A Subtle Obsession
By: Twisted Mister
Chapter 11:
Carwyn was the first to arrive at breakfast that day. Upon sitting down he poured himself a cup of black coffee. He yawned, glancing around the great hall with weary eyes. 'I shouldn't have gone to the library last night. Now I can hardly stay awake… Damn that bloody rat! Maybe I can go back to bed after breakfast.' After visiting Hagrid's, Carwyn said a quick goodbye to Bellatrix and headed straight to the library, he had to sneak in as it was already past closing time. He spent hours looking through books and old manuscripts, most of them were about magical creatures.. rats in particular. Also flipping through a few texts on curses for good measure. Carwyn wrote a rather lengthy letter to Sirius that night as he browsed the shelves. Telling him about the rat and how it came to life, and it's subsequent escape.
'There must have been a reason why he gave me the rat.' Carwyn knew Sirius had ulterior motives, that was obvious. 'But why? What can a rat do that a human can't?' Just the thought of it was driving him mad. Flich interrupted his search around five o'clock last night, striding through the doors with his cat Miss Norris. Carwyn hid in the restricted section while Flich combed the area, he took his chance made a run for it when the caretaker turned down an aisle. Deciding to send the letter first, he went to the owlery to find Freya slumbering in the rafters. "Here you go girl, take this to Sirius.. Make sure you get an answer." He whispered as he stroked her feathery head, the owl gave a little hoot in acknowledgment and flew off into the predawn gloom.
He was wrenched out of his thoughts when Bellatrix and Narcissa took seats opposite him. "Good morning Carwyn." The girls chimed together. "Morning." He said rubbing his eyes. "Are you sleepy?" Bellatrix eyed him up and down. "Very..." She crossed her arms. "I told you not to worry about that stupid rat… but I can see that you didn't listen… why are boys so stubborn?" Her voice sharpened like a razor. "Hardheaded more like it..." Carwyn smiled. "We had so much fun in the common room last night, Pandora sent us some homemade coconut cakes and-" Bellatrix trailed off blushing. "Bundles of that rag her boyfriend writes the Snorkack!" Narcissa said laughing. "I suppose she wants you to hand them out.. Don't disappoint her Bellatrix people would go mad if they didn't receive the Christmas edition." He said smirking taking another sip of coffee.
Bellatrix made a show of rolling her eyes as the owls streamed in over head. An owl black as jet landed in front of him, a rolled up piece of parchment attached to its leg. 'Who could this be from?' He thought removing the scroll. It was stamped shut with a fancy wax seal, severing it carefully with his wand he unrolled it and read. 'Carwyn please forgive my late response. I received your owl the day after I left school. Thank Merlin my mother didn't intercept it, she reads every letter we get at the house. I managed to slip out tonight while my mother was punishing Kreacher. I'm not very fond of my cousin but when I read what happened to her, I was outraged. Bravo for beating the dragon dung out of those pricks Carwyn, I would have done it myself if I was there. We had our annual party two days ago on Christmas Eve, and you know what? Those knob heads showed up.. They didn't even look worried or remorseful for that matter. The three of them walked up to me and said hello, I had half a mind to hex them to pieces right then and there. Unfortunately I couldn't, all the high society purebloods were around, I felt really bad... Drucella was there my aunt, Bellatrix's mother.. I couldn't tell her. Listen mate and listen very carefully, if you go through with this you'll be putting a huge target on your back. Their families will be shamed, and they will seek vengeance. No doubt they will hire the most expensive lawyers if a trial is placed before the Wizengamot which you'll have no chance of winning, but that'll be the least of your worries. I know for a fact Malfoy and Rudolphus are in league with the dark lord I don't know about Rookwood, I heard them boasting about how he'll brand them with the dark mark after school lets out. Please be very careful from now on, if you report it talk to the headmaster only! No one else. Good thing you didn't tell Sirius, it would have made headlines in the daily prophet the next day. Happy New Year! See you soon mate. Regulus.'
