Chapter Three: The Butler, Surprising
Ministry of Magic, August 15th 1996
Sebastian and Tracy lay in wait. The Ministry had long since closed, and even the cleaning staff had gone home. Only the security guards remained. Not that they would come this way tonight. Even if they tried, they would find themselves suddenly remembering something vitally important on the other side of the building. After waiting for several hours, they began to think that their spies information was wrong. That is, until a group of hooded figures floo'd into the ministry and began to make their way towards the holding cells in the lower levels. Suddenly, the robed figure in the centre spun around, and levelled her wand on one of the other figures. "Enough of this charade. I know you're the spy!" she snarled. "Bellatrix."
"What tipped you off?" Bellatrix asked, innocently.
"It could've only been someone within the inner circle. That narrowed it down. You don't grasp your arm when the mark flares, suggesting that you've removed the calling curse. That already suggests your disloyalty. But then I dug a little into your history. You're closely related to the Greengrass family, aren't you?"
"That's right." Bellatrix smiled.
"And your dear cousin, Daphne is currently out to kill my beloved father, and you're helping her."
"That's right, I am."
"Why? Why become a blood traitor?!" she snarled, jabbing her wand into Bellatrix's chest.
"Blood traitor? I think you're a bit confused."
"What?! How dare you speak to me like that! I am the Nightmare Queen! I will not be talked to like that by a filthy blood traitor!"
"I do only, as the young mistress requests."
"What?... Young… Mistress…?"
Two figures dropped from the ceiling, one silent, the other cackling madly.
"Ah, so you are our spy, Bellatrix?" asked the man.
"That's right. Sebastian, isn't it?"
"Correct. And you, I believe you gave your name as 'The Nightmare Queen?'"
"Potter. How nice to see you." she spat.
"My apologies, but my name is Sebastian. Allow me to introduce our housekeeper, Tracy."
Tracy waved at her, before swinging her blade, and decapitating several of the Death Eaters. The girl jumped back out of the arc of the blade, however, the blade caught her arm, leaving a deep gash.
"Argh! You'll pay for that, you blood traitor!" she yelled, shooting a spell at Tracy, who deflected it with her blade, giggling madly.
"Ooh, this is fun! Let's go a few rounds." Tracy cried, launching herself at the Nightmare Queen. Sebastian and Bellatrix stood to the side, watching as Tracy swiped at the black haired girl.
"So, who exactly is 'The Nightmare Queen' then?" Sebastian asked.
"None of us know her real name." replied Bellatrix. "Only that she is the Dark Lord's daughter, and second in charge to the Death Eaters."
"I see. She seems familiar, but I am certain that I have never met her before in my life."Sebastian frowned, examining the girl, who was frantically dodging Tracy's blade, whilst casting a variety of dark curses at the insane housekeeper. She was tall, slim, with waist length black hair which was streaked with red. A pale complexion, and blood red eye's. Suddenly, an explosion rocked the ministry. Bellatrix and Sebastian looked around and noticed a large group of death eaters heading towards them. Stood at the back, was Voldemort, an overconfident smirk on his face.
"Sebastian, we should leave, now!" Bellatrix exclaimed.
"Indeed, our orders were simply to rescue you." Sebastian nodded. "Tracy, we're moving on now."
"You're no fun Mr. Butler!" she called back. "I need to kill some people!"
"Now, Tracy!"
"Urgh, fine!" she sighed. "Until next time, cutie!" she winked at the girl and vanished on the spot.
"I forget she can do that." sighed Sebastian, scooping Bellatrix into his arms, and running for the atrium.
"I am quite capable of keeping up with you, Sebastian." said Bellatrix.
"I am afraid that time is of the essence." Sebastian replied. "After all, we are being chased by the Dark Lord.". Sebastian ran towards the floo network and set Bellatrix down. "The young mistress has already keyed you into the wards, please, go."
"What about you?" she frowned.
"I must ensure that the Dark Lord is not seen, after all, this war would be much harder with the ministry in the way."
"Be careful, don't underestimate him. Or the Nightmare Queen."
Sebastian nodded, and Bellatrix stepped into the flames.
"Greengrass Manor." she called, and with that she was gone. Satisfied that he was alone with the Death Eaters, Sebastian began to lead them further into the depths of the ministry. He led them further and further into the depths of the ministry, until they reached the department of mysteries. Sebastian slowed to a walk. He could hear the shouts from behind him.
"He went this way!"
"Follow me!"
"Don't let him get away!"
