Imaginary Friend

by Ennee Gray

A love story. Not so pure nor simple. Bellatrix Black is a witch and not a very light one. Bruce Wayne is a muggle and he is anything but simple.

2. Intentional Magic

Disclaimer: I don't own anything of the Potterverse and also nothing of the Batman-verse.

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Imaginary Friend

Intentional Magic

Bella kept her eyes closed. She had done what needed to be done; it was over. She felt the soft material of a sofa against her naked shoulders, smelled the faint stink of smoke and alcohol in the air, and heard the numbing silence - all of which were telltale signs as to where she was. She grudgingly opened her eyes and pushed off the cloak that she had draped over herself.

She stood up, stumbling a bit. She glanced at the grand clock that was hanging on a wall further down the hall and found that she had been 'sleeping' for barely two hours. Bella waved her wand and removed the privacy and warning charms she had hastily set up before letting herself succumb to the irresistible call of magical dreams. She smoothed her hands over her dress to make herself a bit more presentable and decided that it was due time for her to leave.

The original graduation ball had been held at Hogwarts Great Hall and hadn't been anything worthy of notice. It had been a feast – similar to all others that had been held there. The Blacks had felt that their firstborn daughter deserved far more grandeur than what the school had offered to mark such an event in her life and had thrown a party of their own. A week after the original graduation all Hogwarts alumni of said year were invited to attend a ball that was held in the Grand Wizarding Opera which was situated somewhere on the island of South Uist.

Muggleborns, especially, had been awed by the place of the event. It was likely that most of them will never visit this place again. Grand Wizarding Opera is a Wizarding architectural masterpiece built in mid-17th century and deeply influenced by the Baroque style. The tickets to the performances are very expensive and the expected attire costs even more. To put it simply - Wizarding Opera of South Uist was a place where the cream of Europe's Wizarding society circulated.

To be frank, Bella thought that the place was borderline gaudy, but that was expected considering that the ownership of the place was divided between the Malfoy, the Black and the Montague Families, and everyone knows that Montagues have no taste.

The party had lasted until wee hours of the morning when most of the public finally retired which meant they had either disgracefully passed out from too much wine or had found some piece furniture that could be used for sleeping and had less disgracefully passed out on that. The musicians had remained in their respective places but had abandoned playing their instruments to playing cards. Bella thought it to be highly unprofessional although understandable. Inviting everyone hadn't been a very bright idea even if politically correct.

She made her way down the hall, her steps quiet against the polished marble floor. Bellatrix was about to step in the Entrance Hall when she heard commotion in it. She stopped. Something about the situation made her uneasy and she had long since realized that there was no such thing as unhealthy paranoia in the Wizarding world. She stood out of sight and listened.

"Ennervate," the speaker's voice was cold, impatient and laced with power. "Where is Bellatrix Black?" there was only one wizard whose voice commanded such authority and who would look for her so soon after becoming 'fully-trained' and free of allegiances. As a student her allegiance had been with her school by default, but now..

She couldn't clearly hear the answer; it was some unintelligible, drunken murmuring. There was a thump and cursing. Apparently, the questioner hadn't understood anything either. She heard steps coming closer.

Bella acted quickly. She couldn't avoid the meeting, but there were many possible ways for it to go down. She pulled pins from her hair and tousled them. She also crumpled her gown to make her look even more disheveled. Then she stepped a couple of steps back and fell down in a highly exaggerated manner.

She was attempting to pull herself up, consciously tripping over her own extremities when he walked up to her and unceremoniously pulled her up. He kept firm grip on her elbow while looking her over. Strands of hair fell in front of her face and she made a faint attempt at blowing them off with her breath before pulling her lips in a too wide grin. Bella saw the calculating gleam in his eye as he stared at her. She made a vague motion with her hand making a halfhearted attempt at fixing her hair and almost back-handed him, but he caught her hand before it connected with his jaw. She swayed and presented the man who called himself Lord Voldemort with the most drunken expression she could produce.

"This is not how I intended our first meeting to pass," he murmured distaste evident in his tone. "I am Lord Voldemort," he introduced himself his voice strong and commanding.

Bella suppressed the urge to shiver, if she were truly drunk, she believed that this voice could call her to sobriety instantly. Magic sang in him, dark and vibrant it called to her as well. There were so few of those who were so natural with magic nowadays that… She pushed at him and giggled, "Trixie!"

He steadied the drunken witch. He had expected that the witch who was Walburga's heiress in all but direct blood would have had the good sense to not get drunk in a party. "Pleasure," he spat before releasing her and distancing himself. He had already wasted too much of his precious time. He couldn't recruit a drunken witch. Binding magic required clear mind and control neither of which the witch possessed at the moment, obviously.

As soon as he let her go, Bella fell back to floor pretending to be unable to keep her own footing. "Ow," she moaned pathetically.

There was no reason for him to stay; it was obvious that there would be no sensible talking with any of this mass of drunken fools. "We will meet again," he said his tone full of conviction. He left as quickly as he had arrived.

Bella waited until she heard the entrance door closing before she moved again. This time her movements were graceful and efficient, she stood without trouble. She had little time. She didn't doubt that Voldemort would seek her out again at the earliest convenience.

In another time and in another world, she may have been thrilled at the prospect, however now all she felt was dread. Her independent nature rebelled at the thought of being branded and serving anything but magic itself no matter how glorious the service may appear to be. However, she couldn't outright refuse Voldemort - not now.

His power attracted her; it sang to her very blood. She was a Dark witch from a Dark family. And he was a Dark lord. It was a vulnerability against which she had no defense yet. She had many paths to walk before she'd come into her own power and his would no longer tempt her, because it would be so easy… To take his hand and become priestess of the dark magic – to take that birthright through a shortcut, without waiting and pay for it with allegiance that could not be broken by wand or mind.

No. She had to disappear. She had to distance herself to buy time.

Dumbledore had never been an option – the man wouldn't be able to hide her good enough and should she be offered to spy - she would double-cross him the minute she was with Voldemort. She had barely kept her act up now in these few moments with him so close, she could never do it for any considerable length of time. She lost herself with him. Something about the Dark Lord fascinated and aroused her, she had no defense against him. His magic called to her, seduced her in a way that was almost unnatural. She had to disappear where no wizard would find her and bide her time. Her father had long ago provided her with an option. The Muggle world.

Bella didn't sigh and she didn't bemoan the turn of events – she had no time for that. She had known that everything was about to change. Peace had never been an option.

BBRBW

An hour after the sun had risen in the sky Bruce wrote a short note to Alfred and left it at the door of the butler's bedroom before taking a random car from the garage and driving off. He had no destination. He just wanted to be on the move, to do something.

He turned to the highway and pushed the gas pedal. He was angry. Because this wasn't fair. He was upset. Because there was nothing he could do. He was afraid. Because he didn't know what to do. He was mourning. Because he would never see her again.

He exceeded the speed limit and let go of the wheel in a conscious effort to challenge fate. The road was empty, and the car ran straight and true until he grasped the wheel again and turned off the highway.

He drove around aimlessly all day. He didn't find what he had been looking for because she hadn't been real, and she was gone anyway. By the time he was back at the Wayne manor, he was tired, although still restless.

He went straight to the kitchen feeling a strong need for a cup of Alfred's favorite tea. He was already sitting at the table and slowly sipping the hot liquid when Alfred walked in.

"Had a good day, Master Bruce?" Alfred asked. "Dinner?"

Small smile graced Bruce's face. Alfred never directly demanded an answer as to where Bruce had been and what he had done. Bruce could appreciate that. "No, thank you."

"Very well," Alfred said although it did look like he suspected that something had happened. He turned around to make something for himself; he for one did want to eat.

"Alfred," Bruce spoke up. His gaze was fixed on the mug and his tone had a far-away quality. "I lost my best friend today," he was trembling and his eyes were red.

Alfred turned to look at the boy he had been entrusted with. "Something happened to Miss Rachel?"

"No, Alfred," Bruce shook his head. "Rachel's fine." He lifted his gaze to look at his mentor, "A different friend." He wiped his dry eyes with the back of his hand. "Another…"

"I shall make another pot of that tea, then," Alfred said. He didn't know what had happened to his charge and he supposed he might never know, but that didn't stop him from being there and offering support. Just like he had done every day since young Master Bruce had been brought home for the first time from the hospital.

BBRBW

Once she was at home, Bella went straight to her father's study. It was early, but she knew that he would be there. He claimed he liked to do a little work in the mornings while there still was some peace and quiet in the manor. She didn't knock before opening the door.

Cygnus looked up from the contract he had been reading to the unexpected guest. Nobody in the Family bothered to knock; sometimes he wondered whether it really hadn't been a waste of money – the continuous installing of new doors during Druella's first pregnancy, it wasn't like they were allowed to serve their purpose.

"Good morning, Bellatrix," he greeted his daughter warily.

Bella didn't answer right away. At first she poured a double portion of whiskey and placed the glass in front of her father, only then she spoke, "Morning, father." She seated herself in a seat across of him.

Cygnus eyed the drink. "Somebody burned the Opera to the ground?"

"Voldemort came looking for me," Bella said her tone flat.

"And…," Cygnus paused. "Did he find you?"

"Yes," Bella said her tone somewhat resigned. "I was on my way to the entrance hall when I heard commotion in it. I stopped to listen – I had never heard him before but there was no mistaking it," she paused and turned her gaze to the window. "He has such power…" her voice trailed off as did her thoughts. She had met Voldemort in person only once – this morning and yet he – the idea of him - made shivers run down her spine and the feeling wasn't entirely unpleasant.

The darkness in the Dark Lord called to the dark and brutal legacy in her blood and she felt lust, and love, and desire for a man she hardly knew. It terrified her how much he fascinated and how large a control he had over her without doing anything at all besides existing. She breathed deeply. It would be so easy to just give in to all that she felt – let her emotions and legacy rule her and damn the rest.

"What happened?" Cygnus snapped to shake her out of her contemplation.

Bella looked at her father, startled. This is why she had had to lie to Bruce. This is why she had had to leave him behind. She couldn't trust herself with him. "I pretended to be drunk," she replied. "He bought the act and left with a promise to return."

