July 18th, 1996 - Spinner's End
"Cissy, stop!" Bellatrix yelled to her sister, who was now sprinting down another dark road through Spinner's End.
Narcissa spun around to face her sister underneath the dim light of a broken street lamp. Bellatrix grabbed her arm, wanting to pull her the other way.
"Go back, Bella." she said, holding her wand in her sisters face.
Bellatrix laughed. "Would you really, Cissy? To your own sister?"
"There is nothing I wouldn't do anymore!" Narcissa said, with a hint of madness in her voice. She lowered her wand as if drawing it back, but then there was a flash of light. Bellatrix felt a burn on her arm, and quickly withdrew her hand from her sister's arm, and Narcissa dashed off. "Cissy, wait!" Bellatrix called, then darted off through the mess of nearly identical brick houses in the pathways ahead.
Narcissa suddenly stopped at a deserted looking house at the end of a street.
"Cissy let's go, he can't be trusted!" Bellatrix hissed at her sister as she knocked at the house's front door. The door opened slowly, making a loud creaking sound. Four silver fingered wrapped themselves around the door, and a small, rat like man poked his head out.
He let out a squeaky gasp. "N-Narcissa! Bel-Bellatrix! How nice- I mean lovely it is to see you!"
"Wormtail, is Severus there?" Narcissa whispered anxiously. "It's urgent."
"Yes, yes… C-Come in!' he whispered back, stepping out of the doorway to allow Narcissa in. Bellatrix followed her sister without invitation. They walked directly into a dim, candle lit sitting room, in which Snape was already standing in front of the fireplace. He nodded curtly to the two sisters.
"Bellatrix, Narcissa…" he said. "Wormtail, why don't you get our guests some drinks?"
Wormtail froze at the sound of his name. For a minute, it looked as if he may argue, but then he nodded nervously and headed through another door.
The second the door closed, Narcissa said in a rush, "Severus, I'm sorry to come here like this, but I had to see you. I think you are the only one who can help me-" Snape held up his hand to silence her, and pointed his wand at the door. There was a loud bang, followed by the sound of Wormtail rushing to the other room.
"You were saying, Narcissa?" Snape said lazily.
She took in a breath before starting again. "Severus, I know I ought not to be here, I have been told to say nothing to anyone, but-"
Snape cut her off again. "If The Dark Lord has forbidden it, you ought not to speak. The Dark Lord's word is law!"
Narcissa's eyes swam with years and her pale face turned pink. Bellatrix, however, gave a triumphant smile.
"There! Even Snape says so!" she said, practically spitting out 'Snape'. "You were told to not talk, hold your silence!"
"It so happens I know of the plan," he said, turning to face Narcissa. "I am one of the few The Dark Lord has told-"
"He told you?" Bellatrix hissed, glaring at Snape. "The Dark Lord told you?"
"Yes, Bellatrix, The Dark Lord trusts me, despite your opinions. But what help do you require, Narcissa? If you are imagining I can persuade The Dark Lord to change his mind, I'm afraid there is no hope, none at all."
Tears began to pour down Narcissa's face. "Severus… Please, my son, my only son…" She buried her face in her hands and wailed. "This is vengeance for Lucius' mistake, I know it!"
Snape went silent and avoided her eyes.
"That's why he's chosen Draco, isn't it? To punish Lucius?"
"If Draco succeeds," Snape said, still avoiding her gaze. "He will be honored above all others.
"But he won't succeed!" Narcissa sobbed. "Severus, please…" she let out a small, sorrowful scream and clutched at her hair.
"Narcissa, that's enough; Listen to me." Snape commanded. "It might be possible… For me to help Draco."
Narcissa's eyes widened and the tears stopped at once. "Severus… Oh Severus - you would help him? Would you look after him, see he come to no harm?"
"I can try."
"Swear to it." Bellatrix whispered, an idea slowly forming in her head. "Make the Unbreakable Vow..."
Snape froze. His eyes widened slightly, but Bellatrix couldn't tell if the emotion shining through was nervousness or surprise.
"Oh, it's just empty words…" Bellatrix hissed, then rested her chin on Snape's shoulder, right next to this ear. "He'll try, I'm sure… But when Draco most needs it… He'll just slither back into his little hole…" She said in a mock-baby voice.
"Take out. Your wand." Snape said through clenched teeth.
Narcissa quickly linked hands with Snape. Her grip remained tight, as if she was afraid he would change his mind.
Bellatrix slowly drew her wand, clearly looking astonished. She looked at Narcissa. Then to Snape. Then back to Narcissa.
"Bellatrix, you will need to move a bit closer." Snape said coldly.
Bellatrix placed the tip of her wand on their hands. Narcissa spoke.
"Will you, Severus, watch over my son, Draco, as he attempts to fufill the Dark Lord's wishes?"
"I will." said Snape.
A thing, wire-like flame twisted its' way around the pairs hands, binding the first part of the contract.
"And will you, to the best of your ability, protect him from harm?"
"I will." said Snape.
A second flame shot from Bellatrix's wand. It spun around the first, creating a glowing chain.
"And, should it prove necessary… If it seems Draco will fail…" Narcissa whispered, her eyes swimming with tears once more, "will you carry out the deed that The Dark Lord has ordered Draco to perform?"
There was a moment of silence, and Snape took a moment before speaking.
"I will."
A final flame emitted from Bellatrix's wand and wrapped around the hands for a third time. As the flames slowly faded from their hands Bellatrix had a dreadful thought.
She had just sentenced a man to his death.