Disclaimer: I do not own anything but the clothes on my back
AN: I want to say that even though it states that this is a Hermione/Bellatrix based fanfic, please be open-minded. I have a lot of ideas that I want to do with this story.
Let the story continue…
Lost In the Stars
Janus
Black robes swayed. Heels clicked the hard floor. The dark witch made her way to her lord, eager to hear from him.
"You beckon, my lord?" Bellatrix asked as she entered the dark chambers.
"Yes." Voldemort hissed. "How are the recruitments coming along?"
"They have a lot to learn, my lord." She answered.
"Do you see potential in any of the candidates?" He asked as his slender fingers pet Nagini.
"I find that Fergus, Alexander and Ingram catch my eye, however if I may speak my mind…" Bellatrix waited for her Lord's approval before continuing. "I find that Fergus has greater potential and will. Ingram will benefit us in the long run but Alexander she has a lot to learn."
"How so?"
"She is always drinking, but never is she full."
"OH, but that is a great quality to have, Bella. Eagerness and a strong craving are such great qualities."
"A person who is always craving will never be satisfied. They will always wander."
Voldemort let out a small chuckle. "That sounds all too familiar. None the less, you will see to it that the three will be well groomed for the ceremony."
"Yes, my lord." Bellatrix bowed.
"And Bella, the recruits that was not mention, do see it that they are dealt with."
"Yes, my lord."
"Very well, that is all." He hissed.
Bellatrix felt his cold eyes following her as she left. She walked down the hall, eager to find her sister.
"Mrs. Lestrange, It is so nice to see you." A young man greeted Bellatrix as she entered the room.
"Fergus, I did not expect you to be here. Do you know where Narcissa is?"
"Yes. She is with Lucius, out front."
Bellatrix sighed, sitting down. "Great. I trust that your mission went well."
"Yes. Mr. Malfoy had helped me a lot today."
"Is that so?" Bellatrix propped her legs up. "How many?"
"One killed and four severely injured." Fergus answered before looking in mirror. "Mrs. Lestrange, you are aware that Ms. Alexander has not returned?"
Bellatrix eyes widen. "Yaxely is back, is he not?"
"Yes, he is back but apparently, Ms. Alexander abandoned him."
"Foolish." She scoffed.
"She has her own mind, that one."
"Yes, a foolish mind. She will be killed if she misses the ceremony."
"If she isn't already."
"I will be fine, Ron." Hermione strained as she tried to get out of the tight hold that Ron was giving her.
"I'm sorry." He muttered.
They were saying their goodbyes. She would not be seeing them for a week however; Minerva had given her tight instruction on how to communicate if need be.
"You will be ok, Hermione." Harry said half reassuring him.
"Remember you can pull out any time, Hermione." Minerva said.
"I know." Hermione gave a weak smile.
"It is about that time. Remember 4 hours." Remus announced. "Be careful, Hermione."
"I will." Hermione assured them all. "Farewell." She said her final goodbye before stepping outside. She drained the potion, immediately feeling and seeing the effects. She was terrified but she knew it was all for the greater good. With a deep breath, she disaparated to Malfoy Manor.
"Bella, she is here." Narcissa popped her head in the door.
"Send her in, Cissy."
"Very well." The blonde replied before leaving.
"Do try and not take her head off." Fergus said with a smug. He fixed his garments. "Well, I best be off."
"Tonight, Fergus." Bellatrix called as Fergus walked to the door. "Do tell Ingram to see me tonight."
"Yes, Mrs. Lestrange." He gave a nod before leaving.
Hermione walked thru the cold hall. There was no turning back for she was being guided by Narcissa Malfoy.
"So it is true, the dead does walk." She laid eyes on a handsome young man walking opposite of her and Narcissa.
"Settle down, Fergus." Narcissa warned as they made their way to the room. "Go on, Bella wants to see you."
Hermione's heart skipped as she laid eyes on the dark witch. She slowly walked in.
"Ahh, Fenella so nice of you to join me. Come closer."
Her legs were weak, but she still obeyed.
"Now tell me, what possibly possessed you to run off? Did you think it would impress the Dark Lord?"
She hesitated, "I… I didn't think…"
"You didn't think at all!" Bellatrix scorned Hermione. "You could have been killed!"
"I am well aware of the risk, but as you can see I am back in one piece." Hermione had said before she could stop herself.
"You underestimate those traitors. Do you not know that they could have attained information of the Dark Lords where a bouts?"
Hermione tried to speak but opted out as she saw Bellatrix get up. "The ceremony will begin in a few hours. Go get ready, you smell like filth." Without another word, Bellatrix walked passed Hermione, only stopping when her sister placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Did you have words for me?"
Bellatrix smirked, "Later."
"Very well." Bellatrix, satisfied with her response, left.
Hermione let out a deep breath trying to calm her racing heart.
"You survived the gist of it." She heard the youngest Black say.
"I did not think my actions would affect her so."
"Your actions reflect her performance and ultimately her place with the Dark Lord." Narcissa responded.
"She worships him." Hermione noted.
"Unfortunately." Narcissa sighed. "Come on, you need to get ready for the ceremony."
"So I keep hearing."
"Reluctant to go, I see."
"If it pleases the Dark Lord than that is all that matters." Hermione figured she'd say.
Narcissa raised an eyebrow. "What happen to you today, something is a little bit off."
"I'm fine, Narcissa."
Narcissa sighed before running her hands thru her blonde hair. "Alright then, come with me."
Hermione again obeyed. They walked down the hall, finally setting in an elegant room.
Narcissa cleared her throat as she went to light several candles. "Go and get clean, your garments will be ready when you get out." Narcissa said, gesturing to the door on the far left. "I will be getting ready for the ceremony when you finish, but just wait until your escort comes to bring you down. Go on, your toiletries are all in there."