Cygnus downed his drink in one swing and two gulps. "Good," he said.

BBRBW

Cygnus had been wary ever since the talk about a new Dark Lord who favored purebloods and the Old Ways had started. He clearly remembered Mynatt's words about the dark path that lay in front of his daughter and all the things associated with it. A sect under control of a powerful wizard bent on purging everything that wasn't traditional screamed 'danger' to Cygnus. After all, there were ways older than the Old Ways.

Cygnus had known for ages that his sister's sons weren't cut out to be the Head of the Black Family. It wasn't just that the eldest boy turned to his Gryffindor friends and disdained his legacy – it was the fact that Macmillan blood ran stronger in him than Black – Sirius' magic was Light. And even if a strong Light wizard could try to lead a Dark Family – Sirius used every chance to reject that. And Regulus while a Dark wizard was no match for someone who was born to be a priestess of Dark Magic. And Cygnus didn't know how Walburga had found that out about Bellatrix, but she had. And ever since then…

Ever since then his sister sought influence over Bellatrix as she was the heir presumptive.

In order to protect his daughter Cygnus had put plans in motion even before her birth. Before he could suspect any of this. He had done everything in his power to raise her differently from the way he had been raised. He hadn't taught her to hate things that were different from traditional, he had taught her to either embrace or endure a change. He had taught her to strive in difficult circumstances. He had introduced her to the Muggle world. He had taught her what it meant to be a Black and had showed her who everyone else was. He had raised her strong and independent. He had let her mother teach her that she was more than a Black, that she also had the blood of Rosiers running through her veins, a whole other legacy altogether, and that she had options and the strength to utilize them.

When the distant threat in form of Lord Voldemort had risen, Cygnus had started to wage his own secret war against the other wizard. A war for his daughter's future. A war Cygnus had not been disposed to lose. Cygnus had organized summer schools for Bella in the Muggle world. He had provided her with all the knowledge she might need to successfully disappear among the Muggles should the need be.

Now when Voldemort finally knocked on Cygnus' metaphorical door – it felt far too soon, but Cygnus was ready. He had all the documentation needed to prove Bella's identity and any required past achievements to successfully hide her among Muggles. Cygnus had bought her time and opportunity. He had done everything he could have and given her everything she needed – now it was up to her to make most of it. His part in this chess game was over.

When he handed her the papers, he said, "With graduation, daughter."

BBRBW

The same day – evening…

Bella stopped on the other side of the gate which marked the end of the anti-apparition wards of the manor. She eyed her father who was leaning against the gatepost and smoking. She had never seen her father smoke before.

"The credit card I gave you," he started. "Use it. The money won't be traced back to the Family," he said.

Bella pulled the small plastic card from her pocket and turned it in her fingers. "Rosier Limited?"

"Yes. Whatever wasn't put back into the company went there. I've never used it," he said putting out his cigar. "It's all yours," Cygnus said seriously. "As is Rosier Limited once you are ready to take it."

Bella looked her father in the eye. She nodded after a moment. "Not yet though," she finally said.

"Not yet," he agreed. "Visit sometime," he added before turning and walking back to the house. The walk had never felt so long. This morning he will have to tell his wife that another part of that long-ago prophecy has come true. Strength will flee. And Cygnus felt like his strength had left him as well.

Bella took one last look at the plastic card before putting it back into her pocket. She didn't look back at the manor and resisting the childish urge to call for her father and cling to him for safety and comfort, she Apparated with a small pop to a Muggle airport.

BBRBW

Forty nine weeks later…

She stood by a grand oak tree and watched the grave in the distance. There was no funeral procession or rituals. She was three weeks too late for that. This was an odd day in the middle of the week – a day with no relation or significance to her or her family. This was the 22nd day since her mother was laid to rest, 25th since her mother died and this was the first time that she had come to pay her respects.

She tried sneering, but her bottom lip was trembling, so she settled for scowling, it let her squint her eyes which made it easier to blink away any tears that had yet to fall. She stood there watching from distance for a long time before she felt sure enough that nobody else was stalking her mother's grave – that it was safe to approach.

She walked like she owned the cemetery – which she did, through her family. Her back was straight, the heels of her charmed shoes did not dig into the soft grass, her head was held high and though scowling – she looked straight ahead.

She looked at the cold marble that was magically carved to represent her mother's face and sat heavily on the stone bench before the grave. The likeness of the image was very lifelike and smiling – that smile made Bellatrix feel more bitter than consoled. She drew breath and tried to speak several times before any words made it past her lips.

"I'm sorry I didn't bring flowers, Mother," she said finally.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there when you fell ill, I'm sorry I wasn't there while you were ill. I think I'm supposed to be sorry that I wasn't there when you died, but I'm not," she admitted conversationally. "Not really, anyway. I guess I'm sorry, because I'm happy that my last memory of you is perfect, because you were perfect. My perfect Mother," her voice broke and she took a pause and a deep breath to compose herself.

"And you would tell me not to be sorry, because for all my protests – you did know me almost best of all. Even better than Father. Maybe even better than…," she sighed cutting herself off. She didn't want to speak Bruce's name out loud. She was sure that she wasn't being watched, but secrets and names spoken out loud attracted bad luck in these times.

"So, I guess that everything I said – it doesn't matter and I just… I…," it wasn't that she couldn't speak; she just didn't know what to say. What words would best describe the nameless weight that was crushing her from inside? What words would best describe that she knew that one day it will be easy to breathe again and somehow that seemed even worse?

She wasn't good with emotions. She wasn't good with feelings. She trusted more her mind than her heart, because she knew how easily her passions could be lead astray so she always kept her emotions in a tight hold, so she never really knew what it is that she felt.

"I just really, really hate that you're gone," the quiet and simple admission felt like a kick in the gut.

She closed her eyes and let her chin drop to her chest. She sat mourning quietly in silence and showing respect for good couple of minutes till she heard soft steps behind her. Her body tensed and she reached for her wand, but before she could act the newcomer spoke.

"I've been coming here every day since Mom died, I never gave up hope that someday you'll be here too," Andromeda said.

Bella looked up sharply and then stood, extending her hands towards her middle and favourite sister, in silent greeting. She used the moment to assess how well her sibling was and she wasn't pleased. Andy's young, round face was pale and altogether gray looking, her usually warm dark eyes were dull and with red smudges on skin around them, she was thinner than she should be and looked far too tired and old for a young woman about to graduate Hogwarts.

Andromeda sniffed loudly, let the flowers drop from her arms to the ground and crushed her body against her elder sister. She hugged Bellatrix tightly and let big, round tears fall on Bella's expensive coat. "I've missed you so much," she cried quietly. "And then Mom died and everything fell apart... I miss Mom so much!"

There was barely a year difference between them, but Andromeda was open with her affections and thoughts in a way Bellatrix had never been. Privately Bellatrix thought whether that had anything to do with Andy's magic being Light or if that was just her sister's personality. Due to intermarriage it happened that Dark families had Light withes or wizards and Light families had Dark ones, but… Not that often. And now there were two in a generation for Blacks – Sirius and Andromeda.

"I know, I know," Bella soothed the best she could. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you," she said and only then realized that she genuinely felt that way. Somehow, she wasn't surprised; Andromeda had always been her favorite sibling. "I'm here now."

"You know Cissy is furious with you. She believes it means you abandoned us," Andromeda whispered to Bella's coat lapels before taking a deep breath and letting all the thoughts and grievances that had amassed in the past year be betrayed to her sister. "She's angry that she can't tell anyone that you're not really missing. She's angry that you went away at all. She was angry at Mom and Dad too, but then Mom died and… I think she's sorry that she was so mad, but she never really talks to me anymore and I don't really know how to reach her… Whenever I try it's like I end up pushing her away and this year is my last chance with her because then she will be at Hogwarts all alone, and..."

Through all the flood of information there was one unspoken message, one demand that dominated everything else and Bellatrix for once heard it loud and clear 'Make it all better'. Bellatrix wasn't sure what exactly she was going to do, but she knew that she was going to step up to the job, just like her father and mother had done for her. She kissed her sister's forehead and promised, "I'm going to make everything alright."

BBRBW

Fifteen months later…

Adrian heard the door open and looked up. "Bella!" he called out instantly recognizing his visitor. "Please, sit!" he gestured to the seat across him. "It's been a long time since I last saw you," he said.

"About three years to be precise," Bella took the offered seat.

"Tea, coffee?" he asked pushing a button to call his secretary. Speaking of his secretary, how did… "How did you get past Amy?"

Bella smiled a small smile. "I sneaked in," she said. "And I'll take coffee."

Adrian returned the smile and asked for two coffees. "I met your father a couple of months ago. He doesn't come here as often as he used to," he said conversationally.

Bella blinked. "I wasn't aware."

Their conversation was interrupted by opening of the door. Amy stepped in bringing their coffees along. She blinked upon seeing Bella – she hadn't noticed anybody walking in – but didn't say anything; it wasn't her place, especially if she didn't want to call attention to her own inattentiveness. Amy didn't recognize her previous charge in the young woman sitting at the table. She placed the cups and the sugar-basin on the desk and excused herself.

Once the door was closed, Adrian spoke, "You wouldn't be," there was no judgment in his tone of voice. He put two lumps of sugar in his coffee and mixed it with an elaborate silver teaspoon. "He comes only to visit me and ask whether you have popped in recently," his tone was plain. "I hear that it's been a year since you last gave notice of yourself."

Bella frowned. "I have my reasons," she retorted stiffly.

That time more than a year ago, she had taken Andy and Narcissa with her for the rest of the month until the new school year began and while their father had managed to keep the fact that none of Ladies Black were at the Black Manor a secret; the Platform had been unexpectedly full of paparazzi's on the 1st September, and Bellatrix had had to do some serious back-tracking after that. Aside from disappearing completely again, she had had to Obliviate seven wizards and witches who were photographers, destroy a lot of pictures and cameras, not to mention have a witch die in a rather unfortunate accident, because the woman was unable to keep any sort of information to herself. Nobody was ever going to find out what really happened to Rita Skeeter. And still Bella couldn't be completely sure that Voldemort didn't know how to find her.

She had her reasons for being out of contact still.

