Chapter 7
Bellatrix's heavy lidded eyes darted left to right at each individual faces of the group that circled her. She quickly noted Potter, the two redheaded blood traitors, an old female Professor from Hogwarts, her dear brother in law Lucius and an ancient old house-elf who had stepped back, far away from the group as possible as he trembled at the sight of her. The wand she had been using lay far beyond her reach and this occasion marked the second time in her life in which Bellatrix had found herself defenseless and vulnerable, like a mere infant without the support of a guardian. She breathed as plans and strategies attempted to enlighten her mind but they were fewer and far between and making about as much sense as a chocolate cauldron. Instead she flicked her long dark hair carelessly over her shoulders and rearranged her facial expression into which she hoped was an arrogant, unconcerned state. She felt saliva moisten on the tip of her wicked tongue, ready to verbally attack the old witch with an icy retort.
"Force?" Bellatrix retorted with a complacent scoff. " The amount of force a weak old crow like you would barely give me a nose bleed". Minerva laughed tartly as she raised her wand just that little bit higher. The group surrounding Bellatrix mimicked the movement. Bellatrix mind could still not work out a plan. She could not Apparate. She had no wand. Keep them talking, she thought wildly to herself. Something will happen.. do not abandon me like this my Lord.
"Baby Potter", She sneered to Harry who recoiled with a hatred and a fury as he gazed back at her. " Nice to see you again".
"Your time is up Bellatrix" Harry said quietly.
Bellatrix considered this. " You going to kill me baby Potter, you have not got the balls".
"You will be surprised" Harry said darkly, " I managed to end your beloved master, what makes you think I will not be able to end you too" Harry noted Hermione still standing uptight and still. He needed to get Bellatrix's original wand from her.
Bellatrix laughed. "Is this vengeance? Vengeance for dear Sirius. Well come on Potty. A simple incantation. Right here". She had placed her hand over her breast where her beating heart was busy pumping blood around her bloody. " In the heart, go on".
"You have no heart" came the drawling voice of Lucius Malfoy. "You never have done".
Bellatrix eyes widened as she let out a cruel sound of derisive laughter. " Oh Lucius. The hypocrisy that wells from beneath those pale cheeks of yours is truly incredible. Remember that Muggle family you once tortured. CRUCIO AND CRUCIO AND CRUICIO... why the youngest must have been only six". Bellatrix had cackled and swung her arms dramatically like a very enthusiastic conductor of an orchestra as she recalled the curse .
The group opposing Bellatrix swiftly looked at Lucius. Lucius saw shock and distaste exchanged around the group anger and mistrust flitting on the their faces. It was what he had expected. He had done the terrible deeds, he had even enjoyed them. Lucius did not like the way the youngest Weasley girl looked at him, but she was not the enemy. None of them were. Anymore.
"I have reformed", Lucius said quietly. Bellatrix giggled a giggle as poisonous as a basilisk bite.
"Slipping out of it again are we Lucius?" Bellatrix said dangerously eyeing Lucius up and down, trying to work out his motif. Wishing she was close enough to employ Legilimency so she was able to read the slippery thoughts that presented theirselves behind the cold grey eyes. " Just like the first time our Master had fallen".
Bellatrix kicked the rocks from beneath her and deepened her voice into an abstract imitation of her brother in law. "I swear", she drawled. " The Dark Lord had placed a spell on me and my family, I have no recollection as to my actions. I was completely under his control, forced to do his bidding... blah, blah".
Lucius squirmed at the accuracy of this recollection. How had she known? Narcissa?The Dark Lord himself?
" I have reformed and I have nothing more to say." Lucius said gently.
"Are you now good now, Lucius? " Bellatrix mocked. " Are you trustworthy?. You are about as trustworthy as a poltergeist". Lucius trembled furiously, momentarily stunned and at a loss for words to say.
"Whilst I do agree with you on that certain fact", Minerva said coldly, clocking Lucius with a furious stare " But at this moment in time, we seek you Mrs Lestrange. As does the ministry and as does the rest of the wizarding world, and forgive me" Her nostrils flared," But having a nice family catch up will not bring the wizarding world the peace it so desperately deserves".
Bellatrix haughtily gazed back at the old professor. One teacher at the school, before her mental break, in who she had actually rather respected and liked. " Going to put me in detention Miss. Make me write lines". She laughed "Bellatrix should not kill Mudbloods, scum and house elves". Bellatrix smiled a mocking smile as she smoothly raised her hand and gestured ironically to the aged house-elf standing far back. "Hello, " She said, her tone alive with malice. " Does anyone have a spare knife. I have a good aim". Kreacher stepped back from the crazed witch as she trembled in fear as he gazed upon Bellatrix.
"The time for detentions are over Mrs Lestrange, you will come and the ministry will decide your fate". Minerva said as she rolled up her sleeves casually, as the ready for something as normal as baking.
"Why don't you just kill me" Bellatrix spat.
Harry answered this question with the ferocity of the most hungriest tiger. " because if we did, you will not suffer the way you deserve, I do not know what plan you and Voldemort had but it will not work. Harry paused and thought before adding coolly. "losers"
Fury erupted like a dark phoenix inside Bellatrix chest. "you dare, Potter." She ran as fast as she could towards to the dark haired youth, however a streak of light accompanied by a whip like crack issued out of Harry's wand and Bellatrix was thrown back.
