Athena glared at the envelope knowing the practiced and perfect scrawl was that of her notorious sister-in-law. She threw caution to the wind and opened the letter, hoping that Bellatrix wasn't crazy or stupid enough to curse her husbands little sister. What she read was honestly what Athena had expected from the only family member she truly loathed.

"Dearest Athena,

You are entering a great age in wizarding law, and life. The time has come to put away your childish obsession with neutrality. As you know the Dark Lord is back. He is looking for younger friends. He wants people of a certain blood to join him, and you are on that list my dear. He already has many of the people you know. He wants the daughter of LeStrange. He will get you, I trust you know that. So sister dear trust me when I tell you your choice is already made for you. You will be at LeStrange Court on April 3rd or else the consequences will be severe.

Love Always,

Bellatrix

P.S. If you are thinking of showing this letter to anyone, you won't be able to. It's one of those for your eyes only kind of things."

She read and re-read the letter becoming more and more agitated. The rage she felt muted her screaming stomach and she lost the will to eat. Athena quietly grabbed her belongings and left the table. She thought she saw Draco staring at her knowingly. She just shrugged it off. She simply lit up a cigarette, and continued on to her common room, to grab her books for the afternoon lessons. She was so lost in her own mind that she didn't realize she was heading directly into Severus Snape.

"LeStrange, what have I told you about your smoking?"

"Sir, I didn't see you. I'm sorry."

"Obviously… Miss LeStrange, I'm ashamed to say this. Seeing as this is he third time I've caught you smoking in the halls, I must give you detention. I really wish you'd give up those filthy muggle things."

"But sir please…" Athena pleaded.

"No amount of begging will get you out of it this time."

"Fine..." Athena said accepting her fate. Thinking "Like I need this too." She looked to her head of house. "When will I be serving this detention?"

"All my detentions are full until April 3rd. You will be there or else Miss LeStrange." A slight smile erupted on her face as she turned to leave Snape. "Oh, and Miss LeStrange, put that out." She looked at her nearly finished cigarette took a final drag, and stamped it out. She finished her walk and entered the common room. Slamming her bag down in frustration she heard a voice from the couch.

"What is the problem there darling?" Athena gasped at the sudden startling voice.

"Blaise, how many times must I tell you not to call me that cute nickname?"

"Sorry, but you haven't answered my question. What's wrong?"

"Snape gave me detention, for smoking..."

"That may be true, but that isn't why you're so angry. Did you get a letter too?"

"What are we going to do?"

"We have to attend. We have no choice here. You see when the Dark Lord wants something he gets it. Or he tortures or kills someone. So unless you'd like your father hurt or dead you'll go. My mother is the one that will bear the brunt if I don't go." Blaise rose from the couch and hugged her to stop the tears that he felt were going to come. "Athena Maria LeStrange, I've known you for a fair amount of time. You and I share neutrality; we will go to protect our families. I'm sure we can find a way around the initiation and the branding."

"You're right BUZ, as always." Athena looked at the grandfather clock in the corner. "Shit I'm going to be late we'll talk later." Athena ran off to her next class. Her afternoon was packed with the two classes she liked, Charms then Defense against the Dark Arts. In the study hall before dinner she swore to herself that she'd send the reply that Bellatrix richly deserved. Her first class flew by, the only down note was her name was called to read her essay. Her topic was cheering charms, their uses, history, and misuses. It was a well researched and well written paper until she got to her haphazardly written conclusion. She could have gotten a better grade then she did if she hadn't rushed the end. She zoned out through the rest of the presentations. "One more class till that bitch Trixy gets to hear my reply." she though. She left the class room first figuring if she were early enough to his class she could talk to Snape about changing the date of the detention.

Seeing her chance she went up to Snape." Sir, can we talk about my you know? Like is the date negotiable?"

"No it is not. If you ask again you'll have two to serve, now sit down." The class went by uneventfully except for Athena trying in vain to use the one useful skill Rabastan had taught her on Snape. The class ended and she tried to skulk out of the door, when the door was suddenly blocked by the bat like figure of Severus Snape. "Miss LeStrange, I see your brother has been tutoring you. See that you stay out of my mind and I'll stay out of yours. Now go, you've a letter to write. Be sure to word it properly."

"Sir how did you...?"

"Miss LeStrange, honestly Rabastan must have told you while you try to enter someone's mind yours is just as vulnerable to be entered." Athena stood wordless towards her house master. "Go write the letter, and the detention isn't changing." She slinked by Snape and quickly went to her free study time. On the way she couldn't get Snape's words out of her mind. Something in his eyes told her he knew exactly what was going on. She reached her destination, and picked a seat furthest from the deafening sounds of chatter. She set her quill down and grabbed her pot of special Gryffindor ink that she had bought that summer in Diagon Alley. Figuring the gold and maroon lettering in lieu of silver and green would send the proper message to Bellatrix. In her own mind she got lost in the memories of her first meeting with her much despised sister-in-law.