Adrian looked hard at her. He sighed. "Drink your coffee while it's still warm," he suggested finally.

"What do you mean by 'only to visit me'?" she asked staring at him. She remembered that her father had been very active in the work of the company.

"You do know that the company officially belongs to you?"

Bella racked through her memory until she came across the memory of the evening when she left the manor. She slowly shook her head and her lips formed into a small smile. "I suppose I should have."

Adrian huffed. "Well, it's been yours since you turned seventeen," he said. "Any major changes you'd like to make?" his tone was somewhat teasing.

Bella shook her head lightly and took a sip of the coffee. She frowned before remarking, "It's actually good."

"Of course, it is," Adrian assured. "It's our coffee, after all."

"Funny," she said a moment later. "The main reason I came here was to ask if I could do the field practice for my degree in Rosier Limited."

"The playground's all yours," Adrian replied.

BBRBW

A year and a half later…

The spring was finally here after what felt like eternal winter. The sun was shining, she had just turned twenty. Andromeda was in her final year of Apprenticeship at St. Mungo's and she had just passed her final qualifications. Starting July, she would be a fully qualified Mediwitch and after another two years she could become a first level Healer and then there was specialization, and…

"Oh, no!" Ted groaned before plopping down on the chair at Fortescue's opposite to Andy. "I know that expression. It usually means that I'll spend my afternoon lunch-less and organizing supplies or medical texts!"

Theodore Tonks was a Muggleborn wizard and fellow Apprentice at St. Mungo's though more than that – he was Andromeda's best friend since Hogwarts.

Though still a Black through to the core, Andromeda had always been the more relaxed of the Black sisters, so she felt completely free to roll her eyes at her best friend's mock horror. "Don't be ridiculous," she laughed. "I'm just fantasizing about next year."

Ted raised an eyebrow, "Now that's a scary thought," he said good-naturedly.

"I'll show you scary!" Andromeda laughed and moved to swat him lightly on the arm but ended up knocking her own bag from the chair. A single piece of parchment fluttered out from the handbag and fell near Ted's feet.

"What's this?" he asked as he picked the paper up while helping Andy gather her fallen things.

"Ted, no!" Andromeda exclaimed, suddenly terrified, and reached to pull the paper from his hands.

"What is it?" he laughed unfolding the paper. "Is it a love letter? For whom? Or rather from who…" Andromeda lunged again after the letter, but Ted was already skimming over the text. "Dromeda, it's from… It's from your sister!" he said quietly. "It's from Bellatrix Black and dated barely a week ago!"

The sun was still shining, and it was still summer here in Diagon Alley, but Andromeda felt like she'd walked miles in a blizzard only to realize she had been going in the wrong direction. She felt cold and petrified. It took all she had to get her jaw to move enough to make out a plea, "Please don't tell anyone!"

Ted looked at her exasperated, "Of course I won't. I'm your best friend, remember?" he handed her the letter back. "It's just your sister's like a myth or a legend. Everybody thinks she's missing…" There had been search parties and even bounties for any information that lead to the safe return of Lady Bellatrix Black.

"And it has to stay that way!" Andromeda exclaimed interrupting, and hastily hid the letter in the secret inner pocket of her robe.

"Sure," Ted agreed. "You don't have to tell me anything," he looked a bit insulted.

Andy caught his meaning, "It's not that I don't trust you, but…" She bit her bottom lip nervously and scooted closer to Ted so they could talk more quietly. "It's just the last time I screwed up I didn't see her for more than a year, and you are my best mate and all, but this is just huge. Even Narcissa tells no one."

Ted nodded, pacified. "I get it. It's okay. I'll tell no one."

"Thank you," Andy smiled relieved. "One day I'll tell you everything," she promised.

BBRBW

180 days later…

Bruce was staring out of the window of his private plane and distinctly wishing that he had boarded a public airplane. Maybe the chatter of surrounding people would drown his own thoughts.

He couldn't wholeheartedly believe that they were going to let his parents' murderer walk away. He just couldn't understand it. What could possibly justify the man even before their corrupt courts to let him go? In his eyes there was nothing that could do that. Bruce thought that the man should have received death penalty fifteen years ago.

His thoughts turned towards the gun lying in his suitcase. He didn't want to shoot the man, not really. Bruce just wanted him dead and if nobody else was going to do it then he would. He believed that his parents deserved justice. In the ancient times there had been a law 'eye for an eye', it was a pity that Joe Chill couldn't die two times.

If the courts wouldn't give him justice, he would bring it upon them. He needed to know that the man who had destroyed his life would not walk free on the streets ever again. He wasn't a murderer, but he needed revenge. He deserved his revenge and his parents deserved justice. Bruce was going to make sure that he and his family got satisfaction for the crime committed against them. One way or another.

BBRBW

A year later…

Bella shifted through the documents that were on her table. It had been a few months since she had taken full control of the Rosier Limited – she had kept Adrian as the chief executive officer, of course. That didn't mean she had nothing to do. Adrian had helpfully supplied her with a load of projects to approve or cast away; as he put it – it was an exercise for her to exercise her will in driving the company's vision and future.

She took a sip from her cup of coffee and opened a new file. She almost spit it all over the paper. It was a theoretical space tourism project that proposed a probable collaboration with Wayne Enterprises. She stared hard at the page.

It had been little more than five years since she had cut all connections with Bruce Wayne. She had deliberately looked away from Wayne Enterprises while studying economics focusing all her efforts and required research to her own company or those from the continent. It had been all too easy to make herself oblivious. Half of the world was Bruce's and the other half was hers and somehow half the globe had been enough. At least for some time.

Bellatrix had never doubted her decision to end their friendship all those years ago. But that was then and now… Now she felt safe and comfortable. Voldemort was far from her mind and everyday life, and she had a legitimate reason to be interested.

She had never forgotten.

Absentmindedly she made a call to her secretary telling her to book first possible flight to Gotham City. The preparation of one of her private planes and collaboration of a flight plan with the appropriate institutions would take too much time.

She would have to take a commercial flight.

BBRBW

Eleven hours later…

Bellatrix Black does not do stupid things. Hence her impromptu flight to Gotham City was perfectly reasonable and sensible. Showing up at the front door of a boy who thought her to be as good as dead was excusable as well - mainly because she was doing the 'showing up'. Not calling made the most sense because she did not know the number to his private phone and had no patience to wait for it to be looked up since private numbers in certain circles are more guarded secrets than the ages of their owners.

She took a taxi from the airport to the Wayne manor. The drive wasn't entirely pleasant as she found the car to be too worn down and noisy not to mention that the manor apparently was located on the other side of the metropolis. She was glad that she had taken a Pepper Up potion after the entirely too long eight-hour flight. Bella swore that this was the penultimate time she used such means to travel so far. Unfortunately, since she had legally entered as a Muggle, she had to exit the country the same way.

The car pulled up by the front door of the manor and her previously deeply annoyed expression changed into a light smile. Childhood memories are of the best kind and she had a lot of them about this place. She paid for the fare and got out of the car telling the driver not to wait. Under no circumstances she was going to subject herself to the torture that was a taxi ever again even if she had no choice but to leave by plane since her passport needed the official stamp that said she'd indeed left stateside after arriving in the first place.

She stood for a minute and gazed at the house. It hadn't changed. Bella walked up to the door and rang the bell. Her heartbeat all jittery and excited in a way she did not entirely approve.

It wasn't long until the doors opened. "How may I help you?"

Bella couldn't refrain from smiling. She recognized the grey-haired man all too well - it was Alfred and it seemed he hadn't changed at all. She was silent for a moment just savouring the sight of a figure from her childhood.

"I'd like to speak with Bruce Wayne," she said slowly. It felt strange to pronounce the name of her old-time friend to another person. She had never talked about her 'dreams' to anyone. To think of it, she hadn't spoken Bruce's name aloud in five years, since they said their goodbyes.

Alfred frowned and stepped aside. "Come in, Miss."

Bella stepped in and cast a cursory glance around. The white sheets on items were rather disturbing, but otherwise the place was like what she remembered. She turned her questioning gaze to the butler.

"You don't know do you?" Alfred asked carefully watching the guest's reaction.

"Know what, Alfred?" she questioned back. Alfred had her respect for unfailingly being at her friend's side even when she would not rather than could not.

"Bruce Wayne has been missing for more than a year," he said.

Breath caught up in her throat. She thought she felt her heart missing a beat; everything seemed to stop for a second before a wry smile settled on her face, covering the disappointment that she felt. "Figures," she whispered. Fate, huh.

"Is there anything else you'd like? Tea, for starters?" Alfred asked. Nobody had ever came asking for Bruce in such a manner and he was intrigued as to who his guest was, what connection did she have with his charge and how come she didn't know that Bruce had gone missing after all – Bruce Wayne was … Bruce Wayne. It was more curiosity than hospitality that made him extend the offer to her.

Bella frowned and thought for a moment. Her gaze once again travelled the hall. "I'd like to see the grounds from the second-floor gallery in the east wing, if I may," she asked.

Puzzled, but nonetheless intrigued, Alfred acquiesced to her request. However, to his disappointment once up there, she just took a long look outside the windows and didn't say anything mysterious anymore.

Only when she left Alfred realized that she hadn't called for a car to pick her up, that she had called him by his name and never told her own. She'd been so odd, came around and had left so suddenly that by dinner Alfred was almost sure he had imagined her.

BBRBW

A year and five months later…

He was late. The meeting of the Order of the Phoenix was already half-way done but he supposed that they ought to be thankful - not that they'd be - that he had made it there at all. He stepped into the large dining room interrupting a discussion that was getting rather heated.

"Ahhh, Severus," Dumbledore said. "I'm glad you made it."

"I have news," he said shortly and sat down in an empty seat by the end of the table.

"And do we have to drag them out of you?" Sirius snapped annoyed at the suspense.

He glared at Sirius. A retort was already on the tip of his tongue, but he stopped himself in the last possible moment and smiled coldly at his childhood rival. "I presume you remember your uncle Lord Cygnus Black," he said.

"Yeah," Sirius replied. "He and his family were the only ones I actually liked among the Blacks," he said for the benefit of others. A frown settled on his face. "What of it?"

