Sooooo you get this chapter a little bit early this week because it's Mother's day tomorrow and I have no idea if I'll be able to edit and upload this chapter tomorrow. Thanks as always for all of your lovely reviews, follows and favourites.
Please do read, enjoy and leave a review if you have a moment :D
The Purple Black
Christmas was hardly a celebrated holiday in 1996. Narcissa Malfoy could not bring herself to celebrate the holiday to its full potential, with her husband still in Azkaban and her constant worry over her son seemingly making her find what little comfort she could in the bottom of her wine glass, she was not exactly a joy to be around. Bellatrix Lestrange mainly hid in her room, not wanting her nephew to find out about her pregnancy and with her being a little over 6 months gone at this point it was becoming harder to hide (she did not like the wards she could put on herself to hide the child, deeming them uncomfortable and irritating), she only made the effort to join the rest of her family on Christmas day, when Nymphadora swore she ate the most she had ever seen her eat in her life. Draco Malfoy was troubled by the same worries of his mother, his pale stature seen moping around the manor on a rare occasion and seemingly avoiding going anywhere near any of his Death Eater relatives for fear of being questioned on how he was doing with his task. Nymphadora Tonks seemed to be the only one that was upset by the barely celebrated passing of the holiday, though she received just as many presents as usual, though the cheer of the season (whether it be forced on occasion or not) was decidedly lacking.
Though Dora understood, what with so much on people's minds a simple holiday such as Christmas was clearly insignificant in the grand scale of things. It was only when the school holidays were drawing to an end that Nymphadora decided enough was enough. She could accept the reasoning's of her Aunt Bella's absence from the usual cheer, even almost understand her Aunt Cissa's absence as well, but Draco was still a child and she would be damned if she would let the poor boy mope all of his Christmas break.
It was two days before the boy was due to return to Hogwarts when Nymphadora knocked on the bedroom door of Draco Malfoy.
"Who is it?" came the sharp, slightly worried sounding voice of Draco Malfoy.
"Me," Dora said, "Dora."
". . . What do you want?" his voice was careful, as if convinced the woman had come to see him with some deep-set personal vindictive motive to disturb his peace.
"Nothing," Dora rolled her eyes, "well, apart from to talk to you—obviously . . . Can I come in? I promise I'm not going to hex you or do whatever terrifying thing is clearly racing through your mind at the moment."
There was silence for a few moments as the boy clearly considered his cousin, then the click of the lock of the door sounded and Nymphadora couldn't help but smile slightly as she let herself into the boy's room. It was quite a large room, elegantly decorated with pale walls, the odd portrait of the boy with various family and friends hanging on the walls or on the dressers and a large Slytherin Quidditch banner hanging above his bed. Dora closed the door behind her as she looked around the room, smiling slightly as she saw the photograph of herself and Draco at the Quidditch World Cup, the whole event seemed like it was a century ago, so much ahd changed sicne then.
"What happened to all the Quidditch posters?" Dora mused, turning her head to the boy currently sat at his desk watching her.
"They were childish," Draco said, "I got rid of those years ago."
"I suppose I haven't been in your room in a while," Dora sighed, "when was the last time? The last time I can remember is when you were getting ready to leave for Hogwarts for the first time . . . surely it can't have been that long ago? Maybe it was the time we played Gobstones—no, wait, that was before that. Surely I've—"
"Dora," Draco said, interrupting the woman from her ramblings. He waited for her to look at him before he sighed, "how can I help you?"
"Help me?" Dora smirked, walking over to the boys desk and resting on the edge of it, "I don't need help—Don't give me that look, I know what sort of joke you want to make about me needing help, I've not lost my marbles yet boy."
"Well," Draco rolled his eyes, "you clearly wanted something or you would not have come here."
"Can I not see my little cousin with the pure intention of just wanting to see how he is?" Dora raised an eyebrow, the boy returning the look for a few silent moments before the witch let out a sigh, "I'm worried about you."
"I am perfectly capable of—!"
"Did I say you weren't?" Dora asked, "I'm not here to talk about . . . work."
Draco looked at his cousin questionably for a moment, as if he was not willing to accept this fact until he eventually leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "Then what?"