"Who is it from?" Bellatrix asked. "See for yourself." Carwyn handed the parchment to her, Narcissa leaned over to read it with her. Narcissa chuckled halfway through the letter. "I know why our aunt checks the mail, she thinks my uncle is cheating on her." Bellatrix's scowl grew deeper as her eyes moved down the page, she balled it up in one hand and threw it across the hall after she finished. "Those bastards have some nerve! Walking into my aunt and uncles house, both of them Blacks! After what they did… boasting about their new "big daddy." I'll kill them." Narcissa grabbed her wrist. "Sshh! Bella you're being too loud calm down." She whispered, they were drawing attention from all over the hall even some of the teachers looked in their direction. "Perhaps it was a thinly veiled threat, to warn your family about what will happen if they snitch." He offered. Bellatrix huffed and puffed her anger slowly seeping away. "I don't care, I'm glad my cousin heard them gloating. They won't be after they get thrown in the darkest cell in the bowels of Azkaban." Carwyn felt surprised. "I honestly thought you would get angry at me for telling Regulus."
She shook her head. "No I'm actually glad that you did, he can be a witness if there is a trial. They admitted to following the dark lord." Bellatrix smiled triumphantly. Carwyn felt really doubtful about that, he was quite sure that Regulus wouldn't want the heat brought down on him. "Carwyn." Bellatrix said her voice shaking slightly. "I want you to come with me after breakfast, to report the... incident." He felt a lump tighten in his throat as she looked at him. "Okay I'll go with you, we'll go to Dumbledore and.." Carwyn said trying to be reassuring, Narcissa looked fearful, her eyes flicked between them. "Don't go to Slughorn, I know you are supposed to report it to your head of house.. but don't. Any of their families could be one of his benefactors. Go to McGonagall she will know how to handle it."
An uneasy silence lingered throughout the rest of the meal, everyone around them was relaxed and happy while they sat nervous in anticipation. His heart quickened as the bell rang. "It's time Bellatrix lets go." He made to stand up but Narcissa grabbed his hand, she took Bellatrix's in her other. "Be safe you two.. make sure to tell them everything that happened to you, no matter how bad it was... we got your back Bella." He felt Narcissa's hand quiver then she let go. They stood up awkwardly and made for the doors.
Bellatrix stuck to his side as they exited the great hall, scanning the entrance hall he saw Professor McGonagall chatting with Professor Flitwick as they climbed the staircase. 'At least we don't have to search for her.' Bellatrix noticed them as well, a look of dread spread across her face. Then she nodded, taking her hand he led her forward to the staircase and they began to climb, her hand tightening with every step.
"Professor!" Carwyn called out once they were close enough. The pair turned around breaking off their conversation. "Yes Mr Quigley." Professor Flitwick squeaked out. "Please excuse us sir, we need something of Professor McGonagall." Carwyn looked at the other professor, her eyes were drilling into him like an auger. "How may I help the two of you?" She said inquiring. Her hand was like a vice now, it felt like his bones were breaking.
"There is something we need to tell you... in private. No disrespect to you professor." He said quickly to Flitwick. "Something we need to… report." The air grew thick around them, Professor Flitwick's face fell as McGonagall's features sharpened. "Very well, please excuse me Filius… Come along you two." She said motioning them to follow her, they did so stiffly. Carwyn had to take long deep breaths in order to slow his heartbeat before reaching her office, he guessed Bellatrix was doing the same.
The professor led them up to the third floor landing and down a corridor to her office. Inside lay a room covered in ornate red tapestries with a welcoming fire crackling in the hearth. She ushered them to a pair of seats across from her desk. Taking her own McGonagall offered them refreshment which they refused, clearing her throat she said. "What is it that you would like to report?" Bellatrix twiddled her thumbs nervously, while Carwyn searched for an answer. "Professor it's-it's something.." Carwyn started nervously. 'Merlin why can't I say it.' He felt sick to his stomach. "Horrible..it's something horrible that happened… to me." Bellatrix finished her voice shaking.
He had never seen the look on the professor's face like he did now. It held no stiffness at all, it was a mix of emotions sympathy, pity, and concern. It made him feel uneasy to be honest, he never thought the stern professor could be so vulnerable. "But we can't tell you, not yet." He finally found his voice. "We have to speak to the headmaster about it.. please." Carwyn interlocked his fingers with hers, she was trembling. "Very well.. I'll floo Albus." The professor said standing up, striding to the fireplace. Grabbing a handful of floo powder she threw it in and said. "Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Ministry of Magic." Getting on her knees beside the hearth she stuck her head in the emerald flames. It alarmed him so much that he nearly jumped.
