A/N: So I'm back! Sorry for the cliffhanger if that counted as one. Had urgent matters that needed dealing with. Hope you guys like this. I feel kind of out of track with it but I'd get more in touch. PLEASE REVIEW. Let me know what you think. Title and Lyrics credit goes to P!nk (Band)
CHAPTER 08 - JUST GIVE ME A REASON
Just Give me a reason,
Just a little bit's enough.
Just a second, we are not broken.
Just bent.
There were honestly very few moments in his whole life that even the adult Sirius Black ever confessed to being scared. As he lay there, pretending to sleep and heard the first noise of uproar from Andromeda's room in the next landing, was one of those moments. He quietly considered the wisdom of not running away, himself. But Andromeda needed someone to be here, right now, to keep her informed. And he had of course taken the daunting task of convincing Bellatrix, which seemed to be completely ridiculous right now, hearing her rage from a landing away.
He acted quickly. He had already written a note which he quickly tied to his owl and send it off on its way to find Ted Tonks. He direly hoped that Ted and Andromeda would have the wisdom to do as he had advised them and get married. Then at least his father would give in. Bellatrix was another story. He barely had time to get back into bed when Bellatrix rushed into his room, the four adults following quickly behind. Sirius tried to remain as impassive as was possible.
"Sirius! I know it was you," His mother was screeching as she entered the room. "You helped Andromeda escape. Get up, you ungrateful brat!"
Sirius sat up groggily pretending to rub his eyes. He was glad that his panic and tiredness made it seem like he had been sleeping.
"What are you talking about, Mother?" He yawned.
"Walburga, he was sleeping," said Cygnus. "Come on, there is no reason to believe Sirius had anything to do with it,"
"I don't know whether you are naïve Cygnus or you pretend to be," said Walburga angrily. "This has Sirius written all over it."
"You should have escaped with her, Sirius" said Bellatrix. She did not screech or yell. But her eyes revealed pure, cold anger which was even scarier by far.
"Andromeda escaped?" Sirius said gaping.
"Don't pretend like you don't know-" Walburga started but was interrupted by her husband.
"Narcissa said you went in to see her late last night," said Orion. "The pillows were transfigured to look like her. Andromeda was a good witch, but you just conveniently happen to be a transfiguration protégé." said Orion considering his son.
"And you were the one who defended her!" said Druella.
"Your daughter would have been dead, if I didn't defend her, Auntie," said Sirius defiantly. "That doesn't mean I helped her escape. I just went in to talk to her. Poor girl was shaken beyond consolation. "
"Narcissa did tell us that's what she heard of the conversation," tried Cygnus again.
"Narcissa was eavesdropping?" said Sirius with false indignation. "She had no right to-"
"She was instructed to do so." said Orion. He was still observing Sirius carefully.
Sirius did not break eye contact with his dad when he said, "I didn't help her escape, father. But I am glad as hell that she did. You people would have killed her,"
Lord Black was silent for a while before saying. "Innocent until proven otherwise, then. But, if I find out that you had a hand in this Sirius, there will be hell to pay," He moved to walk out of the door. "There is work to be done. Come,"
The other three adults followed, Walburga shooting one last look of venomous hate at her elder son who did not flinch.
"I wish to speak to Sirius alone," said Bellatrix quietly.
"Bella, come. This is not necessary. For all we know, Sirius really had nothing to do with it. It is-" started Orion.
"I am going to talk to my cousin alone," It was not a request. Orion left the room, Druella and Cygnus at his heels with Walburga marching closely behind.
"Look Bella, I know why it looks like me but – " Sirius started.
"Cut the crap, Sirius. You never knew how to lie to Me." said Bellatrix. "You may have Lord Back convinced with that pathetic little look into his eyes but I know better. What I don't understand is why. Why would you jeopardize your safety and our family's honour for this? You like Andromeda, sure but not enough to stand against me. Is it some sort of blood traitor bond? And most of all, do you realize how useless this is? I'm still going to hunt that blood traitor sister of mine down and I'm going to make her suffer that much more now and this would be all on you,"
"Leave her alone, Bella let it go. It's not worth it" said Sirius appealing to his cousin.
Bella grinned humourlessly. She touched her finger to her chin as if considering it but then she cackled evilly before saying. "No!"
"Torture me instead. "He heard himself saying. "If you are angry, Bella and if you need to get it out of your system, make me suffer."
"You know what Sirius," She grinned. "I'd take you up on that offer. Crucio!"
She waved her wand with a flash and Sirius was thrown off the bed onto the floor where he writhed for a short while before becoming still again. It didn't hurt like it did when Lucius Malfoy had tortured him. He looked up at Bella and saw for a moment, his own shock mirrored on her face.
"Uh oh," She said almost playfully. The shock was gone. She was grinning again. "Looks like I'm not meaning it properly. Maybe I'd feel more like it after I teach Andromeda a lesson or two. So long, Sirius"
She was walking towards the door. Sirius felt desperate. He got up and ran to her and grabbed her hand. "Bella. She is your sister. She is family. Don't talk to her. Disown her. But let her go, if not for her for me," He pleaded. "Please."
