A/N: Hope everyone's New Year was safe! Thank you for all your feedback. I have a lot of plans for this story, some even surprised me. You all are great and definitely helped me out. Your reviews/opinions definitely matter to me. Just a run-thru though, Narcissa is alive but not so well. She actually was cutting herself, trying to release the pain in her heart and soul by channeling it to physical pain. I hope I didn't confuse most of you, thank you for bringing that to my attention though. Also, Hermione does in-fact have the Dark Mark... but everything will be explain soon enough. Anyways, thank you all for your kind words. I would love to get to know you all so feel free to PM me or message me on Facebook(link is in my profile). Ok, that's enough rambling, on with the story.
Immoral Light
Hermione stood at the bedroom window. She had awaken before the sun rose. The harsh image of Narcissa and Bellatrix lifeless body haunted her dreams. She showered and found herself thinking of her next move. Surely Harry and the others had begun their search. She could only wonder what was going thru their minds, but she didn't regret her decision.
"Looks like I'm not the only early riser."
Narcissa voice woke her from her thoughts. "Yeah, I couldn't sleep." Hermione answered, still looking thru the window. She couldn't shake last right incident from mind.
"When you are situated, come downstairs, breakfast is ready."
Hermione gave a small smile, finally looking up. "Should I be worried?"
Returning the smile, Narcissa says, "My kindness doesn't last too long, Ms. Granger."
Hermione nodded slowly. "I guess I have to take advantage, now that its hot."
"You can say that." Narcissa said, getting ready to walk out the door.
"Narcissa." Hermione hesitated. "How are you holding up?"
"I'm doing well, Ms. Granger. Now if that is all, I'll head downstairs." Without a second glance, Narcissa left.
Finally putting on her shoes, she descended down stairs. She figured she wouldn't tell Narcissa about what she saw, based on the deadly look she received.
Her heart fluttered as she felt an arm around her neck and wand at her temple.
"You know, you should really be aware of your surroundings" Narcissa said in her ear. "Carry your wand everywhere you go."
Hermione let out a deep sigh of relief. "So this free breakfast was bait?" She asked, after Narcissa released her. "Had to sneak up on me, so the odds was in your favor.?"
"What did I say about that slick tongue of yours." She said, sitting down. "Sit and eat."
"Hermione has what?" Ron was the first to react to the news.
"We figure she was influenced by Bellatrix Lestrange."
"Hermione wouldn't." Molly put a shaky finger to her mouth, holding back tears.
Minerva looked around, she knew that emotions were running high but they needed to know. "Its appears that during her captivity, Bellatrix influenced her."
"Bellatrix is one of the darkest witch there is, she could have used the Imperious Curse." Remus offered.
Minerva slowly shook her head. "Bellatrix was killed by...Voldemort long before Hermione left I'm afraid."
"He killed her?"
"She betrayed him, we believe Bellatrix wanted to get rid of Him. "Tonks answered Ron. "It could be that Bellatrix taught Hermione so she could work with her."
"Hermione has been taught by Bellatrix, so she is very dangerous." Minerva added.
"Did she..." Harry trailed off, he need confirmation, he had to know if he should still have hope.
Minerva nodded. "Yes, we believe she has received the Dark Mark."
"Breakfast was pretty good." Hermione told Narcissa as she finished up.
"Enjoy it while you can, we will be on the move soon." Narcissa said.
Hermione looked up. "You have a plan?"
"Of course, by now the Order will be searching for you as well as Death Eaters trailing me. We will attack the Order soon."
"So soon."
"Yes, but first I have confirm that a few Death Eaters is on a mission far east to retrieve something valuable for the Dark Lord."
"And our plan is to get there first." Hermione said, taking her plate to the sink.
Narcissa nodded. "Or follow them to the prize, and if we have to kill them in the process so be it." She got up, and headed to the stairs.
"Will...Do you..."
Narcissa looked at Hermione, seeing her hesitation. "He may be there, yes." She saw the younger witch take a long breath. "If you want to sit this out-."
"That wont be necessary, Narcissa." Hermione said.
Narcissa nodded. "Good. I suggest you use the remainder of the day to touch up your skills." With that she walked up the stairs heading in her room. As she closed and lock the door, she felt her emotions yearning to come out. Shaking her head she started to pace the room, trying to hold back her tears.
"Pull yourself together, Cissy." She whispered to herself, hands running thru her hair. She couldn't break down, not now. There were things to be done, plans to carry out, she thought to herself.
Narcissa pacing finally stopped when she laid eyes up her dresser. "Bella, you fool." She whispered, picking up the photo that laid next to the lamp. There, stood three smiling witches. Narcissa, whose blonde hair was flowing freely, was being hugged by her older sister who was quite elegant and held a genuine smile. On Bellatrix left, was a young brunette, her smile big and eyes bright. She was also draped in Bellatrix arm. The perfect picture it seem...