After a minute the professor got up. "The headmaster is currently at the ministry sitting trial as a member of the Wizengamot. I informed them that there was a school emergency underway and that I needed his audience immediately. He will be here shortly, when he does I will escort you two up to the headmasters office. Until then make yourself comfortable… have a biscuit." They both nodded solemnly and took a ginger snap from the tin as she opened it.
They sat in silence for a long time the only sound came from the grandfather clock behind McGonagall's desk, the metronome ticked away the minutes rhythmically. Nearly half an hour later the fireplace roared to life once again and out came a piece of parchment that floated to the professor. Taking it in hand she put on her spectacles and read. "Professor Dumbledore has returned… he's waiting for you in his office. We'll walk there, come now." She said standing up. 'Thank Merlin she's giving us a bit of time to prepare ourselves.' Carwyn was so relieved they didn't have to travel by floo. He got up and followed the professor out of the study, Bellatrix fell in close beside him.
"Bellatrix it will be alright… If you feel uncomfortable I can do most of the talking." Carwyn whispered to her as they climbed the marble staircase. "Thanks, but I think I'll be okay for now." She said softly. McGonagall led them all the way up to the seventh floor... instead of taking a left which would take them to the Griffindor common room, they went right. Carwyn wasn't familiar with this corridor, they passed a rather graphic tapestry of a man getting clubbed to death by troll. After awhile the professor stopped in front of a particularly ugly gargoyle. "Password." It muttered in a froggy voice. "Pepper Imp." McGonagall quipped and the statue moved aside revealing a small spiral staircase.
When they stepped onto the staircase it moved underneath their feet lifting them up, almost like a muggle escalator. Reaching the top a small waiting room sat before them, benches flanked a wooden door that had a large griffin shaped knocker attached ornately to its front. McGonagall approached the door and knocked. "Enter." A calmly voice sounded from the other side.
Brilliant light radiated from inside of the room as she opened the door. Carwyn's eyes grew wide with amazement as he walked into the headmasters office. Silver instruments hummed sitting a top of spindly legged tables emitting puffs of purple smoke, over a hundred portraits lined the walls of what he guessed were previous headmasters. Dumbledore sat behind his desk, writing something on a piece of parchment. A fiery bird sat on its perch beside him, he had never seen it's like before. Even at first glance Carwyn knew this was the most interesting room in the entire castle.
Dumbledore put down his quill and stood up when they approached. "Good morning Carwyn, Bellatrix have a seat please." Dumbledore said warmly, motioning to the chairs in front of his desk. Carwyn felt his breath hitch as he walked forward and took a seat beside Bellatrix. "Thank you for assisting these two Professor McGonagall. If you may wait outside until we are finished that would be excellent." The professor nodded. "Certainly Albus." She took her leave, closing the door softly behind her. Dumbledore pulled out a tin of sweets from under his desk and placed it before them. "Lemon drop? It's a muggle sweet I'm quite fond of, they are quite delicious." They took one reservedly and placed it into their mouths. Carwyn instantly felt more at ease, as if the candy had been dipped in a calming drought.
"From what I understand, the two of you wanted to tell me something in private. Something urgent if I am not mistaken." Dumbledore said serenely, giving them his utmost attention. "Yes professor we did.. It's about an incident that took place a few days past, nine days to be exact." Carwyn spoke up wondering how he was to explain it. "Ah I see Carwyn. Whatever happened know that you can entrust the details to me, I won't disclose them under any circumstances." His bright blue eyes seemed to pierce through him. "I'll go first Carwyn. You don't know it all." Bellatrix said her voice shaking. "Alright." He said grabbing her trembling hand. "They.. they attacked me the day when everyone left for the holiday's. At first they hurt me..broke my hand. Then they… did something worse… they assaulted me." Tears welled up in her eyes and started to stream down her cheeks, Carwyn rubbed her hand soothingly.
