Bellatrix appeared in the middle of the parlor at Malfoy Manor. Her sister jumped in astonishment. "Where the hell were you, you didn't say anything or leave a note?" asked Narcissa running up to her. "Are you alright?" she asked leading her over to a chair.
"I'm fine Cissy, I'm better than fine." She said a smile spreading across her face. Narcissa gave her a look that could be read as saying "Tell me now or I'll have to go get the veritiserum."
"I went to The Dark Lord to apologize, and he has trusted me with an important task. I am not allowed to tell you what this task is but I am allowed to tell you I will be gone for some time." Bellatrix said running her fingers through her hair. Narcissa looked at her again.
"You can't go anywhere Bella, you need to rest and recover." She said urgently.
"No Narcissa, you can't tell me what I can and can't do, I will serve my Lord even if it means my death." And with that she pushed past her and went to her bedroom on the second floor.
Bellatrix charmed a small bag and started to put in the required supplies. She summoned a house-elf and asked her to bring up lots of canned foods, a pan, some plates, cups and forks. She would go down to the cellar and get the jugs of reserve water herself. She packed a tent similar to those used by people traveling to the Quiditch World Cup. When she had everything she needed brought up to her room she checked down the list he had given her. Everything was there that they would need. Bellatrix set the bag on her dresser and lay down on her bed. She was starting to feel a little dizzy and weak. "I guess I need some rest after all." Bellatrix thought to herself and closed her eyes.
Narcissa crept up the stairs to Bella's bedroom. "I'll find out what she's up to one way or another. " Narcissa thought to herself. She turned the knob on the door and froze as it creaked. She heard Bella sigh in her sleep and stepped into the room. "She's knocked out." Narcissa said to herself holding her wand out in front on her. Her sister had always been a heavy sleeper. Narcissa crept over to the dresser where the pack was. On her way over she stepped on a piece of parchment. She turned it over in her hands and realized it was a list. "Why would Bella need all this stuff?" she wondered setting the list back on the floor. Narcissa picked up the pack and pulled the drawstring. She went to look at the contents when the pack was knocked out of her hands. Narcissa let out a startled yelp. Her sister stood ready on her feet pointing her wand directly at her younger sister.
"I told you that you weren't to know of the Dark Lord's plans, if you're disobeying me, your disobeying the Dark Lord." Bellatrix snapped grabbing the satchel from off of the floor. "Get out, and don't go snooping again!" she yelled waiving her wand. Narcissa scurried out of the room without hesitation.
"This must be important." She thought looking back at the slammed bedroom door. "I think I should do what she said." Narcissa thought going down the stairs.
Bellatrix paced her room. "I can't stay here for another three days; the plan will be at risk. I have to go somewhere else. My sister never listens or does what she's told, it's not safe here." She concluded sitting down on her bed. She tried to think of places where she could stay for three days and came up with a few ideas. "The sea caves were my Master's horcrux is hidden could serve as a shelter, or possibly with one of the other death eaters, no they would be curious as well, maybe I would be welcome to take refuge with my Master?" she wondered stopping mid step. "No, he explicitly said to wait; I will rest in the sea caves." Bellatrix concluded. She gathered her satchel, the lists, and sighed. She took the time to write out a note. It read "Narcissa, Give my love to Draco. I will be gone for Merlin knows how long. I will be safe with our Lord. –Bellatrix Black Lestrange"
With that she apparated to the closest point near the caves. She would be safe there, protected from the cold and the mist. If one took the time to explore properly they would find several other caves hollowed out and suitable for inhabitance. Many a night the dark Lord took refuge in the caves cradling a wound or venting his anger. She would rest here for the remainder of the time she was to wait.
Standing on the rock facing towards the side of the mountain she pulled back her hair, took a deep breath, and dove into the freezing tossed and turned about sending her this way and that. It was so cold it felt like it was burning her skin. Bellatrix kept on thinking to herself "The faster I swim the faster I will be out of the water." She in haste scraped her arms trying to climb onto the rocks near the mountains edge. After a moment of rest Bellatrix ascended the mountain and started to climb. It was hard work; the sides of the rock were slick with slime and moss. She almost lost her footing three times. When she reached the first hollowed cave she pulled herself up with her arms and elbows. Bellatrix panted laying down flat on the smoothed rock. It was moist and cool against her pale skin. When the adrenaline wore off she looked around to see that she wasn't alone in the cave.
Author's Note: Muahahaha yes I know cliffhangers can be a pain in the ass but the can also be used as a motivational tool to promote reviewing.