Hermione gave a small nod, "Thank you." She opens the door and walked into the washroom. As she scanned the area, she had to admit that it was equally elegant as the manor itself. Closing the door behind her, she let out a long breath. She finally was alone and in her thoughts. She was nervous; frighten as well. Here she was in the same vicinity as Voldemort himself.
Hermione found her necessities and began to shed her rough clothing. A shower was needed, to not only cleanse her body but her soul as well. All worry seemed to fade as the warm water hit her skin.
She felt somewhat embarrassed, even with her being alone. She was not quite use to her new skin. As she washed her body she couldn't help but notice the Dark Mark etched in her skin- it sent chills down her spine.
Narcissa fumbled through the draw. She had misplaced her silk gloves again and it frustrated her.
"Where is it?" She whispered to herself. She quickly slams the drawer shut, cursing the unknown.
"Pull yourself together, Cissy."
Narcissa quickly looked at the doorway, there stood her sister; bold and proud. "How can I?"
Bellatrix walked up to her sister. "You should be proud, Cissy." She said, taking out the silk gloves from her pocket. "Here."
Narcissa took the gloves and shook her head. "Why should I?"
"Cissy, we went through this before. You cannot back out, I am sure Lucius discussed this with you as well."
Narcissa snorted, walking back to the bed. "Discussed, more like ordered."
Bellatrix rolled her eyes. "Cissy…"
Narcissa shot her hand up, silencing her sister. "No need to worry, it was inevitable." She said hurriedly.
"It is an honor, Cissy." Bellatrix tried, her eyes pleading with her younger sisters.
"Yes, yes I know an honor to serve your precious Dark Lord." Narcissa spat as she turned away, her back to Bellatrix. "And where does that leave me, Bella." Her anger not only surprised Bellatrix, but it frightened herself. She let out a much needed breath, calming herself down.
Bellatrix placed her hands on Narcissa's shoulder. "Try and understand."
Narcissa shrugged her off, shaking her head. She opened her mouth but quickly shut it. She shook her head again, defeated. "It was inevitable." She said again. "Zip me up, please." She referred to her open dress.
Bellatrix sighed but began zipping up Narcissa's gown. "You look beautiful, Cissy." She complimented as Narcissa turned around to face her. Bellatrix tried to cup the other's face.
"You need to go, your lord surely is waiting." She backed away.
Bellatrix narrowed her eyes. As much as she tried to control her exterior, her sister knew that those words stung. None the less, she regained her composure and said; "I'll see you tonight." She began walking to the door, stopping in the door way. "Cissy, one day this will all be worth it."
Hermione stepped out of the shower and slipped on the evening gown Narcissa had laid out. It fit her new body perfectly.
She sat on the bed, taking out a small shard of a mirror. She figured she would at least tell the Order that she was safe and sound. Locking the bedroom door she whispered Minerva's name.
Hermione, thank heavens. Are you alright?"
'Yes, Minerva I am fine. I am just getting settled in.'
You can pull out anytime, Hermione
'I know. I am fine Minerva.'
"Fenella, I am here to escort you. You have not run away again, have you?" Yaxely's voice sounded from the other side of the door. He fiddled with the lock.
'I have to go, Minerva. I'll call for you tonight.'
Hermione quickly hid the shard and went to the door, opening it.
"Who were you talking to?" Yaxely asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Hearing things are we?"
Yaxely ignored her remark and instead held out his arm. "As much as I despise you, I am ordered to escort you to the ceremony."
"Unfortunately." Hermione gave her best sneer and half-heartedly took hold of his arm.
Hermione took in his appearance as they walked down the hall. He was smug yet well-dressed. His formal dress robes fitted him well.
"You might have been spared tonight but do not think that your actions were not held against you." He warned her as they descended the steps. "If I was you, I would keep-."
At this point, Hermione herself was getting annoyed by his smug behavior. "You're not me, so please spare me your thoughts." She interrupted.
He was about to respond but opted against it as he saw Gideon Fergus and Valgus Ingram standing by the chamber door.
"Gideon, Valgus." He greeted the pair.
"Yaxely, I see you are reunited with the old flame." Fergus joked. "They are ready for us."
The four entered the chambers. Aligned were tall chairs around a long table. Goblets and silverware were placed carefully in front of them. The room was filled with a handful of death-eaters, some Hermione recognized.
"You're seat." Yaxely gestured and waited for her to sit. However, as soon as she touched the seat the chamber doors open. Instantly, it grew quiet and everyone rose looking attentive.
Hermione felt a cold dreadful feeling stir inside of her as she laid eyes on Voldemort.
Voldemort and Bellatrix entered the room and scanned the area. "We are all here." Voldemort hissed. "Sit." He ordered. They all obeyed.
Bellatrix sat left side of Voldemort, hanging on every word.
"Tonight is a joyous night. On this night, a boy becomes a man. Tonight we celebrate a new life… by welcoming death. "
Cheers erupted at his words. Hermione bit back, she was nervous and completely in the dark. What are they planning? She mentally asked herself. She did not have to wait for long for an answer…
"Let us begin."
The chamber doors open once more.
Hermione's heart leapt as she laid eyes upon Draco Malfoy.
He was accompanied by his father and mother. His face was pale and his body slim. He looked so fragile, so…helpless.
"Tonight, we celebrate a new beginning. Our past brought us to our present and now, now we will transition into a more powerful future." Voldemort hissed. "Young Draco." He called.
Narcissa held on to her son until the last moment. Draco staggered up to the Dark Lord and bowed.
"Tonight, you will walk through the gates and open the door of your new life. Welcome death, Draco. Embrace the darkness inside of you…"