There was nothing to do. I had nowhere to go. I couldn't bring myself to face my Mother and admit my shameful failure and weakness. I would rather suffer all the humiliation and pain in this world than see that old look of disappointment spread across her face, than see her shake her head at me in shame and disapproval. I did the only thing left to me: I returned to the Death Eaters.

Without Sirius' help, it was no good trying to run anywhere. They would find me and, undoubtedly, punish me. Alone, I was as good as vulture fodder. I tried not to act conspicuous around the other Death Eaters. At meetings, I made sure my mask was secure, my hood pulled far over my face, and I slouched at the back of the circle, behind the rows of my superior officers and said nothing to distinguish myself.

I was, therefore, very surprised to hear that the Dark Lord himself had requested an audience with me. There is no way he could know about my conversation with Sirius, I assured myself, although I trembled from head to foot at the thought. And there was no avoiding the confrontation.

Dec 12th, 1980

Death Eater's Headquarters

It was the first time I had ever seen the Dark Lord close up, the only time I had ever had a personal conversation with him. In his presence, cold sweat poured down my back. He bade me lift my hood, and I reluctantly did so. Gazing into his eyes—such terrifying eyes have never been possessed by any person before or since, I am sure—I felt he must know all of my innermost secrets. Surely he had called me here to kill me.

But he uttered no such sentence. Rather, his eyes almost seemed to grow softer and he addressed me in a gentle, soothing voice. "Regulus Black," he murmured. "Are you a faithful servant to me?"

My eyes must have been round with fear, and my throat was so dry, I had to make several attempts before I could actually get the words out. "Y..yes, my Lord," I whispered.

The Dark Lord's eyes narrowed. "Do you swear to do all that I command? Without fail? Without hesitation?" he hissed, although his voice never rose in volume, and seemed as slow as ever.

I couldn't look at him anymore. I closed my eyes and nodded eagerly, expecting to be engulfed by green death at any moment. In my haste to convince him of my good intentions, my voice grew loud and high, excited. "Yes, my Lord. Of course! Whatever you command!" And in that moment, I felt it was true. What task could possibly exist that I would not gladly carry out rather than face the wrath of those eyes. Anything to save my poor soul from untimely demise. With greater conviction, I cried, "I swear!"

The Dark Lord looked pleased. "In that case, I have a mission for you. It's very simple. Carry it out, and your rewards will be great." He handed me a simple, folded piece of parchment. As he dismissed me, he sighed, "Do not fail me, little serpent."

Hope filled my heart. He wasn't going to kill me. He wasn't trying to read my heart and mind and accuse me of treason. If I did what he commanded, I would be rewarded, my parents would have their honor, and my life would be saved.

In my own chambers, I unfolded the piece of parchment and read the simple instructions written there in black ink:

Kill Sirius Black.

For a long moment I merely stared at the message without comprehension. Then, for a long time, I sat alone in my room and let my thoughts wander. Three hours later I had left the fortress and was running across the moor.

In those hours, I went over the whole story I have just related. I thought countless times on my brother and on all of the things he had done. Of course, I couldn't do it. I couldn't kill him. They say that blood is thicker than water. And if one can't have faith in one's family, who can one have faith in? Who can one trust? No. Surely the bonds of blood are stronger than that.

I knew that failure to carry out this command would prove my betrayal to my Lord, and that it was useless to back down now. No excuse would pacify him, no delay would be acceptable to him. And on discovering my hesitation, he would be forced to kill me. There was only one thing to do: run away.

The fear of being caught gave me speed and energy I wouldn't have guessed I had. I have no idea how far I ran. I rested in barns, in shadowy groves. I didn't know where I was running to, only that I had to get as far away from the Death Eaters and the Fortress, and the Dark Lord as possible. Only that I had to put all of this killing and misery and pain behind me. I would go somewhere, invent a new name, start a new life. Regulus Black and all of his suffering would be discarded. With these thoughts, I simply ran forward as long as my legs would convey me.

When the Dark Lord called me into his presence, I was greatly honored. A personal interview was a rare thing, but my Lord had spared several already for me. I knew he had great things in mind for me, and I only awaited eagerly the chance to prove my loyalty. The others would be forced to admit my superiority. They would be forced to bow before me as I sat at my Lord's right hand. They would swallow their pride and grovel before the feet of a woman.

"Bellatrix Lestrange," the Dark Lord whispered to me in his low, beautiful voice. "Are you a faithful servant to me?"

I didn't hesitate a moment. "Of course, my Lord."

His Lordship smiled. "You will follow my every command? Without fail? Without hesitation?"

"You need never doubt me," I assured him eagerly. Perhaps this was my chance. My day was finally come. With even greater excitement, I cried, "Command, Lord, and I obey! I will bring you honor!"

"I suspected as much," the Dark Lord said with a pleased hiss. "I have only a very simple mission for you, my dear, but you will be greatly rewarded if you succeed." I beamed as I accepted a folded piece of parchment from him. "Make me proud, my beautiful serpent," he said as I left him.

In the hallway, I unfolded the parchment hastily and read the simple message:

Kill Regulus Black.

For a moment, I was still. Then I smiled.

I have been running now for days it seems, although it cannot possibly have been so long. I am still in the forest which is not far from the fortress. Every creaking branch and snapping twig seems to send me into the greatest panic. Any moment now the Dark Lord himself will appear and bear down on me. The darkness belongs to him, so how could these shadows and grottos possibly afford me any protection? I run still, stumbling, dizzy. I stop at a pool to drink. The water is green and rancid, but my throat is so parched that I have no choice. I guzzle down the putrid liquid. A branch snaps behind me. The sound of a footfall. I whirl around, believing my time has come. Surely my enemy approaches to capture me and return me to the Fortress, source of all of my fears. A shadow emerges from the trees, black-robed, solemn. The figure's face comes into view, touched by the sunlight that sneaks in through breaks in the leaves. Oh, thank God! It is only Bellatrix.

FINIS.