It was a cold and windy day December 22nd, the previous year. She was home for the Christmas holiday. That was the same year that Rodolphus, Rabastan, and Bellatrix had escaped from Azkaban. Athena was in the middle of making lunch for herself and her father when the doors of their manor slammed open; she heard the distinct voices of three people, voices that seemed familiar. She quickly grabbed her wand, secretly thanking Rodolphus for the charms he put on the house where she was allowed to do magic outside of school ad the Ministry wouldn't be the wiser. She approached the foyer; quietly she slowly reached the voiced. She drew her wand back and cleared her throat shouting "Stupify!" The largest of the three fell to the floor. As she drew her wand to stun the others the smaller of the wizards spoke up.

"Oi, Athena what the bloody hell is wrong with you?"

"How do you know my name? Why and how did you break in here?"

"You don't know me? That saddens me greatly. I guess you were shielded from the truth of your family. Father isn't exactly the prideful kind." Athena's eyes adjusted to the darkened foyer.

"Oh it's you. Go away!"

"Is that any way to talk to your brother you brat?" The female voice chimed almost sounding bored.

"Bellatrix Black, what are you still doing with my brother?"

"Listen you twit, he's my husband. I'll do what I wish with him!"

"Whatever, leave!"

"Stop fighting you two this will accomplish nothing." Rodolphus said rousing from the floor." Damn Athena that was a powerful stunning, first time?"

"Actually no..." Rodolphus rose from the floor and hugged his sister.

"I missed you baby sis. Now will you deny your own blood sanctuary?"

"Rodolphus, Rabastan, of course you can stay here. This is after all your home. She however must leave. I'll not allow her evil near me!"

"Athena, she is my wife and you'll treat her with respect. She'll do the same for you, won't you Bellatrix?"

"Fine, I'm just here until we locate..."

"Bellatrix, she's only a child she doesn't need to know about such things!" Rabastan shouted to his sister-in-law.

"The sooner she knows the better Rabbit dear." Bellatrix said with coldness.

"Whatever, just come in. I've made lunch. Eat, rest, and then please leave. Father won't be happy that I've allowed you shelter."

"Rupert LeStrange was never fond of me. He didn't even come to the wedding. For being a disgrace to pure bloods, he could give the Weasley's a run for their lack of money."

"Bellatrix, please..." Rodolphus said chastising his wife. "She's letting us stay here. Don't piss her off please."

"Whatever. So what's for lunch?"

"I've made fathers favorite, barbecue chicken and white rice."

"Didn't he fall in love with that when Maria was pregnant with you and that was all she craved?"

"Yes he did." Athena said quietly.

"Speaking of your beautiful mother, where is Maria? She always liked me." Rabastan cheerfully asked.

"She was killed. The ministry raided the manor looking for dark objects because of you three. You remember that there was a slight similarity between Trixy and mom?"

"Yes..."

"Well mom heard the noises and to protect me she stunned one of the Aurors, they fired at her thinking that Trixy had escaped from Azkaban. Her death and your arrests is what made father neutral. After seeing the cost of the war on his family, He decided it was best for me not to choose a side."

"Father is neutral? He was for our cause." Rabastan spoke up.

"Yes he is and so am I. Now enough, let's eat and get you rested so that father doesn't see you three. I wonder where he is."

The three fugitives sat nearly quiet except the sounds of forks and plates colliding. After the meal was over Rabastan took his sister aside. "What happened to Jennifer?"

"She was beside herself with grief over your arrest and the crime you committed that she killed herself."

"I was going to marry her. Thirteen years of holding on to her, to my sanity, all for nothing."

"Do you see how your pointless war and monstrous master have destroyed this family? I lost my mother before I could really ever get to know her. You lost your love, your future. How much more is to be lost to that mad man before you learn?" After she finished her plea she fell to the floor holding her cheek.

"How dare you! You insolent brat! You dare question our lord? Look what I found laying around the dining room. You really should be more careful where you place this. CRUCCIO!" Athena began screaming in agony as she helplessly looked to her immobile brothers. A sudden booming voice rose from behind the deranged figure of Bellatrix.

"BELLATRIX BLACK LESTRANGE Release her at once or face my wrath!"

"Fine..." Bellatrix said almost yawning.

"You three leave at once and NEVER return!" Rupert ordered as he bent down to hold his nearly catatonic daughter. The three left the scene and Athena looked to her father and began to cry. "I promise you their evil won't touch you again. You will never have to go through that again. I love you Athena. You look so much like your mother."

Athena came out of her memories and looked over the letter. She went to Slughorn and asked for permission to go to the owlery. Permission she was granted. She ran to send her letter looking over it once more. "Perfect!" She called over Frost. He nipped at her fingers as she pet his feathers. "Here you know where to take this." The owl flew off into the distance.