April came and went faster than anyone wanted to admit. Teddy just turned 8 years old and had a big celebration. Unlike his birthday last year, he spent it with his family and loved ones instead of being held captive by a psychopathic woman who wanted to murder his aunt. Teddy chose a Quidditch themed birthday party including a scrimmage game. The scrimmage only caused two small superficial fights between Andy and Bella and they kept their cool since it was after all Teddy's big day. "We really need to ban quidditch games around here," Hermione had said after the party guests had left and Bella laughed the sentiment off. "What's family fun without a little unforgivable curse, pet?" The wedding planning was in full swing and with it so was the race for minister. Hermione had been on edge for the past four weeks and Bella was doing her best to stay out of the brunette's way, offering help when she could but mostly giving Hermione the reins and not interfering. She knew better than to step in Hermione's way when she was in her tunnel vision mode. Hermione basically told Bella as long as she had practiced her vows and showed up then she would take care of the rest. "Practice? What does that entail?" She mistakenly asked, causing Hermione to go off on a 45 minute rant about the proper way to prepare vows and how it was the most important part of the ceremony. Bella made her way out of that conversation as quickly and painlessly as possible. Maybe getting married so soon after the new Minister was announced was poor planning on their part but Bella wasn't exactly known for her perfect planning skills. "It'll all work itself, pet," she assured her fiancé on an almost daily basis.

After her visit with Luna and Junior Superior Weasley, Bella spent many nights awake thinking about children, specifically her and Hermione's potential children. She just assumed that kids weren't in the mix for her and she was okay with that but now with the possibility of a future and a family, Bella had a lot to think about. She hadn't talked further with her fiancé since that night after her trip to Luna's but she felt that they were on the same page. Bella wasn't worried about the process. She knew just the person who could whip up a discreet conception potion for them. She picked up her phone and dialed her baby sister.

"What is it Bella?"

"Well hello to you too my dearest baby sister."

"I'm at work. I don't have time for idle conversation," the blonde sighed. "Fine. Hello Bella. How are you?"

"I'm at work Cissy. I don't have time for small talk," she cackled.

"You are insufferable at best. What can I do for you?"

Bella swore she could hear her sister's eyes roll. "I need a favor. It has to be discreet though. Is Andy there?"

"No. She's out this morning for something at Teddy's school. She'll be back after lunch."

"And the other one?"

"If by the other one you are referencing Aviya, my girlfriend, then no. She's not working today and also that's very rude of you."

Bella shrugged, "what did you expect?"

"Do you want my help or not?"

"Yes, of course. I wouldn't have called if I didn't need help from the best potions master I know."

"Flattery will get you everywhere, can you come by now?"

"I'll be there in fifteen minutes or so. I just have to yell at Kate and Draco to keep them on their toes. I've been too soft on them lately."

"Don't be too hard on Draco, you know he's sensitive,"

Bella laughed, "that's what makes it so fun. See you soon."

She hung up the phone and made her way out of her office. "All right kids, good news," she stated as she entered the main DMLE office.

"We are finally going after the serial killer?" Kate looked up from over the cubicle wall.

"No," she shook her head and started walking over to her nephew.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" Kate snapped at her boss. "This whole situation is so fucked and here you are, our boss not doing shit about it."

"Excuse me little girl but do you know who you are talking to?" Bella turned around and glared at the girl, slowly walking back until she was in her space. "I suggest you change your tone if you want to keep your job," she poked Kate in the chest before standing up over her.

"March. We were supposed to deploy the undercover mission in March. We are partway through May and we haven't done shit about anything," Kate stood coming face to face with Bella.

Bella crossed her arms over her chest, "has there been another murder?"

"No."

"Then what's the problem, Kate?" She bit out her words, refusing to back down to her employee.

"There's a serial killer out there just walking free. You know why this is important to me. Don't act like this isn't a big deal. What do you mean what's the problem? That's the fucking problem. The whole situation is the fucking problem."

