A/N: Sorry for making you wait for ages but a lot has been going on, between my sister moving back to Holland, university, a new job and my dad having cancer and refusing treatment, I just didn't have time to write. Luckily I have an amazing girlfriend who is always there for me. She helped me getting back on track with my writing so this chapter is for her and for all of you who had the patience to stick with me for so long :)

Oh and the usual disclamer - I don't own any of the characters yadda yadda ... ;)

Enjoy and don't forget to review! :D

Previously:

The air was icy cold, dark stormy clouds threatening from above. The thunder was ear-splitting while lightning lit the sky. Minerva could see the old mansion standing stall on the hill top looking out over the dark forests and lands.

The Black's hidden mansion, standing there proud and arrogant very much like the pure blooded fanatic madmen who once lived there… her childhood's 'home' and prison. Many aurors had believed that they had destroyed the Black's mansion. "What a joke!" Minerva thought darkly "They only destroyed a decoy… Merlin knew how much she had wished that she could have revealed this location." Minerva was bound, sworn to such secrecy that made Severus oath seem like child's play.

Even now just thinking about the curse oath made her cringe, the memories of so long ago still fresh in her mind. They all came flooding back, those horrifying days she had to endure just for the curse oath effect. There were many different stages to it, but the most significant stage was the lack of one final stage… death. No it only consisted of torture as foul the Blacks might have been they were just as intelligent. They knew that death was quick and people were willing to die for their loved ones, torture was much worse, extreme and painful… a less than appealing option when presented with the other option.

"When she was bound to them they made her go through each torture stage just to show her they owned her now and she was at their mercy. Once completed she had to be nursed back to health for an entire year by an house-elf and…" She trailed off her thoughts there, it was no use she had to focus on the current situation. With that she stepped onto the property she swore never to return to but this was an exception. Hermione needed her, she would do anything for her. The next few steps she took with far more confidence she had a mission and she would do whatever it takes to safe Hermione.

"Hello Kittycat" Came the icy voice of Bellatrix Black.

Minerva knew something was off; Bellatrix had used her old nickname, the one only the three sisters had used for her. She hadn't heard that name in over twenty years. She couldn't help the foreboding feeling she got.

'Maybe Ro was right, I shouldn't have gone... alone that is.' Even in her own mind she was still too stubborn to admit that her wife had been right. Besides the thought was ridiculous, she needed to be here, she needed to save Hermione. Her little witch.

Not wanting to betray her inner struggle she converted back to her strict professor persona.

"Are we being nostalgic Miss Black?" Minerva replied but couldn't help the tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Tsk tsk" was Bellatrix reply, the mad woman grinned "That is not how we play the game!"

Lightning fast she grabbed her wand but Minerva was ready for her and had a vast range of counter spells on the tip of her tongue. This is why she nearly fell over when she saw Bellatrix throw the wand away carelessly.

"Oooh so easy to rile up" Bellatrix taunted "Is Rolanda losing her touch?" She winked dramatically.

Minerva's eyes popped wide open in shock. How did she know that? However she recomposed herself and started to recite a well versed response "I can assure you Miss Black… "

Minerva was interrupted before she could finish.

"That is not How The Game Is PLAYED! That's not my name AND DON"T LIE TO ME KITTYCAT"

Once again Minerva was surprised, not by the angry outburst, no she was used to those after all the woman across her was Bellatrix, the Bellatrix. As mad and disturbed they came, renowned for her deadly mood swings.

No Minerva was surprised by the pleading undertone.

"What was going on here? And why did she feel like she didn't get the whole picture? What was wrong here?"

Minerva focused her thoughts as well as she could, trying to analyze all the individual pieces when she suddenly noticed a difference.

"What is going on? Two magic pulses within one person? She hadn't felt that since.. This doesn't make sense and why didn't she have it before?"

Minerva's mind was riddled with questions. "Riddled… Riddle.. NO! It can't be , can it?"

She looked up and stared Bellatrix into her dark sunken eyes as if to find the answer there. Yet, she got nothing but an icy stare in reply.

"L-little (Bee) Trix" Minerva's voice broke "What is going on?" she stuttered.

Bellatrix eyes softened at the mention of her old nickname and in that brief moment Minerva could see everything.

"NO!" She cried out "Trixie why?" It was a rhetorical question.

The headmistress had known the answer the very instant she had looked in Bellatrix's eyes.

Minerva's emerald eyes narrowed angrily as she said with a new found conviction "I- I can't. I never have been able to and especially now. I won't and never will." She had spoken the last few words softly almost whispering having lost her earlier bravado.

"Min" Came the tired reply "You have to" Bellatrix finished softly. "Please if not for me, do it for her"

The underlying meaning abundantly clear. If Minerva didn't kill her Hermione would die.

I know its short but its a start ^_^ I hope you enjoyed it, lemme know what you thought :)