"Love always leads to destruction." She said, as she clenched the picture. "Why Bella. Why did you have to...Why." The tears started to seep out, her body still shook as she tried to calm her self down. "Calm down, Narcissa." She kept telling herself but the flashbacks and the images of her sister started to flood her mind.
"Why did you leave me, Bella?" She asked the unknown. "Why!" Picking up the lamp, she violently smashed it into the wall. The floodgates open and she began to break down. No longer in touch with reality, no longer in control of her own body or mind.
"Why did you leave me! You left me alone, YOU LEFT ME ALONE!" Heavy breathing, sobs and screams filled her room as she smashed a nearby vase to pieces. "How do expect me to go on! You said you would always be with me but..." Another broken vase and some wine glasses. "YOU LIED! WHY DIDN'T YOU JUST LISTEN TO ME!" Her face was soaked, her heart pounding against her ribcage. She staggered back, her breathing shallow.
"Why didn't you listen to us, Bella?" She whispered before falling to her knees.
She knew she shouldn't be here, but she had to see what her sister was up to. She seem so distant lately. She had found Bellatrix and Selina by there usual meeting spot. Surprisingly they were not in an embrace but in a heated argument.
"He needs me!" The young Bellatrix eagerly told the young woman.
"What about me, Bella. What about me, I need you!" She yelled back. She wasn't going to happily hand over Bellatrix to some no name powerful wizard just for some cause. "I won't sit by and watch you walk away."
"Join me!" Bellatrix simply said. She had a plan to go join the Dark Lord and carry out his plan and she wanted the young woman before her to join her in their quest. "Come with me, my love."
She slowly shook her head. "You know very well that I can't. I do not believe in ones blood being superior to another, that is pathetic to believe in such a thing. This man is a coward, he doesn't even have the guts to come out and face the world." She said, looking in the eyes of the darker witch.
"Don't say that, Selina. The Dark Lord is..." She started but was interrupted by the woman before her.
"Look at you, talking as if you have already joined him." She couldn't believe the way Bellatrix was acting. It wasn't like her at all.
Bellatrix hesitated, looking in Selina's eyes. How could she tell the woman she love that she...
Selina eyes grew wide, as she saw Bellatrix hesitation. "Show me your arm." She whispered to her, taking a step forward.
Trying to take a step back, she shook her head. "Selina..."
"Show me your arm!" Her voice grew, as she reached for Bellatrix arm. Grabbing a hold, she pulled her closer, rolling up her sleeves.
"Selina, I..." Her words were drown out my the harsh smack across her face. She quickly regain composure, looking in Selina's dark eyes. She could see her hurt and her disappointment but she knew she could persuade her to make the logical decision...
"I cant believe you."
"What can't you believe. He is the way, Selina." She told the other, reaching out to her.
"He will only lead you to a early grave, Bella. You are a fool to think otherwise." She said through her tears. Feeling Bellatrix touch, she closed her eyes.
"Join me. We will finally be together then."
Selina tore her eyes open. "No, we wont! Bella, don't you get it!"
"Get what? The Dark Lord has my best interest in hand. Selina, he is the key!" She yelled, throwing her hands up.
"He really has you brainwashed! I thought you moved to your own accord, Bella!" She yelled back, matching Bellatrix tone.
"He has shown me the light, why can't you understand that! With him, there will be no more of those filthy muggles or..."
"Mudbloods..." She finished, looking disgusted. "You must have forgotten the blood that runs thru my veins." She whispered, as the tears begin to fall.
Realizing what she had said, Bellatrix quickly took Selina's hands and leaned in. "No, no you're different, Selina, you know that."
Selina jerked away. "Is that what you are going to tell your precious Lord when he has his wand pointed at my chest!" She sneered, her voice echoing in Bellatrix ears.
That hit her hard. Maybe she didn't think things thru, but it was no turning back... "I'm sorry." She whispered, tears forming in her eyes. She felt Selina pull her close into a hug. "I'm sorry." She repeated, breaking down in her arms.
Narcissa tore her eyes away, she couldn't bare to see her sister so lost and...scared...
"Narcissa, open the door."
Narcissa slowly lift her head, her sobs dying out. She looked around, the room was a mess. Books and broken glass...chaos, much like her life.
"Narcissa..."
"Go away, Granger."
"Open the door." Hermione stood her ground.
"I thought I told you to touch up on your skills, so why are you bothering me." Narcissa asked, slowly getting up. She heard a shuffle on the other side of the door, then a click. Her fist clenched as Hermione step inside. "What do you think you are doing, Granger."
Hermione looked around the room, her eyes meeting the small dagger on the floor. "Tell me you didn't, Narcissa."
"What can you possibly be..." She followed her gaze... "Get out." She ordered, but Hermione stood her ground. "What are you hard of hearing?I said get out!" She yelled, grabbing Hermione's shoulder.
Hermione quickly took Narcissa's forearm and brought it to her, making Narcissa flinch. She tried to pull back, but Hermione steady grip made it impossible. Pulling up Narcissa's sleeves, she scan her arm.
"Don't." Narcissa whispered as she saw Hermione put her fingers on her wrist.