Dumbledore's eyes no longer twinkled they turned icy and cold, outrage was written all over his face. "I know it will be painful to relive what happened to you that day Bellatrix. But I need you to tell me your story the best as you remember it from the start...please my dear." She told it to them bit by bit stopping at intervals when it was too hard to recount, Bellatrix ended up a sobbing mess in Carwyn's arms after she finished. It felt just as painful to hear her retell it, Carwyn's insides twisted and burned with hatred when she described Rudolphus violating her. 'I should have killed them! If I could go back and do it I would!' He thought angrily as Bellatrix clung to him weeping.
The wizened professor seemed fifty years older when Carwyn finished his side of the story after her. The vigor that characterized Dumbledore left him, the only thing that remained was a tired old man. "I see the truth of it now… no one deserves to be abused by monsters like that, I'm so sorry..." The headmaster stood up and shuffled through a cabinet behind his desk. "You need not worry anymore Bellatrix I will see to it that Lucius, Augustus, and Rudolphus are expelled." He retrieved three forms from a dusty box and placed them on his desk. "Both of your memories will provide sufficient evidence for immediate expulsion, that at least is in my power as the headmaster. I'm going back to ministry today with the evidence you have presented me. The head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Rufus Scrimgeour will be able to do something about this I'm sure. Hopefully he will send out aurors to apprehend them by the end of the day. I don't want this leaking out to the Daily Prophet before we have them in for questioning."
"They have to be careful!" Carwyn started. "A friend told me that Malfoy and Rudolphus are in league with Voldemort." Bellatrix jolted in his arms when he said the name. "Yes they must take precautions. Bellatrix you did the right thing by telling me this, now if you would allow me to collect the memory of the incident if you please..I'll have yours as well Carwyn." Dumbledore walked over to them with two little bottles in hand. "Now focus on the memory Bellatrix...good." He said as he lifted his wand from her temple, a silvery substance attached wistfully to the end of his wand. Dumbledore did the same procedure on him, corking the bottles of fluid memory shut after he finished taking his seat once more. "Professor McGonagall is waiting to escort you to the hospital wing. Madam Pompfrey has something for nerves. You were very brave today my dear." Carwyn stood up helping her to her feet and made for the door. "Carwyn if you would remain here please, I have a few things I wish to discuss further." Bellatrix looked at him and said. "Go thanks for helping me through it… I'll see you in the common room." He watched her leave then took his seat.
Dumbledore smiled warmly when Carwyn met his eye. "Your actions were commendable, brave, and selfless, saving a once bitter rival like that. Sometimes I wonder if the sorting hat is wrong." He shrugged. "I've asked myself that question so many times. Why is it that I was put in Slytherin? I don't possess any of their traits. I'm not power hungry, calculating or particularly cunning. Maybe I've had a few brilliant moments.. but why?" Dumbledore ran a hand through his white beard. "There is a secret to the sorting hat most do not know…. If you desire to be in a particular house, you are more likely to be placed in it." His words seemed to piece the puzzle together for him. "That makes sense! On the train ride over I befriended Bellatrix and Andromeda, It felt so nice to finally make a few friends. I guess I willed myself to be with them… But that was short lived, it fell apart all too soon." The headmaster looked at him with pity, his bird let out a soft moan behind him.
"It saddens me to see how your fellow classmates have treated you all these years Carwyn, their ignorance about trivial things like blood purity have blinded them. You are a gifted boy, skilled and intelligent. If they took the time to look past your lineage then I have no doubts they would have seen your potential. Perhaps then they would start questioning their baseless beliefs. The greatest dark wizard ever to exist... Lord Voldemort, was a half blood that originally went by the name of Tom Marvolo Riddle. I taught him myself, many years ago. He was brilliant.. a student of his caliber comes once every century if that, but no matter how talented he was his blood status followed him around wherever he went. It was a running joke among the Slytherin's back then, perhaps that's was why he took a new name; I suppose he was tired of people whispering behind his back."
Dumbledore sighed popping another lemon drop into his mouth. "You'll grow up to be a fine man Carwyn, I'm certain you will bring great honor to Slytherin house, more than Voldemort ever did. In time perhaps even the most staunch supporters of the purist agenda will raise a goblet and say. "He might have been a muggleborn but he was ours." Dumbledore gave him a wink. "Mudblood would be a more fitting word sir." Carwyn added.
