Chapter 03: Her Vows.
"He should be banished. Has this family fallen so far from grace that after such an atrocious travesty, we still consider this question. A Gryffindor cannot be a Black. It just can't happen,' the portrait of their ancestor Phineas Nigellus drawled, as usual giving his dose of free advice.
"Well it has happened," the usually quiet Cygnus Black retorted angrily. "Sirius doesn't stop being a Black just because of this admittedly shameful episode. We can't turn back on our own. He still remains the rightful heir to the most noble and ancient house of Black,'
"A reckless lion being Lord Black,' piped his wife, Druella. "It is unheard of. Your Lord father would turn in his grave,"
"Trust me dear Druella," Lord Orion Black put in with a wistful smile. "My Lord father could use some toiling and turning in his grave. He sure didn't get any in life,' He continued to smile reminiscently until his wife shot him a dark look which sobered him.
"One thing is sure," Walburga said quietly. "A punishment is necessary. It would be a weakness to not show the wizarding world that we have not forsaken our old age ways,"
There was a quiet murmur of agreement at this. It would appear that not even Cygnus Black who had so far defended Sirius, wasn't ready to resist this.
"It should be insisted that Sirius be shifted to House Slytherin. Surely, even Dumbledore wouldn't want to stand against us in this climate,' said Druella darkly.
"It is old magic,' Phineas Nigellus uttered, annoyed. "The founders who were all magical prodigies of their time ensured that no Headmaster can overturn the sorting hat's decision. If we insist on that, the castle itself would ban young Sirius,"
"I will rather have a pureblood lion as Lord Black than a squib," Cygnus pointed out dryly, Orion nodding in agreement.
"Bella," Walburga turned to her niece. "How does HE receive this news?,"
"He is not happy auntie," Bellatrix spoke for the first time, her pale face even paler than usual. Only Walburga noticed that Bella's right hand that was resting on the chair instantly moved to touch her left forearm. "He had hoped to recruit all of us into the cause. With Sirius becoming a Gryffindor" she spat out the last word. "He is not sure about his allegiances,"
"The cruciatus curse would settle his allegiances once and for all," Druella muttered.
"Shut up mother," Bella hissed. "Speak not of things you do not understand. Sirius has always been unique; a little rebel and always unsure of our ways. Do you want to antagonize him into becoming a blood traitor?"
Cygnus noticed the mingled look of pride and anger that flashed on Bella's composed face when she talked about her cousin. It was strange to see Bella care about someone, but Bella had always considered Sirius to be hers, Cygnus knew.
"Antagonizing him would not do, yes," Cygnus concurred.
"Then what would you have me do Bellatrix?" Walburga spoke to her niece in an unusually distasteful tone. "Nothing? I will not step back and let a son of mine go down that path. Sirius does not deserve to become Lord Black when he deviates from our age old ways,"
"That is exactly what you would do, Aunt. Nothing,' Bellatrix said quietly, rising to her feet. Her voice was composed, but laced with a biting coldness. "Your age old ways be damned,"
"Bellatrix Black, you will watch your tone when you speak to me," Walburga growled. "I am still Lady Black, however a high and esteemed position you think you may have found yourself in, "
"You would do well to watch your tone with me Auntie," Bella retorted in a chilling sweet edge to her tone that she reserved only when she was provoked most.
"Young lady, you must remember your –"Phineas began.
Bella flicked her wand at the portrait blasting the frame and shutting Phineas Nigellus up. "As I was saying, "She continued. "You are right Auntie. I am in a prestigious position. I have the dark lord's trust and he lends me his ear and listens to my advice. You will do well to remember that,"
At this point, Druella was gaping openly. Both the men shifted uncomfortably. Walburga held Bella's gaze, her expression unreadable.
"I will not let my Sirius become a blood traitor. I would guide him into becoming one of us, a valuable asset to the cause. A wrinkled old hat does not decide our fate. Listen to yourself. Have you become that old that you don't see reason anymore? WE ARE BLACKS. We don't let anyone decide our fate for us," She glared at her aunt, energy radiating from her. To her credit, Walburga didn't cower.
"I will guide Sirius," Bella repeated. "He will become Lord Black and a better Lord Black than all of you fools who have done nothing more than cower behind the Ministry's skirts. Sirius would become more powerful than all of you combined. He will become the dark lord's right hand man; his most coveted and most precious. Together me, Sirius and the Dark lord, we will rule the wizarding world,"
"Bellatrix, you are an incredibly strong witch. I am impressed that you are in his inner most circle at such a young age. But what you have in talent, you lack in wisdom. You have always been blind when it comes to Sirius. What if you are not able to keep him in check, this time? What if he does become one of them?" Walburga replied in a quieter and a more resigned tone.