"Narcissa..." She tried to look in her eyes, but Narcissa looked away. "I'm so sorry Narcissa." Hermione whispered, as she gently ran her fingers over Narcissa's scarred arm. "Narcissa I..."
Narcissa quickly jerked away. "Wipe your tears away, Granger." She sneered.
Hermione was taken aback. "Narcissa..."
"What I do, does not concern you. I told you we had a task at hand, you need to be ready." She said, rolling down her sleeves. She had to be more careful, not show her emotions especially in front of Granger, she thought.
"Narcissa, please we have to talk about this." Hermione said, concerned.
"There is nothing to talk about. Do not look at me that way, I do not need you pity nor your concern." Narcissa barked. Walking over to her bed, she gathered her cloak and wand. "I will go after the Death Eaters myself, tonight."
"You're not leaving Narcissa." Hermione protested, blocking her way. "We have to talk about this."
"Your courage will get you killed, Granger." Narcissa warned.
Hermione heart skipped, seeing the look in her eyes. The same as Bellatrix... She felt Narcissa's hands push her to the side. She wanted to stop her but she couldn't, she just looked on as she saw Narcissa walk out of the room. As soon as she heard the bedroom door slam, she let out a deep breath, running her fingers thru her hair. She shook her head, trying to calm herself down.
"Bella, everything is...you were the glue that held us together..." Hermione whispered. How could she now move on without Bellatrix?
Hermione eyes wandered around, onto the broken glass and the disheveled books. Her eyes widening as she laid eyes upon a picture. Bellatrix, Narcissa and... Who was that young woman around Bellatrix arm, she thought... She looked so innocent, so familiar... and Bellatrix, smile was just...
Her heart raced as she saw the magical form of Bellatrix give the other a quick kiss on the lips and smiled.
Hermione's head whipped around as she heard Narcissa fumbling downstairs. She quickly got up, running downstairs.
"Narcissa!" She called, getting her attention. "Who is she."
Narcissa shook her head. "That is no importance to you."
"It has everything to do with me!" Hermione yelled. Her mind was racing, she really didn't know what to think or how to feel. "Narcissa, she looks just like me! Who is she, who is she to Bella and..."
"Selina. Her name was Selina, she was Bellatrix first love. A Gryffindor." Narcissa started.
Hermione looked away, taking in everything. "And..."
"That's all." She said, turning to leave, but Hermione stopped her.
"No, that is not all. What happen?...How did they...Where is she..."
"She's dead!" Narcissa said, her voice louder then what she attended.
Hermione's heavy breathing slowed down. "Dead, who..." She searched Narcissa's eyes. "Who..."
"Bella...Bella..."
Hermione frantically shook her head. "No...No Bella wouldn't..."
"You have no idea what she was capable of. Selina tried her hardest to persuade my sister not to join the Dark Lord but in the end His power was stronger then their love."
Her lips was stuck, her mouth dry. She couldn't grip her worlds...
"You need to forget about this, forget about everything." Narcissa said, turning around and walking to the door. "Thinking about it, will only lead to more confusion and pain, Hermione." She said giving her one last look before leaving.
Hermione brought a shaky hand to her mouth, trying to keep down her forgotten food. Her head was pounding and she felt weak. Her mind racing, she was so confused...so...lost... She needed to find answers. The Cellar... Fighting against her better judgment, she descended downstairs, searching for anything concerning Bellatrix...
For ten minutes she searched and searched until she found a small black chest behind the old furnace.
"Shit." She cursed, as she noticed it was magically protected. Taking out her wand she whispered the familiar incantation and open the box. Success.
Pictures of Bellatrix and Narcissa. Bella's wand... Letters...
Address to Bellatrix... Curiosity got the best of her as open the envelope.
Bella,
Do you remember those nights we sat around laughing and smiling for hours? We were so young then, hardly innocent though. Sometimes, I wish we can go back but I know we can't. Bella, I love you and I always will. Do not think for one second my love for you have faltered. I know the real you Bellatrix. I know somehow, we will get thru this. Together. Please, do not ever loose your humanity Bella. Do not forget me...
Your Selina
Hermione tossed the letter aside, grabbing another one...
Bella, what is it that is bothering you? There is something you are not telling me. I need to see you, ill be waiting for you tomorrow. Be careful, my love.
Your Selina
Hermione read thru the countless letters addressed to Bellatrix, but the last letter made her heart almost stop. This one was from Bellatrix...to Narcissa. She open the letter, squinting to read the blotched ink.
She's gone, Cissy. Selina is dead. I killed her. He made me kill her. She's gone, Cissy. She's gone. Cissy I need you. Please, I'm so lost right now.
She shook her head, half believing what she had just read. Almost a dozen of letters she had read...they only brought her more pain...
To fast paced? Or is it ok? Tell me what you all think... Oh annnd I have been talking with my good friend Nick and he gave me some important information that I might use in this story...Hopefully you all caught on to that, if not its ok because after all, surprises are better!