"Sit down," Bella growled, "before you do or say something you will regret. I know this is a fucking big deal. Don't pretend to think you know what I'm doing behind the scenes. We are busy if you haven't noticed. We go out on investigations almost daily and look around, it's just the three of us right now and Potter. You have no fucking idea what I am capable of. He will get what's coming to him, believe that. We will go when the time is right. He hasn't killed anyone since we stopped him and honestly there are more pressing cases where people are actually getting hurt or wind up dead. So," Bella raised her eyebrow, "we go when I say we go. Is that going to be a problem for you?"

Kate huffed and sat down. She wanted to catch this guy and have him behind bars already. Yes, there were other cases coming in daily that they needed to take care of but in her mind the only case that mattered was the serial killer case. She knew Bella was busy with Hermione's ministerial campaign and the wedding but she needed this. She needed to see if this man was responsible for her mother's death. She knew if she wanted to get the investigation rolling again then she'd have to take matters into her own hands but now wasn't the time. Arguing with the dark witch wouldn't get her anywhere but either fired or dead so she simply stated, "no, no problem at all boss."

Bella gave her a wicked smile, "good girl," she appraised her in the most condescending voice she could muster.

She turned to leave and was stopped by Draco, "what's the good news? You mentioned good news when you came out."

"Oh," Bella snapped her finger, "I'm leaving for the afternoon. Important business I must attend to. Draco you are in charge of Kate. Make sure she doesn't do anything stupid."

"I don't need a babysitter," Kate grumbled, still feeling the sting of Bella's words.

"After your outburst you should be thankful that you are still employed. Honestly, you need a babysitter right now more than ever. Draco?" She looked at her nephew who seemed to be in some inner turmoil. "Don't be worried. You can easily take her in a duel if it comes down to that. You are part Black after all and learn to duel from the best and by the best I mean me."

"Why do I have to be in charge?"

"Every Dark Lord needs a right hand," she smirked at her nephew, "consider today your lucky day boy." She patted him on the shoulder before whispering, "watch her," as she headed over to the door before shouting, "Potter? I'll be back later. Don't ask questions. Draco is in charge."

"Wait what?" Harry yelled back.

"Already leaving. Ask Draco."

She left the DMLE suite and made her way to the lifts. When the doors opened up she saw a face she didn't particularly want to see, "fuck no. I'll wait until the next lift."

The snake cane stopped the door from closing, "come now, Bella. Don't be like that. Get in."

Bella rolled her eyes, "fine but don't talk to me."

Only a moment of silence passed before Lucius drawled, "how's Ms. Granger been finding the election proceedings?"

"I'd rather fling myself down the elevator shaft than have this conversation with you, Lucy," she rolled her eyes not bothering to look at him. "She's fine and it's fine now fuck off and let me ride the bloody lift in peace."

"You know," his voice was flat and even, "Dolohov was leading in the polls last I checked."

Bella suppressed a growl, "well if you are getting your polls from Skeeter I'm sure that bug would tell you whatever you wanted to hear," she cackled, "knowing her she's probably so far up Dolohov's ass she could use him as a hand puppet."

Lucius scoffed, "there's no need to be so crude."

She smirked at his face as the lift came to a stop, "crude is my middle name, Lucy. How quickly you forget," she walked out of the lift flipping him off as he retreated down the other hallway. She made her way to the fireplaces and took it to the Leaky Cauldron where she quickly apparate to outside of St. Mungos. The women at the front desk knew Bella by now and didn't bother to stop her when she arrived so she made her way to the lift and took it to the newly renovated Potions floor which also housed the Muggle Medicine Wing. "Not too shabby," she said, getting a look down the hallway where the muggles were setting up various pieces of hospital equipment. "Hermione's done it," she said with a hint of pride in her voice. It was her first time seeing all of their hard work and everything looked amazing. Bella never ceased to be amazed at everything her fiancé had accomplished since they met. She couldn't believe she was lucky enough to be the one Hermione loved. "Enough of this," she pushed off the door frame to the Muggle Medicine Wing and made her way to the Potions Lab. "New digs?" She asked, walking in noticing her sister with her back towards the door.