"Then auntie," Bella said flashing a terrifyingly winning smile as she sat back down gracefully in her chair. "I will end him,"
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Sirius Black was taking a longer route back to the castle from the Quidditch pitch. Though not in the team yet, Sirius loved to take a refreshing fly around the grounds every now and then. Suddenly he felt a pair of cold hands close around his mouth and eyes. For a fraction of a second, he resisted before he recognized the cool touch and fragrance of his abductor. Now he was being guided into the dark forest, one hand around his stomach, the other around his eyes.
A moment later they were standing in the thicket of trees.
"Was the drama really necessary Bella?' Sirius asked amused at his captor who still hasn't revealed herself.
"But you haven't learnt anything cousin," Bellatrix responded. "It always is,"
She moved to stand facing Sirius. "So you just let a strange person drag you into the forest. Way to be on guard Sirius,"
"I recognized you from the get-go," said Sirius. "I didn't know I had a reason to be on guard against you, Bella. Or do I?"
Bellatrix cackled. "Oh Sirius, we both know if I wanted to harm you, you wouldn't be standing on those little legs of yours at this point. Well, it's been long, cousin. What? Five, six months? Your colour preferences seem to have changed,"
She eyed the Gryffindor scarf around his neck.
"I never liked green, Bella," Sirius said quietly. This is the first time they were speaking after he became a Gryffindor.
"Well this doesn't suit you much, cousin. Doesn't quite bring out the Black," She emphasized on the last word in a way that send a chill down Sirius's spine. "in your eyes,"
"Why are you here, Bella? Has my dear mother sent you to declare the verdict for my atrocious crime?" asked Sirius suspiciously.
"No. I convinced everyone that you didn't know any better," Bella said quietly, her grey eyes boring into his black. "But we both know that's not true now, do we not? I told you how to bypass the hat,"
"I wanted to find out where I truly belonged! And does it matter which house I'm sorted into?" Sirius replied defiantly.
"I hope for your sake, Snuffles, that it doesn't,"
Sirius's expression softened at her tone. The words may have meant to be threatening but her tone had the affection that she was all too rare in Bella's words and which was usually reserved for him.
"I've missed you, Bella," said Sirius softly reaching out for his cousin's hand. Bella let him envelop her hand in his.
"I've missed you too, my little rebel. I wish I could stay in more touch but I've had a lot to do,"
Sirius didn't like her tone but he didn't push it.
"So how's it been at Hogwarts?" Bella asked surprisingly genuine. Before he knew it Sirius was telling his cousin all about Hogwarts and his new friends. Bella listened intently, drinking in his words, studying his expression.
"This is why you chose to go to Gryffindor," She commented dryly. "James Potter and Remus Lupin,"
Sirius reluctantly nodded. "I have friends for the first time,'
'You really care for them, don't you?' It wasn't a question, but a statement. 'I admit I don't know the feeling. Well don't lose sight of what's important,'
Sirius nodded curtly.
'Oh yes, the reason why I took the trouble of journeying to Hogwarts and abducting you,' Bella said remembering. "It has been decided that I will be bound in holy matrimony," She smirked.
"Oh that poor bastard doesn't know what's coming for him," Sirius said grinning. "So who is it?"
"Rodolphus Lestrange," Bella said with a testy grin.
"Rodolphus Les – Wait isn't that the guy you once threatened to slice up bit by bit,"
"Well your mother feels like the Black family needs the Lestranges in alliance right now, with almost all important families currently allied to us, only the Lestranges, the Malfoys and the Greengrasses remain,"
"For you, Cissy and Dromeda," said Sirius.
He looked at Bella suspiciously. He found it hard to believe Bella would comply if she didn't want to do it. There must be another plan behind this which motivated her to be married to Lestrange.
"So, yes your mother gave me the choice between Rabastan and Rodolphus. I have better things to do in life than deal with the shrewd plans of Rabastan. Rodolphus on the other hand is a tool and can be used in whatever way I want. He is stupid and – "
"Scared of you," piped Sirius grinning. Bella nodded in agreement.
"So yes, your presence is required during the Christmas holidays,' said Bella.
"I'd be there," Sirius confirmed. "Not that I like the idea of you wedded and gone to live in the Lestrange Manor,"
"Yes Snuffles, we all know you would love to keep me all to yourself," said Bella grinning. "But think of the life my dear husband would be having,"
"That's what comforts me," said Sirius grinning back.
"Well you be good, my little rebel. Or don't," she said with a sly smirk. Then her face hardened. "I put a lot on the line for you Sirius. I guess it's okay that you are making allies, friends, whatever. But don't fraternize with the wrong sort,"
Sirius gave another curt nod. Bella ruffled his air and with a small wave and a sly grin proceeded to walk away.