She shoved him with more force than he thought she possessed causing him to fall back. She moved to stand next to him and leaned close to his ear before saying in an eerily sing-song tone, "No!" She cackled again. Sirius was seeing a new side of Bellatrix, one that he didn't know existed; one that maybe quite possibly didn't exist till thirty minutes back.
What have I done?
She kneeled down to face him and said in a suddenly sinister manner. "You see Sirius I hate mudbloods. I hate them a lot but one thing I can't stand is a BLOOD TRAITOR!" She screamed the last word in his ear.
Turning her back she walked in a zig zag manner as she said, "The question Sirius is," She turned to face him. "Are you one?"
There was no humour in her face now. It was hard and cold, composed.
"Let Andromeda go. Don't pursue her. Let her live her life," repeated Sirius, his voice trembling.
"And why should I do that? Why should I listen to anything you say?" She asked shrilly, walking back towards him. "Just give me one reason,"
"Because despite everything both of us are more than mere family. I know it Bella; I know you feel it too. Please do this for me" said Sirius, his eyes tearing up a tad bit.
Bellatrix crouched down to face him at eye level again. She reached out one cold finger to dab at his eye. "Such a flair for the melodramatics, Sirius. You get that from me," She said cackling. He wished she would stop doing that. Every time, she cackled in that alien manner, she felt like she became a bit more distant with him. "But No, Sirius. Not this time. You have tested my patience for too long and so has she,"
"I'm more valuable," He blurted. "I will be Lord Black one day. Andromeda doesn't matter, not the way I do. I'm still here and you can decide what you want me to do in exchange for Andromeda's freedom,"
She looked at him seriously for a long while before getting back up again. "Fine," Her voice was cold again. "You ungrateful brat, I'd give you a chance. I will even let that filth Andromeda go. I will not touch her or her mudblood scum. I won't even go after any creature spawn they may produce. But I have conditions. They are real simple. But I will expect you to make the unbreakable vow,"
"Is it really necessary? I keep my word," said Sirius.
"Call it a guarantee. Besides, that would guarantee to you, that I will not go after Andromeda either," she reasoned.
Sirius nodded. "What do you want, Bella?"
"Condition number 1," said Bellatrix looking him in the eye. "You will escort me to a little field trip this very night. Call it a continuation of your education,"
Sirius looked at her suspiciously before nodding again.
"Condition number two, around Christmas, the next year you will be coming with me, to visit a very dear friend of mine. A real important person to me," said Bellatrix.
"Who?" asked Sirius.
"Not your concern for the time being," Bella retorted offhandedly. "Those are my two conditions. Do you accept?"
"I accept," said Sirius. He was still wary about how simple and meaningless her conditions seem to be. But he knew better. With Bellatrix nothing was simple or meaningless.
"Good," She said smiling, genuinely this time. "Very good. Now, come. Your brother will assume to be our bonder for the vow,"
She walked out of the room, Sirius following close by, more than confused at the events that has just transpired.
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The night air was cool and foggy, as if it had become an accomplice to the task Bellatrix Lestrange had at hand. If all went well tonight would be the night she would finally have her cousin back truly. But then, things don't seem to go well for Bellatrix lately. Her uncle had officially given up on Andromeda after the brat had gone and married the scum. At least she was no longer a Black, she was no longer Bella's sister. Her aunt Walburga had rightfully, removed her from the tapestry as well.
Good Riddance.
The violation to the promise with the Greengrasses had not come without consequences. Lord Greengrass has made it very clear that he would no longer consider House Greengrass an ally to House Black. And what was worse, Bella and Malfoy had a secret clause with House Greengrass on them, allying to the Dark Lord and funding the cause with all their filthy riches. But with the violation of the marriage contract, the Greengrasses had opted to remain a Grey house and remain neutral in the coming war.
Bella shuddered. The Dark Lord had not summoned her yet but she could feel her liege's anger from this far. She hoped to placate her master's displeasure for once and all, making sure that the future of the House of Black lay with the dark order. That brought her to her way ward cousin. She glanced sideways at the fourteen year old at her side who was trying to look tough. She didn't know where it went all wrong. How did they become so distant? When did he stop being the little rebel that she adored to an unmanageable brat? How can she curb his blood traitor tendencies? She at least hoped to get his loyalties straight tonight.
"Hold my hand," said Bellatrix and Sirius wordlessly, obliged.
They appeared in front of a farm land where a lone farm house stood out in the distance. Bella hoped her source was right about this or there will be hell to pay. Bella was in no mood to have her plans thwarted again. She walked wordlessly with Sirius until they reached the door at which point she handed him a black mask which he took hesitantly and put on.
She waved her wand and the door sprang open. She walked in to the house in her proud, regal manner with Sirius following by, seeming more hesitant by the minute. She started throwing curses everywhere hitting a desk and a bunch of chairs and bringing down antique pottery that was kept neatly in a shelf up top, laughing maniacally as she did.
"Bella, what the hell are you doing?" asked Sirius, finally, his patience giving in.
