"I did nothing wrong," Draco said smoothly. "Your little girlfriend is the one who takes things so seriously."

"We shouldn't be surprised, you guys. This is what happens when you hide behind a snake-faced coward who spends his time chasing a child," Neville said coolly.

Draco turned red and stepped forward, but Calli got in front of Neville. Draco scowled at her and said, "No matter, what I have to say I can say it to you as well. I would rather be following Him than putting my faith in a weak, pathetic boy who jumps at his own shadow."

Calli tilted her head and said, "Careful, Malfoy. Someone might think you care."

"Not on your life, Granger," he growled lowly.

Draco and Blaise bullied their way through the group. The Slytherins walked away while Harry cleared his throat.

"Least no one drew their wand this time," he joked weakly.

"I'll kill him," Ron growled.

"Join the club," Ginny muttered.

"No, you won't," Calli sighed. "Just let it go."

"Oh, sure. Hey, nice defending, by the way," Ron said. "Glad to know you have my back."

"And what exactly was I supposed to say, Ronald? No, you don't stare at me all googly-eyed? No, you don't bitch and moan at me? I wasn't going to defend you over something that was true," she said.

"I don't stare at you all googly-eyed," he huffed.

"Yeah, you do, mate," Neville said.

"You're the one hanging all over her," Ron exclaimed. "How do I know you aren't pumping one out over her at night!"

"Lower your voice," Calli hissed. "And though it is none of your business, like I told you before, I'm not dating Neville or Luna or anyone else you imagine me with."

"Then why are you all over him!"

"Ron, please," Harry begged. "Can we not do this right now?"

"She started it!"

"And I'm ending it. Let's get the snacks and head back."

Calli twitched and turned on her heel. Neville right behind her. She clenched her fists and stayed silent the rest of the way.

"Mione?" Harry called out hesitantly.

Calli tore her gaze away from the landscape and looked at him expectantly. He shifted in his seat, opening and closing his mouth, and she sighed. Ever since they got back to the compartment, he'd been afraid to talk to her.

"What is it, Harry?" she asked.

He blushed and pushed his glasses up his nose. "I wanted to share what I – we – learned yesterday, but I wasn't sure you were ready to hear it," he muttered.

"Okay."

Harry scooted forward and said in a low voice, "So, apparently, Bellatrix got married a few days ago."

"Wasn't she already married?" Calli asked, a bored tone to her voice.

"She was, but something happened, and now she's married to the Dark Lord's daughter."

"The Dark Lord has a daughter?" Neville exclaimed.

"That's what I said. Who would want to sleep with him?" Harry shuddered.

"What's her name?" Calli asked.

"Calliope. I saw her picture on the tapestry. She's actually kind of cute." Ginny smacked him in the stomach, and he grimaced. "Sorry," he added.

"Why is this a bad thing?" Calli asked.

"Padfoot mentioned something about a prophecy," Harry whispered.

"What does the prophecy say?"

"He wouldn't tell me," Harry sighed. "Just that the marriage between Bellatrix and Calliope was already foretold."

"Bunch of sick, twisted arseholes, if you ask me," Ron huffed. "Bellatrix marrying some teenager. It's disgusting."

Harry cleared his throat and said quickly, "There's a plan in place."

"Which is?"

"They're going to use that slimy dungeon bat to get close to Bellatrix," Ron grumbled.

"It's a good plan," Harry exasperated.

"No, it isn't," Ron argued. "We're supposed to trust him to keep us updated on Bellatrix Lestrange's love life?"

"Black," Harry corrected.

"Whatever," Ron sighed. "I still think it's stupid."

"They think Severus can convince Bellatrix to remove her prophecy from the Department of Mysteries," Harry added. "Then they'll set up a trap and capture her while she's there."

"We could also get your prophecy as well," Ginny said to Harry.

"What prophecy?" Calli asked, confused.

"Oh. Right. Um. I wasn't supposed to know yet, but I have a prophecy as well," Harry said.

"So. The plan is to let Severus convince Bellatrix to go after some random prophecy, and you're hoping someone tells you in advance so you can meet them there to get your own. Do I have that right?" she asked.

"When you say it like that, it sounds stupid."

"That's because it is."

"Jeez, you're acting like Ron," Ginny said. "It's a good plan."

"It's a plan," Calli corrected. "The only good thing about is that it shows someone is finally pushing the Order to do something instead of wait around for You-Know-Who to strike first."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Harry asked.

"I'm tired of waiting for something bad to happen. And I'm tired of depending on a bunch of adults who spend more time keeping secrets from us than keeping us involved. We're in this War now too, and I'm sick of sitting still."

"Don't you trust Dumbledore?" Harry asked.

Calli just looked out of the window.

Severus sat in his office with his head in his hands. He wished he had a way to warn Calli and Draco about what Dumbledore let happen. He had just left the last-minute staff meeting, and the urge to strangle that horrid woman grew each time she cleared her throat to speak. Her voice ground on his nerves, and he could tell Minerva hated her as well. There was a knock on his door, and he sighed.

"Come in," he drawled.

The door opened and closed.

"Please tell me you have a drink."

Severus waved his hand toward the cabinet where he kept his firewhiskey. He glanced up as Flitwick plopped down on his couch and drank straight from the bottle.

"God, that woman," Flitwick exhaled.

"What is Albus thinking by bringing her here?"

"Torture."

Severus let himself smile before he fixed his face and went back to holding his head in his hands. Dolores Umbridge was not an issue, but rather a nuisance, and he didn't want to test Calli's patience with Bellatrix not within shouting distance.

"This is going to be a long year."

"Indeed, my friend. Yes indeed."