Cissy jumped just a little, "hello, Bella." She finished transferring a potion before putting her tools down and turning around. She smiled, "it is rather fancy isn't it? I have your fiancé to thank for that."

"Well I'm here to collect for the both of us," Bella smirked.

"I don't think a transfer of thanks is going to happen."

"You'll want to do this," Bella shrugged.

"So you want me to give my thanks to Hermione through a favor to you?"

"That's correct."

"Okay," she looked intrigued, "I'll bite. What kind of potion do you need?"

"A conception potion."

Narcissa choked on air, "pardon?"

"Don't make me say it again and no, I will not elaborate." Bella tried her best to shut the conversation down but her sister wasn't going to submit that quickly.

"If you want this, I need the details," Cissy smirked, "don't worry I won't say anything to Andy. Unlike her, you can trust my word."

"And you won't tell, Ms. Hart?"

Cissy rolled her eyes, "fine."

"Perfect," Bella smiled and went over to sit at the table and chairs in the corner. "So I've changed my mind."

"I figured as much."

"I suppose not all children are hideous. I spent some time with Junior Superior Weasley," she saw the look of confusion on her sister's face, "baby Freddy and I spent time together and he got me thinking about what it would be like to have one. I mean I don't want to give birth to a child but Hermione deserves a chance to be a mum. She will be an amazing mother."

"Bella?" Cissy spoke up and her sister hummed in response, "but do you want to be a mother?"

"Honestly I thought I didn't," she threw her head back and closed her eyes, "I don't know if you know this about me Cissy but I'm a very self-serving and selfish person. No way were kids ever in my picture. I had big plans. Grand and glorious plans. Then I went to prison, almost died, wanted to die and then I met Hermione and everything shifted," she looked over and saw her sister looking intently at her. "The future is right around the corner. We are getting married in like three weeks. Im nervous as fuck but the good kind of nervous."

"Do you want to be a mother?"

Bella was quiet for a few minutes, thinking over everything. She honestly didn't think she deserved the opportunity to be a mother after the crimes she committed but damn if she didn't want it, "yes," she finally said quietly.

Cissy smiled and patted her hand, "for what it's worth, I think you'll be an excellent mother."

"That's what Lovegood said but I most discredit her though because she's a nutter but you think so? I'll find a way to fuck the kid up I'm sure. Look at our parents. Lot of good they did. I'm a criminal, Cissy. There's no way I can raise a proper member of society let alone love a child the way they deserve to be loved."

"Correction," she grabbed her sister's hand, "you were a criminal. You did your time and then some. You now remind me of you when we were kids. Carefree and full of hope. This is the best version of you I've ever experienced and yes, everyone makes mistakes as parents but that doesn't mean you can't and don't deserve to be a mother." A silence fell over the pair of sisters before she added, "let's just pray they wind up like Hermione."

"Haha," Bella deadpanned, "any sort of conception potion you can whip up that only guarantees her to get pregnant?"

"You know that's not how it works. You both have to drink it and," she blushed.

"I know," Bella rolled her eyes, "if you are going to be having sex with a woman you should at least be able to talk about having sex with a woman."

"You both have to have an orgasm in order for it to work. There's a 50% chance you'll be the pregnant one but given your age and all the trauma your body took in Azkaban, I doubt you'll be the one who gets pregnant," then Cissy burst out laughing, "though imagine if it was you. Merlin we'd all be in trouble."

"I wouldn't be that bad," Bella crossed her arms over her chest. Cissy started laughing again, holding her side. "Well, I wouldn't be great but I could do it."

"Oh I'm sure you could do it," the blonde finally controlled her laughter, "and I'm sure you wouldn't be great at being pregnant. Trust me it's no picnic but after the pregnancy, yeah you'll be great at that part."

"You truly think so?"