The disturbance brought footsteps and soon a slender girl with curly blonde hair and blue eyes was standing in front of them. Sirius let out a small gasp at the sight of her.
"What is going on," She said shocked.
Bella waved her wand, still laughing at the chaos she was creating and ropes sprang out of nowhere, wrapping themselves around her tightly.
"No!" Sirius yelled.
"So my source is right. You really were involved with this filth" spat Bellatrix. Her rage was uncontrollable. It consumed her. She wanted to kill both of them. It took all of her self-control to restrict herself. She waved her wand and the girl started writhing with pain. Her screams were music to her ears until Sirius threw himself at her.
She glared at her cousin who glared back defiantly.
"Now I know why you defended Andromeda. You are as pathetic as she is. Future Lord Black fraternizing with this mudblood. But don't worry, Sirius. You would have what she won't. Redemption is here for you. Salvation is here. Tonight, you will prove to me and the world where your loyalties lie. Tonight you will renounce the whore and truly rise up to your family name,"
"You are insane, Bella, completely insane," Sirius raged.
"Insane, am I?" Bella asked shoving Sirius aside and pointing the wand at the girl again. This time she got thrown backward and hit the brick wall with a loud bang. "You will renounce her. Or so help me Merlin, I will kill her this night and I will bind you up and make you watch me do it,"
"Okay, okay! I won't see her again," Sirius yelled as she raised her wand again. He knew better than to not take her seriously.
"See, I don't trust you anymore," said Bella conversationally. "Prove it. Torture her. We have all night, her parents are gone away. Prove for once and for all, that you are a true Black,"
"I won't," said Sirius defiantly.
"Would you rather I do it? See, the thing with me Sirius is I don't know when to stop," said Bella grinning at him. She raised her wand again.
"I will do it," said a panicked Sirius. He moved forward with his wand raised, towards the girl. With every step he took, he trembled.
Bella knew what was going to happen before it did, but she seriously hoped Sirius won't be that stupid. Instead of pointing his wand at the girl, her cousin turned around and started throwing hexes at her.
I really hate you for making me do this Sirius, but I will.
She retaliated in fervour, matching his curses with twice as much power and agility. He had to credit the kid, he held on for a good five minutes before she took the wind out of him and he lay on the floor; bruised, disarmed and windswept.
"You made the wrong choice, kid," said Bella unable to keep the disappointment off her voice. "Now it's time for a little lesson. Crucio!"
She was angry enough this time as, for the second time in twenty four hours; she hit her cousin with the cruciatus curse. But much to her dismay, like the first time, Sirius writhed for a short moment or two before becoming still again.
Why was it not working?
Sirius took advantage of her momentary shock by grabbing her sleeve and raising himself off the ground. But the strength of his grip tore the sleeve of her robe, revealing the revered tattoo; the mark of being her master's chosen special death eater. But it was not for public knowledge yet and right now, Sirius came under that category. She tried to hide it but the damage was done. Sirius had seen it.
"I- I know that mark," He stuttered as he distanced himself from her in utter shock; a shock which she had never seen in her face, not even when she cursed him or the mudblood or even Andromeda. "That's the mark of that dark wizard guy who has been going around blowing muggle borns and muggles up. That's what has been on the sky every time he kills,"
He looked appalled as he glanced again at her sleeve and then at her face. Then she saw realization hit him. His face contorted.
"YOU!" He said. "You joined him. You are one of them,"
She could see the agony in his face, the disgust.
How could he of all people see her greatest honour with disgust?
"Keep quiet," She hissed.
Sirius seemed to be speechless. Another cry of pain from the Mudblood who seemed to have managed to bite off the rope around her mouth caught his attention.
"Let her go," said Sirius. "I won't be with her anymore. But let her go now and don't touch any of my friends again or I will personally tell everyone that you are one of them. That might actually send the Aurors in the right direction towards catching him. I'm guessing you don't want that,"
She felt anger rising in her again. "You dare try to blackmail me. I will – "
"Kill me? Torture me?" asked Sirius. "I think we can agree that you can't do either. Some bit of humanity that is still in you, hidden under all this rage and blood lust and darkness, seems to prevent you from hurting me. From what I know of the unforgivables, you have to mean it completely in order for it to be effective. So even if you sent a killing curse at me right now, it won't do much to me,"
Bella knew he was right. She wished he wasn't, but he was.
"We had a deal. You made the unbreakable vow. I won't have to kill you, you'd die out of the magic involved," said Bellatrix, though she already realized the loophole in the plan before Sirius voiced it out.
"I vowed to accompany you here tonight, which I did and to meet someone during Christmas. I think I already know who it is. Regardless, I will keep my word and you will have to keep yours too and stay away from Andromeda and Ted or you will die," said Sirius triumphantly.
"Now cast a memory charm on her," Sirius told her. "Then let us go. Or you can go home and prepare to go to Azkaban,"
She screamed out loud with anger. Right now, she felt like a bird that was trapped in a cage. Sirius had her cornered, good and proper. He had won. At least for now.