"The Death Eaters know where to look for Bellatrix Black," Severus said calmly.

Sirius stopped swinging on his chair and his expression turned serious. James looked at his friend in concern while Lily tugged at James' arm asking what the matter was. The noise level rose rapidly at the table as most were confused about the importance of such news. Finally, Dumbledore snapped with his wand creating a loud crack which shocked everyone into silence.

"James, would you care to explain the significance of this to the others?" Dumbledore asked politely.

James looked questioningly at Dumbledore but received only an encouraging nod. He took a moment to compose himself and then started to talk, "Not many know of this but Sirius' mother disowned him when he turned sixteen. This means that when she died the Head of the Family should have become his brother – Regulus."

James paused and took a look at Sirius. His friend made no move to indicate a wish to take over the story so James continued, "But being a Head of the Black Family is more than just a formality or a title since they're one of the Old Families. The thing is that the magic in question is for the lack of a better word somewhat sentient, at least on a level not unlike that of a wand - it chooses it's master. Regulus lacks the will and strength to back him up which means that while he has title de facto; the power is… Well, the power de jure goes to the next one in line who happens to be Bellatrix. Who happens to have been missing for past six years."

Most of the Order members were not from Families that would be old enough to know where James had taken a bit of a creative license in his explanation. He knew that Dumbledore knew – and he and Lily and Remus and Peter knew, because Sirius had told them, but other than that it was Pureblood issue that was not advertised among those that were not already in-the-know.

Purebloods took a different look at Light and Dark magic than most and while classification 'Dark' was widely used – the oldest of the Families used it with quite a different meaning. Dark wasn't synonymous with evil or illegal – it was more of a flavour of Magic. But rather than get entangled in the subtleties of Pureblood culture and inheritance rules – James generalized his description of the problem.

Dumbledore exploited the pause and took over the tale, "Last anybody saw or heard of her was at the Wizarding Opera House where Earl Winterbourne-Basset organized a graduation party for her." Nothing in Dumbledore's posture indicated as to what he thought of Cygnus' audacity to throw another graduation for his alumni.

"I don't understand," cried a man from somewhere by the end of the table. "Why should we care? They're all dark traitors anyway!"

"The Family hasn't sided with anybody!" Sirius spat aggressively. Despite his obvious distaste of his parents and most of his family; he could not help but feel protective of its name if only on the behalf of his uncle.

"Indeed," Dumbledore said placatingly. "Young Regulus cannot sign a magically binding agreement until Lady Bellatrix either assumes or discards her inheritance and until that moment when the decision will be made by her on behalf of all those that claim protection and membership of House Black – Voldemort lacks the support of one of the most influential pureblood families." If not the most influential if the rumours about Isle of Avalon being in their possession are true.

Silence settled around the table as people pondered over the information they had been given.

"Severus, do you know where to find Miss Black?" Dumbledore asked.

"No, all I heard was that Lucius boasted that his fiancée had finally told him the alias her sister uses when in the Wizarding world."

Sirius snarled at that piece of news and stood abruptly before exiting the room. James followed him seconds later.

BBRBW

Barely a minute later in a hallway…

"Where are you going, Sirius?" James called running to catch up with his friend.

"To pay a visit," Sirius snarled again not stopping.

James wiped out his wand and stunned his friend in the back. Then he walked up to Sirius and cast a spell to make him float ahead until they were out of the reach of anti-apparition wards, then he Apparated them to Godric's Hollow. He tied Sirius to a chair and took his wand before awakening him.

Sirius immediately began struggling against his bonds. He vented his anger against the ropes which did not give away before calming down. "I'm calm," he said ten minutes later. "You can give me back my wand."

"Not yet," James said sitting down across from his friend. "At first you're going to tell me what was this all about."

"Prongs," Sirius growled.

James frowned. "You actually gave credit to your name with that expression," he said. "Now, talk or I'll send Lily in on you to lecture about actions and consequences," the tone of his voice was playful, but it was obvious that he meant every word.

"I wasn't going to go to the Malfoys," Sirius said impatiently.

"Where then?"

"To my uncle."

"That wouldn't have been very smart either," James said. "Now, stop avoiding the question – what of it all got you so worked up?" there was genuine confusion in his tone. "You haven't talked to your uncle for years and neither were you great friends with your cousin. You barely ever even talked to her or about her."

Sirius sighed. "My uncle has never directly done anything that could indicate that he's any different than my other bloodthirsty and bigoted relatives. But I could see it - that he isn't the same as them – maybe because I'm not your typical Black either, maybe because he let me see, hell, I don't know, all I know is that sure as hell nobody else noticed," he said.

James banished the ropes, but Sirius made no move to get away, he was resigned to the conversation.

"I didn't understand it at the time but now when I think about it – he never said anything concrete about his views on most the conflicting issues other than he was with the family. Come to think of it, I'm not even sure he meant Black family as a whole because while I remember the adoration with which he looked at my aunt, he was always pretty distant to everyone else.

When I was fourteen, I overheard my mother discussing the possibility of naming Bellatrix as her heir and the Head of the Family legally… Later that night when I was sneaking around the house to set a prank trap for Regulus I saw my uncle alone in the library – I had never before seen such fear on someone's face. I can tell you – he did not want that for Bellatrix," he paused and ran his hands through his hair. "Not that he could have avoided it anyway if my suspicions are correct."

James was listening intently – confusion visible on his face.

"I didn't pay much attention – didn't put all the pieces together until I heard that Bellatrix had disappeared," Sirius paused again. "James," he said intently looking up at his friend. "My mother did name Bellatrix as her heir," he whispered. "And Bellatrix went missing within hours of her graduation."

James leaned back into the couch. He swallowed. "You mean to tell me that she ran from Voldemort?" He shook his head. The story of the missing Lady Black was well known in all Wizarding World, but never anybody had thought that she hadn't gone missing – that she had ran out of her own free will. "You think that she's managed to hide from the Dark Lord for years? All by herself?"

"It is the only explanation," Sirius said his tone excited. "If she had joined him, we would have known, if she had joined him, she wouldn't still be missing."

"But… But remember her at school!" James exclaimed. "She gave new meaning to the term 'ice-queen'. She was positively nasty and…"

"Precisely!" Sirius interrupted. "Nasty not evil, and you have to admit, some of the things we did - they were pretty nasty too."

James had a thoughtful expression on his face. "Okay, let's assume that your cousin indeed ran from Voldemort and that she isn't all evil - that still doesn't explain your reaction."

Sirius' expression darkened. "You know, I've always said that my family doesn't matter to me?" he asked rhetorically. "I guess I lied."

"Sirius…"

"You see ever since I realized that I might not be all alone. All alone as a Black, I mean… Ever since I have the hope that there are some sensible people in my family I…," Sirius paused. "I feel like my family is worth fighting for and I'm sorry not to be a part of it anymore. I was glad to be disowned because I thought that all of them were the same – all blood purists and inbred bigots and I wanted to be as far away as I could get, but ever since then little things keep coming back to me – like the ones I mentioned to you - and I can't stop wondering if I let something more pass me unnoticed, if I abandoned them..."

"Sirius you had no other choice then, and it was your mother who disowned you."

"Yeah," he said quietly before changing the subject. "Well, anyway, now Snivellus waltzed in and told everyone that Death Eaters have a clue on how to get a hang of my cousin. And then that idiot insulted my family and it was honestly the first time I've felt insulted on the account of Blacks. And when Snivellus told that it was Narcissa – Bella's own sister – who betrayed her confidence I just… I just snapped I guess. One thing too many," he said.

"So, you wanted to go to your uncle to warn him?" James asked tentatively.

"Yeah."

"And now let me get this straight – we have your cousin who is on the top of Voldemort's 'search' list and apparently doesn't want to meet him very much and she holds the key to whether one of the most influential pureblood families in our country will join him or not," James said. "Let's not forget that we don't know where she is and that she has been successfully and intentionally missing for six years and that it's her own sister who set the hounds on her. And you want to help her."

A weak smile appeared on Sirius' face, "Yes."

"Well, it will most definitely take a Marauder to do a job like this," James said decidedly.

BBRBW

Almost another year later…

Bella resisted the urge to quicken her pace. The sound of distant steps mirroring her own had alerted her of her followers ever since she had stepped out of Apothecary. The only one who could have passed on the word that she was there was the chemist himself. Well, she'll make sure to pay him a personal visit later – she had never liked the slimy git anyway.

She took a sharp turn into a shadier street and suddenly felt warm – as if she was being targeted with a wand. Bella took a sudden step aside and turned around while drawing out her own wand and already casting a curse.

A spell missed her by an inch.

What followed was an intense display of magic and a heavy exchange of curses. She kept backing away thinking that with distance the aim of her attackers would be poorer and hoping to finally reach the Apparition platform that had been her target originally. The anti-apparition wards of Diagon-Alley while no gift from the gods were not something she could carelessly breakthrough in the middle of a battle for her life or… Bella conjured a solid shield of stone and took a step back – none of the spells aimed at her were lethal. Painful, unlawful, morally wrong et cetera but not lethal. Damn. They wanted her alive.

Bella made a slashing move with her wand. She had abandoned Wizarding world – for a time at least, but she had never stopped practicing her talents although half-dozen of opponents was a first for her. Which is why she wanted to reach the damn platform. Where was the bloody thing?

Suddenly there were loud cracks of Apparition just behind her. Saying 'damn' would be like saying nothing at all. She conjured another shield and with a curse on her lips turned to face the newcomers.

She came face to face with her cousin. He grabbed her wrist redirecting her curse at the last second while aiming another one over her head at her attackers with his own wand.

"Bellatrix…"

She didn't give him a chance to speak. She kicked him in the gut with her knee, used her weight to turn them around and finally pushed him away from her, all in the matter of a couple of seconds. Bella had no sound reasoning, at the moment she was still working in the mode where she relied just on her instincts and she knew she had no allies in the Wizarding world besides her father and sisters, and none were here.

She leaped on the Apparition platform and Apparated away.

Sirius jumped instantaneously after her trying to make a grab for his cousin and fell into crevice in the matter created by Bella's Apparition. He unwittingly tagged along her.