"Draco . . ." Dora hesitated for a moment before she jumped up to sit on the boys desk (decidedly ignoring the scoff of amusement from her cousin as she missed on the first try and almost fell flat on her ass) she crossed one leg over the other and peered down at the boy for a moment before her gaze softened slightly. "How's school?"
"Fine." Draco said quickly.
Dora chewed her lip for a moment, considering the boy, "You're hiding something from me . . ."
"Stop trying to read my mind," Draco hissed, looking away from the girl, "Aunt Bella taught me how to stop that."
"Draco," Dora sighed, "I do not have to use legilimency on you to figure out you're hiding something. Besides, you seem to forget that I helped you learn too. I know you're decent enough at Occlumency to block me out."
"I'm fine," Draco said.
"Draco—"
"I'm fine," Draco said again, more firmly this time.
Dora peered down at the boy, knowing he was lying to her though wondering if it was worth pressing the matter. Eventually, she shook her head and sighed, jumping off of the desk, "Fine, I'll be in my room if you want me."
She walked over to the door, putting her hand on the handle and going to leave until she heard the boy call her name, it was soft and quiet and she almost thought she had imagined it until she turned to see the boy stood up and staring at her. "Yes?"
Draco stayed silent for a moment as if wrestling with his own mind as to if it was a good idea to trust his cousin or not. He must have decided that he could, as he eventually opened his mouth again, "Why did you become a Death Eater?"
"Because I wanted to," Nymphadora said without hesitation.
"Because you wanted to?" Draco asked, sighing as the woman nodded "Not because of Aunt Bellatrix?"
"What do you mean?" Dora frowned.
"Nothing, forget I said anything," Draco shook his head, going to turn his back on the woman before she walked over to him again. He looked alarmed for a moment, as if scared she would berate or even hex him, though she merely gave him a sympathetic smile.
"I won't," Dora spoke softly, "I also won't repeat what you say to me outside of this room."
". . . Swear it?" Draco asked hesitantly.
"Well, I don't make a point of making unbreakable vows or anything like that," Dora laughed, "but yeah, I promise."
"I . . . Aunt Bellatrix wanted you to be a Death Eater too," Draco said, "she wouldn't have been happy if you weren't a Death Eater . . . Did you join because you wanted to? Or was it because . . ."
Draco didn't need to finish his sentence, Nymphadora understood what he was trying to get at. "Draco, I know that this isn't exactly what you wanted—don't argue," Dora smiled knowingly as he went to speak, "it's a fact, not something that is open for debate. Sometimes we do what we have to, for our family, for a greater cause, for fame and glory or any other million reasons that you could think of. But, whether you wanted to become a Death Eater or not, I have no doubt that you have the potential to serve The Dark Lord well . . . and yes, Aunt Bella probably wouldn't have been overjoyed if I turned around and said that I didn't want to be a Death Eater. But I wasn't born into this life, I could have sat at home and done nothing for either side of this war . . . I wasn't there though, Aunt Bella has done a lot for me, but I never felt forced to join The Dark Lord. Though I wasn't naive to the fact that I would probably end up where I am now if I left my parents. I chose this."
Draco paused for a moment, taking in what the witch had just said until he eventually gave a small nod. Dora reached out, squeezing his shoulder in silent understanding. "I mean it by the way; I'll be in my room if you want me—and you are more than welcome to talk to me whenever you want to. Write to me."
"I can't exactly write to a wanted criminal, can I?" Draco raised an eyebrow, "And these are hardly the discussions you have via owl."
Dora laughed, "You're right . . . I tell you what, address it to your mum. Write in blue ink and I'll know it's for me. Your Mum won't see it, between me and you Aunt Bella's been getting a little bored—and maybe a little paranoid—she's been intercepting every owl into this manor for months. Trust me when I say I'll get it before Aunt Cissa does. And as for the topics . . . I'm sure you're smart enough to know how to write in code."
Draco nodded slightly, though looked unsure, "Thanks . . ."
"You're welcome," Dora said, letting go of the boy and going to leave the room again, "talk soon."
She left the boy to his own devices, trying not to worry about the clearly troubled child too much as she made her way back to her room. It was just as she entered the secret entrance to her wing that she immediately jumped in fright.