"Ready", Minerva shouted to Lucius who nodded promptly as they both raised their wands once more and advanced on Bellatrix. In unison they both shouted, " Stup..."
But something surreal and strange had happened. Hermione who had still been standing as though petrified with eyes closed had suddenly sprang alive The thin piece of wood that had been Bellatrix's original wand flew through the air and landed with a soft knock upon Bellatrix fingers. Sense barely had time to register but noting a sort of salvation, Bellatrix rolled and dodged the two stunning spell by inches. She took hold of the wand and felt an overwhelming sense of attachment and power. Her most trusted weapon finally reunited with her arm. She waved the wand and Minerva and Lucius were thrown back. She then directed with a growl, her wand at Harry as she screamed. Screaming for the Dark Lord. "Avada Kedavra" The red haired blood traitor girl jumped and pushed Potter out of harms way. No, she would not have that as she attempted to summon the killing curse once more. Beneath her however, the Earth began to shake and transfigure. Devil snare had grown forcibly from the ground and had twisted around Bellatrix's legs. Minerva was twirling and swishing her wand as the Devil Snare grew.
"Hermione", The red haired blood traitor shouted. Bellatrix, amazingly in her panic noted the Mudblood lying on the floor looking very ill indeed.
Minerva shouted as she worked her spell, "Potter and Weasleys. Take Granger and go. We can handle Lestrange. Ginny and Ron ran towards Hermione. Harry however hesitated as he looked towards Bellatrix. Wanting to see her finally taken down. " POTTER. GO." Minerva shouted once again. Harry did not hesitate a second longer as he jumped and took hold of his friends. " Kreacher. Go back to Hogwarts". He shouted to his house-elf who twisted and snapped into the outer being realms of disapparation. Another loud crack and the teenagers had also vanished. Leaving a wand yielding Minerva and Lucius and a thicket of Devil Snare and a struggling Bellatrix.
Crack
The Devil Snare transformed into a force of black fire which was directed at Minerva who managed to avoid it by a swish of her Emerald cloak. Lucius waved his wand and the flame became icy cool water that was immediately heaped over Bellatrix. Another crack and Bellatrix had disappeared and reappeared behind Lucius. The cool water vanishing. Minerva aimed a curse which narrowly missed Lucius and deflected by Bellatrix. Bellatrix responded in kind, Lucius having to jump out the way and Minerva having to disapparate once more to avoid the impact.
"Come on old lady. Lets not play hide and seek" Bellatrix shouted. She saw Lucius once again getting to his feet and she flicked her wand once more to ensure he kept to the ground. Minerva reappeared and sent a murder of dangerous crows at Bellatrix who squealed as they clawed and pecked at her with their sharp beaks. They transformed into metal swords which was thrown at Minerva who conjured a metal shield to avoid the sharp blades. With a clang. The swords fell to the floor.
Both of the witches had appeared to have reached a kind of stalemate. Bellatrix was brazen however as she walked slowly towards Minerva whose shield still remained intact.
"Not bad grandma", Bellatrix jeered. Minerva tartly shook her head. " I am glad you approve Bellatrix, are we now able to have a civilized conversation or are we going to pick up these swords and have a muggle duel"?
Bellatrix laughed as the wind of the cliff attacked her face. Her adrenaline was pumping, she felt no cold but raw powerful anger. A heat radiated and protected her from the chill of the cliffs violent breeze. The anger that always somehow managed to override her conscience. Bellatrix picked up a sword and watched Minerva do the same. Both women approached each other slowly. Both queens on either side of the chess board. One black. One white. Both willing to strike. Granted. Minerva was powerful. But there was only one way to end this stalemate. Bellatrix had always known how to win. Lucius carefully walked to the middle. Wand raised, curious to watch the scene unfold. However he did not manage to watch the scene unfold. Using the brilliant cunning that she possessed , and her lack of conscience as a tool, Bellatrix threw her sword. Not at Minerva but into Lucius. Who stopped as the blade pierced his heart. Grey eyes in cold surprise. His already pale face shining ever paler as the blood rushed out of cheeks and out of the gaping hole in his chest. Bellatrix laughed as she saw the shock reflect onto Minervas face. Laughed as she heard Lucius cry of agony and rattle of last breath as he eventually stumbled and fell. Beaten and slain like the many Muggles she had slain before. Lucius Malfoy was dead. Dead and not altogether redeemed.
Bellatrix turned her hair slowly to Minerva who still appeared to be in shock. Her wand raised calmly however, ready to reenter the battle with magic. Bellatrix was tired. Bellatrix was weak and Bellatrix knew she would lose. So with the haughtiness of her best effort, she smiled at Minerva. A smile not unlike the most mischievous of Cheshire Cats and she very said softly.
"When you see my dear sister Narcissa. Tell her I will apologize for killing her husband in person. Thanks grandma" and with that, Bellatrix disapparated. Leaving a shaken Minerva and a dead Lucius on top of the cliff whilst the sea below roared with grief. The same grief Narcissa imitated when she found out about the demise of her husband a mere ten minutes later. Her slippery soul mate, slain by her sinister sister.