Word Count: 520

Kingsley hesitates, tapping his fingers against the wand in his pocket. He knows that she is chained and unarmed, but the reminder of his extra layer of security is a welcome reassurance.

"What the hell am I doing here?" he mutters to himself.

But he already knows the answer. He knows exactly why he is in Azkaban, standing outside an interrogation room that holds one of Voldemort's most demented followers.

He still remembers her as something more. Once, in their younger years, Bellatrix had been beautiful and softer. Maybe she was never quite good, but she wasn't this. She wasn't so bloody broken that she's almost a complete stranger.

"Auror Shacklebolt?"

Kingsley nods, offering the senior Auror a small, shaky smile. "Yes. Sorry." He quickly steps inside.

"And there he is," Bellatrix says, lips twisting into a grotesque smile. "I was wondering when my fearless little lion would show up."

Kingsley sits across from her. He can't bring himself to speak for several moments. Just looking at her makes his heart break.

She laughs, clearly taking joy in his discomfort. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" She leans in, resting her elbows on the table, the silver chains clanking noisily. "Come now. You were never this shy around me before."

"Why did you do it, Bella?" he whispers.

The question seems to take her by surprise. Her dark brows raise, and her eyes widen. A moment passes, and she laughs. "I was always destined to become this."

But she wasn't. Kingsley can still remember passing time with her, hidden away in empty classrooms. He remembers the way she would laugh and smile, and it just hurts so much to know that those days are gone. That girl is gone.

He had wanted to give her such a beautiful future. They could have been amazing together, and just looking at her like this now makes his heart hurt.

"My turn," she says. "Why are you here? A rookie Auror must have had to pull some strings to get alone with me. Why?" She tips her head to the side, eyes narrowing as she studies him.

"I love you," he answers before he can stop himself. A heavy sigh escapes his lips. "I try not to, but I can't."

"Love brought you here?" She shakes her head, cackling. "Merlin, you're as dumb as you are brave. Were you planning to put a ring on my finger, Kingsley? Darling, were you going to steal me away from this cell and start a new, beautiful life with me?"

He doesn't answer. Instead, he climbs to his feet, pushing the chair back in. With a polite bow of his head, he turns and starts for the door.

"Find someone who can make you better," she says, her voice softer now, closer to the gentle voice of the girl he had fallen in love with. "I cannot do that for you."

As he walks away, his heart flutters and aches all at once. Maybe there had been hope for them once, but that is gone now, and he knows there is no getting it back.