The vulnerability in her older sister's voice was enough to give her the answer. "Yes," Cissy's voice didn't waiver. "Draco is the best thing that's ever happened to me," she looked over and saw Bella smirking, "no really, I mean it. Remember right after Draco was born?" She saw a nod, "he was a mess. Cried all day and night. Didn't want me. Didn't want Twiggy. He was quite honestly the worst and had me doubting if I could even be a mother and raise a semi-decent member of society. I was not great. And well, Lucius…"

"Lucy was the worthless piece of shit that he always has been and will always be. Don't make excuses for his shortcomings. You are an excellent mother to Draco and if I'm half the mother you are then I'll consider myself among the best."

"Thank you," she smiled softly, "but what I was trying to say is that when Draco was going through his rough time, you were the only person he wanted. You calmed him and I wouldn't have been able to get through that without you."

"Remember when I put the fire whiskey in his bottle and you almost killed me?" She cackled.

"Yeah," Cissy smiled at the memory, "I was so mad but," she shrugged, "it worked and you were once again, right."

"My favorite sentence in any language."

Cissy noticed the telltale signs of her sister trying to change the subject so she had to reel it back around to children. "He loved you, Bella."

"I barely knew him. He was just a babe when I went to prison," Bella hung her head.

"You saved us that first year," Cissy scooted her chair closer, putting her arm around her older sister's shoulder, "we all survived Draco's first year of infancy because of your surprising amount of patience and understanding," she saw Bella wave off the compliment. "Plus don't tell Andy but everyone knows you are Teddy's favorite."

"Now that," Bella smiled, "I know that is the truth. I love that little guy so much."

"Exactly and you are wonderful with him," Bella shrugged. "No, I will not back down. You are going to be a fine mum to the baby or babies?" She looked over and saw the dark witch smile. "Come on let's get this potion started and pray that they turn out like their other mum."

Bella cackled and followed Cissy as she made her way through the lab gathering the needed ingredients to start the conception potion. "Have you practiced your vows yet?"

"Practiced?" Bella scoffed. "Practicing would assume that I've written them which is a very stupid thing to assume." Cissy's mouth dropped open, "Phoenix shit, Cissy."

"Bella," the blonde woman sounded serious, "if you don't write your vows and practice them then I don't want to be around when Hermione finds out."

"I was just planning on winging it when I got up there. Say what I'm feeling at the moment. You know," Bella shrugged, "all that romantic bullshit women love."

"Oh trust me, Hermione will not love that," she saw her sister roll her eyes. "If you aren't going to write your vows, Hermione will kill you. Could you let me know your plans now because this potion takes three weeks to brew and I don't want to waste my time on it if you won't be alive to use it."

"Do you always have to be so dramatic?" Bella sighed as she watched her sister prepare the ingredients for the potion. She didn't start her vows because she had absolutely no idea what to say to Hermione or what to promise her. She would have to set aside some time and figure all of that out later. Besides, there was still three weeks until the wedding and she worked best under pressure. "I'll work on it," she said quietly so her sister would continue to make the potion. Cissy smiled but didn't say anything else, just continued working with the ingredients.

It took just shy of two hours to brew the potion and Bella was getting bored, "are we almost done here?" She had been fidgeting for the past 20 minutes, touching various things around the lab causing Cissy to sigh a lot.

"You can leave at any time," she didn't look up, stirring the potion as it changed from an orange to a light purple and a little puff of smoke came out of the cauldron. Satisfied with the progress she nodded and grabbed a few plants to add in.

"No," Bella set her face, "I'm here to make sure you don't fuck this up and I some how get pregnant."

"You know it's a possibility," Cissy rolled her eyes. "We've already talked about that."

"Yes," Bella waved her off, "semantics. I just want to know you don't add any extra of me in there."

"I really don't want you to know how you managed to bring me the essence of Hermione without her knowing," Bella cackled, "but trust me that there are equal parts you and her in there." She emptied the final vial of liquid into the cauldron and said, "done. Now we just have to let it set for three weeks. It should be done for your wedding if you'd like it then."