He had to shield his eyes in the sudden light. It took him a few precious moments to realize where he was. He was on a roof of a tall building and the scenery reminded him of London.

"Bellatrix!" he called out. It was highly unlikely that she had stayed and was here to hear him, but he had to try. "Bellatrix!"

"What do you want?" her voice seemed to echo around him giving no clue as to where was the source of the sound. Sirius didn't know that spell but supposed that it could have been useful for pranks when he was still at school.

"I need to talk to you," he answered honestly.

BBRBW

Fifteen minutes later in a small café…

"Well," she urged. "You have my attention," she said leaning comfortably into the chair.

Sirius swallowed. Less than half-hour ago a spy of theirs had informed them about an attack on his cousin. Last quarter of an hour he had spent convincing said cousin – whom he didn't know very well, to tell the truth – that she had to listen to him. And now he was sitting in a small, cosy restaurant with her and she had such an air of comfort around her in this Muggle place that was a bit disconcerting to him.

"I know why you left the Wizarding world," he said finally.

"You think, you do," she responded with a smirk on her face.

Sirius frowned. "You don't want to join Voldemort," he stated.

Bella frowned. "Neither the Ministry nor Dumbledore and his fan club – whatever he calls it," she said in flat tone.

"You're a priestess of the Dark magic," he whispered.

He was fully aware that he was pressing his luck, but on the other hand – she was a Black and he couldn't talk to her like he talked to all the other people he came in contact with. They both were from an ancient Family and he was the disowned Light heir of a Dark Family while she was the Dark priestess and new heiress – it was a whole new level of conversation.

It was an effort not to let surprise show on her face. "And you are a Light wizard born into House of Black," she replied with a similar truth. "Don't think I don't know your secrets too."

"So, it is true," he had guessed. And correctly it seemed. Annoyance in her face made him swallow a smile. "But why haven't you…" He frowned looking at her. "My mother can't be powerful enough to keep you out of…" and then realization dawned just as Bellatrix said.

"No, not her," her teeth clicked as she ground them together in anger. She was born to be priestess of the Dark magic and she was being kept from her birth right. "When Her Grace named me the heir after you ran off - she struck a deal with Voldemort. He laid a ward around Glastonbury that I cannot cross if I do not forfeit myself to him first. And as I cannot deny him until I can claim the power of that Isle…" she had been searching for a way for years.

"The Mark? But she must know…" Sirius sat utterly shocked.

Priests and priestesses of Dark or Light magic weren't made. They were born. In the last generations there had been precious few. Dumbledore was one – for Light magic. There had been talks that Grindelwald had been one too. Also, for Light magic. Now there was Bellatrix for the Dark. It had been long time since there had been any kind of balance, but at least there was some order.

The priesthood was not any kind of official position in sense of Ministry for Magic. It was a position that dealt entirely with nature of magic. A relic from times before the Old Ways. Priests and priestesses were wizards and witches that had a stamp on their soul that needed blessing from waters surrounding Isle of Avalon to claim the connection and power – without it… It sought any connection strong enough.

Like Voldemort… Merlin, no wonder she ran. Sirius shivered.

"That such a bind before I pledge myself to Magic at the Isle would subjugate me to Voldemort without any recourse?" Bellatrix asked sharply. "Yes, she most certainly knows that. Her timing, after all, was impeccable in all the arrangements."

"It makes what I wanted to say all the more of an ask," Sirius sighed.

"What is it that you want from me?" she asked. Her gaze speculative.

"Narcissa betrayed you," he told her avoiding the question. He contemplated whether he even wanted to make the offer now that he was certain of the truth.

Anger and suspicion briefly flared in her dark eyes giving her face an expression of carefully controlled fury. "Why should I believe you?"

"Who else could have?" Sirius replied. "Andromeda spends her days in St. Mungo's while Narcissa has been engaged to be married to Lucius Malfoy for almost two years now and I bet you know what he is just as well as I do."

Bella was silent for a while before slowly nodding. "I understand what you are trying to tell me with all of this. What I want to know is – why are you bothering?"

"I'm offended," he said with a smile. "Can't I simply give a warning to my favourite cousin?" he settled more comfortably in his chair trying to regain some of his earlier carelessness.

She stared hard at him.

"Fine," he said sitting up straighter. "For the War to end the Wizarding World needs the Black Family to side. It needs you to choose a side," Sirius said earnestly.

"I will not submit to anyone," Bella said firmly. She had come too far and sacrificed too much to ever think of taking the easy way.

"We figured that," he said. There was a small smile on his face. "But would you agree to cooperate? Even without the priesthood you are the Heir, you have the power of the House if not the one that you are owed."

"I might think about it."

"And I swear we…" he pushed a hand through his shoulder length hair nervously. "I know what kind of an ask it is with… But I swear…"

"I said I might think about it. Don't overstrain yourself with promises you might not be able to keep," Bellatrix interrupted. Sirius had guessed more that she had wanted to reveal, and she had answered, but that did not mean she was asking for his help.

"We have an offer for you then," he continued with a grin and without missing a beat.

Bella regarded him cautiously before her lips curled into challenging smile. "I'm listening."

"When the time comes - your choosing of allies," he chose the wording carefully, "it would have to be convincing and public. And the best way to make it public would be for you to be a public figure. More public than just a missing-for-years pure-blood maiden," he added. "Say, cousin-dear, how would you like to be the Minister for Magic?"

"Being a marionette Minister so that I could clear the paperwork for Dumbledore and his illegal fight-club against Voldemort has never been high on my list of probable career paths," she responded swiftly and harshly.

"It's not like that!" Sirius protested. "When the current Minister will be brought down our world will need someone strong. Someone on the side - against Voldemort. You being de jure Head of the Black Family will only help to sway the public opinion in our favour as well as divide Voldemort's ranks because if he was to be refused by a Family like yours…" he stopped to draw a breath.

"Bellatrix, of course, we would like for you to look through your fingers on couple of things if we help you to become a Minister, but no one will order you or give you directions on how to proceed. Your decisions as a Minister would be yours and only yours to make, I swear," he said passionately. "Consider this," he pleaded.

"Well, we'll see that," she said simply. Walburga Black – Her Grace, Duchess of Glastonbury - had the power to keep Bellatrix from the Glastonbury lands, but Walburga held the title and lands as a courtesy through her marriage. She was not Head of House. It would, of course, be unusual to claim the Lordship of the House before the lands and before the priesthood, but… Desperate times, desperate measures.

"So, you're agreeing?"

"I'm considering," Bella replied standing up from the chair. She was about to turn to leave when she turned sharply back to Sirius and said, "It still is your family as well whether my aunt disowned you or not. Consider that." And then suddenly she felt a need to look up and for a second, she froze where she stood, because for that single moment she could have sworn that she saw Bruce standing just outside the windows.

BBRBW

At about the same time…

He was cold. He was so damn cold. But he kept going. It wasn't really a hidden fire inside him that kept him going – it was something more like the concept of one leg in front of the other and so on for eternity. Mind over matter, so to speak.

He hadn't forgotten what he had been looking for in the first place. He could never forget. He also felt no need for a path or companionship. He didn't feel content not ever however he was well where he was. But at the same time Bruce did want to achieve something. That part of Ducard's speech had truly spoken to him. So it was his own wish to achieve something and to prove himself to himself that drove him up this bloody mountain and nothing else.

The winds were harsh, and the climb was draining. His frozen fingers slipped on the rocks and ice alike and he found it less tiresome if he spared no thought to the movement of his legs.

The path he was on now steadily became steeper and rockier while remaining barely walkable. He was thankful for that because he didn't think he could haul himself up another cliff today. He wrapped himself in his thin jacket which really was of little use against the mountain winds and continued his journey.

He was freezing and tired. He walked as if in daze paying little attention to the surroundings or the path beneath him. His main goal was to keep on moving. Suddenly he stopped.

A few feet from him stood a painfully familiar figure. It had been years, yet he'd recognize her anywhere and anytime. She stood with her side to him, few moments later she turned and with a soft smile on her face, she walked towards him and he was willing to make himself believe that she looked at him and not in the distance. Her image vanished within a step of him in a breath of wind. A mirage – nothing more.

He shook his head but couldn't shake off the disappointment. He had let his mind wander too far if he was starting to see her. He took a deep breath and continued on the path.

BBRBW

About nineteen months later…

Bella smiled indulgently at the cheering crowd before her and waved lightly. It had been one beautiful year until it was time to 'take it or leave it' – and she took it. After her years in exile from the magical society she took them all in stride and became the second youngest Minister for Magic ever and the most popular Wizarding person in record time.

Well, not the most popular with her aunt, but despite Bellatrix's continued indifference to Walburga's suggestions – Her Grace didn't dare move against Bellatrix.

Bellatrix accepted the congratulations from the people and waited for Dumbledore who was acting as the Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot to finish his speech so that she could give one of her own.

She hadn't made the decision lightly. And she had placed a condition – that she would be free to pass the job to her cousin as soon as the war ended. Bella would see the society of her birth through this conflict – she would lead them and protect those who needed her protection but that was it. She had stated firmly that she will write a resignation as soon as Voldemort is dead.

She didn't want anything to do with the reconstruction and even less she desired to be a permanent fixture in the Wizarding politics. Bella knew the wizards better than they would have thought. The war about blood purity might come to an end, but soon a new conflict would arise – there always will be something to fight over. Bella wanted her life for herself – she refused to sacrifice her life in exchange for a fickle position in Wizarding politics.

Her station in the Wizarding world was guaranteed as a birth right and her position in Muggle world was high and influential because of her wealth – she could live easily in either society. She meant something in both worlds.

She had a part to play in the war because of said birth right and she had finally chosen the terms on which to participate, however there was nothing that could stop her from leaving once it was over.

Why should she be the immovable object against the overwhelming force that is Wizarding politics? Let her idealist of a cousin and his friends waste their lives in the never-ending struggle.

To tell the truth – Bella was strongly convinced that the Wizarding society was in a bad need of a dictator however the only one who offered to do the job was Voldemort and well, they were better off without him. Bella herself didn't think that the guiding of sheep was a job for her – she had never considered being a shepherd and wasn't about to begin.