"Shit!" Dora swore as she pulled her arm out of her Aunt's grip, apparently the woman had been waiting on the other side to grab her. "What the hell—What's wrong?"
Bellatrix Lestrange looked worried, her eyes wide as she shook her head and wrapped her arms around her rounded stomach.
"Aunt Bella," Dora put a hand on the witches arm, growing more concerned by the second, "Is it the baby?"
"No," Bellatrix breathed.
"Then what?" Dora asked, "You look like someone's just died—okay, you look like someone's just died and you're not the cause of death nor happy about it for once."
"No," Bellatrix shook her head, taking the hand that Dora had rested on her arm, "I—They're getting out."
"What?" Dora furrowed her brows in confusion, "What are you talking about?"
"They're getting out!" Bellatrix yelled, causing her niece to jump back in fright, "The boys! Rodolphus! They're getting out!"
Nymphadora's jaw dropped slightly, it was as if the breath had been knocked out of her as she stared at her Aunt in shock. She knew why her Aunt would behave this way, she had been extremely hormonal recently and from their last conversation on the topic she had made it clear that she was not looking forward to confronting her husband about her illegitimate unborn child. Though Nymphadora could only think of one thing—of one person; Barty. Though she did not want to admit it, her heart raced and her head pounded at the thought.
"When?" She breathed.
"Tonight."
"Stop chewing your nails," Bellatrix rolled her eyes.
It was far past midnight now and the two women had decided to stay together to keep each other both awake and distracted, they had begun by playing chess as a distraction. Though that had soon been disregarded as Bella's pregnancy hormones reared their ugly head and she flipped the board when Nymphadora thwarted her long drawn out plan to beat her. They had since been simply trying to distract their selves as much as possible with forced and awkward conversation; there was clearly only one thing on both of their minds.
"Sorry," Dora mumbled, straightening herself up as she pushed herself away from the wall of her Aunt's bedroom.
"Nervous?" the older woman raised an eyebrow.
". . . No," Dora shook her head, "are you?"
"Why would I be nervous?" Bellatrix scoffed, adjusting her pillows as she sat back on her bed.
"I don't know you're about to see your husband for the first time in months and explain to him how you're pregnant with The Dark Lord's child," Dora shrugged, sitting on the edge of the woman's bed.
"I don't have to explain that to him," Bellatrix scoffed, "The Dark Lord is going to."
"You're not worried about how he'll react?" Dora frowned.
"You're not worried about seeing Barty for the first time in months and declaring your undying love for him?" Bellatrix smirked as the girl choked on air.
"What?" Dora said as she tried to compose herself, "Firstly, no. I will not be doing that—"
"Good, you can do better," Bellatrix shrugged, "personally—"
"Secondly," Nymphadora carried on firmly, "stop trying to change the subject."
"He has nothing to argue, Dora," Bellatrix said, "he can't."
Dora shook her head, she knew better than to argue this subject with her Aunt. If she tried to explain how a man may not be happy at his wife for getting pregnant with another man's child she would only get a lecture as to how it did not matter as it was The Dark Lord, if she tried to argue the point further then she would get a lecture about loyalty and duty. It wasn't worth trying to explain logic to the woman.
"Do you think they'll be okay getting out?" Dora asked, trying to change the subject herself this time.
"They'll be fine, we've done it once it's hardly difficult to do it again. I just wish I could go," Bellatrix pouted slightly.
"Yes, because running around an old wet, slippery, stone, dangerous prison when you're already slow on your reflexes due to looking like you have a small quaffle shoved up your dress seems like a wise idea."
"You are no fun recently," Bellatrix narrowed her eyes, sitting up again, "I am more than capable of—"
The witch paused, looking in the direction of the door. They had both felt it; the wards of the manor had admitted multiple people into its protections. Nymphadora stood, looking back to her Aunt for a moment before with a silent look of understanding she left the room. She strode from the ward, trying to still the nervous feeling in her stomach as she eventually stopped at the top of the main staircase, gripping onto the bannister as she waited.