"Please do not say that despicable word in front of me Mr Quigley." Dumbledore frowned. "Sorry sir I thought I got a pass since I am one." Carwyn chuckled. "All joking aside, I need to make a few things clear before you leave my office. What the two of you did today was brave and just, but it will not come without certain ramifications. I'm sure the three perpetrators will refuse all accusations brought up against them. If they do not go into hiding a trial will most certainly take place, their families will hire the best lawyers. Perhaps if the defense is good enough they will even dismiss these memories as evidence." Dumbledore held up the vials full of swirling memory. "So we have to be very precise in our planning."
"They wouldn't! Bellatrix was raped, how could they be innocent if we have memories proving what happened!" Carwyn stood up shouting, Dumbledore raised a hand to calm him. "It's how wizarding law works unfortunately. We could avoid all of this mess if we were allowed the use of Veritaserum, but that is illegal." Dumbledore shook his head "Rubbish, they are practically death eaters." Carwyn sat down brooding. "That would be hard to prove, as they haven't been branded with the dark mark yet. Carwyn I am assigning you with a task, think of it as a homework assignment directly from the headmaster." Curious he asked. "What is it sir?"
"You are to gather informants, Miss Black will need witnesses to testify against her attackers, they will serve if these memories do not." Carwyn felt confused. "Sir we were the only people at the scene, their were no other witnesses." The headmaster stood up and began pacing behind his desk. "You mistake me, I mean for you to find people that can vouch that the three of them have a connection to the death eaters. If it is proved that they serve Lord Voldemort the case would turn in our favor." Taking in his words Carwyn nodded. "Very well sir, I'll try my best."
Dumbledore walked over to his desk. "From this day forth, your life as well as Miss Black's will be in danger. A scandal will occur after the news of this incident leaks out which it eventually will, hopefully the outrage will be directed at the perpetrators, not the two you. Their families will become your enemies, for besmirching their honor. This may even evoke the wrath of Lord Voldemort...I'm entrusting the safety of Miss Black in your hands. You've already made an exemplary effort so far." He drew a gold chain out of the depths of a drawer, that had a curious looking pendant attached to it.
"This has a homunculus charm placed on it, if you are ever in any danger give it a squeeze and help will come." Dumbledore handed the chain to him, upon closer inspection Carwyn saw that a silver hamsa hung from the end. "I understand sir, I'll look out for the both of us." He said putting the chain around his neck tucking it down into his robes. The crimson bird flew from its perch and landed on the headmaster's lap, the old man stroked it head softly. "Life is full of surprise's Carwyn, once you reach my age you'll see many and more. It amazes me how well you and Miss Black have taken to each other... She attacked you quite viciously not even four months ago now you are like bosom friends."
Carwyn felt his heart skip a beat, as all of the blood drained from his face. "H-how do you know S-sir?" He managed to stammer out. "I knew ever since that day I visited you in the hospital wing. You aren't the best liar my boy, or the best occlumens for that matter." He had read about occlumency in a book once, it is the magical protection of the mind from outside influences. "You read my mind?" Dumbledore shook his head. "No, your subconscious mind betrayed you there. When I asked you about identity of your attacker, the image of a particular girl with curly black hair came to the forefront of my mind. She must have been something quite fierce to override your defense mechanisms." Dumbledore smiled pleasantly, Carwyn was baffled.
"Why didn't you expel her?" Dumbledore adjusted his spectacles. "Mostly because of her family.. I have an organization of loyal friends that keeps tabs on the wizarding population, mainly the wealthy pureblood families. Many of them join Voldemort's ranks. The Black family naturally is a cause of suspicion, Bellatrix's mother Drucella is a staunch pureblood activist and Cygnus is a known collector of dark artifacts. Miss Black would have been lonely, shamed, and frustrated if I had expelled her. I was afraid that she would have joined the death eaters out of desperation to prove herself, like so many young people aspire to do. I'm glad to say that I didn't, she would have made a fierce foe the scars on your body prove that." The old man finished his eyes twinkling.