'Just few years, until the end of the war…,' she thought stepping forward to make her speech now that Dumbledore was finished. 'Because I no longer care for what Voldemort has to offer. I have a story of my own.'

BBRBW

26 weeks later...

Bellatrix sat in a sinfully comfortable armchair that was on a raised platform with several other armchairs - a spot reserved for the family of the bride - near the end of the reception hall. From her raised seat she could easily oversee the whole room. She sipped champagne and enjoyed the happiness on her sister's face.

She watched as their father kissed Andromeda's forehead and shook Ted's hand giving the couple his blessings. She was glad to see Sirius and the friends he'd taken as his invitees freely offer their congratulations to Andromeda.

No significant event in a life of a Black can be anything less than the public event of the season, if not the decade. Andromeda's wedding was the event that the fine and less fine wizards and witches of Great Britain would talk about for years and not only because a pure-blood Lady dared to marry a common Muggle-born. Or because the wedding is barely three months after the funeral of Her Grace Walburga Black.

Being the Head of the Family Bellatrix had done her best to advice with the wedding preparations so she was proud to say that she had had some part in the organization of the magnificent celebration, though to be honest most of the honors belonged to their father. Lord Black had spared nothing for his youngest.

Bellatrix felt a shadow come over her joyful spirits and absentmindedly she supposed that in a different world on today she might be mourning a sister instead of welcoming a brother. She frowned at the stray thought and banished it immediately - there was no sense in thinking about could-have-been's. And then she saw Narcissa enter the hall. She hadn't seen Lady Malfoy during the ceremony. Bella frowned already realizing who had ruined her pleasant disposition.

Narcissa elegantly stole a crystal glass of champagne off a silver tray carried by a valet and ignoring Andromeda and her father, marched straight up to Bellatrix and gracefully plopped down in the armchair beside her sister's. "I can't believe you let this happen," Narcissa sniffed daintily over the rim of her glass of champagne.

"I know," Bellatrix agreed mournfully. "I told Andromeda that chocolate is not the right flavour for a wedding cake, but she just wouldn't listen," she complained exaggeratedly. "What was I going to do? Disown her?" Bella asked, her pleasant tone turning confrontational.

"That wouldn't have been necessary," Narcissa replied carelessly. "Aunt entrusted you with the Family, I do not believe that in her most terrible nightmares she imagined you allowing this union. It's enough that you welcomed the blood-traitor back into the Family before she was even cold in the grave," Narcissa looked disdainfully over at Sirius where he and his group of friends were chatting noisily with Ted.

"I let you marry who you want," Bella remarked coldly.

"I married Lord Malfoy! He's a respectable pure-blood heir!" Narcissa replied indignantly.

Bellatrix's expression was remarkably unimpressed. "Yes, his lineage and the size of his Gringott's vault are undoubtedly his only assets," she carefully accented the last word as to leave no doubt to her meaning.

Narcissa frowned at the crudeness. "Well, what assets are in Mr. Tonks' possession then that makes him so welcome a member of our Family?" she asked snobbishly.

Bellatrix sipped her champagne. "He has Andromeda's affection and if that isn't enough - I believe he will never betray her trust."

"You believe?" Narcissa snorted leaning back in the chair. "Your years among the masses have certainly damaged your senses."

Bellatrix was silent for a moment. "Funny, I was about to say a similar thing about you."

"What do you mean?" Narcissa frowned.

Bella let the pause that settled between them stretch a bit. "Ted knew for years the truth about me and he's yet to breathe a word of it outside of Family. He can keep a secret and guard the trust placed in him and that is not a quality that all in present company can boast with," Bella said looking straight at her sister. She had never accused Narcissa to her face about her betrayal, but this felt like the right moment to remind Lady Malfoy that she knew and that she had not forgotten. "Am I not right, Cissy?"

"What are you implying, exactly?" Narcissa demanded with a hiss, grasping her glass till her knuckles turned white.

"If you gather the implication, then you know exactly what I mean," Bellatrix replied calmly.

"You dare insult me? Me? You who should be proud of me!" Narcissa was outraged. "I did what I was supposed to! I married right, I, who in time will bear a child of lineage, I am what every pure-blood witch should be! I should be made as an example in our Family, yet you treat me like you think I am a ..."

"Stop it!" Bellatrix interrupted her, unwilling to listen to a tirade. "You married the man you thought would give you an easy and luxurious life. You are who you want to be and as for the Family, you're Lady Malfoy now, sister, so concern yourself with the Malfoys."

"Exactly. I'm a Lady, my husband is a Lord. And who is the wizard our little sister is marrying? A Mudblood!" Narcissa spat. Anger was unbecoming in her pale, regal face.

Bella frowned. "Mother and father taught you better than to use such distasteful words in polite company."

"Lately I seem to find that a lot of what Mother and Father taught us aren't in our best interests," Narcissa replied coldly.

"You mean the interests of your husband and those in his company," Bellatrix corrected.

"As a good wife, my husband's interests are mine," Narcissa stated proudly with her head held high.

Bella resisted the urge to snort. "You always were a good little follower."

"Maybe," Narcissa said spitefully, "however I have a man worth following. What will Andromeda have? She's married to a man with no name, no lineage and no prospects."

Bella looked hard at her sister. If she were a more conscientious person she'd take the blame for her sister's ignorance and idiocy upon herself, because of her long absence during her sister's formative years, but Bellatrix was more practical than moral, besides Andromeda's life was also robbed of role models and she turned out alright.

"Andromeda is a Black. That does not change with her marriage. Her husband is welcome in my Family as will be any offspring of theirs."

"A Mudblood! In our family!" Narcissa exclaimed. "An invasion of filthy half-bloods! What will be next? You will marry a Muggle, perhaps?" she sneered.

"Narcissa, contain yourself. There is only so much I can credit to your prolonged need for teenage rebellion. You may be Lady Malfoy now, but I can still make your life rather difficult if I choose to," though Bella spoke calmly and still managed to smile at those that caught her eye in the crowd, however there was no mistaking the threat in her tone.

Narcissa gritted her teeth. She looked around; they already seemed to have gathered attention. Their father was watching them like a hawk and Narcissa suddenly felt uncomfortable. Having no wish to see this incident on the front page of the evening's paper, Lady Malfoy decided to cut her losses and stood saying, "I can see that I'm not a particularly welcome guest here. I will take my leave, but mark my words, sister, this conversation is not over."

Bellatrix was completely unintimidated, "Since it seems to have escaped your notice - the young couple has already been wed. Any matter that there may have been is long past discussion. Learn to live with it or you may find yourself unwelcome at many gatherings."

Narcissa glared at her eldest sister but feeling already too much at the centre of attention she decided to pass on continuing the discussion. She spun on her heel and left with as much grace as possible once again completely ignoring both Andromeda and her father.

BBRBW

Almost two years later…

Bella had long since discovered television and now - after a long and hard day at the Ministry - she was at her spacious apartment in London and resting in an expensive leather couch in front of it. She turned on the news channel and nearly dropped the remote. It was all over the international news channel – Bruce Wayne who had mysteriously disappeared seven years ago was back.

This time she couldn't book the first flight to Gotham City. Apparating on the doorstep of the Wayne Manor didn't seem like a good idea either even if she could pull it off magically. It had been years and life was complicated once again, but she wasn't quite ready to give up on Bruce either.

Years as the owner of a company as huge as Rosier Limited and Minister for Magic had made her more level-headed. While she still felt a faint wish to do something as irrational and imprudent as jumping on the first plane, she knew better. This time she would take another path – slower but safer and probably more profitable in the long run. Not to mention that this way maybe she won't scare the living daylights out of the only friend she'd ever had. Maybe.

She made a mental note to look again into the collaboration project with Wayne Enterprises.

BBRBW

Few days later…

Bella offered a patient smile to the director of Wayne Enterprises. She hadn't been surprised to find out that Bruce did not run his company on his own. Aside from the obvious fact that he had been gone for seven years, he had never seemed to be overly eager to sit at the proverbial wheel and turn and turn and turn it around.

She also hadn't been surprised by the man that was running the company. He was a bit sleazy, sneaky, too smooth to be trusted, quite vain and with a good eye for profit. Not the best combination around, but she had dealt with worse. Being a Minister for Magic during wartime had taught her patience like nothing else and in between constant smiling, atrocious tea, exercise of good will and sumptuous meal – Bellatrix was in a rather good mood.

"But we would be glad to discuss a possible collaboration plan as soon as Wayne Enterprises is finally public," Earle added at the end of his rather long-winded apology. He wanted to make sure that there was no misunderstanding – cooperating with European giant such as Rosier Ltd. was very much desired although a bit ill timed.

"That is very unfortunate," she said truthfully glancing out the window behind Mr. Earle. "I'm afraid I will be very busy in the near future, but I'm sure if you will contact Mr. Burke you may find some common ground." She smiled easily and made a move to rise. "Now if that's all I believe I have a plane to catch."

To be honest, Bella had Apparated – she had far too little time to spend it on a flight over the Atlantic. As British Minister for Magic it was easy for her to get her hands on a pass that would let her through the magical border of America without fuss.

Director Earle rose as well. "Perhaps if you have some time to spare… I'd like to extend an invitation to a ball. I apologize for the small notice, but it is Mr. Wayne's birthday and the rumour is - it's going to be the event of the season."

She paused to think it over. She had some time to spare and this was a wonderful opportunity. Sometimes everything was too easy. "I'd be honoured." She was pleased.

BBRBW

The very same evening at the Wayne Manor…

She arrived fashionably late, but obviously early enough – Bruce wasn't here yet. She made her way into the wide halls that were decorated for the occasion and made no effort to blend in the crowd. She was a new face among the rich and powerful of Gotham and she stood out among them as was expected.

The gown she wore was luxurious even if not custom sewn for her from the best designers any world could offer and even when these people knew nothing of her – she still derived from them. Her absolute confidence in herself shoved in her every movement. Arrogance was becoming on her and she wore it like a prized piece of jewellery.

"Miss Rosier, I am glad to see you here," Mr. Earle greeted her.