The creek of the large doors opening echoed throughout the manor and Nymphadora ensured that the most emotionless mask she could muster was fixed firmly upon her features as the group walked in. They were all there, all that had fallen at the Ministry, some of the men helped along by their comrades that had been tasked with setting them free. One or two of them looked at her as they walked past to make their way to their master, all dishevelled and drained though some with great grins still plastered on their faces. She was distracted as her Uncle Rodolphus looked up at her for a moment, a small frown as if he were expecting to see Bellatrix to greet him. She was soon distracted as she met the gaze of Barty Crouch Jr though, his grin faltered for a moment and an unreadable expression came over him for the few moments their eyes were locked until they passed. She closed her eyes when they were out of sight, taking a deep breath before she decided to follow them.
The door to the ballroom closed behind them, Nymphadora catching the briefest of glances at her master waiting patiently for them before she was met by nothing but the solid wooden doors.
"Dora?" Narcissa Malfoy breathed as she rushed down the corridor, wrapped in her dressing gown, her hair pulled up into a messy ponytail and her eyes wide. She had never looked so normal to her in her life.
"Aunt Cissa," Dora smiled slightly, walking away from the door and meeting her Aunt.
"Was that . . . ?" Narcissa's eyes widened further as the girl nodded, "Why did no-one tell me?"
"Surpise?" Dora shrugged, "I don't think Aunt Bella wanted you to worry." That was only a half truth, Bella had specifically told Dora that she hadn't told her other Aunt as she 'didn't want to deal with her insufferable frantic worry'. "Uncle Lucius is in there too . . ."
"He—" Narcissa brought her hand to her mouth, staring at the door.
"He looks okay," Dora said, "not half as bad as some of them."
"Oh." Was all the blonde witch could muster in terms of a response.
"Look, why don't you go . . . freshen up?" Dora shrugged, Narcissa wasn't helping her own nerves and truth be told she was starting to realise she couldn't blame Bella for not telling her sister they were coming.
"Right . . ." Narcissa nodded, "A-Are you staying?"
"Yes, the boys don't exactly all know where your little secret wing is, do they?"
"Right," Narcissa nodded again, she looked as if she were in a trance, barely listening to what her niece was saying. It was only when she caught sight of herself in one of the mirrors of the manor that she sighed and shook her head, rushing off to make herself look more presentable.
"You may leave," Voldemort said smoothly, stepping back from Lucius Malfoy after he had finished telling him how disappointed he was in his failure of the mission and how it would not be forgotten. The room began to move, some men disapparating with their newly reunited wands firmly in their hands, but Voldemort raised his hand as the Lestrange's tried to leave with Barty. "Rodolphus, stay . . . we have matters to discuss."
"Yes, My Lord," Rodolphus said obediently, not noticing nor caring for the look the two men exchanged behind him as they bowed and backed away.
"Do you think he's in trouble?" Rabastan murmured as they left the room together, closing the two doors firmly behind them.
"No," Both Barty and Rabastan jumped slightly at the voice, each grabbing their wands and turning to the source, "though it's lovely that you jump to that conclusion."
"Nymphadora," Rabastan said in acknowledgement, "come to take us to our new prison?"
"It's hardly a prison," Dora rolled her eyes, "but yes . . ."
She flickered her eyes to Barty for a moment, the man staring at her despite himself, before she began to walk in the direction of their new quarters nodding for them to follow her lead. Barty watched her intently, not paying attention to the man beside him at all as Nymphadora showed them how to get into the hidden wing. She waited for them to go ahead of her, and Barty made sure to let Rabastan go first. He paused, staring into the woman's dark eyes. She was unreadable, staring back at him as he frowned slightly. This was not at all what Barty Crouch had imagined his reunion with this woman to go, he had pictured it many ways as he sat in his Azkaban cell, but this was not anywhere near what he had imagined.
"Go on," Dora raised an eyebrow, gesturing for the man to go into the wing.
She followed in behind him, pointing to various rooms, "That's the main bathroom, that's my room, that's your room Rab, Barty that's yours and that's Aunt Bella and Uncle Rod's room—don't go in there, she's asleep."
"She's asleep?" Rabastan turned to give the woman a questioning look, "How the fuck is she asleep?"
"Well, it's closer to day break than midnight and people get tired, Rabastan," Dora said sarcastically.
"Bellatrix doesn't sleep with shit like this going on," Rabastan murmured.