"That's kind of soon," Bella bit her lip. "Let me think about it," she peered into the cauldron. "Thanks for this. I appreciate it."

"I'll put it on your tab," her younger sister smirked. "Come on, let's put this in my office closet. Andy won't be able to mess with it there. Don't worry. This stays between us."

Bella nodded and followed her sister out of the lab.

The potion was successfully transferred into the floor of Cissy closet and was placed behind a few boxes. Nobody would be able to fuck with it there and once Bella was satisfied with its placement she decided to leave the hospital. "I'll walk you out," her sister offered to accompany Bella to the apparation point. "The visit was pleasant. It was a good way to pass the day. You should stop by the hospital more often Bella. Maybe when Aviya is here?"

Bella eyed her with a look that screamed not likely before she spoke, "thank again," changing the subject. Bella started to say something else but shut it off quickly when she heard a familiar voice coming up behind them.

"My lord," the two sisters turned and saw Andy bowing down to Bella. "What brings you here today?"

"Just visiting my favorite sister. Now I must be off."

Andy feigned disappointment, "ouch. And I thought I was the favorite."

"You are something, all right. Plus, I see your ass everyday at home. I'm not sure you and I need any further quality time. Less quality time might actually be appropriate," Bella pulled out her phone looking at the time.

Andy shrugged one shoulder, "you love me. I can feel it."

Andy and Bella turned to look at their youngest sister, "oh no. I've learned a long time ago not to get involved with any of your antics."

Just then a fourth voice entered the conversation. A voice that made all three of the sisters clench, "as I live and breath, the Dark Lord herself is finally gracing the public with her presence," they turned around to see Rita Skeeter standing across the street with her photographer.

"Piss off, Rita," Andy growled.

"Call off your watch dog, Bellatrix. I'm only here for a statement."

"Me?" Bella pointed to herself. "You think I have control over Andromeda? Please. If she wanted to kill you, you'd be dead already. Do as the woman said and piss off."

"Now now," Rita tutted, "that's no way for the new Dark Lord to treat her public. After all, I was a huge supporter of you know who."

All three of the Black sisters laughed, "please," Bella spoke for them, "you supporting Voldemort? If you supported him then I was part of the Order."

Rita crossed her arms over her chest, "I was just as much of a supporter of you know who as any of you were. Unlike you Bella, I didn't kill anyone."

"Uh," Andy raised her hand, "I actually sided with the good guys. You need to get your facts straight, Skeeter."

"Once again," Rita rolled her eyes, "nobody was talking to or about you Andromeda. Always putting yourself into conversations that you don't belong in."

Andy took a step forward and Bella's arm shot out holding her back, "she's not worth it," Bella whispered, not turning to look at her. "What is it that you want, Skeeter? Do you want me to confirm your stupid fucking stories? Do you honestly think I'd do anything to ruin Hermione's chances in this election? I know you are a fucking nutter but you can't seriously be that stupid."

"She's pretty fucking stupid," Andy snorted.

"Skeeter, what's this really about? We both know the Dark Lord stuff is just bullishit. Stop using Voldemort as an excuse. You weren't a death eater and everyone knows you didn't have what it took to even be considered in his ranks. None of that matters now though because he is dead. So if it's not about Voldemort as we just surmised that it's not, I ask again, what is this really about? You can't honestly be still pissed off about the glory days at Hogwarts can you? I mean Cissy was Slughorn's favorite and we all know I was the best Quidditch player during our time at school. I think maybe you are still bitter about the fact that Andy caught the eye of a certain Hufflepuff you fancied. You never admitted to that but everyone knew the truth. I mean we all know what happened there," Bella felt bad bringing it up but she just wanted to get under Rita's skin. The story of Ted, Andy and Rita was one for another day and Bella wasn't playing into Skeeter's bullshit this afternoon. Rita's pale skin was starting to blush from Bella's accusations so she knew that she was on the right track to break the woman.