"This is magnificent party," Bella lied lightly. All grand feasts for the rich and powerful of any society are somewhat similar on the main points. The Wizarding society though hadn't had a reason for grand parties ever since the war had started and Bellatrix appreciated the reprieve however she failed to find something unique or fascinating in the occasion, especially since Bruce had yet to arrive.

"Indeed, it is," Mr. Earle agreed. "I'd like to introduce you to some friends of mine…"

Mr. Earle was interrupted by arrival of Alfred who announced that Mr. Wayne was on his way. Bella used the moment to move away from the Director and closer to the refreshment tables. She snatched a glass of champagne from a waiter when everyone started singing 'Happy Birthday'.

There were too many people around her and she didn't see him as he made his way in the hall. She took a sip of her champagne and frowned. She disliked the feeling of agitation in her chest; it made room for mistakes and doubt. Bellatrix never doubted herself and she rarely admitted making mistakes.

"Lucius Fox," the man next to her introduced himself.

"Bellatrix Rosier," she replied in kind. In Muggle world she had taken her mother's maiden name as her own. It was as much an effort to conceal her identity as a unifying bond with the company her father had gifted her with. It was a symbol of another life entirely.

This wasn't a mistake. She took a deep, calming breath. This was chasing after a friend and friends are worth it to be chased after. Bellatrix knew she often walked a fine line between recognizing when emotionality was a liability and the inability to feel at all. In her years as the Minister she had watched the Order and her cousin and his friends – she had learned that friends were worth a lot. Because of a magical accident – a fluke, she had practically grown up with Bruce – there was close to no one who knew about her as much as he did and none with whom she was used to speaking completely frankly. Besides Bella was practical – why make a new friend if she already had one?

She quickly excused herself when she saw Bruce coming her way. She made a move to smooth her gown while in truth she subtly cast a mild Notice-Me-Not charm on herself. She intended to listen in on few conversations and make her presence known in a bit more private place. No need for a scandal or unnecessary heart-attacks.

Bellatrix sipped her champagne and unobtrusively listened in on Bruce's conversation with Mr. Fox and a moment later with the Ra's Al Ghul – both of them. It was quite enlightening to say the least. She frowned and pulled her wand from her jewelled purse. It seemed that nothing was going to be as easy as it had appeared at first. She finished her champagne and while Bruce made his speech, she moved towards the stairs so that she would be out of the exiting crowd's way.

She cast a disillusionment charm on herself and stood by the stairs as the offended guests made their way out of the manor. She was a surprise element in this battle that neither side knew about, but before she could act, she needed more information. Bellatrix waited until one of the 'enemy' men moved further into manor and followed him.

BBRBW

The man passed a few doors before walking into a spacious room and casually throwing a pinch of exploding powder on the expensive carpet. Bellatrix followed the man, the clicks of her heels against the floor - silenced by a charm. She peered in the sitting room appraising the layout of the room before acting swiftly.

She stunned the Muggle, stepped in the room, closed the door behind herself, locked it, set up a silencing spell on the room and used the everlasting glue spell to glue the Muggle to the most convenient wall. Then she awakened the Muggle.

"Wha..."

"The disorientation will pass in a minute," she instructed kindly. "And perhaps without pain so will your life if you prove to be helpful."

The man's face contorted in an ugly expression - the mix of hate and a misplaced sense of superiority. He didn't say a thing.

"You might think your friends will help you, but they will not hear you even when I do this," Bella helpfully explained before using a Blasting hex to smash the man's kneecap to illustrate her point.

The Muggle screamed. His face turned red from pain and anger. "I'll kill you, bitch," he managed to curse at her.

"Apt description, not entirely correct statement," Bella replied looking rather bored. "I will kill you," she corrected.

"I don't know what kind of gun it is that you have there, woman..."

Bella nearly snorted. "And you will never know," she replied while the Muggle tried to contain his painful gasps to speak further.

"It won't save you from Ra's Al Ghul!" he managed to say.

"Which brings me back to business," Bella said. "What are your intentions exactly? What are you doing here?"

"I'm not... telling you..."

She blasted his other kneecap, not in the mood to listen to irrelevant babbling.

"You bitch!" he howled in agony.

"Incorrect," she stated. Tiring of the dialogue she next pointed her wand at his crotch.

She disliked being this crude, but she needed results fast. "Will you talk or do I ..." She didn't get to finish - the man started to talk labouring under the misconception that he would live to enjoy the undamaged parts of his body. He told her everything and then she killed him swiftly, because he was a threat to Bruce. Then she went to find Bruce.

BBRBW

The building was burning. The house that had been as much part of her childhood as her own manor was burning down to the ground and there was nothing that she could do, that wouldn't create more problems than there already were. Somehow doing nothing was the hard decision this time.

With her wand and folds of her dress in her hands, she determinedly walked down the burning corridors looking for Bruce. She absolutely refused to Apparate out before she knew that he was safe. She frowned realizing that if this manor had been properly warded then nothing such as this would have happened. Unfortunately, the matter had not crossed her mind before now.

If there had been wards no Muggle would have been able to set fire to her home, and, yes, after practically living here for eleven consecutive years since she was seven years old - she did consider this manor as much her house as Bruce's.

The smoke tickled her throat, she coughed and for the first time felt anxiety rise along with the rush of adrenaline. "Bruce!" she called out. She could leave at any time, he could not. "Bruce!" she yelled and coughed, "Damn it."

BBRBW

Bruce was warm. He felt hot, but not hot enough for it to wake him completely. He thought he heard a voice he'd long since given up on hearing ever again. He thought he heard it calling his name. He didn't want to open his eyes to whatever always waited for him on the other side of this wonderfully deceitful fantasy.

Confused and stuck somewhere between dream and reality, he was woken rather rudely by Alfred trying and failing to lift a piece of the wall off him. He stared dazed and distracted by the bright fire for a minute, before reacting to Alfred's encouragements and gathering his strength to push the better part of an archway colon off himself.

Alfred helped him stand up and to stay up. Staggering they made their way to the secret door in his favourite second floor sitting room, since it was the only safe exit left for them. Bruce played the three keys that opened the bookcase, but before leaving he suddenly thought of something and whirled around, almost falling to ground, and quickly grabbed a purple velvet covered box off the top of the piano before following Alfred through the door.

Of all his prized possessions that he wanted to save that was one thing that he could save. The box held his mother's pearl necklace. The very same necklace she had been wearing the night she died. Joe Chill had torn it off her neck, but the police had gathered everything from the scene including every pearl for evidence and in time, they had all been given back to Bruce. He had had the necklace pieced back together years ago and usually it stood on the table beside his father's stethoscope. Just today, he'd accidentally placed it on the piano. Just today, he could save it.

He collapsed on the floor of the elevator and Alfred pulled the lever. As they drove down, the fire blazed above their heads and the small velvet box in his breast pocket felt like too little too late.

BBRBW

"Br...," she stopped herself as she saw him limping with Alfred towards an open bookcase. Satisfied that he was alive for the moment and about to be safe, she cast a charm to keep the fire from exploding until he was out of the collision path and Apparated with as much theatrical noise as possible to add to the drama of the whole scene.

Largely unfamiliar with the layout of the caves beneath the manor, just aware that they were there, she Apparated to the garden. As she had been paying more attention to theatrics and Bruce - as she materialized, she stepped on a stone ornament and overbalanced breaking the stiletto heel of her shoe and ungracefully falling on her ass.

She cursed and looked up just as the roof of the manor collapsed onto the second floor and the second floor fell in on the first. Bellatrix closed her eyes for a moment feeling as if she had inhaled saltwater. Tears burned in her nose and throat. Then she did what she always did best - she gathered herself together, fixed her shoe, and set about figuring a way to get down to the caves. And Bruce.

BBRBW

She waited until Alfred went away before cancelling the charms, she had placed upon herself. She stood quietly watching him as he dressed, as he readied for battle. She had never thought of Bruce as a warrior. Oddly enough – it suited him. She watched him – she'd known him as a boy, but now he was a man. She wondered if there was anything left of the boy.

"Alfred?" Bruce questioned pausing in his movement. He felt he wasn't alone. He felt… something he hadn't in a long time. Can't be.

Bella took a deep breath. "I suppose this is where I say, 'I've seen this coming all along', but the truth is – I haven't."

Bruce turned around so quickly she barely noticed the movement. He gazed at her with wide eyes full of surprise, joy, and a hint of suspicion. "Bella?"

She ignored his question and moved a few steps closer to him, careful not to slip on the rocks. High-heeled shoes were not made for this kind of terrain. "I really thought you had a better taste," Bellatrix mournfully announced choosing a flat piece of rock to stand on. "Black is so tacky."

He smiled at her comment, his expression relaxing. "It makes me look thinner," he replied cheekily. He opened his mouth to say something more but found himself at loss what to say. He had never expected to see her again, but with Bella, he supposed he should have known not to expect anything. He was overjoyed and scared at the same time; Gotham nearly forgotten. Eleven years since he'd seen her last.

"I hope you're not going into a psychotic breakdown," Bella said when the silence stretched. "It would be such a shame, especially after all I had to do to get down here."

Her words rang like a bell in his head reminding him what he'd nearly willingly forgotten. "Gotham!" he cried suddenly. "Bellatrix, I have to go," he said quietly but with resigned certainty.

"I know," she said. She did know – the man she had interrogated told her everything about the plan to destroy Gotham. She walked up to him and looked him over. She frowned at the bleeding wound in his side. She took out her wand and touched the injury with it while thinking of the spell. "It's emergency field magic. It will be no good in a couple of hours," she explained. "It'll hold the wound together for now though, but you'll start bleeding again later so the ER probably won't ask any weird questions when you will finally get there."

He had said the words - Gotham! -, but couldn't find it in himself to move. He greedily watched her every movement as she approached him. He was surprised to feel the pain lessen and then disappear altogether from his side. He had so many questions to ask her – whether she'd stay? whether this was real? why now? "It's amazing," he muttered feeling his side. "Thank you," he said sincerely.

Bella had never been an empathetic person, but even she could see the questions burning in his gaze. Questions he obviously couldn't voice. His gaze was fixed on her and despite the urgency of the situation he didn't make a single move.

"I will be here," she promised.

