DISCLAIMER:I do not and I never will own Harry Potter.
A\N: So basically, Bellatrix Lestrange's spirit is inside 11 year old Bellatrix Black's mind and body. So Bellatrix does not remember much of her future life- just her task and certain 'memorable' incidents. But remember, she's not dying or anything out of a guilty conscience, coz after all, she is Bellatrix, even though she's only eleven.
Now, the story's slightly AU. Andromeda is the eldest, not Bellatrix. She's two years older than Bella, and Bella and Narcissa are twins (non-similar looking of course). I know its too much of a coincidence, but in the interests of the plotline of the story, the Marauders and Lucius are of the same age as Bella. Regulus is two years younger, but enters Hogwarts in Sirius's second year since he was born before September and so will become eleven before the term begins. Bella's parents are Cassiopeia and Darius Black, Sirius's are Walburga and Orion Black.
Chapter 3.
As Bellatrix regained her consciousness, she became dimly aware of her surroundings. She was in a dark room and lying on something really soft. The moment she tried to get up, she felt a sharp pain at the back of her head and fell back again. It felt as if she had suddenly got migraine and her head was going to split in two. Bellatrix clutched her head tightly with her hands, trying to numb the extreme pain. She was feeling extremely dizzy and it felt as if the entire room was spinning.
As the pain receded, Bellatrix opened her heavy eyelids with some effort. At first her vision was blurry but slowly, the fog lifted from her eyes and she stared up at a dark, richly carved ceiling. She was lying on a huge, queen-sized mahogany bed with rich violet silk hangings. Even the bedcovers and sheets were violet in colour. A large wardrobe was in the corner along with a book case containing books like Find your Inner Dark Side, Importance of Blood Purity, Curses and Hexes for Amateurs, Magic is Mightand thelike. There was an embroidered and clearly expensive Persian carpet on the floor. A huge, full-sized mirror was placed next to the bed along with a study-table made of ebony.
Bellatrix got up from the bed, still feeling dizzy. She got more and more shocked as she recognized the room, how could she not? After all this was herroom in the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black i.e. Number 14, Grimmauld Place, London.
'It worked. It actually worked! I don't believe this!'Bellatrix was actually half hoping that it wouldn't work (inspite of the Dark Lord's instructions) because this had to be her least favourite task ever. She was unconsciously pacing up and down the room. She suddenly paused and found herself near the mirror. As she looked in it, she could not believe her eyes.
An extremely pretty 11-year old girl was standing in front of the mirror. She had long shining raven hair, dark eyes that looked exactly like black pearls, half-hidden by the heavy eye-lids that gave her a haughty look. And her expression was one of absolute shock.
'There's no way this is happening!' Bellatrix knew that she should have been prepared for this. But she couldn't help being surprised at her own reflection. She was a child again. She wasn't Bellatrix Lestrange, the legendary Death Eater, always at the top of the wanted list. She was Bellatrix Black, an innocent 11-year old who was going to attend Hogwarts. Innocent. That word had been unknown to her for a long time.
'Bella? Are you there?' a strikingly familiar voice called out, startling Bellatrix out of her reverie.
Bellatrix whipped around and saw a pale, blonde-haired girl who was looking very impatient (not to mention irritated).
'C'mon Bella, just come down and have dinner already. I'm tired of your brooding and sulking.'
'Cissy?' asked Bellatrix, looking stunned. The last time Bellatrix had seen Narcissa, it was in the middle of the final Battle and she had betrayed the Dark Lord in order to save her son, Draco. And now, that Narcissa was standing in front of her, looking like an 11-year old girl and tapping her foot impatiently on the floor.
'What's the matter?' asked Narcissa. 'I know you're angry about last week's argument but why on earth are you taking your anger out on me?'
'Cissy…..I…..' Bellatrix just didn't know what to say. 'Wait a sec, what argument?'
Narcissa looked at her as if she had grown two heads. 'You mean you don't remember? Don't you remember the massive argument you had five days ago? And that you've been sulking and edgy all this time?'
'Argument…..' as Bellatrix was trying to recall, her head suddenly reeled again and the memory in question suddenly came into focus:
'How dare you say something like that?' yelled Andromeda.
'But he's a Mudblood and Mother had forbidden us to associate with Mudbloods.' retorted Bellatrix. 'Anyway, they are just sick and inferior to Purebloods.'
'There's absolutely nothing wrong with Ted Tonks and he's one of the nicest people I've met.' said Andromeda, getting even more angry.