"Yeah I am too!" All of the stress left his body as he laughed with the professor. "You are free to go Carwyn, I have business to attend to at the ministry. I'll send you a message tonight when we have them in custody." Dumbledore stood up and led him to the door. As he turned the knob to leave, the headmaster said. "You and Miss Black are on my side now, under my protection. We are all in this together." In his mind Carwyn pictured the faces of his parents and his brothers, they were nothing more than strangers. In their place flashed the faces of Bellatrix, Dirk, Narcissa, Pandora, and all of his other friends. "Yes we are all one big family now." He said leaving the office.
Bellatrix stirred, waking up from a deep sleep. 'Merlin someone's lying on top of me.' Bellatrix thought trying to move. Opening her eyes she saw Narcissa sprawled across her legs. They were lying on the couch closest to the fireplace she realized. 'We must have fell asleep in the common room last night.' She had been leaning up against someone while asleep, soft rhythmic breathing sounded quietly from behind. It was Carwyn, he was slumped back but still sitting his chest rose and fell peacefully. That's when memories of the previous day flooded in.
She was escorted by Professor McGonagall to the hospital wing after her meeting with Dumbledore. Madam Pomfrey made her drink a calming drought, the nurse insisted that she stay overnight but she promptly refused. Bellatrix made her way down to the common room and told Narcissa what happened. Her sister gave her a look of pity as she described how she broke down and cried in front of the headmaster. A cold smirk spread across her sisters face when she mentioned the headmaster expelling the boys. "Dumbledore is taking our report to the ministry, there going to send aurors to round them up, they will be in custody by the end of the day apparently." Narcissa laughed coldly. "Good let them rot in Azkaban.. That's a Christmas gift I didn't expect to get."
Carwyn met up with them just as they left for lunch, when they returned to the dungeons he told them about the meeting with Dumbledore. Both of the sisters, Bellatrix especially grew uncomfortable when he told them about the task of finding informants. Her reputation with the other pureblood families would be bad enough after today. She couldn't imagine any of them testifying for her. 'Mother will be furious.. She loves the dark lord and I'll be putting some of his followers behind bars.'
Much to their delight, Carwyn stayed with them for the rest of the day. They played chess, which none of the three were particularly good at. Narcissa showed them how to do a few simple household spells, Carwyn proved better at them than she was. "You have to flick your wand like this Bella or the clothes won't fold properly." Narcissa demonstrated. "Why do I need to learn this? A house elf can fold my clothes for me!" Bellatrix spat. Narcissa turned to him. "Carwyn would you be upset if Bella was your wife and didn't know how to fold your clothes properly?" Their eyes met for a second, then he looked away awkwardly. "I wouldn't mind it… folding clothes I mean. My muggle parents taught me how to do it by hand." They ended up falling asleep together late last night. Carwyn had a notion that they would receive word about the trio's capture by the end of the night, but none came.
Bellatrix glanced at her sister surreptitiously. 'She's still asleep.' Biting her lip, she turned her attention to Carwyn. A white scar ran down the length of his neck into his collar, contrasting with the soft flesh around it. 'I wonder how it feels, it looks like it healed up nicely.' More curious than nervous she moved her hand closer and closer until she finally touched it. Carwyn let out a shudder when she made contact with him, almost making her jump. She traced a finger slowly down the length of the scar nearly all the way down to his collarbone. A hot prickly feeling rose up the base of her spine, she felt her face redden as her breath shortened. 'His skin is so soft, I wonder how it tastes… What's it called when someone sucks on your neck and leaves a mark, oh yes love bites.."
Her heart fluttered at the thought of him waking up while she sucked the tender flesh on his neck. 'Would he try and stop me? Maybe he would like it.' Bellatrix moved her hand up to rest lightly against the side of his head. 'I've always been fond of his hair, even back in the days when I used to bully him.' Whenever he lay huddled on the floor after a particularly nasty round of hexing, she would grab him by the hair just to run her fingers through it and muss it up. Bellatrix dipped her fingers into his dirty blonde locks gently combing upward. 'His hair is almost the same color as Pandora's, but it's more stiff and it sticks up so easily.' Savoring the feeling she dug deeper into his mane.