Bruce didn't move. He searched her face for any sign of kind lies, insincerity or deceit. Moments later he nodded and proceeded in his preparations. He still had a city to save. And after that – a new day would come and for the first time in a long time he found himself looking forward to it.

BBRBW

The next day…

All that was left of the grand Wayne manor which had housed nine generations of the family were smoky ruins. The pile of ruined marble and granite on the green hilltop symbolized that last night had not been only one of victory but also of loss.

Bruce felt unexpectedly sad when he finally saw the full amount of destruction. He hadn't felt entirely comfortable in the house ever since his parents' death – it had been the manor which housed Wayne family, he was just one person and ill-suited to fill up a space for a whole family. However now he saw the manor for what it had been – not only a heritage to which he was the only successor, but an asylum for memories, a home.

He got out of the car and stood still for a moment. He breathed in the smell of burn that still lingered in the air and lowered his gaze. A feeling of reverence washed over him; it was like he wasn't just standing by the wreckage that had been his house – it felt as if he was standing by a monument. A monument of change and sacrifice. A monument to his choice to become the Batman.

He felt Alfred stand beside him. Alfred had taken care of Wayne family and him, especially, ever since Bruce could remember. It had been Alfred's house as much as his own. Bruce felt as if he had let the elder man down. Needing to distance himself, he moved further among the debris.

He walked through what once had been the entrance hall and the remains of the grand staircase, he moved towards what was left of the furthest outer wall. The devastation was disheartening. He came to the beginning of the stairs that led down the hill towards the greenhouses and garden and stopped.

"Right there. Two stories up."

Bruce turned around quickly and saw Bella perched on a large chunk of the wall and pointing east. She glanced upwards before fixing her gaze upon him.

"There was a gallery with large windows that had the most beautiful view of the manor grounds," she explained. "I liked it."

All he could give her was a sad smile. "I missed you," he said a moment later. His voice was quiet and tired. Suddenly he felt drained. The intensity of the past few days weighed heavily on him – there had been no time to think through anything – just to react and he didn't have the faith in himself required for peace of mind now that everything was done.

Bella watched him. She saw him transforming from a strong and determined man to an unsure and burdened one. She felt oddly privileged by the obvious display of trust. She had always preferred actions to express her opinion rather than vocal reassurances, but it seemed that he needed both and she… Well, she couldn't refuse him. "I still like you," Bella offered with a small and serious smile.

He chuckled. Bruce wanted to know but couldn't ask. Last night she'd told him that she would be here – and here she was, but for how long? He had liked to think that he was no longer a coward but there were answers he'd rather not hear. He also didn't ask why now?, because he was just glad that it was now rather than never. Bruce supposed that his unquestioning welcome of her could be seen as pathetic, but this was Bellatrix and this was him. It was not a usual situation and they were not usual friends. If she truly was just a figment of his imagination he was still as glad as ever to see her again.

"It feels like a trade – a ruin for ruin," he admitted finally.

She jumped off the rock and walked over. "They can't take anything you won't give," Bella said her voice strong and unyielding.

Her gaze was burning against his. Bruce saw nothing but conviction in her eyes – she was so sure of herself and him and everything that he … - he felt carried away by the force of it. "How can you be so sure?"

"Been there done that," she replied with a light grin.

He frowned and couldn't help but feel worried. "What do you mean?"

"Trust me," Bella asked. She took his hand and pulled him with her down the hill, away from the wreckage. Her steps were unhurried but determined, he came along willingly.

He stared at their hands for a moment. It was not the action that surprised him, but the fact. She was solid, warm, there. She seemed as real as the next person, as real as she had never really felt before. Even on that last night eleven years ago there had been this dreamy quality around her and now she seemed as fixed in this time and place as the ruins, as the trees growing in the park on the north side of the manor as the graveyard with the gravestones of his parents on the west side, as the blades of grass his every next step pressed back to ground. "Bellatrix…"

"I'm here," she said simply and came to stop. She turned around and pointed in the distance prompting him to stop and turn as well. "What do you see?" she asked.

He glanced at her his eyes hard. He did not want to go through this now. He had thought she understood.

"Tell me," she urged.

Bruce looked at the distant hill and his gaze softened. "Failure. Disappointment. Loss," he breathed out the words.

"An opportunity," Bella countered. "A new start."

"It'll take time," he said. It would take time to get used to the idea. It would take time to rebuild.

She smiled lightly. She'd like to tell him that he had all the time in the world, but truth was that he didn't. "I think you'll be just fine," she assured.

He turned towards her and took both of her hands in his. He brushed his fingers along her skin revelling in the softness beneath his fingertips. Bruce was carried away by his feelings, by the moment, by her encouragement and assurances. He had always longed after her even when he had no reason to hope to ever see her again. Now he was basking in joy at having her at his side again. If she was a manifestation of his insanity; he'd succumb to it gladly.

He was amazed at how easy it was to confide in her even after eleven years. He was taken aback at how easy she fit back into his life as chaotic as it was. He didn't think about it, he just acted. He let his fingers play with a stray curl of her hair before suddenly moving to cradle her scalp, tangling all his fingers in her hair, destroying her hairdo and drawing her in for a kiss that was a tad too desperate to be sweet.

Surprised, a bit, but unwilling to admit it, Bella grasped his shirt and pulled him closer, kissing him as if it was a battle for control. This was madness. A turn of events that she was largely unprepared for yet his lips felt so good against hers that it was enough to express her annoyance at her thwarted plans by nipping hard at his bottom lip before kissing it better.

The moment and the breath-stealing kiss were destroyed by a large, sudden noise that sounded an awful lot like an Apparition.

It only took her seconds to move away from Bruce, in front of him, and point her wand at the origin of the noise and cast a spell. Her curse bounced off a hastily cast shield. "Sirius?" she asked incredulously once recognizing the visitor.

Sirius raised his hands in a non-threatening manner. "Easy, honey," he said grinning. "It's me."

"Prove it," Bellatrix spat.

"Well why else would I've come barging in like a herd of elephants? Certainly not to sneak on you; that would be a terrible strategy considering your reaction," he replied. "Besides how could I find you if I was not me? Not to mention that this is smooth, love. It took a great deal of me to get here; we must be pretty far away from home."

"Toss me your wand," she demanded.

"Is this really necessary?" Sirius asked in a tired tone.

Bella arched her eyebrows and made a gesture with her wand that Bruce did not understand, but the other man obviously did, because he hastily tossed the required item. Bruce wasn't sure what was happening, but he didn't dare interrupt the impasse with a question so he just stood by Bella's side hoping to be able to offer protection should she need it.

"That's mean, Trixie. Real mean," he said.

Bellatrix ignored the nickname and trained the other wand at Sirius as well. "How did you find me?" she asked her tone cold and indifferent.

Sirius winced at the tone. "It's the Oath we made," he replied referencing the ritual that had reinstated him in Black family.

Bellatrix frowned. "You used Blood Magic?" it was obvious she was reluctant to believe that.

"Yes! Yes. Yes, me," he rattled. "We needed to find you quickly and it was the only way I could think of. Nobody else knows."

"You do know that I can call you on it if you're bluffing?"

"I was only disowned not dis-brain-ed," Sirius replied annoyance visible on his features, although for all his frustration with the situation, he still did not lower his raised hands.

Bellatrix cut a line across her wrist with Sirius' wand and muttered the spell.

"Bellatrix!" Bruce couldn't stay silent.

"It's alright," she assured him and a moment later the wound sealed shut without leaving a scar and not a drop of blood had been spilled. "Sirius," she acknowledged her cousin and tossed him back his wand and lowered her own. "What in the name of Merlin did you need me for so desperately?"

Sirius was hesitant to reply in the presence of the other man, but Bellatrix obviously trusted him and if she had wanted him gone - she would have said so and as she hadn't so it was unlikely that Sirius could do anything about it. He winced and began his explanation, "Voldemort broke into the Ministry tonight. He went to the DoM; we think he was looking for a prophecy."

"What prophecy?" her tone was cold again.

"It's Order business. You denied membership – I can't tell you," Sirius said his expression apologetic.

She disliked having things kept from her. The Ministry was her domain. Her domain was attacked, because somebody kept something from her. Bellatrix was furious. "What happened?" she snarled. Her fingers were itching.

Sirius resisted the urge to twitch. Bellatrix had reinstated him in the Black Family, but there was nothing that could give him back the title of the Lord of the Family – the annexes that came with the title had long ago gone to Bellatrix and there was no shame in admitting that she was a very scary Lady when she chose to be. She was also a good friend to have on a rainy day. "All on-duty Unspeakables and a couple of Aurors were killed. The Atrium is completely destroyed, the elevator and level nine are badly damaged," he said. "There's no way we can cover it up."

"We're not going to," Bella replied coldly.

"The Ministry was considered impenetrable, invulnerable – the safest place besides Hogwarts and Azkaban. People are going to panic."

"No, they won't," she said confidently. "Because there won't be any time to. This is the last straw. Go back and tell Dumbledore that I'll be there soon. Gather the press we need to come out with an announcement before they print something stupid and then… Then we will up the stakes."

Sirius eyed his cousin. "He will oppose you."

"He usually does."

"But I'm with you on this one," he said. "We do need to act." Sirius acknowledged her with a nod and disappeared with a soft pop.

Bella turned to Bruce. He hadn't said almost anything during her exchange with Sirius and strangely enough – it disturbed her. "Any questions?" she asked forcing out a smile.

"Many," Bruce replied. "But it seems that you have little time."

"I have to go," she affirmed.

"Promise to come back and tell me about your world in exchange for abandoning me now and we'll call it a deal," he said lightly, although his expression was one of concern. Killed? Destroyed? Damaged? Up the stakes? The words struck fear in him.

"Deal."

He leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Curse them to oblivion," he wished her well echoing a sentiment from times long gone.

"I promise to bring back pictures," she replied smiling lightly. A moment later she disappeared without a sound.

His gaze didn't leave her until the last possible moment. There was nothing right in the world and the moments when you could forget that ended far too soon. He felt a strange sense of déjà vu. Bruce looked ahead at the ruins of his home and suddenly he felt confident; he could and would fix it. He made quick and determined steps towards the manor.