"Well," Dora sighed, "if you want to see if I'm lying and go in there and face her wrath when you wake her up—or when she finds out you've been watching her sleep, which is creepy—feel free." She crossed her arms, silently daring the man to try it before he grunted and rolled his eyes, "That's what I thought—Go to sleep, I'm going to get Uncle Rod."
Barty went to say something, though the woman moved quickly and before he knew it she had disappeared out of the exit to the wing again.
"She's cheery," Rabastan scoffed, "I'm going to get a bath and then I'll sleep. Goodnight."
"Goodnight . . ." Barty murmured, watching the man disappear into his room. He stood in the hallway for a moment, trying to decide where to go until without knowing why he went to the door that Nymphadora had pointed out to be her own room.
It wasn't quite as grand as her room at Lestrange Manor, though it was undeniably hers. There were a few photographs on her dresser, mainly of her and her Aunt Bella though there were some with Cissa, Draco and even Rodolphus included, her pyjama's from the night before were strewn across her dressing table chair, her bed sheets still the same as that she had had at Lestrange Manor. Barty smirked slightly as he thought of all the things that had happened within those sheets. He walked over to the bed, sitting down on its edge he hesitated for a moment before he took a pillow and gingerly brought it to his face. It smelt of her and he couldn't help but groan slightly. It had been so long.
Nymphadora wasn't sure what to expect from Rodolphus when he was done with The Dark Lord, but she wasn't looking forward to having to take him up to see Bellatrix on her own. She had been waiting outside of the room for at least ten minutes, she was sure that she had felt the Dark Lord leave the wards about five minutes ago but for the life of her, she could not bring herself to get the courage to open the door and get her Uncle. She left it for a few more minutes, then a few more, until she decided she couldn't wait any longer. With a deep breath she grasped onto the handle of the door and pushed. Rodolphus was standing at the window, staring out into the grounds not moving an inch even when the footsteps of Nymphadora walking towards him echoed off of the walls.
"Um . . ." Dora bit her lip, "Uncle Rod?"
Rodolphus turned his head slightly, hesitating for a moment before he looked to her. "Where's Bellatrix?"
"She's in her room—well, your room too," Dora said.
"Couldn't even be bothered to come meet me herself?" Rodolphus sneered.
"Well she's—" Dora stopped herself, not really wanting to say to her Uncle that her Aunt was too pregnant to go walking down to meet him with other people in the manor considering that she didn't enjoy hiding her pregnancy, "she's in bed—but she's waiting up for you."
". . . How is she?" Rodolphus asked.
"She's okay," Dora replied.
"I didn't mean her physical health," Rodolphus rolled his eyes, "Is she worried about what I will think? Scared even? No, I suppose not, I don't think that woman ever cares about anyone—not even her own husband."
"She does—"
"Don't lie to me, Nymphadora," Rodolphus glared at the girl, "Relationships aren't worth anything, not in this world."
"Well, I don't know, not all relationships are—"
"Not thinking of Barty, are we?" Rodolphus raised an eyebrow.
"I—How do you know about Barty?" Dora asked, trying to not to show her shocked nerves on her features.
"He spoke to Rabastan about it, who in turn spoke to me about it," Rodolphus wrinkled his nose, "I thought you were better than that to be honest—despite what you are."
Dora narrowed her eyes slightly, trying not to get angry at the man despite his slight on her blood, "What did you hear?"
"That you're spreading your legs for Barty," Rodolphus rolled his eyes, smirking as Dora blushed furiously, "it's what he does, Nymphadora. He's done it since his Hogwarts days, gets some poor girl to trust him and think that he cares about them—but really he just uses them to satisfy his needs."
"He's not—"
"Then why does my brother know details of your sex life?" Rodolphus raised an eyebrow.
"Probably because your brother is a pervert and got it out of him!" Dora snapped, glaring furiously as the man merely snickered at her.
"Yes, because Rabastan simply has to know that when Rabastan kisses your collar bone you—"
"Shut up," Dora hissed, she didn't want to hear her Uncle say that, not in a million years.
"He's just as bad as Bellatrix, Dora, he only cares about one thing and your feelings are not it." Rodolphus mused, walking over to the door to the ball room, "He's practically said so himself. Now," Rodolphus opened the door, turning to look at the woman "are you going to take me to see my loving wife or not?"
