"Hermione, I finally have good news." Bellatrix announced.
"You found McGonagall?"
"I haven't actually seen her, but she has agreed to meet with us. Andromeda is coming to take us, via apparition."
"They're letting you come?"
"I have to leave my wand behind."
"And you're okay with that?"
"It's Andy. It will be fine. It's the only way." Once Andromeda arrived both women were apparated to an unknown location.
"Hermione"! Molly Weasley enveloped her in a bear hug.
"Molly! You're okay?"
"Getting by dear. And you? Is Crookshanks alright? We were so worried when she insisted on taking him."
"I'm fine, I promise. And so is Crookshanks."
"Excuse me Molly, I'd like a chance to smother Miss Granger as well." A familiar voice spoke up.
"Professor!"
"I'm so glad you are well. I feared for you most of all."
"We all did." Molly chimed in. "I was worried sick over it."
"Bellatrix saved me."
"Yes, well, that's what we are here for. Andromeda has relayed Miss Black's change of stance, but until we have undeniable proof of her loyalty we cannot reveal anything." Minerva said.
"Of course. I understand." Bellatrix said.
"Lot of rubbish if you ask me." Another woman's voice spoke up.
"I didn't see you there Mrs. Longbottom." Hermione said politely. "How is Neville?"
"Still at Hogwarts. Won't be released until he takes his N.E.W.T exams."
"Same with Ron and Ginny." Molly said.
"What about everyone else?" Hermione asked.
"Arthur, Bill, and Charlie are in Azkaban. Percy and George are home with me. They have very low level jobs with the ministry." Molly sighed.
"So what do I need to do?" Bella asked, looking around at the five women.
"Veritaserum. You drink it, we ask you anything we want to know." Minerva said.
"Fine." Bellatrix took the offered vial and gulped the contents down.
"Andromeda, you start." Molly said.
"Who were you caught kissing at Slughorn's party in sixth year?"
"Pandora Boylan." Bellatrix answered at once.
"That is certainly true." Mcgonagall said dryly.
"Then let's begin. Why do you wish to aid us in defeating Lord Voldemort?" Andromeda asked.
"I do not believe in his cause. I do not trust him."
"Why did you become a death eater?"
"I felt I had no choice. He...offered me something in return."
"Such as?"
"No, don't make her say more. She's telling the truth." Hermione spoke up.
"Why did you become his most loyal follower if you didn't truly believe in his message?" Molly asked.
"I did believe that pure-bloods were superior wizards. I did not agree that killing and torturing muggles was right, but I accepted it as a means to achieve power. I believed that the wizarding world should rule over muggles."
"Then you must have changed your mind. You killed and tortured many wizards and muggles." Longbottom said.
"I didn't want to. I felt I had no choice. I had to protect my son."
"Yes, we are all old enough to be aware of what happened to your children. But if you loved them, why wouldn't that inspire you to leave his side?"
"I couldn't. He, the Dark Lord, took him. I would have done anything to save my baby. I did everything he asked of me after that. I know I did terrible things, unforgivable things, but I had to. He said if I failed him he would bring me my son's body." Bellatrix had tears rolling down her face. All the women in the room looked distraught, even Mrs. Longbottom.
"Bella, why are you changing your mind now?" Andy asked gently. "Why would you risk everything?"
"Riddle lied. He isn't even a pure-blood. He doesn't care about any of us. He killed Severus and lied about it. He's thinking of killing me. To make another horcrux. I don't hate muggles. I love my son, I always loved him. I don't want to do this anymore."
"What about Rigel? Are you not still afraid for him?
"I don't think he is alive. A part of me always knew that the dark lord probably killed him anyway."
"Is there any other reason you are here today?"
"Yes. Hermione."
"How do you feel about Hermione?" Andy asked.
"I love her."
Everyone in the room, Hermione included, looked surprised. "You mean you love her like a daughter?" Molly clarified.
"No."
"Okay, let's leave this line of questioning." Minerva said quickly "Does anyone have anything else? The veritaserum will wear off soon."
"Why did you torture my Alice?" Mrs. Longbottom asked.
"I didn't. That type of cruciatus curse can only be done by the Lestrange family."