His blue eyes opened slowly, meeting her brown ones. Bellatrix froze, she felt her mouth fall open in shock. "Bella-trix?" He asked sleepily. "Oh I'm sorry.. I was just trying to wake you up." Her wits returned to her after a few seconds, she quickly removed her hand from his hair. "Any word from the ministry or Dumbledore?" She shook her head. "No nothing yet." She said in a high voice. Carwyn sat up straighter rubbing his eyes. "You'd think they would send word by now, maybe I can talk to Dumbledore when we go to breakfast." Bellatrix nodded. "Yeah I hope everything went smoothly." Narcissa sat up beside them and yawned, her hair hanging down in front of her face. "Morning lovebirds."
They sat at the breakfast table in nervous anticipation, Carwyn was restless in his seat. The sisters flanked him just as nervous. "Professor Dumbledore is gone see." Narcissa pointed up at the staff table to the headmasters vacant seat. "Maybe there will be something in the paper you have a subscription to the Daily Prophet don't you Nar-" The owls swarmed in overhead, a barn owl swooped down landing in front of them knocking over a pitcher of orange juice. Narcissa nearly ripped its leg off wrenching the paper free. They leaned in close to her as she unfolded the paper.
'Wolf's In Sheep's Cloaks! A Tale of Depravity That Ends In Murder!' The brooding photographs of Lucius Malfoy, Rudolphus Lestrange, and Augustus Rookwood stared back at them below the headline. "Dumbledore said that he wouldn't tell anybody! How in the world did-" Carwyn started. "Just read!" Narcissa swatted at him.
'Our children are the most precious things we wish to protect in this world. Therefore it is horrible when we learn about abuse or mistreatment in the place we wish for them to be the most secure. A report has come from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry that makes the blood run cold. Ten days ago three seventh year students, Lucius Malfoy, Augustus Rookwood, and Rudolphus Lestrange abused and sexually assaulted a sixth year student Bellatrix Black. A fellow sixth year classmate Carwyn Quigley came to her defense when he stumbled upon the scene, fighting them off causing them to flee. The pair deliberated until yesterday when they finally told the headmaster about the incident. Albus Dumbledore made the decision to expel the culprits on the spot having attained sufficient evidence. But it doesn't end there, he went to Department of Magical Law Enforcement to report his findings to department head Rufus Scrimgeour. Scrimgeour known as a just and decisive man acted swiftly, sending out some of his most highly trained aurors to apprehend the suspects to take them in for questioning. When the aurors arrived at their place of residence, they were ambushed by a group of known death eaters. Antonin Dolohov, Janus Cybern, and Evan Rosier to name a few. A battle ensued, which cost auror Sturgis Podmore his life and left auror Alastor Moody severely wounded. The perpetrators fled after ministry reinforcements arrived. The suspects are currently being investigated for connections with the death eaters. Their whereabouts are still unknown, if you have any information please-'
Bellatrix looked away feeling sick, she couldn't read anymore. "Oww!" The post owl pecked at Narcissa's fingers drawing blood. "Here you go you ruddy bird." She said throwing a knut at the owl. "How did they know? They set up an ambush so they must have found out somehow. I didn't tell anyone about the plan other than you two. Someone must have been spying on us yesterday!" Carwyn balled up his fists in frustration. "They got away." Bellatrix murmured to herself. "I know.. I'm so sorry Bella." Narcissa patted her hand. "You should say sorry to Sturgis Podmore, he was killed and all of the other aurors who risked their lives for us. What have we done?" She said hoarsely, her eyes blurring with tears.
"It's not our fault!" Carwyn grabbed her by the wrist twisting her around to face him. "All of those aurors went in there yesterday knowing that they might not come back! They did what they had to do in the name of justice. We should not blame ourselves! Dumbledore told me that we are all in this together from now on, instead of sulking in our misery we need to follow their example and take up the fight against Voldemort! My mum, my dad and all of my brothers are nothing more than strangers to me now, the only family I have left are you guys, Pandora, Sirius, and all the rest. The world is growing darker everyday, all of us might end up like Sturgis. But I'm not going to run away or hide. I'd rather die on my feet than surrender to these bastards." He finished red faced trying to catch his breath.