The whole time Bella was speaking the photographer was busy taking pictures and it finally got to the point where Cissy had to speak up. "I suggest you stop snapping pictures, boy. It'll do you well to find a new profession."

"Yeah fuck off camera boy," Andy sneered.

"Is he at least getting your good side?" Cissy laughed.

"All of my sides are good sides," Andy smirked.

"Yes," Cissy rolled her eyes, "she is spending too much time with you, Bella."

"Enough," Bella's tone was filled with annoyance, "what do you want?" She started across the street towards Skeeter while her sisters followed behind.

"I just need a statement from the New Dark Lord. What are you trying to gain from pushing your fiancé into the role of Minister? Do you honestly think she's the perfect fit for the job? What is the long game here, Bella?"

"Stop right there. We aren't friends. Don't call me Bella. If you want me to be the Dark Lord so badly, run your damn article. My fiancé, as you say, is the perfect candidate and I hope to gain nothing. I need nothing. Honestly, it doesn't matter what I say because you already have your next story written. You just needed a picture," she reached out and grabbed the camera. "Well," she handed the camera to Andy who cast a bombarda causing the camera to go up in flames, "I guess you don't have that anymore. Our word against yours Skeeter. It's time for you to leave before Andy stops playing nice."

"I paid for that," the man said, looking at the charred remains on his camera. "That was my personal camera."

"Looks like it is a pile of rubbish now," Bella smirked. "So sorry," she didn't sound sorry at all.

"The Prophet readers are going to love this," Rita smiled scribbling on a notebook.

"Leave," Andy growled, "while you still have use of all of your limbs."

"My sisters are being quite magnanimous here," Cissy chimed in, "I think it's best for you to leave

and stop showing up where you aren't wanted."

"This isn't over," Rita grabbed the photographer and spun them out of the area.

"She always did have to make a big fucking scene, didn't she?" Bella laughed.

"Oh," Cissy rolled her eyes, "you're one to talk."

"Who…me?" Bella feigned innocence.

"You are the queen of making a scene and you know it," Andy laughed.

"False accusations. I won't stick around for this kind of abuse. Plus, some of us have work to do today," she turned to leave, "I have to make sure Kate didnt do anything stupid."

"I can't believe she hasn't quit yet," the blonde sister added.

"She almost found herself on the pointy end of my wand this morning. That girl had the nerve to raise her voice at me. She's lucky I'm such a caring and patient person," she winked at Cissy before saying goodbye to her sisters and apparating away.

"Patient and caring my ass," Andy snorted.

"How was everything at Teddy's school?" Cissy asked as they turned and made their way back to the hospital.

"Oh fine," she shrugged. "Parent teacher conferences. You know. They said he was excelling in all of his classes and even started taking to Muggle football. They said he had a lot of friends but was a chatterbox during class time so we have to work on that I guess."

"Hmm," Cissy smirked, "I wonder who he gets that from."

"Oi! I won't stand for any of that cheek from you," she bumped shoulders with her sister before adding in a saddened tone, "they also said he's very clumsy." She saw the smile on Cissy's face falter, "I guess he does have some of his mum's qualities after all. My Dora was clumsier than a baby hippogriff learning how to stand. I guess Teddy was lucky enough to get her grace and beauty."

"Teddy is a wonderful young man and his mother would be proud of the person he is becoming," there was a short silence before she added, "as long as he doesn't get too many of Bella's negative qualities."

They finally made it back to the potions lab when Andy asked, "what did Bella stop by for?"

"Oh," the blond casually replied, "she just stopped by to talk about some wedding details."

"Anything I should know about?"

Cissy shrugged, "I don't think so." She saw her sister walk over to a few cauldrons to peer inside of them and an evil smirk grew on the blonde's face, "though she did tell me she's planning on winging her vows."

Andy's mouth fell open, "she did not," Cissy nodded in confirmation. "Nothing says a lasting and loving marriage like one bride murdering the other."