"You were there though."
"Yes. I knew that they didn't know anything about the dark lord. I knew he wasn't gone for good because of the horcruxes, and no one but myself knew of their existence. But I went with Rodolphus. When we came in Alice was in the kitchen with the baby. She begged me not to hurt him. To keep him safe. I took him upstairs away from everything."
The room was silent for a while. "Shit." Bellatrix muttered as the veritaserum wore off.
"Do you remember what you said?" Andy asked.
"Yes."
"Bella, why didn't you tell me sooner? About Rigel?" She asked.
"I just couldn't. It was easier for everyone to just think I was insane. That I was just a monster."
"Well, let's have a vote then." Minerva suggested. "I, for one, believe Bellatrix is sincere."
"As do I, of course." Andy said. "Molly?"
"Yes. I think so too, although it is hard to wrap my mind around."
"I'm not sure what to think." Longbottom admitted. "If we are to proceed forward, I think we must require Bellatrix to make the unbreakable vow."
"That's fine." Bella said at once.
"No." Hermione said. "It's too risky. What if you're tortured?"
"It will be fine Hermione. I want to do it."
"Then there is one more person whose opinion we must count." Minerva said. At that moment Harry emerged from the corner of the room, throwing the invisibility cloak off.
"Harry!" Hermione was ecstatic.
"Hermione, I'm so glad to see you."
"Where have you been, how did you survive?"
"I was a horcrux. It's a long story, I saw everything in Snape's memories. When Voldemort cast the curse at me he only killed the part of himself in me. I was badly stunned though, and in pain.
"So you're no longer a horcrux?"
"Right. Narcissa Malfoy lied to him that I was dead. After the fighting started back up I was in no condition to continue. Minerva got to me and apparated us both out. It took some time for me to recover. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I didn't win. I'm sorry for everything you've been through."
"Oh Harry don't blame yourself. I'm fine. And hope isn't lost. We can continue to fight"
Harry approached Bellatrix. "Did you mean to kill Sirius?"
"No. It wasn't the killing curse. Just a stun."
"I remember. Thank you for taking care of Hermione. If she wants to take the vow I say we do it now and then we can talk about strategies."
Minerva did the spell to bind Harry and Bellatrix in the unbreakable vow. "Now Bellatrix, tell us what Riddle's plans are."
"His first goal is to get the wizarding world to accept his rule. He also wants to continue the old pure-blood houses by arranging marriages, and forcing all pure and half-bloods to reproduce. He is slowly beginning to recruit outside of England. Only when he feels we are strong enough will he attempt to take over the muggle world."
"And we just have one horcrux left?"
"Yes, but the snake is the hardest to get to. And he plans to make another. Although he has been focusing on other things right now, I think I have bought myself some time, or perhaps persuaded him to use someone else to create this last horcrux."
"We need to know right away if he does go through with it."
"He doesn't tell me everything. But if I can, I will find out."
"In the meantime we need to focus on getting to that snake." Harry said.
"He never leaves her unguarded."
"Then let's all think of solutions until we can meet again." Minerva said. "Hermione, I borrowed your ingenious idea about the D.A. galleons. We can use these to communicate."
"Harry, where have you been staying?" Hermione asked while she passed out coins.
"With Professor Mcgonagall." He answered. "No one suspects I'm alive do they?"
"No. Only Narcissa and I know the truth and we covered it up." Bellatrix answered.
"Bellatrix, I need a way to speak with Narcissa." Minerva said.
"I believe that I can arrange that."
"Let me know. Stay safe everyone. The first meeting of the Order of the Phoenix is adjourned.
When they had been taken back home by Andromeda, Hermione kissed Bellatrix. "I'm so proud of you."
Andy looked on in amusement. "Bella, you've always been a force to be reckoned with, but seducing the muggle-born heroine of the Order of the Phoenix is a new high."
"You underestimate me Andy. All it took was being nice to Horna."
Hermione rolled her eyes. "It's all Voldemort's fault, really. I mean, he wanted to use you to practice his fountain of youth spells."
"Oh, so you just like me because I'm hot."
"Ok, you two, I'm leaving." Andy announced.