The first lesson Bellatrix learned as a child was that family always came first. Her mother made sure that her daughters knew that from the beginning. "One day I will be dead and your father too, you and your sisters, and all of your children. All of us dead, food for the worms. The family name is the only thing that lives on, that is our legacy. It's the only thing that matters, I expect you to honor it. You are nothing without it, do you understand?" She kept her mothers unshakable view on the family ever since that day, that was until Andromeda left. Her parting shook the foundations of that belief, it shocked Bellatrix to see their once stable household fall into chaos.
When Bellatrix and Narcissa returned home last summer they found their parents in a right state. Much to their disbelief their mother told them that she hated Andromeda, who was once previously her favorite daughter.
Their father wasn't much help either, most days he would lock himself in his study and drink until he blacked out. He had always treated them better than their mother, unlike her he took an interest in them. Bellatrix remembered fondly the long summer days when they would play two aside Quidditch, afterwards the four of them would eat lunch together, sheltering under the ash tree in their back garden. They always laughed at the funny stories he told them about his childhood.
Three days into the summer holiday Bellatrix had just about enough of her mother. The Black estate was large compared to other households, but the ruckus her mother made every morning was so loud that it served as an alarm clock. Something had snapped in her over the past year, that was obvious... at the worst of times she was cold and stern, at her best she was distant and withdrawn. Bellatrix couldn't remember her ever being cruel or wicked though. They would find her in the kitchens most mornings flogging the house elves bloody, what disturbed Bellatrix the most was the look of insane pleasure on her mothers face as she preformed the act. That night their mother was having another one of her fits, she was in the process of destroying the drawing room because of their "blood traitor whore of a sister." After an hour of shouts and the ear spitting sounds of things getting smashed, she had enough of it. Bellatrix ran into the ramshackled room, shards of glass and bits of debris were everywhere. Her mother was in the process of destroying the piano when Bellatrix grabbed her round the waist, tackling her to the rug below.
"Get off of me Bellatrix!" She hissed trying to push her off. "Mother stop it! Don't you see what your doing!? You're tearing our family apart!" Tears leaked down her cheeks onto her mothers face. "Your sister tore our family apart! How dare you suggest that I am the cause of it, I've taken care of you since day one!" Her mother wrenched an arm free, she drew back and slapped Bellatrix across the face. So hard that it nearly knocked her unconscious. She fell off of her mother, her face stinging with heat. "You fucking bitch! I should have taken you to an orphanage all of those years ago, when you popped out of me! I like you least out of all my children, at least the other two are good for something! While you are totally useless, maybe you could have convinced your sister not to go to that mudblood trash! But no you are too weak!" Bellatrix ran away sobbing to the only person that could help her, but when she reached his study he was blacked out drunk, lying in a puddle of his own urine. She ended up crawling in bed with Narcissa who was already asleep, tear tracks drying on her cheek.
'Those days are gone.' She had ceased to be her mother after that day, Bellatrix realized. The only people she could call family was Narcissa, Pandora, and Carwyn. 'Hopefully I can save Dad so he doesn't drink himself to death and I need to apologize to Dromeda.' Bellatrix placed a hand on his shoulder to calm him. "I've made up my mind. I'll do whatever it takes to see this war through, I want all of us to survive. You don't need to look far to see what will happen if the followers of the dark lord get into power, my mother is a good example." He stared back at her deeply as if he was trying to figure something out.
Narcissa grabbed her hand. "I know Bella she is too far gone, after what happened last summer I lost all hope in her. I know it may be treason or whatever she calls it if we go against him and our family... but I don't care. I don't want to live in a world like that." Carwyn shook his head. "All of us may die…. Voldemort is ruthless he'll hunt us down one by one until there's nothing left." Bellatrix put a hand under his chin and said. "We'll be able to look back at all the good times we had... that will keep us strong. At least you won't be alone, I'll be by your side whether we fight, sleep, or die… you're right we are a family now all of us and if we die we die together." She leaned over and planted a kiss on his cheek.
Wassup guys, I hope you enjoyed this installment. School will be starting back next chapter, the other characters will be returning as well as an
introduction to a new one. So stay put for that! Leave a comment or follow to receive regular updates. I'll see you on the high road! -Twisted Mister