He calmly opened a door and stepped through, making sure he was seen. Tracy was waiting inside. "I thought you'd gotten lost!" she giggled. "Come on, help me with this.". Outside the room, the Death Eaters had broken into a run, and were running towards the door that Sebastian had entered. They slammed into the door and tumbled through it, and that was the end of their life. On the other side ot the door, Tracy and Sebastian had placed the Veil. The Death Eaters tumbled over the step, and straight through.
"How anti-climactic." Sebastian muttered.
"It wasn't as fun as stabbing them either." Tracy nodded. "Oh no!"
"What?"
"I'm going to have to fill in so much paperwork! I only just finished the paperwork for killing Dumbledore!"
"I'm sure you'll survive." Sebastian shrugged. "You should return to the manor now. I'll ensure that there were no survivors.". Tracy nodded, and vanished. Sebastian quickly scouted out the ministry. He found two survivors, cowering where Tracy had decapitated The Nightmare Queen's squad, and quickly dealt with them. After disposing of the bodies, he glanced around to make sure he had missed nothing. "My, my, what a troublesome day."
When Sebastian returned to Greengrass Manor, Tracy was serving Daphne tea.
"Here you are, young mistress." she grinned. Daphne took the teacup, and examined it for a second, then looked at Sebastian quizzically.
"Oolong tea, imported from China, young mistress." he bowed.
"Thank you, Sebastian." she nodded. "You were successful then. Bella has returned, and will be joining us shortly."
"Have you informed Neville. He may be more than a little surprised to see her around here."
"Yes. He took it better than I thought." Daphne sighed. "But, I suppose he may just be in shock.". Just then Bellatrix walked into the room, wearing a maid's uniform.
"Young mistress." she greeted Daphne, bowing.
"Ah, Bellatrix. It's good to have you back."
"Young mistress, when exactly did Bellatrix become your maid?" asked Tracy.
"Bellatrix became my maid a while ago. She is closely related to the Greengrass family after all. We're cousins a number of times removed or some such thing. I don't particularly understand that nonsense."
"Mr. Butler, did you know?"
"I did not. The young mistress saw fit to keep this a secret from even I."
"Why?" Tracy frowned.
"Because I wanted you all to be safe, just in case anything happened."
"The young mistress is truly caring." sighed Tracy, dreamily. "But, wait! What about your stint in Azkaban?" she frowned, staring at Bellatrix, curiously.
"What about it?" Bellatrix smirked.
"You spent fifteen years there! You've got to be as crazy as I am!" exclaimed Tracy. Sebastian and Daphne both arched an eyebrow at this comment. "Almost as crazy as I am." Tracy amended.
"It's quite simple really. Those that are bound by the 'Laborare Domina' spell have their magic amplified. In some cases, such as Sebastian's, it amplifies him in every aspect. Making him the perfect butler. In cases like yours though Tracy, it only amplified a particular skill we already held. In your case it was your proficiency with a blade and your acrobatic skills."
"Skills I honed as a Soul Collector." murmured Tracy. "But that still doesn't explain it."
"In my case, it was my ability with mind magic. I've always been good at Occlumency, hence how I remained undetected for as long as I did, but when the young mistress made me a part of her household, my abilities with my mind were amplified."
"So, you shielded your mind with your enhanced Occlumency skills?" Sebastian confirmed.
"That's right, at the same time however, I projected an image of myself, becoming more unkempt and insane onto the image of anyone who saw me. When I was freed I had to use glamours of course."
"Yes, I doubt that would've worked on Voldemort." Daphne murmured. "Regardless, it's good to see you again, cousin dear."
"Thank you, young mistress."
"Now, Bellatrix. There is the matter of the Longbottoms. Their son is my gardener. I don't want things to be awkward between the two of you."
"I doubt they will be, young mistress." said Bellatrix. "After all, they can be cured."
"What?"
"In order to protect them, I had a Soul Collector collect their souls, and store them somewhere safe."
"There's no record of any such thing in the Soul Collector Archive!" cried Tracy. "I would know!"
"He's retired now. He didn't give his name."
"Any identifying features?" asked Daphne.
"He was wearing all black, like most Soul Collectors. He was pale, and had long hair. That's all I can remember I'm afraid." Bellatrix sighed.
"Nothing else that may help us?" asked Daphne.
"No… Oh, wait! No, he did use a code name!"
"A code name?"
"Yes, young mistress." Tracy cut in. "Soul Collectors are often referred to by code names. Mine was Miss. Mayhem."
"I can't imagine why." Sebastian muttered under his breath, causing Daphne to giggle, and Tracy to shoot him a glare.
"What was this man's code name, Bella?" Daphne asked. Bellatrix thought for a moment, then spoke one word.
"Undertaker."