'Look Andy, I know you're older than me but if you keep on defending and socializing with filthy Mudbloods and forget where your loyalties lie, then you may have to regret one day. This way you'll just dishonor the name of the family and nothing else.' said Bellatrix
'You have no right to talk to Andy this way.' said another voice from the shadows and Sirius came into view. 'Andy knows better than anyone where her loyalties lie and I think that our stinking family name never had any honor.'
'Stay out of this, Black!' snapped Bellatrix. 'Well actually, the way you keep on talking disrespectfully about the family name, I don't think you should even be called that!'
'Just look at you, Bellatrix!' said Sirius looking at her in disgust. 'You've just turned eleven this year and you're already spouting trash from your mouth. Even Narcissa has not gone as far as that.'
'The things that you are calling trash are noble ideals taught by our parents since….' began Bellatrix when Sirius suddenly interrupted her.
'Noble? Noble?' scoffed Sirius. 'Get back to reality, Bellatrix. Our family ideals are anything but noble.'
'Just forget it. I'm not interested in arguing with you.' As Bellatrix turned to leave the room, she said, 'Just one thing, Andromeda. You had better mend your ways; otherwise….you may end up on the wrong side.'
'I'm more than well aware which side I want to end up on, thanks.' said Andromeda bitterly.
When her mind cleared again, Bellatrix realized that last week's memories were clearly etched in her mind, while the memories from her future life seemed blurry and vague. She could hardly recall any specific details and everything seemed to be muddled up.
'Hello? Earth to Bella?' said Narcissa, shaking Bellatrix vigorously by the shoulder. 'Are you coming or not?'
'Coming.' said Bellatrix, deciding to figure things out later. Right now, she needed to get used to her present. Her longer-than-usual hair was irking her.
As Bellatrix descended down the staircase, she felt as if she was in a dream. Here she was, in an eleven-year old's body and mind, in her old house where everything had begun. Everything seemed the same as ever. The same plaque of beheaded house-elves, the same dim gas-lamps, the same decorations (all shaped like serpents of course ), the same smooth velvet curtains…..
'Bella, is there something wrong?' enquired Narcissa. 'You look spaced out.'
'Nothing really.' replied Bellatrix as she carefully sidestepped the umbrella stand that looked like a severed troll's leg and stepped inside the dining hall.
It was just as she remembered it. The walls were covered with dark bluish-black wallpaper which looked brand new. There was a large grandfather clock in the corner next to a number of silver cabinets mounted on the mantelpiece. The silk curtains were also dark blue, shimmering in the dim light. There was a magnificent crystal chandelier hanging above a long, highly polished dining table.
Bellatrix did a double-take as she recognized the people sitting at the table. There was a tall, dark stern-looking man sitting at the head of the table. Darius Black's attire and posture both indicated that he was a man at a high position.
A woman sat beside him. She had long, blonde hair tied in a bun. Her eyes were grey and sharp and looked as if they noticed everything. Cassiopeia Black exuded power and authority.
Another woman sat beside her. She was dressed in total black and her facial features were contorted in a permanent scowl. Bellatrix could never forget her aunt, Walburga Black, who all dreaded, even her own children.
Another man very similar looking to Darius was also seated at the table. Orion Black was very different from his wife, Walburga, as he rarely spoke. However, he occupied a high position at the Ministry and had influence with everyone. He was a man of strong will and stubborn character who supported the pureblood cause only for the safety of his family.
Bellatrix's eyes widened even further. Sitting in the corner was a 13-year old girl who resembled Bellatrix a great deal. Andromeda had light brown hair and big, dark eyes. She glanced up when Bellatrix entered the room but on seeing who the newcomer was, she returned back to moodily staring at her plate.
A thin, dark-haired boy was sitting two seats away. Regulus Black looked slightly haughty but his expression was one of thoughtfulness as he gazed up at the chandelier.
But as Bellatrix saw the person sitting next to Regulus, hatred arose in her heart. An extremely handsome, 11-year old boy was sitting slouched on the chair. His features were marred by a look of disgust as he examined a silver goblet embossed with the Black family crest. She watched his lips form the words, 'Toujurs Pur'engraved on the goblet with particular contempt. As he looked up to see the new arrival at the table, his expression changed and now, he was glaring at Bellatrix as if looks could kill. Her most hated cousin ever. Sirius Black.
A\N: Please review!