"What are you doing?" Nymphadora hissed as she walked into her room and slammed the door behind her, the man was laid on the bed, one of her pillows grasped in his hands.
"I—" Barty began, sitting up.
"Get out," she glared at the man, grabbing the pillow and snatching it from him.
He frowned, confused as he stood up, "Not excited to see me?" the roots of the girl's hair tinged red and he knew he had his answer, "Nymphadora, what have I done to make you so mad at me? So cold? I thought you were just putting on a show in front of Rab . . ."
"I was," Dora said, crossing her arms across her chest.
"Then why are you like this now?" Barty frowned, reaching a hand out to take the woman's arm though she jumped back away from his touch.
"Just leave," Dora said, pointing towards the door, "you don't give a shit about me, you just want sex and I'm not giving in to that tonight."
"Woah," Barty couldn't help but laugh slightly, something that only caused the girls hair to turn entirely red, "what idiot—What did Rod say to you when you brought him up here?"
"Only the truth!" Dora snapped, "You don't give a shit, you only use me and that's clearly the case because if you do care you're too much of a coward to even risk letting my Aunt find out about us—Which she knows now anyway! You sat braging to Rabastan about our sex life!"
"Dora, don't listen to him—if he's in a bad mood for whatever reason he will do anything to put the nearest person in as foul a mood as him. As far as Rab goes he found out and he—it was just guy talk, I didn't tell him anything personal. Just don't liste to Rod, he—"
"He's right!" Dora screamed, "You don't care, this is just sex to you! You left me!"
"Excuse me?" Barty looked offended, glaring slightly at the girl, "I was in prison!"
"You said—You promised!" Dora yelled, "You said you would see me soon and then you got yourself locked up!"
"I stayed behind to protect you!" Barty yelled back, "Is this the root of your anger, Dora? Because I thought you were smart enough to ignore the idiocy of Rodolphus."
"You could have ran!" Dora shook her head, her anger bubbling to such a level that her eyes were brimmed with tears, "You didn't—Get off of me!" Dora growled as the man grabbed her arm, hitting him in the chest as hard as she could to try and move him away from her to no avail.
"I care about you Dora," Barty hissed, not letting go of the woman, "If I just wanted sex then I would have gone to Knockturn Alley and picked up some whore rather than risk Bella's wrath by going to you! I spent my days in Azkaban being fucking kept sane knowing that the reason I was there was because if I hadn't have helped keep the Order away from you, you would be there too! Don't you dare accuse me of—"
The man was silenced immediately, the woman lunging forward and grabbing his dirty hair in her hands and pulling his face down to her own as she kissed him furiously. Barty was stunned for a moment before with a small groan he wrapped his arms around the young witch, leaning into their kiss and claiming her lips with his own. Eventually the witch pulled away, panting for breath and resting her forehead on the man's chest as she stilled her tears. Barty sighed, rubbing the woman's back and resting his chin on her head.
"I missed you, Dora . . ." Barty murmured.
"I-I missed you too . . ." Dora sniffed.
"Promise me something?" Barty said after a moment, lifting his head as he waited for the woman to look up at him and nod in acknowledgement, "Don't listen to Rodolphus, he's a prat when he's in a mood."
"Deal," Dora laughed, nodding in agreement.
"Why was in that mood, anyway?" Barty frowned, "He's got no reason to be upset . . ."
"I . . ." Dora sighed, shaking her head "Don't worry about it . . . Will you promise me something?"
"Yes," Barty said without hesitating.
Dora smirked, reaching up and touching the man's ragged beard, "Don't let this get so bloody overgrown and matted again—and take a bath."
Barty laughed "Deal. Only if you'll join me?"
Dora thought for a moment before she nodded "You can have two baths then, because by merlin are you filthy."
Barty mocked offense at the woman's comment which only caused her to laugh, a sound that he quickly cut off as he kissed her for a brief moment, "Deal . . . and don't listen to what Rodolphus has to say, I'll tell you everything I told Rab and like I said it was just because—"
"Don't," Dora shook her head, "let's just get you washed, okay?"
Barty hesitated for a moment before he sighed and nodded, letting Nymphadora lead him into her ensuite.
Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoed! Please leave a review if you have a moment, I assure you each one brings a grin to my face.
The Purple Black